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Bill· HRH.R. 3057 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1999
Gun Kingpin Penalty Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person who does not have a Federal firearms license from shipping or transporting, or conspiring to ship or transport, five or more firearms from a State into another State during any period of 12 consecutive months, with intent to transfer all of such firearms to another unlicensed person. Subjects persons who violate this Act to a fine and imprisonment for at least: (1) three years for a first violation; (2) five years for a second or subsequent violation; (3) 15 years if the violation involves more than 50 firearms; (4) ten years if an illegally transported firearm is subsequently used by the recipient, or by any person within three years, in an offense in which a person is killed or suffers serious bodily injury; and (5) 25 years if the violation involves more than 50 firearms and one of the firearms is subsequently used in such an offense. Prohibits the court from imposing a probationary sentence or suspending the sentence of a person convicted of a violation of this Act, or from making any term of imprisonment imposed for a violation run concurrently with any other term imposed on such person by a U.S. court. Makes specified firearms-related offenses predicate offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to hire and employ 200 personnel to enforce the amendments made by this Act.
Law· HRH.R. 3036 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Provides that all motor carrier functions vested in the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and carried out by the FHA as of September 30, 1999, shall be administered by the FHA Administrator until enactment of authorizing legislation to transfer such functions to a separate agency within the Department of Transportation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3037 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (8) the Employment Standards Administration; (9) certain special benefits; (10) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (11) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (13) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (14) departmental management; (15) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (16) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund for Federal interest subsidies for medical facilities; (3) health education assistance loans; (4) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (6) the National Institutes of Health, including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (7) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (8) the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; (9) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for family support payments to States; (11) low income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) the social services block grant; (14) children and families services programs; (15) family preservation and support pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (23) activities related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Rescinds FY 2000 funds for a sample study of child welfare. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 208) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being made available under title X (population research and voluntary family planning) of the Public Health Service Act unless the award applicant certifies to the Secretary of HHS that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and provides counseling to minors on resisting attempts to coerce them into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the Medicare+Choice program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 211) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require State allotments under block grants for: (1) community health services for FY 2000 to be at least the amount the State received for FY 1998; and (2) substance abuse prevention and treatment for FY 2000 to be equal to allotments for FY 1999. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the disadvantaged; (3) impact aid; (4) school improvement activities; (5) reading excellence; (6) Indian education; (7) bilingual and immigrant education; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) student financial assistance; (13) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (14) higher education; (15) Howard University; (16) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (17) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (18) education research, statistics, and improvement; (19) departmental management; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; and (21) the Office of the Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used to: (1) transport teachers or students in order to overcome racial imbalance in any school or to carry out a racial desegregation plan; or (2) prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools. (Sec. 306) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reduce to 35 percent the Federal share available for Even Start family literacy programs in any year after the eighth year of receiving assistance. Removes a provision which limits the receipt of such assistance to a period of eight years. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Education Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the social security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for programs to distribute sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 508) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended for abortions or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or where a woman suffers from a physical condition that would, as certified by a physician, place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo is destroyed or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for activities to promote the legalization of a controlled substance unless there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such substance or that federally-sponsored trials are being conducted to determine such advantage. (Sec. 514) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to promulgate a final standard under the Social Security Act providing for a unique health identifier for an individual (except in an individual's capacity as an employer or health care provider) until legislation is enacted specifically approving the standard. Title VI: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Interventions For Newborns and Infants With Hearing Loss - Mandates grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) develop statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems; and (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies to complement an intramural program and to conduct applied research related to newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems. Requires the National Institutes of Health to continue a program of research and development on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology. Mandates Federal coordination and collaboration with State and local agencies, consumer groups, national medical, health, and education specialty organizations, deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and their families, qualified professional personnel, and related commercial industries. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Child Protection Act of 1999 - Child Protection Act of 1999 - Requires any elementary or secondary school or public library that has received Federal funds for the acquisition or operation of any computer that is accessible to minors and that has access to the Internet to: (1) install software on that computer adequately designed to prevent minors from obtaining access to any obscene information or child pornography; and (2) ensure that such software is operational whenever that computer is used by minors. Allows temporary interruption of software operation to permit a minor, under the direct supervision of an adult designated by the school or library, to have access to information that is not obscene, is not child pornography, or is otherwise unprotected by the Constitution. Requires determinations of adequate design to be made by an agency or official designated by the chief executive officer of the State. Authorizes Federal agency heads to respond to violations of this Act by seeking remedies, in the same manner as under the General Education Provisions Act, including withholding of further payments, issuing a complaint to compel compliance through a cease and desist order, or entering into a compliance agreement with the recipient of funds. Prohibits seeking recovery of funds from the recipient. Title VIII: Inflation Adjustments to Mandatory Jurisdiction Thresholds of National Labor Relations Board - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide for inflation adjustments to the mandatory jurisdiction thresholds of the National Labor Relations Board. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require earned income credit refunds to be paid in 12 substantially equal installments. Makes such requirement inapplicable to refunds under $600. Terminates provisions regarding advanced payment of earned income credit after September 30, 1999. Makes such termination inapplicable to earned income eligibility certificates in effect on such date and to renewals of such certificates which are so in effect. Applies the preceding amendments to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 902) Directs the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the impact on earned income tax credit recipients with respect to a disbursement over 12 months versus the current one-time, lump-sum payment. Title X: Disaster Relief for Farmers - Makes a specified amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds available to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to producers for crop and livestock losses incurred as a result of the hurricanes and flooding that struck the eastern United States in August and September 1999.
Bill· SS. 1699 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that capitalization grants to States for the establishment of water pollution control revolving funds (revolving funds) shall be for providing assistance to accomplish the purposes of such Act. (Currently, such grants are provided for assistance for specific purposes.) Removes certain requirements for States with respect to construction of treatment works under capitalization grant agreements. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist States in establishing simplified procedures for small water systems to obtain assistance under the Act. Requires revolving funds to be used only for providing assistance for activities that have as a principal benefit the improvement or protection of water quality of navigable waters. Adds activities to the list of those which may be assisted. Provides for a repayment period of the lesser of 40 years or the expected life of the project to be financed with loan proceeds with respect to loans made to disadvantaged communities from revolving funds. Requires loans made from such funds to be fully amortized upon the expiration of the loan term (currently, no later than 20 years after project completion). Requires such funds to provide: (1) loan guarantees for developing and implementing innovative technologies; and (2) technical, planning, and other specified assistance to small systems. Treats a treatment works as a publicly owned treatment works, for purposes of eligibility for construction assistance from a revolving fund, if the treatment works, without regard to ownership, would be considered a publicly owned treatment works and is principally treating municipal waste water or domestic sewage. Provides for negative interest rates of up to two percent to reduce the unpaid principal on loans from revolving funds made to disadvantaged communities. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005 for the revolving fund program.
Bill· SS. 1691 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Disaster Mitigation Act of 1999 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to authorize the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program of technical and financial assistance to States and local governments that implement predisaster mitigation activities to reduce injuries and loss of life and property damage and destruction, including damage to critical infrastructures and facilities. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance from the National Predisaster Mitigation Fund (established under this Act) to each State and local government that has identified all natural disaster hazards in its jurisdiction and has demonstrated its ability to form effective public-private disaster mitigation partnerships, to be used: (1) principally to implement the predisaster hazard mitigation measures contained in proposals approved by the Director; (2) to support effective public-private partnerships; (3) to ensure that new community development and construction is disaster resistant; and (4) to improve the assessment of a community's natural hazards vulnerabilities or establish a community's mitigation priorities. (Sec. 103) Increases from 15 to 20 percent the maximum contribution for hazard mitigation costs with respect to a major disaster declared under the Act after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 104) Directs the President to designate as a natural disaster mitigation zone each area in which commonly recurring natural hazards (floods, hurricanes and severe winds, seismic events) create a substantial likelihood of disasters that may require assistance under the Act. Requires flood and wind zones identified under the national flood insurance program to be so designated as such zones. Requires the President to direct all appropriate Federal agencies to integrate, or develop and maintain, comprehensive all-hazard maps using global information systems technology. Authorizes the President to identify appropriate disaster mitigation policies, requiring such policies to include certain wind impact standards. Requires Federal buildings to be designed and constructed in accordance with voluntary minimum building codes, test methods, specifications, and the mitigation policies identified by the President. Authorizes the President to provide certain incentives to encourage builders to implement such codes, specifications, and policies. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate the implementation of predisaster mitigation programs administered by the Federal Government. Title II: Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance - Amends the Act to direct the President to promulgate regulations under which States, communities, and other disaster assistance applicants are required to protect property through adequate levels of insurance or self-insurance. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; (2) review such rates at least every three years; and (3) promulgate regulations to define costs to be included in such management costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to make contributions to: (1) a State or local government for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster and for associated expenses; and (2) to the owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility for such purposes (with specified conditions). Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of such costs, with an authorized Federal share reduction for a facility: (1) that has previously been damaged on more than one occasion by the same type of event; and (2) has not implemented mitigation measures. Authorizes a State or local government or owner of a public nonprofit facility, in lieu of restoring a facility, to receive a Federal contribution (limited to a 75 percent Federal share) and to repair or restore other facilities, construct new facilities, or fund hazard mitigation measures. Provides funding limits. Provides for the determination of eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President, acting through the FEMA Director, to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 204) Rewrites temporary housing assistance provisions of the Act. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to households that, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses and needs through other means, including insurance proceeds or loans or other financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or another Federal agency. Authorizes the President to provide financial or other appropriate assistance (for up to 18 months) to households that are displaced or whose primary residences are rendered uninhabitable as a result of a major disaster. Authorizes the President to provide the following types of housing assistance: (1) financial assistance to households to rent alternate housing, existing rental units, manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated dwellings; (2) housing units directly to households who would be unable to use the financial assistance; (3) up to $5,000 each to households for emergency repairs necessary to return residences, utilities, and related infrastructure to a habitable or functioning condition; and (4) financial or direct assistance to construct permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and other remote locations if no alternative housing resources are available, temporary housing assistance is unavailable or infeasible, and the household has applied and been determined ineligible for an SBA disaster loan. Sets forth terms and conditions governing the location and disposal of fabricated dwellings provided under this section. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance: (1) on a temporary basis in the form of mortgage or rental payments to individuals or families who, because of financial hardship, are at risk of dispossession or eviction after a major disaster; (2) to meet disaster-related medical, dental, or funeral expenses; and (3) to address disaster-related personal property, transportation, and other expenses or needs. Requires the substantial involvement of affected States in administering assistance under this section. Limits to $25,000 the maximum amount of financial assistance that a household may receive for a single major disaster. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State to apply to the President for delegation of the authority to administer the hazard mitigation grant program under the Act. (Sec. 206) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on an estimate of the reduction in Federal assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to local governments (currently, only States) for the management and control of any fire on public or private forest land or grassland which threatens destruction that would constitute a major disaster. (Sec. 208) Requires the President to provide an opportunity for public comment before adopting any new or modified policy governing implementation of the FEMA-administered major disaster public assistance program. Requires consultation with program grantees. (Sec. 209) Prohibits major disaster community loans from exceeding $5 million. Prohibits further assistance to a community that is in arrears on payments under a previous loan. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add, for purposes of eligibility for public safety officers' death benefits, individuals serving in a public agency, with FEMA, or with a State or local emergency management agency and performing official duties relating to a major disaster that are determined to be hazardous duties. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the initiation of an administrative action to recover any payment made to a State or local government for emergency or disaster assistance under the Act after three years from date of transmission of the final expenditure report for such emergency or disaster. Provides a rebuttable assumption that adequate records were maintained identifying the source and application of such funds. (Sec. 305) Designates Texas Task Force One in College Station, Texas, as a federally recognized member of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
Bill· HRH.R. 3026 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a highway project in the vicinity of Youngstown, Ohio, to complete construction of the Hubbard Expressway. Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund. Establishes the Federal share of the cost of the project at 80 percent. Exempts project funds from any obligation limitation.
Bill· SS. 1682 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1999
Air Traffic Management Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to define "air traffic control system" to mean the combination of specified elements used to safely and efficiently monitor, direct, control, and guide aircraft in the United States and U.S.-assigned airspace. (Sec. 6) Establishes a Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system, to be appointed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer, including, but not limited to, the: (1) development of a strategic plan of the FAA for the air traffic control system; (2) review of the operational functions of the FAA; and (3) development of a budget request of the FAA related to the air traffic control system. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit the budget request for any fiscal year to the President, who shall submit it, without revision, to specified congressional committees, together with the President's annual budget request for the FAA for such fiscal year. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions regarding the composition of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council. Requires subsequent appointments of members to the Council to be made by the Secretary (as currently, the President will still make initial appointments of such members). Directs the Chairman of the Council to constitute an Air Traffic Services Subcommittee to provide comments, recommend modifications, and provide dissenting views to the Administrator on the performance of air traffic services, including: (1) the performance of the Chief Operating Officer and other FAA senior managers within the air traffic organization; (2) long-range and strategic plans for air traffic services; (3) review and make recommendations to the Administrator's plans for any major FAA reorganization that would affect the management of the air traffic control system; and (4) other significant actions the Subcommittee considers appropriate and that are consistent with the implementation of this Act. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to receive, in addition to the annual rate of pay, a bonus not to exceed 50 percent of the annual rate of such pay based upon the Secretary's evaluation of the Administrator's performance. (Sec. 9) Directs the Administrator to conduct, and report to specified congressional committees on, a comprehensive redesign of the national airspace system. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on the cost allocation system currently under development by the FAA. Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to conduct an assessment to ensure that the method for calculating the overall costs of the FAA and attributing such costs to specific users is appropriate, reasonable, and understandable to the users. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into a joint venture, on a pilot program basis, with Federal and non- Federal entities to establish the Air Traffic Modernization Association (in the District of Columbia) for the purpose of acquiring, procuring or utilizing of air traffic facilities and equipment in accordance with the Airway Capital Investment Plan to improve aviation safety and enhance mobility of the nation's air transportation system. Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on the Association's activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Authorizes supplemental appropriations to fund critically needed, and already developed, air traffic control equipment that can be efficiently installed into the National airspace to more safely and efficiently move traffic.
