Taxation

Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.

51 records in US in 1999

Records

Bill· HRH.R. 3517 (106th)referred

To amend the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to provide for consistent treatment of survivor benefits for public safety officers killed in the line of duty.

United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1999

Amends provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to extend the same public safety officer survivor tax benefits to survivors of officers killed in the line of duty before December 31, 1996, as are available to the survivors of officers killed after such date.

Bill· SS. 1977 (106th)reported

Corporate Subsidy Reform Commission Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Corporate Subsidy Reform Commission Act of 1999 - Defines the term "inequitable Federal subsidy." Establishes an independent Corporate Subsidy Reform Commission to: (1) examine the programs and tax laws of the Federal Government and identify those that provide inequitable Federal subsidies; (2) review inequitable Federal subsidies; and (3) submit a report to the President and the Congress in order to ensure fairness and equity in the operation and application of such existing programs or tax laws. Directs the Commission to limit its recommendations to the termination or reform of payments, benefits, services, or tax advantages, rather than the termination of Federal agencies and departments. Authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to provide assistance, including the detailing of employees, to the Commission in accordance with an agreement entered into with the Commission. Requires the Commission and the Comptroller General to consult with certain congressional committees before entering into such agreement. Authorizes appropriations to the Commission and the Comptroller General. Terminates the Commission on September 1, 2002. Sets forth procedures for Federal departments and agencies, the Commission, and the President for making recommendations to terminate inequitable Federal subsidies. Provides a special review requirement for international trade programs. Sets forth requirements for Commission reports and for congressional consideration of any subsequent presidential recommendations.

Bill· SS. 1987 (106th)referred

Older and Disabled Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Older and Disabled Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1999 - 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 inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older or disabled individuals; and (2) develop curricula and develop training programs to assist Federal, State, and tribal law enforcement personnel (including local courts) in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to instruct the Secretary to include, within grants for State domestic violence coalitions, funds to develop outreach, support groups, and counseling targeted towards: (1) victims of elder domestic abuse, and (2) individuals with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 204) Expands the eligibility criteria for community initiative demonstration grants to include adult protective services entities. Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of women who are older individuals when establishing research priorities. (Sec. 304) Expands the scope of eligible demonstration projects to include domestic violence shelters and programs for elder individuals. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation to implement the ombudsman program and the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 306) Directs the Assistant Secretary to: (1) make grants to nonprofit private or tribal organizations to support local community initiatives to coordinate activities concerning intervention and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) implement and update continuing education training programs for adult protective service workers, persons carrying out a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, health care providers, and community-based social service providers to improve recognition and treatment of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence and sexual assault against older and disabled individuals. Title IV: Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize area health education center programs to use Federal grants to conduct and participate in interdisciplinary training that includes domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse screening, and referral protocols. (Sec. 402) Mandates that federally funded geriatric training for: (1) area health education center programs include training of faculty to provide instruction regarding identification and treatment of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse; and (2) physicians and dentists include screening for elder abuse and domestic violence and sexual assault. Title V: Financial Exploitation of Older Individuals - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and to report to Congress on the nature and extent of financial exploitation of older individuals.

Bill· SS. 1975 (106th)referred

Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Amendments Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the special rules for allocation of the generation-skipping tax (GST) exemption to provide, as a general rule, that: (1) if any individual makes an indirect skip during such individual's lifetime, any unused portion of such individual's GST exemption shall be allocated to the property transferred to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio for such property zero; and (2) if the amount of the indirect skip exceeds such unused portion, the entire unused portion shall be allocated to the property transferred. Requires the trusts resulting from a qualified severance to be treated as separate trusts. Revises valuation rules concerning gifts for which a gift tax return was filed or a deemed allocation was made. Requires regulations permitting the granting of extensions of time to make an allocation of a GST exemption.

Bill· SS. 1985 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to lower the adjusted gross income threshold for deductible disaster casualty losses to 5 percent, to make such deduction an above-the-line deduction, and to allow an election to take such deduction for the preceding or succeeding year.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the disaster-casualty loss deduction to: (1) modify and lower threshold requirements; and (2) permit declared-area disaster deductions to be taken in the succeeding or preceding year.

Bill· SS. 1992 (106th)referred

Building, Renovating, Improving, and Constructing Kids' Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Building, Renovating, Improving, and Constructing Kids' Schools Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, from specified amounts in a stabilization fund, to make available funds to States for loans to enable State entities or local governments to make annual interest payments on certain qualified school construction bonds (with terms up to 15 years) they issue. Bases such State allotments on relative shares of funds received under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as part A basic local program grants under title I provisions for helping disadvantaged children meet high standards. Reserves specified funds for Indian tribes for loans to enable them to pay interest on such bonds they issue. Sets forth requirements for loan repayment and interest rate. Exempts a State entity or local government from such repayment and interest rate accrual prior to January 1, 2005, unless the amount appropriated to carry out assistance for education of all children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for any fiscal year before FY 2009 is sufficient to fully fund such assistance for the fiscal year at the originally promised level, which promised level would provide to each State 40 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure for providing special education and related services for each child with a disability in the State. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Education to: (1) ensure that funds provided under this Act are properly distributed, and are used to pay the interest on qualified school construction bonds; and (2) notify each State of the amount of funds it may borrow under this Act. Provides that the Secretaries shall not have authority to approve or disapprove school construction plans assisted pursuant to this Act, except to ensure that funds made available under this Act are used only to supplement, and not supplant, the amount of school construction, rehabilitation, and repair in the State that would have occurred in the absence of such funds.

Bill· SS. 1994 (106th)referred

First-time Homebuyer Affordability Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

First-time Homebuyer Affordability Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax on prohibited transactions inapplicable to a qualified home equity participation arrangement (one in which up to $10,000 in an individual retirement plan is used to acquire an ownership interest in a dwelling unit that is to be used as the principal residence for a first-time homebuyer). Requires such ownership interest to be a fee interest requiring full repayment. Defines "first-time homebuyer" as an individual on whose behalf an individual retirement plan is established (eligible participant) or a family member (child, parent, or grandparent) who had no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 36-month period before the date of the arrangement. Allows the use of amounts in an individual retirement plan to make loans of up to $10,000 to purchase a home for a first-time homebuyer on behalf of an eligible participant or a family member. Prohibits a related interest deduction. Requires repayment within 15 years.

Bill· SS. 1976 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that certain uses of a facility owned by a tax-exempt organization shall not be treated as private business use for purposes of determining whether bonds issued to provide the facility are tax-exempt bonds.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the use of a facility owned by a tax-exempt organization by a non-governmental person resulting from the purchase of a franchise or similar type asset by a tax-exempt organization shall not, if certain conditions are met, be treated as a private business use for purposes of determining whether bonds issued to provide the facility are tax-exempt bonds.

Bill· SS. 1974 (106th)referred

Make College Affordable Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Make College Affordable Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an annual income-adjusted deduction for qualified higher education expenses (tuition and academic fees) paid on behalf of a taxpayer, spouse, dependent, or grandchild. (Prohibits the use in the same year of such deduction and the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.) Establishes an annual income-adjusted credit (up to $1,500) for the interest paid during the first 60 months of a qualified higher education loan by a non-dependent taxpayer.

Bill· HRH.R. 3511 (106th)referred

To prohibit deductions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for payments to Holocaust survivors under certain settlements.

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999

Prohibits the deduction under the Internal Revenue Code of any payment under a foreign-based Holocaust victims' settlement if no deduction would be allowed under the Code for such payment were it made directly by the foreign bank or other entity entering into such settlement.

Bill· SS. 1959 (106th)referred

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1999 - Title I: Increased Accountability and Elimination of Wasteful Spending - Subtitle A: Penalties for Failure to Reduce Teen Smoking - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) publish annually the results of an annual cigarette survey of the percentage of all individuals under the age of 18 who used a type of cigarette in the 30 days prior to the survey and the percentage of such individuals who identify each brand of each type of cigarette as the usual brand smoked in those 30 days; and (2) determine, comparing the survey results to a survey entitled "Monitoring the Future" conducted at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, the percentage reduction (if any) in youth cigarette use for each cigarette manufacturer. Authorizes the Secretary, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to conduct a survey under these provisions involving minors if the results of the survey are kept confidential and not disclosed. Makes provisions of Federal law relating to coordination of Federal information policy inapplicable to information required for carrying out these provisions. (Sec. 102) Sets a goal that each manufacturer reduce youth cigarette use by at least 15 percent between the Monitoring the Future survey and the first annual survey and between each annual survey and the previous annual survey. Mandates industry-wide monetary penalties of $4 - $8 billion if the goal is not reached, to be paid by each manufacturer based on the percentage of cigarettes of each manufacturer that are used by youth. Exempts from penalty a manufacturer that: (1) individually complies with the goal; or (2) has a market share of one percent or less of youth cigarette use. Prohibits considering penalties to be business expenses for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code and makes them nondeductible. Provides for judicial review. Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any court from staying any payment due pending judicial review until the Secretary has made or failed to make a compliance determination that has adversely affected the person seeking review. (Sec. 103) Imposes a penalty for failure to make any payment within 10 days after payment is due. Sets the penalty at two percent of the penalty owed for each day after payment is due until payment is paid in full. Subtitle B: Tobacco Advertising - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the deduction of tobacco advertising and promotional expenses. Subtitle C: Medicare Waste Elimination - Medicare Waste Tax Reduction Act of 1999 - Amends titles XI and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, and other specified Federal law to mandate various specified measures to combat Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse. (Sec. 122) Includes among such measures: (1) increased medical, utilization, and fraud reviews in a fiscal year; (2) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversight of home health agencies; (3) an information system for ensuring that Medicare does not reimburse claims owed by other payers; (4) civil monetary penalties for services ordered or prescribed by an excluded individual or entity, as well as for false certification of eligibility for partial hospitalization and hospice services; (5) exemption of health plans, plan issuers, and employees from liability for providing information regarding health care fraud; (6) exclusion of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and an individual's personal residence from covered locations for the provision of partial hospitalization services; (7) new health, safety, and anti-fraud requirements for community mental health centers with respect to partial hospitalization services; (8) authority for the HHS Secretary to establish a prospective payment system (PPS) for partial hospitalization services provided by a community mental health center or by a hospital; (9) repeal of certain factors required by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 for determination of the inherent reasonableness of costs for all Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) services other than physicians' services; (10) mandatory establishment of standards regarding payment for certain orthotics and prosthetics; (11) authority for the Secretary to contract for Medicare claims processing with agencies and organizations that are not insurance companies, and to renew contracts with fiscal intermediaries meeting performance requirements without competitive procedures; and (12) addition of Y2K compliance to fiscal intermediary contract performance requirements. (Sec. 124) Reduces the reimbursement to physicians, suppliers, or other service providers for drugs and biologicals from 95 percent of the average wholesale price to the lowest of 83 percent of such price, the actual acquisition cost, or an even lower amount according to a specified formula. Repeals the mandate of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 for reports on the average wholesale price of drugs and biologicals. (Sec. 129) Provides that Medicare- and Medicaid-related actions shall not be stayed by bankruptcy proceedings, nor Medicare- and Medicaid-related debt discharged in bankruptcy. (Sec. 131) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a procedure for enrolling and re-enrolling, for an appropriate fee, non-service providers that furnish covered health care items or services. (Sec. 132) Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive plan of activities to increase Medicare compliance, education, and assistance for health care providers; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to establish a committee to study Medicare administrative requirements applicable to Medicare health care providers, and make recommendations on how Medicare paperwork and administrative requirements can be minimized. Authorizes appropriations for such study. (Sec. 134) Specifies application of certain sanctions to Federal health care programs. (Sec. 135) Revises alternative criteria for payments for durable medical equipment (DME) to include the least expensive amount that the item supplier is paid by a Medicare+Choice organization or by any Federal health care program. Requires the Secretary to adjust the payment rate for any DME administrative costs exceeding those associated with providing a particular item to a Medicare+Choice organization or another Federal health care program. (Sec. 136) Outlines provisions for implementation of a commercial claims auditing system for Medicare carriers in processing claims under Medicare part B. (Sec. 138) Authorizes appropriations for carrying out and expanding nationwide the Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Community Volunteer Demonstration Projects (Medicare Senior Waste Patrol) conducted by the Administration on Aging. (Sec. 141) Repeals certain conditions for the termination of agreements with agencies or organizations for the processing of Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) claims. Revises requirements for performance standards and criteria for fiscal intermediaries. Changes certain cost reimbursement provisions from mandatory to discretionary. Repeals the Secretary's mandate, in determining administration costs, to take into account the reasonable and adequate amount to meet such costs which must be incurred by an efficiently and economically operated carrier in carrying out its contract terms. Subtitle D: Reduction in Student Loan Fees - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements relating to student loan fees for insurance premiums under the programs of subsidized Federal Stafford loans, unsubsidized Stafford loans, and PLUS parent loans. (Sec. 151) Requires each State or nonprofit private institution or organization having an agreement with the Secretary of Education under each such loan program to charge the borrower a single insurance premium in the amount of one percent of the principal amount of the loan. Requires the proceeds of the insurance premium to be paid to the Federal Government for deposit into the Treasury. Subtitle E: Limitations on Defense Funding for Fiscal Years 2000 Through 2004 - Places specified limits on the total budget authority for budget function 050 (national defense) for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004. Requires such amounts to be expended without adversely affecting military readiness and the quality of life of military personnel, military retirees, and their families. (Sec. 163) Prohibits amounts expended for readiness, or peacekeeping operations that began before September 30, 1999, from being considered emergency expenditures under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, with an exception for any such operation that significantly increases in size or tempo after such date. Subtitle F: Internal Revenue Code Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the taxation of estates valued at over $10 million. (Sec. 172) Denies the percentage depletion deduction for certain nonfuel minerals mined on Federal lands. Prohibits aggregating a separate operating mineral interest in any such nonfuel minerals with an interest other than such nonfuel minerals. (Sec. 173) Limits the foreign earned income exclusion to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2000. Maintains the exclusion for the housing costs of U.S. citizens living abroad. (Sec. 174) Provides for the application of the straight-line method of depreciation to tobacco manufacturing equipment. (Sec. 175) Prohibits eligibility for the foreign tax credit of certain foreign taxes paid on foreign oil and gas income. Eliminates the tax exclusion status of foreign oil and gas extraction income by redefining the term "foreign base company oil related income." (Sec. 176) States that the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to reallocate income and deductions among taxpayers in order to prevent tax evasion or clearly reflect income among organizations or businesses owned or controlled by the same interests shall not be limited by any restriction on the ability of such organizations or businesses to transfer or receive property. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits Federal funds from being made available to carry out the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act or the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act. (Sec. 202) Bars the use of funds available for the Department of Energy (DOE) National Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Program to pay the costs of lobbying any Federal, State, or local government officer or employee on the question of the establishment of a low-level radioactive waste storage site at any location. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the use of DOE funds to carry out the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative. (Sec. 204) Limits the total amount of budget authority available for a fiscal year to Federal agencies for travel and transportation of persons, transportation of things, printing and reproduction, advisory and assistance services, and supplies and materials to the actual expenditures for such object classes in FY 1998. (Sec. 205) Amends provisions of the Social Security Act regarding the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for disclosure to the Secretary of Education of certain information in the National Directory of New Hires on individuals who are in default on certain loans or owe obligations to refund overpayments of grants made under the Higher Education Act. Establishes conditions on such disclosure, including that priority be given to support collection over collection of such loans or grants and that such information be used only for collecting debt owed by individuals whose annualized wage level exceeds $16,000. Permits such information to be used only for collection purposes.

Bill· SS. 1962 (106th)open

Social Security and Medicare Safe Deposit Box Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Social Security and Medicare Safe Deposit Box Act of 1999 - Provides that the net surplus of any trust fund for part A of Medicare shall not be counted as a net surplus for purposes of the Federal or congressional budgets or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate against consideration of any concurrent budget resolution or conference report or amendment pertaining thereto that would set forth an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report if the enactment of the reported bill or resolution, the adoption and enactment of an amendment, or the enactment of a bill or resolution in the form recommended in the conference report would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year. Includes the receipts, outlays, and surplus or deficit in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds within the content of the concurrent budget resolution. Authorizes a waiver or suspension in the Senate of points of order under this Act only with a three-fifths majority. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal on a ruling on such points of order. Prohibits the Federal Government budget submitted by the President from recommending an on-budget deficit for any covered fiscal year. Applies the amendments made by this Act to FY 2001 and subsequent fiscal years.

Bill· HRH.R. 3489 (106th)open

Wireless Telecommunications Privacy Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Wireless Telecommunications Sourcing and Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to add provisions relating to State and local taxation on mobile telecommunications services (mobile services) and sets forth exceptions. States that all charges for mobile services provided by the customer's home service provider (provider) are authorized to be subject to tax, charge, or fee by the taxing jurisdictions whose territorial limits encompass such customer's place of primary use, regardless of where the mobile services originate, pass through, or terminate. Prohibits any other taxing jurisdiction from imposing a tax, charge, or fee for such mobile services. Provides tax limitations. Authorizes a State to provide an electronic database to a provider, or allows a designated database provider to provide such database to a provider. Requires such database to designate the appropriate taxing jurisdiction identified by one nationwide standard numerical code. Outlines additional database requirements. Requires a State or database provider to provide notice of the availability of such database in that taxing jurisdiction. Holds a provider harmless if neither a State nor designated database provider provides such a database, as long as the provider employs an enhanced zip code to assign each street address to a specific taxing jurisdiction for each appropriate level of taxation and exercises due diligence to ensure that such information is correct. Outlines procedures to be undertaken by a provider when the enhanced zip code overlaps boundaries of taxing jurisdictions. Terminates the exclusion from liability of a provider acting in such manner on the later of: (1) 18 months after the nationwide standard numeric code has been approved; or (2) six months after that State or designated database provider provides the database for such use. Authorizes a taxing jurisdiction, or a State acting on behalf of any taxing jurisdiction within such State, to take appropriate action to correct erroneous data concerning a customer's place of primary use. Makes a provider responsible for obtaining and maintaining each customer's place of primary use for tax purposes. Allows the provider, for two years after the enactment of this Act with respect to existing service contracts, to treat the customer billing address as that customer's place of primary use. Excludes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from jurisdiction over the interpretation, implementation, or enforcement of this Act. (Sec. 4) Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to review the annual regulatory fees collected by the FCC to determine whether such fees have been accurately assessed since their inception, and report review results to Congress. (Sec. 5) - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit modifying any electronic communication device, equipment, or system in a manner which causes it to fail to comply with regulations governing electronic eavesdropping devices. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations (and review and revise them when necessary in response to changes in technology and behavior) denying equipment authorization for any scanning receiver capable of: (1) receiving transmissions in frequencies allocated to the domestic cellular or personal communications service; (2) being readily altered to receive such transmissions; (3) being equipped with decoders that convert domestic cellular or personal communications service or protected specialized mobile radio service transmissions to analog voice audio, or which convert protected paging service transmissions to alphanumeric text; or (4) being equipped with devices that otherwise encode encrypted radio transmissions for purposes of unauthorized interception. Directs the FCC, with respect to scanning receivers capable of receiving transmissions in frequencies used by commercial mobile services and that are shared by public safety users, to examine methods and prescribe regulations to enhance the privacy of users of such frequencies. Requires tampering prevention measures and warning labels to be considered by the FCC in prescribing such regulations. (Sec. 6) Applies penalties for the unauthorized publication or use of electronic communications to the unauthorized receipt, intentional interception, or intentional divulgence of any such communication. Directs the FCC to investigate alleged violations and proceed to initiate action to impose forfeiture penalties.

