[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 25242-25291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2684, DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND 
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2000

  Mr. WALSH submitted the following conference report and statement on 
the bill (H.R. 2684) making appropriations for the Departments of 
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry 
independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes:

                  Conference Report (H. Rept. 106-379)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
     2684) ``making appropriations for the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and

[[Page 25243]]

     Urban Development, and for sundry independent agencies, 
     boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes'', 
     having met, after full and free conference, have agreed to 
     recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses as 
     follows:
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate, and agree to the same with an 
     amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said 
     amendment, insert:

     That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Departments 
     of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, 
     corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2000, and for other purposes, namely:

                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration


                       Compensation and Pensions

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of 
     veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as 
     authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 
     53, 55, and 61); pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans 
     as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 
     61; 92 Stat. 2508); and burial benefits, emergency and other 
     officers' retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and 
     certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial life 
     insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of Article 
     IV of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as 
     amended, and for other benefits as authorized by law (38 
     U.S.C. 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, 
     and 61; 50 U.S.C. App. 540-548; 43 Stat. 122, 123; 45 Stat. 
     735; 76 Stat. 1198), $21,568,364,000, to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $17,932,000 of 
     the amount appropriated shall be reimbursed to ``General 
     operating expenses'' and ``Medical care'' for necessary 
     expenses in implementing those provisions authorized in the 
     Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and in the 
     Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, 
     and 55), the funding source for which is specifically 
     provided as the ``Compensation and pensions'' appropriation: 
     Provided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 
     actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 
     ``Medical facilities revolving fund'' to augment the funding 
     of individual medical facilities for nursing home care 
     provided to pensioners as authorized.


                         Readjustment Benefits

       For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits 
     to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61, 
     $1,469,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That funds shall be available to pay any court order, court 
     award or any compromise settlement arising from litigation 
     involving the vocational training program authorized by 
     section 18 of Public Law 98-77, as amended.


                   Veterans Insurance and Indemnities

       For military and naval insurance, national service life 
     insurance, servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled 
     veterans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as 
     authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat. 
     487, $28,670,000, to remain available until expended.


         Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by 
     38 U.S.C. chapter 37, as amended: 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 during fiscal year 
     2000, within the resources available, not to exceed $300,000 
     in gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for 
     specially adapted housing loans.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct and guaranteed loan programs, $156,958,000, which may 
     be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


                  Education Loan Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. 3698, as amended: 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 $3,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $214,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


            Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $57,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 31, as amended: 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 $2,531,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $415,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


          Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan 
     program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter V, as 
     amended, $520,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.


  guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans program 
                                account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost, as defined in section 13201 of the Budget 
     Enforcement Act of 1990, including the cost of modifying 
     loans, of guaranteed loans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 
     37 subchapter VI, $48,250,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That no more than five loans may be 
     guaranteed under this program prior to November 11, 2001: 
     Provided further, That no more than fifteen loans may be 
     guaranteed under this program: Provided further, That the 
     total principal amount of loans guaranteed under this program 
     may not exceed $100,000,000: Provided further, That not to 
     exceed $750,000 of the amounts appropriated by this Act for 
     ``General operating expenses'' and ``Medical care'' may be 
     expended for the administrative expenses to carry out the 
     guaranteed loan program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, 
     subchapter VI.

                     Veterans Health Administration


                              Medical Care

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities; for 
     furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient 
     care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, including care and treatment in facilities 
     not under the jurisdiction of the Department; and furnishing 
     recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; funeral, 
     burial, and other expenses incidental thereto for 
     beneficiaries receiving care in the Department; 
     administrative expenses in support of planning, design, 
     project management, real property acquisition and 
     disposition, construction and renovation of any facility 
     under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department; 
     oversight, engineering and architectural activities not 
     charged to project cost; repairing, altering, improving or 
     providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes under 
     the jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise provided 
     for, either by contract or by the hire of temporary employees 
     and purchase of materials; uniforms or allowances therefor, 
     as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; aid to State homes as 
     authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1741; administrative and legal 
     expenses of the Department for collecting and recovering 
     amounts owed the Department as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 
     chapter 17, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act, 42 
     U.S.C. 2651 et seq.; and not to exceed $8,000,000 to fund 
     cost comparison studies as referred to in 38 U.S.C. 
     8110(a)(5), $19,006,000,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, 
     That of the funds made available under this heading, 
     $900,000,000 is for the equipment and land and structures 
     object classifications only, which amount shall not become 
     available for obligation until August 1, 2000, and shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2001: Provided further, 
     That of the funds made available under this heading, not to 
     exceed $900,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 
     2001: Provided further, That of the funds made available 
     under this heading, not to exceed $27,907,000 may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses'': Provided further, That the 
     Department shall conduct by contract a program of recovery 
     audits for the fee basis and other medical services contracts 
     with respect to payments for hospital care; and, 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302(b), amounts collected, by 
     setoff or otherwise, as the result of such audits shall be 
     available, without fiscal year limitation, for the purposes 
     for which funds are appropriated under this heading and the 
     purposes of paying a contractor a percent of the amount 
     collected as a result of an audit carried out by the 
     contractor: Provided further, That all amounts so collected 
     under the preceding proviso with respect to a designated 
     health care region (as that term is defined in 38 U.S.C. 
     1729A(d)(2)) shall be allocated, net of payments to the 
     contractor, to that region.
       In addition, in conformance with Public Law 105-33 
     establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care 
     Collections Fund, such sums as may be deposited to such Fund 
     pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1729A may be transferred to this 
     account, to remain available until expended for the purposes 
     of this account.


                    Medical and Prosthetic Research

       For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical 
     and prosthetic research and development as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 73, to remain available until September 30, 
     2001, $321,000,000, plus reimbursements.


      Medical Administration and Miscellaneous Operating Expenses

       For necessary expenses in the administration of the 
     medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 
     supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; 
     administrative expenses in support of capital policy 
     activities, $59,703,000 plus reimbursements: Provided, That 
     project technical and consulting services offered

[[Page 25244]]

     by the Facilities Management Service Delivery Office, 
     including technical consulting services, project management, 
     real property administration (including leases, site 
     acquisition and disposal activities directly supporting 
     projects), shall be provided to Department of Veterans 
     Affairs components only on a reimbursable basis, and such 
     amounts will remain available until September 30, 2000.


                   General Post Fund, National Homes

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $7,000, as authorized by 
     Public Law 102-54, section 8, which shall be transferred from 
     the ``General post fund'': 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 $70,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan programs, $54,000, which shall be transferred 
     from the ``General post fund'', as authorized by Public Law 
     102-54, section 8.

                      Departmental Administration


                       General Operating Expenses

       For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 
     uniforms or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 
     Services Administration for security guard services, and the 
     Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, 
     $912,594,000: Provided, That of the funds made available 
     under this heading, not to exceed $45,600,000 shall be 
     available until September 30, 2001: Provided further, That 
     funds under this heading shall be available to administer the 
     Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act.


                    National Cemetery Administration

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     the National Cemetery Administration, not otherwise provided 
     for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial 
     expenses as authorized by law; purchase of two passenger 
     motor vehicles for use in cemeterial operations; and hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, $97,256,000: Provided, That of the 
     amount made available under this heading, not to exceed 
     $117,000 may be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.


                      Office of Inspector General

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $43,200,000: Provided, That of the amount made 
     available under this heading, not to exceed $30,000 may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


                      Construction, Major Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes 
     set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 
     8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, 
     including planning, architectural and engineering services, 
     maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated 
     with equipment guarantees provided under the project, 
     services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm 
     drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, 
     where the estimated cost of a project is $4,000,000 or more 
     or where funds for a project were made available in a 
     previous major project appropriation, $65,140,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That except for advance 
     planning of projects (including market-based assessments of 
     health care needs which may or may not lead to capital 
     investments) funded through the advance planning fund and the 
     design of projects funded through the design fund, none of 
     these funds shall be used for any project which has not been 
     considered and approved by the Congress in the budgetary 
     process: Provided further, That funds provided in this 
     appropriation for fiscal year 2000, for each approved project 
     shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction 
     documents contract by September 30, 2000; and (2) by the 
     awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2001: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall promptly report in 
     writing to the Committees on Appropriations any approved 
     major construction project in which obligations are not 
     incurred within the time limitations established above: 
     Provided further, That no funds from any other account except 
     the ``Parking revolving fund'', may be obligated for 
     constructing, altering, extending, or improving a project 
     which was approved in the budget process and funded in this 
     account until 1 year after substantial completion and 
     beneficial occupancy by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
     the project or any part thereof with respect to that part 
     only.


                      Construction, Minor Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning, 
     architectural and engineering services, maintenance or 
     guarantee period services costs associated with equipment 
     guarantees provided under the project, services of claims 
     analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system 
     construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of the 
     purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 
     8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States 
     Code, where the estimated cost of a project is less than 
     $4,000,000, $160,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
     along with unobligated balances of previous ``Construction, 
     minor projects'' appropriations which are hereby made 
     available for any project where the estimated cost is less 
     than $4,000,000: Provided, That funds in this account shall 
     be available for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical 
     facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department which are necessary because of loss or damage 
     caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) 
     temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 
     further loss by such causes.


                         Parking Revolving Fund

       For the parking revolving fund as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     8109, income from fees collected, to remain available until 
     expended, which shall be available for all authorized 
     expenses except operations and maintenance costs, which will 
     be funded from ``Medical care''.


       Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities

       For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State 
     nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, 
     modify or alter existing hospital, nursing home and 
     domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing care to 
     veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8131-8137, $90,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended.


        Grants for the Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries

       For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or 
     improving State veteran cemeteries as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     2408, $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                       Administrative Provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 101. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2000 for 
     ``Compensation and pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' may be transferred to 
     any other of the mentioned appropriations.
       Sec. 102. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2000 for salaries and 
     expenses shall be available for services authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 103. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs (except the appropriations for 
     ``Construction, major projects'', ``Construction, minor 
     projects'', and the ``Parking revolving fund'') shall be 
     available for the purchase of any site for or toward the 
     construction of any new hospital or home.
       Sec. 104. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or 
     examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled 
     under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, and 
     persons receiving such treatment under 5 U.S.C. 7901-7904 or 
     42 U.S.C. 5141-5204), unless reimbursement of cost is made to 
     the ``Medical care'' account at such rates as may be fixed by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 105. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2000 for ``Compensation and 
     pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and ``Veterans 
     insurance and indemnities'' shall be available for payment of 
     prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law 
     against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last 
     quarter of fiscal year 1999.
       Sec. 106. Appropriations accounts available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2000 shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from title X of 
     the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public Law 100-86, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.
       Sec. 107. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 2000, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance 
     Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
     expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, 
     That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus 
     earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 
     2000, that are available for dividends in that program after 
     claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves 
     have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
     administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of 
     surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement 
     shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall determine the cost 
     of administration for fiscal year 2000, which is properly 
     allocable to the provision of each insurance program and to 
     the provision of any total disability income insurance 
     included in such insurance program.
       Sec. 108. (a) The Congress supports efforts to implement 
     improvements in health care services for veterans in rural 
     areas.
       (b) Report Required.--(1) Not later than 6 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on 
     the impact of the allocation of funds

[[Page 25245]]

     under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) 
     funding formula on the rural subregions of the health care 
     system administered by the Veterans Health Administration.
       (2) The report shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment of impact of the allocation of funds 
     under the VERA formula on--
       (i) travel times to veterans health care in rural areas;
       (ii) waiting periods for appointments for veterans health 
     care in rural areas;
       (iii) the cost associated with additional community-based 
     outpatient clinics;
       (iv) transportation costs; and
       (v) the unique challenges that Department of Veterans 
     Affairs medical centers in rural, low-population subregions 
     face in attempting to increase efficiency without large 
     economies of scale.
       (B) The recommendations of the Secretary, if any, on how 
     rural veterans' access to health care services might be 
     enhanced.
       Sec. 109. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a 
     major medical facility project to renovate and construct 
     facilities at the Olin E. Teague Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Medical Center, Temple, Texas, for a joint venture 
     Cardiovascular Institute, in an amount not to exceed 
     $11,500,000. In order to carry out that project, the amount 
     of $11,500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 1998 and 
     programmed for the renovation of Building 9 at the Waco, 
     Texas, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is 
     hereby made available for that project.
       Sec. 110. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
     none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in 
     this Act for the Medical Care appropriation of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs may be obligated for the realignment of 
     the health care delivery system in VISN 12 until 60 days 
     after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies that the 
     Department has: (1) consulted with veterans organizations, 
     medical school affiliates, employee representatives, State 
     veterans and health associations, and other interested 
     parties with respect to the realignment plan to be 
     implemented; and (2) made available to the Congress and the 
     public information from the consultations regarding possible 
     impacts on the accessibility of veterans health care services 
     to affected veterans.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                       Public and Indian Housing


                        Housing Certificate Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For activities and assistance to prevent the involuntary 
     displacement of low-income families, the elderly and the 
     disabled because of the loss of affordable housing stock, 
     expiration of subsidy contracts (other than contracts for 
     which amounts are provided under another heading in this Act) 
     or expiration of use restrictions, or other changes in 
     housing assistance arrangements, and for other purposes, 
     $11,376,695,000 and amounts that are recaptured in this 
     account, and recaptured under the appropriation for ``Annual 
     contributions for assisted housing'', to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That of the total amount provided 
     under this heading, $10,990,135,000, of which $6,790,135,000 
     shall be available on October 1, 1999 and $4,200,000,000 
     shall be available on October 1, 2000, shall be for 
     assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (``the 
     Act'' herein) (42 U.S.C. 1437) for use in connection with 
     expiring or terminating section 8 subsidy contracts, for 
     amendments to section 8 subsidy contracts, for enhanced 
     vouchers (including amendments and renewals) under any 
     provision of law authorizing such assistance under section 
     8(t) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (47 U.S.C. 
     1437f(t)), as added by section 538 of title V of this Act, 
     and contracts entered into pursuant to section 441 of the 
     Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act: Provided 
     further, That amounts available under the first proviso under 
     this heading may be available for section 8 rental assistance 
     under the United States Housing Act of 1937: (1) to relocate 
     residents of properties: (A) that are owned by the Secretary 
     and being disposed of; or (B) that are discontinuing section 
     8 project-based assistance; (2) for relocation and 
     replacement housing for units that are demolished or disposed 
     of: (A) from the public housing inventory (in addition to 
     amounts that may be available for such purposes under this 
     and other headings); or (B) pursuant to section 24 of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937 or to other authority for 
     the revitalization of severely distressed public housing, as 
     set forth in the Appropriations Acts for the Departments of 
     Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     Independent Agencies for fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, and 
     1997, and in the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and 
     Appropriations Act of 1996; (3) for the conversion of section 
     23 projects to assistance under section 8; (4) for funds to 
     carry out the family unification program; (5) for the 
     relocation of witnesses in connection with efforts to combat 
     crime in public and assisted housing pursuant to a request 
     from a law enforcement or prosecution agency; and (6) for the 
     1-year renewal of section 8 contracts for units in a project 
     that is subject to an approved plan of action under the 
     Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987 or the 
     Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership 
     Act of 1990: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     provided under this heading, $40,000,000 shall be made 
     available to nonelderly disabled families affected by the 
     designation of a public housing development under section 7 
     of such Act, the establishment of preferences in accordance 
     with section 651 of the Housing and Community Development Act 
     of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1361l), or the restriction of occupancy to 
     elderly families in accordance with section 658 of such Act, 
     and to the extent the Secretary determines that such amount 
     is not needed to fund applications for such affected 
     families, to other nonelderly disabled families: Provided 
     further, That amounts available under this heading may be 
     made available for administrative fees and other expenses to 
     cover the cost of administering rental assistance programs 
     under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937: 
     Provided further, That the fee otherwise authorized under 
     section 8(q) of such Act shall be determined in accordance 
     with section 8(q), as in effect immediately before the 
     enactment of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act 
     of 1998: Provided further, That all balances for the section 
     8 rental assistance, section 8 counseling, section 8 new 
     construction, section 8 substantial rehabilitation, 
     relocation/replacement/demolition, section 23 conversions, 
     rental and disaster vouchers, loan management set-aside, 
     section 514 technical assistance, and other programs 
     previously funded within the ``Annual Contributions'' account 
     shall be transferred to this account, to be available for the 
     purposes for which they were originally appropriated: 
     Provided further, That all balances in the ``Section 8 
     Reserve Preservation'' account shall be transferred to this 
     account, to be available for the purposes for which they were 
     originally appropriated: Provided further, That the 
     unexpended amounts previously appropriated for special 
     purpose grants within the ``Annual Contributions for Assisted 
     Housing'' account shall be recaptured and transferred to this 
     account, to be available for assistance under the Act for use 
     in connection with expiring or terminating section 8 subsidy 
     contracts: Provided further, That of the amounts previously 
     appropriated for property disposition within the ``Annual 
     Contributions for Assisted Housing'' account, up to 
     $79,000,000 shall be transferred to this account, to be 
     available for assistance under the Act for use in connection 
     with expiring or terminating section 8 subsidy contracts: 
     Provided further, That of the unexpended amounts previously 
     appropriated for carrying out the Low-Income Housing 
     Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 and the 
     Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987, other 
     than amounts made available for rental assistance, within the 
     ``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'' and 
     ``Preserving Existing Housing Investments'' accounts, shall 
     be recaptured and transferred to this account, to be 
     available for assistance under the Act for use in connection 
     with expiring or terminating section 8 subsidy contracts: 
     Provided further, That of the total amount provided under 
     this heading, $346,560,000 shall be made available for 
     incremental vouchers under section 8 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 on a fair share basis and administered by 
     public housing agencies: Provided further, That of the 
     balances remaining from funds appropriated under this heading 
     or the heading ``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'' 
     during fiscal year 2000 and prior years, $2,243,000,000 is 
     rescinded: Provided further, That of the amount rescinded 
     under the previous proviso, $1,300,000,000 shall be from 
     amounts recaptured and the Secretary shall have discretion to 
     specify the amounts to be rescinded from each of the 
     foregoing accounts, $505,000,000 shall be from unobligated 
     balances, and $438,000,000 shall be from amounts that were 
     appropriated in fiscal year 1999 and prior years for section 
     8 assistance including assistance to relocate residents of 
     properties that are owned by the Secretary and being disposed 
     of or that are discontinuing section 8 project-based 
     assistance, for relocation and replacement housing for units 
     that are demolished or disposed of from the public housing 
     inventory, and for enhanced vouchers as provided under the 
     ``Preserving Existing Housing Investment'' account in the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     1997 (Public Law 104-204).


                      Public Housing Capital Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the Public Housing Capital Fund Program to carry out 
     capital and management activities for public housing 
     agencies, as authorized under section 9 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437), 
     $2,900,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That of the total amount, up to $75,000,000 shall be for 
     carrying out activities under section 9(h) of such Act, and 
     for lease adjustments to section 23 projects: Provided 
     further, That no funds may be used under this heading for the 
     purposes specified in section 9(k) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937: Provided further, That of the total 
     amount, up to $75,000,000 shall be available for the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to 
     public housing agencies for emergency capital needs resulting 
     from emergencies and natural disasters in fiscal year 2000: 
     Provided further, That all balances for debt service for 
     Public and Indian Housing and Public and Indian Housing 
     Grants previously funded within the ``Annual Contributions 
     for Assisted Housing'' account shall be transferred to this 
     account, to be available for the purposes for which they were 
     originally appropriated.


                     Public Housing Operating Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For payments to public housing agencies for the operation 
     and management of public housing, as authorized by section 
     9(e) of the United

[[Page 25246]]

     States Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437g), 
     $3,138,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That no funds may be used under this heading for the purposes 
     specified in section 9(k) of the United States Housing Act of 
     1937.


             Drug Elimination Grants for Low-Income Housing

       For grants to public housing agencies and Indian tribes and 
     their tribally designated housing entities for use in 
     eliminating crime in public housing projects authorized by 42 
     U.S.C. 11901-11908, for grants for federally assisted low-
     income housing authorized by 42 U.S.C. 11909, and for drug 
     information clearinghouse services authorized by 42 U.S.C. 
     11921-11925, $310,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of the total amount provided under 
     this heading, up to $4,500,000 shall be solely for technical 
     assistance, technical assistance grants, training, and 
     program assessment for or on behalf of public housing 
     agencies, resident organizations, and Indian tribes and their 
     tribally designated housing entities (including up to 
     $150,000 for the cost of necessary travel for participants in 
     such training): Provided further, That of the amount provided 
     under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be used in connection 
     with efforts to combat violent crime in public and assisted 
     housing under the Operation Safe Home Program administered by 
     the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development: Provided further, That of the amount under this 
     heading, $10,000,000 shall be provided to the Office of 
     Inspector General for Operation Safe Home: Provided further, 
     That of the amount under this heading, $20,000,000 shall be 
     available for a program named the New Approach Anti-Drug 
     program which will provide competitive grants to entities 
     managing or operating public housing developments, federally 
     assisted multifamily housing developments, or other 
     multifamily housing developments for low-income families 
     supported by non-Federal governmental entities or similar 
     housing developments supported by nonprofit private sources 
     in order to provide or augment security (including personnel 
     costs), to assist in the investigation and/or prosecution of 
     drug related criminal activity in and around such 
     developments, and to provide assistance for the development 
     of capital improvements at such developments directly 
     relating to the security of such developments: Provided 
     further, That grants for the New Approach Anti-Drug program 
     shall be made on a competitive basis as specified in section 
     102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform 
     Act of 1989.


     Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing (Hope VI)

       For grants to public housing agencies for demolition, site 
     revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based 
     assistance grants to projects as authorized by section 24 of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937, $575,000,000 to remain 
     available until expended of which the Secretary may use up to 
     $10,000,000 for technical assistance and contract expertise, 
     to be provided directly or indirectly by grants, contracts or 
     cooperative agreements, including training and cost of 
     necessary travel for participants in such training, by or to 
     officials and employees of the Department and of public 
     housing agencies and to residents: Provided, That none of 
     such funds shall be used directly or indirectly by granting 
     competitive advantage in awards to settle litigation or pay 
     judgments, unless expressly permitted herein: Provided 
     further, That of the amount provided under this heading, 
     $1,200,000 shall be contracted through the Secretary to be 
     used by the Urban Institute to conduct an independent study 
     on the long-term effects of the HOPE VI program on former 
     residents of distressed public housing developments.


                  Native American Housing Block Grants

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the Native American Housing Block Grants program, as 
     authorized under title I of the Native American Housing 
     Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) 
     (Public Law 104-330), $620,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which $2,000,000 shall be contracted through the 
     Secretary as technical assistance and capacity building to be 
     used by the National American Indian Housing Council in 
     support of the implementation of NAHASDA and up to $4,000,000 
     by the Secretary to support the inspection of Indian housing 
     units, contract expertise, training, and technical assistance 
     in the oversight and management of Indian housing and tenant-
     based assistance, including up to $200,000 for related 
     travel: Provided, That of the amount provided under this 
     heading, $6,000,000 shall be made available for the cost of 
     guaranteed notes and other obligations, as authorized by 
     title VI of NAHASDA: Provided further, That such costs, 
     including the costs of modifying such notes and other 
     obligations, 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 the 
     total principal amount of any notes and other obligations, 
     any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to exceed 
     $54,600,000: Provided further, That for administrative 
     expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan program, up to 
     $200,000 from amounts in the first proviso, which shall be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``Salaries and expenses'', to be used only for the 
     administrative costs of these guarantees.


           Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by section 
     184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (106 
     Stat. 3739), $6,000,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That such costs, including the costs 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 total 
     loan principal, any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to 
     exceed $71,956,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     guaranteed loan program, up to $150,000 from amounts in the 
     first paragraph, which shall be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses'', to be 
     used only for the administrative costs of these guarantees.

                   Community Planning and Development


              Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

       For carrying out the Housing Opportunities for Persons with 
     AIDS program, as authorized by the AIDS Housing Opportunity 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 12901), $232,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may use up to 
     0.75 percent of the funds under this heading for technical 
     assistance.


                 Rural Housing and Economic Development

       For the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development in 
     the Department of Housing and Urban Development, $25,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the 
     amount under this heading, up to $3,000,000 shall be used to 
     develop capacity at the State and local level for developing 
     rural housing and for rural economic development and for 
     maintaining a clearinghouse of ideas for innovative 
     strategies for rural housing and economic development and 
     revitalization: Provided further, That of the amount under 
     this heading, at least $22,000,000 shall be awarded by June 
     1, 2000 to Indian tribes, State housing finance agencies, 
     State community and/or economic development agencies, local 
     rural nonprofits and community development corporations to 
     support innovative housing and economic development 
     activities in rural areas: Provided further, That all grants 
     shall be awarded on a competitive basis as specified in 
     section 102 of the HUD Reform Act.


         AMERICA'S PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans under the America's 
     Private Investment Companies Program, $20,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2002: Provided, That such 
     costs, including the cost of modifying 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 total loan principal, any part of 
     which is guaranteed, not to exceed $541,000,000: Provided 
     further, That the funds appropriated under this heading shall 
     not be available for obligation until the America's Private 
     Investment Companies Program is authorized by subsequent 
     legislation and the program is developed subject to notice 
     and comment rulemaking: Provided further, That if the 
     authorizing legislation is not enacted by June 30, 2000, all 
     funds under this heading shall be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for the ``Community development 
     financial institutions fund program account'' to be available 
     for use as grants and loans under that account.


                        Urban Empowerment Zones

       For grants in connection with a second round of the 
     empowerment zones program in urban areas, designated by the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in fiscal year 
     1999 pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, $55,000,000 
     to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for ``Urban 
     Empowerment Zones'', including $3,666,000 for each 
     empowerment zone for use in conjunction with economic 
     development activities consistent with the strategic plan of 
     each empowerment zone, to remain available until expended.


                        Rural Empowerment Zones

       For grants for the rural empowerment zone and enterprise 
     communities programs, as designated by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, $15,000,000 to the Secretary of Agriculture for 
     grants for designated empowerment zones in rural areas and 
     for grants for designated rural enterprise communities, to 
     remain available until expended.


                   Community Development Block Grants

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For grants to States and units of general local government 
     and for related expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out a community development grants program as 
     authorized by title I of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974, as amended (the ``Act'' herein) (42 
     U.S.C. 5301), $4,800,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2002: Provided, That $67,000,000 shall be for 
     grants to Indian tribes notwithstanding section 106(a)(1) of 
     such Act, $3,000,000 shall be available as a grant to the 
     Housing Assistance Council, $2,200,000 shall be available as 
     a grant to the National American Indian Housing Council, and 
     $41,500,000 shall be for grants pursuant to section 107 of 
     the Act including $2,000,000 to support Alaska Native serving 
     institutions and native Hawaiian serving institutions, as 
     defined under the Higher Education Act, as amended: Provided 
     further, That $20,000,000 shall be for grants pursuant to the 
     Self Help Housing Opportunity Program: Provided further, That 
     not to exceed 20 percent of any grant made with funds 
     appropriated herein (other than a grant made available in 
     this paragraph to the Housing Assistance Council or the 
     National American Indian Housing

[[Page 25247]]

     Council, or a grant using funds under section 107(b)(3) of 
     the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as 
     amended) shall be expended for ``Planning and Management 
     Development'' and ``Administration'' as defined in 
     regulations promulgated by the Department: Provided further, 
     That all balances for the Economic Development Initiative 
     grants program, the John Heinz Neighborhood Development 
     program, grants to Self Help Housing Opportunity program, and 
     the Moving to Work Demonstration program previously funded 
     within the ``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'' 
     account shall be transferred to this account, to be available 
     for the purposes for which they were originally appropriated.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $23,750,000 shall be made available for capacity building, of 
     which $20,000,000 shall be made available for ``Capacity 
     Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing,'' 
     for LISC and the Enterprise Foundation for activities as 
     authorized by section 4 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 
     (Public Law 103-120), as in effect immediately before June 
     12, 1997, with not less than $4,000,000 of the funding to be 
     used in rural areas, including tribal areas, and of which 
     $3,750,000 shall be made available to Habitat for Humanity 
     International.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may use up to 
     $55,000,000 for supportive services for public housing 
     residents, as authorized by section 34 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and for grants for service 
     coordinators and congregate services for the elderly and 
     disabled residents of public and assisted housing: Provided 
     further, That amounts made available for congregate services 
     and service coordinators for the elderly and disabled under 
     this heading and in prior fiscal years may be used by 
     grantees to reimburse themselves for costs incurred in 
     connection with providing service coordinators previously 
     advanced by grantees out of other funds due to delays in the 
     granting by or receipt of funds from the Secretary, and the 
     funds so made available to grantees for congregate services 
     or service coordinators under this heading or in prior years 
     shall be considered as expended by the grantees upon such 
     reimbursement. The Secretary shall not condition the 
     availability of funding made available under this heading or 
     in prior years for congregate services or service 
     coordinators upon any grantee's obligation or expenditure of 
     any prior funding.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $30,000,000 shall be available for neighborhood initiatives 
     that are utilized to improve the conditions of distressed and 
     blighted areas and neighborhoods, to stimulate investment, 
     economic diversification, and community revitalization in 
     areas with population outmigration or a stagnating or 
     declining economic base, or to determine whether housing 
     benefits can be integrated more effectively with welfare 
     reform initiatives: Provided, that any unobligated balances 
     of amounts set aside for neighborhood initiatives in fiscal 
     years 1998 and 1999 may be utilized for any of the foregoing 
     purposes: Provided further, That of the amount set aside for 
     fiscal year 2000 under this paragraph, $23,000,000 shall be 
     used for grants specified in the statement of the Managers of 
     the Committee of Conference accompanying this Act.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $30,000,000 shall be available for neighborhood initiatives.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, $42,500,000 shall 
     be available for YouthBuild program activities authorized by 
     subtitle D of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act, as amended, and such activities shall 
     be an eligible activity with respect to any funds made 
     available under this heading: Provided, That local YouthBuild 
     programs that demonstrate an ability to leverage private and 
     nonprofit funding shall be given a priority for YouthBuild 
     funding: Provided further, That of the amount provided under 
     this paragraph, $2,500,000 shall be set aside and made 
     available for a grant to Youthbuild USA for capacity building 
     for community development and affordable housing activities 
     as specified in section 4 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 
     1993, as amended.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $275,000,000 shall be available for grants for the Economic 
     Development Initiative (EDI) to finance a variety of economic 
     development efforts, including $240,000,000 for making 
     individual grants for targeted economic investments in 
     accordance with the terms and conditions specified for such 
     grants in the statement of the managers of the committee of 
     conference accompanying this Act.
       For the cost of guaranteed loans, $29,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 108 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974: 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 total loan principal, any part of which is to be 
     guaranteed, not to exceed $1,261,000,000, notwithstanding any 
     aggregate limitation on outstanding obligations guaranteed in 
     section 108(k) of the Housing and Community Development Act 
     of 1974: Provided further, That in addition, for 
     administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan 
     program, $1,000,000, which shall be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses''.
       The Secretary is directed to transfer the administration of 
     the small cities component of the Community Development Block 
     Grant Program for the funds allocated for the State of New 
     York under section 106(d) of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974 for fiscal year 2000 and all fiscal 
     years thereafter to the State of New York to be administered 
     by the Governor of New York.


                       Brownfields Redevelopment

       For Economic Development Grants, as authorized by section 
     108(q) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 
     as amended, for Brownfields redevelopment projects, 
     $25,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     make these grants available on a competitive basis as 
     specified in section 102 of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.


                  HOME Investment Partnerships Program

       For the HOME investment partnerships program, as authorized 
     under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act (Public Law 101-625), as amended, $1,600,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That up to 
     $15,000,000 of these funds shall be available for Housing 
     Counseling under section 106 of the Housing and Urban 
     Development Act of 1968: Provided further, That $2,000,000 of 
     these funds shall be made available as a grant to the 
     National Housing Development Corporation for a program of 
     housing acquisition and rehabilitation: Provided further, 
     That all Housing Counseling program balances previously 
     appropriated in the ``Housing Counseling Assistance'' account 
     shall be transferred to this account, to be available for the 
     purposes for which they were originally appropriated.


                       Homeless Assistance Grants

       For the emergency shelter grants program (as authorized 
     under subtitle B of title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney 
     Homeless Assistance Act, as amended); the supportive housing 
     program (as authorized under subtitle C of title IV of such 
     Act); the section 8 moderate rehabilitation single room 
     occupancy program (as authorized under the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended) to assist homeless 
     individuals pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. 
     McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; and the shelter plus care 
     program (as authorized under subtitle F of title IV of such 
     Act), $1,020,000,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That not less than 30 percent of these funds shall 
     be used for permanent housing, and all funding for services 
     must be matched by 25 percent in funding by each grantee: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development shall conduct a review of any balances of amounts 
     provided under this heading in any previous appropriations 
     Acts that have been obligated but remain unexpended and shall 
     deobligate any such amounts that the Secretary determines 
     were obligated for contracts that are unlikely to be 
     performed and award such amounts during this fiscal year: 
     Provided further, That up to 1 percent of the funds 
     appropriated under this heading may be used for technical 
     assistance: Provided further, That all balances previously 
     appropriated in the ``Emergency Shelter Grants'', 
     ``Supportive Housing'', ``Supplemental Assistance for 
     Facilities to Assist the Homeless'', ``Shelter Plus Care'', 
     ``Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy'', 
     and ``Innovative Homeless Initiatives Demonstration'' 
     accounts shall be transferred to and merged with this 
     account, to be available for any authorized purpose under 
     this heading.

                            Housing Programs


                    Housing for Special Populations

       For assistance for the purchase, construction, acquisition, 
     or development of additional public and subsidized housing 
     units for low income families not otherwise provided for, 
     $911,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That $710,000,000 shall be for capital advances, including 
     amendments to capital advance contracts, for housing for the 
     elderly, as authorized by section 202 of the Housing Act of 
     1959, as amended, and for project rental assistance, and 
     amendments to contracts for project rental assistance, for 
     the elderly under such section 202(c)(2), and for supportive 
     services associated with the housing of which amount 
     $50,000,000 shall be for service coordinators and 
     continuation of existing congregate services grants for 
     residents of assisted housing projects, and of which amount 
     $50,000,000 shall be for grants for conversion of existing 
     section 202 projects, or portions thereof, to assisted living 
     or related use, consistent with the relevant provision of 
     title V of this Act: Provided further, That of the amount 
     under this heading, $201,000,000 shall be for capital 
     advances, including amendments to capital advance contracts, 
     for supportive housing for persons with disabilities, as 
     authorized by section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act, for project rental assistance, for 
     amendments to contracts for project rental assistance, and 
     supportive services associated with the housing for persons 
     with disabilities as authorized by section 811 of such Act: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary may designate up to 25 
     percent of the amounts earmarked under this paragraph for 
     section 811 of such Act for tenant-based assistance, as 
     authorized under that section, including such authority as 
     may be waived under the next proviso, which assistance is 
     five years in duration: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     may waive any provision of such section 202 and such section 
     811 (including the provisions governing the terms and 
     conditions of project rental assistance and tenant-based 
     assistance) that the Secretary

[[Page 25248]]

     determines is not necessary to achieve the objectives of 
     these programs, or that otherwise impedes the ability to 
     develop, operate or administer projects assisted under these 
     programs, and may make provision for alternative conditions 
     or terms where appropriate.


                         Flexible Subsidy Fund

                          (transfer of funds)

       From the Rental Housing Assistance Fund, all uncommitted 
     balances of excess rental charges as of September 30, 1999, 
     and any collections made during fiscal year 2000, shall be 
     transferred to the Flexible Subsidy Fund, as authorized by 
     section 236(g) of the National Housing Act, as amended.

                     Federal Housing Administration


             FHA--Mutual Mortgage Insurance Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       During fiscal year 2000, commitments to guarantee loans to 
     carry out the purposes of section 203(b) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed a loan principal of 
     $140,000,000,000.
       During fiscal year 2000, obligations to make direct loans 
     to carry out the purposes of section 204(g) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed $100,000,000: 
     Provided, That the foregoing amount shall be for loans to 
     nonprofit and governmental entities in connection with sales 
     of single family real properties owned by the Secretary and 
     formerly insured under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed and direct loan program, $330,888,000, of which 
     not to exceed $324,866,000 shall be transferred to the 
     appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses''; not to exceed 
     $4,022,000 shall be transferred to the appropriation for the 
     Office of Inspector General. In addition, for administrative 
     contract expenses, $160,000,000: Provided, That to the extent 
     guaranteed loan commitments exceed $49,664,000,000 on or 
     before April 1, 2000, an additional $1,400 for administrative 
     contract expenses shall be available for each $1,000,000 in 
     additional guaranteed loan commitments (including a pro rata 
     amount for any amount below $1,000,000), but in no case shall 
     funds made available by this proviso exceed $16,000,000.


             FHA--General and Special Risk Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by sections 
     238 and 519 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-3 
     and 1735c), including the cost of loan guarantee 
     modifications (as that term is defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended), $153,000,000, 
     including not to exceed $153,000,000 from unobligated 
     balances previously appropriated under this heading, to 
     remain available until expended: Provided, That these funds 
     are available to subsidize total loan principal, any part of 
     which is to be guaranteed, of up to $18,100,000,000: Provided 
     further, That any amounts made available in any prior 
     appropriations Act for the cost (as such term is defined in 
     section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of 
     guaranteed loans that are obligations of the funds 
     established under section 238 or 519 of the National Housing 
     Act that have not been obligated or that are deobligated 
     shall be available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development in connection with the making of such guarantees 
     and shall remain available until expended, notwithstanding 
     the expiration of any period of availability otherwise 
     applicable to such amounts.
       Gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, 
     as authorized by sections 204(g), 207(l), 238, and 519(a) of 
     the National Housing Act, shall not exceed $50,000,000; of 
     which not to exceed $30,000,000 shall be for bridge financing 
     in connection with the sale of multifamily real properties 
     owned by the Secretary and formerly insured under such Act; 
     and of which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for loans to 
     nonprofit and governmental entities in connection with the 
     sale of single-family real properties owned by the Secretary 
     and formerly insured under such Act.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the guaranteed and direct loan programs, $211,455,000 
     (including not to exceed $147,000,000 from unobligated 
     balances previously appropriated under this heading), of 
     which $193,134,000, shall be transferred to the appropriation 
     for ``Salaries and expenses''; and of which $18,321,000 shall 
     be transferred to the appropriation for the Office of 
     Inspector General. In addition, for administrative contract 
     expenses necessary to carry out the guaranteed and direct 
     loan programs, $144,000,000: Provided, That to the extent 
     guaranteed loan commitments exceed $7,263,000,000 on or 
     before April 1, 2000, an additional $19,800 for 
     administrative contract expenses shall be available for each 
     $1,000,000 in additional guaranteed loan commitments over 
     $7,263,000,000 (including a pro rata amount for any increment 
     below $1,000,000), but in no case shall funds made available 
     by this proviso exceed $14,400,000.

                Government National Mortgage Association


Guarantees of Mortgage-Backed Securities Loan Guarantee Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       During fiscal year 2000, new commitments to issue 
     guarantees to carry out the purposes of section 306 of the 
     National Housing Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)), shall 
     not exceed $200,000,000,000.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed mortgage-backed securities program, $9,383,000 to 
     be derived from the GNMA guarantees of mortgage-backed 
     securities guaranteed loan receipt account, of which not to 
     exceed $9,383,000 shall be transferred to the appropriation 
     for departmental ``Salaries and expenses''.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        Research and Technology

       For contracts, grants, and necessary expenses of programs 
     of research and studies relating to housing and urban 
     problems, not otherwise provided for, as authorized by title 
     V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, as 
     amended (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 et seq.), including carrying out 
     the functions of the Secretary under section 1(a)(1)(i) of 
     Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1968, $45,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2001: Provided, That of the 
     amount provided under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be for 
     the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) 
     Initiative and $500,000 shall be for a commission established 
     in section 525 of title V of this Act.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        Fair Housing Activities

       For contracts, grants, and other assistance, not otherwise 
     provided for, as authorized by title VIII of the Civil Rights 
     Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 
     1988, and section 561 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1987, as amended, $44,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2001, of which $24,000,000 
     shall be to carry out activities pursuant to such section 
     561: Provided, That no funds made available under this 
     heading shall be used to lobby the executive or legislative 
     branches of the Federal Government in connection with a 
     specific contract, grant or loan.

                     Office of Lead Hazard Control


                         Lead Hazard Reduction

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, as authorized by 
     sections 1011 and 1053 of the Residential Lead-Based Hazard 
     Reduction Act of 1992, $80,000,000 to remain available until 
     expended, of which $1,000,000 shall be for CLEARCorps and 
     $10,000,000 shall be for a Healthy Homes Initiative, which 
     shall be a program pursuant to sections 501 and 502 of the 
     Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 that shall include 
     research, studies, testing, and demonstration efforts, 
     including education and outreach concerning lead-based paint 
     poisoning and other housing-related environmental diseases 
     and hazards: Provided, That all balances for the Lead Hazard 
     Reduction Programs previously funded in the Annual 
     Contributions for Assisted Housing and Community Development 
     Block Grant accounts shall be transferred to this account, to 
     be available for the purposes for which they were originally 
     appropriated.

                     Management and Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary administrative and non-administrative 
     expenses of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
     not otherwise provided for, including not to exceed $7,000 
     for official reception and representation expenses, 
     $1,005,733,000, of which $518,000,000 shall be provided from 
     the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration, 
     $9,383,000 shall be provided from funds of the Government 
     National Mortgage Association, $1,000,000 shall be provided 
     from the ``Community development block grants program'' 
     account, $150,000 shall be provided by transfer from the 
     ``Title VI indian federal guarantees program'' account, and 
     $200,000 shall be provided by transfer from the ``Indian 
     housing loan guarantee fund program'' account: Provided, That 
     the Secretary is prohibited from using any funds under this 
     heading or any other heading in this Act from employing more 
     than 77 schedule C and 20 noncareer Senior Executive Service 
     employees: Provided further, That the Secretary is prohibited 
     from using funds under this heading or any other heading in 
     this Act to employ more than 9,300 employees: Provided 
     further, That the Secretary is prohibited from using funds 
     under this heading or any other heading in this Act to 
     convert any external community builders to career employees, 
     and after September 1, 2000 to employ any external community 
     builders: Provided further, That the Secretary is prohibited 
     from using funds under this heading or any other heading in 
     this Act to employ more than 14 employees in the Office of 
     Public Affairs: Provided further, That of the amount made 
     available under this heading, $2,000,000 shall be for the 
     Millennial Housing Commission as established under section 
     206.


