[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8405-S8412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                  BOND (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 3195

  Mr. BOND (for himself, Mr. Cleland, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr. Coverdell) 
proposed an amendment to the bill (S. 2168) making appropriations for 
the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, 
and for sundry independent agencies, commissions, corporations, and 
offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
purposes, as follows:
       On page 7, line 18, add the following new provisos prior to 
     the period: ``: Provided further, That the funds made 
     available under this heading, $14,000,000 shall be for the 
     homeless grant program and $6,000,000 shall be for the 
     homeless per diem program: Provided further, That such funds 
     may be used for vocational training, rehabilitation, and 
     outreach activities in addition to other authorized homeless 
     assistance activities''.
                                 ______
                                 

                       McCAIN AMENDMENT NO. 3196

  Mr. BOND (for Mr. McCain) proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, 
supra; as follows:

       On page 93, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:
       Sec. 423. (a) Each entity that receives a grant from the 
     Federal Government for purposes of providing emergency 
     shelter for homeless individuals shall--
       (1) ascertain, to the extent practicable, whether or not 
     each adult individual seeking such shelter from such entity 
     is a veteran; and
       (2) provide each such individual who is a veteran such 
     counseling relating to the availability of veterans benefits 
     (including employment assistance, health care benefits, and 
     other benefits) as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     considers appropriate.
       (b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development shall jointly coordinate the 
     activities required by subsection (a).
       (c) Entities referred to in subsection (a) shall notify the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the number and identity of 
     veterans ascertained under paragraph (1) of that subsection. 
     Such entities shall make such notification with such 
     frequency and in such form as the Secretary shall specify.
       (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an entity 
     referred to subsection (a) that fails to meet the 
     requirements specified in that subsection shall not be 
     eligible for additional grants or other Federal funds for 
     purposes of carrying out activities relating to emergency 
     shelter for homeless individuals.
                                 ______
                                 

                  BOND (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 3197

  Mr. BOND (for himself, Mr. Rockefeller, and Ms. Mikulski) proposed an 
amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       On page 7, line 18, add the following new provisos prior to 
     the period: ``: Provided further, That of the funds made 
     available under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be for 
     implementation of the Primary Care Providers Incentive Act, 
     contingent upon enactment of authorizing legislation''.
                                 ______
                                 

               SARBANES (AND MIKULSKI) AMENDMENT NO. 3198

  Mr. BOND (for Mr. SARBANES for himself and Ms. Mikulski) proposed an 
amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ____. NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION.

       (a) Establishment and Purposes.--Section 202 of the 
     National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act (36 U.S.C. 5201) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) primarily--
       ``(A) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of 
     property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters' 
     Memorial and the annual memorial service associated with the 
     memorial; and
       ``(B) to, in coordination with the Federal Government and 
     fire services (as that term is defined in section 4 of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2203)), plan, direct, and manage the memorial service 
     referred to in subparagraph (A)'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and Federal'' after 
     ``non-Federal'';
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``State and local'' and inserting 
     ``Federal, State, and local''; and
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (4) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) to provide for a national program to assist families 
     of fallen firefighters and fire departments in dealing with 
     line-of-duty deaths of those firefighters; and
       ``(6) to promote national, State, and local initiatives to 
     increase public awareness of fire and life safety in 
     coordination with the United States Fire Administration.''
       (b) Board of Directors of Foundation.--Section 203(g)(1) of 
     the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act (36 U.S.C. 
     5202(g)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A) appointing officers or employees;''.
       (c) Administrative Services and Support.--Section 205 of 
     the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act (36 U.S.C. 
     5204) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 205. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

       ``(a) In General.--During the 10-year period beginning on 
     the date of enactment of the Departments of Veterans Affairs 
     and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1999, the Administrator may--
       ``(1) provide personnel, facilities, and other required 
     services for the operation of the Foundation; and
       ``(2) request and accept reimbursement for the assistance 
     provided under paragraph (1).
       ``(b) Reimbursement.--Any amounts received under subsection 
     (a)(2) as reimbursement for assistance shall be deposited in 
     the Treasury to the credit of the appropriations then current 
     and chargeable for the cost of providing that assistance.
       ``(c) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no Federal personnel or stationery may be used to 
     solicit funding for the Foundation.''.
                                 ______
                                 

               WELLSTONE (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 3199

  Mr. BOND (for Mr. Wellstone for himself, Mrs. Murray, Mr. McCain, and 
Mr. Kerry) proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as 
follows:

       On page 16, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:
       Sec. 110. (a)(1) Section 1103 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is repealed.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 of 
     such title is amended by striking the item relating to 
     section 1103.
       (b) Upon the enactment of this Act--

[[Page S8406]]

       (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
     shall not make any estimate of changes in direct spending 
     outlays under section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 for any fiscal year 
     resulting from the enactment of this section; and
       (2) the Chairmen of the Committees on the Budget shall not 
     make any adjustments in direct spending outlays for purposes 
     of the allocations, functional levels, and aggregates under 
     title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for any 
     fiscal year resulting from the enactment of this section.
                                 ______
                                 

                      MURKOWSKI AMENDMENT NO. 3200

  Mr. MURKOWSKI proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as 
follows:

     SEC.   . VIETNAM VETERANS ALLOTMENT.

       The Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1600, 
     et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:


     open season for certain native alaskan veterans for allotments

       Sec. 41. (a) In General.--(1) During the eighteen month 
     period following promulgation of implementing rules pursuant 
     to paragraph (6), a person described in subsection (b) shall 
     be eligible for an allotment of not more than 160 acres of 
     land under the Act of May 17, 1906 (chapter 2469; 34 Stat. 
     197), as such Act was in effect before December 18, 1971.
       (2) Allotments selected under this section shall not be 
     from existing native or non-native campsites, except for 
     campsites used primarily by the person selecting the 
     allotment.
       (3) Only federal lands shall be eligible for selection and 
     conveyance under this Act.
       (4) All conveyances shall be subject to valid existing 
     rights, including any right of the United States to income 
     derived, directly or indirectly, from a lease, license, 
     permit, right-of-way or easement.
       (5) All state selected lands that have not yet been 
     conveyed shall be ineligible for selection under this 
     section.
       (6) No later than 18 months after enactment of this 
     section, the Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate, 
     after consultation with Alaska Natives groups, rules to carry 
     out this section.
       (7) The Secretary of the Interior may covey alternative 
     federal lands, including lands within a Conservation System 
     Unit, to a person entitled to an allotment located within a 
     Conservation System Unit if--
       (A) the Secretary determines that the allotment would be 
     incompatible with the purposes for which the Conservation 
     System Unit was established;
       (B) the person entitled to the allotment agrees in writing 
     to the alternative conveyance; and
       (C) the alternative lands are of equal acreage to the 
     allotment.
       (b) Eligible Individuals.--(1) A person is eligible under 
     subsection (a) if that person would have been eligible under 
     the Act of May 17, 1906 (chapter 2469; 34 Stat. 197), as that 
     Act was in effect before December 18, 1971, and that person 
     is a veteran who served during the period between January 1, 
     1968 and December 31, 1971.
       (c) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior shall--
       (1) conduct a study to identify and assess the 
     circumstances of veterans of the Vietnam era who were 
     eligible for allotments under the Act of May 17, 1906 but who 
     did not apply under that Act and are not eligible under this 
     section; and
       (2) within one year of enactment of this section, issue a 
     written report with recommendations to the Committee on 
     Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources in the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations 
     and the Committee on Resources in the House of 
     Representatives.
       (d) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the 
     terms ``veteran'' and ``Vietnam era'' have the meanings given 
     those terms by paragraphs (2) and (29) respectively, of 
     section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 

                      FEINGOLD AMENDMENT NO. 3201

  Mr. FEINGOLD proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as 
follows:

       On page 93, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:

     SEC.____. CLASS SIZE DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.