Bill· HRH.R. 3469 (106th)open

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the coverage and treatment of overhead costs of United States factories and arsenals when not making supplies for the Army, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Directs the Secretary of the Army to submit annually to Congress an estimate of the funds required in that fiscal year to cover any overhead costs at factories and arsenals owned by the United States that are not covered by the use of such facilities due to low Army production requirements.

Bill· HRH.R. 3505 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a medical research tax credit.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the credit for increasing research activities provisions to provide for an increased credit for qualified medical research expenses.

Bill· HRH.R. 3491 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to codify the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations covering the practice of enrolled agents before the Internal Revenue Service.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations covering the practice of enrolled agents before the Internal Revenue Service.

Bill· HRH.R. 3462 (106th)reported

Wealth Through the Workplace Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Wealth Through the Workplace Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish requirements relating to certain stock purchase arrangements maintained by employers for at least 50 percent of their employees. Requires employers to provide annual descriptions of disclosure statements regarding such stock to employees granted an option to purchase it. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for special treatment of stock options meeting such ERISA requirements. Permits employees to defer payment of taxes at a special rate on the stock obtained through the options until they sell the stock. Allows employers a limited tax deduction for such stock transfers to employees. Sets forth certain restrictions on disposition of transferred shares.

Bill· HRH.R. 3508 (106th)referred

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide status in each of fiscal years 2000 through 2002 for 65,000 H-1B nonimmigrants who have a master's or Ph. D. degree and meet the requirements for such status and whose employers make scholarhip payments to institutions of higher education for undergraduate and postgraduate education.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to provide (H1-B visa) nonimmigrant status for a specified number of aliens during FY 2000 through 2002 with a master's or PhD degree whose employers make qualified scholarship payments to institutions of higher education for undergraduate and postgraduate study. (Gives scholarship priority to citizens and permanent resident aliens.)

Bill· HRH.R. 3451 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the unused portion of the low-income housing credit for buildings financed with tax exempt State bonds to be used for the construction of military housing in the State.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the unused portion of the low-income housing credit for buildings financed with tax exempt State bonds to be used for the construction of military housing in the State.

Bill· HRH.R. 3490 (106th)referred

Professional Employer Organization Workers Benefits Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Professional Employer Organization Workers Benefits Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide that, for purposes of the taxes imposed by subtitle C (Employment Taxes), a certified professional employer organization shall be treated as the employer (and no other person shall be treated as the employer) of any work site employee performing services for any customer of such organization, but only with respect to remuneration remitted by such organization to such work site employee and exemptions and exclusions which would otherwise apply shall apply with respect to such taxes imposed on such remuneration. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) secondary customer liability for employment taxes; (2) liability with respect to individuals purported to be work site employees; and (3) special rules for related parties. Amends IRC definition provisions of subchapter D (Deferred Compensation, Etc.) of subtitle A (Income Taxes) to provide that, subject to exceptions, if a certified professional employer organization establishes or maintains a plan to provide employee benefits to work site employees, then, for purposes of applying the provisions of this title applicable to such benefits: (1) such plan shall be treated as a single employer plan established and maintained by the organization; (2) the organization shall be treated as the employer of the work site employees eligible to participate in the plan; and (3) the portion of such plan covering work site employees shall not be taken into account in applying such provisions to the remaining portion of such plan or to any other plan providing employee benefits (other than to work site employees). Defines "certified professional employer organization" and "work site employee." Sets forth provisions concerning, among other things: (1) employer aggregation rules; (2) determination of employment status; and (3) reporting requirements.

Bill· HRH.R. 3496 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that certain uses of a facility owned by a tax-exempt organization shall not be treated as private business use for purposes of determining whether bonds issued to provide the facility are tax-exempt bonds.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Bill· HRH.R. 3466 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to energy produced from landfill gas.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include landfill gas as a renewable source for purposes of the business credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources.

Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 84 (106th)enacted

Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2001, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Extends the law making continuing appropriations for FY 2000 through December 3, 1999. Increases the maximum amount of funds available for projects for decennial census programs under such law. Extends, until December 3, 1999, a certain provision of law that allows fewer than three members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to constitute a quorum.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 385 (106th)passed

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 82) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes, and for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 83) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.J. Res. 82 (continuing appropriations for FY 2000).

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 386 (106th)passed

Waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3194) making appropriations for the government of the District of Columbia and other activities chargeable in whole or in part against revenues of said District for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on H.R. 3194 (District of Columbia appropriations).

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 234 (106th)open

Tabling the bill (H.R. 2466) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999

Provides for the tabling of the enrolled copy of H.R. 2466 (Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations).

Bill· SS. 1939 (106th)referred

Small Business Pollution Prevention and Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Small Business Pollution Prevention and Opportunity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a dry cleaning equipment credit for any taxable year equivalent to 20 percent of the basis of each qualified dry cleaning property placed in service during the year which is designed primarily to dry clean clothing and other fabric if: (1) such equipment does not use any hazardous solvent (a chlorinated or petroleum-based solvent, or any other hazardous or regulated substance) as the primary process solvent; (2) the original use of such property commences with the taxpayer; and (3) with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable. Excludes from the meaning of hazardous solvent any solvent: (1) not more than ten percent of which consists of petroleum or petroleum derivatives; and (2) which does not contain any substance determined by any appropriate Federal agency to possess carcinogenic potential in humans or bioaccumulative properties.

Bill· SS. 1949 (106th)referred

Clean Power Plant and Modernization Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Clean Power Plant and Modernization Act of 1999 - Requires fossil fuel-fired generating units (units) that commence operation on or before ten years after this Act's enactment date to achieve and maintain a combustion heat rate efficiency of at least 45 percent (based on the higher heating value of the fuel). Sets such percentage at 50 percent for units commencing operation more than ten years after such date, unless granted a waiver. Authorizes units that commence operation more than ten years after this Act's enactment to apply to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for waivers of the heat rate efficiency standard. Grants such a waiver only if the unit owner or operator: (1) demonstrates that the technology to meet such standard is not commercially available or, despite best technical efforts and willingness to make the financial commitment, the standard is not achievable; and (2) enters into an agreement with the Administrator to offset by a factor of 1.5 to 1, the emission reductions that the unit does not achieve because of the failure to achieve such standard. Requires units receiving waivers to achieve the 45 percent standard. (Sec. 5) Requires units, not later than ten years after this Act's enactment and regardless of the date of construction or commencement of operation, to operate in compliance with new source review requirements under the Clean Air Act (the Act). Establishes specified emission limitations for mercury, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from units based on the respective efficiency standards. Requires units to obtain permits under the Act that require compliance with such standards and limitations. Directs the Administrator to promulgate fuel sampling and emission monitoring techniques for use by units in calculating mercury emission reductions. Provides for the submission of pollutant-specific reports by owners or operators. Makes facility-specific emission data available to the public. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring owners or operators of generating units to disclose to residential consumers of electricity generated by such units data concerning emissions levels. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to ensure that mercury that is captured or recovered is disposed of in a manner that ensures that hazards are not transferred from one environmental medium to another and that there is no release of mercury into the environment. (Sec. 6) Makes certain facilities that use solar power to produce electricity eligible for the renewable energy tax credit. (Sec. 7) Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to excise taxes to impose on covered fossil fuel-fired generating units a tax equal to 30 cents per megawatt hour of electricity produced. Provides for increases in such tax rate as necessary to ensure that the Clean Air Trust Fund established by this Act has sufficient amounts to fully fund authorized activities. Defines a "covered fossil fuel-fired generating unit" as one powered by fossil fuels with a generating capacity of at least five megawatts which is not subject to all regulations under the Act governing new stationary source performance standards because of the date on which it commenced commercial operation. (Sec. 8) Establishes the Clean Air Trust Fund in the Treasury. Appropriates megawatt hour generation taxes (established by this Act) to the Fund. Makes the Fund available for specified activities under this Act. (Sec. 9) Provides for accelerated depreciation and cost recovery for certain investor-owned units. (Sec. 10) Provides for annual grants for capital expenditures for new publicly owned units in compliance with this Act in amounts equal to the depreciation deduction that would be realized by similarly-situated investor-owned units over the applicable time period. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to crediting permanent reductions in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions to the utility sector and owners or operators and passing on monetary value accruing from such credits to utility customers in any climate change implementation program enacted by Congress. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary of Energy to fund research and development programs and commercial demonstration projects and partnerships to demonstrate the commercial viability and environmental benefits of electric power generation from biomass (excluding unseparated municipal solid waste), geothermal, solar, and wind technologies and from fuel cells. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 13) Requires the Secretary, under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, to establish a program to fund projects and partnerships designed to demonstrate the efficiency and environmental benefits of electric power generation from clean coal, advanced gas turbine, and combined heat and power technologies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act and on provisions of certain energy statutes that conflict with this Act. Provides for recommendations from the Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Administrator for legislative or administrative measures to harmonize and streamline such statutes. (Sec. 15) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) assistance to coal industry workers terminated from employment, and to communities adversely affected, as a result of reduced coal consumption by the electric power generation industry; and (2) development of a carbon sequestration strategy to offset growth in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and for carrying out methods of biologically sequestering carbon dioxide.

Bill· SS. 1952 (106th)referred

Small Investors Tax Simplification Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Small Investors Tax Simplification Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a partner's distributive share of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a qualified investment club shall be determined under the simplified method. Defines such method, in general, as a method pursuant to which a partnership allocates each of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit for its taxable year to its partners based on their proportionate interests on the last day of such taxable year in partnership profits.

Law· HRH.R. 3419 (106th)enacted

Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 - Title I: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Establishes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation (DOT), to be headed by an Administrator (with professional experience in motor carrier safety) appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Sec. 101) Decreases the amount the Secretary of Transportation can deduct from Federal-aid highway funds for administrative expenses related to carrying out various Federal transportation projects. Sets forth a specified percentage of such funds for administrative expenses related to administering motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety research. Declares that the number of personnel positions at the Office of Motor Carrier Safety (the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration beginning January 1, 2000) shall not be increased above the level transferred from the Federal Highway Administration to the Office of Motor Carrier Safety. (Sec. 102) Amends Federal aid highway law to provide, based on a specified formula pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), for proportionate reductions in appropriated funds from the Highway Trust Fund to carry out the motor carrier safety grant program. (Sec. 103) Authorizes additional appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for the motor carrier safety grant program for FY 2001 through 2003. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to increase authorizations of appropriations for the motor carrier safety grant program for FY 2001 through 2003. Prohibits the Secretary from making such grants to a State unless the State enters into an agreement that provides that the total State expenditure for the development or implementation of programs for improving motor carrier safety and enforcement of U.S. orders on commercial motor vehicle safety, hazardous materials transportation safety, and compatible State regulations will be maintained at a level at least equal to FY 1997, 1998, and 1999 levels. Authorizes the Secretary to make emergency commercial driver license grants out of certain Highway Trust Fund amounts to States whose commercial driver's license programs do not meet certain Federal commercial driver license requirements. Requires the Secretary to withhold amounts allocated for motor carrier safety from States that are not in compliance with certain commercial driver license requirements. Provides for the reallocation of such funds if a State is not in compliance with such requirements by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are withheld. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term strategy (including an annual plan and schedule for achieving, at a minimum, specified goals) for improving commercial motor vehicle, operator, and carrier safety. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a motor carrier safety advisory committee. Title II: Commercial Motor Vehicle and Driver Safety - Amends Federal transportation law to disqualify from operating a commercial motor vehicle for at least one year any individual: (1) committing a first violation of driving a commercial motor vehicle with a revoked, suspended, or canceled commercial driver's license; or (2) convicted of causing a fatality through negligent or criminal operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Disqualifies an individual from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life for committing more than one violation of operating such vehicle with a revoked, suspended, or canceled commercial driver's license or being convicted of more than one offense of causing a fatality through negligent or criminal operation of such vehicle. (Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary to disqualify an individual from operating a commercial motor vehicle on an emergency basis for up to 30 days if allowing such individual to continue to operate such vehicle would create an imminent hazard. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations disqualifying an individual from operating a commercial motor vehicle who has been convicted of a serious offense that has resulted in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the individual's license or a drug or alcohol related offense involving a noncommercial motor vehicle. Defines "serious traffic violation" to mean, among other things, driving a commercial motor vehicle when the individual: (1) has not obtained a commercial driver's license; (2) does not have in his or her possession a commercial driver's license unless the individual held a valid commercial driver's license on the date of the citation; and (3) has not met certain minimum testing standards with respect to the class of vehicle the individual is operating or type of cargo the vehicle is carrying. (Sec. 202) Requires a State, in order to avoid the withholding of its apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds, to comply with certain commercial driver's license requirements, including to: (1) request from any other State that has issued a driver's license to an individual information concerning their driving record before renewing the individual's commercial license; (2) record any violation that has resulted in the disqualification, revocation, suspension, or cancellation of an individual's commercial driver's license; (3) notify State officials of the State in which an individual has committed a (non-parking) violation of a State or local motor vehicle control traffic law and has a commercial driver's license that has been issued by another State or is operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver's license and has a driver's license issued by another State; (4) prohibit the issuance of a special license or permit (including a provisional or temporary license) to an individual who holds a commercial driver's license that permits the individual to drive a commercial motor vehicle during a period in which the individual is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle or the individual's driver license is revoked, suspended, or canceled; (5) maintain, as part of its driver information system, a record of each (non-parking) violation of a State or local motor vehicle traffic control law while operating for each individual who holds a commercial driver's license; and (6) record and make available to authorized persons and entities such violations (including those that involve a motor vehicle and a commercial motor vehicle) in the driving record of the individual who has a commercial driver's license. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary, if a State is in substantial noncompliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to prohibit such State from carrying out commercial driver licensing procedures and issuing any more commercial driver's licenses. (Sec. 204) Directs a State, before issuing or renewing an individual's motor vehicle operator's license, to request information on the individual's driving record from the National Driver Register and the commercial driver's license information system. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal transportation law to subject to specified civil penalties (in addition to any other penalties) motor carriers that fail to register their operations or that operate beyond the scope of their registrations. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the Secretary to suspend, amend, or revoke any part of the registration of a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder for failure to pay certain civil penalties imposed with respect to violation of certain Federal commercial motor vehicle safety regulations or failure to arrange and abide by an acceptable payment plan for such penalties. Prohibits an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle from operating in interstate commerce if such owner or operator fails to pay (or to arrange and abide by an acceptable plan for paying) a civil penalty for violation of certain Federal commercial motor vehicle safety regulations. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary to approve a State's plan to adopt and assume responsibility for enforcing Federal and State regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety if the Secretary decides the plan is adequate to promote specified objectives and, among other things, ensures that the State will cooperate in the enforcement of registration requirements and financial responsibility requirements with respect to motor carriers (including motor carriers for passengers and property), brokers, and freight forwarders. (Sec. 208) Redefines "imminent hazard", for which a commercial motor vehicle may be ordered out of service, to mean any condition of vehicle, employee, or commercial motor vehicle operations which substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death if not discontinued immediately. (Sec. 209) Excludes from the Board's jurisdiction over transportation of household goods any property moving from a factory or store unless the householder has purchased it with the intent to use in his or her dwelling, has requested the transportation, and has paid the carrier for it. Increases from $1,000 to $5,000 the threshold amount of a claim requiring binding arbitration of a dispute between a motor carrier, water carrier, or freight forwarder and a shipper of household goods. Directs the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of DOT's enforcement of household goods consumer protection rules. (Sec. 210) Directs the Secretary to require, by regulation, each commercial motor vehicle owner and operator granted new operating authority to undergo a safety review. Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to establish minimum requirements for applicant motor carriers (including foreign motor carriers) seeking Federal interstate operating authority to ensure that they are knowledgeable about applicable Federal motor carrier safety standards. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to complete a rulemaking to improve training and provide for the certification of motor carrier safety auditors, including private contractors, to conduct safety inspection audits and reviews. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to complete DOT's rulemaking, Docket No. FHWA-99-5710, to amend Federal motor carrier safety regulations to determine which motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport between nine and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation shall be covered. (Sec. 213) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century with respect to the nationwide toll-free telephone system for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and others to report violations of Federal motor carrier safety regulations. Requires such system to be staffed 24 hours a day seven days a week by individuals knowledgeable about Federal motor carrier safety regulations and procedures. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to conduct a rulemaking to establish a special commercial driver's license endorsement for drivers of school buses. (Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to provide for a Federal medical qualification certificate to be made a part of commercial driver's licenses. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary to implement the safety improvement recommendations provided for in the DOT Inspector General's Report TR-1999-091. (Sec. 217) Directs the Secretary to amend section 385.21 of DOT's regulations (49 C.F.R. 385.21) to require periodic updating, not more frequently than once every two years, of the motor carrier identification report, form MCS-150, filed by each motor carrier conducting operations in interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 218) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement appropriate staffing standards for Federal and State motor carrier safety inspectors in international border areas. Directs the Secretary to allocate five percent of specified funds for border commercial motor vehicle safety programs and enforcement activities and projects. (Sec. 219) Declares that any foreign motor carrier or foreign motor private carrier that operates without authority, before implementation of the land transportation provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), outside the boundaries of a commercial zone along the U.S.-Mexico border: (1) shall be liable to the United States for specified civil penalties; and (2) shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle anywhere in the United States. (Sec. 220) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program to develop innovative methods of improving motor carrier compliance with traffic laws. (Sec. 221) Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform system to support the electronic transmission of data State-to-State on convictions for all motor vehicle traffic control law violations by individuals possessing a commercial drivers' licenses. (Sec. 222) Urges the Secretary to ensure that motor carriers operate safely by imposing civil penalties at a level calculated to ensure prompt and sustained compliance with Federal motor carrier safety and commercial driver's license laws. (Sec. 224) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the causes of, and factors contributing to, crashes that involve commercial motor vehicles. Requires the study to yield information that will help DOT and States identify activities and other measures likely to lead to significant reductions in the frequency, severity, and rate per mile traveled of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 225) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes, including crash causation, involving commercial motor vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 226) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and merits of requiring: (1) medical review officers to report all verified positive controlled substances test results on any driver, including the identity of such driver and such substance, to the State that issued the driver's commercial driver's license; and (2) all prospective employers, before hiring any driver, to query the license-issuing State on whether the State has on record any verified positive controlled substances test on such driver. (Sec. 227) Sets forth provisions with respect to the periodic review of Surface Transportation Board approvals of motor carrier rate agreements.