                      Office of Inspector General

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $83,000,000, of which $22,343,000 shall be provided 
     from the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration 
     and $10,000,000 shall be provided from the amount earmarked 
     for Operation Safe Home in the appropriation for ``Drug 
     elimination grants for low-income housing'': Provided, That 
     the Inspector General shall have independent authority over 
     all personnel issues within the Office of Inspector General.

             Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial 
     Safety and Soundness Act of

[[Page 25249]]

     1992, including not to exceed $500 for official reception and 
     representation expenses, $19,493,000, to remain available 
     until expended, to be derived from the Federal Housing 
     Enterprise Oversight Fund: Provided, That not to exceed such 
     amount shall be available from the General Fund of the 
     Treasury to the extent necessary to incur obligations and 
     make expenditures pending the receipt of collections to the 
     Fund: Provided further, That the General Fund amount shall be 
     reduced as collections are received during the fiscal year so 
     as to result in a final appropriation from the General Fund 
     estimated at not more than $0.


                       Administrative Provisions

                      Financing Adjustment Factors

       Sec. 201. Fifty percent of the amounts of budget authority, 
     or in lieu thereof 50 percent of the cash amounts associated 
     with such budget authority, that are recaptured from projects 
     described in section 1012(a) of the Stewart B. McKinney 
     Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-
     628, 102 Stat. 3224, 3268) shall be rescinded, or in the case 
     of cash, shall be remitted to the Treasury, and such amounts 
     of budget authority or cash recaptured and not rescinded or 
     remitted to the Treasury shall be used by State housing 
     finance agencies or local governments or local housing 
     agencies with projects approved by the Secretary of Housing 
     and Urban Development for which settlement occurred after 
     January 1, 1992, in accordance with such section. 
     Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Secretary may 
     award up to 15 percent of the budget authority or cash 
     recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the Treasury to 
     provide project owners with incentives to refinance their 
     project at a lower interest rate.


                      Fair Housing and Free Speech

       Sec. 202. None of the amounts made available under this Act 
     may be used during fiscal year 2000 to investigate or 
     prosecute under the Fair Housing Act any otherwise lawful 
     activity engaged in by one or more persons, including the 
     filing or maintaining of a nonfrivolous legal action, that is 
     engaged in solely for the purpose of achieving or preventing 
     action by a government official or entity, or a court of 
     competent jurisdiction.


           Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Grants

       Sec. 203. Section 207 of the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, is amended by striking 
     wherever it occurs ``fiscal year 1999'' and inserting 
     ``fiscal years 1999 and 2000''.


                             reprogramming

       Sec. 204. Of the amounts made available under the sixth 
     undesignated paragraph under the heading ``Community Planning 
     and Development--community development block grants'' in 
     title II of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing 
     and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-276; 112 Stat. 2477) 
     for the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) for grants for 
     targeted economic investments, the $1,000,000 to be made 
     available (pursuant to the related provisions of the joint 
     explanatory statement in the conference report to accompany 
     such Act (Report 105-769, 105th Congress, 2d Session)) to the 
     City of Redlands, California, for the redevelopment 
     initiatives near the historic Fox Theater shall, 
     notwithstanding such provisions, be made available to such 
     City for the following purposes:
       (1) $700,000 shall be for renovation of the City of 
     Redlands Fire Station No. 1;
       (2) $200,000 shall be for renovation of the Mission Gables 
     House at the Redlands Bowl historic outdoor amphitheater; and
       (3) $100,000 shall be for the preservation of historic 
     Hillside Cemetery.


 Adjustments to Income Eligibility for Unusually High or Low Families 
                      Incomes in Assisted Housing

       Sec. 205. Section 16 of the United States Housing Act of 
     1937 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting before the period 
     the following: ``; except that the Secretary may establish 
     income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area 
     median income on the basis of the Secretary's findings that 
     such variations are necessary because of unusually high or 
     low family incomes''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting before the period 
     the following: ``; except that the Secretary may establish 
     income ceilings higher or lower than 30 percent of the area 
     median income on the basis of the Secretary's findings that 
     such variations are necessary because of unusually high or 
     low family incomes''.


                     millennial housing commission

       Sec. 206. (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established a 
     commission to be known as the Millennial Housing Commission 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Commission''.
       (b) Study.--The duty of the Commission shall be to conduct 
     a study that examines, analyzes, and explores--
       (1) the importance of housing, particularly affordable 
     housing which includes housing for the elderly, to the 
     infrastructure of the United States;
       (2) the various possible methods for increasing the role of 
     the private sector in providing affordable housing in the 
     United States, including the effectiveness and efficiency of 
     such methods; and
       (3) whether the existing programs of the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development work in conjunction with one 
     another to provide better housing opportunities for families, 
     neighborhoods, and communities, and how such programs can be 
     improved with respect to such purpose.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 22 members, appointed not later than January 1, 
     2000, as follows:
       (A) Two co-chairpersons appointed by--
       (i) one co-chairperson appointed by a committee consisting 
     of the chairmen of the Subcommittees on the Departments of 
     Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     Independent Agencies of the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the chairman 
     of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunities of 
     the House of Representatives and the chairman of the 
     Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation of the Senate; and
       (ii) one co-chairperson appointed by a committee consisting 
     of the ranking minority members of the Subcommittees on the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate, and the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee 
     on Housing and Community Opportunities of the House of 
     Representatives and the ranking minority member of the 
     Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation of the Senate.
       (B) Ten members appointed by the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Banking and Financial 
     Services of the House of Representatives.
       (C) Ten members appointed by the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate and the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Qualifications.--Appointees should have proven 
     expertise in directing, assemblying, or applying capital 
     resources from a variety of sources to the successful 
     development of affordable housing or the revitalization of 
     communities, including economic and job development.
       (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Commission shall not 
     affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which 
     the original appointment was made.
       (4) Chairpersons.--The members appointed pursuant to 
     paragraph (1)(A) shall serve as co-chairpersons of the 
     Commission.
       (5) Prohibition of pay.--Members of the Commission shall 
     serve without pay.
       (6) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall 
     receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (7) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 
     hearings.
       (8) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairpersons.
       (d) Director and Staff.--
       (1) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who 
     shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The Director shall be 
     paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable 
     for level V of the Executive Schedule.
       (2) Staff.--The Commission may appoint personnel as 
     appropriate. The staff of the Commission shall be appointed 
     subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall 
     be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates.
       (3) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure 
     temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not 
     to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of 
     basic pay payable for the General Schedule.
       (4) Staff of federal agencies.--Upon request of the 
     Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may 
     detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that 
     department or agency to the Commission to assist it in 
     carrying out its duties under this Act.
       (e) Powers.--
       (1) Hearings and sessions.--The Commission may, for the 
     purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and 
     act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
     as the Commission considers appropriate.
       (2) Powers of members and agents.--Any member or agent of 
     the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any 
     action which the Commission is authorized to take by this 
     section.
       (3) Obtaining official data.--The Commission may secure 
     directly from any department or agency of the United States 
     information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. 
     Upon request of the Chairpersons of the Commission, the head 
     of that department or agency shall furnish that information 
     to the Commission.
       (4) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may 
     accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of 
     services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose 
     of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, 
     bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of 
     other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall 
     be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for 
     disbursement upon order of the Commission.
       (5) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
     in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
     departments and agencies of the United States.

[[Page 25250]]

       (6) Administrative support services.--Upon the request of 
     the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall 
     provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Commission 
     to carry out its responsibilities under this section.
       (7) Contract Authority.--The Commission may contract with 
     and compensate government and private agencies or persons for 
     services, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised 
     Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).
       (f) Report.--The Commission shall submit to the Committees 
     on Appropriations and Banking and Financial Services of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations 
     and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a final 
     report not later than March 1, 2002. The report shall contain 
     a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the 
     Commission with respect to the study conducted under 
     subsection (b), together with its recommendations for 
     legislation, administrative actions, and any other actions 
     the Commission considers appropriate.
       (g) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on June 
     30, 2002. section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of 
     advisory committees) shall not apply to the Commission.


                        fha technical correction

       Sec. 207. Section 203(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the National Housing 
     Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by adding before 
     ``48 percent'' the following: ``the greater of the dollar 
     amount limitation in effect under this section for the area 
     on the date of the enactment of the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999 or''.


                              rescissions

       Sec. 208. Of the balances remaining from funds appropriated 
     to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Public 
     Law 105-65 and prior appropriations Acts, $74,400,000 is 
     rescinded: Provided, That the amount rescinded shall be 
     comprised of--
       (1) $30,552,000 of the amounts that were appropriated for 
     the modernization of public housing unit; under the heading 
     ``Annual contributions for assisted housing'', including an 
     amount equal to the amount transferred from such account to, 
     and merged with amounts under the heading ``Public housing 
     capital fund'';
       (2) $3,048,000 of the amounts from which no disbursements 
     have been made within five successive fiscal years beginning 
     after September 30, 1993, that were appropriated under the 
     heading ``Annual contributions for assisted housing'', 
     including an amount equal to the amount transferred from such 
     account to the account under the heading ``Housing 
     certificate fund'';
       (3) $22,975,000 of amounts appropriated for homeownership 
     assistance under section 235(r) of the National Housing Act, 
     including $6,875,000 appropriated in Public Law 103-327 
     (approved September 28, 1994, 104 Stat. 2305) for such 
     purposes;
       (4) $11,400,000 of the amounts appropriated for the 
     Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere programs 
     (HOPE programs), as authorized by the Cranston-Gonzalez 
     National Affordable Housing Act; and
       (5) $6,400,000 of the balances remaining in the account 
     under the heading ``Nonprofit Sponsor Assistance Account''.


                  grant for national cities in schools

       Sec. 209. For a grant to the National Cities in Schools 
     Community Development program under section 930 of the 
     Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, $5,000,000.


                      moving to work demonstration

       Sec. 210. For the Jobs-Plus Initiative of the Moving to 
     Work Demonstration, $5,000,000 to cover the cost of rent-
     based work incentives to families in selected public housing 
     developments, who shall be encouraged to go to work under 
     work incentive plans approved by the Secretary and carefully 
     tracked as part of the research and demonstration effort.


                                repealer

       Sec. 211. Section 218 of Public Law 104-204 is repealed.


             FHA Administrative Contract Expense Authority

       Sec. 212. Section 1 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1702) is amended by inserting the following new sentence 
     after the first proviso: ``Except with respect to title III, 
     for the purposes of this section, the term 
     ``nonadministrative'' shall not include contract expenses 
     that are not capitalized or routinely deducted from the 
     proceeds of sales, and such expenses shall not be payable 
     from funds made available by this Act.''.


                         Full Payment of Claims

       Sec. 213. (a) Section 541 of the National Housing Act is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending the heading to read as follows: ``partial 
     payment of claims on defaulted mortgages and in connection 
     with mortgage restructuring''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``partial payment of the 
     claim under the mortgage insurance contract'' and inserting, 
     ``partial or full payment of claim under one or more mortgage 
     insurance contracts''.
       (b) Section 517 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform 
     and Affordability Act of 1997 is amended by adding a new 
     subsection (a)(6) to read as follows: ``(6) The second 
     mortgage under this section may be a first mortgage if no 
     restructured or new first mortgage will meet the requirement 
     of paragraph (1)(A).''.


              Availability of Income Matching Information

       Sec. 214. (a) Section 3(f) of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a), as amended by section 508(d)(1) of 
     the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, is 
     further amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) after the first appearance of ``public housing 
     agency'', by inserting ``, or the owner responsible for 
     determining the participant's eligibility or level of 
     benefits,''; and
       (B) after ``as applicable'', by inserting ``, or to the 
     owner responsible for determining the participant's 
     eligibility or level of benefits''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and 
     inserting ``, or''; and
       (C) by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) for which project-based assistance is provided under 
     section 8, section 202, or section 811.''.
       (b) Section 904(b) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 3544), as 
     amended by section 508(d)(2) of the Quality Housing and Work 
     Responsibility Act of 1998, is further amended in paragraph 
     (4)--
       (1) by inserting after ``public housing agency'' the first 
     time it appears the following: ``, or the owner responsible 
     for determining the participant's eligibility or level of 
     benefits,''; and
       (2) by striking ``the public housing agency verifying 
     income'' and inserting ``verifying income''.


 Exemption for Alaska and Mississippi From Requirement of Resident on 
                                 Board

       Sec. 215. Public housing agencies in the states of Alaska 
     and Mississippi shall not be required to comply with section 
     2(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 
     during fiscal year 2000.


          ADMINISTRATION OF THE CDBG PROGRAM BY NEW YORK STATE

       Sec. 216. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall transfer on the date of the enactment of this Act the 
     administration of the Small Cities component of the Community 
     Development Block Grants program for all funds allocated for 
     the State of New York under section 106(d) of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1974 for fiscal year 2000 and 
     all fiscal years thereafter, to the State of New York to be 
     administered by the Governor of such State.


                         SECTION 202 EXEMPTION

       Sec. 217. Notwithstanding section 202 of the Housing Act of 
     1959 or any other provision of law, Peggy A. Burgin may not 
     be disqualified on the basis of age from residing at Clark's 
     Landing in Groton, Vermont.


                    Darlinton Preservation Amendment

       Sec. 218. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon 
     prepayment of the FHA-insured Section 236 mortgage, the 
     Secretary shall continue to provide interest reduction 
     payment in accordance with the existing amortization schedule 
     for Darlinton Manor Apartments, a 100-unit project located at 
     606 North 5th Street, Bozemen, Montana, which will continue 
     as affordable housing pursuant to a use agreement with the 
     State of Montana.


                         RISK-SHARING PRIORITY

       Sec. 219. Section 517(b)(3) of the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 is amended by inserting 
     after ``1992.'' the following: ``The Secretary shall use 
     risk-shared financing under section 542(c) of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1992 for any mortgage 
     restructuring, rehabilitation financing, or debt refinancing 
     included as part of a mortgage restructuring and rental 
     assistance sufficiency plan if the terms and conditions are 
     considered to be the best available financing in terms of 
     financial savings to the FHA insurance funds and will result 
     in reduced risk of loss to the Federal Government.''.


      TREATMENT OF EXPIRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE GRANTS

       Sec. 220. (a) Availability.--Notwithstanding section 1552 
     of title 31, United States Code, the grant amounts identified 
     in subsection (b) shall remain available to the grantees for 
     the purposes for which such amounts were obligated through 
     September 30, 2000.
       (b) Grants.--The grant amounts identified in this 
     subsection are the amounts provided under the following 
     grants made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     under the economic development initiative under section 
     108(q) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 
     (42 U.S.C. 5308(q)):
       (1) The grant for Miami, Florida, designated as B-92-ED-12-
     013.
       (2) The grant for Miami Beach, Florida, designated as B-92-
     ED-12-014.
       (c) Effective Date.--This section shall be considered to 
     have taken effect on September 30, 1999. The Secretary of the 
     Treasury and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall take such actions as may be necessary to carry out this 
     section, notwithstanding any actions taken previously 
     pursuant to section 1552 of title 31, United States Code.


        USE OF TRUSTS WITH REGARD TO COOPERATIVE HOUSING Section

       Sec. 221. Section 213(a) of the National Housing Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1715e(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new sentence: ``Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to prevent membership in a nonprofit housing 
     cooperative from being held in the name of a trust, the 
     beneficiary of which shall occupy the dwelling unit in 
     accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary.''.

[[Page 25251]]




                       grant technical correction

       Sec. 222. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     amount made available under the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 (Public Law 101-507) for a 
     special purpose grant under section 107 of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1974 to the County of Hawaii for 
     the purpose of an environmental impact statement for the 
     development of a water resource system in Kohala, Hawaii, 
     that is unobligated on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     may be used to fund water system improvements, including 
     exploratory wells, well drillings, pipeline replacements, 
     water system planning and design, and booster pump and 
     reservoir development.


                   reuse of certain budget authority

       Sec. 223. section 8(z) of the United States Housing Act of 
     1937 is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by inserting after ``on account of'' the following: 
     ``expiration or''; and
       (B) by striking the parenthetical phrase; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (3).


                           SECTION 108 WAIVER

       Sec. 224. With respect to the $6,700,000 commitment in 
     connection with guaranteed obligations for the Sandtown-
     Winchester Home Ownership Zone under section 108 of the 
     Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Secretary 
     shall not require security in excess of that authorized under 
     section 108(d)(1)(B).


                            HOPWA TECHNICAL

       Sec. 225. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     the amount allocated for fiscal year 2000, and the amounts 
     that would otherwise be allocated for fiscal year 2001, to 
     the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on behalf of the 
     Philadelphia, PA-NJ Primary Metropolitan Area (hereafter 
     ``metropolitan area''), under section 854(c) of the AIDS 
     Housing Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 12903(c)), the Secretary 
     of Housing and Urban Development shall adjust such amounts by 
     allocating to the State of New Jersey the proportion of the 
     metropolitan area's amount that is based on the number of 
     cases of AIDS reported in the portion of the metropolitan 
     area that is located in New Jersey.
       (b) The State of New Jersey shall use amounts allocated to 
     the state under this section to carry out eligible activities 
     under section 855 of the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12904) in the portion of the metropolitan area that is 
     located in New Jersey.

                    TITLE III--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  American Battle Monuments Commission


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the 
     American Battle Monuments Commission, including the 
     acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; 
     purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national 
     cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its 
     territories and possessions; rent of office and garage space 
     in foreign countries; purchase (one for replacement only) and 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; and insurance of official 
     motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of 
     such countries, $28,467,000, to remain available until 
     expended.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses in carrying out activities pursuant 
     to section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act, including hire of 
     passenger vehicles, and for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem 
     equivalent to the maximum rate payable for senior level 
     positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376, $8,000,000: Provided, That the 
     Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board shall have not 
     more than three career Senior Executive Service positions.

                       Department of the Treasury

              Community Development Financial Institutions

              community development financial institutions

                          fund program account

       For grants, loans, and technical assistance to qualifying 
     community development lenders, and administrative expenses of 
     the Fund, including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but 
     at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate 
     equivalent to the rate for ES-3, $95,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2001, of which up to $7,860,000 
     may be used for administrative expenses, up to $16,500,000 
     may be used for the cost of direct loans, and up to 
     $1,000,000 may be used for administrative expenses to carry 
     out the direct loan program: Provided, That the cost of 
     direct loans, including the cost of modifying such loans, 
     shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $53,140,000: Provided 
     further, That not more than $30,000,000 of the funds made 
     available under this heading may be used for programs and 
     activities authorized in section 114 of the Community 
     Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.

                   Consumer Product Safety Commission


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Product Safety 
     Commission, including hire of passenger motor vehicles, 
     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 under 5 U.S.C. 5376, purchase of nominal 
     awards to recognize non-Federal officials' contributions to 
     Commission activities, and not to exceed $500 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $49,000,000.

             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.), 
     $434,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2000: 
     Provided, That not more than $28,500,000 shall be available 
     for administrative expenses authorized under section 
     501(a)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12671(a)(4)) with not less 
     than $1,500,000 targeted to administrative needs, not 
     including salaries and expenses, identified as urgent by the 
     Corporation without regard to the provisions of section 
     501(a)(4)(B) of the Act: 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 $234,000,000 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 $45,000,000 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 
     $7,500,000 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 $18,000,000 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 
     $28,500,000 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: Provided further, That of amounts available in the 
     National Service Trust account from previous appropriations 
     acts, $80,000,000 shall be rescinded.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $4,000,000.

                       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. 
     7251-7298, $11,450,000, of which $910,000, shall be available 
     for the purpose of providing financial assistance as de 
     scribed, and in accordance with the process and reporting 
     procedures set forth, 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 one passenger motor vehicle for 
     replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $12,473,000, 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

[[Page 25252]]

     (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, $645,000,000, which shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2001: Provided, That the 
     obligated balance of sums available in this account shall 
     remain available through September 30, 2008 for liquidating 
     obligations made in fiscal years 2000 and 2001: Provided 
     further, That the obligated balance of funds transferred to 
     this account in Public Law 105-276 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, $1,900,000,000, which shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2001: Provided, That the obligated balance of 
     such sums shall remain available through September 30, 2008 
     for liquidating obligations made in fiscal years 2000 and 
     2001: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated 
     by this Act shall be used to propose or issue rules, 
     regulations, decrees, or orders for the purpose of 
     implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the 
     Kyoto Protocol which was adopted on December 11, 1997, in 
     Kyoto, Japan at the Third Conference of the Parties to the 
     United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which 
     has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent 
     to ratification pursuant to article II, section 2, clause 2, 
     of the United States Constitution, and which has not entered 
     into force pursuant to article 25 of the Protocol: Provided 
     further, That none of the funds made available in this Act 
     may be used to implement or administer the interim guidance 
     issued on February 5, 1998, by the Environmental Protection 
     Agency relating to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
     and designated as the ``Interim Guidance for Investigating 
     Title VI Administrative Complaints Challenging Permits'' with 
     respect to complaints filed under such title after October 
     21, 1998, and until guidance is finalized. Nothing in this 
     proviso may be construed to restrict the Environmental 
     Protection Agency from developing or issuing final guidance 
     relating to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: 
     Provided further, That notwithstanding 7 U.S.C. 136r and 15 
     U.S.C. 2609, beginning in fiscal year 2000 and thereafter, 
     grants awarded under section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, 
     Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, and section 10 of 
     the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, shall be 
     available for research, development, monitoring, public 
     education, training, demonstrations, and studies: Provided 
     further, That the unexpended funds remaining from the 
     $2,200,000 appropriated under this heading in Public Law 105-
     276 for a grant to the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation 
     circuit rider initiative in Louisiana shall be transferred to 
     the ``State and tribal assistance grants'' appropriation to 
     remain available until expended 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 report 
     accompanying that Act.


                      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, $32,409,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2001: Provided, That the sums available 
     in this account shall remain available through September 30, 
     2008 for liquidating obligations made in fiscal years 2000 
     and 2001: Provided further, That the obligated balance of 
     funds transferred to this account in Public Law 105-276 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, 
     $62,600,000, 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; 
     $1,400,000,000 (of which $100,000,000 shall not become 
     available until September 1, 2000), to remain available until 
     expended, consisting of $700,000,000, as authorized by 
     section 517(a) of the Superfund Amendments and 
     Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), as amended by Public Law 
     101-508, and $700,000,000 as a payment from general revenues 
     to the Hazardous Substance Superfund for purposes 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 $11,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be transferred to the ``Office of Inspector General'' 
     appropriation to remain available until September 30, 2001: 
     Provided further, That $38,000,000 of the funds appropriated 
     under this heading shall be transferred to the ``Science and 
     technology'' appropriation to remain available until 
     September 30, 2001: Provided further, That notwithstanding 
     section 111(m) of CERCLA or any other provision of law, 
     $70,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be available to the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
     Disease Registry (ATSDR) 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 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, in lieu of 
     performing a health assessment under section 104(i)(6) of 
     CERCLA, the Administrator of ATSDR may conduct other 
     appropriate health studies, evaluations or activities, 
     including, without limitation, biomedical testing, clinical 
     evaluations, medical monitoring, and referral to accredited 
     health care providers: Provided further, That in performing 
     any such health assessment or health study, evaluation, or 
     activity, the Administrator of ATSDR shall not be bound by 
     the deadlines in section 104(i)(6)(A): Provided further, That 
     none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be 
     available for ATSDR to issue in excess of 40 toxicological 
     profiles pursuant to section 104(i) of CERCLA during fiscal 
     year 2000.


                Leaking Underground Storage Tank program

       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, 
     $70,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                           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, 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, $3,466,650,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which $1,350,000,000 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; $820,000,000 shall be for 
     capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving 
     Funds under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as 
     amended, except that, notwithstanding section 1452(n) of the 
     Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, none of the funds made 
     available under this heading in this Act, or in previous 
     appropriations acts, shall be reserved by the Administrator 
     for health effects studies on drinking water contaminants; 
     $50,000,000 shall be 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 shall be for grants to the State of 
     Alaska to address drinking water and wastewater 
     infrastructure needs of rural and Alaska Native Villages; 
     $331,650,000 shall be 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 conference report 
     and joint explanatory statement of the committee of 
     conference accompanying this Act (H.R. 2684); and 
     $885,000,000 shall be 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 notwithstanding section 603(d)(7) of the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the 
     limitation on the amounts in a State water pollution control 
     revolving fund that may be used by a State to administer the 
     fund shall not apply to amounts included as principal in 
     loans made by such fund in fiscal year 2000 and prior years 
     where such amounts represent costs of administering the fund, 
     or by the State of New York for fiscal year 2000 and prior 
     years, costs of capitalizing the fund, to the extent that 
     such amounts are or were deemed

[[Page 25253]]

     reasonable by the Administrator, accounted for separately 
     from other assets in the fund, and used for eligible purposes 
     of the fund, including administration, or, by the State of 
     New York for fiscal year 2000 and prior years, for 
     capitalization of the fund: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 518(f) of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act, the Administrator is authorized to use the 
     amounts appropriated for any fiscal year under section 319 of 
     that Act to make grants to Indian Tribes pursuant to section 
     319(h) and 518(e) of that Act: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of a 
     publicly owned treatment works in the District of Columbia, 
     the Federal share of grants awarded under title II of the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act, beginning October 1, 
     1999 and continuing through September 30, 2001, shall be 80 
     percent of the cost of construction, and all grants made to 
     such publicly owned treatment works in the District of 
     Columbia may include an advance of allowance under section 
     201(l)(2): Provided further, That the $2,200,000 appropriated 
     in Public Law 105-276 in accordance with House Report No. 
     105-769, for a grant to the Charleston, Utah Water 
     Conservancy District, as amended by Public Law 106-31, shall 
     be awarded to Wasatch County, Utah, for water and sewer 
     needs: Provided further, That the funds appropriated under 
     this heading in Public Law 105-276 for the City of Fairbanks, 
     Alaska, water system improvements shall instead be for the 
     Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, water and sewer 
     improvements: Provided further, That notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, all claims for principal and interest 
     registered through grant dispute AA-91-AD34 (05-90-AD09) or 
     any other such dispute hereafter filed by the Environmental 
     Protection Agency relative to water pollution control center 
     and sewer system improvement grants numbers C-390996-01, C-
     390996-2, and C-390996-3 made in 1976 and 1977 are hereby 
     resolved in favor of the grantee.
       The Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State 
     Department of Environmental Conservation are authorized to 
     award, from construction grant reallotments to the State of 
     New York of previously appropriated funds, supplemental grant 
     assistance to Nassau County, New York, for additional odor 
     control at the Bay Park and Cedar Creek wastewater treatment 
     plants, notwithstanding initiation of construction or prior 
     State Revolving Fund funding. Nassau County may elect to 
     accept a combined lump-sum of $15,000,000, paid in advance of 
     construction, in lieu of a 75 percent entitlement, to 
     minimize grant and project administration.

                   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, $5,108,000.


  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, $2,827,000: 
     Provided, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     no funds other than those 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, $33,666,000, to be derived from the Bank 
     Insurance Fund, the Savings Association Insurance Fund, and 
     the FSLIC Resolution Fund.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                            Disaster Relief

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $300,000,000, and, notwithstanding 42 
     U.S.C. 5203, to remain available until expended, of which not 
     to exceed $2,900,000 may be transferred to ``Emergency 
     Management Planning and Assistance'' for the consolidated 
     emergency management performance grant program: Provided, 
     That of the funds made available under this heading in this 
     and prior Appropriations Acts and under section 404 of the 
     Stafford Act to the State of California, $2,000,000 shall be 
     for a pilot project of seismic retrofit technology at 
     California State University, San Bernardino; $6,000,000 shall 
     be for a seismic retrofit project at Loma Linda University 
     Hospital; and $2,000,000 shall be for a seismic retrofit 
     project at the University of Redlands, Redlands: Provided 
     further, That of the funds made available under this heading 
     in this and prior Appropriations Acts and under section 404 
     of the Stafford Act to the State of Florida, $1,000,000 shall 
     be for a hurricane protection project for the St. Petersburg 
     campus of South Florida University, and $2,500,000 shall be 
     for a windstorm simulation project at Florida International 
     University, Miami: Provided further, That of the funds made 
     available under this heading in this and prior Appropriations 
     Acts and under section 404 of the Stafford Act to the State 
     of North Carolina, $1,000,000 shall be for a logistical 
     staging area concept demonstration involving warehouse 
     facilities at the Stanly County Airport: Provided further, 
     That of the funds made available under this heading in this 
     and prior Appropriations Acts and under section 404 of the 
     Stafford Act to the State of Louisiana, $500,000 shall be for 
     wave monitoring buoys in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana 
     coast.
       For an additional amount for ``Disaster relief'', 
     $2,480,425,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended: Provided further, That the entire amount shall be 
     available only to the extent that an official budget request 
     for a specific dollar amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress.


            Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,295,000, 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, $420,000.


                         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 maximum rate payable for 
     senior level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376; 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, $180,000,000.


                    Office of the Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $8,015,000.


              Emergency Management Planning and Assistance

                     (including transfer of funds)

       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, $267,000,000: 
     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: 
     Provided further, That beginning in fiscal year 2000 and each 
     fiscal year thereafter, and notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Director of FEMA is authorized to 
     provide assistance from funds appropriated under this 
     heading, subject to terms and conditions as the Director of 
     FEMA shall establish, to any State for multi-hazard 
     preparedness and mitigation through consolidated emergency 
     management performance grants: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, FEMA is 
     authorized to and shall extend its cooperative agreement for 
     the Jones County, Mississippi Emergency Operating Center, and 
     the funds which were obligated as federal matching funds for 
     that Center shall remain available for expenditure until 
     September 30, 2001.


                Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund

       The aggregate charges assessed during fiscal year 2000, as 
     authorized by Public Law 105-276, shall not be less than 100 
     percent of the amounts anticipated by FEMA necessary for its 
     radiological emergency preparedness program for the next 
     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

[[Page 25254]]

     authorized purposes on October 1, 2000, and remain available 
     until expended.


                   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, $110,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That total 
     administrative costs shall not exceed three and one-half 
     percent of the total appropriation.


                      flood map modernization fund

       For necessary expenses pursuant to section 1360 of the 
     National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, $5,000,000, and such 
     additional sums as may be provided by State or local 
     governments or other political subdivisions for cost shared 
     mapping activities under section 1360(f)(2), to remain 
     available until expended.


                  national insurance development fund

       Notwithstanding the provisions of 12 U.S.C. 1735d(b) and 12 
     U.S.C. 1749bbb-13(b)(6), any indebtedness of the Director of 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency resulting from the 
     Director borrowing sums under such sections before the date 
     of the enactment of this Act to carry out title XII of the 
     National Housing Act shall be canceled, and the Director 
     shall not be obligated to repay such sums or any interest 
     thereon, and no further interest shall accrue on such sums.


                     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 $24,333,000 for salaries and expenses 
     associated with flood mitigation and flood insurance 
     operations, and not to exceed $78,710,000 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, 2001. In fiscal year 
     2000, no funds in excess of: (1) $47,000,000 for operating 
     expenses; (2) $456,427,000 for agents' commissions and taxes; 
     and (3) $50,000,000 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 2000, 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 ``1999'' and inserting ``2000''.
       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, 1999'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2000''.


                     national flood mitigation fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Notwithstanding sections 1366(b)(3)(B)-(C) and 1366(f) of 
     the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, 
     $20,000,000 to remain available until September 30, 2001, for 
     activities designed to reduce the risk of flood damage to 
     structures pursuant to such Act, of which $20,000,000 shall 
     be derived from the National Flood Insurance Fund.

                    General Services Administration


                    Consumer Information Center Fund

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Information Center, 
     including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $2,622,000, 
     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 2000 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


                           Human Space Flight

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of human space flight research and 
     development activities, 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, $5,510,900,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2001: Provided, That $40,000,000 of the 
     amount provided in this paragraph shall be available to the 
     space shuttle program only for preparations necessary to 
     carry out a life and micro-gravity science mission, to be 
     flown between STS-107 and December 2001.


                  Science, Aeronautics and Technology

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of science, aeronautics and technology 
     research and development activities, 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, $5,606,700,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2001.


                            Mission Support

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in 
     carrying out mission support for human space flight programs 
     and science, aeronautical, and technology programs, including 
     research operations and support; space communications 
     activities including operations, production and services; 
     maintenance; construction of facilities including repair, 
     rehabilitation, and modification of facilities, minor 
     construction of new facilities and additions to existing 
     facilities, facility planning and design, environmental 
     compliance and restoration, and acquisition or condemnation 
     of real property, as authorized by law; program management; 
     personnel and related costs, including uniforms or allowances 
     therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; travel 
     expenses; purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft; not to 
     exceed $35,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses; and purchase (not to exceed 33 for replacement 
     only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $2,515,100,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2001.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $20,000,000.


                       Administrative Provisions

       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations Act, when any activity has been initiated by 
     the incurrence of obligations for construction of facilities 
     as authorized by law, such amount available for such activity 
     shall remain available until expended. This provision does 
     not apply to the amounts appropriated in ``Mission support'' 
     pursuant to the authorization for repair, rehabilitation and 
     modification of facilities, minor construction of new 
     facilities and additions to existing facilities, and facility 
     planning and design.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations Act, the amounts appropriated for construction 
     of facilities shall remain available until September 30, 
     2002.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Mission support'' and ``Office of 
     Inspector General'', amounts made available by this Act for 
     personnel and related costs and travel expenses of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2000 and may be used to enter 
     into contracts for training, investigations, costs associated 
     with personnel relocation, and for other services, to be 
     provided during the next fiscal year.
       Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or in the joint 
     explanatory statement of the committee of conference 
     accompanying this Act, no part of the funds appropriated for 
     ``Human space flight'' may be used for the development of the 
     International Space Station in excess of the amounts set 
     forth in the budget estimates submitted as part of the budget 
     request for fiscal year 2000.

                  National Credit Union Administration


                       Central Liquidity Facility

        During fiscal year 2000, administrative expenses of the 
     Central Liquidity Facility shall not exceed $257,000: 
     Provided, That $1,000,000, together with amounts of principal 
     and interest on loans repaid, to be available until expended, 
     is available for loans to community development credit 
     unions.

                      National Science Foundation


                    research and related activities

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), and 
     the Act to establish a National Medal of Science (42 U.S.C. 
     1880-1881); services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; 
     maintenance and operation of aircraft and purchase of flight 
     services for research support; acquisition of aircraft; 
     $2,966,000,000, of which not to exceed $253,000,000 shall 
     remain available until expended for Polar research and 
     operations support, and for reimbursement to other Federal 
     agencies for operational and science support and logistical 
     and other related activities for the United States Antarctic 
     program; the balance to remain available until September 30, 
     2001: Provided, That receipts for scientific support services 
     and materials furnished by the National Research Centers and 
     other National Science Foundation supported research 
     facilities may be credited to this appropriation: Provided 
     further, That to the extent that the amount appropriated is 
     less than the total amount authorized to be appropriated for 
     included program activities, all amounts, including floors 
     and ceilings, specified in the authorizing Act for those 
     program activities or their subactivities shall be reduced 
     proportionally: Provided further, That $60,000,000 of the 
     funds available under this heading shall be made available 
     for a comprehensive research initiative on plant genomes for 
     economically significant crop: Provided further, That none of 
     the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the 
     National Science Foundation in this or any prior Act may be 
     obligated or expended by the National Science Foundation to 
     enter into or extend a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement for the support of administering the domain name 
     and numbering system of the Internet after September 30, 
     1998: Provided further, That no funds

[[Page 25255]]

     in this or any other Act shall be used to acquire or lease a 
     research vessel with ice-breaking capability built or 
     retrofitted by a shipyard located in a foreign country if 
     such a vessel of United States origin can be obtained at a 
     cost no more than 50 per centum above that of the least 
     expensive technically acceptable foreign vessel bid: Provided 
     further, That, in determining the cost of such a vessel, such 
     cost be increased by the amount of any subsidies or financing 
     provided by a foreign government (or instrumentality thereof) 
     to such vessel's construction: Provided further, That if the 
     vessel contracted for pursuant to the foregoing is not 
     available for the 2002-2003 austral summer Antarctic season, 
     a vessel of any origin may be leased for a period of not to 
     exceed 120 days for that season and each season thereafter 
     until delivery of the new vessel.


                        Major Research Equipment

       For necessary expenses of major construction projects 
     pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as 
     amended, including award-related travel, $95,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.


                     Education and Human Resources

       For necessary expenses in carrying out science and 
     engineering education and human resources programs and 
     activities pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), including services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, award-related travel, and rental 
     of conference rooms in the District of Columbia, 
     $696,600,000, to remain available until September 30, 2001: 
     Provided, That to the extent that the amount of this 
     appropriation is less than the total amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for included program activities, all amounts, 
     including floors and ceilings, specified in the authorizing 
     Act for those program activities or their subactivities shall 
     be reduced proportionally: Provided further, That $10,000,000 
     shall be available for the purpose of establishing an office 
     of innovation partnerships.


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses necessary in carrying out the 
     National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 
     U.S.C. 1861-1875); services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire 
     of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $9,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; uniforms or 
     allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia; 
     reimbursement of the General Services Administration for 
     security guard services; $149,000,000: Provided, That 
     contracts may be entered into under ``Salaries and expenses'' 
     in fiscal year 2000 for maintenance and operation of 
     facilities, and for other services, to be provided during the 
     next fiscal year.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     as authorized by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $5,450,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2001.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          Payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

       For payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation 
     for use in neighborhood reinvestment activities, as 
     authorized by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 8101-8107), $75,000,000.