       Subpart 3 of part D of title V of the Higher Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1109 et seq.) is amended to read as 
     follows:

              ``Subpart 3--Class Size Demonstration Grants

     ``SEC. 561. PURPOSE.

       ``It is the purpose of this subpart to provide grants to 
     State educational agencies to enable such agencies to 
     determine the benefits, in various school settings, of 
     reducing class size on the educational performance of 
     students and on classroom management and organization.

     ``SEC. 562. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

       ``(a) Program Authorized.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a 
     competitive basis, to State educational agencies to pay the 
     Federal share of the costs of conducting demonstration 
     projects that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that 
     may provide information meaningful to other State educational 
     agencies and local educational agencies.
       ``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share shall be 50 
     percent.
       ``(b) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 
     5 percent of the amount appropriated under section 565A for 
     each fiscal year to carry out the activities described in 
     section 565.
       ``(c) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall make grants 
     to State educational agencies on the basis of--
       ``(1) the need and the ability of a State educational 
     agency to reduce the class size of an elementary school or 
     secondary school served by such agency;
       ``(2) the ability of a State educational agency to furnish 
     the non-Federal share of the costs of the demonstration 
     project for which assistance is sought;
       ``(3) the ability of a State educational agency to continue 
     the project for which assistance is sought after the 
     termination of Federal financial assistance under this 
     subpart; and
       ``(4) the degree to which a State educational agency 
     demonstrates in the application submitted pursuant to section 
     564 consultation in program implementation and design with 
     parents, teachers, school administrators, and local teacher 
     organizations, where applicable.
       ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to demonstration projects that 
     involve at-risk students in the earliest grades, including 
     educationally or economically disadvantaged students, 
     students with disabilities, and limited English proficient 
     students.
       ``(e) Grants Must Supplement Other Funds.--A State 
     educational agency shall use the Federal funds received under 
     this subpart to supplement and not supplant other Federal, 
     State, and local funds available to the State educational 
     agency to carry out the purpose of this subpart.

     ``SEC. 563. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Annual Competition.--In each fiscal year, the 
     Secretary shall announce the factors to be examined in a 
     demonstration project assisted under this subpart. Such 
     factors may include--
       ``(1) the magnitude of the reduction in class size to be 
     achieved;
       ``(2) the level of education in which the demonstration 
     projects shall occur;
       ``(3) the form of the instructional strategy to be 
     demonstrated; and
       ``(4) the duration of the project.
       ``(b) Random Techniques and Appropriate Comparison 
     Groups.--Demonstration projects assisted under this subpart 
     shall be designed to utilize randomized techniques or 
     appropriate comparison groups.

     ``SEC. 564. APPLICATION.

       ``(a) In General.--In order to receive a grant under this 
     subpart, a State educational agency shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary that is responsive to the 
     announcement described in section 563(a), at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing or accompanied by such 
     information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
       ``(b) Duration.--The Secretary shall encourage State 
     educational agencies to submit applications under this 
     subpart for a period of 5 years.
       ``(c) Contents.--Each application submitted under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       ``(1) a description of the objectives to be attained with 
     the grant funds and the manner in which the grant funds will 
     be used to reduce class size;
       ``(2) a description of the steps to be taken to achieve 
     target class sizes, including, where applicable, the 
     acquisition of additional teaching personnel and classroom 
     space;
       ``(3) a statement of the methods for the collection of data 
     necessary for the evaluation of the impact of class size 
     reduction programs on student achievement;
       ``(4) an assurance that the State educational agency will 
     pay, from non-Federal sources, the non-Federal share of the 
     costs of the demonstration project for which assistance is 
     sought; and
       ``(5) such additional assurances as the Secretary may 
     reasonably require.
       ``(d) Sufficient Size and Scope Required.--The Secretary 
     shall award grants under this subpart only to State 
     educational agencies submitting applications which described 
     projects of sufficient size and scope to contribute to 
     carrying out the purpose of this subpart.

     ``SEC. 565. EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION.

       ``(a) National Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
     national evaluation of the demonstration projects assisted 
     under this subpart to determine the costs incurred in 
     achieving the reduction in class size and the effects of the 
     reductions on results, such as student performance in the 
     affected subjects or grades, attendance, discipline, 
     classroom organization, management, and teacher satisfaction 
     and retention.
       ``(b) Cooperation.--Each State educational agency receiving 
     a grant under this subpart shall cooperate in the national 
     evaluation described in subsection (a) and shall provide such 
     information to the Secretary as the Secretary may reasonably 
     require.
       ``(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall report to Congress on 
     the results of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a).
       ``(d) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall widely 
     disseminate information about the results of the class size 
     demonstration projects assisted under this subpart.

     ``SEC. 565A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subpart $15,000,000 for fiscal

[[Page S8407]]

     year 1999 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.''.

     SEC. ____. PROHIBITION REGARDING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY 
                   NASA RELATING TO SUPERSONIC OR SUBSONIC 
                   AIRCRAFT.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration may not carry out research and development 
     activities relating to supersonic aircraft or subsonic 
     aircraft.
       (b) Deficit Reduction.--Upon the date of enactment of this 
     Act, savings resulting from amounts reduced pursuant to the 
     application of subsection (a) shall be subject to the 
     following provisions:
       (1) Budget authority and spending limits.--The Office of 
     Management and Budget shall--
       (A) reflect the reduction in discretionary budget authority 
     that results from the application of subsection (a) in the 
     estimates required by section 251(a)(7) of the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 in 
     accordance with that Act, including an estimate of the 
     reduction of the budget authority for each outyear; and
       (B) include a reduction to the discretionary spending 
     limits for budget authority and outlays in accordance with 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 
     for each applicable fiscal year set forth in section 251(c) 
     of that Act by amounts equal to the amounts for each fiscal 
     year estimated pursuant to subparagraph (A).
       (2) Adjustments to spending limits.--The Office of 
     Management and Budget shall make the reduction required by 
     paragraph (1)(B) as part of the next sequester report 
     required by section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       (3) CBO estimates.--As soon as practicable after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Congressional 
     Budget Office shall provide to the Committee on the Budget of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Budget 
     of the Senate an estimate of the reduction of the budget 
     authority and the reduction in outlays flowing from such 
     reduction of budget authority for each outyear.
       On page 78, line 24, strike ``$1,305,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$866,000,000''.
                                 ______
                                 

                NICKLES (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 3202

  Mr. NICKLES (for himself, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Mack, Mr. Allard, Mr. 
Feingold, Mr. DeWine, and Mr. Faircloth) proposed an amendment to the 
bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       On page 53, strike lines 9 through 25 and insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 219. INCREASE IN FHA SINGLE FAMILY MAXIMUM MORTGAGE 
                   AMOUNTS AND GNMA GUARANTY FEE.

