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Bill· HRH.R. 5059 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends Federal transportation law to delay the effective date for implementing regulations requiring that a locomotive horn be sounded by each train that approaches and enters upon each public highway-rail grade crossing. Amends the definition of supplementary safety measure which does not require the sounding of a locomotive horn for the prevention of highway-rail casualties. Excludes from such definition adequate median barriers that prevent movement around crossing gates. Repeals the exclusion from (thus including in) the meaning of supplementary safety measure any flashing lights with gates that do not completely block travel over the line of railroad.
Bill· HRH.R. 5082 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Local Participation in Railroad Operations Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit rail carriers from constructing, developing, or expanding railroad maintenance facilities, intermodal rail transfer facilities, railroad sidings, railroad bridges, railroad yards, or other railroad facilities unless the Surface Transportation Board determines that the rail carrier has provided affected local communities with notice and an opportunity to be heard with respect to such activities. Sets forth requirements with respect to such public meetings. Prohibits the Board from approving the consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of a rail carrier by one or more rail carriers unless it has received assurances that the rail carriers have addressed adequately and will continue to address adequately problems identified with respect to the quality of life and safety of persons who live, work, or are for any other reason near railroad tracks. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations for reducing noise pollution generated from railroad operations and railroad facilities. Sets forth certain regulation requirements. Repeals a section of the Noise Control Act of 1972 regarding railroad noise emission standards upon the issuance of the final regulations under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 5060 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends Federal transportation law to declare that no provision of Federal law shall limit the liability of a motor carrier for punitive damages authorized under State law for any act or omission in connection with the investigation, settlement, adjudication, or other aspect of a claim for loss, damage, injury, or delay of transported property that constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
Bill· HRH.R. 5025 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Maritime Safety Act of 2000 - Amends Federal shipping law to prohibit any nontank (and non- fishing) vessel over 300 gross tons carrying oil as fuel from operating on U.S. navigable waters without an approved response plan for the prevention, containment, and cleanup of oil spills and for the protection from such a spill of fisheries and wildlife, natural resources, and public and private property. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue minimum requirements for such plans. Prescribes procedures for submittal, review, and the Secretary's approval of such plans. Increases the maximum liability of nontank vessels for oil spills to the greater of : (1) $806 (currently $600) per gross ton; or (2) $672,000 (currently $500,000). Requires any passenger vessel, small passenger vessel, and freight vessel (including a foreign vessel) subject to inspection to be equipped with a voyage data recorder of a type prescribed by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the immediate investigation of responses to marine casualties. Requires certain vessels, including small passenger and towing vessels, to be equipped with a position indicating transponder and an appropriate situation display or other device suitable for accessing information made available by the transponder system. Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit the loading or unloading of a vessel in any port or place subject to U.S. jurisdiction if the vessel is registered in a country that fails to adequately enforce safety standards prescribed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on: (1) the five such countries with the greatest number of registered vessels detained by the Coast Guard in 1999 for violation of such safety standards; and (2) whether those countries have, since December 31, 1999, adequately enforced such standards. Directs the Secretary to seek to negotiate at the IMO the elimination of single hull bunker tanks on commercial vessels capable of carrying more than 1,000 barrels of fuel on board.
Bill· HRH.R. 5008 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Directs the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to issue standards for the use of motorized skate boards.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 388 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Recognizes the historic significance of the 100th anniversary of the AAA Ohio Motorists Association.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 344 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate about its concern about the proposed United Airlines-U.S. Airways merger because of its potential to leave consumers with fewer travel options, higher fares, and lowered levels of service. Declares that the potential consumer detriments from the proposed merger outweigh the potential consumer benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 4978 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Airline Competition Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation, on his or her own initiative or on a complaint, to: (1) investigate to determine whether an air carrier is charging a fare or an average fare for interstate air transportation on a route that is unreasonably high; and (2) upon an affirmative finding, order the carrier to reduce the fare, offer the reduced fare for a specific number of seats on the route, and offer rebates to individuals who have been charged the fare. Provides for a situation where, with respect to an interstate route to or from a hub airport, a dominant air carrier (which accounts for more than 50 percent of total annual boardings) at the airport: (1) institutes or changes its fares in a manner that results in fares lower than or comparable to those offered by a new entrant air carrier; and (2) increases the passenger capacity at which such fares are offered to a level which is two or more times the capacity previously offered by the carrier at such fares on the route, and two or more times the total capacity offered by the new entrant air carrier on the route. Requires the dominant air carrier in such a situation, in the two-year period beginning when such fares and additional capacity are instituted, to continue to offer such fares with respect to at least 80 percent of the highest number of seats per week for which the dominant air carrier has offered them. Authorizes the Secretary, on his or her own initiative or on a complaint, to: (1) investigate to determine whether a dominant air carrier at a hub airport is charging higher than average fares at the airport; and (2) upon an affirmative finding, order the carrier to take specified actions to increase opportunities for competition at the hub airport. Makes this Act effective immediately upon the Secretary's determination that three or fewer air carriers account for 70 percent or more of the scheduled revenue passenger miles in interstate air transportation as a result of specified consolidations, mergers, or acquisitions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4955 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Amends Federal transportation law to exempt from Federal preemption (thus allowing) States to regulate tow truck operations whether or not they are performed without the prior consent or authorization of the transported motor vehicle's owner or operator. (Currently, State regulation of the price of for-hire motor vehicle transportation by a tow truck is permitted only if the transportation is performed without such prior consent.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4939 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Community Environmental Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to define "covered substance" to mean hazardous contaminants, chemicals, materials, wastes, and substances listed, identified, or defined in specified laws or designated by the President. Prohibits any entity that handles, manages, treats, releases, disposes, stores, transports, or delivers covered substances from disproportionately exposing any individual or community, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, to any covered substance. Authorizes enforcement: (1) by denial or termination of authorization to handle, manage, treat, release, discharge, dispose, store, transport, remove, move, or deliver covered substances; (2) by any other means authorized by law; and (3) for entities receiving Federal financial assistance, through specified compliance provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Bill· SS. 2902 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000
Broadband Internet Regulatory Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to state that an incumbent local exchange carrier (carrier) shall not be subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations with respect to: (1) the duty to provide to other requesting carriers interconnection with or notice of changes regarding any packet-based functionality of the carrier's network; (2) any network element that consists of or is created by a packet-switched or successor technology; (3) the provision of advanced service; (4) any premises or structure used solely for packet-switched or successor network elements; or (5) any optical fiber in the carrier's distribution network that is used exclusively to provide telecommunications services to residential subscribers that is or was either deployed: (i) where previously no outside telephone distribution plant existed; (ii) as a replacement for such a plant; or (iii) from a remote terminal to a customer premises (with an added requirement that such facilities be capable of providing certain services through the upgrade of electronics). Requires such carrier to make advanced service available: (1) to 80 percent of its customers in a State within three years after enactment of this Act, where such services can be provided using an industry-approved standard and existing loop facilities; and (2) within five years of such date, upon request of any customer. Allows carriers that meet such time limits to continue to receive the regulatory relief provided under this Act, while discontinuing such relief for failure to do so. Prohibits advanced service offered by such carriers from being subject to common carrier regulation by the FCC or a State in any exchange where advanced service is being provided by an unaffiliated advanced service provider. Allows for a petition to the FCC for such regulatory relief. Prohibits Federal or State regulation in any geographic area in which the carrier was not the local incumbent exchange carrier on February 8, 1996. States that, for services not found to be subject to unaffiliated competition, the carrier furnishing advanced service must file with the FCC a schedule of charges and practices. Discontinues the regulatory relief provided under this Act for a carrier for which a State makes a final determination of failure to comply with FCC or State rules concerning collocation or loop provisioning (with authorized reinstatement). Requires carriers using equipment located in a remote terminal to provide to any requesting telecommunications carrier access to subloop elements at such terminal for the provision of advanced services and rights-of- way for such purposes. Mandates that no carrier shall be required to: (1) make any payment for the transport, delivery, or termination of telecommunications to the Internet or any Internet service provider (making such actions subject to exclusive FCC jurisdiction); or (2) provide network elements on an unbundled basis unless those elements are to be used predominately to provide telephone exchange service.
Bill· SS. 2891 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2000
Air Travelers Fair Treatment Act of 2000 - Amends Federal transportation law to make it an unfair or deceptive practice and an unfair method of competition for an air carrier or foreign air carrier to fail to provide a passenger with an accurate explanation of the reasons for a flight delay, cancellation, or diversion from a ticketed itinerary. (Sec. 2) Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice and an unfair method of competition for an air carrier or foreign air carrier to: (1) prohibit a person (including a governmental entity) that purchases air transportation from only using a portion of the air transportation purchased (including only for one-way travel instead of round-trip travel); or (2) assess an additional fee on or charge to such a person or any ticket agent that sold the air transportation to such person. Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice and an unfair method of competition for an air carrier or foreign air carrier, in the case of a termination, cancellation, nonrenewal, or substantial change in the competitive circumstances of the appointment of a ticket agent by an air carrier or foreign air carrier, to fail: (1) to provide the ticket agent with written notice, and a full statement of reasons for the action, on or before the 90th day preceding the action; and (2) to provide the ticket agent with at least 60 days to correct any deficiency claimed. Exempts from this rule cases of insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, bankruptcy, or nonpayment of sums due under the appointment. (Sec. 3) Modifies Federal preemption of State authority over air transportation prices, routes, and service to preempt only direct State prescription of such prices, routes, or levels of service. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations to establish minimum standards for resuscitation, emergency medical, and first-aid equipment and supplies to be carried on board an aircraft capable of carrying at least 30 passengers. Prohibits air carriers or foreign air carriers from preventing, hindering, or failing to assist any passenger from exiting an aircraft (under the same circumstances as any flight crew member may exit) if: (1) the aircraft is parked over an hour past its scheduled departure time at an airport terminal gate with access to ramp or other boarding and deplaning facilities; and (2) the aircraft captain has not been informed by air traffic control authorities that the aircraft can be cleared for departure within 15 minutes. (Sec. 5) Establishes the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry to study and report policy recommendations to the President and the Congress on: (1) consumer access to information about airline industry products and services; and (2) the impediments imposed by the airline industry on distributors of the industry's products and services, including travel agents and Internet-based distributors.
Law· HRH.R. 4868 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000
Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2000 - Title I: Tariff Provisions - Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for temporary duty suspensions through December 31, 2003 for: (1) certain HIV-AIDS drugs; (2) specified chemicals and dyes; (3) instant print film in rolls; (4) certain compound optical microscopes; (5) certain cathode-ray tubes; (6) certain categories of raw cotton; (7) rhinovirus drugs; (8) tungsten concentrates; (9) certain ion-exchange resin; (10) vision inspection systems; (11) anode presses; (12) trim and form for forming capacitor leads; (13) certain assembly machines; (14) certain herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides; (15) rackers used for attaching raw anodes to process bars; (16) certain self-adhesive sheets; (17) certain polyamides; (18) certain plastic additives; (19) a certain organic surface-active agent; (20) monochrome glass envelopes; and (21) ceramic coater for laying down and drying ceramic. Reduces the duty through December 31, 2003 on: (1) color instant print film; (2) certain cathode-ray tubes; (3) a certain herbicide and fungicide; and (4) specified chemicals. Reduces the duty on a certain chemical for the period December 31, 2000, through December 31, 2003. Reduces the duty on certain dyes for the period December 31, 2000, through December 31, 2002. Extends the existing suspension of duty through December 31, 2003 for: (1) certain chemicals and dyes; (2) a certain polymer; and (3) certain semi-manufactured forms of gold. Grants duty-free treatment to certain chemicals through December 31, 2003. Subtitle B: Other Tariff Provisions - Directs the U.S. Customs service to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) specified entries with respect to: (1) certain telephone systems; (2) certain color television receivers; (3) copper and brass sheet and strips; and (4) certain antifriction bearings. Product Development and Testing Act of 2000 - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to imports of prototypes used to promote product development, testing, product evaluation or quality control in the United States. Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make it unlawful for any person to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any dog or cat fur product; or (2) introduce into interstate commerce, manufacture for introduction into interstate commerce, sell or offer to sell, trade, advertise, or transport or distribute in interstate commerce, any dog or cat fur product. Sets forth certain exceptions. Subjects a person to civil penalties for violations of this Act. (Sec. 1431) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology with respect to the assessment of interest due to an underpayment of duties, fees, or interest. (Sec. 1432) Exempts from provisions requiring the arrival of certain vessels to make formal entry at a U.S. customhouse any vessel required to anchor at the Belle Isle Anchorage, Michigan, for purposes of awaiting the availability of cargo or berthing space or for taking on a pilot or awaiting pilot services, or at the direction of the Coast Guard, before proceeding to the Port of Toledo, Ohio, where the vessel makes entry or obtains clearance to enter a customhouse. (Sec. 1433) Directs the Commissioner of the Customs Service to designate the San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, Texas, as an airport at which certain private aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign area may land for processing by the Customs Service. (Sec. 1434) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish by regulation a separate class of bonded warehouse for the storage and manipulation of international travel merchandise (duty-free or domestic merchandise which is placed on board aircraft on international flights for sale to passengers, but which is not merchandise incidental to the operation of a duty-free sales enterprise) pending its placement on board aircraft departing for foreign destinations. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the treatment of such merchandise stored at bonded warehouses and staging areas (outside of the warehouse). (Sec. 1435) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to decrease the rate of duty, over a specified period of time, on goods purchased abroad and brought back into the United States by U.S. travelers. (Sec. 1436) Grants duty-free treatment to the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in an athletic event held in the United States like the Olympics, the Goodwill Games, the Special Olympics World Games, the World Cup Soccer Games, or any similar international athletic event. Declares that such articles shall be: (1) free of applicable taxes and fees; but (2) not exempt from routine customs inspections. (Sec. 1437) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to permit collection of customs fees for the arrival of certain ferries. (Sec. 1438) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to treat N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide and N-tert-Butyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide as 'commercially interchangeable" for purposes of allowing a drawback (refund of duty) on imports of N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (certain rubber vulcanized accelerators). (Sec. 1439) Exempts gum arabic and other byproducts (other than balsams, tragacanth, and karaya) from the prohibition on the import of products from Sudan. (Sec. 1440) Directs the Commissioner of Customs to implement a fee-for-service agreement with Broward County, Florida, to provide personnel and infrastructure necessary to conduct cargo clearance, inspection, and other customs services in order to accommodate international air cargo carriers for a two year period if and when such county enters into a contract with one or more such carriers for services at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Sec. 1441) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to substitution of finished petroleum derivatives. (Sec. 1442) Authorizes the U.S. Customs Service, upon application of an importer, to treat as a single entry for tariff treatment purposes two or more entries of merchandise that are part of a single commercial transaction but are imported into the United States in such multiple separate entries due to the size or nature of the merchandise or due to the inability of the carrier to include all of the merchandise in a single shipment. (Sec. 1443) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on U.S. customs procedures. Subtitle C: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Title II: Other Trade Provisions - Declares that a worker shall be certified by the Secretary of Labor as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974 if such worker was: (1) determined to be covered under Trade Adjustment Assistance Certification TA-W-31,402; and (2) necessary for the environmental remediation or closure of a copper mining facility. (Sec. 2002) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to cigarettes manufactured for export, but which nevertheless are sold domestically. Sets additional restrictions on tobacco products labeled for export. (Sec. 2004) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to set forth certain restrictions with respect to the importation of certain cigarettes. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 4867 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2000
