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Bill· HRH.R. 2666 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1999
Federal Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 1999 - Title I: Hours of Service - Amends Federal transportation law to declare that a railroad carrier shall not be responsible for violating certain hours of duty limitations with respect to train employees (including determining when an employee is on or off) in the case of a dually employed employee, if none of the railroad carrier's managers, supervisors, officers, and agents had actual knowledge of the employee's work schedule for another employer. Makes similar changes with respect to signal employees and dispatching service employees and power directors. (Sec. 105) Revises certain sleeping quarters limitations with respect to train employees (including signal employees), and for any individuals employed to maintain the right of way of a railroad carrier, to require such carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents to provide, among other things, a separate bedroom for each employee or individual. (Sec. 106) Requires each Class I and Class II railroad carrier, each railroad carrier providing intercity rail passenger transportation, and each railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation, to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a fatigue management plan designed to reduce: (1) fatigue experienced by railroad employees or its independent contractors; and (2) the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by such fatigue. (Sec. 108) Prohibits a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents, except in a specified emergency, from requiring a transport vehicle driver to remain or go on duty: (1) unless such driver has at least eight consecutive hours off duty during the previous 24 hours during which the driver receives no communication from the carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents; (2) for a period in excess of ten consecutive hours; (3) unless such driver has received notice at least eight hours before going on duty; and (4) unless such driver has had at least one period of at least 24 consecutive hours off duty in the past seven days. Title II: Monitoring of Railroad Radio Communications - Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to monitor railroad radio communications for purposes of conducting any rulemaking, accident investigations, and acquiring general information as to railroad operations as it relates to railroad safety. Prohibits the use of information obtained from such monitoring as evidence for the assessment or collection of civil penalties or for implementation of other enforcement activities, except that it may be used as background for further investigation which might lead to the discovery of other useful evidence. Title III: Protection of Employees and Witnesses - Revises certain employee protection requirements prohibiting a railroad carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee to prohibit a carrier from threatening, intimidating, or disciplining for, or preventing an employee from (among other things): (1) notifying, or attempting to notify, the carrier of a work-related personal injury or illness; (2) cooperating with a safety investigation; (3) furnishing information to any party as to the facts relating to any accident resulting in injury or death or damage to property occurring in connection with railroad transportation; or (4) reporting a hazardous condition or refusing to work when confronted by a hazardous condition. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. (Sec. 301) Sets forth certain requirements with respect to the exclusion of an individual from employment by a railroad carrier as a safety-critical employee. (Sec. 303) Requires a railroad carrier to have an annual audit of the process by which it reports accidents. (Sec. 304) Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly interfere with, obstruct, or hamper a railroad safety investigation, or knowingly or intentionally use intimidation, harassment, or threats to influence the testimony of any person or prevent a person from attending such investigation. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties. Title IV: Passenger Service Safety Standards - Requires all passenger railroad cars to have emergency windows (including markings clearly indicating them) after January 1, 2002. (Sec. 402) Sets forth requirements for: (1) passenger railroad signals;(2) internal and compartmentalized fuel tanks on passenger locomotives; and (3) corner posts in railroad passenger cars. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expands the Secretary's emergency authority to order restrictions and prohibitions to include instances of unsafe conditions involving significant harm to the environment. (Sec. 502) Directs the Federal Transit Administrator to consult with the Federal Railroad Administrator concerning relevant safety issues when making a grant or loan to a commuter railroad to help eliminate or correct an unsafe condition that may cause a serious hazard of death or injury. (Sec. 503) Provides for the adjustment of civil penalties for inflation with respect to violations of Federal railroad safety law. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary to require the establishment of notification systems utilizing toll-free telephone numbers that the public can use to convey to carriers information about malfunctions of automated warning devices or other safety problems at highway-rail grade crossings. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations addressing noise emissions from high-speed rail systems (including magnetic levitation systems) when operating at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. (Sec. 506) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on the status of FRA's safety-related rulemakings and reports. (Sec. 507) Directs the Secretary to issue rules requiring that no track inspection be conducted from a vehicle traveling at a speed of more than 15 miles per hour. (Sec. 508) Sets forth requirements with respect to the rulemaking process of rules proposed by the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee. (Sec. 509) Requires fees imposed on railroad carriers to cover the costs of providing an additional 400 railroad safety inspectors. (Sec. 510) Requires certification of other safety-related railroad personnel in addition to locomotive engineers. (Sec. 511) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) transport motor vehicle inspections; and (2) railroad employee seniority rights. (Sec. 512) Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to ensure the safety of operators of railroad cranes and other hoisting equipment, and of railroad employees working in the vicinity of cranes and other hoisting equipment. (Sec. 513) Repeals a specified section of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 prohibiting a State from requiring the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) (or any other railroad in the Region) to employ any specified number of persons to perform a particular task, or requiring it to pay protective benefits to its employees (thus allowing States to make such requirements). (Sec. 515) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2630 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1999
NTIA Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (the Act) to increase and extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). (Sec. 3) Prohibits NTIA from assigning any electromagnetic radio frequency spectrum for use for, or provide any spectrum management functions with respect to, any Federal agency except to the extent that NTIA obtains reimbursement for the cost of such activities. Authorizes NTIA to collect fees from such agencies to cover such costs. Requires NTIA to report annually to Congress, for FY 2000 and thereafter, itemizing the fees collected. (Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (CG) to assess and report to Congress on the fair market value of the facilities of the NTIA Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in Boulder, Colorado. (Sec. 5) Directs the CG to study and report to Congress on: (1) the efficiency of NTIA in carrying out its functions; and (2) whether such functions comply with the NTIA mission and responsibilities under law. Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce to conduct and report to Congress on an audit or evaluation of the performance of NTIA in conducting each of its functions, programs, and operations. Requires NTIA to review the above reports and submit to Congress a plan for the most efficient performance of its functions, including personnel adjustments, automation or privatization of functions, termination of unnecessary functions, and reduction of expenses for management and overhead. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary, to convene an interagency review and assessment of spectrum reallocation to non-Federal use and the implications of such reallocations for affected Federal agencies. Requires a report from the Secretary to the President and Congress. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to consolidate into a single submission reports required to be submitted to the same entity. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Secretary, under the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, to make grants to eligible entities to assist in the development of a national telecommunications and information infrastructure. Requires grant funds to be used only for projects to: (1) expand or augment telecommunications networks or information technology systems for health care providers, educational institutions, research facilities, libraries, museums, State and local governments, and other social service and public information providers; (2) enhance the ability of such entities to have access to existing and new sources of information; (3) make universally available and utilize an advanced telecommunications and information infrastructure, especially for traditionally underserved populations; and (4) demonstrate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of social services, such as education and health care, to the American people. Outlines grant requirements and limits. Designates as eligible entities: (1) a nonprofit foundation, corporation, institution, or association; (2) a State or local government or political subdivision thereof; or (3) an enterprise owned and operated by a State or local government entity. Outlines application requirements, selection procedures, and administrative provisions (including authorized recovery of grant funds for grant use violations). Requires: (1) Inspector General reviews to assure grant use compliance; (2) monitoring and evaluation of grant projects and activities by the Secretary; and (3) an annual report from the Secretary to Congress summarizing the results of such monitoring and evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for such grants.
Bill· SS. 1453 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1999
Sudan Peace Act - Declares that Congress: (1) condemns violations of human rights on all sides of the conflict in Sudan (including the Government of Sudan), the ongoing slave trade there, and the Government's increasing use and organization of "murahalliin", Popular Defense Forces (PDF), and regular Sudanese Army units into raiding and slaving parties in Bahr al Ghazal, the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile regions; and (2) recognizes that the use of raiding and slaving parties is a tool for creating food shortages as a systematic means to destroy the societies, culture, and economies of the Dinka and Nuba peoples in a policy of low-intensity ethnic cleansing. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) declares its support for the efforts by U.S. executive branch officials to lead in a reinvigoration of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-sponsored peace process; (2) calls on IGAD member states, the European Union, the Organization of African Unity, Egypt, and other key states to support such process; (3) urges Kenya's leadership in the implementation of the process; and (4) views any such diplomatic efforts toward resolution of the conflict in Sudan are best made through IGAD and that the President must not create any process which could be viewed as a parallel or competing diplomatic track. Authorizes the Secretary of State to utilize Department of State personnel for the support of: (1) the secretariat of IGAD; (2) the ongoing negotiations between the Government of Sudan and opposition forces; (3) any peace settlement planning to be carried out by the National Democratic Alliance and IGAD Partners' Forum (IPF); and (4) other U.S. diplomatic efforts with respect to Sudan. (Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, should take specified actions to increase pressure on the combatants involved in the war in Sudan. (Sec. 7) Imposes certain trade and financial sanctions against Sudan, subject to waiver on national security grounds, until the President determines, and certifies to Congress, that it has: (1) fully committed to and has made progress toward a peaceful solution to the war within the IGAD-sponsored peace process or has otherwise committed in a good faith effort with both northern and southern opposition toward a solution to the conflict based on the Declaration of Principles reached in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 20, 1994; (2) made substantial progress in controlling the raiding and slaving activities of all regular and irregular forces, including PDF and other militias and murahalliin; (3) instituted reforms with regard to providing basic human and civil rights to all Sudanese; and (4) ceased aerial bombardment of civilian targets. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that such sanctions should be applied to include the sale of stocks in the United States or to any U.S. person, wherever located, or any other form of financial instruments or derivatives, in support of a commercial, industrial, public utility, or government project or transaction in or with Sudan. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should organize and maintain a formal consultative process with the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, and other relevant parties on coordinating an effort within the UN to revise the terms of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to end the Government of Sudan's veto power over OLS plans for air transport relief flights. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to increase the use of non-OLS agencies in the distribution of relief supplies in southern Sudan. (Sec. 10) Directs the President to develop and report to Congress on a contingency plan to provide, outside UN auspices, the greatest amount of U.S. Government and privately donated relief to all affected areas in Sudan, including the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and southern Blue Nile, in the event the Government of Sudan imposes a ban on OLS air transport relief flights. (Sec.11) Supports the President's ongoing efforts to diversify and increase effectiveness of U.S. assistance to populations in areas of Sudan outside of the control of the Government of Sudan, especially the long-term focus shown in the Sudan Transition Assistance for Rehabilitation (STAR) program with its emphasis on promoting democracy, self- reliance, and actively supporting people-to-people reconciliation efforts. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should assess the humanitarian needs in the Nuba Mountains, Red Sea Hills, and Blue Nile regions of Sudan, and respond appropriately to those needs. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the President, for purposes of minimizing diversions of food assistance and to insulate noncombatants and the relief operations which serve them from combatants in areas outside the control of the Government of Sudan, to provide such assistance directly to the National Democratic Alliance or other groups engaged in the protection of civilian populations from attacks from regular government forces, associated militias, or other paramilitary groups supported by the Government of Sudan. Sets forth certain limits on, and eligibility requirements with, such assistance.
Bill· SS. 1429 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Broad Based Tax Relief Title II: Family Tax Relief Provisions Title III: Retirement Savings Tax Relief Subtitle A: Individual Retirement Arrangements Subtitle B: Expanding Coverage Subtitle C: Enhancing Fairness for Women Subtitle D: Increasing Portability for Participants Subtitle E: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement Subtitle F: Encouraging Retirement Education Subtitle G: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Subtitle H: Plan Amendments Title IV: Education Tax Relief Provisions Title V: Health Care Tax Relief Provisions Title VI: Small Business Tax Relief Provisions Title VII: Estate and Gift Tax Relief Provisions Subtitle A: Reductions of Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes Subtitle B: Conservation Easements Subtitle C: Annual Gift Exchange Subtitle D: Simplification of Generation-Shipping Transfer Tax Title VIII: Tax Exempt Organizations Provisions Title IX: International Tax Relief Title X: Housing and Real Estate Tax Relief Provisions Subtitle A: Low-Income Housing Credit Subtitle B: Historic Homes Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investment Trusts Subtitle D: Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Subtitle E: Leasehold Improvements Depreciation Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions Title XII: Extension of Expired and Expiring Provisions Title XIII: Revenue Offsets Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Loophole Closers Title XIV: Technical Corrections Title XV: Compliance with Congressional Budget Act Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999 - Title I: Broad Based Tax Relief - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the lowest individual regular income tax rate from 15 percent to 14 percent. (Sec. 102) Phases-in an increase in the size of the 14-percent rate bracket. Title II: Family Tax Relief Provisions - Permits married taxpayers to calculate separate taxable income for each spouse and to be taxed as two single individuals on the same return. Calculates the tax due is calculated by applying the tax rates for single individuals to the separate taxable incomes. Requires both spouses to elect to either use a standard deduction or to itemize their deductions. (Sec. 202) Increases the starting point of the phase-out of the earned income credit for married couples filing a joint return by $2,000. (Sec. 203) Expands the list of persons eligible to: (1) make qualified foster care payments; and (2) place foster care individuals. (Sec. 204) Increases the maximum dependent care credit percentage from 30 percent to 50 percent for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $30,000 or less. Phases-down the 50 percent credit rate by one percentage point for each $1,000 of AGI, or fraction thereof, between $30,001 and $59,000. (Sec. 205) Provides for an employer-provided child care credit (of up to $150,000) equal to the sum of: (1) 25 percent of the qualified child care expenditures; and (2) 10 percent of the qualified child care resource and referral expenditures. (Sec. 206) Permits an individual to offset the entire regular tax liability (without regard to the minimum tax) by the personal nonrefundable credit. Repeals the provision reducing the refundable child credit by the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Permits the deduction for personal exemptions in computing AMT. Title III: Retirement Savings Tax Relief - Subtitle A: Individual Retirement Arrangements - Increases the annual contribution limit for traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs in $1,000 annual increments, beginning in 2001, until the limit reaches $5,000 in 2003, and thereafter, the limit is indexed for inflation in $100 increments. Increases the AGI phase-out limits for active participants in an employer-sponsored plan. (Sec. 303) Provides for Individual Development Accounts (IDA). Permits, if an eligible individual establishes an IDA with a qualified financial institution, the qualified financial institution to deposit into a separate, parallel, individual or pooled matching account an eligible matching contribution for the taxable year. Provides a tax credit for certain matching contributions to an IDA. Prohibits matching contributions after December 31, 2005. Permits qualified distributions only if, among other things: (1) the holder of the IDA has completed an economic literacy course offered by a qualified financial institution, a nonprofit organization, or a government entity; and (2) the distribution is used for qualified expenses (qualified higher education expenses, qualified first-time homebuyer costs, qualified business capitalization costs, or qualified rollovers). (Sec. 304) Permits IRAs to invest in any coin certified by a recognized grading service. Subtitle B: Expanding Coverage - Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as plus contributions. (Sec. 312) Increases elective deferral contribution limits. (Sec. 313) Eliminates certain current rules concerning plan loans made to an owner-employee. (Sec. 314) Provides that elective deferral contributions are not subject to deduction limits. (Sec. 315) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to provide that, during the first five years of a new single-employer plan of a small employer (100 or fewer employees), the flat rate Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) premium will be five dollars per plan participant. Provides for a reduced additional PGBC variable premium for new employers. (Sec. 317) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the IRS concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 318) Amends the IRC to allow an eligible employer to establish and maintain a SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan), both to be funded by the employer. Makes the employer contributions deductible without limitation and otherwise provides for the treatment of contributions and distributions. Mandates a penalty for early withdrawals. Requires simplified employer reports for SAFE annuities and simplified actuarial reports for SAFE trusts. Amends ERISA to exempt SAFE trusts from coverage requirements and SAFE annuities from certain employer reporting requirements. (Sec. 319) Modifies top-heavy rules. Subtitle C: Enhancing Fairness for Women - Provides that individuals who have attained age 50 may make additional catch-up elective contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans and additional catch-up IRA contributions. (Sec. 322) Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Requires that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. (Sec. 323) Revises requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. (Sec. 324) Directs the Secretary to revise regulations relating to safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from cash or deferred arrangements. (Sec. 325) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions. Subtitle D: Increasing Portability for Participants - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans. (Sec. 332) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 333) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. (Sec. 334) Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. (Sec. 335) Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans. (Sec. 336) Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. (Sec. 337) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 338) Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions. (Sec. 339) Revises year of inclusion in gross income requirements for section 457 plans. Subtitle E: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC and ERISA to phase-in increases in the percentage of the current liability funding limit. Repeals such limit beginning January 1, 2004. (Sec. 342) Amends ERISA to direct the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. (Sec. 343) Amends the IRC to allow an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 344) Imposes an excise tax on a plan failing to provide required notice of a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual. (Sec. 345) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 346) Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. Subtitle F: Encouraging Retirement Education - Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 352) Excludes qualified retirement planning services from gross income (as a fringe benefit). Subtitle G: Reducing Regulatory Burdens - Directs the Secretary, by regulation, to provide that plan satisfies the nondiscrimination requirements concerning highly employees if it meets pre-1994 requirements and certain other conditions are met. (Sec. 362) Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 363) Amends ERISA rules for substantial owners relating to plan terminations to revise: (1) the phase-in of the guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 364) Amends IRC requirements for applicable dividends to allow dividends of employee stock ownership plans to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 365) Revises the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary tomodify certain regulations to provide that the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution shall also describe the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 367) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 368) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the IRC. (Sec. 369) Revises ERISA requirements for annual report dissemination. (Sec. 370) Revises rules concerning the exclusion for employer provided transit passes. Subtitle H: Plan Amendments - Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the IRC. Title IV: Education Tax Relief Amendments - Eliminates the 60-month limit on student loan interest deductions and increases the income limitation on student loan deductions. (Sec. 402) Permits private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs which are comparable to qualified State tuition programs. Excludes qualified distributions from such accounts from gross income. (Sec. 403) Excludes from gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Corps Scholarship Program or the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program. (Sec. 404) Permanently extends the exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance and restores the exclusion for such assistance on the graduate level. (Sec. 405) Increases the amount by which certain governmental bonds used to finance public school capital expenditures may be exempted from specified arbitrage bond provisions. (Sec. 406) Provides for the treatment of qualified public educational facility bonds as exempt facility bonds. Defines a "qualified public educational facility" as any school facility which is: (1) part of a public elementary school or a public secondary school; and (2) owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement with a State or local educational agency. Provides for an exception from the State volume cap. (Sec. 407) Permits aggregate Federal guarantees of up to $500 million in school construction bonds by the Federal Housing Finance Board. Title V: Health Care Tax Relief Provisions - Phases-in a 100 percent deduction (for both itemizers and nonitemizers) for the health and long-term care insurance costs of individuals not participating in employer-subsidized health plans. (Sec. 502) Permits offering long-term care insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. (Sec. 503) Permits a taxpayer an additional exemption for certain elderly family members who need long-term care and who reside with the taxpayer. (Sec. 504) Adds to the list of taxable vaccines any conjugate vaccine of streptococcus pneumoniae. Reduces the per dose vaccine tax rate. Requires a report on the adequacy of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund to meet claims. Title VI: Small Business Tax Relief Provisions - Provides for the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. (Sec. 602) Increases to $30,000 the amount which may be expensed as section 179 property. (Sec. 603) Makes the 6.2 percent Federal Unemployment Tax Act rate effective through calendar year 2004 (currently, 2007) and the 6.0 percent rate effective through calendar year 2005 (currently, 2008). (Sec. 604) Coordinates, for farmers, income averaging with the alternative minimum tax. (Sec. 605) Permits an individual engaged in an eligible farming business a limited deduction for amounts paid into a Farm and Risk Management Account. Defines such an account. Title VII: Estate and Gift Tax Relief Tax Provisions - Subtitle A: Reductions of Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes - Reduces the maximum estate tax rate from 55 to 50 percent. Repeals the phaseout of graduated rates. (Sec. 702) Replaces the unified credit with a unified exemption amount. Subtitle B: Conservation Easements - Doubles the distance within which qualified conservation easements must be located from a metropolitan area, national park, or wilderness area. Subtitle C: Annual Gift Exclusion - Phases-in a doubling of the annual gift exclusion. Subtitle D: Simplification of Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax - Permits the retroactive allocation of the generation-skipping transfer tax (GST) in certain cases. (Sec. 732) Permits the severance of a trust if there is a "qualified severance." (Sec. 733) Modifies certain valuation rules. (Sec. 734) Requires regulations prescribing the circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted in the case of a GST exemption or exception. Title VIII: Tax Exempt Organizations Provisions - Exempts an organization from income tax if it is created by a State to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable. (Sec. 802) Modifies rules relating to unrelated business taxable income for amounts received from controlled entities. (Sec. 803) Repeals the separate grass roots lobbying expenditure limit. (Sec. 804) Exempts from inclusion as income individual retirement account (IRA) distributions used for qualified charitable purposes. Sets forth related rules for charitable remainder trusts, pooled income funds, and charitable gift annuities. (Sec. 805) Excludes from an individual's gross income amounts received as reimbursement regarding the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization. Relieves the organization of certain reporting requirements regarding the reimbursements. (Sec. 806) Treats certain expenses incurred by whaling captains while carrying out sanctioned activities for Native Alaskan subsistence whaling as a charitable contribution deduction. (Sec. 807) Permits charitable contributions to be made to qualified low-income schools after the end of a tax year, if such contributions are made before the required filing time. (Sec. 808) Permits non-itemizers to deduct a portion of their charitable contributions. (Sec. 809) Phases-in increases in the percentage limitations applicable to charitable contributions. (Sec. 810) Sets forth a limited exception to the excess business holdings rule. Title IX: International Tax Relief - Permits treating each electing worldwide affiliated group as an affiliated group for purposes allocating and apportioning interest expense for each domestic corporation which is a member of the group. (Sec. 902) Revises provisions concerning the of application of look-thru rules to dividends from noncontrolled section 902 corporations to provide, in general, that any dividend from a noncontrolled section 902 corporation with respect to the taxpayer shall be treated as income in a separate category in proportion to the ratio of: (1) the portion of earnings and profits attributable to income in such category; to (2) the total amount of earnings and profits. (Sec. 903) Excludes from the definition of "foreign base company oil related income" the pipeline transportation of oil or gas within such foreign country. (Sec. 904) Excludes from the definition of "foreign base company services income" income derived in connection with the performance of services which are related to the transmission of high voltage electricity. (Sec. 905) Provides for the treatment of advance pricing agreements as confidential taxpayer information. (Sec. 906) Exempts certain air transportation rights sold to foreign individuals from the 7.5 percent excise tax. (Sec. 907) Repeals the 90 percent limitation on the utilization of the alternative minimum tax foreign tax credit. (Sec. 908) Repeals the special foreign corporation sales rule for military property. Title X: Housing and Real Estate Tax Relief Provisions - Subtitle A: Low-Income Housing Credit - Modifies the low-income housing credit. Subtitle B: Historic Homes - Establishes a credit equal to 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investment Trusts - Part I: Treatment of Income and Services Provided By Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Excludes taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) from the five and ten percent asset tests. (Sec. 1022) Allows TRSs to provide non-customary tenant services. (Sec. 1023) Allows a REIT to establish a TRS (as defined). (Sec. 1024) Includes in the definition of "disqualified interest" (Sec. 163 of the IRC) any interest paid or accrued by a TRS to the REIT. (Sec. 1025) Imposes a 100 percent tax on any interest payments by a TRS to the REIT in excess of the commercially reasonable interest rate. Part II: Health Care REITs - Includes within the definition of the term "foreclosure property" any qualified health care property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination of a lease of such property. Part III: Conformity With Regulated Investment Company Rules - Changes the distribution requirement from 95 percent to 90 percent. Part IV: Clarification of Exception From Impermissible Tenant Service Income - Provides, with respect to the definition of an independent contractor, that in the event that any class of stock of is regularly traded on an established securities market, only owners who own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent of such class of stock shall be taken into account as owning any of the stock of such class for purposes of applying the 35 percent limitation. Part V: Modification of Earnings and Profits Rules - Provides rules for determining whether a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) has earnings and profits form a non-RIC year. Part VI: Study Relating to Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Directs the: (1) Commissioner of the Internal Revenue shall conduct a study to determine how many taxable REIT subsidiaries are in existence and the aggregate amount of taxes paid by such subsidiaries; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to the Congress describing the results of such study. Subtitle D: Private Activity Bond Volume Cap - Accelerates the increase in the volume cap on State private activity bonds. Subtitle E: Leasehold Improvements Depreciation - Includes qualified leasehold improvement property as 15 year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery depreciation rules. Defines "qualified leasehold improvement property" as certain improvements to an interior portion of a building which is nonresidential property. Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the: (1) LUST taxes on fuel used in trains; and (2) 4.3-cents-per-gallon General Fund excise tax on diesel fuel used by railroads and on fuels used by barges operating on designated inland waterways. (Sec. 1102) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the tax treatment of Settlement Trusts established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Exempts from income taxation any such Settlement Trust electing coverage by this Act. Declares that for an electing trust: (1) no amount shall be includible in the gross income of a Settlement Trust beneficiary by reason of a contribution to the Settlement Trust during such taxable year; and (2) the ordinary requirements for taxation of trusts and beneficiaries shall not apply. Requires an electing trust to distribute at least 55 percent of its adjusted taxable income each taxable year. Imposes a tax on a trust, in the amount of the failure, if the distribution is insufficient. Includes in the beneficiary's gross income, as ordinary income, any distribution from an electing trust (only when the actual distribution is received). Provides that distributions from the trust will be taxable as ordinary income even if the distribution represents a return of capital. Requires tax withholding on trust distributions over a certain amount. (Sec. 1103) Permits businesses to recover, as specified, long-term unused credits against the alternative minimum tax. (Sec. 1104) Permits a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses attributable to operating mineral interests of independent oil and gas producers. (Secs. 1105 and 1106) Allows both geological and geophysical expenditures on domestic oil and gas exploration and development and delay rental payments, at the taxpayer's election, to be deducted from gross income at the time incurred. (Sec. 1107) Provides that, for specified purposes of the active business definition, all members of a corporation's separate affiliated group shall be treated as one corporation. (Sec. 1108) Increases the maximum dollar limitation on reforestation expenses eligible for amortization and suspends such dollar limitation through calendar year 2003. (Sec. 1109) Revises the excise tax on arrow components. (Sec. 1110) Doubles the Joint Committee on Taxation reporting threshold for refunds and credits. (Sec. 1111) Modifies the definition of a rural airport for purposes of the air passenger tax. (Sec. 1112) Provides that the patronage dividends of cooperatives shall not be reduced by stock dividends to the extent the stock dividends are in addition to amounts otherwise payable. (Sec. 1113) Repeals certain provisions concerning the filing of consolidated returns by insurance companies. (Sec. 1114) Modifies, for lending or finance companies, the exemption from the personal holding company tax. (Sec. 1115) Expands the credit for modifications to inter-city buses to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. (Sec. 1116) Accelerates the 80 percent deduction for business meal expenses for individuals subject to Federal hours of service limitations. (Sec. 1117) Provides for the treatment of a qualified highway infrastructure project bond as an exempt private activity bond. (Sec. 1118) Extends the District of Columbia (DC) homebuyer credit by one year and increases the phase-out range. (Sec. 1119) Eliminates the ten percent poverty rate limitation for purposes of the zero-percent capital gains rate for DC zone assets. (Sec. 1120) Classifies any natural gas gathering line as seven-year property for purposes of depreciation. Defines natural gas gathering line. (Sec. 1121) Exempts small seaplanes from the air passenger excise taxes. Title XII: Extension of Expired and Expiring Provisions - Extends the: (1) research credit (permanently); (2) subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) exemption for active income financing (for five years); (3) taxable income limit on percentage depletion for marginal oil and gas wells (for five years); (4) work opportunity credit and the welfare-to-work credit (for five years); (5) credit for electricity produced by wind and closed-loop biomass (for five years) and extends a credit to facilities using poultry waste; and (6) expiration date for the expensing of certain environmental remediation costs until June 30, 2004. Maintains the exemption of Alaska from dyeing requirements for diesel fuel and kerosene exempt from the gasoline tax. Repeals the exemption from such dyeing requirements for other States exempted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from such requirements under the Clean Air Act. Title XIII: Revenue Offsets - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Modifies the foreign tax credit carryback and carryover periods. (Sec. 1302) Amends provisions involving returns relating to the cancellation of indebtedness by certain entities to include within the definition of "applicable financial entity" any organization a significant trade or business of which is the lending of money. (Sec. 1303) Increases the withholding rate for nonperiodic distributions from 10 to 15 percent. (Sec. 1304) Directs the Secretary to establish a program requiring the payment of user fees for requests to the IRS for ruling letters, opinion letters, determination letters, and other similar requests. Terminates fees October 1, 2009. (Sec. 1305) Prohibits transfers of excess pension assets to retiree health account made after September 30, 2009, (currently, after December 31, 2000) from being treated as qualified transfers. (Sec. 1306) Excludes from the definition of "capital asset" (under rules for determining capital gains and losses) any commodities derivative financial instrument held by a commodities dealer, if such instrument clearly has no connection to the activities of the dealer as a dealer. Subtitle B: Loophole Closers - Limits the use of the non-accrual experience method of accounting under provisions relating to special rules for services. (Sec. 1312) Modifies rules relating to the exemption of certain ten or more employer plans from welfare benefit fund provisions. (Sec. 1313) Prohibits, in general, the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method dispositions. (Sec. 1314) Treats a gain as an ordinary gain to the extent such gain exceeds the net underlying long-term capital gain where the taxpayer has gain from a constructive ownership transaction with respect to any financial position and such gain otherwise would be treated as a long-term capital gain. Provides that, to the extent such gain is treated as a long-term capital gain after the application of the previous sentence, the determination of the applicable capital gain rate (or rates) shall be determined on the basis of the respective rate (or rates) that would have been applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain. Sets forth definitions and exceptions. (Sec. 1315) Amends the IRC to disallow a deduction for the transfer of a charitable contribution to or for the use of a State or charitable tax-exempt organization or trust if in connection with such transfer: (1) the organization directly or indirectly pays, or has previously paid, any premium on any personal benefit contract (life insurance, annuity, or endowment contract, also known as charitable split-dollar life insurance) with respect to the transferor; or (2) there is an understanding (side agreement) that any person will directly or indirectly pay any premium on such contract with respect to such transferor. Imposes on such organization an excise tax equal to the premiums paid by it on the personal benefit contract. Provides that certain persons shall not be treated as indirect beneficiaries: (1) in certain cases in which a charitable organization purchases an annuity contract to fund an obligation to pay a charitable gift annuity; or (2) solely by reason of being a noncharitable recipient of an annuity or unitrust amount paid by a charitable remainder trust that holds a life insurance, annuity or endowment contract. (Sec. 1316) Prohibits from taking into account any dividend received from a closely held real estate investment trust by any person owning 10 percent or more of the stock or beneficial interests in the trust in computing annualized income installments in a manner similar to the manner under which partnership income inclusions are taken into account. (Sec. 1317) Requires any employee stock ownership plan holding employer securities consisting of stock in an S corporation to provide that no portion of the assets of the plan attributable to (or allocable in lieu of) such employer securities may, during a nonallocation year, accrue (or be allocated directly or indirectly under any qualified plan of the employer) for the benefit of any disqualified individual. (Sec. 1318) Revises the anti-abuse rules related to assumption of liability. (Sec. 1319) Provides that, as a general rule, a transfer of an interest in intangible property shall be treated (under provisions concerning the transfer of property to a corporation controlled by the transferor) as a transfer of property even if the transfer is of less than all of the substantial rights of the transferor in the property. (Sec. 1320) Makes a controlled entity ineligible to be a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust). Defines "controlled entity." (Sec. 1321) Sets forth rules concerning distributions to a corporate partner of stock in another corporation. Title XIV: Technical Corrections - Sets forth amendments concerning, among other things: (1) the Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998; (2) the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; (3) the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; (4) the treatment of worthless securities of affiliated corporations; (5) the IRA contribution amount of the lesser earning spouse; (6) modified endowment contracts; (7) lump-sum distributions; and (8) tentative carryback adjustments of losses from section 1256 contracts. Title XV: Compliance With Congressional Budget Act - States that: (1) all provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act which are in effect on September 30, 2009, shall cease to apply as of the close of September 30, 2009; (2) all provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act which were terminated under clause (1) shall begin to apply again as of October 1, 2009, as provided in each such provision or amendment.
