The world's political record
Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
351 records in US in 2000
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2000
Sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 4811 (foreign operations, export financing, and related programs appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000
Truthfulness, Responsibility, and Accountability in Contracting Act of 2000 - Requires the head of each Federal agency to certify to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (who shall make such certification public) its compliance with the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 3) Prohibits agency heads from entering any service contracts until the OMB Director: (1) determines that the agency is making substantial progress toward meeting the requirements in the certification; or (2) waives suspension of contracting authority in the interest of national security, extraordinary economic harm, or patient care. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor the compliance of any agency operating under a suspension of contracting authority. (Sec. 4) Requires each agency to establish, according to OMB guidelines, a centralized reporting system with respect to both contracting out and contracting in. Specifies frequency and contents on such reports. Requires every agency to file a separate annual report on the number of Federal employee positions and positions held by non-Federal employees under a contract that has been subject to public-private competition during the past fiscal year. Requires OMB to compile and submit all such reports to specified congressional committees for eventual publication on the Internet. (Sec. 5) Requires any agency decision to initiate or continue a privatization, outsourcing, contracting in, or contracting out for the performance of a function to be based on the results of a public-private competition process meeting certain requirements. Requires an agency to commence or continue the performance of a function by Federal employees if, under a specified cost comparison, the agency determines that at least a ten-percent cost savings would not be achieved by contractor performance of the function. (Sec. 6) Requires an agency either to conduct a new public-private competition or to convert the function to Federal employee performance, if a report indicates that, for two consecutive years, the actual cost of privatization, outsourcing, contracting in, or contracting out of a particular function exceeds the anticipated cost of contractor performance, or fails substantially to meet quality control standards. States that any resulting terminations for convenience may be undertaken without cost to the U.S. Government. Requires an agency to subject to public-private competition each fiscal year an equivalent number of Federal employee positions and positions held by non-Federal employees under a contract. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Labor to survey the wages and quantifiable benefits provided by contractors to non-Federal personnel working in various occupations under contracts entered into during the two fiscal years immediately preceding enactment of this Act. Requires the OMB Director to review the survey and report to specified congressional committees on the extent to which the wages and quantifiable benefits paid by contractors are comparable to the wages and quantifiable benefits earned by Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and infectious disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking amounts for child survival and maternal health, vulnerable children, HIV-AIDS, other infectious diseases, children's basic education, UNICEF, and U.S. contribution to the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support to the American educational institutions there; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) international disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to support transition to democracy and to long-term development of countries in crisis (provided AID reports to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days before the beginning of such program assistance); (7) micro and small enterprise development programs; (8) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries (provided such funds are made available only for urban and environmental programs); (9) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (10) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (11) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, and Mongolia); (12) the International Fund for Ireland; (13) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for the Baltic States, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (14) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Georgia and Armenia and for child survival, environmental health, and to combat infectious diseases); (15) the Peace Corps (with a bar on the use of such funds for abortions); (16) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (17) migration and refugee assistance; (18) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (19) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (20) the Department of the Treasury international affairs technical assistance program; and (21) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible countries (including through the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Trust Fund under the enhanced HIPC initiative). Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government; and (3) any activity contravening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits funds to Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the Russian Federation is in compliance with article V of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe regarding forces deployed in the flank zone in and around Chechnya. Withholds 50 percent of the funds allocated for the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program or ballistic missile capability. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to support grant-financed military education and training at the School of the Americas unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense certifies that the instruction and training provided by the School is fully consistent with training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights, provided by the Department of Defense to U.S. military students at Department of Defense institutions whose primary purpose is to train U.S. military personnel; and (2) the Secretary of State, without delegation, certifies that such instruction and training is consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives and helps support the observance of human rights in Latin America. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to a specified congressional committee by January 15, 2001, on the School's training activities and a general assessment regarding the performance of its graduates during 1998 and 1999. Urges Israel to terminate the existing contract to sell an airborne radar system to the People's Republic of China which could threaten both the forces of democratic Taiwan and the United States in the region surrounding the Taiwan Strait. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala; or (2) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA), subject to specified conditions; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; (8) the African Development Fund; (9) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2002. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); or (2) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Serbia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernmental organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country (including earmarking amounts to such organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities). Earmarks ESF funds to the Jamestown Foundation (currently the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights) for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of State to report quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of supplemental appropriations for ESF assistance and military assistance to certain countries. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosovo or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, and displaced Burmese may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; (2) normalization of relations with Israel by such Arab countries; and (3) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American- made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance from a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes the sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 558) Bars funds appropriated by this Act or any previous appropriations Act for foreign operations, export financing and related programs to be made available for assistance for the Government of Haiti until: (1) the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Haiti has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament; and (2) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is fully cooperating with the US efforts to interdict illicit drug traffic through it to the United States. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 559) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 2000. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 561) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for its Coast Guard. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 564) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 565) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 566) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 567) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 568) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 570) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 573) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 574) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 575) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. Bars the use of such funds for administrative expenses of the State Department. (Sec. 576) Directs AID to submit an annual budget justification consistent with certain requirements of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 578) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 579) Makes foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET). (Sec. 580) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 581) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 582) Urges funds appropriated by this Act for U.S. assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to the maximum extent practicable to be used for the procurement of articles and services of U.S. origin. (Sec. 583) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act for assistance for the government of any country that has been determined to have: (1) provided lethal or non-lethal military support or equipment, directly or through intermediaries, within the previous six months to the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front (RUF), or any other group intent on destabilizing the democratically elected government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; or (2) aided or abetted, within the previous six months, in the illicit distribution, transportation, or sale of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone. (Sec. 584) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees who voluntarily separate (whether by retirement or resignation) on or before December 31, 2001 to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 585) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a working capital fund for AID expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment and supplies. (Sec. 586) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 587) Earmarks a specified amount of funds for population planning activities or other population assistance, with specified restrictions on assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions. (Sec. 588) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador to be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 589) Declares that funds shall be appropriated to the HIPC Initiative only when the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that such institutions will not include user fees or service charges through "community financing", "cost sharing", "cost recovery", or any other mechanism for primary education or primary healthcare, including prevention and treatment efforts for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and infant, child, and maternal well-being in their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers or any other HIPC-related debt relief or economic reform program or plan or any other IMF or World Bank loan or reform program. (Sec. 590) Bars the use of funds under this Act for abortions or to lobby for or against abortion. (Sec. 591) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold ten percent of the U.S. payment to any international financial institution until the Secretary certifies that such institution has implemented certain procurement and financial management reforms. Title VI: Mozambique, Madagascar, and Southern Africa Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2000 for international assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Mozambique, Madagascar, and southern Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000
Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000 - States that no amendment made by this Act shall be treated as a tax rate change for purposes of section 15 (effect of changes on tax rates) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the basic standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly shall be twice the basic standard deduction for an unmarried individual, beginning in 2001. (Sec. 3) Provides that the 15 percent regular income tax bracket for a married couple filing jointly shall be twice the size of the corresponding bracket for an unmarried individual. Sets forth a graduated phase-in beginning in 2003 and fully effective in 2008. Repeals provisions that reduce the refundable child credit (as applicable to the additional credit for families with three or more children) and earned income credit by the amount of the taxpayer's alternative minimum tax, beginning in 2002. (Sec. 4) Increases the beginning point of the phase-out range of the earned income credit for married couples filing jointly by $2,000, beginning in 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 5 July 2000
Marriage Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000 - States that no amendment made by this Act shall be treated as a tax rate change for purposes of section 15 (effect of changes on tax rates) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the basic standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly shall be twice the basic standard deduction for an unmarried individual, beginning in 2001. (Sec. 3) Provides that the 15 and 28 percent regular income tax bracket for a married couple filing jointly shall be twice the size of the corresponding bracket for an unmarried individual. Sets forth a graduated phase-in beginning in 2002 and fully effective in 2007. (Sec. 4) Increases the beginning point of the phase-out range of the earned income credit for married couples filing jointly by $2,500, beginning in 2001. (Sec. 5) Revises provisions concerning the allowance of nonrefundable personal tax credits to provide that the aggregate amount of such credits shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability for the taxable year reduced by the foreign tax credit; and (2) the alternative minimum tax. (Sec. 6) Sets forth "Budget Act" compliance provisions (sunset provisions).
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Tax Relief for Working Families Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the earned income credit for an eligible individual with two or more children; (2) revise the definition of the term "earned income" with respect to such credit; and (3) revise the definition of the term "dependent."
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000 - Title I: Emergency Relief for Areas with Substantial Need for Services - Subtitle A: HIV Health Services Planning Councils - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) planning council reflect the demographics of the population of individuals with HIV disease (currently, the demographics of the epidemic) in the eligible area involved. Modifies requirements regarding council composition, including requiring representatives of former prisoners. Requires that at least 33 percent of the council be people who: (1) are receiving HIV-related services pursuant to a grant under provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services (substantial need grant); and (2) are not officers, employees, consultants, or representatives of any entity that receives substantial need grant amounts. (Sec. 102) Modifies council duties, including regarding: (1) determining the size, demographics, and needs of the HIV disease population; (2) council establishment of fund allocation priorities; and (3) coordination with Federal grantees that provide HIV-related services in the area. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop epidemiologic measures for establishing the number of individuals with HIV disease who are not receiving HIV-related health services and for carrying out council duties; and (2) provide to the chief elected official receiving a substantial need grant guidelines and materials for training council members regarding council duties. (Sec. 103) Requires that council meetings and records be open to the public, subject to exception. Subtitle B: Type and Distribution of Grants - Makes permanent provisions requiring expedited disbursement of certain substantial need grant amounts. Requires, after fiscal year 2004, that the substantial need grant amount formula use the number of cases of HIV disease in the most recent year rather than the number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the most recent ten years, but until FY 2007 conditions that change on the Secretary's determination that there is sufficiently accurate and reliable data on HIV disease cases from all eligible areas, requiring the Secretary to consider: (1) the findings of a study mandated by title V of this Act; (2) the fiscal impact of using or of not using that data; and (3) the impact of the use of that data on the organization and delivery of HIV-related services. Modifies requirements regarding increases in the amount of a substantial need grant under expedited disbursement provisions. (Sec. 112) Requires that the amount of supplemental substantial need grants be determined by the Secretary based on a weighting of specified factors, with severe need counting one-third. Includes the current HIV disease prevalence, an increasing need for services, and unmet need for services as factors the Secretary must consider in determining severe need. Directs the Secretary, in determining the required factors, to develop a mechanism to use national, quantitative incidence data by 18 months after enactment of this Act (currently, by May 20, 1998). Requires mechanism modification based on the findings of a study mandated by title V of this Act. Removes provisions basing the amount of substantial need grants on substantial need grant applications. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Requires that substantial need grant funds be used, among other purposes, for: (1) outreach to identify individuals with HIV disease who are not receiving HIV-related services; and (2) early intervention services. Requires that substantial need grants be used to provide health and support services to infants, children, youth, and women (currently, infants, children, and women) with HIV disease in the same ratio as those groups with HIV disease bear to those groups in the general population. Requires that the chief elected official of a substantial need grant-receiving area establish a quality management program to assess whether HIV health services under the substantial need grant are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines. (Sec. 123) Requires that official to ensure that the area's planning council: (1) reviews existing, available data on expenditures by substantial need grant recipient entities from their overall budget for administrative costs; and (2) makes a determination whether the financial compensation of any of those entity's officers or employees exceeds that of the official. Title II: Care Grant Program - Subtitle A: General Grant Provisions - Requires that grants to States to improve the quality, availability and organization of health care and support services for individuals with HIV disease (care grants) be used to provide health and support services to infants, children, youth, and women (currently, infants, children, and women) with HIV disease in the same ratio as those groups with HIV disease bear to those groups in the general population. (Sec. 202) Allows care grants to be used for support services, outreach activities, early intervention, and quality management. (Sec. 203) Modifies requirements regarding grants to establish HIV care consortia. (Sec. 204) Allows a State to meet a requirement to use a portion of its care grant to provide therapeutics to treat HIV disease or prevent related health deterioration (including prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections) by paying for health insurance or plans whose coverage includes a full range of such therapeutics and primary care. (Sec. 205) Requires care grant applications to contain determinations of the size, demographics, and needs of the population of individuals with HIV disease in the State. Modifies requirements regarding the comprehensive plan. Requires the public health agency that administers care grants for a State to engage in a public advisory planning process. (Sec. 206) Doubles, subject to appropriations, the minimum care grant allotment to each State and U.S. territory. Requires, after fiscal year 2004, that the care grant amount formula use the number of cases of HIV disease in the most recent year rather than the number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the most recent ten years, but until FY 2007 conditions that change on the Secretary's determination that there is sufficiently accurate and reliable data on HIV disease cases. Provides for increases in the formula amount. Requires, if an appropriations Act provides an amount exclusively for treatment drug grants, that two percent of that exclusive amount be reserved for supplemental grants to States whose HIV population's need is greater than the quantities available under treatment drug grants from the remaining unreserved 98 percent. Adds the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau to the list of U.S. territories. Adds the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the list of territories for minimum allotment provisions but keeps it in the list of States for other care grant provisions. (Sec. 207) Replaces provisions mandating coordination by specified Federal agencies of Federal HIV programs with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants to States to supplement care grants for comprehensive services for communities that have a severe need for supplemental financial assistance to combat the HIV epidemic. Provides for funding for the supplemental grants. Subtitle B: Provisions Concerning Pregnancy and Perinatal Transmission of HIV - Removes provisions prohibiting (after testing of pregnant women and newborns has become a routine practice in U.S. health care) care grants to a State unless the State meets certain requirements regarding such testing. (Sec. 212) Adds HIV disease treatment services to the uses for which the Secretary may make a grant to a State that is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding HIV counseling and voluntary testing for pregnant women. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits using care grant appropriations for grants under this section. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to provide for a study and report to appropriate congressional committees regarding: (1) the number of newborns with HIV born in the United States in the most recent year for which the information is available; (2) barriers that prevent or discourage an obstetrician from routinely offering pregnant women an HIV test and routinely testing newborns when the mother's HIV status is unknown; and (3) recommendations for each State for reducing perinatal HIV transmission. Requires States to make reasonable progress toward meeting the recommendations. Subtitle C: Certain Partner Notification Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for partner counseling and referral services, provided the State meets certain requirements regarding: (1) partner notification and (for the partner and the infected individual) testing, counseling, and referral; (2) health entity reporting of positive test results to the State; (3) reporting to the CDC regarding partner notification; and (4) State cooperation with the CDC national partner notification. Prohibits grants to a State after fiscal year 2003 unless the State's reporting system for HIV cases produces sufficiently accurate and reliable data. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Early Intervention Services - Subtitle A: Formula Grants for States - Repeals provisions mandating formula grants to States for outpatient early intervention services regarding HIV disease. Subtitle B: Categorical Grants - Requires giving preference to rural or underserved areas in making currently-authorized categorical grants for outpatient early intervention services. Allows planning grants to be used, subject to limitation, to assist the recipients to expand their capacity to provide services, including early intervention services, in low income communities and affected subpopulations that are underserved. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Requires that the counseling that categorical grant recipients are required to provide to HIV-infected individuals emphasize that it is the duty of infected individuals to disclose their status to their sexual and needle-sharing partners, provide advice on how to make the disclosures and emphasize that it is the infected individual's continuing duty to avoid behaviors that expose others to HIV. (Sec. 322) Increases the percentage limit on administrative expenses. Requires recipients to establish a quality management program to assess the extent to which medical services are consistent with Public Health Service guidelines for treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infections. Title IV: Other Programs and Activities - Subtitle A: Certain Programs for Research, Demonstrations, or Training - Replaces a requirement that, with regard to grants for providing opportunities for women, infants, children, and youth to participate in HIV research and for providing to those groups outpatient health care and additional services, that a significant number of individuals in those groups be participating in research with a requirement that the grant applicant demonstrate linkages to research and how access to research is being offered to patients. Directs the Secretary to examine the distribution and availability of research regarding grantees to enhance and expand HIV-related research, especially in underrepresented communities. Requires grantees to implement a quality management program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Includes, as a use of currently-authorized grants and contracts for training health personnel: (1) training in prenatal and other gynecological care for women with HIV disease; and (2) developing protocols for the medical care of such women. Directs the Secretary to implement a strategy for the dissemination of HIV treatment information to care providers and patients. Adds accredited dental hygiene programs as possible recipients of currently-authorized grants with respect to oral health care to (sic) patients with HIV disease. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to dental schools, post-doctoral dental education programs, and accredited dental hygiene programs that partner with community-based dentists to provide care to HIV patients in underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts to assist public and nonprofit private entities and schools and academic health science centers to train health personnel, train faculty, and develop and disseminate curricula and resource materials regarding the care of HIV patients and prevention of HIV infection among at risk individuals. Subtitle B: General Provisions in Title XXVI - Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants and contracts to evaluate programs carried out under title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (HIV Health Care Services Program). (Sec. 412) Authorizes appropriations for collecting and providing data for program planning and evaluation under title XXVI. (Sec. 413) Adds the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Care Financing Administration to the list of agencies (currently, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) charged with coordinating the planning, funding, and implementation (currently, coordinating the planning of the funding) of Federal HIV programs to enhance continuity of care and prevention services (currently, continuity of care). Requires that State, local, or private entities receiving title XXVI funds enhance continuity of care and prevention services (currently, continuity of care). (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to Congress a plan for the medical case management of and the provision of support services to individuals who had HIV disease on their date of release from the Federal or State penal system. (Sec. 415) Authorizes the Secretary to reduce title XXVI grants to a State or political subdivision if the State or subdivision fails to prepare audits. (Sec. 416) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a plan for coordinating the disbursement of appropriations for substantial need grants with the disbursement for care grants; (2) within two years after enactment of this Act, implement the disbursement plan, notwithstanding any title XXVI provision inconsistent with the plan; (3) determine whether administration of those grants by the Secretary and grantee compliance efficiency would be improved by requiring biennial rather than annual applications; (4) develop and submit to Congress a plan for simplifying the application process for those grants; and (5) within two years after enactment of this Act, implement the simplified application plan, notwithstanding any title XXVI provision inconsistent with the plan. (Sec. 417) Removes provisions directing the Secretary to develop and implement a method for adjusting the percentages allocated to substantial need grants and care grants to account for substantial need grants to new areas and other relevant factors. Authorizes appropriations for substantial need and care grants. Title V: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for studies, and report to the appropriate congressional committees, on: (1) whether the surveillance system of each State provides for the reporting of HIV infection cases in a way that provides information on the number and demographic characteristics of the cases that is sufficiently accurate for the formula grants under substantial need and care grant provisions and, if not, recommendations for improvements; and (2) the appropriate epidemiological measures and their relationship to the financing and delivery of primary care and health related support services for low income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals with HIV disease. (Sec. 502) Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and other NIH activities regarding development of reliable and affordable HIV tests that can be rapidly administered and whose results can be rapidly obtained (rapid HIV tests). Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary: (1) to report to appropriate congressional committees on the progress made toward, and barriers to, the premarket review and commercial distribution of rapid HIV tests; and (2) promptly after rapid HIV test commercial distribution begins, to establish or update guidelines for States, hospitals, and other entities regarding the availability of those tests for administration to pregnant women in labor or late stage pregnancy and whose HIV status is unknown. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary, of the amounts available to the Secretary for program management at the Health Resources and Services Administration, to spend amounts necessary to ensure at least a 20 percent increase in fiscal year 2001 over fiscal year 2000 of full- time-equivalent staff of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS who administer programs under title XXVI. Title VI: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act and its amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
National Energy Security Act of 2000 - Title I: Energy Security Actions Required of the Secretary of Energy - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to report annually to the President and Congress on the progress the United States has made toward obtaining the goal of not more than 50 percent dependence on foreign oil sources by 2010. (Sec. 102) Sets a deadline for the Secretary to submit to the President a certain report of the National Petroleum Council, together with recommendations for administrative or legislative actions. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Economic Council an Interagency Work Group on Natural Gas (the Group), whose function shall be to develop a strategy and comprehensive policy for the use of natural gas as an essential component of overall national objectives of energy security, economic growth, and environmental protection. Title II: Amendments to Energy Policy and Conservation Act and Actions Affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to authorize drawdown and distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) if: (1) the President concurs in the determination of the Secretary of Defense that it will not impair national security; and (2) the Secretary of Energy finds that it will not have an adverse effect on the domestic petroleum industry. (Sec. 201) Extends through FY 2003 the availability of FY 2000 appropriations for SPR authorities. Extends the expiration date for authorities related to domestic supply availability from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 202) Extends from FY 1997 through 2003 the authorization of appropriations for the interagency working group that coordinates Federal programs affecting exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services. Extends the expiration date for standby energy authorities from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 203) Instructs the President to establish immediately an Interagency Panel on the Strategic Petroleum Study to study and report to the President and Congress regarding oil markets and estimated future fluctuations in the price, supply, and demand for crude oil, and to determine appropriate SPR capacity and use. Title III: Provisions to Protect Consumers and Low Income Families and Encourage Energy Efficiencies - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal: (1) the requirement that participating States share 25 percent of the cost of weatherization programs as a condition for receiving assistance grants; and (2) the mandate that forty percent of weatherization program funds be spent for weatherization program materials. Instructs the Secretary to establish energy audit procedures and techniques. Increases the financial assistance for labor and weatherization materials expenditures per dwelling unit. Includes among such weatherization materials heating and cooling modification costs, including replacement. (Sec. 301) Repeals the mandate for the Secretary to establish, pursuant to State application, a separate average per dwelling unit limitation. (Sec. 302) Amends the EPCA to direct the Secretary, upon State request, to provide information, technical assistance, and funding for specified actions (summer fill programs) to avoid severe seasonal price increases and supply shortages of kerosene, propane, and heating oil during summer months. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations for an Energy Efficiency Science Initiative, managed by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for grants for energy efficiency research. Title IV: Provisions to Enhance the Use of Domestic Energy Resources - Subtitle A: Hydroelectric Resources - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of the Army, respectively, to inventory all dams, impoundments, and other facilities under their jurisdiction and to report to Congress on the potential of such facilities to generate hydroelectric power and on actions planned to do so. (Sec. 402) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report to Congress on expedited hydroelectric licensing procedures. Subtitle B: Nuclear Resources - Directs the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to report to Congress on: (1) domestic nuclear power generation and production; and (2) the potential for increasing nuclear generating capacity and production as part of the domestic energy mix. Subtitle C: Development of a National Spent Nuclear Fuel Strategy - Establishes an Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research within the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Energy, headed by an Associate Director, to implement an integrated research and development program on technologies for the treatment, recycling, and disposal of high-level nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, under the general supervision of the Secretary. Confers upon the Secretary grant and contract making authority. Subtitle D: Coal Resources - Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the potential for increased generation from existing coal-fired power plants; and (2) provide grants for refinement and demonstration of new technologies for the conversion of coal to liquids. Title V: Improvements to Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management - Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Act of 2000 - Emphasizes that this Act does not give a State a property right or interest in any Federal lease or land. Subtitle A: State Option to Regulate Oil and Gas Lease Operation on Federal Land - Permits a State to notify either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (depending upon the appropriate jurisdiction) of its intent to accept authority for regulation of certain oil and gas lease operations on Federal land within such State. Declares an automatic transfer of regulatory authority over designated operations from the appropriate Secretary to the State effective 180 days following receipt of such notification. Bars a Federal agency from exercising authority formerly held by such Secretary with respect to oil and gas lease operations on Federal land. Subtitle B: Use of Cost Savings from State Regulation - Prescribes guidelines to compensate a State for the costs of implementing such transferred authority. Subtitle C: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Bars the appropriate Secretary from recovering costs for applications and other documents relating to oil and gas leases. (Sec. 532) Requires the Secretary to ensure: (1) timely issuance of Federal agency decisions respecting oil and gas leasing and operations on Federal land; and (2) that unwarranted denials and stays of lease issuance and unwarranted restrictions on lease operations are eliminated from the administration of oil and gas leasing on Federal land. (Sec. 535) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish a national inventory of oil and gas reserves and potential resources underlying Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf. Subtitle D: Federal Royalty Certainty - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Mineral Leasing Act pertaining to oil and gas leases to reformulate the payment of their respective lease royalties. Exempts Indian lands from such reformulation. Subtitle E: Royalty Reinvestment in America - Directs the appropriate Secretary, whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level, to allow as a credit against the payment of Federal oil and gas production royalties, a specified percentage of expenditures made for capital exploration and development on Federal oil and gas leases. (Sec. 551) Prohibits capital expenditures made on Outer Continental Shelf leases from being credited against onshore Federal royalty obligations. (Sec. 552) Instructs the appropriate Secretary to reduce the royalty rate for marginal oil and gas production following prescribed guidelines whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level. (Sec. 553) Prescribes procedural guidelines under which any operator of an oil well leased under specified statutes may notify the Secretary of the Interior of suspension of operation and production at the well. Title VI: Frontier Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Incentives - Frontier Exploration and Development Incentives Act of 2000 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act governing bidding procedures for oil and gas leases to set a certain net profit royalty share for oil and gas production in the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas of Alaska. (Sec. 602) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to reduce any future royalty or rental obligation by a specified percentage after an oil and gas lease has been granted pursuant to the statutory bidding system. Title VII: Tax Measures to Enhance Domestic Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Marginal Well Preservation - Marginal Well Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to specify a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production. (Sec. 703) Authorizes taxpayer election to expense geological and geophysical expenditures and to delay rental payments for domestic oil and gas wells. Subtitle B: Independent Oil and Gas Producers - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses attributable to operating mineral interests of independent oil and gas producers; (2) suspend through 2004 the limitation on the total amount of the depletion allowance to 65 percent of taxable income; and (3) suspend through 2006 the taxable income limit with respect to marginal production. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends the IRC to: (1) repeal the mandate that certain approved terminals offer dyed diesel fuel and kerosene for nontaxable purposes; and (2) redefine qualified tertiary injectant expenses for purposes of the enhanced oil recovery credit. Title VIII: Tax Measures to Enhance the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, Improve Energy Efficiencies, Protect Consumers and Conversion to Clean Burning Fuels - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth placed-in-service rules and special rules for biomass facilities; (2) deny renewable electricity production credit to electricity sold to utilities under certain contracts; (3) exclude from gross income as contributions to capital certain amounts received by electric energy, gas, or steam utilities; (4) extend the credit for electricity produced from steel cogeneration; (5) declare certain expense limitations on depreciable business assets inapplicable to a storage facility used in connection with home heating oil distribution; (6) establish a tax credit for certain percentages of residential solar energy photovoltaic and solar water heating property expenditures; and (7) allow an energy credit for 20 percent of the basis of certain fuel cell property and eight percent of the basis of combined heat and power system property placed in service during the taxable year for business uses. Title IX: Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will: (1) result in an environmentally sound program; (2) not result in significant adverse effects upon fish and wildlife; and (3) ensure the receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be leased. (Sec. 903) Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and any leasing or development leading to such production. States that Congress determines that the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program and activities authorized by this Act are compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established, and that no further findings or decisions are required to implement this determination. States this Act is the sole authority for Coastal Plain leasing, and that such Plain is considered "Federal land" for purposes of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate up to a specified total of Coastal Plain acreage as "Special Areas" and close them to leasing if the Secretary determines that these Areas require special management and regulatory protection; and (2) permit leasing in those Special Areas by setting lease terms that limit or condition surface use and occupancy by lessees but permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases located outside the designated Special Areas. Declares that this Act constitutes the Secretary's sole authority to close Coastal Plain lands to oil and gas leasing and to exploration, development, and production. Instructs the Secretary to convey the surface estate of specified lands to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in order to remove clouds on title and clarify land ownership patterns within the Coastal Plain. (Sec. 905) Declares that the Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement on the Coastal Plain of April 1997 is adequate to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 906) States that lands may be leased to any person qualified to obtain a lease for oil and gas deposits under the Mineral Leasing Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe lease procedures. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the Secretary to grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder by sealed competitive cash bonus bid any Coastal Plain lands upon payment of such bonus and a royalty which shall not be less than a certain amount. Prescribes lease terms and conditions. Sets forth bonding requirements to ensure financial responsibility of lessee and avoid Federal liability. (Sec. 912) Directs the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for oil and gas transportation. (Sec. 913) Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to provide for: (1) biannual scheduled onsite inspections for compliance of Coastal Plain facilities with environmental or safety regulations; and (2) annual nonscheduled onsite inspections of such facilities. Title X: Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity - Subtitle A: Accelerated Technology Research and Development Program for Advanced Clean Coal Technology for New and Existing Coal-Based Electric Generating Facilities - Part 1: National Coal-Based Technology Development and Applications Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, for chemical feedstocks, and for transportation fuel; and (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Part 2: Existing Plant Technology Applications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to develop economically and environmentally acceptable advanced technologies for utilization within current electricity generation facilities using coal as the primary feedstock; (2) transmit a detailed plan to Congress; and (3) solicit proposals for demonstrations designed to achieve such technical milestones. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Credit for Emission Reductions and Efficiency Improvements in Existing Coal-Based Electricity Generation Facilities - Amends the IRC to: (1) allow a tax credit for investment in a qualifying clean coal technology unit; and (2) set forth the formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a unit. (Sec. 1033) Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a qualified system of continuous emission control, or a qualified clean coal technology unit, may elect to have credits applied to the prepayment of any debt or obligation for investment in the retrofit, repowering, or replacement of existing coal-based generation with certain systems of continuous emission control and clean coal technology. Subtitle C: Incentives for Early Commercial Applications of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies - Sets forth: (1) a tax credit for investment in a qualifying advanced clean coal technology facility; and (2) a formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a facility. Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a such facility may elect to have such tax credits applied to prepayment of debt or obligations incurred under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Family Health Tax Cut Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit ($500 or $3,000 per dependent, depending upon the medical care) for dependents' unreimbursed medical care expenses. Coordinates such credit with the medical deduction and the employment- related dependent care credit to avoid double benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as capital expenditure deductions certain replanting, removal, and preproductive costs of crops for human consumption lost to freezing temperature, disease, drought, casualty, or pests.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Gas Price Equity Act of 2000 - Requires any fine paid by a person to the United States as a result of any investigation into motor fuel prices to be rebated to consumers as provided by this Act. Reduces tax rates on motor vehicle fuel by the amount (and for the period) determined necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out this Act. Requires the fuel tax rate reduction to be the amount which will result in a reduction in revenues to the United States equal to the amount of fines paid. Directs the Secretary to provide for tax rate reductions in any region which are proportional to the extent of the conduct (to which the fine relates) which occurred in the region. Requires the Secretary to take steps to ensure that reductions under this Act are reflected in the retail price of the fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000
Suspends gasoline and diesel fuel taxes for a 150-day period.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000
Title I: Short Title - Federal Property Asset Management Reform Act of 2000. Title II: Definitions - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to define "landholding agency" to mean any Federal agency that, by specific or general statutory authority, has jurisdiction, custody, and control (jurisdiction) over real property or interests therein, but excludes agencies when they are acting as the sponsors of real property conveyances for public benefit purposes pursuant to Federal provisions regarding the disposal of surplus property. Title III: Life Cycle Planning and Management - Directs the Administrator of General Services: (1) in collaboration with the heads of affected Federal agencies, to establish and maintain current asset management principles to be used as guidance by such agencies in making major decisions concerning the planning, acquisition, use, maintenance, and disposal of real and personal property assets subject to such Act; and (2) to collect such descriptive information, except for classified information, as the Administrator deems will best describe the nature, use, and extent of the real property holdings of the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) establish data and other information technology standards for use by Federal agencies in developing or upgrading agency real property information systems; and (2) withhold information, including the location of classified facilities, when it is determined that withholding such information would be in the public interest (but otherwise the listing compiled under this title shall be public record). Directs the head of each landholding agency to appoint, or designate from among its employees, a Senior Real Property Officer. Allows the appointment of a Real Property Officer for any major component of an agency, who shall report to the Senior Real Property Officer. Makes the Senior Real Property Officer for each agency responsible for continuously monitoring agency real property assets to: (1) ensure that the management of each asset is fully consistent with and supportive of the goals and objectives of the agency's Strategic Plan and reflected in an agency asset management plan; (2) identify assets that can benefit from the application of enhanced asset management tools (see Title IV); (3) ensure, in cases where an asset can benefit from application of an enhanced asset management tool, that any resulting transaction will result in a fair return on the Federal Government investment and protect the Government from unreasonable financial or other risks; and (4) ensure that a listing and description of the agency's assets is provided to the Administrator. Title IV: Enhanced Authorities for Real Property Asset Management - Authorizes the head of a landholding agency to apply an enhanced asset management tool to a real property interest when such interest: (1) when used to acquire replacement real property, is not excess property; (2) is used to fulfill or support a continuing mission requirement; and (3) can, by applying an enhanced asset management tool, improve the support of such mission. Requires the agency head, before applying an enhanced asset management tool to such an interest, to determine that such application: (1) supports the agency's Strategic Plan and real property asset management plan; (2) is the most economical and cost effective option available for the use of the real property; and (3) is documented in a business plan which, commensurate with the nature of the selected tool, analyzes all reasonable options for using the property; takes into account applicable provisions of law, including the National Environmental Policy Act; and evidences compliance with the requirements of the Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Authorizes any landholding agency to acquire replacement real property by: (1) transfer or exchange of real property subject to this Act with other Federal agencies under terms mutually agreeable to the agencies involved; and (2) selling or exchanging a real property asset or interests therein with any non-Federal source, provided that the transaction does not conflict with other applicable laws governing the acquisition of real property interests by Federal agencies, the agency first made the property available for transfer or exchange to other Federal agencies, and the transaction results in the agency receiving fair market value consideration for the asset sold or exchanged. Allows the head of any landholding agency to make available to other Federal agencies and to non-Federal entities the unexpired portion of any government lease for real property, provided that the sublease results in the agency receiving fair market rental value for the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) priorities for subleasing; (2) out-leasing agreements; (3) forms of consideration; (4) transactional reports; and (5) annual reports. Title V: Incentives for Real and Personal Property Management Improvement - Authorizes Federal agencies to retain from proceeds from the sales of personal property amounts necessary to recover the full costs of disposing of such property, including the costs for warehousing, storage, environmental services, advertising, appraisal, and transportation. Directs that: (1) such amounts be deposited into an account available for such expenses without regard to fiscal year limitations; and (2) amounts that are not needed to pay such costs be transferred at least annually to the general fund or to a specific account in the Treasury as required by statute. Rewrites provisions regarding the transfer or sale of property to provide for agency retention of the proceeds from real property, and the crediting of monetary proceeds to the agency's capital asset account. Allows agencies to be reimbursed from the monetary proceeds of real property dispositions or from other available resources, including the agency's capital asset account, for the full costs of disposing of such property. Sets forth a schedule for implementing this title. Title VI: Streamlined and Enhanced Disposal Authorities - Authorizes the Administrator to convey the U.S. interest in surplus real and related personal property which the Secretary of the Interior has determined is suitable and desirable for use as a historic monument, for the benefit of the public, to a qualified nonprofit organization established for the primary purpose of preserving historic monuments, provided that the State, political subdivision, instrumentalities thereof, and municipality in which the property is located do not request conveyance to them. Makes the authority of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch or wholly owned Government corporation to convey or give surplus real and related personal property for public airport purposes subject to the requirements of the Act. Directs that any such surplus real property available for conveyance first be made available to the Administrator for disposal, including conveyance for any public benefit purposes, including public airport use. Amends the Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on a quarterly basis, to request information from each landholding agency regarding surplus, unutilized, or underutilized public buildings and real property (current law) that have not been previously reported on by the agency; (2) extend to 90 days (currently 60 days) the period during which written notice may be filed of intent to apply for property for use to assist the homeless; (3) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give a preference to applications that contain a certification that their proposal is consistent with the local Continuum of Care strategy for homeless assistance; and (4) make such Act inapplicable to buildings and property that are in a secured area for national defense purposes or that are inaccessible by road and can be reached only by crossing private property. Directs the Secretary of HUD: (1) to survey landholding agencies to determine whether the properties included in the last comprehensive list of properties published under such Act remain available for use to assist the homeless; and (2) to publish in the Federal Register a list of all such properties. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Provides that the authorities granted by this Act to Federal agency heads for real and personal property transactions and management shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any existing authorities. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) severability; and (2) judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000
Minor Animal Species Health and Welfare Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define: "minor species" as animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats; and (2) "minor use" as use on minor species or on other species for a disease or condition that occurs infrequently or in limited geographic areas. Provides for the designation of new animal drugs as being for minor use and mandates approval exclusivity for seven or ten years. Allows marketing of unapproved drugs for minor species with no human food safety concern. Authorizes grants for minor use drug clinical testing and manufacturing. Modifies new animal drug approval requirements. Establishes the Office of Minor Use Animal Drug Development in the Center of Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business research tax credit (not applicable to grant funds) for minor use clinical research spending.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000