Youth Drug and Mental Health Services Act - Title I: Substance Abuse Prevention - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women with provisions authorizing grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for priority substance abuse prevention needs of regional and national significance. (Sec. 102) Replaces provisions relating to drug and alcohol abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for high risk youth and to employee assistance programs with provisions mandating grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for: (1) the replication and implementation of best practices in providing comprehensive substance abuse prevention services to children and youth; and (2) strengthening families. (Sec. 104) Shifts responsibility for an existing program of grants for services for children of substance abusers from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and modifies various requirements of the program. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for the training of professionals to recognize drug and alcohol problems, understand the nature of substance abuse, and obtain early intervention, prevention, and treatment resources. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for the planning and execution of school-based (including higher education institutions) and community-based programs to prevent underage drinking. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for programs relating to the prevention and detection of methamphetamine or inhalant abuse and addiction. Title II: Substance Abuse Treatment - Replaces provisions relating to outpatient treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women with provisions directing the Secretary, directly or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, to address priority substance abuse treatment needs of regional and national significance. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions relating to residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women. (Sec. 203) Replaces provisions relating to demonstration projects of national significance and to grants for substance abuse treatment in State and local criminal justice systems with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide, to people under the age of 22, substance abuse treatment and early intervention substance abuse services. (Sec. 205) Replaces provisions relating to training in the provision of treatment services with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants to provide treatment services to members of Indian tribes and tribal organizations. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts relating to fetal alcohol syndrome or alcohol-related birth defects to: (1) provide services to people diagnosed with those conditions; and (2) establish up to four centers of excellence to study prevention, adaptations of innovative clinical interventions, and service delivery improvements. (Sec. 207) Removes provisions requiring that at least 35 percent of current formula grants for preventing and treating substance abuse be used for activities relating to alcohol and at least 35 percent for activities relating to other drugs. Authorizes a State to establish a revolving fund to support group homes for recovering substance abusers. (Current law allows the Secretary to make formula grants under existing provisions only if a State establishes such a fund.) Requires a State, in order to receive a formula grant, to establish and maintain a State substance abuse prevention and treatment planning council. Modifies, for territories, requirements regarding and authorizes, for States, waiver of related requirements. Modifies minimum allotment formula provisions. (Sec. 208) Establishes the Commission on Indian and Native Alaskan Health Care. Title III: Mental Health Services - Revises requirements regarding a plan a State must submit in order to receive a grant allotment for providing comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance. Modifies requirements regarding waivers for territories and minimum allotments for States. (Sec. 302) Replaces provisions relating to grants for certain mental health demonstration projects with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to address priority substance abuse mental health needs of regional and national significance. Repeals provisions authorizing grants for mental health research and clinical training in exchange for a period of obligatory service. (Sec. 303) Replaces provisions authorizing grants for counseling and mental health treatment after a positive test result for the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with provisions mandating grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to assist local communities in developing ways to help children deal with violence. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to: (1) establish up to four centers for excellence to study adaptations of innovative clinical intervention and service delivery improvement strategies to provide comprehensive mental health services to children; (2) establish national and regional centers of excellence on psychological trauma response; and (3) develop knowledge regarding evidence-based practices for treating psychiatric disorders resulting from witnessing or experiencing such stress. (Sec. 306) Allows the Secretary to waive, for Indian tribes or tribal organizations, American Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the United States Virgin Islands, to waive requirements relating to grants for comprehensive community mental health services to children with a serious emotional disturbance. Makes active grantees eligible to receive a sixth year of funding without peer and Advisory Council review. (Sec. 307) Allows the Secretary to waive, for the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, Palau, American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, certain requirements of provisions relating to formula grants to States for services to individuals who have a serious mental illness (with or without substance abuse) and who are, or are at imminent risk of becoming, homeless. Directs the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for mental health and substance abuse services for homeless individuals. (Sec. 308) Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to rename it as the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. Adds to the definition of "individual with mental illness" individuals with significant mental illnesses or emotional impairments who live in a community setting, including their own homes. Limits the circumstances in which allotments for systems to protect and advocate the rights of individuals with mental illness and investigate incidents of abuse and neglect of such individuals may be used to provide representation to certain individuals. Authorizes those systems to investigate the death or serious injury of an individual with a mental illness if it occurred at a facility to which the Act applies. Modifies the allotment formula. (Sec. 309) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to enable State or local juvenile justice agencies to provide aftercare services for youth offenders who have been discharged from facilities in the juvenile or criminal justice system and have serious emotional disturbances or are at risk of developing such disturbances. Directs the Secretary to make grants and contracts to establish up to four research, training, and technical assistance centers regarding youth. Title IV: Performance Partnerships - Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a plan, under provisions relating to block grants for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, for creating more flexibility for States and accountability based on outcome and other performance measures. (Sec. 402) Replaces provisions authorizing grants to States to increase the availability of substance abuse treatment with provisions authorizing the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to develop and operate substance abuse data collection, analysis, and reporting systems regarding performance measures, process, and outcomes measures. Allows formula grants under existing provisions for comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance to be used for data infrastructure development regarding performance data. Allows formula grants under existing provisions for substance abuse prevention and treatment to be used for data infrastructure development regarding performance data. Title V: Cross-Cutting Issues Regarding Mental Health and Substance Abuse - Subtitle A: Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders - Replaces provisions authorizing grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for homeless individuals with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for comprehensive prevention and treatment services to individuals with, or at risk for, co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. (Sec. 502) Allows States to use treatment funds (under provisions relating to formula grants for services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance and for substance abuse prevention and treatment) to treat persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. Subtitle B: Prevention of Sexual Abuse - Directs the Secretary to make grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to provide services to runaway and homeless and street youth who have been, or are at risk of being, subjected to sexual abuse, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Title VI: General Provisions - Limits the disclosure of individually identifiable information collected under provisions relating to mental illness and substance abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to use up to three percent of certain funds appropriated under provisions relating to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for noncompetitive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to address emergency substance abuse or mental health needs (or both) in local communities. (Sec. 602) Modifies grant, cooperative agreement, and contract peer review requirements. (Sec. 603) Makes amounts paid to a State (under provisions relating to formula grants for services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance and for substance abuse prevention and treatment) available until the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year (currently, until the end of the fiscal year) for which the amounts were paid. (Current law makes an availability exception regarding subgrantee noncompliance.) (Sec. 604) Repeals provisions relating to narcotic addicts and other drug abusers. (Sec. 605) Requires a health care facility that receives support in any form from any program supported with Federal funds to protect and promote the rights of the facility's residents, including the rights to be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, and any restraints or involuntary seclusions imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation. Requires reporting of patient deaths and injuries. (Sec. 607) Authorizes (currently, requires) the existence, in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, of an Associate Administrator for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy and allows (currently, requires) the Administrator to delegate certain functions to that Associate Administrator. (Sec. 608) Adds to the duties of the Directors of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Mental Health Services certain duties relating to children, adolescents, and youth. Removes requirements that the: (1) Treatment Center Director monitor the use of revolving loan funds under, and evaluate the effect of, provisions relating to the establishment of group homes for individuals recovering from alcohol or drug abuse; and (2) Mental Health Center Director carry out programs under provisions relating to Public Health Service Act section 520A (amended by section 302 of this Act).
Bill· SS. 2861 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Foreign Assistance Reform and Democracy Support Act of 2000 - Title I: Phase-Out of Development Assistance - Directs the President to: (1) report biannually to Congress on the level of economic freedom in countries receiving U.S. development assistance; and (2) certify to Congress with respect to each country proposed to receive such assistance whether it is free, mostly free, mostly unfree, or repressed in light of the level of economic freedom determined in that country with respect to trade, tax, and price control policies, government intervention in the economy, and other specified factors. Prohibits U.S. development assistance for countries that have been certified: (1) mostly unfree after FY 2005 (with a limit on such assistance in FY 2006 and thereafter); (2) repressed countries after FY 2004 (with a limit on such assistance in FY 2005 and thereafter). Requires certain actions with respect to countries that have been certified free or mostly free, including: (1) programs by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Trade and Development Agency to encourage, finance, or otherwise support private investment from U.S. sources (especially health, education, transportation, financial, and communications infrastructure projects); and (2) a review by the Secretary of the Treasury of the feasibility of restructuring, rescheduling, or eliminating debt owed by the country to any U.S. agency, and a proposal by the U.S. Executive Director of each international financial institution to which the United States is a member for a similar review. Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each international financial institution to use the U.S. vote to oppose any assistance to the government, any citizen, or entity of any country to which U.S. development assistance is not provided under this Act. Requires the withholding of U.S. assistance from any such institutions that provide assistance to the government, citizen, or entity of any country ineligible to receive U.S. development assistance under this Act. Title II: Procurement Reform in Development Lending and Assistance - Directs the Secretary to report to the President and to the appropriate congressional committees on a strategic plan for requiring the use of independent third-party procurement monitoring and other international procurement reforms relating to the U.S. participation in multilateral development banks and other lending institutions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4861 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Clean Power Act - Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate a final regulation to address interstate transport of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide pollution; (2) establish a program to issue, record the sale or exchange of, and track allowances of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide, and track and monitor emissions of nitrogen oxide; and (3) promulgate regulations regarding electric utility emissions of mercury that are based upon the protection of human health and the environment. Amends the Clean Air Act to revise sulfur dioxide allowances. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration in the Department of Energy (DOE) to specify the percentage of total domestic electric energy generation that the Administrator estimates to be supplied by renewable energy during a specified calendar year. Sets forth a statutory mechanism for mandatory submission of Renewable Energy Credits by retail electric suppliers to the Secretary of Energy. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to issue and track such credits. Requires each retail electric supplier to make net metering service available upon request of a retail electric consumer whom such supplier currently serves or solicits for service.
Bill· HRH.R. 4849 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement the oil and gas pipeline safety improvement recommendations provided for in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Report (RT-2000-069). (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of Research and Special Program Administration, and the Director of the Office of Pipeline Safety to comply fully with certain Federal transportation law requirements to ensure timely responsiveness to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations about pipeline safety (including to make a copy of each recommendation on pipeline safety and response available to the public at reasonable cost). (Sec. 4) Requires each pipeline operator, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State regulatory agency, to submit to the Secretary a plan designed to enhance the qualifications of pipeline personnel and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations requiring operators of natural gas transmission pipelines and of hazardous liquid pipelines to: (1) evaluate the risks to their pipeline facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and high-density population areas; and (2) adopt and implement a program for integrity management that reduces the risk of incident in those areas. Directs the Secretary to require an operator's integrity management plan to be based on risk analysis and contain at least internal inspection or pressure testing that periodically assesses the integrity of the pipeline, clearly defined criteria, and measures that prevent and mitigate unintended releases. Authorizes a State authority under contract with the Secretary to review and assess an operator's risk analyses and integrity management plans required for interstate pipelines located in that State. Requires the Secretary to review and monitor such plans. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the Secretary's authority to decide a pipeline facility is hazardous. Authorizes the Secretary, or the appropriate State regulatory agency, to shutdown the operation of the facility if it is determined that continued operation of such facility creates an imminent hazard. (Sec. 7) Revises the public education program requirements for gas pipeline facility owners or operators, including specified items. Applies such requirements to owners or operators of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Requires an operator of a gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees (or local fire, police, and other emergency response agencies in the absence of a committee) in the areas of pipeline right-of-way, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 in each State in which it operates. Requires an operator to make available, upon request, to the State emergency response commissions and local emergency planning committees, and in a standardized form to the Office of Pipeline Safety for public dissemination, specified information as well as the operator's integrity management program. Requires the owner or operator of each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to provide annually to the governing body of each municipality in which the pipeline facility is located a map identifying the facility's location. (Sec. 8) Increases from $25,000 to $500,000 the civil penalty for each facility operator failure to: (1) mark accurately the location of pipeline facilities in the vicinity of a demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction; or (2) comply with safety standards, prepare and carry out an inspection and maintenance plan, allow access to records, or allow required entries or inspections. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations to $1 million. Authorizes a court to award temporary or permanent injunctive relief and to assess civil penalties in a civil action brought by the Attorney General to enforce pipeline safety law. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary, if a State pipeline safety program certification is accepted, to make an agreement with a State authority authorizing it to: (1) participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation, including a plan for the State authority to participate in special investigations involving incidents or new construction, as well as (subject to specified requirements) other activities involving interstate pipeline transportation; or (2) assume additional inspection or investigatory duties. Allows the Secretary to end an agreement for the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation when the State authority has not complied with any provision of the agreement. Requires the Secretary to end such an agreement when: (1) gaps are found in the State authority's responsibilities for oversight of intrastate pipeline transportation; (2) the State actions under the agreement have failed to meet certain requirements; or (3) continued oversight participation by the State authority is not promoting pipeline safety. Requires the Secretary to continue to permit a State to carry out interstate pipeline oversight activities under an agreement in effect in 1999, including inspection responsibilities and other actions to ensure compliance with Federal pipeline safety regulations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the collection and use of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline data to revise the causal categories on the accident report forms to eliminate overlapping and confusing categories and include subcategories. Requires the plan to include components to provide the capability to perform sound accident trend analysis and evaluations of pipeline operator performance using normalized accident data. Requires any owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. Directs the Secretary to establish a national depository of data on events and conditions, including spill histories and corrective actions for specific incidents, that can be used to evaluate the risk of, and to prevent, pipeline failures and releases. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, as part of the DOT research and development program, to direct research attention to the development of alternative technologies: (1) to expand the defect detection capabilities of internal inspection devices; (2) to inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of enactment; and (3) to develop innovative techniques measuring the structural integrity of pipelines. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations with respect to gas and hazardous liquid, State grants, and certain pipeline damage prevention activities. Requires the transfer of specified amounts from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out authorized programs. (Sec. 13) Requires the operator involved in an accident the DOT or the National Transportation Safety Board investigates to: (1) make available to their representatives all records and information pertaining to the accident (including integrity management plans and test results); and (2) afford all reasonable assistance in such investigation. Deems as hazardous any pipeline facility operated by an operator that fails to take prompt action to relieve, reassign, or place on leave (with or without compensation) until the investigation's conclusion any employee whose duties affect public safety, and whose performance of such duties is the subject of such an investigation. (Sec. 14) Sets forth whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination by pipeline operators or contractors or subcontractors against employees who: (1) provide information, directly or indirectly, to the employer or the Federal Government about any alleged violation of Federal law or regulations relating to pipeline safety; (2) file a related Federal proceeding; or (3) testify or otherwise assist or participate in such a proceeding. Prescribes a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against by any person in violation of this prohibition. (Sec. 15) Requires the Secretary to create a Pipeline Safety Advisory Council pilot program to establish one or more Pipeline Safety Advisory Councils to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on a range of hazardous liquid or natural gas transmission pipeline safety issues affecting pipelines operated in the State in which the Council is established. Requires a Council to report annually to the Secretary on all activities undertaken by it to improve the safety of pipelines, and any action taken by the State and DOT to address pipeline operation safety as a result of the Council's activities. (Sec. 16) Directs the DOT Inspector General to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) DOT's assessment of fines and penalties on gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines, including the cost of corrective actions required by DOT in lieu of fines; and (2) recommendations for actions by the Secretary or Congress to ensure the fines assessed are an effective deterrent for reducing safety risks. (Sec. 17) Authorizes the Secretary to study how best to preserve environmental resources in conjunction with maintaining pipeline rights-of-way.