                        Selective Service System


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Selective Service System, 
     including expenses of attendance at meetings and of training 
     for uniformed personnel assigned to the Selective Service 
     System, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 4101-4118 for civilian 
     employees; and not to exceed $1,000 for official reception 
     and representation expenses; $24,000,000: Provided, That 
     during the current fiscal year, the President may exempt this 
     appropriation from the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1341, whenever 
     he deems such action to be necessary in the interest of 
     national defense: Provided further, That none of the funds 
     appropriated by this Act may be expended for or in connection 
     with the induction of any person into the Armed Forces of the 
     United States.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 401. Where appropriations in titles I, II, and III of 
     this Act are expendable for travel expenses and no specific 
     limitation has been placed thereon, the expenditures for such 
     travel expenses may not exceed the amounts set forth 
     therefore in the budget estimates submitted for the 
     appropriations: Provided, That this provision does not apply 
     to accounts that do not contain an object classification for 
     travel: Provided further, That this section shall not apply 
     to travel performed by uncompensated officials of local 
     boards and appeal boards of the Selective Service System; to 
     travel performed directly in connection with care and 
     treatment of medical beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; to travel performed in connection with 
     major disasters or emergencies declared or determined by the 
     President under the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; to travel 
     performed by the Offices of Inspector General in connection 
     with audits and investigations; or to payments to interagency 
     motor pools where separately set forth in the budget 
     schedules: Provided further, That if appropriations in titles 
     I, II, and III exceed the amounts set forth in budget 
     estimates initially submitted for such appropriations, the 
     expenditures for travel may correspondingly exceed the 
     amounts therefore set forth in the estimates in the same 
     proportion.
       Sec. 402. Appropriations and funds available for the 
     administrative expenses of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development and the Selective Service System shall be 
     available in the current fiscal year for purchase of 
     uniforms, or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     5901-5902; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 403. Funds of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development subject to the Government Corporation Control Act 
     or section 402 of the Housing Act of 1950 shall be available, 
     without regard to the limitations on administrative expenses, 
     for legal services on a contract or fee basis, and for 
     utilizing and making payment for services and facilities of 
     Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National 
     Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 
     Federal Financing Bank, Federal Reserve banks or any member 
     thereof, Federal Home Loan banks, and any insured bank within 
     the meaning of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 
     as amended (12 U.S.C. 1811-1831).
       Sec. 404. No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 405. No funds appropriated by this Act may be 
     expended--
       (1) pursuant to a certification of an officer or employee 
     of the United States unless--
       (A) such certification is accompanied by, or is part of, a 
     voucher or abstract which describes the payee or payees and 
     the items or services for which such expenditure is being 
     made; or
       (B) the expenditure of funds pursuant to such 
     certification, and without such a voucher or abstract, is 
     specifically authorized by law; and
       (2) unless such expenditure is subject to audit by the 
     General Accounting Office or is specifically exempt by law 
     from such audit.
       Sec. 406. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency may be expended for the transportation 
     of any officer or employee of such department or agency 
     between their domicile and their place of employment, with 
     the exception of any officer or employee authorized such 
     transportation under 31 U.S.C. 1344 or 5 U.S.C. 7905.
       Sec. 407. None of the funds provided in this Act may be 
     used for payment, through grants or contracts, to recipients 
     that do not share in the cost of conducting research 
     resulting from proposals not specifically solicited by the 
     Government: Provided, That the extent of cost sharing by the 
     recipient shall reflect the mutuality of interest of the 
     grantee or contractor and the Government in the research.
       Sec. 408. None of the funds in this Act may be used, 
     directly or through grants, to pay or to provide 
     reimbursement for payment of the salary of a consultant 
     (whether retained by the Federal Government or a grantee) at 
     more than the daily equivalent of the rate paid for level IV 
     of the Executive Schedule, unless specifically authorized by 
     law.
       Sec. 409. None of the funds provided in this Act shall be 
     used to pay the expenses of, or otherwise compensate, non-
     Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
     proceedings. Nothing herein affects the authority of the 
     Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to section 7 of 
     the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2056 et seq.).
       Sec. 410. Except as otherwise provided under existing law, 
     or under an existing Executive Order issued pursuant to an 
     existing law, the obligation or expenditure of any 
     appropriation under this Act for contracts for any consulting 
     service shall be limited to contracts which are: (1) a matter 
     of public record and available for public inspection; and (2) 
     thereafter included in a publicly available list of all 
     contracts entered into within 24 months prior to the date on 
     which the list is made available to the public and of all 
     contracts on which performance has not been completed by such 
     date. The list required by the preceding sentence shall be 
     updated quarterly and shall include a narrative description 
     of the work to be performed under each such contract.
       Sec. 411. Except as otherwise provided by law, no part of 
     any appropriation contained in this Act shall be obligated or 
     expended by any executive agency, as referred to in the 
     Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 401 et 
     seq.), for a contract for services unless such executive 
     agency: (1) has awarded and entered into such contract in 
     full compliance with such Act and the regulations promulgated 
     thereunder; and (2) requires any report prepared pursuant to 
     such contract, including plans, evaluations, studies, 
     analyses and manuals, and any report prepared by the agency 
     which is substantially derived from or substantially includes 
     any report prepared pursuant to such contract, to contain 
     information concerning: (A) the contract pursuant to which 
     the report was prepared; and (B) the contractor who prepared 
     the report pursuant to such contract.
       Sec. 412. Except as otherwise provided in section 406, none 
     of the funds provided in this Act to any department or agency 
     shall be obligated or expended to provide a personal cook, 
     chauffeur, or other personal servants to any officer or 
     employee of such department or agency.
       Sec. 413. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency shall be obligated or expended to 
     procure passenger automobiles as defined in 15 U.S.C. 2001 
     with an EPA estimated miles per gallon average of less than 
     22 miles per gallon.
       Sec. 414. None of the funds appropriated in title I of this 
     Act shall be used to enter into any new lease of real 
     property if the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 
     unless the Secretary submits, in writing, a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the Congress and a

[[Page 25256]]

     period of 30 days has expired following the date on which the 
     report is received by the Committees on Appropriations.
       Sec. 415. (a) It is the sense of the Congress that, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products 
     purchased with funds made available in this Act should be 
     American-made.
       (b) In providing financial assistance to, or entering into 
     any contract with, any entity using funds made available in 
     this Act, the head of each Federal agency, to the greatest 
     extent practicable, shall provide to such entity a notice 
     describing the statement made in subsection (a) by the 
     Congress.
       Sec. 416. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be 
     used to implement any cap on reimbursements to grantees for 
     indirect costs, except as published in Office of Management 
     and Budget Circular A-21.
       Sec. 417. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     2000 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be 
     absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act.
       Sec. 418. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used for any program, project, or activity, when it is 
     made known to the Federal entity or official to which the 
     funds are made available that the program, project, or 
     activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating 
     to risk assessment, the protection of private property 
     rights, or unfunded mandates.
       Sec. 419. Corporations and agencies of the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development which are subject to the 
     Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, are hereby 
     authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of 
     funds and borrowing authority available to each such 
     corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make 
     such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year 
     limitations as provided by section 104 of the Act as may be 
     necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the 
     budget for 2000 for such corporation or agency except as 
     hereinafter provided: Provided, That collections of these 
     corporations and agencies may be used for new loan or 
     mortgage purchase commitments only to the extent expressly 
     provided for in this Act (unless such loans are in support of 
     other forms of assistance provided for in this or prior 
     appropriations Acts), except that this proviso shall not 
     apply to the mortgage insurance or guaranty operations of 
     these corporations, or where loans or mortgage purchases are 
     necessary to protect the financial interest of the United 
     States Government.
       Sec. 420. Notwithstanding section 320(g) of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(g)), funds made 
     available pursuant to authorization under such section for 
     fiscal year 2000 may be used for implementing comprehensive 
     conservation and management plans.
       Sec. 421. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     term ``qualified student loan'' with respect to national 
     service education awards shall mean any loan made directly to 
     a student by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary 
     Education, in addition to other meanings under section 
     148(b)(7) of the National and Community Service Act.
       Sec. 422. It is the sense of the Congress that, along with 
     health care, housing, education, and other benefits, the 
     presence of an honor guard at a veteran's funeral is a 
     benefit that a veteran has earned, and, therefore, the 
     executive branch should provide funeral honor details for the 
     funerals of veterans when requested, in accordance with law.
       Sec. 423. Notwithstanding any other law, funds made 
     available by this or any other Act or previous Acts for the 
     United States/Mexico Foundation for Science may be used for 
     the endowment of such Foundation: Provided, That funds from 
     the United States Government shall be matched in equal 
     amounts with funds from Mexico: Provided further, That the 
     accounts of such Foundation shall be subject to United States 
     Government administrative and audit requirements concerning 
     grants and requirements concerning cost principles for 
     nonprofit organizations: Provided further, That the United 
     States/Mexico Foundation for Science is renamed the George E. 
     Brown United States/Mexico Foundation for Science.
       Sec. 424. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used to carry out Executive Order No. 13083.
       Sec. 425. Unless otherwise provided for in this Act, no 
     part of any appropriation for the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development shall be available for any activity in 
     excess of amounts set forth in the budget estimates submitted 
     for the appropriations.
       Sec. 426. Except in the case of entities that are funded 
     solely with Federal funds or any natural persons that are 
     funded under this Act, none of the funds in this Act shall be 
     used for the planning or execution of any program to pay the 
     expenses of, or otherwise compensate, non-Federal parties to 
     lobby or litigate in respect to adjudicatory proceedings 
     funded in this Act. A chief executive officer of any entity 
     receiving funds under this Act shall certify that none of 
     these funds have been used to engage in the lobbying of the 
     Federal government or in litigation against the United States 
     unless authorized under existing law.
       Sec. 427. Law Enforcement Agencies Not Included as Owner or 
     Operator. Section 101(20)(D) of the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601(20)(D)) is amended by inserting 
     ``through seizure or otherwise in connection with law 
     enforcement activity'' before ``involuntary'' the first place 
     it appears.
       Sec. 428. No part of any funds appropriated in this Act 
     shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, other 
     than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 
     relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and for 
     the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pamphlet, 
     booklet, publication, radio, television or film presentation 
     designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the 
     Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself.
       Sec. 429. The comment period on the proposed rules related 
     to section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act published at 64 
     Federal Register 46012 and 46058 (August 23, 1999) shall be 
     extended from October 22, 1999, for a period of 90 additional 
     calendar days.
       Sec. 430. Section 4(a) of the Act of August 9, 1950 (16 
     U.S.C. 777c(a)), is amended in the second sentence by 
     striking ``1999'' and inserting ``2000''.
       Sec. 431. Promulgation of Stormwater Regulations. (a) 
     Stormwater Regulations.--The Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency shall not promulgate the 
     Phase II stormwater regulations until the Administrator 
     submits to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
     containing--
       (1) an in-depth impact analysis on the effect the final 
     regulations will have on urban, suburban, and rural local 
     governments subject to the regulations, including an estimate 
     of--
       (A) the costs of complying with the 6 minimum control 
     measures described in the regulations; and
       (B) the costs resulting from the lowering of the 
     construction threshold from 5 acres to 1 acre;
       (2) an explanation of the rationale of the Administrator 
     for lowering the construction site threshold from 5 acres to 
     1 acre, including--
       (A) an explanation, in light of recent court decisions, of 
     why a 1-acre measure is any less arbitrarily determined than 
     a 5-acre measure; and
       (B) all qualitative information used in determining an acre 
     threshold for a construction site;
       (3) documentation demonstrating that stormwater runoff is 
     generally a problem in communities with populations of 50,000 
     to 100,000 (including an explanation of why the coverage of 
     the regulation is based on a census-determined population 
     instead of a water quality threshold); and
       (4) information that supports the position of the 
     Administrator that the Phase II stormwater program should be 
     administered as part of the National Pollutant Discharge 
     Elimination System under section 402 of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342).
       (b) Phase I Regulations.--No later than 120 days after the 
     enactment of this Act, the Environmental Protection Agency 
     shall submit to the Environment and Public Works Committee of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
     containing a detailed explanation of the impact, if any, that 
     the Phase I program has had in improving water quality in the 
     United States (including a description of specific measures 
     that have been successful and those that have been 
     unsuccessful).
       (c) Federal Register.--The reports described in subsections 
     (a) and (b) shall be published in the Federal Register for 
     public comment.
       Sec. 432. Pesticide Tolerance Fees. None of the funds 
     appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be 
     used to promulgate a final regulation to implement changes in 
     the payment of pesticide tolerance processing fees as 
     proposed at 64 Fed. Reg. 31040, or any similar proposals. The 
     Environmental Protection Agency may proceed with the 
     development of such a rule.
       Sec. 433. Commercial Space Launch Indemnification 
     Extension. Section 70113(f) of title 49, United States Code 
     is amended by striking ``December 31, 1999'', and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2000''.
       Sec. 434. Space Station Commercial Development 
     Demonstration Program. (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this 
     section is to establish a demonstration regarding the 
     commercial feasibility and economic viability of private 
     sector business operations involving the International Space 
     Station and its related infrastructure. The goal will be 
     furthered by the early use of the International Space Station 
     by United States commercial entities committing private 
     capital to commercial enterprises on the International Space 
     Station. In conjunction with this demonstration program, the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall 
     establish and publish a price policy designed to eliminate 
     price uncertainty for those planning to utilize the 
     International Space Station and its related facilities for 
     United States commercial use.
       (b) Use of Receipts for Commercial Use.--Any receipts 
     collected by NASA from the commercial use of the 
     International Space Station shall first be used to offset any 
     costs incurred by NASA in support of the United States 
     commercial use of the International Space Station. Any 
     receipts collected in excess of the costs identified pursuant 
     to the prior sentence may be retained by NASA for use without 
     fiscal year limitation in promoting the commercial use of the 
     International Space Station.
       (c) Report.--NASA shall submit an annual report to the 
     Congress that identifies all receipts that are collected 
     under this section, the use of the receipts and the status of 
     the demonstration. NASA shall submit a final report on the 
     status of the demonstration, including any recommendation for 
     expansion, within 120 days of

[[Page 25257]]

     the completion of the assembly of the International Space 
     Station or the end of fiscal year 2004, whichever is earlier.
       (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term 
     ``United States commercial use'' means private commercial 
     projects that are designed to benefit the United States 
     through the sales of goods or services or the creation of 
     jobs, or both.
       (e) Termination.--The demonstration program established 
     under this section shall apply to United States commercial 
     use agreements that are entered into prior to the date of the 
     completion of the International Space Station or the end of 
     fiscal year 2004, whichever is earlier.
       Sec. 435. Insurance; Indemnification; Liability. (a) 
     Amendment.--The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 
     (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
     section 308 the following new section:


                    ``experimental aerospace vehicle

       ``(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 this Act 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 this Act, 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.
       ``(c) Cross-Waivers.--
       ``(1) Administrator authorized to waive.--The 
     Administrator, on behalf of the United States, and its 
     departments, agencies, and related entities, may reciprocally 
     waive claims with a developer or cooperating party and with 
     the related entities of that developer or cooperating party 
     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, the cooperating party, or their 
     respective 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, the cooperating party, or their respective 
     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 or cooperating party, 
     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.
       ``(3) Effect on previous waivers.--Subsection (c) applies 
     to any waiver of claims entered into by the Administration 
     without regard to whether it was entered into before, on, or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Cooperating party.--The term `cooperating party' 
     means any person who enters into an agreement with the 
     Administration for the performance of cooperative scientific, 
     aeronautical, or space activities to carry out the purposes 
     of this Act.
       ``(2) Developer.--The term `developer' means a United 
     States person (other than a natural person) who--
       ``(A) is a party to an agreement 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.
       ``(3) Experimental aerospace vehicle.--The term 
     `experimental aerospace vehicle' means an object intended to 
     be flown in, or launched into, orbital or suborbital flight 
     for the purpose of demonstrating technologies necessary for a 
     reusable launch vehicle, developed under an agreement between 
     the Administration and a developer.
       ``(4) Related entity.--The term `related entity' includes a 
     contractor or subcontractor at any tier, a supplier, a 
     grantee, and an investigator or detailee.
       ``(e) Relationship to Other Laws.--
       ``(1) Section 308.--This section does not apply to any 
     object, transaction, or operation to which section 308 of 
     this Act 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.''.
       (b) Repeal.--Section 431 of the Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-276) is 
     repealed.
              TITLE V--PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the 
     ``Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens and 
     Families into the 21st Century Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     title is as follows:

Sec. 501. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 502. Regulations.
Sec. 503. Effective date.

Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations for Supportive Housing for 
               the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities

Sec. 511. Supportive housing for elderly persons.
Sec. 512. Supportive housing for persons with disabilities.
Sec. 513. Service coordinators and congregate services for elderly and 
              disabled housing.

Subtitle B--Expanding Housing Opportunities for the Elderly and Persons 
                           With Disabilities

Sec. 521. Study of debt forgiveness for section 202 loans.
Sec. 522. Grants for conversion of elderly housing to assisted living 
              facilities.
Sec. 523. Use of section 8 assistance for assisted living facilities.
Sec. 524. Size limitation for projects for persons with disabilities.
Sec. 525. Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility 
              Needs in the 21st Century.

    Subtitle C--Renewal of Expiring Rental Assistance Contracts and 
                        Protection of Residents

Sec. 531. Renewal of expiring contracts and enhanced vouchers for 
              project residents.
Sec. 532. Section 236 assistance.
Sec. 533. Rehabilitation of assisted housing.
Sec. 534. Technical assistance.
Sec. 535. Termination of section 8 contract and duration of renewal 
              contract.
Sec. 536. Eligibility of residents of flexible subsidy projects for 
              enhanced vouchers.
Sec. 537. Enhanced disposition authority.
Sec. 538. Unified enhanced voucher authority.

     SEC. 502. REGULATIONS.

       The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue 
     any regulations to carry out

[[Page 25258]]

     this title and the amendments made by this title that the 
     Secretary determines may or will affect tenants of federally 
     assisted housing only after notice and opportunity for public 
     comment in accordance with the procedure under section 553 of 
     title 5, United States Code, applicable to substantive rules 
     (notwithstanding subsections (a)(2), (b)(B), and (d)(3) of 
     such section). Notice of such proposed rulemaking shall be 
     provided by publication in the Federal Register. In issuing 
     such regulations, the Secretary shall take such actions as 
     may be necessary to ensure that such tenants are notified of, 
     and provided an opportunity to participate in, the 
     rulemaking, as required by such section 553.

     SEC. 503. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--The provisions of this title and the 
     amendments made by this title are effective as of the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, unless such provisions or 
     amendments specifically provide for effectiveness or 
     applicability upon another date certain.
       (b) Effect of Regulatory Authority.--Any authority in this 
     title or the amendments made by this title to issue 
     regulations, and any specific requirement to issue 
     regulations by a date certain, may not be construed to affect 
     the effectiveness or applicability of the provisions of this 
     title or the amendments made by this title under such 
     provisions and amendments and subsection (a) of this section.
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations for Supportive Housing for 
               the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities

     SEC. 511. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR ELDERLY PERSONS.

       Section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for providing assistance under this 
     section $710,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.''.

     SEC. 512. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

       Section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (l) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for providing assistance under this 
     section $201,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.''.

     SEC. 513. SERVICE COORDINATORS AND CONGREGATE SERVICES FOR 
                   ELDERLY AND DISABLED HOUSING.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Federally Assisted 
     Housing.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development $50,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2000 for the following purposes:
       (1) Grants for service coordinators for certain federally 
     assisted multifamily housing.--For grants under section 676 
     of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 
     U.S.C. 13632) for providing service coordinators.
       (2) Congregate services for federally assisted housing.--
     For contracts under section 802 of the Cranston-Gonzalez 
     National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8011) to provide 
     congregate services programs for eligible residents of 
     eligible housing projects under subparagraphs (B) through (D) 
     of subsection (k)(6) of such section.
       (b) Public Housing.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development such sums 
     as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000 for grants for use 
     only for activities described in paragraph (2) of section 
     34(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
     1437z-6(b)(2)) for renewal of all grants made in prior fiscal 
     years for providing service coordinators and congregate 
     services for the elderly and disabled in public housing.
Subtitle B--Expanding Housing Opportunities for the Elderly and Persons 
                           With Disabilities

     SEC. 521. STUDY OF DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR SECTION 202 LOANS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development shall conduct an analysis of the net impact on 
     the Federal budget deficit or surplus of making available, on 
     a one-time basis, to sponsors of projects assisted under 
     section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (as in effect before 
     the enactment of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act), forgiveness of any indebtedness to the 
     Secretary relating to any remaining principal and interest 
     under loans made under such section, together with a dollar 
     for dollar reduction in the amount of rental assistance under 
     section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 or other 
     rental assistance provided for such project. Such analysis 
     shall take into consideration the full cost of future 
     appropriations for rental assistance under such section 8 
     expected to be provided if such debt forgiveness does not 
     take place, notwithstanding current budgetary treatment of 
     such actions pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974.
       (b) Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 3-month 
     period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit a 
     report to the Congress containing the quantitative results of 
     the analysis and an enumeration of any project or 
     administrative benefits of such actions.

     SEC. 522. GRANTS FOR CONVERSION OF ELDERLY HOUSING TO 
                   ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.

       Title II of the Housing Act of 1959 is amended by inserting 
     after section 202a (12 U.S.C. 1701q-1) the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 202B. GRANTS FOR CONVERSION OF ELDERLY HOUSING TO 
                   ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.

       ``(a) Grant Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development may make grants in accordance with this section 
     to owners of eligible projects described in subsection (b) 
     for one or both of the following activities:
       ``(1) Repairs.--Substantial capital repairs to a project 
     that are needed to rehabilitate, modernize, or retrofit aging 
     structures, common areas, or individual dwelling units.
       ``(2) Conversion.--Activities designed to convert dwelling 
     units in the eligible project to assisted living facilities 
     for elderly persons.
       ``(b) Eligible Projects.--An eligible project described in 
     this subsection is a multifamily housing project that is--
       ``(1)(A) described in subparagraph (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), 
     or (G) of section 683(2) of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13641(2)), or (B) only to 
     the extent amounts of the Department of Agriculture are made 
     available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     for such grants under this section for such projects, subject 
     to a loan made or insured under section 515 of the Housing 
     Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485);
       ``(2) owned by a private nonprofit organization (as such 
     term is defined in section 202); and
       ``(3) designated primarily for occupancy by elderly 
     persons.
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection or 
     this section, an unused or underutilized commercial property 
     may be considered an eligible project under this subsection, 
     except that the Secretary may not provide grants under this 
     section for more than 3 such properties. For any such 
     projects, any reference under this section to dwelling units 
     shall be considered to refer to the premises of such 
     properties.
       ``(c) Applications.--Applications for grants under this 
     section shall be submitted to the Secretary in accordance 
     with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish. Such 
     applications shall contain--
       ``(1) a description of the substantial capital repairs or 
     the proposed conversion activities for which a grant under 
     this section is requested;
       ``(2) the amount of the grant requested to complete the 
     substantial capital repairs or conversion activities;
       ``(3) a description of the resources that are expected to 
     be made available, if any, in conjunction with the grant 
     under this section; and
       ``(4) such other information or certifications that the 
     Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate.
       ``(d) Funding for Services.--The Secretary may not make a 
     grant under this section for conversion activities unless the 
     application contains sufficient evidence, in the 
     determination of the Secretary, of firm commitments for the 
     funding of services to be provided in the assisted living 
     facility, which may be provided by third parties.
       ``(e) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall select 
     applications for grants under this section based upon 
     selection criteria, which shall be established by the 
     Secretary and shall include--
       ``(1) in the case of a grant for substantial capital 
     repairs, the extent to which the project to be repaired is in 
     need of such repair, including such factors as the age of 
     improvements to be repaired, and the impact on the health and 
     safety of residents of failure to make such repairs;
       ``(2) in the case of a grant for conversion activities, the 
     extent to which the conversion is likely to provide assisted 
     living facilities that are needed or are expected to be 
     needed by the categories of elderly persons that the assisted 
     living facility is intended to serve, with a special emphasis 
     on very low-income elderly persons who need assistance with 
     activities of daily living;
       ``(3) the inability of the applicant to fund the repairs or 
     conversion activities from existing financial resources, as 
     evidenced by the applicant's financial records, including 
     assets in the applicant's residual receipts account and 
     reserves for replacement account;
       ``(4) the extent to which the applicant has evidenced 
     community support for the repairs or conversion, by such 
     indicators as letters of support from the local community for 
     the repairs or conversion and financial contributions from 
     public and private sources;
       ``(5) in the case of a grant for conversion activities, the 
     extent to which the applicant demonstrates a strong 
     commitment to promoting the autonomy and independence of the 
     elderly persons that the assisted living facility is intended 
     to serve;
       ``(6) in the case of a grant for conversion activities, the 
     quality, completeness, and managerial capability of providing 
     the services which the assisted living facility intends to 
     provide to elderly residents, especially in such areas as 
     meals, 24-hour staffing, and on-site health care; and
       ``(7) such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate to ensure that funds made available under this 
     section are used effectively.
       ``(f) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `assisted living facility' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 232(b) of the National Housing Act 
     (12 U.S.C. 1715w(b)); and
       ``(2) the definitions in section 202(k) shall apply.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for providing grants under this section 
     such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000.''.

[[Page 25259]]



     SEC. 523. USE OF SECTION 8 ASSISTANCE FOR ASSISTED LIVING 
                   FACILITIES.

       (a) Voucher Assistance.--Section 8(o) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(18) Rental assistance for assisted living facilities.--
       ``(A) In general.--A public housing agency may make 
     assistance payments on behalf of a family that uses an 
     assisted living facility as a principal place of residence 
     and that uses such supportive services made available in the 
     facility as the agency may require. Such payments may be made 
     only for covering costs of rental of the dwelling unit in the 
     assisted living facility and not for covering any portion of 
     the cost of residing in such facility that is attributable to 
     service relating to assisted living.
       ``(B) Rent calculation.--
       ``(i) Charges included.--For assistance pursuant to this 
     paragraph, the rent of the dwelling unit that is an assisted 
     living facility with respect to which assistance payments are 
     made shall include maintenance and management charges related 
     to the dwelling unit and tenant-paid utilities. Such rent 
     shall not include any charges attributable to services 
     relating to assisted living.
       ``(ii) Payment standard.--In determining the monthly 
     assistance that may be paid under this paragraph on behalf of 
     any family residing in an assisted living facility, the 
     public housing agency shall utilize the payment standard 
     established under paragraph (1), for the market area in which 
     the assisted living facility is located, for the applicable 
     size dwelling unit.
       ``(iii) Monthly assistance payment.--The monthly assistance 
     payment for a family assisted under this paragraph shall be 
     determined in accordance with paragraph (2) (using the rent 
     and payment standard for the dwelling unit as determined in 
     accordance with this subsection).
       ``(C) Definition.--For the purposes of this paragraph, the 
     term `assisted living facility' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 232(b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1715w(b)), except that such a facility may be contained 
     within a portion of a larger multifamily housing project.''.
       (b) Project-Based Assistance.--Section 202b of the Housing 
     Act of 1959, as added by section 522 of this Act, is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (g) and (h), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Section 8 Project-Based Assistance.--
       ``(1) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, a multifamily project which includes one or more 
     dwelling units that have been converted to assisted living 
     facilities using grants made under this section shall be 
     eligible for project-based assistance under section 8 of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937, in the same manner in 
     which the project would be eligible for such assistance but 
     for the assisted living facilities in the project.
       ``(2) Calculation of rent.--For assistance pursuant to this 
     subsection, the maximum monthly rent of a dwelling unit that 
     is an assisted living facility with respect to which 
     assistance payments are made shall not include charges 
     attributable to services relating to assisted living.''.

     SEC. 524. SIZE LIMITATION FOR PROJECTS FOR PERSONS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES.

       (a) Limitation.--Section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez 
     National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (k)(4), by inserting ``, subject to the 
     limitation under subsection (h)(6)'' after ``prescribe''; and
       (2) in subsection (l), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(4) Size limitation.--Of any amounts made available for 
     any fiscal year and used for capital advances or project 
     rental assistance under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection 
     (d), not more than 25 percent may be used for supportive 
     housing which contains more than 24 separate dwelling 
     units.''.
       (b) Study.--Not later than the expiration of the 3-month 
     period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct 
     a study and submit a report to the Congress regarding--
       (1) the extent to which the authority of the Secretary 
     under section 811(k)(4) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013(k)(4)), as in effect 
     immediately before the enactment of this Act, has been used 
     in each year since 1990 to provide for assistance under such 
     section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities 
     having more than 24 separate dwelling units;
       (2) the per-unit costs of, and the benefits and problems 
     associated with, providing such housing in projects having 8 
     or less dwelling units, 8 to 24 units, and more than 24 
     units; and
       (3) the per-unit costs of, and the benefits and problems 
     associated with providing housing under section 202 of the 
     Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q) in projects having 30 
     to 50 dwelling units, in projects having more than 50 but not 
     more than 80 dwelling units, in projects having more than 80 
     but not more than 120 dwelling units, and in projects having 
     more than 120 dwelling units, but the study shall also 
     examine the social considerations afforded by smaller and 
     moderate-size developments and shall not be limited to 
     economic factors.

     SEC. 525. COMMISSION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE 
                   FACILITY NEEDS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established a 
     commission to be known as the Commission on Affordable 
     Housing and Health Care Facility Needs in the 21st Century 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Commission''.
       (b) Study.--The duty of the Commission shall be to conduct 
     a study that--
       (1) compiles and interprets information regarding the 
     expected increase in the population of persons 62 years of 
     age or older, particularly information regarding distribution 
     of income levels, homeownership and home equity rates, and 
     degree or extent of health and independence of living;
       (2) provides an estimate of the future needs of seniors for 
     affordable housing and assisted living and health care 
     facilities;
       (3) provides a comparison of estimate of such future needs 
     with an estimate of the housing and facilities expected to be 
     provided under existing public programs, and identifies 
     possible actions or initiatives that may assist in providing 
     affordable housing and assisted living and health care 
     facilities to meet such expected needs;
       (4) identifies and analyzes methods of encouraging 
     increased private sector participation, investment, and 
     capital formation in affordable housing and assisted living 
     and health care facilities for seniors through partnerships 
     between public and private entities and other creative 
     strategies;
       (5) analyzes the costs and benefits of comprehensive aging-
     in-place strategies, taking into consideration physical and 
     mental well-being and the importance of coordination between 
     shelter and supportive services;
       (6) identifies and analyzes methods of promoting a more 
     comprehensive approach to dealing with housing and supportive 
     service issues involved in aging and the multiple 
     governmental agencies involved in such issues, including the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development and the 
     Department of Health and Human Services; and
       (7) examines how to establish intergenerational learning 
     and care centers and living arrangements, in particular to 
     facilitate appropriate environments for families consisting 
     only of children and a grandparent or grandparents who are 
     the head of the household.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 14 members, appointed not later than January 1, 
     2000, as follows:
       (A) Two co-chairpersons, of whom--
       (i) one co-chairperson shall be appointed by a committee 
     consisting of the chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and 
     Community Opportunities of the House of Representatives and 
     the chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and 
     Transportation of the Senate, and the chairmen of the 
     Subcommittees on the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies of 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate; and
       (ii) one co-chairperson shall be appointed by a committee 
     consisting of the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee 
     on Housing and Community Opportunities of the House of 
     Representatives and the ranking minority member of the 
     Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation of the Senate, and 
     the ranking minority members of the Subcommittees on the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate.
       (B) Six members appointed by the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Banking and Financial 
     Services of the House of Representatives and the Chairman and 
     Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (C) Six members appointed by the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Qualifications.--Appointees should have proven 
     expertise in directing, assembling, or applying capital 
     resources from a variety of sources to the successful 
     development of affordable housing, assisted living 
     facilities, or health care facilities.
       (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Commission shall not 
     affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which 
     the original appointment was made.
       (4) Chairpersons.--The members appointed pursuant to 
     paragraph (1)(A) shall serve as co-chairpersons of the 
     Commission.
       (5) Prohibition of pay.--Members of the Commission shall 
     serve without pay.
       (6) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall 
     receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (7) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 
     hearings.
       (8) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairpersons.
       (d) Director and Staff.--
       (1) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who 
     shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The Director shall be 
     paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable 
     for level V of the Executive Schedule.
       (2) Staff.--The Commission may appoint personnel as 
     appropriate. The staff of the Commission shall be appointed 
     subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall

[[Page 25260]]

     be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates.
       (3) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure 
     temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not 
     to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of 
     basic pay payable for the General Schedule.
       (4) Staff of federal agencies.--Upon request of the 
     Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may 
     detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that 
     department or agency to the Commission to assist it in 
     carrying out its duties under this Act.
       (e) Powers.--
       (1) Hearings and sessions.--The Commission may, for the 
     purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and 
     act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
     as the Commission considers appropriate.
       (2) Powers of members and agents.--Any member or agent of 
     the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any 
     action which the Commission is authorized to take by this 
     section.
       (3) Obtaining official data.--The Commission may secure 
     directly from any department or agency of the United States 
     information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. 
     Upon request of the Chairpersons of the Commission, the head 
     of that department or agency shall furnish that information 
     to the Commission.
       (4) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may 
     accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of 
     services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose 
     of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, 
     bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of 
     other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall 
     be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for 
     disbursement upon order of the Commission.
       (5) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
     in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
     departments and agencies of the United States.
       (6) Administrative support services.--Upon the request of 
     the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall 
     provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Commission 
     to carry out its responsibilities under this section.
       (7) Contract authority.--The Commission may contract with 
     and compensate government and private agencies or persons for 
     services, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised 
     Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).
       (f) Report.--The Commission shall submit to the Committees 
     on Banking and Financial Services and Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committees on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate, 
     a final report not later than December 31, 2001. The report 
     shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and 
     conclusions of the Commission with respect to the study 
     conducted under subsection (b), together with its 
     recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, and 
     any other actions the Commission considers appropriate.
       (g) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on June 
     30, 2002. Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of 
     advisory committees) shall not apply to the Commission.
    Subtitle C--Renewal of Expiring Rental Assistance Contracts and 
                        Protection of Residents

     SEC. 531. RENEWAL OF EXPIRING CONTRACTS AND ENHANCED VOUCHERS 
                   FOR PROJECT RESIDENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted 
     Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f 
     note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 524. RENEWAL OF EXPIRING PROJECT-BASED SECTION 8 
                   CONTRACTS.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Renewal.--Subject to paragraph (2), upon termination 
     or expiration of a contract for project-based assistance 
     under section 8 for a multifamily housing project (and 
     notwithstanding section 8(v) of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937 for loan management assistance), the Secretary shall, 
     at the request of the owner of the project and to the extent 
     sufficient amounts are made available in appropriation Acts, 
     use amounts available for the renewal of assistance under 
     section 8 of such Act to provide such assistance for the 
     project. The assistance shall be provided under a contract 
     having such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate, subject to the requirements of this section. 
     This section shall not require contract renewal for a project 
     that is eligible under this subtitle for a mortgage 
     restructuring and rental assistance sufficiency plan, if 
     there is no approved plan for the project and the Secretary 
     determines that such an approved plan is necessary.
       ``(2) Prohibition on renewal.--Notwithstanding part 24 of 
     title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Secretary 
     may elect not to renew assistance for a project otherwise 
     required to be renewed under paragraph (1) or provide 
     comparable benefits under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection 
     (e) for a project described in either such paragraph, if the 
     Secretary determines that a violation under paragraph (1) 
     through (4) of section 516(a) has occurred with respect to 
     the project. For purposes of such a determination, the 
     provisions of section 516 shall apply to a project under this 
     section in the same manner and to the same extent that the 
     provisions of such section apply to eligible multifamily 
     housing projects, except that the Secretary shall make the 
     determination under section 516(a)(4).
       ``(3) Contract term for mark-up-to-market contracts.--In 
     the case of an expiring or terminating contract that has rent 
     levels less than comparable market rents for the market area, 
     if the rent levels under the renewal contract under this 
     section are equal to comparable market rents for the market 
     area, the contract shall have a term of not less than 5 
     years, subject to the availability of sufficient amounts in 
     appropriation Acts.
       ``(4) Renewal rents.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     the contract for assistance shall provide assistance at the 
     following rent levels:
       ``(A) Market rents.--At the request of the owner of the 
     project, at rent levels equal to the lesser of comparable 
     market rents for the market area or 150 percent of the fair 
     market rents, in the case only of a project that--
       ``(i) has rent levels under the expiring or terminating 
     contract that do not exceed such comparable market rents;
       ``(ii) does not have a low- and moderate-income use 
     restriction that can not be eliminated by unilateral action 
     by the owner;
       ``(iii) is decent, safe, and sanitary housing, as 
     determined by the Secretary;
       ``(iv) is not--

       ``(I) owned by a nonprofit entity;
       ``(II) subject to a contract for moderate rehabilitation 
     assistance under section 8(e)(2) of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937, as in effect before October 1, 1991; or
       ``(III) a project for which the public housing agency 
     provided voucher assistance to one or more of the tenants 
     after the owner has provided notice of termination of the 
     contract covering the tenant's unit; and

       ``(v) has units assisted under the contract for which the 
     comparable market rent exceeds 110 percent of the fair market 
     rent.
     The Secretary may adjust the percentages of fair market rent 
     (as specified in the matter preceding clause (i) and in 
     clause (v)), but only upon a determination and written 
     notification to the Congress within 10 days of making such 
     determination, that such adjustment is necessary to ensure 
     that this subparagraph covers projects with a high risk of 
     nonrenewal of expiring contracts for project-based 
     assistance.
       ``(B) Reduction to market rents.--In the case of a project 
     that has rent levels under the expiring or terminating 
     contract that exceed comparable market rents for the market 
     area, at rent levels equal to such comparable market rents.
       ``(C) Rents not exceeding market rents.--In the case of a 
     project that is not subject to subparagraph (A) or (B), at 
     rent levels that--
       ``(i) are not less than the existing rents under the 
     terminated or expiring contract, as adjusted by an operating 
     cost adjustment factor established by the Secretary (which 
     shall not result in a negative adjustment), if such adjusted 
     rents do not exceed comparable market rents for the market 
     area; and
       ``(ii) do not exceed comparable market rents for the market 
     area.
     In determining the rent level for a contract under this 
     subparagraph, the Secretary shall approve rents sufficient to 
     cover budget-based cost increases and shall give greater 
     consideration to providing rent at a level up to comparable 
     market rents for the market area based on the number of the 
     criteria under clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (D) 
     that the project meets.
       ``(D) Waiver of 150 percent limitation.--Notwithstanding 
     subparagraph (A), at rent levels up to comparable market 
     rents for the market area, in the case of a project that 
     meets the requirements under clauses (i) through (v) of 
     subparagraph (A) and--
       ``(i) has residents who are a particularly vulnerable 
     population, as demonstrated by a high percentage of units 
     being rented to elderly families, disabled families, or large 
     families;
       ``(ii) is located in an area in which tenant-based 
     assistance would be difficult to use, as demonstrated by a 
     low vacancy rate for affordable housing, a high turnback rate 
     for vouchers, or a lack of comparable rental housing; or
       ``(iii) is a high priority for the local community, as 
     demonstrated by a contribution of State or local funds to the 
     property.
     In determining the rent level for a contract under this 
     subparagraph, the Secretary shall approve rents sufficient to 
     cover budget-based cost increases and shall give greater 
     consideration to providing rent at a level up to comparable 
     market rents for the market area based on the number of the 
     criteria under clauses (i) through (iv) that the project 
     meets.
       ``(5) Comparable market rents and comparison with fair 
     market rents.--The Secretary shall prescribe the method for 
     determining comparable market rent by comparison with rents 
     charged for comparable properties (as such term is defined in 
     section 512), which may include appropriate adjustments for 
     utility allowances and adjustments to reflect the value of 
     any subsidy (other than section 8 assistance) provided by the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development.
       ``(b) Exception Rents.--
       ``(1) Renewal.--In the case of a multifamily housing 
     project described in paragraph (2), pursuant to the request 
     of the owner of the project,

[[Page 25261]]

     the contract for assistance for the project pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall provide assistance at the lesser of the 
     following rent levels:
       ``(A) Adjusted existing rents.--The existing rents under 
     the expiring contract, as adjusted by an operating cost 
     adjustment factor established by the Secretary (which shall 
     not result in a negative adjustment).
       ``(B) Budget-based rents.--Subject to a determination by 
     the Secretary that a rent level under this subparagraph is 
     appropriate for a project, a rent level that provides income 
     sufficient to support a budget-based rent (including a 
     budget-based rent adjustment if justified by reasonable and 
     expected operating expenses).
       ``(2) Projects covered.--A multifamily housing project 
     described in this paragraph is a multifamily housing project 
     that--
       ``(A) is not an eligible multifamily housing project under 
     section 512(2); or
       ``(B) is exempt from mortgage restructuring under this 
     subtitle pursuant to section 514(h).
       ``(3) Moderate rehabilitation projects.--In the case of a 
     project with a contract under the moderate rehabilitation 
     program, other than a moderate rehabilitation contract under 
     section 441 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
     Act, pursuant to the request of the owner of the project, the 
     contract for assistance for the project pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall provide assistance at the lesser of the 
     following rent levels:
       ``(A) Adjusted existing rents.--The existing rents under 
     the expiring contract, as adjusted by an operating cost 
     adjustment factor established by the Secretary (which shall 
     not result in a negative adjustment).
       ``(B) Fair market rents.--Fair market rents (less any 
     amounts allowed for tenant-purchased utilities).
       ``(C) Market rents.--Comparable market rents for the market 
     area.
       ``(c) Rent Adjustments After Renewal of Contract.--
       ``(1) Required.--After the initial renewal of a contract 
     for assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 pursuant to subsection (a), (b)(1), or (e)(2), 
     the Secretary shall annually adjust the rents using an 
     operating cost adjustment factor established by the Secretary 
     (which shall not result in a negative adjustment) or, upon 
     the request of the owner and subject to approval of the 
     Secretary, on a budget basis. In the case of projects with 
     contracts renewed pursuant to subsection (a) or pursuant to 
     subsection (e)(2) at rent levels equal to comparable market 
     rents for the market area, at the expiration of each 5-year 
     period, the Secretary shall compare existing rents with 
     comparable market rents for the market area and may make any 
     adjustments in the rent necessary to maintain the contract 
     rents at a level not greater than comparable market rents or 
     to increase rents to comparable market rents.
       ``(2) Discretionary.--In addition to review and adjustment 
     required under paragraph (1), in the case of projects with 
     contracts renewed pursuant to subsection (a) or pursuant to 
     subsection (e)(2) at rent levels equal to comparable market 
     rents for the market area, the Secretary may, at the 
     discretion of the Secretary but only once within each 5-year 
     period referred to in paragraph (1), conduct a comparison of 
     rents for a project and adjust the rents accordingly to 
     maintain the contract rents at a level not greater than 
     comparable market rents or to increase rents to comparable 
     market rents.
       ``(d) Enhanced Vouchers Upon Contract Expiration.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of a contract for project-
     based assistance under section 8 for a covered project that 
     is not renewed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section 
     (or any other authority), to the extent that amounts for 
     assistance under this subsection are provided in advance in 
     appropriation Acts, upon the date of the expiration of such 
     contract the Secretary shall make enhanced voucher assistance 
     under section 8(t) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (42 U.S.C. 1437f(t)) available on behalf of each low-income 
     family who, upon the date of such expiration, is residing in 
     an assisted dwelling unit in the covered project.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(A) Assisted dwelling unit.--The term `assisted dwelling 
     unit' means a dwelling unit that--
       ``(i) is in a covered project; and
       ``(ii) is covered by rental assistance provided under the 
     contract for project-based assistance for the covered 
     project.
       ``(B) Covered project.--The term `covered project' means 
     any housing that--
       ``(i) consists of more than 4 dwelling units;
       ``(ii) is covered in whole or in part by a contract for 
     project-based assistance under--

       ``(I) the new construction or substantial rehabilitation 
     program under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 (as in effect before October 1, 1983);
       ``(II) the property disposition program under section 8(b) 
     of the United States Housing Act of 1937;
       ``(III) the moderate rehabilitation program under section 
     8(e)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (as in 
     effect before October 1, 1991);
       ``(IV) the loan management assistance program under section 
     8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937;
       ``(V) section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (as in effect before January 1, 1975);
       ``(VI) the rent supplement program under section 101 of the 
     Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965; or
       ``(VII) section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 
     following conversion from assistance under section 101 of the 
     Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965,

     which contract will (under its own terms) expire during the 
     period consisting of fiscal years 2000 through 2004; and
       ``(iii) is not housing for which residents are eligible for 
     enhanced voucher assistance as provided, pursuant to the 
     `Preserving Existing Housing Investment' account in the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2884) or any other 
     subsequently enacted provision of law, in lieu of any 
     benefits under section 223 of the Low-Income Housing 
     Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 
     U.S.C. 4113).
       ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2000, 
     2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 such sums as may be necessary for 
     enhanced voucher assistance under this subsection.
       ``(e) Contractual Commitments Under Preservation Laws.--
     Except as provided in subsection (a)(2) and notwithstanding 
     any other provision of this subtitle, the following shall 
     apply:
       ``(1) Preservation projects.--Upon expiration of a contract 
     for assistance under section 8 for a project that is subject 
     to an approved plan of action under the Emergency Low Income 
     Housing Preservation Act of 1987 (12 U.S.C. 1715l note) or 
     the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), to the 
     extent amounts are specifically made available in 
     appropriation Acts, the Secretary shall provide to the owner 
     benefits comparable to those provided under such plan of 
     action, including distributions, rent increase procedures, 
     and duration of low-income affordability restrictions. This 
     paragraph shall apply to projects with contracts expiring 
     before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this 
     section.
       ``(2) Demonstration projects.--
       ``(A) In general.--Upon expiration of a contract for 
     assistance under section 8 for a project entered into 
     pursuant to any authority specified in subparagraph (B) for 
     which the Secretary determines that debt restructuring is 
     inappropriate, the Secretary shall, at the request of the 
     owner of the project and to the extent sufficient amounts are 
     made available in appropriation Acts, provide benefits to the 
     owner comparable to those provided under such contract, 
     including annual distributions, rent increase procedures, and 
     duration of low-income affordability restrictions. This 
     paragraph shall apply to projects with contracts expiring 
     before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this 
     section.
       ``(B) Demonstration programs.--The authority specified in 
     this subparagraph is the authority under--
       ``(i) section 210 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs 
     and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104-134; 110 Stat. 1321-
     285; 42 U.S.C. 1437f note);
       ``(ii) section 212 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs 
     and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2897; 
     42 U.S.C. 1437f note); and
       ``(iii) either of such sections, pursuant to any provision 
     of this title.
       ``(f) Preemption of Conflicting State Laws Limiting 
     Distributions.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no 
     State or political subdivision of a State may establish, 
     continue in effect, or enforce any law or regulation that 
     limits or restricts, to an amount that is less than the 
     amount provided for under the regulations of the Secretary 
     establishing allowable project distributions to provide a 
     return on investment, the amount of surplus funds accruing 
     after the date of the enactment of this section that may be 
     distributed from any multifamily housing project assisted 
     under a contract for rental assistance renewed under any 
     provision of this section (except subsection (b)) to the 
     owner of the project.
       ``(2) Exception and waiver.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
     to any law or regulation to the extent such law or regulation 
     applies to--
       ``(A) a State-financed multifamily housing project; or
       ``(B) a multifamily housing project for which the owner has 
     elected to waive the applicability of paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Treatment of low-income use restrictions.--This 
     subsection may not be construed to provide for, allow, or 
     result in the release or termination, for any project, of any 
     low- or moderate-income use restrictions that can not be 
     eliminated by unilateral action of the owner of the project.
       ``(g) Applicability.--Except to the extent otherwise 
     specifically provided in this section, this section shall 
     apply with respect to any multifamily housing project having 
     a contract for project-based assistance under section 8 that 
     terminates or expires during fiscal year 2000 or 
     thereafter.''.
       (b) Definition of Eligible Multifamily Housing Project.--
     Section 512(2) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
     Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) is amended 
     by inserting after and below subparagraph (C) the following:
     ``Such term does not include any project with an expiring 
     contract described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
     524(e).''.
       (c) Projects Exempted From Restructuring Agreements.--
     Section 514(h) of the

[[Page 25262]]

     Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 
     1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) is amended by inserting before 
     the semicolon at the end the following: ``and the financing 
     involves mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act, 
     such that the implementation of a mortgage restructuring and 
     rental assistance sufficiency plan under this subtitle is in 
     conflict with applicable law or agreements governing such 
     financing''.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended--
       (1) by designating as subsection (v) the sentence added by 
     section 405(c) of The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I 
     (Public Law 104-99; 110 Stat. 44); and
       (2) by striking subsection (w).