Fuel Excise Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend motor fuel taxes until March 31, 2001. Repeal the 4.3 cent per gallon tax increase (enacted in 1993) for fuel used for trains, planes, and barges.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 - Title I: Water Resources Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army (Secretary) to carry out: (1) a specified project for navigation, New York-New Jersey Harbor; and (2) specified water resources projects (subject to completion of a favorable final report of the Chief of Engineers by December 31, 2000) in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana and Kentucky, Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Wyoming and on the Ohio River. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of, and authorizes the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that a project is feasible, to authorize the Secretary to carry out, a project, for: (1) beach restoration and protection at Lake Palourde and St. Bernard, Louisiana; (2) navigation at Houma Navigation Canal and Vidalia Port, Louisiana; (3) removal of snags and clearing and straightening of channels for flood control at Bayou Manchac and Black Bayou and Hippolyte Coulee, Louisiana; (4) emergency streambank protection at specified locations in Louisiana; (5) flood damage reduction or control at various locations in Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee; and (6) improvement of the quality of the environment at various locations in Louisiana and Ohio. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects regarding: (1) beneficial uses of dredged material at specified locations in Louisiana and Ohio; and (2) aquatic ecosystem restoration at specified locations in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Oregon. (Sec. 110) Amends the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 to: (1) include Perry Creek, Iowa, among appropriate locations to be examined with respect to the flood mitigation and riverine restoration program; and (2) authorize the Secretary to design and construct a shore protection project at Fort Canby State Park, Benson Beach, Washington, including beneficial use of dredged material from Federal navigation projects. Title II: General Provisions - Modifies provisions of the Flood Control Act of 1970 regarding water resources projects to provide that an agreement entered into by a State may reflect that it does not obligate future appropriations (currently, future State legislative appropriations) for performance and payment when obligating future appropriations would be inconsistent with State constitutional or statutory limitations of the State or a body politic of the State. (Sec. 202) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to remove provisions authorizing a study of water resources needs of river basins and regions. Authorizes the Secretary to assess the water resources needs of river basins and watersheds of the United States, including needs relating to: (1) ecosystem protection and restoration; (2) flood damage reduction; (3) navigation and ports; (4) watershed protection; (5) water supply; and (6) drought preparedness. Directs the Secretary, in selecting river basins and watersheds for assessment, to give priority to the Delaware River basin. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions from Federal, tribal, State, interstate, and local governmental entities to the extent that such contributions will facilitate completion of the assessment. Sets forth cost-sharing requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to study and determine the feasibility of carrying out water resources development projects that: (1) will substantially benefit Indian tribes; and (2) are located primarily within Indian country or in proximity to Alaska Native villages. Requires the Secretary to: (1) consult with the Secretary of the Interior concerning such studies; (2) integrate civil works activities of the Department of the Army (the Department) with activities of the Department of the Interior; and (3) consider the authorities and programs of the Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies in any recommendations concerning carrying out projects studied. Sets forth provisions regarding priority projects and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to make any cost-sharing agreement for a feasibility study, or for construction of an environmental protection and restoration project (currently limited to flood control or agricultural water supply projects), subject to the ability of the non-Federal interest to pay. Modifies provisions regarding determination of the ability of a non-Federal interest to pay. Directs the Secretary to promulgate revised criteria and procedures governing such ability within 18 months. Authorizes the Secretary, in revising criteria, to consider criteria relating to: (1) the financial ability of the non-Federal interest to carry out its cost-sharing responsibilities; or (2) additional assistance that may be available from other Federal or State sources. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program to reduce vandalism and destruction of property at water resources development projects under the jurisdiction of the Department, including by providing rewards to individuals who furnish information or evidence leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing damage to Federal property; and (2) participate in the National Recreation Reservation Service on an interagency basis and pay the Department's share of activities required to implement, operate, and maintain the Service. (Sec. 207) Amends the WRDA of 1990 to: (1) provide that activities currently performed by personnel under the direction of the Secretary in connection with the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power generating facilities at Corps of Engineers water resources projects are to be considered as inherently governmental functions and not commercial activities (current law) in cases in which the activities require specialized training relating to hydroelectric power generation; and (2) double the amount authorized to be appropriated for interagency and international support to address problems of national significance to the United States. (Sec. 209) Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with affected Indian tribes, to identify and set aside areas at Department civil works projects that may be used to re-bury Native American remains that have been: (1) discovered on project land; and (2) rightfully claimed by a lineal descendant or Indian tribe in accordance with applicable Federal law. Permits the Secretary, in consultation with and with the consent of the lineal descendant or the affected tribe, to recover and re-bury, at full Federal expense, the remains at the areas identified and set aside. Authorizes the Secretary to convey to a tribe for use as a cemetery an area at a civil works project that is so identified and set aside. Directs the Secretary to retain any right-of-way, easement, or other property interest that the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the authorized purposes of the project. (Sec. 210) Amends the river and harbor Act of March 3, 1899, to provide that the approval required of the location and plans, or any modification of plans, of any dam or dike applies only to a dam or dike that, if constructed, would completely span a waterway used to transport interstate or foreign commerce in such a manner that actual, existing interstate or foreign commerce could be adversely affected. Specifies that any other dam or dike that is proposed to be built in any other navigable water of the United States shall not be subject to the approval requirements of this section. (Sec. 211) Rewrites provisions of the WRDA of 1986 regarding project deauthorizations to direct the Secretary to annually submit to Congress a list of projects and separable elements thereof (projects) that are authorized for construction and for which no Federal funds were obligated for construction during the four preceding fiscal years. Directs that any water resources project authorized for construction be deauthorized effective at the end of the seven-year period beginning on the date of the most recent authorization or reauthorization of the project unless Federal funds have been obligated for construction by the end of that period. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress annually a list of authorized projects for which no Federal funds have been obligated for construction and for which no Federal funds have been obligated for construction of the project during the two full fiscal years preceding the date of submission of the list. Directs that any water resources project for which Federal funds have been obligated for construction be deauthorized effective at the end of any five-fiscal year period during which Federal funds specifically identified for construction of the project have not been obligated for construction. Defines "construction" and "physical work under a construction contract." Directs the Secretary: (1) upon submission of the lists, to notify each Senator in whose State, and each Member of the House of Representatives in whose district, the affected project is or would be located; and (2) to publish annually in the Federal Register a list of all projects deauthorized under this section. (Sec. 212) Amends the WRDA to: (1) require that guidelines for preparation of flood plain management plans by non-Federal interests address potential measures, practices, and policies (current law) that non-Federal interests shall adopt and enforce to reduce loss of life, injuries, and specified other adverse impacts and to preserve and enhance natural flood plain values; and (2) require non-Federal interests to take measures to preserve the level of flood protection provided by such a project. Makes this section applicable to any project with respect to which the Secretary and the non-Federal interest have not entered a project cooperation agreement on or before the date of this Act's enactment. (Sec. 213) Amends the WRDA of 1990 to provide that, with respect to environmental dredging projects, a non-Federal sponsor may include a nonprofit entity, with the consent of the affected local government. Title III: Project-Related Provisions - Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the study to determine the feasibility of the reservoir and associated improvements in the vicinity of Boydsville, Arkansas, authorized by the WRDA of 1999, not more than $250,000 of the costs of the relevant planning and engineering investigations carried out by State and local agencies if the Secretary finds that the investigations are integral to the scope of the feasibility study. (Sec. 302) Amends the WRDA of 1999 regarding the White River Basin project, Arkansas and Missouri, to authorize the Secretary to reallocate the amounts of project storage that are recommended by the report to Congress. Prohibits obligating funds to carry out work unless it does not significantly impact other authorized project purposes. Extends the deadline for submission of the report until July 30, 2002. Requires the report to include determinations concerning whether project storage should be reallocated to sustain the tail water trout fisheries. (Sec. 303) Modifies the project for shore protection, Gasparilla and Estero Island segments, Lee County, Florida, to authorize the Secretary to enter into agreement with the non-Federal interest to carry out the project in accordance with provisions of the WRDA of 1992 if the Secretary determines that the project is technically sound, environmentally acceptable, and economically justified. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to carry out planning, engineering, and design of an adaptive ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, and erosion protection project along the upper Snake River within and adjacent to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Idaho, provided that the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribe provide land, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for implementation of the project. Authorizes the Secretary to construct and adaptively manage for ten years, at full Federal expense, a project if the Secretary determines that the project: (1) is a cost-effective means of providing ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, and erosion protection; (2) is environmentally acceptable and technically feasible; and (3) will improve the economic and social conditions of the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribe. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the study to determine the feasibility of improvements to the upper Des Plaines River and tributaries, phase 2, Illinois and Wisconsin, authorized by the WRDA of 1999, the costs of work carried out by the non-Federal interests in Lake County, Illinois, before the date of execution of the feasibility study cost-sharing agreement, if: (1) the Secretary and the non-Federal interests enter into a feasibility study cost-sharing agreement; and (2) the Secretary finds that the work is integral to the scope of the study. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the project costs of the Mississippi River and tributaries, Morganza, Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico project the cost of any work carried out by the non-Federal interests for interim flood protection after March 31, 1989, if the Secretary finds that the work is compatible with, and integral to, the project. (Sec. 307) Modifies the project for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses, Red River Waterway, Louisiana, to authorize the purchase of mitigation land from willing sellers in any of the parishes that comprise the Red River Waterway District. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to provide design and construction assistance for recreational facilities in the State of Maryland at the William Jennings Randolph Lake (Bloomington Dam), Maryland and West Virginia, project. Directs the Secretary to require the non-Federal interest to provide 50 percent of the costs of designing and constructing the recreational facilities. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the project for navigation, New Madrid County Harbor, Missouri. (Sec. 310) Directs the Secretary, regarding the project for navigation, Pemiscot County Harbor, Missouri, to provide credit to the Pemiscot County Port Authority, or an agent of the Authority, for costs incurred by the Authority or agent in carrying out construction work for the project after December 31, 1997, if the Secretary finds that the construction work is integral to the project. (Sec. 311) Provides for an exchange between the United States and S.S.S., Inc., of lands located in Pike County, Missouri, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to carry out a project at Fort Peck Lake, Montana, for the design and construction of a fish hatchery and such associated facilities as are necessary to sustain a multi-species fishery. Sets forth cost sharing provisions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out: (1) dredging of Mines Falls Park, New Hampshire (and authorizes appropriations); and (2) maintenance dredging of the Sagamore Creek Channel, New Hampshire. (Sec. 315) Modifies the project for flood control, Passaic River, New Jersey and New York, to emphasize non-structural approaches for flood control as alternatives to the construction of the Passaic River tunnel element, while maintaining the integrity of other separable mainstream project elements, wetland banks, and other independent projects that were authorized to be carried out in the Passaic River Basin before this Act's enactment date. Directs the Secretary to review: (1) the Passaic River Floodway Buyout Study, dated October 1995, to calculate the benefits of a buyout and environmental restoration using a specified method used to calculate the benefits of structural projects under the WRDA of 1990; and (2) the Passaic River Buyout Study of the ten-year floodplain beyond the floodway of the Central Passaic River Basin, dated September 1995, to calculate the benefits of a buyout and environmental restoration using such method. Requires the Secretary: (1) to reevaluate the acquisition, from willing sellers, for flood protection purposes, of wetlands in the Central Passaic River Basin to supplement a wetland acquisition authorized by the WRDA of 1990; and (2) upon determining that the acquisition is cost-effective, to purchase the wetlands, with the goal of purchasing not more than 8,200 acres. Directs the Secretary to review relevant reports and conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for environmental restoration, erosion control, and streambank restoration along the Passaic River from Dundee Dam to Kearny Point, New Jersey. Directs the Secretary to establish the Passaic River Flood Management Task Force to provide advice to the Secretary concerning all aspects of the Passaic River flood management project. Requires the task force to submit annually to the Secretary and to the non-Federal interest a report describing the achievements of the project in preventing flooding and any impediments to completion of the project. Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1986 regarding the Passaic River Basin to direct the Secretary to carry out such provisions in a manner that is consistent with New Jersey's Blue Acres Program. Authorizes the Secretary to study the feasibility of conserving land in the Highlands region of New Jersey and New York to provide additional flood protection for residents of the Passaic River Basin. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any funds to carry out design or construction of the tunnel element of the Passaic River flood control project. (Sec. 316) Modifies the project for shoreline protection, Rockaway Inlet to Norton Point (Coney Island Area), New York, to authorize the Secretary to construct T-groins to improve sand retention down drift. Specifies the Federal and non-Federal share. (Sec. 317) Extinguishes the reversionary interests and use restrictions relating to port or industrial purposes with respect to specified deeds on properties located on the John Day Pool in Oregon and Washington. Extinguishes the human habitation or other building structure use restriction in each area where the elevation is above the standard project flood elevation. Authorizes the use of fill material to raise low areas above the standard project flood elevation, except in any low area constituting wetland for which a permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act would be required. (Sec. 318) Amends the WRDA of 1999 to require that the non-Federal interest for the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier project, Providence, Rhode Island, receive credit toward the non-Federal share of project costs, or reimbursement, for the Federal share of the costs of repairs authorized that are incurred by the non-Federal interest before the date of execution of the project cooperation agreement. (Sec. 319) Requires that: (1) the Secretary enter into an agreement for the city of Grand Prairie, Texas, to assume all responsibilities of the Trinity River Authority under a specified contract, other than financial responsibilities, except that the Authority shall be relieved of all financial responsibilities under the contract as of the date on which the Secretary enters into the agreement with the city; (2) the city pay the Federal Government $4,290,000 in two installments in consideration of the agreement; and (3) the agreement include a provision requiring the city to assume responsibility for all costs associated with operation and maintenance of the recreation facilities included in the contract. (Sec. 320) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in critical restoration projects in the Lake Champlain watershed, New York and Vermont. Sets forth provisions regarding the types of projects eligible for assistance, a public ownership requirement, project selection, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 321) Modifies the project for sediment control, Mount St. Helens, Washington, to authorize the Secretary to maintain for Longview, Kelso, Lexington, and Castle Rock on the Cowlitz River specified flood protection levels. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in critical restoration projects in the area of Puget Sound, Washington, and adjacent waters. Sets forth provisions regarding project selection, prioritization of projects, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 323) Amends the WRDA of 1992 to provide that, with regard to the Fox River System, Wisconsin, the terms and conditions may include one or more payments to assist the State of Wisconsin in paying the costs of repair and rehabilitation of the transferred locks and appurtenant features. (Sec. 324) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to increase appropriations for projects of alternative or beneficially modified habitats for fish and wildlife. Directs that such projects include the construction of reefs and related clean shell substrate for fish habitat, including manmade three-dimensional oyster reefs, in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Maryland and Virginia, which reefs shall be preserved as permanent sanctuaries by the non-Federal interests. Requires the Chief of Engineers to solicit participation by, and the services of, commercial watermen for assistance in the construction of such reefs. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary, in operating and maintaining Federal channels and harbors of, and the connecting channels between, the Great Lakes to conduct such dredging as is necessary to ensure minimal operation depths consistent with the original authorized depths of the channels and harbors when water levels in the Great Lakes are, or are forecast to be, below the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985. (Sec. 326) Directs the Secretary, within one year, to develop a plan for activities of the Corps of Engineers that support the management of Great Lakes fisheries. Requires that the plan make use of and incorporate documents that relate to the Great Lakes and that are in existence on the date of this Act's enactment, such as lake-wide management and remedial action plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop the plan in cooperation with the signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of the Great Lakes Fisheries and other affected interests; (2) plan, design, and construct projects to support the restoration of the fishery, ecosystem, and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes; and (3) develop a program to evaluate the success of such projects. Sets forth provisions regarding cooperative agreements, relationship to other Great Lakes activities, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 327) Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1990 regarding Great Lakes remedial action plans and sediment remediation to decrease, from 50 to 35, the percentage of project costs that non-Federal interests shall contribute. Authorizes appropriations at an increased level. (Sec. 328) Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1996 regarding sediment management to set the non-Federal share of the costs of developing a tributary sediment transport model at 50 percent. Authorizes additional appropriations. (Sec. 329) Directs the Secretary, by December 31, 2002, to carry out a demonstration project for the use of innovative sediment treatment technologies for the treatment of dredged material from Long Island Sound. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 330) Directs the Secretary to perform an assessment of the condition of water resources and related ecosystems in New England to identify problems and needs for restoring, preserving, and protecting water resources, ecosystems, wildlife, and fisheries, including: (1) development of criteria for identifying and prioritizing the most critical problems and needs; and (2) a framework for development of watershed or regional restoration plans. Requires the Secretary: (1) to develop and make available for public review and comment criteria for identifying and prioritizing critical problems and needs and a framework for development of watershed or regional restoration plans; (2) to submit to Congress a report on the assessment; (3) to develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for restoring, preserving, and protecting the water resources and ecosystem in each watershed and region in New England; and (4) to identify critical restoration projects that will produce independent, immediate, and substantial restoration, preservation, and protection benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding agreements with non-Federal interests, project justification, time and cost limitations, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 331) Deauthorizes specified navigation projects at: (1) Kennebunk River, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine; and (2) Wallabout Channel, Brooklyn, New York. Title IV: Studies - Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out beach erosion control, storm damage reduction, and other measures along the shores of Baldwin County, Alabama. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) a reservoir and associated improvements to provide for flood control, recreation, water quality, and fish and wildlife in the vicinity of Bono, Arkansas; (2) modifying the project for flood control, Cache Creek Basin, California, to authorize construction of features to mitigate impacts of the project on the storm drainage system of the city of Woodland, California, that have been caused by construction of a new south levee of the Cache Creek Settling Basin; and (3) constructing flood control measures in the Estudillo Canal watershed, San Leandro, California, and the Laguna Creek watershed, Fremont, California, to provide a 100-year level of flood protection. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special study of plans to: (1) mitigate for the erosion and other impacts resulting from the construction of Camp Pendleton Harbor, Oceanside, California, as a wartime measure; and (2) restore beach conditions along the affected public and private shores to the conditions that existed before the construction of such harbor. (Sec. 407) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a watershed study for the San Jacinto watershed, California (and authorizes appropriations); (2) a reconnaissance study to determine the Federal interest in dredging the mouth of the Choctawhatchee River, Florida, to remove the sand plug; (3) a study to determine the feasibility of stabilizing the historic fortifications and beach areas of Egmont Key, Florida, that are threatened by erosion; (4) a re-study of flooding and water quality issues in the upper Ocklawaha River basin, south of the Silver River, and the Apopka River and Palatlakaha River basins; (5) a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out multi-objective flood control activities along the Boise River, Idaho; and (6) a reconnaissance study to determine the Federal interest in carrying out multi-objective flood control and flood mitigation planning projects along the Wood River in Blaine County, Idaho. (Sec. 413) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) carrying out projects for water-related urban improvements, including infrastructure development and improvements, in Chicago, Illinois; (2) deepening the navigation channel of the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf and Black, Louisiana, from 20 to 35 feet; (3) constructing navigation improvements for ingress and egress between the Port of Iberia, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico, including channel widening and deepening; (4) constructing projects for hurricane protection in the coastal area of the State of Louisiana between Morgan City and the Pearl River; (5) constructing urban flood control measures on the east bank of the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana; (6) redesigning as anchorage a portion of the 11-foot channel of the project for navigation, Narraguagus River, Milbridge, Maine, and of reauthorizing for the purpose of maintenance as anchorage of portion of that project lying adjacent to and outside the limits of the 11-foot and the nine-foot channel; and (7) modifying the project for navigation, Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River, Maine and New Hampshire, to increase the authorized width of turning basins in the Piscataqua River to 1000 feet. (Sec. 420) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a comprehensive study of the water resources needs of the Merrimack River basin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, taking into consideration studies conducted by the University of New Hampshire on environmental restoration of the Merrimack River System; (2) a study to determine the feasibility of modifying the project for navigation, Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi, to widen the channel from 300 to 450 feet and to deepen the South Harbor channel from 36 to 42 feet and the North Harbor channel from 32 to 36 feet. (Sec. 422) Authorizes the Secretary, in conjunction with the State of New Hampshire, to conduct a study to identify and evaluate potential upland disposal sites for dredged material originating from harbor areas located within the State. (Sec. 423) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of conveying to the Secretary of the Interior land that was acquired by the Secretary to carry out the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program and that is located within the external boundaries of specified reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Indian tribes involved. (Sec. 424) Rewrites provisions of the WRDA of 1996 regarding the Cuyahoga River, Ohio, to authorize the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to evaluate the structural integrity of the bulkhead system located on the Federal navigation channel along the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio; and (2) provide to the non-Federal interest design analysis, plans and specifications, and cost estimates for repair or replacement of the bulkhead system. Sets the non-Federal share of the cost of the study at 35 percent. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 425) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out projects for water supply and environmental restoration at the Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River at Fremont, Ohio. (Sec. 426) Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate the backwater effects specifically due to flood control operations on land around Grand Lake, Oklahoma and report to Congress on whether Federal actions have been a significant cause of such effects. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) addressing the backwater effects of the operation of the Pensacola Dam, Grand/Neosho River basin; and (2) purchasing easements for any land that has been adversely affected by backwater flooding in the Grand/Neosho River basin. Sets a 100 percent Federal cost share of the feasibility study if the Secretary determines that Federal actions have been a significant cause of the backwater effects. (Sec. 427) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating a permanent site in the State of Rhode Island for the disposal of dredged material. (Sec. 428) Directs the Secretary to use $200,000 from funds to be transferred from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to prepare a report of the Chief of Engineers for a replacement lock at Chickamauga Lock and Dam, Tennessee. (Sec. 429) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for flood control and related purposes along Miller Farms Ditch, Howard Road Drainage, and Wolf River Lateral D, Germantown, Tennessee; and (2) include environmental and water quality benefits in the justification analysis for the project. Sets forth provisions regarding the Federal and non-Federal share. (Sec. 430) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) modifying the project for flood control, Horn Lake Creek and Tributaries, Tennessee and Mississippi, to provide a high level of urban flood protection to development along Horn Lake Creek (and requires that the study include a limited reevaluation of the project to determine the appropriate design, as desired by the non-Federal interests); (2) constructing a 12 foot deep and 125 foot wide channel from the Houston Ship Channel to Cedar Bayou, mile marker 11, Texas; (3) constructing barge lanes adjacent to both sides of the Houston Ship Channel from Bolivar Roads to Morgan Point, Texas, to a depth of 12 feet; and (4) modifying the project for San Antonio Channel improvement, Texas, to add environmental restoration and recreation as project purposes. (Sec. 434) Authorizes the Secretary to review the report of the Chief of Engineers on the Upper Puyallup River, Washington, and other specified reports to determine whether modifications to the recommendations contained in the reports are advisable to provide improvements to the water resources and watershed of the White River watershed downstream of Mud Mountain Dam, Washington. (Sec. 435) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of providing coastal erosion protection for the Tribal Reservation of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe on Willapa Bay, Washington; and (2) construct and maintain a project to provide coastal erosion protection for such reservation, at full Federal expense, if the Secretary determines that the project: (1) is a cost-effective means of providing erosion protection; (2) is environmentally acceptable and technically feasible; and (3) will improve the economic and social conditions of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe. Requires the Tribe, as a condition of the project, to provide land, easements, right-of-way, and dredged material disposal areas necessary for the implementation of the project. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1992 regarding visitors centers to direct the Secretary to: (1) construct a visitors center for the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Smith, Arkansas (currently, Arkansas River) on land provided by the city of Fort Smith; and (2) establish and operate the Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Site on property between the Mississippi River Bridge and the waterfront in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi (currently, in the vicinity of that Bridge). (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary to participate with the appropriate Federal and State agencies in the planning and management activities associated with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Directs the Secretary to integrate the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento River basins with the long-term goals of the Program. Sets forth provisions regarding cooperative activities and the area covered by the Program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Ontonagon County Historical Society, at full Federal expense: (1) the lighthouse at Ontonagon, Michigan; and (2) the land underlying and adjacent to the lighthouse that is under the Secretary's jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to determine the extent of the land conveyance and the exact acreage and legal description of the land to be conveyed and to prepare a map that clearly identifies any land to be conveyed. Authorizes the Secretary to obtain all necessary easements and rights-of-way and to impose such terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions on the conveyance as the Secretary determines to be necessary to protect the public interest. Makes: (1) the Secretary responsible for any necessary environmental response required as a result of the prior Federal use or ownership of the land and improvements conveyed; and (2) the Ontonagon County Historical Society responsible, after the conveyance of the land, for any additional operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement costs associated with the lighthouse or the conveyed land and improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Emergency Fuel Tax Act of 2000 - Allows a (temporary) tax deduction for Federal, State, and local motor fuel taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Medicare Guaranteed and Defined Rx Benefit and Health Provider Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: Medicare Prescription Medicine Benefit Program - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Prescription Medicine Benefit for the Aged and Disabled) which establishes a voluntary insurance program to provide defined prescription medicine benefits, including pharmacy services, for eligible individuals who are aged or disabled or who have end-stage renal disease, and who voluntarily elect to enroll. States that the program shall be financed from enrollee premium payments together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government. (Sec. 101) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit to Congress a legislative proposal for: (1) the delivery of home infusion therapy services under Medicare; and (2) a system of payment for such a benefit that coordinates items and services furnished under Medicare parts B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) and D. Creates within the Federal Supplemental Medical Insurance Trust Fund the Prescription Medicine Insurance Account. Directs the Secretary to provide for administration of part D benefits through a private benefit administrator for certain enrolled individuals residing in each geographic service area or, where that is impossible, with a fiscal intermediary under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or a carrier under Medicare part B. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all beneficiaries have guaranteed access to the full range of pharmaceuticals under part D, with special attention to access, pharmacist counseling, and delivery in rural and hard-to-serve areas, including use of incentives such as bonus payments to retail pharmacists in rural areas and extra payments to the benefit administrator for the cost of rapid delivery of pharmaceuticals; and (2) develop and implement the Employer Incentive Program that encourages employers and other sponsors of employment-based health care coverage who meet specified requirements to provide adequate prescription medicine benefits to retired individuals, and maintain existing benefit programs, by subsidizing, in part, the cost of providing coverage under qualifying plans. Provides for part D enrollment for individuals whose employment-based retiree health coverage ends under certain conditions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid), with regard to the prescription medicine benefit for certain low-income individuals, to provide for coverage of part D premiums as medical assistance for individuals dually eligible for other SSA assistance or for other medical care. Requires State Medicaid plans to provide that, in the case of any individual whose eligibility for medical assistance is not limited to Medicare or Medicare medicine cost-sharing, and for whom the State elects to pay monthly premiums under part D, the State will purchase all prescription medicines for such individual in accordance with the provisions part D, without regard to whether the basic benefit limitation for such individual has been reached. Requires Government payment of Medicare medicine cost-sharing for qualified Medicare beneficiaries and for Medicare beneficiaries with incomes between 100 and 150 percent of the Federal poverty line. Amends SSA title XVIII part D to outline special eligibility, enrollment, and copayment rules for low-income individuals, which include options for continuation of Medicaid coverage or enrollment under such part. (Sec. 103) Provides that if the mid-summer 2000 budget estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office results in a higher-than-projected level of projected on-budget surplus over the ten fiscal year period beginning with FY 2001, there shall be (beginning with FY 2003) transfers to the Prescription Medicine Insurance Account in a fiscal year to offset the costs attributable to provisions added to Medicare by this Act that relate to catastrophic benefit payments in that fiscal year. (Sec. 104) Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to analyze and report to Congress on an ongoing basis about the part D prescription medicine benefit program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on possible tax and trade law changes to encourage increased original research on new pharmaceutical breakthrough products designed to address disease and illness; (2) study and report to Congress on methods used by the pharmaceutical industry to advertise and sell to consumers and to educate and sell to providers; and (3) study and report to Congress on the costs of, and needs for, pharmaceutical research, and the role that the taxpayer provides in encouraging such research. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the retail price of major pharmaceutical products in various developed nations, compared to prices for the same or similar products in the United States. Title II: Improvement In Beneficiary Services - Subtitle A: Improvement of Medicare Coverage and Appeals Process - Amends SSA title XVIII to revise requirements with respect to Medicare determinations and appeals, including initial determinations, expedited determinations, and publication on the Internet of decisions of hearings of the Secretary. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) to apply the limitations on liability of qualified independent contractors to certain Medicare+Choice independent contractors who conduct reconsiderations of initial determinations. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title XVIII to limit the liability of beneficiaries for repayment with respect to Medicare claims not paid or paid incorrectly. Includes in the explanation of Medicare benefits statement lists of each item or service furnished and the amount of the individual's liability for payment, as well as the toll-free telephone number for information and questions concerning the statement, individual liability for payment, and appeal rights. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title XI to revise the meaning of waiver of coinsurance and deductible amounts (excluded from the meaning of unlawful remuneration subject to civil monetary penalties) to include a waiver offered as part of a supplemental insurance policy or retiree health plan. Subtitle B: Establishment of Medicare Ombudsman - Establishes a Medicare Ombudsman within the Health Care Financing Administration of the HHS Department to: (1) receive complaints, grievances, and requests for information submitted by a Medicare beneficiary concerning the Medicare program; and (2) provide assistance with respect to such complaints, grievances, and requests. Title III: Medicare+Choice Reforms; Preservation of Medicare Part B Drug Benefit - Subtitle A: Medicare+Choice Reforms - Amends SSA title XVIII part C with regard to calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates to: (1) reduce the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage for 2001 and 2002; (2) remove permanently application of budget neutrality beginning in 2002; (3) increase the minimum payment amount for 2002; (4) increase the update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts; and (5) permit higher negotiated rates in certain Medicare+Choice payment areas below the national average. (Sec. 307) Amends SSA title XVIII part C to provide for a ten year phase-in of the risk adjustment to the capitation rate based on data from all settings. Subtitle B: Preservation of Medicare Coverage of Drugs and Biologicals - Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) cover under Medicare part B injectable and infusable drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient (currently only drugs and biologicals which cannot be self-administered are covered under Medicare part B); and (2) revise Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs, establishing a part D catastrophic limit on part B copayments for such drugs. Subtitle C: Improvement of Certain Preventive Benefits - Amends SSA title XVIII to allow coverage of annual screening pap smear and pelvic exams. Title IV: Adjustments to Payment Provisions of the Balanced Budget Act - Subtitle A: Payments for Inpatient Hospital Services - Amends SSA title XVIII to eliminate the reduction in the hospital market basket update for FY 2001. (Sec. 402) Eliminates specified further reductions in indirect medical education (IME) and in disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments (and freezes Medicaid DSH payments) for FY 2001. (Sec. 404) Revises the formula for the increase in base payment to certain Puerto Rico hospitals for inpatient hospital discharges. Subtitle B: Payments for Skilled Nursing Services - Amends SSA title XVIII to eliminate the reduction in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) market basket update for FY 2001. (Sec. 412) Extends through 2002 the moratorium on therapy caps. Subtitle C: Payments for Home Health Services - Amends SSA title XVIII to delay for one more year the application of the 15 percent reduction on payment limits for home health services. (Sec. 422) Applies the full market basket update for home health services for FY 2001. Subtitle D: Rural Provider Provisions - Amends SSA title XVIII to eliminate the scheduled reduction in hospital outpatient market basket increase for rural hospitals in 2001 and 2002. Subtitle E: Other Providers - Amends SSA title XVIII to increase the update in the renal dialysis composite rate. Subtitle F: Provision for Additional Adjustments - Provides for specified aggregate amounts from estimated Social Security surpluses for the five fiscal year and ten fiscal year periods beginning in FY 2001 for additional improvements to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and payments to providers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a political organization from being treated as such unless it gives notice within 24 hours of being established that it is to be so treated. Provides that if notice is given after such period, the organization shall not be so treated for any period before such notice is given. Requires, in the case of an organization failing to give such notice, such organization's taxable income to be computed by taking into account any exempt function income (and any deductions directly connected with the production of such income). Excepts certain organizations from the notification requirement. Makes information on organizations that file such notices, and such notices, publicly available. Prescribes monetary penalties for failures to meet certain public availability requirements. Grants existing organizations to whom this Act applies 30 days after this Act's enactment date to file a notice. Prescribes tax penalties for failures by political organizations to make certain disclosures of contributions and expenditures for exempt functions. Exempts certain organizations and political committees from the disclosure requirement. Makes such disclosures publicly available and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to make disclosures available for inspection. Requires political organizations which have gross receipts of $25,000 or more per taxable year, with an exception, to file tax returns. Provides for public disclosure of such returns and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to file or provide correct information.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 4461 (Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Federal Fuels Tax Suspension Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, between June 25, 2000, and September 5, 2000, the taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the benefits of the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Federal Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, for the 90- day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the benefits of the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Drug Availability and Health Care Access Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: Medicaid Prescription Drug Coverage for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State Medicaid plans to cover prescribed drugs for qualified Medicare (SSA title XVIII) and other low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Provides full Federal funding for such Medicaid coverage. Title II: Improved Access of Americans to Health Insurance Coverage - Subtitle A: Access of Medicare Beneficiaries to Medicare+Choice Plans - Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) with respect to access to Medicare+Choice plans through an increase in the minimum Medicare+Choice capitation rate. Subtitle B: Access of the Self-Employed - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a tax deduction for the full amount of health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Subtitle C: Improve the Coverage of Needy Children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the Medicaid Program - Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to require the respective State Medicaid and SCHIP plans to provide for eligibility determinations, coordinated enrollment, and response to electronic communications received through the national toll-free system the Secretary shall establish. (Sec. 221) Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to provide financial incentives to promote outreach and enrollment activities. Amends SSA title XIX to provide for additional entities qualified to determine Medicaid presumptive eligibility for low-income children. (Sec. 222) Amends SSA title XXI with respect to coordination of pediatric care within a family and reduction in the burden of administering cost-sharing provisions under SCHIP. (Sec. 223) Amends SSA title XIX and XXI to provide for automatic reassessment of eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP benefits in the case of a child who loses eligibility for Medicaid or SCHIP benefits on the basis of changes in income, assets, or age. Amends SSA title XXI to authorize optional coverage of low-income, uninsured pregnant women under a State SCHIP plan. Amends SSA title XIX to give States the option to use an enhanced Federal medical assistance percentage for coverage of additional pregnant women under Medicaid. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to give States the option to cover qualified alien children under Medicaid and SCHIP. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to except child Medicaid or SCHIP assistance from the prohibition on seeking support from sponsors. Amends SSA title XXI to provide for: (1) elimination of the funding offset for exercise of the presumptive eligibility option under SCHIP; and (2) coordination of it with the Maternal and Child Health Services program under SSA title V. Title III: Improved Access to Reasonably Priced Prescription Drugs - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with regard to: (1) conditions for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning notices about imported drugs; and (2) consumer information in prescription drug advertising. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to inform patients of the existence of programs operated by prescription drug manufacturers to provide such drugs to patients without charge. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the increased merger of drug manufacturers has resulted in a decrease in price competition in the prescription drug market and increased the potential for collusion in setting prices; and (2) the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission should give increased scrutiny to the anti-competitive effects of such mergers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Emergency Rural and Small Railroad Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program in which grants are allocated upon the application of State and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, and Class II and III freight railroads to upgrade track and bridges to accommodate 286,000 pound freight cars or promote essential service and enhance safety. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects that are economically viable, and require a non-Federal matching contribution of at least ten percent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Railroad Trust Fund consisting of amounts derived from taxes on trains to be used to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 4733 (energy and water development appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000
Artist-Museum Partnership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a fair market value (determined at time of contribution) deduction for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, scholarly compositions, or the copyright created by a qualifying donor. Exempts certain non-personal letters and memorandum from such treatment. Limits such increased deduction to the donor's artistic adjusted income (as defined by this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
American Community Renewal and New Markets Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the National Housing Act, the Small Business Investment Act, the Public Health Service Act and other acts to provide incentives for low- and moderate-income community development. Provides for the designation of and tax incentives for renewal communities. Provides that the designations shall be based on degree of poverty. Provides a credit for computer donations to schools, senior centers, public libraries and other training centers located in a renewal community, empowerment zone, Indian reservation, or a defined low-income community. Provides for the designation of additional empowerment zones and increased empowerment zone tax incentives. Permits a religious organization to receive Federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Prohibits funding discrimination against such an organization so long as its program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Provides for the transfer of unoccupied and substandard HUD housing to local governments and community development corporations. Authorizes the licensing of community development entities as America's Private Investment Companies which shall promote community and economic development in low-income communities. Establishes a new markets tax credit with respect to specified qualified low-income community investments. Establishes a New Markets Capital Venture Program to encourage venture capital investment in smaller enterprises located in low- and moderate-income urban and rural areas. Provides for bond volume cap and low-income housing credit increases. Provides for the establishment of Individual Development Accounts and Individual Development Account Programs to provide for the accumulation of assets in low-income communities to used to promote education, homeownership, family, community, and business development. Requires the Federal Government, or a State or local government, to consider a religious organization's assistance program on the same basis as other nongovernmental organizations in the distribution of Federal funds so long as the religious organization's assistance program provides assistance in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Internet Tax Moratorium and Equity Act - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend, until December 31, 2005, provisions which prohibit a State or political subdivision from imposing: (1) taxes on Internet access, unless such tax was generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998; and (2) multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Expresses the sense of the Congress that States and localities should work together, with the advice of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, to develop a uniform streamlined sales and use tax system that addresses remote sales. Authorizes States to enter into an Interstate Sales and Use Tax Compact which shall describe a uniform, streamlined sales and use tax system consistent with such system.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Medical Research Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special limitation for charitable contributions for medical research. Permits the carryover (for 10 succeeding years) of any excess of such contribution. Provides for the special treatment of medical research incentive stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Bipartisan Social Security Reform Act of 2000 - Title I: Individual Savings Accounts - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) establish in the Treasury the Individual Savings Fund (ISF), and an ISF Board to manage it in a manner similar to that in which the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal employees is administered; and (2) require the Commissioner of Social Security to establish in the ISF tax-exempt Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) for eligible individuals electing to contribute to one, and KidSave Accounts (KSAs) for individuals born on or after January 1, 1995. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 101) Excludes ISF receipts and disbursements (and any ISF accounts) from the Federal budget, and exempts them from statutory limitations on Federal budgetary outlays. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for reductions in OASDI taxes and contribution of resulting savings to ISAs. Entitles ISA holders to a specified tax credit. (Sec. 102) Specifies Federal contributions to individual KSAs. (Sec. 103) Amends SSA title II to provide for adjustments to primary insurance amounts under the old OASDI program (redesignated as part A (Insurance Benefits) of SSA title II). Title II: Social Security System Adjustments - Amends SSA title II with regard to: (1) adjustments to bend points in determining primary insurance amounts; (2) adjustment of widows' and widowers' insurance benefits; (3) elimination of the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary who has attained early retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits; (4) gradual increase in the number of benefit computation years, and the use of all years in computation; (5) maintenance of benefit and contribution base; (6) actuarial adjustment for retirement; and (7) modification of primary insurance amount factors to reflect change in life expectancy. (Sec. 203) Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report to Congress on: (1) a study on the effect of taking earnings into account in determining substantial gainful activity of individuals receiving disability insurance benefits; and (2) a detailed study plan for evaluating the effects of increases in life expectancy as well as an evaluation of the implications of the trends studied, along with appropriate recommendations. (Sec. 206) Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to provide for a reduction in the amount of certain transfers to the Medicare trust funds. (Sec. 208) Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to publish annually in the Federal Register an estimate of the upper level substitution bias, quality-change bias, and new-product bias retained in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Makes appropriations to BLS for specified actions to improve the CPI.. Directs BLS to establish an administrative advisory committee regarding CPI revisions. (Sec. 210) Amends SSA title VII (Administration) to prescribe a mechanism for remedying unforeseen deterioration in social security solvency.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude, subject to a $3,000 maximum exclusion (double for a joint return), from gross income a capital gain dividend: (1) which is distributed by a regulated investment company; and (2) which is automatically reinvested by the company in the stock of such company with respect to which the dividend is distributed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Medical Research Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special limitation for charitable contributions for medical research. Permits the carryover (for 10 succeeding years) of any excess of such contribution. Provides for the special treatment of medical research incentive stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Full and Fair Political Activity Disclosure Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require every organization described in paragraphs 4 (civic leagues, and etc.), 5 (labor, agricultural organizations, and etc.), or 6 (business leagues, chambers of commerce, professional football leagues, and etc.) of section 501(c) (tax exempt organizations) or section 527 (political organizations), except non-527 organizations having aggregate disclosable expenditures of less than $10,000, to submit a return to the Secretary of the Treasury which shall include specified activity, contributor, and expenditure information.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2000