Bill· HRH.R. 3427 (106th)open

Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 - Division A: Department of State Provisions - Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) international commissions; (3) migration and refugee assistance (including for humanitarian assistance to Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal, refugees resettling in Israel, displaced Burmese and Sierra Leoneans, and for an international rape counseling program to counsel female victims of rape during times of war); (4) U.S. informational, educational, and cultural programs; (5) the Asia Foundation; (6) contributions to international organizations (including the U.S. assessment for the civil budget of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and international peacekeeping activities; and (7) certain voluntary contributions to international organizations. Withholds twenty percent of the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations (UN) until the Secretary of State certifies that the UN has met specified conditions. Bars the use of funds for U.S. contributions to: (1) pay for expenses related to the holding of any UN global conference (except one scheduled before October 1, 1998); and (2) the UN regular budget for the U.S. share of framework treaty-based organization, including the Framework Convention on Global Climate Change, the International Seabed Authority, the Desertification Convention, and the International Criminal Court. Withholds a certain amount of funds from the UN Development Program that will be spent in Burma during each fiscal year unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)); (3) provide no financial, political, or military benefit to the SPDC; and (4) are carried out only after consultation with the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Limits the U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). Makes such funds available only if: (1) UNFPA maintains funds available to it in a separate account; (2) it does not commingle such funds; and (3) it does not fund abortions. Prohibits the use of funds for UNFPA for a country program in China. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the amount of funds that the UNFPA is budgeting for the year in which the report is submitted for a country program in China. Withholds the U.S. voluntary contribution to the UNFPA, if a report indicates plans to spend funds for a country program in China, in an amount equal to that which would be spent on a country program in China after March 1 for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the report is submitted. Subtitle B: United States International Broadcasting Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 to carry out certain international broadcasting activities. Title II: Department of State Basic Authorities and Activities - Subtitle A: Basic Authorities and Activities - Directs the Secretary of State to fill the position of Director of the Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State with an individual of senior rank who: (1) can ensure long-term continuity in the management and policy matters of the Office; and (2) has a strong background in consular affairs. Designates in each U.S. diplomatic mission an employee who shall serve as the point of contact for matters relating to international abductions of children by parents. Directs the Secretary, with a specified exception, to report semi-annually to each parent who has requested assistance regarding an abducted child. (Sec. 202) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to extend through September 30, 2001, the requirement that the Secretary report to the appropriate congressional committees on compliance by member countries with the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (done at The Hague on October 25, 1980). Requires such report to include (among other things): (1) specific actions taken by the U.S. chief of mission in the country to which a child is alleged to have been abducted; (2) a list of countries party to the Convention in which parents who have been left-behind in the United States have not been able to secure prompt enforcement of a final return or access order under a Hague proceeding, of a U.S. custody, access, or visitation order, or of an access or visitation order in the country concerned, due to the absence of an effective method for enforcement of civil court orders, the absence of comity, or other factors; and (3) a description of the Secretary's efforts to encourage the parties to the Convention to facilitate the work of nongovernmental organizations within their countries that assist parents seeking the return of children under the Convention. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the investigation into the March 30, 1997, grenade attack in Cambodia. (Sec. 204) Prohibits the State Department from obligating more funds than expressly authorized and appropriated (or obligating such funds unless the appropriate congressional committees are notified) for a U.S. pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world's fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions. (Sec. 205) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to declare that the Inspector General of the Agency of International Development (AID) shall serve as the Inspector General of the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent of international drug trafficking through Cuba since 1990. (Sec. 207) Amends the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution to require the President to report to Congress at least once every 90 days (currently, 60 days) on the status of efforts to obtain Iraq's compliance with resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in response to Iraq's aggression. (Sec. 208) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Director General of the Foreign Service to report to specified congressional committees summarizing the number of Foreign Service positions in each overseas mission requiring foreign language competence that became vacant during the previous year and were filled by individuals having the required foreign language competence. (Sec. 209) Extends certain reporting requirements. (Sec. 210) Authorizes interest accrued on certain joint funds under agreements for cooperation in environmental, scientific, cultural and related areas to be used by the State Department without return to the Treasury and without further appropriation by Congress. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review extradition treaties and other agreements containing extradition obligations to which the United States is a party; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding U.S. extradition policy. Subtitle B: Consular Authorities - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 with respect to fees charged for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and machine readable combined border crossing identification cards and nonimmigrant visas. Makes any fee collections that exceed a certain amount for FY 2000, 2001, and 2002 available for deposit as an offsetting collection to any State Department appropriation to recover the costs of providing consular services only if Congress is notified in accordance with specified reprogramming notification procedures. Repeals: (1) provisions making inapplicable certain requirements concerning accounting for consular fees to fees collected under this section; and (2) the prohibition against the charging of fees to citizens of countries signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 232) Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for State Department services provided to ensure that an affidavit of support provided by a sponsor is properly completed before it is forwarded to a consular post for adjudication of an immigrant visa. (Sec. 233) Amends the Passport Act to provide that a nonrefundable fee of $10 shall be collected for the filing of each passport application (including the cost of passport issuance and use). (Sec. 234) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to revise requirements concerning the State Department and the death of U.S. citizens abroad. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) notification of next of kin by consular officers; (2) the appointment of such officers as conservators of a decedent's estate; and (3) losses in connection with the conservation of the estate. (Sec. 236) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that provide that before a child under age 14 is issued a passport: (1) both parents, or the child's legal guardian, have executed the application and provided documentary evidence demonstrating that they are who they say they are; and (2) the person executing the application has provided documentary evidence that he or she has sole custody of the child, has the consent of the other parent to the issuance of the passport, or is in loco parentis and has the consent of both parents, of a parent with sole custody over the child, or of the child's legal guardian. (Sec. 237) Declares it shall be State Department policy to process immigrant visa applications of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant K-1 visa applications of fiances of U.S. citizens within 30 days (60 days for other than immediate relative) of the receipt of all necessary documents from the applicant and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent to which the State Department is meeting such policy standards. (Sec. 238) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees (including those specified) on the feasibility of decreasing the amount of an individual's arrearages of child support that would require the Secretary to refuse to issue such individual a passport. Subtitle C: Refugees - Bars the use of funds (including migration and refugee assistance, unless the appropriate congressional committees are first notified) for the involuntary return of a person to a country in which the person has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 252) Requires a certain human rights report in connection with the provision of security assistance to a foreign country to include the extent to which such country has extended protection to refugees (including the provision of first asylum and resettlement). (Sec. 253) Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include State Department employees together with INS personnel within guidelines that address potential biases by such personnel who are hired abroad and involved with duties which could constitute a barrier to a refugee claim if they carry a bias against the claimant on the grounds of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to ensure that persons with potential biases against a refugee applicant (including persons employed by, or otherwise subject to influence by, governments known to be involved in such persecution) shall not be used in processing determinations of refugee status, including interpretation of conversations or examination of documents presented by such applicants. (Sec. 254) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to determine and report to Congress on eligibility guidelines for women seeking refugee status overseas due to gender-related persecution. (Sec. 255) Makes certain Vietnamese nationals eligible for in-country refugee processing and admittance into the United States for resettlement. Title III: Organization and Personnel of the Department of State - Subtitle A: Organization Matters - Directs the Secretary to assess and report to specified congressional committees on the administrative and personnel requirements for the establishment of legislative liaison offices for the State Department within the House of Representatives and Senate office buildings. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to designate an existing senior- level State Department official with responsibility for promoting regional cooperation in and coordinating U.S. policy toward Northeastern Europe. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to designate a senior-level State Department official as the Science and Technology Adviser who shall advise the Secretary on international science and technology matters affecting U.S. foreign policy. (Sec. 305) Earmarks certain additional amounts authorized to the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) for enhancement of Diplomatic Telecommunications Service capabilities. Sets forth specified actions the DTS-PO must take in order for it to better manage a fully integrated telecommunications network to service all agencies at diplomatic missions and consular posts. Subtitle B: Personnel of the Department of State - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for the award of the Foreign Service Star to an individual whose death or injury occurs overseas while performing official duties as a member of the Foreign Service or a civilian employee of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 323) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to limit to no more than 33 percent (currently, 50 percent) the percentage of Senior Foreign Service members that may receive performance pay in any fiscal year. (Sec. 324) Requires the Director of the Foreign Service to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the placement of Senior Foreign Service personnel. (Sec. 325) Directs the State Department to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of modifying current training programs so that the Department can provide significant and comprehensive management training at all career grades for Foreign Service personnel. (Sec. 326) Requires the Secretary to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a specified Senate committee on: (1) the steps taken and planned in furtherance of maximum compatibility among agencies utilizing the Foreign Service personnel system, and the development of uniform policies and procedures and consolidated personnel functions; and (2) a five-year workforce plan, including projected personnel needs, by grade and by skill. (Sec. 327) Requires any record of disciplinary action that includes a suspension of more than five days taken against a member of the Foreign Service (including any correction of such record) to remain a part of the personnel records until such person is tenured as a career member of the Service or next promoted. (Sec. 328) Requires an employee, at any time the Secretary recommends such employee be separated from the Service, to be placed on leave without pay pending final resolution of the case, subject to reinstatement with back pay if cause for separation is not established in a hearing before the Foreign Service Grievance Board. (Sec. 329) Declares that nothing shall prevent a Foreign Service grievant from placing a rebuttal to accompany a record of disciplinary action in such grievant's personnel records, nor prevent the State Department from inserting a response to such rebuttal, including documenting those cases in which the Board has reviewed and upheld the discipline. (Sec. 330) Reduces from three years to two years after the occurrence giving rise to such grievance the deadline for the filing of a grievance by a Foreign Service employee with the State Department; or, in the case of a grievance with respect to the grievant's rater or reviewer, one year after the date on which the grievant ceased to be subject to rating or review by the reviewer, but in no case less than two years after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance. Requires the Chairman of the Board to report to specified congressional committees on its activities during the previous year. (Sec. 332) Authorizes the Secretary, whenever it is in the best interest of the United States, to allow the head of any Federal agency or other Government establishment to hire individuals abroad as members of the Foreign Service. (Sec. 333) Requires a Foreign Service employee who regularly commutes from his or her place of residence in the United States to an official duty station in Canada or Mexico to receive a border equalization adjustment (locality pay adjustment). (Sec. 334) Amends Federal law to set forth provisions regarding contributions made to the Thrift Savings Fund by Foreign Service employees who are reemployed by the Service after a temporary transfer to an international organization. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the spouse and dependents of Foreign Service employees who have died at post in a foreign area to receive a transfer allowance (extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable subsistence and other relocation expenses) for their return to the United States. (Sec. 336) Provides for an education allowance to an employee at a post in a foreign area not to exceed the cost of obtaining kindergarten, elementary and secondary educational services, plus room and board, where adequate schools are not available at the employee's post, and periodic transportation between that post and the school chosen by the employee, not to exceed the total cost to the Government of the dependent attending an adequate school in the nearest locality where an adequate school is available. (Currently, an employee can receive an allowance only for a school at the nearest locality). (Sec. 337) Authorizes up to three months advance pay to: (1) an employee (other than an employee appointed by the Secretary and employed as a family member of a Government employee) who is a U.S. citizen, stationed outside the United States, and requires (or has a family member who requires) medical treatment outside the United States; and (2) a foreign national employee who is appointed by the Secretary, or a non-family member U.S. citizen, who is stationed outside the country of employment, and must undergo medical treatment outside the country of employment. (Sec. 338) Declares that Congress finds that administrative and technical personnel posted to U.S. missions abroad who do not have diplomatic status suffer financial disadvantages from their lack of such status. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on such disadvantages, including proposals to alleviate them. (Sec. 339) Sets forth certain standards which must be followed with regard to Inspector General investigations of potential violations of Federal criminal law or Federal regulations (including certain reports on such investigations). Requires the Inspector General, in a certain annual report to the Secretary, to include: (1) a notification of any instance in which the Inspector General decided not to afford an individual the opportunity to refute any allegation with respect to an adverse personnel action; and (2) the rationale for denying the individual such opportunity. Declares that a failure to comply with such requirements shall not give rise to any private right of action in court or to any administrative grievance procedure. (Sec. 340) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the benefits and compensation paid to the survivors of U.S. Government employees (including those in the uniformed services and Foreign Service National employees) killed in the performance of their duties abroad as a result of terrorist acts. (Sec. 341) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted by division G of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277)) to direct the Secretary to ensure that the advances made in increasing the number of women and minorities within the foreign affairs agencies of the Federal Government are not undermined by discrimination within the newly reorganized State Department. Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Subtitle A: Authorities and Activities - Amends the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 to designate educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Tibet as the Ngawang Choephel Exchange Programs. (Sec. 401) Extends through FY 2000 scholarships for Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who live outside Tibet and Burma, respectively. Requires the scholarship program for Tibetan students, whenever practical, to give consideration to individuals who are active in the preservation of Tibet's culture, language, and religion. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary (currently, the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA)), in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy, to provide, where appropriate, opportunities for significant participation in such programs to nationals of such countries who are, among other things, committed to advancing human rights and democratic values in such countries. (Sec. 403) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to direct the Secretary, in coordination with other appropriate executive branch officials, to take all appropriate steps to: (1) prevent an agent of a foreign power from participating in educational and cultural exchange programs; and (2) ensure that no person who is involved in the research, development, design, testing, evaluation, or production of missiles or weapons of mass destruction or of chemical or biological weapons for offensive purposes is a participant in such programs. (Sec. 404) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted in division G of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277)) to repeal the abolition of the of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, and extend authority for it until October 1, 2001. Provides for the reduction of the Commission's staff and budget. (Sec. 405) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to support any training or exchange program conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or any other Federal law enforcement agency) for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) or RUC members until the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees on past training programs between the FBI and the RUC, and makes a certain certification with respect to such future training activities. Subtitle B: Russian and Ukrainian Business Management Education - Establishes a training program in Russia and the Ukraine for nationals of such countries to obtain skills in business administration, accounting, and marketing, with special emphasis on instruction in business ethics and in the basic terminology, techniques, and practices of those disciplines, to achieve international standards of quality, transparency, and competitiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: United States International Broadcasting Activities - Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for Radio Free Asia; and (2) extend its authority through FY 2009. (Sec. 502) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to require the President to appoint (currently, designate) one member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors as Chairman of the Board, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. (Sec. 503) Expresses the sense of Congress that Radio Free Europe (RFE) and Radio Liberty (RL) Incorporated should continue to broadcast to the peoples of Central Europe, Eurasia, and the Persian Gulf until such time as a particular nation has established democratic rule, including a free and balanced media. (Sec. 504) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to grant immunity from civil liability to Broadcasting Board of Governors members while also acting as members of the board of directors of RFE/RL, Incorporated and Radio Free Asia. Title VI: Embassy Security and Counterterrorism Measures - Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 - Authorizes appropriations for the purpose of acquiring, or providing major security enhancements to, U.S. diplomatic facilities in order to meet specified security requirements. Specifies among such requirements that: (1) threat assessments such as the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and the Security Environment Threat List address threats to U.S. missions from large vehicular bombs and transnational terrorism; (2) in the selection of sites for new U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, all U.S. Government agency personnel (except those under U.S. military command) be located on the site; (3) each newly acquired U.S. diplomatic facility be sited not less than 100 feet from the perimeter of the property on which the facility is situated; (4) appropriate State Department and U.S. diplomatic personnel undertake crisis management training for mass casualty and mass destruction incidents relating to diplomatic facilities; (5) the Secretary develop annual physical fitness standards for all diplomatic security agents; (6) there is adequate State Department support for the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST); (7) the Secretary enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Secretary of Defense setting out rapid response procedures for mobilization of personnel and equipment of their respective departments to provide more effective assistance in times of emergency with respect to U.S. diplomatic facilities; and (8) all U.S. diplomatic missions have emergency equipment and records stored at a secure off-site facility. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to report annually for five years to the appropriate congressional committees an identification of U.S. diplomatic facilities that are priority for replacement or for major security enhancement because of vulnerability to terrorist attack, setting them out, in groups of 20, from the most vulnerable to the least vulnerable. Dedicates the use of account funds to facilities in the first four groups. (Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary to review, and report to the appropriate congressional committees on, the findings of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel with respect to the closure of vulnerable U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. (Sec. 608) Amends the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 to provide that the Secretary is not required to convene an Accountability Review Board after the occurrence of serious injury, loss of life, or significant destruction of property, or breach of security at a Department of Defense (DOD) facility in cases where the Secretary has delegated operational control of overseas security to the Secretary of Defense. Requires the Secretary, subject to a specified exception, to convene a Board not later than 60 days after the occurrence of serious injury, loss of life, or significant destruction of property, or breach of security at a U.S. diplomatic mission (except that such 60-day period may be extended for one additional 60-day period if it is necessary for the convening of the Board). Requires the Secretary whenever he or she convenes a Board to inform the chairman of a specified congressional committee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on a proposed operational plan and site selection to establish an International Law Enforcement Academy on the African continent in anti-terrorism and transnational crime fighting. Title VII: International Organizations and Commissions - Subtitle A: International Organizations Other than the United Nations - Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 to redesignate: (1) the United States-European Community Interparliamentary Group as the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (United States-European Union Interparliamentary Group); and (2) the North Atlantic Assembly as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide technical tests, evaluations, information, surveys, or other similar services to State or local governments upon request on a reimbursable basis. (Sec. 703) Amends the American-Mexican Chamizal Convention Act of 1964 to authorize the Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission to receive payments of money from public or private sources in the United States or Mexico for the purpose of sharing in the cost of operations and maintenance of the Bridge of the Americas which crosses the Rio Grande between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary of State to report semiannually to Congress on the status of efforts by the U.S. Government to support membership and participation of Taiwan in international organizations. (Sec. 705) Prohibits the United States from becoming a party to the International Criminal Court except pursuant to a treaty made according to the U.S. Constitution after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the use of funds made available by any Act to: (1) support the International Criminal Court unless the United States becomes a party to the Court; (2) extradite a U.S. citizen to a foreign nation that is under obligation to surrender persons to the Court unless such nation confirms that applicable prohibitions on reextradition apply to such surrender or gives other assurances that it will not extradite or transfer that citizen to the Court; or (3) provide consent to the extradition or transfer of a U.S. citizen to a third country by a foreign country that is under obligation to surrender persons to the Court, unless the third country makes such confirmation. (Sec. 707) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to extend through FY 2000 and 2001 certain requirements prohibiting, without a prior estimated expense report to the Department's Director of the Office of International Conferences, the use of funds under such Act to pay: (1) foreign travel expenses of an employee of the U.S. Executive agencies (with certain exceptions) in attending any international conference; or (2) the routine services that a U.S. diplomatic mission provides in support of travel by such employee. Makes permanent the requirement that the Director report to Congress with respect to each international conference. (Sec. 708) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 and the International Atomic Energy Agency Participation Act of 1957 to require the U.S. representative to the Vienna office of the UN to serve also as U.S. representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Subtitle B: United Nations Activities - Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) promote an end to Israel's inequity in the UN due to its denied acceptance into any of the UN's regional blocs; and (2) seek abolition of certain UN Palestinian groups. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) actions taken by U.S. representatives to encourage nations of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) to accept Israel into their regional bloc; (2) other measures taken to ensure and promote Israel's full participation in the UN; and (3) steps taken by the United States to secure the abolition of the UN Palestinian groups. (Sec. 722) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to provide the Secretary General of the UN with data regarding all costs incurred by DOD, as well as all costs incurred by all UN members, during the preceding year in support of all UN Security Council resolutions. (Sec. 723) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to direct the President to obtain reimbursement from the UN for expenses incurred by it in UN peacekeeping operations, with specified exceptions. Provides a waiver for such requirement if it is in the national interest of the United States. (Sec. 724) Revises certain congressional reporting requirements with respect to UN peacekeeping operations (including U.S. participation in such operations) to require the President to consult with Congress monthly on the status of such operations (currently, the President must report at least annually). Directs the President to notify designated congressional committees at least 15 days before the United States provides assistance to the UN for peacekeeping operations, with specified exceptions. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing any visa to, and the Attorney General from admitting to the United States, any foreign national that has been directly involved in the enforcement of population control policies forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice, or forcing a man or woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free choice, unless such national has discontinued his or her involvement with, and support for, such policies. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if: (1) it is in the national interest of the United States; and (2) Congress is notified in writing. (Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to steps being taken by the Government of Morocco and by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent referendum in July 2000 in which the Western Saharan people will choose between independence and integration with Morocco. (Sec. 804) Amends the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 to require a certain report of the President to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of a specified congressional committee to include statements on: (1) the effectiveness of end-use monitoring of international or U.S. aid being provided to the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Liberation Organization, or the Palestinian Legislative Council to comply with international accounting standards and on enforcement of anti-corruption measures; and (2) compliance by the Palestinian Authority with democratic reforms. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary of State to report semiannually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens in Israel or in territories administered by Israel or by the Palestinian Authority (including a list of suspects implicated in such attacks). (Sec. 806) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the Secretary of State's annual reports to Congress concerning the human rights situation in countries proposed to receive security or development assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to include in such reports information regarding the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and evidence of acts that may constitute genocide. Subtitle B: North Korea Threat Reduction - North Korea Threat Reduction Act of 1999 - Prohibits any agreement for cooperation between the United States and North Korea, or issuance of a license for the export, or approval for the transfer or retransfer, to North Korea of any nuclear material, facilities, goods, services, or technology that would be subject to such agreement, until the President determines and reports to specified congressional committees that North Korea has come into full compliance with the Agreed Framework and other specified nuclear nonproliferation agreements, has permitted the International Atomic Energy Agency full access to certain nuclear sites and material, does not have uranium enrichment or nuclear reprocessing facilities, and does not have nuclear weapons and is making no effort to acquire them. Subtitle C: People's Republic of China - Earmarks specified funds for FY 2001 for the support of additional personnel in U.S. Embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu, as well as the American consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu, and Hong Kong, China, in order to monitor political and economic conditions there, including the respect for internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 873) Establishes the Prisoner Information Registry for the People's Republic of China which shall provide information on all political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and prisoners of faith in China. Makes funds available to nongovernmental organizations for such monitoring activities. Title IX: Arrears Payments and Reform - Subtitle A: General Provisions - United Nations Reform Act of 1999 - Defines terms. Subtitle B: Arrearages to the United Nations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 only for the payment of arrearages in assessed contributions to the UN for: (1) the U.S. share of assessments for the regular UN budget; (2) the U.S. share of UN peacekeeping operations; (3) the U.S. share of UN specialized agencies; and (4) the U.S. share of other international organizations. (Sec. 913) Authorizes the President to forgive or reduce any amount (up to a total of $107 million) owed by the UN to the United States as reimbursement, including any payable under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the United Nations Participation Act of 1945. (Sec. 921) Authorizes the disbursement of funds under this subtitle only upon submission to Congress of certain certifications concerning: (1) continuing U.S. sovereignty vis-a-vis the UN; and (2) the reform of UN fiscal, budget, and personnel practices, assessments, and peacekeeping operations. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds to pay any arrearage for: (1) the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), including any costs to merge it into the UN; (2) the costs associated with any UN organization from which the United States has withdrawn; or (3) the World Tourism Organization, or any other organization with respect to which Congress has rescinded funding. Division B: Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Security Assistance Provisions - Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Security Assistance Act of 1999 - Title XI (sic): Arms Control and Nonproliferation - Arms Control and Nonproliferation Act of 1999 - Subtitle A: Arms Control - Authorizes the Secretary of State to transfer available State Department funds to the DOD, Department of Energy (DOE), or any other agency of the intelligence community, as needed, for retraining, researching, developing, or acquiring technologies or programs relating to the verification of arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament agreements or commitments. Earmarks amounts (Key Verification Assets Fund) for this purpose. (Sec. 1112) Directs the Secretary to designate one of the Assistant Secretaries of State as the Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance. (Sec. 1113) Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to require a certain annual ("Pell") report by the President to Congress to include: (1) a detailed assessment of adherence of the United States to obligations undertaken in arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament commitments (including the Missile Technology Control Regime); and (2) a specific identification, to the maximum extent practicable in unclassified form, of each and every question that exists with respect to compliance by other countries with arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements with the United States. (Sec. 1114) Requires the Director of Central Intelligence to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) a comprehensive identification of all monitoring activities associated with the START and START II treaties; (2) the specific intelligence community assets and capabilities of which the Senate was informed, before giving advice and consent to ratification of the treaties, would be necessary to accomplish those activities; (3) an identification of the extent to which those assets and capabilities have, or have not, been attained or retained, and the corresponding effect this has had upon U.S. monitoring confidence levels; and (4) an assessment of any Russian activities relating to the START Treaty which have had an impact upon the U.S. ability to monitor Russian adherence to the Treaty. (Sec. 1115) Requires the Secretary, upon the request of the chairman or ranking member of specified congressional committees, to report to such committee on the degree to which elements of an arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament proposal are capable of being verified. (Sec. 1116) Requires, to the maximum extent practicable, the Government to make certain raw seismological data available to the public. (Sec. 1117) Directs the U.S. National Authority, upon the request of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to reimburse the FBI for all costs (up to $2 million) incurred by it in connection with the protection of U.S. companies. (Sec. 1118) Requires the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on the status of any U.S. delegation engaged in negotiations on arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament. National Security and Corporate Fairness under the Biological Weapons Convention Act - Directs the President to: (1) conduct a series of national security trial investigations and trial visits to develop a compliance protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention that ensures that the compliance procedures of such protocol adequately protect U.S. national security; and (2) report to specified congressional committees with respect to such investigations and trials. Subtitle B: Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safety, and Related Matters - Amends the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 to require certain Federal agencies to notify specified congressional committees with respect to their activities for preventing proliferation, including the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, or their means of delivery. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence to notify such committees about the current activities of foreign nations which are of significance from the proliferation standpoint. (Sec. 1132) Prohibits the provision of U.S. assistance to any person involved in the research, development, design, testing, or evaluation of chemical or biological weapons for offensive purposes (unless the activity is conducted under certain provisions of the National Security Act of 1947). (Sec. 1133) Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to specified congressional committees with respect to the agreement between the United States and Russia for the disposition of excess weapons plutonium. Expresses the sense of Congress that, whenever the President submits the agreement to establish a mixed oxide fuel fabrication or production facility in Russia, the Secretary should certify specified nonproliferation guaranties to specified congressional committees with respect to such facility. (Sec. 1134) Requires specified Federal agencies to provide Congress with information on their activities to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. (Sec. 1138) Authorizes appropriations from certain nonproliferation foreign operations accounts for science and technology centers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union. (Sec. 1139) Authorizes the use of such funds for certain research and international exchange activities to support the redirection of former Soviet weapons scientists. Title XII: Security Assistance - Security Assistance Act of 1999 - Subtitle A: Transfers of Excess Defense Articles - Amends Federal law to extend through FY 2001 DOD authority to transfer excess defense articles to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace program and eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY 2004 the President's authority to transfer excess defense articles to Greece and Turkey. (Sec. 1212) Authorizes for FY 2000 and 2001 the use of funds made available to DOD for crating, packing, handling, and transportation of excess defense articles to Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. (Sec. 1213) Increases the aggregate value of excess defense articles that can be transferred to eligible countries in a given year. Subtitle B: Foreign Military Sales Authorities - Provides that expenses for termination of foreign military training programs under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) may include the expenditure of funds to complete the training or studies outside the countries of origin of students whose course of study or training program began before assistance was terminated, as long as the origin country's termination was not a result of activities beyond default of financial responsibilities. (Sec. 1222) Amends AECA to authorize the sale of excess Coast Guard defense articles and defense services to eligible foreign countries and international organizations. (Sec. 1223) Declares that: (1) direct costs associated with meeting additional or unique requirements of the purchaser shall be an allowable cost under DOD procurement contracts; and (2) loadings applicable to such direct costs shall be permitted at the same rates applicable to procurement of like items purchased by the DOD for its own use. (Sec. 1224) Applies certain numbered congressional certification requirements with respect to the upgrade of major defense articles, equipment, or services to their direct commercial sale as well. (Sec. 1225) Requires any agreement for the sale or lease of any article on the United States Munitions List entered into by the U.S. Government to state that the U.S. Government retains the right to verify credible reports that such article has not been used as authorized. Subtitle C: Stockpiling of Defense Articles for Foreign Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the maximum value of additions to stockpiles in foreign countries in FY 2000. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in South Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 1232) Authorizes the President, during a three-year period, to transfer to South Korea and Thailand certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in return for concessions to be negotiated by the Secretary of Defense. Requires the value of such concessions to be at least equal to the fair market value of the transferred items. Requires the President to notify Congress of a proposed transfer, including the identity of the items to be transferred and the concessions to be received. Subtitle D: Defense Offsets Disclosure - Defense Offsets Disclosure Act of 1999 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to monitor the use of offsets in the defense industry (the entire range of industrial and commercial benefits provided to foreign governments as an inducement or condition to purchase military goods or services), to promote fairness in international trade, and to ensure an appropriate level of foreign participation in production of U.S. weapons systems. (Sec. 1244) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the executive branch should pursue efforts to address trade fairness by establishing reasonable, business-friendly standards for the use of offsets in international business transactions among U.S. trading partners and competitors; (2) the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representatives should raise the need for transparency and reasonable standards with other industrialized nations at every venue; and (3) the U.S. Government should enter into discussions for the establishment of multilateral standards for the control of the use of offsets in international defense trade through the appropriate multilateral fora (like the Transatlantic Economic Partnership, the Wassenaar Arrangement, the G-8, and the World trade Organization), taking into account the distortions produced by the provision of other benefits and subsidies by various countries to support defense trade. (Sec. 1245) Amends AECA to require certain numbered certifications to Congress with respect to any letter of offer to sell (Government-to-Government sale), or license for export (commercial sale), major defense equipment in the amount of $14 million or more, or defense articles or services in the amount of $50 million or more. Requires each numbered certification to include a description of any offset agreement. Treats such information as confidential. (Sec. 1246) Extends to exports of defense articles or services the current prohibition against incentive payments by U.S. suppliers to satisfy any offset agreement with a foreign country to which such articles or services are sold. (Sec. 1247) Establishes a National Commission on the Use of Offsets in Defense Trade to address all aspects of the use of offsets in international defense trade. Requires the Commission to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to such offset agreements. (Sec. 1248) Directs the President to initiate, and report to the appropriate congressional committees on, a review to determine the feasibility of establishing, and the most effective means of negotiating, a multilateral treaty on standards for the use of offsets in international defense trade, with a goal of limiting all offset transactions injurious to the U.S. economy. Subtitle E: Automated Export System Relating to Export Information - Proliferation Prevention Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Commerce to publish regulations requiring exporters of items on the U.S. Munitions List or the Commerce Control List to file their Shippers' Export Declarations through an Automated Export System (electronic filing). (Sec. 1253) Expresses the sense of Congress urging exporters (or their agents) who are required to file Shippers' Export Declarations, but are not required under this Act to file them using the Automated Export System, to do so anyway. (Sec. 1254) Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the appropriate committees of Congress on: (1) the advisability and feasibility of mandating electronic filing through the Automated Export System for all Shippers' Export Declarations; (2) the manner in which data gathered through the System can most effectively be used by other automated licensing systems administered by Federal agencies; and (3) a proposed timetable for any expansion of information required to be filed through the System. (Sec. 1255) Authorizes the Secretary of State to use funds to employ: (1) up to 40 percent of the individuals who are performing services within the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State in positions classified at GS-14 and GS-15; and (2) other individuals within the Office at a rate of basic pay that may exceed the maximum rate payable for positions classified at GS-15. Subtitle F: International Arms Sales Code of Conduct Act of 1999 - International Arms Sales Code of Conduct Act of 1999 - Directs the President to attempt through negotiations with other countries (including countries in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms) to achieve the foreign policy goal of an international arms sales code of conduct that limits, restricts, or prohibits arms transfers to countries that do not observe certain fundamental values of human liberty, peace, and international stability. Subtitle G: Transfer of Naval Vessels to Certain Foreign Countries - Declares that the value of certain naval vessels transferred on a grant basis to another country pursuant to specified authority of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 shall not be counted under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the limitation on the aggregate value of excess defense articles that can transferred to such country in any fiscal year. Title XIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the AECA to require a U.S. person to whom a license has been granted to export significant military equipment listed on the U.S. Munitions List to report to the Department of State on all shipment information, including a description of the equipment and the quantity, value, port of exit, end-user, and its destination. Requires the President to include, among other things, a report on all such exports in a certain quarterly unclassified report to Congress. (Sec. 1303) Authorizes the Secretary of State to commence a civil action to recover civil penalties with respect to violations regarding the export of defense articles and services to foreign countries and terrorist supporting countries, instead of imposing certain administrative sanctions. (Sec. 1305) Authorizes the President to consent to the retransfer by the Government of Greece of HS Rodos (ex-U.S.S. Bowman County (LST 391)) to the USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. Sets forth specified conditions for the granting of the consent. (Sec. 1306) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require a specified annual report to Congress regarding the export of defense articles (including excess defense articles) and services to foreign countries to specify, among other things, whether such defense articles were furnished with U.S. aid, including through loans and guarantees. (Sec. 1307) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to the appropriate congressional committees on all military training provided to foreign military personnel by DOD and the State Department during the previous and current fiscal years. (Sec. 1308) Urges the President to transfer on a grant basis certain excess defense articles to the Government of the Philippines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1309) Directs the Secretary of State to establish a regulatory regime for the licensing (including expedited approval) for export by U.S. companies of commercial satellites, satellite technologies, and satellite systems to NATO allies and major non-NATO allies. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the State Department. (Sec. 1310) Directs the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on the performance of the licensing process under AECA, including recommendations on how to improve it. (Sec. 1311) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the proliferation of small arms.