Bill· SS. 1650 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Labor Title II: Department of Health and Human Services Title III: Department of Education Title IV: Related Agencies Title V: General Provisions Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (8) the Employment Standards Administration; (9) certain special benefits; (10) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (11) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (13) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (14) departmental management; (15) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (16) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund for Federal interest subsidies for medical facilities; (3) health education assistance loans; (4) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (6) the National Institutes of Health, including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (7) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (8) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; (9) the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; (10) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (11) the Administration for Children and Families for family support payments to States; (12) low income home energy assistance; (13) refugee and entrant assistance; (14) the child care and development block grant; (15) the social services block grant; (16) children and families services programs; (17) promoting safe and stable families pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (18) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (19) the Administration on Aging; (20) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (21) the Office of Inspector General; (22) the Office for Civil Rights; (23) policy research; and (24) activities related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 209) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being made available under title X (population research and voluntary family planning) of the Public Health Service Act unless the award applicant certifies to the Secretary of HHS that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and provides counseling to minors on resisting attempts to coerce them into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the Medicare+Choice program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 211) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require State allotments under block grants for community health services for FY 2000 to be at least the amount the State received for FY 1998. Provides a specified minimum State allotment for FY 2000 under block grants for substance abuse prevention and treatment as well. (Sec. 213) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of admission into the United States of a specified number of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania based on religious persecution owing to participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Makes September 30, 2000, the latest allowable entry date for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status. (Sec. 214) Prohibits the use of funds provided in any Act making FY 2000 appropriations for the implementation in Arizona or in Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas, of the Medicare Competitive Pricing Demonstration Project operated by the Secretary of HHS under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Title III: Department of Education - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the disadvantaged; (3) impact aid; (4) school improvement activities; (5) reading excellence; (6) Indian education; (7) bilingual and immigrant education; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) student financial assistance; (13) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (14) higher education; (15) Howard University; (16) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (17) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (18) education research, statistics, and improvement; (19) departmental management; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; and (21) the Office of the Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used to: (1) transport teachers or students in order to overcome racial imbalance in any school or to carry out a racial desegregation plan; or (2) prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools. (Sec. 305) Amends the General Education Provisions Act to bar the use of funds provided to the Department of Education or to an applicable program to field or pilot test, implement, administer, or distribute national tests. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to the International Math and Science Study or other international assessments developed under the authority of the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 that are administered only to a representative sample of U.S. and foreign pupils. Provides that exclusive authority over the direction and all policies for developing voluntary national tests shall continue to be vested in the National Assessment Governing Board. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the: (1) Corporation for National and Community Service; (2) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (3) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (4) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (5) Office of Library Services; (6) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (7) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (8) National Council on Disability; (9) National Education Goals Panel; (10) National Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (14) Social Security Administration for payments to the social security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for programs to distribute sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs unless the Secretary of HHS determines that such programs are effective in preventing the spread of HIV and do not encourage the use of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 508) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended for abortions or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or where a woman suffers from a physical condition that would, as certified by a physician, place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo is destroyed or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for activities to promote the legalization of a controlled substance unless there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such substance or that federally-sponsored trials are being conducted to determine such advantage. (Sec. 513) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to promulgate a final standard under the Social Security Act providing for a unique health identifier for an individual (except in an individual's capacity as an employer or health care provider) until legislation is enacted specifically approving the standard. (Sec. 514) Amends the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 to extend the availability of certain voluntary separation incentives for employees of the Railroad Retirement Board and its Office of Inspector General.
Bill· SS. 1647 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Highway Noise Reduction Act - Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to repeal a prohibition on the use of Highway Trust Fund sums to construct type II noise barriers if such barriers were not part of a project approved by the Secretary of Transportation before the date of that Act's enactment (with an exception).
Bill· HRH.R. 2956 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999
Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1999 - Title I: Remedy - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to revise general rules for the selection of remedial cleanup actions. Removes a provision requiring the President to specifically address the long-term effectiveness of various alternative treatment or resource recovery technologies. Requires remedial actions to: (1) make contaminated property available for beneficial use to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) protect uncontaminated groundwater and surface water, wherever technically feasible, and restore such water to beneficial uses in a reasonable time period given the circumstances of the release of the hazardous substance concerned. Lists minimum factors to be taken into account by the President in assessing alternative remedial actions and selecting remedial actions. Requires selected remedial actions, unless the President determines that a risk-based standard for a contaminant is based on data and assumptions adequate to assure protection of children's health, to reduce contamination to background levels (where more stringent) with respect to such contaminant, to the maximum extent technically feasible. Prohibits the selection of an action that allows hazardous substances to remain on site above levels that would be protective for unrestricted use unless institutional controls are incorporated into the action to achieve protection of human health and the environment during and after completion of the action. Requires remedial actions for hazardous substances that remain on site to comply with any more stringent and legally applicable tribal standard. Directs the President to ensure that a remedial action attains standards of control protective of human health and the environment in cases where: (1) no Federal, State, or tribal standard has been established for the specific hazardous substance present at the facility where the action is being undertaken; or (2) there are multiple hazardous substances present and the remedial action is not protective even though applicable requirements would be attained. Removes a provision which requires the President to conform a remedial action to a State standard in cases where a State has initiated a law suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to May 1, 1986. Eliminates a provision which allows the President to select a remedial action that does not attain a standard equivalent to a legally applicable standard if compliance with requirements is technically impracticable from an engineering perspective. Sets forth minimum requirements for remedies for contaminated groundwater or surface water in cases where a legally applicable standard for a hazardous substance is waived. Authorizes the President to use institutional controls as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, other response measures under CERCLA. Lists requirements for actions that rely on institutional controls. Provides for funds to be established for facilities for which the selected remedy is containment or at which hazardous substances remain on site above levels that would allow for unrestricted use of the facility. Requires such funds to be sufficient to guarantee successful performance of a remedy and, to the extent technically feasible, future beneficial reuse. Directs the EPA Administrator (Administrator) to report annually to Congress, for each record of decision signed during the previous fiscal year, on the type of institutional controls and media affected and the institution designated to monitor, enforce, and ensure compliance with such controls. Makes procedural requirements of State laws inapplicable to the portion of any removal or remedial action conducted entirely on site, except for recordkeeping and reporting. (Sec. 102) Sets forth criteria for institutional control instruments. Requires the President, if such an instrument is adopted, to record a notice of property use restriction in the public land records for the jurisdiction in which the affected property is located. Makes such instruments enforceable in perpetuity (unless terminated and released) against holders of interest in an affected property and all persons who subsequently acquire such interest. Directs the President to maintain a registry of all property at which institutional controls have been established in connection with response actions. Describes types of institutional control instruments, including easements. Authorizes the President, in order to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, to acquire an easement to limit or control the use of land or other natural resources. Permits easements to be used wherever institutional controls have been selected as a component of a response action. Sets forth provisions regarding the President's authority to assign easements to other parties, issue orders imposing restrictions on land or natural resources, and include State institutional controls in response actions. (Sec. 103) Requires the President to ensure that a removal action is not undertaken in lieu of a long-term remedial action. Title II: Community Participation and Human Health - Subtitle A: Community Participation - Revises provisions regarding grants for technical assistance to make such grants available to Community Advisory Groups or affected communities (defined as two or more individuals affected by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at a covered facility). Defines a "covered facility" as a facility: (1) that has been listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL); (2) at which the Administrator is undertaking an action anticipated to exceed one year or a specified funding limit; or (3) with respect to which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator has accepted a petition requesting a health assessment or related health activity. Expands the list of authorized grant activities and increases the maximum amount of such grants. Requires the President to take specified actions to provide for meaningful public participation in every significant phase of response activities under CERCLA. Permits Community Advisory Groups, affected Indian tribes and communities, and local government and health officials to propose remedial alternatives to the President. Requires the President to make records relating to response actions at a covered facility available to the public throughout all phases of an action. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to public notice of certain removal actions. (Sec. 203) Requires States or Indian tribes with covered facilities to establish Community Information and Access Offices. Provides funding for such Offices. Directs the Administrator to establish Offices for States or tribes that fail to do so. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a Community Advisory Group, a representative public forum, to achieve direct, regular, and meaningful consultation with all interested parties throughout all stages of a response action whenever: (1) the President determines such a group will be helpful; or (2) ten individuals residing in the area in which the covered facility is located, or ten percent of the population of a locality in which the covered facility is located, whichever is fewer, petition for a Group to be established. Directs the President to adopt any consensus recommendation of a Group on land use as part of the remedy selected for the facility, with exceptions. Authorizes the President to provide administrative support for such groups. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a community study that includes an analysis of: (1) the speed of listing; (2) the speed and nature of response actions; (3) the degree to which public views are reflected in response actions; (3) use of institutional controls; and (4) the population, race, ethnicity, and income characteristics of communities affected by facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL. Requires periodic updates of such study. Directs the Administrator to institute necessary improvements or modifications to address any deficiencies identified by the study. (Sec. 206) Requires the Administrator to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in response activities. Subtitle B: Human Health - Directs the President to notify State and local public health authorities and tribal health officials whenever there is reason to believe that a release (or threat of release) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to perform a health assessment for each facility listed, or proposed for listing, on the NPL, including Federal facilities. Permits related health activities to be performed in lieu of assessments for facilities that are so listed or proposed for ecological reasons only. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop and distribute educational materials on human health effects of hazardous substances to the public. (Sec. 213) Provides for research on exposure or tolerance limits for hazardous substances found commonly at NPL facilities in cases where adequate information on health effects of a substance is not available. Expands the duties of the ATSDR Administrator to require the Administrator to establish an inventory of exposure or tolerance limits for such substances. (Sec. 215) Directs the President, in any case in which a person is relocated in order to reduce exposure and eliminate health risks from hazardous substances, to provide to the individual the replacement value of the individual's residence. (Sec. 216) Authorizes and directs the ATSDR Administrator, pursuant to specified grants and contracts, to provide health services to communities affected by the release of hazardous substances. Makes funds available for such services for FY 2002 through 2006. (Sec. 217) Provides for cooperation with Indian tribes with respect to certain ATSDR activities. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to include in a biennial report on ATSDR activities the health impacts on Indian tribes of hazardous substances from covered facilities. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this title. Title III: Right to Know - Requires the annual disclosure of certain information by potentially responsible parties at NPL facilities and owners or operators of facilities subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Includes within such required disclosures information on quantities of certain hazardous substances and potential exposure of facility employees. Directs the Administrator to consolidate all annual reporting pursuant to title I of CERCLA and other Federal environmental laws to the extent not prohibited by such laws. Prescribes penalties for noncompliance with disclosure requirements. Amends EPCRA to permit the withholding of portions of information required to be disclosed under CERCLA for purposes of protecting trade secrets. (Sec. 302) Requires owners or operators of facilities subject to EPCRA reporting requirements to submit to the Administrator and State officials annual unstudied chemical release forms for each chemical subject to this section that was manufactured, processed, or used in quantities exceeding thresholds during the preceding year at the facility. Permits the Administrator to: (1) apply such requirements to other facilities that use unstudied chemicals, as appropriate; and (2) exclude a class of facilities in a Standard Industrial Classification Code that is required to report under EPCRA if unstudied chemicals will not cause certain adverse human health or environmental effects. Makes subject to the requirements of this section an unstudied chemical: (1) for which the information needed to complete a preliminary assessment of potential toxicity is not available; and (2) that is a compound containing at least carbon, hydrogen, and one or more of the elements chlorine, fluorine, or bromine or is a compound included on the 1990 High Production Volume List issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Authorizes the addition of chemicals subject to such requirements based on health or environmental effects or presence in human tissues, food stuffs, or drinking water. Excludes from reporting requirements chemicals: (1) that are listed under EPCRA; (2) that are high molecular weight polymers; or (3) for which information is publicly available. Sets forth provisions regarding information needed for preliminary assessment of potential toxicity of unstudied chemicals. Establishes threshold amounts of unstudied chemicals which trigger reporting requirements. Makes release form information publicly available. Authorizes petitions to the Administrator to compel certain actions under this title, including the exemption from reporting, addition of chemicals subject to reporting, and revision of thresholds. Requires the Administrator to establish a national unstudied chemicals inventory based on submitted data. Makes violations of this title subject to civil and administrative penalties under EPCRA. Provides trade secret protection for information disclosed under this title in the same manner as provided under EPCRA. Title IV: Environmental Justice - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of Commerce, to publish a list of special priority areas which shall be geographic areas in which residents face a high degree of economic distress or social disenfranchisement. Provides for updates to such list no later than two years after each official census count on social and economic characteristics. Describes areas to be included on such list. Requires the President to advertise the right of petition for assessment of a hazardous substance release in such areas. Directs the President to publish a list of special priority facilities which shall be those facilities located in special priority areas that are: (1) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System; (2) the subject of a petition; or (3) those the President considers appropriate. Establishes deadlines for completing preliminary assessments, site inspections, and hazard ranking of such facilities and for listing them on the NPL. Requires the President to ensure that a remedial action for any such facility on the NPL is completed within three years of placement on the NPL. Provides exceptions from placing such facilities on the NPL. Title V: Children's Environmental Health - Requires the ATSDR Administrator and the Administrator to create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of environmental pollutants commonly found at facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL with known or suspected health risks to which fetuses and children are especially susceptible. Provides for a toxicological profile for each listed substance. Directs the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, to review and revise, where necessary, environmental and public health regulations, risk assessment policies and procedures, and guidance documents issued under CERCLA to determine whether they consider and fully protect fetal and children's health. Incorporates fetal and children's health concerns into all health research initiatives under CERCLA. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop: (1) guidelines for addressing fetal and children's health issues in health studies and research programs; and (2) criteria for determining when and what type of child-specific health study shall be conducted based on the results of a health assessment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the costs of such research programs should be borne by the manufacturers and processors of the hazardous substance in question. Directs the ATSDR Administrator to: (1) establish an exposure registry for all children exposed to hazardous substances as the result of a release at an NPL facility where levels of exposure are significant for children's health; and (2) implement specified children's environmental health education and training programs. Requires all lists, profiles, studies, and research results conducted under this title to be reported or adopted only after appropriate peer review. Sets forth requirements for peer reviews. Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Subtitle A: Brownfields - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites and provide training in the cleanup of such sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Sets forth grant application requirements and grant conditions. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites, including associated rivers and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of affected brownfield sites. Sets forth grant application and agreement requirements. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. Authorizes the Administrator to award a grant to a State if necessary to facilitate the receipt of funds by local governments that do not have the capabilities to manage grants. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. Makes amounts available from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) to carry out the grant programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other specified agencies and organizations for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 603) Requires the Administrator to provide grants and other forms of assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. (Sec. 622) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 623) Exempts certain contiguous property owners from liability. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects and activities for economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 2001 through 2005. Title VII: Natural Resource Damages - Adds the reasonable costs of recovering natural resource damages to the list of recoverable damages for which liable parties are responsible under CERCLA. (Sec. 703) Eliminates the damage assessment rebuttable presumption and prescribes revised procedures for natural resource damage assessments. (Sec. 704) Authorizes a trustee for natural resources to establish an administrative record on which the trustee will base the selection of a plan for restoration of the resource. Provides for participation of interested persons in the development of an administrative record. (Sec. 705) Provides that the presence of hazardous substances in sediments of U.S. waters above background or reference levels shall be sufficient to establish injury to natural resources for purposes of determining liability. Directs the Administrator and the appropriate natural resource trustees to report to Congress on how response, remedial, and restoration actions are restoring and protecting natural resources affected by the facilities of: (1) Hudson River, New York; (2) Newark and New York Bays, New York and New Jersey; (3) Housatonic River, Connecticut and Massachusetts; (4) New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts; (5) Clark Fork River, Montana; (6) Lavaca Bay, Texas; (7) Palos Verdes, California; (8) Fox River, Wisconsin; (9) Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and (10) Hanford, Washington. (Sec. 706) Requires natural resource trustees to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in restoration activities. (Sec. 707) Revises provisions regarding the statute of limitations on natural resource damage actions. (Sec. 708) Adds archaeological resources to the definition of "natural resources" under CERCLA. (Sec. 709) Authorizes citizen suits to recover natural resources damages. Title VIII: Federal Facilities - Revises provisions regarding the applicability of CERCLA to the U.S. Government. Makes Federal agencies subject to all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements regarding response actions and damages related to, or management of, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants in the same manner as any nongovernmental entity. Waives immunity of the United States with respect to the enforcement of injunctive relief. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under State or Federal response laws. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an abatement order to a Federal agency and requires initiation of an administrative enforcement action in the same manner as action would be initiated against any other person. Requires all funds collected by a State from the Federal Government from penalties imposed under this section to be used only for projects to improve or protect the environment or to defray costs of environmental protection or enforcement unless a State law requires such funds to be used differently. Requires Federal agencies to notify States and the Administrator of removal actions. Sets forth additional conditions under which a Federal property may be transferred to any other person without a covenant warranting that all remedial action has been taken on the property. Establishes additional assurances to be contained in deeds governing such transfers with regard to hazardous substances releases for which a Federal agency is potentially responsible. Title IX: Liability - Provides exemptions to liability (including liability for contribution) for response costs for pre-July 1997 acts if liability is based solely on arranging for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or accepting, a specified limited amount of hazardous substances. Absolves certain small parties of liability based on arrangement or acceptance provisions if the substance involved was municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Removes a provision which excludes petroleum from the definition of "hazardous substance" under CERCLA. Provides that persons liable for willful releases of hazardous substances or threats thereof may be liable to the United States for punitive damages in an amount of up to two times the costs incurred by Superfund as a result of such a release. Title X: Funding - Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out specified Superfund authorities through FY 2005. (Sec. 1007) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental income tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, and before January 1, 2006. Extends specified provisions regarding: (1) Superfund's financing rate; (2) limits on tax if the unobligated balance in Superfund exceeds a specified amount; and (3) the repayment deadline for advances made to Superfund. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Increases the ceiling on certain penalties under CERCLA. Prescribes penalties for specified additional violations. (Sec. 1103) Considers a remedial action that attains applicable requirements to be protective of human health and the environment unless the President determines otherwise. Directs the President to establish additional requirements to ensure such protection, as necessary. Provides that the decontamination regulations for site termination issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 21, 1997, shall not be considered sufficiently protective. Revises the definition of "federally permitted release" under CERCLA with respect to releases of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material in compliance with licenses, permits, regulations, or orders pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to apply such definition only if such licenses, permits, regulations, or orders adequately protect groundwater. Applies requirements of this Act pertaining to Federal facilities to facilities subject to licenses or decontamination regulations for license termination issued by the NRC. Amends environmental excise tax provisions to treat uranium dioxide as a taxable chemical only if it is used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor.
Bill· SS. 1636 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
HOPE for Africa Act of 1999 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) for the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to benefit from new trade, investment, and other economic opportunities provided by this Act, the pre-existing burden of external debt of sub-Saharan African countries must be eliminated; and (2) only significant debt relief will allow operation of local credit markets and eliminate distortions currently hindering development in sub-Saharan Africa. Title I: Cancellation of Debt Owed by Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, with specified exceptions, to cancel all concessional and nonconcessional loans made, guarantees issued, or credits extended by the United States to sub-Saharan African countries. Directs the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the cancellation of debt. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of State to notify foreign governments that have outstanding loans, guarantees, or credits to the government of a sub-Saharan African country that it is U.S. policy to forgive all such debts and that such foreign governments should do the same. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress a plan to advocate the cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), including proposed instructions to the U.S. Executive Directors of such financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to advocate that such institutions: (1) unconditionally cancel all debts owed by a sub-Saharan African country to such institution; and (2) provide that until all debts owed have been unconditionally canceled, require that any future loans not be used to finance in whole or part the implementation of any agreement which requires the country to pay more than five percent of its annual export earnings toward the servicing of foreign loans. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on the amount of debt owed to any U.S. person by any country in sub-Saharan Africa and include a plan to acquire each debt obligation owed to each U.S. person. (Sec. 105) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999 to require the International Financial Institution Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and report to Congress on the viability and desirability of having each indebted sub-Saharan African country repay foreign loans in their currency. (Sec. 106) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of each sub-Saharan African country should allocate 20 percent of its national budget, including the savings from cancellation of debt owed by it to the United States, to other foreign countries, to the IMF and the World Bank, and to U.S. persons for the provision of basic services to individuals in their respective country, as provided for in the United Nations 20/20 Initiative; and (2) prior to the unconditional cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries, each such country should not pay in any calendar year an aggregate amount greater than five percent of the export earnings of the country for the prior calendar year. Title II: Trade Provisions Relating to Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius within 30 days after each country demonstrates that it: (1) is not ineligible for benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences of the Trade Act of 1974; (2) does not engage in significant violations of internationally recognized human rights; (3) provides for the enforcement of certain internationally recognized worker rights; and (4) takes adequate measures to prevent illegal transshipment of goods. Directs the President to continue the no quota policy for each of the other sub-Saharan African countries that are in compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 201) Provides that, when the quota for textile and apparel products imported from Kenya or Mauritius is eliminated, the quota for textile and apparel products from China for each calendar year shall be reduced by an amount equal to the volume of imports of all textile and apparel product from all sub-Saharan African countries into the United States in the preceding calendar year, plus five percent of that amount. Requires the Secretary of Labor to determine, and report annually to Congress on, whether or not each sub-Saharan African country is providing for effective enforcement of internationally recognized worker rights. Directs the President to report annually to Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel imported into the United States from countries in sub-Saharan Africa in order to inform U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers about the effects of the no quota policy. Directs the President to provide an additional benefit of 50 percent tariff reduction for any textile and apparel product of a sub-Saharan African country: (1) that meets the requirements relating to human rights, workers rights, and illegal transshipments; and (2) that is imported directly into the United States from such country if the business enterprise, or a subcontractor of the enterprise, producing the product is in compliance with specified conditions. Sets forth specified conditions for the import of textile and apparel goods into the United States, including goods from a sub-Saharan African country. Sets forth penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act. Directs the U.S. Customs Service to monitor and the Commissioner of Customs to report annually on measures taken by sub-Saharan African countries that import textiles or apparel goods into the United States to prevent unlawful transshipment of such goods and circumvention of this Act or any agreement regulating trade in such goods between such country and the United States. (Sec. 202) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for articles set forth in the product list of the Lome Treaty that are the product of a beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African country, and in compliance with certain human rights requirements, if the President determines that such articles are not import-sensitive in the context of imports from such countries. Extends duty-free treatment to products from beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African countries through September 30, 2006. (Sec. 203) Grants a U.S. citizen a cause of action in the U.S. district court to seek compliance of sub-Saharan African countries with the requirements of this Act. Title III: Development Assistance for Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the HIV- AIDS epidemic and other conditions have caused countless deaths and untold suffering among the people of sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 302) Directs the Agency for International Development (AID) to provide capacity building assistance through participatory planning to private and voluntary organizations involved in providing assistance for sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 303) Prohibits military assistance to sub-Saharan African countries. (Sec. 304) Revises critical sectoral priorities provisions to give priority to: (1) increasing food security by promoting agriculture policies in sub-Saharan African countries; (2) improving health conditions in such countries by emphasizing HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment programs; (3) providing increased access to voluntary family planning services, including access to prenatal healthcare; (4) improving education and vocational education, with particular emphasis on primary education and vocational education for women; and (5) developing income-generating opportunities, including development of manufacturing and processing industries and microcredit projects. (Sec. 305) Directs the Administrator of AID to report semiannually to Congress on: (1) how, and to what extent, AID has consulted with nongovernmental organizations in sub-Saharan Africa regarding the use of long-term development assistance to sub-Saharan African countries; (2) the extent to which such assistance has been successful in capacity building among local nongovernmental organizations and in increasing food security and access to health and education services among the people of sub-Saharan Africa; and (3) how, and to what extent, such assistance has furthered the goals of sustainable economic and agricultural development, gender equity, environmental protection, and respect for workers' rights there. (Sec. 306) Declares that amounts appropriated to the Development Fund for Africa shall be appropriated to a separate account for such Fund. Title IV: Sub-Saharan Africa Equity and Infrastructure Funds - Directs the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to initiate one or more equity funds in support of infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, including basic health services (including AIDS prevention and treatment), hospitals, potable water, sanitation, schools, electrification of rural areas, and publicly-accessible transportation. Title V: Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank Initiatives - Directs the President to establish an advisory committee to assist the Board of Directors of OPIC in developing and implementing policies, programs, and financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan Africa, including with respect to equity and infrastructure funds established under this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to revise provisions establishing an advisory committee to require such committee to assist the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States in developing, among other things, financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan African countries. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the accession of sub-Saharan African countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. (Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the interest of the United States to take all necessary steps to prevent further spread of infectious disease, particularly HIV-AIDS; and (2) individual countries should have the ability to determine the availability of pharmaceuticals and health care for their citizens, particularly with respect to the HIV-AIDS epidemic. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated to any Federal agency to seek the revocation or revisions of any sub-Saharan African intellectual property or competition law or policy designed to promote access to pharmaceuticals or other medical technologies. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations, to take steps to ensure that: (1) at least 20 full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) full-time Service employees are stationed in at least ten different sub-Saharan African countries. Title VII: Offset - Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development (R&D) activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives full payment for such activities from the private sector.