Broadband Internet Access Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the broadband credit which shall be the sum of: (1) the current generation broadband credit; plus; (2) the next generation broadband credit. Defines terms. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rural mail carriers to treat qualified vehicle expenses in excess of reimbursements as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2000
Public Investment Recovery Act of 2000 - Requires each transaction entered into by a Federal agency under which Federal support is provided for research and development which leads or may lead to the production and sale of a pharmaceutical, biologic, or genetic product to include provisions requiring that payments to recoup a portion of the agency's investment be paid annually to the Federal agency for deposit into a Public Investment Recovery Trust Fund established by this Act. Establishes a Public Investment Recovery Board to: (1) determine the total amount of profits for such a product; and (2) make calculations as required by this Act of the proportion of Federal support for research and development which lead to the production and sale of such a product. Prescribes a formula for determining the percentage of profits required to be paid. Provides for the expiration of payments on the expiration of the initial patent issued for such product. Allows: (1) not more than two percent of amounts in the Trust Fund to be used by the Food and Drug Administration or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research and reports on the comparative efficiency and effectiveness of such products; (2) not more than 20 percent of amounts in the Trust Fund in the first five fiscal years after the enactment of this Act, and three percent in subsequent fiscal years, to be used to help pay the administrative expenses of carrying out this Act; and (3) not more than 20 percent of amounts in the Trust Fund to be used by NIH to support pharmaceutical, biologic, or genetic research and development, unless no Medicare prescription drug benefit has been enacted, in which case the remainder of the funds in such Fund may be used for a purpose authorized by this Act. Requires the remainder of such funds, if such a drug benefit has been enacted, to be used for the financing of such a benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Social Security and Medicare Surplus Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require, after any sequestration of budget-year budgetary resources under discretionary spending limit or pay-as-you-go enforcement provisions, a sequestration equivalent to the estimated net surplus in the social security and Medicare trust funds (Federal Old-Age and Survivors, Disability Insurance, Hospital Insurance, and Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds) for the budget year as estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury in order to reduce the public debt. Includes information on sequestration to reduce the public debt in reports issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office. Applies this Act's amendments, beginning in FY 2001, and terminates its effectiveness after the earlier of: (1) the first fiscal year during which there is no public debt; or (2) the fiscal year during which there is enacted legislation which is determined, under Government budgeting and scoring principles, to keep social security and Medicare solvent.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
International Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Act of 2000 - Revises U.S. policy with respect to the provision of development assistance to foreign countries to require the President in assessing the commitment and progress of a country to use such assistance to help satisfy basic human needs of its poor to utilize certain criteria, including but not limited to, progress in combating corruption and improving transparency and accountability in the public and private sector. Requires technical assistance provided by a certain program to foreign governments and foreign central banks of developing or transitional countries also to include elements designed to combat anti-competitive, unethical, and corrupt activities, including protection against actions that may distort or inhibit transparency in market mechanisms and, to the extent applicable, privatization procedures. Authorizes the President to establish programs that combat corruption, improve transparency and accountability, and promote other forms of good governance in developing countries or countries eligible to receive assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. Requires the President to give priority to establishing programs in countries that received a significant amount of U.S. foreign assistance for the prior fiscal year, or in which the United States has a significant economic interest, and that continue to have the most persistent problems with public and private corruption. Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees with respect to such programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, at the request of the chairman or ranking member of any congressional committee (or subcommittee thereof), to prepare a report estimating the cost to the private sector of any proposed Federal agency rule for the first fiscal year for which the rule will take effect and each of the four ensuing fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R.4690 (Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R.4516 (legislative branch appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2000
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the judiciary, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration; (2) a Joint Automated Booking System; (3) conversion to narrowband communications; (4) counterterrorism activities; (5) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (6) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (7) establishment of a Federal Detention Trustee to exercise functions relating to the detention of Federal prisoners in non- Federal institutions or those in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and detention of aliens in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (8) the Office of Inspector General; (9) the U.S. Parole Commission; (10) legal activities; (11) antitrust activities; (12) the Offices of U.S. Attorneys; (13) the U.S. Trustee Program; (14) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (15) the U.S. Marshals Service, including amounts for Federal prisoner detention; (16) fees and expenses of witnesses; (17) the Community Relations Service; (18) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (19) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (20) the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund; (21) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (22) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (23) construction for specified agencies; (24) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (25) the INS; (26) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (27) Office of Justice programs; (28) State and local law enforcement assistance; (29) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (30) community oriented policing services; (31) juvenile justice programs; and (32) public safety officers' benefits. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this title to: (1) pay for abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in the case of rape; or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate an abortion. (Sec. 109) Makes a provision of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to grants for assistance to the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 applicable for FY 2001. (Sec. 110) Applies certain provisions of law that authorize the Department of Justice, in litigation involving unusually high costs, to receive and retain reimbursement for salaries and expenses from any other governmental component being represented in the legislation only to litigation in which the United States (or a U.S. agency or officer) is a defendant. (Sec. 111) Makes a certain provision of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 that prohibits the use of funds by any Act to pay premium pay to any Department of Justice attorney applicable to FY 2001 as well. (Sec. 112) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the Genealogy Fee for providing genealogy research and information services. Provides for deposit of the fee as offsetting collections in the Examinations Fee Account. Requires INS employees to collect fees before disseminating any requested genealogical information. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish and collect a premium fee for employment-based petitions and applications. Requires the fee to be used to provide certain premium-processing services to business customers and to make infrastructure improvements in the adjudications and customer-service processes. Provides for deposit of the fee as offsetting collections in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account. (Sec. 113) Prohibits the Attorney General, during the current fiscal year, from certifying any amount for appropriation to the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account (established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act) for any purpose of the Department of Justice without advance notification of the Appropriations Committees. Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies - Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Commission; (3) the International Trade Administration; (4) export administration and national security activities; (5) the Economic Development Administration; (6) minority business development; (7) economic and statistical analysis programs; (8) the Census Bureau; (9) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (10) public telecommunications facilities planning and construction grants; (11) information infrastructure grants; (12) the Patent and Trademark Office; (13) the Under Secretary for Technology-Office of Technology Policy; (14) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including amounts for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and for construction of new research facilities; (15) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including amounts for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets; (16) restoration of Pacific salmon populations; (17) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (18) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (19) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (20) the fisheries finance program account; (21) general administration; and (22) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Supreme Court, including an amount for care of the building and grounds; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) defender services; (6) fees of jurors and commissioners; (7) court security; (8) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (9) the Federal Judicial Center; (10) judicial retirement funds; and (11) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to designate judicial branch officers and employees to be disbursing officers and to certify payment requests from appropriations and funds. Sets forth provisions regarding liability of such officers and employees. Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency - Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, conferences, peacekeeping, and commissions; (13) the Asia Foundation; (14) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (15) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; and (16) the National Endowment for Democracy. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 403) Provides that there shall be up to 71 Deputy Assistant Secretaries of State in the Department of State. (Sec. 404) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act by the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 405) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to require the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources to be appointed by the President. Makes such Deputy Secretary a Level II Executive Schedule position. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program; (2) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (3) Commission on Civil Rights; (4) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (5) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6) Federal Communications Commission; (7) Federal Maritime Commission; (8) Federal Trade Commission; (9) Legal Services Corporation; (10) Marine Mammal Commission; (11) Securities and Exchange Commission; (12) Small Business Administration, including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans; and (13) State Justice Institute. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to: (1) enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion if such guidelines do not differ from proposed guidelines of October 1, 1993; (2) pay for costs incurred in operating certain diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam or increasing the number of personnel assigned to such posts until the President makes a specified certification; or (3) provide specified personal comforts in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 609) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act for any United Nations undertaking if: (1) such undertaking is a peacekeeping mission and will involve U.S. armed forces under the control of a foreign national; and (2) the President's military advisors have not submitted a recommendation that such involvement is in the national security interest and the President has not submitted such recommendation to Congress. (Sec. 611) Makes earmarks, limitations, or minimum funding requirements contained in any other Act inapplicable to funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 617) Makes funds provided by this Act unavailable to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or to seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of such products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to products of the same type. (Sec. 618) Bars funds appropriated under any law from being used for: (1) the implementation of any tax or fee in connection with any criminal background check system that implements requirements under the Federal criminal code in connection with certain restrictions on the transfer of firearms; and (2) any such system that does not result in the destruction of information submitted by persons determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm. (Sec. 621) Bars the use of funds appropriated in this Act for purposes of processing or granting immigrant or nonimmigrant visas to residents of countries that the Attorney General has determined deny or unreasonably delay accepting the return of certain deportable aliens. (Sec. 622) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of Justice in this Act for transporting any maximum or high security prisoner to any prison other than one certified by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. (Sec. 623) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Title VII: Rescission - Rescinds a specified amount appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the maritime guaranteed loan program account.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2000