Bill· HRH.R. 3423 (106th)open

Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for FY 2000. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) wildland fire management; (3) remedial action of hazardous waste substances; (4) construction; (5) payments in lieu of taxes to local governments; (6) land acquisition; (7) Oregon and California grant lands; (8) range improvements; (9) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; and (10) miscellaneous trust funds. Appropriates funds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for: (1) resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (4) expenses related to carrying out the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (5) the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; (6) expenses related to carrying out the North American Wetlands Conservation Act; (7) the Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation Fund; (8) expenses related to carrying out the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994; and (9) commercial salmon fishery capacity reduction with respect to Washington State Fraser River sockeye. Makes appropriations for the National Park Service (NPS) for: (1) the National Park System; (2) national recreation and preservation activities; (3) expenses related to carrying out the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996; (4) construction; and (5) land acquisition and State assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Rescinds specified contract authority to obligate funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for FY 2000. Makes appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research; (2) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management and oil spill research; (3) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for regulation and technology and the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; (4) the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for operation of Indian programs, construction, miscellaneous payments to Indians, and Indian guaranteed loans; (5) assistance to U.S. territories and for carrying out the Compacts of Free Association with respect to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau; (6) departmental management and the Offices of the Solicitor and the Inspector General; (7) trust programs for Indians; (8) a pilot program for consolidation of fractional interests in Indian lands by direct expenditure or cooperative agreement; and (9) natural resource damage assessment. Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of specified funds. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for specified offshore leasing and related activities. (Sec. 114) Bars the NPS from developing a reduced entrance fee program to accommodate non-local travel through a unit. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide for and regulate local non-recreational passage through National Park System units, allowing each unit to develop guidelines and permits for activity appropriate to such unit. (Sec. 116) Renames the Steel Industry American Heritage Area the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. (Sec. 120) Exempts all properties administered by the NPS at Fort Baker, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and other agreements associated with such properties, from all taxes and special assessments, except sales tax by the State of California and its political subdivisions. (Sec. 123) Requires the renewal of grazing permits and leases which expire or are transferred until the Secretary completes processing, at which time a permit or lease may be canceled, suspended, or modified to meet requirements of applicable laws and regulations. (Sec. 124) Provides that for purposes of reducing the backlog of Indian probate cases in the Department of the Interior, certain hearing requirements under provisions regarding descent and distribution of Indian lands are deemed satisfied by a proceeding conducted by an Indian probate judge appointed by the Secretary without regard to provisions governing competitive service appointments. Permits such appointments to be made only if the Secretary is unable, by January 1, 2000, to secure the services of at least ten qualified administrative law judges. (Sec. 125) Requires the Secretary to make a specified amount available as a loan to the Government of American Samoa. Provides for repayment of the loan with funds payable to American Samoa from the Escrow Account established under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement entered into under American Samoa Government v. Philip Morris Tobacco Co., et. al. Sets forth conditions on availability of loan proceeds, including a requirement that American Samoa provide the Secretary with a fiscal and managerial reform plan designed to bring annual government operating expenses into balance with projected revenues for the years 2003 and beyond. Establishes priorities for debt repayments by American Samoa. (Sec. 126) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, to designate Midway Atoll as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway. (Sec. 127) Allows the Secretary to redistribute any Tribal Priority Allocation funds to alleviate tribal funding inequities by transferring funds to address identified, unmet needs, dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. Bars any tribe from receiving a reduction in such funds of more than ten percent in FY 2000. Makes such percentage limitation inapplicable under circumstances of dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. (Sec. 128) Makes funds provided in this Act unavailable for transferring land into trust status for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Clark County, Washington, until the tribe and county reach a legally enforceable agreement that addresses the financial impact of new development on the county, school and fire districts, and other local governments and the impact on zoning and development. (Sec. 129) Bars the use of funds provided in this Act to implement specified provisions of the secretarial order entitled "American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act." (Sec. 130) Requires the Secretary to provide a grant, from funds appropriated in the Fiscal Year 1998 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to the Fairbanks North Star Borough for acquisition of undeveloped parcels along the banks of the Chena River for purposes of establishing an urban greenbelt within the Borough. Provides for a grant to the municipality of Anchorage for the acquisition of wetlands adjacent to a municipal park (the Jewel Lake Wetlands). (Sec. 132) Directs the Secretary, acting through the BLM Director, to convey specified parcels of public land to Nye County, Nevada, for the construction and operation of the Nevada Science and Technology Center as a nonprofit museum and exposition center. Grants the County the exclusive right to purchase other specified parcels of public land for their fair market value for five years, with the proceeds to be deposited into and made available to the Secretary from a special account established under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998. (Sec. 133) Amends Federal law to grant the city of Mesquite, Nevada, subject to all environmental reviews (including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act), the exclusive right to purchase specified parcels of public land for a limited time period. Conveys such lands to the city upon notification of which lands it intends to purchase. Provides for conveyance of additional lands to the city and provides if such lands are not utilized as an airport, they shall revert to the United States. (Sec. 134) Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to planning for historical exhibits about Saint Croix Island at Red Beach and the town of Calais, Maine. (Sec. 135) Bars the use of funds appropriated for the Department of the Interior by any Act to study or implement any plan to drain Lake Powell or to reduce the water level of the Lake below the range of water levels required for the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam. (Sec. 136) Prohibits the use of funds made available in any Act by a Federal employee or agency to impose or require payment of an inspection fee in connection with the export of shipments of fur-bearing wildlife containing 1,000 or fewer raw, crusted, salted, or tanned hides or fur skins, or separate parts thereof, including species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Makes this provision inapplicable, for the duration of the calendar year in which the shipment occurs, to any person who ships more than 2,500 of such hides, fur skins, or parts during the course of such year. (Sec. 137) Directs the Secretary, during FY 2000, to reorganize and consolidate BIA management and administrative functions based on the recommendations of the National Academy of Public Administration. Provides for voluntary separation incentive payments to BIA employees in Central Office West divisions that are moved due to such recommendations and who voluntarily resign or retire before December 31, 1999. Sets forth additional provisions regarding severance pay and continued health benefits for such employees. (Sec. 141) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to issue a notice of final rulemaking with respect to the valuation of crude oil for royalty purposes until March 15, 2000. (Sec. 142) Amends Federal law to require the authority for the Thomas Paine National Historical Association to establish a memorial to Thomas Paine in the District of Columbia to expire on December 31, 2003. (Sec. 145) Amends the National Park Omnibus Management Act of 1998 to increase to 15 percent the maximum amount of revenues from the sale of national park passports that may be used to administer and promote the passport program and the National Park System. Incorporates provisions similar to those contained in the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83) concerning: (1) employees of BLM's Helium Operations; and (2) Huron Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service for: (1) forest and rangeland research; (2) State and private forestry; (3) the National Forest System; (4) wildland fire management; (5) construction and reconstruction; (6) land acquisition; (7) range rehabilitation and improvement; and (8) forest and rangeland research. Defers a certain amount of funds made available for obligation in prior years for Department of Energy (DOE) clean coal technology projects until FY 2001. Makes appropriations for DOE for: (1) fossil energy research and development activities; (2) naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities; (3) payment to the State of California for the State Teachers' Retirement Fund from the Elk Hills School Lands Fund; (4) energy conservation; (5) economic regulation activities of the Office of Hearings and Appeals; (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (7) the Energy Information Administration. Makes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service and Indian health facilities. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (3) the Smithsonian Institution, including amounts for repair and rehabilitation of buildings owned or occupied by the Smithsonian and construction; (4) the National Gallery of Art, including an amount for repair and restoration of facilities owned or occupied by the National Gallery; (5) operations, maintenance, and construction expenses of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (6) carrying out the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968; (7) the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA); (8) the National Endowment for the Humanities; (9) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; (10) the Commission of Fine Arts; (11) national capital arts and cultural affairs; (12) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (13) the National Capital Planning Commission; (14) the Holocaust Memorial Council; and (15) the Presidio trust. Sets forth provisions regarding uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act, including Buy American requirements. Incorporates provisions similar to those contained in the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83) concerning: (1) the sale of timber from giant sequoias; (2) the underground lunchroom at Carlsbad Caverns National Park; (3) funding for the Americorps program; (4) the bridge between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Ellis Island; (5) patents for mining or mill site claims; (6) competition for watershed restoration project contracts in the Pacific Northwest; and (7) restrictions on NEA grants. (Sec. 317) Bars the use of funds made available in any Act to designate any portion of Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County, Florida, as a clothing-optional area or area in which public nudity is permitted if such designation would be contrary to county ordinance. (Sec. 326) National Park Service Studies Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct studies of specified geographical areas and historic and cultural themes to determine the appropriateness of including such areas or themes in the National Park System. Provides for a report to specified congressional committees of study findings and recommendations. (Sec. 331) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement a pilot program for FY 2000 through 2004 enhancing Forest Service administration of rights-of-way and other land uses; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on whether the use of funds for such program resulted in more expeditious approval of rights-of-way and special use authorizations. Directs the Secretary to deposit fees collected to recover the costs of processing applications for, and monitoring compliance with, authorizations to use and occupy National Forest System lands pursuant to specified Acts. Makes such amounts available to cover costs incurred by the Forest Service for the processing of applications for special use authorizations and monitoring activities in connection with such authorizations. (Sec. 332) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct technology transfer and development, training, dissemination of information, and applied research in the management, processing, and utilization of the hardwood forest resource. Permits the Secretary to operate and utilize assets of the Wood Education and Resource Center in West Virginia as part of a newly formed Institute of Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied Research. Requires Institute revenues to be deposited in a special Treasury fund known as the Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied Research Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 333) Sets forth requirements for the sale of timber in Region 10 of the Forest Service, including those regarding the volume of western red cedar timber available for processors. (Sec. 336) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 337) Prohibits the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture from expending funds to limit the number or acreage of millsites based on the ratio between the number or acreage of millsites and the number or acreage of associated lode or placer claims with respect to specified grandfathered patent applications and operations for which a plan of operations has been approved or submitted to the BLM or Forest Service. (Sec. 338) Requires the Forest Service to review Forest Service campground concessions policy to determine if modifications can be made to Forest Service contracts for campgrounds so that such concessions are exempted from the Service Contract Act. Requires the Forest Service to offer such exemptions in FY 2000. (Sec. 339) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a pilot program to charge and collect at least the fair market value for forest botanical products (vegetation, excluding trees, that grows on National Forest System lands) harvested on such lands. Requires the Secretary to conduct analyses to determine whether and how the harvest of such products on such lands can be conducted on a sustainable basis. Prohibits harvesting of such products at levels exceeding sustainable harvest levels as defined in the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960. (Sec. 342) Authorizes increases in recreation residence fees, with a specified ceiling. (Sec. 343) Redesignates the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Commission as the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Commission, respectively. (Sec. 345) Amends the National Forest-Dependent Rural Communities Economic Diversification Act of 1990 to change references to "rural forestry and economic diversification action teams" to "rural natural resources and economic diversification action teams." Requires action plans under such Act to identify opportunities to enhance local economies dependent on National Forest System land resources (currently, national forest resources). Changes references in such Act to "forest resources" and "national forest resources" to "natural resources" and "National Forest System land resources," respectively, in provisions regarding action plan implementation, training and education, and loans to economically disadvantaged rural communities. (Sec. 346) Amends the Interstate 90 Land Exchange Act of 1998 to require title to certain lands offered to the United States by the Plum Creek Timber Company to be placed in escrow by Plum Creek for a three-year period. Bars Plum Creek from undertaking any activities on such lands, except for fire suppression and road maintenance, during the escrow period without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Conditions conveyance of selected lands by the United States to Plum Creek upon placement in escrow of the title of such lands. Removes certain lands from the list of selected lands and provides measures for equalizing values of offered and selected lands. (Sec. 347) Adjusts the boundary of the Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington. Considers such boundary to be the boundary of the Forest as of January 1, 1965, for purposes of allocation of Land and Water Conservation Fund monies for Federal purposes under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. (Sec. 348) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to make certain provisions regarding confidentiality of information applicable to a forest inventory and analysis under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. (Sec. 350) Provides that, upon the joint motion of the United States and the State of Alaska and the issuance of an appropriate order by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, any portion of the joint trust funds (including interest) received or to be received by the United States and Alaska pursuant to the Agreement and Consent Decree issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et al. may be deposited in the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund, accounts outside the U.S. Treasury, or both. Sets forth requirements regarding outside accounts. Makes remaining settlement funds available for habitat protection programs, marine research, monitoring, and restoration other than habitat acquisition. Terminates the authority provided by this section on September 30, 2002, unless the Federal and State natural resource trustees for the Exxon Valdez oil spill have reported to Congress a structure that would be most effective for the administration and expenditure of remaining funds and interest. Provides for the return of monies in the Fund or outside accounts to the Court Registry upon expiration of such authority. (Sec. 351) Makes BLM funds available for high priority projects carried out by the Youth Conservation Corps or related partnerships in order to increase the number of summer jobs available for youth on Federal lands. (Sec. 352) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to remove a sunset provision regarding the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund. (Sec. 353) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act by the Secretary of the Interior to issue a prospecting permit for hardrock mineral exploration on Mark Twain National Forest land in the Current River-Jack's Fork River Eleven Point Watershed. (Sec. 357) Bars the use of funds in any Act by the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate final rules to revise regulations regarding surface management, except final rules to amend such regulations which are not inconsistent with the recommendations contained in the National Research Council report entitled "Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands" so long as these regulations are also not inconsistent with statutory authorities. Title IV: Mississippi National Forest Improvement Act of 1999 - Mississippi National Forest Improvement Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange U.S. right, title, and interest in and to specified lands in Mississippi. Makes proceeds from such sales or exchanges available for: (1) the construction of a research laboratory and office at the Forest Service administrative site at Mississippi State University at Starkville, Mississippi; (2) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities in connection with National Forest System units in the State; and (3) the acquisition of lands and interests in land for such units in the State. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire all right, title, and interest in land owned by the University of Mississippi within or near the boundaries of the De Soto National Forest in Stone, George, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi. (Sec. 405) Ratifies a 1999 agreement entered into between the Secretary, the State of Mississippi, and the Franklin County School Board that provides for the Federal acquisition of State-owned land for the construction of the Franklin Lake Dam. (Sec. 408) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Title V: United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund - Transfers a specified amount of interest credited to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund to pay the amount of any shortfall in any premium account for any plan year under the Combined Fund. Title VI: Priority Land Acquisitions and Land Exchanges - Makes available a specified amount from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for priority land acquisitions, land exchange agreements, and other activities consistent with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.