     SEC. 532. SECTION 236 ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Continued Receipt of Subsidies Upon Refinancing.--
     Section 236(e) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-
     1(e)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(e)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) A project for which interest reduction payments are 
     made under this section and for which the mortgage on the 
     project has been refinanced shall continue to receive the 
     interest reduction payments under this section under the 
     terms of the contract for such payments, but only if the 
     project owner enters into such binding commitments as the 
     Secretary may require (which shall be applicable to any 
     subsequent owner) to ensure that the owner will continue to 
     operate the project in accordance with all low-income 
     affordability restrictions for the project in connection with 
     the Federal assistance for the project for a period having a 
     duration that is not less than the term for which such 
     interest reduction payments are made plus an additional 5 
     years.''.
       (b) Retention of Excess Income.--Section 236(g) of the 
     National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1(g)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(g)'';
       (2) by striking the last sentence; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) Subject to paragraph (3) and notwithstanding any 
     other requirements of this subsection, a project owner may 
     retain some or all of such excess charges for project use if 
     authorized by the Secretary. Such excess charges shall be 
     used for the project and upon terms and conditions 
     established by the Secretary, unless the Secretary permits 
     the owner to retain funds for non-project use after a 
     determination that the project is well-maintained housing in 
     good condition and that the owner has not engaged in material 
     adverse financial or managerial actions or omissions as 
     described in section 516 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing 
     Reform and Affordability Act of 1997. In connection with the 
     retention of funds for non-project use, the Secretary may 
     require the project owner to enter into a binding commitment 
     (which shall be applicable to any subsequent owner) to ensure 
     that the owner will continue to operate the project in 
     accordance with all low-income affordability restrictions for 
     the project in connection with the Federal assistance for the 
     project for a period having a duration of not less than the 
     term of the existing affordability restrictions plus an 
     additional 5 years.
       ``(3) The authority under paragraph (2) to retain and use 
     excess charges shall apply--
       ``(A) during fiscal year 2000, to all project owners 
     collecting such excess charges; and
       ``(B) during fiscal year 2001 and thereafter--
       ``(i) to any owner of (I) a project with a mortgage insured 
     under this section, (II) a project with a mortgage formerly 
     insured under this section if such mortgage is held by the 
     Secretary and the owner of such project is current with 
     respect to the mortgage obligation, or (III) a project 
     previously assisted under subsection (b) but without a 
     mortgage insured under this section if the project was 
     insured under section 207 of this Act before July 30, 1998, 
     pursuant to section 223(f) of this Act and assisted under 
     subsection (b); and
       ``(ii) to other project owners not referred to in clause 
     (i) who collect such excess charges, but only to the extent 
     that such retention and use is approved in advance in an 
     appropriation Act.''.
       (c) Previously Owed Excess Income.--Section 236(g) of the 
     National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1(g)), as amended by 
     subsection (b) of this section, is further amended by adding 
     at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) The Secretary shall not withhold approval of the 
     retention by the owner of such excess charges because of the 
     existence of unpaid excess charges if such unpaid amount is 
     being remitted to the Secretary over a period of time in 
     accordance with a workout agreement with the Secretary, 
     unless the Secretary determines that the owner is in 
     violation of the workout agreement.''.
       (d) Flexibility Regarding Basic Rents and Market Rents.--
     Section 236(f) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-
     1(f)(1)) is amended by striking the subsection designation 
     and all that follows through the end of paragraph (1) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(f)(1)(A)(i) For each dwelling unit there shall be 
     established, with the approval of the Secretary, a basic 
     rental charge and fair market rental charge.
       ``(ii) The basic rental charge shall be--
       ``(I) the amount needed to operate the project with 
     payments of principal and interest due under a mortgage 
     bearing interest at the rate of 1 percent per annum; or
       ``(II) an amount greater than that determined under clause 
     (ii)(I), but not greater than the market rent for a 
     comparable unassisted unit, reduced by the value of the 
     interest reduction payments subsidy.
       ``(iii) The fair market rental charge shall be--
       ``(I) the amount needed to operate the project with 
     payments of principal, interest, and mortgage insurance 
     premium which the mortgagor is obligated to pay under the 
     mortgage covering the project; or
       ``(II) an amount greater than that determined under clause 
     (iii)(I), but not greater than the market rent for a 
     comparable unassisted unit.
       ``(iv) The Secretary may approve a basic rental charge and 
     fair market rental charge for a unit that exceeds the minimum 
     amounts permitted by this subparagraph for such charges only 
     if--
       ``(I) the approved basic rental charge and fair market 
     rental charges each exceed the applicable minimum charge by 
     the same amount; and
       ``(II) the project owner agrees to restrictions on project 
     use or mortgage prepayment that are acceptable to the 
     Secretary.
       ``(v) The Secretary may approve a basic rental charge and 
     fair market rental charge under this paragraph for a unit 
     with assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) that differs from the basic 
     rental charge and fair market rental charge for a unit in the 
     same project that is similar in size and amenities but 
     without such assistance, as needed to ensure equitable 
     treatment of tenants in units without such assistance.
       ``(B)(i) The rental charge for each dwelling unit shall be 
     at the basic rental charge or such greater amount, not 
     exceeding the fair market rental charge determined pursuant 
     to subparagraph (A), as represents 30 percent of the tenant's 
     adjusted income, except as otherwise provided in this 
     subparagraph.
       ``(ii) In the case of a project which contains more than 
     5000 units, is subject to an interest reduction payments 
     contract, and is financed under a State or local project, the 
     Secretary may reduce the rental charge ceiling, but in no 
     case shall the rental charge be below the basic rental charge 
     set forth in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).
       ``(iii) For plans of action approved for capital grants 
     under the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990 or the Emergency Low Income Housing 
     Preservation Act of 1987, the rental charge for each dwelling 
     unit shall be at the minimum basic rental charge set forth in 
     subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) or such greater amount, not exceeding 
     the lower of (I) the fair market rental charge set forth in 
     subparagraph (A)(iii)(I), or (II) the actual rent paid for a 
     comparable unit in comparable unassisted housing in the 
     market area in which the housing assisted under this section 
     is located, as represents 30 percent of the tenant's adjusted 
     income.
       ``(C) With respect to those projects which the Secretary 
     determines have separate utility metering paid by the tenants 
     for some or all dwelling units, the Secretary may--
       ``(i) permit the basic rental charge and the fair market 
     rental charge to be determined on the basis of operating the 
     project without the payment of the cost of utility services 
     used by such dwelling units; and
       ``(ii) permit the charging of a rental for such dwelling 
     units at such an amount less than 30 percent of a tenant's 
     adjusted income as the Secretary determines represents a 
     proportionate decrease for the utility charges to be paid by 
     such tenant, but in no case shall rental be lower than 25 
     percent of a tenant's adjusted income.''.
       (e) Effective Date of 1998 Provisions.--Section 236(g) of 
     the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1(g)), as amended 
     by section 227 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-276; 112 Stat. 2490) 
     shall be effective on the date of the enactment of such 
     Public Law 105-276, and any excess rental charges referred to 
     in such section that have been collected since such date of 
     the enactment with respect to projects with mortgages insured 
     under section 207 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1713) may be retained by the project owner unless the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development specifically 
     provides otherwise. The Secretary may return any excess 
     charges remitted to the Secretary since such date of the 
     enactment.
       (f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect, and 
     the amendments made by this section are made and shall apply, 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 533. REHABILITATION OF ASSISTED HOUSING.

       (a) Rehabilitation Loans From Recaptured IRP Amounts.--
     Section 236(s) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-
     1(s)) is amended--
       (1) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(s) Grants and Loans for Rehabilitation of Multifamily 
     Projects.--'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and loans'' after 
     ``grants'';
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``capital grant assistance under this subsection'' and 
     inserting ``capital assistance under this subsection under a 
     grant or loan only''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``capital grant 
     assistance'' and inserting ``capital assistance under this 
     subsection from a grant or loan (as appropriate)'';
       (4) in paragraph (3), by striking all of the matter that 
     precedes subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

[[Page 25263]]

       ``(3) Eligible uses.--Amounts from a grant or loan under 
     this subsection may be used only for projects eligible under 
     paragraph (2) for the purposes of--'';
       (5) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting ``Grant 
     and loan agreements''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or loan'' after ``grant'', each place it 
     appears;
       (6) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or loan'' after 
     ``grant'', each place it appears;
       (7) in paragraph (6), by adding at the end the following 
     new subparagraph:
       ``(D) Loans.--In making loans under this subsection using 
     the amounts that the Secretary has recaptured from contracts 
     for interest reduction payments pursuant to clause (i) or 
     (ii) of paragraph (7)(A)--
       ``(i) the Secretary may use such recaptured amounts for 
     costs (as such term is defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of such loans; and
       ``(ii) the Secretary may make loans in any fiscal year only 
     to the extent or in such amounts that amounts are used under 
     clause (i) to cover costs of such loans.'';
       (8) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) (as amended by 
     the preceding provisions of this subsection) as paragraphs 
     (6) and (7); and
       (9) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) Loan terms.--A loan under this subsection--
       ``(A) shall provide amounts for the eligible uses under 
     paragraph (3) in a single loan disbursement of loan 
     principal;
       ``(B) shall be repaid, as to principal and interest, on 
     behalf of the borrower using amounts recaptured from 
     contracts for interest reduction payments pursuant to clause 
     (i) or (ii) of paragraph (7)(A);
       ``(C) shall have a term to maturity of a duration not 
     shorter than the remaining period for which the interest 
     reduction payments for the insured mortgage or mortgages that 
     fund repayment of the loan would have continued after 
     extinguishment or writedown of the mortgage (in accordance 
     with the terms of such mortgage in effect immediately before 
     such extinguishment or writedown);
       ``(D) shall bear interest at a rate, as determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, that is based upon the current 
     market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the 
     United States having comparable maturities; and
       ``(E) shall involve a principal obligation of an amount not 
     exceeding the amount that can be repaid using amounts 
     described in subparagraph (B) over the term determined in 
     accordance with subparagraph (C), with interest at the rate 
     determined under subparagraph (D).''.
       (b) IRP Capital Grants Requirement for Extension of Low-
     Income Affordability Requirements.--Section 236(s) of the 
     National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1(s)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D), as amended 
     by the preceding provisions of this section, as subparagraphs 
     (D) and (E), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) the project owner enters into such binding 
     commitments as the Secretary may require (which shall be 
     applicable to any subsequent owner) to ensure that the owner 
     will continue to operate the project in accordance with all 
     low-income affordability restrictions for the project in 
     connection with the Federal assistance for the project for a 
     period having a duration that is not less than the period 
     referred to in paragraph (5)(C);''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ``and consistent with 
     paragraph (2)(C)'' before the period at the end.

     SEC. 534. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

       Section 514(f)(3) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing 
     Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) 
     is amended by inserting after ``new owners)'' the following: 
     ``, for technical assistance for preservation of low-income 
     housing for which project-based rental assistance is provided 
     at below market rent levels and may not be renewed (including 
     transfer of developments to tenant groups, nonprofit 
     organizations, and public entities),''.

     SEC. 535. TERMINATION OF SECTION 8 CONTRACT AND DURATION OF 
                   RENEWAL CONTRACT.

       Section 8(c)(8) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (42 U.S.C. 1437f(c)(8)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) by striking ``terminating'' and inserting ``termination 
     of''; and
       (B) by striking the third comma of the first sentence and 
     all that follows through the end of the subparagraph and 
     inserting the following: ``. The notice shall also include a 
     statement that, if the Congress makes funds available, the 
     owner and the Secretary may agree to a renewal of the 
     contract, thus avoiding termination, and that in the event of 
     termination the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
     will provide tenant-based rental assistance to all eligible 
     residents, enabling them to choose the place they wish to 
     rent, which is likely to include the dwelling unit in which 
     they currently reside. Any contract covered by this paragraph 
     that is renewed may be renewed for a period of up to one year 
     or any number or years, with payments subject to the 
     availability of appropriations for any year.'';
       (2) by striking subparagraph (B);
       (3) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by striking the first sentence;
       (B) by striking ``in the immediately preceding sentence'';
       (C) by striking ``180-day'' each place it appears;
       (D) by striking ``such period'' and inserting ``one year''; 
     and
       (E) by striking ``180 days'' and inserting ``one year''; 
     and
       (4) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), as 
     amended by the preceding provisions of this subsection, as 
     subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively.

     SEC. 536. ELIGIBILITY OF RESIDENTS OF FLEXIBLE SUBSIDY 
                   PROJECTS FOR ENHANCED VOUCHERS.

       Section 201 of the Housing and Community Development 
     Amendments of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1a) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(p) Enhanced Voucher Eligibility.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, any project that receives or has 
     received assistance under this section and which is the 
     subject of a transaction under which the project is preserved 
     as affordable housing, as determined by the Secretary, shall 
     be considered eligible low-income housing under section 229 
     of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4119) for purposes of 
     eligibility of residents of such project for enhanced voucher 
     assistance provided under section 8(t) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(t)) (pursuant to section 
     223(f) of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4113(f))).''.

     SEC. 537. ENHANCED DISPOSITION AUTHORITY.

       Section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1997 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-11a) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and 1999'' and inserting ``1999, and 
     2000''; and
       (2) by striking ``or demolition'' and inserting ``, 
     demolition, or construction on the properties (which shall be 
     eligible whether vacant or occupied)''.

     SEC. 538. UNIFIED ENHANCED VOUCHER AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--Section 8 of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by inserting after 
     subsection (s) the following new subsection:
       ``(t) Enhanced Vouchers.--
       ``(1) In general.--Enhanced voucher assistance under this 
     subsection for a family shall be voucher assistance under 
     subsection (o), except that under such enhanced voucher 
     assistance--
       ``(A) subject only to subparagraph (D), the assisted family 
     shall pay as rent no less than the amount the family was 
     paying on the date of the eligibility event for the project 
     in which the family was residing on such date;
       ``(B) during any period that the assisted family continues 
     residing in the same project in which the family was residing 
     on the date of the eligibility event for the project, if the 
     rent for the dwelling unit of the family in such project 
     exceeds the applicable payment standard established pursuant 
     to subsection (o) for the unit, the amount of rental 
     assistance provided on behalf of the family shall be 
     determined using a payment standard that is equal to the rent 
     for the dwelling unit (as such rent may be increased from 
     time to time), subject to paragraph (10)(A) of subsection 
     (o);
       ``(C) subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall not apply 
     and the payment standard for the dwelling unit occupied by 
     the family shall be determined in accordance with subsection 
     (o) if--
       ``(i) the assisted family moves, at any time, from such 
     project; or
       ``(ii) the voucher is made available for use by any family 
     other than the original family on behalf of whom the voucher 
     was provided; and
       ``(D) if the income of the assisted family declines to a 
     significant extent, the percentage of income paid by the 
     family for rent shall not exceed the greater of 30 percent or 
     the percentage of income paid at the time of the eligibility 
     event for the project.
       ``(2) Eligibility event.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `eligibility event' means, with respect to a 
     multifamily housing project, the prepayment of the mortgage 
     on such housing project, the voluntary termination of the 
     insurance contract for the mortgage for such housing project, 
     the termination or expiration of the contract for rental 
     assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937 for such housing project, or the transaction under 
     which the project is preserved as affordable housing, that, 
     under paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 515(c), section 
     524(d) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
     Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), section 
     223(f) of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990 (12 U.S.C. 4113(f)), or section 
     201(p) of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 
     1978 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1a(p)), results in tenants in such 
     housing project being eligible for enhanced voucher 
     assistance under this subsection.
       ``(3) Treatment of enhanced vouchers provided under other 
     authority.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, any enhanced voucher assistance provided under any 
     authority specified in subparagraph (B) shall (regardless of 
     the date that the amounts for providing such assistance were 
     made available) be treated, and subject to the same 
     requirements, as enhanced voucher assistance under this 
     subsection.
       ``(B) Identification of other authority.--The authority 
     specified in this subparagraph is the authority under--
       ``(i) the 10th, 11th, and 12th provisos under the 
     `Preserving Existing Housing Investment' account in title II 
     of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations

[[Page 25264]]

     Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2884), pursuant to 
     such provisos, the first proviso under the `Housing 
     Certificate Fund' account in title II of the Departments of 
     Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 
     105-65; 111 Stat. 1351), or the first proviso under the 
     `Housing Certificate Fund' account in title II of the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     1999 (Public Law 105-276; 112 Stat. 2469); and
       ``(ii) paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 515(c) of the 
     Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 
     1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as in effect before the 
     enactment of this Act.
       ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2000, 
     2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 such sums as may be necessary for 
     enhanced voucher assistance under this subsection.''.
       (b) Enhanced Vouchers Under MAHRAA.--Section 515(c) of the 
     Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 
     1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) is amended by striking paragraph 
     (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) Assistance through enhanced vouchers.--In the case of 
     any family described in paragraph (3) that resides in a 
     project described in section 512(2)(B), the tenant-based 
     assistance provided shall be enhanced voucher assistance 
     under section 8(t) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (42 U.S.C. 1437f(t)).''.
       (c) Enhanced Vouchers For Certain Tenants in Prepayment and 
     Voluntary Termination Properties.--Section 223 of the Low-
     Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 
     1990 (12 U.S.C. 4113) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(f) Enhanced Voucher Assistance for Certain Tenants.--
       ``(1) Authority.--In lieu of benefits under subsections 
     (b), (c), and (d), and subject to the availability of 
     appropriated amounts, each family described in paragraph (2) 
     shall be offered enhanced voucher assistance under section 
     8(t) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
     1437f(t)).
       ``(2) Eligible families.--A family described in this 
     paragraph is a family that is--
       ``(A)(i) a low-income family; or
       ``(ii) a moderate-income family that is (I) an elderly 
     family, (II) a disabled family, or (III) residing in a low-
     vacancy area; and
       ``(B) residing in eligible low-income housing on the date 
     of the prepayment of the mortgage or voluntary termination of 
     the insurance contract.''.
       This Act may be cited as the ``Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000''.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
     James T. Walsh,
     Tom DeLay,
     David Hobson,
     Joe Knollenberg,
     Rod Frelinghuysen,
     Roger Wicker,
     Anne M. Northup,
     John E. Sununu,
     Bill Young,
     Alan Mollohan,
     Marcy Kaptur,
     Carrie P. Meek,
     David E. Price,
     Bud Cramer,
     David Obey
       (except for delayed funding gimmick),
                                    Managers on Part of the House.

     C.S. Bond,
     Conrad Burns,
     Richard Shelby,
     Larry E. Craig,
     Kay Bailey Hutchison,
     Ted Stevens,
     Barbara Mikulski,
     Patrick Leahy,
     Frank R. Lautenberg,
     Tom Harkin,
     Robert C. Byrd,
     Daniel Inouye,
                                   Managers on Part of the Senate.

       JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

       The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the 
     amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2684) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other 
     purposes, submit the following joint statement to the House 
     and the Senate in explanation of the effect of the action 
     agreed upon by the managers and recommended in the 
     accompanying report.
       The language and allocations set forth in House Report 106-
     286 and Senate Report 106-161 should be complied with unless 
     specifically addressed to the contrary in the conference 
     report and statement of the managers. Report language 
     included by the House which is not changed by the report of 
     the Senate or the conference, and Senate report language 
     which is not changed by the conference is approved by the 
     committee of conference. The statement of the managers, while 
     repeating some report language for emphasis, does not intend 
     to negate the language referred to above unless expressly 
     provided herein. In cases in which the House or Senate have 
     directed the submission of a report, such report is to be 
     submitted to both House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations.
       Unless specifically addressed in this report, the conferees 
     agree to retain the reprogramming thresholds for each 
     department or agency at the level established by the fiscal 
     year 1999 conference agreement.

                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration


                       compensation and pensions

       Provides up to $17,932,000 to be transferred to the general 
     operating expenses and medical care accounts as proposed by 
     the House instead of $38,079,000 as proposed by the Senate.

  Guaranteed Transitional Housing Loans for Homeless Veterans Program 
                                Account

       Retains language proposed by the Senate providing 
     $48,250,000 for the guaranteed transitional housing loans 
     program account.

                     Veterans Health Administration


                              medical care

       Appropriates $19,006,000,000 for medical care as proposed 
     by the House instead of $18,406,000,000 plus $600,000,000 in 
     emergency funding as proposed by the Senate. The conferees 
     have recommended $1,700,000,000 above the President's request 
     for medical care. According to the General Accounting Office, 
     there are many opportunities to make VA health care more 
     cost-effective. These include improved procurement practices, 
     consolidating certain services, and eliminating excess 
     management layers and administration. The conferees expect VA 
     to continue implementing reforms and improvements to the way 
     it allocates its resources, ensuring that funds are focused 
     on veterans health, not maintaining buildings and the status 
     quo. The additional funds in VA's budget are for improving 
     the quality of and access to veterans health care, 
     accommodating uncontrollable increased costs associated with 
     pharmaceuticals and prosthetics, enhancing care for homeless 
     veterans, expanding alternatives to institutional long-term 
     care, and accommodating some new requirements upon enactment 
     of authorizing legislation. The conferees direct that VA 
     submit as part of its operating plan a detailed description 
     of its plans for allocating the additional funds.
       Retains the Senate provision making $900,000,000, 
     approximately 5 percent of the medical care appropriation, 
     available until September 30, 2001.
       Delays the availability of $900,000,000 of the medical care 
     appropriation in the equipment and land and structures object 
     classifications until August 1, 2000, instead of delaying the 
     availability of $635,000,000 as proposed by the House and 
     Senate.
       Retains language proposed by the Senate transferring not to 
     exceed $27,907,000 from the medical care appropriation to the 
     general operating expenses appropriation for expenses of the 
     Office of Resolution Management (ORM) and the Office of 
     Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication (OEDCA).
       Retains language proposed by the Senate directing the VA to 
     contract for a recovery audit program of past medical 
     payments. The intent of the provision is to ensure that 
     clinical diagnoses and treatments match the codes which are 
     submitted to VA for payment, and where an overpayment has 
     been made, to enable VA to recover these funds for medical 
     care. The conferees are interested to learn the quality of 
     VA's financial records and whether VA's data quality has an 
     impact on its ability to recover overpayments under this 
     program. The conferees direct VA to provide a report 
     detailing the progress and success of this program within one 
     year after enactment of this Act.
       The conferees reiterate their frustration with the way VA 
     handled the directed report on the National Formulary by the 
     Institutes of Medicine. The conferees direct that the VA 
     deliver the completed report by July 11, 2000. If the report 
     is not available on that date, the conferees direct the VA to 
     brief the Committees on Appropriations as to the status and 
     reasons why the report is not completed. The conferees strike 
     the language inserted by the House restricting classification 
     activities.
       The conferees are concerned about the availability of 
     mental health services and direct the VA to submit one report 
     to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
     addressing the concerns described in House Report 106-286 and 
     Senate Report 106-161, no later than March 31, 2000.
       In each of the past two fiscal years the Congress has 
     provided funding from within the VISN 8 allocation for a 
     demonstration program to study the cost-effectiveness of 
     contracting inpatient health care services with local East 
     Central Florida hospitals. Based on the success of the 
     program and the significant increase in funding provided in 
     this bill for medical care, the conferees direct the VA to 
     continue the demonstration program in fiscal year 2000. The 
     conferees direct the VA to submit a report by April 1, 2000 
     addressing the costs and benefits of this program and the 
     applicability of expanding

[[Page 25265]]

     this program to other parts of the country. Due to the 
     success of the program in VISN 8, the conferees view this 
     program as a regular part of the VISN 8 system, not a 
     demonstration, and expect that in future years any further 
     funding or continuation considerations should be made on the 
     demonstrated merits and available resources.
       The conferees recommend $750,000 to continue VA's 
     participation with the Alaska Federal Health Care Access 
     Network.
       The conferees direct the Department to continue the 
     demonstration project involving the Clarksburg VAMC and the 
     Ruby Memorial Hospital at West Virginia University.
       The conferees encourage further deployment of the Joslin 
     Vision Network as a high priority through available resources 
     in the medical care account and not the medical and 
     prosthetic research account as proposed by the House.
       The conferees direct the VA to provide a report addressing 
     the OIG findings and recommendations regarding local patient 
     access to care, including the feasibility of a contracting 
     demonstration program, for the medical care system serving 
     Chattanooga, Tennessee by January 31, 2000.
       The conferees direct the VA to submit a report on access to 
     medical care and community-based outpatient clinics in 
     Georgia's 7th Congressional District 30 days after the 
     enactment of this bill.
       In instances that significant deficiencies in quality of 
     care and operations of VA medical facilities are identified 
     by the VA Medical Inspector, the conferees expect that the VA 
     will correct the deficiencies identified in the inspections 
     and that resources such as the National Reserve Fund, other 
     surplus resources, FTE, technical assistance, training and 
     equipment should be made available on a priority basis to 
     address the deficiencies.
       The conferees are concerned that the VA medical system must 
     cancel and/or reschedule healthcare appointments, creating an 
     undue hardship to veterans. Furthermore, the conferees 
     understand that the GAO is currently investigating this 
     issue. Therefore, within 90 days after the GAO issues the 
     final report on this issue, the conferees direct the VA to 
     develop options to mitigate the hardship placed on veterans 
     when the VA medical system cancels or reschedules their 
     medical appointments and submit a report of those options to 
     the committees.
       The conferees urge the VA to partner with existing, 
     federally-funded Community Health Care Centers to provide 
     outpatient primary and preventive health care services to 
     area veterans in their home communities. Such a plan would 
     greatly enhance access to quality health care for veterans 
     living in remote areas. The conferees urge the veteran 
     populations in the following areas be included in such a 
     program: Marshall County, Mississippi; Hardin County, 
     Tennessee; and Letcher County, Kentucky.
       The conferees support VA's efforts to undertake a three-
     year rural health care pilot program at the VAMC in White 
     River Junction, Vermont. The rural health care services 
     delivery model will explore new methods of optimizing 
     surgical, ambulatory, and mental health care services in 
     rural settings. VA estimates this will cost approximately 
     $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2000.
       The conferees urge the VA to make testing and treatment for 
     hepatitis C broadly available to all veterans.


                    medical and prosthetic research

       Appropriates $321,000,000 for medical and prosthetic 
     research, instead of $326,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $316,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conferees have not included the recommended funding as 
     proposed by the House, but instead urge research endeavors in 
     the areas of prostate imaging, bio-artificial kidney 
     development, and artificial neural networks relating to the 
     diagnosis and prognosis of heart disease, subject to the 
     normal peer review procedures. The conferees are aware of 
     bio-artificial kidney research being conducted by Dr. David 
     Humes of the Ann Arbor VAMC and the University of Michigan.
       The conferees direct $1,000,000 to the National Technology 
     Transfer Center to establish a pilot program to assess, 
     market, and license medical technologies researched in VA 
     facilities. The conferees expect a report on the progress of 
     this program by April 1, 2000.
       The conferees are concerned about the review and oversight 
     procedures protecting human subjects in research programs 
     funded by the VA. The conferees believe an effective means of 
     promoting adequate protections and informed consent for human 
     subjects in VA research programs is ensuring that an 
     appropriate mix of independent expertise is represented on 
     Institutional Review Boards. Such boards have a special and 
     sensitive responsibility to mentally ill veterans, who, 
     because of the nature of their illness, may have difficulty 
     fully understanding the purposes and risks associated with 
     such research. The conferees therefore urge the VA to submit 
     a report to the committees on the Department's progress for 
     improving the functions and oversight of these boards, 
     especially where they involve mental illness research, by 
     March 31, 2000.


      medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses

       Appropriates $59,703,000 for medical administration and 
     miscellaneous operating expenses, instead of $61,200,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $60,703,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.

                      Departmental Administration


                       GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

       Appropriates $912,594,000 for general operating expenses as 
     proposed by the Senate, instead of $886,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House. The conferees provided $45,600,000, 
     approximately 5 percent of the appropriation, to be available 
     until September 30, 2001.
       The conferees direct the immediate Office of the Secretary 
     to limit travel expenditures to $100,000 in fiscal year 2000. 
     The conferees are extremely concerned about recent findings 
     of the Inspector General related to improper use of travel 
     and representation funds by the Secretary and expect that the 
     IG's recommendations will be implemented fully.
       The conferees expect assurances that the Department is 
     fiscally and logistically ready to consolidate computer 
     services at the Austin Automation Center. Therefore, the 
     conferees direct the VA to submit a report summarizing all 
     cost/benefit studies regarding the consolidation and site 
     readiness at Austin to accommodate the relocated services. 
     The conferees direct that no funds in this Act will be used 
     to relocate the center unless the VA submits the requested 
     report to the Committees 60 days prior to moving operations 
     from Hines.


                    NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

       Appropriates $97,256,000 for the National Cemetery 
     Administration as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $97,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       Restores language proposed by the Senate transferring not 
     to exceed $90,000 ($84,000 for ORM and $6,000 for OEDCA) from 
     the national cemetery administration appropriation to the 
     general operating expenses appropriation for expenses of the 
     Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment 
     Discrimination Complaint Adjudication. Additional information 
     on funding for these two offices is included under the VA's 
     administrative provisions section of this report.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       Appropriates $43,200,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General as proposed by the Senate, instead of $38,500,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       Retains Senate language transferring not to exceed $30,000 
     from the Office of Inspector General appropriation to the 
     general operating expenses appropriation for expenses of the 
     Office of Resolution Management ($28,000) and the Office of 
     Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication ($2,000). 
     Additional information on funding for these two offices is 
     included under the VA's administrative provisions section of 
     this report.


                      CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

       Appropriates $65,140,000 for construction, major projects 
     instead of $34,700,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $70,140,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes the following changes 
     from the budget estimate:
       +$10,000,000 for capital asset planning.
       +$1,000,000 for the advance planning and design of the 
     Lebanon VAMC renovation of patient care units and 
     enhancements for extended care programs, contingent upon 
     authorization.
       +$500,000 for planning national cemeteries in the regions 
     designated by the authorizing committees in the Atlanta area 
     of Georgia, the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania, South 
     Florida, and Northern California.
       -$6,500,000 from available unobligated balances in the 
     working reserve.
       The conferees support a new national cemetery in the 
     Lawton, OK area. VA expects to award a design contract for 
     architectural and engineering services for this project in 
     October 1999. The conferees expect the President's fiscal 
     year 2001 budget will include construction funds for this 
     project.


                      CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

       Appropriates $160,000,000 for construction, minor projects 
     instead of $102,300,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $175,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Of the funds provided, the conferees direct $150,000 for 
     ``mothballing'' four historic buildings at the Dayton VAMC in 
     Dayton, Ohio; $3,000,000 for renovations of the research 
     building at the Bronx VAMC in Bronx, New York; $500,000 for 
     preparation of the satellite site at the National Cemetery at 
     Salisbury, North Carolina; and $3,900,000 to convert 
     unfinished space into research laboratories at the ambulatory 
     care addition of the Harry S Truman VAMC. The conferees also 
     request a study to examine and design a relocated entrance to 
     the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, West 
     Virginia.


       GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

       Appropriates $90,000,000 for grants for construction of 
     state extended care facilities as proposed by the Senate, 
     instead of $87,000,000 ($80,000,000 in the grants for 
     construction of state extended care facilities account and an 
     additional $7,000,000 in Sec. 426 of the General Provisions) 
     as proposed by the House.


          GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES

       Appropriates $25,000,000 for grants for construction of 
     state veterans cemeteries as

[[Page 25266]]

     proposed by the Senate, instead of $11,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       Deletes language proposed by the House authorizing the 
     reimbursement of expenses for the Office of Resolution 
     Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination 
     Complaint Adjudication from other VA appropriations beginning 
     in fiscal year 2000, and inserts language as proposed by the 
     Senate transferring amounts in medical care ($27,907,000--
     $26,111,000 for ORM and $1,796,000 for OEDCA), national 
     cemetery administration ($117,000--$111,000 for ORM and 
     $6,000 for OEDCA), and Office of Inspector General ($30,000--
     $28,000 for ORM and $2,000 for OEDCA) to the general 
     operating expenses appropriation. In addition, $2,068,000 is 
     assumed in the general operating expenses appropriation for 
     these activities. All funds for these two offices should be 
     requested in the general operating expenses appropriation in 
     fiscal year 2001.
       The conferees recognize that transportation to VA hospitals 
     and clinics is a major concern to many veterans in rural 
     areas. The conferees direct the VA to conduct a study to 
     determine to what extent geography and distance serve as a 
     barrier to health care in rural areas. The conferees direct 
     the VA to report its findings back to Congress no later than 
     February 1, 2000. Furthermore, the conferees direct the VA to 
     develop a proposal addressing this concern.
       Both the House and Senate included provisions expressing 
     the concern about the quality of and access to medical care 
     for veterans in rural areas. The conferees consolidated the 
     two provisions in this title under Sec. 108.
       Retains Sec. 109, proposed by the House authorizing 
     $11,500,000, originally appropriated in fiscal year 1998 to 
     renovate Building 9 at the VAMC in Waco, Texas, to instead be 
     used for renovation and construction of a joint venture 
     cardiovascular institute at the Olin E. Teague VAMC in 
     Temple, Texas.
       In response to the GAO report, VA Health Care: Closing a 
     Chicago Hospital Would Save Millions and Enhance Access to 
     Services, the VHA established the VISN 12 Delivery Options 
     Study Steering Committee to provide recommended options for 
     optimally aligning resources with veteran needs. The 
     conferees have concerns about the recommended option of the 
     VISN 12 Delivery Options Study as it may be inconsistent with 
     the GAO report. The conferees understand that the recommended 
     option is under review and may lead to a realignment plan 
     being proposed by VHA for VISN 12. Sec. 110 has been included 
     to ensure appropriate consultation and input for all 
     stakeholders.
       Deletes bill language proposed by the Senate presuming 
     cancer of the lung, colon, brain and central nervous system 
     should be added to the list of radiogenic diseases presumed 
     to be service-connected disabilities by the Department.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                       Public and Indian Housing


                        HOUSING CERTIFICATE FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       Appropriates $11,376,695,000 for the housing certificate 
     fund, instead of $10,540,135,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $11,051,135,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference 
     agreement includes:
       --$10,990,135,000 for expiring section 8 housing assistance 
     contracts, tenant protections, including tenant protections 
     for HOPE VI relocations, section 8 amendments, contract 
     administration, enhanced vouchers, and contracts entered into 
     pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Act;
       --$346,560,000 to provide 60,000 incremental section 8 
     housing assistance vouchers, to increase the number of low-
     income individuals and families receiving assistance; and
       --$40,000,000 to provide section 8 housing vouchers to non-
     elderly, disabled residents who are affected by designation 
     of public and assisted housing as ``elderly-only'' 
     developments.
       Within the overall totals for the housing certificate fund, 
     the House bill provided $25,000,000 for non-elderly disabled 
     residents and did not specify a division between the amounts 
     for contract renewals and tenant protection vouchers, while 
     the Senate bill provided $10,855,135,000 for contract 
     renewals, $156,000,000 for tenant protection vouchers, and 
     $40,000,000 for the non-elderly disabled. Neither bill 
     provided funds for incremental vouchers.
       The conferees note that the costs of renewing all expiring 
     section 8 housing assistance contracts will continue to rise 
     significantly from year to year. The 60,000 additional 
     vouchers provided in the conference agreement will need to be 
     funded in future years, and will place substantial burdens on 
     the Congress. The conferees have agreed to fund these 
     incremental vouchers for fiscal year 2000, based in part on 
     the Administration's representation that it will endeavor to 
     address the shortfalls in this account and to fully fund 
     these and all other section 8 contracts in fiscal year 2001.
       The conferees expect the Administration to submit a budget 
     request for fiscal year 2001 that includes sufficient funding 
     for the section 8 account, including vouchers added this 
     year, consistent with the agreement reached between the 
     Administration and the conferees.
       While the conferees have included funds for incremental 
     voucher assistance, they note that vouchers are not a panacea 
     for low-income, affordable housing. The voucher program has 
     significant problems, with families in many areas of the 
     country unable to utilize effectively this housing subsidy, 
     especially in high-cost areas where the payment standard of 
     the voucher program may not be sufficient to cover market 
     rents. Moreover, there is a substantial shortage of 
     available, low-income affordable housing throughout the 
     country, and vouchers do not provide an effective financing 
     tool that will result in constructing additional affordable 
     housing. Finally, there is a need for communities, 
     nonprofits, public housing authorities and others to create 
     links between all HUD programs, to ensure that housing and 
     community development assistance is integrated to benefit the 
     overall needs of the community.
       Inserts language, as proposed by the Senate, making the 
     amount set aside for non-elderly disabled persons affected by 
     elderly-only designations also available to assist other 
     disabled persons, to the extent that amounts are not needed 
     to fund applications from those affected by designations.
       Inserts language proposed by the House and not included by 
     the Senate requiring HUD to determine section 8 
     administrative fees for public housing authorities under the 
     requirements in effect before enactment of the Quality 
     Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate adopting the 
     Administration's recommendation to provide $4,200,000,000 
     (within the overall totals given above for the housing 
     certificate fund) in the form of an advance appropriation 
     that will first become available in fiscal year 2001. This 
     advance appropriation is intended to cover a portion of 
     expenditures that will actually occur in fiscal year 2001 
     under section 8 contracts renewed during fiscal year 2000. 
     The House did not include such an advance appropriation, but 
     instead followed the past practice of providing all funds 
     needed for fiscal year 2000 contract renewals in the form of 
     a regular fiscal year 2000 appropriation.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House prohibiting funds from being expended for the 
     Regional Opportunity Counseling program.
       Inserts language, not included by either the House or the 
     Senate, rescinding $1,300,000,000 in recaptured section 8 
     housing assistance funds from the Annual Contributions for 
     Assisted Housing account and the Housing Certificate Fund 
     account that are not expected to be needed in fiscal year 
     2000.
       Inserts language, not included by either the House or the 
     Senate, rescinding $943,000,000 in unobligated balances of 
     funds previously appropriated in the Housing Certificate Fund 
     or Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing accounts.


                      public housing capital fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Appropriates $2,900,000,000 for the public housing capital 
     fund instead of $2,555,000,000 as proposed by the Senate and 
     the House. The conferees recommend an increase in this 
     appropriation above the levels provided in either the House 
     or the Senate bill, in recognition of the serious unmet needs 
     for capital improvements to the nation's public housing. The 
     conferees believe that providing adequate funding to renovate 
     and improve these facilities is less costly than allowing 
     them to fall into disrepair. Currently, HUD estimates that 
     the 3,400 public housing authorities have a backlog of 
     modernization needs that totals more than $20,000,000,000. 
     This is due in large part to the age of the inventory, as at 
     least half of the 1,322,000 apartments managed by public 
     housing authorities are more than 30 years old and are home 
     to almost 3,000,000 people, 43% of whom are 62 or older or 
     have a disability. Families with children live in the 
     remaining apartments. Public housing represents a major 
     investment of federal resources over many years, and it is 
     vital that funding be provided to properly preserve this 
     taxpayer investment. Allowing more of these housing units to 
     deteriorate to the point that they must be demolished and 
     rebuilt would be a far more costly option.
       Includes $75,000,000 for technical assistance under section 
     9(h) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, instead of 
     $100,000,000 as proposed by the Senate and $50,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House. The conferees note that section 9(h) 
     includes the costs of travel, and have therefore deleted a 
     House provision that provided $1,000,000 for travel costs. 
     Finally, the conferees direct HUD to include in its operating 
     plan a detailed description of the Department's plans for 
     utilizing these technical assistance funds in fiscal year 
     2000, and to include a similarly detailed description in next 
     year's budget justification regarding plans for use of any 
     funds requested for fiscal year 2001. Unless such information 
     is provided, the conferees would be very reluctant to 
     continue appropriating funds for technical assistance in the 
     future.
       Includes $75,000,000 for the Secretary's discretionary fund 
     for the purpose of making grants to PHAs for emergency 
     capital needs resulting from emergencies and natural 
     disasters. The House did not include a similar

[[Page 25267]]

     provision and the Senate expressly provided no funds for this 
     activity under section 9(k)of the United States Housing Act 
     of 1937.


                     public housing operating fund

       Appropriates $3,138,000,000 for the public housing 
     operating fund instead of $2,818,000,000 as proposed by the 
     House, and $2,900,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. Like the 
     increase to the public housing capital fund, this increase 
     reflects the conferees' commitment to providing adequate 
     resources to public housing--in this case for basic costs 
     like water, gas and electric utilities, security, and routine 
     maintenance.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House prohibiting funds from being used for the 
     Secretary's discretionary fund under section 9(k) of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937.
       The conferees direct HUD to delay implementing the Public 
     Housing Assessment System (PHAS) until, in consultation with 
     public housing authorities (PHAs) and their designated 
     representatives, the Secretary: (a) conducts a thorough 
     analysis of all advisory PHAS assessments; (b) reviews the 
     GAO's study of the PHAS when it is complete; and (c) based on 
     that analysis and review, publishes in the Federal Register a 
     new consensus-based PHAS final rule that incorporates any 
     recommended changes resulting from the process referenced 
     above. Finally, HUD shall take all reasonable steps to 
     minimize the costs and burdens the PHAS imposes on public 
     housing authorities. The conferees intend that the PHAS, when 
     finalized, acknowledge the complexities and practicalities 
     inherent in managing large-scale apartment buildings and make 
     allowances for these considerations.
       Finally, the conferees note that the negotiated rule-making 
     on revisions to the ``performance funding system'' formula 
     for allocating operating subsidy funds appears to have 
     stalled, in part because of lack of adequate data about 
     actual costs of operating public housing. Therefore, before a 
     proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, the 
     conferees direct HUD to contract with the Harvard University 
     Graduate School of Design to conduct a study on the costs 
     incurred in operating well-run public housing and provide the 
     results to the negotiated rule-making committee and the 
     appropriate congressional committees. The final report shall 
     be completed by October 1, 2000. The conferees direct that 
     $3,000,000 from technical assistance funds in the public 
     housing capital fund account be set-aside for this purpose.


             drug elimination grants for low income housing

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Appropriates $310,000,000 for drug elimination grants, as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $290,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       Includes $20,000,000 for the New Approach Anti-Drug 
     program, as proposed by the Senate, rather than no funding as 
     proposed by the House.
       Includes $4,500,000 for technical assistance grants as 
     proposed by the House instead of $5,000,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate. Of this set-aside, $150,000 is for related travel 
     as proposed by the House, instead of $250,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House requiring notice and comment rulemaking in all 
     situations where HUD makes substantive changes to the grant 
     program. Nevertheless, the conferees strongly believe in the 
     value of notice and comment rulemaking, and remind the 
     Department of the requirements set forth in the 
     Administrative Procedures Act and in section 208 of the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for 
     fiscal year 1998. The conferees encourage the Department to 
     institutionalize the drug elimination grant program through 
     an appropriate rulemaking process.