       (a) FHA Single Family Maximum Mortgage Amounts.--Section 
     203(b)(2)(A) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1709(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``38 percent'' and 
     inserting ``48 percent''.
       (b) GNMA Guaranty Fee.--Section 306(g)(3)(A) of the 
     National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)(3)(A)) is amended by 
     striking ``No Fee or charge'' and all that follows through 
     ``or collected'' and inserting ``A fee or charge in an amount 
     equal to not less than 12 basis points shall be assessed and 
     collected''.
                                 ______
                                 

                  REED (AND OTHERS) AMENDMENT NO. 3203

  Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Leahy, Mr. 
Wellstone, Ms. Mikulski) proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, 
supra; as follows:

       On page 33, line 17, strike ``$60,000,000'' and insert 
     ``$70,000,000''.
       On page 33, line 21, insert ``Provided: That none of these 
     funds shall be available for the Healthy Homes Initiative'' 
     before the period.
                                 ______
                                 

                  KERRY (AND HAGEL) AMENDMENT NO. 3204

  Mr. KERREY (for himself and Mr. Hagel) proposed an amendment to the 
bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       On page 93, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:

     SEC. 423. TEMPORARY PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OR 
                   ENFORCEMENT OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM TREATMENT 
                   REQUIREMENTS FOR COPPER ACTION LEVEL.

       (a) In General.--None of the funds made available by this 
     or any other Act for any fiscal year may be used by the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
     implement or enforce the national primary drinking water 
     regulations for lead and copper in drinking water promulgated 
     under the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.), 
     to the extent that the regulations pertain to the public 
     water system treatment requirements related to the copper 
     action level, until--
       (1) the Administrator and the Director of the Centers for 
     Disease Control and Prevention jointly conduct a study to 
     establish a reliable dose-response relationship for the 
     adverse human health effects that may result from exposure to 
     copper in drinking water, that--
       (A) includes an analysis of the health effects that may be 
     experienced by groups within the general population 
     (including infants) that are potentially at greater risk of 
     adverse health effects as the result of the exposure;
       (B) is conducted in consultation with interested States;
       (C) is based on the best available science and supporting 
     studies that are subject to peer review and conducted in 
     accordance with sound and objective scientific practices; and
       (D) is completed not later than 30 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (2) based on the results of the study and, once peer 
     reviewed and published, the 2 studies of copper in drinking 
     water conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention in the State of Nebraska and the State of 
     Delaware, the Administrator establishes an action level for 
     the presence of copper in drinking water that protects the 
     public health against reasonably expected adverse effects due 
     to exposure to copper in drinking water.
       (b) Current Requirements.--Nothing in this section 
     precludes a State from implementing or enforcing the national 
     primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper in 
     drinking water promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) that are in effect on the date of 
     enactment of this Act, to the extent that the regulations 
     pertain to the public water system treatment requirements 
     related to the copper action level.
                                 ______
                                 

                        BURNS AMENDMENT NO. 3205

  Mr. BURNS proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as 
follows:

       On page 93, between lines 18 and 19 insert the following:

     SEC. 4____. INSURANCE; INDEMNIFICATION; LIABILITY.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator may provide liability 
     insurance for, or indemnification to, the developer of an 
     experimental aerospace vehicle developed or used in execution 
     of an agreement between the Administration and the developer.
       (b) Terms and Conditions.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     section, the insurance and indemnification provided by the 
     Administration under subsection (a) to a developer shall be 
     provided on the same terms and conditions as insurance and 
     indemnification is provided by the Administration under 
     section 308 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 
     (42 U.S.C. 2458b) to the user of a space vehicle.
       (2) Insurance.--
       (A) In general.--A developer shall obtain liability 
     insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts 
     to compensate for the maximum probable loss from claims by--
       (i) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property 
     damage, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in 
     connection with the development or use of an experimental 
     aerospace vehicle; and
       (ii) the United States Government for damage or loss to 
     Government property resulting from such an activity.
       (B) Maximum required.--The Administrator shall determine 
     the amount of insurance required, but, except as provided in 
     subparagraph (C), that amount shall not be greater than the 
     amount required under section 70112(a)(3) of title 49, United 
     States Code, for a launch. The Administrator shall publish 
     notice of the Administrator's determination and the 
     applicable amount or amounts in the Federal Register within 
     10 days after making the determination.
       (C) Increase in dollar amounts.--The Administrator may 
     increase the dollar amounts set forth in section 
     70112(a)(3)(A) of title 49, United States Code, for the 
     purpose of applying that section under this section to a 
     developer after consultation with the Comptroller General and 
     such experts and consultants as may be appropriate, and after 
     publishing notice of the increase in the Federal Register not 
     less than 180 days before the increase goes into effect. The 
     Administrator shall make available for public inspection, not 
     later than the date of publication of such notice, a complete 
     record of any correspondence received by the Administration, 
     and a transcript of any meetings in which the Administration 
     participated, regarding the proposed increase.
       (D) Safety review required before administrator provides 
     insurance.--The Administrator may not provide liability 
     insurance or indemnification under subsection (a) unless the 
     developer establishes to the satisfaction of the 
     Administrator that appropriate safety procedures and 
     practices are being followed in the development of the 
     experimental aerospace vehicle.
       (3) No indemnification without cross-waiver.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Administrator may not 
     indemnify a developer of an experimental aerospace vehicle 
     under this section unless there is an agreement between the 
     Administration and the developer described in subsection (c).
       (4) Application of certain procedures.--If the 
     Administrator requests additional appropriations to make 
     payments under this section, like the payments that may be 
     made under section 308(b) of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2458b(b)), then the request for 
     those appropriations shall be made in accordance with the 
     procedures established by subsections (d) and (e) of section 
     70113 of title 49, United States Code.