Bill· HRH.R. 2606 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Export and Investment Assistance Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance Title III: Military Assistance Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance Title V: General Provisions Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) for child survival and disease programs, including basic education programs; (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) international disaster assistance; (5) micro and small enterprise development programs; (6) guaranteed loans for the urban and environmental credit program; (7) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (9) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt); (10) the International Fund for Ireland; (11) economic assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but with a prohibition on funds for new housing construction or repair or reconstruction of existing housing in Bosnia and Herzegovina unless directly related to U.S. troop efforts to promote peace there); (12) assistance for the new independent states of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Mongolia, the Southern Caucasus (especially the areas of Abkhazia and Nagorno- Karabagh), Georgia, and Armenia); (13) the Peace Corps (but with a prohibition on the use of such funds for abortions); (14) international narcotics control and law enforcement (earmarking amounts for anti-crime programs); (15) migration and refugee assistance; (16) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (17) 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), and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission); (18) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible foreign countries, including sub-Saharan African countries; and (19) the Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance activities. 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 which is in contravention to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits the availability of funds for economic revitalization programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina if the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations: (1) that they have not complied with article III of annex 1-A of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the withdrawal of foreign forces; and (2) that intelligence cooperation on training, investigations, and related activities between Iranian officials and Bosnian officials has not been terminated. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt) ; and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Prohibits: (1) IMET to the School of the Americas unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that such assistance is consistent with U.S. training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights; and (2) foreign military financing for Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) International Development Association (IDA); (3) the Inter-American Development Bank; (4) the Asian Development Bank; (5) the Asian Development Fund; (6) the African Development Fund; and (7) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding. Prohibits the use of funds for the 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 the 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 Nicaragua, Brazil, Liberia and for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to: (1) 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; and (2) support the purchase of American produced agricultural commodities with funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2001. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); (2) if such a Government directs action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other Independent State of the former Soviet Union; or (3) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, Serbia, Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, and infectious disease activities 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. (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 a waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Authorizes the commercial leasing of defense articles (instead of government-to-government sale) to Israel, Egypt, NATO, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to the 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. Limits on the availability of funds for international organizations and programs shall not be construed to be applicable to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. (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 funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosova or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, displaced Burmese, humanitarian assistance for Romania, and humanitarian assistance for the peoples of Kosova may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. 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 Organization (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; and (2) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that 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. (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. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any U.N. member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance to a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (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; (2) food (other than food provided at a military installation) not provided in conjunction with Informational Program trips where students do not stay at a military installation; or (3) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Limits the amount of certain foreign assistance funds to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation for a Latin American country to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits 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 International Development Association (but not from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 558) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for-nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 559) Urges the President, in providing assistance to Haiti, to place priority on: (1) aggressive action to support the Haitian National Police, including efforts to purge corrupt and politicized elements within the police; (2) steps to ensure that U.S. assisted elections in Haiti are free, fair, and democratic; (3) support for a program to develop an indigenous human rights monitoring capacity; (4) steps to continue privatization of state-owned enterprises; (5) establishment of an economic development fund for Haiti to provide long-term, low interest loans to U.S. investors and businesses that are committed to doing business there; and (6) a substantial agricultural development program. Directs the President to report to specified congressional committees on the status: (1) of each of the governmental institutions envisioned in the 1987 Haitian Constitution; (2) of the privatization of the major public entities; (3) of the Government of Haiti's efforts to conduct thorough investigations of extrajudicial and political killings; (4) of steps being taken to secure ratification of the maritime counter-narcotics agreements signed October 1997; and (5) of the extent to which domestic capacity to conduct free, fair, and democratic elections has been developed in Haiti. (Sec. 560) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 1999. (Sec. 561) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 562) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for the civilian-led Haitian National Police and Coast Guard. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 564) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 565) Requires that any agreement between the United States and the Government of Indonesia for the sale of lethal weapons shall state that the United States expects that such items will not be used in East Timor. Declares that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit Indonesia's inherent right to national self- defense. (Sec. 566) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. (Sec. 567) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 568) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 569) Directs the President to withhold a specified amount of foreign assistance funds (except development or humanitarian assistance) from countries that violate any UN sanction against Libya. (Sec. 570) Bars funds to the central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo until the President reports to Congress that it is: (1) investigating and prosecuting those responsible for human rights violations there; and (2) implementing a credible democratic transition program. (Sec. 571) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 572) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 573) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance (other than for humanitarian and basic education activities) for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 574) Makes specified funds available for bilateral assistance for population planning activities. (Sec. 575) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 1999 and 2000. (Sec. 576) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 577) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 578) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 579) Bars the use of AID operating expense funds to finance the construction, purchase, or long-term lease of offices for use by AID, except as provided through regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 580) Earmarks a specified amount of ESF funds for political, economic, humanitarian, and associated support activities for Iraqi opposition groups. (Sec. 581) Directs AID to submit its annual budgets to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 582) Declares the sense of Congress urging public release of information in Federal agencies about the murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador on December 2, 1980. Urges the President to direct the Attorney General to review and report to Congress on the circumstances under which individuals involved in either the murders or their cover-up obtained residence in the United States. (Sec. 583) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to implement the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Sec. 584) Limits the U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Makes such funds available only if: (1) UNFPA maintains funds available to it in a separate account; (2) it does not commingle such funds; and (3) it does not fund abortions. Prohibits the use of funds for UNFPA for a country program in China. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the amount of funds that the UNFPA is budgeting for the year for a country program in China. Declares that, if the UNFPA plans to spend funds for a country program in China, an amount equal to that spent in China shall be deducted from funds made available to the UNFPA after March 1 for obligation for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the report is submitted.
Bill· SS. 1420 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1999
Coastal Stewardship Act - Title I: Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund - Establishes in the U.S. Treasury the Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to it annually amounts received by the United States as rents, royalties, net profit share payments, and related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) for tracts meeting specified requirements. Directs the Secretary, notwithstanding specified provisions of OCSLA and without further appropriations, to make payments from the Fund each year as specified in certain provisions of this Act. (Sec. 102) Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provision of law, counting the receipts and disbursements under this Act as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the President's budget, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Makes the receipts and disbursements exempt from any general budget limitation on expenditures and net U.S. lending (budget outlays). Title II: Cooperative Coastal Stewardship - Subtitle A: Coastal Zone Management - Coastal Zone Management Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to revise the purposes of the Act and various definitions. (Sec. 206) Extends provisions authorizing management program development grants. (Sec. 207) Allows grants to States for administering the State's coastal zone management program to be used for developing and implementing a coastal nonpoint pollution control program components (sic). (Sec. 208) Allows resource management improvement grants to be used (among other authorized uses) for: (1) important coastal habitats meeting certain criteria; (2) assistance to communities in assessing and managing growth, public infrastructure, and open space needs toward specified goals; and (3) the coordination and implementation of approved coastal nonpoint pollution control programs. Replaces provisions authorizing grants to any coastal State with provisions: (1) regulating the ratio of Federal to State matching funds for projects under coastal resource improvement program provisions; and (2) requiring that the Federal funding for the project be a portion of that State's annual allocation under administrative grants provisions. (Sec. 209) Modifies provisions relating to the Coastal Zone Management Fund. (Sec. 210) Alters the definition of "coastal zone enhancement objective" for provisions relating to coastal zone enhancement grants. Removes a requirement that, in making those grants, the Secretary consider specified criteria. Removes the maximum limit on the set-aside, for those grants, of amounts appropriated under provisions relating to administrative grants and to coastal resource improvement programs. (Sec. 211) Replaces provisions mandating technical assistance and management-oriented research with provisions authorizing cooperative agreements with State coastal management programs: (1) for local, community-based initiatives; and (2) to strengthen resource protection and restoration while providing for community revitalization and comprehensive growth management strategies. (Sec 212) Directs the Secretary to undertake a program of shared technical assistance, development and implementation of innovative environmental technologies and methodologies, and training and management-oriented research that supports specified activities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into related contracts or other arrangements. (Sec. 213) Requires inclusion in a currently-mandated review of State performance (regarding coastal management) of an assessment and detailed findings regarding the extent to which the State has coordinated with estuarine research reserves in the State. (Sec. 214) Allows (currently, requires) the conducting of the "Walter B. Jones Awards" program to promote excellence in coastal zone management by identifying and acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in the field. Modifies the source of the funds involved. (Sec. 215) Sets forth the nature of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a reserve if (among other criteria) the Secretary finds that designation will provide opportunities for education, interpretation, training, and demonstration projects (currently, for public education and interpretation). Revises the matters required to be included in the Secretary's guidelines for System research, education and resource stewardship (currently, for System research). Includes in the actions the Secretary must take to promote and coordinate System use for research establishing partnerships with other Federal and State estuary management programs to coordinate and collaborate on estuarine research. Authorizes grants for educational, interpretive, or training activities as well as for research and monitoring. Removes the dollar limit on the assistance provided for acquisition of lands and waters for any one reserve and allows certain nonfederal costs to be used to match the Federal share. Modifies other limits on the grants. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements, financial agreements, grants, contracts, or other agreements authorizing a nonprofit organization to solicit donations to carry out System purposes and policies; and (2) accept donations of funds and services to carry out System purposes and policies. (Sec. 216) Modifies various reporting requirements. (Sec. 217) Authorizes appropriations, subject to limitation, to carry out specified provisions of the Act. Requires that any amounts in grants to States not obligated by the State recipient within a specified period revert to the Secretary and then be available for grants under the Act. Declares that Federal funds allocated under the Act may be used by grantees to purchase Federal products and services not otherwise available. Subtitle B: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Preservation - Requires a coastal State, in order to receive funds under this subtitle, to develop projects that will restore and protect ocean and coastal habitat. Prohibits a State from receiving funds under this subtitle for an activity that includes: (1) mitigation for the adverse effects of an activity governed by Federal or State law; (2) satisfaction of environmental liability; or (3) the acquisition of land or land rights from an unwilling seller. (Sec. 255) Provides for the review, revision, and approval of State project plans. (Sec. 256) Sets forth a formula for the allocation of amounts under this subtitle from the Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund established in this Act. Requires that any Fund amount available for allocation but not paid or obligated because that State does not have an approved plan (or because the amount allocated exceeded the amount obligated or expended under its plan) be retained by the Fund and disposed of according to the law otherwise applicable to revenues from leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 257) Directs the Secretary to maintain a database of information on coastal habitat restoration and preservation projects funded under this subtitle and to submit a report annually to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 259) Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out this subtitle, to enter into cooperative, financial, grant, contractual, or other agreements. (Sec. 260) Authorizes appropriations: (1) to carry out this subtitle, of any Fund amounts not authorized to be appropriated under the other titles of this Act; and (2) to administer the activities in this subtitle. Title III: Cooperative Ocean Stewardship - Subtitle A: National Marine Sanctuaries - National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to modify the Act's findings, purposes, policies, and definitions. (Sec. 305) Changes sanctuary designation standards and procedures. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and make publicly available a management plan for the proposed sanctuary. Allows modification of designation terms by following applicable procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (currently, only by the same procedures by which the original designation is made). Applies to changes in the terms of a designation provisions making designations automatically effective. Modifies the circumstances in which the Secretary may withdraw an entire designation. Subjects Federal agency actions (inside or outside a sanctuary) that may destroy (currently, that are likely to destroy) or injure a sanctuary resource to consultation with the Secretary. Requires the agency head, if the agency's action results in a threat of destruction, destruction, or injury to a sanctuary resource (including toxic spills and vessel groundings), to coordinate with the Secretary and take action to prevent, respond to, mitigate, and (if possible) restore, replace, or provide the equivalent of the resource. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to cooperate with other governments, international organizations, and other persons (currently, other governments and international organizations) in furtherance of the Act. (Sec. 308) Adds to the list of unlawful activities: (1) the offering for sale, purchasing, importing, or exporting of any sanctuary resource; and (2) provisions specifying activities that constitute interference with enforcement of the Act. (Current law prohibits enforcement interference without so specifying.) (Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary to conduct enforcement activities as necessary (currently, as necessary and reasonable) to carry out the Act. Empowers officers authorized to enforce the Act to arrest any person on reasonable cause to believe that the person has interfered with enforcement. Makes interference punishable by fine or imprisonment. Increases the limit on fines for Act violations. Makes protecting and enhancing the resources of the sanctuary in which a violation occurred the top priority (after certain costs) in using amounts received under enforcement provisions for civil penalties, forfeiture, and costs. Authorizes the Secretary to subpoena electronic files. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to conduct, support, and coordinate (currently, to conduct) research, monitoring, and education programs. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake, solely or in partnership: (1) efforts to enhance public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the marine environment; and (2) the development of interpretive facilities. (Sec. 312) Mandates public notice before the Secretary identifies any activity subject to a sanctuary special use permit. Requires a permittee to have insurance or an equivalent bond (currently, to have insurance). Requires that permit fees the Secretary is authorized to assess include an amount representing the fair market value of access to the sanctuary resource. Allows, for nonprofit activities, waiver or reduction of certain fee portions or acceptance of in-kind services in lieu of fees. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary to use by agreement the personnel, services, or facilities of Federal, State, or local agencies on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis to assist in carrying out the Act. (Sec. 314) Makes any person who creates an imminent risk of destruction or injury to a sanctuary resource liable to the United States. Includes in the liability damages resulting from response actions and costs related to seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal. Makes any vessel used to destroy or injure any sanctuary resource liable in rem for those amounts. Makes a person not liable if the destruction or injury was specifically authorized by Federal or State law or permit (currently, if the destruction or injury was caused by an activity authorized by Federal or State law), except for actions by any person authorized to enforce the Act in responding to an incident creating liability. Removes provisions making a person not liable if the destruction or injury was negligible. Declares that nothing in specified Federal laws limits the liability of any person or vessel (currently, any person) under the Act. Makes liability joint and several. Authorizes the Attorney General, on request of the Secretary, to begin a civil action for response, seizure, forfeiture, storage, and disposal costs (currently, for response costs and damages). Requires the Secretary to so request whenever a person or vessel (currently, whenever a person) may be liable for such costs or damages. Replaces provisions regulating the use of amounts recovered with provisions requiring the use, without further appropriation, of amounts recovered and interest on those amounts for: (1) past and future response costs and damage assessments; (2) restoration or replacement relating to the resources that were the subject of the action or prevention of threats to the sanctuary involved; and (3) management and improvements to that or other marine sanctuaries. Imposes a statute of limitation on actions. (Sec. 316) Changes the function of sanctuary advisory councils from assisting to giving advice and recommendations to the Secretary. Allows council membership to include persons interested in the conservation (currently, in the protection and multiple use management) of sanctuary resources. (Sec. 317) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) solicit and collect monetary or in-kind contributions from official sponsors for the manufacture, reproduction, sale, or use of the symbols of the national sanctuary program or an individual sanctuary; and (2) authorize the use of those symbols by any person engaged in a collaborative effort with the national sanctuary program. (Sec. 319) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act, including authorizing deriving a specified amount from the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Fund. Subtitle B: Coral Reef Protection - Coral Reef Protection Act of 1999 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to conserve coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems. (Sec. 356) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide: (1) financial assistance for projects that provide for the restoration or conservation of coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems; and (2) technical assistance to any State or Federal agency with coral reef jurisdiction. (Sec. 357) Authorizes: (1) the conducting of activities that conserve coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems or that further public awareness and education; and (2) joint projects with any Federal, State, or local authority or financial assistance to any person for such activities. (Sec. 358) Amends Federal law relating to vessels eligible for documentation to prohibit a vessel that is otherwise qualified to be documented as a vessel of the United States from being documented if the owner has abandoned any vessel on a reef subject to U.S. jurisdiction and the vessel remains on the reef or was removed using funds under this subtitle or any other Act on the same subject enacted after 1998. (Sec. 359) Designates, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, nine fishing vessels driven by Typhoon Val in 1991 onto coral reefs inside Pago Pago harbor near the villages of Leloaloa and Aua and the reefs they are on as sites at which there is a substantial threat of release of a hazardous substance into the environment. Declares that, for purposes of that Act, the site shall not be considered to have resulted from an act of God. (Sec. 360) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a foundation under which the foundation may receive, hold, and administer amounts to support public-private partnerships that further this subtitle's purposes. Authorizes such a foundation to solicit and accept any gift or donation to further this subtitle's purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer certain funds appropriated under this subtitle to such a foundation. (Sec.361) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle, including authorizing deriving a specified amount from the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Fund. Title IV: Cooperative Research and Enforcement - Amends the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 (IFA) to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to establish cooperative agreements on a side-source basis with any appropriate Marine Fisheries Commission, State, regional, or tribal entities to implement the standardized fishing vessel registration and information management system transmitted under specified provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary, if requested by the Governor of a State represented on an interstate commission, to enter into an agreement under that Act that authorizes the deputization of State law enforcement officers to perform the Secretary's duties relating to enforcement of the IFA or any other marine resource law enforced by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, after execution of that agreement and if requested by a State, to enter into an agreement for a joint project on matters of mutual interest. Declares that those joint project agreements will provide a framework for enforcement and prosecution of Federal and State living marine resource laws and regulations in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement on a sole-source basis with an appropriate marine fisheries commission to assist in oversight and coordination of the joint project agreement. (Sec. 404) Exempts funds for the joint projects from provisions regulating the apportionment of funds under the Act. (Sec. 405) Authorizes appropriations from the Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund for cooperative agreements with States under provisions added by section 402 of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate authorized amounts consistent with a specified report to certain congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for the joint projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 2582 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1999
Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996, with respect to the collection of tolls for the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York, to repeal the limitation on toll collection to motor vehicles exiting the bridge in Staten Island. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and the Metropolitan Transit Authority should implement hi-speed EZ-Pass in the collection of tolls on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to meet air quality standards and reduce congestion.
Bill· SS. 1405 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Financing Act of 1999 - Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority Act of 1995 to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007 to the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to pay the costs of the project for upgrading the Interstate Route 95 Potomac River crossing, which includes the rehabilitation of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge (under current law, priority is given to costs associated with the Bridge, other than design costs). Limits the total amount made available from the Highway Trust Fund for the Federal contribution to $1.5 billion and requires amounts from the Fund for the project in excess of such amount to be provided by the Capital Region jurisdictions (jurisdictions). Requires, for FY 2004 through 2007, that every one dollar provided from the Fund be matched by at least 67 cents provided by such jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to allocate payment of the matching funds as they determine to be appropriate.
Bill· SS. 1404 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Funding Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize expenditures to be paid out from the Highway Trust Fund after October 1, 2003, under the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority Act of 1995.
Law· HRH.R. 2559 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening the Farm Safety Net Title II: Improving Program Efficiencies Title III: Administration Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 1999 - Title I: Strengthening the Farm Safety Net - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise the crop insurance premium schedule for additional coverage, including elimination of the separate coverage-based premium criteria. Requires plans to disclose premium amounts paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. (Sec. 102) Establishes a premium schedule for other insurance plans based upon a percentage of the total premium used to define loss ratio and certain dollar amounts to be paid by the Corporation. (Sec. 103) States that if the Corporation uses actual production history to determine insurable yields for a commodity, a producer may elect to exclude certain years of production history depending upon whether the producer has a ten or five year consecutive production history. (Sec. 104) Directs the Corporation to periodically review crop insurance plan rating methodologies. (Sec. 105) Repeals authority for the cost of production risk protection and the assigned yield for new producer pilot programs. Authorizes the Corporation to offer pilot programs: (1) on a regional, State, or national basis; and (2) on a three-year, renewable, basis. Provides for the expedited consideration of certain limited-scope pilot programs. Directs the Corporation to conduct one or more livestock (cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry) pilot programs, including the use of futures and options contracts and insurance plans. Sets forth specified fiscal year expenditure caps. Authorizes the use of Corporation insurance fund amounts for such programs. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Corporation to provide a cost of production price election under a production cost-based insurance plan. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Corporation to provide performance-based discounts to producers of a commodity with good insurance or production experience relative to other producers in the same area. (Sec. 108) Directs the Corporation to offer an alternative risk protection coverage that indemnifies on an area yield and loss basis and provides, on a uniform national basis, a higher combination of yield and price protection. (Sec. 109) Authorizes cooperatives and other nonprofit trade associations to pay catastrophic insurance fees. (Sec. 110) Provides, with respect to prevented planting coverage, that: (1) a producer may elect out of coverage, with a corresponding premium reduction; (2) the Corporation shall offer an equal percentage of coverage for each commodity; and (3) substitute commodity planting shall be permitted, under specified conditions. (Sec. 112) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to authorize noninsured crop disaster assistance to producers in certain declared disaster areas. (Sec. 113) Makes noninsured crop disaster assistance available only to persons with adjusted gross incomes of two million dollars or less. Title II: Improving Program Efficiencies - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to prohibit issuance of more than one insurance policy on the same acreage during a crop year unless such coverage is limited to catastrophic risk protection insurance, with an exception for areas with customary double-cropping practices. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to improve program compliance and integrity through development of plans to: (1) reconcile producer information received by the Corporation and the Farm Service Agency (FSA); and (2) use FSA field infrastructure to identify and eliminate waste and fraud. Provides for related Corporation consultation with State FSA committees. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Corporation to impose specified fines and program disqualifications upon an agent, producer, loss adjuster, insurance provider, or other person for willful and intentional false information provided with respect to an insurance plan or policy. (Sec. 204) Provides for protection of confidential information, including application of specified (confidentiality) penalties under the Food Security Act of 1985. Title III: Administration - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise the composition of the Corporation Board of Directors. (Sec. 302) Directs the Corporation to reimburse applicants for research, development, and maintenance costs for insurance policies that are approved and offered for producer sale. (Sec. 303) Directs the Corporation to contract with qualified parties to research and develop insurance policies for underserved commodities, including specialty crops Prohibits the Corporation from conducting its own policy research and development. (Sec. 304) Provides specified funding for research and development on specialty crops and under-served communities and authorizes appropriations for reimbursement for research development and maintenance costs. (Sec. 305) Authorizes an approved insurance provider, university, or trade association or cooperative, or other person to submit a policy or plan for Board approval. States that if the Board does not approve or disapprove an application within 120 days it shall be deemed approved. (Sec. 306) Directs the Corporation to contract for rating insurance plans.