Law· SS. 1637 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
Amends Federal aviation law to extend, through FY 1999 the authorization of appropriations for the Airport Improvement Program. Repeals a certain limitation on funds for the Grants-in-Aid for Airports (liquidation of contract authorization) program for FY 1999.
Bill· HRH.R. 2935 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Amends Federal aviation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to provide a procedure under which a person will be exempt from stage 3 noise level restrictions and be permitted to operate a stage 1 or stage 2 aircraft in nonrevenue service to or from a U.S. airport in order to: (1) sell the aircraft outside the United States; (2) sell the aircraft for scrapping; (3) obtain modification to such aircraft to meet stage 3 noise levels; or (4) test aircraft engines if the aircraft takes off and lands at an airport located at a former military installation closed or realigned under specified law.
Bill· SS. 1622 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Delta Regional Authority Act of 1999 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the Delta Regional Authority to: (1) develop comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs, establish priorities, and approve grants for the economic development of the Mississippi Delta region (parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee surrounding such Delta); (2) provide for research, demonstration, investigation, assessment and evaluation of such region's assets and needs; (3) encourage the formation and capacity of local development districts and private investment in industrial, commercial, and other economic development projects; and (4) provide a forum for the consideration of problems and possible solutions of the region. Provides conflict-of-interest requirements with respect to Authority members, alternates, officers, and employees. Authorizes the Authority to approve grants to States and public and private entities for projects to: (1) assist the region in obtaining necessary job training or employment-related education, leadership and civic development, and business development, especially entrepreneurship for such region; (2) provide special assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped counties within such region; and (3) fund research, demonstration, evaluations, assessments, training programs, construction of necessary facilities, and the provision of technical assistance of and for the region. Provides the following priority for the use of grant funds: (1) basic infrastructure in distressed counties; (2) job-related infrastructure; (3) job training or employment-related education; (4) leadership and civic development; and (5) business development, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Authorizes the Federal co- chairman of the Authority to use grant amounts as required Federal contributions to grant-in-aid programs for which the region is eligible but cannot supply the required matching share. Prohibits the Federal share of project costs for which assistance is provided under this title from exceeding 80 percent, and prohibits a grant period of more than three years. Defines a "local development district" as a certified entity having a charter or authority that includes the economic development of counties or other parts of the region. Outlines certification requirements. Authorizes the Authority to make grants to such districts for administrative expenses. Requires the Authority to: (1) annually designate distressed and economically strong counties, and isolated areas of distress, within the region; and (2) allocate at least 50 percent of the appropriations made available under this Act for programs and projects for the distressed counties. Prohibits (with an exception) such funds from being used within economically strong counties. Makes isolated areas of distress eligible for such assistance at the Authority's discretion. Requires each State member of the Authority to submit a development plan for the area of the region represented by the member. Outlines factors to be considered by the Authority in considering programs and projects for assistance under this Act and in establishing priorities among assistance requests. Requires the Authority to review for approval any State or regional development plan submitted. Outlines plan approval requirements. Directs the Authority to: (1) maintain appropriate records; and (2) annually prepare and submit to the President, for transmittal to Congress, a report on its activities. Authorizes appropriations to the Authority to carry out this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2910 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to define the term "accident" to include damage to or destruction of vehicles in surface or air transportation or pipelines, regardless of whether the initiating event is accidental or not. (Sec. 3) Grants the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) authority to: (1) negotiate and enter into agreements with private entities, Federal, State, and local governments, and foreign governments for the provision of technical services or training in accident investigation theory and technique; and (2) require that such entities provide appropriate consideration for the reasonable costs of any goods, services, or training provided by the NTSB. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the NTSB to pay an employee with basic pay at a rate of GS-10 or above an overtime hourly rate of time-and-a-half for work performed at an accident scene (including travel to or from the scene) and other work critical to an accident investigation. Specifies limits on total NTSB overtime payments in a calendar year. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the NTSB from disclosing publicly any part of a surface vehicle video recorder recording or transcript of oral communications by or among drivers, train employees, or other operating employees responsible for the movement and direction of the vehicle or vessel, or between such operating employees and company communication centers, regarding an accident investigated by the NTSB. Requires the NTSB to make public any part of a transcript or any written depiction of visual information relevant to an accident, provided certain conditions are met. Subjects surface vehicle recordings (voice or video recorder) and transcripts of accidents (written depiction of visual information obtained from a video recorder) to specified requirements for discovery and use in a judicial proceeding. Prescribes requirements for installation and use of recording devices on surface vehicles. (Sec. 6) Requires the NTSB to relinquish investigative priority to the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to an accident if the Attorney General determines that circumstances reasonably indicate that such accident may have been caused by an intentional criminal act. (Sec. 8) Limits the Federal law compliance review authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation with respect to the NTSB to its financial management and business operations (including internal accounting and administration control systems). (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, if it would enhance aviation safety, to install a Terminal Doppler Weather Radar at the site of the former U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn at Floyd Bennett Field in King's County, New York.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 187 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) if European Council Regulation No. 925-1999 (banning certain aircraft from flying in Europe) is not rescinded by the European Council at the earliest possible date, the Secretary of Transportation should take all appropriate actions to ensure that a petition regarding the regulation is filed with the International Civil Aviation Organization under Article 84 of the Chicago Convention; and (2) the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Transportation and other appropriate parties should use all reasonable means available to ensure that such regulation is rescinded.
Bill· HRH.R. 2906 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Sudan Peace Act - Declares that Congress: (1) condemns violations of human rights on all sides of the conflict in Sudan (including the Government of Sudan), the ongoing slave trade there, and the Government's increasing use and organization of "murahalliin", Popular Defense Forces (PDF), and regular Sudanese Army units into raiding and slaving parties in Bahr al Ghazal, the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile regions; and (2) recognizes that the use of raiding and slaving parties is a tool for creating food shortages as a systematic means to destroy the societies, culture, and economies of the Dinka and Nuba peoples in a policy of low-intensity ethnic cleansing. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) declares its support for the efforts by U.S. executive branch officials to lead in a reinvigoration of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-sponsored peace process; (2) calls on IGAD member states, the European Union, the Organization of African Unity, Egypt, and other key states to support such process; (3) urges Kenya's leadership in the implementation of the process; and (4) views any such diplomatic efforts toward resolution of the conflict in Sudan are best made through IGAD and that the President must not create any process which could be viewed as a parallel or competing diplomatic track. Authorizes the Secretary of State to utilize Department of State personnel for the support of: (1) the secretariat of IGAD; (2) the ongoing negotiations between the Government of Sudan and opposition forces; (3) any peace settlement planning to be carried out by the National Democratic Alliance and IGAD Partners' Forum (IPF); and (4) other U.S. diplomatic efforts with respect to Sudan. (Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, should take specified actions to increase pressure on the combatants involved in the war in Sudan. (Sec. 7) Imposes certain trade and financial sanctions against Sudan, subject to waiver on national security grounds, until the President determines, and certifies to Congress, that it has: (1) fully committed to and has made progress toward a peaceful solution to the war or has otherwise committed in a good faith effort with both northern and southern opposition toward a solution to the conflict based on the Declaration of Principles reached in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 20, 1994; (2) made substantial progress in controlling the raiding and slaving activities of all regular and irregular forces, including PDF and other militias and murahalliin; (3) instituted reforms with regard to providing basic human and civil rights to all Sudanese; and (4) ceased aerial bombardment of civilian targets. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that such sanctions should be applied to include the sale of stocks in the United States or to any U.S. person, wherever located, or any other form of financial instruments or derivatives, in support of a commercial, industrial, public utility, or government project or transaction in or with Sudan. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should organize and maintain a formal consultative process with the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, and other relevant parties on coordinating an effort within the UN to revise the terms of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to end the Government of Sudan's veto power over OLS plans for air transport relief flights. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to increase the use of non- OLS agencies in the distribution of relief supplies in southern Sudan. (Sec. 10) Directs the President to develop and report to Congress on a contingency plan to provide, outside UN auspices, the greatest amount of U.S. Government and privately donated relief to all affected areas in Sudan, including the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile, in the event the Government of Sudan imposes a ban on OLS air transport relief flights. (Sec.11) Supports the President's ongoing efforts to diversify and increase effectiveness of U.S. assistance to populations in areas of Sudan outside of the control of the Government of Sudan, especially the long-term focus shown in the Sudan Transition Assistance for Rehabilitation (STAR) program with its emphasis on promoting democracy, self-reliance, and actively supporting people-to- people reconciliation efforts. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should assess the humanitarian needs in the Nuba Mountains, Red Sea Hills, and Blue Nile regions of Sudan, and respond appropriately to those needs. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the President, for purposes of minimizing diversions of food assistance and to insulate noncombatants and the relief operations which serve them from combatants in areas outside the control of the Government of Sudan, to provide such assistance directly to the National Democratic Alliance or other groups engaged in the protection of civilian populations from attacks from regular government forces, associated militias, or other paramilitary groups supported by the Government of Sudan. Sets forth certain limits on, and eligibility requirements with, such assistance.
Bill· SS. 1596 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1999
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes FY 2000 appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery Administration; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes FY 2000 appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) establishment of an Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development in HUD; (8) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (9) community development block grants; (10) brownfields redevelopment; (11) the HOME investment partnerships program; (12) homeless assistance grants; (13) housing for special populations; (14) the Federal Housing Administration; (15) the Government National Mortgage Association; (16) housing policy development and research; (17) fair housing activities; (18) the Lead Hazard Reduction Program; (19) management and administration; (20) the Office of Inspector General; and (21) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 204) Amends the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act to provide for allocation of resources for housing for persons with AIDS to States that received an allocation in a prior fiscal year for having more than 1,500 AIDS cases outside of a metropolitan statistical area with a population exceeding 500,000. Repeals a minimum grant requirement under such Act. (Sec. 205) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Extends to FY 2000 a provision that increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1999. (Sec. 206) Authorizes eligible low-income housing project owners to: (1) prepay mortgages on such projects; and (2) request voluntary termination of a mortgage insurance contract with respect to such a project, notwithstanding certain requirements under the National Housing Act. Permits mortgage prepayment or contract termination only if: (1) such prepayment or termination is consistent with the terms of the mortgage on, or insurance contract for, the project; (2) the owner agrees not to increase rent charges for any project dwelling during the 60-day period beginning on the prepayment or termination; and (3) the owner provides notice of intent to prepay or terminate within a certain time period, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 209) Amends provisions of the National Housing Act regarding payments of claims on defaulted mortgages with respect to multifamily housing units and health facilities to allow full (in addition to partial) payment of claims under one or more mortgage insurance contracts in connection with certain mortgage restructurings. (Sec. 210) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct owners responsible for determining a participant's eligibility or level of benefits to require families receiving certain HUD family income matching information to disclose such information. Includes families who receive such information and dwell in units receiving certain project-based assistance within the list of families subject to the disclosure requirement. (Sec. 211) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to delete a provision regarding an emergency reserve and set-aside funds under the section regarding the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds. (Sec. 214) Establishes compensation ceilings with respect to funds provided for the Public Housing Operating Fund and the Youthbuild program. (Sec. 216) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of HUD to establish income ceilings, with respect to eligibility for public housing or project-based Section 8 assistance, that are higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income based on findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes. (Sec. 217) Requires the Comptroller General to certify to Congress on a quarterly basis on the cost of time attributable to the failure of HUD to cooperate in any General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation with regard to HUD activities. Directs the Secretary of HUD to reimburse GAO for such costs from the salaries and expenses account. (Sec. 218) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to allow funds made available for home investment partnerships to be used to preserve housing assisted or previously assisted with Section 8 assistance. (Sec. 219) Exempts public housing agencies in Alaska and Mississippi from certain membership requirements for their boards of directors under the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 220) Requires the Secretary of HUD to transfer the administration of the Small Cities component of the Community Development Block Grants program to the State of New York, to be administered by the Governor. (Sec. 221) Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to renew project-based rental housing contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 at up to market levels. Directs the Secretary to: (1) offer to renew expired section 8 contracts at up to market levels in low-vacancy areas or areas with concentrations of elderly or disabled families; and (2) establish certain market rents. Authorizes ten-year section 8 contract renewals. (Sec. 222) Amends Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for enhanced voucher assistance for certain families in projects where mortgages have been prepaid, mortgage insurance contracts have been terminated, or Section 8 rental assistance contracts have expired or been terminated. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 to provide for Section 8 enhanced voucher assistance for certain tenants in housing where Section 8 assistance is not renewed. Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 to provide for Section 8 enhanced voucher assistance for certain tenants in housing where mortgages have been prepaid or insurance contracts have been terminated. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes FY 2000 appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program;(7) the National Flood Insurance Fund; and (8) the National Insurance Development Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2000: (1) a certain ceiling on obligations issued under the national flood insurance program; and (2) the authorization of appropriations for certain studies. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the International Space Station, launch vehicles and payload operations in support of the space shuttle program, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 423) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to carry out a specified executive order regarding federalism. (Sec. 426) Prohibits the obligation of funds provided in this Act after February 15, 2000, unless each agency that receives such funds provides justifications to the Appropriations Committees for all salary and expense activities for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 427) Amends the Fair Housing Act to require prospective complainants, before filing a complaint involving a published notice, statement, or advertisement that indicates a preference or discrimination with respect to the sale or rental of housing, to serve a prospective respondent with notice of the alleged violation to allow remedial action by the respondent. Prohibits an administrative action from being brought by the prospective complainant if the respondent acts to cease publication of the alleged item in violation within 72 hours of receipt of notice or prior to the next publication, whichever is greater. Bars civil actions by aggrieved persons under the same circumstances.