Law· HRH.R. 4811 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and infectious disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking amounts for child survival and maternal health, vulnerable children, HIV-AIDS, other infectious diseases, children's basic education, UNICEF, and U.S. contribution to the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support to the American educational institutions there; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) international disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to support transition to democracy and to long-term development of countries in crisis (provided AID reports to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days before the beginning of such program assistance); (7) micro and small enterprise development programs; (8) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries (provided such funds are made available only for urban and environmental programs); (9) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (10) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (11) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, and Mongolia); (12) the International Fund for Ireland; (13) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for the Baltic States, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (14) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Georgia and Armenia and for child survival, environmental health, and to combat infectious diseases); (15) the Peace Corps (with a bar on the use of such funds for abortions); (16) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (17) migration and refugee assistance; (18) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (19) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (20) the Department of the Treasury international affairs technical assistance program; and (21) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible countries (including through the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Trust Fund under the enhanced HIPC initiative). Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government; and (3) any activity contravening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits funds to Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the Russian Federation is in compliance with article V of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe regarding forces deployed in the flank zone in and around Chechnya. Withholds 50 percent of the funds allocated for the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program or ballistic missile capability. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to support grant-financed military education and training at the School of the Americas unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense certifies that the instruction and training provided by the School is fully consistent with training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights, provided by the Department of Defense to U.S. military students at Department of Defense institutions whose primary purpose is to train U.S. military personnel; and (2) the Secretary of State, without delegation, certifies that such instruction and training is consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives and helps support the observance of human rights in Latin America. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to a specified congressional committee by January 15, 2001, on the School's training activities and a general assessment regarding the performance of its graduates during 1998 and 1999. Urges Israel to terminate the existing contract to sell an airborne radar system to the People's Republic of China which could threaten both the forces of democratic Taiwan and the United States in the region surrounding the Taiwan Strait. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala; or (2) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA), subject to specified conditions; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; (8) the African Development Fund; (9) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2002. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); or (2) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Serbia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernmental organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country (including earmarking amounts to such organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities). Earmarks ESF funds to the Jamestown Foundation (currently the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights) for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of State to report quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of supplemental appropriations for ESF assistance and military assistance to certain countries. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosovo or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, and displaced Burmese may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; (2) normalization of relations with Israel by such Arab countries; and (3) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American- made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance from a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes the sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 558) Bars funds appropriated by this Act or any previous appropriations Act for foreign operations, export financing and related programs to be made available for assistance for the Government of Haiti until: (1) the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Haiti has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament; and (2) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is fully cooperating with the US efforts to interdict illicit drug traffic through it to the United States. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 559) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 2000. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 561) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for its Coast Guard. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 564) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 565) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 566) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 567) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 568) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 570) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 573) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 574) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 575) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. Bars the use of such funds for administrative expenses of the State Department. (Sec. 576) Directs AID to submit an annual budget justification consistent with certain requirements of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 578) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 579) Makes foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET). (Sec. 580) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 581) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 582) Urges funds appropriated by this Act for U.S. assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to the maximum extent practicable to be used for the procurement of articles and services of U.S. origin. (Sec. 583) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act for assistance for the government of any country that has been determined to have: (1) provided lethal or non-lethal military support or equipment, directly or through intermediaries, within the previous six months to the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front (RUF), or any other group intent on destabilizing the democratically elected government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; or (2) aided or abetted, within the previous six months, in the illicit distribution, transportation, or sale of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone. (Sec. 584) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees who voluntarily separate (whether by retirement or resignation) on or before December 31, 2001 to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 585) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a working capital fund for AID expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment and supplies. (Sec. 586) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 587) Earmarks a specified amount of funds for population planning activities or other population assistance, with specified restrictions on assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions. (Sec. 588) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador to be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 589) Declares that funds shall be appropriated to the HIPC Initiative only when the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that such institutions will not include user fees or service charges through "community financing", "cost sharing", "cost recovery", or any other mechanism for primary education or primary healthcare, including prevention and treatment efforts for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and infant, child, and maternal well-being in their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers or any other HIPC-related debt relief or economic reform program or plan or any other IMF or World Bank loan or reform program. (Sec. 590) Bars the use of funds under this Act for abortions or to lobby for or against abortion. (Sec. 591) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold ten percent of the U.S. payment to any international financial institution until the Secretary certifies that such institution has implemented certain procurement and financial management reforms. Title VI: Mozambique, Madagascar, and Southern Africa Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2000 for international assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Mozambique, Madagascar, and southern Africa.
Bill· HRH.R. 4792 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Comprehensive Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) implement the oil and gas pipeline safety improvement recommendations provided for in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Report (RT-2000-069); and (2) report every 90 days to specified congressional committees on the specific actions taken to implement them. Requires the DOT Inspector General to assess periodically for the same committees the Secretary's progress in doing so. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of Research and Special Program Administration, and the Director of the Office of Pipeline Safety to: (1) comply fully with certain Federal transportation law requirements to ensure timely responsiveness to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations about pipeline safety; (2) make a copy of each recommendation on pipeline safety and response available to the public over the Internet without charge or otherwise at a reasonable cost; and (3) review and publish the results of General Accounting Office report number GAO-RCED-00-128. (Sec. 4) Requires each pipeline operator, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State regulatory agency, to submit to the Secretary a plan designed to enhance the qualifications of pipeline personnel and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations requiring: (1) natural gas pipeline operators to conduct periodic assessment of facility integrity; and (2) hazardous liquid pipeline operators to periodically determine the adequacy of pipelines to operate safely in unusually sensitive areas and high-density population areas; and (3) perform periodic inspections or tests capable of identifying corrosion, mechanical damage, or other structural or operational defects that could be detrimental to safety and the environment. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal transportation law to grant shutdown authority to the Secretary, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, to the appropriate State regulatory agency, to take necessary action to prevent the operation for 30 days (including additional 30-day periods) of any hazardous liquid or natural gas pipeline whose continuing operation creates an imminent safety hazard to persons, property, or the environment. (Sec. 7) Revises the public education program requirements for gas pipeline facility owners or operators, including specified items. Applies such requirements to owners or operators of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Requires an operator of a gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees (or local fire, police, and other emergency response agencies in the absence of a committee) in the areas of pipeline right-of-way, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 in each State in which it operates. Requires the owner or operator of each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to provide annually to the governing body of each municipality in which the pipeline facility is located a map identifying the facility's location. Requires the Secretary to designate the Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator with the responsibility of defining the in-vehicle navigation mapping standards and contracting the outsource mapping vendor, which can provide the most cost effective first responder mapping tool, for coordinated emergency responses, in the geographic area. Requires the owner or operator of each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to: (1) provide a public safety and public education program annually to the governing body of each municipality in which the pipeline facility is located; and (2) notify annually all residents within 1,000 yards (or other appropriate distance) of the facility of its general location and certain other information, including appropriate procedures for such residents to follow in response to accidents concerning such facilities. (Sec. 8) Increases from $25,000 to $100,000 the civil penalty for each facility operator failure to: (1) mark accurately the location of pipeline facilities in the vicinity of a demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction; or (2) comply with safety standards, prepare and carry out an inspection and maintenance plan, allow access to records, or allow required entries or inspections. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations to $1 million. Authorizes a court to award temporary or permanent injunctive relief and to assess civil penalties in a civil action brought by the Attorney General to enforce pipeline safety law. Establishes civil penalties for hazardous liquid pipeline discharges, including gross negligence or willful misconduct. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary, if a State pipeline safety program certification is accepted, to make an agreement with a State authority authorizing it to participate in the activities of interstate pipeline transportation, including a plan for the State authority to participate in additional inspections and special investigations involving new construction or incidents, as well as (subject to specified requirements) other activities involving interstate pipeline transportation consistent with the Secretary's program and that address issues of local concern. Allows the Secretary to end an agreement for the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation when the State authority has not complied with any provision of the agreement. Requires the Secretary to end such an agreement when: (1) significant gaps are found in the State authority's responsibilities for oversight of intrastate pipeline transportation; (2) the State actions under the agreement have failed to meet certain requirements; or (3) continued oversight participation by the State authority is not promoting pipeline safety. Requires the Secretary to continue specified interstate agent agreements. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the collection and use of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline data to revise the causal categories on the accident report forms to eliminate overlapping and confusing categories and include subcategories. Requires the plan to include components to provide the capability to perform sound accident trend analysis and evaluations of pipeline operator performance using normalized accident data. Requires any owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, as part of the DOT research and development program, to direct research attention to the development of alternative technologies: (1) to expand the defect detection capabilities of internal inspection devices; (2) to inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of enactment; and (3) to develop innovative techniques measuring the structural integrity of pipelines. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations with respect to gas and hazardous liquid and State grants. Requires the transfer of specified amounts from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out authorized programs. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the Secretary to study how best to preserve environmental resources in conjunction with maintaining pipeline rights-of-way. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary to designate one or more States the Governor of each of which may establish a self-governing Regional Advisory Council to: (1) advise the Secretary and the Governor on policies, permits, regulations, and standards relating to hazardous liquid pipeline facilities which affect or may affect that State's environment; (2) monitor the environmental impacts of the facility operations; (3) review the adequacy of the integrity management plan and spill prevention and contingency plans developed by each hazardous liquid pipeline operator; (4) monitor developments in pipeline spill prevention, leak detection, pipeline inspection, operator training, spill containment, response, and cleanup technology; and (5) perform other specified related duties. (Sec. 15) Sets forth whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination against facility employees who: (1) perform or refuse to perform certain acts related to pipeline safety or environmental protection; or (2) testify in Federal or State proceedings regarding compliance with pipeline safety or environmental protection requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 4798 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2000 - Directs the Attorney General to take necessary measures to: (1) reduce the immigration application backlog and ensure that a subsequent backlog does not develop; and (2) make infrastructure improvements to effectively provide immigration services. Authorizes appropriations which shall be designated in the Treasury as the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account. Directs the Attorney General to make specified backlog elimination reports.
Law· SS. 2796 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 - Title I: Water Resources Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army (Secretary) to carry out: (1) a specified project for navigation, New York-New Jersey Harbor; and (2) specified water resources projects (subject to completion of a favorable final report of the Chief of Engineers by December 31, 2000) in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana and Kentucky, Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Wyoming and on the Ohio River. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of, and authorizes the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that a project is feasible, to authorize the Secretary to carry out, a project, for: (1) beach restoration and protection at Lake Palourde and St. Bernard, Louisiana; (2) navigation at Houma Navigation Canal and Vidalia Port, Louisiana; (3) removal of snags and clearing and straightening of channels for flood control at Bayou Manchac and Black Bayou and Hippolyte Coulee, Louisiana; (4) emergency streambank protection at specified locations in Louisiana; (5) flood damage reduction or control at various locations in Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee; and (6) improvement of the quality of the environment at various locations in Louisiana and Ohio. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects regarding: (1) beneficial uses of dredged material at specified locations in Louisiana and Ohio; and (2) aquatic ecosystem restoration at specified locations in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Oregon. (Sec. 110) Amends the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 to: (1) include Perry Creek, Iowa, among appropriate locations to be examined with respect to the flood mitigation and riverine restoration program; and (2) authorize the Secretary to design and construct a shore protection project at Fort Canby State Park, Benson Beach, Washington, including beneficial use of dredged material from Federal navigation projects. Title II: General Provisions - Modifies provisions of the Flood Control Act of 1970 regarding water resources projects to provide that an agreement entered into by a State may reflect that it does not obligate future appropriations (currently, future State legislative appropriations) for performance and payment when obligating future appropriations would be inconsistent with State constitutional or statutory limitations of the State or a body politic of the State. (Sec. 202) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to remove provisions authorizing a study of water resources needs of river basins and regions. Authorizes the Secretary to assess the water resources needs of river basins and watersheds of the United States, including needs relating to: (1) ecosystem protection and restoration; (2) flood damage reduction; (3) navigation and ports; (4) watershed protection; (5) water supply; and (6) drought preparedness. Directs the Secretary, in selecting river basins and watersheds for assessment, to give priority to the Delaware River basin. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions from Federal, tribal, State, interstate, and local governmental entities to the extent that such contributions will facilitate completion of the assessment. Sets forth cost-sharing requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to study and determine the feasibility of carrying out water resources development projects that: (1) will substantially benefit Indian tribes; and (2) are located primarily within Indian country or in proximity to Alaska Native villages. Requires the Secretary to: (1) consult with the Secretary of the Interior concerning such studies; (2) integrate civil works activities of the Department of the Army (the Department) with activities of the Department of the Interior; and (3) consider the authorities and programs of the Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies in any recommendations concerning carrying out projects studied. Sets forth provisions regarding priority projects and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to make any cost-sharing agreement for a feasibility study, or for construction of an environmental protection and restoration project (currently limited to flood control or agricultural water supply projects), subject to the ability of the non-Federal interest to pay. Modifies provisions regarding determination of the ability of a non-Federal interest to pay. Directs the Secretary to promulgate revised criteria and procedures governing such ability within 18 months. Authorizes the Secretary, in revising criteria, to consider criteria relating to: (1) the financial ability of the non-Federal interest to carry out its cost-sharing responsibilities; or (2) additional assistance that may be available from other Federal or State sources. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program to reduce vandalism and destruction of property at water resources development projects under the jurisdiction of the Department, including by providing rewards to individuals who furnish information or evidence leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing damage to Federal property; and (2) participate in the National Recreation Reservation Service on an interagency basis and pay the Department's share of activities required to implement, operate, and maintain the Service. (Sec. 207) Amends the WRDA of 1990 to: (1) provide that activities currently performed by personnel under the direction of the Secretary in connection with the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power generating facilities at Corps of Engineers water resources projects are to be considered as inherently governmental functions and not commercial activities (current law) in cases in which the activities require specialized training relating to hydroelectric power generation; and (2) double the amount authorized to be appropriated for interagency and international support to address problems of national significance to the United States. (Sec. 209) Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with affected Indian tribes, to identify and set aside areas at Department civil works projects that may be used to re-bury Native American remains that have been: (1) discovered on project land; and (2) rightfully claimed by a lineal descendant or Indian tribe in accordance with applicable Federal law. Permits the Secretary, in consultation with and with the consent of the lineal descendant or the affected tribe, to recover and re-bury, at full Federal expense, the remains at the areas identified and set aside. Authorizes the Secretary to convey to a tribe for use as a cemetery an area at a civil works project that is so identified and set aside. Directs the Secretary to retain any right-of-way, easement, or other property interest that the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the authorized purposes of the project. (Sec. 210) Amends the river and harbor Act of March 3, 1899, to provide that the approval required of the location and plans, or any modification of plans, of any dam or dike applies only to a dam or dike that, if constructed, would completely span a waterway used to transport interstate or foreign commerce in such a manner that actual, existing interstate or foreign commerce could be adversely affected. Specifies that any other dam or dike that is proposed to be built in any other navigable water of the United States shall not be subject to the approval requirements of this section. (Sec. 211) Rewrites provisions of the WRDA of 1986 regarding project deauthorizations to direct the Secretary to annually submit to Congress a list of projects and separable elements thereof (projects) that are authorized for construction and for which no Federal funds were obligated for construction during the four preceding fiscal years. Directs that any water resources project authorized for construction be deauthorized effective at the end of the seven-year period beginning on the date of the most recent authorization or reauthorization of the project unless Federal funds have been obligated for construction by the end of that period. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress annually a list of authorized projects for which no Federal funds have been obligated for construction and for which no Federal funds have been obligated for construction of the project during the two full fiscal years preceding the date of submission of the list. Directs that any water resources project for which Federal funds have been obligated for construction be deauthorized effective at the end of any five-fiscal year period during which Federal funds specifically identified for construction of the project have not been obligated for construction. Defines "construction" and "physical work under a construction contract." Directs the Secretary: (1) upon submission of the lists, to notify each Senator in whose State, and each Member of the House of Representatives in whose district, the affected project is or would be located; and (2) to publish annually in the Federal Register a list of all projects deauthorized under this section. (Sec. 212) Amends the WRDA to: (1) require that guidelines for preparation of flood plain management plans by non-Federal interests address potential measures, practices, and policies (current law) that non-Federal interests shall adopt and enforce to reduce loss of life, injuries, and specified other adverse impacts and to preserve and enhance natural flood plain values; and (2) require non-Federal interests to take measures to preserve the level of flood protection provided by such a project. Makes this section applicable to any project with respect to which the Secretary and the non-Federal interest have not entered a project cooperation agreement on or before the date of this Act's enactment. (Sec. 213) Amends the WRDA of 1990 to provide that, with respect to environmental dredging projects, a non-Federal sponsor may include a nonprofit entity, with the consent of the affected local government. Title III: Project-Related Provisions - Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the study to determine the feasibility of the reservoir and associated improvements in the vicinity of Boydsville, Arkansas, authorized by the WRDA of 1999, not more than $250,000 of the costs of the relevant planning and engineering investigations carried out by State and local agencies if the Secretary finds that the investigations are integral to the scope of the feasibility study. (Sec. 302) Amends the WRDA of 1999 regarding the White River Basin project, Arkansas and Missouri, to authorize the Secretary to reallocate the amounts of project storage that are recommended by the report to Congress. Prohibits obligating funds to carry out work unless it does not significantly impact other authorized project purposes. Extends the deadline for submission of the report until July 30, 2002. Requires the report to include determinations concerning whether project storage should be reallocated to sustain the tail water trout fisheries. (Sec. 303) Modifies the project for shore protection, Gasparilla and Estero Island segments, Lee County, Florida, to authorize the Secretary to enter into agreement with the non-Federal interest to carry out the project in accordance with provisions of the WRDA of 1992 if the Secretary determines that the project is technically sound, environmentally acceptable, and economically justified. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to carry out planning, engineering, and design of an adaptive ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, and erosion protection project along the upper Snake River within and adjacent to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Idaho, provided that the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribe provide land, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for implementation of the project. Authorizes the Secretary to construct and adaptively manage for ten years, at full Federal expense, a project if the Secretary determines that the project: (1) is a cost-effective means of providing ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, and erosion protection; (2) is environmentally acceptable and technically feasible; and (3) will improve the economic and social conditions of the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribe. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the study to determine the feasibility of improvements to the upper Des Plaines River and tributaries, phase 2, Illinois and Wisconsin, authorized by the WRDA of 1999, the costs of work carried out by the non-Federal interests in Lake County, Illinois, before the date of execution of the feasibility study cost-sharing agreement, if: (1) the Secretary and the non-Federal interests enter into a feasibility study cost-sharing agreement; and (2) the Secretary finds that the work is integral to the scope of the study. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to credit toward the non-Federal share of the project costs of the Mississippi River and tributaries, Morganza, Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico project the cost of any work carried out by the non-Federal interests for interim flood protection after March 31, 1989, if the Secretary finds that the work is compatible with, and integral to, the project. (Sec. 307) Modifies the project for mitigation of fish and wildlife losses, Red River Waterway, Louisiana, to authorize the purchase of mitigation land from willing sellers in any of the parishes that comprise the Red River Waterway District. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to provide design and construction assistance for recreational facilities in the State of Maryland at the William Jennings Randolph Lake (Bloomington Dam), Maryland and West Virginia, project. Directs the Secretary to require the non-Federal interest to provide 50 percent of the costs of designing and constructing the recreational facilities. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the project for navigation, New Madrid County Harbor, Missouri. (Sec. 310) Directs the Secretary, regarding the project for navigation, Pemiscot County Harbor, Missouri, to provide credit to the Pemiscot County Port Authority, or an agent of the Authority, for costs incurred by the Authority or agent in carrying out construction work for the project after December 31, 1997, if the Secretary finds that the construction work is integral to the project. (Sec. 311) Provides for an exchange between the United States and S.S.S., Inc., of lands located in Pike County, Missouri, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to carry out a project at Fort Peck Lake, Montana, for the design and construction of a fish hatchery and such associated facilities as are necessary to sustain a multi-species fishery. Sets forth cost sharing provisions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out: (1) dredging of Mines Falls Park, New Hampshire (and authorizes appropriations); and (2) maintenance dredging of the Sagamore Creek Channel, New Hampshire. (Sec. 315) Modifies the project for flood control, Passaic River, New Jersey and New York, to emphasize non-structural approaches for flood control as alternatives to the construction of the Passaic River tunnel element, while maintaining the integrity of other separable mainstream project elements, wetland banks, and other independent projects that were authorized to be carried out in the Passaic River Basin before this Act's enactment date. Directs the Secretary to review: (1) the Passaic River Floodway Buyout Study, dated October 1995, to calculate the benefits of a buyout and environmental restoration using a specified method used to calculate the benefits of structural projects under the WRDA of 1990; and (2) the Passaic River Buyout Study of the ten-year floodplain beyond the floodway of the Central Passaic River Basin, dated September 1995, to calculate the benefits of a buyout and environmental restoration using such method. Requires the Secretary: (1) to reevaluate the acquisition, from willing sellers, for flood protection purposes, of wetlands in the Central Passaic River Basin to supplement a wetland acquisition authorized by the WRDA of 1990; and (2) upon determining that the acquisition is cost-effective, to purchase the wetlands, with the goal of purchasing not more than 8,200 acres. Directs the Secretary to review relevant reports and conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for environmental restoration, erosion control, and streambank restoration along the Passaic River from Dundee Dam to Kearny Point, New Jersey. Directs the Secretary to establish the Passaic River Flood Management Task Force to provide advice to the Secretary concerning all aspects of the Passaic River flood management project. Requires the task force to submit annually to the Secretary and to the non-Federal interest a report describing the achievements of the project in preventing flooding and any impediments to completion of the project. Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1986 regarding the Passaic River Basin to direct the Secretary to carry out such provisions in a manner that is consistent with New Jersey's Blue Acres Program. Authorizes the Secretary to study the feasibility of conserving land in the Highlands region of New Jersey and New York to provide additional flood protection for residents of the Passaic River Basin. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any funds to carry out design or construction of the tunnel element of the Passaic River flood control project. (Sec. 316) Modifies the project for shoreline protection, Rockaway Inlet to Norton Point (Coney Island Area), New York, to authorize the Secretary to construct T-groins to improve sand retention down drift. Specifies the Federal and non-Federal share. (Sec. 317) Extinguishes the reversionary interests and use restrictions relating to port or industrial purposes with respect to specified deeds on properties located on the John Day Pool in Oregon and Washington. Extinguishes the human habitation or other building structure use restriction in each area where the elevation is above the standard project flood elevation. Authorizes the use of fill material to raise low areas above the standard project flood elevation, except in any low area constituting wetland for which a permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act would be required. (Sec. 318) Amends the WRDA of 1999 to require that the non-Federal interest for the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier project, Providence, Rhode Island, receive credit toward the non-Federal share of project costs, or reimbursement, for the Federal share of the costs of repairs authorized that are incurred by the non-Federal interest before the date of execution of the project cooperation agreement. (Sec. 319) Requires that: (1) the Secretary enter into an agreement for the city of Grand Prairie, Texas, to assume all responsibilities of the Trinity River Authority under a specified contract, other than financial responsibilities, except that the Authority shall be relieved of all financial responsibilities under the contract as of the date on which the Secretary enters into the agreement with the city; (2) the city pay the Federal Government $4,290,000 in two installments in consideration of the agreement; and (3) the agreement include a provision requiring the city to assume responsibility for all costs associated with operation and maintenance of the recreation facilities included in the contract. (Sec. 320) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in critical restoration projects in the Lake Champlain watershed, New York and Vermont. Sets forth provisions regarding the types of projects eligible for assistance, a public ownership requirement, project selection, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 321) Modifies the project for sediment control, Mount St. Helens, Washington, to authorize the Secretary to maintain for Longview, Kelso, Lexington, and Castle Rock on the Cowlitz River specified flood protection levels. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in critical restoration projects in the area of Puget Sound, Washington, and adjacent waters. Sets forth provisions regarding project selection, prioritization of projects, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 323) Amends the WRDA of 1992 to provide that, with regard to the Fox River System, Wisconsin, the terms and conditions may include one or more payments to assist the State of Wisconsin in paying the costs of repair and rehabilitation of the transferred locks and appurtenant features. (Sec. 324) Amends the WRDA of 1986 to increase appropriations for projects of alternative or beneficially modified habitats for fish and wildlife. Directs that such projects include the construction of reefs and related clean shell substrate for fish habitat, including manmade three-dimensional oyster reefs, in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Maryland and Virginia, which reefs shall be preserved as permanent sanctuaries by the non-Federal interests. Requires the Chief of Engineers to solicit participation by, and the services of, commercial watermen for assistance in the construction of such reefs. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary, in operating and maintaining Federal channels and harbors of, and the connecting channels between, the Great Lakes to conduct such dredging as is necessary to ensure minimal operation depths consistent with the original authorized depths of the channels and harbors when water levels in the Great Lakes are, or are forecast to be, below the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985. (Sec. 326) Directs the Secretary, within one year, to develop a plan for activities of the Corps of Engineers that support the management of Great Lakes fisheries. Requires that the plan make use of and incorporate documents that relate to the Great Lakes and that are in existence on the date of this Act's enactment, such as lake-wide management and remedial action plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop the plan in cooperation with the signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of the Great Lakes Fisheries and other affected interests; (2) plan, design, and construct projects to support the restoration of the fishery, ecosystem, and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes; and (3) develop a program to evaluate the success of such projects. Sets forth provisions regarding cooperative agreements, relationship to other Great Lakes activities, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 327) Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1990 regarding Great Lakes remedial action plans and sediment remediation to decrease, from 50 to 35, the percentage of project costs that non-Federal interests shall contribute. Authorizes appropriations at an increased level. (Sec. 328) Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1996 regarding sediment management to set the non-Federal share of the costs of developing a tributary sediment transport model at 50 percent. Authorizes additional appropriations. (Sec. 329) Directs the Secretary, by December 31, 2002, to carry out a demonstration project for the use of innovative sediment treatment technologies for the treatment of dredged material from Long Island Sound. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 330) Directs the Secretary to perform an assessment of the condition of water resources and related ecosystems in New England to identify problems and needs for restoring, preserving, and protecting water resources, ecosystems, wildlife, and fisheries, including: (1) development of criteria for identifying and prioritizing the most critical problems and needs; and (2) a framework for development of watershed or regional restoration plans. Requires the Secretary: (1) to develop and make available for public review and comment criteria for identifying and prioritizing critical problems and needs and a framework for development of watershed or regional restoration plans; (2) to submit to Congress a report on the assessment; (3) to develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for restoring, preserving, and protecting the water resources and ecosystem in each watershed and region in New England; and (4) to identify critical restoration projects that will produce independent, immediate, and substantial restoration, preservation, and protection benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding agreements with non-Federal interests, project justification, time and cost limitations, and cost sharing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 331) Deauthorizes specified navigation projects at: (1) Kennebunk River, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine; and (2) Wallabout Channel, Brooklyn, New York. Title IV: Studies - Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out beach erosion control, storm damage reduction, and other measures along the shores of Baldwin County, Alabama. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) a reservoir and associated improvements to provide for flood control, recreation, water quality, and fish and wildlife in the vicinity of Bono, Arkansas; (2) modifying the project for flood control, Cache Creek Basin, California, to authorize construction of features to mitigate impacts of the project on the storm drainage system of the city of Woodland, California, that have been caused by construction of a new south levee of the Cache Creek Settling Basin; and (3) constructing flood control measures in the Estudillo Canal watershed, San Leandro, California, and the Laguna Creek watershed, Fremont, California, to provide a 100-year level of flood protection. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special study of plans to: (1) mitigate for the erosion and other impacts resulting from the construction of Camp Pendleton Harbor, Oceanside, California, as a wartime measure; and (2) restore beach conditions along the affected public and private shores to the conditions that existed before the construction of such harbor. (Sec. 407) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a watershed study for the San Jacinto watershed, California (and authorizes appropriations); (2) a reconnaissance study to determine the Federal interest in dredging the mouth of the Choctawhatchee River, Florida, to remove the sand plug; (3) a study to determine the feasibility of stabilizing the historic fortifications and beach areas of Egmont Key, Florida, that are threatened by erosion; (4) a re-study of flooding and water quality issues in the upper Ocklawaha River basin, south of the Silver River, and the Apopka River and Palatlakaha River basins; (5) a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out multi-objective flood control activities along the Boise River, Idaho; and (6) a reconnaissance study to determine the Federal interest in carrying out multi-objective flood control and flood mitigation planning projects along the Wood River in Blaine County, Idaho. (Sec. 413) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) carrying out projects for water-related urban improvements, including infrastructure development and improvements, in Chicago, Illinois; (2) deepening the navigation channel of the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf and Black, Louisiana, from 20 to 35 feet; (3) constructing navigation improvements for ingress and egress between the Port of Iberia, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico, including channel widening and deepening; (4) constructing projects for hurricane protection in the coastal area of the State of Louisiana between Morgan City and the Pearl River; (5) constructing urban flood control measures on the east bank of the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana; (6) redesigning as anchorage a portion of the 11-foot channel of the project for navigation, Narraguagus River, Milbridge, Maine, and of reauthorizing for the purpose of maintenance as anchorage of portion of that project lying adjacent to and outside the limits of the 11-foot and the nine-foot channel; and (7) modifying the project for navigation, Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River, Maine and New Hampshire, to increase the authorized width of turning basins in the Piscataqua River to 1000 feet. (Sec. 420) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a comprehensive study of the water resources needs of the Merrimack River basin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, taking into consideration studies conducted by the University of New Hampshire on environmental restoration of the Merrimack River System; (2) a study to determine the feasibility of modifying the project for navigation, Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi, to widen the channel from 300 to 450 feet and to deepen the South Harbor channel from 36 to 42 feet and the North Harbor channel from 32 to 36 feet. (Sec. 422) Authorizes the Secretary, in conjunction with the State of New Hampshire, to conduct a study to identify and evaluate potential upland disposal sites for dredged material originating from harbor areas located within the State. (Sec. 423) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of conveying to the Secretary of the Interior land that was acquired by the Secretary to carry out the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program and that is located within the external boundaries of specified reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Indian tribes involved. (Sec. 424) Rewrites provisions of the WRDA of 1996 regarding the Cuyahoga River, Ohio, to authorize the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to evaluate the structural integrity of the bulkhead system located on the Federal navigation channel along the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio; and (2) provide to the non-Federal interest design analysis, plans and specifications, and cost estimates for repair or replacement of the bulkhead system. Sets the non-Federal share of the cost of the study at 35 percent. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 425) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out projects for water supply and environmental restoration at the Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River at Fremont, Ohio. (Sec. 426) Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate the backwater effects specifically due to flood control operations on land around Grand Lake, Oklahoma and report to Congress on whether Federal actions have been a significant cause of such effects. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) addressing the backwater effects of the operation of the Pensacola Dam, Grand/Neosho River basin; and (2) purchasing easements for any land that has been adversely affected by backwater flooding in the Grand/Neosho River basin. Sets a 100 percent Federal cost share of the feasibility study if the Secretary determines that Federal actions have been a significant cause of the backwater effects. (Sec. 427) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating a permanent site in the State of Rhode Island for the disposal of dredged material. (Sec. 428) Directs the Secretary to use $200,000 from funds to be transferred from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to prepare a report of the Chief of Engineers for a replacement lock at Chickamauga Lock and Dam, Tennessee. (Sec. 429) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for flood control and related purposes along Miller Farms Ditch, Howard Road Drainage, and Wolf River Lateral D, Germantown, Tennessee; and (2) include environmental and water quality benefits in the justification analysis for the project. Sets forth provisions regarding the Federal and non-Federal share. (Sec. 430) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of: (1) modifying the project for flood control, Horn Lake Creek and Tributaries, Tennessee and Mississippi, to provide a high level of urban flood protection to development along Horn Lake Creek (and requires that the study include a limited reevaluation of the project to determine the appropriate design, as desired by the non-Federal interests); (2) constructing a 12 foot deep and 125 foot wide channel from the Houston Ship Channel to Cedar Bayou, mile marker 11, Texas; (3) constructing barge lanes adjacent to both sides of the Houston Ship Channel from Bolivar Roads to Morgan Point, Texas, to a depth of 12 feet; and (4) modifying the project for San Antonio Channel improvement, Texas, to add environmental restoration and recreation as project purposes. (Sec. 434) Authorizes the Secretary to review the report of the Chief of Engineers on the Upper Puyallup River, Washington, and other specified reports to determine whether modifications to the recommendations contained in the reports are advisable to provide improvements to the water resources and watershed of the White River watershed downstream of Mud Mountain Dam, Washington. (Sec. 435) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the feasibility of providing coastal erosion protection for the Tribal Reservation of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe on Willapa Bay, Washington; and (2) construct and maintain a project to provide coastal erosion protection for such reservation, at full Federal expense, if the Secretary determines that the project: (1) is a cost-effective means of providing erosion protection; (2) is environmentally acceptable and technically feasible; and (3) will improve the economic and social conditions of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe. Requires the Tribe, as a condition of the project, to provide land, easements, right-of-way, and dredged material disposal areas necessary for the implementation of the project. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends provisions of the WRDA of 1992 regarding visitors centers to direct the Secretary to: (1) construct a visitors center for the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Smith, Arkansas (currently, Arkansas River) on land provided by the city of Fort Smith; and (2) establish and operate the Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Site on property between the Mississippi River Bridge and the waterfront in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi (currently, in the vicinity of that Bridge). (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary to participate with the appropriate Federal and State agencies in the planning and management activities associated with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Directs the Secretary to integrate the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento River basins with the long-term goals of the Program. Sets forth provisions regarding cooperative activities and the area covered by the Program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Ontonagon County Historical Society, at full Federal expense: (1) the lighthouse at Ontonagon, Michigan; and (2) the land underlying and adjacent to the lighthouse that is under the Secretary's jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to determine the extent of the land conveyance and the exact acreage and legal description of the land to be conveyed and to prepare a map that clearly identifies any land to be conveyed. Authorizes the Secretary to obtain all necessary easements and rights-of-way and to impose such terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions on the conveyance as the Secretary determines to be necessary to protect the public interest. Makes: (1) the Secretary responsible for any necessary environmental response required as a result of the prior Federal use or ownership of the land and improvements conveyed; and (2) the Ontonagon County Historical Society responsible, after the conveyance of the land, for any additional operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement costs associated with the lighthouse or the conveyed land and improvements.