Law· HRH.R. 2561 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Military Personnel Title II: Operation and Maintenance Title III: Procurement Title IV: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Title V: Revolving and Management Funds Title VI: Other Department of Defense Programs Title VII: Related Agencies Title VIII: General Provisions Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Military Personnel - Appropriates funds for FY 2000 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 2000 for operation and maintenance (O&M) 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 programs; (6) former Soviet Union threat reduction; and (7) quality of life enhancements, defense. Title III: Procurement - Appropriates funds for FY 2000 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 (including a transfer of funds); (2) National Guard and reserve equipment; and (3) certain procurements under the Defense Production Act of 1950. Title IV: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Appropriates funds for FY 2000 for research, development, test, and evaluation by the armed forces and defense agencies. Appropriates funds for the Directors of Test and Evaluation and 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 (including a transfer of funds); (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. 8010) Prohibits during FY 2000 the management by end strengths of DOD civilian personnel. (Sec. 8019) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish with host governments of NATO-member countries an account for the deposit of residual value amounts negotiated in the return of U.S. military installations to such countries. (Sec. 8032) 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. 8033) Earmarks funds from this Act for the Civil Air Patrol Corporation. (Sec. 8034) 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 2000 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 2000 funds. (Sec. 8035) Provides Buy American requirements with respect to the DOD procurement of carbon, alloy or armor steel plating. (Sec. 8038) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the amount of DOD purchases from foreign entities in FY 2000. (Sec. 8042) 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. 8050) Earmarks funds appropriated under this Act for the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts on Indian lands resulting from DOD activities. (Sec. 8053) 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, 1999, 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. 8057) Authorizes DOD to lease real and personal property at the Adak Naval Air Facility, Alaska. (Sec. 8058) Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. (Sec. 8065) 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. 8073) 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. 8074) 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. 8075) 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. 8083) Directs the Secretary, upon the enactment of this Act, to make specified transfers between various DOD accounts. (Sec. 8084) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to submit to the defense committees a report identifying any activity for which the FY 2001 budget request was reduced because Congress appropriated funds above the President's budget request for that activity for FY 2000. (Sec. 8086) Authorizes the Secretary 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. 8087) 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. 8091) Rescinds $452.1 million of the funds provided to various accounts under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 to reflect savings from revised economic assumptions. (Sec. 8092) Requires the President's budget for FY 2001 and thereafter to separately identify all costs incurred by DOD to support NATO and all Partnership for Peace programs and initiatives. (Sec. 8093) Prohibits the use of funds for approving the license or sale of the F-22 advanced tactical aircraft to any foreign government. (Sec. 8094) 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 limitation would invalidate cooperative agreements 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. 8099) Appropriates funds for the completion of the "Women in Military Service for America" memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. (Sec. 8100) 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. (Sec. 8101) Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act by $171 million, to reflect savings from favorable foreign currency fluctuations. (Sec. 8104) Makes Navy-appropriated funds available for the replacement of certain lost and canceled checks. (Sec. 8109) Reduces by $100 million the total amount of O&M funds appropriated under this Act, to reflect savings from reviews of DOD missions and functions conducted pursuant to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76. (Sec. 8110) Directs the Secretary to submit a report which lists all instances since 1995 in which DOD missions or functions have been reviewed by DOD pursuant to the above Circular. Requires such report to also include those instances in which work performed by a contractor has been converted to performance by DOD civilian or military employees. Requires the Comptroller General to determine whether DOD has complied with such report requirements. (Sec. 8111) Requires the President's budget for FY 2001 and thereafter to include separate budget justifications for costs of U.S. military participation in contingency operations for the military personnel accounts, the procurement accounts, and the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund. (Sec. 8112) Appropriates funds to the Army National Guard for the procurement or lease of firefighting aircraft or systems. (Sec. 8113) Appropriates funds: (1) to initiate and expand DOD activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to a terrorist attack in the United States involving weapons of mass destruction; and (2) for programs to prevent non-authorized access to information technology and computer systems. (Sec. 8115) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense committees a report assessing the advantages or disadvantages of deploying a ground-based National Missile Defense system at more than one site. (Sec. 8116) Directs the Secretaries of the Navy and Air Force to submit to the defense committees a detailed description of the dedicated aggressor squadrons used to conduct combat flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force from FY 1990 through the present. (Sec. 8119) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for certain development, risk reduction, operations, travel, or contributions relating to the Medium Extended Air Defense System. (Sec. 8123) Provides for the crediting during the current fiscal year of certain refunds attributable to the use of Government travel cards and Government Purchase cards. (Sec. 8125) Prohibits, after March 31, 2000, any appropriated funds from being used for an 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 such system is being developed in accordance with certain requirements under the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Requires certain other information to be included in such certification. (Sec. 8127) Requires charges for DOD administrative services in connection with the foreign military sales program to include recovery of DOD administrative expenses during FY 2000 that are attributable to: (1) salaries of military personnel; and (2) unfunded estimated costs of civilian retirement and other benefits. Makes funds from the Foreign Military Sales Trust Fund available for the reimbursement of applicable military personnel accounts under (1), above. Reduces by specified amounts funds available under titles I and II to reflect amounts expected to be recovered for such administrative expenses. (Sec. 8128) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal a requirement that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not commence bidding for commercial licenses for certain reallocated frequency spectrum until after January 1, 2001. Directs the FCC to initiate such bidding during FY 1999 and to ensure that all proceeds of such bidding are deposited no later than September 30, 2000. Provides for the expedited assignment of such frequencies. Requires at least seven days' public notice prior to the granting of an application for an instrument of authorization for any such frequency. Requires two reports each from the OMB Director and the FCC with respect to such bidding process. (Sec. 8129) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the conduct of Operations Desert Fox and Allied Force.
Bill· HRH.R. 2563 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Financing Act of 1999 - Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority Act of 1995 to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007 to the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to pay the costs of the project for upgrading the Interstate Route 95 Potomac River crossing, which includes the rehabilitation of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge. (Under current law, priority is given to costs associated with the Bridge, other than design costs.) Limits the total amount made available from the Highway Trust Fund for the Federal contribution to $1.5 billion and requires amounts from the Fund for the project in excess of such amount to be provided by the Capital Region jurisdictions (jurisdictions). Requires, for FY 2004 through 2007, that every one dollar provided from the Fund be matched by at least 67 cents provided by such jurisdictions. Requires such jurisdictions to allocate payment of the matching funds as they determine to be appropriate. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make Fund amounts available for U.S. obligations incurred pursuant to such Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2545 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1999
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 1999 - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for world peace and security; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2536 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999
San Francisco Bay Shipping and Fisheries Enhancement Act of 1999 - Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Army to carry out a navigation project in San Francisco Bay, California, to remove underwater hazards to navigation near Alcatraz Island; (2) the Commandant of the Coast Guard to modify navigation lanes and reroute vessel traffic after completion of the second phase of such project to improve safety and efficiency; and (3) the Maritime Administrator to ensure that operational vessels owned by, or operated under contract to, the Maritime Administration are surveyed for risks for oil spills or other hazards to human health or the environment. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1362 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1999
Improved Consumer Access to Travel Information Act - Establishes the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. Sets forth the Commission's duties, including to: (1) study consumer access to airline industry information on products and services, the effect on consumers of the declining financial condition of travel agents in the United States, and the impediments imposed by the airline industry on distributors of the industry's products and services, including travel agents and Internet-based distributors; and (2) recommend, based on the study results, to the President and Congress policies necessary to ensure full consumer access to complete information concerning airline fares, routes, and other services, that the means of distributing the products and services of the airline industry (including information on such items) is adequate to ensure that competitive information is available in the marketplace, and that distributors of such products and services have adequate relief from illegal, anticompetitive practices that occur in the marketplace. Requires the Commission to report to the President and Congress on the Commission's activities, including any recommendations made by it.
Bill· SS. 1359 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Postal Hazardous Materials Safety Enhancement Act - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act of 1994 to extend Federal transportation of hazardous material safety requirements to the transportation of hazardous material in the U.S. mail.
Bill· HRH.R. 2489 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
African Growth and Opportunity Act - Declares the support of Congress for the economic self-reliance of sub-Saharan African countries committed to economic and political reform, market incentives and private sector growth, eradication of poverty, and the importance of women to economic growth and development. (Sec. 4) Makes a sub-Saharan African country eligible to participate in programs, projects, or activities, or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act if the President determines, according to specified evidence, that it does not engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing, a market-based economy. Directs the President to monitor and review the progress of sub-Saharan African countries to determine their current or potential eligibility under the requirements of this Act. Makes ineligible to participate in programs or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act any countries that have not made progress in meeting such requirements. (Sec. 5) Directs the President to convene annual high-level meetings between U.S. Government officials and officials of the governments of sub-Saharan African countries to foster close economic ties between them. Directs the President to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, which shall, among other things, encourage joint ventures between small and large businesses. Directs the United States Information Agency (USIA), in order to assist the Forum, to disseminate economic information in support of the free market economic reforms contained in this Act. Authorizes appropriations (but with a bar on the use of funds to create or support any nongovernmental organization whose aim is to facilitate trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa). (Sec. 6) Directs the President to develop a plan meeting certain requirements to enter into one or more trade agreements with certain eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that reform of trade policies in sub-Saharan Africa that removes structural impediments to trade, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO), can lay the groundwork for sustained growth there in both textile and apparel exports. Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate the existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius, provided they adopt a visa system to guard against the unlawful transshipment of such goods and the use of counterfeit documents. Directs the President to: (1) continue the existing no quota policy for sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) report to Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel exports to the United States from such countries in order to protect U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers from economic injury on account of the no quota policy. Sets forth enforcement procedures (including penalties) for violations of the requirements contained in this Act. (Sec. 8) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for any non-import-sensitive article that is the growth, product, or manufacture of an eligible sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing country. Waives the competitive need limitation with respect to eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Extends duty-free treatment to sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing countries through June 30, 2009. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to use their votes to encourage their institutions to develop enhanced mechanisms which further economic and trade reforms and deep debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt initiative in eligible sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) relief provided to such countries under the HIPC debt initiative should primarily be made through grants rather than through extended-term debt, with interim financing for eligible countries that establish a strong record of macroeconomic reform. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of Congress that the stated policy of the executive branch in the 1997 Partnership for Growth and Opportunity in Africa initiative is a step toward the establishment of a comprehensive trade and development policy for sub-Saharan Africa and is a companion to the policy goals set forth in this Act. Directs the President, in addition to continuing bilateral and multilateral economic and development assistance, to target technical assistance toward: (1) developing relationships between U.S. firms and firms in sub-Saharan Africa; (2) providing assistance to sub-Saharan African countries to liberalize trade and promote exports, bring their regimes into compliance with WTO standards, make financial and fiscal reforms, and promote greater agribusiness linkages; (3) addressing critical agricultural policy issues as market liberalization, agricultural export development, and agribusiness investment in processing and transporting agricultural commodities; (4) increasing the number of reverse trade missions to growth-oriented sub-Saharan African countries; (5) increasing trade in services; and (6) encouraging greater sub-Saharan participation in future WTO negotiations on services and making further commitments in their schedules to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in order to encourage the removal of tariff and nontariff barriers. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should exercise its authorities to initiate, in addition to any existing fund, an equity fund or funds in support of projects (including infrastructure projects) in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly projects that expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and employment for the poor. (Sec. 12) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Board of Directors of OPIC to increase financial assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to make similar changes with respect to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Sec. 13) Directs the President to establish the position of Assistant United States Trade Representative for African Affairs within the Office of the United States Trade Representative to direct and coordinate interagency activities on U.S.-Africa trade policy and investment matters. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations, to take steps to ensure that at least 20 full-time U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service employees are stationed in sub-Saharan Africa, including full-time Service employees stationed in not less than ten different sub-Saharan African countries. Directs the Service to take specified action to encourage the export of U.S. goods and services to sub-Saharan African countries. (Sec. 16) Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the extent appropriate, the U.S. Government should make every effort to donate to governments of eligible sub-Saharan African countries air traffic control equipment that is no longer in use, including appropriate related reimbursable technical assistance for such equipment. (Sec. 17) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa depends in large measure upon the development of a receptive environment for trade and investment, and that to achieve this objective the United States Agency for International Development should continue to support programs which help create this environment; and (2) investments in human resources, development, and implementation of free market policies, including policies to liberalize agricultural markets and improve food security, and the support for the rule of law and democratic governance should continue to be encouraged and enhanced on a bilateral and regional basis. Sets forth congressional declarations with respect to the Development Fund for Africa in providing development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 19) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the special accounting rule allowing a taxpayer (otherwise required to use the accrual method) not to accrue any portion of amounts received for qualified personal services which (on the basis of experience) will not be collected, so long as the taxpayer does not charge interest or a penalty for failure to timely pay the amount charged. Limits this exception to the accrual accounting requirement to services in the fields of health, law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, or consulting. (Sec. 20) Adds to the list of taxable vaccines any conjugate vaccine of streptococcus pneumoniae. Directs the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees on the adequacy of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund to meet future claims made against it.
Bill· HRH.R. 2499 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Silent Skies Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to ensure that: (1) 50 percent of the civil turbojets with a maximum weight of more than 75,000 pounds operating after December 31, 2006 (and 100 percent of such turbojets operating after December 31, 2011) in the United States comply with Federal stage 4 noise levels standards; and (2) air carriers, in purchasing and using civil turbojets that comply with such standards, give priority to using them for air transportation to or from high density airports. Requires each air carrier to report annually to the Secretary (and the Secretary to Congress) on progress the carrier is making toward complying with the requirements of this Act. Requires such aircraft that are imported after a specified date into a noncontiguous State or U.S. territory and that are used to provide transportation in the 48 contiguous States to comply with stage 4 noise levels.
Bill· HRH.R. 2495 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999
Carry-On Baggage Reduction Act of 1999 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to modify specified regulations to require air carrier certificate holders to limit each air passenger to two pieces of carry-on baggage of specified dimensions when boarding an airplane. Declares that "carry-on baggage" does not include child safety seats or assistive devices used by disabled passengers.
Bill· HRH.R. 2415 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Personnel of the Department of State; Foreign Service Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Title V: International Broadcasting Title VI: International Organizations and Commissions Title VII: General Provisions American Embassy Security Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 2000 for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) contributions to international organizations and international peacekeeping activities; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance (including for the Kosovar refugees along the Albania and Macedonia border under the Front Line States Initiative); (5) public diplomacy programs; (6) certain voluntary contributions to international organizations; and (7) the Asia Foundation. Withholds a certain amount of funds from the United Nations Development Program that will be spent in Burma during each fiscal year unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)); (3) provide no financial, political, or military benefit to the SPDC; and (4) are carried out only after consultation with the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the national Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Limits the U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Makes such funds available only if: (1) UNFPA maintains funds available to it in a separate account; (2) it does not commingle such funds; and (3) it does not fund abortions. Prohibits the use of funds for UNFPA for a country program in China. Withholds the funds from UNFPA that would be spent on a country program in China during each fiscal year unless the Secretary of State (Secretary) certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the UNFPA country program in China: (1) focuses on improving the delivery of voluntary family planning information and services; (2) is designed in conformity with the human rights principles affirmed at the International Conference on Population and Development; (3) is implemented only in Chinese counties where all quotas and targets for recruitment of program participants have been abolished and the use of coercive measures has been eliminated; (4) is subject to regular independent monitoring to ensure compliance with the principles of informed consent and voluntary participation; and (5) suspends operations in project counties found to be in violation of program guidelines. Chapter 2: Broadcasting Board of Governors - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Broadcasting Board of Governors to carry out certain international broadcasting activities. Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Chapter 1: Authorities and Activities - Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, subject to the availability of appropriations, to lease commercial aircraft to transport equipment and personnel in the event of a terrorist attack abroad, provided there have been reasonable efforts to obtain appropriate Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft and such aircraft are unavailable. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent of international drug trafficking from, through, or over Cuba. (Sec. 203) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to extend through FY 2000 the requirement that the Secretary report to the appropriate congressional committees on the compliance by the parties with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Requires the report to include: (1) a list of countries in which there are unresolved applications for the return of children of U.S. citizens who are being wrongfully retained in violation of U.S. court orders, or which have failed to comply with their obligations under the Convention with respect to applications for the return of such children, access to them, or both; and (2) a list of countries party to the Convention in which, due to the absence of a effective method for enforcement of civil court orders, the absence of comity, or other factors, there is a substantial possibility that an order of return or access under a Hague Convention proceeding, or a U.S. custody, access, or visitation order, will not be promptly enforced. (Sec. 204) Amends specified Federal laws to repeal requirements for certain reports. (Sec. 205) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted by division G of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999) to make permanent certain reporting requirements, including reports on: (1) claims by U.S. firms against the Government of Saudi Arabia; (2) certain determinations under title IV of the Libertad Act; and (3) relations with Vietnam. Extends through January 1, 2002, the requirement that the President report to specified congressional committees on cooperative projects with Russia in the area of ballistic missile defense, including in the area of early warning. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to attempt, through negotiations with all Wassenaar Arrangement countries, to achieve the foreign policy goal of an international arms sales code of conduct that restricts or prohibits arms transfers to countries that: (1) do not respect democratic processes and the rule of law; (2) do not adhere to internationally recognized norms on human rights; (3) are engaged in acts of armed aggression; or (4) do not participate in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Directs the Secretary to report on the progress of such negotiations, and the extent to which each country meets the requirements of this section, to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 207) Establishes within the Department of State the Human Rights and Democracy Fellowship Program. Provides for the employment of between six and 12 fellows in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor who have expertise in human rights policy, human rights law, or related subjects and who are not permanent employees of the U.S. Government. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 208) Authorizes interest accrued on certain joint funds under agreements for cooperation in environmental, scientific, cultural and related areas to be used by the Department of State without return to the Treasury and without further appropriation by Congress. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on international extradition. (Sec. 210) Directs the Secretary to establish a regulatory regime of expedited approval for the licensing for export of satellites, satellite technologies, components, and systems to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, major non-NATO allies, and other friendly countries. Earmarks specified funds for the Office of Defense Trade Controls. Chapter 2: Consular and Related Activities - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to revise provisions concerning the State Department and the death of U.S. citizens abroad. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification of next of kin by consular officers; (2) the appointment of such officers as administrators of the estate; and (3) losses in connection with the conservation of the estate. (Sec. 253) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 with respect to fees charged for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and machine readable combined border crossing identification cards and nonimmigrant visas. Makes any fee collections that exceed certain amounts for FY 2000 through 2002 available to any State Department appropriation to recover the costs of providing consular services only if Congress is notified in accordance with specified reprogramming notification procedures. Repeals: (1) provisions making inapplicable certain requirements concerning accounting for consular fees to fees collected under this section; and (2) the prohibition against the charging of fees to citizens of countries signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 254) Declares it should be State Department policy to process immigrant visa applications of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant k-1 visa applications of fiances of U.S. citizens within 30 days (60 days for other than immediate relative) of the receipt of all necessary documents from the applicant and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent to which the State Department is meeting such policy standards. Directs the Secretary to establish a joint task force with the goal of reducing the overall processing time for visa applications. (Sec. 255) Repeals a provision concerning the return of passport fees upon refusal to vise'. (Sec. 256) Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for services provided by the State Department to an individual for assistance in the preparation and filing of an affidavit of support to ensure that it is properly completed before a consular officer considers it and an immigrant visa application. Chapter 3: Refugees - Bars the use of funds (including migration and refugee assistance) for the involuntary return of a person to a country in which the person has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 272) Requires a certain human rights report in connection with the provision of security assistance to a foreign country to include the extent to which such country has extended protection to refugees (including the provision of first asylum and resettlement). (Sec. 273) Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include State Department employees together with Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel within guidelines that address potential biases by such personnel who are hired abroad and involved with duties which could constitute a barrier to a refugee claim if they carry a bias against the claimant on the grounds of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to ensure that persons with potential biases against a refugee applicant (including persons employed by, or otherwise subject to influence by, governments known to be involved in such persecution) shall not be used in processing determinations of refugee status, including interpretation of conversations or examination of documents presented by such applicants. (Sec. 274) Bars the use of funds to support a larger number of personnel assigned to U.S. diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam than the number assigned to such posts on March 22, 1999, unless the Secretary certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that certain conditions with respect to Vietnamese refugees have been met. Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Personnel of the Department of State; Foreign Service - Chapter 1: Organization of the Department of State - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State the Bureau for International Information Programs and the Bureau for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs. (Sec. 302) Amends specified Federal laws to remove the Inspector General of the Foreign Service from their provisions. Chapter 2: Personnel of the Department of State - Provides for the award of the Foreign Service Star to an individual whose death occurs while overseas while a member of the Foreign Service or a civilian employee of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 322) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to eliminate provisions allowing leaves of absence with pay in accordance with prevailing law and employment practices in the locality of employment for non-family members of foreign national employees of the Foreign Service and U.S. citizens hired abroad for employment in positions customarily filled by Foreign Service employees. (Sec. 323) Requires a Foreign Service employee who regularly commutes from his or her place of residence in the United States to an official duty station in Canada or Mexico to receive a border equalization adjustment (locality pay adjustment). (Sec. 324) Declares that nothing shall prevent a Foreign Service grievant from placing a rebuttal to accompany a record of disciplinary action in such grievant's personnel records nor prevent the Department of State from including a response to such rebuttal, including documenting those cases in which the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board has reviewed and upheld the discipline. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the extent to which administrative and technical personnel posted to U.S. missions abroad who do not have diplomatic status suffer financial disadvantages from their lack of such status, including proposals to alleviate such disadvantages. (Sec. 326) Authorizes the Secretary to extend hiring authority to the heads of Federal agencies or other Government entities to appoint individuals abroad (including family members of the Foreign Service or of other Government employees) to positions to which career Foreign Service employees are not customarily assigned. (Sec. 327) Amends Federal law to authorize up to three months advance pay to: (1) an employee (other than an employee appointed by the Secretary and employed as a family member of a Government employee) who is a U.S. citizen, stationed outside the United States, and requires (or has a family member who requires) medical treatment outside the United States; and (2) a foreign national employee or nonfamily member U.S. citizen who is located, and must undergo medical treatment, outside of the country of employment. (Sec. 328) Authorizes the spouse and dependents of Foreign Service employees who have died at post in a foreign country to receive a transfer allowance (extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable subsistence and other relocation expenses) for their return to the United States. (Sec. 329) Amends Federal law to provide for an education allowance to an employee at a post in a foreign area not to exceed the cost of obtaining kindergarten, elementary and secondary educational services, plus room and board, where adequate schools are not available at the post of the employee, and periodic transportation between that post and the school chosen by the employee, not to exceed the total cost to the Government of the dependent attending an adequate school in the nearest locality where an adequate school is available. (Currently, an employee can receive an allowance only for a school at the nearest locality). (Sec. 330) Changes from annual to quadrennial the Secretary's report to the Speaker of the House and to a specified congressional committee on, among other things, a Foreign Service workforce plan for the subsequent five years, including projected personnel needs, by grade and by skill. (Sec. 331) Directs the Secretary to examine the current benefit structure for survivors of Government employees who are killed while serving at U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad as a result of terrorism. Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Amends the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 to designate educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Tibet as the Ngawang Choephel Exchange Programs. (Sec. 401) Extends through FY 2000 scholarships for Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who live outside Tibet and Burma, respectively. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary (currently, the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA)), in carry out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy (including but not limited to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tibet, and Burma), to: (1) include, as a substantial proportion of the participants in such programs, nationals of such countries who have demonstrated a commitment to freedom and democracy; (2) consult with human rights and democracy advocates from such countries on the selection of participants and grantees for such programs; and (3) select grantees for such programs only after a competitive process and specified other conditions are met. (Sec. 403) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to prohibit the Secretary (currently, the United States Information Agency (USIA)) from awarding any grant with respect to educational and cultural exchange programs until 45 days (currently, 15 days) after notice is provided to specified congressional committees of the intent to award such grant. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary, in coordination with other appropriate executive branch officials, to take all appropriate steps to prevent foreign espionage agents from participating in educational and cultural exchange programs under such Act. Directs the Secretary to take all appropriate steps to ensure that no individual, who is employed by an office or department involved with the research, development, or production of missiles or weapons of mass destruction, from a country identified as a country involved in the proliferation of missiles or weapons of mass destruction, is a participant in any such programs. (Sec. 405) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to: (1) rename the North-South Center Act of 1991 as the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center Act of 1991; and (2) redesignate the North-South Center as the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center. (Sec. 406) Repeals a specified section of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 calling for the abolition of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (effectively continuing the Commission). (Sec. 407) Prohibits the State Department (currently, the USIA) from expending any funds for a U.S. Government funded pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world's fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions in excess of amounts expressly authorized and appropriated, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 408) Directs the Secretary to take all appropriate steps to ensure that members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) are not participants in any educational or cultural exchange program or training through the National Academy program at Quantico, Virginia, under the auspices of the State Department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, unless the President certifies: (1) that complete and independent investigations of the murders of defense attorneys Rosemary Nelson and Patrick Finucane have been initiated by the Government of the United Kingdom; and (2) that such government has taken appropriate steps to protect defense attorneys against RUC harassment in Northern Ireland. Title V: International Broadcasting - Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to make permanent the authorization of funding for Radio Free Asia. Repeals Radio Free Asia funding limits. (Sec. 502) Repeals policy statements urging the privatization of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, Incorporated (RFE-RL). Raises the limit on grant amounts to RFE-RL, Incorporated. (Sec. 503) Grants immunity from civil liability to members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors when acting in their capacities as members of the board of directors of RFE-RL, Incorporated and Radio Free Asia. Title VI: International Organizations and Commissions - Provides for the appointment of members as part of the American delegation to a conference or assembly of the Bureau of the Interparliamentary Union, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group, the North Atlantic Assembly, or any similar interparliamentary group whenever either house of Congress does not appoint its allotment of members to the American delegation. Renames the United States-European Community Interparliamentary Group as the Transatlantic Legislative Dialogue. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide technical tests, evaluations, information, surveys, or other similar services to State or local governments upon request on a reimbursable basis. (Sec. 603) Amends the American-Mexican Chamizal Convention Act of 1964 to authorize the Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission to receive payments of money from public or private sources in the United States or Mexico for the purpose of sharing in the cost of operations and maintenance of the Bridge of the Americas which crosses the Rio Grande between El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. (Sec. 604) Declares that Congress: (1) commends the State Department for the vote of the United States against United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10-6 affirming that the text of such resolution politicizes the Fourth Geneva Convention which was primarily humanitarian in nature; and (2) urges the State Department to continue its efforts against convening the conference. Title VII: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States: (1) should increase its support to democracy and human rights activists in Cuba; and (2) should substantially increase funding for programs and activities designed to support such activists and others in Cuba who are committed to peaceful and democratic change there. (Sec. 702) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) in light of the extraordinary actions taken by the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the importance of a Cyprus settlement to American security interests, the United States should do all that is possible to bring about commensurate actions by Turkey; (2) the time has come for the United States to expect from Turkey actions on the Cyprus issue in the interest of peace, including steps in conformity with U.S. proposals concerning Cyprus and in compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1217 and 1218; and (3) such an effort would also be in the best interest of the Turkey people, as well as all others involved.