Bill· SS. 1590 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
Surface Transportation Board Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to require a rail carrier or corporation that is involved in a purchase and sale, a lease, or a corporate consolidation or merger transaction that has been approved or exempted by the Surface Transportation Board, and which is exempt from State regulation, to obtain, before such transaction can be carried out, the assent of a majority (or the number required under applicable State law) of the votes of the holders of the capital stock of such corporation. Revises certain requirements to subject employee protective arrangements to specified conditions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2869 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
States that, for the purpose of improving interstate traffic flow and relieving traffic burdens on highways, the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to carry out specified highway construction projects in Nebraska and Iowa, including a bridge across the Missouri River. Designates a specified portion of such construction as an Interstate System route. Provides that the mileage of such route shall not be charged against established limitations.
Bill· SS. 1576 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1999
Establishes the Airline Deregulation Study Commission to study and report to the President and Congress on the impact of deregulation of the U.S. airline industry, particularly on small-sized and medium-sized communities. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1509 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act Amendments of 1999 - Amends the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 to: (1) revise requirements regarding affected programs to include programs for assisting Indian youth and adults to succeed in the workforce, encouraging self-sufficiency, familiarizing them with the world of work, facilitating the creation of job opportunities, and any services related to these activities (replacing current law requirements of job training, tribal work experience, employment opportunities, or skill development, or any program designed for the enhancement of job opportunities or employment training); (2) require the Secretary of the Interior to reconsider disapproval of any statutory waiver requested by a tribe; and (3) authorize the use of a percentage of funds made available under the Act for the creation of employment opportunities. Permits a regional consortium of Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations to carry out a project under a plan that meets the Act's requirements through a resolution adopted by the governing body of that consortium or corporation. Provides that such authorization shall not prohibit such a village or corporation from withdrawing from participation in any portion of a program. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior, Health and Human Services, and Labor, and the tribes and organizations participating in the integration initiative under the Act to report to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the House Committee on Resources on the opportunities for expanding the integration of human resource development and economic development programs, and the feasibility of establishing Joint Funding Agreements to authorize tribes to access and coordinate funds and resources from various agencies for purposes of human development, physical infrastructure development, and economic development assistance in general. Requires such report to identify programs or activities that might be integrated and make recommendations for the removal of any statutory or other barriers to such integration.
Bill· SS. 1510 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
United States Cruise Ship Tourism Development Act of 1999 - Title I: Operations Under Permit - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a permit for an eligible cruise vessel to operate in the transportation of passengers in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States. Terminates permit-issuance authority after three years. Sets forth itinerary operating requirements. Prohibits permitted cruise vessels operating in domestic itineraries from operating as ferries, carrying for hire both passengers and cargo, and operating between or among the islands of Hawaii. Provides for approving limited employment of foreign flag vessels. Requires the establishment of a priority system for cruise vessels, first priority being given to U.S.-built or rebuilt vessels. Prohibits eligible cruise vessels from operating in a domestic itinerary unless a proposed itinerary has been submitted. Title II: Post-Permit Operations of Eligible Cruise Vessels - Sets forth the requirements to be met following the expiration of a permit issued under this Act for an eligible cruise vessel not documented under the laws of the United States. Title III: Other Provisions - Amends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 relating to risk factors. Makes special provision for vessels carrying passengers for hire into Glacier Bay or other National Park Service areas.
Law· SS. 1515 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 1999 - Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to revise eligibility requirements for claims relating to: (1) atmospheric nuclear testing and leukemia; (2) uranium mining as it pertains to individuals employed in the transport of uranium ore or vanadium-uranium ore and additional designated eligible State sites; (3) written documentation of pertinent diagnoses; (4) determination and payment of claims; (5) application of Native American law and Native American considerations to claims; (6) resubmittal of previously denied claims; and (7) reduction of attorney's fees. Directs the General Accounting Office to submit detailed, periodic status reports to Congress. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of grants (including grants through the Indian Health Service) to certain Federal, State, or local medical centers, or nonprofit organizations for education, prevention, and early detection of radiogenic cancers and diseases. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1501 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish in the Department of Transportation a Motor Carrier Safety Administration, with a separate motor coach division, which shall perform all functions currently performed by the Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety of the Federal Highway Administration. (Sec. 3) Authorizes appropriations, with specified amounts earmarked for State grants, including emergency grants to any State whose commercial driver's license program is in danger of designation as failing to fulfill compliance requirements. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement the safety improvement recommendations in the Department of Transportation Inspector General's Report TR-1999-91. (Sec. 5) Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from issuing a special license or permit 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: (1) the individual is disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle; or (2) the individual's driver's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Requires a State to maintain, as part of its driver information system, a record of each violation by, or conviction under, a State or local motor vehicle traffic control law while operating a motor vehicle (except a parking violation) for each individual who holds a commercial driver's license. Changes from mandatory to discretionary the Secretary's authority to withhold specified percentages of apportionments from States that do not substantially comply with Federal requirements with respect to commercial motor vehicle driver licensing. Directs the Secretary to initiate rulemaking to: (1) require a Federal medical qualification certificate as part of State-issued commercial drivers' licenses; and (2) establish a national registry of preferred medical providers. Specifies the Secretary's authority to decertify States in substantial noncompliance with Federal requirements. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in cooperation with the Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to carry out a program with the States to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes, including crash causation, involving commercial motor vehicles. Directs the Secretary to establish a department-wide policy to ensure the protection of privacy for any individual or entity utilizing electronic event recorders or other technology to monitor vehicle and operator performance or location. Applies specified safety regulations to eight-passenger vehicles. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Committee. (Sec. 8) Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary, for all transportation projects receiving Federal funding, to ensure that: (1) reserves for owner-controlled insurance programs do not exceed current and projected liabilities for claims; and (2) adjustments in owner-controlled insurance program premiums and reserves are made at least annually. Requires return to the Federal government of any refunds of insurance premiums or reserve amounts, including interest, that exceed a project's liabilities.
Bill· SS. 1559 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Title I: Motor Carrier Safety - Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in prescribing regulations on minimum standards for testing and ensuring the fitness of an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle, to require that such individual has received training, including in-vehicle training, in the safe operation of a motor vehicle of the type the individual operates or will operate. (Sec. 102) Requires a State, in order to avoid withholding of its apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds, to comply with certain commercial driver's license requirements, including to: (1) record on a driver's commercial driver's license record each conviction for a moving traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; (2) not issue a commercial driver's license to an individual within three years after the date the individual was convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; and (3) not issue a special license or permit to a commercial driver's license holder that permits the driver 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's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Requires the Secretary, if a State is not in substantial compliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to transfer up to five percent of the State's apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds to amounts made available to such State for enforcement of Federal and State programs for improving motor carrier safety, including commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary, in prescribing regulations for determining the safety fitness of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle, to require that no owners or operators beginning commercial motor vehicle operations after enactment of this Act will be determined fit unless they have attended a program that educates them on at least safety, size and weight, and financial responsibility regulations administered by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to assess a fee to defray the cost of the program. (Sec. 104) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to prohibit the redistribution to a State of its unused apportionment of funds for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs during a fiscal year, if the State that fails to reduce the number of fatalities in a year resulting from commercial motor vehicle crashes by at least five percent. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for comment, to issue regulations requiring the installation and use of on-board recorders or other technologies on commercial motor vehicles to manage driver hours of service. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods used to compensate drivers of commercial motor vehicles, and how they may affect safety and compliance with State and Federal motor carrier safety requirements (including hours of service regulations), including ways safety could be improved through changes in driver compensation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary to expend a specified amount from certain Federal-aid highway funds each fiscal year to carry out public information and education programs to prevent crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. (Sec. 108) Requires the Secretary to amend a specified regulation to require the periodic updating of the Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, by each motor carrier conducting operations in interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends Federal transportation law to subject to civil and criminal penalties, to the same extent as the motor carrier or driver committing such violation, any person who knowingly aids, abets, commands, or induces a violation of Federal regulations pertaining to qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards with respect to motor carriers (including migrant worker motor carriers). (Sec. 110) Redefines "imminent hazard" for which a commercial motor vehicle may be ordered out of service to mean any violation, or series of violations, of specified Federal commercial motor carrier safety regulations that could result in a highway crash if not discontinued within 24 hours. (Sec.111) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program with one or more States to develop innovative methods (including use of photography and other imaging technologies) of improving compliance with traffic laws, including those pertaining to highway-rail grade crossings. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to conduct research on heavy vehicle safety, including measures to improve braking and stability, measures to improve vehicle compatibility in crashes between heavier and lighter vehicles, and measures to improve the performance of motor vehicle drivers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, in cooperation with the States, to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes involving commercial vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants to States for the development and enforcement of Federal and State regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety; and (2) the establishment and operation of motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information systems and data analysis programs to support safety regulatory and enforcement activities. Title II: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal rail transportation law to promote the establishment of emergency notification systems utilizing toll-free telephone numbers that the public can use to convey to railroad carriers (either directly or through public safety personnel) information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 203) Amends railroad trespassing and vandalism provisions to require the Secretary to evaluate and review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding, among other things, violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals, and develop model prevention strategies and enforcement laws to be used for the consideration of State and local legislatures and governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 204) Directs each railroad carrier to report to the Secretary, with periodic updates, certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which such carrier operates.