     REVITALIZATION OF SEVERELY DISTRESSED PUBLIC HOUSING (HOPE VI)

       Appropriates $575,000,000 for the revitalization of 
     severely distressed public housing program as proposed by the 
     House, instead of $500,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Inserts language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate providing $10,000,000 for technical assistance, 
     training, and necessary travel.
       The conferees note the Department's success in leveraging 
     local businesses, community organizations, residents, and 
     other partners, to create residential computing centers in 
     multifamily housing through the unfunded Neighborhood 
     Networks Initiative. This initiative bridges the information 
     technology gap in communities, helping hundreds of residents, 
     such as those in The Terraces in West Baltimore, improve 
     computer technology skills, which in turn increases job and 
     education opportunities. The conferees believe that the 
     opportunity to bridge the digital divide should also be 
     available to HOPE VI residents and directs the Department to 
     undertake an effort to adapt the Neighborhood Networks 
     Initiative to new HOPE VI projects. The conferees further 
     direct the Department to report on the status of its efforts 
     to implement the Neighborhood Networks Initiative in HOPE VI 
     communities no later than June 30, 2000.
       The conferees direct the Department to contract with the 
     Urban Institute to conduct an independent study on the long-
     term effects of the HOPE VI program on former residents of 
     distressed public housing developments, focusing on the 
     effects of relocation and improved community and supportive 
     services. The conferees have provided $1,200,000 from within 
     this account for this purpose. Because HOPE VI was 
     established to address the social needs of residents as well 
     as the physical distress of the housing, the conferees feel 
     that it is important to assess the effectiveness of the 
     social aspects of the program in order to better evaluate the 
     accomplishments of the program.


                  NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANTS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       Includes $6,000,000 for technical assistance grants, of 
     which $4,000,000 is for HUD and $2,000,000 is for the 
     National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). The House 
     provided the entire amount to HUD while the Senate provided 
     $4,000,000 to NAIHC and $2,000,000 to HUD. Of the amount 
     $200,000 is for related travel instead of $100,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $300,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The housing and economic development problems faced by 
     Indian tribes are unique because of the special status 
     accorded to reservation lands. NAIHC has a proven technical 
     assistance and training program that the conferees believe 
     could be a valuable tool in addition to HUD's existing 
     technical assistance programs. Prior to receiving the grant, 
     the conferees expect NAIHC to provide a business plan to HUD 
     and to the Committees on Appropriations for expending these 
     funds. The plan should include performance measures and 
     goals. Upon receipt and review of the plan, HUD is directed 
     to enter into a contract with NAIHC, and to deliver the funds 
     by March 1, 2000.
       Inserts language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate making a technical correction to bill language.


           INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       Inserts language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate making a technical correction to bill language.

                   Community Planning and Development


              HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

       Appropriates $232,000,000 for housing opportunities for 
     persons with AIDS, as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $225,000,000 as proposed by the House. Of the amount, .75 
     percent is appropriated for technical assistance instead of 
     .50 percent as proposed by the House and 1 percent as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Deletes bill and report language proposed by the Senate 
     requiring HUD to give priority to renewing existing programs. 
     The House did not include similar language.


                 RURAL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

       Appropriates $25,000,000 for rural housing and economic 
     development as proposed by the Senate, instead of a 
     $10,000,000 set-aside in the Community Development Block 
     Grant (CDBG) account as proposed by the House. The conferees 
     note that they intend to fully review HUD's Notice of Funding 
     Availability (NOFA), which is the vehicle HUD has used to 
     implement this program, and to make recommendations about its 
     contents where necessary. Furthermore, the conferees 
     reiterate their expectation that HUD will cooperate with the 
     United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), review the 
     requirements of USDA's rural development and housing 
     programs, and incorporate USDA definitions and requirements 
     in this program to the extent appropriate.


         AMERICA'S PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       Inserts new language providing $20,000,000 for America's 
     private investment companies program account, contingent upon 
     enactment of authorizing legislation prior to June 30, 2000. 
     If the program is not authorized, the funds shall be 
     transferred to the Community Development Financial 
     Institutions program. Neither the House nor the Senate 
     included a similar provision.


                        URBAN EMPOWERMENT ZONES

       Inserts new language providing $55,000,000 for grants to 
     urban empowerment zones to be used in conjunction with 
     economic development activities detailed in the strategic 
     plans of each empowerment zone. Neither the House nor the 
     Senate included a similar provision.


                        RURAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES

       Inserts new language providing $15,000,000 to the Secretary 
     of the United States Department of Agriculture for grants to 
     designated empowerment zones.


                   COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       Appropriates $4,800,000,000 for community development block 
     grants, as proposed by the Senate instead of $4,500,200,000 
     as proposed by the House. The conferees agree to the 
     following earmarks:
       --$41,500,000 for section 107 grants. The House provided 
     $30,000,000 for section 107 grants and the Senate provided 
     $41,500,000 for

[[Page 25268]]

     section 107 grants. The conference agreement provides the 
     following earmarks:
       --$3,000,000 is for community development work study;
       --$10,000,000 is for historically black colleges and 
     universities;
       --$8,000,000 is for the Community Outreach Partnerships 
     program;
       --$7,000,000 is for insular areas;
       --$2,000,000 is for native Hawaiian Serving Institutions 
     and for Alaska Native Serving Institutions, to be divided 
     evenly;
       --$6,500,000 is for Hispanic Serving Institutions; and
       --$5,000,000 is for management information systems;
       --$2,200,000 for the National American Indian Housing 
     Council instead of $3,000,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $1,800,000 as proposed by the Senate;
       --$20,000,000 for the Capacity Building for Community 
     Development and Affordable Housing program, authorized by 
     section 4 of P.L. 103-120, as in effect before June 12, 1997, 
     instead of the $15,000,000 proposed by the House and 
     $25,000,000 proposed by the Senate; of the amount provided in 
     the conference report, at least $4,000,000 shall be for 
     capacity building activities in rural areas;
       --$3,750,000 for the capacity building activities of 
     Habitat for Humanity International, as proposed by the House 
     and instead of no funding as proposed by the Senate;
       --$42,500,000 for Youthbuild, including $2,500,000 for a 
     grant to Youthbuild USA for capacity building activities, the 
     same as proposed by both the House and Senate (apart from a 
     technical correction);
       --$20,000,000 for grants to eligible grantees under section 
     11 of the Self-Help Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act 
     of 1996, instead of $15,000,000 as proposed by the House. The 
     Senate did not include funds for this item;
       --$30,000,000 for the Neighborhood Initiatives program, 
     instead of $20,000,000 as proposed by the House and no 
     funding as proposed by the Senate;
       --$5,000,000 is for the Institute for Software Research for 
     construction related to a high-technology diversification 
     initiative;
       --$10,000,000 is for the City of Syracuse, New York, for 
     the Neighborhood Initiative Program;
       --$4,000,000 for Missouri, of which $1,500,000 shall be for 
     the St. Louis Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative, of which 
     at least $500,000 shall be made available for the 
     redevelopment of the Lemay community and at least $500,000 
     shall be for the redevelopment of Grand Rock community, both 
     in St. Louis, and $2,500,000 shall be made available for 
     Kansas City, Missouri, of which $1,500,000 shall be made 
     available for the Midtown Community Development Corporation 
     for the redevelopment of the Mount Cleveland community and 
     $1,000,000 shall be made available for the East Meyer 
     Community Association for the redevelopment of the East Meyer 
     community; and
       --$1,000,000 shall be for the Patterson Park Community 
     Development Corporation to establish a revolving fund to 
     acquire and rehabilitate properties in Baltimore, Maryland; 
     $500,000 for the City of Suffolk, Virginia for the East 
     Suffolk Gateway Redevelopment project; $500,000 for Fort 
     Dodge, Iowa for the Soldier Creek neighborhood revitalization 
     project; $750,000 for the Mitchell Development Corporation 
     for economic development activities in Mitchell, South 
     Dakota; $500,000 for the City of Green Bay, Wisconsin for 
     Broadway Street revitalization; and $500,000 for the City of 
     Yankton, South Dakota for the restoration of the downtown 
     area and the development of the Fox Run Industrial Park;
       --$29,000,000 for credit subsidy for section 108 loan 
     guarantees as proposed by the Senate instead of $25,000,000 
     as proposed by the House. This level of credit subsidy should 
     produce no more than $1,261,000,000 in loan guarantees as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $1,087,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House; and,
       --$275,000,000 for economic development grants, instead of 
     $20,000,000 as proposed by the House and $110,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The conferees agree to the following 
     targeted economic development initiatives:
       --$480,000 to the Town of Swearingen, Alabama for water 
     system infrastructure improvements;
       --$300,000 to Lamar County, Alabama for upgrading sewer and 
     water supply systems;
       --$140,000 to Rainsville, Alabama for infrastructure 
     improvements to the town's industrial park;
       --$60,000 to Haleyville, Alabama for purchase and 
     renovation of a senior citizens center and a Head Start 
     facility;
       --$800,000 to the City of Mobile, Alabama for the 
     waterfront development project;
       --$500,000 to the University of Alabama for the 
     construction of a child development facility;
       --$500,000 to the University of South Alabama for the 
     construction of an archaeological research facility;
       --$250,000 to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for 
     the construction and development of a health and wellness 
     facility;
       --$200,000 to the City of Daphine, Alabama for 
     revitalization of the Daphne Bayfront Park;
       --$1,500,000 to Union County, Arkansas to find alternative 
     water sources to the Sparta Sands Aquifer;
       --$1,000,000 to the City of Sierra Vista, Arizona for a 
     wastewater treatment and effluent recharge facility;
       --$500,000 to the Boys and Girls Club in Oxnard, California 
     for the renovation and expansion of existing facilities;
       --$250,000 to the County of San Bernardino, California for 
     the rehabilitation of Fogelsong Pool in Barstow;
       --$425,000 to the City of Highland, California for public 
     park facilities to serve the recreational needs of the local 
     community;
       --$250,000 to the County of San Bernardino, California for 
     a River Walk Nature and Bike Trail on the Mojave river 
     between Mojave Narrows and Old Town Victorville;
       --$425,000 to the County of San Bernardino, California for 
     the Yucaipa Valley Regional Soccer Complex;
       --$500,000 to the San Bernardino National Forest for Phase 
     II construction of the Big Bear Discovery Center;
       --$50,000 to the City of Twentynine Palms, California for 
     the completion of the mural project;
       --$100,000 to the City of Loma Linda, California for road 
     infrastructure improvements;
       --$1,000,000 to the City of San Juan Capistrano for the 
     rehabilitation and historic preservation of the Mission San 
     Juan Capistrano;
       --$500,000 to the City of Citrus Heights, California for 
     the revitalization of the Sunrise Mall;
       --$750,000 to the City of Escondido, California for the 
     development and infrastructure improvements associated with 
     Quail Hills Industrial Park;
       --$600,000 to the City of Tracy, California for the repair/
     construction of the Tracy Fire Station Number 1;
       --$350,000 to the City of Riverside, California for the 
     expansion of the Goeske Senior and Disabled Citizens Center;
       --$350,000 to the City of Fountain Valley, California for 
     the expansion of the Mile Square Regional Park recreation 
     facility;
       --$350,000 to the City of Huntington Beach, California for 
     soil remediation and cleanup activities in Huntington Central 
     Park;
       --$1,000,000 to the City of San Diego, California for the 
     San Diego Children's Convalescent Hospital;
       --$100,000 to the City of Arcadia, California for the 
     Arcadia Historical Museum;
       --$400,000 to the City of Claremont, California for 
     construction of a community center;
       --$1,000,000 to the City of Pasadena, California for 
     renovation and rehabilitation of the Pasadena Civic 
     Auditorium;
       --$20,000 to the City of Glendale, California for city 
     infrastructure improvements;
       --$250,000 to Shelter From the Storm, Inc., a battered 
     women's and children's center in Palm Desert, California;
       --$250,000 to the City of El Segundo, California for the 
     design and development of the Douglas Street Gap Closure 
     project;
       --$200,000 to the County of Tulare, California for road 
     infrastructure improvements;
       --$400,000 to the City of Bakersfield, California to 
     redevelop downtown Bakersfield through the Mobility 
     Opportunities via Education initiative;
       --$100,000 to the County of Tulare, California for 
     construction of an international trade center;
       --$600,000 to the Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain, 
     Connecticut for the expansion of their school;
       --$250,000 to the City of Miami Beach, Florida for the 
     North Beach Recreation Corridor Initiative;
       --$600,000 to the City of Largo, Florida for economic 
     development and infrastructure improvements;
       --$1,400,000 to the City of Clearwater, Florida for costs 
     associated with the development of a regional stormwater 
     retention facility;
       --$300,000 to the City of Edgewater, Florida for the 
     construction of an emergency shelter;
       --$400,000 to the City of Jacksonville, Florida for the 
     development of an ecosystem tourist program;
       --$300,000 to the City of Jacksonville, Florida for the 
     Lower East Side/Upper Deer Creek Stormwater Project;
       --$1,250,000 to the Town of Milton, Florida for the 
     construction of a hurricane shelter;
       --$250,000 to the City of Miami, Florida for the OpSail 
     Miami 2000 cultural exchange program;
       --$500,000 to the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, 
     Georgia for development of a new facility;
       --$400,000 to the City of Savannah, Georgia for development 
     of a youth facilty;
       --$500,000 to Rockdale County, Georgia for the development 
     of Georgia Veterans' Park;
       --$500,000 to the Village of Hampshire, Illinois to 
     construct new drinking water facilities;
       --$500,000 to the Haymarket Center in Haymarket, Illinois 
     for a community and family learning center;
       --$750,000 to Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois for 
     the construction of a women and children's pavillion;
       --$250,000 to the Town of Cortland, Illinois for water 
     treatment facility improvements;
       --$250,000 to the Town of Steward, Illinois for water 
     treatment facility improvements;
       --$500,000 to Loyola University, Illinois for expansion of 
     their computer and information resource centers;

[[Page 25269]]

       --$500,000 to the Safe Haven Foundation, Inc. in 
     Indianapolis, Indiana to expand domestic violence shelters 
     and related services;
       --$250,000 to Ball State University, Indiana for the 
     development of the Workforce Technology Enhancement Project;
       --$500,000 to Tri-State University, Indiana for the 
     expansion, renewal, and renovation of their Business and 
     Engineering Departments, including the Tri-State Leadership 
     Institute and Center;
       --$1,000,000 to the Home of the Innocents in Louisville, 
     Kentucky for the expansion and relocation of a facility to 
     help abused children;
       --$500,000 to the Wayne County, Kentucky Historical Society 
     to complete the renovation and restoration of the Wayne 
     County Historical Museum;
       --$500,000 to the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation 
     in London, Kentucky for expansion of a venture capital fund;
       --$500,000 to the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, 
     Kentucky for continued development and training for a 
     regional teleconferencing network;
       --$250,000 to Bell County, Kentucky for renovation of the 
     Pine Mountain Park Amphitheater;
       --$250,000 to the Magoffin County, Kentucky Historical 
     Society for the expansion of the Pioneer Tourist Information 
     and Visitor Center;
       --$250,000 to Montgomery County, Kentucky for redevelopment 
     of a community center;
       --$300,000 to the Port of South Louisiana for the expansion 
     of the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal Facility;
       --$100,000 to the City of New Iberia, Louisiana for 
     economic development and revitalization of the downtown area;
       --$50,000 to the City of Thibodaux, Louisiana for 
     infrastructure improvements to the Civic Center;
       --$50,000 to St. Charles Parish, Louisiana for the 
     enhancement of the parks and recreation system;
       --$100,000 to Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana for 
     enhancements and upgrades to their Disaster Communications 
     Center;
       --$100,000 to Nicholls State University in Louisiana for 
     expansion and development of the Family and Consumer Science 
     Program;
       --$300,000 to Wayne State University in Michigan for 
     infrastructure improvements to the Merrill-Palmer Institute's 
     child care research facilities;
       --$500,000 to Wayne County, Michigan for enhancement of 
     geographical information systems to expedite economic 
     development;
       --$100,000 to the City of Detroit, Michigan for the 
     Covenant House, a long-term transitional living facility for 
     homeless adults;
       --$250,000 to the National Eagle Center community 
     development project in Wabasha, Minnesota;
       --$1,100,000 to the City of Fulton, Mississippi for water 
     infrastructure improvements for the Northeast Mississippi 
     Regional Water Supply District;
       --$200,000 to the Town of Sardis, Mississippi for economic 
     development and related infrastructure and recreational 
     facilities;
       --$550,000 to the City of Lincoln, Nebraska for Cedars 
     Youth Services for the development of a youth home;
       --$750,000 to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for 
     the continued development of the University's Baptist Medical 
     Center;
       --$250,000 to the Town of Berlin, New Hampshire for the 
     Northern Forest Heritage Park;
       --$300,000 to the Town of Tamworth, New Hampshire for the 
     construction of a multi-service community center;
       --$1,000,000 to the Child Health Institute in New Jersey 
     for development;
       --$550,000 to the Morris County Urban League, New Jersey to 
     support community outreach and child care initiatives;
       --$100,000 to the Town of Dover, New Jersey to renovate and 
     establish El Primer Paso, an early childhood education 
     center;
       --$350,000 to the Morris Area Girl Scout Council in 
     Randolph, New Jersey for upgrading facilities at Jockey 
     Hollow campgrounds;
       --$300,000 to the County of Bernalillo, New Mexico to 
     conduct a feasibility study and design for the Wheels Museum;
       --$200,000 to the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico for 
     restoration planning and design of the Albuquerque Little 
     Theatre;
       --$1,000,000 to the Buffalo Economic Renaissance 
     Corporation in New York for the development of the Atlantic 
     Corridor business exchange and education program;
       --$345,000 to Wayne County, New York for anti-erosion 
     measures and construction on Port Bay Barrier Bar;
       --$500,000 to the Water Systems Council in Glenellen, 
     Illinois for rural water infrastructure;
       --$155,000 to the Town of Amherst, New York for 
     rehabilitation of the Amherst Senior Center;
       --$750,000 to Rural Opportunities, Inc. in Rochester, New 
     York for the establishment of the Rural Opportunities 
     Affordable Housing Alliance to expand housing opportunities 
     in rural communities;
       --$700,000 to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 
     for construction and dredging of the Arthur Kill at Howland 
     Hook Marine Terminal;
       --$100,000 to the New York City Economic Development 
     Corporation for the Fifth Avenue Reconstruction in Bay 
     Bridge, Brooklyn, New York;
       --$750,000 to the State University of New York at 
     Stonybrook in Islip, New York for the Center for Emerging 
     Technology;
       --$1,000,000 to Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York 
     for the Third Stage Project;
       --$400,000 to Neve Yerushalayim College in Brooklyn, New 
     York for the development of a Residential Community Center;
       --$500,000 to the Town of Babylon, New York for 
     revitalization of the Babylon Citizen's Cultural Resource 
     Center;
       --$1,000,000 to the Town of Massena, New York for the 
     construction of the St. Lawrence Aquarium and Environmental 
     Research Institute;
       --$1,000,000 to the County of Schuyler, New York for the 
     Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development to 
     develop a business park and revitalize Watkins Glen 
     International;
       --$200,000 to the New York Institute of Technology for the 
     rehabilitation of Robbins Hall;
       --$200,000 to the Village of Amityville, New York for 
     construction and revitalization of the Village's downtown 
     area;
       --$3,000,000 to Olympic Regional Development Authority, New 
     York for upgrades at Mt. Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex;
       --$500,000 to the Village of Freeport, New York to 
     revitalize the Nautical Mile;
       --$275,000 to the Town of New Brunswick, New York for the 
     extension of a water line to a senior housing project;
       --$225,000 to the Town of East Greenbush, New York for road 
     infrastructure improvements;
       --$450,000 to the County of Cortland, New York for the 
     acquisition and remediation of the Contento scrapyard;
       --$1,000,000 to St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center for the 
     Central New York Cardiac Care and Hemodialysis Enhancement 
     Center in Syracuse, New York;
       --$250,000 to the City of Syracuse, New York for 
     renovations to the Media Unit Building;
       --$450,000 to the City of Syracuse, New York for the 
     renovation and revitalization of the Everson Museum;
       --$1,000,000 to the University of Syracuse in New York for 
     rehabilitation and community redevelopment of the Marshall 
     Street area;
       --$450,000 to the City of Syracuse, New York for 
     rehabilitation and conversion of part of the former NYNEX 
     building into a parking garage;
       --$500,000 to Onondaga County, New York for infrastructure 
     improvements involved in the expansion of the New Venture 
     Gear Facility;
       --$500,000 to the City of Syracuse, New York for 
     renovations to the O.M. Edwards Building;
       --$250,000 to the City of Syracuse, New York for 
     renovations to the Dunbar Center;
       --$440,000 to the Village of Weedsport, New York for the 
     construction of a water storage facility;
       --$150,000 to the City of Auburn, New York for renovation 
     of the Schine Theater;
       --$100,000 to the Village of Newark Valley, New York for 
     the construction of a new well;
       --$160,000 to the Town of Victory, New York for the 
     extension of a water line;
       --$300,000 to the Town of Elbridge, New York for extension 
     of a water line to provide additional fire protection for the 
     Tessy Plastics facility;
       --$500,000 to the Southeastern Otsego Health Center in 
     Worchester, New York to enhance their health care facilities;
       --$500,000 to the Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York 
     to establish a Center for Health Sciences;
       --$600,000 to the New York State Education and Research 
     Network for support of advanced application implementation on 
     high performance networks;
       --$500,000 to the State University of New York at Albany, 
     New York to establish an economic development/workforce 
     training initiative;
       --$700,000 to the Hebrew Academy for Special Children in 
     New York for expansion of a developmentally disabled children 
     program;
       --$250,000 to the Orange County Mental Health Association 
     in Orange County, New York to provide enhanced health care 
     services;
       --$700,000 to the University Colleges of Technology of the 
     State University of New York for the development of the 
     Telecommunications Center for Education;
       --$700,000 to the Children's Center of Brooklyn, New York 
     for the construction of a facility to house educational and 
     therapeutic programs for disabled preschool children;
       --$1,000,000 to Wittenberg University, Ohio for 
     rehabilitation and renovation of a Science Center facility;
       --$500,000 to the Greene County, Ohio Park District to 
     construct a composite materials bicycle/pedestrian bridge;
       --$1,000,000 to Holmes County, Ohio for the construction of 
     a wellness center;
       --$400,000 to the University of Cincinnati for renovation 
     of the medical science building;
       --$1,500,000 to the City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for the 
     loan fund created to assist with recovery efforts from the 
     Oklahoma City bombing;

[[Page 25270]]

       --$360,000 to the Borough of New Hope, Pennsylvania for 
     redevelopment and revitalization of the site formerly known 
     as Union Camp;
       --$40,000 to the Township of Tinicum, Pennsylvania for a 
     floodplain delineation/hydraulic modeling study;
       --$400,000 to Wyoming County, Pennsylvania for a 
     radiological facility at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in 
     Tunkhannock;
       --$500,000 to Calhoon County, South Carolina for economic 
     development and infrastructure improvements;
       --$300,000 to Carter County, Tennessee for road 
     construction and water infrastructure improvements;
       --$300,000 to the ArtSpace Victory Arts Center in Texas for 
     the revitalization of the Our Lady of Victory Convent;
       --$350,000 to the City of Lubbock, Texas for development of 
     the American Wind Power Center;
       --$350,000 to the City of Lubbock, Texas for the Texas 
     Aviation Heritage Foundation;
       --$1,000,000 million to the Salt Lake City Organizing 
     Committee for housing infrastructure improvements for the 
     Olympics and Paralympics;
       --$50,000 to the Town of Shenandoah, Virginia for the 
     establishment of a comprehensive economic development 
     strategy;
       --$1,000,000 to Warren County, Virginia for asbestos 
     remediation and lead paint removal at the Avtex Superfund 
     Site in Front Royal, Virginia;
       --$500,000 to Fairfax County, Virginia to revitalize low 
     and moderate income housing;
       --$500,000 to the George Mason University in Virginia to 
     develop and enhance the National Center for Technology and 
     the Law;
       --$500,000 to the City of Covington, Washington to replace 
     substandard water lines in the Covington Water District/
     Timberline Estate Development;
       --$50,000 to the City of Enumclaw, Washington for the 
     development of a Welcome Center Facility;
       --$1,000,000 to the National Children's Advocacy Center in 
     Huntsville, Alabama for the establishment of a research and 
     training facility;
       --$200,000 to Alabama A&M University in Normal, Alabama for 
     the renovation of historic buildings on the university's 
     campus;
       --$150,000 to the Children's Museum of the Shoals in 
     Florence, Alabama for the establishment of a hands-on 
     discovery museum;
       --$125,000 to the Princess Theater in Decatur, Alabama for 
     the renovation and operation of the current facility;
       --$25,000 to the Limestone County Veteran's Museum and 
     Archives in Limestone County, Alabama for establishment of a 
     veteran's museum in the City of Athens, Alabama;
       --$250,000 to the Arizona Science Center in Yuma, Arizona 
     for its after-school program for inner-city youth;
       --$150,000 to the City of Yuma, Arizona for its downtown 
     rejuvenation project involving the Historic Yuma Theatre;
       --$100,000 to the City of Phoenix, Arizona for the Westwood 
     Neighborhood Redevelopment Project;
       --$250,000 to the Central American Resource Center 
     (CARECEN) in Los Angeles, California for the rehabilitation 
     of the Youth and Family Technology and Education Floor at its 
     community center;
       --$400,000 to the County of Merced, California for planning 
     for UC-Merced and University Village;
       --$400,000 to the City of Culver City, California for 
     construction of the Culver City Senior Center;
       --$400,000 to the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative 
     (LANI) for the South Robertson Neighborhood project;
       --$150,000 to the Carmel Highlands Fire Protection 
     District, California for the construction of a new fire 
     station;
       --$150,000 to the City of Hollister, California for the 
     construction of a new fire station;
       --$200,000 to the City of Alhambra, California for the Fire 
     Station Training Center Project;
       --$100,000 to the City of Norwalk, California for 
     construction of a new senior citizen center;
       --$200,000 to the City of Maywood, California for the 
     design and construction of a community center for at-risk 
     youth and seniors;
       --$10,000 to the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs 
     Department in Los Angeles, California for the Chinatown 
     Gateway Project to build an archway in Chinatown;
       --$80,000 to the City of Los Angeles, California for the 
     redevelopment of the Sears and Prison Industrial sites in the 
     downtown area;
       --$100,000 to The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) 
     in Los Angeles, California for the renovation of a sixty-acre 
     industrial park;
       --$10,000 to the Los Angeles County Community Development 
     Commission in Los Angeles, California for a telemedicine 
     program in the east Los Angeles area;
       --$300,000 to the City of San Leandro, California for the 
     Gateway to the East Bay Initiative;
       --$100,000 to the Pacific Union College in Angwin, 
     California for the Napa Valley Resource Center job training 
     program;
       --$400,000 to the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment 
     Agency in Sacramento, California for the rehabilitation of 
     the Franklin Villa housing development;
       --$500,000 to the City of New Haven, Connecticut for the 
     restoration and rehabilitation of the West River Memorial 
     Park;
       --$200,000 to the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut for 
     the design and construction of the American Maritime 
     Education and Research Center;
       --$300,000 to Building Bridges Across the River in 
     Washington, District of Columbia for the continued 
     development and construction of a recreation and performing 
     arts center in Ward 8;
       --$400,000 to the City of Monticello, Florida for the 
     refurbishment of the Jefferson County High School building as 
     a community center;
       --$1,700,000 to the City of Miami, Florida for the 
     development of a Homeownership Zone to assist residents 
     displaced by the demolition of public housing in the Model 
     City area;
       --$300,000 to the City of Gainesville, Florida for the 
     planning, design and implementation of the Depot Avenue 
     Project;
       --$400,000 to the City of Atlanta, Georgia for the design 
     and construction of a community center adjacent to the Martin 
     Luther King, Jr. Historic District;
       --$350,000 to the City of East St. Louis, Illinois for the 
     renovation of the former Cannady School into a Vocational 
     Charter School;
       --$1,000,000 to the Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical 
     Center in Chicago, Illinois for the design, construction and 
     operation of a research center for the elderly;
       --$250,000 to Black Hawk College in East Moline, Illinois 
     for the design and construction of a business and continuing 
     education conference center;
       --$200,000 to the City of Harvey, Illinois to establish a 
     pilot program for neighborhood stabilization, including 
     demolition of vacant homes, land-banking of vacant properties 
     and renovation of occupied homes;
       --$200,000 to the Illinois International Port District in 
     Chicago, Illinois for dockwall repairs at Port of Chicago and 
     Lake Calumet;
       --$300,000 to the City of Chicago, Illinois for the South 
     Chicago Housing Initiative at the former USX South Works 
     site;
       --$200,000 to the Village of Chicago Ridge, Illinois for 
     the construction of a municipal law enforcement complex;
       --$200,000 to the Township of Stickney, Illinois for the 
     renovation of the Stickney Township North Clinic;
       --$400,000 to Wyatt Community Life Center in Chicago, 
     Illinois for health, education and job training needs of 
     underserved populations;
       --$200,000 to the City of Elkhart, Indiana for the 
     continuation of the Building the American Dream initiative;
       --$500,000 to the Town of Griffith, Indiana for stormwater 
     and sewer separation;
       --$100,000 to Northern Kentucky University in Highland 
     Heights, Kentucky for the purchase of computers, books and 
     supplies at the Urban Learning Center;
       --$500,000 to the City of Boston, Massachusetts for 
     redevelopment in the historic Tremont Street midtown area;
       --$400,000 to the Springfield Library and Museum 
     Association in Springfield, Massachusetts for construction 
     and infrastructure improvement needs related to a national 
     memorial and park honoring Theodor Geisel;
       --$250,000 to the Greater Holyoke YMCA in Holyoke, 
     Massachusetts for the continuation of the Expanding Horizons 
     Downtown for Children and Families capital campaign;
       --$250,000 to Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts 
     for construction of the National Center for Science 
     Education;
       --$500,000 to the University of Maryland in College Park, 
     Maryland for the renovation of the James McGregor Burn 
     Academy of Leadership;
       --$100,000 to the Bowie-Crofton Business and Professional 
     Women's (BPW) Choices and Challenges Program in Bowie, 
     Maryland for the purchase of computers, educational software 
     and other educational materials;
       --$600,000 to Macomb Township, Michigan for site 
     preparation, site development and equipment purchase related 
     to Waldenburg Park;
       --$600,000 to the City of St. Clair Shores, Michigan for 
     enhancement of the Jefferson Avenue corridor;
       --$400,000 to the City of Pontiac, Michigan for the 
     renovation and rehabilitation of the Strand Theatre;
       --$275,000 to Fairview Health Services in Elk River, 
     Minnesota for the expansion of the Elk River primary care 
     clinic;
       --$600,000 to the Minneapolis Urban League City of 
     Minneapolis, Minnesota for planning and construction of a 
     multi-purpose business development center in north 
     Minneapolis;
       --$100,000 to Better Family Life in St. Louis, Missouri for 
     construction of a new facility;
       --$50,000 to the Black World History Wax Museum in St. 
     Louis, Missouri for structural renovations and accessibility 
     improvements;
       --$100,000 to the Black Repertory Company in St. Louis, 
     Missouri for renovation of a facility;
       --$250,000 for People's Health Centers in St. Louis, 
     Missouri for the construction of an elderly day care and 
     physical fitness center;
       --$1,000,000 to the St. Louis City Department of Parks, 
     Recreation and Forestry in

[[Page 25271]]

     St. Louis, Missouri for the ongoing restoration of Forest 
     Park;
       --$500,000 to the St. Louis City Department of Parks, 
     Recreation and Forestry in St. Louis, Missouri for 
     modernization of facilities and restorations at Carondelet 
     Park;
       --$200,000 to the Union Station Assistance Corporation in 
     Kansas City, Missouri for construction of the passenger rail 
     services facility;
       --$200,000 to the City of Jackson, Mississippi for the 
     capitalization of a home mortgage program for first-time home 
     buyers;
       --$200,000 to the City of Jackson, Mississippi for the 
     capitalization of a home improvement loan program;
       --$400,000 to Greene County Health Care in Snow Hill, North 
     Carolina for facility enhancements;
       --$250,000 to the Town of Navassa, North Carolina for the 
     construction of a community center;
       --$600,000 to the City of Durham, North Carolina for the 
     Durham Regional Finance Center to acquire and renovate office 
     space;
       --$250,000 to the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina for 
     the activities of the Community Land Trust in Orange County;
       --$250,000 to the Community Reinvestment Association of 
     North Carolina in Raleigh, North Carolina for economic 
     literacy activities;
       --$200,000 to the Eagle Village Community Development 
     Corporation in Durham, North Carolina for community 
     development activities;
       --$200,000 for the Park Performing Arts Center in Union 
     City, New Jersey for facilities renovation;
       --$300,000 to the City of Newark, New Jersey for the 
     restoration and beautification of area urban parks;
       --$1,000,000 to Little Flowers Children's Services in 
     Wading River, New York for construction of residential 
     colleges and for educational and therapeutic services to 
     children who have been separated from their parents;
       --$400,000 to the City of Kingston, New York for the 
     rehabilitation and renovation of its City Hall;
       --$950,000 for the Town of Tonawanda, New York, for 
     construction of low-income and mixed income housing, giving 
     priority to the Blind Association of Western New York for 
     construction of low-income and mixed income housing for 
     physically disabled persons;
       --$500,000 to the City of New Rochelle, New York for 
     streetscape improvements to North Avenue;
       --$200,000 to the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens 
     for construction of an 89 unit senior citizens apartment 
     complex in New York County, New York;
       --$400,000 to the Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York, New 
     York for infrastructure improvements, construction, 
     renovation, operation and facility upgrades;
       --$150,000 to the Mount Hope Housing Company in New York, 
     New York for renovation of a multi-use community center;
       --$150,000 to the New York City Department of Parks and 
     Recreation in New York, New York for phase three of the 
     rebuilding and restoration of Joyce Kilmer Park in South 
     Bronx, New York;
       --$170,000 to the David Hochstein Memorial Music School in 
     New York for renovations and equipment related to a historic 
     church sanctuary to serve as a performance hall;
       --$80,000 to the Rochester Association of Performing Arts, 
     School of Performing Arts in New York for restoration and 
     renovation of the School;
       --$200,000 to the City of Dayton, Ohio for land acquisition 
     for the Tool Town precision metalworking park;
       --$1,400,000 to the City of Toledo, Ohio for improvements 
     to central city neighborhoods and rejuvenation near the 
     downtown historic commercial district, in cooperation with 
     area not-for-profit community development corporations;
       --$700,000 to the Ohio Department of Development in 
     Columbus, Ohio for the Safe Water Fund and rural development 
     initiatives including cultural arts centers in Lucas, Fulton, 
     Wood and Ottawa Counties, Ohio;
       --$200,000 to the City of Detroit, Oregon for sewer system 
     design engineering in cooperation with the City of Idanha, 
     Oregon;
       --$200,000 to the Regional Industrial Development 
     Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania's Growth Fund in 
     Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for asbestos abatement and removal 
     of blast furnace stocks located on the Duquesne and 
     McKeesport brownfield sites in Allegheny County, 
     Pennsylvania;
       --$200,000 to the Schuylkill County Fire Fighters 
     Association for a smoke-maze building on the grounds of the 
     firefighters facility in Morea, Pennsylvania;
       --$300,000 to the City of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania for 
     economic development initiatives;
       --$500,000 to Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer YMCA camp in Beaver 
     County, Pennsylvania for construction of a wastewater 
     treatment facility;
       --$350,000 to Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, 
     Pennsylvania for wastewater infrastructure upgrades and 
     extension of sanitary sewer lines into previously unserved 
     areas;
       --$540,000 to the Cambria County Commissioners in Cambria 
     County, Pennsylvania for the design and construction of a 
     recreation facility in northern Cambria County;
       --$260,000 to the Fort Ligonier Association in Westmoreland 
     County, Pennsylvania for restoration of Fort Ligonier;
       --$500,000 to the Indiana County Commissioners in Indiana, 
     Pennsylvania for rehabilitation of the downtown area;
       --$300,000 to Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, 
     Pennsylvania for the restoration of a historic boiler house;
       --$500,000 to Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania for 
     rehabilitation of concrete cantilevers;
       --$500,000 to the Johnstown Area Heritage Association in 
     Johnstown, Pennsylvania for facilities renovation and 
     exhibition development;
       --$250,000 to the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) for the 
     renovation and restoration of the UPR Theater;
       --$500,000 to the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of 
     Governments for planning and construction of the Parkers 
     Ferry Community Center in Charleston County, South Carolina;
       --$400,000 to Lee County, South Carolina for the renovation 
     of the old Ashwood School into a community center;
       --$100,000 to the Town of Santee, South Carolina for 
     construction of the Santee Cultural Arts and Visitor's 
     Center;
       --$250,000 to the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee for the 
     Northwest Passage Campaign;
       --$400,000 to the City of Waco, Texas for unmet housing 
     needs;
       --$400,000 to the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition in 
     Arlington, Virginia for expansion of the Airport-Alternative 
     Fuel Vehicle Demonstration Project to Dallas-Fort Worth 
     Airport and other locations nationally;
       --$150,000 to the Acres Home Citizen's Chamber of Commerce 
     in Houston, Texas for services provided through the Acres 
     Home Consortium;
       --$50,000 to the South Dallas Fairpark Inner City Community 
     Development Corporation in Dallas, Texas for community 
     housing development programs;
       --$50,000 to the Southfair Community Development 
     Corporation in Dallas, Texas for community housing 
     development programs;
       --$100,000 to the West Dallas Neighborhood Development 
     Corporation in Dallas, Texas for community housing 
     development programs;
       --$250,000 to Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the 
     Homeless (AACH) in Arlington, Virginia for the purchase of 
     the property that houses its Community Resource Center;
       --$250,000 to the Borromeo Housing Foundation in Arlington, 
     Virginia to establish a permanent Second Chance Home for 
     unwed mothers;
       --$200,000 to the Campagna Center in Alexandria, Virginia 
     to support the This Way House program;
       --$250,000 to the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia for the 
     Virginia Marine Science Museum's Phase III expansion plan;
       --$300,000 to the Admiral Theater Foundation in Bremerton, 
     Washington for continuing renovations and improvements at the 
     Admiral Theatre;
       --$100,000 to the City of Tacoma, Washington for 
     supplementation of the Tacoma Housing Trust Fund;
       --$400,000 to the City of Madison, Wisconsin for affordable 
     housing initiatives;
       --$900,000 to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic 
     Medicine Foundation in Lewisburg, West Virginia for the 
     construction of a multi-use museum and cultural education 
     center;
       --$900,000 to the Southern West Virginia Community and 
     Technical College in Williamson, West Virginia for the 
     construction, equipping and furnishing of a library;
       --$250,000 to the Berkeley County, West Virginia Commission 
     for the Historic Baltimore and Ohio Roundhouse Renovation 
     Project;
       --$225,000 to the Gilmer County, West Virginia Commission 
     for a museum and cultural education center;
       --$500,000 to the Gilmer County, West Virginia Commission 
     for the planning and construction of a senior center;
       --$225,000 to the Calhoun County, West Virginia Commission 
     for a museum and cultural education center;
       --$700,000 to the Kanawha County, West Virginia Commission 
     for the activities of the Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise 
     Community;
       --$2,000,000 to the Vandalia Heritage Foundation for 
     promotion of community and economic development;
       --$1,150,000 to the City of Fairmont, West Virginia to be 
     distributed as follows: $1,000,000 to the Fairmont Community 
     Development Partnership, and $150,000 to the Women's Club of 
     Fairmont;
       --$300,000 to the Marion County Camp Board Association in 
     Marion County, West Virginia for facilities enhancement at 
     Camp Mar-Mac;
       --$1,000,000 to the City of Shinnston, West Virginia for 
     design and construction of city park facilities;
       --$500,000 to the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex in 
     Bridgeport, West Virginia for economic development efforts;
       --$300,000 to the Institute for Software Research in 
     Fairmont, West Virginia for capital equipment, operational 
     expenses and program development;

[[Page 25272]]