[[Page S8408]]

       (c) Cross-Waivers.--
       (1) Administrator authorized to waive.--The Administrator, 
     on behalf of the United States, and its departments, 
     agencies, and instrumentalities, may reciprocally waive 
     claims with a developer and with the related entities of that 
     developer under which each party to the waiver agrees to be 
     responsible, and agrees to ensure that its own related 
     entities are responsible, for damage or loss to its property 
     for which it is responsible, or for losses resulting from any 
     injury or death sustained by its own employees or agents, as 
     a result of activities connected to the agreement or use of 
     the experimental aerospace vehicle.
       (2) Limitations.--
       (A) Claims.--A reciprocal waiver under paragraph (1) may 
     not preclude a claim by any natural person (including, but 
     not limited to, a natural person who is an employee of the 
     United States, the developer, or the developer's 
     subcontractors) or that natural person's estate, survivors, 
     or subrogees for injury or death, except with respect to a 
     subrogee that is a party to the waiver or has otherwise 
     agreed to be bound by the terms of the waiver.
       (B) Liability for negligence.--A reciprocal waiver under 
     paragraph (1) may not absolve any party of liability to any 
     natural person (including, but not limited to, a natural 
     person who is an employee of the United States, the 
     developer, or the developer's subcontractors) or such a 
     natural person's estate, survivors, or subrogees for 
     negligence, except with respect to a subrogee that is a party 
     to the waiver or has otherwise agreed to be bound by the 
     terms of the waiver.
       (C) Indemnification for damages.--A reciprocal waiver under 
     paragraph (1) may not be used as the basis of a claim by the 
     Administration or the developer for indemnification against 
     the other for damages paid to a natural person, or that 
     natural person's estate, survivors, or subrogees, for injury 
     or death sustained by that natural person as a result of 
     activities connected to the agreement or use of the 
     experimental aerospace vehicle.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
       (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration.
       (3) Common terms.--Any term used in this section that is 
     defined in the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
     U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) has the same meaning in this section as 
     when it is used in that Act.
       (4) Developer.--The term ``developer'' means a person 
     (other than a natural person) who--
       (A) is a party to an agreement that was in effect before 
     the date of enactment of this Act with the Administration for 
     the purpose of developing new technology for an experimental 
     aerospace vehicle;
       (B) owns or provides property to be flown or situated on 
     that vehicle; or
       (C) employs a natural person to be flown on that vehicle.
       (5) Experimental aerospace vehicle.--The term 
     ``experimental aerospace vehicle'' means an object intended 
     to be flown in, or launched into, suborbital flight for the 
     purpose of demonstrating technologies necessary for a 
     reusable launch vehicle, developed under an agreement between 
     the Administration and a developer that was in effect before 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       (e) Relationship to Other Laws.--
       (1) Section 308 of national aeronautics and space act of 
     1958.--This section does not apply to any object, 
     transaction, or operation to which section 308 of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2458b) 
     applies.
       (2) Chapter 701 of title 49, united states code.--The 
     Administrator may not provide indemnification to a developer 
     under this section for launches subject to license under 
     section 70117(g)(1) of title 49, United States Code.
       (f) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--The provisions of this section shall 
     terminate on December 31, 2002, except that the Administrator 
     may extend the termination date to a date not later than 
     September 30, 2005, if the Administrator determines that such 
     an extension is necessary to cover the operation of an 
     experimental aerospace vehicle.
       (2) Effect of termination on agreements.--The termination 
     of this section does not terminate or otherwise affect a 
     cross-waiver agreement, insurance agreement, indemnification 
     agreement, or any other agreement entered into under this 
     section except as may be provided in that agreement.
                                 ______
                                 

                      SESSIONS AMENDMENT NO. 3206

  Mr. SESSIONS proposed an amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as 
follows:

       Beginning on page 58, strike line 15 and all that follows 
     through page 79, line 2, and insert the following:

             Corporation for National and Community Service


                national and community service programs

                           operating expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Corporation'') in carrying out programs, 
     activities, and initiatives under the National and Community 
     Service Act of 1990 (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Act'') (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.), 
     $309,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 1999: 
     Provided, That not more than $27,000,000 shall be available 
     for administrative expenses authorized under section 
     501(a)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12671(a)(4)): Provided 
     further, That not more than $2,500 shall be for official 
     reception and representation expenses: Provided further, That 
     not more than $70,000,000, to remain available without fiscal 
     year limitation, shall be transferred to the National Service 
     Trust account for educational awards authorized under 
     subtitle D of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.), 
     of which not to exceed $5,000,000 shall be available for 
     national service scholarships for high school students 
     performing community service: Provided further, That not more 
     than $120,000,000 of the amount provided under this heading 
     shall be available for grants under the National Service 
     Trust program authorized under subtitle C of title I of the 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) (relating to activities 
     including the AmeriCorps program), of which not more than 
     $40,000,000 may be used to administer, reimburse, or support 
     any national service program authorized under section 
     121(d)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12581(d)(2)): Provided 
     further, That not more than $5,500,000 of the funds made 
     available under this heading shall be made available for the 
     Points of Light Foundation for activities authorized under 
     title III of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12661 et seq.): Provided 
     further, That no funds shall be available for national 
     service programs run by Federal agencies authorized under 
     section 121(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)): Provided 
     further, That to the maximum extent feasible, funds 
     appropriated under subtitle C of title I of the Act shall be 
     provided in a manner that is consistent with the 
     recommendations of peer review panels in order to ensure that 
     priority is given to programs that demonstrate quality, 
     innovation, replicability, and sustainability: Provided 
     further, That not more than $9,000,000 of the funds made 
     available under this heading shall be available for the 
     Civilian Community Corps authorized under subtitle E of title 
     I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.): Provided further, 
     That not more than $43,000,000 shall be available for school-
     based and community-based service-learning programs 
     authorized under subtitle B of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
     12521 et seq.): Provided further, That not more than 
     $30,000,000 shall be available for quality and innovation 
     activities authorized under subtitle H of title I of the Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 12853 et seq.): Provided further, That not more 
     than $5,000,000 shall be available for audits and other 
     evaluations authorized under section 179 of the Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12639): Provided further, That to the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Corporation shall increase significantly the 
     level of matching funds and in-kind contributions provided by 
     the private sector, shall expand significantly the number of 
     educational awards provided under subtitle D of title I, and 
     shall reduce the total Federal costs per participant in all 
     programs.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $3,000,000.

                       Court of Veterans Appeals


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses for the operation of the United 
     States Court of Veterans Appeals as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     sections 7251-7298, $10,000,000, of which $865,000, shall be 
     available for the purpose of providing financial assistance 
     as described, and in accordance with the process and 
     reporting procedures set fourth, under this heading in Public 
     Law 102-229.

                      Department of Defense--Civil

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 
     maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National 
     Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, 
     including the purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for 
     replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $11,666,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                    Environmental Protection Agency


                         Science and Technology

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For science and technology, including research and 
     development activities, which shall include research and 
     development activities under the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 
     as amended; necessary expenses for personnel and related 
     costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or allowances 
     therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not 
     to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the maximum rate 
     payable for senior level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376; 
     procurement of laboratory equipment and supplies; other 
     operating expenses in support of research and development; 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $643,460,000, which shall remain available until September 
     30, 2000: Provided, That the

[[Page S8409]]

     obligated balance of such sums shall remain available through 
     September 30, 2007 for liquidating obligations made in fiscal 
     years 1999 and 2000.


                 environmental programs and management

       For environmental programs and management, including 
     necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, for personnel 
     and related costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or 
     allowances therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for 
     individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the 
     maximum rate payable for senior level positions under 5 
     U.S.C. 5376; hire of passenger motor vehicles; hire, 
     maintenance, and operation of aircraft; purchase of reprints; 
     library memberships in societies or associations which issue 
     publications to members only or at a price to members lower 
     than to subscribers who are not members; construction, 
     alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of 
     facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; and not to 
     exceed $6,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses, $1,840,500,000, which shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2000: Provided, That the obligated balance of 
     such sums shall remain available through September 30, 2007 
     for liquidating obligations made in fiscal years 1999 and 
     2000.