Bill· SS. 1511 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
21st Century School Modernization Act - Title I: School Modernization and Improvement - Establishes a grants program for modernization of public elementary and secondary education facilities. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to award such grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) in specified categories based on numbers of students enrolled, and to set maximum award amounts for each such category. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve not more than one percent of program funds to provide assistance to Indian schools. (Sec. 102) Sets forth requirements for grant award criteria, allocation among categories, and frequency. (Sec. 103) Sets forth application requirements for eligible LEAs. (Sec. 104) Requires grant funds to be used only to ensure the health and safety of students through the repair, renovation, alteration, or construction of a public elementary school or secondary school facility. Authorizes use of grant funds to meet specified requirements under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Sec. 105) Sets forth general program provisions for the Secretary, relating to budget and accounting, use of funds, legal powers, and applicability of the Government Corporation Control Act. (Sec. 106) Requires program contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers and mechanics at least at the rate required under the Davis-Bacon Act, and provides for coverage under the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act. (Sec. 107) Sets forth requirements for maintenance of effort, supplementation of other funds, and environmental safeguards. Prohibits use of grant funds for acquiring real property, for paying associated maintenance costs, or for athletic and similar facilities. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to reserve not more than one percent of program funds for data collection, studies and evaluations, and a report to the Congress. (Sec. 109) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: State Infrastructure Banks for Schools - Establishes a pilot program for State infrastructure banks. (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants to State infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks in States that have entered into cooperative agreements to provide initial capital for loans to LEAs for building or repairing public elementary or secondary schools and to public libraries for building or repairing library facilities. Sets forth requirements for such State infrastructure banks, including provisions for loan applications, criteria for loans, qualifying projects, Davis-Bacon wage rate coverage, program administration costs, and Secretarial review and report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Schools as Centers of the Community - Establishes a grants program to assist LEAs and their communities to increase the involvement of parents, teachers, students, and community groups in the planning and design of new and renovated public elementary and secondary school buildings that: (1) enhance teaching and learning, and accommodate the needs of all learners; (2) serve as a center of the community; (3) promote health, safety, and security; (4) effectively use all available resources; and (5) are flexible and can accommodate changing community needs. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to award such one-year matching grants to LEAs participating in eligible consortia to support such planning and design. (Sec. 304) Requires such grants to be used for planning and design of a new, or of the renovation of an existing, school building. Allows grants to be used for: (1) community outreach activities; (2) developing a master plan for a school district, involving all stakeholders; and (3) administrative support. (Sec. 305) Sets forth grant application requirements for LEAs. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1537 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Brownfields Revitalization - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish programs to provide grants to eligible entities (including local government units, redevelopment agencies, States, and Indian tribes) for site characterization and assessment of, and performance of response actions at, brownfields facilities. Defines a "brownfield facility," with exceptions, as real property, the expansion or redevelopment of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, including property contaminated with a controlled substance or precursor chemical to such a substance. (Sec. 102) Adds CERCLA provisions governing owner-operator status of persons owning or operating property contiguous to a release site. Absolves such persons of liability as owners or operators, subject to certain conditions. Requires the President to delist up to 20 individual parcels of real property from the National Priorities List (NPL) annually in order to conform with amendments that exclude from the NPL properties at which no release has occurred but to which a hazardous substance has migrated. (Sec. 103) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of provisions limiting liability of fiduciaries and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 104) Deems a person, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to have undertaken appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that inquiries were undertaken in accordance with specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the Administrator). Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title II: State Response Programs - Adds CERCLA provisions requiring the Administrator to provide grants to States to establish and expand qualifying State response programs, comprised of elements including public participation opportunities, oversight and enforcement authorities, and certification mechanisms. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases subject to a State response plan. Authorizes the President to bring enforcement actions in certain instances, including cases where a State requests assistance or is unable to conduct a response action or there is a public health or environmental emergency or migration of contamination across State lines. Authorizes the President, if a State is unwilling or unable to take action to address a health or environmental emergency, to require the State to reimburse the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) for response costs incurred by the United States, with exceptions. (Sec. 202) Replaces provisions regarding the revision of the National Contingency Plan with those requiring the President to complete the evaluation of facilities classified as awaiting an NPL decision to determine the risk to public health or welfare or the environment posed by each facility as compared with other facilities. Prohibits additions to the NPL without concurrence from the Governor of the State in which the affected facility is located. Directs the Administrator, from amounts appropriated under CERCLA, to fund a cooperative agreement for an independent analysis of the projected ten-year costs for the implementation of the Superfund program. (Sec. 203) Alters the criteria for the continuance of obligations for removal actions to provide that actions shall not continue after $5 million (currently, $2 million) has been obligated or three years (currently, 12 months) have elapsed from the date of initial response to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances. (Sec. 204) Revises conditions for State financial and other assurances with respect to remedial actions to prohibit the Administrator from providing any funding for such actions unless the State enters into an agreement that provides assurances for State payment of ten percent of the costs of the action and operation and maintenance costs. Permits the Administrator to require a State contribution of 50 percent of the costs of any sums expended in response to a release at a facility that was operated by a State or political subdivision at the time of any disposal of hazardous substances. Title III: Fair Share Liability Allocations and Protections - Creates exceptions to liability for response costs at NPL-listed facilities for certain: (1) home owners or renters, small businesses, or small nonprofit organizations with respect to certain arrangements for, or transport of, municipal solid waste (MSW) or sewage sludge; (2) de micromis contributors; and (3) small businesses. Establishes limitations to liability for certain codisposal landfills (certain MSW or sewage sludge landfills that may have received hazardous waste and that contain predominately MSW or sewage sludge transported from outside the facility). Provides for settlements with certain parties whose liability is based on arrangement, transport, or acceptance provisions with respect to MSW or sewage sludge at NPL facilities. Absolves persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of, or transported, recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Excludes from the definition of "recyclable material" certain shipping containers having hazardous substances and any material containing polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Considers transactions involving recyclable material that consists of used oil to be arranging for recycling if the person involved did not mix such material with a hazardous substance following the removal of the oil from service and demonstrates that the material was sent to a facility that recycled used oil by using it as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product or: (1) demonstrates that the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; (2) demonstrates that, with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; and (3) was in compliance with regulations or standards for the management of used oil under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Exempts from liability certain railroad owners or operators of spur tracks whose tracks meet specified conditions and who did not cause or contribute to the release concerned. Limits liability for certain organizations that hold title to a vessel or facility as a result of a charitable gift. (Sec. 302) Adds to the list of parties eligible for expedited final settlements certain persons, small businesses, or municipalities that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties. (Sec. 303) Requires the President to initiate an impartial fair share allocation, conducted by a neutral third party at NPL facilities if: (1) there is more than one potentially responsible party (PRP) that is not eligible for specified exemptions or limitations to liability, eligible for an expedited final settlement, or insolvent, bankrupt, or defunct; and (2) at least one of the PRPs agrees to bear the costs of the allocation under conditions prescribed by the President. Requires the allocator to estimate the fair share of each PRP using specified equitable factors. Includes within such allocations response costs at NPL facilities that are not addressed in an administrative settlement or settlement or judgment approved by a Federal district court. Authorizes a party to settle any liability to the United States for response costs for its allocated fair share. Authorizes the President and the Attorney General to jointly reject an allocation report under certain conditions. Allocates shares attributable to insolvent, defunct, or bankrupt parties, or unattributable shares, among responsible parties, except certain parties with limited liability described by this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding orphan shares. Stays all contribution and cost recovery actions against parties eligible for expedited final settlements and those eligible for settlements based on certain limitations on liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge until the Administrator offers a settlement. Suspends any statute of limitations applicable to such actions during the period that a stay is in effect. Bars the President from issuing orders with respect to abatement actions at a facility to any non-Federal party or commencing or maintaining any new or existing action to recover response costs if he fails to fund a statutory orphan share, reimburse a party, or include an orphan share estimate in any settlement when required to do so. Declares that settlements under allocation provisions, those regarding expedited final settlements, and settlements for parties with limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge shall provide complete protection from all claims for contribution or cost recovery for response costs addressed in the settlement. Authorizes a party to retain the right to seek cost recovery or contribution for costs outside the scope of an allocation except from certain parties with limited liability described by this Act or those who have settled. Makes persons who commence contribution actions against parties who are not liable or who have resolved liability liable to such persons for all reasonable costs of defending the action. Provides that parties that settle liability under allocation provisions or provisions regarding expedited final settlements or limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge waive rights to seek cost recovery or contribution. Authorizes the President, as a condition of a settlement under allocation provisions or those regarding limited liability for the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge, to require parties to conduct a response action. Requires the President to reimburse such parties for costs incurred in excess of a party's allocated fair share. Bars a court from approving any settlement under this Act unless it includes an estimate of the statutory orphan share that is fair, reasonable, and consistent. Title IV: Remedy Selection and Natural Resource Damages - Revises provisions regarding selection of remedial actions to require the selection process to include, for any discrete area containing a principal hazardous constituent of a hazardous substance that poses a substantial health or environmental risk because of high toxicity or mobility, a preference for an action that includes treatment that reduces the risk. Authorizes the President, with respect to such a discrete area, to select a final containment remedy at a landfill, mining site, or similar facility under certain conditions. Requires remedial actions to require a level or standard of control for each hazardous substance that at least attains the substantive requirements of all promulgated standards under: (1) each Federal environmental law legally applicable to the action or to the level of cleanup for the substance concerned; (2) any more stringent and legally applicable State environmental or facility siting law that the State demonstrates is of general applicability, is identified to the President as being applicable, and has consistently applied to other remedial actions in the State; and (3) any such State law promulgated after this Act's enactment. Sets forth conditions under which the President may select a remedial action that does not attain such level or standard of control. Requires a remedial action, if no applicable Federal or State standard is established for a specific hazardous substance, to attain a standard protective of human health and the environment. (Sec. 402) Directs the President, in selecting a remedial action, to conduct and utilize a facility-specific risk evaluation. Describes requirements for, and uses of, such evaluations. (Sec. 403) Revises provisions regarding natural resource damages to permit the measure of such damages to include only the reasonable costs of: (1) restoring, replacing, or acquiring the equivalent of an injured, destroyed, or lost natural resource to reinstate its human uses and environmental functions; (2) providing an equivalent resource during the period of any interim lost use to the extent that a substitute is not reasonably available; and (3) assessing the damages. (Sec. 404) Prohibits double recovery for natural resource damages under CERCLA and other laws. Title V: Funding - Revises provisions regarding uses of Superfund. Requires the President to use amounts appropriated out of Superfund only to: (1) enter into mixed funding agreements; (2) reimburse a party for response costs incurred in excess of the allocated share as described in a final settlement; and (3) perform response actions. Authorizes appropriations from Superfund for FY 2000 through 2004. Prohibits claims against Superfund from being valid or paid in excess of the total amount in Superfund at any one time. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health assessments and consultations and related activities; (2) hazardous substance research, demonstration, and training; (3) brownfields grant programs; (4) qualifying State response programs; and (5) the Department of Justice for enforcement.
Bill· SS. 1558 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Community Open Space Bonds Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a tax credit to holders of Community Open Space bonds (as defined), the proceeds of which are used for qualified environmental infrastructure projects (as defined); and (2) establish in the Executive Branch and authorize appropriations for, a Community Open Space Bonds Board.
Bill· SS. 1524 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Motor Carrier Safety Specialist Certification Act - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a training and certification program, to be administered by a tax exempt organization that specializes in developing and administering such procedures, for Federal, State, and local government and nongovernmental motor carrier safety specialists. Requires the Secretary, as part of maintaining a clearinghouse on motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information, to accept and include information obtained from certified nongovernmental motor carrier safety specialists. Requires such information be made available to the public. Directs the Secretary to work with the Motor Carrier Safety Specialist Certification Board to establish and carry out a public education campaign to promote the use of safety performance information in the decision-making process for hiring motor carriers. Defines "motor carrier safety specialist" to mean an individual responsible for conducting regulatory compliance reviews and safety inspections of commercial motor carriers.
Bill· HRH.R. 2777 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Transportation Infrastructure and Local Government Capital Enhancement Act - Establishes the Federal Bank for Infrastructure Modernization. Authorizes the Bank to make loans to any State, local government, Indian tribe, and regional or multistate organization for the development of certain transportation- and water and hazardous treatment-related capital infrastructure facility projects. Sets forth specified loan and borrower eligibility requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 2776 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Animal Welfare Title II: Transportation Safe Air Travel for Animals Act - Title I: Animal Welfare - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define "transport" with respect to air carrier transport of animals. Requires airlines to report to: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture in advance of any flight that will be carrying a live animal; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Transportation concerning injury, loss, death, or mistreatment of a carried animal. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) make such information available to the public; and (2) forward animal-injury consumer complaints to the Secretary of Agriculture. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to include animal-injury information in the annual report on animal transportation. Title II: Transportation - Amends Federal law to require airlines to include in their contract of carriage policies and procedures for animal transportation safety. Amends Federal law to provide civil penalties and compensation for animal loss, injury, or death during air transport. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide for animal safety cargo hold improvements.
Bill· HRH.R. 2775 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Safe and Efficient Passenger Van Act - Amends Federal transportation law to grant the States authority to regulate for safety purposes the operation of commercial vans. Defines "commercial van" to mean a motor vehicle providing regular route transportation service for compensation and having a capacity of not more than 15 passengers, including the driver. Authorizes the use of Federal motor carrier safety grants for oversight and enforcement of State motor carrier safety regulations regarding the operation of such vans.
Bill· HRH.R. 2788 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Biofuels Air Quality Act - Amends Federal highway provisions (with respect to the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to consider a proposed project's effects on the reduction of greenhouse gases and sulfur emissions. Allows States receiving minimum apportionments to use funds under the program for alternative fuel projects that reduce such gases and emissions. Modifies provisions regarding alternative fuel projects to expand coverage to include: (1) public and nonprofit (currently, limited to privately owned) vehicles or vehicle fleets; and (2) costs of biodiesel fuel, blended at a ratio of 20 percent with conventional diesel fuel .
Bill· HRH.R. 2784 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to declare as primary objectives for U.S. rail transportation policy: (1) ensuring effective competition among rail carriers at origin and destination; (2) maintaining reasonable rates in the absence of such competition; (3) maintaining consistent and efficient rail transportation service to shippers, including the timely provision of railcars requested by them; and (4) ensuring that smaller carload and intermodal shippers are not precluded from accessing rail systems due to volume requirements. (Sec. 5) Requires a rail carrier, upon a shipper's request, to establish a rail transportation rate and provide service requested by the shipper between any two points on the carrier's system where traffic originates, terminates, or may reasonably be interchanged. Authorizes the shipper to challenge the reasonableness of the rate established. Requires the Surface Transportation Board to then determine the reasonableness of the rate so challenged without regard to whether: (1) the rate established is for only part of a movement between an origin and a destination; (2) the shipper has made arrangements for transportation for any other part of such movement; or (3) the shipper currently has a contract with a rail carrier for any part of the rail traffic at issue, provided that the rate prescribed by the Board shall not apply to transportation covered by such contract. (Sec. 6) Prohibits the Board from imposing fees in excess of $1,000 for certain administrative services collected from an eligible facility in connection with rail maximum rate complaints. Prohibits a rail carrier from charging a rate for shipments from or to an eligible facility which results in a revenue-to-variable cost percentage (using system average costs) for transportation service to which the rate applies that is greater than 180 percent. Requires a rail carrier to accept all requests for grain service from an eligible facility up to a maximum of 110 percent of the grain carloads shipped from or to the facility in the preceding calendar year. Authorizes an eligible facility to request that an alternative rail carrier provide such service using the tracks of the original carrier if such carrier does not initiate service within a specified time. Requires the alternative carrier to compensate the other carrier for use of its tracks. (Sec. 7) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Board to require terminal facilities (including main-line tracks for a reasonable distance outside of a terminal) owned by a rail carrier providing rail transportation to be used by another rail carrier if the Board finds that use to be practicable and in the public interest without substantially impairing the carrier's ability to handle its own business. Declares that the Board, in making such determination, shall not require evidence of anticompetitive conduct by the rail carrier from which access is being sought. Makes similar changes to require rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements where such agreements are necessary to provide competitive rail service. (Sec. 8) Prohibits the Board from considering evidence of product or geographic competition when making market dominance determinations in rail rate proceedings. (Sec. 9) Amends U.S. rail transportation policy to repeal the mandate that the Board determine adequate revenues for rail carriers. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require, by regulation, each rail carrier to submit a monthly report containing certain information, including its on-time performance, car availability deadline performance, average train speed, average terminal dwell time, the number of its cars loaded (by major commodity group), and other aspects of its performance as a rail carrier. Requires the Secretary to make such report available to the Board, Congress, and to the public.