Bill· HRH.R. 2413 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Computer Security Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in fulfilling its responsibilities under the computer standards program, to: (1) upon request from the private sector, assist in establishing voluntary interoperable standards, guidelines, and associated methods and techniques to facilitate and expedite the establishment of non-Federal public key management infrastructures that can be used to communicate with and conduct transactions with the Federal Government; and (2) provide assistance to Federal agencies in the protection of computer networks, and coordinate Federal response efforts related to unauthorized access to Federal computer systems. Requires the Institute to perform evaluation and tests of: (1) information technologies to assess security vulnerabilities; and (2) commercially available security products for their suitability for use by Federal agencies for protecting sensitive information in computer systems. (Sec. 5) Requires the Institute to carry out specified activities in the development of uniform standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive information in certain Federal computer systems. (Sec. 6) Directs the Institute to solicit the recommendations of the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board regarding standards and guidelines that are being considered for submittal to the Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes separate appropriations for FY 2000 and FY 2001 to enable the Board to identify emerging issues related to computer security, privacy, and cryptography and to convene public meetings on those subjects, receive presentations, and publish reports, digests, and summaries for public distribution on those subjects. (Sec. 7) Prohibits the Institute from promulgating, enforcing, or otherwise adopting standards, or carrying out activities or policies, for the Federal establishment of encryption standards required for use in computer systems other than Federal Government computer systems. (Sec. 8) Revises specified requirements, including authorizing (currently, requiring) the Institute, for the purposes of performing research and conducting studies, to draw upon computer system security guidelines developed by the National Security Agency. (Sec. 9) Amends the Computer Security Act of 1987 to revise requirements regarding Federal computer system security training to require such training to include emphasis on protecting sensitive information in Federal databases and Federal computer sites that are accessible through public networks. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for fellowships to support students at institutions of higher learning in computer security. (Sec. 11) Requires a study by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences of public key infrastructures. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the study. (Sec. 12) Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology (Under Secretary) to: (1) promote the more widespread use of cryptography applications and associated technologies to enhance the security of the Nation's information infrastructure; (2) establish a central clearinghouse for the collection by the Federal Government and dissemination to the public of information to promote awareness of information security threats; (3) promote the development of the national, standards-based infrastructure needed to support commercial and private uses of encryption technologies for confidentiality and authentication. (Sec. 13) Directs the NIST Director to: (1) develop electronic authentication infrastructure guidelines and standards to enable Federal agencies to utilize electronic authentication technologies in a manner that is sufficiently secure and interoperable; (2) maintain and make available to Federal agencies and the public a list of commercially available electronic authentication products, and other such products used by Federal agencies, evaluated as conforming with such guidelines and standards; (3) establish minimum technical criteria for the use of electronic certification and management systems by Federal agencies and a program for evaluating the conformance of such systems with such criteria; (4) maintain and make available to Federal agencies a list of such systems evaluated as conforming to such criteria; and (5) transmit annual reports to Congress on agency conformance with these matters. Establishes a National Policy Panel for Digital Signatures to serve as a forum for exploring all relevant factors associated with the development of a national digital signature infrastructure based on uniform guidelines and standards to enable the widespread availability and use of digital signature systems. Requires the Under Secretary to transmit to Congress a report containing the Panel's recommendations. (Sec. 14) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2417 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Educational Technology Utilization Extension Assistance Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in cooperation with the Secretary of Education and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to provide assistance for the creation and support of regional centers for the utilization of educational technologies (ETU Centers). Allows ETU Centers to be established at any institution of higher education, and to include the participation of non-profit entities and organizations. Requires ETU Centers to enhance the use of educational technologies in elementary and secondary education through: (1) advising school administrators, school boards, and teachers on adopting and using new educational technologies and the usefulness of local schools' existing educational technology assets and infrastructure; (2) participation of individuals from the private sector, universities, State and local governments, and other Federal agencies; (3) active dissemination of technical and management information about the use of educational technologies; and (4) appropriate use of the expertise and capabilities that exist in Federal laboratories and Federal agencies. Requires ETU Centers' activities to include: (1) active transfer and dissemination of research findings and ETU Center expertise to local school authorities; (2) training teachers in integrating schools' existing educational technology infrastructure into their instructional design; (3) training and advising teachers, administrators, and school board members in acquiring, using, and supporting educational technologies; (4) support services to teachers, administrators, and school board members; and (5) advising teachers, administrators, and school board members on current skill set standards employed by private industry. Sets forth requirements for program administration and application and selection procedures. Allows any undergraduate institution of higher education, consortia of such institutions and non-profit organizations to apply for financial support in accordance with the procedures. Requires each applicant to provide adequate assurances that it will contribute 50 percent or more of the proposed ETU Center's capital and annual operating and maintenance costs. Requires the NSF Director, in conjunction with the Secretary of Education and the NIST Director, to subject each application to competitive merit review, including specified considerations. Requires each ETU Center to be evaluated during its third year of operation. Requires a positive evaluation for renewal of funding.
Bill· HRH.R. 2450 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Railroad Safety Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Employee Fatigue - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the hours of duty limitations with respect to train employees (including determining when an employee is on or off duty). Declares that a railroad carrier shall not be held responsible for violating such requirements in the case of a dually employed employee if none of the railroad carrier's managers, supervisors, officers, and agents had actual knowledge of the employee's work schedule for another employer. Makes similar changes with respect to signal employees and dispatching service employees and power directors. (Sec. 105) Revises certain sleeping quarters limitations with respect to train employees (including signal employees), and for any individuals employed to maintain the right of way of a railroad carrier, to require such carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents to provide, among other things, a separate bedroom for each employee or individual. (Sec. 106) Requires each Class I and Class II railroad carrier, each railroad carrier providing intercity rail passenger transportation, and each railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation, to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a fatigue management plan designed to reduce: (1) fatigue experienced by railroad employees or its independent contractors; and (2) the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by such fatigue. Provides a waiver for the submission of such plan. (Sec. 108) Prohibits, except in a specified emergency, a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents from requiring a transport vehicle driver to remain or go on duty: (1) unless such driver has at least eight consecutive hours off duty, during which such driver receives no communication from such carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents, during the prior 24 hours; (2) for a period in excess of ten consecutive hours; (3) unless such driver has received notice at least eight hours before going on duty; and (4) unless such driver has had at least one period of at least 24 consecutive hours off duty in the past seven days. (Sec. 110) Authorizes a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents to require a train employee to work a split shift only if the split shift begins between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. and ends before 2:00 a.m. on the day following the day on which the shift begins. (Sec. 111) Prohibits a railroad carrier and its managers, supervisors, officers, and agents from requiring an employee to report for duty to begin an eight-hour shift which begins at a time that is more than four hours earlier or more than six hours later than the time of day when that employee, within the previous 72 hours, began a prior eight-hour shift (rotating shift). Directs the Secretary to report to Congress the results of a study regarding: (1) the effect of rotating shifts on employee fatigue; and (2) alternative methods of preventing fatigue due to such shifts. (Sec. 112) Directs the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to convene a working group to consider what legislative changes might be appropriate with respect to hours of service. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration to report to Congress on the Committee's recommendations with respect to such changes. Title II: Protection of Employees and Witnesses - Revises certain employee protection requirements prohibiting a railroad carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee also to prohibit such carrier from threatening, intimidating, or disciplining for, or preventing an employee from (among other things): (1) notifying, or attempting to notify, the carrier of a work-related personal injury or illness; (2) cooperating with a safety investigation; (3) furnishing information to any party as to the facts relating to any accident resulting in injury or death or damage to property occurring in connection with railroad transportation; (4) accurately reporting hours of duty or dual employment status; or (5) reporting a hazardous condition or refusing to work when confronted by a hazardous condition. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of the requirements under this Act. (Sec. 201) Sets forth certain requirements with respect to the exclusion of an individual from employment by a railroad carrier as a safety-critical employee. (Sec. 203) Requires a railroad carrier to have an annual audit of the process by which it reports accidents. (Sec. 204) Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly interfere with, obstruct, or hamper a railroad safety investigation, or knowingly or intentionally use intimidation, harassment, or threats to influence the testimony of any person or prevent a person from attending such investigation. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Title III: Grade Crossing Safety - Revises grade crossing safety requirements to require each railroad carrier to: (1) establish a toll-free telephone service to receive calls reporting malfunctions of safety equipment, or disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks, at grade crossings; (2) notify trains operating near a grade crossing of the malfunction or disabled vehicle and contact appropriate public safety officials; and (3) ensure placement of signs at each grade crossing displaying the toll-free telephone information. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding violations of grade crossing signals. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of grade crossing signals. Title IV: Passenger Service Safety Standards - Requires all passenger railroad cars to have emergency windows after January 1, 2002. (Sec. 402) Sets forth requirements for: (1) passenger railroad signals; and (2) internal and compartmentalized fuel tanks on passenger locomotives. Title V: Safety Rulemaking and Enforcement - Amends Federal transportation law with respect to railroad safety to direct the Secretary to convene an annual conference to determine the most important actions needed to improve railroad safety, and report the results to Congress. (Sec. 503) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to report monthly to specified congressional committees on the status of FRA's safety-related rulemakings and reports. (Sec. 504) Sets forth requirements with respect to the rulemaking process of rules proposed by the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee. (Sec. 505) Declares that certain railroad power brake safety rules proposed on September 16, 1994, shall take effect as final rules one year after enactment of this Act if before that time the Secretary has not issued all final regulations required by specified law. (Sec. 506) Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking to ensure the safety of operators of railroad cranes and other hoisting equipment, and of railroad employees working in the vicinity of cranes and other hoisting equipment. (Sec. 508) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations addressing noise emissions from high-speed rail systems (including magnetic levitation systems) when operating at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. (Sec. 509) Directs the Secretary to issue rules requiring that no track inspection shall be conducted from a vehicle traveling at a speed of more than 15 miles per hour. (Sec. 510) Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to monitor railroad radio communications for purposes of conducting any rulemaking, accident investigations, and acquiring general information as to railroad operations as it relates to railroad safety. Prohibits the use of information obtained from such monitoring as evidence for the assessment or collection of civil penalties or for implementation of other enforcement activities, except that it may be used as background for further investigation which might lead to the discovery of other useful evidence. (Sec. 511) Expands the Secretary's emergency authority to order restrictions and prohibitions to include instances of unsafe conditions involving significant harm to the environment. (Sec. 512) Requires fees imposed on railroad carriers to cover the costs of providing an additional 400 railroad safety inspectors. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Federal Transit Administrator to consult with the Federal Railroad Administrator concerning relevant safety issues when making a grant or loan to a commuter railroad to help eliminate or correct an unsafe condition that may cause a serious hazard of death or injury. (Sec. 602) Provides for the adjustment of civil penalties for inflation with respect to railroad safety violations committed under Federal railroad safety law. (Sec. 603) Requires certification of other safety-related railroad personnel in addition to locomotive engineers. (Sec. 604) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) transport motor vehicle inspections; and (2) railroad employee seniority rights.
Bill· SS. 1294 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1999
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate revised regulations to require air carrier certificate holders to limit each air passenger to two pieces of carry-on baggage of specified dimensions when boarding an airplane. Declares that "carry-on baggage" does not include child safety seats or assistive devices used by disabled passengers.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 223 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1999
Designates majority membership on the House Committees on Government Reform, on the Judiciary, and on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill· SS. 1287 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1999
Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1999 - Title I: Storage and Disposal - Sets forth a milestone schedule by which final decisions regarding development of the Yucca Mountain site as a nuclear waste repository shall be made by: (1) the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary); (2) the President; and (3) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Prescribes implementation guidelines. (Sec. 102) Cites circumstances under which the Secretary shall take title and transport for storage at the repository site such spent nuclear fuel amounts as the NRC determines cannot be stored onsite. (Sec. 103) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to repeal its nuclear waste disposal provisions. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to substitute Environmental Protection Agency oversight of repository licensing standards with that of the NRC. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into settlement agreements and grant specified relief to contract holders to: (1) relieve harm caused by failure to meet Department of Energy commitments; or (2) settle legal claims arising out of such failure. Delimits expenditures which may be made from the Nuclear Waste Fund for costs incurred pursuant to a settlement agreement or backup storage contract. (Sec. 106) Prescribes implementation guidelines for an acceptance schedule. Title II: Transportation - Prescribes guidelines for transportation planning and readiness which encompasses: (1) shipping campaign transportation plans; (2) safe shipping routes and modes, including rail routes; (3) training and technical assistance for personnel; and (4) package certification requirements. States there shall be no shipments of radioactive waste through any State or Indian reservation lands until the Secretary has determined that acceptable training standards and technical assistance and funds to implement safe transportation have been available prior to shipment. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants from the Nuclear Waste Fund to implement transportation readiness. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a public education program regarding transportation of radioactive waste; (2) use private carriers for such transportation; and (3) apply specified employee protection provisions for persons engaged in the interstate commerce of radioactive waste disposal. Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate training standard regulations applicable to workers directly involved in the removal and transportation of radioactive waste. Prescribes training standards contents, including emergency responder training standards. Title III: Development of National Spent Nuclear Fuel Strategy - Establishes an Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research, within the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Energy, to implement an integrated research, development and demonstration program on technologies for the treatment, recycling, and disposal of radioactive waste. Requires the Associate Director of such Office to involve national laboratories, universities, and the private sector to investigate technologies for the treatment, recycling and disposal of radioactive waste, and to submit an annual status report to Congress.
Bill· SS. 1285 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1999
Law Enforcement Public Aviation Reform Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation safety law to expand the definition of "public aircraft" with respect to aircraft operated by one unit of government on behalf of another, pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement, when necessary to respond to a significant and imminent threat to life or property, and no air service by a private operator is available. Repeals the restriction of this definition to the unavailability of private air service. Deems any such aircraft to be public aircraft if operated for law enforcement or search and rescue purposes, or in response to imminent threats to life, property, or natural resources, without regard to whether it is operated under an intergovernmental cost reimbursement agreement.
Bill· HRH.R. 2332 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1999
Binational Great Lakes-Seaway Enhancement Act of 1999 - Authorizes the President to enter into an executive agreement with Canada to establish as binational corporations the Saint Lawrence Seaway Corporation and the Great Lakes Development Bank. Sets forth certain guiding principles with respect to negotiating such agreement, including: (1) improvement of operational coordination among assets of the United States and Canada on the Saint Lawrence Seaway; (2) assurance of navigational safety on the Seaway; and (3) enhancement of the competitiveness of the Seaway as a transportation route for world trade. Requires presidential approval and congressional review of the agreement. Title I: Saint Lawrence Seaway Corporation - Sets forth the functions of the Corporation, including: (1) operating and improving the assets of the United States and Canada on the Saint Lawrence Seaway; (2) facilitating safe navigation on the Seaway; and (3) promoting domestic and international trade involving the Great Lakes States and Great Lakes Provinces. (Sec. 105) Provides for: (1) Corporation adoption of all labor agreements involving Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) employees; (2) termination rights of SLSDC employees; (3) basic pay for SLSDC employees; and (4) SLSDC employee health and retirement benefits. (Sec. 111) Declares that all SLSDC regulations, and rights and responsibilities of SLSDC under the agreement, shall continue and become a part of the Corporation. (Sec. 114) Repeals the Saint Lawrence Seaway Act (effectively eliminating the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation). (Sec. 115) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Great Lakes Development Bank - Sets forth the functions of the Great Lakes Development Bank, including: (1) providing loans and other assistance to the Seaway and public and private entities involved in maritime commerce in the Great Lakes and Seaway regions; and (2) facilitating maritime commerce-related investment there. (Sec. 212) Prohibits the United States from subscribing to shares of capital stock of the Bank. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, subject to advance appropriations, to make direct loans to the Bank. (Sec. 216) Grants U.S. district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions brought in the United States by or against the Bank. (Sec. 218) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1248 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1999
Increases the authorization of appropriations for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with respect to motor vehicle safety and information programs.
Bill· SS. 1234 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1999
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) for specified development assistance (allowing availability of amounts for the Inter-American Foundation (pending the outcome of certain civil and criminal investigations) and of limited amounts for the African Development Foundation); (3) specified projects aimed at reunification of Cyprus; (4) democracy and humanitarian activities in Burma; (5) specified assistance for Indonesia; (6) specified assistance for the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Charles Darwin Foundation to support research, conservation, training and other activities to protect the Province of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; (7) specified assistance for conflict resolution programs involving teenagers of different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds from the Middle East and other regions of conflict; (8) international disaster assistance; (9) micro and small enterprise development programs; (10) guaranteed loans for the urban and environmental credit program; (11) private and voluntary organizations; (12) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (14) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, and to support victims of and programs related to the Holocaust); (15) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for Kosova, Albania, Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (16) assistance for the new independent states of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Mongolia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia); (17) the Peace Corps (but with a prohibition on the use of such funds for abortions); (18) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (19) migration and refugee assistance; (20) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (21) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (specifying conditions on funds for the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO); (22) the Department of the Treasury technical assistance program; and (23) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible Latin American, Caribbean, and sub-Saharan African countries. Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; and (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government. Prohibits funds to: (1) Russia unless the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program; (2) Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to such committees that Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in Kosova have not established a separate zone of operational control and are fully integrated under North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) unified command;(3) Cambodia until the Secretary of State reports to such Committees that specified democratic conditions have been met; and (4) the Government of Azerbaijan until the President reports to Congress that it has ceased all blockades against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Bars ESF assistance to the KEDO.. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia (including drawdowns of defense articles and services); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Prohibits foreign military financing for Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the International Development Association; (2) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Development Bank; (5) the Asian Development Bank; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; and (8) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds made available to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for activities in China. Prohibits the use of funds for the KEDO or the International Atomic Energy Agency (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 the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs, shall remain available for obligation until FY 2001. (Sec. 517) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (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) Declares that nongovernmental and multilateral organizations shall not be subjected to requirements more restrictive than requirements applicable to foreign governments in determining eligibility for population planning assistance. (Sec. 520) Directs the Attorney General to report to the Committees on Appropriations on the circumstances under which individuals involved in the December 2, 1980, murders or cover-up of the murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador obtained residence in the United States. (Sec. 521) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, India, Haiti, Liberia, Pakistan, Serbia, Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 523) Makes funds available to AID for family planning, health, child survival, environment, and basic education and AIDS research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 524) 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. 525) Designates the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) (defined as Serbia, but not Montenegro or Kosova) as a terrorist state. Requires all provisions of law that impose sanctions against a country whose government is engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights to be fully enforced against the FRY. Urges the President to seek multilateral cooperation to: (1) deny dangerous technologies to the FRY; (2) induce the Government of the FRY to respect internationally recognized human rights; and (3) induce such government to allow appropriate international humanitarian and human rights organizations to have access to the FRY. (Sec. 526) 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. 528) 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 a waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 529) Authorizes the commercial leasing of defense articles (instead of government-to-government sale) to Israel, Egypt, NATO, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 530) 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. 531) Authorizes the payment of a $10,000 cash award (distinguished development service award) to a career or non-career AID employee who through extraordinary efforts makes a significant contribution to assisting developing countries to meet the basic needs of their people. (Sec. 532) 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. 533) 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. 534) 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 a specified position under the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 535) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq unless the President certifies to the 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. 537) 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. Declares that limits on the availability of funds for international organizations and programs shall not be construed as applying to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. (Sec. 538) 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. 539) Directs OPIC to establish a $200 million Maritime Fund to support international maritime projects. (Sec. 540) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, and for victims of war, displaced children, displaced Burmese, humanitarian assistance for Romania, and humanitarian assistance for the peoples of Kosova may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. 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. (Sec. 541) Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; and (2) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 543) Declares that 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. 544) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Makes specified funds available to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger problems abroad. (Sec. 547) 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. (Sec. 548) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any U.N. member. (Sec. 550) 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. 551) 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. 552) Withholds assistance to a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 553) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 554) 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. 555) 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. 556) 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. 557) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; (2) food (other than food provided at a military installation) not provided in conjunction with Informational Program trips where students do not stay at a military installation; or (3) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 558) 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 for a Latin American country to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits 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 International Development Association (but not from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 559) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes 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. 560) Makes funds available for assistance to the central Government of Haiti only if the President reports to specified congressional committees that such Government: (1) has completed privatization of three major public utilities; (2) has signed or is implementing the bilateral Repatriation Agreement with the United States and is cooperating with the United States in halting illegal emigration from Haiti; (3) is conducting thorough investigations of extrajudicial and political killings and has made substantial progress in bringing to justice the persons responsible for such killings in Haiti; (4) has taken action to remove from the Haitian National Police, national palace and residential guard, ministerial guard, and any other public security entity individuals who have committed human rights violations; and (5) has ratified or is implementing the maritime counter-narcotics agreements signed in October 1997. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to funds made available to support elections in Haiti and the Ministry of Justice for the training of judges, prosecutors, judicial mentoring, legal assistance, and case management if the President reports to Congress that specified conditions have been met. Sets forth additional specified exceptions to such prohibitions. (Sec. 561) 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 1998. (Sec. 562) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for the civilian-led Haitian National Police and Coast Guard. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the 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) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to the Government of Cambodia (except to support basic human needs) unless it has: (1) held free and fair elections in which all political candidates were permitted freedom of speech, assembly and equal access to the media, and the central Election Commission was composed of representatives from all parties; and (2) established a panel and begun prosecution of Khmer Rouge leaders including Ta Mok, Khieu Sampan, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Ke Pauk, and Duch (Kang Khev Leu). (Sec. 565) Requires that any agreement between the United States and the Government of Indonesia for the sale of lethal weapons shall state that such items will not be used in East Timor. (Sec. 566) 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. 567) 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, projects, or activities: (1) in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest; or (2) in communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. (Sec. 568) Authorizes for FY 1999 and 2000 the use of DOD funds for crating, packing, handling, and transportation of excess defense articles to countries that are eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace and that are eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 569) Makes funds available for FY 2000 for defense article stockpiles in foreign countries, including the Republic of Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 570) 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. 571) 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. 572) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being provided to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 574) Bars funds for a Government of the new Independent States of the former Soviet Union: (1) unless it is making progress in implementing economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment; (2) if it transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership or control of assets, investments, or ventures; (3) if it directs any action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other new independent state; or (4) to enhance its military capability. (Sec. 575) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the prohibition on the use of funds under such Act to provide law enforcement training to foreign governments within the United States or abroad shall not apply with respect to assistance provided to customs personnel for customs law enforcement. (Sec. 576) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated under this Act for the Palestinian Authority. Provides a waiver for such prohibition if the President certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 578) Imposes certain economic and political sanctions against Serbia unless the President makes a certain certification with respect to Serbia to specified congressional committees. Exempts the governments of Montenegro and Kosova from such sanctions. (Sec. 579) Urges the export of U.S. clean coal technology.
Bill· HRH.R. 2274 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1999
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to transfer ten percent of a State's apportionment of certain highway funds for a fiscal year to the State's apportionment for highway safety programs to be used for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures, especially for individuals under age 21, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law requiring the revocation or suspension of the driver's license of any such individual who is convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Requires that such suspension or revocation to be until the individual's 21st birthday. Prohibits the transfer of a State's apportionment if the State allows an individual convicted while driving under the influence of alcohol to drive, during the period of revocation or suspension of the individual's driver's license in accordance with this Act, only for the purposes of going to and from such individual's place of employment or to and from a college or other institution of higher education or a trade school.