                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, and for construction, alteration, 
     repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities, not to 
     exceed $75,000 per project, $31,154,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2000: Provided, That the obligated 
     balance of such sums shall remain available through September 
     30, 2007 for liquidating obligations made in fiscal years 
     1999 and 2000.


                        buildings and facilities

       For construction, repair, improvement, extension, 
     alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of, 
     or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
     $52,948,000, to remain available until expended.


                     hazardous substance superfund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (CERCLA), as amended, including sections 111 (c)(3), 
     (c)(5), (c)(6), and (e)(4) (42 U.S.C. 9611), and for 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; 
     not to exceed $1,500,000,000 (of which $100,000,000 shall not 
     become available until September 1, 1999), to remain 
     available until expended, consisting of $1,250,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 517(a) of the Superfund Amendments and 
     Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), as amended by Public Law 
     101-508, and $250,000,000 as a payment from general revenues 
     to the Hazardous Substance Superfund as authorized by section 
     517(b) of SARA, as amended by Public Law 101-508: Provided, 
     That funds appropriated under this heading may be allocated 
     to other Federal agencies in accordance with section 111(a) 
     of CERCLA: Provided further, That $12,237,300 of the funds 
     appropriated under this heading shall be transferred to the 
     ``Office of Inspector General'' appropriation to remain 
     available until September 30, 2000: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 111(m) of CERCLA or any other 
     provision of law, $74,000,000 of the funds appropriated under 
     this heading shall be available to the Agency for Toxic 
     Substances and Disease Registry to carry out activities 
     described in sections 104(i), 111(c)(4), and 111(c)(14) of 
     CERCLA and section 118(f) of SARA: Provided further, That 
     $40,200,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be transferred to the ``Science and Technology'' 
     appropriation to remain available until September 30, 2000: 
     Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated under 
     this heading shall be used for Brownfields revolving loan 
     funds unless specifically authorized by subsequent 
     legislation: Provided further, That none of the funds 
     appropriated under this heading shall be available for the 
     Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to issue in 
     excess of 40 toxicological profiles pursuant to section 
     104(i) of CERCLA during fiscal year 1998.

                leaking underground storage tank program


                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out leaking underground 
     storage tank cleanup activities authorized by section 205 of 
     the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and 
     for construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $75,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That hereafter, the Administrator is authorized to enter into 
     assistance agreements with Federally recognized Indian tribes 
     on such terms and conditions as she deems appropriate for the 
     same purposes as are set forth in section 9003(h)(7) of RCRA.


                           oil spill response

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental 
     Protection Agency's responsibilities under the Oil Pollution 
     Act of 1990, $15,000,000, to be derived from the Oil Spill 
     Liability trust fund, and to remain available until expended.


                   state and tribal assistance grants

       For environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, 
     including capitalization grants for State revolving funds and 
     performance partnership grants, $3,255,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which $1,400,000,000 shall be 
     for making capitalization grants for the Clean Water State 
     Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act, as amended, and $800,000,000 shall be for 
     capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving 
     Funds under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as 
     amended; $75,000,000 for architectural, engineering, 
     planning, design, construction and related activities in 
     connection with the construction of high priority water and 
     wastewater facilities in the area of the United States-Mexico 
     Border, after consultation with the appropriate border 
     commission; $30,000,000 for grants to the State of Alaska to 
     address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs of 
     rural and Alaska Native Villages; $100,000,000 for making 
     grants for the construction of wastewater and water treatment 
     facilities and groundwater protection infrastructure in 
     accordance with the terms and conditions specified for such 
     grants in the Committee report (S. Rept. 105-216) 
     accompanying this Act (S. 2168); and $850,000,000 for grants, 
     including associated program support costs, to States, 
     federally recognized tribes, interstate agencies, tribal 
     consortia, and air pollution control agencies for multi-media 
     or single media pollution prevention, control and abatement 
     and related activities, including activities pursuant to the 
     provisions set forth under this heading in Public Law 104-
     134, and for making grants under section 103 of the Clean Air 
     Act for particulate matter monitoring and data collection 
     activities: Provided, That, consistent with section 1452(g) 
     of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(g)), 
     section 302 of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 
     (Public Law 104-182) and the accompanying joint explanatory 
     statement of the committee on conference (H. Rept. No. 104-
     741 to accompany S. 1316, the Safe Drinking Water Act 
     Amendments of 1996), and notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, beginning in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, States 
     may combine the assets of State Revolving Funds (SRFs) 
     established under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water 
     Act, as amended, and title VI of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act, as amended, as security for bond issues to 
     enhance the lending capacity of one or both SRFs, but not to 
     acquire the state match for either program, provided that 
     revenues from the bonds are allocated to the purposes of the 
     Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act in the same portion as the funds are used as 
     security for the bonds: Provided further, That, 
     notwithstanding the matching requirement in Public Law 104-
     204 for funds appropriated under this heading for grants to 
     the State of Texas for improving wastewater treatment for the 
     Colonias, such funds that remain unobligated may also be used 
     for improving water treatment for the Colonias, and shall be 
     matched by State funds from State resources equal to 20 
     percent of such unobligated funds: Provided further, That, 
     hereafter the Administrator is authorized to enter into 
     assistance agreements with Federally recognized Indian tribes 
     on such terms and conditions as she deems appropriate for the 
     development and implementation of programs to manage 
     hazardous waste, and underground storage tanks: Provided 
     further, That beginning in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, 
     pesticide program implementation grants under section 
     23(a)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and 
     Rodenticide Act, as amended, shall be available for pesticide 
     program development and implementation, including enforcement 
     and compliance activities.


                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

       None of the funding provided under this Act may be used by 
     the Environmental Protection Agency to issue any 
     notification, or enter into, implement or approve agreements 
     that enable the export of government owned ships to be 
     dismantled in foreign countries unless the Administrator of 
     the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Congress 
     that the environmental standards imposed by law and enforced 
     in the country in which the vessel is to be dismantled or 
     scrapped are comparable to the environmental standards 
     imposed and enforced under United States law.

                   Executive Office of the President


                office of science and technology policy

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, in carrying out the purposes of the 
     National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
     Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 and 6671), hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, and services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, not to exceed $2,500 for official reception and 
     representation expenses, and rental of conference rooms in 
     the District of Columbia, $5,026,000.


  council on environmental quality and office of environmental quality

       For necessary expenses to continue functions assigned to 
     the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
     Environmental Quality pursuant to the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act 
     of 1970, and Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, $2,575,000: 
     Provided, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     no funds other than those

[[Page S8410]]

     appropriated under this heading, shall be used for or by the 
     Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental 
     Quality: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 202 
     of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, the Council 
     shall consist of one member, appointed by the President, by 
     and with the advice and consent of the Senate, serving as 
     Chairman and exercising all powers, functions, and duties of 
     the Council.

                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation


                      office of inspector general

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, $34,666,000, to be derived from the Bank 
     Insurance Fund, the Savings Association Insurance Fund, and 
     the FSLIC Resolution Fund.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                            disaster relief

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $846,000,000, and, notwithstanding 42 
     U.S.C. 5203, to remain available until expended.


            disaster assistance direct loan program account

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,355,000, as authorized by 
     section 319 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act: Provided, That such costs, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $25,000,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan program, $440,000.