Child Support Fairness and Tax Refund Interception Act of 2000 - Amends title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of the Social Security Act to provide for the use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Savings Accounts Are Valuable for Everyone Act of 2000 - Title I: Qualified Individual Development Accounts for Low-Income Workers - Allows any qualified financial institution or qualified nonprofit organization to establish one or more qualified individual development account (IDA) programs which meet the requirements of this Act. Requires each qualified IDA program to consist of: (1) an IDA to which an eligible individual contributes money; and (2) a tax-exempt parallel account for receiving matching funds. (Sec. 101) Limits qualified IDA programs to those in which at least one third of the IDAs under such program are owned by eligible individuals each of whom is a member of a household whose gross income does not exceed 50 percent of the area median income. (Sec. 102) Sets forth procedures for opening an IDA and qualifying for IDA matching funds. Requires completion of a financial education course before holders of IDAs are eligible to withdraw matching funds to pay for qualified expenses. (Sec. 103) Provides that except in the case of a qualified rollover, individual contributions to an IDA will not be accepted for the taxable year in excess of the lesser of the following: (1) $2,000; or (2) an amount equal to the compensation includible in the individual's gross income for such taxable year. (Sec. 104) Requires the qualified financial institution or qualified nonprofit organization to deposit all matching funds for each IDA into a parallel account, which shall earn not less than the market rate of interest. Requires the qualified financial institution or qualified nonprofit organization to deposit not less than quarterly into the parallel account with respect to each eligible individual: (1) a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $500 the eligible individual contributes into an IDA with respect to any taxable year; and (2) any matching funds provided by State, local, or private sources in accordance to the matching ratio set by those sources. (Sec. 105) Outlines withdrawal procedures for qualified (higher education, first-time home-buyer, business capitalization, rollovers) and for nonqualified expenses. Excludes from an eligible individual's gross income any amount withdrawn from a parallel account. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for monitoring IDA programs. (Sec. 108) Disregards funds in parallel accounts of IDA account program participants for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Title II: Qualified Individual Development Account Program Investment Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a qualified taxpayer that is: (1) a qualified financial institution; or (2) neither a qualified financial institution nor the individual owning an IDA. Allows for such a qualified taxpayer a credit (determined according to a specified formula) against both the income tax (with certain exceptions) and the employer's excise tax for old age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) for matching contributions to an eligible individual's qualified IDA program investment for the taxable year. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer from the general fund of the Treasury to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the reduction in the employer's OASDI taxes by reason of the tax credit relating to the qualified IDA program investment credit. (Sec. 202) Prohibits qualified financial institutions which establish qualified IDA programs from receiving credit for funding, administration, and education expenses under any test contained in regulations for the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 for those activities and related expenses and taken into account for purposes of the qualified IDA program investment tax credit. (Sec. 203) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for designation of earned income tax credit payments for deposit to IDAs. Title III: Modification of IRA Contribution Limit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $2,000 to $3,500 the annual limit on deductible IRA contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Tax-Exempt Political Disclosure Act - Title I: Section 527 Organizations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a political organization from being treated as such unless it gives notice within 24 hours of being established that it is to be so treated. Provides that if notice is given after such period, the organization shall not be so treated for any period before such notice is given. Requires, in the case of an organization failing to give such notice, such organization's taxable income to be computed by taking into account any exempt function income (and any deductions directly connected with the production of such income). Excepts certain organizations from the notification requirement. Makes information on organizations that file such notices, and such notices, publicly available. Prohibits treating an organization as a political organization unless it makes required disclosures. Makes such disclosures publicly available and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to make disclosures available for inspection. Requires political organizations which have gross receipts of $25,000 or more per taxable year, with an exception, to file tax returns. Provides for public disclosure of such returns and prescribes monetary penalties for failures to file or provide correct information. Title II: Tax-Exempt Business and Labor Organizations Engaging in Political Activity - Requires any labor organization described in paragraph 5 or any business league, chamber of commerce, or board of trade described in paragraph 6 of section 501(c) (tax exempt organizations) from being considered a 501 (c) organization unless specified information is submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury concerning the organization's activities, contributors, and expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Farmers' Value-Added Agricultural Investment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that for purposes of the general business credit, for either an eligible farmer or a farmer-owned entity, the value-added agricultural property investment credit for any taxable year is 50 percent of the basis of any qualified value-added agricultural property placed in service during the taxable year. Provides that, in the case of a farmer-owned entity, such credit shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among eligible persons holding qualified interests in such entity as of the last day of such taxable year. Limits such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Child Support Distribution Act of 2000 - Title I: Distribution of Child Support - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) modify the rule requiring that a family member assign support rights to the State as a condition for receiving TANF; (2) revise child support payment and distribution guidelines; and (3) mandate that State plans for child and spousal support ban the use of the TANF program to recover Medicaid costs for the birth of a child for whom support rights have been assigned. Title II: Review and Adjustment of Child Support Orders - Requires State plans to prescribe mandatory triennial review and modification of child support orders for TANF recipients, including certification that the child support enforcement program will receive notice of certain families leaving the TANF program. Title III: Expanded Information and Enforcement - Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to report to the public separate sets of recommendations regarding participation of certain public and private child support enforcement agencies, including privacy safeguards, data security, and due process rights. Subtitle A: State Option to Provide Information and Enforcement Mechanisms to Public Non-IV-D Child Support Enforcement Agencies - Requires State plans for child and spousal support to set forth a State plan option to provide information and enforcement mechanisms to public non-IV-D child support enforcement agencies, including all information in the State Directory of New Hires and information obtained through certain information comparisons. (Sec. 312) Authorizes a State agency implementing such option to use certain enforcement mechanisms, including: (1) Federal tax refund intercepts; (2) reports of arrearages to credit bureaus, (3) passport sanctions; (4) financial institution data matches; and (5) income withholding for unemployment insurance benefits. Subtitle B: State Option to Provide Information and Enforcement Mechanisms to Private Child Support Enforcement Agencies - Requires State plans for child and spousal support to set forth a State plan option to provide the same information and enforcement mechanisms to private child support enforcement agencies as apply to their public non-IV-D child support enforcement agency counterparts. Title IV: Expanded Enforcement - Reduces the amount of child support arrearages that will trigger passport denial. Provides for the use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors. Title V: Fatherhood Programs - Subtitle A: Fatherhood Grant Program - Prescribes requirements for a fatherhood grant program to promote marriage, parenting, and employment building skills. Subtitle B: Fatherhood Projects of National Significance - Instructs the Secretary to award a grant to a nationally recognized, nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization to develop and promote marriage and responsible fatherhood, including a national clearinghouse to disseminate information regarding media campaigns and fatherhood programs. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Instructs the Secretary to: (1) report to certain congressional committees on undistributed child support payments; (2) disclose to a State unemployment compensation agency the putative employer of an individual listed in the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 604) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) declare that nonimmigrant aliens are ineligible to receive visas and excluded from admission for nonpayment of adjudicated child support; and (2) authorize immigration officers to serve an alien applicant for admission to the United States with legal process with respect to any action to enforce or establish a legal obligation to pay child support.. Makes conforming amendments to SSA title IV part A to: (1) reflect these provisions; and (2) authorize the Secretary to share child support enforcement information in order to enforce Immigration and Naturalization law. (Sec. 605) Amends the Welfare-to-Work Grants Program to: (1) correct errors in conforming amendments in the Welfare-to-Work and Child Support Amendments of 1999; and (2) repeal the set-aside of welfare-to-work funds for successful performance bonus. Title VII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Medicare Rx 2000 Act - Title I: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) to entitle each individual enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage as outlined. Sets forth general election procedures. (Sec. 101) Prohibits an individual eligible to elect qualified prescription drug coverage under a prescription drug plan or under a Medicare+Choice (Medicare part C) plan from being denied enrollment based on any health status-related factor under the Public Health Service Act or under any other factor. Extends the same prohibition to the case of an individual who maintains continuous prescription drug coverage since first qualifying to elect it, and includes any limitation or conditioning of coverage, or any increased premium based on any such health status-related factor. Allows a prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsor or Medicare+Choice organization, in the case of an individual who does not maintain such continuous prescription drug coverage, to increase the otherwise applicable premium, or to impose a pre-existing condition exclusion, with respect to qualified prescription drug coverage in a manner that reflects additional actuarial risk involved. Sets forth requirements for qualified prescription drug coverage, standard coverage, and alternative coverage. Outlines requirements for access to negotiated prices, actuarial valuation and determination of annual percentage increases, and protections for individuals eligible to enroll under a qualified PDP, such as guaranteed issue and nondiscrimination. Sets out requirements for PDP sponsors as well as financial solvency and capital adequacy standards for non-licensed PDP sponsors. Directs the Medicare Benefits Administrator by regulation to establish other standards for PDP sponsors and plans. Directs the Medicare Benefits Administrator to: (1) establish a process for the selection of the prescription drug plan or Medicare+Choice plan which offers qualified prescription drug coverage; and (2) assure that each individual enrolled under part B has available a choice of enrollment in at least two qualifying plans in the area in which the individual resides, at least one of which is a prescription drug plan. Outlines premium requirements, including those governing submission of premium-related information to the Medicare Benefits Administrator for approval or disapproval, premium rates in the same service area, terms and conditions for imposing premiums, and premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income individuals and for Medicare beneficiaries. Creates within the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) the Medicare Prescription Drug Account for subsidy-related and other payments under new part D. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XVIII part C to provide for prescription drug benefits by Medicare+Choice organizations, including premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income enrollees, and reinsurance subsidy payments for Medicare+Choice organizations. (Sec. 103) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) require State Medicaid plans to provide for making eligibility determinations for premium and cost-sharing subsidies with regard to the Medicare prescription drug benefit for low-income Medicare beneficiaries; (2) provide for phased-in Federal assumption of Medicaid prescription drug costs for dually-eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries; (3) require continued Medicaid payment for such an individual to the extent payment is not made under the PDP or the Medicare+Choice plan selected by the individual; and (5) provide for Medicaid prescription drug coverage by territories. (Sec. 104) Prescribes conditions and limitations for prescription drug coverage by new Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies. Title II: Modernization of Administration of Medicare - Subtitle A: Medicare Benefits Administration - Amends SSA title XVIII to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services the Medicare Benefits Administration, headed by an Administrator charged with carrying out Medicare parts C and D. (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to establish within the Medicare Benefits Administration an Office of Beneficiary Assistance to carry out functions relating to Medicare beneficiaries, including benefit eligibility determinations and dissemination of information on benefits and appeals rights. Establishes within the Office a Medicare Ombudsman to: (1) receive complaints, grievances, and requests for information submitted by a Medicare beneficiary concerning any aspect of the Medicare program; (2) provide assistance with respect to such complaints, grievances, and requests; and (3) coordinate with State medical Ombudsman programs, and with State and community-based consumer organizations, to provide information and conduct outreach to educate Medicare beneficiaries with respect to the manner for resolving or avoiding Medicare problems. Establishes within the Medicare Benefits Administration the Medicare Policy Advisory Board. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Oversight of Financial Sustainability of the Medicare Program - Amends SSA title XVIII part A (Hospital Insurance) with regard to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to require its Board of Trustees to report to Congress on the operation and status of such Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, including the total amounts obligated during the preceding fiscal year from the General Revenues of the Treasury to the Trust Funds for Medicare payments and ten-year and 50-year projections of such required benefit obligations. (Sec. 211) Expresses the sense of Congress that the committees of jurisdiction shall hold hearings on such reports. Subtitle C: Changes in Medicare Coverage and Appeals Process - Amends Medicare part D to revise the Medicare appeals process with respect to: (1) a time limit for appeals; (2) expedited reconsideration of an initial determination; (3) local coverage determinations; (4) Internet publication of hearing decisions by the Secretary; and (5) conduct of reconsiderations by independent contractors. (Sec. 222) Limits the liability of an individual for repayment of claims incorrectly paid by the Secretary. Prescribes a procedure for waiver of such liability protection and the individual's right to an appeal. Requires inclusion in the explanation of Medicare benefits of beneficiary liability information, including a specified toll-free telephone number. (Sec. 223) Amends SSA title XI with respect to civil money penalties for improperly filed claims, including offers or transfers of remuneration to influence a beneficiary's choice of provider, practitioner, or item or service supplier. Revises the exclusion from the meaning of remuneration of any waiver of coinsurance and deductible amounts to: (1) make the current conditions for such an exclusion alternative instead of collectively necessary; and (2) add as a new alternative condition for exclusion that such a waiver is offered as a part of a supplemental insurance policy or retiree health plan. (Sec. 224) Amends SSA title D to repeal the Secretary's authority to review, reverse, affirm, or modify decisions of the Provider Reimbursement Review Board. Title III: Medicare+Choice Reforms; Preservation of Medicare Part B Drug Benefit - Subtitle A: Medicare+Choice Reforms - Amends Medicare part C with respect to Federal payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to: (1) reduce the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentages for 2001 and 2002; (2) remove application of the budget neutrality factor beginning in 2002 with respect to calculation of both the blended and the national standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates; (3) specify $450 as the minimum payment amount for 2002; (4) allow a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to apply an area-specific percentage of 50 percent and a national percentage of 50 percent for 2002 (currently, only after 2002); (5) increase from 102 percent to 102.5 percent the minimum percentage increase for Medicare+Choice payment areas with only one, or no, Medicare+Choice contracts entered into as of July 1 before the beginning of the year during 2002 through 2005; (6) permit higher annual rates through negotiation between an Medicare+Choice organization and the Medicare Benefits Administration for each year beginning with 2004 in Medicare+Choice payment areas for which the Medicare+Choice capitation rate would otherwise be less than the U.S. per capita cost; and (7) phase-in over a ten-year period beginning in 2004 a risk adjustment methodology based on data from all settings. Subtitle B: Preservation of Medicare Coverage of Drugs and Biologicals - Amends SSA title XVIII part D (Miscellaneous Provisions) with regard to coverage of drugs and biologicals under Medicare part B to modify the specification of drugs and biologicals which cannot be self-administered to drugs and biologicals which are not usually self-administered by the patient.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Fair Balance Prescription Drug Advertisement Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit a deduction for any expense of an advertisement for a prescription drug if, with respect to such advertisement, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury a report with respect to direct-to-consumer advertising that certain FDCA misbranding violations have occurred.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Space Transportation Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of qualified space transportation vehicle provider stock (stock representing an investment in the development, production, and operation of commercial space transportation vehicles). Makes such credit a specified percentage of the amount of stock purchased during a calendar year, beginning with 50 percent for 2001 and gradually reducing such amount to ten percent for 2006 through 2010. Provides for the recapture of such credit when the stock issuer ceases to be qualified. Establishes a U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Vehicle Industry certification program to provide certification for tax credit qualification under the Code to multiple U.S. commercial space transportation vehicle providers developing vehicles with space transportation costs significantly below current levels. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to administer such program under a streamlined application process. Requires the program to provide eligibility for tax credits to investors to support financing of qualified commercial space transportation vehicle development ventures during startup phases. Excludes certification with respect to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of space launch sites, or of any product which is not integral to the design, development, construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a space transportation vehicle. Provides for: (1) the nondisclosure of confidential information in connection with the application process; (2) appropriate consultation; and (3) program management. Deems a certification as granted unless the Secretary, within 120 days of application, determines that the provider has no reasonable possibility of significantly lowering space transportation vehicle costs. Requires a certified provider to annually verify the use of funds for appropriate purposes.