Bill· SS. 1229 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to allow a State, on the request of an agricultural producer or on the State's initiative, to register a foreign pesticide for distribution and use in the State if registration is consistent with such Act and is approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Considers such registrations, on approval by the Administrator, as registrations under the Act. Bars the transport of such pesticides to, or use by, a person in another State unless the distribution and use is consistent with the registration by the original State. Sets forth requirements for foreign pesticide registration by a State and approval by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator, in carrying out this Act, to take into account the priority of harmonizing the registrations of foreign and comparable domestic pesticides in accordance with applicable agreements and treaties. Sets forth labeling requirements for foreign registered pesticides. Requires persons seeking to distribute such pesticides to provide to the State a report that: (1) identifies the person that will receive and use the pesticide in the State; and (2) states the quantity of the pesticide that will be transported into the State. Directs States registering foreign pesticides to prepare annual reports that identify such pesticides and the users of such pesticides and state the quantity of such pesticides used. Requires States, if the Administrator determines it necessary to terminate the distribution or use of a foreign pesticide, to recall the pesticide on the Administrator's request. Authorizes the Administrator to suspend the authority of a State to register foreign pesticides if a State is found incapable of exercising adequate controls to ensure that registration is consistent with the Act. Provides States with an opportunity to respond before suspension. Makes Federal patent law inapplicable to a foreign pesticide registered by a State that is transported into the United States or to any person that takes an action with respect to such pesticide in accordance with this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2247 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Small Business Superfund Fairness Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve a small business concern of liability for response costs at a National Priority List facility under provisions governing arrangement for treatment, disposal, or transport, or acceptance for transport, of hazardous substances to the extent that the materials concerned consist of municipal solid waste or other materials that do not or would not contribute significantly to the cost of the response action. Defines a "small business concern" as an entity that on average over the previous three years has no more than 100 full-time employees. Makes this Act retroactively applicable to actions brought before its enactment in which there was no final judgment. Requires the President, as promptly as possible, to offer to reach a final administrative or judicial settlement with potentially responsible parties who are small businesses demonstrating an inability to pay response costs.
Bill· SS. 1217 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Justice Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Title III: The Judiciary Title IV: Department of State and Related Agencies Title V: Related Agencies Title VI: General Provisions Title VII: Rescissions Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the judiciary, and related agencies. Title I: Department of Justice - Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration; (2) a Joint Automated Booking System; (3) conversion to narrowband communications; (4) counterterrorism activities; (5) payments of costs of telecommunications carriers in complying with capability requirements; (6) administration of pardon and clemency petitions and immigration-related activities; (7) the Office of Inspector General; (8) the U.S. Parole Commission; (9) legal activities;(10) antitrust activities; (11) the Office of U.S. Attorneys; (12) the U.S. Trustee Program; (13) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (14) the U.S. Marshals Service, including amounts for Federal prisoner detention and for the initial capitalization of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System Fund; (15) fees and expenses of witnesses; (16) the Community Relations Service; (17) certain uses of the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (18) administrative expenses related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act; (19) the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund; (20) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (21) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (22) construction for specified agencies; (23) the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (24) the Immigration and Naturalization Service; (25) the Federal prison system, including an amount for buildings and facilities; (26) Office of Justice programs; (27) State and local law enforcement assistance; (28) the Executive Office for Weed and Seed; (29) juvenile justice programs; and (30) public safety officers' benefits. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 102) Repeals a provision of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 regarding an automated entry-exit control system. (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. 110) Prohibits, unless the person concerned consents or disclosure is pursuant to a court order or a verdict of liability has been entered, the disclosure of specified financial records and personal information of a person employed or formerly employed by a Federal, State, or local jail, prison, or correctional facility in actions for deprivation of rights against such facilities or persons brought by a prisoner. (Sec. 112) Amends the Parole Commission Phaseout Act of 1996 to reduce the maximum number of members of the U.S. Parole Commission from five to three. (Sec. 114) Directs the Attorney General to establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any Department of Justice employee to intentionally: (1) seek the indictment of a person in the absence of probable cause; (2) fail to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense; (3) mislead a court as to the guilt of any person by knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law; (4) offer false evidence or alter evidence; (5) attempt to influence or color a witness' testimony with the intent to encourage untruthful testimony; (6) violate a defendant's right to discovery; (7) offer or provide sexual activities to any Government or potential witness in exchange for testimony; or (8) improperly disseminate confidential information to any person during an investigation or trial. Provides for penalties for engaging in such conduct. (Sec. 115) Prohibits the use of funds made available by any Act to pay premium pay to any Department of Justice attorney. (Sec. 116) Reduces the total of amounts appropriated under this title by a specified amount. Title II: Department of Commerce and Related Agencies - Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Commission; (3) export administration and national security activities; (4) the Economic Development Administration; (5) minority business development; (6) economic and statistical analysis programs; (7) the Census Bureau; (8) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (9) public telecommunications facilities, planning, and construction grants; (10) information infrastructure grants; (11) the Patent and Trademark Office; (12) the Under Secretary for Technology-Office of Technology Policy; (13) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including amounts for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Advanced Technology Program and for construction of new research facilities; (14) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including amounts for procurement, acquisition, and construction of capital assets; (15) restoration of Pacific salmon populations; (16) the Coastal Zone Management Fund; (17) the Fishermen's Contingency Fund; (18) the Foreign Fishing Observer Fund; (19) the fisheries finance program account; (20) general administration; and (21) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the Fisheries Promotional Fund. Title III: The Judiciary - Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Supreme Court, including an amount for care of the building and grounds; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; (3) the U.S. Court of International Trade; (4) the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services; (5) defender services; (6) fees of jurors and commissioners; (7) court security; (8) the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; (9) the Federal Judicial Center; (10) judicial retirement funds; and (11) the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 305) Makes additional appropriations for courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services for the Institute at Saint Anselm College and the New Hampshire State Library. Title IV: Department of State and Related Agencies - Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular programs; (2) the Capital Investment Fund; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) educational and cultural exchange programs; (5) representation allowances; (6) protection of foreign missions and officials; (7) security and maintenance of U.S. missions; (8) emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service; (9) the repatriation loans program account; (10) the American Institute in Taiwan; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) international organizations, conferences, peacekeeping, and commissions; (13) the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated; (14) the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program; and (15) the East-West Center. Makes appropriations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors for international broadcasting operations, broadcasting to Cuba, and radio construction. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (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) Prohibits the use of funds made available by any Act for: (1) the operation of a U.S. consulate or diplomatic facility in Jerusalem unless such facility is under the supervision of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel; and (2) the publication of any official Government document which lists countries and their capital cities unless the publication identifies Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (Sec. 407) Directs the Secretary of State, for purposes of registration of birth, certification of nationality, or issuance of a U.S. passport of a citizen born in Jerusalem, to record the place of birth as Israel upon request of the citizen. Title V: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Maritime Administration for maritime security, operations and training, and the maritime guaranteed loan program; (2) Census Monitoring Board; (3) Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; (4) Commission on Civil Rights; (5) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (6) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); (7) Federal Communications Commission; (8) Federal Maritime Commission; (9) Federal Trade Commission; (10) Legal Services Corporation; (11) Marine Mammal Commission; (12) Securities and Exchange Commission; (13) Small Business Administration, including amounts for the Office of Inspector General and business and disaster loans; and (14) State Justice Institute. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act. (Sec. 607) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 608) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to: (1) enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion if such guidelines do not differ from proposed guidelines of October 1, 1993; (2) pay for costs incurred in operating certain diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam or increasing the number of personnel assigned to such posts until the President makes a specified certification; or (3) provide specified personal comforts in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 615) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to issue visas to certain individuals from Haiti, including those involved in specified extrajudicial and political killings. (Sec. 616) Bars funds appropriated under any law from being used for: (1) the implementation of any tax or fee in connection with any criminal background check system that implements requirements under the Federal criminal code in connection with certain restrictions on the transfer of firearms; or (2) any such system that does not result in the destruction of information submitted by persons determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm. (Sec. 618) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that any Federal or State law regarding insolvencies or receiverships shall not apply to the Federal Communications Commission or limit the rights or powers of the Commission with respect to: (1) a license or permit issued by the Commission under competitive bidding provisions or a payment made to or a debt owed to the Commission relating to or arising from such a license or permit; (2) an interest of the Commission in property securing such a debt; or (3) an act by the Commission to issue, deny, cancel, or transfer control of such a license or permit. Grants the Commission a first priority security interest in a license or construction permit issued under such provisions. Applies this section retroactively, including to pending cases and proceedings. Title VII: Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts of funds appropriated to the Department of Justice for: (1) general administration, the working capital fund; and (2) legal activities of the asset forfeiture fund. Reduces amounts available for the DEA Drug Diversion Control Fee Account. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for NOAA operations, research, and facilities. Rescinds specified amounts for the Department of State for security and maintenance of U.S. missions and international broadcasting operations of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Bill· HRH.R. 2200 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1999
Omnibus Airline Passenger Fair Treatment Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to revise provisions prohibiting an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition in air transportation. Extends such prohibition to any action of an air carrier or foreign air carrier that: (1) fails to provide a consumer full access to all fares for air transportation provided by them, regardless of the technology or other method the consumer uses to access the fares; (2) fails to provide an air carrier passenger with an accurate explanation of the reasons for a flight delay, cancellation, or diversion from a ticketed itinerary; and (3) prohibits a person (including a governmental entity) that purchases air transportation from only using a portion of the air transportation purchased (including using air transportation purchased only for one-way travel instead of round-trip travel), or assesses an additional fee on or charge to such person or ticket agent that sold the air transportation to such person. (Sec. 2) Prohibits an air carrier or foreign air carrier, in the case of a termination, cancellation, nonrenewal, or substantial change in the competitive circumstances of a ticket agent's appointment, from failing to provide the ticket agent with: (1) written notice, and a full statement of reasons for the action, on or before the 90th day preceding the action; and (2) at least 60 days to correct any deficiency claimed in such notice. Exempts a carrier from this requirement only in cases of insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, bankruptcy, or nonpayment of sums due under the appointment. (Sec. 3) Revises the preemption of State, local, and regional law or regulation related to a price, route, or level of service for air transportation provided by an air carrier. Limits the preemption to any such law or regulation that would directly prescribe a price, route, or level of service. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to establish minimum Federal standards for resuscitation, emergency medical, and first-aid equipment and supplies to be carried on board an aircraft operated by an air carrier that is capable of carrying at least 30 passengers. Bars an air carrier or foreign air carrier from preventing or hindering (including by failing to assist) a passenger from exiting an aircraft if: (1) the aircraft is parked at an airport terminal gate with access to ramp or other facilities through which passengers are customarily boarded and deplaned; (2) such aircraft has remained at the gate more than one hour past its scheduled departure time; and (3) the captain of the aircraft has not been informed by air traffic control authorities that such 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. Requires the Commission, among other things, to study and make policy recommendations to the President and Congress on consumer access to information about the products and services of the airline industry, especially airline fares and routes.
Bill· HRH.R. 2159 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
United States-Flag Merchant Marine Revitalization Act of 1999 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to add to the list of vessels for which a capital construction fund may be established vessels that are for operation in oceangoing domestic trade between two coastal points in the United States or in support of operations conducted on the Outer Continental Shelf. Redefines "eligible vessel" to eliminate references to being constructed or reconstructed in the United States. Revises the definition of "qualified vessel" to: (1) add references to such trade and operations; and (2) mandate an agreement with the Secretary of Commerce. (Current law mandates an agreement with the Secretary of Commerce regarding fisheries vessels and with the Secretary of Transportation regarding all other vessels.) Removes the definition of "noncontiguous trade." Removes references to containers from provisions requiring that, in order for a withdrawal for a barge or container to be a qualified withdrawal (and except to the extent provided in regulations), the barge or container must have been constructed in the United States. Adds containers and trailers that are part of an eligible vessel's complement to the definition of "vessel." Defines "foreign commerce" and "foreign trade." Adds as qualified withdrawals from such funds payments that reduce the principal amount of a qualified lease of a qualified vessel or container that is part of an eligible vessel's complement. Adds references to payments to reduce the principal amount of any qualified lease to provisions regulating the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals. Defines "qualified lease" as any lease with a term of at least five years. Adds the amount elected for deposit under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to the list of amounts, the sum of which is the limit on deposits to a fund in any taxable year. Includes that amount in the capital account. Allows deposits in excess of the limit if a change in taxable income for a prior taxable year is such that a deposit could have been made for that prior year. Modifies: (1) the contents of the capital gain and ordinary income accounts; (2) the tax treatment of nonqualified withdrawals from the capital gain account; (3) requirements regarding the tax rate on nonqualified withdrawals; and (4) requirements regarding unqualified withdrawal interest payable under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Allows amounts in such funds to be invested in income-producing assets (including accounts receivable) approved by the Secretaries of Commerce (for fishing vessels) or Transportation (for all other vessels). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deem withdrawals qualified if they are for payments that reduce the principal of a qualified lease of a qualified vessel or container that is part of an eligible vessel's complement. Allows, if a qualified withdrawal is made from the ordinary income or capital gain accounts and used to reduce such principal, a reduction in the basis of vessels, barges, and containers owned by the person maintaining the fund. Adds the amount elected for deposit under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to the list of amounts, the sum of which is the limit on deposits to a fund in any taxable year. Modifies the contents of the capital account. Allows deposits in excess of the limit if a change in taxable income for a prior taxable year is such that a deposit could have been made for that prior year. Modifies: (1) the contents of the capital gain and ordinary income accounts; (2) the tax treatment of nonqualified withdrawals from the capital gain account; (3) requirements regarding the tax rate on nonqualified withdrawals; and (4) requirements regarding unqualified withdrawal interest payable under specified provisions of the Code. Allows amounts in such funds to be invested in income-producing assets (including accounts receivable) approved by the Secretaries of Commerce (for fishing vessels) or Transportation (for all other vessels). Modifies requirements regarding qualified withdrawals and containers that are part of the complement of a qualified vessel. Links definitions in related provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to definitions in related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Removes provisions relating to marine capital construction funds from provisions regarding the determination of the alternative minimum taxable income of a corporation. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to allow the owner or master of a vessel, documented under U.S. laws to engage in foreign or coasting trade, that has purchased equipment or repairs in a foreign country to deposit the ad valorem duty on the value of the equipment or repairs in a capital construction fund rather than paying them to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Bill· SS. 1193 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Animal Welfare Title II: Transportation Safe Air Travel for Animals Act - Title I: Animal Welfare - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define "transport" with respect to air carrier transport of animals. Requires airlines to report to: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture in advance of any flight that will be carrying a live animal; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Transportation concerning injury, loss, death, or mistreatment of a carried animal. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) make such information available to the public; and (2) forward animal-injury consumer complaints to the Secretary of Agriculture. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to include animal-injury information in the annual report on animal transportation. Title II: Transportation - Amends Federal law to require airlines to include in their contract of carriage policies and procedures for animal transportation safety. Amends Federal law to provide civil penalties and compensation for animal loss, injury, or death during air transport. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide for animal safety cargo hold improvements.
Bill· HRH.R. 2118 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1999
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority Act of 1995 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to approve, and authorize the Secretary, the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority, and any Capitol Region jurisdiction to proceed with, the engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction related to the project to upgrade the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.
Bill· HRH.R. 2060 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1999
Railway Safety and Funding Equity Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for each of FY 2000 through 2003 to carry out projects for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings and projects for the elimination of railway-railway crossings an amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to the total of amounts received in the Treasury in the previous fiscal year that are attributable to taxes imposed on fuel used in a train. Sets forth provisions regarding apportionment of funds. Directs that at least five percent of sums available to a State in a fiscal year be expended on education and awareness campaigns, and that at least ten percent be expended on projects for the elimination of railway-railway crossing hazards. Sets the Federal cost share at 80 percent. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to exclude such funding from the obligation ceiling for Federal-aid highway and highway construction programs. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) transfer the excise taxes on fuel used in trains to the HTF beginning on October 1, 1999; and (2) terminate such excise taxes on October 1, 2004.
Law· HRH.R. 2035 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1999
Increases the authorization of appropriations for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with respect to motor vehicle safety and information programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2055 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1999
Imported Food Safety Improvement Act of 1999 - Title I: Improvements to the Food Safety Import System - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require imported food to be prepared, packed, and held under a system meeting the requirements of such Act, or determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to be equivalent to domestic requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop an implementation plan; and (2) conduct overseas food system evaluations. Directs the Secretary to establish, for use by the Secretary of the Treasury, a system to deny the entry of imported food from a specific area, producer, manufacturer, or transporter into the United States that: (1) has been repeatedly adulterated or associated with repeated outbreaks of foodborne disease, presents a health danger, and is likely without systematic changes to cause disease or be adulterated again; or (2) in an emergency determination, has been strongly associated with a serious outbreak of foodborne disease. Makes a conforming amendment to the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 102) Deems as adulterated an imported (or offered for import) food: (1) withheld for review that is distributed prior to the Secretary's authorization of distribution; (2) ordered to be held in secure storage prior to distribution that is not so held; (3) required to be destroyed that is not so destroyed; (4) previously denied admission that is subsequently offered for admission without a showing of appropriate compliance (port shopping); or (5) owned or consigned by a debarred person. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) prohibit distribution of an imported food until the Secretary so authorizes; (2) prohibit distribution and require the secure storage of an imported food if the importer, owner, or consignee of such food is a person against whom the Secretary of the Treasury has assessed certain liquidated damages for failure to redeliver food subject to a bond; (3) order dangerous imported food to be destroyed; and (4) require marking of refused entry (but not ordered destroyed) food until brought into appropriate compliance. Deems as misbranded a refused entry food not so marked. (Sec. 108) Shortens the period before a refused entry article which is not exported shall be destroyed. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the collection and analysis of imported food by entities other than the Food and Drug Administration. Title II: Enforcement and Penalties for Importing Contaminated Food - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish increased bonding requirements for persons involved in prior importing of adulterated or misbranded food. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to debar a person from importing food into the United States for food import-related repeat or felony activities. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for additional Food and Drug Administration laboratory, inspection, and compliance personnel. Title III: Improvements to Public Health Infrastructure and Awareness - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make grants to, enter into contracts with, and provide technical assistance to State and local health entities for enhanced surveillance and prevention of foodborne disease, particularly related to imported food. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to foodborne disease, to: (1) conduct pathogen detection research and development; and (2) provide for training, education, and public information. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide related international public health training and technical assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2051 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1999
Amends Federal aviation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to investigate and hold a public hearing with respect to each petition by the sponsor of a commercial service airport (or by the attorney general of a State on behalf of one or more persons, including governmental entities, with respect to an airport) claiming that fares for air transportation at an airport are unreasonably high, or that competition between air carriers at the airport is inadequate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue written findings in response to the issues raised in the petition; and (2) report to Congress the results of the investigations, if any. Directs the Secretary to review the marketing practices of air carriers that may inhibit the availability of quality, affordable air transportation services to commercial service airports. Requires the Secretary, if it is determined that one or more marketing practices of air carriers inhibit such services, to issue regulations addressing such practices.
Bill· HRH.R. 2037 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Juvenile Justice Reform Title II: Effective Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws Title III: Limiting Juvenile Access to Firearms and Explosives Title IV: Preventing Criminal Access to Firearms and Explosives Title V: Punishing and Deterring Criminal Use of Firearms and Explosives Title VI: Punishing Gang Violence and Drug Trafficking to Minors Child Safety and Youth Violence Prevention Act of 1999 - Title I: Juvenile Justice Reform - Amends provisions of the Federal criminal code (the code) regarding delinquency proceedings in district courts and transfer for criminal prosecution to require that a juvenile alleged to have committed an offense against the United States or an act of juvenile delinquency (offense or act) be surrendered to State authorities or be proceeded against in Federal court as a juvenile or tried as an adult. Repeals the prohibition against proceeding against a juvenile in Federal court unless the Attorney General certifies that the State does not have available programs and services adequate for the needs of juveniles. Authorizes a juvenile to be proceeded against as a juvenile in Federal court if: (1) the alleged offense or act is committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and is one for which the maximum authorized term of imprisonment does not exceed six months; or (2) the Attorney General, after investigation, certifies to the appropriate U.S. district court that the juvenile court or other appropriate court of a State does not have, or declines to assume, jurisdiction over the juvenile regarding the alleged act and there is a substantial Federal interest in the case or the offense to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction. Requires, if a juvenile is proceeded against as a juvenile in Federal court, that court be open to the public, except that the court may exclude all or some members of the public other than a victim unless the victim is a witness in the determination of guilt or innocence, if required by the interests of justice or if other good cause is shown. Requires that a juvenile be prosecuted as an adult if the juvenile: (1) has requested in writing upon advice of counsel to be prosecuted as an adult; or (2) is alleged to have committed an act after attaining age 14 (current law refers to a juvenile 15 years and older alleged to have committed the act after his 15th birthday) which if committed by an adult would be a serious violent felony or a specified drug offense. Makes this provision inapplicable if the Attorney General certifies to the appropriate U.S. district court that the interests of public safety are best served by proceeding against the juvenile as a juvenile. Allows a juvenile to be prosecuted as an adult if: (1) the juvenile is alleged to have committed an act after attaining age 13 which, if committed after attaining age 14 would require that the juvenile be prosecuted as an adult, upon approval of the Attorney General (but prohibits the Attorney General from delegating the authority to give the required approval to an officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) at a level lower than a Deputy Assistant Attorney General); and (2) the juvenile is alleged to have committed an act after attaining age 14 which would not constitute a serious violent felony or specified serious drug offense if committed by an adult, but which would be a serious felony, including explosives and specified drug offenses. Makes certain determinations to approve or not to approve, or to institute or not to institute, prosecution of a juvenile as an adult, and a determination to file or not to file and the contents of certifications under this title, non-reviewable in any court. Permits the juvenile in such prosecutions to be prosecuted and convicted as an adult for any other offense which is properly joined under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and to be convicted of a lesser included offense. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the number of juveniles adjudicated delinquent or tried as adults in Federal court; (2) their race, ethnicity, and gender; (3) the number of those juveniles who were abused or neglected by their families; and (4) the number and types of assault crimes committed against juveniles while incarcerated in connection with the adjudication or conviction. (Sec. 102) Requires: (1) an arresting officer to promptly take reasonable steps to notify the parents, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile taken into custody (current law requires immediate notification of such parties and the Attorney General); and (2) the juvenile to be taken before a judicial officer without unreasonable delay (current law prohibits a juvenile from being detained for longer than a reasonable period before being brought before a magistrate). (Sec. 104) Amends provisions regarding detention prior to disposition to: (1) require that a juvenile alleged to be delinquent or a juvenile being prosecuted as an adult, if detained prior to sentencing, be detained in a suitable place (whenever appropriate, in a foster home or community based facility, and with preference given to a place located within, or within a reasonable distance of, the district in which the juvenile is being prosecuted; and (2) prohibit (to the maximum extent feasible) such a juvenile from being detained prior to sentencing in any facility in which the juvenile has regular contact with adult persons convicted of a crime or awaiting trial on criminal charges. Requires that every juvenile detained prior to sentencing be provided with reasonable safety and security. (Sec. 105) Requires that a juvenile proceeded against for allegedly committing an offense against the United States or an act of juvenile delinquency be brought to trial within 45 days from the date such detention began or the information be dismissed on motion of the alleged delinquent or at the court's direction, with exceptions. (Sec. 106) Modifies requirements regarding dispositional hearings. Directs the court, if it finds such juvenile to be a juvenile delinquent, to hold a hearing concerning the appropriate disposition of the juvenile within 40 (currently, 20) court days, unless the court has ordered further study. Requires that a predisposition report be prepared by the probation officer who shall promptly provide a copy to the juvenile, the juvenile's counsel, and the attorney for the Government. Specifies that victim impact information shall be included in the report and victims, or (as appropriate) their official representatives, shall be provided the opportunity to make a statement to the court in person or present any information in relation to the disposition. Directs the court, after the dispositional hearing, to impose an appropriate sanction, including the ordering of restitution. Authorizes the court to order the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian to be present at the dispositional hearing and the imposition of sanctions, and to issue orders directed to such person regarding conduct with respect to the juvenile. Limits the term for which: (1) probation may be ordered for a juvenile found to be a juvenile delinquent to five years for a felony or a misdemeanor, and to one year for an infraction; (2) official detention may be ordered for such juvenile to the least of the maximum term of imprisonment that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult, ten years, or the period until the juvenile becomes 26 years old; and (3) supervised release may be ordered for such juvenile to five years. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to develop a list of possible sanctions for juveniles adjudicated delinquent, which shall: (1) be comprehensive and encompass punishments of varying levels of severity; (2) include terms of confinement; and (3) provide punishments that escalate in severity with each additional or subsequent more serious delinquent conduct. Requires the court, in the case of a defendant convicted for conduct that occurred before the juvenile attained age 16, to impose a sentence without regard to any statutory minimum sentence, if it finds at sentencing (after affording the Government an opportunity to make a recommendation) that the juvenile previously has not been adjudicated delinquent for or convicted of a serious violent felony or specified serious drug offenses. (Sec. 107) Modifies provisions regarding juvenile records. Requires the court, throughout and upon completion of the juvenile delinquency proceeding, to keep a record relating to the arrest and adjudication of a juvenile alleged to have committed an offense or act that is: (1) equivalent to the record that would be kept of an adult arrest and conviction for such an offense; and (2) retained for a period equal to that for which adult conviction records are kept. Directs that such records be made available for official purposes, including communications with any victim or, in the case of a deceased victim, such victim's representative, or school officials, and to the public to the same extent as court records regarding the criminal prosecutions of adults are available. Requires the Attorney General to establish guidelines for fingerprinting and photographing a juvenile who is the subject of any such proceeding. Directs that fingerprints and photographs of a juvenile who is prosecuted as an adult be made available in the manner applicable to adult offenders. Requires the court, whenever a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or for a violation of specified firearms prohibitions, to transmit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation information concerning the adjudication, along with a notation that the matter was a juvenile adjudication. Sets forth provisions regarding the reporting, retention, disclosure, or availability of records or information where such activities are authorized or required in the law of the State in which a Federal juvenile delinquency proceeding takes place. Title II: Effective Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws - Directs the Attorney General to establish in the office of each U.S. Attorney an Armed Criminal Apprehension Program, which shall: (1) provide for coordination with State and local law enforcement officials in the identification of violations of Federal firearms laws and the establishment of agreements with State and local law enforcement officials for the referral to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) and the U.S. Attorney for prosecution of persons arrested for specified violations of the code and of the Internal Revenue Code relating to firearms; (2) require that the U.S. Attorney designate not less than one Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute violations of Federal firearms laws; (3) provide for the hiring of BATF agents to investigate firearms violations; and (4) ensure that each person so referred to the U.S. Attorney be charged with a violation of the most serious Federal firearm offense consistent with the act committed. Directs the U.S. Attorney to carry out an extensive media and public outreach campaign focused in high-crime areas to: (1) educate the public about the severity of penalties for violations of Federal firearms laws; and (2) encourage law-abiding citizens to report the possession of illegal firearms to authorities. Grants authority regarding waiver of these provisions. (Sec. 202) Directs the Attorney General to report annually to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding the program. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Authorizes each U.S. Attorney to cross-designate one or more Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute specified firearms offenses under State law in State and local courts. Title III: Limiting Juvenile Access to Firearms and Explosives - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer from selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun to anyone other than a licensed person unless the licensee provides the transferee with a secure gun storage or safety device, with exceptions. Entitles a person who has lawful possession and control of a handgun, who uses a secure gun storage or safety device, to immunity from a civil action brought against a person for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of the handgun by a third party, where: (1) the handgun was accessed by another person who did not have the permission or authorization of the person having lawful possession and control of the handgun; and (2) at the time access was gained by the person not so authorized, the handgun had been made inoperable by use of a secure gun storage or safety device. Provides for civil penalties, and suspension or revocation of license, for violations of requirements of this title. (Sec. 302) Revises the Brady Act to increase penalties for unlawful possession by a juvenile of a handgun, ammunition, a large capacity ammunition feeding device, or a semiautomatic assault weapon: (1) giving rise to a violation in a school zone, or knowing that another juvenile intends to possess it giving rise to a violation in a school zone; and (2) with intent to use it in the commission of a violent felony, or knowing that another juvenile intends to use it in the commission of a serious violent felony. Subjects such a juvenile to the same laws, rules, and proceedings regarding sentencing that would be applicable for an adult. Prohibits the release from custody of a juvenile sentenced to a term of imprisonment simply because the juvenile attains age 18. (Sec. 303) Increases penalties and the mandatory minimum sentence for the unlawful transfer of a firearm to the juvenile. (Sec. 304) Amends the Brady Act to expand the scope of, and increase penalties for, certain juvenile weapons violations (such as transferring a semiautomatic assault weapon or a large capacity ammunition feeding device to a juvenile). (Sec. 305) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, keeping a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for it, knowing or recklessly disregarding the risk that a juvenile is capable of gaining access to the firearm or will use the firearm to cause death or serious bodily injury, or knowing that firearm possession by the juvenile is unlawful under Federal or State law, if the juvenile uses the firearm to cause death or serious bodily injury. Specifies exceptions, including that the firearm was secured with a storage or safety device or that the juvenile used the firearm for lawful self defense. (Sec. 306) Prohibits anyone under age 21 from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing explosive materials, with an exception for bulk quantities of under five pounds of commercially manufactured black powder under specified circumstances. Title IV: Preventing Criminal Access to Firearms and Explosives - Sets forth provisions regarding the regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows. Defines "gun show" as an event sponsored to foster the collecting, competitive use, sporting use, or any other legal use of firearms, at which: (1) 50 or more firearms are offered or exhibited for sale, transfer, or exchange, if one or more affects interstate or foreign commerce; and (2) there are not less than ten firearm vendors. Requires a person who is not a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, and who desires to be registered as an instant check registrant, to submit to the Secretary of the Treasury an application which contains: (1) a certification by the applicant of compliance with specified Federal firarms license requirements; and (2) the applicant's photograph and fingerprints. Requires the Secretary to approve an application which meets such requirements; (2) issue to the applicant (on approval of the application and payment of a $100 fee for three years, and upon renewal of valid registration a fee of $50 for three years) an instant check registration; and (3) advise the Attorney General of the same. Provides that an instant check registration shall entitle the registrant, for a three-year period, to contact the national instant criminal background check system for information about any individual desiring to obtain a firearm at a gun show from any transferor who has requested the registrant's assistance with respect to the transfer of the firearm. Sets forth provisions regarding application approval or denial, records, and inadmissibility as evidence pertaining to the use or non- use by a transferor of the services of an instant check registrant. Grants immunity from a civil liability action to a person who (consistent with code requirements) is: (1) an instant check registrant who assists in having a background check; (2) a licensee who acquires a firearm at a gun show from a nonlicensee, for transfer to another nonlicensee in attendance at the show, for the purpose of effectuating a sale, trade, or transfer between the two nonlicensees; and (3) a nonlicensee disposing of a firearm who utilizes the services of an instant check registrant or licensee. Prohibits a qualified civil liability action (defined as a civil action brought by any person against a person granted such immunity for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of the firearm by the transferee or a third party, with exceptions) from being brought in any Federal or State court. Sets forth additional requirements regarding registration and recordkeeping, time and place of delivery of the firearm to the prospective transferee, penalties for violations of this title, inspection authority of the Secretary, and increased penalties for serious recordkeeping violations by licensees and for violations of criminal background check requirements. (Sec. 402) Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit an officer, employee, or agent of the United States, including a State or local officer or employee acting on behalf of the United States, from charging or collecting any fee in connection with a background check required in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit an officer, employee, or agent of the United States, including a State or local officer or employee acting on behalf of the United States, from: (1) performing any national instant criminal background check on any person through the system established under the Brady Act if the system does not require and result in the immediate destruction of all information concerning any person determined not to be prohibited from receiving a firearm (except for the retention or transfer of information relating to any unique identification number provided by the national instant criminal background check system and the date on which that number is provided); and (2) continuing to operate the system unless the national instant check system index complies with specified Federal requirements and the agency responsible for the system and the system's compliance with Federal law does not invoke certain exceptions, except if specifically identifiable information is compiled for a particular law enforcement investigation or specific criminal enforcement matter. Grants persons aggrieved by a violation of this section to sue in U.S. district court for the district in which the person resides. Directs that any person who is successful with respect to such action receive actual and punitive damages and such other remedies as the court may deem appropriate, including a reasonable attorney's fee. (Sec. 403) Amends the Brady Act to prohibit firearms possession by persons who have been adjudicated to have committed an act of violent juvenile delinquency. (Sec. 404) Amends the code to prohibit, and set penalties for, teaching or demonstrating the making or use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction, or distribution by any means of information pertaining to its manufacture or use with the intent that the teaching, demonstration, or information be used for, or in furtherance of, an activity that constitutes a Federal crime of violence. (Sec. 405) Amends the Brady Act to prohibit any common or contract carrier from failing to report the theft or loss of a firearm within 48 hours after its discovery. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil fine of up to $10,000 for knowingly violating this provision. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the successor licensee, upon receipt of records of a discontinued business, to retain the records or submit them to the Secretary. Allows a licensee while maintaining a firearms business to voluntarily submit the records required to be kept to the Secretary if such records are at least 20 years old. (Sec. 407) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to States to improve the quality and accessibility of juvenile records and to ensure that such records are routinely available for background checks performed in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Sets forth provisions regarding grant eligibility by States and allocation and permissible uses of funds. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Punishing and Deterring Criminal Use of Firearms and Explosives - Amends the Brady Act to provide for increased penalties, including the death penalty if death results and the person shooting has attained age 18, for discharging a firearm in a school zone: (1) with reckless disregard for the safety of another; and (2) if serious bodily injury results (and provides for a mandatory minimum term of 15 to 25 years imprisonment). (Sec. 502) Amends: (1) the code to define "crime of violence" to include an offense relating to possession of explosives or firearms by convicted felons (thus making such individuals subject to pretrial detention); and (2) the Brady Act to prohibit the court from granting a probationary sentence to a person who has more than one previous conviction for a violent felony or a serious drug offense, committed under different circumstances. (Sec. 503) Increases: (1) penalties for possessing or transferring stolen firearms; (2) mandatory minimum penalties for using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; (3) penalties for a misrepresented firearms purchase in aid of a serious violent felony; and (4) penalties for engaging in an illegal firearms business. Directs the Commission to review and amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement for the latter violation, and to provide additional increases, as appropriate, for offenses involving more than 50 firearms. (Sec. 507) Increases penalties for: (1) serious recordkeeping offenses; (2) transactions involving firearms with obliterated serial numbers; and (3) firearms conspiracy. Provides for termination of a firearms dealer's license upon a felony conviction. Provides for forfeiture for a gun trafficking offense or conspiracy. (Sec. 512) Makes firearm or ammunition possession or transport in commerce after a conviction of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and serious juvenile drug trafficking offenses, predicates under the Armed Career Criminal Act. (Sec. 514) Directs the court, in imposing a sentence on a person convicted of any crime of violence or any felony under Federal law, to order that the person forfeit to the United States any firearm used or intended to be used to commit or facilitate the commission of the offense. Requires the seizing agency to dispose of any forfeited firearm. Authorizes the Secretary, whenever any firearm is subject to forfeiture, to seize and forfeit any property otherwise forfeitable under Federal law that was involved in or derived from the crime of violence or drug trafficking crime in which the forfeited firearm was used or carried. Requires that any administrative action or proceeding (currently, any action or proceeding) for the forfeiture of firearms or ammunition be commenced within 120 days of such seizure. Directs that the forfeiture of property under code provisions regarding firearms possessed by convicted felons be governed by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, with an exception. (Sec. 515) Amends the Brady Act to provide for separate licenses and license fees ($100 for three years) for gunsmiths. (Sec. 516) Revises explosives provisions to prohibit any person other than a licensee or permittee from knowingly transporting, shipping, causing to be transported, or receiving any explosive materials, or from distributing explosive materials to any person other than a licensee or permittee. Prohibits a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer from transferring explosive materials to any other person who is not a licensee unless: (1) before the completion of the transfer, the licensee contacts the national instant criminal background check system established under the Brady Act; (2) the system provides the licensee with a unique identification number, or five business days have elapsed since the licensee contacted the system and the system has not notified the licensee that the receipt of explosive materials by such other person would violate the Act; (3) the transferor has verified the identity of the transferee by examining a valid identification document of the transferee containing a photograph of the transferee; and (4) the transferor has examined the permit issued to the transferee and recorded the permit number on the record of the transfer. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) further procedures and exceptions, penalties for violations, and Federal, State, and local government immunity for preventing or failing to prevent sales of explosive materials; and (2) remedies for erroneous denial of explosive materials. Requires an application for a license or user permit for explosive materials to include the applicant's fingerprints and photograph. Modifies code provisions to charge the applicant a fee of up to $300 for a license and up to $100 for a permit. Sets penalties for violating the requirement for a background check for purchases of explosives. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the distribution of explosive materials to: (1) anyone who has been committed to a mental institution; (2) certain aliens; (3) anyone discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions; (4) persons who have renounced their U.S. citizenship; (5) certain persons subject to a court order (such as one involving harassment, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or their child); (6) anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; or (7) persons adjudicated delinquent. Sets forth: (1) similar restrictions regarding possession of explosives; and (2) provisions relating to aliens admitted under non-immigrant visas. Title VI: Punishing Gang Violence and Drug Trafficking To Minors - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to increase mandatory minimum penalties for: (1) employing or using persons under age 18 in drug operations; (2) distributing drugs to minors; and (3) drug trafficking in or near a school or other protected location. (Sec. 604) Amends the code to redefine "criminal street gang" to consist of an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of three persons, whether formal or informal, that has as one of its primary purposes or activities the commission of one or more of specified criminal offenses, and which meets other specified requirements. Provides for criminal forfeiture by persons convicted of such gang offenses for CSA violations. Expands the list of violations covered by criminal street gang provisions. (Sec. 605) Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement for specified offenses committed in connection with, or in furtherance of, the activities of a criminal street gang. (Sec. 606) Revises provisions regarding traveling or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises to: (1) increase penalties for traveling or using the mail or any facility in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to distribute the proceeds of unlawful activity or otherwise promote unlawful activity; (2) cover attempts and conspiracy to perform such acts; and (3) expand the definition of "unlawful activity" to cover burglary if the offense involves property valued at not less than $10,000, and retaliation against or intimidation of witnesses, victims, jurors, and informants. Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for recruitment across State lines of a criminal street gang member. (Sec. 607) Prohibits, and sets penalties for, interstate travel to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice. Makes anyone who conspires to obstruct justice with respect to victims, witnesses, and informants subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the underlying offense. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) survey all State and selected local witness protection and relocation programs to determine and report to Congress on the extent and nature, and training needs, of such programs; and (2) make available to State and local law enforcement agencies training, based on survey results, to assist those agencies in developing and managing such programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Attorney General to engage in activities which promote coordination among State and local witness interstate relocation programs and to establish a model Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for States and localities. Authorizes the Attorney General to expend specified funds appropriated under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to make grants to jurisdictions that have such programs and that have substantially followed the model MOU. Directs the Attorney General to establish guidelines relating to implementation and to determine which jurisdictions are eligible for grants. Amends the Safe Streets Act to authorize the use of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants to develop and maintain witness security and relocation programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2005 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1999
Workplace Goods Job Growth and Competitiveness Act of 1999 - Prohibits the filing of a civil action against a manufacturer or seller of a durable good (except a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or train that is used primarily to transport passengers for hire) more than 18 years after it was delivered to its first purchaser or lessee for: (1) damage to property arising out of an accident involving such good; or (2) damages for death or personal injury arising out of an accident involving such good if the claimant has received or is eligible to receive workers' compensation and the injury does not involve a toxic harm. Declares that this Act shall not bar an action against a defendant who made an express warranty in writing as to the safety or life expectancy of a specific product which was longer than 18 years, except that this Act shall apply at the expiration of such warranty.
Bill· HRH.R. 2007 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1999
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to repeal provisions that excluded firearms, shells, and cartridges from the definition of "consumer product." Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person: (1) to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to a person who has been convicted of an offense involving the use (or the attempted or threatened use) of physical force against the person or property of another; or (2) who has been convicted of such an offense to ship or transport in, or receive through, interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition. Makes it unlawful for any person to import or manufacture a handgun unless the weapon: (1) cannot be fired with the average hand and finger strength of a four year old child; (2) cannot be fired without an ammunition magazine or clip attached; (3) has a locking feature that cannot be removed without making the weapon inoperable; or (4) has a mechanism that visibly and noticeably indicates whether ammunition is present in the weapon. Mandates, for knowing violations: (1) fines or imprisonment (or both); and (2) revocation of a license to import, manufacture, or deal in firearms or import or manufacture ammunition.
Bill· HRH.R. 2024 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1999
Aviation Code-Share Safety Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to approve a code-sharing arrangement (an arrangement whereby an air carrier's designator code is used to identify a flight operated by another carrier) between an air carrier providing air transportation of passengers and a foreign air carrier, only if: (1) the director of safety, director of operations, and director of maintenance for the air carrier each certify to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration that an initial safety audit, (including an on- site inspection) of the foreign air carrier has been conducted under a safety audit program approved by the Administrator, and the foreign air carrier met the standards of the safety audit program; and (2) the air carrier agrees to conduct periodic safety audits (including on-site inspections) of the foreign air carrier in accordance with the safety audit program. Sets forth specified safety audit program requirements.
Bill· SS. 1175 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Automobile Emissions Consumer Information Act of 1999 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require fuel economy labels for new automobiles to contain an air pollutant emissions index number representing the composite level of controlled emissions (including the range of the air pollutant emissions index numbers of comparable automobiles of all manufacturers) for such automobile. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate, provide to the manufacturer, and publish for each model of automobile and for each model year an air pollutant emissions index number representing the composite level of emissions for such automobile. Provides a waiver to States with respect to Federal pollutant emission disclosure requirements.
Bill· SS. 1180 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards Part A: Basic Grants Part B: Even Start Part C: Education of Migratory Children Part D: Neglected and Delinquent Children Part E: Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects Part F: General Provisions Part G: Reading Excellence Title II: High Standards in the Classroom Part A: Teaching to High Standards Title III: Technology for Education Part A: Federal Leadership and National Activities Part B: Special Projects Part C: Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology Part D: Regional, State, and Local Educational Technology Resources Title IV: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Title V: Promoting Equity, Excellence, and Public School Choice Title VI: Class-Size Reduction Title VII: Bilingual Education Act Title VIII: Impact Aid Title IX: Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education Part A: Indian Education Part B: Native Hawaiian Education Act Part C: Alaska Native Education Title X: Programs of National Significance Title XI: General Provisions, Definitions, and Accountability Title XII: Amendments to Other Laws; Repeals Part A: Amendments to Other Laws Part B: Repeals Educational Excellence for All Children Act of 1999 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and reauthorize ESEA programs through FY 2005. (Sec. 3) Renames the National Education Goals (currently in title I of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act), as America's Education Goals, revises such Goals, and includes them under ESEA. Title I: Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the following ESEA title I programs: (1) part A basic grants to States for improving programs of local educational agencies (LEAs); (2) part B Even Start program; (3) part C education of migratory children; (4) part D State agency programs for neglected or delinquent children; (5) part E Reading Excellence program (transferred from title II); and (6) part F Federal activities. (Sec. 103) Requires each State educational agency (SEA) to: (1) reserve a portion (2.5 percent in FY 2001 and 2002, 3.5 percent in subsequent fiscal years) of its annual basic grant under part A of title I to carry out certain LEA assistance and school improvement activities; and (2) allocate at least 70 percent of such reserved amount directly to LEAs in accordance with specified priorities, or use at least that portion of the reserved amount to carry out an alternative system of school and LEA improvement and corrective action described in the State plan and approved by the Secretary of Education. Part A: Basic Grants - Revises requirements for State plans. (Sec. 111) Requires State plan coordination with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 (VTEA). Revises provisions relating to assessments of limited English proficient (LEP) children. Requires submission of accountability plans and establishment of accountability systems that are based on challenging standards, include all students, promote continuous improvement, and include rigorous criteria for identifying and intervening in schools and districts in need of improvement. Eliminates a requirement that States identify languages other than English that are present in the participating school population, indicate the languages for which assessments are not available, and make every effort to develop those assessments. Directs the Secretary to include experts on educational standards, assessments, accountability, and the diverse educational needs of students in the peer-review process used to review State plans. (Sec. 112) Revises requirements for LEA plans. Requires LEA plan coordination with IDEA and VTEA. Requires LEA plans to describe any assessments that they will use to determine the literacy levels of first graders and their need for interventions and how they will ensure that those assessments: (1) are developmentally appropriate; (2) use multiple measures to provide information about the variety of relevant skills; and (3) are administered to students in the language most likely to yield valid results. Requires LEA professional development strategies under title I part A to be components of their professional development plans under the new title II, if they receive title II funds. Includes Indian children served under title IX of ESEA among those for whom LEA plans must describe coordination of title I services with other educational services. Requires LEA plans to include descriptions of: (1) the actions an LEA will take to assist its low-performing schools, if any, in making the changes needed to educate all children to the State standards; and (2) how the LEA will promote the use of extended learning time, such as an extended school year, before- and after-school programs, and summer programs. Requires LEA assurances regarding: (1) annual assessment of the English proficiency of all LEP children participating in part A programs, using assessment results to help guide and modify instruction in the content areas, and providing those results to the children's parents; and (2) compliance with specified requirements regarding teacher qualifications and the use of paraprofessionals. Requires States to use a peer-review process in reviewing LEA plans. (Sec. 113) Revises provisions relating to eligible school attendance areas. Authorizes an LEA to: (1) continue serving an attendance area for one year after it loses its eligibility; and (2) allocate greater per-child amounts of title I funds to higher-poverty areas and schools than it provides to lower-poverty areas and schools. Requires LEAs to reserve sufficient funds to serve homeless children who do not attend participating schools. (Sec. 114) Revises provisions for schoolwide programs. Allows use of IDEA funds for such programs under certain conditions. Requires peer review and LEA approval of a schoolwide plan before implementation. (Sec. 115) Revises provisions for targeted assistance schools. Allows preschool children of any age to be served under part A if they can benefit from an organized instructional program. Provides that children who, within the prior two years, had received title I preschool services are eligible for services under part A (as are children who participated in a Head Start or Even Start program in such period). (Sec. 116) Revises provisions relating to assessment and LEA and school improvement. Sets forth examples of criteria to be used by SEAs in designating Distinguished Schools. Requires each participating school identified by an LEA as being in need of improvement, to develop or revise a school plan, in consultation with parents, school staff, the LEA, and a State school support team or other outside experts. Requires an LEA to take at least one of a number of specified corrective actions in the case of a school that fails to make progress within three years of its identification as being in need of improvement. Requires an LEA that has been identified by the SEA as needing improvement to submit a revised part A plan to the SEA for peer review and approval. Requires an SEA to take certain corrective actions in the case of an LEA that fails to make sufficient progress within three years of being identified as in need of improvement. (Sec. 117) Revises provisions for State assistance for school support and improvement. Requires SEAs to provide such assistance according to the following order of priorities: first, to LEAs identified for corrective action and to individual schools for which an LEA has failed to carry out certain responsibilities; next, to other LEAs identified as in need of improvement, but not identified as in need of corrective action; and finally, to other LEAs and schools that need those services in order to achieve the purpose of part A. 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. 118) Applies to all part A activities the requirement to provide full opportunities for participation by parents with limited English proficiency and parents with disabilities. (Sec. 119) Requires each participating LEA to: (1) hire qualified instructional staff; (2) provide high-quality professional development to staff members; and (3) use for such professional development at least five percent of its part A grant for FY 2001 and 2002, and ten percent of such grant for subsequent fiscal years. Sets forth minimum qualifications for teachers and paraprofessionals in programs supported with part A funds. Revises a list of professional development activities. Includes child-care providers among those with whom an LEA could choose to conduct joint professional development activities. (Sec. 120) Revises provisions for program participation of children enrolled in private schools. Allows LEAs to determine the number of poor children in private schools every year or every two years. Revises provisions relating to consultation with private school officials regarding provision of program services to children. (Sec. 120A) Revises criteria for determining the required comparability of services that a participating LEA provides in title I schools, from State and local sources, with those it provides in its other schools. Requires LEAs to update their records documenting compliance with such comparability requirement annually. (Sec. 120B) Sets forth additional requirements for quality assurance by preschool programs carried out with part A funds. (Sec. 120C) Revises formulas and other requirements for allocations of part A basic grant funds to territories, States, and LEAs. (Sec. 120D) Requires States to report annually to the Secretary on specified program indicators relating to schools participating in the part A program. Part B: Even Start - Revises the ESEA title I part B Even Start program. (Sec. 121) Requires Even Start programs to be based on the best available research on language development, reading instruction, and prevention of reading difficulties. (Sec. 122) Directs the Secretary to reserve five percent of program funds to support national demonstration and model projects for isolated and especially hard-to-reach populations, including projects for: (1) children of migratory workers; (2) the outlying areas; (3) Indian tribes and tribal organizations; and (4) other populations, such as families that are homeless, that have children with severe disabilities, or that include incarcerated mothers of young children. Limits to not more than one percent of program funds the amount which may be reserved to provide technical assistance, program improvement, and replication activities. Makes discretionary, rather than mandatory, the Secretary's making of competitive grants for interagency coordination of statewide family literacy initiatives. Allows for-profit, as well as nonprofit, organizations to qualify as providers of technical assistance. (Sec. 123) Requires States applying for Even Start grants to submit State plans, including State indicators of program quality. (Sec. 124) Includes family literacy services among permissible uses of Even Start program funds. (Sec. 125) Revises required elements of Even Start programs. Allows career counseling and job placement services to be offered to accommodate participants' work schedules and other responsibilities. Requires instructional programs to integrate all elements of family literacy services. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) qualifications of instructional staff and paraprofessionals; and (2) staff training to obtain certification in relevant instructional areas, as well as necessary skills. Includes individuals with disabilities among those who may be most in need of program services. Revises various provisions relating to retention of families in Even Start programs. (Sec. 126) Includes as eligible for Even Start program participation teenage parents who are attending school, but who are above the State's age for compulsory school attendance. (Sec. 127) Revises application provisions relating to local Even Start plans to require: (1) program improvement emphasis; (2) outcome goals for participating children and families that are consistent with the State's program indicators; (3) addressing of specified program elements; and (4) evaluation plans. (Sec. 128) Revises subgrant award provisions to require a State's review panel to include an individual with expertise in family literacy programs. Makes optional, rather than mandatory, the inclusion of one or more of other specified types of individuals on such panels. Authorizes each State to continue Even Start funding, for up to two years beyond the eight-year limit, for up to two exemplary projects in the State that have been highly successful and that show substantial potential to serve as models for other projects throughout the Nation and as mentor sites for other family literacy projects in the State. (Sec. 130) Sets the end of FY 2000 as the deadline for States to develop certain required indicators of program quality. Adds to such required indicators others relating to the levels of intensity of services and the duration of participating children and adults needed to reach the outcomes the State specifies. (Sec. 130A) Repeals specified provisions relating to research. Part C: Education of Migratory Children - Revises part C title I ESEA provisions for education of migratory children. (Sec. 131) Revises formulas and other requirements for allocation of funds to the States and Puerto Rico. Establishes minimum and maximum annual State allocation amounts. (Sec. 132) Revises State application requirements to include certain elements of the separate comprehensive service-delivery plan requirements removed by this Act. (Sec. 133) Revises authorized activities. Removes requirements that a State develop a comprehensive service-delivery plan that is separate from its application for funds. (Sec. 134) Makes for-profit entities (as well as nonprofit entities) eligible for awards of funds to carry out various activities to support the interstate and intrastate coordination of migrant education activities. Increases the maximum amount that may be reserved each year from the appropriation for the Migrant Education program to support coordination activities. Authorizes awarding of incentive grants to States that form consortia to improve the delivery of services to migratory children whose education is interrupted. (Current law makes such grant awards mandatory and competitive.) Increases the maximum amount that may be reserved for such grant awards. Part D: Neglected and Delinquent Children - Revises and renames part D title I ESEA as State Agency Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected or Delinquent. (Sec. 143) Revises requirements for payments for part D programs. (Sec. 144) Revises requirements for allocation of part D funds to the States and Puerto Rico. (Sec. 145) Requires State plans to provide that participating children will be held to the same challenging academic standards, as well as given the same opportunity to learn, as they would if they were attending local public schools. (Sec. 147) Repeals provisions for Local Agency Programs. (Sec. 148) Revises program evaluation provisions to require that an SEA to use multiple measures of student progress that are: (1) appropriate for the students and feasible for the SEA; and (2) consistent with the requirement to provide participating children the same opportunities to learn, and to hold them to the same standards that would apply if they were attending local public schools. Part E: Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects - Revises provisions relating to evaluations, management information, demonstrations of innovative practices and other Federal activities. Part F: General Provisions - Repeals certain requirements relating to rulemaking and issuance of a program assistance manual. Part G: Reading Excellence - Transfers the Reading Excellence Act program (currently part C of title II of ESEA) to a new part E of title I of ESEA. (Sec. 171) Revises provisions for reading and literacy activities grants to allow an SEA to apply for and receive a subsequent grant. Requires SEA grant applications to include the process and criteria to be used to review and approve LEA applications for local reading improvement subgrants and tutorial assistance subgrants, including a peer-review process with individuals with relevant expertise. (Sec. 172) Requires SEAs receiving part G grants to use such funds as follows: (1) not more than five percent for State administrative costs, including a specified two percent maximum for such costs with respect to a specified program; and (2) award up to 15 percent through at least one tutorial assistance subgrant. (Sec. 173) Limits eligibility for local reading improvement subgrants to LEAs that operate schools for grades one through three. Requires that the schools in which such reading instruction activities are provided serve children in the third grade or below. (Sec. 174) Limits eligibility for tutorial assistance subgrants to LEAs that serve children for grades one through three. Requires that such grant funds serve children in the third grade or below. (Sec. 176) Authorizes the National Institute for Literacy to use a specified amount to pay for the costs of administering information dissemination activities. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve a specified amount for the Reading Excellence program for technical assistance, program improvement, and replication activities. (Sec. 177) Repeals an authorization of appropriations (but transfers the authorization of appropriations for the Reading Excellence program to another part of ESEA). (Sec. 178) Transfers the authority for the Reading Excellence program (currently in part C of title II of ESEA) to part E of title I of ESEA. Title II: High Standards in the Classroom - Revises and renames title II of ESEA as High Standards in the Classroom. Part A: Teaching to High Standards - Authorizes a new program by consolidating the Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program (current title II ESEA) and Innovative Education Program Strategies (current title VI ESEA) and the current title III of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for the following part A programs: (1) State and local activities (subpart 2); and (2) national activities for the improvement of teaching and school leadership (subpart 3). Sets forth subpart 2 provisions for State and Local Activities. Sets forth formulas for allocations to the States, the outlying areas, and schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Requires priority use of part A funds for professional development in mathematics and science. Increases the amount of the current Eisenhower program's set-aside amount for professional development in mathematics and science. Allows such professional development in mathematics and science to include interdisciplinary activities, as long as these activities include a strong focus on mathematics and science. Requires funds in excess of the set-aside amount to be used in one or more of the core academic subjects, including mathematics and science. Sets forth State application requirements. Requires States to submit annual reports to the Secretary on their own program activities and on the progress of subgrant recipients against program performance indicators. Sets forth requirements relating to funds for: (1) State-level activities, program evaluations, and administration, including certain amounts for the State higher education agency (SHEA); and (2) within-State allocations for formula and competitive grants to LEAs. Sets forth authorized State-level activities to promote high-quality instruction. Allows SHEAs to reserve a portion of their allocation for administrative activities and program evaluations and require them, in cooperation with SEAs, to award competitive subgrants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions of higher education (IHEs) or nonprofit organizations to provide professional development in the core academic subjects. Requires priority to be given to projects that focus on teacher induction programs. Requires awards to be made only to projects that include an LEA, are coordinated with related activities under title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), and involve the IHE's school or department of education and the school or departments in the specific disciplines in which the professional development will be provided. Sets forth program activities and reporting requirements. Requires SEAs to award competitive subgrants to LEAs, using a peer-review process that includes reviewers knowledgeable in the academic content areas. Requires SEAs to adopt strategies to ensure that LEAs with the greatest need are provided a reasonable opportunity to receive an award. Sets a three-year subgrant period, allowing extension for an additional two years if the SEA determines that the LEA is making substantial progress toward meeting the goals in the LEA's district-wide plan for raising student achievement against State standards and against the performance indicators identified by the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for LEA applications to SEAs for formula or competitive subgrants. Requires a district-wide plan that describes how the LEA will raise student achievement against State standards by: (1) supporting the alignment of curricula, assessments, and professional development to challenging State and local content standards; (2) providing professional development in the core academic content areas; (3) carrying out activities to assist new teachers during their first three years in the classroom; and (4) ensuring that teachers employed by the LEA are proficient in teaching skills and content knowledge. Requires the LEA application also to identify specific goals for achieving program purposes, assure collection of data that measures progress toward program performance indicators, and describe how it will: (1) address the needs of high-poverty, low-performing schools, and of teachers of students with limited English proficiency and other students with special needs; (2) coordinate program funds with professional development activities funded through other State and Federal programs, use its formula subgrant funds to address the items in the district-wide plan, and use any additional funds from a competitive subgrant to implement that plan. Sets forth authorized uses of program funds by LEAs to implement their district-wide plans. Requires LEAs to submit program reports to SEAs. Sets forth formulas for Federal and local shares of program costs. Prohibits subgrantees from using program funds for equipment, computer hardware, textbooks, telecommunications fees, or other items, that would otherwise be provided by the LEA or State, or by a private school whose students receive services under the program. Directs the Secretary to identify indicators of program performance against which recipients would report their progress. Sets forth subpart 3 provisions for National Activities for the Improvement of Teaching and School Leadership. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and contracts with LEAs, SEAs, SHEAs, IHEs, educational service agencies, and other public and private nonprofit entities to support: (1) activities of national significance that are not supported through other sources and that will contribute to the improvement of teaching and school leadership in the Nation's schools; (2) activities of national significance that will contribute to the recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers and principals in high-poverty LEAs; and (3) a national evaluation of the part A program. Directs the Secretary to support: (1) the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and (2) the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education (Clearinghouse). Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant or contract to continue the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Sets forth part B provisions for the Transition-to-Teaching program, and the Troops-to-Teachers program, to address the need of high-poverty school districts for highly qualified teachers in subject areas such as mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, and special education needed by those school districts. Authorizes the Secretary to use part B funds to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to IHEs and public and private nonprofit entities to carry out part B Transition-to-Teaching programs. Requires the Secretary, before making such awards, to: (1) consult with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation with respect to the appropriate amount of funding necessary to continue and enhance the Troops-to-Teachers program; and (2) transfer such amount to the Department of Defense to carry out such program. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a written agreement with the Departments of Defense and of Transportation, or take other appropriate steps to ensure effective continuation of such program. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth part B requirements for applications. Authorizes use of part B funds for: (1) recruitment of program participants; (2) training stipends and other financial incentives for program participants; (3) assistance to IHEs or other teacher training providers to meet particular needs of professionals changing their careers to teaching; (4) placement activities, including identifying high-poverty LEAs with needs for particular skills and characteristics of the newly trained program participants and assisting those participants to obtain employment in those LEAs; and (5) post-placement induction or support activities for program participants. Requires program participants who complete training to teach in a high-poverty LEA for at least three years, or else repay all or a portion of their training stipend or other incentive. Sets forth part C provisions for Early Childhood Educator Professional Development. Directs the Secretary to make competitive grants to eligible partnerships consisting of: (1) at least one IHE (or another public or private, nonprofit entity) that provides professional development for early childhood educators who work with children from low-income families in high-need communities; and (2) one or more public agencies (including LEAs, SEAs, State human services agencies, and State and local agencies administering programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990), Head Start agencies, or private nonprofit entities. Gives priority to applications from partnerships that include one or more LEAs that operate early childhood programs for children from low-income families in high-need communities. Sets forth requirements for applications, selection of grantees, uses of funds, allowable activities, technologies, and data collection, evaluation, and reporting activities necessary to meet program accountability requirements, performance indicators, reports, and cost-sharing. Directs the Secretary (of Education) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate activities of this program and other early childhood programs that they administer. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth part D provisions for technical assistance programs, including the following subparts: (1) strengthening the capacity of SEAs and LEAs to become effective, informed consumers of technical assistance; (2) technical assistance centers serving special needs; (3) technology-based technical assistance information dissemination; and (4) national evaluation activities. Sets forth requirements for allocation of subpart 1 funds, formula grants to SEAs, State applications and uses of funds, direct formula grants to large LEAs, local applications and uses of funds, and equitable services for private schools. Directs the Secretary to establish, through one or more contracts, an independent source of consumer information regarding the quality and effectiveness of technical assistance activities and providers available to States, LEAs, and other recipients of funds under ESEA, in selecting technical assistance activities and providers for their use. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth subpart 2 provisions for technical assistance centers serving special needs. Sets forth general requirements applicable to all technical assistance providers that receive funds under this subpart 2, all consortia that receive funds under subpart 2 part B title III ESEA, and the educational laboratories, and clearinghouses of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), supported under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or private nonprofit entities (or consortia of those entities) to operate two centers for technical assistance on the needs of special populations. Requires such centers to provide training and technical assistance to SEAs, LEAs, schools, tribes, community-based organizations, and other recipients of funds under ESEA on: (1) addressing specific linguistic, cultural, or other needs of limited English proficient, migratory, Indian, and Alaska Native students; and (2) educational strategies to enable those students to meet challenging State academic content and performance standards. Requires each center to give priority to providing services to schools, including BIA-funded schools, that educate such students and have the highest percentages or numbers of children in poverty and the lowest student achievement levels. Sets forth accountability requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) (currently authorized under Title IV of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act). Provides for such awards to nonprofit organizations that serve parents, particularly those organizations that make substantial efforts to reach low-income, minority, or limited English proficient parents. Requires PIRCs to: (1) coordinate the efforts of Federal, State, and local parent education and family involvement initiatives; and (2) provide training, information, and support to SEAs, LEAs, schools, and organizations that support family-school partnerships. Sets forth requirements for applications, matching funds, and uses of funds. Increases from 50 percent to 75 percent the minimum portion of its award which each recipient of such funds must use to support activities that serve areas with large numbers or concentrations of low-income families. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve a portion of program funds for technical assistance to the PIRCs and evaluations of program activities. Sets forth reporting and general program provisions. Authorizes appropriations for the PIRC program. Revises and authorizes provisions for the Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia (currently authorized under part C title XIII ESEA). Authorizes appropriations for the Eisenhower Consortia. Sets forth subpart 3 provisions for technology-based technical assistance information dissemination. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out, through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, a national system, through the Worldwide Web and other advanced telecommunications technologies, that supports interactive information sharing and dissemination about ways to improve educational practices throughout the Nation. Directs the Secretary, in designing and implementing such system, to create opportunities for the continuing input of students, teachers, administrators, and other individuals who participate in, or may be affected by, the Nation's educational system. Requires such system to include information on: (1) stimulating instructional materials that are aligned with challenging content standards; and (2) successful and innovative practices in instruction, professional development, challenging academic content and student performance standards, assessments, effective school management, and other appropriate areas. Authorizes the Secretary to require certain technical assistance providers funded under ESEA or the ERIC educational laboratories and clearinghouses to participate in such information dissemination system in specified ways. Directs the Secretary to ensure that such system's dissemination activities are integrated with those of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), and that the public has access, through this system, to the latest research, statistics, and other information supported by, or available from, OERI. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out additional activities to assist LEAs, SEAs, tribes, and other ESEA recipients in meeting the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. Authorizes appropriations for subpart 3. Sets forth subpart 4 provisions for national evaluation activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, activities necessary to: (1) determine what constitutes effective technical assistance; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the technical assistance and dissemination programs authorized by, or assisted under, part E title II ESEA, and the ERIC educational laboratories, and clearinghouses; and (3) increase the effectiveness of those programs. Title III: Technology for Education - Technology for Education Act - Revises and reorganizes title III of ESEA to change its short title to the Technology for Education Act. (Sec. 304) Requires recipients to use title III funds only to supplement, and not to supplant, those non-Federal funds or resources. Part A: Federal Leadership and National Activities - Revises and renames part A title III ESEA as Federal Leadership and National Activities. (Sec. 311) Repeals authority for the Product Development program. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to update the national long-range technology plan and to broadly disseminate the updated plan. Includes among requirements for such plan descriptions of how the Secretary will promote or encourage: (1) full integration of technology into learning, including the creation of new instructional opportunities through access to challenging courses and information that would otherwise not have been available, and independent learning opportunities for students through technology; (2) creation of opportunities for teachers to develop, through the use of technology, their own networks and resources for sustained and intensive, high- quality professional development; and (3) commercial development of effective, high-quality, cost-competitive educational technology and software. (Sec. 313) Replaces the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Systems with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on the list of agencies with which the Secretary consults under the program for Federal leadership in promoting the use of technology in education. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a national repository of information on the effective uses of educational technology, including its use for sustained and intensive, high-quality professional development, and the dissemination of that information nationwide. (Sec. 314) Eliminates a requirement that funds be used for a discretionary grant program when appropriations for part A of title III of the ESEA are less than a specified amount, and for a State formula grant program when the appropriation exceeds that amount. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a strategy for an ongoing National Evaluation of Education Technology. Authorizes appropriations for the national evaluation strategy, national plan, and Federal leadership activities. Part B: Special Projects - Repeals the following ESEA title III provisions: (1) part B, the Star Schools Program; and (2) part E, the Elementary Mathematics and Science Equipment Program. (Sec. 321) Redesignates and renames the following ESEA title III provisions: (1) part C, Ready-To-Learn Television, as subpart 2 part B title III ESEA, Ready-to-Learn-Digital-Television; and (2) part D, Telecommunications Demonstration Project for Mathematics, as subpart 3 part B title III ESEA. Establishes a program of Next-Generation Technology Innovation Awards, as subpart 1 part B title III ESEA. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Office of Educational Technology (OET), to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements on a competitive basis to eligible applicants, which are consortia that include: (1) at least one SEA or LEA; and (2) at least one IHE, for-profit business, museum, library, other public or private entity with appropriate expertise. Sets forth requirements for applications, plans, priorities, uses of funds, and evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for subpart 1, Next-Generation Technology Innovation Awards. (Sec. 322) Authorizes appropriations for the revised subpart 2, Ready-to-Learn-Digital-Television. (Sec. 323) Authorizes appropriations for the Telecommunications Program for Professional Development in the Core Content Areas. (Sec. 324) Establishes a program for Community Technology Centers, as subpart 4 part B title III ESEA. Authorizes the Secretary, through OET, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible applicants to create or expand community technology centers that expand access to information technology and related training for disadvantaged residents of distressed urban or rural communities or to provide technical assistance and support to such centers. Sets forth requirements for eligibility, applications, required and permissible uses of funds, and cost-sharing. Authorizes appropriations for subpart 4, Community Technology Centers. Part C: Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology - Establishes a part C title III ESEA program, Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology. (Sec. 331) Authorizes the Secretary, through OET, to award competitive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to develop or redesign teacher preparation programs to enable prospective teachers to use technology effectively in their classrooms. Requires applicants to be consortia that include at least one IHE that offers a baccalaureate degree and prepares teachers for their initial entry into teaching, at least one SEA or LEA, and at least one other of specified types of entities with the capacity to contribute to the technology-related reform of teacher preparation programs. Sets forth requirements for applications, matching funds, required and permissible uses of funds. Authorizes appropriations. Part D: Regional, State, and Local Educational Technology Resources - Establishes a part D title III ESEA program, Regional, State, and Local Educational Technology Resources, including: (1) subpart 1, the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF); and (2) subpart 2, Regional Technology in Education Consortia (RTEC). (Sec. 342) Revises provisions for allotment and reallotment of TLCF funds to include the BIA as a State educational agency for such purposes. Revises provisions for minimum TLCF grant amounts for States and outlying areas. (Sec. 343) Revises requirements under the subpart 1 TLCF, including: (1) State use of grant funds to make subgrants to LEAs; (2) State and local applications; and (3) local uses of funds. (Sec. 347) Repeals a current part D program for National Challenge Grants for Technology in Education (but establishes a similar program, the Next-Generation Technology Innovation Awards program, as the new subpart 1 part C title III ESEA). (Sec. 348) Adds certain definitions to target subpart 1 funds to low-performing schools in needy areas. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 349) Revises requirements under the subpart 2 RTEC. Directs the Secretary to make subpart 2 grants to, or enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, consortia that meet specified requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act - Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act - Revises ESEA title IV to change the short title (currently, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994). Revises Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) programs to require: (1) emphasis on environments in and around schools; (2) competitive, as well as non-competitive, awarding funds to LEAs under certain conditions; and (3) increased coordination among related programs. (Sec. 401) Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth title IV part A provisions for State grants for drug and violence prevention programs. Revises requirements for reservations and allotments. Prohibits outlying areas from consolidating SDFSC funds with other Federal education funds. Requires State applications to be jointly submitted by the SEA and Governor and to include descriptions of: (1) procedures the SEA will use for reviewing applications and awarding funds to LEAs competitively, based on need and quality of the ESEA, those the SEA will use for reviewing applications and awarding funds to LEAs non-competitively, based on need and quality; (2) procedures the Governor will use for reviewing applications and awarding funds to eligible applicants competitively, based on need and quality; (3) SEA's and Governor's proposed use of funds reserved for coordinated capacity-building, technical assistance, and program accountability services and activities at the State and local levels; and (4) proposed SEA technical assistance for LEAs not receiving SDFSC State grant funds to improve their programs. Requires part A funds to be used for SEA and LEA programs and activities designed to create and maintain drug-free, safe, and orderly learning environments for learning in and around schools. Requires SEAs to reserve between ten percent and 20 percent of their part A allocations for State-level activities. Authorizes SEAs to use such reserved funds to plan, develop, and implement, jointly with the Governor, capacity building and technical assistance and accountability services to support the effective implementation of local drug and violence prevention activities throughout the State and promote program accountability and improvement. Revises provisions for State administrative costs. Authorizes SEAs and Governors to provide emergency intervention services to schools and communities following a traumatic crisis, such as a shooting or major accident that has disrupted the learning environment. Requires SEAs to: (1) use at least 80 percent of part A funds for local-level activities; (2) use at least 70 percent of their total SDFSC State grant funding for competitive awards to LEAs that the SEA determines have need for assistance; (3) base their competition on the quality of an LEA's proposed program and how closely it is aligned with specified principles of effectiveness; (4) make competitive awards to no more than 50 percent of the LEAs in the State, with certain exceptions; and (5) make their competitive awards to LEAs of sufficient size to support high-quality, effective programs and activities that are designed to create safe, disciplined, and drug- free learning environments in schools, and that are consistent with the needs, goals, and objectives identified in the State's plan. Allows SEAs to use up to ten percent of their total SDFSC State grant funding for non-competitive awards to LEAs with the greatest need for assistance that did not receive a competitive award. Requires, in order for an SEA to make a non-competitive award to an LEA, the SEA must assist the LEA in meeting the information requirements pertaining to LEA needs assessment, results-based performance measures, comprehensive safe and drug-free schools plan, evaluation plan, and assurances, and provide continuing technical assistance to the LEA to build its capacity to develop and implement high-quality, effective programs. Sets forth authorized services and activities of local drug and violence prevention programs. Requires each LEA receiving SDFSC funding to use such funds to support research-based drug and violence prevention services and activities consistent with specified principles of effectiveness. Allows an LEA to use such funds for additional activities other than research-based programming, under specified conditions. Authorizes SEAs to waive, under certain conditions, a 20 percent cap on SDFSC subgrant funds that LEAs may spend for the acquisition or use of metal detectors and security personnel. Requires Governors to: (1) use Governor's Programs funds (20 percent of the State allocation) to support community efforts that directly complement the efforts of LEAs to foster drug-free, safe, and orderly learning environments for learning in and around schools; (2) reserve between ten percent and 20 percent of their allocations for State-level activities to plan, develop, and implement, jointly with the SEA, capacity building, technical assistance, and accountability services to support the effective implementation of local drug and violence prevention activities throughout the State and promote program accountability and improvement; (3) use at least 80 percent of SDFSC State grant funding to make competitive subgrants to community-based organizations, LEAs, and other public entities and private non-profit organizations to support community efforts that directly complement the efforts of LEAs to foster drug-free, safe, and orderly learning environments in and around schools; and (4) base competition for subgrants on the quality of the applicant's proposed program and how closely it is aligned with the principles of effectiveness, and on objective criteria, determined by the Governor, on the needs of the schools or LEAs to be served. Allows subgrants made by Governors to support community efforts on a Statewide, regional, or local basis and the efforts of LEAs and schools that do not receive subgrants. Allows use of such funds to support research-based drug and violence prevention services and activities consistent with the principles of effectiveness, and for additional activities other than research-based programming, under specified conditions. Revises local application requirements to emphasize the applicant's need for assistance and the quality of its proposed programming. Requires each applicant LEA for SEA competitive and formula grants to include assurances that it: (1) has a policy, consistent with State law, that requires the expulsion of students who possess a firearm at school consistent with the Gun-Free Schools Act; (2) has, or will have, a full- or part-time program coordinator whose primary responsibility is planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating the applicant's programs (unless the applicant demonstrates in its application, to the satisfaction of the SEA, that such a program coordinator is not needed); (3) will evaluate its program every two years to assess its progress toward meeting its goals and objectives, and will use the results of its evaluation to improve its program and refine its goals and objectives, as needed; and (4) has, or the schools to be served have, a comprehensive Safe and Drug-Free Schools plan that includes specified elements. Requires any eligible entity that applies to the Governor for a subgrant to include in its application: (1) a description of how the services and activities to be supported will be coordinated with relevant SDFSC State grant programs that are supported by SEAs, including how recipients will share resources, services, and data; (2) a description of how the applicant will coordinate its activities under this part with those implemented under the Drug-Free Communities Act, if any; and (3) an assurance that it will evaluate its program every two years to assess its progress toward meeting its goals and objectives, and will use the results of its evaluation to improve its program and refine its goals and objectives as needed (if the applicant is not an LEA, or other specified assurances if the applicant is an LEA). Requires SEAs to use a peer review process, but allows Governors to use other methods, for reviewing local applications to ensure that SDFSC subgrants are made on the basis of need and quality. Revises national evaluation and data collection requirements under title IV. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to publish an annual report on school safety. Revises the State and local report requirements to focus on progress toward attaining performance indicators for achieving drug-free, safe, and orderly learning environments in schools. Requires States to report to the Secretary all school-related suicides and homicides within the State within 30 days of the incident. Requires LEAs to report to SEAs any problems in SDFSC program implementation that warrant provision of SEA technical assistance. Requires SEAs to: (1) review annual LEA reports; and (2) terminate funding for the second or third year of an LEA's program unless the LEA is making reasonable progress toward meeting its objectives. Sets forth annual progress report and program funding review requirements for Governor's award recipients. Sets forth title IV part B provisions for National Programs. Revises the list of authorized national program activities. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out programs for students that promote lifelong physical activity. Establishes a title IV part C program, School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), to provide education-related services to LEAs in which the learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or traumatic crisis, such as a shooting or major accident. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out Project SERV directly, through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with public and private organizations, agencies, and individuals, or through agreements with other Federal agencies. Sets forth authorized activities under Project SERV. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria and application requirements as may be needed to select which LEAs are assisted under Project SERV. Authorizes the Secretary to establish reporting requirements for uniform data and other information from all LEAs assisted under Project SERV. Requires the establishment of a Federal Coordinating Committee on school crises, to coordinate the Federal responses to crises that occur in schools or directly affect the learning environment in schools. Requires the Committee to be composed of the Secretary (who shall serve as Chair), the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and such other members as the Secretary shall determine. Gun-Free Schools Act - Revises and transfers to ESEA title IV part D the provisions of the Gun-Free Schools Act (currently under ESEA title XIV part F). Requires each State receiving Federal funds under ESEA to have in effect a State law that: (1) requires LEAs to expel from school, for a period of not less than one year, a student who is determined to have possessed a firearm at school under the jurisdiction of the LEA in that State; and (2) allows the chief administering officer of that LEA to modify the expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis. Sets forth local and State reporting requirements. Prohibits awarding ESEA funds to any LEA unless it has a policy ensuring that: (1) any student who possesses a firearm at a school served by such agency is referred to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system; (2) students who possess a firearm at school are referred to mental health professionals for assessment as to whether they pose an imminent threat of harm to themselves or others and need appropriate mental health services before readmission to school; and (2) any student determined to pose such a threat receives appropriate mental health services, in addition to other services, before being permitted to return to school. Requires drug prevention programs supported under title IV ESEA convey a clear and consistent message that the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs is wrong and harmful. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing the use of particular curricula for programs under title IV ESEA, but allows the Secretary to evaluate and disseminate information about the effectiveness of such curricula and programs. Prohibits use of title IV ESEA funds for: (1) construction (except for minor remodeling needed to accomplish the purposes of this part); and (2) medical services, drug treatment or rehabilitation, except for pupil services or referral to treatment for students who are victims of, or witnesses to, crime or who use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Sets forth a requirement for Drug-Free, Alcohol-Free, and Tobacco-Free Schools. Requires each SEA and LEA that receives title IV ESEA funds to have a policy that prohibits possession or use of tobacco, and the illegal use of drugs or alcohol, in any form, at any time, and by any person, in school buildings, on school grounds, or at any school-sponsored event. Requires LEA applications to include an assurance of compliance with such requirement. Requires annual SEA reports to the Secretary if any LEAs are not in compliance with such requirement. Requires that title IV funds supplement, not supplant, State, local, and other non-Federal funds. Title V: Promoting Equity, Excellence, and Public School Choice - Revises and renames ESEA title V as Promoting Equity, Excellence, and Public School Choice (currently Promoting Equity). (Sec. 502) Revises the Magnet Schools Assistance program under part A to emphasize projects that consider the diversity of the student populations and that have the capacity to continue after the Federal grant has run out. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Revises the Women's Educational Equity program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Repeals the Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems program (currently in part C). (Sec. 505) Transfers Public Charter Schools provisions to part B (currently in title X part C). (Sec. 506) Establishes a part C program of Options: Opportunities to Improve Our Nation's Schools. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs and LEAs to support programs that promote innovative approaches to high-quality public school choice, including worksite and college-based schools. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Class-Size Reduction - Establishes a new title VI of ESEA, Class-Size Reduction. (Replaces the current title VI, Innovative Education Program Strategies.) (Sec. 601) Establishes a grants program to help States and LEAs recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers over a seven-year period in order to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth program requirements for: (1) allotments to States; (2) within-State allocations; (3) local uses of funds; (4) cost-sharing; and (5) participation of teachers from private schools in professional development activities. Title VII: Bilingual Education Act - Revises the Bilingual Education Act, which is ESEA title VII (Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs). (Sec. 701) Makes it policy that limited English proficient students be tested in English after three consecutive years in U.S. schools. (Sec. 702) Authorizes appropriations for part A, Bilingual Education, including the following subparts: (1) bilingual education capacity and demonstration grants; (2) research, evaluation, and dissemination; (3) professional development; and (4) transition. (Sec. 703) Establishes a Program Development and Enhancement Grants program (which consolidates activities of the current Program Development and Implementation Grants program and Enhancement Grants program). Requires such grants to be used to: (1) develop and implement comprehensive, preschool, elementary, or secondary education programs for children and youth with limited English proficiency, that are aligned with standards-based State and local school reform efforts and coordinated with other relevant programs and services; (2) provide high-quality professional development; and (3) require annual assessment of student progress in learning English. Revises allowable activities to emphasize effective instructional practice and the use of technology in the classroom. Authorizes the Secretary to give priority to applicants that enroll fewer than 10,000 students and that have limited or no experience in serving limited English proficient students. (Sec. 704) Revises provisions for Comprehensive School Grants for school-wide instructional programs (in coordination with title I ESEA) for children and youth with limited English proficiency, to assist such children and youth to learn English and achieve to challenging State content and performance standards, and to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and operations in schools with significant concentrations of such students or that serve significant numbers of them. Revises conditions for termination or continuation of grant awards. Limits to 90 days the period during which grant funds may be used for planning. Limit to two the number of schools that may be included in the grant. (Sec. 705) Revises provisions for Systemwide Improvement Grants for projects within an entire school district. Revises conditions for termination or continuation of grant awards. Sets forth required activities, including building school district capacity to continue to operate similar instructional programs once Federal funding is no longer available, aligning programs for limited English proficient students with school, district, and State reform efforts and coordinating with other relevant programs, and annually assessing student progress in learning English. Revises allowable activities to emphasize effective instructional practice, developing student proficiency in two languages, and the use of technology in the classroom. (Sec. 706) Revises application requirements with respect to program accountability and related matters. Adds priorities for applicants that experience a dramatic increase in the number of limited English proficient students enrolled and demonstrate that they have a proven record of success in helping children and youth with limited English proficiency learn English and achieve to high academic standards. (Sec. 707) Requires subpart 1 grantee evaluations to: (1) be conducted annually, rather than biennially; (2) use application data as the baseline against which to report academic achievement and gains in English proficiency for students; (2) report on the validity and reliability of all instruments used to measure student progress; (3) enable results to be disaggregated by such relevant factors as a student's grade, gender, and language group, and whether the student has a disability; and (4) include specified types of data, program implementation indicators, and coordination descriptions. Requires the Secretary to establish performance indicators to determine if comprehensive school grant and systemwide improvement grant programs are making continuous and substantial progress. Authorizes establishing such indicators to determine if program development and enhancement grant programs are making such progress. (Sec. 708) Eliminates the requirement that Bilingual Education Program research be conducted through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement in collaboration with the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. Includes among allowable research activities: (1) data collection needed for compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act; and (2) identifying technology-based approaches that show effectiveness in helping limited English proficient students reach challenging State standards. (Sec. 709) Establishes a program of discretionary grants to States to make Academic Excellence Awards (which replaces current Academic Excellence provisions for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to promote the adoption of promising instructional and professional development programs). Authorizes the Secretary to make such grants to SEAs to assist them in recognizing LEAs and other public and non-profit entities whose programs have demonstrated significant progress in assisting limited English proficient students to learn English and to meet the same challenging State content standards expected of all children and youth, within three years. (Sec. 710) Revises the State Grant Program to require States to use such funds to: (1) assist LEAs with program design, capacity building, assessment of student performance, program evaluation, and development of data collection and accountability systems for limited English proficient students that are aligned with State reform efforts; and (2) collect data on limited English proficient populations in the State and the educational programs and services available to such populations. (Sec. 711) Renames the National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education as the National Clearinghouse on the Education of Children and Youth with Limited English Proficiency. Eliminates requirements that the Clearinghouse: (1) be administered as an adjunct to the Educational Resources Information Center Clearinghouse system; (2) develop a database management and monitoring system; and (3) develop, maintain, and disseminate a listing of bilingual education professionals. (Sec. 712) Revises provisions for grants to develop, publish, and disseminate instructional materials to include materials: (1) in other low-incidence languages in the United States for which instructional materials are not readily available; and (2) on State content standards and assessments for dissemination to parents of limited English proficient students. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applications for developing instructional materials in languages indigenous to the United States or to the outlying territories and for developing and evaluating instructional materials that reflect challenging State and local content standards, in collaboration with specified assisted activities. (Sec. 713) Revises subpart 3 Professional Development provisions to eliminate a reference to dissemination of information. (Sec. 714) Revises the Training for all Teachers Program to limit grants to ongoing professional development. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to LEAs or consortia of LEAs and IHEs, SEAs, or nonprofit organizations. Reduces the grant period from five to three years. Requires professional development activities to be of high quality and long-term. Revises allowable activities to include induction programs, coaching by experienced teachers, and teacher use of education technologies. (Sec. 715) Revises the Bilingual Education Teachers and Personnel Grants program. Limits grants to IHEs for preservice professional development. Requires use of grant funds to put in place a course of study that prepares teachers to serve limited English proficient students, integrate course content relating to meeting the needs of limited English proficient students into all programs for prospective teachers, assign tenured faculty to train teachers to serve limited English proficient students, incorporate State content and performance standards into the institution's coursework, and expand clinical experiences for participants. Authorizes grantees to use funds for activities such as supporting partnerships with LEAs, restructuring higher education course content, assisting other institutions of higher education to improve the quality of relevant professional development programs, and expanding recruitment efforts for students who will participate in relevant professional development programs. (Sec. 716) Revises the Bilingual Education Career Ladder Program to authorize grants to consortia of one or more IHEs and one or more SEAs or LEAs to develop and implement bilingual education career ladder programs. Requires such programs to be designed to provide high-quality, pre-baccalaureate coursework and teacher training to educational personnel who do not have a baccalaureate degree, and to lead to timely receipt of a baccalaureate degree and certification or licensure of program participants as bilingual education teachers or other educational personnel who serve limited English proficient students. Requires grantees to coordinate with programs under title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and other relevant programs, for the recruitment and retention of bilingual students in postsecondary programs to train them to become bilingual educators, and make use of all existing sources of student financial aid before using grant funds to pay tuition and stipends for participating students. Eliminates certain special considerations. Requires the Secretary to give special consideration to applications that provide training in English as a second language, including developing proficiency in the instructional use of English and, as appropriate, a second language in classroom contexts. (Sec. 717) Revises the Graduate Fellowships in Bilingual Education Program to eliminate: (1) the authorization for fellowships at the post-doctoral level; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary make a specific number of fellowship awards in any given year. (Sec. 718) Requires SEAs to review and submit written comments on all applications for professional development grants, with the exception of those for fellowships, to the Secretary. (Sec. 719) Revises program evaluation requirements. Requires an annual evaluation. (Sec. 721) Continues the part C Emergency Immigrant Education Program. (Sec. 722) Authorizes States to use up to two percent of their grant for administrative costs if they distribute funds to LEAs within the State on a competitive basis. (Sec. 723) Revises provisions for competitive State grants to LEAs. Eliminates an appropriations trigger on, and a cap for, allowing States each year to reserve funds from their program allotments and award grants, on a competitive basis, to LEAs. (Sec. 724) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 725) Defines reclassification rate, for purposes of Bilingual Education Program applications and evaluations under subpart 1 of part A, as the annual percentage of limited English proficient students who have met the State criteria for no longer being considered limited English proficient. (Sec. 726) Adds requirements for projects funded under subpart 1 Part A relating to: (1) parental notification of right to withdraw from programs at any time; and (2) the use of paraprofessionals or other instructional staff who are not certified in the field in which they teach. (Sec. 728) Repeals specified provisions under title VII, including a requirement that all professional development grants assist educational personnel in meeting State and local certification requirements. Title VIII: Impact Aid - Revises title VIII of ESEA, Impact Aid, to provide assistance to certain LEAs that are financially burdened as a result of activities of the Federal Government carried out in their jurisdictions, in order to help those LEAs provide educational services to their children, including federally connected children, so that they can meet challenging State standards. (Sec. 802) Revises the program of payments relating to Federal acquisition of real property, which authorizes the Secretary to partially compensate certain LEAs for revenue lost due to the presence of non-taxable Federal property in their jurisdictions. Requires that the Federal property claimed as the basis of eligibility have a current aggregate assessed value that is at least ten percent of the total assessed value of all real property in the LEA. Provides for a three-year phase-out of payments to LEAs that received such payments for FY 1999, but that would no longer be eligible because of the new requirement that Federal property constitute at least ten percent of the current assessed value of all real property in the LEA. (Sec. 803) Revises the program of payments for eligible federally connected children. Eliminates the various "(b)" categories of students. Continues payments with respect to "(a)" categories of students: (1) children of Federal employees who both live and work on Federal property; (2) children of military personnel (and other members of the uniformed services) living on Federal property; (3) children living on Indian lands; and (4) children of foreign military officers living on Federal property. Eliminates the requirement that an LEA have at least 400 eligible students (or that those students constitute at least three percent of its average daily attendance) in order to receive a basic support payment. Revises options for determining an LEA's local contribution rate (LCR), which is used to compute its maximum payment, to include a measure of the amount or proportion of funds that are provided at the local level. Provides that LCRs' local contribution rates are to be determined using data from the third preceding fiscal year. Revises the formula for computing each LEA's "learning opportunity threshold" (LOT), a factor used in determining actual payment amounts when sufficient funds are not available to pay the maximum amounts, to give priority to LEAs with high concentrations of federally connected students. Revises provisions for additional payments to LEAs on behalf of children with disabilities. Eliminates hold-harmless provisions relating to basic support payments. Revises provisions for additional payments to LEAs that are heavily impacted by the presence of federally connected children in their schools. Requires an LEA to meet the following criteria to qualify for a payment: (1) having federally connected children as at least 40 percent of its enrollment, and a tax rate for general-fund purposes of at least 100 percent of the average tax rate of comparable LEAs in the State (or being an LEA whose boundaries are the same as those of a military installation); (2) exercising due diligence to obtain financial assistance from the State and from other sources; and (3) having State aid made available to it on a basis at least as favorable as that for other LEAs. Sets forth a formula that, for each eligible LEA, factors in per-pupil expenditures, number of federally connected children, amount available to it from other sources for current expenditures, and amounts of basic support payments and supplemental payments for children with disabilities it receives. Directs the Secretary, in determining eligibility and payment amounts for heavily impacted LEAs, to use data from the second preceding fiscal year, if that data is provided by the affected LEA (or the SEA) within 60 days of being requested by the Secretary to do so. Prohibits an LEA from receiving a payment on behalf of federally connected children if Federal funds (other than Impact Aid funds) provide a substantial portion of their educational program. Eliminates the requirement that LEAs maintain their fiscal effort for education from year to year as a condition of receiving an impact aid payment. (Sec. 804) Revises requirements concerning LEAs that receive related Impact Aid payments carrying out specified activities to ensure: (1) equitable participation of children residing on Indian lands in LEA programs and activities; and (2) the participation of parents of Indian children and Indian tribes in determining the education of their children. (Sec. 805) Revises requirements for applications for Impact Aid payments. (Sec. 806) Repeals provisions for payments for sudden and substantial increases in attendance of military dependents. (Sec. 807) Revises provisions for grants to certain categories of LEAs to support the construction or renovation of schools. Limits such assistance to LEAs that receive basic support payments and in which children residing on Indian lands make up at least half of the average daily attendance. Requires applicants to include an assessment of their school-construction needs. Allocates grant funds to qualifying LEAs in proportion to their respective numbers of children residing on Indian lands. Sets the maximum Federal portion of the cost of an assisted project at 50 percent. Gives an LEA three years after its proposal is approved to demonstrate that it can provide its share of the project's cost. Allows an LEA to use such a grant only for the minimum initial equipment necessary for the operation of the new or renovated school, as well as for construction. (Sec. 808) Revises provisions relating to certain federally-owned school facilities used by LEAs to serve dependents of military personnel. (Sec. 809) Adds to preconditions for State consideration of Impact Aid payments a requirement that the average per-pupil expenditure in the State be at least 80 percent of that in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. (Sec. 813) Revises the definition of Federal property, as a basis of eligibility for Impact Aid payments, to eliminate special references to certain property not usually regarded as Federal property. (Sec. 814) Authorizes appropriations for Impact Aid programs. Title IX: Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education - Part A: Indian Education - Revises ESEA title IX part A (Indian Education) with respect to: (1) grants to LEAs; (2) amount of grants to schools operated or supported by the BIA; (3) applications, plans, local assessments, parent committees, and schoolwide programs; (4) authorized services and activities relating to curriculum development, creation and implementation of standards, improvement of student achievement, and gifted and talented education; (5) student eligibility forms and timing of child counts; (6) payments; (7) SEA review; (8) project applications for support for services and activities to improve educational opportunities for Indian children; and (9) professional development and training to perform related work that benefits Indian people, adding grants to consortia to provide in-service training to teachers in LEAs with substantial numbers of Indian children in their schools. (Sec. 911) Repeals specified provisions for fellowships for Indian students, gifted and talented education, tribal administrative planning and development, and adult education. (Sec. 913) Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Native Hawaiian Education Act - Revises ESEA title IX part B (Native Hawaiian Education) to replace a series of categorical programs serving Native Hawaiian children and adults with a single, more flexible authority for the Secretary to assist such program activities. (Sec. 921) Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Alaska Native Education - Revises ESEA title IX part C (Alaska Native Education) to replace a series of categorical programs serving Alaska Native children and adults with a single, more flexible authority for the Secretary to assist such program activities. (Sec. 921) Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Programs of National Significance - Revises ESEA title X Programs of National significance. (Sec. 1001) Revises part A (Fund for the Improvement of Education) with respect to: (1) authorized uses of funds; (2) application goals and objectives; (3) reports; (4) matching funds; and (5) limitation of competitions to particular types of entities, such as SEAs or LEAs. Requires each part A grant recipient to submit to the Secretary, by the mid-point of the program, and no later than one year after program completion, a comprehensive evaluation on the effectiveness of its program in achieving its goals and objectives, including the impact of the program on students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Revises provisions for character education. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out programs of: (1) grants for State and local character education; and (2) grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for character education research, dissemination, and evaluation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Revises part B (Gifted and Talented Children) with respect to peer review, dissemination, and evaluation. Requires the National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children to focus the dissemination of the results of its activities on schools with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Transfers and redesignates the International Education Exchange program (currently title VI of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act) as part C of title X of ESEA. Makes eligible for such program the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and any other emerging democracy in a developing country. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1004) Revises part D (Arts in Education) to include among authorized activities model arts and cultural programs in the arts for at-risk children and youth, particularly programs that use arts and culture to promote students' academic progress. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1005) Authorizes appropriations for part E (Inexpensive Book Distribution Program). (Sec. 1006) Revises part F (Civic Education) to repeal the civics, government, and law instruction program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1007) Repeals the (current part G) Allen J. Ellender Program. (Sec. 1008) Revises and redesignates as part G the (current part I) 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to LEAs and community based organizations (CBOs) (with up to ten percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this part for any fiscal year) on behalf of public elementary or secondary schools in inner-cities, rural areas, and small cities. Limits such awards to schools or CBOs that serve communities with a substantial need for expanded learning opportunities due to: (1) high proportion of low-achieving students; (2) lack of resources to establish or expand community learning centers; or (3) other needs. Retains the current requirement for equitable distribution among the States and urban and rural areas of the United States, but eliminates the requirement for equitable distribution among urban and rural areas of a State. Lengthens the duration of such program grants from three years to five years. Changes the eligible applicant for such a grant from a school to an LEA (which would apply on behalf of one or more schools) or a CBO. Adds requirements relating to matching funds and maintenance of effort. Gives priority to applications that offer a broad selection of services that address community needs. Requires community learning centers to provide expanded learning opportunities, and allows them to also provide services that address health, social service, cultural, and recreational needs of the community. Requires a community learning center operated by an LEA (but not a CBO) to be located within a public elementary or secondary school building. Authorizes appropriations. Allows the Secretary to use part G funds to make continuation awards for projects that were funded with FY 1999 and 2000 funds, under the terms and conditions that applied to the original awards. (Sec. 1009) Repeals part J, Urban and Rural Education Assistance. (Sec. 1010) Establishes a new part H, High School Reform. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to LEAs to support: (1) planning and implementation of educational reforms in high schools, particularly in urban and rural high schools that educate concentrations of students from low-income families; (2) further development of educational reforms, designed specifically for high schools, that help students meet challenging State standards, and that increase connections between students and adults and provide safe learning environments; (3) positive incentives for serious change in high schools, by offering rewards to participating schools that achieve significant improvements in student achievement; (4) identification of the most effective approaches to high school reform and disseminating information on those approaches so that they can be adopted nationally; and (5) implementation of reforms in at least 5,000 U.S. high schools by the year 2007. Provides for equitable participation of personnel from private schools in any professional development carried out with part H funds. Requires grantees that use part H funds to develop curricular materials to make information about those materials available to private schools at their request. Directs the Secretary to reserve certain part H funds for certain activities relating to the program's purpose, including testing the effect of offering financial rewards to teachers and administrators in high schools if their students demonstrate significant gains in educational outcomes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1011) Revises and redesignates the (current part B title VII ESEA) Elementary School Foreign Language Assistance Program to part I title X ESEA. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs and to LEAs for the Federal share of the cost of specified activities. Allows an SEA to receive a grant if it: (1) has established, or is establishing, State standards for foreign language instruction; or (2) requires the public elementary schools of the State to provide foreign language instruction. Allows an LEA to receive a grant if the program in its application: (1) shows promise of being continued beyond the grant period; (2) would demonstrate approaches that can be disseminated to, and duplicated by, other LEAs; (3) would include performance measurements and assessment systems that measure students' proficiency in a foreign language; and (4) would use a curriculum that is aligned with State standards, if the State has such standards. Requires grants to SEAs to be used to support programs that promote the implementation of high-quality foreign language programs in the elementary schools of the State, which may include specified activities. Requires that grants to LEAs to be used for activities to develop and implement high-quality, standards-based elementary school foreign language programs, which may include specified activities, including support for the expansion of secondary school instruction, so long as that instruction is part of an articulated elementary-through-secondary school foreign language program that is designed to result in student fluency in a foreign language. Authorizes the Secretary, in awarding such grants, to establish priorities, including ones for projects carried out by LEAs that include immersion programs in which instruction is in the foreign language for a major portion of the day or that promote the sequential study of a foreign language for students, beginning in elementary schools. Sets forth application, reporting, cost-sharing, and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1012) Revises and redesignates as part J the (current part K) National Writing Project. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the Project. Authorizes appropriations. Title XI: General Provisions, Definitions, and Accountability - Revises ESEA title XIV (to be redesignated as title XI) (General Provisions) with respect to: (1) definitions; (2) administrative funds; (3) coordination of programs, including optional consolidated State plans and consolidated local plans; (4) waivers; and (5) uniform provisions. (Sec. 1106) Repeals ESEA title XIV part F (Gun Possession), which as the revised Gun-Free Schools Act is transferred to title IV of ESEA. (Sec. 1107) Revises and renames part G of title XIV ESEA as Evaluation and Indicators. Revises evaluation requirements to provide for: (1) national evaluation; (2) an independent review panel; (3) reports; and (4) technical assistance partnerships for performance information. Authorizes the Secretary to establish performance indicators, benchmarks, and targets for each program under ESEA (and under subtitle B of title VII-B of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act) to assist in measuring program performance. Requires such indicators, benchmarks, and targets to be consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, strategic plans adopted by the Secretary under such Act, and specified ESEA provisions. (Sec. 1108) Revises and transfers ESEA title XI (Coordinated Services) to part I of title XI ESEA. Revises provisions for project development and implementation. Provides that an SEA need not require eligible entities to submit an application in order to permit them to carry out coordinated services projects. (Sec. 1109) Redesignates title XIV of ESEA as title XI of ESEA. (Sec. 1110) Revises and redesignates the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-25) Partnerships) as part G of title XI of ESEA. Revises provisions for: (1) State eligibility and accountability; (2) the Federal education programs that are subject to ED-Flex authority; (3) certain waivers. Allows the Secretary to grant an extension of ED-Flex authority, beyond five years, only upon determination that the State has made significant statewide gains in student achievement and is closing the achievement gap between low- and high-performing students. (Sec. 1111) Education Accountability Act of 1999 - Establishes a new part B, Improving Education Through Accountability, of title XI of ESEA. Requires States that receive ESEA assistance to develop and implement a statewide system for holding its LEAs and schools accountable for student performance, including a procedure for identifying LEAs and schools in need of improvement, intervention, and corrective actions. Requires such States to have in effect, at the time they submit accountability plans, State policies with certain required elements to ensure that: (1) students progress through school on a timely basis and master challenging material to reach high standards of performance, and the practices of social promotion and retention are ended; (2) there are qualified teachers in every classroom in the State; (3) its LEAs and schools have in place and implement sound and equitable discipline policies to ensure a safe, and orderly, and drug-free learning environment in every school; (4) requires the development and dissemination of annual report cards regarding the status of education and educational progress in the State and in its LEAs and schools. Requires such States to have on file with the Secretary an approved accountability plan on or after July 1, 2000, and to submit annual progress reports. Authorizes the Secretary to ensure accountability, upon determination that a State has failed substantially to carry out a requirement of this part or its approved accountability plan, or that its performance has failed substantially to meet a performance indicator in its accountability plan. Includes among authorized steps to ensure prompt compliance: (1) providing, or arranging for, technical assistance to the SEA; (2) requiring a corrective action plan; (3) suspending or terminating authority to grant waivers under applicable ED-Flex authority; (4) suspending or terminating eligibility to participate in competitive programs under the ESEA; (5) withholding, in whole or in part, State administrative funds or program funds under the ESEA; (6) imposing one or more conditions upon the Secretary's approval of a State plan or application under the ESEA; (7) taking other actions under part D of the General Education Priorities Act; and (8) taking other appropriate steps, including referral to the Department of Justice for enforcement. Requires the Secretary to take one or more additional steps to bring the State into compliance upon determination that previous steps have failed to correct the State's non-compliance. Directs the Secretary to establish a system to recognize and reward States that have demonstrated significant, statewide achievement gains in core subjects as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress for three consecutive years, are closing the achievement gap between low- and high-performing students, and have in place strategies for continuous improvement in reducing the practices of social promotion and retention. Allows rewards to include conferring a priority in competitive programs under the ESEA, increased flexibility in administering programs under the ESEA (consistent with maintaining accountability), and supplementary grants or administrative funds to carry out ESEA purposes. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information regarding best practices, models, and other forms of technical assistance. (Sec. 1112) Renames the National Education Goals Panel as America's Education Goals Panel. Transfers provisions for the Panel from title II of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act to a new part C of title XI of ESEA. Eliminates certain provisions relating to voluntary national content standards, voluntary national student performance standards, and the resource and technical planning groups on school readiness. Authorizes appropriations for the Panel. (Sec. 1113) Repeals ESEA title XII (School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement, also known as the Education Infrastructure Act of 1994). Title XII: Amendments to Other Laws; Repeals - Part A: Amendments to Other Laws -Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act with respect to: (1) providing that homelessness alone is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment; (2) grants for State and local activities for the education of homeless children and youth; (3) coordination at the State and local levels; (4) State plans; (5) parental involvement; (6) competitive subgrants to LEAs; and (7) national data collection, dissemination, and reports. (Sec. 1201) Authorizes appropriations for the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 1202) Amends various other Federal laws to reflect the revised ESEA, including specified provisions under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act, the higher Education Act of 1965, and the Pro-Children Act of 1994. Part B: Repeals - Repeals ESEA title XIII (Support and Assistance Programs to Improve Education) (new part D title II ESEA contains new technical assistance and information dissemination programs). (Sec. 1211) Repeals the following titles and parts of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act: I, National Education Goals; II, National Education Reform Leadership, Standards, and Assessments; III, State and Local Education Systemic Improvement; IV, Parental Assistance; VII, Safe Schools; VIII, Minority-focused Civics Education; and X-part B, Gun-free Schools. Repeals the following parts of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (title IX of P.L. 103-227): F, Star Schools; G, Office of Comprehensive School Health Education; H, Field Readers; and I, Amendments to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act. Repeals title III, Partnerships in Education for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, of the Education for Economic Security Act.
Bill· SS. 1148 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Yankton Sioux Tribe Development Trust Fund and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) deposit a specified amount into each Fund; (2) invest such amounts and deposit resulting interest in the Funds; and (3) withdraw the aggregate amount of interest deposited into the Funds each fiscal year and transfer that amount to the Secretary of the Interior to use for making payments to the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Santee Sioux Tribe, as requested by each Tribe pursuant to tribal resolution, for carrying out projects and programs under each Tribe's Tribal Plan. Permits each Tribe to enter into an agreement under which it pledges future payments as security for a loan or other financial transaction, but only in connection with the purchase of land or other capital assets, and only for an amount less than 40 percent of any payment for that year. Directs the tribal council of each Tribe to prepare a Tribal Plan for using payments for carrying out projects and programs to promote: (1) economic development; (2) infrastructure development; or (3) the educational, health, recreational, and social welfare objectives of the Tribe and its members. Prohibits any payment made to either Tribe pursuant to this Act from: (1) resulting in the reduction or denial of any service or program to which the Tribe or any member of the Tribe is otherwise entitled because of federally recognized status; (2) being subject to any Federal or State income tax; or (3) affecting Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin power rates. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1144 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Surface Transportation Act of 1999 - Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to remove restrictions on the State Infrastructure Bank Pilot Program, including the limitation on the Secretary of Transportation's entering into cooperative agreements with no more than ten States for the establishment of State and multi-state infrastructure banks. (Sec. 3) Amends Federal transportation provisions to authorize a State to use for a project under the High Priority Projects Program any funds apportioned under such provisions for which the project is eligible. Allows a State, if a project is not eligible for such funds, to use for the project certain funds apportioned to the State under the Surface Transportation Program (STP). Directs that such apportioned funds be reimbursed from amounts allocated for the project in an amount equal to that used under this section, but not to exceed the total of the amounts allocated for the project. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the obligation of National Highway System funds for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of, and preventative maintenance for, intercity rail passenger facilities and rolling stock. Authorizes the use of STP funds for capital costs for transit projects eligible for assistance, including rail, or a combination of bus and rail. Makes eligible under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program certain projects or programs that will have air quality benefits through acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of, and preventative maintenance for, intercity rail passenger facilities and rolling stock. Transfers to Amtrak and publicly-owned intercity or intracity passenger rail lines specified highway and transit funds. (Sec. 5) Revises provisions regarding the Historic Bridges Program to eliminate a restriction that caps the amount of Federal-aid highway funds that can be spent on a historic bridge to a sum equal to the cost of demolition. (Sec. 6) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to make a change with respect to the distribution of the Federal-aid obligation limitation to make all obligation authority for the program available as multi-year funding.