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 
     including hire and purchase of motor vehicles as authorized 
     by 31 U.S.C. 1343; uniforms, or allowances therefor, as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the 
     per diem rate equivalent to the rate for GS-18; expenses of 
     attendance of cooperating officials and individuals at 
     meetings concerned with the work of emergency preparedness; 
     transportation in connection with the continuity of 
     Government programs to the same extent and in the same manner 
     as permitted the Secretary of a Military Department under 10 
     U.S.C. 2632; and not to exceed $2,500 for official reception 
     and representation expenses, $170,000,000.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $5,400,000.


              emergency management planning and assistance

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out activities under the National Flood Insurance Act 
     of 1968, as amended, and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
     1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
     1977, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended (15 U.S.C. 
     2201 et seq.), the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended 
     (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), sections 107 and 303 of the 
     National Security Act of 1947, as amended (50 U.S.C. 404-
     405), and Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, $231,000,000: 
     Provided, That for purposes of pre-disaster mitigation 
     pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5131 (b) and (c) and 42 U.S.C. 5196 (e) 
     and (i), $25,000,000 of the funds made available under this 
     heading shall be available until expended for project grants.


                   emergency food and shelter program

       To carry out an emergency food and shelter program pursuant 
     to title III of Public Law 100-77, as amended, $100,000,000: 
     Provided, That total administrative costs shall not exceed 
     three and one-half percent of the total appropriation.


                Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund

       There is hereby established in the Treasury a Radiological 
     Emergency Preparedness Fund, which shall be available under 
     the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and Executive 
     Order 12657, for offsite radiological emergency planning, 
     preparedness, and response. Beginning in fiscal year 1999 and 
     thereafter, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency (FEMA) shall promulgate through rulemaking fees to be 
     assessed and collected, applicable to persons subject to 
     FEMA's radiological emergency preparedness regulations. The 
     aggregate charges assessed pursuant to this section during 
     fiscal year 1999 shall not be less than 100 percent of the 
     amounts anticipated by FEMA necessary for its radiological 
     emergency preparedness program for such fiscal year. The 
     methodology for assessment and collection of fees shall be 
     fair and equitable; and shall reflect costs of providing such 
     services, including administrative costs of collecting such 
     fees. Fees received pursuant to this section shall be 
     deposited in the Fund as offsetting collections and will 
     become available for authorized purposes on October 1, 1999, 
     and remain available until expended.
       For necessary expenses of the Fund for fiscal year 1999, 
     $12,849,000, to remain available until expended.


                     national flood insurance fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For activities under the National Flood Insurance Act of 
     1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended, 
     not to exceed $22,685,000 for salaries and expenses 
     associated with flood mitigation and flood insurance 
     operations, and not to exceed $78,464,000 for flood 
     mitigation, including up to $20,000,000 for expenses under 
     section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act, which 
     amount shall be available for transfer to the National Flood 
     Mitigation Fund until September 30, 2000. In fiscal year 
     1999, no funds in excess of (1) $47,000,000 for operating 
     expenses, (2) $343,989,000 for agents' commissions and taxes, 
     and (3) $60,000,000 for interest on Treasury borrowings shall 
     be available from the National Flood Insurance Fund without 
     prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations. For fiscal 
     year 1999, flood insurance rates shall not exceed the level 
     authorized by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 
     1994.
       Section 1309(a)(2) of the National Flood Insurance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 4016(a)(2)), as amended by Public Law 104-208, is 
     further amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``1999''.
       Section 1319 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, 
     as amended (42 U.S.C. 4026), is amended by striking 
     ``September 30, 1998'' and inserting ``September 30, 1999''.
       Section 1336 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, 
     as amended (42 U.S.C. 4056), is amended by striking 
     ``September 30, 1998'' and inserting ``September 30, 1999''.
       The first sentence of section 1376(c) of the National Flood 
     Insurance Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4127(c)), is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 1998'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 1999''.

                    General Services Administration


                    consumer information center fund

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Information Center, 
     including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $2,419,000, 
     to be deposited into the Consumer Information Center Fund: 
     Provided, That the appropriations, revenues and collections 
     deposited into the fund shall be available for necessary 
     expenses of Consumer Information Center activities in the 
     aggregate amount of $7,500,000. Appropriations, revenues, and 
     collections accruing to this fund during fiscal year 1999 in 
     excess of $7,500,000 shall remain in the fund and shall not 
     be available for expenditure except as authorized in 
     appropriations Acts.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration


                      INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in 
     support of the International Space Station, including 
     development, operations and research support; maintenance; 
     construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation, 
     and modification of real and personal property, and 
     acquisition or condemnation of real property, as authorized 
     by law; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft, 
     $2,300,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2000.


                 LAUNCH VEHICLES AND PAYLOAD OPERATIONS

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of the space shuttle program, including 
     safety and performance upgrades, space shuttle operations, 
     and payload utilization and operations, and services; 
     maintenance; construction of facilities including repair, 
     rehabilitation, and modification of real and personal 
     property, and acquisition or condemnation of real property, 
     as authorized by law; space flight, spacecraft control and 
     communications activities including operations, production, 
     and services; and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft, 
     $3,241,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2000; 
     Provided, That none of the funds provided under this 
     heading may be utilized to support the development or 
     operations of the International Space Station other than 
     costs of space shuttle flights utilized for space station 
     assembly.


                         science and technology

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of space science, earth science, life and 
     mirogravity science, and academic programs, including 
     research, development; operations, and services; maintenance; 
     construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation, 
     and modification of real and personal property, and 
     acquisition or condemnation of real property, as authorized 
     by law; space flight, spacecraft control and communications 
     activities including operations, production, and services; 
     and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance and operation of 
     mission and administrative aircraft, $4,270,400,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2000: Provided, That 
     none of the funds provided under this heading may be utilized 
     to support the development or operations of the International 
     Space Station.


            aeronautics, space transportation and technology

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of aeronautics, space transportation, and 
     technology research and development activities, including 
     research, development, operations, and services; maintenance; 
     construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation,

[[Page S8411]]

     and modification of real and personal property, and 
     acquisition of condemnation of real property, as authorized 
     by law; and purchase, lease, charter, and maintenance and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft, 
     $1,325,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2000: 
     Provided, That none of the funds provided under this heading 
     may be utilized to support the development or operations of 
     the International Space Station.
                                 ______
                                 
      ASHCROFT (AND BOND) AMENDMENT NO. 3207
  Mr. BOND (for Mr. Ashcroft) (for himself and Mr. Bond) proposed an 
amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title IV, insert the following:

     SEC. 4____. INELIGIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF 
                   MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCING METHAMPHETAMINE FOR 
                   CERTAIN HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