       --$100,000 to the St. Louis County Port Authority for the 
     remediation of the National Lead Site;
       --$500,000 for the City of Union for infrastructure 
     improvements to the Union Corporate Center, Missouri;
       --$1,000,000 for City of Knoxville, Tennessee for economic 
     development training for low-income people;
       --$700,000 for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the 
     preservation of federally assisted low-income housing at risk 
     of being lost as affordable housing;
       --$1,700,000 for the Sheldon Jackson College Auditorium in 
     Sitka, Alaska for refurbishing;
       --$250,000 for Northern Initiatives in the Upper Peninsula 
     of Michigan for the capitalization of a training endowment 
     fund;
       --$1,500,000 for Focus HOPE for the expansion of its 
     Machinist Training Institute in Detroit, Michigan;
       --$1,000,000 for the construction of a fire station project 
     in Logan, Utah;
       --$900,000 for Ogden, Utah for downtown redevelopment;
       --$750,000 for Billings, Montana for the redevelopment of 
     the Billings Depot;
       --$900,000 for Libby, Montana for the construction of a 
     community center;
       --$1,000,000 for Mississippi State University for the 
     renovation of buildings;
       --$1,200,000 for the City of Madison, Mississippi to 
     renovate a gateway to historic downtown Madison;
       --$900,000 for Providence, Rhode Island for the renovation 
     of the Providence performing Arts Center;
       --$1,000,000 for the Bidwell Industrial Development 
     Corporation the Harbor Gardens development project;
       --$500,000 for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the expansion 
     of the Pennsylvania Convention Center;
       --$1,000,000 for the City of Jackson, Mississippi to create 
     a housing rehabilitation program;
       --$650,000 for Monessen, Pennsylvania for the development 
     of a business development and support facility;
       --$800,000 for the City of Wilkes-Barre for downtown 
     revitalization;
       --$500,000 for the Friends of the Capitol Theater for the 
     renovation of the Capitol Theater in Dover, Delaware;
       --$2,000,000 for the Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services for 
     the restoration of Milo Creek;
       --$500,000 for the Clearwater Economic Development 
     Association for planning for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial 
     celebration;
       --$1,000,000 for the Developmental Disabilities Resource 
     Center to provide services to persons with disabilities in 
     the Front Range area of Colorado;
       --$600,000 for the City of Montrose, Colorado to develop 
     affordable, low-income housing;
       --$1,400,000 for the Columbia/Adair County Industrial 
     Development Authority in Kentucky for infrastructure 
     development for the Columbia/Adair County Industrial Park 
     Development;
       --$800,000 for the University of Findlay in Ohio to expand 
     its National Center for Excellence in Environmental 
     Management facility;
       --$500,000 for MSU-Billings in Billings, Montana for the 
     development of a business development and support facility;
       --$500,000 for the City of Brookhaven, Mississippi to 
     renovate historic Whitworth College buildings and related 
     improvements;
       --$1,500,000 for the Bethel Pre-Maternal Home in Bethel, 
     Alaska for expansion;
       --$3,500,000 for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum 
     in Fairbanks, Alaska;
       --$1,200,000 for Forum Health of Youngstown, Ohio for a 
     hospital conversion project;
       --$2,200,000 for the Pacific Science Center for the 
     construction of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education 
     Center;
       --$1,000,000 for the Tacoma Art Museum in Tacoma, 
     Washington for expansion;
       --$300,000 for the Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Housing 
     Authority for the development of a multiple use recreation 
     and learning center;
       --$300,000 for the City of Concord for community and 
     neighborhood improvements;
       --$100,000 for the City of Nashua, New Hampshire for a 
     river front project;
       --$75,000 for the Manchester Neighborhood Housing Services 
     in Manchester, New Hampshire;
       --$200,000 for Vergennes, Vermont for the renovation and 
     expansion of the Vergennes Opera House;
       --$1,000,000 for the renovation and expansion of the Flynn 
     Theatre in Burlington, Vermont;
       --$75,000 for the French Hill Neighborhood Housing Services 
     in Nashua, New Hampshire;
       --$75,000 for the Concord Area Trust for Community Housing 
     in Concord, New Hampshire;
       --$375,000 for the Town of Winchester, New Hampshire to 
     tear down an old leather tannery;
       --$2,500,000 for the Kansas City Liberty Memorial 
     renovation and restoration;
       --$1,500,000 for the American National Fish and Wildlife 
     Museum in Springfield, Missouri for construction;
       --$100,000 for the City of Claremont, New Hampshire to 
     upgrade and repair their public parks service;
       --$75,000 for the Laconia Area Community Land Trust in 
     Laconia, New Hampshire;
       --$200,000 for the Town of Barre, Vermont for the 
     construction of a business incubator building in the Wilson 
     Industrial Park;
       --$400,000 for Housing Vermont to construct affordable 
     housing in Bellows Falls, Vermont;
       --$200,000 for the Vermont Center for Independent Living 
     for its Home Access program;
       --$100,000 for the Bennington Museum in Bennington, 
     Vermont;
       --$600,000 for the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force 
     for the purchase of equipment;
       --$900,000 for the Home Repair Collaborative in 
     Indianapolis, Indiana for the repair of low-income housing;
       --$1,900,000 for the City of Montgomery, Alabama for the 
     redevelopment of its riverfront area;
       --$1,500,000 for the planning and construction of a 
     regional learning center at Spring Hill College in 
     Montgomery, Alabama;
       --$1,500,000 for the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 
     for the development of a greenhouse complex;
       --$500,000 for Calhoun Community College, Advance 
     Manufacturing Center in Decatur, Alabama for the development 
     of an advanced manufacturing center;
       --$500,000 for the Clay County Courthouse rehabilitation 
     project in Clay County, Alabama;
       --$1,800,000 for the renovation of Bates Mill in Lewiston, 
     Maine;
       --$800,000 for Coastal Enterprises, Inc for rural economic 
     development and housing initiatives in Kennebec and Somerset 
     Counties;
       --$1,300,000 for the City of Fort Worth, Texas for building 
     renovation associated with the development of the Fort Worth 
     Medtech Center;
       --$1,000,000 for the Southwest Collaborative for Community 
     Development for low-income housing and economic development 
     in the southwest border area of Texas;
       --$750,000 for Houston, Texas to establish a Distance 
     Learning Center as part of a ``campus park'' redevelopment in 
     the Stella Link community;
       --$1,650,000 for Farmington, New Mexico for the renovation 
     of Ricketts Field;
       --$1,000,000 for New Mexico Highlands University for its 
     Science and Engineering Complex;
       --$800,000 for the National Institute for Community 
     Empowerment for its capacity building efforts in underserved 
     communities;
       --$250,000 for the City of Santa Ana, California for the 
     establishment of the IDEA center;
       --$750,000 for the First AME Church in Los Angeles, 
     California for the development of a business incubator;
       --$750,000 for the City of Riverside, California for the 
     development of Citrus Park;
       --$500,000 for the City of Inglewood, California for the 
     construction of a senior center;
       --$750,000 for the City of San Francisco, California for 
     the redevelopment of the Laguna Honda Assisted Living/Housing 
     for Seniors;
       --$250,000 for the Southside Institutions Neighborhood 
     Alliance in Hartford, Connecticut for downtown renovation;
       --$250,000 for the University of Connecticut for the 
     construction of a biotechnology facility;
       --$1,500,000 for Fairfield University for the Information 
     Technology Center, Fairfield, Connecticut;
       --$500,000 for the Mark Twain House Visitor's Center in 
     Hartford, Connecticut;
       --$500,000 for the Bushnell Theater, Hartford, Connecticut 
     for renovation efforts;
       --$700,000 for Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, 
     Florida for the development of a community services student 
     union;
       --$500,000 for Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia for 
     renovation of the Spelman College Science Center;
       --$1,150,000 for the City of Moultrie, Georgia for 
     environmental mitigation and redevelopment of the Swift 
     Building;
       --$150,000 for the County of Maui, Hawaii to assist the 
     Island of Molokai for capacity development related to its 
     status as an Enterprise Community;
       --$1,000,000 for Honolulu, Hawaii to implement the Kahuku 
     Drainage Plan;
       --$350,000 for the Maui Family Support Services, Inc. for 
     the creation of an early childhood center in Maui County, 
     Hawaii;
       --$500,000 for Wailuku, Hawaii for revitalization efforts;
       --$500,000 for the City of Waterloo, Iowa for the 
     development of affordable, low-income housing;
       --$500,000 for Des Moines, Iowa for south of downtown 
     redevelopment;
       --$500,000 for the Muscatine Center for Strategic Action in 
     Wilton, Iowa for the operation of a nonprofit modular housing 
     factory;
       --$1,000,000 for Sioux City, Iowa for the redevelopment of 
     the Sioux City Stockyards;
       --$550,000 for Audubon Institute Living Sciences Museum for 
     the restoration of a New Orleans, Louisiana, Customs House;
       --$500,000 for Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana 
     for assisting persons in the transition from welfare to work;
       --$250,000 for the National Center for the Revitalization 
     of Central Cities, New Orleans, Louisiana for the development 
     of redevelopment strategies;

[[Page 25273]]

       --$1,500,000 for the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore 
     in Princess Anne, Maryland for the development of a Coastal 
     Ecology Teaching and Research Center;
       --$1,500,000 for Prince Georges County, Maryland for the 
     revitalization of the Route 1 corridor;
       --$250,000 for the Hampden/Hampshire Housing Partnership 
     Loan Fund in western Massachusetts for the development of 
     affordable housing;
       --$250,000 for the City of Lowell, Massachusetts for 
     downtown redevelopment;
       --$250,000 for the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts for the 
     City of Lawrence Loan and Investment Program;
       --$500,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Boston in Chelsea, 
     Massachusetts for construction of a clubhouse;
       --$500,000 for Assumption College in Worcester, 
     Massachusetts for construction of the Lieutenant Joseph P. 
     Kennedy, Jr. Memorial Science and Technology Center;
       --$250,000 for the City of Pontiac, Michigan for economic 
     development activities;
       --$500,000 for City of Flint, Michigan for economic 
     development activities;
       --$1,000,000 for the Minnesota Indian Primary Residential 
     Treatment Center in Sawyer, Minnesota for the adolescent 
     treatment center;
       --$500,000 for the Research Development Enterprise in 
     Missoula, Montana for the advancement of university research 
     activities;
       --$500,000 for the Panhandle Community Service in 
     Scottsbluff, Nebraska for the construction of an early 
     childhood development center;
       --$1,750,000 for the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada 
     for the Structures Laboratory;
       --$250,000 for Henderson, Nevada for downtown 
     redevelopment;
       --$600,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, Nevada 
     for the renovation and expansion of existing facilities;
       --$250,000 for Willingboro, New Jersey for the 
     revitalization of the Central Business Center;
       --$500,000 for Plainfield, New Jersey for the redevelopment 
     of the Teppers building;
       --$200,000 for Trenton, New Jersey for the renovation of 
     the YWCA's indoor swimming pool;
       --$500,000 for Gloucester County, New Jersey for downtown 
     revitalization;
       --$1,000,000 for Children's House Hackensack University 
     Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey for expansion;
       --$250,000 for Belen, New Mexico for the development of a 
     recreation center;
       --$250,000 for Arroyo Seco Youth Center Hands Across 
     Culture Corporation, New Mexico;
       --$500,000 for the Esperanza Domestic Violence Shelter in 
     northern New Mexico for homeless services;
       --$500,000 for the Court Youth Center in Dona Ana County, 
     New Mexico for renovation of their youth center;
       --$750,000 for the New York Public Library's Library for 
     the Performing Arts for renovations;
       --$1,000,000 for Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones in 
     North Dakota;
       --$850,000 for Turtle Mountain Economic Development and 
     Education Complex in North Dakota;
       --$500,000 for the City of Providence, Rhode Island for the 
     Nickerson Community Center for an assisted living facility 
     for homeless veterans;
       --$100,000 for the South Providence Development Corporation 
     in Providence, Rhode Island for a child care facility;
       --$2,000,000 for the Spartanburg School for the Deaf and 
     the Blind in Spartanburg, South Carolina for a new dormitory;
       --$500,000 for the University of South Carolina School of 
     Public Health to consolidate its programs in a new central 
     location;
       --$1,000,000 for the University of South Dakota, in 
     Vermillion, South Dakota for the expansion of Medical School 
     research facilities;
       --$100,000 for the City of Flandreau, South Dakota for 
     infrastructure improvements and economic development 
     activities;
       --$100,000 for the City of Garretson, South Dakota for 
     infrastructure improvements and economic development 
     activities;
       --$100,000 for the City of Hot Springs, South Dakota for 
     redevelopment activities;
       --$100,000 for the City of Sisseton, South Dakota to make 
     infrastructure improvements at an industrial site in the 
     community;
       --$250,000 for the City of Aberdeen, South Dakota for a 
     community child daycare center;
       --$100,000 for the North Sioux City Economic Development 
     Corporation in North Sioux, South Dakota for the construction 
     of an industrial park;
       --$650,000 for Burlington, Vermont for downtown 
     redevelopment;
       --$500,000 for the Kellog-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, 
     Vermont for renovation and expansion;
       --$350,000 for Brattleboro, Vermont for downtown 
     redevelopment;
       --$750,000 for Chittenden County, Vermont for the 
     development of affordable low-income housing;
       --$250,000 for Lake Champlain Science Center, Burlington, 
     Vermont;
       --$150,000 for the Southwest Virginia Governor's School for 
     Science, Mathematics and Technology for improvements;
       --$500,000 for the Accomack-Northampton Planning District 
     Commission for economic development on the Eastern Shore of 
     Virginia;
       --$250,000 for an Achievable Dream in Newport News, 
     Virginia to help at-risk youth;
       --$500,000 for the Fremont Public Association in Seattle, 
     Washington for construction costs related to its Community 
     Resource Center;
       --$500,000 for the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, 
     Learning and Technology in Seattle, Washington;
       --$200,000 for the University of Charleston in West 
     Virginia for a basic skills and assessment lab;
       --$600,000 for Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West 
     Virginia for the renovation of Scarborough Library;
       --$4,000,000 for Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, 
     West Virginia for the construction of a science/computer 
     teaching center;
       --$500,000 for the Town of Kimball, West Virginia for the 
     restoration of the Kimball War Memorial;
       --$300,000 for Bethany College, in Bethany, West Virginia 
     for the creation of a health and wellness center;
       --$200,000 for West Virginia State College to assist in 
     creating a computer library;
       --$2,000,000 for the Center for the Arts & Sciences of West 
     Virginia for the construction of a theater/planetarium;
       --$500,000 for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its 
     Metcalfe Neighborhood Redevelopment Initiative;
       --$250,000 for the City of Beloit, Wisconsin for urban 
     renewal activities;
       --$500,000 for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 
     redevelopment activities in the Menomonee River Valley. 
     Milwaukee, Wisconsin may transfer up to $200,000 of these 
     funds to its Metcalfe Neighborhood Redevelopment Initiative;
       --$4,000,000 for the City of Hot Springs, Arkansas for the 
     construction and hillside stabilization of the Downtown Hot 
     Springs National Park parking facility;
       --$1,000,000 for Lewis and Clark College in Portland, 
     Oregon for construction and program activities at 
     Bicentennial Hall;
       --$250,000 for the Reedsport, Oregon for the expansion of 
     exhibits and educational programs at Umpqua Discovery Center;
       --$1,000,000 for the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake 
     City, Utah for the redevelopment of the Gateway District;
       --$500,000 for the Boys and Girls Club for the development 
     of a Boys and Girls Club facility in Brownsville, Texas to 
     serve at-risk youth;
       --$500,000 for the City of Beaumont, Texas to renovate the 
     L. L. Melton YMCA to provide services to low-income families;
       --$1,000,000 for the Discovery Place Museum in Charlotte, 
     North Carolina for modernization and program costs;
       --$500,000 for the American Cave and Karst Center in Horse 
     Cave, Kentucky;
       --$900,000 for the Madison County Economic Development 
     Authority for the development of the Central Mississippi 
     Industrial Center in Madison, Mississippi;
       --$500,000 for the Borden Development Alliance to develop 
     strategies and promote economic development in the United 
     States-Mexico border region;
       --$1,000,000 for the Center for Science and Technology in 
     Idaho Falls, Idaho for start-up costs to develop technology 
     transfer and business development within Idaho;
       --$250,000 for the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute 
     in Missouri to develop programs supporting farmers and rural 
     communities through diversification and value-added economic 
     development;
       --$250,000 for the Hundley-Whaley telecommunications 
     resource center in Albany, Missouri;
       --$350,000 for infrastructure and development activities 
     associated with new housing in Moscow Mills, Missouri;
       --$300,000 for Kirksville, Missouri downtown redevelopment 
     activities;
       --$350,000 to Maysville, Missouri for drinking water 
     infrastructure improvements;
       --$250,000 to Moberly, Missouri for streetscape and curb 
     improvements;
       --$500,000 to the Northeast Community Action Corporation of 
     Missouri for low-income rural housing;
       --$250,000 to the Missouri Agriculture and Small Business 
     Development Authority to complete market development 
     activities that relate to beef and pork cooperative 
     processing capacity such as in Macon, Missouri;
       --$500,000 for Anchorage, Alaska United Way for 
     rehabilitation of a community services building;
       --$500,000 for the Sitka Pioneer Home in Sitka, Alaska for 
     rehabilitation;
       --$100,000 to the University of Maryland--Baltimore County 
     for an environmental center;
       --$600,000 to East Northport in Long Island, New York for 
     construction of a sewage treatment facility;
       The conference report includes $55,000,000 for the Resident 
     Opportunity and Supportive Services (ROSS) program, as 
     proposed by both the House and the Senate, but deletes the 
     specific $10,000,000 amount allocated by both the House and 
     Senate within this item

[[Page 25274]]

     for grants for service coordinators and congregate housing 
     services for the elderly and disabled. Rather, the conferees 
     direct the Department to use sufficient funds within the ROSS 
     program to renew all expiring service coordinator and 
     congregate services grants (except those for which renewal is 
     not considered appropriate due to poor performance, lack of 
     continuing need, or similar circumstances), other than those 
     for which renewal funding is made available elsewhere in this 
     conference report. The conferees understand that the amount 
     needed for these renewals exceeds the $10,000,000 allocated 
     by the House and Senate, but have not inserted a new dollar 
     amount because of uncertainties regarding the precise cost. 
     The conference report also includes language proposed by the 
     Senate restricting HUD from adding certain conditions to 
     grants for service coordinators and congregate services.
       Deletes report language proposed by the Senate and not 
     included by the House directing HUD to report on all projects 
     funded under EDI grants awarded independently by HUD.
       Deletes report language proposed by the Senate and not 
     included by the House directing HUD to conduct a close-out 
     review of each EDI grant within five years of funding.
       Adds language proposed by the House authorizing YouthBuild 
     to engage in capacity building activities.
       The conferees continue to expect Youthbuild programs to 
     leverage private capital. This requirement emphasizes the 
     value of local commitments as a state in these programs as 
     well as additional resources available to assist in 
     expansion.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House to permanently transfer the New York Small Cities 
     program to the State of New York. If, however, the program is 
     not operating smoothly and effectively after one year, HUD 
     may submit legislation to transfer the program back to the 
     Department. The conferees will be following the results of 
     this transfer and its implementation at the state level.
       The conferees note that the Governor of New York has stated 
     that ``. . . New York has taken the necessary steps as set 
     out by law and precedent to begin the transfer of this 
     program from HUD to the State. In addition, the State has 
     proposed an appropriate structure to administer the program 
     and we have implemented an extensive consultation and public 
     outreach process through which numerous citizens, local 
     government and organizations participated in development of 
     the comprehensive plan for our administration of the 
     program.''
       The conferees direct that this transfer shall not affect 
     any awards made by HUD prior to the enactment of these 
     provisions, including multi-year awards, provided the awardee 
     remains in compliance with all contract terms and applicable 
     regulations. HUD is directed to continue to administer those 
     awards that are under contract but have not yet been closed 
     out. Furthermore, the conferees delete bill language 
     conditioning award of other Small Cities funds on this 
     transfer and clarify that only the Small Cities program for 
     New York State is transferred.


                       brownfields redevelopment

       Appropriates $25,000,000 for brownfields redevelopment, as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $20,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House.


                  home investment partnerships program

       Appropriates $1,600,000,000 for the HOME program, as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $1,580,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House.
       Includes $15,000,000 for housing counseling, instead of 
     $7,500,000 as proposed by the House and $20,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Includes $5,000,000 for information systems as proposed by 
     the House instead of no funding as proposed by the Senate.
       Includes an earmark of $2,000,000 for the National Housing 
     Development Corporation, to demonstrate innovative methods of 
     preserving affordable housing. The funding is intended to be 
     used for start-up costs, operating expenses, and working 
     capital.
       The conferees reiterate language included in the fiscal 
     year 1999 conference report directing HUD to develop a 
     process for measuring the performance of housing counseling 
     agencies, and urge HUD to incorporate performance measurement 
     requirements into future Notices of Funding Availability for 
     the housing counseling program. Unless HUD provides solid 
     information concerning the uses of these funds and the 
     performance of grantees, the conferees will reluctantly 
     consider making further reductions in the housing counseling 
     program in future years.


                       homeless assistance grants

       Appropriates $1,020,000,000 for homeless assistance grants 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of $970,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House.
       Inserts language requiring at least 30% of the 
     appropriation be directed to permanent housing, as proposed 
     by the Senate. The House did not include this item.
       Inserts language requiring a 25% match by grantees for 
     funding for services, as proposed by the Senate. The House 
     did not include this item.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate directing HUD to 
     review any previously obligated amounts of assistance, and to 
     deobligate the funds if the contracts are unlikely to be 
     performed. The House did not include this item.
       The conferees agree with report language proposed by the 
     Senate and not included by the House directing HUD to ensure 
     that State and local jurisdictions pass on at least 50% of 
     all administrative funds to the nonprofit organizations 
     administering the homeless assistance programs.

                            Housing Programs


                    housing for special populations

       Appropriates $911,000,000 for housing for special 
     populations as proposed by the Senate instead of $854,000,000 
     as proposed by the House.
       Includes $710,000,000 for section 202 housing for the 
     elderly as proposed by the Senate instead of $660,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       Includes $201,000,000 for section 811 housing for the 
     disabled as proposed by the Senate instead of $194,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House that, of the funds appropriated for the section 202 
     program, $50,000,000 shall be for service coordinators and 
     existing congregate services grants, and $50,000,000 shall be 
     for the costs of converting existing section 202 projects to 
     assisted living facilities. Grants for conversion of 
     buildings to assisted living facilities are to be 
     administered under provisions of title V of this Act. For 
     fiscal year 2000, funds are not provided for any capital 
     repairs but are limited to conversions only.
       The conferees note that title V of this bill includes 
     reforms to the elderly and disabled housing programs. These 
     reforms will enable the programs to work more efficiently and 
     effectively.

                     Federal Housing Administration


             fha--mutual mortgage insurance program account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Limits commitments for guaranteed loans to $140,000,000,000 
     as proposed by the House instead of $120,000,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Limits obligations for direct loans to no more than 
     $100,000,000 as proposed by the Senate instead of $50,000,000 
     as proposed by the House.
       Appropriates $330,888,000 for administrative expenses as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $328,888,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       Appropriates $160,000,000 for administrative contract 
     expenses as proposed by the Senate. The House did not fund 
     this item.
       Inserts language making a technical correction as proposed 
     by the House and stricken by the Senate.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate prohibiting HUD or 
     the FHA from discriminating between public and private 
     elementary and secondary school teachers. The House did not 
     include a similar item. The conferees note, however, that HUD 
     should make FHA mortgage insurance advantages available to 
     any teacher regardless of school affiliation.
       The conferees are aware that the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development, pursuant to the Federal Housing 
     Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (Title 
     VIII, P.L. 102-550), has announced the intention to publish 
     for comment a proposed rule implementing new affordable 
     housing goals for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. In light of the 
     extraordinary increase in the proposed goal, the conferees 
     expect the Secretary to consider the following:
       First, the stretch affordable housing efforts required of 
     each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae should be equal, so that 
     both enterprises are similarly challenged in attaining the 
     goals. This will require the Secretary to recognize the 
     present composition of each enterprise's overall portfolio in 
     order to ensure regulatory parity in the application of 
     regulatory guidelines measuring goal compliance. Second, any 
     new affordable housing goal regulations must recognize that 
     attainment of materially higher goals will be largely 
     dependent on the continuation of the current economic 
     conditions that are very favorable for housing affordability. 
     Deterioration in these conditions likely would render stretch 
     goals infeasible within the intent of the 1992 legislation.
       The fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act contained a 
     provision that imposed treble damages on FHA lenders who fail 
     to provide loss mitigation actions. The conferees are 
     concerned with how this provision will be implemented and 
     encourage HUD to promulgate very specific regulations to 
     clearly define actions that are considered loss mitigation. 
     Furthermore, the conferees urge HUD to withhold imposing 
     severe penalties under this provision until such times as 
     regulations are in place and the authorizing committees have 
     had time to review the impact these penalties will have on 
     the FHA lending program.


             fha--general and special risk program account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Appropriates $144,000,000 for administrative contract 
     expenses as proposed by the Senate. The House did not include 
     this item.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate prohibiting HUD or 
     the FHA from discriminating between public and private 
     elementary and secondary school teachers. The House did not 
     include a similar item.

[[Page 25275]]

       Inserts language proposed by the Senate making previously 
     appropriated amounts available despite the expiration of the 
     amounts.
       Inserts language making a technical correction as proposed 
     by the House and stricken by the Senate.
       The conferees are aware of the efforts the Department has 
     made to bridge the growing digital divide between information 
     technology ``haves'' and ``have nots'' through its 
     Neighborhood Networks initiative. This initiative leverages 
     local businesses, community organizations, local residents 
     and other partners to provide residential computing centers 
     to HUD-assisted housing throughout the country which in turn 
     provide computer and job training, senior and youth programs 
     and a variety of other supportive services at almost no 
     direct cost to the Department. The conferees direct the 
     Department to submit a report no later than June 30, 2000 
     which details and evaluates: the goals and progress of the 
     initiative; strategies to sustain resident involvement in the 
     program and to overcome other potential obstacles, which the 
     report should identify; future areas of opportunity for the 
     program, including possible partnerships with non-profit 
     organizations and other Federal agencies; and the 
     effectiveness of the initiative relative to the mission and 
     goals of the Department as specified in the strategic and 
     annual operating plan.

                Government National Mortgage Association


guarantees of mortgage-backed securities loan guarantee program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Appropriates $9,383,000 for administrative expenses as 
     proposed by the House instead of $15,383,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate.
       Inserts language proposed by the House requiring expenses 
     to be derived from receipts from GNMA guarantees of mortgage 
     backed securities (MBS). The Senate did not include this 
     item.
       Inserts language making a technical correction to bill 
     language as proposed by the House and stricken by the Senate.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        research and technology

       Appropriates $45,000,000 for research and technology, 
     instead of $42,500,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $35,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Includes $10,000,000 for the PATH program, instead of 
     $7,500,000 as proposed by the House. The Senate did not 
     include a similar item. Additionally, $500,000 is for the 
     Elderly Housing Commission, which is authorized in title V of 
     this Act.
       The conferees expect the PATH program to include 
     coordination on cold climate housing research with the Cold 
     Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES

       Appropriates $44,000,000 for fair housing activities, 
     instead of $40,000,000 as proposed by the Senate and 
     $37,500,000 as proposed by the House.
       Of the total amount provided in the conference agreement, 
     $24,000,000 is for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program 
     (including $6 million for continuation of the nationwide 
     audit to determine the extent of discrimination in housing 
     rental and sales) and $20,000,000 is for the Fair Housing 
     Assistance Program.

                     Office of Lead Hazard Control


                         LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       Appropriates $80,000,000 for lead hazard reduction, as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $70,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House.
       Of the amount, $10,000,000 is for the Healthy Homes 
     Initiative as proposed by the Senate instead of $7,500,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       Inserts language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate providing $1,000,000 for CLEARCorps.

                     Management and Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       Appropriates $477,000,000 for salaries and expenses instead 
     of $456,843,000 as proposed by the House and $457,039,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate prohibiting HUD 
     from employing more than 77 schedule C and 20 non-career SES 
     employees.
       The conferees are aware of a number of significant concerns 
     with HUD's external Community Builders program. Most 
     importantly, the conferees believe that HUD must rebuild 
     itself from within, from staff that are committed to HUD's 
     long-term future and the federal investment in local 
     communities and neighborhoods. Therefore, the conferees are 
     terminating the external Community Builders program effective 
     September 1, 2000 (rather than effective February 1, 2000, as 
     proposed by the Senate). The conferees expect that, following 
     the termination of the program, functions now being performed 
     by external Community Builders will be carried out by career 
     civil servants, and that FTEs now occupied by external 
     Community Builders will be filled instead by regular civil 
     service employees.
       HUD also is prohibited from converting any external 
     Community Builder to permanent staff (i.e., from changing 
     employee status without following normal civil service 
     competitive requirements). In addition, while the conferees 
     do not object to external community builders applying for 
     career civil service positions at HUD, they should not be 
     provided any special preference or priority simply because of 
     their status as current or former external Community 
     Builders.
       In addition, the conferees remain concerned about potential 
     problems with conflicts of interest in the Community Builders 
     program, and direct HUD to establish clear rules to avoid any 
     appearance of self-interest. In particular, there should be a 
     bright line test prohibiting any Community Builder from being 
     involved in any HUD transaction in which that person has a 
     fiduciary interest or has had an employer/employee 
     relationship with the entities involved in the transaction.
       Inserts several language changes that are technical.
       Inserts language proposed by the House and not included by 
     the Senate providing $2,000,000 for the Millennial Housing 
     Commission established in the Administrative Provisions 
     section of this title.
       Inserts a modification of Senate language prohibiting HUD 
     from employing more than 9,300 full-time equivalent 
     employees. Unlike the Senate language, the conference 
     agreement does not count on-site contract employees as part 
     of the total that is subject to the limitation.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House prohibiting HUD from employing more than 14 
     employees in the Office of Public Affairs.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House prohibiting HUD from using more than $1,000,000 for 
     travel.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       Appropriates $83,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General, instead of $72,343,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $95,910,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Inserts language making a technical correction as proposed 
     by the House and stricken by the Senate.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House providing $10,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General to contract for a series of independent financial 
     audits of HUD's internal systems. Deletes language proposed 
     by the Senate and not included by the House authorizing this 
     amount to be available until September 30, 2001.


             OFFICE OF FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       Provides $500 for the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise 
     Oversight's (OFHEO) reception and representation expenses 
     instead of $1,000 as proposed by the House. The Senate did 
     not provide a similar item.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate making a technical correction regarding enhanced 
     disposition authority. This provision is incorporated in 
     title V.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate reprogramming previously awarded economic development 
     initiatives.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House clarifying an owner's right to prepay the mortgage 
     of eligible low-income housing developments.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House prohibiting operating subsidies or capital funds 
     from being provided to certain State and city funded and 
     locally developed public housing or assisted units.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate establishing the Millennial Housing Commission.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate rescinding $74,400,000 .
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate providing $5,000,000 for the National Cities in 
     Schools Community Development program.
       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate authorizing HUD to provide enhanced section 8 vouchers 
     for certain assisted housing projects. This authority is 
     incorporated into provisions in title V.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate to provide $5,000,000 to the Jobs-Plus component of 
     the Moving to Work program.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate repealing section 214 of Public Law 104-204, dealing 
     with recaptured section 8 funds.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House amending the National Housing Act defining the term 
     ``nonadministrative.''
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House limiting compensation to employees of public 
     housing authorities to no more than $125,000.

[[Page 25276]]

       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House making a technical correction to section 541 of the 
     National Housing Act regarding payment of claims. This 
     provision streamlines the debt restructuring process in 
     MAHRA.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House limiting compensation for employees of YouthBuild 
     to no more than $125,000.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House providing HUD with the authority to gain access to 
     tenant income matching information.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House eliminating the Secretary's discretionary fund.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House to correct section 514 (h)(1) of MAHRA. This matter 
     is covered in title V.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House requiring HUD to reimburse GAO for any failure to 
     cooperate in investigations.
       The conferees have agreed to drop the requirement that HUD 
     reimburse GAO for the cost of time due to delays caused by 
     HUD in providing access to HUD officials and staff and to 
     information important to the House and Senate appropriations 
     committees. The conferees are concerned, however, about 
     reports that HUD has unreasonably delayed such access on 
     numerous occasions in the past year. Therefore, the conferees 
     direct GAO to maintain a log detailing GAO's efforts to meet 
     with HUD officials and staff and in seeking to obtain 
     information on HUD programs and activities. This log shall 
     include a summary of all delays and HUD's reasons for the 
     delays. The conferees expect HUD to provide reasonable access 
     to HUD officials, staff and information and that all meetings 
     should be accommodated within a week of any request, unless 
     there is a delay that is both reasonable and unavoidable.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House exempting Alaska and Mississippi--for fiscal year 
     2000 only--from statutory requirements to have a resident of 
     public housing on the Board of Directors.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House clarifying that HOME funds may be used to preserve 
     housing assisted with section 8.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House transferring administration of the Small Cities 
     component of the CDBG program for all funds allocated to the 
     State of New York from HUD to the State of New York.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House exempting Peggy Burgin from having to comply with 
     the age requirement at Clark's Landing in Groton, Vermont.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House requiring HUD to continue to make interest 
     reductions payments to Darlinton Manor apartments.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House authorizing HUD to provide section 8 assistance to 
     buildings with terminating section 8 contracts. This 
     provision is incorporated in title V.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate and not 
     included by the House requiring HUD to use risk-sharing if 
     the refinancing is the best available in terms of savings to 
     the FHA insurance funds and results in reduced risk of loss 
     to the federal government.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House authorizing section 8 enhanced vouchers. This 
     provision is included in title V.
       Inserts language extending the deadline for certain EDI 
     grants until September 30, 2000. Neither the House nor the 
     Senate included this language.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House authorizing HUD to contract with State or local 
     housing finance agencies for the purpose of determining 
     market rents.
       Inserts new language enabling tenants of cooperative 
     housing projects to make use of revocable trusts. Neither the 
     House nor the Senate included this language.
       Inserts new language making a technical correction to a 
     grant to the County of Hawaii. Neither the House nor the 
     Senate included this provision.
       Restores language proposed by the House and not included by 
     the Senate providing authority to HUD to reuse certain 
     section 8 funds.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate and not included by 
     the House authorizing HUD to allow project owners to use 
     interest reduction payments for renovations in certain 
     assisted housing projects. A similar provision is included in 
     title V.
       Inserts new language making waivers to the section 108 
     program for certain projects.
       Inserts new language requiring HUD to allocate directly to 
     New Jersey a portion of HOPWA funds designated for the 
     Philadelphia, PA-NJ Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area. 
     Neither the House nor the Senate included a similar 
     provision.

                    TITLE III--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  American Battle Monuments Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Appropriates $28,467,000 for salaries and expenses as 
     proposed by the House instead of $26,467,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate. The conferees commend the ABMC for the progress 
     made in reducing the backlogged maintenance needs throughout 
     the ABMC system, and have provided funds in excess of the 
     budget request to continue this important project.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Appropriates $8,000,000 for salaries and expenses instead 
     of $7,000,000 as proposed by the House and $6,500,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. Bill language has been included for 
     fiscal year 2000 which limits the number of career Senior 
     Executive Service positions to three.
       The conferees share the concern expressed in the Senate 
     Report that the Board may not be making the most effective 
     use of its financial resources. In particular, the conferees 
     agree that the Board must spend the preponderance of its 
     resources, including contract resources, on investigations 
     and safety instead of on external affairs or information 
     technology.
       The Board is further directed to complete, by December 31, 
     1999, an updated business plan, as well as formal written 
     procedures for awarding and managing contracts and formal 
     written procedures for selecting and performing 
     investigations. In addition, the Board is directed to expend 
     no funds to develop software for vulnerability assessments, 
     and may not fill any vacant positions in the areas of 
     external affairs or information technology.

                       Department of the Treasury

              Community Development Financial Institutions


   COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       Appropriates $95,000,000 for the Community Development 
     Financial Institutions Fund, instead of $70,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House, and $80,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Deletes language proposed by the House allowing the CDFI 
     Fund to use part of its appropriation to establish and carry 
     out a microenterprise technical assistance and capacity 
     building grant program.
       The conferees encourage the CDFI Fund to maintain a blend 
     of emerging and mature CDFIs, as well as CDFIs of varying 
     asset sizes, by creating a ``Small and Emerging CDFI Access 
     Program'' (SECAP) as part of its core CDFI Program. SECAP 
     would fill a gap between the Core Component of the CDFI 
     Program and the Technical Assistance Program.
       The conferees recommend that the CDFI Fund's ``Small and 
     Emerging CDFI Access Program'' require a streamlined business 
     plan; employ flexible matching requirements; include access 
     to training and technical assistance, as in the Core 
     Component; and place a $100,000 cap per application on 
     capital assistance, including both capital awards and awards 
     for technical assistance.

                   Consumer Product Safety Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Appropriates $49,000,000 for the Consumer Product Safety 
     Commission, salaries and expenses, instead of $47,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $49,500,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.

             Corporation for National and Community Service


       NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS OPERATING EXPENSES

       Appropriates $434,500,000 for national and community 
     service programs operating expenses, instead of $423,500,000 
     as proposed by the Senate. The House proposed termination of 
     the Corporation for National and Community Service using 
     funds appropriated in fiscal year 1999 for close-out 
     expenses.
       Limits funds for administrative expenses to not more than 
     $28,500,000, instead of $27,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate. The conferees direct that additional funds are to be 
     used for improvements to the Corporation's financial 
     management system and not for general salaries and expenses. 
     The conferees direct that the Corporation report, on a 
     monthly basis, the status of efforts to improve its financial 
     management.
       Limits funds as proposed by the Senate to not more than: 
     $28,500,000 for quality and innovation activities; $2,500 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; $70,000,000 
     for education awards, of which not to exceed $5,000,000 shall 
     be available for national service scholarships for high 
     school students performing community service; $234,000,000 
     for AmeriCorps grants, of which $45,000,000 may be for 
     national direct programs; $7,500,000 for the Points of Light 
     Foundation; $18,000,000 for the Civilian Community Corps; 
     $43,000,000 for school-based and community-based service-
     learning programs; and $5,000,000 for audits and other 
     evaluations.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate which prohibits 
     using any funds for national service programs run by Federal 
     agencies; provides that, to the maximum extent feasible, 
     funds for the AmeriCorps program will

[[Page 25277]]

     be provided consistent with the recommendation of peer review 
     panels; and provides that, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     the level of matching funds shall be increased, education 
     only awards shall be expanded, and the cost per participant 
     shall be reduced.
       Rescinds $80,000,000 from the National Service Trust as 
     proposed by the Senate. The conferees have taken this action 
     because the balances in the Trust appear at this time to be 
     in excess of requirements based upon usage rates. The 
     conferees direct the Corporation to report in its fiscal year 
     2001 budget request and operating plan the status of its 
     Trust fund reserve including the award usage rate and number 
     of participants in the program.
       The conferees agree to the Senate proposal to earmark 
     $5,000,000 for the Girl Scouts of the United States for the 
     ``P.A.V.E. the Way'' project and direct the Corporation to 
     use the increase in the national direct program cap to fund 
     this project. The conferees further agree that a unique set 
     of circumstances exist in Shelby County, Alabama which 
     indicates that the RSVP Program is to be allowed to operate 
     separately from the existing multi-county consortium.
       The House proposed that the Corporation be terminated and 
     did not include any of the foregoing limitations or 
     provisions proposed by the Senate.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       Appropriates $4,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General, instead of $5,000,000 as proposed by the Senate and 
     $3,000,000 as proposed by the House.

                    Environmental Protection Agency


                         SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

       Appropriates $645,000,000 for science and technology as 
     proposed by the House instead of $642,483,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate.
       The conferees have agreed to the following increases to the 
     budget request:
       1. $1,250,000 for continuation of the California Regional 
     PM 10 and 2.5 air quality study.
       2. $2,500,000 for EPSCoR.
       3. $700,000 for continuation of the study of livestock and 
     agricultural pollution abatement at Tarleton State 
     University.
       4. $3,000,000 for the Water Environment Research 
     Foundation.
       5. $750,000 for continued research on urban waste 
     management at the University of New Orleans.
       6. $750,000 for continued perchlorate research through the 
     East Valley Water District.
       7. $1,500,000 for the Mickey Leland National Urban Air 
     Toxics Research Center.
       8. $4,000,000 for the American Water Works Association 
     Research Foundation, including $1,000,000 for continued 
     research on arsenic.
       9. $1,500,000 for the National Decentralized Water Resource 
     Capacity Development Project, in coordination with EPA, for 
     continued training and research and development.
       10. $750,000 for the Integrated Petroleum Environmental 
     Consortium project.
       11. $1,000,000 for the National Center for Atlantic and 
     Caribbean Reef Research.
       12. $800,000 for the University of New Hampshire's Bedrock 
     Bioremediation Center research project.
       13. $1,800,000 for the Lovelace National Environmental 
     Respiratory Center.
       14. $400,000 for the development, design, and 
     implementation of a research effort on tributyltin-based ship 
     bottom paints at Old Dominion University.
       15. $750,000 for research of advanced vehicle design, 
     advanced transportation systems, vehicle emissions, and 
     atmospheric pollution at the University of Riverside CE-CERT 
     facility.
       16. $1,500,000 for the Environmental Technology 
     Commercialization Center (ETC2) in Cleveland, Ohio.
       17. $750,000 for continued research of the Salton Sea at 
     the University of Redlands.
       18. $750,000 for the final phase of research conducted 
     through the Institute for Environmental and Industrial 
     Science in San Marcos, Texas.
       19. $1,000,000 for the Center for Estuarine Research at the 
     University of South Alabama for research on the environmental 
     impact of human activities on water quality and habitat loss 
     in an estuarine environment.
       20. $550,000 to develop and maintain an information 
     repository of water related materials for research and 
     conflict resolution at the Water Resources Institute at 
     California State University, San Bernardino.
       21. $300,000 for environmental remanufacturing research at 
     the Rochester Institute of Technology.
       22. $1,500,000 for the Fresh Water Institute to extend and 
     expand acid deposition research.
       23. $2,000,000 for assessing and mitigating the impact of 
     exposure to multiple indoor contaminants on human health 
     through the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse 
     and Central New York.
       24. $2,000,000 for the Canaan Valley Institute to establish 
     a regional environmental data center and coordinated 
     information system in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, in 
     coordination with the Federal Geographic Data Committee and 
     the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
       25. $2,000,000 for the Center for the Engineered 
     Conservation of Energy in Alfred, New York to conduct 
     environmental performance and resource conservation research.
       26. $750,000 for the National Center for Animal Waste 
     Technologies at Purdue University.
       27. $1,000,000 for analysis and research of the 
     environmental and public health impacts associated with 
     pollution sources, including waste transfer stations, in the 
     South Bronx, New York, to be conducted by New York 
     University.
       28. $1,000,000 for research associated with the restoration 
     and enhancement of Manchac Swamp conducted by Southeastern 
     Louisiana University at the Turtle Cove Research Station.
       29. $2,000,000 for drinking water research, to ensure the 
     best available science needed for upcoming regulatory 
     requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments.
       30. $1,500,000 for the National Jewish Medical and Research 
     Center for research on the relationship between indoor and 
     outdoor pollution and the development of respiratory 
     diseases.
       31. $1,250,000 for the Center for Air Toxics Metals at the 
     Energy and Environmental Research Center.
       32. $250,000 for acid rain research at the University of 
     Vermont.
       33. $6,000,000 for the Mine Waste Technology program at the 
     National Environmental Waste Technology, Testing, and 
     Evaluation Center.
       34. $350,000 for the Consortium for Agricultural Soils 
     Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases.
       35. $250,000 to continue the work of the Environmental 
     Technology Development and Commercialization Center at the 
     Texas Regional Institute for Environmental Studies.
       36. $750,000 for the Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) Consortium.
       37. $2,000,000 for the National Research Council to conduct 
     a study of the effectiveness of clean air programs utilized 
     by federal, state, and local governments. This study is 
     intended to reveal, among other things, any contradictions 
     among the various clean air programs, rules, and regulations 
     at every level of government which may result in worsening 
     air quality in the United States.
       38. $3,000,000 for the National Technology Transfer Center 
     to establish a technology commercialization partnership 
     program and a comprehensive training program on 
     commercialization best practices for EPA and other Federal 
     officials.
       The conferees have agreed to the following reductions from 
     the budget request:
       1. $22,900,000 from the CCTI Transportation research 
     program.
       2. $2,000,000 from the global change research program.
       3. $3,000,000 from the Research for Ecosystems Assessment 
     and Restoration program objective.
       4. $900,000 from project EMPACT.
       5. $4,958,000 from Clean Water Action Plan related 
     research.
       6. $1,000,000 from various lower priority facility repair 
     and improvement projects.
       7. $16,625,000 as a general reduction.
       Within available funds, the Agency is expected to provide 
     up to $1,000,000 to create the databases and analysis 
     necessary to help establish programs and technologies to 
     achieve an effective carbon sequestration program. In 
     addition, no less than $7,000,000 is to be provided for the 
     Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program, 
     and no less than $4,000,000 for the Clean Air Status and 
     Trends Network (CASTNet).
       The conferees are concerned about the accuracy of 
     information contained in the Integrated Risk Information 
     System (IRIS) data base which contains health effects 
     information on more than 500 chemicals. The conferees direct 
     the Agency to consult with the Science Advisory Board (SAB) 
     on the design of a study that will, 1) examine a 
     representative sample of IRIS health assessments completed 
     before the IRIS Pilot Project, as well as a representative 
     sample of assessments completed under the project, and 2) 
     assess the extent to which these assessments document the 
     range of uncertainty and variability of the data. The results 
     of that study will be reviewed by the SAB and a copy of the 
     study and the SAB's report on the study sent to the Congress 
     within one year of enactment of this Act.