Bill· HRH.R. 3425 (106th)open

Making miscellaneous appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Farm Service Agency for the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund program account and the Emergency Conservation Program; (2) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund for crop loss, specialty crop, and livestock assistance; (3) the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations; and (4) the Rural Housing Service for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account and for rural housing assistance grants. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide up to $20 million in assistance under the noninsured crop assistance program under the Agricultural Market Transition Act, without any requirement for an area loss, to producers located in a county with respect to which a natural disaster was declared by the Secretary or a major disaster or emergency was declared by the President. (Sec. 103) Makes a specified amount of funds made available for market loss assistance under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 available to carry out livestock mandatory reporting provisions of such Act. Makes a specified amount of funds for market loss assistance under such Act and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 available for producers or first-handlers for the 1999 crop of cottonseed and for the program under this Act to expand the domestic use of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture, from October 1, 1999, to July 31, 2003, to carry out a program to maintain and expand the domestic use of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton to increase exports of such cotton and to ensure that it remains competitive in world markets. Directs the Secretary to make payments available to domestic users of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton and exporters of such cotton who enter into an agreement with the Commodity Credit Corporation to participate in the program whenever: (1) for a consecutive four-week period, the world market price for the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton (adjusted to U.S. quality and location and for other factors affecting its competitiveness) is below the prevailing U.S. price for a competing growth of such cotton; and (2) the lowest priced competing growth of such cotton (adjusted to the factors described above) is less than 134 percent of the loan rate for such cotton. Chapter 2: Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief - Makes a limited amount of funds available from unobligated balances for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)disaster relief under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 for the buyout of homeowners (or relocation of structures) for principal residences that have been made uninhabitable by flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd and surrounding events and are located in a 100-year floodplain. Sets forth conditions regarding such buyouts. Requires the FEMA Director to report to Congress on the feasibility and justification of reducing buyout assistance to those who fail to purchase and maintain flood insurance. Title II: Other Appropriations Matters - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to extend a revenue insurance pilot program through crop year 2001. Authorizes any pilot program under such Act that was approved by the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation before September 30, 1999, to be offered on a regional, whole State, or national basis for the 2000 and 2001 crop years. (Sec. 208) Appropriates an additional amount of funds for rural development programs to repair damage to the Tillamook Railroad caused by flooding and high winds. (Sec. 211) Repeals provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 regarding the release of tobacco production and marketing information. (Sec. 212) Amends the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997 to add the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State to the list of agencies initially involved in a program to provide Federal contracting assistance to HUBZone small business concerns. (Sec. 213) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal a requirement that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not commence bidding for commercial licenses for certain reallocated frequency spectrum until after January 1, 2001. Directs the FCC to initiate such bidding on this Act's enactment date and to ensure that all proceeds of such bidding are deposited no later than September 30, 2000. Provides for the expedited assignment of such frequencies. Requires at least seven days' public notice prior to the granting of an application for an instrument of authorization for any such frequency. Requires reports from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and the FCC with respect to such bidding process. Repeals similar provisions of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 214) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 to make a certain provision regarding progress payments applicable only with respect to billings received during the last month of the fiscal year. (Sec. 215) Amends such Act to revise provisions regarding adjustments in payment procedures to ensure that payments are made no earlier than one day before the date on which the payments would otherwise be due under any other provision of law (currently, no less than 29 days after receipt of a proper invoice). Makes this provision effective only with respect to invoices received during the last month of the fiscal year. (Sec. 216) Directs the Office of Net Assessment of the Department of Defense and the United States Pacific Command, through the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), to report to Congress addressing certain issues relating to the military balance between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 217) Requires the Secretary of Defense, jointly with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to report to Congress on the adequacy of medical research activities currently underway or planned to commence in FY 2000 to investigate the health effects of low-level chemical exposures of Persian Gulf military forces while serving in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. (Sec. 218) Appropriates a specified amount to the Department of the Army to meet readiness needs. (Sec. 220) Prohibits the imposition of a financial responsibility requirement on the Federal Government or its contractors as to the operation of any federally-owned or -operated waste management facility designed to manage transuranic waste material that is subject to regulation by the Solid Waste Disposal act or by a State program authorized under such Act. (Sec. 222) Appropriates a specified amount of funds to the Department of the Interior from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition of lands in the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. (Sec. 223) Provides a payment to Virginia C. Chafee, widow of the late Senator John H. Chafee. (Sec. 225) Makes a specified amount available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for buses and bus facilities in Minnesota, California, Nebraska, and Alaska. (Sec. 226) Prohibits the use of funds available in any Act to decommission or reduce operations of U.S. Coast Guard WYTL harbor tug boats. (Sec. 231) Amends Federal transportation provisions regarding the operation of certain aircraft not in compliance with stage 3 noise levels to authorize an air carrier operating Stage 2 aircraft with respect to certain Hawaiian operations to transport such aircraft to or from the 48 contiguous States on a non-revenue basis in order to perform certain maintenance or other operations. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to permit a person to operate, after December 31, 1999, a Stage 2 aircraft in nonrevenue service through U.S. airspace or to or from an airport in the contiguous 48 States in order to: (1) sell, lease, or use the aircraft outside the 48 contiguous States; (2) scrap the aircraft; (3) obtain modifications to the aircraft to meet Stage 3 noise levels; (4) perform scheduled heavy maintenance or significant modifications on the aircraft at a maintenance facility located in the 48 contiguous States; (5) deliver the aircraft to an operator leasing the aircraft from the owner or return the aircraft to the lessor; (6) prepare or park or store the aircraft in anticipation of the activities listed above; or (7) divert the aircraft to an alternative airport in such States on account of safety reasons while conducting a flight in order to perform any of the activities listed above. Bars the use of funds in any Act to implement or enforce Stage 3 noise limitations for aircraft operating under an experimental airworthiness certification issued by the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 232) Makes additional amounts available for FY 2001 through 2003 for the Federal Railroad Administration for expenses for engineering, design, and construction to enable the James A. Farley Post Office in New York City to be used as a train station and commercial center. (Sec. 233) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to extend until July 31, 2000, certain authority to transfer surplus Government property required for correctional facility use as needed by States, localities, and territories for law enforcement or emergency management response purposes. (Sec. 236) Amends the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 to make May 15, 2000, the termination date for certain Federal reporting requirements. (Currently, such requirements expire four years after such Act's enactment.) (Sec. 237) Appropriates additional funds to the Office of National Drug Control Policy for a grant to the U.S. Olympic Committee for its anti-doping program. (Sec. 238) Amends Federal law to change the Executive Schedule classification of the Commissioner of Customs from Level IV to Level III. (Sec. 240) Appropriates an additional amount for salaries and expenses of the Secret Service. (Sec. 241) Amends the Government Management Reform Act of 1994 to extend OMB's authority to adjust the frequency and due dates of, or consolidate, certain Federal reports. (Sec. 242) Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 to decrease the amount available for individual grants for targeted economic investments. Title III: Fiscal Year 2000 Offsets and Rescissions - Rescinds .38 percent of the discretionary budget authority provided (or obligation limit imposed) for FY 2000 in any Act for each Federal agency. Prohibits: (1) any Federal program from being reduced by more than 15 percent; or (2) any reduction from being taken from any military personnel account. Applies the reduction for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense activities proportionately to all defense accounts. (Sec. 302) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the transfer of a specified amount in FY 2000 from the surplus funds of the Federal reserve banks to the general fund of the Treasury. Prohibits any such bank from replenishing its surplus by the amount of the transfer. (Sec. 303) Amends provisions of the Social Security Act regarding the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for disclosure to the Secretary of Education of certain information in the National Directory of New Hires on individuals who are in default on certain loans or owe obligations to refund overpayments of grants made under the Higher Education Act. Establishes conditions on such disclosure, including that priority be given to support collection over collection of such loans or grants and that such information be used only for collecting debt owed by individuals whose annualized wage level exceeds $16,000. Permits such information to be used only for collection purposes. Title IV: Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Montana - Amends the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (the Act) to revise provisions regarding the conveyance of Bureau of Reclamation properties near the Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Montana. Removes a provision that requires disputes over fair market values to be resolved in accordance with specified Federal regulations. Requires the appraisal of properties under such provisions to be based on the Canyon Ferry Cabin Site appraisal with a completion date of March 29, 1999, and amended June 11, 1999, with an effective date of valuation of October 15, 1998, for the Bureau. Directs the contract appraisers that conducted the original appraisal having such effective date of valuation to make modifications to permit recalculation of the lot values established in the original appraisal into an updated appraisal, the function of which shall be to provide market values for the sale of each of the 265 Canyon Ferry Cabin site lots. Provides for adjustments to the updated appraisal based on changes in property characteristics. Authorizes periodic updates of the fair market values through appropriate market analyses, subject to the approval of the Canyon Ferry Recreation Association (CFRA) and the Secretary of the Interior. Grants the Bureau and the 265 Canyon Ferry cabin owners the right to seek reconsideration, before commencement of the updated appraisal, of the assumptions used by the appraisers in arriving at the fair market values derived in the original appraisal. Requires the original appraisal to remain valid for use by the Bureau in the sale process for a period of at least three years from the date of completion of the updated appraisal. Grants nonpurchasing lessees the right to continue leasing through August 31, 2014. Permits such lessees to close under the terms of the sale at any time before such date. Removes all personal property and improvements, on termination of the lease either by expiration or by violation of lease terms, and requires the cabin site to remain in Federal ownership. Requires the Secretary to close on the property and prepare all other properties for closing within 45 days if no one (including CFRA) bids for a property. Directs CFRA and the lessees to purchase at least 75 percent of the properties not later than August 1 of the year that begins at least 36 months (currently, 12 months) after title to the first property is conveyed by the Secretary to a lessee. Requires the Secretary to allocate all funding necessary to conduct the sales process for the sale of property under the Act. Directs the Secretary to begin: (1) preparing for the sales process on enactment of the Act; and (2) conveying the property not later than one year after the Act's enactment. (Sec. 403) Requires the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, acting through the trust manager, to enter into a legally enforceable Recreation Trust Agreement with CFRA. Requires the Agreement to provide that: (1) the Trust shall loan up to $3 million of a property's sale proceeds to CFRA; (2) CFRA shall deposit such borrowed funds in the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust; (3) CFRA and the individual purchasers shall repay loan principal to the Trust as soon as practicable in accordance with a loan agreement repayment schedule; and (4) CFRA and the purchasers shall make an annual interest payment (at a rate between six and eight percent) on the outstanding loan principal. Prohibits the trust manager, except as otherwise provided, from disbursing any Trust funds until August 1, 2001, unless Broadwater County, at an earlier date, certifies that the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust has been fully funded. Bars any closing of property until the Recreation Trust Agreement is entered into. (Sec. 404) Prohibits any closing of property until CFRA and Broadwater County enter into a legally enforceable agreement concerning contributions to the Trust. Provides that such agreement shall require that CFRA ensure that $3 million is deposited in the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust by August 1, 2001. (Current law prohibits any sale of property before such amount is deposited as the initial corpus of such trust.) Title V: International Debt Relief - Directs the President, subject to the availability of amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, to cancel amounts owed (as a result of loans made or credits extended before June 20, 1999) to the United States (or any Federal agency) by any country eligible for debt reduction (a country that is performing satisfactorily under a social and economic reform program, and meeting other specified conditions). Urges the President to seek to leverage scarce foreign assistance and give priority to heavily indebted poor countries with demonstrated need and the capacity to use such relief effectively. Makes ineligible for debt cancellation any country that: (1) has an excessive level of military expenditures; (2) has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; (3) is failing to cooperate on international narcotics control matters; or (4) engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 501) Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees with regard to debt cancellation under this title. (Sec. 502) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to urge the President, in order to accelerate multilateral debt relief and promote human and economic development and poverty alleviation in heavily indebted poor countries, to commence efforts to make specified modifications to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, including to require: (1) a country that is otherwise eligible to receive debt cancellation under the Initiative to implement certain social and economic reforms, support the reduction of poverty, and promote citizen participation in economic policy decisions; and (2) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to complete a debt sustainability analysis by December 31, 2000, and determine eligibility for debt relief for as many of the countries under the modified Initiative as possible. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors at the World Bank and the IMF to use the U.S. vote to promote the establishment of poverty reduction strategies that similarly support programs of countries to reduce poverty. (Sec. 503) Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to vote to: (1) approve an arrangement whereby the IMF sells to a member, and immediately accepts payment in such gold to satisfy the member's existing repurchase obligations (thus retaining IMF ownership of), a quantity of its gold at prevailing market prices, and uses the earnings on the investment of the profits of such sales for the purpose of providing debt relief to eligible countries under the modified HIPC Initiative; and (2) support termination of the Special Contingency Account 2 (SCA-2) of the IMF so that SCA-2 funds will become available to the poorest countries. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to publish its operational budgets quarterly. Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on costs and benefits of the United States for participation in the IMF. Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to continue to forgo reimbursements of its expenses incurred in administering the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility until the HIPC Initiative is terminated. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act with respect to certain IMF actions needing congressional approval to prohibit the President from approving the disposition of IMF gold (currently, disposition of more than 25 million ounces of IMF gold) unless the Secretary certifies to Congress that it is necessary for the IMF to restitute gold to its members, or for the IMF to provide liquidity that will enable it to meet member country claims or to meet threats to the stability of the international financial system. Repeals the requirement of prior congressional authorization for presidential approval of the establishment of any additional trust fund whereby IMF resources would be used for the special benefit of a single IMF member, or of a particular segment of IMF membership. Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to report annually to Congress on the extent to which IMF practices are consistent with U.S. policies. Title VI: Survivor Benefits - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified amount to the survivors of 14 military personnel and one civilian Federal employee who were killed on April 14, 1994, when U.S. F-15 fighter aircraft mistakenly shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq. Limits attorney's fees in connection with such survivor claims. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Naturalizes Petra Lovetinska as a U.S. citizen. (Sec. 702) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations: (1) to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2001 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and firms, respectively, that have been adversely affected by import competition; and (2) for TAA for training of such workers under the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transitional program. Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2001.

Bill· HRH.R. 3421 (106th)open

Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Justice Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Title III: The Judiciary Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency Title V: Related Agencies Title VI: General Provisions Title VII: Rescissions Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the judiciary, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration; (2) a Joint Automated Booking System; (3) conversion to narrowband communications; (4) counterterrorism activities; (5) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (6) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (7) the Office of Inspector General; (8) the U.S. Parole Commission; (9) legal activities; (10) antitrust activities; (11) the Offices of U.S. Attorneys; (12) the U.S. Trustee Program; (13) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (14) the U.S. Marshals Service, including an amount for Federal prisoner detention; (15) fees and expenses of witnesses; (16) the Community Relations Service; (17) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (18) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (19) the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund; (20) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (21) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (22) construction for specified agencies; (23) the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (24) the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (25) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (26) the Office of Justice programs; (27) State and local law enforcement assistance; (28) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (29) community oriented policing services; (30) juvenile justice programs; and (31) public safety officers' benefits. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this title to: (1) pay for abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in the case of rape; or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate an abortion. (Sec. 109) Makes certain provisions of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to the obligation of certain counterterrorism funds without regard to Federal acquisition rules and restriction on information disclosure in specified actions filed by prisoners applicable to FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 112) Makes a provision of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to grants for assistance to the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 applicable for FY 2000. (Sec. 113) Amends the Federal judicial code to increase certain bankruptcy filing fees and the percentage of such fees to be deposited into the U.S. Trustee System Fund and a fund for operation and maintenance of the U.S. courts. (Sec. 115) Prohibits the use of funds made available by any Act to pay premium pay to any Department of Justice attorney. (Sec. 117) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to grant a national interest waiver of a requirement that certain professional aliens' services be sought by U.S. employers before a visa is offered on behalf of any alien physician with respect to whom a petition for preference classification has been filed if: (1) such physician agrees to work in an area designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals or at a health care facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (2) a Federal agency or State department of public health has previously determined the physician's work in such an area or at such facility was in the public interest. Bars the issuance of a permanent resident visa to such an alien and adjustment of status to permanent resident alien until the alien has worked full time as a physician for an aggregate of five years in the health care shortage areas described in this section. Reduces such work requirement to three years for physicians for whom waivers were filed prior to November 1, 1998. (Sec. 118) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make permanent the land border inspection fee program. (Currently, such program expires on September 30, 2000.) (Sec. 119) Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to make funds available from the Crime Victims Fund for the U.S. Attorneys Offices to improve services for the benefit of crime victims in the Federal criminal justice system. (Sec. 120) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize the FBI Director to establish an index of analyses of DNA samples voluntarily contributed from relatives of missing persons. Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies - Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Commission; (3) the International Trade Administration; (4) export administration and national security activities; (5) the Economic Development Administration; (6) minority business development; (7) economic and statistical analysis programs; (8) the Census Bureau; (9) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (10) public telecommunications facilities planning and construction grants; (11) information infrastructure grants; (12) the Patent and Trademark Office; (13) the Under Secretary for Technology-Office of Technology Policy; (14) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including amounts for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Advanced Technology Program and for construction of new research facilities; (15) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including amounts for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets; (16) restoration of Pacific salmon populations; (17) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (18) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (19) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (20) the fisheries finance program account; (21) general administration; and (22) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Rescinds all unobligated balances in the Fisheries Promotional Fund. (Sec. 210) Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to increase the number of members of the New England Fishery Management Council. Title III: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Supreme Court, including an amount for care of the building and grounds; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) defender services; (6) fees of jurors and commissioners; (7) court security; (8) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (9) the Federal Judicial Center; (10) judicial retirement funds; and (11) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 307) Approves the consolidation of the Office of the Bankruptcy Clerk with the Office of the District Clerk of Court in the Southern District of West Virginia. (Sec. 308) Amends provisions of the Federal criminal code regarding adequate representation of defendants to prohibit the amount of fees paid for legal services from being used as a reason to justify limited public disclosure of such amount in cases where limited disclosure is authorized to protect the defendant's interest. Applies such requirement to all disclosures related to any criminal trial or appeal involving a death sentence where the underlying alleged criminal conduct took place on or after April 19, 1995. (Sec. 309) Requires the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint three additional district judges for the district of Arizona, four additional district judges for the middle district of Florida, and two additional district judges for the district of Nevada. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency - Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) security and maintenance of U.S. missions; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, conferences, peacekeeping, and commissions, including an amount to reduce amounts owed by the United States to the United Nations; (13) the Asia Foundation; (14) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (15) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; (16) the East-West Center; (17) the North-South Center; and (18) the National Endowment for Democracy. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations, broadcasting to Cuba, and capital improvements. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 404) Makes a certain provision of the Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 regarding a fee for the issuance of combined border crossing cards and nonimmigrant visas effective in FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 405) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act by the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 406) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for the United Nations from being used by the United Nations for the enforcement of any treaty, resolution, or regulation authorizing the United Nations to tax any aspect of the Internet. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program; (2) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (3) Commission on Civil Rights; (4) Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce; (5) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (6) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (7) Federal Communications Commission; (8) Federal Maritime Commission; (9) Federal Trade Commission; (10) Legal Services Corporation; (11) Marine Mammal Commission; (12) Securities and Exchange Commission; (13) Small Business Administration, including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans; and (14) State Justice Institute. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to: (1) enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion if such guidelines do not differ from proposed guidelines of October 1, 1993; (2) pay for costs incurred in operating certain diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam or increasing the number of personnel assigned to such posts until the President makes a specified certification; or (3) provide specified personal comforts in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 609) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act for any United Nations undertaking if: (1) such undertaking is a peacekeeping mission and will involve U.S. armed forces under the control of a foreign national; and (2) the President's military advisors have not submitted a recommendation that such involvement is in the national security interest and the President has not submitted such recommendation to Congress. (Sec. 617) Makes funds provided by this Act unavailable to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or to seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of such products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to products of the same type. (Sec. 618) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to issue visas to certain individuals from Haiti, including those involved in specified extrajudicial and political killings. (Sec. 619) Bars funds appropriated under any law from being used for: (1) the implementation of any tax or fee in connection with any criminal background check system that implements requirements under the Federal criminal code in connection with certain restrictions on the transfer of firearms; and (2) any such system that does not result in the destruction of information submitted by persons determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm. (Sec. 621) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 622) Makes an additional amount available for SBA salaries and expenses and earmarks such amount for specified uses. (Sec. 623) Establishes a Northern Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund and a Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund to be held by the Pacific Salmon Commission and available for activities relating to salmon restoration, enhancement, and research, conservation of salmon habitat, and implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty and related agreements. Makes funds under this section unavailable until certain conditions to the 1999 Agreement of the United States and Canada on the Treaty Between the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada Concerning Pacific Salmon, 1985 have been fulfilled. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, during the term of the 1999 Agreement, to determine whether Southern U.S. fisheries (directed Pacific salmon fisheries in Washington, Oregon, and the Snake River basin of Idaho) are likely to cause jeopardy to, or adversely modify designated critical habitat of, any salmonid species listed under the Endangered Species Act before the Secretary may initiate or reinitiate consultation on Alaska fisheries under such Act. Prohibits the Secretary, during the term of the Agreement, from initiating or reinitiating such consultation on Alaska fisheries until: (1) the Pacific Salmon Commission has had a reasonable opportunity to implement the provisions of the Agreement; and (2) he determines that implementation actions under the Agreement will not return escapements as expeditiously as possible to maximum sustainable yield or other biologically-based objectives agreed to by the Commission. Requires the Secretary to notify specified congressional committees of intent to initiate or reinitiate such consultation. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the capitalization of the Funds; and (2) salmon habitat restoration, stock enhancement, and research, and implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty and related agreements. (Sec. 627) Bars the use of funds appropriated in this Act for purposes of granting immigrant or nonimmigrant visas to citizens or residents of countries that the Attorney General has determined deny or unreasonably delay accepting the return of certain deportable aliens. (Sec. 628) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of Justice in this Act for transporting any maximum or high security prisoner to any prison other than one certified by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. (Sec. 629) Bars the use of funds made available by this Act for participation by U.S. delegates to the Standing Consultative Commission unless the President certifies to the Appropriations Committees that the U.S. Government is not implementing the Memorandum of Understanding Relating to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems of May 26, 1972, entered into on September 26, 1997, by the United States, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Ukraine, or until the Senate provides its advice and consent to the Memorandum. Title VII: Rescissions - Reduces amounts available for the DEA Drug Diversion Control Fee Account. Rescinds a specified amount appropriated to the INS Immigration Emergency Fund. Rescinds a specified amount for the Department of State for international broadcasting operations of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the SBA's business loans program account.