       Section 16 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437n) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Ineligibility of Individuals Convicted of 
     Manufacturing or Producing Methamphetamine On the Premises.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public housing 
     agency shall establish standards for occupancy in public 
     housing dwelling units and assistance under section 8 that--
       ``(1) permanently prohibit occupancy in any public housing 
     dwelling unit by, and assistance under section 8 for, any 
     person who has been convicted of manufacturing or otherwise 
     producing methamphetamine on the premises in violation of any 
     Federal or State law; and
       ``(2) immediately and permanently terminate the tenancy in 
     any public housing unit of, and the assistance under section 
     8 for, any person who is convicted of manufacturing or 
     otherwise producing methamphetamine on the premises in 
     violation of any Federal or State law.''.
                                 ______
                                 

                 SNOWE (AND COLLINS) AMENDMENT NO. 3208

  Mr. BOND (for Ms. Snowe for himself and Ms. Collins) proposed an 
amendment to the bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       Sec. 110. (a) It is the sense of the Senate that it should 
     be the goal of the Department of Veterans Affairs to serve 
     all veterans at health care facilities within 250 miles of 
     their homes, and to minimize travel distances if specialized 
     services are not available at a health care facility operated 
     by the Veterans Health Administration within 250 miles of a 
     veteran's home.
       (b) Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report on the estimated 
     costs to and impact on the health care system administered by 
     the Veterans Health Administration of making specialty care 
     available to all veterans within 250 miles of their homes.
                                 ______
                                 

                 BOND (AND MIKULSKI) AMENDMENT NO. 3209

  Mr. BOND (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) proposed an amendment to the 
bill, S. 2168, supra; as follows:

       On page 17, line 10, insert after ``1437)'' the following: 
     ``(the ``Act'' herein)''.
       On page 17, beginning on line 22, strike out ``United 
     States Housing Act of 1937'' and insert in lieu thereof: 
     ``Act''.
       On page 19, line 14, insert after ``basis'' the following 
     ``(except as otherwise provided in this proviso)''.
       On page 19, line 23, strike the colon and insert a period.
       On page 19, line 23, strike ``Provided further, That from'' 
     and insert in lieu thereof ``From'' as the first word in a 
     new paragraph beginning on line 24.
       On page 21, line 13 insert after ``in'', the following 
     ``title II,''.
       On page 23, line 3, insert after ``agencies: the following: 
     ``, Indian Tribes and their''.
       On page 28, beginning on line 5, strike ``and community'' 
     and all that follows through ``porations'' on line 6 and 
     insert in lieu thereof ``, community development corporations 
     and Indian tribes''.
       On page 28, line 9, insert after ``for'' the following: 
     ``Indian tribes and''.
       On page 28, line 13, insert after ``1999 to'' the 
     following: ``Indian tribes and''.
       On page 31, beginning on line 16, strike ``such Act'' and 
     insert in lieu thereof ``the United States Housing Act of 
     1937''.
       On page 32, beginning on line 21, strike ``this proviso 
     shall not apply'' and insert in lieu thereof the following: 
     ``funds under this proviso shall not be used''.
       On page 33, line 5, strike ``. Local'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following: ``: Provided That, local''.
       On page 34, line 7, strike ``. In addition,'' and insert in 
     lieu thereof the following: ``: Provided further, That in 
     addition to the other amounts appropriated under this 
     heading,''
       On page 34, line 16, strike ``projects'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof: ``any project''.
       On page 36, beginning on line 11, strike ``under'' and all 
     that follows through ``1437)'' on line 13.
       On page 41, beginning on line 16, strike ``where'' and all 
     that follows through ``request'' on line 18 and insert in 
     lieu thereof the following ``subject to reprogramming''.
       On page 42, line 20 insert after ``vided'' the following: 
     ``by transfer''.
       On page 42, line 21, after ``provided'' insert the 
     following: ``by transfer''.
       On page 43, line 7, strike ``and $10,000,000 shall be 
     transferred'' and insert in lieu thereof the following: ``: 
     Provided, That $10,000,000 shall also be transferred to this 
     account''.
       On page 44, line 4, strike ``1997'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following ``1998''.
       On page 44, line 5, strike ``1998'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following ``1999''.
       On page 49, line 6, strike ``236(g)'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following ``236''.
       On page 49, line 7, strike ``read'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following ``add a subsection in the appropriate 
     place''.
       On page 50, beginning on line 21, strike ``originated and 
     endorsed'' and insert in lieu thereof the following: 
     ``executed''.
       On page 53, line 7, insert after ``associated with'' the 
     following: ``senior''.
       On page 53, line 8, insert before the period the following: 
     ``except that the Secretary may fund education and training 
     programs associated with the Community Development Block 
     Grant program, the Community First Leadership program and the 
     Junior Community Builders program, subject to the Secretary 
     submitting to the Committees on Appropriations an action plan 
     identifying all funding to be used and the education and 
     training programs for which the funding will be provided.''.
       On page 54, line 7, strike ``year'' and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following: ``years''.
       Campbell/Stevens/Mack/Bond: On page 55, insert after line 
     13 the following new section and renumber, accordingly:

     SEC.  PUBLIC AND ASSISTED HOUSING DRUG ELIMINATION ACT.

       The Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 
     1990 is amended--
       (1) in section 5123, by inserting ``Indian tribes'' before 
     ``and private'';
       (2) in section 5124(a)(7), by inserting ``, an Indian 
     tribe,'' before ``or tribally designated'';
       (3) in section 5125, by inserting ``an Indian tribe'' 
     before ``or tribally designated''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) INDIAN TRIBE.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given the term in 25 U.S.C. 4103(12).''.
       On line 55, insert after line 13 the following new sections 
     and renumber, accordingly:

     ``SEC.  . MULTIFAMILY HOUSING INSTITUTE.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
     may, from time to time, as determined necessary to assist the 
     Department in managing its multifamily assets including 
     analyzing, tracking and evaluating its portfolio of FHA-
     insured and other mortgages and properties and assisting the 
     Department in understanding and reducing the risk involved in 
     its mortgage restructuring, insuring and guaranteeing 
     activities, provide data to, and purchase data from, any non-
     profit, industry supported, on-line provider of nationwide, 
     multifamily housing loan and property data services.''.

     ``SEC.  . MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE AUCTIONS.

       Section 221(g)(4)(C) of the National Housing Act is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence of clause (viii), by striking 
     ``September 30, 1996'' and inserting ``December 31, 2002''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ix) The authority of the Secretary to conduct 
     multifamily auctions under this paragraph shall be effective 
     for any fiscal year only to the extent and in such amounts as 
     are approved in appropriations Acts for the costs of loan 
     guarantees (as defined in section 502 of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974), including the cost of modifying 
     loans.''.
       On page 93, after line 21, insert the following new 
     subsection.

     ``SEC.  .