Bill· HRH.R. 4766 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000
Classroom Modernization Act of 2000 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and rename title XII as Classroom Modernization. (Currently it is named School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement, or the Education Infrastructure Act of 1994.) Directs the Secretary of Education to make formula grants to States to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) with the expenses of complying with Federal education statutory requirements and priorities relating to infrastructure, technology, and equipment needs for public elementary and secondary schools, including charter schools and schools on or near Indian lands. Bases State allotments on: (1) relative numbers of children age five through 17 from families with incomes below poverty; and (2) relative proportions of ESEA title I allotments. Requires reservation of specified funds for grants to account for children residing on Indian lands. Requires States to distribute such funds to LEAs or consortia of LEAs, through forms consistent with State law for school infrastructure financing, including grants, loans, and aid to issue bonds or other obligations. Considers as such distributed amounts: (1) aid to refund or refinance outstanding obligations; and (2) amounts used to establish a reserve fund for State loan guarantee program. Allows any State that establishes such a program including a loan guarantee for at least one charter school to use a specified portion of grant funds to administer such program. Sets forth objective data categories which a State may consider in determining distribution of such funds. Sets the Federal share at 100 percent for: (1) renovation, construction, acquisition, and start-up needs related to the building infrastructure of a charter school (or, in the case of schools on Indian lands, renovation and construction needs related to building infrastructure); (2) school facilities modifications necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (3) purchase, lease, or other acquisition of assistive technology devices for children with disabilities; (4) asbestos abatement or removal from school facilities; and (5) ancillary renovation to complete such projects. Sets the Federal share at 50 percent for: (1) school facility wiring and associated infrastructure improvements that enhance students' academic experiences and are necessary for use of the Internet or related emerging technologies or better equip schools for modern educational technologies; (2) science laboratories and equipment, and vocational education laboratories and equipment, that are of significant cost or are related to emerging technologies; (3) school facility renovations undertaken for compliance with fire and safety codes; (4) school facilities renovations to prevent traumatic crisis events on school property that would disrupt the learning environment, such as school shootings or other major acts of violence, if the renovations are undertaken in direct response to, or in anticipation of, such events; and (5) ancillary renovation to complete such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the impact of Federal conditions of aid on school construction projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 4755 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Preservation Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to be solely responsible for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and expansion of the existing Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland until all conditions under this Act have been met for the construction of a replacement for the bridge. Provides that terms of the agreement of April 19, 1985, between the Secretary, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, related to the assignment of responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the bridge, shall remain in effect. Designates certain contract and associated obligational authorities for the bridge as the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Preservation Fund which shall be maintained within the Department of Transportation. Requires that such Fund be available to the Secretary for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and expansion of the bridge for keeping it in a condition sufficient to facilitate interstate traffic in an efficient and safe manner. Provides for amounts in the Fund only to be available for those portions of the bridge that are owned by the Federal Government. Sets forth a rule for the replenishment of the Fund. Requires the Secretary to prepare and transmit to Congress an annual report on the bridge's condition. Directs the Secretary, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to develop a transportation plan for the Capital Beltway corridor (Interstate Route 495) served by the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge project. Requires that the plan establish what level of high occupancy vehicle lanes and transit service should be provided in the corridor and how such service should be accommodated on a replacement bridge. Permits the cost of developing the plan to be paid from the Fund. Requires the balance in the Fund to be available for the construction of a replacement bridge upon certification to Congress by the Secretary that all of the following conditions have been met: (1) the transportation plan has been completed and approved by the Secretary, the Governors of Virginia and Maryland, and the mayor of the District of Columbia; (2) title to the existing bridge has been transferred from the Federal Government to Virginia, Maryland, or both; and (3) Virginia and Maryland have developed a finance plan to pay for all costs of the replacement bridge project in excess of the current Federal payment and have signed an agreement with the Secretary to pay for all cost overruns to the plan (requires the plan to give priority to the use of such Federal payment for the bridge component). Allows the Secretary, in developing a replacement bridge and its approaches, upon petition by the States of Virginia and Maryland, to waive any Federal highways requirement (with exceptions) that the States have determined to cause unreasonable increases in the cost of the project. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the $900 million Federal payment to replace the bridge is the final Federal contribution for that project; (2) any of the Federal payment remaining after completion of the replacement bridge shall be available to pay for costs associated with construction of approaches to it; and (3) all project costs not associated with the bridge component are the responsibility of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland.
Bill· HRH.R. 4746 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Emergency Rural and Small Railroad Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program in which grants are allocated upon the application of State and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, and Class II and III freight railroads to upgrade track and bridges to accommodate 286,000 pound freight cars or promote essential service and enhance safety. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects that are economically viable, and require a non-Federal matching contribution of at least ten percent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Railroad Trust Fund consisting of amounts derived from taxes on trains to be used to carry out this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4752 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out projects for removing accumulated snags and other debris, and for protecting, clearing, and straightening channels, in navigable waters to mitigate damages resulting from a major disaster if such work is advisable in the interest of flood control or navigation. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2762 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2000
Saving Humanities, Arts, and Resources for Education Networking Act of 2000 (SHARE Net Act) - Expresses the sense of Congress that, following the principle of the Morrill Acts that public assets be used for broadening public education, the resources available through the auction of the analog spectrum should be tapped to fund the development of a new educational and cultural infrastructure that utilizes today's technologies to expand the reach and impact of existing high-quality community educational resources. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out a SHARE Net Grant program to develop a comprehensive, accessible, high-tech infrastructure of educational and cultural resources for nonprofit institutions, individuals, and others for educational purposes through a systematic effort to coordinate, link, and enhance existing specialized resources and expertise in public and private cultural and educational institutions. Allows such grants to be made to partnerships with at least three organizations from at least three of these categories: (1) institutions of a higher education; (2) libraries; (3) public radio and television stations; (4) museums; (5) arts and cultural institutions; (6) State educational agencies; (7) local educational agencies; and (8) public interest, not-for-profit organizations. Sets forth mandatory and permissible uses of grant funds, and application and matching funds requirements. Requires grant award priority to be given to partnerships that: (1) serve a low-income community; or (2) have a membership that is broadly representative of the region or State to be served. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2750 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2000
Las Vegas Wash Wetland Restoration and Lake Mead Water Quality Improvement Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the continued development and implementation of the Las Vegas Wash Wetlands Restoration and Lake Mead Water Quality Improvement Project. Direct the Administrator and the Secretaries of the Army and the Interior to provide research, technical assistance, interagency coordination, and funding for: (1) the collection and modeling of scientific and hydrologic data; and (2) the design and construction of erosion control facilities, wetland restoration features, ground water interdiction facilities, treated effluent transport diffusion and reuse features, water quality improvement facilities, and other project features developed under the Las Vegas Wash Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4690 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2000
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the judiciary, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration; (2) a Joint Automated Booking System; (3) conversion to narrowband communications; (4) counterterrorism activities; (5) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (6) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (7) establishment of a Federal Detention Trustee to exercise functions relating to the detention of Federal prisoners in non- Federal institutions or those in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and detention of aliens in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (8) the Office of Inspector General; (9) the U.S. Parole Commission; (10) legal activities; (11) antitrust activities; (12) the Offices of U.S. Attorneys; (13) the U.S. Trustee Program; (14) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (15) the U.S. Marshals Service, including amounts for Federal prisoner detention; (16) fees and expenses of witnesses; (17) the Community Relations Service; (18) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (19) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (20) the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund; (21) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (22) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (23) construction for specified agencies; (24) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (25) the INS; (26) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (27) Office of Justice programs; (28) State and local law enforcement assistance; (29) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (30) community oriented policing services; (31) juvenile justice programs; and (32) public safety officers' benefits. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this title to: (1) pay for abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or in the case of rape; or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate an abortion. (Sec. 109) Makes a provision of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 relating to grants for assistance to the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 applicable for FY 2001. (Sec. 110) Applies certain provisions of law that authorize the Department of Justice, in litigation involving unusually high costs, to receive and retain reimbursement for salaries and expenses from any other governmental component being represented in the legislation only to litigation in which the United States (or a U.S. agency or officer) is a defendant. (Sec. 111) Makes a certain provision of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 that prohibits the use of funds by any Act to pay premium pay to any Department of Justice attorney applicable to FY 2001 as well. (Sec. 112) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the Genealogy Fee for providing genealogy research and information services. Provides for deposit of the fee as offsetting collections in the Examinations Fee Account. Requires INS employees to collect fees before disseminating any requested genealogical information. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish and collect a premium fee for employment-based petitions and applications. Requires the fee to be used to provide certain premium-processing services to business customers and to make infrastructure improvements in the adjudications and customer-service processes. Provides for deposit of the fee as offsetting collections in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account. (Sec. 113) Prohibits the Attorney General, during the current fiscal year, from certifying any amount for appropriation to the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account (established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act) for any purpose of the Department of Justice without advance notification of the Appropriations Committees. Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies - Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Commission; (3) the International Trade Administration; (4) export administration and national security activities; (5) the Economic Development Administration; (6) minority business development; (7) economic and statistical analysis programs; (8) the Census Bureau; (9) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (10) public telecommunications facilities planning and construction grants; (11) information infrastructure grants; (12) the Patent and Trademark Office; (13) the Under Secretary for Technology-Office of Technology Policy; (14) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including amounts for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and for construction of new research facilities; (15) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including amounts for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets; (16) restoration of Pacific salmon populations; (17) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (18) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (19) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (20) the fisheries finance program account; (21) general administration; and (22) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Supreme Court, including an amount for care of the building and grounds; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) defender services; (6) fees of jurors and commissioners; (7) court security; (8) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (9) the Federal Judicial Center; (10) judicial retirement funds; and (11) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to designate judicial branch officers and employees to be disbursing officers and to certify payment requests from appropriations and funds. Sets forth provisions regarding liability of such officers and employees. Title IV: Department of State and Related Agency - Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) embassy security, construction, and maintenance; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, conferences, peacekeeping, and commissions; (13) the Asia Foundation; (14) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (15) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; and (16) the National Endowment for Democracy. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations and capital improvements. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 403) Provides that there shall be up to 71 Deputy Assistant Secretaries of State in the Department of State. (Sec. 404) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act by the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 405) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to require the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources to be appointed by the President. Makes such Deputy Secretary a Level II Executive Schedule position. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program; (2) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (3) Commission on Civil Rights; (4) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (5) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (6) Federal Communications Commission; (7) Federal Maritime Commission; (8) Federal Trade Commission; (9) Legal Services Corporation; (10) Marine Mammal Commission; (11) Securities and Exchange Commission; (12) Small Business Administration, including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans; and (13) State Justice Institute. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to: (1) enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion if such guidelines do not differ from proposed guidelines of October 1, 1993; (2) pay for costs incurred in operating certain diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam or increasing the number of personnel assigned to such posts until the President makes a specified certification; or (3) provide specified personal comforts in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 609) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act for any United Nations undertaking if: (1) such undertaking is a peacekeeping mission and will involve U.S. armed forces under the control of a foreign national; and (2) the President's military advisors have not submitted a recommendation that such involvement is in the national security interest and the President has not submitted such recommendation to Congress. (Sec. 611) Makes earmarks, limitations, or minimum funding requirements contained in any other Act inapplicable to funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 617) Makes funds provided by this Act unavailable to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products or to seek the reduction or removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of such products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to products of the same type. (Sec. 618) Bars funds appropriated under any law from being used for: (1) the implementation of any tax or fee in connection with any criminal background check system that implements requirements under the Federal criminal code in connection with certain restrictions on the transfer of firearms; and (2) any such system that does not result in the destruction of information submitted by persons determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm. (Sec. 621) Bars the use of funds appropriated in this Act for purposes of processing or granting immigrant or nonimmigrant visas to residents of countries that the Attorney General has determined deny or unreasonably delay accepting the return of certain deportable aliens. (Sec. 622) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of Justice in this Act for transporting any maximum or high security prisoner to any prison other than one certified by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. (Sec. 623) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Title VII: Rescission - Rescinds a specified amount appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the maritime guaranteed loan program account.
Bill· HRH.R. 4692 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2000
Las Vegas Wash Wetlands Restoration and Lake Mead Water Quality Improvement Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the continued development and implementation of the Las Vegas Wash Wetlands Restoration and Lake Mead Water Quality Improvement Project. Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of the Army and Interior to provide, with respect to the Project, technical assistance, interagency coordination, and funding for: (1) the collection and modeling of hydrologic data for water quality; and (2) the design and construction of erosion control facilities, wetland restoration features, ground water interdiction facilities, treated effluent transport diffusion and reuse features, water quality improvement facilities, and other project features developed under the Las Vegas Wash Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2743 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Voluntary Error Reduction and Improvement in Patient Safety Act - Establishes within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety to promote patient safety through the establishment of a patient safety information infrastructure and evidence base. Requires the: (1) Center to serve as a central, publicly accessible clearinghouse for patient safety information; and (2) Agency Director to establish a formal process to gather information on priorities, methodologies, and approaches for medical errors and patient safety research. Requires the Director to establish a: (1) National Patient Safety Reporting System, allowing any individual or entity to report an adverse patient safety event; and (2) National Patient Safety Surveillance System, allowing health care organizations to submit reports of adverse patient safety events, event analyses, and corrective actions taken. Requires the confidentiality of information gathered through either System. Requires the Director to establish Centers of Patient Safety Improvement to conduct research on medical errors and interventions or strategies to reduce such errors. Prohibits a health care organization from discharging or otherwise discriminating against a worker providing information to either of the Systems or disclosing patient care information to an appropriate regulatory agency, accrediting body, or organization management personnel. Provides for enforcement through the Secretary of Labor. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement within the Department of Health and Human Services a medical care best-practices process. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to develop: (1) a process for determining which best practices to apply to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and (2) measures to rate Program plans on patient safety improvement activities.
