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Bill· SS. 2114 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 Title IV: Public Health Service Act Title V: Financial Exploitation of Older Individuals Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1998 - Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for the offering of training programs regarding such issues for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and relevant Federal, State, and local court officials. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include elder domestic abuse and adult protective services within its ambit of services, grants, and demonstration grants for community initiatives. (Sec. 205) Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Family Violence Prevention Fund, to study (for a report to the Congress on) the adequacy of training for health professionals with respect to the detection and referral of victims of family violence. Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 304) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for the ombudsman program and for the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private or tribal organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting victims of elder abuse, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 307) Directs the Assistant Secretary to update and improve curricula and implement continuing education training programs for certain providers of health care and social services to improve their ability to recognize and address elder abuse situations. Title IV: Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize training requirements for area health education center programs to include training in domestic violence and elder abuse screening and treatment. Permits the use of certain grant funds for such training in geriatric education centers for health professionals. Requires geriatric training programs for physicians and dentists to include screening for elder abuse and domestic abuse. Title V: Financial Exploitation of Older Individuals - Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the nature and extent of financial exploitation of older individuals.
Bill· SS. 2125 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize, in the case of a housing cooperative eligible for the low-income housing tax credit: (1) nonresident shareholders to include such credit and the deduction for certain unpaid acquisition interest allowable to the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes; and (2) resident shareholders to include the deduction for real estate taxes and interest paid by the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes.
Bill· SS. 2113 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act - Directs the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board to: (1) propose and develop a list of regional transportation projects and regional funding mechanisms needed to address the growing congestion crisis in the metropolitan Washington region; (2) manage the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation to provide short-term funding for such projects; (3) provide notice and opportunity for public comment; (4) promote cooperative action by metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions on regional transportation issues; and (5) assist such jurisdictions in developing an interstate compact or agreement, if necessary, to better meet regional transportation needs. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation, which shall assist in the management of any initial funding and implementation of an interstate agreement or compact to reduce traffic congestion or improve travel options in the metropolitan Washington region. Requires the approval of Corporation actions by the State departments of transportation in Virginia and Maryland, and the Department of Public Works of the District of Columbia. Prohibits the use of funds received or debt issued by the Corporation to finance costs to replace the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge. Authorizes one or more of the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions to enter into an interstate compact or agreement to finance and implement one or more of the regional transportation projects from the Board's long-range plan if consent is granted by: (1) the department of transportation of each State that enters into the compact or agreement; and (2) the D.C. Department of Public Works, if the District of Columbia enters into such compact or agreement. Deems such compact or agreement to have the consent of the Congress unless Congress enacts a law denying such consent. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees on the progress of the Board in developing cooperative transportation plans and regional funding mechanisms to meet transportation needs in the metropolitan Washington region. (Sec. 7) Declares that funding provided under any regional transportation program developed under this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal, State, and local transportation funding for the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to maintain fiscal year expenditures at not less than the preceding fiscal year's level. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2123 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Federal Accountability and Institutional Reform in Education Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise requirements for student loan cohort default management. Requires guaranty agreements, with regard to due diligence in insured loan collection efforts, to require proof that the institution and the State licensing board were contacted. Requires guaranty agreements to prohibit reimbursement to a guaranty agency upon default claim unless the agency demonstrates that (currently, certifies) diligent attempts, including direct contact with the institution and the State licensing board, have been made. Adds requirements relating to: (1) institutional ineligibility periods; (2) correction of inaccuracies in institutional cohort default rates, and exceptions from such calculations; and (3) publication dates for certain annual reports. (Sec. 3) Prohibits the Secretary from reimbursing or permitting any eligible lender, servicer, or guaranty agency (or its affiliates) which previously filed a claim for reimbursement on a loan to retain any proceeds from subsequent collection of a defaulted loan to the extent that such funds, when added to the amount of prior reimbursement, exceed 100 percent of the original principal of the loan. Revises requirements relating to notice to the Secretary, payment of loss, notice to institutions of credit bureau information, and cohort default rate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress that lenders, servicers and guaranty agencies have demonstrated their compliance with servicing and due diligence requirements; and (2) provide information on the successful practices of low-default lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies to other financial, servicing, and guaranty institutions participating in HEA student aid programs, to encourage duplication of successful servicing and collection programs. Requires uniform application to all eligible institutions of certain mitigating circumstances which allow an institution to continue in the student loan insurance program despite a high default rate for its three most recent fiscal years. Limits such circumstances to the following: (1) at least 50 percent of the students enrolled in eligible programs qualify for a Pell grant; (2) an institution's student completion rate is 60 percent or greater; and (3) the initial job placement rate of program graduates is 60 percent or greater. (Sec. 4) Provides for: (1) judicial review of any final determination of the Secretary concerning eligibility for, or the terms of participation in, any student loan or grant program; as well as (2) injunctive relief from such determination. (Sec. 5) Requires an institution, at its request, to have access to a complete copy of loan servicing and collection records when appealing, on the basis of alleged improper loan servicing, a loss of eligibility for Federal student loan programs. (Sec. 6) Provides for standard (ten-year), extended (30-year), graduated (30-year), and income-sensitive (25-year) repayment plans for insured, guaranteed, consolidated, and direct loans. Directs the Secretary to discharge a borrower's liability by repaying the holder of a loan subject to an income-sensitive repayment plan the amount of remaining unpaid principal and interest after the borrower has completed 25 years of repayment in accordance with such plan. (Sec. 7) Declares that certain types of student loans shall not be considered in default for any purpose under this paragraph if the borrower is making regularly scheduled payments towards the repayment of the borrower's loan obligation in the amount required by the borrower's repayment plan, even if those payments are not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a monthly or quarterly basis (negative amortization waiver). (Sec. 8) Revises certain requirements for interest rates for consolidation loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program. Provides for consolidation of new student loans for which no interest subsidy may be paid along with Federal Stafford loans on which the Secretary shall continue making such interest subsidies. (Sec. 9) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish in the Department a Liaison for Proprietary Institutions of Higher Education, who shall be an officer of the Department appointed by the Secretary. Requires the Liaison to: (1) advise the Secretary on matters affecting proprietary institutions of higher education; (2) guide programs within the Department that involve functions affecting proprietary institutions of higher education; and (3) work with the Federal Interagency Committee on Education to improve the coordination of Federal outreach programs that administer education and job training programs, collaborative business and education partnerships, and rural education programs.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 99 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Requires, in conformance with a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, the display of the POW-MIA flag at the U.S. Capitol to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 1998.