Bill· HRH.R. 3426 (106th)open

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Part A - Subtitle A: Adjustments to PPS Payments for Skilled Nursing Facilities - Provides that, for computing payments for covered skilled nursing facility (SNF) services furnished under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) on or after April 1, 2000, and before a described date, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall increase by 20 percent the adjusted Federal per diem rate otherwise determined for covered SNF services for certain RUG-III groups furnished to an individual during the period in which such individual is classified in such an RUG-III category. (Sec. 101) Provides that for purposes of computing Medicare payments for covered SNF services furnished during FY 2001 and 2002, the Secretary shall increase by four percent for each such fiscal year the adjusted Federal per diem rate. Prohibits the Secretary from including such additional payment in updating the Federal per diem rate. (Sec. 102) Permits a SNF to elect to have the amount of the payment for all costs of covered SNF services for each day of such services furnished in cost reporting periods beginning no earlier than 30 days before the date of such election. (Sec. 103) Amends title XVIII to exclude the following items and services from the definition of covered SNF services: (1) ambulance services furnished to an individual in conjunction with renal dialysis services; (2) chemotherapy items identified by the Secretary; (3) chemotherapy administration services; (4) radioisotope services; and (5) customized prosthetic devices. Directs the Secretary to provide for an appropriate proportional reduction in payments so that beginning with FY 2001, the aggregate amount of such reductions is equal to the aggregate increase in payments. (Sec. 104) Amends title XVIII to revise provisions on determination of facility specific per diem rates under the prospective payment system (PPS) for SNFs, including adding a specified payment rule for certain facilities. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to assess the resource use of patients of SNFs furnishing services under Medicare who are immuno-compromised secondary to an infectious disease, with specific diagnoses as specified by the Secretary to determine whether any permanent adjustments are needed to the RUGs to take into account the resource uses and costs of these patients. (Sec. 106) Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPac) to study and report to Congress on SNFs furnishing covered services to determine the need for an additional Medicare payment amount to take into account the unique circumstances of SNFs in Alaska and Hawaii. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study that: (1) identifies variations in State licensure and certification standards for health care providers (including nursing and allied health professionals) and other individuals providing respiratory therapy in SNFs; (2) examines State requirements relating to respiratory therapy competency examinations for such providers and individuals; and (3) determines whether regular respiratory therapy competency examinations or certifications should be required under Medicare for such providers and individuals. Subtitle B: PPS Hospitals - Amends title XVIII to: (1) modify the formula for the Secretary to provide for an additional payment amount for a disproportionate share hospital (DSH) with indirect costs of medical education; and (2) direct the Secretary to make one or more payments to DSH hospitals which receive payment for the direct costs of medical education for discharges occurring in FY 2000, in an amount according to a specified formula. (Sec. 112) Decreases reductions in additional payments for DSH and certain other hospitals for FY 2001 and 2002. Directs the Secretary to require DSH hospitals to submit to the Secretary in their discharge cost reports for a fiscal year data on the costs incurred by the hospital for providing inpatient and outpatient hospital services for which the hospital is not compensated, including non-Medicare bad debt, charity care, and charges for Medicaid (SSA title XIX) and indigent care. Subtitle C: PPS-Exempt Hospitals - Amends SSA title XVIII to revise provisions on payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services with respect to the following: (1) a hospital or unit that is within a class of hospital and estimates concerning the target amounts for such hospitals within such class to require the Secretary to provide for an appropriate wage adjustment; (2) determination of the increase in the amount of payment on a per discharge basis for an eligible hospital to alter such determination for psychiatric and long-term care hospitals for specified cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2000; and (3) PPS for inpatient rehabilitation services. (Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a per discharge PPS for payment for inpatient hospital services of long-term care hospitals; (2) develop a per diem PPS for payment for inpatient hospital services of psychiatric hospitals and units; and (3) study and report to Congress on the impact on utilization and beneficiary access to services of the implementation of the PPS for inpatient hospital services or a rehabilitation hospital or unit. Subtitle D: Hospice Care - Directs the Secretary to increase the payment rate in effect for hospice care for FY 2001 and 2002. Prohibits the Secretary from using such temporary payment increase when updating the payment rate. (Sec. 132) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on updating the payment rates and the cap for routine home care and other services included in hospice care. Subtitle E: Other Provisions - Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on Medicare policy with respect to professional clinical training of different classes of nonphysician health care professionals and the basis for any differences in treatment among such classes. Subtitle F: Transitional Provisions - Outlines various transitional provisions applicable to specified geographic areas of the United States and certain health care entities pertaining to: (1) an exception to the Medicare hospital payment case mix index qualifier criteria for classification as a rural referral center; (2) reclassification of certain counties and areas for purposes of Medicare reimbursement; (3) wage index correction; (4) calculation and application of wage index floor; and (5) a special rule for certain SNFs. Title II: Provisions Relating to Part B - Subtitle A: Hospital Outpatient Services - Revises Medicare requirements for payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, among other changes, modifying the following: (1) the PPS for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services with respect to outlier adjustment, transitional pass-through for additional costs of innovative medical devices, transitional adjustment to limit decline, drugs, and biologicals, transitional adjustment to limit decline in payment, the inclusion of certain implantable items under the PPS, and a limitation on outpatient hospital copayment for a procedure to the hospital deductible amount; and (2) amendments by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to provide for an extension of reductions in payments for costs of hospital outpatient services under Medicare. (Sec. 201) Provides that with respect to determining the total amounts of copayments estimated to be paid to hospitals by Medicare beneficiaries under the PPS for covered OPD services in 1999, as though the deductible did not apply, Congress finds: (1) that such amount should be determined in a budget neutral manner with respect to aggregate payments to hospitals; and (2) that the Secretary has the authority to determine such amount. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the extent to which intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) could be delivered and reimbursed under the Medicare program outside of a hospital or a physician's office. (Sec. 203) Directs MedPAC to study and report to Congress on the appropriateness of providing payments to specified rural and cancer hospitals for covered OPD services based on the PPS established by the Secretary. Subtitle B: Physician Services - Revises update adjustment factor requirements to reduce update oscillations and mandate estimate revisions for payments for physicians' services. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, to study and report to Congress on specified issues, which include the various methods for accurately estimating the economic impact on expenditures for physicians' services under the original fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) resulting from improvements in medical capabilities as well as certain other technological advancements, and demographic and geographic changes. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to establish by regulation a process (including data collection standards) under which the Secretary will accept for use and will use data collected or developed by non-HHS entities and organizations to supplement the data normally collected by HHS in determining the practice expense component for determining relative values for payment for physicians' services under the Medicare fee schedule. (Sec. 213) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the physician and non-physician clinical resources necessary to provide safe outpatient cancer therapy services and the appropriate payment rates for them under Medicare. Subtitle C: Other Services - Revises requirements for payment of benefits certain physical and occupational therapy services under Medicare part B to exempt expenses considered as incurred by an individual from the cap on such expenses for calendar years 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 221) Directs the Secretary to conduct focused medical reviews of claims for certain services provided to residents of SNFs. Directs the Secretary to study and to report to Congress on utilization policies for outpatient physical and occupational therapy services. (Sec. 222) Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to increase the amount of each composite rate payment for dialysis services: (1) furnished during 2000 by 1.2 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 1999; and (2) for such services furnished on or after January 2001, by 1.2 percent above such composite rate payment amounts for such services furnished on December 31, 2000. Requires MEDPac to study and report to Congress on the appropriateness of the differential in payment under Medicare for hemodialysis services furnished in a facility and for such services furnished in a home. (Sec. 223) Prohibits the Secretary from using, or permitting fiscal intermediaries or carriers to use, certain inherent reasonableness authority with respect to use of carriers for administration of benefits until after: (1) the Comptroller General releases a specified report on the impact of the Secretary's, fiscal intermediaries', and carriers' use of such authority; and (2) the Secretary has published in the Federal register a notice of final rulemaking relating to such authority in response to such report. (Sec. 224) Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to establish a national minimum payment amount of $14.60, adjusted annually, for a diagnostic or screening pap smear laboratory test. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has been slow to incorporate or provide incentives for providers to use new screening diagnostic health care technologies in the area of cervical cancer; (2) some new technologies have been developed which optimize the effectiveness of pap smear screening; and (3) HCFA should institute an appropriate increase in the payment rate for such technologies that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and that are significantly more effective than a conventional pap smear. (Sec. 225) Amends BBA '97 to with respect to demonstration of Medicare coverage of ambulance services through contracts with units of local government, revising the definition of capitated payment rate. (Sec. 226) Provides for the phase-in of a PPS for ambulatory surgical centers. (Sec. 227) Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for the extension of immunosuppressive drug coverage for individuals who would otherwise exhaust their Medicare benefits for prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy. Provides that national coverage determinations under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice) benefits and beneficiary protections provisions shall apply with respect to the coverage of additional benefits for immunosuppressive drugs for drugs furnished in 2000 in the same manner as if the amendments of this Act constituted a national coverage determination. (Sec. 228) Directs the Secretary to increase the payment amount for durable medical equipment and medical supplies (including oxygen) for 2001 and 2002. (Sec. 229) Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on: (1) post-surgical recovery care center services; and (2) regulatory burdens placed on all classes of health care providers under Medicare parts A and B, and on the costs these burdens impose on the nation's health care system. Requires the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to provide for a study and report to Congress on the effect of credentialing of technologists and sonographers on the quality of ultrasound under Medicare and Medicaid. Direct the Comptroller General to continue monitoring Department of Justice compliance with certain guidelines on the use of the False Claims Act in civil health care matters for reports to Congress. Title III: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B - Subtitle A: Home Health Services - Provides that, in the case of a home health agency that furnishes home health services to a Medicare beneficiary, for each such beneficiary to whom the agency furnished such services during the agency's cost reporting period beginning in FY 2000, the Secretary shall pay the agency for the beneficiary and only for such cost reporting period, an aggregate additional amount of $10 to defray costs attributable to data collection and reporting requirements under the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) required by BBA '97. Requires: (1) the Secretary to pay to a home health agency an amount estimated to be 50 percent of the aggregate amount payable to the agency by reason of this subtitle; and (2) payments under this subtitle to be made, in appropriate part as specified by the Secretary, from Medicare trust funds. (Sec. 301) Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) report to Congress on specified matters with respect to the data collection requirement of patients of home health agencies under the OASIS standard as part of the comprehensive assessment of patients; and (2) conduct an independent audit of, and report to Congress on, the costs incurred by Medicare home health agencies in complying with such data collection requirement. (Sec. 302) Amends BBA' 97 to eliminate the scheduled automatic 15 percent reduction in payment amounts to home health agencies furnishing home health services under the Medicare program. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a delay in application of the 15 percent reduction in payment rates for home health services until one year after implementation of the PPS for home health services. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the need for the 15 percent reduction or for any reduction in the computation of the base payments under such PPS. (Sec. 303) Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation under the interim system of limits for home health agencies furnishing home health services. Excludes such increase from the home health services PPS base. (Sec. 304) Revises surety bond requirements under home health agencies provisions, requiring such agencies to provide the Secretary with a surety bond: (1) that is effective for a period of four years; and (2) for a year in such period in an amount that is equal to the lesser of $50,000 or ten percent of the aggregate amount of payments to the agency under Medicare and Medicaid for that year, as estimated by the Secretary. Amends part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to provide for coordination of surety bonds under Medicare and Medicaid. (Sec. 305) Amends SSA title XVIII to include medical supplies as home health services for purposes of consolidated billing. (Sec. 307) Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of exempting from payment under the PPS for such services any home health services provided by a home health agency (or by others under arrangements with such agency) located in a rural area, or to an individual residing in a rural area. Subtitle B: Direct Graduate Medical Education - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for the use of national average payment methodology in computing direct graduate medical education (DGME) payments. (Sec. 312) Makes the initial residency period for child neurology residency training programs the period of board eligibility for pediatrics plus two years. Directs MEDPac to include in its report to Congress in March of 2001 recommendations regarding the appropriateness of the initial residency period used for other residency training programs in a specialty that require preliminary years of study in another specialty. Subtitle C: Technical Corrections - Makes various specified technical corrections to BBA '97 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 codified in SSA title XVIII. (Sec. 321) Amends SSA title XI to repeal provisions on the development of model prospective rate methodology. Title IV: Rural Provider Provisions - Subtitle A: Rural Hospitals - Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to: (1) permit reclassification of certain urban hospitals as rural hospitals; and (2) add standards applied for geographic reclassification for certain hospitals for cost reporting periods beginning in a fiscal year before FY 2003 and after FY 2002. (Sec. 403) Revises requirements for the Medicare critical access hospital program to: (1) apply on an annual, average basis the 96-hour limit on providing inpatient care; (2) permit for-profit hospitals to qualify for designation as a critical access hospital; (3) allow closed or downsized hospitals to convert to critical access hospitals; (4) provide for election of cost-based payment option for outpatient critical access hospital services; and (5) eliminate coinsurance for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished by a critical access hospital on an outpatient basis. (Sec. 404) Provides, with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, for: (1) extending for five years the payment methodology for Medicare-dependent, small rural DSH hospitals; (2) rebasing for certain sole community hospitals; (3) providing for a full market basket percentage increase for FY 2001 for sole community hospitals; and (4) increasing flexibility in providing graduate physician training in rural and other areas. (Sec. 408) Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to hospital providers of extended care services to eliminate: (1) the requirement for the hospital to have a certificate of need from the State in order to provide long-term care services; and (2) eliminate "swing bed" restrictions on certain hospitals with more than 49 beds. (Sec. 409) Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program to authorize the Secretary to assist eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of implementing data systems required to meet requirements established under Medicare pursuant to BBA '97 requirements for implementation of PPSs. (Sec. 410) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the current laws and regulations for geographic reclassification of hospitals to determine if such reclassification: (1) is appropriate for applying wage indices under Medicare; and (2) results in more accurate payments for all hospitals. Subtitle B: Other Rural Provisions - Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on rural providers furnishing items and services for which payment is made under Medicare. (Sec. 412) Amends BBA '97 to provide for: (1) expanding access to paramedic intercept services in rural areas; and (2) promoting prompt implementation of the informatics, telemedicine, and education demonstration project. Title V: Provisions Relating to Part C (Medicare+Choice Program) and Other Medicare Managed Care Provisions - Subtitle A: Provisions to Accommodate and Protect Medicare Beneficiaries - Amends SSA title XVIII parts C and D (Miscellaneous) with respect to Medicare+Choice enrollment rules to permit enrollment in alternative Medicare+Choice plans and Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) policies coverage in case of involuntary termination of Medicare+Choice enrollment. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title XVIII part C to revise the effective date of elections and changes of elections of Medicare+Choice eligible individuals who make such elections after the tenth day of the month. (Sec. 503) Amends SSA title XVIII part D to extend Medicare cost contracts by two years. Subtitle B: Provisions to Facilitate Implementation of the Medicare+Choice Program - Amends title XVIII part C to require the Secretary to phase-in, according to a specified schedule, the implementation of a risk adjustment methodology (in calculating payments to Medicare+Choice organizations) that accounts for variations in per capita costs based on health status and other demographic factors for payments. (Sec. 511) Directs MEDPac to study specified related issues and report to Congress on the methodology used by the Secretary in developing the risk factors used in adjusting the Medicare+Choice capitation rate paid to Medicare+Choice organizations. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on how to reduce the costs and burdens on Medicare+Choice organizations of compliance with reporting requirements for encounter data imposed by the Secretary in establishing and implementing a risk adjustment methodology. (Sec. 512) Amends SSA title XVIII part C to: (1) provide for a new entry bonus increasing the amount of monthly payment otherwise made to Medicare+Choice organizations in order to encourage the offering of Medicare+Choice plans in certain payment areas without plans; (2) reduce from five to two years the general exclusion period following a Medicare+Choice organization's contract termination; (3) require the continued computation and annual publication of Medicare original fee-for-service expenditures for each Medicare+Choice payment area; (4) direct the Secretary to permit a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to apply Medicare+Choice premiums provisions uniformly to separate segments of a service area (rather than uniformly to an entire service area) as long as such segments are composed of one or more Medicare+Choice payment areas; (5) delay the deadline for submission of proposed premiums and related information each Medicare+Choice organization is required to submit to the Secretary for each Medicare+Choice plan for the service area in which it intends to be offered in the following year; (6) reduce the adjustment in the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage for 2002 with respect to calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates; (7) make additional requirements that a Medicare+Choice organization may be deemed to meet under specified circumstances if it is privately accredited; (8) change the timing of Medicare+Choice health information fairs; (9) require preferred provider organization plans to meet certain of the quality assurance requirements currently applicable to Medicare+Choice plans; and (10) include the average number of individuals enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans during the fiscal year within the formula limiting the amount of user fees collected by the Secretary in any fiscal year from each Medicare+Choice organization under contract with the Secretary. (Sec. 520) Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on appropriate quality improvement standards that should apply to: (1) described Medicare+Choice plans, including coordinated care plans; and (2) the original Medicare fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A and B. (Sec. 521) Amends SSA title XVIII part D to provide that, in the case of a discharge plan for an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under a Medicare+Choice plan who is furnished inpatient hospital services by a hospital under a contract with the organization, the discharge planning evaluation is not required to include information on the availability of home health services through individuals and entities which do not have a contract with the organization. Allows the plan to specify or limit the provider or providers of post-hospital home health services or other post-hospital services under the plan. (Sec. 524) Amends SSA title XVIII part D to exempt a Medicare+Choice organization offering a coordinate care plan from the limitation on certain physician referrals. Subtitle C: Demonstration Projects and Special Medicare Populations - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Acts of 1987 and of 1993 to: (1) extend the authority for the social health maintenance organizations (SHMOs) demonstration project; and (2) authorize the Secretary to impose an aggregate limit of not less than 324,000 for all sites (currently, the Secretary is prohibited from imposing a limit of less than 12,000 on the number of individuals that may participate in a single project site.) (Sec. 532) Extends certain Medicare community nursing organization demonstration projects an additional two years. (Sec. 533) Amends BBA '97 to provide for a delay in implementation of the Medicare+Choice competitive bidding demonstration project. (Sec. 534) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), as amended by BBA '97 and other specified Acts, to extend for two years the Medicare municipal health services demonstration projects. (Sec. 535) Amends BBA '97 with regard to Medicare coordinated care demonstration projects to direct the Secretary to provide for the transfer from the Medicare trust funds, in appropriate proportions, of such funds as necessary to cover costs of the project in a cancer hospital. (Currently amounts shall be available for such hospitals only as provided in any Federal law making appropriations for the District of Columbia). (Sec. 536) Amends SSA title XVIII part D to extend to enrollees in programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE programs) the Medigap prohibitions on denial of issuance of Medigap policies, discrimination in policy pricing, and imposition of an exclusion of benefits based on a pre-existing condition. Subtitle D: Medicare+Choice Nursing and Allied Health Professional Education Payments - Amends SSA title XVIII part D to provide for: (1) payment for nursing and allied health education for managed care enrollees; and (2) adjustments in payments for direct graduate medical education. Directs the Secretary to estimate a proportional adjustment in payments for nursing and allied health education. Subtitle E: Studies and Reports - Directs the Secretary, jointly with the Secretaries of Defense and of Veterans Affairs, to report to Congress on the estimated use of health care services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries by the Departments of Defense and of Veterans Affairs, including beneficiaries under the original Medicare fee-for-service program and under the Medicare+Choice program. (Sec. 552) Directs MEDPac to study and report to Congress on the development of a payment methodology under the Medicare+Choice program for frail elderly beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under a specialized program. Directs MEDPac to report to Congress on specific legislative changes that should be made to make Medical Savings Account plans a viable option under the Medicare+Choice program. (Sec. 553) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on each type of Medigap policy with respect to: (1) the level of coverage provided; (2) current enrollment levels; (3) policy availability to Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct an annual audit of the Secretary's expenditures during the preceding year in providing information regarding the Medicare+Choice program to eligible Medicare beneficiaries; and (2) report to Congress on the results of such audits of the preceding three years, together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the means used by the Secretary in providing such information. Title VI: Medicaid - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) increase the DSH allotment for the District of Columbia, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wyoming; (2) remove the fiscal year limitation on certain transitional administrative costs assistance; (3) modify the phase-out of payment for Federally-qualified health center services and rural health clinic services based on reasonable costs; (6) provide for parity in reimbursement for certain utilization and quality control services; (7) eliminate duplicative requirements for external quality review of Medicaid managed care organizations; (8) make the enhanced match under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) inapplicable to Medicaid DSH payments; and (9) provide for the optional deferment of the effective date for outpatient drug agreements. (Sec. 603) Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effect on Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics and on the populations served by such centers and clinics of the phase-out and elimination of the reasonable cost basis for payment for Federally-qualified health center services and rural health clinic services provided. Amends BBA '97 to make the Medicaid DSH transition rule permanent. Title VII: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to revise the SCHIP allotment formula, among other changes revising the floor for State allotments and adding ceilings. (Sec. 702) Increases appropriations for FY 2000 through 2007 for U.S. territories with approved SCHIP plans. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make appropriate adjustments to the annual Current Population Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census in order to produce statistically reliable annual State data on the number of low-income children without health insurance coverage, so that real changes in the uninsurance rates of children can reasonably be detected. Makes appropriations. Requires the HHS Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of ten select States with approved child health plans, including surveys of enrollees, disenrollees, and individuals eligible for but not enrolled in SCHIP, and evaluation of effective and ineffective outreach and enrollment practices with respect to children. Makes appropriations for FY 2000. Directs the Secretary to audit a sample from among States with an approved State child health plan to: (1) determine the number of plan enrollees eligible under Medicaid (other than as optional targeted low-income children; and (2) assess the progress made in reducing the number of uncovered low-income children, including the progress made to achieve the strategic objectives and performance goals in the State child health plan. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to require each State's annual reports to the Secretary on its activities under such title to include information (by racial and ethnic group) on the number of infants in the State under one year of age who were entitled to benefits under the State SCHIP plan at any time during the year. Directs the Secretary to establish a clearinghouse for the consolidation and the coordination of all Federal databases and reports regarding children's health. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary or any other Federal officer or employee, with respect to any reference to the program under SSA title XXI in any publication or other official communication to use the term "SCHIP" instead of "CHIP" and the term "State's children's health insurance program" instead of the term "children's health insurance program."