Bill· SS. 2735 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Health Care Access and Rural Equality Act of 2000 - Title I: Increase in Market Basket Percentage Adjustment for Rural Hospitals - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for an increase in the market basket percentage adjustment for rural hospitals. Title II: Capital Relief for Rural Health Care Infrastructure - Amends part A (Determination of Benefits) of SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to establish a Capital Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make loans up to a specified amount from the loan and loan guarantee fund to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements. Title III: Refinement of the Medicare Dependent, Small Rural Hospital Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to make the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program permanent and to give any hospital under such program the option of basing eligibility for payment on discharges during any of the three most recent audited cost reporting periods in lieu of the current basing of eligibility for payment on discharges during the cost reporting period beginning in FY 1987. Title IV: Exemption for Medicare Swing Bed Hospitals - Amends SSA title XVIII to exempt Medicare swing bed hospitals from the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 to make January 1, 2001, the effective date of the elimination of certain restrictions with respect to the hospital swing bed program. Title V: Treatment of Physician Pathology Services - Provides for the treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Title VI: Technical Corrections to the Balanced Budget Refinement Act - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to: (1) payments to critical access hospitals for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) the all-inclusive payment option for outpatient critical access hospital services; and (3) the option to use rebased target amounts to all sole community hospitals. Makes technical corrections to the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 with regard to clinical diagnostic laboratory services furnished by a critical access hospital and other specified matters. Amends Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to authorize the Secretary to make grants of up to a specified amount to applicant hospitals to assist eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of establish data systems required to meet requirements established under Medicare pursuant to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4682 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Title XI Mortgage Access and National Shipbuilding Initiative Extension Act - Amends title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a simplified form and process for application for Smaller Ship Shared-Risk Financing Guarantees. Sets forth certain eligibility requirements and restrictions and conditions with respect to such guarantees. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Coast Guard and subject to appropriations, to provide financial assistance for research projects proposed to and selected by the U.S. Passenger Vessel Association that: (1) foster business process or design technologies to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental impacts from domestic passenger vessel operations; (2) promote cost-effective solutions to passenger and crew safety issues arising from such operations and changing technologies; and (3) propose, promote, or assess the feasibility of waterborne passenger transport in U.S. locales with existing or foreseeable nonwaterborne transport congestion. Declares that the authority created under the National Shipbuilding and Shipyard Conversion Act of 1933 to extend the availability of title XI obligation guarantees to eligible export vessels and for U.S. shipyard modernization shall continue until terminated or otherwise modified by Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 4677 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Health Care Access and Rural Equality Act of 2000 - Title I: Increase in Market Basket Percentage Adjustment for Rural Hospitals - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for an increase in the market basket percentage adjustment for rural hospitals. Title II: Capital Relief for Rural Health Care Infrastructure - Amends part A (Determination of Benefits) of SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to establish a Capital Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make loans up to a specified amount from the loan and loan guarantee fund to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements. Title III: Refinement of the Medicare Dependent, Small Rural Hospital Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to make the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program permanent and to give any hospital under such program the option of basing eligibility for payment on discharges during any of the three most recent audited cost reporting periods in lieu of the current basing of eligibility for payment on discharges during the cost reporting period beginning in FY 1987. Title IV: Exemption for Medicare Swing Bed Hospitals - Amends SSA title XVIII to exempt Medicare swing bed hospitals from the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 to make January 1, 2001, the effective date of the elimination of certain restrictions with respect to the hospital swing bed program. Title V: Treatment of Physician Pathology Services - Provides for the treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Title VI: Medicaid Payment Correction for Certain Rural Health Clinics - Prohibits a State plan approved under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) from recouping or denying certain alleged plan overpayments for rural health clinic services furnished on or after January 1, 1998, and before October 1, 2000. Prohibits the Secretary from withholding, suspending, disallowing, or denying Federal financial participation under Medicaid with respect to such overpayments. Requires the State or the Secretary, as the case may be, to pay to the rural health clinic or the State, as the case may be, any amounts recouped, denied, withheld, suspended, or disallowed. Title VII: Technical Corrections to the Balanced Budget Refinement Act - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to: (1) payments to critical access hospitals for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) the all-inclusive payment option for outpatient critical access hospital services; and (3) the option to use rebased target amounts to all sole community hospitals. Makes technical corrections to the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 with regard to clinical diagnostic laboratory services furnished by a critical access hospital and other specified matters. Amends Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to authorize the Secretary to make grants of up to a specified amount to applicant hospitals to assist eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of establish data systems required to meet requirements established under Medicare pursuant to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2720 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000
Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Department of Transportation - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 (with specified transfers of funds, limitations on obligations and administrative expenses, and liquidations and rescissions of contract authorizations) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary of Transportation; (2) the Coast Guard; (3) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); (4) the Federal Highway Administration (FHA); (5) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; (6) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; (7) the Federal Railroad Administration; (8) the Federal Transit Administration; (9) the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; (10) the Research and Special Programs Administration; (11) the Office of Inspector General; and (12) the Surface Transportation Board. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; and (2) the National Transportation Safety Board. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth specified prohibitions, limitations, permissions, and mandates with respect to the use of appropriations under this Act identical or similar to those enacted in the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (P.L. 106-69). (Sec. 303) Makes funds appropriated under this Act for FAA expenditures available for: (1) expenses of primary and secondary schooling for dependents of FAA personnel stationed outside the continental United States at costs for any given area not in excess of those of the Department of Defense for the same area, when it is determined that the schools, if any, available in the locality are unable to provide adequately for the education of such dependents; and (2) transportation of such dependents between schools serving the area that they attend and their places of residence when it is determined that such schools are not accessible by public means of transportation on a regular basis. (Sec. 305) Bars the availability of funds under this Act for salaries and expenses of more than 104 political and Presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 309) Prohibits a recipient of funds made available under this Act from disseminating: (1) driver's license personal information or motor vehicle records for any purpose not permitted under specified law; and (2) a person's driver license photograph, social security number, and medical or disability information from a motor vehicle record without the express consent of the person, except as permitted under specified law. Declares that such requirements shall not affect the use of organ donation information on the individual's driver license or affect the administration of organ donation initiatives in the States. (Sec. 313) Bars the use of funds under this Act to establish a vessel traffic safety fairway less than five miles wide between the Santa Barbara Traffic Separation Scheme and the San Francisco Traffic Separation Scheme. (Sec. 314) Authorizes airports to transfer to the FAA, without consideration, instrument landing systems (along with associated approach lighting equipment and runway visual range equipment) which conform to FAA design and performance specifications and which were purchased with airport development grant funds. (Sec. 318) Bars the use of funds under this Act to compensate in excess of 320 technical staff-years under the federally funded research and development center contract between the FAA and the Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development during FY 2001. (Sec. 319) Reduces the amount of funds provided in this Act for the Transportation Administrative Service Center (TASC). Authorizes appropriations for projects involving construction of, and improvements to, corridors of the Appalachian Development Highway System. (Sec. 323) Bars the use of funds, unless authorized by Congress, to pay for specified lobbying activities with respect to a Member of Congress or a State legislature. Permits DOT or related agency employees to communicate to Members of Congress or to a State legislature with respect to requests for legislation or appropriations which they deem necessary for the efficient conduct of business. (Sec. 324) Prohibits expenditure of funds made available under this Act by any entity that does not agree to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should purchase only U.S.-made equipment and products to the greatest extent practicable. Prohibits the use of funds for contracts with persons falsely labeling products as made in America. (Sec. 328) Authorizes appropriations for expenses of the Amtrak Reform Council for FY 2002. Includes within the duties of such Council the identification of Amtrak routes which are candidates for closure or realignment based on performance rankings developed by Amtrak which incorporate information on each route's fully allocated costs and ridership on core intercity passenger service, and which assume that Federal subsidies for Amtrak will decline from FY 1999 to FY 2002. (Sec. 330) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for FY 2001 for activities under the Aircraft Purchase Loan Guarantee Program. (Sec. 331) Amends the Federal Transit Act of 1998 to increase from 50 percent to 90 percent the Federal share of costs with respect to grants for increasing over-the-road bus service accessibility to persons with disabilities (particularly in rural areas). (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to execute a demonstration program of the "fractional ownership" concept in performing administrative support flight missions in order to determine whether cost savings, as well as increased operational flexibility and aircraft availability, can be realized through the use by the government of such concept. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Committees on Appropriations on the results of such evaluation. (Sec. 333) Bars the use of funds in this Act to make a grant unless the Secretary of Transportation notifies the Committees on Appropriations not less than three full business days before any discretionary grant award, letter of intent, or full funding grant agreement totaling $1 million or more is announced by the Department of Transportation or its modal administrations from: (1) any discretionary grant program of the FHA other than the emergency relief program; (2) the FAA airport improvement program; or (3) any FTA program other than the formula grants and fixed guideway modernization programs. (Sec. 334) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to add the Wilmington Downtown transit corridor and the Honolulu Bus Rapid Transit project to the list of projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing systems. (Sec. 336) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to study, and report to Congress on, the maximum axle weight limitations applicable to vehicles using the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as they apply to over-the-road buses and public transit vehicles. (Sec. 337) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue regulations or orders for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol (adopted on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan at the Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification and has not been entered into force. (Sec. 340) Bars the use of funds in this Act to adopt guidelines or regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide to the FAA without cost building construction, maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space in airport sponsor-owned buildings for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation or weather reporting. Provides that such prohibition does not apply to negotiations between the FAA and airport sponsors to achieve agreement on "below-market" rates for such items or to grant assurances that require airport sponsors to provide land without cost to the FAA for ATC facilities. (Sec. 341) Bars the availability of funds under this Act or prior Appropriations Acts for Coast Guard acquisition, construction, and improvements after the 15th of any quarter of any fiscal year beginning after December 31, 1999, unless the Commandant of the Coast Guard first reports quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on all major Coast Guard acquisition projects executed for it by the U.S. Navy and vessel traffic service projects. (Sec. 342) Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2004, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that considers as intoxicated an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2004 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 343) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to waive, without charge, any terms contained in the deed conveying U.S. lands to a public institution of higher education in Oklahoma that restrict the use of such land that, as of the date of enactment of this Act, is not being used for the operation of an airport or for air traffic.
Bill· SS. 2716 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000
Motor Carrier Fairness Act of 2000 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from taking any action to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule entitled "Hours of Service of Drivers" published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the Federal Register on May 2, 2000.
Bill· SS. 2713 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000
Priority Corridor Equity Act of 2000 - Amends Federal highway provisions regarding revenue aligned budget authority to provide that, if in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1999, a State has within its boundaries one or more high priority corridors but does not obligate on projects for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (construction projects) of segments for the National Highway System (NHS) an aggregate amount that equals or exceeds the lesser of ten percent of the aggregate amount of funds apportioned to the State or the total amount necessary to complete construction of any such incomplete projects, the State may obligate funds allocated to the State for NHS modifications for the following fiscal year only on construction projects in such corridors.
Law· HRH.R. 4635 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2000
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 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) departmental administration; (8) the National Cemetery Administration; (9) the Office of Inspector General; (10) construction; (11) the parking revolving fund; and (12) 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. (Sec. 112) Repeals a provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that makes inapplicable a certain requirement that veterans' benefits be paid on the Friday immediately preceding a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the case of benefit payments otherwise payable on Sunday, October 1, 2000. 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) the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development; (9) the community development fund; (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. 203) Requires the Secretary of HUD, from amounts made available under this title for FY 2001 for housing opportunities for persons with AIDS, to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation in a prior fiscal year due to having a specified number of AIDS cases outside of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) with a population exceeding 500,000; and (2) is not otherwise eligible for a FY 2001 allocation because the areas outside the MSAs that qualify for funding do not have the number of AIDS cases required. (Sec. 206) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require the Secretary of HUD to establish criteria setting forth requirements for treatment of areas as difficult utilization areas with respect to Section 8 vouchers under low-income housing provisions. Authorizes public housing agencies that serve such areas to: (1) increase the payment standard applicable to the area for any size of dwelling unit to up to 150 percent of the fair market rental for the same size of unit in the same market area; and (2) use amounts provided for Section 8 assistance to make payments or provide services to assist families issued such vouchers to lease suitable housing, with a specified cost limitation. 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 Appeals for Veterans Claims; (7) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses; (8) the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for carrying out specified activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA); and (9) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for carrying out specified activities under CERCLA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act. 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 Flood Map Modernization Fund; (8) the National Flood Insurance Fund; and (9) the National Flood Mitigation Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2001: (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 Federal Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 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 Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 421) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any of the funds provided in title II of this Act for technical assistance, training, or management improvements unless HUD provides a description of each proposed activity and a detailed budget estimate of costs as part of the budget justifications to the Appropriations Committees. (Sec. 425) Bars the obligation or expenditure of funds provided in title III of this Act to support joint research programs between the Air Force and NASA, specifically the activities of the AF-NASA Council on Aeronautics and the AFSPC-NRO-NASA Partnership Council.
Bill· HRH.R. 4637 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2000
Summerlin Land Exchange Act of 2000 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Howard Hughes Corporation specified Federal lands that lie in the bajada between Summerlin and the base of the ridge of hills east of Blue Diamond Ridge to include the small valley at the base of the Blue Mountain Ridge in Clark County, Nevada, in exchange for: (1) certain Corporation lands in Nevada; and (2) specified payments by the Corporation to the State of Nevada for use in its general education program and to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for water treatment and transmission facility infrastructure. Provides that such payments shall be considered to be a cost incurred by the Corporation and shall be compensated by the Secretary.
Bill· HRH.R. 4638 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2000
Priority Corridor Equity Act of 2000 - Amends Federal highway provisions regarding revenue aligned budget authority to provide that, if in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1999, a State has within its boundaries one or more high priority corridors but does not obligate on projects for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (construction projects) of segments for the National Highway System (NHS) an aggregate amount that equals or exceeds the lesser of ten percent of the aggregate amount of funds apportioned to the State or the total amount necessary to complete construction of any such incomplete projects, the State may only obligate funds allocated to the State for NHS modifications for the succeeding fiscal year on construction projects in such corridors.
Bill· HRH.R. 4629 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2000
Priority Corridor Equity Act of 2000 - Amends Federal highway provisions regarding revenue aligned budget authority to provide that, if in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1999, a State has within its boundaries one or more high priority corridors but does not obligate on projects for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (construction projects) of segments for the National Highway System (NHS) an aggregate amount that equals or exceeds the lesser of one percent of the aggregate amount of funds apportioned to the State or the total amount necessary to complete construction of any such incomplete projects, the State may only obligate funds allocated to the State for NHS modifications for the succeeding fiscal year on construction projects in such corridors.
Bill· SS. 2702 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Requires the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive report detailing the specific steps taken by the Federal Government to develop infrastructure assurance strategies and the timetable for operationalizing and fully implementing critical information systems defense by May 2003. Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a detailed report, in both classified and unclassified formats, on Department of Defense plans and programs to organize a coordinated defense against attacks on critical infrastructure and information-based systems, including: (1) a description of the current role of the Department in implementing Presidential Decision Directive No 63 (PDD-63); (2) a description of the manner in which the Department is integrating its various capabilities and assets, including the National Communications System, into an indications and warning architecture; (3) a description of Department work with the intelligence community to counter the threat of information warfare programs by potentially hostile foreign national governments and sub-national groups; and (4) an identification of the elements of a defense against an information warfare attack, including the integration of the Computer Network Attack Capability of the U.S. Space Command into the overall cyber-defense of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 4609 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Airport Recycling Act of 2000 - Amends Federal transportation law to make recycling programs for newspapers and other recyclable items an airport development activity, for which an airport improvement project may receive a grant. Declares it is U.S. policy that airports should develop and implement such programs.
Bill· SS. 2692 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2000
Imported Products Safety Improvement and Disease Prevention Act of 2000 - Title I: Improvements to the Product Safety Import System - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) to require any product imported into the United States to be prepared, packaged, and held under a system or conditions, or subject to measures, that meet safety requirements of the Act or that have been determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be the equivalent to such a system and to achieve the level of public health protection required for products prepared in the United States. Requires the Secretary to develop a system to deny the entry of any product not covered by such a system. Prohibits the distribution of any imported product which has not been authorized by the Secretary. Requires the secure storage or destruction of certain imported products. Prohibits: (1) port shopping of products which have been refused admission; and (2) imports by debarred persons. Title II: Enforcement and Penalties for Importing Contaminated Products - Provides for the enforcement of penalties for the importing of contaminated products, including: (1) increased bonding requirements for prior offenders; and (2) the debarment of repeat and serious offenders. Title III: Improvements to Public Health Infrastructure and Awareness - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants and provide technical assistance to eligible agencies to carry out activities relating to surveillance and prevention of pathogen- related disease borne in a covered product; and (2) conduct pathogen detection research and development, training, education, and public information.