Bill· HRH.R. 3947 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) concerning liquidation of corporate subsidiaries to provide that if a corporation receives a distribution from a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust which is considered as being in complete liquidation of such company or trust, then, notwithstanding other specified IRC provisions, such corporation shall recognize and treat as a dividend from such company or trust an amount equal to the deduction for dividends paid allowable to such company or trust by reason of such distribution.
Bill· HRH.R. 3966 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from allocating funds for construction or maintenance of a public lands highway on Indian lands or any other Federal reservation or for an Indian reservation road unless the Secretary determines that: (1) the Indian tribe or Alaskan Native governmental entity with jurisdiction over the land upon which the highway or road is to be constructed has entered into a written agreement with the State in which such highway or road is to be constructed which provides for payment and collection of State motor fuel taxes on any motor fuel sold by a retail establishment located on such land; or (2) the Indian tribe or Alaskan Native governmental entity with jurisdiction refuses to enter into such an agreement and the allocation of such funds is necessary to the construction or maintenance of a highway or road that is a critical component of the National Highway System and is essential to the maintenance of interstate commerce.
Bill· HRH.R. 3971 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act - Directs the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board to: (1) propose and develop a list of regional transportation projects and regional funding mechanisms needed to address the growing congestion crisis in the metropolitan Washington region; (2) manage the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation to provide short-term funding for such projects; (3) provide notice and opportunity for public comment; (4) promote cooperative action by metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions on regional transportation issues; and (5) assist such jurisdictions in developing an interstate compact or agreement, if necessary, to better meet regional transportation needs. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation, which shall assist in the management of any initial funding and implementation of an interstate agreement or compact to reduce traffic congestion or improve travel options in the metropolitan Washington region. Requires the approval of Corporation actions by the State departments of transportation in Virginia and Maryland, and the Department of Public Works of the District of Columbia. Prohibits the use of funds received or debt issued by the Corporation to finance costs to replace the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge. Authorizes one or more of the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions to enter into an interstate compact or agreement to finance and implement one or more of the regional transportation projects from the Board's long-range plan if consent is granted by: (1) the department of transportation of each State that enters into the compact or agreement; and (2) the D.C. Department of Public Works, if the District of Columbia enters into such compact or agreement. Deems such compact or agreement to have the consent of the Congress unless Congress enacts a law denying such consent. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees on the progress of the Board in developing cooperative transportation plans and regional funding mechanisms to meet transportation needs in the metropolitan Washington region. (Sec. 7) Declares that funding provided under any regional transportation program developed under this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal, State, and local transportation funding for the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to maintain fiscal year expenditures at not less than the preceding fiscal year's level. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3969 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Amends specified Federal law (relating to limitations on State income taxation of certain pension income) to provide that retirement income from pension plans of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be exempt from nonresident taxation by the Commonwealth in the same manner as State pension plans are exempt from State income taxation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3949 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
No Gun Tax Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit a Federal officer, employee, or agent, including a State or local employee or officer acting on behalf of the United States (officer), from charging or collecting any fee in connection with a background check required in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for the unlawful retention, or transfer to another person, of firearms background check information by such officer or by a Federal contractor or consultant after: (1) the 24-hour period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is determined not to be prohibited from receiving a firearm; and (2) the five-year period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is prohibited from receiving a firearm.
Bill· HRH.R. 3973 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Restoration Reauthorization Act of 1998 - Amends the Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Management Act of 1984 to extend and increase authorized appropriations for the Trinity River Basin fish and wildlife management program. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that all expenditures of Federal funds for the purposes of the program are made in a manner consistent with such priorities, policies, and technical and fiscal review processes as are established by the Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Task Force. Prohibits amounts expended by a contractor for administrative, indirect, and overhead costs in carrying out a contract of less than $5,000 from exceeding 20 percent of the total amount of Federal funds obligated or expended under the contract. Directs the Secretary to require that any bid or proposal for a contract of $5,000 or more to be funded under the management program, and any such contract, separately identify the amount that is authorized to be expended by a contractor under the contract for such costs. Requires the Task Force, not later than October 1, 2000, and every three years thereafter, to evaluate and report to the Congress on the results of, and improvements required for, the management program; and (2) initiate such changes as may be required in program policies, procedures, and activities to assure that the purposes and requirements of such Act are achieved.
Bill· HRH.R. 3960 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the special motor fuels excise tax shall be 12.66 cents per gallon in the case of any water-phased hydrocarbon fuel. Defines the term "water-phased hydrocarbon fuel" to mean any liquid consisting of a hydrocarbon base and water if not less than 20 percent (by volume) of the liquid consists of water.
Bill· HRH.R. 3974 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Prohibits any interest, penalty, addition to the tax, or additional amount from being imposed under the Internal Revenue Code on any underpayment attributable to a failure to properly complete schedule D of Form 1040 for a taxable year ending during 1997 if: (1) the return for such year is filed on or before the due date (including extensions) for filing such return; and (2) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
Bill· HRH.R. 3965 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code concerning the additional credit for taxpayers with three or more children to repeal provisions which, in specified circumstances, would increase such taxpayers' taxes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3953 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Homeowners' Benefit Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an annual inflation adjustment on the exclusion of the gain on the sale of a principal residence.
Bill· HRH.R. 3945 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Death Tax Inflation Adjustment Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for annual inflation adjustments to the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 450 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3433 (establishing a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program in the Social Security Administration and providing a tax credit for impairment-related work expenses).
Bill· SS. 2111 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Prescribes conditions under which the Bonneville Power Administration or any other Federal agency may enter into or implement a memorandum of understanding. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish an advisory committee to advise Federal agencies regarding matters addressed under any such memorandum, including the economic and social impact of proposed activities or recommendations. Instructs the Secretary to appoint committee members from among the persons nominated by the Governors of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, upon the request of a non-Federal party to such a memorandum, to designate an official authorized to reconcile differences between the Federal agencies on issues pertinent to the memorandum. Requires each Federal agency to make available to the public all data and methodologies prepared under such a memorandum. Directs the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council to report annually to the Congress on how the recommendations concerning fish and wildlife activities under the current memorandum of understanding will be reconciled and coordinated with its activities under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Act. Requires the President to include in each fiscal year budget for each Federal agency the amount of budget authority and outlays proposed to be expended in the Columbia-Snake River Basin.