                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

       Appropriates $1,900,000,000 for environmental programs and 
     management instead of $1,850,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $1,897,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conferees 
     have included bill language as proposed by the House, 
     identical to that carried in the fiscal year 1999 Act, which 
     limits the expenditure of funds to implement or administer 
     guidance relating to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 
     1964, with certain exceptions. This provision does not 
     provide the Agency statutory authority to implement its 
     Environmental Justice Guidance. Rather, it simply clarifies 
     the applicability of the Interim Guidance with respect to 
     certain pending cases as an administrative convenience for 
     the Agency.
       Bill language proposed by the House and the Senate, 
     identical to that contained in

[[Page 25278]]

     the fiscal year 1999 Act, has also been included to prohibit 
     the expenditure of funds to take certain actions for the 
     purpose of implementing or preparing to implement the Kyoto 
     Protocol. Also included is bill language proposed by the 
     House and the Senate to provide that in fiscal year 2000 and 
     thereafter, grants awarded under section 20 of the Federal 
     Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and under section 
     10 of the Toxic Substances Control Act shall be available for 
     research, development, monitoring, public education, 
     training, demonstrations, and studies.
       Finally, the conferees have included bill language which 
     transfers unexpended funds appropriated under this heading in 
     Public Law 105-276 for the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation 
     to the state and tribal assistance grants account for grants 
     for wastewater treatment infrastructure construction in 
     Fluker Chapel and Mandeville, Louisiana.
       The conferees have deleted language proposed by the Senate 
     providing funds from within other EPA accounts to fund the 
     Montreal Protocol activity, and have deleted language 
     proposed by the Senate limiting the expenditure of funds for 
     personnel compensation and benefit costs. The conferees have 
     also deleted bill language proposed by the House providing 
     funds for regional haze grants to the states. These issues 
     have been specifically addressed elsewhere in the statement 
     of the managers accompanying the conference report.
       The conferees have agreed to the following increases to the 
     budget request:
       1. $2,000,000 for the Michigan Biotechnology Institute for 
     continued development of viable cleanup technologies.
       2. $500,000 for continued activities of the Small Business 
     Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Northern 
     Iowa.
       3. $750,000 for the painting and coating compliance project 
     at the University of Northern Iowa.
       4. $1,500,000 for continuation of the Sacramento River 
     Toxic Pollution Control Project, to be cost shared.
       5. $1,325,000 for ongoing activities at the Canaan Valley 
     Institute.
       6. $2,500,000 for the Southwest Center for Environmental 
     Research and Policy (SCERP).
       7. $400,000 for continuation of the Small Water Systems 
     Institute at Montana State University.
       8. $14,000,000 for rural water technical assistance 
     activities and groundwater protection with distribution as 
     follows: $8,500,000 for the National Rural Water Association; 
     $2,300,000 for the Rural Community Assistance Program; 
     $650,000 for the Groundwater Protection Council; $1,550,000 
     for the Small Flows Clearinghouse; and $1,000,000 for the 
     National Environmental Training Center. The conferees believe 
     that the increase provided to carry out rural water technical 
     assistance through the Rural Community Assistance Program 
     (RCAP) should be utilized to balance that program's efforts 
     with additional attention to wastewater projects.
       9. $900,000 for implementation of the National Biosolids 
     Partnership Program.
       10. $1,000,000 for continued work on the Soil Aquifer 
     Treatment Demonstration project.
       11. $2,000,000 for continuation of the New York and New 
     Jersey dredge decontamination project.
       12. $500,000 for operation of the Long Island Sound Office.
       13. $750,000 for the Southern Appalachian Mountain 
     Institute.
       14. $100,000 to the Miami-Dade County Department of 
     Environmental Resources Management to expand the existing 
     education program.
       15. $200,000 for the Northwest Citizens' Advisory 
     Commission to coordinate research and education efforts of 
     environmental issues covering the entire Northwest Straits 
     area.
       16. $175,000 for use in planning to enhance environmental 
     stewardship in the design, construction, and operation, of 
     the University of California, Merced.
       17. $1,000,000 for the four regional environmental 
     enforcement projects.
       18. $690,000 to develop a broad-based, highly 
     interdisciplinary risk assessment program with strong 
     community involvement, at Cleveland State University.
       19. $700,000 for the university portion of the Southern 
     Oxidants Study.
       20. $1,500,000 for source water protection programs.
       21. $5,000,000 for section 103 grants to the states to 
     develop regional haze programs under Title I, Part C of the 
     Clean Air Act.
       22. $500,000 for continued work on the Cortland County, New 
     York aquifer protection plan, $150,000 of which is for 
     planning and implementation of the Upper Susquehanna 
     watershed.
       23. $1,250,000 for the National Onsite Water Demonstration 
     project.
       24. $2,000,000 for the Federal Energy Technology Center and 
     EPA Region III for continued activities on a comprehensive 
     clean water initiative.
       25. $1,600,000 for Tampa Bay Watch to establish a 
     sustaining program and expand community environmental 
     restoration and developmental stewardship projects designed 
     to elevate the health of the Tampa Bay estuary.
       26. $500,000 for water quality monitoring of the Tennessee 
     River basin through the Alabama Department of Environmental 
     Management.
       27. $5,000,000 to validate screens and tests required by 
     the Food Quality Protection Act to identify hormone-
     disrupting chemicals.
       28. $1,500,000 for training grants under section 104(g) of 
     the Clean Water Act.
       29. $500,000 for the Small Public Water System Technology 
     Center at Western Kentucky University.
       30. $400,000 for Small Water Systems Technology Assistance 
     Center at the University of Alaska-Sitka.
       31. $500,000 for the Small Public Water System Technology 
     Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
       32. $500,000 for the Southeast Center for Technology 
     Assistance for Small Drinking Water Systems at Mississippi 
     State University.
       33. $500,000 to assist communities in Hawaii to meet 
     successfully the water quality permitting requirements for 
     rehabilitating native Hawaiian fishponds.
       34. $5,000,000 under section 104(b) of the Clean Water Act 
     for America's Clean Water Foundation for implementation of 
     on-farm environmental assessments for hog production 
     operations, with the goal of improving surface and ground 
     water quality.
       35. $475,000 for the Coordinated Tribal Water Quality 
     Program through the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
       36. $500,000 for the Ohio River Watershed Pollutant 
     Reduction Program, to be cost-shared.
       37. $1,500,000 for the National Alternative Fuels Vehicle 
     Training Program.
       38. $2,500,000 for King County, Washington, molten 
     carbonate fuel cell demonstration project.
       39. $1,000,000 for the Frank Tejeda Center for Excellence 
     in Environmental Operations to demonstrate new technology for 
     water and wastewater treatment.
       40. $775,000 for the National Center for Vehicle Emissions 
     Control and Safety for onboard diagnostic research.
       41. $750,000 for the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 
     Program.
       42. $1,250,000 for the Lake Champlain management plan.
       43. $500,000 for the Environmentors project.
       44. $1,500,000 for the Food and Agricultural Policy 
     Research Institute's Missouri watershed initiative project to 
     link economic and environmental data with ambient water 
     quality.
       45. $500,000 for the final year of funding for the Ala Wai 
     Canal watershed improvement project.
       46. $200,000 for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and 
     the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and 
     Human Resources to continue developing agriculturally based 
     remediation technologies.
       47. $1,000,000 for the Animal Waste Management Consortium 
     through the University of Missouri, acting with Iowa State 
     University, North Carolina State University, Michigan State 
     University, Oklahoma State University, and Purdue University 
     to supplement ongoing research, demonstration, and outreach 
     projects associated with animal waste management.
       48. $1,500,000 for the University of Missouri Agroforestry 
     Center to support the agroforestry floodplain initiative on 
     nonpoint source pollution.
       49. $1,000,000 for the Columbia basin ground water 
     management assessment.
       50. $1,500,000 for a cumulative impacts study of North 
     Slope oil and gas development. The conferees expect the 
     Administrator to contract for the full amount with the 
     National Academy of Sciences through the National Research 
     Council's Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology to 
     perform the study which shall be completed within 2 years of 
     contract execution. The Council shall seek input from federal 
     and state agencies, Native organizations, non-governmental 
     entities, and other interested parties. Pending completion of 
     the NRC study, the conferees direct that federal agencies 
     shall not, under any circumstances, rely upon the pendency of 
     the study to delay, suspend, or otherwise alter federal 
     decision-making and NEPA compliance for any existing or 
     proposed oil and gas exploration, development, production or 
     delivery on the North Slope.
       51. $750,000 for an expansion of EPA's efforts related to 
     the Government purchase and use of environmentally preferable 
     products under Executive Order 13101 through the Office of 
     Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. This includes up 
     to $200,000 for the University of Missouri-Rolla to work with 
     the Army to validate soysmoke as a replacement for petroleum 
     fog oil in obscurant smoke used in battlefield exercises.
       52. $200,000 to complete the development of a technical 
     guidance manual for use by permit reviewers and product 
     specifiers (Government and private sector) to ensure 
     appropriate uses of preserved wood in applications including 
     housing, piers, docks, bridges, utility poles, and railroad 
     ties.
       53. $500,000 for a watershed study for northern Kentucky, 
     including the development and demonstration of a methodology 
     for implementing a cost-effective program for addressing the 
     problems associated with wet weather conditions on a 
     watershed basis.

[[Page 25279]]


       54. $1,750,000 for the Kansas City Riverfront project to 
     demonstrate innovative methods of removing contaminated 
     debris.
       55. $250,000 for the Maryland Bureau of Mines to design and 
     construct a Kempton Mine remediation project to reduce or 
     eliminate the loss of quality water from surface streams into 
     the Kempton Mine complex.
       56. $975,000 for the Alabama Department of Environmental 
     Management water and wastewater training programs.
       57. $250,000 for the Vermont Department of Agriculture to 
     work with the conservation districts along the Connecticut 
     River in Vermont to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
       58. $75,000 for the groundwater protection/wellhead 
     protection project, Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho.
       59. $475,000 for the Water Systems Council to assist in the 
     effective delivery of water to rural citizens nationwide.
       60. $500,000 to complete the Treasure Valley Hydrologic 
     Project.
       61. $350,000 for the Leon County, Florida storm water 
     runoff study.
       62. $500,000 for Envision Utah sustainable development 
     activities.
       63. $550,000 for the Idaho Water Initiative.
       64. $750,000 for the Resource and Agricultural Policy 
     Systems Project.
       65. $150,000 for the Vermont Small Business Development 
     Center to assist small businesses in complying with 
     environmental regulations.
       66. $700,000 to continue the Urban Rivers Awareness Program 
     at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for its 
     environmental science program.
       67. $500,000 for the Kenai River Center for research on 
     watershed issues and related activities.
       68. $300,000 for the restoration of the Beaver Springs 
     Slough.
       69. $750,000 for the New Hampshire Estuaries Project 
     management plan implementation.
       70. $200,000 for the Fairmount Park Commission to identify, 
     design, implement, and evaluate environmental education 
     exhibits.
       71. $100,000 to continue the Design for the Environment for 
     Farmers Program to address the unique environmental concerns 
     of the American Pacific area through the adoption of 
     sustainable agricultural practices.
       72. $200,000 to complete the cleanup of Five Island Lake in 
     Emmetsburg, Iowa.
       73. $175,000 for the Geographical Survey of Alabama for a 
     study on flow in natural and induced fractures in coalbed 
     methane reservoirs to determine the impact of hydraulic 
     fracturing and deep water production on shallow domestic 
     water wells.
       74. $850,000 for continued restoration of Lake 
     Ponchartrain, Louisiana.
       75. $500,000 for an arsenic groundwater study in Fallon, 
     Nevada.
       76. $500,000 for planning and development of the Buffalo 
     Creek watershed, New York.
       77. $1,500,000 for continued work on the water quality 
     management plans for the New York watersheds.
       78. $1,000,000 for the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina 
     surface water improvement and management program.
       79. $1,000,000 for planning and development of a master 
     plan of the Susquehanna-Lackawanna, Pennsylvania watershed 
     through the Pennsylvania Geographic Information Consortium.
       80. $500,000 for a study of the effect of pesticide runoff 
     on inter-urban lakes in Fort Worth, Texas.
       81. $500,000 for the Brazos/Navasota, Texas watershed 
     management initiative.
       82. $300,000 for implementation of the Potomac River 
     Visions Initiative through the Friends of the Potomac.
       83. $500,000 for Mississippi State University, the 
     University of Mississippi, and the University of Georgia to 
     conduct forestry best management practice water quality 
     effectiveness studies in the States of Mississippi and 
     Georgia.
       84. $500,000 for planning and consolidation of the west 
     bank Jefferson Parish, Louisiana wastewater treatment 
     facilities.
       85. $300,000 for the Northeast States for Coordinated Air 
     Use Management (NESCAUM).
       86. $500,000 for completion of the international project to 
     phase out the use of lead in gasoline.
       87. $1,500,000 for West Virginia University to develop the 
     plastics recycling component of the Green Exchange, in 
     cooperation with the Polymer Alliance Zone and the National 
     Electronics Recycling Project, and in consultation with the 
     Office of Information and Resource Management.
       The conferees have agreed to the following reductions from 
     the budget request:
       1. $90,000,000 from the climate change technology 
     initiative (CCTI), including elimination of funds for the 
     Transportation Partners program.
       2. $2,000,000 from the partnerships with other countries 
     program.
       3. $3,043,000 from Project EMPACT.
       4. $5,847,000 from compliance monitoring program.
       5. $6,749,000 from the civil enforcement program.
       6. $656,000 from the enforcement training program.
       7. $2,700,000 from human resources management.
       8. $1,369,000 from the criminal enforcement program.
       9. $9,000,000 from the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund.
       10. $4,700,000 from Sustainable Development Challenge 
     Grants.
       11. $3,400,000 from the new Urban Environmental Quality and 
     Human Health program.
       12. $112,119,000 as a general reduction.
       In the Congressional response to the EPA's proposed 
     Operating Plan for fiscal year 1999, deep concerns were 
     raised regarding the increase of the overall personnel level 
     at the Agency and the relationship of that increase to the 
     actual appropriated levels for activities of the Agency. As a 
     result of these concerns, both the House and the Senate 
     included specific payroll reductions in their respective 
     fiscal year 2000 legislative proposals, and the Senate took 
     the further step of including a maximum expenditure for 
     personnel compensation and benefits within the text of its 
     bill.
       The conferees acknowledge that such specific direction 
     tends to reduce the Agency's flexibility in balancing both 
     personnel and operations requirements and have therefore 
     determined not to include specific dollar or FTE provisions 
     in either the legislation or the statement of the managers 
     accompanying the conference report. This action, however, 
     should not be interpreted as any change in the conferees' 
     resolve that EPA must continue to take the steps necessary, 
     short of a reduction-in-force action, to reduce its workforce 
     and personnel costs.
       To this end, the conferees expect the Agency to maintain 
     throughout the year the modified hiring freeze begun during 
     fiscal year 1999, with the ultimate goal of reaching, by the 
     end of fiscal year 2001, an Agency-wide personnel level of no 
     more than 18,000 FTEs. In applying the hiring freeze, the 
     Agency should remain flexible and make accommodations, as 
     appropriate, to maintain necessary positions, even if doing 
     so will temporarily result in upward fluctuations of monthly 
     personnel levels. In addition, the Agency is expected to 
     include as part of its Operating Plan submission for fiscal 
     year 2000 a proposal to reduce payroll costs to help meet the 
     general reduction requirement contained in the Environmental 
     Programs and Management account. Finally, the Agency is 
     requested to provide monthly to the Committees on 
     Appropriations an informal report detailing the end-of-month 
     personnel levels listed by office, location (headquarters, 
     region, field) and by appropriations account.
       The conferees have agreed to provide $1,250,000 from within 
     available funds for the seven Environmental Finance Centers. 
     In this regard, the conferees direct the Agency to consider 
     the finance center located at the University of Louisville 
     part of and an equal partner in all activities, financial and 
     otherwise, of the finance center network.
       The conference agreement includes the budget request of 
     $32,800,000 for reregistration and $36,100,000 for 
     registration activities performed by EPA. Faster review and 
     approval for registration applications will allow safer, more 
     environmentally friendly products on the market sooner and 
     ensure that farmers have the ability to protect their crop. 
     In the submission of the fiscal year 2000 operating plan, the 
     Agency is directed to take no reductions below the budget 
     request from the pesticide registration and reregistration 
     programs, as well as from the NPDES permit backlog, 
     compliance assistance activities, RCRA corrective actions, 
     and data quality and information management activities 
     related to the reorganization of the Office of Information 
     Management.
       The conferees have provided $5,000,000 under section 103 of 
     the Clean Air Act for states and recognized regional 
     partnerships, including the Western Regional Air Partnership 
     due to the accelerated schedule it has in the Regional Haze 
     regulations, for multi-state planning efforts on regional 
     haze, including aiding in the development of emissions 
     inventories, quantification of natural visibility conditions, 
     monitoring, and other data necessary to define reasonable 
     progress and develop control strategies. These additional 
     funds shall in no way reduce other, existing grants to states 
     or tribes authorized under sections 103 and 105 of title I, 
     part C of the Clean Air Act, as amended.
       The conferees have similarly provided an additional 
     $5,000,000 for the validation of screens and tests under the 
     Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program (EDSP), bringing the 
     total funding level for this program to $12,700,000. The 
     conferees expect these funds to be used by the Office of 
     Pollution Prevention and Toxics, in conjunction with the 
     Office of Research and Development, to improve, standardize, 
     and validate simultaneously the recommended Tier I screens 
     and Tier II tests, beginning with those screens and tests 
     relevant to human health, to protect appropriately public 
     health. For the public to have confidence in information 
     developed under the EDSP, the screens and tests must produce 
     credible, replicable results.
       Within 60 days of enactment of this Act, EPA is directed to 
     provide $300,000 to the Environmental Council of the States 
     (ECOS) to analyze state enforcement and compliance statistics 
     and identify the sources of any inconsistencies among the 
     states and EPA in data collection, reporting, or definitions, 
     and

[[Page 25280]]

     make such information along with a summary of state 
     enforcement and compliance activities available for review by 
     the Congress. EPA is further directed to provide the National 
     Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), within 60 days of 
     enactment, $200,000 to provide the Congress with an 
     independent evaluation of state and federal enforcement data, 
     including a recommendation of actions needed to ensure public 
     access to accurate, credible, and consistent enforcement 
     data.
       Within available funds, the conferees direct EPA to conduct 
     a relative risk assessment of deep well injection, ocean 
     disposal, surface discharge, and aquifer recharge of treated 
     effluent in South Florida, in close cooperation with the 
     Florida Department of Environmental Protection and South 
     Florida municipal water utilities.
       The conferees encourage EPA to move forward with a 
     rulemaking to provide for the use of a refillable/recyclable 
     refrigerant cylinder system as a means of reducing the 
     release of ozone-depleting chemicals.
       Consistent with the Senate Report, the Agency is directed 
     to conduct in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture 
     a cost and capability assessment of the Unified National 
     Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations. The conferees agree 
     this report should be completed and submitted to the Congress 
     by May 15, 2001. Similarly, consistent with the House Report, 
     the conferees expect the Agency to solicit and consider 
     additional public comment regarding exemptions from the rule 
     on ``plant pesticides'' as suggested by the Consortium of 
     Eleven Scientific Societies.
       The conferees are concerned about an apparent inequity 
     created by two separate and conflicting actions that occurred 
     last May. One was EPA's issuance of a final rule under 
     section 126 of the Clean Air Act that in essence requires the 
     same emission reductions called for by EPA's State 
     Implementation Plan (SIP) revision call for nitrogen oxides 
     (NOx) if the Agency has not approved the NOx SIP Call 
     revisions of 22 States and the District of Columbia by 
     November 30, 1999. The other was an order by the United 
     States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit staying the 
     requirement imposed in EPA's 1998 NOx SIP Call for these same 
     jurisdictions to submit the SIP revisions just mentioned for 
     EPA approval. Prior to this, EPA maintained a close link 
     between the NOx SIP Call and the section 126 rule.
       While the conferees' primary concern is in ensuring that 
     these matters are soon resolved in the interest of air 
     quality enhancements for all the states, the conferees 
     encourage EPA to retain the linkage and refrain from 
     implementing the section 126 regulation until the NOx SIP 
     Call litigation is complete.
       The conferees are aware that an agreement is close to being 
     reached among the EPA, various animal protection 
     organizations, trade associations representing chemical 
     companies, and other interested parties that will incorporate 
     certain animal welfare concerns and scientific principles 
     into the High Production Volume (HPV) testing program. It is 
     the intention of the conferees that the HPV program, 
     including the first test rule, should proceed in a manner 
     that is consistent with those animal welfare concerns and 
     that the EPA develop and validate within existing funds non-
     animal test methods for use in chemical toxicity testing.
       The conferees are aware of concerns regarding the 
     relationship between proposed regulatory standards for radium 
     in drinking water and the actual risks to public health 
     caused by the ingestion of low concentrations of radium in 
     drinking water. The Administrator of the EPA is therefore 
     directed to evaluate all direct human health impacts of low 
     concentrations of radium in drinking water and ascertain at 
     what level radium in water actually becomes a risk to public 
     health. The EPA is expected to publish a summary of this 
     information in a Notice of Data Availability before making 
     decisions about final standards for Radium 226 and Radium 228 
     in drinking water.
       The conferees have deleted bill language proposed by the 
     House under General Provisions in title IV prohibiting the 
     expenditure of funds to publish or issue an assessment 
     required under section 106 of the Global Change Research Act 
     of 1990 unless the supporting research has been subjected to 
     peer review and, if not otherwise publicly available, posted 
     electronically for public comment prior to use in the 
     assessment, and the draft assessment has been published in 
     the Federal Register for a 60 day public comment period. 
     While the conferees have deleted this specific bill language, 
     the Agency is nevertheless expected to adhere to this 
     provision.
       Unlike in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account, 
     the Agency has historically not required a cost-share 
     component for specific grants provided through the 
     Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) account, unless 
     specifically required. In order to leverage better available 
     financial resources, the Agency is directed to work with the 
     Committees on Appropriations in the development of a proposal 
     for a cost-share requirement to be included for projects 
     funded within the EPM account, with the goal of having such 
     an agreed upon proposal included in the fiscal year 2000 
     Operating Plan.


                      office of inspector general

       Appropriates $32,409,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General as proposed by the Senate instead of $25,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House. In addition to this appropriation, 
     $11,000,000 is available to the OIG by transfer from the 
     Hazardous Substance Superfund account. The conferees agree 
     that the increase above the budget request provided the OIG 
     should be used to address major problems at EPA through the 
     development of additional audits of grants and assistance 
     agreements, and to form a new program evaluation unit to 
     analyze environmental outcomes more effectively.


                        buildings and facilities

       Appropriates $62,600,000 for buildings and facilities as 
     proposed by the House instead of $25,930,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate. The conferees note that within this appropriation 
     is $36,700,000, the final funding increment, for continued 
     construction of the consolidated research facility at 
     Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.


                     hazardous substance superfund

       Appropriates $1,400,000,000 for hazardous substance 
     superfund as proposed by the Senate instead of $1,450,000,000 
     as proposed by the House. Bill language provides that 
     $700,000,000 of the appropriated amount is to be derived from 
     the Superfund Trust Fund, while the remaining $700,000,000 is 
     to be derived from General Revenues of the Treasury. 
     Additional language 1) provides $70,000,000 for the Agency 
     for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); 2) 
     provides for a transfer of $11,000,000 to the Office of 
     Inspector General; 3) provides for a transfer of $38,000,000 
     to the Science and Technology account; and 4) provides that 
     $100,000,000 of the appropriated amount shall not become 
     available for obligation until September 1, 2000.
       The conferees have also included bill language which 
     permits the Administrator of the ATSDR to conduct other 
     appropriate health studies and evaluations or activities in 
     lieu of health assessments pursuant to section 104(i)(6) of 
     the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA). The language 
     further stipulates that in the conduct of such other health 
     assessments, evaluations, or activities, the ATSDR shall not 
     be bound by the deadlines imposed in section 104(i)(6)(A) of 
     CERCLA.
       The conferees have agreed to the following fiscal year 2000 
     funding levels:
       1. $917,337,000 for Superfund response/cleanup actions. The 
     Brownfields program has been funded at the budget request 
     level of $91,700,000.
       2. $140,000,000 for enforcement activities.
       3. $125,000,000 for management and support. In addition, 
     $11,000,000 is to be provided by transfer to the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       4. $38,000,000 for research and development activities, to 
     be transferred to the Science and Technology account.
       5. $60,000,000 for the National Institute of Environmental 
     Health Sciences, including $23,000,000 for worker training 
     and $37,000,000 for research activities.
       6. $70,000,000 for the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
     Disease Registry.
       7. $38,663,000 for reimbursable interagency activities, 
     including $28,663,000 for the Department of Justice, $650,000 
     for OSHA, $1,100,000 for FEMA, $2,450,000 for NOAA, 
     $4,800,000 for the Coast Guard, and $1,000,000 for the 
     Department of the Interior.
       Within the amount provided to the ATSDR, $1,500,000 is for 
     continued work on the Toms River, New Jersey cancer 
     evaluation and research project. In addition, the conferees 
     expect the ATSDR to provide adequate funding to continue the 
     minority health professions program and to continue the 
     health effects study on the consumption of Great Lakes fish. 
     As in the past, ATSDR's administrative costs charged by CDC 
     are capped at 7.5 percent of the amount appropriated herein. 
     The conferees agree that $3,000,000 is to be re-directed from 
     health assessments to other priorities.
       With the funds transferred to science and technology, the 
     conferees direct that the current hazardous substance 
     research centers, including the Gulf Coast center, will be 
     funded at no less than the 1998 funding level.
       For fiscal year 2000 and consistent with fiscal year 1999, 
     the conferees direct the Agency not to initiate or order 
     dredging, except as noted in the conference report and 
     statement of the managers accompanying the 1999 
     Appropriations Act, until the National Academy of Sciences 
     has completed its dredging study and that study has been 
     properly considered by EPA. Further, the Agency should only 
     initiate or order dredging in cases where a full analysis of 
     long and short-term health and environmental impacts has been 
     conducted.
       Finally, the conferees direct that within 45 days of 
     enactment of this Act, EPA award a cooperative agreement for 
     an independent analysis of the projected federal costs over 
     the ten-year period of fiscal years 2000-2010 for 
     implementation of the Superfund program under current law, 
     including the annual and cumulative costs associated with 
     administering CERCLA activities at National Priority List 
     (NPL) sites. The analysis should identify sources of 
     uncertainty in

[[Page 25281]]

     the estimates, and shall model 1) costs for completion of all 
     sites currently listed on the NPL, 2) costs associated with 
     additions to the NPL anticipated for fiscal year 2000 through 
     fiscal year 2009, 3) costs associated with federal 
     expenditures for the operations and maintenance at both 
     existing and new NPL sites, 4) costs for emergency removals, 
     5) non-site specific costs assigned to other activities such 
     as research, administration, and interagency transfers, and 
     6) costs associated with five-year reviews at existing and 
     new NPL sites and associated activities. For purposes of this 
     analysis, costs associated with assessment, response, and 
     development of brownfields and federal facility sites are not 
     to be included. The analysis shall be conducted by the 
     Resources for the Future, and the results of the work are to 
     be transmitted in a report to the Congress no later than 
     December 31, 2000.


                leaking underground storage tank program

       Appropriates $70,000,000 for the leaking underground 
     storage tank program instead of $60,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $71,556,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conferees direct EPA to submit a plan to the Congress 
     by May 1, 2000, including cost estimates, to (1) identify 
     underground storage tanks that are not in compliance with 
     subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) identify 
     underground storage tanks in temporary closure; (3) determine 
     the ownership of underground storage tanks not in compliance 
     or in temporary closure; and (4) determine the plans of 
     owners and operators to bring such tanks into compliance or 
     out of temporary closure. For tanks for which no owner can be 
     identified, the plans should describe how they will be 
     brought into compliance or closed permanently.


                           OIL SPILL RESPONSE

       Appropriates $15,000,000 for oil spill response as provided 
     by both the House and the Senate.


                   STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

       Appropriates $3,466,650,000 for state and tribal assistance 
     grants instead of $3,199,957,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $3,250,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. Bill language 
     specifically provides $1,350,000,000 for Clean Water State 
     Revolving Fund (SRF) capitalization grants, $820,000,000 for 
     Safe Drinking Water SRF capitalization grants, $50,000,000 
     for the United States-Mexico Border program, $30,000,000 for 
     grants to address drinking water and wastewater 
     infrastructure needs in rural and native Alaska, $885,000,000 
     for categorical grants to the states and tribes, and 
     $331,650,000 for grants for construction of water and 
     wastewater treatment facilities and for groundwater 
     protection infrastructure.
       The conferees have included bill language which, for fiscal 
     year 2000 only, authorizes the Administrator of the EPA to 
     use funds appropriated under section 319 of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to make grants to Indian tribes 
     pursuant to section 319 (h) and 518 (e) of FWPCA. In 
     addition, bill language has been adopted by the conferees to 
     permit states to include as principal amounts considered to 
     be the cost of administering or, for the State of New York 
     only, capitalizing SRF loans to eligible borrowers, with 
     certain limitations.
       The conferees have further agreed to include bill language 
     which resolves in favor of the grantee a disputed grant, 
     docket number AA-91-AD34 (05-90-AD09); bill language which 
     permits EPA and the State of New York to utilize certain 
     grant reallotments to provide grant assistance to Nassau 
     County, New York for improvements at the Bay Park and Cedar 
     Creek waste treatment plants; and bill language which makes 
     technical changes to the use of funds appropriated in Public 
     Law 105-276 for water and sewer infrastructure improvements 
     in Utah and Alaska.
       Finally, the conferees have included bill language, similar 
     to that included in the fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act, 
     which permits the District of Columbia Water and Sewer 
     Authority to obtain federal construction grants containing a 
     matching requirement of 80-20. This provision will permit the 
     District to continue its efforts to implement its necessary 
     capital improvement program while enabling it to maintain a 
     sound financial position.
       Of the funds provided for the United States-Mexico Border 
     Program, $3,000,000 is for the El Paso-Las Cruces sustainable 
     water project, and $2,000,000 is for the Brownsville, Texas 
     water supply project. Of the funds provided for rural and 
     Alaska Native villages, $2,000,000 is for training and 
     technical assistance. The State of Alaska must also provide a 
     25 percent match for all expenditures through this program.
       The conferees agree that the $331,650,000 provided to 
     communities or other entities for construction of water and 
     wastewater treatment facilities and for groundwater 
     protection infrastructure shall be accompanied by a cost-
     share requirement whereby 45 percent of a project's cost is 
     to be the responsibility of the community or entity 
     consistent with long-standing guidelines of the Agency. These 
     guidelines also offer flexibility in the application of the 
     cost-share requirement for those few circumstances when 
     meeting the 45 percent requirement is not possible. The 
     Agency is commended for its past efforts in working with 
     communities and other entities to resolve problems in this 
     regard, and the conferees expect this level of effort and 
     flexibility to continue throughout fiscal year 2000. The 
     distribution of funds under this program is as follows:
       1. $2,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in 
     Cherokee County ($750,000); South Vinemont ($750,000); and 
     Dodge City ($500,000), Alabama.
       2. $1,000,000 for water infrastructure needs in Jefferson 
     County, Alabama.
       3. $500,000 for the Dog River watershed project in Mobile, 
     Alabama.
       4. $1,900,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in 
     Stevenson ($950,000) and Athens ($950,000), Alabama.
       5. $3,000,000 for a surface water treatment plant in 
     Franklin County, Alabama.
       6. $500,000 for Lafayette, Alabama, water system project.
       7. $500,000 for the City of Sitka, Alaska, water/sewer 
     improvements.
       8. $3,750,000 for water/sewer improvements in the Chugiak 
     area of Anchorage, Alaska.
       9. $3,750,000 for water/sewer improvements for the City of 
     Valdez, Alaska.
       10. $300,000 for the East Wetlands Restoration project in 
     Yuma, Arizona.
       11. $3,000,000 for a grant to the Arizona Water 
     Infrastructure Financing Authority for making a loan to the 
     city of Safford, Arizona to address the city's wastewater 
     needs, which will be repaid by the city to the Arizona Clean 
     Water Revolving fund established under title VI of the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
       12. $1,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
       13. $3,000,000 for the Coastal Low Flow Storm Drain 
     Diversion project in San Diego, California.
       14. $1,500,000 for the removal of Arundo Donax on the lower 
     Santa Ana River ($1,000,000); and for restoration of Lake 
     Elsinore ($500,000), California.
       15. $3,000,000 for continued construction of the Olivenhain 
     Water District, California water treatment project.
       16. $2,000,000 for continued work on the Lake Tahoe water 
     export replacement project ($1,000,000), and for wastewater 
     infrastructure improvements at the Placer County Subregional 
     Wastewater Treatment Plant ($1,000,000), California.
       17. $3,500,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements for Arcadia and Sierra Madre ($2,000,000) and 
     the City of San Dimas Walker House ($1,000,000); and for the 
     Desalination Research and Innovation Partnership ($500,000), 
     California.
       18. $500,000 for continued development of the Calleguas 
     Creek, California watershed management plan.
       19. $4,000,000 for water, wastewater, and system 
     infrastructure development and improvements for the Yucaipa 
     Valley Water District ($2,000,000); the Lower Owens River 
     project in Inyo County ($1,000,000); the Lower Owens River 
     project in the City of Los Angeles ($500,000); and the San 
     Timoteo Creek environmental restoration project in Loma Linda 
     ($500,000), California.
       20. $2,000,000 for Sacramento, California's combined sewer 
     system improvement and rehabilitation project.
       21. $2,500,000 for a desalination facility in Carlsbad 
     ($500,000); for the San Diego wastewater capital improvement 
     program ($1,000,000), and for watershed planning for the 
     community and environmental transportation acceptability 
     process in Riverside County ($1,000,000), California.
       22. $1,000,000 for wastewater and sewer infrastructure 
     improvements in Huntington Beach, California.
       23. $950,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in 
     the Russian River Sanitation District ($475,000), and for 
     continued development of the Geysers Recharge project 
     ($475,000), California.
       24. $1,600,000 for continuation of a water reuse 
     demonstration project in Yucca Valley ($1,000,000) and a 
     water storage distribution project in Twenty Nine Palms 
     ($600,000), California.
       25. $950,000 for wastewater infrastructure needs on Mare 
     Island, Vallejo, California.
       26. $1,500,000 for sewer infrastructure improvements in the 
     vicinity of the Santa Clara River in Los Angeles County, 
     California.
       27. $1,500,000 for the City of Montrose, Colorado, 
     wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
       28. $1,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in New Britain and Southington, Connecticut.
       29. $1,425,000 for wastewater infrastructure and combined 
     sewer overflow improvements on the Connecticut River in 
     Connecticut and Massachusetts.
       30. $3,000,000 for water, wastewater, and water reuse 
     infrastructure improvements through Florida's five water 
     management district Alternative Water Sources Development 
     program.
       31. $2,000,000 for continuation of the water reuse 
     infrastructure project in West Palm Beach, Florida.
       32. $5,000,000 for the Tampa Bay, Florida regional 
     reservoir infrastructure project.
       33. $1,900,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     for Opa-locka ($950,000) and for the Highland Village 
     neighborhood of North Miami Beach ($950,000), Florida.
       34. $1,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     necessary to reduce effluent discharge into Sarasota Bay, 
     Florida.

[[Page 25282]]


       35. $500,000 for development of the Deer Point Watershed 
     Protection Zone in Bay County, Florida.
       36. $1,000,000 for analysis and development of necessary 
     combined system overflow facilities in Atlanta, Georgia.
       37. $1,000,000 for infrastructure development and 
     improvements of the Big Creek watershed programs in the 
     cities of Roswell, Mountain Park, and Brookfield, and Fulton 
     County, Georgia.
       38. $1,000,000 for continued work on the basin stormwater 
     retention and reuse project at Big Haynes Creek, Georgia.
       39. $1,500,000 for the County of Kauai, Hawaii, for the 
     Lihue wastewater treatment plant.
       40. $600,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in Jerome ($300,000), and Dietrich ($300,000), 
     Idaho.
       41. $1,800,000 for the City of Blackfoot, Idaho, for 
     wastewater treatment plant improvements.
       42. $7,500,000 for drinking water infrastructure 
     improvements in the cities of DeKalb ($2,500,000); Yorkville 
     ($1,000,000); Elburn ($500,000); Batavia ($1,500,000); Oswego 
     ($1,000,000); and Geneva ($1,000,000), Illinois.
       43. $4,750,000 for continued development of the tunnel and 
     reservoir project (TARP) of the Metropolitan Water 
     Reclamation District in Chicago, Illinois.
       44. $950,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in Robbins ($475,000) and Phoenix ($475,000), 
     Illinois.
       45. $1,000,000 for infrastructure development of the Pigeon 
     Creek Enhancement project in Evansville, Indiana.
       46. $1,900,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     within the Gary Sanitary District, Indiana.
       47. $900,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in 
     Kansas City, Kansas.
       48. $1,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure development 
     and improvements in Jessamine County, Kentucky.
       49. $1,000,000 for wastewater and drinking water 
     infrastructure improvements in Bonnieville ($600,000) and in 
     the Kentucky Turnpike Water District Division 2 ($400,000), 
     Kentucky.
       50. $1,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     at the West County Wastewater Treatment Plant within the 
     Metropolitan Sewer District of Louisville, Kentucky.
       51. $6,400,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     needs for Knott County ($2,000,000); Somerset ($1,400,000); 
     Knox County ($1,000,000); Harlan ($1,000,000); and McCreary 
     County ($1,000,000), Kentucky.
       52. $800,000 for water, sewer, and wastewater 
     infrastructure improvements within the Henderson County Water 
     District ($350,000); the Logan/Todd Regional Water System 
     ($300,000); the McLean County sewer system ($120,000); and 
     the Fancy Farm water system ($30,000), Kentucky.
       53. $3,000,000 for North Jessamine County, Kentucky, 
     wastewater system improvements.
       54. $2,500,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in the East Baton Rouge Parish ($1,000,000); 
     Ascension Parish ($1,250,000); and St. Gabriel ($250,000), 
     Louisiana.
       55. $2,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.
       56. $3,800,000 for New Orleans, Louisiana wastewater 
     infrastructure improvements.
       57. $1,425,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     support in Middlesex and Essex Counties ($712,500), and for 
     continued wastewater infrastructure improvements in Essex 
     County ($712,500), Massachusetts.
       58. $2,000,000 for continued wastewater needs in Bristol 
     County, Massachusetts.
       59. $1,900,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     improvements in Boston, Massachusetts.
       60. $1,000,000 for Vinalhaven, Maine, wastewater 
     infrastructure improvements.
       61. $5,000,000 for the upgrade of sewage treatment 
     facilities in Cambridge and Salisbury, Maryland.
       62. $1,500,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     improvements in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
       63. $5,000,000 for continuation of the Rouge River National 
     Wet Weather Demonstration project.
       64. $1,500,000 for infrastructure improvements within the 
     George W. Kuhn Drainage District, Oakland County, Michigan.
       65. $1,000,000 for water and watershed infrastructure 
     improvements and research through Western Michigan University 
     at Kalamazoo, Michigan.
       66. $1,900,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in Port Huron, Michigan.
       67. $1,425,000 for continued drinking water infrastructure 
     improvements for Bad Axe, Michigan.
       68. $1,900,000 for continued development of the Mille Lacs 
     regional wastewater treatment facility, Minnesota.
       69. $2,800,000 for the City of Flowood, Mississippi for the 
     Hogg Creek Interceptor wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     within the West Rankin Regional Sewage System.
       70. $950,000 for sewer and wastewater infrastructure needs 
     in Picayune, Mississippi.
       71. $3,500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     at the DeSoto County Wastewater Treatment Facility 
     ($2,950,000), and the City of Farmington wastewater 
     collection and treatment facility ($550,000), Mississippi.
       72. $475,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in 
     Lamont, Mississippi.
       73. $5,200,000 for wastewater infrastructure evaluation and 
     improvements in Jackson, Mississippi.
       74. $2,375,000 for the Meramac River, Missouri enhancement 
     and wetlands protection project.
       75. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in Jefferson County, Missouri.
       76. $5,500,000 for the State of Missouri Department of 
     Natural Resources for phosphorous removal efforts in 
     southwestern Missouri communities under 50,000, including but 
     not limited to Nixa, Ozark, Kimberling City, Reeds Spring, 
     and Galena wastewater treatment facilities discharging into 
     the Table Rock Lake watershed.
       77. $3,300,000 for the Missouri Division of State Parks 
     water and sewer improvements needs including but not limited 
     to the state parks of Meramec, Roaring River, Lake of the 
     Ozarks, Knob Noster, Cuivve River, Mark Twain, and Trail of 
     Tears.
       78. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     for the East Missoula wastewater system ($250,000); the El 
     Mar Estates wastewater treatment facility ($250,000); and the 
     Lolo wastewater treatment plant ($500,000), Montana.
       79. $4,000,000 for the Lockwood, Montana, water and sewer 
     district for implementation of its wastewater collection, 
     treatment and disposal plan.
       80. $1,500,000 for the Big Timber, Montana wastewater 
     treatment facility.
       81. $450,000 for watershed management improvements in 
     Omaha, Nebraska.
       82. $3,300,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     needs of the Moapa Valley Water District ($2,300,000) and the 
     City of Fallon ($1,000,000), Nevada.
       83. $900,000 for water infrastructure improvements in 
     Henderson, Nevada.
       84. $2,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in Epping, New Hampshire.
       85. $2,000,000 for the Berlin, New Hampshire, water 
     infrastructure improvements.
       86. $1,000,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     improvements in Nashua, New Hampshire.
       87. $5,000,000 for combined sewer overflow requirements of 
     the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, New Jersey.
       88. $1,500,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     improvements of the North Hudson Sewerage Authority, New 
     Jersey.
       89. $475,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements for 
     the South Side Interceptor/Queens Ditch in Newark, New 
     Jersey.
       90. $3,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure and 
     development needs in Lovington ($1,500,000) and Belen 
     ($1,500,000), New Mexico.
       91. $7,500,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in Bernalillo ($1,000,000); in the North and 
     South Valley areas of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County 
     ($6,000,000); and in Espanola ($500,000), New Mexico.
       92. $500,000 for the Clovis, New Mexico emergency repair of 
     a wastewater effluent holding pond and renovation of its 
     wastewater treatment plant.
       93. $10,000,000 for drinking water infrastructure needs in 
     the New York City watershed.
       94. $5,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     within the Western Ramapo Sewer District in Rockland County, 
     New York.
       95. $950,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements at 
     New York and Pennsylvania treatment facilities which 
     discharge into the Susquehanna River.
       96. $950,000 for infrastructure improvements at the White 
     Plains water filtration facility, New York.
       97. $1,500,000 for phase one of the Genesee County, New 
     York public water supply project.
       98. $1,500,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements for the Hamlet of Verona, New York.
       99. $1,500,000 for the Lake Water Supply project in Monroe 
     County, New York.
       100. $1,000,000 for water infrastructure improvements in 
     Syracuse, New York.
       101. $18,500,000 for continued clean water improvements of 
     Onondaga Lake, New York.
       102. $2,500,000 for drinking water and wastewater 
     infrastructure improvements of the Buncombe County 
     Metropolitan Sewerage District ($2,000,000), and in the town 
     of Waynesville ($500,000), North Carolina.
       103. $3,000,000 for the Grand Forks, North Dakota, water 
     treatment plant.
       104. $1,925,000 for continued development of a storm water 
     abatement system in the Doan Brook Watershed Area, Ohio.
       105. $3,000,000 for combined sewer overflow infrastructure 
     improvements in Port Clinton ($1,500,000) and Van Wert 
     ($1,500,000), Ohio.
       106. $1,000,000 for water treatment infrastructure 
     improvements in Girard, Ohio.
       107. $1,900,000 for wastewater improvements associated with 
     the Toledo Waste Equalization Basin, Ohio.
       108. $1,425,000 for drinking water infrastructure needs in 
     Jackson County, Ohio.
       109. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in Hood River, Oregon.
       110. $2,900,000 for continued development of the Three 
     Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration program in Allegheny County, 
     Pennsylvania.