Law· HRH.R. 4577 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2000
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 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 (OSHA); (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. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds available in this Act by OSHA to promulgate or enforce any proposed, temporary, or final standard on ergonomic protection. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and program management; (9) the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for child support enforcement and family support programs; (11) low income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) the child care and development block grant; (14) the social services block grant; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (24) the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. Rescinds FY 2001 funds for a sample study of child welfare. 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) Requires allotments for States for substance abuse prevention and treatment under the Public Health Service Act to be no less than the amount a State received for such purposes for FY 2000 increased by 33.33 percent of the percentage by which the amount allotted to the States for FY 2001 exceeds the amount allotted for FY 2000. (Sec. 213) Prohibits funds in any Act from being used to obligate funds for NIH in excess of the total amount identified for NIH for FY 2001 in the President's budget request. Bars funds made available for each institute, center, office, or buildings and facilities from being reduced below the amounts shown in the budget request column of the table printed in the report accompanying the bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, HHS, Education, and related agencies for FY 2001. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 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. 304) Bars the use of funds made available under title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to a local educational agency or elementary or secondary school to purchase computers used to access the Internet, or pay direct costs of accessing the Internet, unless the agency or school has in place technology on such computers which filters material that is obscene or hurtful to minors and child pornography. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to carry out activities related to any federally sponsored national test in reading, mathematics, or any other subject that is not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law, with exceptions for specified international comparative assessments administered only to a representative sample of pupils in the United States and foreign nations. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 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) Office of Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (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. (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) Repeals a provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that designates the delivery date for SSI benefit payments under the Social Security Act for October 2000. (Sec. 516) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to limit the amount of the FY 2001 State TANF supplemental grant for population increases in certain States to the amount of such grant for FY 1998. (Sec. 517) Amends the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to apply a certain schedule for the delivery of SSI supplementation payments to months after September 2001 (currently, 2009).
Law· HRH.R. 4576 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2000
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Military Personnel - Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for active-duty and reserve personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force and for National Guard personnel in the Army and Air Force. Title II: Operation and Maintenance - Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance of the Army, Navy, and Air Force (including a transfer of funds in each case), the Marine Corps, the defense agencies (including a transfer of funds), the reserve components, and the Army and Air National Guards. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund (including a transfer of funds); (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; (3) environmental restoration for the Army, Navy, and Air Force and defense-wide (including a transfer of funds in each case); (4) environmental restoration at formerly used defense sites (including a transfer of funds); (5) overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid; (6) former Soviet Union threat reduction; and (7) quality of life enhancements, defense. Title III: Procurement - Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for procurement by the armed forces and reserve components of aircraft, missiles, weapons, tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion and for other procurement. Appropriates funds for: (1) defense-wide procurement; and (2) certain procurements under the Defense Production Act of 1950. Title IV: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for research, development, test, and evaluation by the armed forces and defense agencies. Appropriates funds for the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. Title V: Revolving and Management Funds - Appropriates funds for the Defense Working Capital funds and programs under the National Defense Sealift Fund. Title VI: Other Department of Defense Programs - Appropriates funds for: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) medical and health care programs; (2) the destruction of lethal chemical agents and munitions; (3) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, defense (including a transfer of funds); and (4) the Office of the Inspector General. Title VII: Related Agencies - Appropriates funds for: (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account (including a transfer of funds); (3) payment to the Kaho'olawe Island Conveyance, Remediation, and Environmental Restoration Fund; and (4) national security scholarships, fellowships, and grants (using funds derived from the National Security Education Trust Fund). Title VIII: General Provisions - Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. (Sec. 8008) Authorizes procurement funds to be used for multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley fighting vehicle, the DDG-51 destroyer, and UH-60/CH-60 aircraft. (Sec. 8010) Prohibits during FY 2001 the management by end strengths of DOD civilian personnel. (Sec. 8019) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to establish, with host governments of NATO-member countries, an account for the deposit of residual amounts negotiated in the return of U.S. military installations to such countries. (Sec. 8030) Authorizes DOD to incur obligations of up to $350 million for DOD military personnel compensation, military construction projects, and supplies and services in anticipation of receipts of contributions from the Government of Kuwait. (Sec. 8031) Prohibits the use of funds from this Act to establish a new DOD federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). Limits the Federal compensation to be paid to FFRDC members or consultants. Prohibits the use of FY 2001 FFRDC funds for new building construction, cost-sharing payments for projects funded by Government grants, absorption of cost overruns, or certain charitable contributions. Limits the staff years of technical effort that may be funded for FFRDCs from FY 2001 funds. (Sec. 8032) Provides Buy American requirements with respect to the DOD procurement of carbon, alloy, or armor steel plating. (Sec. 8035) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the amount of DOD purchases from foreign entities in FY 2001. (Sec. 8038) Directs the President to include within each fiscal year budget the amounts requested for administrative activities of DOD, the military departments, and the defense agencies. (Sec. 8046) Earmarks funds appropriated under this Act for the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts on Indian lands resulting from DOD activities. (Sec. 8049) Prohibits the use of funds: (1) by a DOD entity without compliance with the Buy American Act; (2) to establish additional field operating agencies of DOD elements or to hire additional personnel for such agencies, except for those funded within the National Foreign Intelligence Program; (3) for assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea unless specifically appropriated for such purpose; (4) to reduce the civilian medical and medical support personnel assigned to military treatment facilities below the September 30, 2000, level; and (5) to transport chemical munitions to the Johnston Atoll for storage or demilitarization (with an exception and an authorized wartime waiver by the President). (Sec. 8053) Authorizes DOD to lease real and personal property at the Adak Naval Air Facility, Alaska. (Sec. 8054) Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. (Sec. 8061) Prohibits the transfer to any other department or agency, except as specifically provided in an appropriations law, of funds available to DOD or the Central Intelligence Agency for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. (Sec. 8069) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on all costs incurred by DOD during the preceding quarter in implementing or supporting United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions. (Sec. 8070) Prohibits current fiscal year DOD funds from being obligated or expended to transfer to another nation or international organization defense articles or services for use in any UN peacekeeping or peace enforcement operation, or for any other international peacekeeping, peace enforcement, or humanitarian assistance operation, unless specified congressional committees are given 15 days' advance notice. (Sec. 8071) Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent authorized by law, to issue loan guarantees in support of U.S. defense exports not otherwise provided for, with a contingent liability limit of $15 billion. Requires quarterly reports to specified congressional committees on such loan guarantees. (Sec. 8078) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to submit to the defense committees a report identifying any activity for which the FY 2002 budget request was reduced because Congress appropriated funds above the President's budget request for that activity for FY 2001. (Sec. 8080) Authorizes the Secretary, during the current fiscal year, to waive reimbursement of certain educational costs of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies for military officers and civilian officials of foreign nations if determined to be in the national security interest. (Sec. 8081) Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to permit the use of equipment of the National Guard Distance Learning Project on a space-available, reimbursable basis. (Sec. 8085) Reduces by $800 million the total amount appropriated in this Act, to reflect working capital fund cash balance and rate stabilization adjustments. (Sec. 8086) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for approving the license or sale of the F-22 advanced tactical aircraft to any foreign government. (Sec. 8087) Authorizes the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, to waive limitations on the procurement of defense items from a foreign country if: (1) the Secretary determines that such limitations would invalidate cooperative or reciprocal trade agreements for the procurement of defense items; and (2) such country does not discriminate against the same or similar defense items procured in the United States for that country. Provides exceptions. (Sec. 8091) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to support a unit of the security forces of a foreign country if credible information exists that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights, unless all necessary corrective steps have been taken. Requires the monitoring of such information. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition under extraordinary circumstances (requiring a report to the defense committees on any such waiver). (Sec. 8092) Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act by 537.6 million, to reflect savings from favorable foreign currency fluctuations. (Sec. 8094) Earmarks funds from this Act to maintain an attrition reserve force of 23 B-52 aircraft. (Sec. 8098) Provides for the crediting during the current fiscal year of certain refunds attributable to the use of Government travel cards and the Government Purchase Card. (Sec. 8099) Prohibits appropriated funds from being used for a mission critical or mission essential information technology system that is not registered with the DOD Chief Information Officer. Prohibits such a system from receiving a Milestone I, II, or III approval until such Officer provides written certification to the defense committees that the system is being developed in accordance with certain requirements under the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1966. Requires certain other information to be included in such certification. (Sec. 8101) Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to transfer to any nongovernmental entity specified armor-piercing ammunition, except to an entity performing demilitarization services for DOD. (Sec. 8102) Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard to waive payment for the lease of non-excess DOD personal property to certain youth, social, or fraternal non-profit organizations. (Sec. 8105) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to Indian tribes in North and South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota excess relocatable military housing units located at Grand Forks and Minot Air Force Bases. (Sec. 8109) Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act by $463.4 million, to reflect stabilization of the balance available in the Foreign Currency Fluctuation, Defense account. (Sec. 8111) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on work-related illnesses in the DOD workforce resulting from exposure to beryllium or beryllium alloys. (Sec. 8115) Requires a specified certification from the Secretary of the Army to the defense committees prior to the procurement of a second brigade set of Interim Armored Vehicles (also known as the Family of Medium Armored Vehicles). Requires a report from such Secretary to such committees with respect to that program. Directs the JCS Chairman to report to such committees on the joint warfighting requirements to be met by the Army new medium brigades. (Sec. 8116) Requires certain testing and certifications by the Secretary prior to the availability of funds to award a full funding contract for low-rate initial production for the F-22 aircraft program. Limits the total amount available for F-22 engineering and manufacturing development and production costs. (Sec. 8118) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft program, especially with regard to program changes or modifications. Requires a second report on the acquisition plan for such program. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for engineering and manufacturing development for such program until the later of: (1) June 21, 2000, and the submission of the above reports; or (2) a certain certification from the Secretary regarding full funding for such program in the future-years DOD budget.
Bill· SS. 2634 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Small Business Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to exempt from liability for response costs at a facility listed on the National Priorities List under provisions governing the arrangement for treatment, disposal, or transport, or acceptance for transport, of hazardous substances any person who: (1) is a business that, for the taxable year preceding notification that the business is a potentially responsible party (PRP), employed employees the aggregate time worked by whom was equivalent to that worked by no more than 100 full-time employees; and (2) is not affiliated through any familial or corporate relationship with any PRP responsible for response costs at the facility. Makes such exemption inapplicable if: (1) the hazardous substance concerned contributed, or could contribute, significantly to the cost of the response action; (2) liability arises as a result of the person's gross negligence or intentional misconduct; or (3) the person failed to comply with any request for information or administrative subpoena issued by the President under CERCLA or impeded the performance of a response action with respect to the facility.
Bill· HRH.R. 4564 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Education Reinvestment Act- Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise, and reauthorize through FY 2005, various ESEA programs. (Sec. 3) Declares U.S. national educational priorities addressed by this Act. Title I: Student Performance - Revises and renames ESEA title I as Student Performance (currently Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). (Sec. 102) Declares it to be U.S. policy to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education by: (1) holding States, LEAs, and schools accountable for increased student academic performance results; and (2) facilitating improved classroom instruction. (Sec. 103) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the following title I programs under: (1) part A, LEA grants; (2) part B, Even Start; (3) part C, education of migratory children; (4) part D, prevention and intervention programs for youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk of dropping out; (5) provisions for capital expenses; and (6) part E, Federal evaluations, demonstrations, and transition projects. (Sec. 104) Requires SEAs to reserve a specified portion of their title I part A (I-A) funds to: (1) make at least 80 percent of such reserved funds available directly to LEAs; and (2) carry out SEA responsibilities for school improvement, including SEA statewide system of technical assistance and support for LEAs. Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies - Revises ESEA title I part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) (I-A) with respect to formulas for distributing funds to schools with the highest concentrations of poverty. (Sec. 105) Revises State plan requirements with respect to implementing challenging content and student performance standards (standards), yearly student assessments (assessments), and accountability. Requires State standards to: (1) be applied to all schools and children within the State; and (2) include at least the subjects of mathematics, science, and English language arts. Requires a State, if it allows LEAs to adopt more rigorous standards than the State, to allow LEAs to implement such standards. Requires each State plan to demonstrate what constitutes adequate yearly progress (AYP) of the State itself (as well as its schools and LEAs, as under current law) in enabling all children in all schools receiving I-A assistance to meet the State's challenging performance standards. Revises requirements for State definition of AYP. Adds requirements relating to: (1) accountability for AYP; (2) annual improvement by States, LEAs, and schools; and (3) public notice and comment. Requires assessments to be used, starting no later than the 2000-2001 school year, as the primary means of determining the yearly performance of each LEA and school in enabling all children to meet State standards (but does not require States to meet requirements for science standards or assessments until the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year). Requires State plans to provide that students who have attended school in the United States for at least three consecutive years are to be assessed in the English language, with certain exceptions. Requires State plans to describe what reasonable steps the State is taking to assist and encourage LEAs to: (1) measure literacy skills of first graders in schools receiving I-A funds by providing assessments that are developmentally appropriate, aligned with State standards, and scientifically research-based; and (2) identify and take developmentally appropriate and effective interventions in any school served under I-A in which a substantial number of first graders have not demonstrated grade-level literacy proficiency by the end of the school year. Requires State plans to describe how SEAs will: (1) assist each affected LEA and school to develop the capacity to comply with requirements for schoolwide programs, targeted assistance, and assessment and improvement; (2) hold each affected LEA accountable for improved student performance, including a procedure for identifying and assisting LEAs and schools in need of improvement, and for corrective action if assistance is not effective; (3) provide low-performing students additional academic instruction, such as before- and after-school programs and summer academic programs; (4) ensure that all teachers in both schoolwide programs and targeted assistance programs are fully qualified not later than December 31, 2005, and low-income students and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, uncertified, or out-of-field teachers; and (5) evaluate and publicly report the State's progress in improving the quality of instruction in the schools served by the SEA and LEAs receiving ESEA funding. Requires State plans to assure that SEAs will: (1) use the disaggregated results of required student assessments, and other available measures or indicators, to review annually the progress of each LEA and school served under I-A to determine whether each one is making the annual progress necessary to ensure that all students will meet the proficient level of performance on such assessments within ten years of the enactment of this Act; (2) modify or eliminate State fiscal and accounting barriers so that elementary and secondary schools can easily consolidate funds from other Federal, State, and local sources for schoolwide programs under specified provisions; and (3) inform LEAs of LEA authority to obtain waivers under title VIII of ESEA and, if the State is an Ed-Flex Partnership State, under the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999. Penalizes States for failing to meet statutory deadlines for demonstrating that they have in place standards, assessments, a system for measuring and monitoring AYP, and a statewide system for holding schools and LEAs accountable for making AYP with specified groups of students. Makes such States ineligible to receive any administrative funds under title I that exceed the amount received for such purposes in the previous year. Directs the Secretary of Education to withhold additional administrative funds in an amount determined appropriate based on the extent of the State's failure. Requires the Secretary, for each additional year that the State fails to comply with such requirements, to withhold at least one-fifth of the amount the State receives for such administrative expenses. Allows a State to request a one-time, one-year waiver to meet such requirements. (Sec. 106) Requires LEA plans to include descriptions of how they will: (1) assist low-performing schools, including those identified as in need of improvement; and (2) promote the use of alternative instructional methods, and extended learning time, such as an extended school year, before- and after-school programs, and summer programs. Requires various LEA assurances with respect to school accountability, improvement, and assessment. Requires LEAs to ensure that all teachers in both schoolwide programs and targeted assistance programs are fully qualified not later than December 31, 2005, and low-income students and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, uncertified, or out-of-field teachers. Requires LEAs to reserve at least ten percent of the I-A funds they receive for high quality professional development for professional instructional staff. Sets forth requirements for parental notification and consent for English language instruction. (Sec. 107) Revises school eligibility criteria for school-wide programs. Allows an LEA to use I-A funds for a school-wide programs at schools that serve eligible school attendance areas in which: (1) not less than 40 percent of the children are from low-income families; or (2) not less than 40 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from such families. (Sec. 108) Revises requirements for public school choice plans to allow limited amounts of I-A funds to be used for transportation services. (Sec. 109) Revises requirements for assessment and LEA and school improvement. Requires the provision of public school choice for families of students attending I-A schools deemed to be in need of corrective action. (Sec. 110) Revises requirements for State assistance for school support and improvement. Requires SEAs to provide such assistance according to the following order of priorities: (1) LEAs and schools in need of improvement; (2) LEAs subject to corrective action, and to individual schools for which an LEA has failed to carry out certain responsibilities; and (3) LEAs and schools at risk of being identified as being in need of improvement within the next academic year. Directs SEAs to use for such State assistance certain funds available for technical assistance and support. Authorizes SEAs also to use for such State assistance certain State administrative funds. (Sec. 111) Revises requirements for parental involvement. (Sec. 112) Sets forth required qualifications and duties for teachers and paraprofessionals in I-A schools. (Sec. 113) Revises requirements for professional development activities. Includes among required activities any strategies for identifying and eliminating gender and racial bias in instructional materials, methods, and practices. Includes among optional activities instruction in ways teachers, principals, and guidance counselors can work with parents and students from groups, such as females and minorities, that are underrepresented in careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology, to encourage and maintain student interest in such careers. (Sec. 115) Includes among coordination requirements for LEAs the linking of LEA educational services with those provided in local Head Start agencies. (Sec. 116) Revises requirements for reservation and allocation of funds for grants for the outlying areas and the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 117) Sets forth revised formulas for allocating amounts for basic grants, concentration grants, and targeted grants. (Sec. 118) Revises requirements for basic, concentration, and targeted grants to LEAs. (Sec. 121) Revises special allocation procedures. Part B: Even Start Family Literacy Programs - Revises ESEA title I part B (Even Start Family Literacy Programs) (Even Start). Directs the Secretary (currently the National Institute for Literacy) to disseminate, or designate another entity to disseminate, the results of certain research to States and recipients of Even Start subgrants. Part C: Education of Migratory Children - Revises ESEA title I part C (Education of Migratory Children) to refer to language instruction programs under the new ESEA title III provided by this Act (current law refers to bilingual education). Part D: Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk of Dropping Out - Revises ESEA title I part D (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk of Dropping Out). Part E: Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects - Revises title I part E (Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects) to set new deadlines for certain interim and final reports on the National Assessment of educational Progress (NAEP). (Sec. 152) Establishes a Comprehensive School Reform program. (Replaces part E provisions for demonstrations of innovative practices.) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs to provide subgrants to LEAs to provide financial incentives for schools to develop comprehensive school reforms, based upon scientifically-based research and effective practices that include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement so that all children can meet challenging State content and performance standards. Allows reservation of specified amounts for schools supported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), schools in U.S. territories, and national evaluation activities. Sets forth requirements for State awards, local awards, evaluation, and reporting. Authorizes appropriations. Part F: Rural Education Development Initiative - Establishes a Rural Education Development Initiative as a new title I part F. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for elementary and secondary education development by LEAs that are eligible because they serve: (1) a school-age population of whom 15 percent or more are from families with incomes below the poverty line; and (2) a school district in a rural locality, or a school-age population of 800 or fewer. Reserves a specified portion of grant funds for schools operated by the BIA. Sets forth an allotment formula for grants to SEAs to make grants to eligible LEAs. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct competitive grants to specially qualified eligible rural LEAs in nonparticipating States. Requires LEAs or their schools to use grant funds for: (1) educational technology, including software and hardware; (2) professional development; (3) technical assistance; (4) teacher, and principal, recruitment and retention; (5) parental involvement activities; or (6) academic enrichment programs or other education programs. Requires SEAs to award grants on a formula basis. Requires that at least 99 percent of such funds be awarded to eligible LEAs in the first year, and 99.5 in the second and in each succeeding year that an SEA receives such a grant. Directs the Secretary, at the end of the third year an SEA participates in the program, to permit continued participation only if the SEA has met its performance goals and objectives for two consecutive years. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on this part F program's impact on student achievement. Authorizes appropriations. Part G: General Provisions - Transfers title I general provisions to a new part G (currently part F). Revises a deadline for the Secretary's issuance of final regulations for title I. Eliminates a provision for State reservation of certain amounts for administrative costs. Title II: Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development, and Class Size - Revises and renames ESEA title II as Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development, and Class Size (currently Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). (Sec. 201) Sets forth a part A, Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development (II-A). Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to raise the quality of, and provide professional development for, public school teachers, principals, and administrators. Provides for: (1) reservations, State allotments, and within-State allocations; (2) State and local plans; (3) performance objectives; (4) optional activities; (5) State administrative expenses; (6) local activities; (7) professional development for teachers; (8) parents' right to know; (9) State reports and a study by the Comptroller General, and (10) educator partnership grants. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth a part B, Class Size Reduction. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to help them and LEAs recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers to: (1) reduce nationally class size in grades one through three to an average of 18 students per regular classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early elementary school grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Language Minority Students and Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education - Establishes a new ESEA title III, Language Minority Students and Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education, which combines and revises provisions of the current title VII (Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs) and of the current title IX (Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education). Redesignates, reauthorizes, and revises the current title III as title X Technology for Education. (Sec. 301) Repeals the current ESEA title III part A, Technology for Education of All Students. Sets forth a new title III subtitle A, Language Minority Students (which also replaces the current title VII) Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs). Declares it to be U.S. policy that, in order to ensure equal educational opportunity for all children and youth, and to promote educational excellence, the Federal Government should: (1) assist SEAs, LEAs, and community-based organizations to build their capacity to establish, implement, and sustain programs of instruction and English language development for children and youth of limited English proficiency (LEP); (2) hold SEAs and LEAs accountable for increases in English proficiency and core content knowledge among LEP students; and (3) promote parental and community participation in LEP programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to help LEP students become proficient in English. Prohibits the Secretary from mandating or precluding a particular curricular or pedagogical approach to educating LEP students. Requires LEAs to certify to SEAs that all teachers in any language instruction program for LEP students funded under this subtitle are fluent in English. Requires LEAs to notify parents of students participating in language instruction educational program of: (1) the student's level of English proficiency and academic achievement, and certain implications of the student's strengths and needs; (2) various available programs; (3) instructional goals of such program; and (4) the parental option to decline the student's enrollment in such program. (Sec. 302) Repeals the current ESEA title III parts: (1) B, Star Schools Program; (2) C, Ready-to-Learn Television; (3) D, Telecommunications Demonstration Project for Mathematics; and (4) E, Elementary Mathematics and Science Equipment Program. Eliminates current title VII part B provisions for the Foreign Language Assistance Program. Transfers to a new title III subtitle B the Emergency Immigration Education Program (currently part C of title VII). Extends through FY 2005 the authorization of appropriations for such program. (Sec. 303) Transfers to a new title III subtitle C provisions for Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education (currently title XIX). Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs of Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education. Title IV: Public School Choice - Establishes a new ESEA title IV, Public School Choice, and authorizes a new public school choice program. Transfers certain parts and provisions of the current title V to such new title IV. Redesignates, reauthorizes and revises the current title IV as title XI, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities. (Sec. 401) Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Magnet Schools Assistance; and (2) Public Charter Schools. Requires SEAs that receive grants for charter schools assistance to hold assisted charter schools accountable for AYP for improving student performance under title I and as established in the school's charter, including the use of the same standards and assessments as established under title I. Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) support and stimulate improved public school performance through increased public school competition and increased Federal financial assistance; and (2) provide parents with more choices among public school options. (Sec. 402) Establishes a new title IV part C, Development of Public School Choice Programs (PSC programs). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make competitive grants to LEAs to develop such PSC programs; (2) reserve specified program funds for technical assistance, information dissemination, and evaluations; and (3) a priority to partnership projects. Requires the Secretary to give a priority to applications that would serve high-poverty LEAs. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth a new title IV part D, Report Cards. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States, if they have State report cards on education which meet specified requirements, to publish such report cards for each elementary and secondary school receiving ESEA funding. Authorizes appropriations. Requires States, if they receive assistance under ESEA, to prepare and disseminate (or publicly report through other public means) annual report cards, in easily understandable language, on all elementary and secondary schools receiving funds under ESEA I-A or II-A. Requires such State report cards on LEAs and schools to contain specified information regarding indicators of school performance and quality. Title V: Impact Aid - Transfers ESEA Impact Aid provisions to a new title V (currently title VIII). Eliminates the current title V, Promoting Equity, including part B, Women's Educational Equity, and part C, Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems (but transfers the current part A of title V to part A of title IV). (Sec. 501) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various impact aid programs. Title VI: High Performance and Quality Education Initiatives - Establishes a new title VI, High Performance and Quality Education Initiatives. Eliminates the current title VI, Innovative Education Program Strategies. (Sec. 601) Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) facilitate significant innovation in elementary and secondary school education programs; (2) enrich the learning environment of students; (3) provide a safe learning environment for all students; (4) ensure that all students are technologically literate; and (5) assist SEAs and LEAs in building their capacity to establish, implement, and sustain innovative programs for public school students. Directs the Secretary to make grants to SEAs with approved plans to award grants to LEAs. Requires States to allocate grant funds among LEAs according to both their I-A population and their entire school-age population. Requires LEAs to use grant funds for programs designed to achieve each of the goals described in the following category areas: (1) school improvement; (2) 21st Century Opportunities programs; (3) safe learning environments; and (4) New Economy Technology Schools. Allows LEAs that meet or exceed AYP requirements to reallocate, at their own discretion, specified portions of grant funds among the four categories. Allows LEAs identified as in need of improvement to reallocate for school improvement activities a certain portion of funds from the other three categories. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Accountability - Establishes a new ESEA title VII, Accountability, with sanctions and rewards based on meeting performance objectives. Eliminates the current title VII, Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs (but sets forth some provisions for language minority students under the new title III). (Sec. 701) Requires certain sanctions if performance objectives established under a covered provision have not been met by a State receiving grant funds under such provision. Directs the Secretary to reduce the amount the State is entitled to receive by specified percentages if such objectives have not been met by the end of the third fiscal year or the end of the fourth fiscal year. Requires such reductions to continue for each subsequent fiscal year until the State demonstrates that it has met such objectives. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance, if sought, to a State subjected to such sanctions. Requires each State receiving assistance under ESEA titles I, II, III, or VI to develop a system, including sanctions, to hold LEAs accountable for meeting performance objectives and AYP requirements. Directs the Secretary to make awards to States that either ensure that all teachers teaching in their public schools are fully qualified by FY 2003, or for three consecutive years have: (1) exceeded their performance objectives; (2) exceeded their AYP levels; (3) significantly narrowed the gaps between minority and non-minority students, and between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students; (4) raised all students to the proficient standard level within ten years; or (5) significantly increased the percentage of core classes being taught by fully qualified teachers teaching in schools receiving funds under part A of title I. Requires States to: (1) distribute 80 percent of such award funds to LEAs that have been consistently high-performing and achieving in specified ways; and (2) use the remainder to establish demonstration sites with respect to high-performing schools in order to help low-performing schools, and to improve the level of performance of all elementary and secondary school students in the State. Requires LEAs to use such award funds to: (1) reward individual schools that demonstrate high performance with respect to specified criteria; (2) reward collaborative teams of teachers, or teams of teachers and principals, who significantly increase the annual performance of low-performing students or significantly improve in a fiscal year the English proficiency of LEP students; (3) reward principals who successfully raise the performance of a substantial number of low-performing students to high academic levels; (4) develop or implement school district-wide programs or policies to increase the level of student performance on State assessments aligned with State content standards; and (5) reward schools for consistently high achievement in another area that the LEA deems appropriate to reward. Authorizes appropriations for such awards. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain amounts not reserved for other specified activities to: (1) support activities of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; (2) study and disseminate information regarding model programs assisted under ESEA; (3) provide training and technical assistance to recipients of ESEA funds in administering and implementing ESEA-assisted activities; (4) support activities to promote systemic education reform at State and local levels; (5) award grants or contracts to public or private nonprofit entities to develop and disseminate exemplary reading, mathematics, science, and technology educational practices, and instructional materials to States, LEAs, and schools; (6) disseminate information on models of value-added assessments; (7) award a grant or contract to a public or private nonprofit entity or consortium to develop and disseminate exemplary programs and curricula for accelerated and advanced learning for all students, including gifted and talented students; (8) award a grant or contract with Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., and other public or private nonprofit entities to support and promote programs which include distribution of inexpensive books to students and literacy activities that motivate children to read; and (9) develop English language development standards and assessments, and native language tests for LEP students that States may use to assess student achievement in reading, science, and mathematics. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: General Provisions and Repeals - Requires SEAs and LEAs to use ESEA funds to supplement, and not supplant, State or local funds. (Sec. 802) Repeals the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and the following ESEA titles: (1) V, Promoting Equity; (2) X, Programs of National Significance; (3) XI, Coordinated Services; (4) XII, School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement; and (5) XIII, Support and Assistive Programs to Improve Education. Title IX: Technology for Education - Technology for Education Act of 2000 - Redesignates, reauthorizes, and revises the current title III as title X, Technology for Education. (Sec. 901) Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) part A, Technology for Education of All Students, including National Programs for Technology in Education, State and Local Programs for School Technology Resources, Regional Technical Support and Professional Development, and Product Development; (2) part B, Star Schools Program (also known as the Star Schools Act); (3) part C, Ready-to-Learn Television; (4) part D, Telecommunications Demonstration Project for Mathematics; and (5) part E, Elementary Mathematics and Science Equipment Program (also known as the Elementary Mathematics and Science Equipment Act). Title X: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities - Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 2000 - Redesignates, reauthorizes and revises the current title IV as title XI, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities. (Sec. 1001) Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) part A, subpart 1, State Grants for Drug and Violence Prevention Programs; and (2) subpart 2, National Programs, including hate crime prevention. Title XI: Programs of National Significance - Redesignates, reauthorizes and revises the current title X as title XII, Programs of National Significance. (Sec. 1101) Extends the authorization of appropriations for part A, the Fund for the Improvement of Education, which includes provisions for the following programs: (1) elementary school counseling demonstration; (2) partnerships in character education pilot project; (3) promoting scholar-athlete competitions; (4) smaller learning communities; (5) national student and parent mock election; and (6) model projects. Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2000 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for part B, Gifted and Talented Children programs. Extends the authorizations of appropriations for part D, Arts in Education, including programs of: (1) support for arts education; and (2) cultural partnerships for at-risk children and youth. Extends the authorization of appropriations for part E, the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program, including provisions for the contract with the Reading Is Fundamental organization for an inexpensive book distribution program for reading motivation. Extends the authorization of appropriations for part F, Civic Education, including programs for instruction: (1) on the history and principles of democracy in the United States; and (2) in civics, government, and the law. Extends the authorization of appropriations for part G, the Allen J. Ellender Fellowship Program, including programs for: (1) middle and secondary school students; (2) middle and secondary school teachers; and (3) recent immigrants, students of migrant parents and older Americans. 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Extends the authorization of appropriations for part H, 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Extends the authorization of appropriations for part I, Urban and Rural Education Assistance, including: (1) demonstration grants for urban schools; (2) demonstration grants for rural schools; (3) grants for higher education institutions, alone, in consortia, or in partnership with rural LEAs, to help with rural school improvement; and (4) White House Conferences on Urban Education and on Rural Education. Extends the authorization of appropriations for part J, the National Writing Project.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 342 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. international education policy should incorporate the following goals: (1) ensuring that all college graduates will have knowledge of a second language and of a foreign area; (2) enhancing the educational infrastructure through which the United States produces international expertise; (3) recapturing 40 percent of the international student market for the United States; (4) streamlining visa, taxation, and employment regulations applicable to international students; (5) significantly increasing participation in study abroad by U.S. students; (6) promoting greater diversity of locations, languages, and subjects involved in study abroad to ensure that the United States maintains an adequate international knowledge base; and (7) invigorating citizen and professional exchange programs and promoting the international exchange of scholars.
Bill· HRH.R. 4529 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2000
Amends Federal aviation transportation law to proscribe employment of certain convicted felons whom the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration determines indicate a propensity for placing contraband aboard an aircraft in return for money.
Bill· SS. 2604 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2000
Rail Competition Enforcement Act - Amends Federal transportation law to subject to the Sherman and Clayton (antitrust) Acts, the Federal Trade Commission Act, specified requirements of the Wilson Tariff Act, and other specified Federal law any parties and other persons involved in rail carrier agreements relating to rates, classifications, divisions, or rules. Requires the Surface Transportation Board and any other reviewing agency, in reviewing any such proposed agreement for antitrust implications, to take into account, inter alia, the impact of the proposed agreement on shippers and on affected communities.