Bill· HRH.R. 3422 (106th)open

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking $35 million only for the HIV-AIDS programs requested under this heading in House Document 106-101); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) specified projects aimed at reunification of Cyprus; (5) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support to the American educational institutions there; (6) democracy and humanitarian activities in Burma; (7) international disaster assistance; (8) micro and small enterprise development programs; (9) the cost and administrative expenses related to guaranteed loans for the urban and environmental credit program; (10) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries, including Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (13) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and East Timor and to support victims of and programs related to the Holocaust and for nongovernmental organizations located outside of the People's Republic of China to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities there); (14) the International Fund for Ireland; (15) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for Kosova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (16) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for the Russian Far East, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Mongolia, the Southern Caucasus (especially the areas of Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabagh), and for salaries and expenses to carry out the Russian Leadership Program, and maternal and neo-natal health activities in the Independent States of the former Soviet Union); (17) the Peace Corps (with a bar on the use of such funds for abortions); (18) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (19) migration and refugee assistance; (20) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (21) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (22) the Department of the Treasury international affairs technical assistance program; (23) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible countries; and (24) the United States Community Adjustment and Investment Program. Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government; and (3) any activity that is in contravention to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits funds to Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that Russian peacekeepers deployed in Kosova have not established a separate zone of operational control and are operating under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) unified command. Withholds 50 percent of the funds allocated for the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program or ballistic missile capability. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia (including drawdowns of defense articles and services), and Ecuador); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to support grant financed military education and training at the School of the Americas unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that the instruction and training provided by the School is fully consistent with training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights, provided by the Department of Defense to U.S. military students at Department of Defense institutions whose primary purpose is to train U.S. military personnel. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to a specified congressional committee by January 15, 2000, on the School's training activities and a general assessment regarding the performance of its graduates during 1997 and 1998. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala; or (2) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA); (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Inter-American Development Bank; (6) the Asian Development Bank; (7) the Asian Development Fund; (8) the African Development Bank; (9) the African Development Fund; and (10) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2001. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); (2) if such a Government directs action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other Independent State of the former Soviet Union; or (3) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, Serbia, Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernmental organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country. Earmarks ESF funds to the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Authorizes the commercial leasing of defense articles (instead of government-to-government sale) to Israel, Egypt, NATO, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosova or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, displaced Burmese, humanitarian assistance for Romania, and humanitarian assistance for the peoples of Kosova may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; and (2) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American- made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance to a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. Extends the U.S. moratorium on the transfer of anti-personnel landmines. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Declares that direct costs associated with a foreign customer's additional or unique requirements with respect to the sale of defense articles shall continue to be an allowable cost under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 558) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes the sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 559) Urges the President, in providing assistance to Haiti, to place priority on: (1) aggressive action to support the Haitian National Police, including efforts to purge corrupt and politicized elements within the police; (2) steps to ensure that U.S. assisted elections in Haiti are free, fair, and democratic; (3) support for a program to develop an indigenous human rights monitoring capacity; (4) steps to continue privatization of state-owned enterprises; (5) a sustainable agricultural development program; and (6) establishment of an economic development fund for Haiti to provide long-term, low interest loans to U.S. investors and businesses that are committed to doing business there. Directs the President to report to specified congressional committees on the status: (1) of each of the governmental institutions envisioned in the 1987 Haitian Constitution; (2) of the privatization of the major public entities; (3) of the Government of Haiti's efforts to conduct thorough investigations of extrajudicial and political killings; (4) of steps being taken to secure ratification of the maritime counter-narcotics agreements signed October 1997; and (5) of the extent to which domestic capacity to conduct free, fair, and democratic elections has been developed in Haiti. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 560) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 1999. (Sec. 561) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 562) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for the civilian-led Haitian National Police and Coast Guard. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 564) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 565) Requires that any agreement between the United States and the Government of Indonesia for the sale of lethal weapons shall state that the United States expects that such items will not be used in East Timor. (Sec. 566) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 567) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 568) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 569) Authorizes for FY 1999 and 2000 the use of DOD funds for crating, packing, handling, and transportation of excess defense articles to countries that are eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace and that are eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 570) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 571) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 572) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 573) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 574) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the prohibition on the use of funds under such Act to provide law enforcement training to foreign governments within the United States or abroad shall not apply with respect to assistance provided to customs personnel for customs law enforcement. (Sec. 575) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 1999 and 2000. (Sec. 576) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 577) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 578) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 579) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 580) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. (Sec. 581) Directs AID to submit its annual budgets to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 582) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 583) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 584) Makes funds available for FY 2000 for defense article stockpiles in foreign countries, including the Republic of Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 585) Amends the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to extend the pilot Russian Leadership Program at the Library of Congress through FY 2000. (Sec. 586) Abolishes the Inter-American Foundation. (Sec. 587) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 588) Earmarks specified amounts of international narcotics control and law enforcement funds for: (1) the Colombia Attorney General's Human Rights Unit; (2) activities of Colombian nongovernmental organizations involved in human rights monitoring; (3) the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist the Government of Colombia in strengthening its human rights policies and programs; (4) personnel and other resources to enhance U.S. Embassy monitoring of assistance to the Colombian security forces and responding to reports of human rights violations; and (5) administration of justice programs including support for the Colombia Attorney General's Technical Investigations Unit. (Sec. 589) Makes IMET and foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET). (Sec. 590) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 591) Declares that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) (except Montenegro or Kosova) shall be deemed a state sponsor of terrorism for purposes of granting U.S. courts jurisdiction to award money damages for personal injury caused to or the death of a U.S. national by an act of terrorism by an official, employee, or agent of FRY. (Sec. 592) Authorizes the President to provide, through appropriate Federal agencies, food assistance to groups engaged in the protection of civilian populations from attacks by Sudanese government forces, associated militias, or other paramilitary groups supported by the Sudan government. Sets forth certain conditions for the provision of such assistance. Requires the President to report to the Committees on Appropriations on U.S. bilateral assistance to opposition-controlled areas of Sudan. (Sec. 593) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 594) Authorizes appropriations for the U.S. contributions to the African Development Bank, Inter-American Investment Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the African Development Fund, and the IDA. (Sec. 595) Earmarks for Costa Rica a specified amount of funds from the Central America and the Caribbean Emergency Disaster Recovery Fund. (Sec. 596) Silk Road Strategy Act of 1999 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize specified assistance, including humanitarian, economic, migration and refugee, development, border control, and democracy building assistance to promote economic and political independence in the South Caucasus and Central Asia countries. (Sec. 597) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the annual report to Congress on the status of human rights in foreign countries slated to receive development assistance include a list of foreign states where trafficking in persons, especially women and children, originates, passes through, or is a destination, and an assessment of the efforts of such states to combat such trafficking. (Sec. 598) Expresses the sense of Congress that OPIC shall select a fund manager for the purpose of creating a maritime fund consisting of capital of up to $200 million to support international maritime projects. (Sec. 599) Imposes certain economic and political sanctions against Serbia unless the President makes a certain certification with respect to Serbia to specified congressional committees. Exempts the governments of Montenegro and Kosova from such sanctions. (Sec. 599A) Urges the export of U.S. clean coal technology. (Sec. 599B) Urges the use of U.S. assistance for the reconstruction efforts in the FRY to the maximum extent practicable for the procurement of U.S. articles and services. (Sec. 599C) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 599D) Earmarks a specified amount of funds for population planning activities or other population assistance. Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds for population activities to any private, nongovernmental, or multilateral organization until it certifies that it will not during the period for which funds are made available: (1) perform abortions in any foreign country, except if the life of the mother would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term or in cases of forcible rape or incest; or (2) violate the laws of a foreign country with respect to the circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or prohibited, or engage in lobbying activities in an effort to alter its laws with respect to abortion (except lobbying in opposition to coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization). Provides for the reduction of such assistance in the event that the President waives such requirements. (Sec. 599E) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through November 1, 2000, OPIC's authority to issue investment insurance and guarantees. Title VI: International Affairs Supplemental Appropriations - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) the ESF (earmarking amounts for Jordan and the West Bank and Gaza); and (2) foreign military financing (earmarking amounts for grants for Israel, Egypt, and Jordan).

Bill· HRH.R. 3437 (106th)open

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for inflation adjustments to the income threshold amounts applicable in determining the portion of Social Security benefits subject to tax.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for inflation adjustments to the income threshold amounts applicable in determining the portion of Social Security benefits subject to tax.

Bill· HRH.R. 3442 (106th)open

Expedited Rescissions Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Expedited Rescissions Act of 1999 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted tax benefit provided in any revenue Act. Permits the President, if proposing a rescission of budget authority, to propose to reduce the appropriate discretionary spending limit set forth in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by an amount that does not exceed the proposed rescission. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget authority proposed to be rescinded or the targeted tax benefit to be repealed. Sets forth procedures for the identification of targeted tax benefits. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of the draft bill. Makes any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded available for obligation on the day after the date either House rejects such bill. Provides that any targeted tax benefit proposed for repeal shall not be deemed repealed unless the draft bill is enacted into law. Provides for expedited judicial review of provisions of this Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and direct appeals to the Supreme Court.

Bill· HRH.R. 3438 (106th)open

To repeal the 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 1993 income tax increase on Social Security benefits.

Bill· HRH.R. 3436 (106th)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the dependent care credit refundable, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Repeals the Internal Revenue Code's nonrefundable income tax credit for employment-related dependent care expenses, replacing it with a corresponding refundable 50 percent credit, reduced (but not below 20 percent) as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $30,000 (adjusted for inflation). Includes within the scope of the new credit up to $4,000 ($8,000 in the case of two or more qualifying individuals) of respite care expenses incurred in the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 13 years old; (2) a dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care; or (3) a spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.

Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 83 (106th)enacted

Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Extends the law making continuing appropriations for FY 2000 through December 2, 1999. Increases the maximum amount of funds available for projects for decennial census programs under such law. Extends, until December 2, 1999, a certain provision of law that allows fewer than three members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to constitute a quorum.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 82 (106th)open

Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Extends the law making continuing appropriations for FY 2000 through November 23, 1999. Extends, until November 23, 1999, a certain provision of law that allows fewer than three members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to constitute a quorum.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 383 (106th)open

Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Waives provisions of rule XIII of the House of Representatives that require a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to resolutions reported by such Committee on or before November 18, 1999, to provide for the consideration or disposition of either of the following measures: (1) a bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations for FY 2000; or (2) legislation making general appropriations for such fiscal year.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 381 (106th)passed

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 80) making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999

Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.J. Res. 80 (continuing appropriations for FY 2000).

Bill· SS. 1933 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the consolidation of life insurance companies with other companies.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the consolidation of life insurance companies with other companies.

Bill· SS. 1934 (106th)referred

Businesses Educating Students in Technology (BEST) Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

Businesses Educating Students in Technology (BEST) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a business taxpayer with a credit for technology-based education and training costs on behalf of employee-students in skills related to the taxpayer's business. Limits such credit to $100,000 annually based upon 40 percent of allowable expenditures.

Bill· SS. 1922 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for modifications to inter-city buses required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the credit for expenditures to provide access to disabled individuals to include modifications enabling inter-city buses to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Bill· HRH.R. 3399 (106th)referred

Currency "Carry Tax" Prohibition Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

Currency "Carry Tax" Prohibition Act of 1999 - Amends Federal monetary law and the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, respectively, from: (1) including any information storage capability on either United States currency notes or Federal reserve notes; or (2) imposing any fee or penalty for holding such notes.

Bill· HRH.R. 3387 (106th)referred

To repeal the fiscal year 2000 prohibition on the use of Department of Defense funds to pay environmental fines and penalties imposed against the Department.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

Repeals a provision of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 which prohibits the use of Department of Defense (DOD) funds to pay environmental fines and penalties imposed against DOD unless such payment has been specifically authorized by law.

Bill· HRH.R. 3392 (106th)open

All American Cruise Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999

All American Cruise Act of 1999 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Cruise Ship Construction and Operation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit contractors building certain cruise ships to use the completed contract method of accounting; (2) exclude from the gross income of a corporation amounts derived from the operation of a U.S. built and documented cruise ship; (3) allow a cruise ship construction credit; (4) classify a cruise ship as seven-year property under the accelerated cost recovery system; (5) revise requirements concerning the deduction for business expenses on cruise ships; and (6) allow a credit for the use of clean-burning engines on U.S. cruise ships. Title II: Capital Construction Funds for Passenger Vessel Construction - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to, among other things: (1) add passenger vessels in the oceangoing domestic trade to the list of vessels for which a capital construction fund may be established; (2) redefine "eligible vessel" and "qualified vessel;" and (3) define "foreign commerce", "foreign trade," "passenger vessel," and "oceangoing domestic trade." Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning tax incentives relating to merchant marine capital construction funds to, among other things, deem withdrawals qualified if they are for payments that reduce the principal of a qualified lease of a qualified vessel. Title III: Domestic Cruise Industry Phase-In - Permits the issuance of a temporary certificate of documentation to certain foreign-built cruise ships. Sets forth provisions concerning permit exclusions, expiration, and revocation.

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