Bill· HRH.R. 2766 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Foreign Truck Safety Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit foreign commercial motor vehicles that enter the United States along the U.S.-Mexico border from operation in the United States by a foreign motor carrier or a foreign motor private carrier unless such vehicles have passed, in the 12-month period preceding entry into the United States, a federally-ordered safety equipment inspection. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation or a State to impose and collect a fee on such carriers to cover the costs of such inspections.
Law· HRH.R. 2724 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for the water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development project for Jackson County, Mississippi, and provide a project for the elimination or control of combined sewer overflows for the County; (2) decrease the authorization of appropriations for the water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development project for Elizabeth, New Jersey; and (3) increase the authorization of appropriations for such a project for North Hudson, New Jersey, and modify such project to provide for the elimination or control of combined sewer overflows for the North Hudson Sewerage Authority (currently, for such overflows in North Hudson).
Bill· HRH.R. 2720 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that capitalization grants to States for the establishment of water pollution control revolving funds ( revolving funds) shall be for providing assistance to accomplish the purposes of such Act. (Currently, such grants are provided for assistance for specific purposes.) Removes certain requirements for States with respect to construction of treatment works under capitalization grant agreements. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist states in establishing simplified procedures for small water systems to obtain assistance under the Act. Requires amounts available to revolving funds to be used only for providing assistance to activities which have as a principal benefit the improvement or protection of water quality of navigable waters. Adds activities to the list of those which may be assisted. Provides for a repayment period of the lesser of 40 years or the expected life of the project to be financed with loan proceeds with respect to loans made to disadvantaged communities from revolving funds. Requires loans made from such funds to be fully amortized upon the expiration of the loan term (currently, no later than 20 years after project completion). Requires such funds to provide: (1) loan guarantees for developing and implementing innovative technologies; and (2) technical, planning, and other specified assistance to small systems. Treats a treatment works as a publicly owned treatment works, for purposes of eligibility for construction assistance from a revolving fund, if the treatment works, without regard to ownership, would be considered a publicly owned treatment works and is principally treating municipal waste water or domestic sewage. Provides for negative interest rates of up to two percent to reduce the unpaid principal on loans from revolving funds made to disadvantaged communities. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for the revolving fund program.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 173 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the open infrastructure of the Internet should be safeguarded, especially against discriminatory access by telecommunications carriers; (2) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should complete a proceeding ensuring a competitive, nondiscriminatory environment for broadband access to the Internet over cable systems; and (3) the FCC should continue to seek to ensure such environment.
Bill· SS. 1496 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1999
Federal Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 1999 - Title I: Hours of Service - Amends Federal transportation law to define "dually employed" to mean being at the same time in the employ of two or more railroad carriers, of two or more railroad contractors, or of both one or more railroad carriers and one or more railroad contractors. Declares that a railroad carrier and a railroad contractor (and their managers, supervisors, officers, and agents), if such carrier or contractor has actual knowledge of a train employee's dual employment and schedule, shall not require or allow the employee to remain or go on duty, nor may such employee remain or go on duty: (1) unless that employee has had at least eight consecutive hours off duty during the prior 24 hours; or (2) after that employee has been on duty for 12 consecutive hours, until that employee has had at least ten consecutive hours off duty. Makes similar changes with respect to signal employees and dispatching service employees. (Sec. 105) Makes certain sleeping quarters limitations and imputed knowledge provisions applicable to railroad carrier managers and supervisors. (Sec. 106) Requires each Class I, Class II, and Class III railroad carrier, each railroad carrier providing intercity rail passenger transportation, and each railroad carrier providing commuter or other short-haul railroad passenger service in a metropolitan or suburban area, to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a fatigue management plan designed to reduce: (1) fatigue experienced by railroad employees covered by hours of service laws; and (2) the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by such fatigue. (Sec. 107) Provides a process for the waiver of requirements contained in this Act. (Sec. 108) Prohibits a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents from providing sleeping quarters (including crew quarters, camp or bunk cars, and trailers) for employees, and any individuals employed to maintain the right of way of a railroad carrier in an area or in the immediate vicinity of an area in which railroad switching or humping operations are performed. Title II: Monitoring of Railroad Radio Communications - Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to monitor railroad radio communications for purposes of conducting any rulemaking, investigating accidents, and acquiring general railroad safety information on railroad operations. Prohibits the use of information obtained from such monitoring as evidence for the assessment or collection of civil penalties or for implementation of other enforcement activities, except as background for further investigation which might lead to the discovery of other useful evidence. Prohibits such information from being conveyed to a railroad carrier. (Sec. 202) Amends Federal criminal law to authorize officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary in the normal course of employment and in furtherance of Federal railroad safety laws to intercept radio communications broadcast to a railroad carrier and disclose or use the information in conducting rulemaking, investigating accidents, and in acquiring general information as to railroad operations. Title III: Rulemaking Authority - Amends Federal transportation law to require a rail carrier, if no qualifying accident or incident occurs, to report at least quarterly to the Secretary on all accidents and incidents resulting in injury or death to an individual or damage to equipment or a roadbed arising from the carrier's operations during such period. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations governing noise emissions from high-speed rail systems (including magnetic levitation systems) when operating at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. Provides that railroad-related noise regulations under the Noise Control Act of 1972 shall govern noise emissions from locomotives and cars that operate at speeds equal to or less than 150 miles per hour. Title IV: Whistleblower Protection - Revises certain railroad employee protection requirements to prohibit a rail carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee because the employee: (1) notified, or attempted to notify, the carrier of a work-related personal injury or illness; (2) cooperated with a safety investigation; (3) refuses to authorize the use of safety-related equipment, track, or structures because he or she believes that they are in a hazardous condition and their use would endanger human life; and (4) where possible, has notified the carrier not to use hazardous equipment, track, or structures, unless they are repaired properly or replaced. (Sec. 401) Permits resolution of any dispute, grievance, or claim arising under this title through a tort action brought by the employee in a U.S. district court. Declares that if an employee has been found by the National Railroad Adjustment Board or the court to have been discharged, suspended, or otherwise discriminated against, the Board or the court: (1) may award reasonable damages (including punitive damages) sufficient (up to $100,000) to deter the carrier from such conduct in the future; and (2) shall make the employee whole, including reinstatement, with an award of back pay, and with all benefits and accumulated seniority. Title V: Grade Crossing Safety - Revises grade crossing safety requirements to direct the Secretary to promote establishment of emergency toll-free telephone numbers the public can use to convey to railroad carriers information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 503) Requires each railroad carrier to: (1) report to the Secretary certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which the carrier operates; or (2) otherwise ensure that such information has been reported to the Secretary by a specified date. Sets forth similar requirements for each State. Requires each carrier and State to report such information periodically to the Secretary. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such requirements. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the adjustment of civil penalties for inflation with respect to violations of Federal railroad safety law. (Sec. 602) Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to prohibit a State from continuing in force any State law, rule, or standard adopted before enactment of this Act requiring any railroad in the Region to employ any specified number of persons to perform any particular task, function, or operation, or requiring the railroad to pay protective benefits to its employees. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary to impose on, and collect fees from, railroad carriers to cover the costs related to railroad safety inspections and Federal Railroad Administration activities in connection to the transportation of hazardous materials. (Sec. 604) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1477 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act - Directs the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board to: (1) propose and develop a list of priority regional transportation projects (including those that cannot be funded with Federal, State, and local transportation funds) and regional funding mechanisms needed to address the growing congestion crisis in the metropolitan Washington region; (2) manage the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation to provide funding for such projects; (3) provide notice and opportunity for public comment; (4) promote cooperative action by metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions on regional transportation issues; and (5) if necessary, assist such jurisdictions in developing an interstate compact or agreement to better meet regional transportation needs. (Sec. 5) Authorizes one or more of the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions to enter into an interstate compact or agreement to finance and implement one or more of the priority regional transportation projects from the Board's long-range plan if consent is granted by: (1) the Governor of each State that enters into the compact or agreement; and (2) the Mayor of the District of Columbia, if the District of Columbia enters into such compact or agreement. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation, which shall assist in the management of any initial funding and implementation of an interstate agreement or compact to reduce traffic congestion or improve travel options in the metropolitan Washington region. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees on the progress of the Board in developing cooperative transportation plans and regional funding mechanisms to meet transportation needs in the metropolitan Washington region. (Sec. 7) Declares that funding provided under any regional transportation program developed under this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal, State, and local transportation funding for the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to maintain fiscal year expenditures at not less than the preceding fiscal year's level. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 2684 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery Administration; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (8) community development block grants; (9) brownfields redevelopment; (10) the HOME investment partnerships program; (11) homeless assistance grants; (12) housing for special populations; (13) the Federal Housing Administration; (14) the Government National Mortgage Association; (15) housing policy development and research; (16) fair housing activities; (17) the Lead Hazard Reduction Program; (18) management and administration; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 204) Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to extend certain provisions regarding grants to otherwise ineligible States for housing for persons with AIDS. (Sec. 205) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Extends to FY 2000 a provision that increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1999. (Sec. 207) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of HUD to establish income ceilings, with respect to eligibility for public housing or project-based Section 8 assistance, that are higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income based on findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes. (Sec. 208) Establishes the Millenial Housing Commission to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the importance of housing, particularly affordable housing, to U.S. infrastructure; (2) possible methods for increasing the role of the private sector in providing affordable housing; and (3) whether existing HUD programs work in conjunction with one another to provide better housing opportunities for families, neighborhoods, and communities and how such programs can be improved with respect to such purpose. Terminates the Commission on June 30, 2002. (Sec. 210) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of HUD to reuse any budget authority recaptured on account of expiration of a housing assistance payments contract. Removes: (1) a condition that applies such authority only to contracts other than those for tenant-based assistance; and (2) a provision that makes such authority effective only for actions initiated by the Secretary on or before September 30, 1995. (Sec. 211) Provides for enhanced vouchers for families in projects with expiring contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Provides for indefinite enhanced voucher assistance for certain families whose rent, absent such assistance, would exceed the greater of 30 percent of adjusted income or the rent paid, to the extent that amounts are provided in advance in appropriations Acts pursuant to provisions for preserving existing housing investment under the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997. (Sec. 212) Rescinds a specified amount of funds appropriated to HUD in the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 and prior appropriations Acts. (Sec. 213) Makes appropriations for: (1) a grant to the National Cities in Schools Community Development program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992; and (2) the Moving to Work Demonstration program. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission;(5) the Office of Inspector General; (6) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (7) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; (7) the Flood Map Modernization Fund; (8) the National Flood Insurance Fund; and (9) the National Flood Mitigation Fund. Cancels indebtedness of the FEMA Director resulting from amounts borrowed for certain national insurance programs pursuant to the National Housing Act before this Act's enactment date. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for human space flight, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 422) Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to decrease the maximum amount authorized to be issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority as bonds for financing its power program. (Sec. 423) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act for publication of a specified global change scientific assessment under the Global Change Research Act of 1990 unless: (1) the supporting research has been subjected to peer review and, if not otherwise publicly available, posted electronically for public comment prior to use in the assessment; and (2) the draft assessment has been published in the Federal Register for a 60-day public comment period.