Bill· SS. 2110 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, and courts to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will use the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, and the courts in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. (Sec. 101) Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that such provisions shall not be construed to: (1) require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State; or (2) permit a State to notify the party against whom the order has been made that a protection order has been registered or filed in that State. Includes custody and visitation provisions in protection orders within the purview of Federal criminal law governing domestic violence and stalking. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund for FY 1999 through 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to institutions of higher education for use by campus personnel and student organizations and nonprofit nongovernmental victim services programs to assist campus administrators and campus security personnel to develop and strengthen: (1) effective security and investigation strategies to combat violent crimes against women on campuses; and (2) services to victims of such crimes. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements and certifications, grant disbursement, the Federal cost share, nonmonetary assistance, and regulations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 108) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice for FY 1998 through 2000 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize for FY 1999 through 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 111) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities: (1) to establish and expand cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence; and (2) to establish and expand efforts and projects to strengthen such assistance by organizations with a demonstrated history of responsive direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of such victims. (Sec. 201) Requires the Attorney General, through contracts, grants, or other arrangements, to establish and operate a network of attorneys and lay advocates to provide legal assistance and other guidance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitles employees to leave: (1) to address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) to care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for: (1) legal assistance; and (2) waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. (Sec. 501) Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.
Bill· HRH.R. 3927 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of a private activity bond to include a bond issued for the construction or acquisition of a governmental electric output facility, except for a bond issued for the construction or acquisition of a local governmental electric output facility (as defined). Subjects to taxation income derived by any governmental utility from sales of electric energy services to persons: (1) not within a qualified governmental service area of such utility; and (2) for resale if such resale is to persons outside such service area. Sets forth exceptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3942 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
States that in the case of a taxable year beginning before January 1, 1980, the determination of whether a tax deduction as a trade or business expense is allowable under the Internal Revenue Code for flight training expenses shall be made without regard to whether the taxpayer was reimbursed for any portion of such expenses through certain veterans educational assistance programs. Sets forth statute of limitations provisions.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 447 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the first Government-wide financial audit demonstrated gross mismanagement by Federal agencies; (2) current reform and reinvention efforts with respect to agency financial management have failed; and (3) Congress must impose consequences on agencies that fail their annual financial audits and conduct more vigorous oversight to ensure that agencies do not waste tax dollars.
Bill· SS. 2097 (105th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Intergovernmental Agreements Title II: Tort Liability Insurance Indian Tribal Conflict Resolution and Tort Claims and Risk Management Act of 1998 - Title I: Intergovernmental Agreements - Grants U.S. consent for States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to enter into compacts and agreements under this title, including those relating to the collection and payment of certain retail taxes. Requires copies of such compacts or agreements to be filed with the Secretary of the Interior within 30 days. Sets forth compact or agreement limitations and provisions concerning revocation and revision or renewal. (Sec. 102) Requires good faith negotiations with regard to a claim, with the objective of achieving an intergovernmental agreement or compact. Directs the Secretary to cause to occur and facilitate such negotiations. Provides for: (1) selection of a mediator; (2) negotiation procedures; (3) the exchange of appropriate records and documentation; (4) negotiation termination after one year, unless an extension is mutually agreed upon by the parties; and (5) a negotiated settlement as the final resolution of the claim. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Secretary, if negotiations fail to result in a settlement, to refer the State and Indian tribe involved to the Intergovernmental Alternative Dispute Panel, which shall consult with the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service. Outlines Service duties with respect to assistance to the Panel for its dispute resolution. (Sec. 104) Provides judicial enforcement of intergovernmental agreements under this title. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to establish the Tribal-Federal-State Commission to advise the Secretary on issues of intergovernmental concern with respect to Indian tribes, States, and the Federal Government, including law enforcement, civil and criminal jurisdiction, taxation, transportation, economy development, and related matters. Requires annual reports from the Commission to the President and specified congressional committees. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the United States to provide financial assistance for personnel and administrative expenses under any compact or agreement reached under this title. Title II: Tort Liability Insurance - Directs the Secretary, within two years after the enactment of this Act, to obtain or provide tort liability insurance or equivalent coverage for each Indian tribe that receives a tribal priority allocation from amounts made available to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the operation of Indian programs. Requires such insurance to be obtained or provided in the most cost-effective manner available. Sets forth insurance requirements, conditions, and limitations. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary, before obtaining or providing such insurance, to conduct a comprehensive study of the degree, type, and adequacy of liability insurance coverage of Indian tribes at the time of the study. Requires annual reports from the Secretary to the Congress on the implementation of this title.
Bill· HRH.R. 3921 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1998 - Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with Federal agency heads, to coordinate and assist Federal agencies in establishing: (1) a uniform Federal financial assistance application or set of such uniform applications; (2) ways to streamline Federal financial assistance administrative procedures and reporting requirements for grantees; (3) a uniform Federal financial assistance system; (4) an electronic application and reporting process; (5) use of common rules; (6) improved interagency and intergovernmental coordination of information collection and sharing of data, including the development of a release form to be used by grantees; (7) a process to strengthen the information resources management capacity of State and local governments and qualified organizations; and (8) specific annual goals and objectives to further the purposes of this Act. Permits the Director to designate a lead agency to assist him or her and use interagency working groups to assist in carrying out such responsibilities. Requires the Director to: (1) review agency plans and reports developed under this Act for adequacy; (2) monitor each agency's annual performance toward achieving the goals and objectives stated in the agency's plan; (3) ensure that each agency plan does not diminish standards to measure performance and accountability of financial assistance programs; and (4) report to the Congress on implementation of this Act. Exempts any Federal agency from the requirements of this Act if the Director determines that the agency does not have a significant number of Federal financial assistance programs. Requires the Director, not later than November 1 of each fiscal year, to submit to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: (1) a list of each agency exempted in the preceding fiscal year; and (2) an explanation for each such exemption. Directs the Director to issue guidance on implementation of the requirements of this Act, including a statement on the common rules that he or she intends to review and standardize under this Act. Sets specifications for the development and implementation of plans by Federal agencies, including for each agency to designate a lead agency official for carrying out the agency's responsibilities under this Act. Requires the lead official to consult regularly with representatives of State and local governments and qualified organizations during development of the plan. Requires each Federal agency to submit the plan to the Director and the Congress and report annually thereafter on the implementation of the plan and the agency's performance in meeting the goals and objectives specified under this Act. Directs the Director or the lead agency to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of this Act. Requires the evaluation to be submitted to the lead agency, the Director, and the Congress. Terminates this Act five years after enactment.