       None of the funds provided in this Act may be obligated 
     after February 15, 1999, unless each department, agency, 
     corporation, and commission that receives funds herein 
     provides detailed justifications to the Committees on 
     Appropriations for all salary and expense activities for 
     Fiscal Years 1999 through 2003, including personnel 
     compensation and benefits, consulting costs, professional 
     services or technical service contracts regardless of the 
     dollar amount, contracting out costs, travel and other 
     standard object classifications for all headquarters offices, 
     regional offices, or field installations and laboratories, 
     including the number of full-time equivalents per office, and 
     the personnel compensation, benefits and travel costs for 
     each Secretary, assistant secretary or administrator.
       At the appropriate place, insert the following:
       Sec. ____. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of 
     the $1,250,000 made available pursuant to Public Law 102-389 
     for economic revitalization and infrastructure repair in 
     Montpelier, Vermont, $250,000 is available for the Central 
     Vermont Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Central 
     Vermont Community Action Council.
       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ____. ANNUAL REPORT ON MANAGEMENT DEFICIENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 203 of the National Housing Act 
     (12 U.S.C. 1709) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(w) Management Deficiencies Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on

[[Page S8412]]

     the plan of the Secretary to address each material weakness, 
     reportable condition, and noncompliance with an applicable 
     law or regulation (as defined by the Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget) identified in the most recent 
     audited financial statement of the Federal Housing 
     Administration submitted under section 3515 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       ``(2) Contents of annual report.--Each report submitted 
     under paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) an estimate of the resources, including staff, 
     information systems, and contract assistance, required to 
     address each material weakness, reportable condition, and 
     noncompliance with an applicable law or regulation described 
     in paragraph (1), and the costs associated with those 
     resources;
       ``(B) an estimated timetable for addressing each material 
     weakness, reportable condition, and noncompliance with an 
     applicable law or regulation described in paragraph (1); and
       ``(C) the progress of the Secretary in implementing the 
     plan of the Secretary included in the report submitted under 
     paragraph (1) for the preceding year, except that this 
     subparagraph does not apply to the initial report submitted 
     under paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Effect on Other Authority.--The Secretary of Housing 
     and Urban Development may not implement section 219 of this 
     Act before the date on which the Secretary submits the 
     initial report required under section 203(w) of the National 
     Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(w)), as added by subsection (a) 
     of this section.
       On page 85, after line 11, add the following:

                        Administrative Provision

     SEC. 301. COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY STUDY FOR FEDERALLY-
                   FUNDED RESEARCH.

       (A) Study.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Office of Management and Budget, may enter into an agreement 
     with the National Academy of Sciences for the Academy to 
     conduct a comprehensive study to develop methods for 
     evaluating Federally-funded research and development 
     programs. This study shall--
       (1) recommend processes to determine an acceptable level of 
     success for Federally-funded research and development 
     programs by--
       (A) describing the research process in the various 
     scientific and engineering disciplines;
       (B) describing in the different sciences what measures and 
     what criteria each community uses to evaluate the success or 
     failure of a program, and on what time scales these measure 
     are considered reliable--both for exploratory long-range work 
     and for short-range goals; and
       (C) recommending how these measures may be adapted for use 
     by the Federal government to evaluate Federally-funded 
     research and development programs;
       (2) assess the extent to which agencies incorporate 
     independent merit-based evaluation into the formulation of 
     the strategic plans of funding agencies and if the quantity 
     or quality of this type of input is unsatisfactory;
       (3) recommend mechanisms for identifying Federally-funded 
     research and development programs which are unsuccessful or 
     unproductive;
       (4) evaluate the extent to which independent, merit-based 
     evaluation of Federally-funded research and development 
     programs and projects achieves the goal of eliminating 
     unsuccessful or unproductive programs and projects; and
       (5) investigate and report on the validity of using 
     quantitative performance goals for aspects of programs which 
     relate to administrative management of the program and for 
     which such goals would be appropriate, including aspects 
     related to--
       (A) administrative burden on contractors and recipients of 
     financial assistance awards;
       (B) administrative burdens on external participants in 
     independent, merit-based evaluations;
       (C) cost and schedule control for construction projects 
     funded by the program;
       (D) the ratio of overhead costs of the program relative to 
     the amounts expended through the program for equipment and 
     direct funding of research; and
       (E) the timeliness of program responses to requests for 
     funding, participation, or equipment use.
       (b) Independent Merit-Based Evaluation Defined.--The term 
     ``independent merit-based evaluation'' means review of the 
     scientific or technical quality of research or development, 
     conducted by experts who are chosen for their knowledge of 
     scientific and technical fields relevant to the evaluation 
     and who--
       (1) in the case of the review of a program activity, do not 
     derive long-term support from the program activity; or
       (2) in the case of the review of a project proposal, are 
     not seeking funds in competition with the proposal.
       Insert at the appropriate place.

     SEC.  . INFORMED CONSUMER CHOICE.

       (a) Section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the 
     Secretary may not insure a mortgage unless the original 
     lender making the loan secured by that mortgage provided to 
     the prospective mortgagor a written notice that included (i) 
     a generic analysis comparing the note rate (and associated 
     interest payments), insurance premiums, and other costs and 
     fees that would be due over the life of the loan for a loan 
     insured by the Secretary under this subsection with the note 
     rates, insurance premiums (if applicable), and other costs 
     and fees that would be expected to be due if the mortgagor 
     obtained instead any of the mortgagor's 3 most frequently 
     employed structures for mortgage loans with a similar loan-
     to-value ratio in connection with a conventional mortgage (as 
     that term is used in section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home 
     Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) or 
     section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National Mortgage 
     Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), as 
     applicable), assuming prevailing interest rates; and (ii) a 
     statement regarding when the mortgagor's requirement to pay 
     the mortgage insurance premiums for a mortgage insured under 
     this section would terminate or a statement that the 
     requirement will terminate only if the mortgage is 
     refinanced, paid off, or otherwise terminated.''.
       (b) Annual Study by Comptroller General.--Section 203(b)(2) 
     of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``Not later than the expiration of a 1-year period 
     beginning on the effective date of this undesignated 
     paragraph and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall conduct and submit to the Committee 
     on Banking and Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs of the Senate, a study regarding the extent, 
     and cost to consumers, of steering by lenders to loans 
     insured by the Secretary under this subsection and the degree 
     to which lenders have complied with the requirements of this 
     subsection.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect immediately.
       At the appropriate place in title IV, insert the following:

     SEC. 4. LOW-INCOME HOUSING PRESERVATION AND RESIDENT 
                   HOMEOWNERSHIP.

       (a) Notice of Prepayment or Termination.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 212(b) of the Low-
     Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 
     1990 (12 U.S.C. 4102) or any other provision of law, during 
     fiscal year 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter, an owner of 
     eligible low-income housing (as defined in section 229 of the 
     Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership 
     Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4119) that intends to take any action 
     described in section 212(a) of the Low-Income Housing 
     Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 
     U.S.C. 4102(a)) shall, not less than 1 year before the date 
     on which the action is taken--
       (A) file a notice indicating that intent with the chief 
     executive officer of the appropriate State or local 
     government for the jurisdiction within which the housing is 
     located; and
       (B) provide each tenant of the housing with a copy of that 
     notice.
       (2) Exception.--The requirements of this subsection do not 
     apply in any case in which the prepayment or termination at 
     issue is necessary to effect conversion to ownership by a 
     priority purchaser (as defined in section 231(a) of the Low-
     Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 
     1990 (12 U.S.C. 4120(a)). The requirements of this subsection 
     do not apply where owners have provided, legal notice of 
     prepayment of termination as of July 7, 1998, under the terms 
     of current law.

                          ____________________