Bill· HRH.R. 2679 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 - Title I: National Motor Carrier Administration - Establishes the National Motor Carrier Administration within the Department of Transportation, to be headed by an Administrator 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 percent of such funds for administrative expenses related to administering motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety research. (Sec. 102) 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. 103) 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. 104) Authorizes additional appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for the motor carrier safety grant program for FY 2000 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 2000 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 1999 levels. 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. 105) Directs the Secretary to establish in the Administration 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 serious offenses 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 meet 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) Directs the Secretary in prescribing regulations on minimum standards for testing and ensuring the fitness of an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle to include, among other things, minimum testing standards for the operation of a school bus in a State that elects to issue a commercial driver's license school bus endorsement. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe different minimum testing standards for different classes of school buses. (Sec. 203) 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) notify State officials of the State in which an individual has committed a (non-parking) violation of the State's motor vehicle control traffic law and has a commercial driver's license that has been issued by another State; (2) 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; and (3) revoke, suspend, or cancel for a specified time the commercial driver's license of an individual who has been convicted of serious offenses involving a noncommercial motor vehicle. (Sec. 204) Requires the Secretary, if a State is not in substantial compliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to: (1) issue an order declaring all such licenses issued by such State as invalid; and (2) prohibit such State from issuing any more commercial driver's licenses. (Sec. 205) 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. 206) Directs a State, before issuing an individual a 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. 207) 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. 208) 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. 209) 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 the Department of Transportation and the States to 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 2681 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, as soon as practicable after being notified of a rail passenger accident involving a major loss of life, to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a Board employee who shall be a director of family support services responsible for acting as a point of contact within the Federal Government for the families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident and a liaison between the rail passenger carrier and the families; and (2) designate an independent nonprofit organization (with experience in disasters and posttrauma communication with families) which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care and support of the families of passengers involved in such accidents. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Board and designated organization. Directs each rail passenger carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the Board a plan for addressing the needs of the families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident resulting in a major loss of life. Shields a rail passenger carrier from liability for damages (except for gross negligence or intentional misconduct) in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the carrier's performance in preparing or providing a passenger list, or in providing information concerning a train reservation, pursuant to the carrier's plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 2683 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Federal Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 1999 - Title I: Hours of Service - Amends Federal transportation law to define "dually employed" to mean being at the same time in the employ of two or more railroad carriers, of two or more railroad contractors, or of both one or more railroad carriers and one or more railroad contractors. Declares that a railroad carrier and a railroad contractor (and their managers, supervisors, officers, and agents), if such carrier or contractor has actual knowledge of a train employee's dual employment and schedule, shall not require or allow the employee to remain or go on duty, nor may such employee remain or go on duty: (1) unless that employee has had at least eight consecutive hours off duty during the prior 24 hours; or (2) after that employee has been on duty for 12 consecutive hours, until that employee has had at least ten consecutive hours off duty. Makes similar changes with respect to signal employees and dispatching service employees. (Sec. 105) Makes certain sleeping quarters limitations and imputed knowledge provisions applicable to railroad carrier managers and supervisors. (Sec. 106) Requires each Class I, Class II, and Class III railroad carrier, each railroad carrier providing intercity rail passenger transportation, and each railroad carrier providing commuter or other short-haul railroad passenger service in a metropolitan or suburban area, to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a fatigue management plan designed to reduce: (1) fatigue experienced by railroad employees covered by hours of service laws; and (2) the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by such fatigue. (Sec. 107) Provides a process for the waiver of requirements contained in this Act. (Sec. 108) Prohibits a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents from providing sleeping quarters (including crew quarters, camp or bunk cars, and trailers) for employees, and any individuals employed to maintain the right of way of a railroad carrier in an area or in the immediate vicinity of an area in which railroad switching or humping operations are performed. Title II: Monitoring of Railroad Radio Communications - Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to monitor railroad radio communications for purposes of conducting any rulemaking, investigating accidents, and acquiring general railroad safety information on railroad operations. Prohibits the use of information obtained from such monitoring as evidence for the assessment or collection of civil penalties or for implementation of other enforcement activities, except as background for further investigation which might lead to the discovery of other useful evidence. Prohibits such information from being conveyed to a railroad carrier. (Sec. 202) Amends Federal criminal law to authorize officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary in the normal course of employment and in furtherance of Federal railroad safety laws to intercept radio communications broadcast to a railroad carrier and disclose or use the information in conducting rulemaking, investigating accidents, and in acquiring general information as to railroad operations. Title III: Rulemaking Authority - Amends Federal transportation law to require a rail carrier, if no qualifying accident or incident occurs, to report at least quarterly to the Secretary on all accidents and incidents resulting in injury or death to an individual or damage to equipment or a roadbed arising from the carrier's operations during such period. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations governing noise emissions from high-speed rail systems (including magnetic levitation systems) when operating at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. Provides that railroad-related noise regulations under the Noise Control Act of 1972 shall govern noise emissions from locomotives and cars that operate at speeds equal to or less than 150 miles per hour. Title IV: Whistleblower Protection - Revises certain railroad employee protection requirements to prohibit a rail carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee because the employee: (1) notified, or attempted to notify, the carrier of a work-related personal injury or illness; (2) cooperated with a safety investigation; (3) refuses to authorize the use of safety-related equipment, track, or structures because he or she believes that they are in a hazardous condition and their use would endanger human life; and (4) where possible, has notified the carrier not to use hazardous equipment, track, or structures, unless they are repaired properly or replaced. (Sec. 401) Permits resolution of any dispute, grievance, or claim arising under this title through a tort action brought by the employee in a U.S. district court. Declares that if an employee has been found by the National Railroad Adjustment Board or the court to have been discharged, suspended, or otherwise discriminated against, the Board or the court: (1) may award reasonable damages (including punitive damages) sufficient (up to $100,000) to deter the carrier from such conduct in the future; and (2) shall make the employee whole, including reinstatement, with an award of back pay, and with all benefits and accumulated seniority. Title V: Grade Crossing Safety - Revises grade crossing safety requirements to direct the Secretary to promote establishment of emergency toll-free telephone numbers the public can use to convey to railroad carriers information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 503) Requires each railroad carrier to: (1) report to the Secretary certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which the carrier operates; or (2) otherwise ensure that such information has been reported to the Secretary by a specified date. Sets forth similar requirements for each State. Requires each carrier and State to report such information periodically to the Secretary. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such requirements. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the adjustment of civil penalties for inflation with respect to violations of Federal railroad safety law. (Sec. 602) Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to prohibit a State from continuing in force any State law, rule, or standard adopted before enactment of this Act requiring any railroad in the Region to employ any specified number of persons to perform any particular task, function, or operation, or requiring the railroad to pay protective benefits to its employees. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary to impose on, and collect fees from, railroad carriers to cover the costs related to railroad safety inspections and Federal Railroad Administration activities in connection to the transportation of hazardous materials. (Sec. 604) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2682 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Title I: Motor Carrier Safety - Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in prescribing regulations on minimum standards for testing and ensuring the fitness of an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle, to require that such individual has received training, including in-vehicle training, in the safe operation of a motor vehicle of the type the individual operates or will operate. (Sec. 102) Requires a State, in order to avoid withholding of its apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds, to comply with certain commercial driver's license requirements, including to: (1) record on a driver's commercial driver's license record each conviction for a moving traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; (2) not issue a commercial driver's license to an individual within three years after the date the individual was convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related traffic violation, including one committed in a non-commercial motor vehicle; and (3) not issue a special license or permit to a commercial driver's license holder that permits the driver 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's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled. Requires the Secretary, if a State is not in substantial compliance with specified Federal commercial driver's license requirements, to transfer up to five percent of the State's apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds to amounts made available to such State for enforcement of Federal and State programs for improving motor carrier safety, including commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary, in prescribing regulations for determining the safety fitness of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle, to require that no owners or operators beginning commercial motor vehicle operations after enactment of this Act will be determined fit unless they have attended a program that educates them on at least safety, size and weight, and financial responsibility regulations administered by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to assess a fee to defray the cost of the program. (Sec. 104) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to prohibit the redistribution to a State of its unused apportionment of funds for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs during a fiscal year, if the State that fails to reduce the number of fatalities in a year resulting from commercial motor vehicle crashes by at least five percent. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for comment, to issue regulations requiring the installation and use of on-board recorders or other technologies on commercial motor vehicles to manage driver hours of service. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods used to compensate drivers of commercial motor vehicles, and how they may affect safety and compliance with State and Federal motor carrier safety requirements (including hours of service regulations), including ways safety could be improved through changes in driver compensation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary to expend a specified amount from certain Federal-aid highway funds each fiscal year to carry out public information and education programs to prevent crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. (Sec. 108) Requires the Secretary to amend a specified regulation to require the periodic updating of the Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, by each motor carrier conducting operations in interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends Federal transportation law to subject to civil and criminal penalties, to the same extent as the motor carrier or driver committing such violation, any person who knowingly aids, abets, commands, or induces a violation of Federal regulations pertaining to qualifications, hours of service, safety, and equipment standards with respect to motor carriers (including migrant worker motor carriers). (Sec. 110) Redefines "imminent hazard" for which a commercial motor vehicle may be ordered out of service to mean any violation, or series of violations, of specified Federal commercial motor carrier safety regulations that could result in a highway crash if not discontinued within 24 hours. (Sec.111) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program with one or more States to develop innovative methods (including use of photography and other imaging technologies) of improving compliance with traffic laws, including those pertaining to highway-rail grade crossings. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to conduct research on heavy vehicle safety, including measures to improve braking and stability, measures to improve vehicle compatibility in crashes between heavier and lighter vehicles, and measures to improve the performance of motor vehicle drivers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, in cooperation with the States, to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes involving commercial vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants to States for the development and enforcement of Federal and State regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety; and (2) the establishment and operation of motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information systems and data analysis programs to support safety regulatory and enforcement activities. Title II: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal rail transportation law to promote the establishment of emergency notification systems utilizing toll-free telephone numbers that the public can use to convey to railroad carriers (either directly or through public safety personnel) information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 203) Amends railroad trespassing and vandalism provisions to require the Secretary to evaluate and review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding, among other things, violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals, and develop model prevention strategies and enforcement laws to be used for the consideration of State and local legislatures and governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of highway-rail grade crossing signals. (Sec. 204) Directs each railroad carrier to report to the Secretary, with periodic updates, certain information concerning each highway-rail crossing through which such carrier operates.
Bill· HRH.R. 2688 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act - Directs the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board to: (1) propose and develop a list of priority regional transportation projects (including those that cannot be funded with Federal, State, and local transportation funds) and regional funding mechanisms needed to address the growing congestion crisis in the metropolitan Washington region; (2) manage the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation to provide funding for such projects; (3) provide notice and opportunity for public comment; (4) promote cooperative action by metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions on regional transportation issues; and (5) if necessary, assist such jurisdictions in developing an interstate compact or agreement to better meet regional transportation needs. (Sec. 5) Authorizes one or more of the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions to enter into an interstate compact or agreement to finance and implement one or more of the priority regional transportation projects from the Board's long-range plan if consent is granted by: (1) the Governor of each State that enters into the compact or agreement; and (2) the Mayor of the District of Columbia, if the District of Columbia enters into such compact or agreement. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Corporation, which shall assist in the management of any initial funding and implementation of an interstate agreement or compact to reduce traffic congestion or improve travel options in the metropolitan Washington region. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees on the progress of the Board in developing cooperative transportation plans and regional funding mechanisms to meet transportation needs in the metropolitan Washington region. (Sec. 7) Declares that funding provided under any regional transportation program developed under this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal, State, and local transportation funding for the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to maintain fiscal year expenditures at not less than the preceding fiscal year's level. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2671 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1999
Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Yankton Sioux Tribe Development Trust Fund and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) deposit a specified amount into each Fund; (2) invest such amounts and deposit resulting interest in the Funds; and (3) withdraw the aggregate amount of interest deposited into the Funds each fiscal year and transfer that amount to the Secretary of the Interior to use for making payments to the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Santee Sioux Tribe, as requested by each Tribe pursuant to tribal resolution, for carrying out projects and programs under each Tribe's Tribal Plan. Permits each Tribe to enter into an agreement under which it pledges future payments as security for a loan or other financial transaction, but only in connection with the purchase of land or other capital assets, and only for an amount less than 40 percent of any payment for that year. Directs the tribal council of each Tribe to prepare a Tribal Plan for using payments for carrying out projects and programs to promote: (1) economic development; (2) infrastructure development; or (3) the educational, health, recreational, and social welfare objectives of the Tribe and its members. Prohibits any payment made to either Tribe pursuant to this Act from: (1) resulting in the reduction or denial of any service or program to which the Tribe or any member of the Tribe is otherwise entitled because of federally recognized status; (2) being subject to any Federal or State income tax; or (3) affecting Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin power rates. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2670 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 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) counterterrorism activities; (3) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (4) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (5) the Office of Inspector General; (6) the U.S. Parole Commission; (7) legal activities; (8) antitrust activities; (9) the Offices of U.S. Attorneys; (10) the U.S. Trustee Program; (11) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (12) the U.S. Marshals Service, including an amount for Federal prisoner detention; (13) fees and expenses of witnesses; (14) the Community Relations Service; (15) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (16) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (17) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (18) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (19) construction for specified agencies; (20) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (21) the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (22) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (23) Office of Justice programs; (24) State and local law enforcement assistance; (25) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (26) community oriented policing services; (27) juvenile justice programs; and (28) 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 restrictions on information disclosure in specified actions filed by prisoners applicable to FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 114) 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. 115) 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. 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 for construction of new research facilities; (15) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including an amount for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets;(16) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (17) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (18) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (19) the fisheries finance program account; (20) general administration; and (21) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Rescinds all unobligated balances in the Fisheries Promotional Fund. 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. 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; (13) the Asia Foundation; (14) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (15) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; and (16) the National Endowment for Democracy. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 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. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program;(2) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (3) Commission on Civil Rights; (4) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (5) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6) Federal Communications Commission; (7) Federal Maritime Commission; (8) Federal Trade Commission; (9) Legal Services Corporation; (10) Marine Mammal Commission; (11) Securities and Exchange Commission; and (12) Small Business Administration (SBA), including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans. 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. 610) 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 command 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. 616) 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. 617) 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; or (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. 620) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Title VII: Rescissions - Rescinds a specified amount of funds appropriated to the Department of Justice for the INS Immigration Emergency Fund. Rescinds a specified amount for the Department of State for international broadcasting operations of the U.S. Information Agency. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the SBA's business loans program account.
Bill· SS. 1467 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1999
Amends Federal aviation law to extend, for a 60 day period ending October 5, 1999, the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Airport Improvement Program; (2) Federal aviation insurance and reinsurance programs; (3) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Facilities and Equipment Program; and (4) FAA operations. Earmarks amounts from the Grants-in-Aid for Airports program for obligation in the third and fourth quarters of FY 1999.