Bill· HRH.R. 3908 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Investing in Our Children's Health Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income any income from dividends paid by a tobacco company which meets specified youth smoking reduction targets. Provides for annual child tobacco use surveys.
Bill· HRH.R. 3917 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the determination of the 50,000 barrel-per-day refinery limitation concerning the oil depletion deduction to a 50,000 annual average daily basis limitation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3913 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any natural gas gathering line as seven-year property for purposes of depreciation. Defines natural gas gathering line.
Bill· HRH.R. 3923 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Community Empowerment and Employee Protection Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Energy equivalent to the Federal tax paid by the United States Enrichment Corporation in any fiscal year, in order to provide a fund for the Worker and Community Transition Office of the Department of Energy (DOE). Requires DOE to allocate the funds to communities and workers at uranium enrichment plants in Piketon, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, to help train and assist displaced workers in ascertaining future business opportunities. States that such authorization and the fund shall terminate when local unemployment rates in the counties surrounding both facilities are not greater than the average unemployment rate for the States in which such cities are located.
Bill· HRH.R. 3907 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Attorneys' Anti-enrichment Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax equal to 95 percent of the excess of: (1) an attorney's tobacco settlement-related fees; over (2) the deductions allocated to such fees. Appropriates to the States revenues generated by such tax.
Bill· SS. 2093 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive Class Size Demonstration Grants program. Directs the Secretary of Education to award such grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to pay half of the costs of conducting projects that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that may provide information meaningful to other SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs). Authorizes the Secretary to reserve up to five percent of funds for this Act for each fiscal year to carry out national evaluation and dissemination activities. Sets forth program requirements for: (1) grant selection criteria; (2) priority for projects that involve at-risk students in the earliest grades, including educationally or economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and limited English proficient students; (3) annual competitions; (4) random techniques and appropriate comparison groups; (5) applications; and (6) sufficient size and scope of projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, and report to the Congress on, a national evaluation of such projects to determine the costs incurred in achieving the reduction in class size and the effects of the reductions on results; and (2) widely disseminate information about the results of such projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 2) Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives payment in full for such activities from the private sector.
Bill· HRH.R. 3893 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Common Sense Prison Work and Victim Restitution Act of 1998 - Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require convicted inmates confined in Federal prisons, jails, and other detention facilities to engage in: (1) work for not less than 50 hours weekly; and (2) job-training and educational and life skills preparation study. Allows nonprofit entities to utilize the services of prisoners if opportunities otherwise provided by law for inmates to work are insufficient to meet such requirements. Directs the Attorney General to submit legislative recommendations to the Congress to permit Federal prisoners to perform work for private employers while minimizing the economic impact on the private sector of this expansion of the use of prison labor. Establishes in the Treasury a Fund into which shall be placed all proceeds and wages from prison labor. Directs that such Fund be used as follows: (1) one third to offset the costs of prisoner incarceration; (2) one third for victim restitution; (3) one tenth for payment into the individual prisoner's account to be paid upon his or her release; and (4) the remainder for payments to States and local jurisdictions that operate correctional facilities with prison work requirements that are substantially the same as Federal requirements for programs to benefit the dependents of prisoners. (Sec. 4) Directs the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that Federal prisoners: (1) do not possess, view, or read pornographic or sexually explicit materials; (2) are subject not less often than once each month to a combination of random and regularly scheduled testing for drugs and illegal substances; (3) do not possess microwave ovens, hot plates, toaster ovens, televisions (unless provided by the prison for group viewing), or VCRs; (4) do not possess or listen to music which contains lyrics that are violent, sexually explicit, or vulgar or that glamorize gang membership or activities, demean women, or disrespect law enforcement; (5) do not view cable television which is not educational in nature; and (6) do not engage in sexual activity. (Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) report to the Congress, one year after this Act's enactment date, on anticipated annual costs, for each of the five following fiscal years, of implementing a monthly drug testing program for all Federal prisoners; and (2) establish a program to utilize dogs in inmate work areas, living quarters, and delivery areas to detect narcotics (authorizes appropriations). (Sec. 7) Amends Federal criminal code provisions regarding substance abuse treatment to require the Attorney General to ensure through the use of all appropriate and available incentives and sanctions that eligible prisoners undergo a program of substance abuse treatment. (Sec. 8) Requires (currently, authorizes for a limited period if the prisoner consents) the Bureau to place in a shock incarceration program any person who is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, with an exception. Limits the initial portion of the term of imprisonment to four weeks. Directs that an inmate who, in the Bureau's judgment, either does not successfully complete the required period of shock incarceration or is physically or mentally unfit to participate, be confined to that inmate's cell for not less than 23 hours each day during the portion of the term of imprisonment that would otherwise be spent in shock incarceration and, during the remainder of that term, be granted no privileges other than those required by law.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 441 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3616 (Department of Defense authorization).
Bill· SS. 2089 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited employer tax credit for each employee incurring information technology training program expenses.
Bill· SS. 2079 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase (to $1,500) the child tax credit for a child who is five years of age or less. Eliminates the dependent care credit for a child under the age of five.
Bill· HRH.R. 3868 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Price Increase to Discourage Child Tobacco Use Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Performance Objectives to Reduce Child Tobacco Use Title IV: Smoke-Free Environments Title V: Tobacco Prevention Initiatives Title VI: International Tobacco Control Title VII: Tobacco Accountability Board Title VIII: Payments to States Subtitle A: Resolution of State Actions Subtitle B: State Grants Title IX: Definitions Bipartisan NO Tobacco for Kids Act of 1998 - Title I: Price Increase to Discourage Child Tobacco Use - Requires that the funds raised by this title be used to reduce the public debt, except as provided in titles V and VIII. (Sec. 102) Requires each tobacco manufacturer (defining manufacturer, for this Act, to include importers) to make initial ($10 billion allocated by the manufacturer's share of units manufactured or imported) and annual (50 cents per unit manufactured or imported) payments. Excludes exports. (Sec. 103) Provides for injunctions and civil monetary penalties for failure to comply with regulations under this title. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to add nicotine in tobacco products to the definition of "drug" and add tobacco products to the definition of "device." (Sec. 203) Declares a tobacco product misbranded if it does not comply with section 205 requirements. Amends restricted device provisions to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if the Secretary determines that there cannot otherwise be reasonable assurances of safety and effectiveness, to require tobacco advertising and promotion restrictions. Prohibits State and local requirements of warnings on labels and in advertising if this Act requires a warning. (Sec. 204) Requires that all provisions of specified existing tobacco regulations be considered lawful and lawfully promulgated under the FDCA. (Sec. 205) Deems, for tobacco products, an action providing appropriate protection of public health to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Mandates regulations, conforming to specified provisions of the Proposed Resolution between manufacturers and State attorneys general on June 20, 1997: (1) restricting tobacco marketing, advertising, and access (but prohibits restrictions on marketing or advertising that would violate the First Amendment to the Constitution); (2) requiring warnings on cigarette and smokeless tobacco labeling and advertisements; and (3) regarding tobacco product ingredients. Makes it unlawful to advertise tobacco on any electronic medium subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. Prohibits considering the Secretary of Health and Human Services' failure to approve or disapprove an ingredient's safety within the review period to be approval. Prohibits a manufacturer from stating or implying in labeling or advertising that a product has a reduced health risk unless the Secretary has so determined. Prohibits a State from receiving a grant under subtitle B of title VIII of this Act unless the State has put into law a tobacco control program conforming to the model State program established by the Secretary. Mandates establishment of that model program, including in its requirements State retail licensure, a prohibition of tobacco purchase for resale or distribution to individuals under 18, compliance inspection conduct and frequency, State performance objectives, and violations penalties. Requires, if a State fails to implement a conforming program or fails to achieve the performance objectives, that the Secretary withhold up to 20 percent of the grant to the State under subtitle B of title VIII of this Act. Mandates a Federal retail licensing program for retailers on Federal property, retailers in a State without an effective program conforming to the model program, and others as specified by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to order a State-licensed retailer in violation of this Act to suspend or cease tobacco sales. Treats Indian tribes and tribal organizations as a State regarding retailers operating on Indian reservations. (Sec. 206) Adds violation of any FDCA tobacco requirement to the list of FDCA prohibited acts. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose tobacco information to the public if the Secretary determines it appropriate to protect public health. (Sec. 207) Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Title III: Performance Objectives to Reduce Child Tobacco Use - Mandates an annual survey regarding the percentage of children using each manufacturer's tobacco product. (Sec. 302) Requires each manufacturer to have a performance objective of reducing its child tobacco use by specified percentages. Requires, if the reductions are not met, price increases and, for subsequent consecutive year failures, sales by carton minimum and packaging in black on a white background. (Sec. 306) Makes failure to comply with this title's requirements an FDCA prohibited act. (Sec. 307) Requires that the annual survey determine the use level for children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Mandates, if use is increasing (or not decreasing at a proportionate rate) among children of a racial or ethnic background, recommendations to the Congress regarding reducing the level for those children. Title IV: Smoke-Free Environments - Requires the responsible entity for each public facility (any building in which activities substantially affecting interstate commerce occur, subject to exceptions for locations such as residential buildings, on-sale alcoholic beverage establishments, and prisons) to implement a smoke-free environment policy meeting specified requirements. Allows smoking areas meeting certain requirements. (Sec. 402) Authorizes an action to enforce this title (by injunction or civil monetary penalty) by any aggrieved person, State or local governmental agency, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing the award of litigation costs (including attorney's and expert fees) to any prevailing party. Authorizes the court to order that the civil penalties be used for projects furthering this title. Prohibits compensatory and punitive damages. (Sec 403) Authorizes the Administrator to extend the smoke-free policy requirement to certain otherwise-exempt facilities if the Administrator determines that the extension is appropriate to protect the public health. (Sec. 405) Declares that this title does not preempt or affect any other Federal, State, or local law providing protection from environmental tobacco health hazards. Title V: Tobacco Prevention Initiatives - Requires that funds be made available (from annual manufacturer payments under section 102) to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, without fiscal year limitation, for: (1) a national public awareness campaign to discourage tobacco use; (2) the implementation of FDCA tobacco provisions, title III of this Act, and Tobacco Accountability Board provisions of this Act; (3) tobacco use cessation programs (mandating grants); (4) research on nicotine addiction, cessation, and prevention; and (5) tobacco surveillance and epidemiology research. Requires that certain programs under this title: (1) take into account the needs of minority populations; and (2) be age, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for those populations. Title VI: International Tobacco Control - Mandates regulations to prohibit domestic concerns from directly or indirectly: (1) selling or distributing tobacco in a foreign country without warning labels appropriate to protect public health; or (2) selling or distributing tobacco in a foreign country to children or advertising or promoting it in a way that appeals to children. Adds violations to the list of FDCA prohibited acts. (Sec. 602) Prohibits any U.S. officer, employee, department, or agency from: (1) promoting tobacco export or foreign sale, manufacture, promotion, distribution, or use; or (2) subject to exception, seeking the removal or reduction of foreign restrictions on tobacco importation, exportation, sale, manufacture, promotion, distribution, tariffs, or taxes. (Sec. 603) Establishes in the Treasury the International Tobacco Control Trust Fund, to be funded by payments under section 605. Provides for the use of Fund amounts for: (1) the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco; (2) grants and other assistance to foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations for foreign tobacco control; and (3) enforcement of any requirement regarding foreign tobacco sale, distribution, or promotion. (Sec. 604) Establishes the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco (ACT) as a private, nonprofit corporation, requiring it to assist foreign organizations to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including through public awareness campaigns and youth-oriented and community-based programs. (Sec. 605) Requires each domestic concern that manufactures tobacco in a foreign country (or controls a person who does so) to annually pay to the Fund a specified amount per unit manufactured. (Sec. 606) Mandates regulations to reduce tobacco smuggling in interstate and foreign commerce. (Sec. 607) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government should support implementation of the International Framework Convention on Tobacco Control through all available resources. Title VII: Tobacco Accountability Board - Establishes the Tobacco Accountability Board as an independent board. Requires each tobacco manufacturer to submit to the Board all documents in the manufacturer's possession: (1) relating to tobacco health effects (including addiction), the manipulation of nicotine, or tobacco sale or marketing to children; or (2) produced or ordered to be produced in a named civil action. Requires the Board to make the documents available to the public. Exempts trade secrets from public disclosure unless the Board determines that disclosure is appropriate to protect the public health. (Sec. 703) Requires the Board to investigate all matters relating to tobacco and public health and report to the Congress annually. (Sec. 705) Empowers the Board to bring an action to enjoin a failure to comply with this title or to impose a civil monetary penalty. (Sec 707) Prohibits discrimination against an individual as a reprisal for disclosing information regarding a violation of tobacco-related law. Applies to whistleblowers existing provisions of Federal law allowing whistleblowers to receive a portion of any false claims amounts recovered. Title VIII: Payments to States - Subtitle A: Resolution of State Actions - Allows a State to elect to receive payments under section 802 instead of seeking recovery from manufacturers for health care costs attributable to tobacco use. Prohibits a State that so elects from seeking recovery from manufacturers, except for actions after enactment of this Act or for criminal prosecutions. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to any State so electing the amount the State would have received under the Proposed Resolution between manufacturers and State attorneys general. Requires a State to pass payments through to local governments in proportion to the local government's tobacco use health care costs. Makes a State that fails to pass through payments ineligible for this section's future payments. (Sec. 803) Exempts a manufacturer from the portion of the section 102 payments that will be provided to States under this title if the manufacturer: (1) resolved tobacco-related civil actions with more than 25 States before 1998; (2) provided to all other States the opportunity to enter into substantially similar settlements; and (3) manufactures less than three percent of all cigarettes manufactured or imported in the United States. Subtitle B: State Grants - Requires that funds be made available annually from amounts paid under section 102, without fiscal year limitation, for grants to States with approved child-oriented or community-based programs to discourage tobacco use. (Sec. 812) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment to States for a specified percentage of the State's Medicaid expenditures for tobacco use cessation programs. Title IX: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3872 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to reauthorize through FY 2003 the commodity distribution program, which may use Commodity Credit Corporation and other specified funds to purchase agricultural commodities for use in programs under NSLA, the Child Nutrition Act, and the Older Americans Act of 1965.
Bill· HRH.R. 3869 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction Title III: Miscellaneous Disaster Mitigation Act of 1998 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to require a State, in submitting a disaster preparedness and prevention program plan prior to receiving assistance under such Act, to set forth a comprehensive and detailed State program for mitigating against emergencies and major disasters, including provisions for prioritizing mitigation measures. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to make grants for the development and application of hazard identification technologies that can be used by Federal, State, and local governments and that will likely result in substantial savings over current hazard identification methods. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for implementing predisaster hazard mitigation measures that reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, including critical facilities and public infrastructure. Provides, with respect to such assistance program, for: (1) minimum and maximum per-State allocation of funds; (2) criteria for granting such assistance and determining appropriate amounts; (3) State Governor recommendations of no less than five local governments to receive such assistance; (4) a requirement that at least ten percent of the amount provided in a fiscal year be furnished for activities in communities of 3,000 or fewer individuals that are economically disadvantaged; (5) a Federal cost-share limit; (6) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000; and (7) a report from the President to the Congress on a process for transferring to State and local governments greater responsibility for administering the program. Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; and (2) review such rates at least every three years. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the President to make contributions to a private nonprofit facility for the repair, restoration, or replacement of such facility which is damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if its owner or operator has applied for a disaster loan under the Small Business Act and has been determined to be ineligible for such loan. Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of the net eligible costs of the repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public and private facilities. Allows a State, local government, or private nonprofit facility, in lieu of repairing, restoring, or replacing such damaged facilities, to receive the Federal cost share limit and repair other facilities or construct new facilities. Authorizes the President to modify the Federal cost share if such modification is likely to reduce the total amount of assistance provided. Provides for the determination of net eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance, and, if necessary, direct services to disaster victims who as a direct result of a major disaster have necessary expenses and serious needs for housing, personal property, medical, dental, or funeral services, transportation, and other needs. Authorizes the President to provide housing assistance to those who are displaced from their pre-disaster residence or whose residence is rendered uninhabitable as a result of such disaster. Includes as appropriate direct assistance the provision of other housing units. Limits the use of such units to 18 months, but allows the President to extend such period under extraordinary circumstances. Allows such assistance to include the repair or replacement of the original residence or permanent new housing construction in limited circumstances. Limits to $25,000 the individual or household assistance amount. (Sec. 204) Repeals a provision of the Act authorizing the President to make community disaster loans following major disasters. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State desiring to administer its own hazard mitigation assistance program to submit for the President's approval an application for the delegation of such authority, under specified criteria. (Sec. 206) Directs the President to conduct and report to the Congress on a pilot program to determine the desirability of State administration of parts of the disaster mitigation assistance program established under the Act. (Sec. 207) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies to: (1) estimate the reduction in Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act; and (2) determine the current and future expected availability of insurance for public infrastructure eligible for assistance under the Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes a technical correction to the short title of the Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3865 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title III: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with neighborhood organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 percent of qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 205) Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. Title III: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (Sec. 302) Amends the Public Health Service Act to make religious organizations eligible to administer specified substance prevention and abuse programs. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 303) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3866 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Water Resources Development Act of 1998 - Authorizes projects for flood damage reduction, or flood damage reduction and recreation, in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and North Dakota, and Puerto Rico. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to undertake a program to perform studies and carry out projects to reduce flood hazards and restore natural functions and values of riverine ecosystems throughout the United States. Outlines cost-sharing requirements. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate congressional committees before carrying out a project. Requires independent program review. Provides a per-project limit of $75 million. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2004. (Sec. 5) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to provide the non-Federal share of the costs of periodic beach nourishment or shore protection projects. (Sec. 6) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1948 to increase to $7 million the maximum amount for small flood control projects. (Sec. 7) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1960 to state that a limitation on funding for the compilation and dissemination of information on floods and flood damage shall not apply to funds voluntarily contributed in order to expand the scope of such services. (Sec. 8) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to: (1) extend through FY 2000 the Everglades and South Florida ecosystem restoration program; and (2) allow non-profit entities to enter into agreements to pay non-Federal shares of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. (Sec. 10) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to allow non-profit entities to enter into agreements to pay non-Federal shares of the costs of projects for beneficial uses of dredged material. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal and non-profit entities to facilitate collaborative efforts for environmental protection and restoration, natural resources, conservation, and recreation in connection with the development, operation, and management of water resources projects. (Sec. 12) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1936 to allow contributions by States and political subdivisions to be used for environmental restoration activities. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the Secretary during FY 1999 through 2002 to withhold a specified amount of recreation user fees for backlogged repair and maintenance projects, interpretation, signage, habitat or facility enhancement, resource preservation, annual operation, maintenance, and law enforcement related to public use at recreation sites. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary, within a year after enactment of this Act and every five years thereafter, to review the Shoreline Management Program administered by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) at Army projects to determine Program costs. (Sec. 15) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to permit studies undertaken by the Secretary concerning the Pacific region to include flood damage reduction and environmental restoration. (Sec. 16) Establishes the Water Resources Foundation, a nonprofit District of Columbia corporation, to: (1) encourage, accept, and administer gifts of money and property for Corps activities and services in managing natural resources at Army water resources development projects; and (2) undertake and conduct other activities to further the conservation and management of natural, scenic, historic, and recreational resources at such projects. Provides, with respect to the Foundation, for: (1) conflict of interest prohibitions; (2) tax-exempt status; (3) a Board of Directors; (4) corporate powers and obligations; and (5) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001. (Sec. 17) Directs the Secretary to establish and collect fees from applicants for the evaluation of commercial permit applications, the preparation of environmental impact statements in connection with such applications, and the delineation of wetlands for major developments affecting wetlands. Establishes in the Treasury the Army Civil Works Regulatory Program Account for the deposit and expenditure of such fees. (Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire from willing sellers land and property in the vicinity of Pierre, South Dakota, or to floodproof or relocate other property, in order to provide full operational capability for the Missouri River Main Stem dams that are part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program. Requires non- Federal interests to pay 35 percent of such costs. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to finalize a report, together with recommendations, identifying a general implementation strategy and overall plan for environmental restoration and protection along the Lower Missouri River between Gavins Point Dam and the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. (Sec. 20) Authorizes the Secretary to permit the non-Federal sponsor for the project for flood control, Moorefield, West Virginia, to pay without interest the remaining non-Federal project cost over a period to be determined by the Secretary, but not to exceed 30 years.
Bill· HRH.R. 3870 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions for: (1) a small employer (100 or fewer employees) retirement plan; (2) a credit for the expenses of establishing such a plan; and (3) a model small employer retirement plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 3882 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide, for purposes of determining the exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence, that a member of the U.S. armed forces shall be treated as using such property as a principal residence while away from home on extended duty.
Bill· HRH.R. 3885 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to waive interest and penalties, in specified circumstances, for failure to file a Schedule D with a timely filed 1997 Form 1040.
Bill· HRH.R. 3881 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Teacher Investment and Enhancement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Lifetime Learning Credit for the continuing education tuition expenses of a secondary teacher if such expenses are incurred for attending courses directly relevant to the subject matter taught by the teacher.
Bill· HRH.R. 3877 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Electric Vehicle Consumer Incentive Tax Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning the credit for qualified electric vehicles to, among other things: (1) increase from 10 to 100 percent the portion of the cost of such a vehicle which is allowable for such credit; and (2) extend such credit for an additional four years.
Bill· HRH.R. 3879 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Estate and Gift Tax Rate Reduction Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase out the estate and gift tax over a ten-year period.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 435 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3616 (Department of Defense authorization).
Bill· SS. 2078 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals engaged in eligible farming businesses to deduct from gross income for any taxable year the amount (limited to 20 percent of the individual's taxable income for the year) paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Deems a distribution, subject to income tax, of any deposits not actually distributed within five years, and prescribes an additional penalty tax of ten percent of any such deemed distribution.
Bill· SS. 2074 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Programs - Phase I Subtitle A: Expansion of SCHIP to Provide Health Insurance Coverage to Additional Individuals Subtitle B: State Health Coverage Outreach Programs Title II: Universal Affordable Comprehensive Health Care - Phase II Title III: Patient Protections Subtitle A: Utilization Management Subtitle C (sic): Health Plan Standards Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Miscellaneous Healthy Americans Act - Title I: State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Programs - Phase I - Subtitle A: Expansion of SCHIP to Provide Health Insurance Coverage to Additional Individuals - Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), renamed State Health Insurance Programs, to add a new part B (State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Program - Phase I) (UHICP) in order to provide funds to enable participating States to initiate and expand State-administered systems of health insurance coverage for individuals and families with incomes at or below 300 percent of the poverty line. (Sec. 101) Provides that a State is not eligible for a payment under this title unless it has submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a phase I State universal coverage plan (phase I plan) that: (1) sets forth how the State intends to use the funds provided to expand SCHIP, now under a new part A of SSA title XXI, to provide universal health insurance coverage to eligible individuals and families within the State; and (2) has been approved in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Outlines plan requirements. Conditions a State's eligibility to receive part B funds on its agreeing to administer a phase I plan with a goal of providing health insurance coverage for 100 percent of the eligible individuals and families who reside in the State and who have income that is equal to or less than 300 percent of the poverty line by not later than September 30, 2003. Specifies the required scope of such health insurance coverage. Allows for cost-sharing, with certain limitations. Prohibits phase I plans from permitting the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion for covered benefits under the plan. Makes appropriations for part B allotments to States, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Subtitle B: State Health Coverage Outreach Programs - Directs the Secretary to award grants to qualified States submitting outreach plans in order for them to establish State-administered outreach programs to maximize the enrollment of eligible individuals and families in the Medicaid, SCHIP, and UHICP (Phase I) programs. Makes necessary appropriations. Title II: Universal Affordable Comprehensive Health Care-Phase II - Amends SSA title XXI to add a new part C (State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Program - Phase II) in order to provide funds to enable participating States to establish State-administered systems to ensure universal, affordable, and comprehensive health insurance coverage. Sets forth plan, allotment, and grant requirements similar to those for phase I plans. Requires States, to be eligible to receive part C funds, to establish and implement procedures to certify: (1) private and public health care plans as qualified plans; and (2) public health care programs as qualified programs. (Sec. 202) Requires States submitting phase II plans to have in effect a State law that requires any health plan offered in the State to: (1) offer benefits to plan enrollees that are at least actuarially equivalent to health insurance benefits offered to Federal employees; (2) include mental health and substance abuse benefits at least equal to medical and surgical benefits; and (3) limit premiums and cost-sharing to certain formula maximums. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to propose to the appropriate congressional committees technical and conforming amendments necessary to: (1) apply such premiums and cost-sharing limitations to Medicare- eligible residents; (2) provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs for such individuals under Medicare; and (3) provide full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity to such individuals under Medicare. Title III: Patient Protections - Subtitle A: Utilization Management - Requires a health plan to have in place a utilization review program certified by the State and meeting the requirements of this subtitle. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the establishment, operation, and certification and periodic recertification of health plan utilization review programs. Authorizes a State to certify a health plan as meeting such standards if it has met the utilization standards required for accreditation as applied by a nationally recognized, independent, nonprofit accreditation entity. Requires a State that makes such a determination to review periodically the standards used by the private accreditation entity to ensure that they meet or exceed the Secretary's standards. Outlines health plan requirements with respect to the disclosure of information to prospective covered individuals, covered individuals, and State officials, as well as requirements with regard to emergency care. Subtitle C (sic): Health Plan Standards - Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the certification and periodic recertification of health plans, including standards which require plans to meet the requirements of this subtitle. (Sec. 321) Requires a State to provide for the certification of health plans if the certifying authority designated by the State determines that the plan meets the applicable requirements of this title. (Sec. 322) Specifies requirements for health plans relating to: (1) minimum solvency requirements; (2) information on terms of plan; (3) accessibility of covered health care services and access to specialized treatment; (4) credentialing for health providers; (5) grievance procedures; (6) confidentiality standards; (7) discrimination; and (8) selective marketing. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs a State to prohibit the offering or issuance of any health plan which does not meet the requirements of this title. (Sec. 331) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to take corrective action to terminate or disqualify a self-insured plan that does not meet the standards developed under this title. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Provides that specified administration and enforcement requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 shall not apply with respect to health benefits provided under a group health plan qualified to offer such benefits under a phase I or II plan. (Sec. 402) Expresses the sense of the Congress that any sums necessary for the implementation of this Act should be offset by: (1) reductions in unnecessary tax benefits available only to individuals and large corporations in the maximum tax brackets; (2) increases in taxes from the sale of tobacco products; (3) elimination of duplicative and wasteful military spending; and (4) direct savings in health care expenditures resulting from the implementation of this Act.
Bill· SS. 2072 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Modifies the fixed-base percentage used in determining such credit. Makes the credit available to additional laboratories and centers. Revises the definition of basic research.
Bill· SS. 2077 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strategic Planning Title II: Reserve Component Leadership Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits Title VI: Other Benefits Title VII: Other Matters National Guard and Reserve Components Equity Act of 1998 - Title I: Strategic Planning - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to develop and submit to the Congress: (1) a report on the Army reserve component force structure; (2) a master plan for modernization of the National Guard and other reserve components; and (3) a master plan for meeting the military construction requirements of the National Guard and reserve components. Requires the maintaining of current end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve through the end of FY 2000. Title II: Reserve Component Leadership - Directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to identify for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) any matter that directly concerns the National Guard, domestic security, or public safety. Requires the Chief to meet with the JCS when such matters are considered. Includes the Chief as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council of the Department of Defense (DOD). Makes the Chief the principal advisor to the President, the Secretary, and the heads of the military departments on matters of domestic security or public safety. (Sec. 202) Provides authorized grades of the Chief and the chiefs of the reserve components. Excludes such positions from active-duty general and flag officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to require that, whenever a person is appointed as a State adjutant general of the National Guard, the board that is to consider the appointee for Federal recognition be convened within 60 days after such appointment. Makes the DOD Inspector General responsible for investigations relating to such appointments. (Sec. 204) Directs the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on the promotions of, and extensions of Federal recognition to, officers of the National Guard to determine the timeliness and fairness of the processing of such actions. Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include within its authorized assistance an emergency involving a weapon of mass destruction. Authorizes the use of National Guard or reserve personnel to provide an immediate response to incidents involving a use or threatened use of such a weapon. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse a State for expenses incurred by its National Guard in emergency preparedness programs for responding to emergencies involving such weapons. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order into active duty a reserve unit or member to respond to emergencies involving such weapons, with limitations. Authorizes the use of reserve personnel currently on active duty, or reserve personnel serving on full-time National Guard duty, for such purposes. Excludes personnel so used from various end strength limitations. Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness - Amends the Army National Guard Combat Readiness Reform Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of the Army to ensure that sufficient training positions and funds are available to meet military education requirements of Army National Guard noncommissioned officers without it being necessary for such officers to be absent from unit annual training in order to meet such requirements. (Sec. 402) Requires the inclusion of professional development training within Army National Guard combat units. Requires all such training to be implemented at the platoon level. Requires the Secretary of the Army to ensure the adequacy of funding for such programs. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Army to use combat simulators and simulations to fully support the complete integration of Army National Guard and active units, as well as to train both units. Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits - Requires reserve personnel serving on active duty more than 100 miles from their primary residence to be paid a basic allowance for housing. (Sec. 502) Entitles military personnel to hazardous duty or imminent danger pay for any month in which such personnel are entitled to any basic pay, without regard to the number of days of duty performed for the month. (Sec. 503) Authorizes reserve personnel to make allotments from pay for the support of relatives. (Sec. 504) Authorizes early retirement due to physical disability for Selected Reserve personnel who: (1) have completed at least 15, and less than 20, years of retirement-creditable service; and (2) no longer meet Selected Reserve qualifications solely because of such disability. Title VI: Other Benefits - Repeals a Federal provision which terminates Selected Reserve eligibility for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill on the earlier of ten years after an individual first becomes entitled to such benefits or the date such person is separated from such service. Makes such termination date the date which is ten years after such service. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a demonstration program to test the efficacy of permitting unlimited use of commissary stores by current and former reserve members who are eligible for limited commissary store use. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to allow members of the Selected Reserve and their dependents to receive transportation on DOD aircraft on a space-available basis to the same extent as active-duty personnel and their dependents. Allows such transportation for the dependent only when accompanying such Reserve member. (Sec. 604) Repeals an October 27, 1999, expiration date on the availability of veterans' housing loans for certain Selected Reserve personnel who have completed more than six years of retirement-creditable military service. Title VII: Other Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee tax credit of 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to such employees in a taxable year, to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.