[[Page 25283]]


       111. $1,000,000 for Hampden Township, Pennsylvania 
     wastewater infrastructure improvements.
       112. $1,000,000 for continued wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements for the Springettsbury Township and City of 
     York, Pennsylvania.
       113. $3,800,000 for groundwater, drinking water and 
     watershed infrastructure restoration and improvements in 
     Carrolltown Borough ($1,567,500); Sipesville ($2,118,500); 
     and the Saint Vincent watershed ($114,000), Pennsylvania.
       114. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     for the Roaring Brook Township Sewer Authority ($300,000); 
     the Borough of Olyphant ($300,000); and the Borough of 
     Honesdale ($400,000), Pennsylvania.
       115. $1,000,000 for wastewater and sewer infrastructure 
     improvements in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
       116. $5,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements for the Lewistown Municipal Water Authority 
     ($500,000); Chambersburg Borough ($1,250,000); Hollidaysburg 
     Borough ($1,500,000); Houtzdale Borough Municipal Authority 
     ($200,000); Tyrone Borough ($800,000); Metal Township Sewer 
     Authority ($500,000); and Decatur Township ($250,000), 
     Pennsylvania.
       117. $500,000 for water infrastructure needs in the Khedive 
     area of Jefferson Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.
       118. $4,000,000 for the continued development of water 
     supply needs of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, South 
     Carolina.
       119. $2,300,000 for the Shulerville-Honey Hill, South 
     Carolina, water extension project.
       120. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure development 
     and improvements at the George's Creek Wastewater Treatment 
     Plant, Pickens County, South Carolina.
       121. $500,000 for Dell Rapids, South Dakota, wastewater 
     treatment facility upgrade.
       122. $5,000,000 for the Mitchell, South Dakota, water 
     system.
       123. $2,000,000 for drinking water infrastructure 
     improvements of the Sunbright Utility District, Morgan 
     County, Tennessee.
       124. $1,000,000 for a wastewater, wet weather demonstration 
     project in Fort Worth, Texas.
       125. $500,000 for continued development of the Riverton, 
     Utah water reuse system improvement project.
       126. $2,000,000 for water, sewer, and stormwater 
     infrastructure improvements for the City of Ogden, Utah.
       127. $800,000 for a wetland development project in Logan, 
     Utah.
       128. $8,000,000 for continued development of combined sewer 
     overflow improvements in Richmond ($4,000,000) and Lynchburg 
     ($4,000,000), Virginia.
       129. $2,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in western Lee County ($1,250,000) and in 
     Amonate, Tazewell County ($750,000), Virginia.
       130. $2,700,000 for the Pownal, Vermont wastewater 
     treatment project.
       131. $1,300,000 for the Cabot, Vermont, wastewater 
     treatment project.
       132. $2,500,000 for water system improvements in Metaline 
     Falls, Washington.
       133. $600,000 for the city of Bremerton, Washington, 
     combined sewer overflow project.
       134. $450,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure needs 
     for the Village of Klicktat, Washington.
       135. $950,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure 
     improvements in Huntington, West Virginia.
       136. $7,000,000 for water, wastewater, and sewer 
     infrastructure improvements in Davis ($1,850,000); Newburg 
     ($1,900,000); the Chestnut Ridge Public Service District in 
     Barbour County ($1,950,000); and Worthington ($1,300,000), 
     West Virginia.
       137. $5,000,000 for the City of Welch, West Virginia, for 
     water and sewer improvements.
       138. $3,000,000 for continued development of the 
     Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District interceptor system.
       139. $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     in Beloit, Wisconsin.
       140. $5,900,000 for continuation of the National Community 
     Decentralized Wastewater Demonstration Project to develop and 
     transfer technologies which offer alternatives to centralized 
     wastewater treatment facilities. The three communities of 
     Monroe County, Florida Keys, Florida ($4,000,000); Mobile, 
     Alabama ($1,200,000); and Skaneateles Lake, New York have 
     been added to the demonstration project based on their unique 
     and diverse geology and geography, as well as on the 
     commitment of each community to find appropriate alternative 
     technologies to resolve their wastewater treatment needs. The 
     Committee expects to continue the cost share requirements for 
     these three projects as was provided the first three project 
     communities.
       141. $500,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
     through the City of Warm Springs, Georgia.
       It is the intent of the conferees that EPA is to award the 
     remaining $2,675,000 not yet awarded from the $8,000,000 
     appropriated in Public Law 105-65 for the Upper Savannah 
     Council of Governments for wastewater facility improvements, 
     with a local match less than that normally prescribed by EPA 
     for such grants. In addition, for this year and prior fiscal 
     years, any grants to nonprofit organizations (or educational 
     institutions) for a project to demonstrate the use of an 
     onsite ecologically based wastewater treatment process that 
     are funded from monies included in EPA's State and Tribal 
     Assistance Grant account should require not more than a five 
     percent match requirement.

                   Executive Office of the President


                office of science and technology policy

       Appropriates $5,108,000 for the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy as proposed by the House instead of 
     $5,201,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conferees are aware of the growing interest in the 
     scientific, biomedical, and industrial communities for 
     increasing high field nuclear magnetic resonance capacities. 
     Last year, the House Appropriations Committee requested the 
     National Science Foundation assess and report on Japanese 
     efforts in this area. It appears that progress by Japan and 
     several other countries has been impressive while efforts 
     related to this important new technology in the United States 
     have lagged.
       The conferees strongly urge the OSTP to undertake an 
     assessment of this technology, its potential utilization by 
     various scientific disciplines, and to provide 
     recommendations on what future efforts or programs the 
     federal research and development agencies should undertake to 
     address this challenge. The conferees request the OSTP 
     provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations by May 
     1, 2000.


  council on environmental quality and office of environmental quality

       Appropriates $2,827,000 for the Council on Environmental 
     Quality and the Office of Environmental Quality as proposed 
     by the House instead of $2,675,000 as proposed by the Senate. 
     The conferees have once again included bill language which 
     prohibits CEQ from using funds other than those appropriated 
     directly under this heading. The Council is expected to 
     implement this provision in a manner consistent with its 
     implementation during fiscal years 1998 and 1999.
       The conferees note that the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations 
     Act directed that ``no less than $100,000 of the appropriated 
     amount be used by CEQ for work on the NEPA Reinvention 
     project . . . to establish a memorandum of understanding 
     between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other 
     appropriate federal departments and agencies to expedite 
     review of natural gas pipeline projects.'' The conferees 
     commend CEQ for beginning this process and understand the 
     Council is currently awaiting input from the industry, which 
     is expected shortly. The conferees continue to want this 
     memorandum of understanding to occur in fiscal year 2000 and 
     expect that it will help to serve as a model to develop 
     memoranda of understanding to expedite processing for other 
     projects that require NEPA review.

                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation


                      office of inspector general

       Appropriates $33,666,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     general as proposed by the House, instead of $34,666,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. Funds for this account are derived 
     from the Bank Insurance Fund, the Savings and Loan 
     association Insurance Fund, and the FSLIC Resolution Fund.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                            disaster relief

       Appropriates $300,000,000 for disaster relief as proposed 
     by the both the House and the Senate. In addition, 
     appropriates $2,480,425,000 in emergency funding for disaster 
     relief. The House and Senate bills did not provide for the 
     emergency funding.
       The conferees have agreed to include language in the bill 
     making $10,000,000 from section 404 hazard mitigation grant 
     funding available to the State of California for pilot 
     projects to demonstrate seismic retrofit technology. Of this 
     amount, FEMA is directed to use $2,000,000 to continue a 
     pilot project of seismic retrofit technology on an existing 
     welded steel frame building at California State University, 
     San Bernardino. Also within the account, an additional 
     $6,000,000 is available for continuation of a project at Loma 
     Linda University Hospital, and $2,000,000 is available for a 
     seismic retrofit project at the University of Redlands.
       The conferees have also agreed to make available from 
     section 404 hazard mitigation grant funding available to the 
     respective states, $1,000,000 for a hurricane mitigation 
     project at South Florida University, Ft. Lauderdale campus; 
     $2,500,000 for a windstorm simulation project at Florida 
     International University; $1,000,000 for a logistical staging 
     area concept demonstration at the Stanly County Airport in 
     North Carolina; and $500,000 for wave monitoring buoys in the 
     Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast.
       The conferees note that FEMA's plans to promulgate 
     regulations pertaining to public assistance insurance 
     requirements have significant financial implications for 
     states, municipalities, and private non-profit hospitals and 
     universities. The conferees believe it is important that FEMA 
     obtain key data prior to finalizing such a rule. Therefore, 
     the conferees direct the General Accounting Office to study 
     the financial impacts of the proposed FEMA regulation and 
     submit the report to the Committees on Appropriations

[[Page 25284]]

     of the House and Senate within 120 days. Prior to finalizing 
     a rule, FEMA is directed to consider fully the GAO's 
     findings.
       The conferees agree that the Texas Task Force 1 is 
     strategically located and fully operational and direct FEMA 
     to do a full evaluation of the task force and report back to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate as 
     to whether it should be included in the Urban Search and 
     Rescue system.
       The conferees are concerned that FEMA may not have adequate 
     resources available for the training of federal, state, 
     local, and volunteer disaster officials on the latest 
     techniques in disaster response and resource management. 
     Therefore, the conferees direct FEMA to study the feasibility 
     and the merits of establishing a national training academy in 
     south Florida for the above purposes. In completing such 
     study, FEMA should consult with other agencies engaged in 
     natural disaster response and assistance, and should take 
     into account the activities of the Emergency Management 
     Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The conferees expect FEMA 
     to report back to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House and Senate by January 31, 2000.


                        Emergency Y2K Assistance

       The conferees agree not to establish a program of grants 
     and loans to counties and local governments for expenses 
     related to problems associated with the year 2000 date change 
     as proposed by the Senate. This program was not included in 
     the House bill.


                         salaries and expenses

       Appropriates $180,000,000 for salaries and expenses as 
     proposed by the Senate instead of $177,720,000 as proposed by 
     the House. The conferees agree that the reduction from the 
     budget request shall be applied to program offices in an 
     equitable manner. FEMA is to provide a track of the funding 
     reduction as part of its operating plan.


                      office of inspector general

       Appropriates $8,015,000 for the Office of Inspector General 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of $6,515,000 as proposed 
     by the House.


              emergency management planning and assistance

       Appropriates $267,000,000 for emergency management planning 
     and assistance instead of $280,787,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $255,850,000 as proposed by the Senate. The 
     conferees have included language in the bill which authorizes 
     and directs FEMA to extend its cooperative agreement for the 
     Jones County, Mississippi emergency operating center, 
     modified with a technical change from that proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conferees agree that the amount provided includes 
     $25,000,000 for pre-disaster mitigation activities and a 
     reduction of $4,500,000 from the budget request for 
     consolidated emergency performance grants. Unspecified 
     reductions to the account are to be taken in an equitable 
     manner except as provided below.
       The conferees agree to make no specific reduction to the 
     request for anti-terrorism activities. However, the conferees 
     are concerned that the proliferation of anti-terrorism 
     activities throughout the Federal government may give rise to 
     duplication of efforts. FEMA is encouraged to take whatever 
     action is required to ensure that its efforts do not 
     duplicate the efforts of other Federal entities.
       The conferees direct FEMA to ensure that, in exchange for 
     the additional flexibility provided through the emergency 
     management performance grants, States are held accountable 
     for the funds by tying such funds to performance measures. 
     FEMA is expected to provide adequate financial and 
     programmatic accountability in order to demonstrate 
     appropriate use of the funds.
       The conferees agree to provide $400,000 for upgrades to the 
     computer modeling capability of FEMA and the California 
     Office of Emergency Services. Specifically, the Regional 
     Assessment of Mitigation Priorities computer program is to be 
     upgraded to evaluate earthquake disaster mitigation projects. 
     The conferees also agree to provide $1,500,000 for the 
     commercialization of emergency response technologies, to be 
     performed by the National Technology Transfer Center, and 
     $1,000,000 for the Operations Support Directorate to archive 
     key agency documents by digitalization to optical disks.
       The conferees agree with the Senate that the full budget 
     request of $5,500,000 is to be provided for the dam safety 
     program.
       The conferees concur with House report language regarding 
     an evacuation plan for the New Orleans area and direct FEMA 
     to work with the Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Task Force and 
     the Louisiana One Coalition on the preparation of this 
     evacuation and recovery plan and report.


                   emergency food and shelter program

       Appropriates $110,000,000 for the Emergency Food and 
     Shelter program as proposed by both the House and Senate. 
     Includes language proposed by the Senate which makes the 
     funds available until expended.


                      flood map modernization fund

       Appropriates $5,000,000 to establish the Flood Map 
     Modernization Fund as proposed by the House. The Senate did 
     not provide funding for this program. The conferees agree not 
     to provide an earmark of $2,000,000 for the New York 
     Department of Environmental Conservation from this fund.


                  national insurance development fund

       The conferees agree to bill language which cancels the 
     indebtedness of the Director of FEMA. The House and Senate 
     both included the provision, but with technical differences. 
     The conferees agree to include the House language.


                     national flood insurance fund

       The conferees have included bill language which authorizes 
     the National Flood Insurance Program for fiscal year 2000. 
     Without this authorization, new flood insurance policies 
     could not be written throughout the fiscal year. In addition, 
     the conferees direct FEMA to make $2,000,000 available to the 
     New York Department of Environmental Conservation for 
     initiating the Statewide Flood Plain Mapping Program. The 
     House had proposed this earmark within the Flood Map 
     Modernization Fund.


                     national flood mitigation fund

       Provides for the transfer of $20,000,000 from the National 
     Flood Insurance Fund to the National Flood Mitigation Fund as 
     proposed by the House. The Senate did not include a provision 
     for the Fund.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration

       Appropriates a total of $13,652,700,000 for the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration, instead of 
     $12,653,800,000 as proposed by the House and $13,578,400,000 
     as proposed by the Senate.
       The conferees agree to retain the current NASA account 
     structure for fiscal year 2000.
       The conferees agree to include a general provision which 
     provides indemnification and cross-waivers of liability with 
     regard to experimental aerospace vehicle programs. The 
     language is included as a general provision in title IV of 
     the Act and is a modification of language included as part of 
     the fiscal year 1999 appropriations Act. The conferees have 
     also agreed to include a general provision which provides for 
     a one year extension of indemnification for commercial space 
     launches.
       In addition, the conferees have agreed to include a general 
     provision which authorizes NASA to carry out a program to 
     demonstrate commercial feasibility and economic viability of 
     private sector business operations involving the 
     International Space Station.
       The conferees believe that the International Space Station 
     will be a catalyst for future economic development activity 
     in low earth orbit. Therefore, the conferees have included 
     bill language establishing a demonstration program intended 
     to test the feasibility of commercial ventures using the 
     station, and whether or not it is possible to operate the 
     station in accordance with business practices. In order to 
     encourage private investment and increase economic activity 
     in low earth orbit, NASA may negotiate for payments, at a 
     value set by the private market, and retain any funds 
     received in excess of costs for re-investment in the station 
     economic development program.
       The demonstration program applies only to the transition 
     period associated with station assembly and early 
     operations--a period during which fledgling businesses will 
     experience their first opportunity for sustainable, 
     continuous access to orbital laboratories. The conferees 
     expect NASA to refrain from picking winners and losers in 
     this coming era and instead enable the power of the U.S. 
     capital markets to come to bear on this new frontier of U.S. 
     economic development.
       The conferees intend that the results of this demonstration 
     program--and lessons learned along the way--will be 
     incorporated into NASA's planning for long-term 
     commercialization of the station, in concert with other 
     ongoing activities such as the establishment of a non-
     government organization for station utilization and 
     management.
       Of the amounts approved in the following appropriations 
     accounts, NASA must limit transfers of funds between programs 
     and activities to not more than $500,000 without prior 
     approval of the Committees on Appropriations. Further, no 
     changes may be made to any account or program element if it 
     is construed to be policy or a change in policy. Any activity 
     or program cited in this report shall be construed as the 
     position of the conferees and should not be subject to 
     reductions or reprogramming without prior approval of the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. 
     Finally, it is the intent of the conferees that all carryover 
     funds in the various appropriations accounts are subject to 
     the normal reprogramming requirements outlined above.


                           human space flight

       Appropriates $5,510,900,000 for human space flight. The 
     House had proposed $5,388,000,000 in this account. The Senate 
     had proposed two new accounts, International Space Station 
     and Launch Vehicles and Payload Operations, with a total of 
     $5,638,700,000. Within the amount provided, the appropriation 
     for space shuttle is $3,011,200,000, the appropriation for 
     payload and utilization is $169,100,000, and the 
     appropriation for space station development related 
     activities is $2,330,600,000.
       The amount provided for space shuttle operations is 
     $25,000,000 greater than the budget

[[Page 25285]]

     request. The increase is provided for urgent safety upgrades 
     for the shuttle and may be augmented with additional funding 
     from shuttle operations if such funding is identified 
     throughout the fiscal year. The conferees agree that NASA is 
     to undertake upgrades that are necessary to ensure continued 
     safe operation of the shuttle and NASA is to provide a report 
     to the Committees on Appropriations which identifies proposed 
     upgrades, a schedule for accomplishing the upgrades, and the 
     cost associated with each upgrade. The report is to be 
     provided to the Committees on Appropriations by February 1, 
     2000.
       The conferees have included a proviso within the Human 
     Space Flight account which reserves $40,000,000 for use only 
     in connection with a shuttle science mission to be flown 
     between the flight of STS-107 and December of 2001. The 
     conferees have taken this action because of the belief that 
     dedicated science missions must continue during the assembly 
     of the International Space Station to ensure that the 
     scientific community remains fully engaged in human space 
     flight activities. Funding of $15,000,000 provided for the 
     life and microgravity science program in fiscal year 1999 is 
     to be used for STS-107 ($5,000,000) and for principal 
     investigators associated with the dedicated flight which will 
     occur before December, 2001 ($10,000,000).
       The amount provided for the international space station 
     program is $2,330,600,000, a decrease of $152,100,000 from 
     the budget request. The reductions include a transfer of 
     $17,100,000 to Mission Support to cover emergent personnel 
     costs, a reduction of $100,000,000 from the funds requested 
     for development of the crew return vehicle, and a general 
     reduction of $35,000,000.
       The conferees agree that international agreements to 
     provide hardware for the space station should be binding and 
     such agreements should be structured in such a way as to 
     avoid complicating the assembly of the station. In order to 
     be more fully informed on what potential problems may arise 
     due to a reliance on foreign entities providing necessary 
     hardware, NASA is directed to provide the Committees on 
     Appropriations with a report on all external hardware 
     components needed for the station that have been contracted 
     for internationally, the schedule for delivery of these 
     components, and the current status of each component with 
     regard to completion and delivery.
       The conferees agree that the two quarterly reports 
     requested in the International Space Station section of the 
     Senate report shall not be required. Instead, NASA shall 
     provide a quarterly report, beginning on April 1, 2000 and 
     every three months thereafter, which provides the status of 
     station hardware construction and assembly, as well as 
     associated costs. The report shall highlight schedule and 
     cost variance relative to the schedule and cost included as 
     the basis for the fiscal year 2000 budget request.
       The conferees recognize the funds appropriated by this Act 
     for the development of the International Space Station may 
     not be adequate to cover all potential contractual 
     commitments should the program be terminated for the 
     convenience of the Government. Accordingly, if the Space 
     Station is terminated for the convenience of the Government, 
     additional appropriated funds may be necessary to cover such 
     contractual commitments. In the event of such termination, it 
     would be the intent of the conferees to provide such 
     additional appropriations as may be necessary to provide 
     fully for termination payments in a manner which avoids 
     impacting the conduct of other ongoing NASA programs.


                  science, aeronautics and technology

       Appropriates $5,606,700,000 for science, aeronautics and 
     technology. The House had proposed $4,975,700,000 in this 
     account and the Senate had proposed $5,424,700,000. The 
     amount provided is $182,000,000 above the budget request. The 
     amount provided consists of:
       $2,197,850,000 for space science.
       $277,200,000 for life and microgravity sciences.
       $1,455,200,000 for earth sciences.
       $1,158,800,000 for aeronautics and space transportation.
       $406,300,000 for mission support.
       $141,300,000 for academic programs.
       $29,950,000 in general reductions.
       The conferees are aware of a recent capabilities briefing 
     that took place at NASA's Independent Verification and 
     Validation (IV&V) Facility in conjunction with the quarterly 
     Senior Management Council Meeting in June, 1999. The 
     conferees understand that most NASA Center Directors or their 
     designees were present at this briefing, as were the 
     Assistant Administrators of the various NASA enterprises. The 
     conferees expect substantial integration of the IV&V Facility 
     into the NASA system, and in particular, the activities of 
     the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This Center should 
     take specific note of this opportunity due to its close 
     proximity to the IV&V Facility. To these ends, the conferees 
     direct the Administrator to report, in conjunction with GSFC 
     and no later than June 1, 2000, on what new activities the 
     various NASA Centers are initiating with the IV&V Facility.
       The conferees are aware of the NASA Sounding Rocket 
     Operations contract (NSROC) competitive procurement for 
     rocket systems now underway, and see this as an excellent 
     opportunity to invigorate the domestic sounding rocket 
     industry, which has languished in recent years. Therefore, 
     NASA is directed to instruct the NSROC contractor to choose 
     the best domestic competitor for this procurement, if the 
     NASA Administrator determines the competitor has satisfied 
     the requirements of the contract.
       The conferees are concerned that the large amount of data 
     being collected as part of NASA science missions is not being 
     put to the best possible use. To allay these concerns, the 
     conferees direct NASA to contract with the National Research 
     Council for the study of the availability and usefulness of 
     data collected from all of NASA's science missions. The study 
     should also address what investments are needed in data 
     analysis commensurate with the promotion of new missions.
       The conferees note that the fiscal year 1998 Statement of 
     Managers (House Report 105-297) outlined a change in the 
     allocation of advanced technology funding for space science 
     so that 75 percent of all such funding would be done 
     competitively through an announcement of opportunity. The 
     conferees urge NASA to continue its efforts to reach the 75 
     percent target in a manner that does not undermine the core 
     competencies of the NASA centers. Furthermore, the conferees 
     direct NASA to present a plan to the Committees on 
     Appropriations by February 1, 2000 that details how the 
     agency will meet the 75 percent goal for both space and earth 
     sciences and preserve core competencies at NASA Centers. The 
     plan should also articulate how non-competitive funding will 
     be allocated, by Center, to preserve core competencies. In 
     addition, the report shall include a plan to link NASA 
     Centers with relevant academic laboratories to enhance Center 
     capabilities and core competencies.
       The conferees direct NASA to submit project status reports 
     on a quarterly basis for all space and earth science 
     missions. The project status reports must include all 
     projects in either phase B or phase C/D status and all 
     mission operations and data analysis funding. The reports 
     must also include all advanced technology funding by 
     subprogram activity and future flight profile, and salary and 
     expense costs. The conferees further expect NASA to include 
     in these quarterly project status reports a review of any 
     mission or project that is exceeding its annual or aggregate 
     budget by more than 15 percent. This review shall include a 
     status report on the feasibility of the mission or project, 
     the reasons for the cost overrun, and a cost containment 
     plan, in cases where NASA has determined to continue the 
     mission or project. The conferees have included this 
     reporting requirement as an alternative to the Senate 
     recommendation that NASA missions and projects be terminated 
     where their costs exceed their budget by 15 percent.
       The conferees believe NASA should seek further 
     opportunities to expand the scope of the Consolidated Space 
     Operations Contract as a means to achieve additional savings 
     for the agency and the taxpayer. Thus far, large portions of 
     the deep space network (DSN) and related mission operations 
     infrastructure have been exempted from CSOC. Therefore, the 
     conferees direct NASA's space operations management office 
     (SOMO) to undertake a study, to be submitted to the 
     Committees on Appropriations by February 8, 2000, that 
     evaluates transferring all remaining non-CSOC work in the 
     telecommunications and mission operations directorate (TMOD), 
     including all work designated for mission operations 
     partnership services (MOPS), Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) mission 
     services, DSN operations architecture development and the 
     deep space network services management system (DSMS) to the 
     CSOC contract.
       The space operations management office should identify and 
     compare the full and total existing direct and indirect cost 
     of the TMOD workforce with the projected cost of this 
     workforce when transferred to CSOC on October 1, 2000. The 
     transfer and cost analysis shall include all positions in the 
     entire TMOD base, including employees assigned to specific 
     flight projects, data services, mission services and research 
     and development costs related to the deep space network 
     operations infrastructure. Cost calculations for determining 
     the existing full costs of TMOD shall utilize the rates and 
     estimates stated in the FY 99-01 JPL Cost Estimation Rates 
     and Factors Manual and shall include direct labor, fringe 
     benefits, leave, vacation pay, and full burden rates applied 
     to the work performed at JPL. The full JPL burden rate 
     calculation for estimating current TMOD costs shall follow 
     precisely all terms and rates stated in the FY 99-01 JPL Cost 
     Estimation Rates and Factors Manual.
       Specific program adjustments are outlined below.


                             space science

       The conferees agree to the following changes to the budget 
     request:
       1. Reduce funding for future planning for the Explorer 
     program by $6,100,000. The conferees direct NASA to ensure 
     that this reduction will not impact the current Explorer 
     announcement of opportunity selection, ensuring that there 
     will be two awards made for the mid-explorer competition.

[[Page 25286]]


       2. Reduce funding for future planning for the Discovery 
     program future mission by $23,700,000. The conferees expect 
     that this reduction will not adversely impact funds available 
     for Contour, Messenger and Deep Impact so that each can 
     launch on its current schedule. In addition, the conferees 
     expect that there will be sufficient funds in fiscal year 
     2000 to extend NEAR operations to correspond to next year's 
     encounter with the Eros asteroid.
       3. Reduce funding for Mars missions by $22,800,000. The 
     conferees have made this adjustment without prejudice in 
     light of the recent failure of this mission. The Committees 
     on Appropriations are troubled by this second failure of a 
     Mars orbiting spacecraft in recent years and expect a 
     complete report on the cause of the most recent failure and 
     what corrective actions NASA will take to prevent a failure 
     on subsequent Mars missions. This report is due within 180 
     days of enactment of this Act.
       4. Reduce funding for supporting research and technology by 
     $4,400,000.
       5. A reduction of $37,400,000 in the funding for the 
     Champollion mission due to cancellation of the mission.
       6. A reduction of $100,000 to finance personnel related 
     expenses. These funds are provided within the Mission Support 
     account.
       7. An increase of $8,000,000 for Space Solar Power.
       8. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Science Center at 
     Glendale Community College.
       9. An increase of $1,500,000 for the Louisville Science 
     Center.
       10. An increase of $1,500,000 for the Science Center 
     Initiative at Ohio Wesleyan University.
       11. An increase of $5,000,000 for the Polymer Energy 
     Rechargeable System (PERS). The conferees recognize the 
     leadership of NASA Glenn in battery technology development 
     and encourage NASA to continue this program. Working with 
     scientists at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the PERS 
     program will develop significant space, defense, and 
     commercial applications and therefore should continue at NASA 
     Glenn.
       12. An increase of $2,000,000 for the center on life in 
     extreme thermal environments at Montana State University in 
     Bozeman.
       13. An increase of $3,000,000 for the Adler Planetarium in 
     Chicago, Illinois.
       14. NASA is directed to provide an increase of $10,000,000 
     for fundamental physics research.
       15. An increase of $23,000,000 for science costs related to 
     the next servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope. The 
     conferees are aware of the strong support in the scientific 
     community for proceeding with the infrared channel on Wide 
     Field-3 Camera. The conferees have provided sufficient 
     resources in fiscal year 2000 to begin work on its 
     development so that it will be ready for the final servicing 
     mission now scheduled for Hubble in the 2002-03 timeframe.
       16. An increase of $21,000,000 for the Sun-Earth 
     Connections program, including an increase of $15,000,000 for 
     STEREO and $6,000,000 for advanced technology for post-STEREO 
     missions.
       17. An increase of $3,000,000 for the development of STEP-
     Air SEDS, an electrodynamic tether facility to place and 
     manipulate satellites in their orbits without the use of 
     chemical propellants. To the extent this is a viable and 
     useful technology, it is expected that NASA will include the 
     necessary funds in the fiscal year 2001 budget.
       18. An increase of $1,000,000 for a satellite telescope at 
     Western Kentucky University.
       19. An increase of $4,000,000 for the Sci-Quest hands-on 
     science center in Huntsville, Alabama.
       20. An increase of $2,000,000 for research into advanced 
     hardware and software technologies at Montana State 
     University, Bozeman.
       21. An increase of $2,500,000 for the Bishop Museum.
       22. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Chabot Observatory, 
     Oakland, California.
       23. An increase of $4,000,000 for the Green Bank Radio 
     Telescope Museum.
       24. An increase of $750,000 for the Museum of Discovery and 
     Science in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
       25. An increase of $500,000 for the Science and Technology 
     Museum, Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina.


                     Life and Microgravity Sciences

       The conferees have included a provision in the Human Space 
     Flight account which calls for two science missions prior to 
     December of 2001. The first mission, STS-107 will utilize up 
     to $5,000,000 of the amounts provided in this account in 
     fiscal year 1999. The remaining $10,000,000 from the fiscal 
     year 1999 appropriation is to be used to finance principal 
     investigators affiliated with the second science mission.
       The conferees agree to the following changes to the budget 
     request:
       1. An increase of $14,000,000 for infrastructure needs at 
     the University of Missouri, Columbia.
       2. An increase of $1,000,000 for the ``Garden Machine'' 
     program at Texas Tech University.
       3. An increase of $4,000,000 for the Space Radiation 
     program at Loma Linda University Hospital.
       4. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Neutron Therapy 
     Facility at Fermi Lab.


                             Earth Sciences

       The conferees have not terminated the Triana program as the 
     House had proposed. Instead, the conferees direct NASA to 
     suspend all work on the development of the Triana satellite 
     using funds made available by this appropriation until the 
     National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has completed an 
     evaluation of the scientific goals of the Triana mission. The 
     conferees expect the NAS to move expeditiously to complete 
     its evaluation. In the event of a favorable report from the 
     NAS, NASA may not launch Triana prior to January 1, 2001. The 
     conferees have no objection to NASA's reserving funds made 
     available by this appropriation for potential termination 
     costs. The conferees recognize that, if a favorable report is 
     rendered by the NAS, there will be some additional cost 
     resulting from the delay.
       The conferees agree with the House language directing NASA 
     to develop a five-year plan detailing a robust program for 
     Code Y utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The 
     conferees expect NASA to move ahead with the UAV Science 
     Demonstration Program as detailed in the fiscal year 2000 
     budget justification, and to request fiscal year 2001 funding 
     for this program in conformity with the five-year plan.
       The conferees do not agree with the Senate directive to 
     provide a report on the commercialization of EOSDIS data.
       The conferees agree that NASA is to submit a report by 
     March 15, 2000 on an EOS-II strategy that articulates in 
     detail the NASA plan for earth science through fiscal year 
     2010.
       The conferees direct NASA, in conjunction with the National 
     Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to report by April 
     15, 2000 on a plan to demonstrate the potential benefits of 
     remote sensing.
       The conferees agree to the following changes to the budget 
     request.
       1. An increase of $2,000,000 for a Remote Sensing Center 
     for Geoinformatics at the University of Mississippi.
       2. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Advanced Tropical 
     Remote Sensing Center of the National Center for Tropical 
     Remote Sensing Applications and Resources at the Rosenstiel 
     School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
       3. An increase of $10,000,000 for the Regional Application 
     Center in Cayuga County, New York.
       4. An increase of $2,500,000 for a joint U.S./Italian 
     space-based research initiative for the study and detection 
     of forest fires.
       5. An increase of $3,000,000 for continuation of programs 
     at the American Museum of Natural History.
       6. An increase of $1,500,000 for a remote sensing center at 
     the Fulton-Montgomery Community College in New York. The 
     center is to work through the Regional Application Center at 
     Cayuga County, New York.
       7. An increase of $1,000,000 for continued development of 
     nickel metal hydride battery technology.
       8. An increase of $31,000,000 for the EOSDIS Core System.
       9. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Advanced Fisheries 
     Management Information System, of which $500,000 is to be 
     used to develop a companion program at the University of 
     Alaska, Fairbanks.
       10. An increase of $2,000,000 for the EOS National Resource 
     Training Center at the University of Montana, Missoula.
       11. An increase of $1,000,000 for the PIPELINE project at 
     Iowa State University and Southern University, Baton Rouge.
       12. An increase of $7,000,000 to the EOSDIS Core System to 
     develop additional uses for NASA's Earth Observing System to 
     make data more readily available for potential user 
     communities.
       13. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Field Museum for the 
     ``underground adventure'' exhibit.
       14. An increase of $2,000,000 for research in remote 
     sensing applications at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
       15. An increase of $300,000 for the State University of New 
     York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry for a 
     remote sensing applications project.
       16. A decrease of $20,000,000 from the LightSAR program. 
     The conferees agree that NASA's action to terminate the 
     LightSAR program has resulted in a missed opportunity by 
     failing to recognize the commitment to commercial investment 
     and significant interest shown by private industry in the 
     current structure of the program. LightSAR continues to offer 
     tremendous potential for a number of practical applications, 
     most particularly as an all-weather method for remote sensing 
     of the Earth's surface. The conferees direct NASA to review 
     the history of this program and report to the Congress by 
     February 1, 2000 on actions the agency can undertake to 
     support industry-led efforts to develop an operational 
     synthetic aperture radar capability in the United States, 
     with particular focus on NASA as a data customer.
       17. A decrease of $23,500,000 from reserves being held for 
     the PM-1 mission.
       18. A decrease of $5,700,000 from algorithm development.
       19. A decrease of $22,000,000 from the funding requested 
     for EOS special spacecraft.

[[Page 25287]]




                  Aeronautics and Space Transportation

       The conferees agree that an independent review of NASA's 
     decision to terminate the High Speed Research and Advanced 
     Subsonic Technology programs is necessary. The conferees 
     direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy to conduct 
     such a review which should address the overall impact of 
     these terminations on the United States aviation industry as 
     well as the impact on the core competencies of NASA centers. 
     The review should also address the merits of NASA undertaking 
     a program to improve aircraft safety and reduce aircraft 
     noise emissions. The conferees direct that this report be 
     completed no later than July 1, 2000.
       The conferees are aware of NASA's recent ERAST research 
     announcement to bid competitively, important technology 
     thrusts for combustible fuel vehicle research, with the goal 
     of providing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms to meet 
     Code Y requirements by fiscal year 2002. The conferees are 
     equally supportive of NASA's plan for flight testing as part 
     of the solar-electric airplane program at the Pacific Missile 
     Range Facility (PMRF). Therefore, the conferees expect NASA 
     to balance carefully these two important initiatives. 
     Furthermore, NASA should remain sensitive to transition 
     funding for the partners of the ERAST Alliance during this 
     period, such that past NASA investments in these partners is 
     not undermined.
       The conferees are aware of the many successful technology 
     transfer arrangements negotiated in rural states through the 
     NASA Techlink program and expect NASA to continue the program 
     at the current level.
       The conferees are concerned that significant reductions in 
     NASA's budget request for rotorcraft research will undermine 
     the core competencies in this technology at the Glenn and 
     Langley research centers. The conferees believe that NASA 
     should take into consideration the valuable service these 
     centers provide to the Department of Defense for its Joint 
     Transport Rotorcraft and tiltrotor programs and take efforts 
     to ensure the centers retain their expertise in rotorcraft 
     research.
       The conferees agree to the following changes to the budget 
     request:
       1. An increase of $20,000,000 for Ultra Efficient Engine 
     Technology.
       2. An increase of $1,800,000 for phase two of the synthetic 
     vision information system being tested at the Dallas-Ft.Worth 
     Airport.
       3. An increase of $1,200,000 for continued support of the 
     Dynamic Runway Occupancy Measurement System demonstration at 
     the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
       4. An increase of $2,000,000 to facilitate the acquisition 
     of a 16 beam SOCRATES system and integration of SOCRATES into 
     the AVOSS program.
       5. An increase of $10,000,000 for the Trailblazer program 
     at the Glenn Research Center.
       6. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Institute for Software 
     Research to continue its collaborative effort with NASA-
     Dryden, focusing on adaptive flight control research, 
     including a flight control upgrade to the F-15 Active.
       7. An increase of $1,500,000 for the Software Optimization 
     and Reuse Technology program.
       8. An increase of $2,000,000 for the establishment of the 
     NASA-Illinois Technology Commercialization Center as an 
     extension of the Midwest Regional Technology Transfer Center, 
     to be located at the DuPage County Research Park.
       9. An increase of $1,000,000 for Miami-Dade Community 
     College-Homestead Campus to develop a technology-oriented 
     business incubator in Homestead, Florida.
       10. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Earth Alert program 
     for a test of the system throughout the State of Maryland.
       11. An increase of $1,500,000 for the National Technology 
     Transfer Center, to bring total funding for the center up to 
     $7,200,000.
       12. An increase of $500,000 to study aircraft cabin air 
     quality at the Education and Research Center for Occupational 
     Safety and Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
       13. An increase of $80,000,000 for Space Liner 100 efforts.
       14. An increase of $1,500,000 for the Western Environmental 
     Technology Office, Butte Montana.
       15. An increase of $5,000,000 for the National Center for 
     Space Technology.
       16. An increase of $3,000,000 for enhanced vision system 
     technology development.
       17. An increase of $20,000,000 for efforts related to 
     aircraft noise reduction.
       18. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Institute for 
     Software Research, for the modeling and simulation of 
     electromagnetic phenomena for alternative space propulsion 
     concepts.
       19. An increase of $200,000 for the Garret Morgan 
     Initiative in Ohio.
       20. A decrease of $2,900,000 for personnel related 
     expenses, transferred to Mission Support.


                         mission communications

       The conferees have provided $406,300,000 for Mission 
     Communications, the same amount as provided by the House and 
     Senate.


                           academic programs

       The conferees have agreed to the following changes to the 
     budget request:
       1. An increase of $6,500,000 for the National Space Grant 
     College and Fellowship Program, for a total of $19,100,000.
       2. An increase of $1,500,000 for the Franklin Institute for 
     development of an exhibit on astronomy.
       3. An increase of $2,300,000 for the JASON Foundation's 
     JASON XI expedition, ``Going to Extremes.''
       4. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Carl Sagan Discovery 
     Center at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical 
     Center.
       5. An increase of $4,000,000 for the Texas Learning and 
     Computational Center at the University of Houston.
       6. An increase of $4,000,000 for the Space Science Museum 
     and Educational Program at Downey, California. The conferees 
     are concerned about the transfer of NASA property at the 
     space shuttle manufacturing facility in Downey, California to 
     the City when the contractor leaves the facility at the end 
     of the year. The conferees endorse the process established by 
     GSA for disposal of historic artifacts at the facility, 
     specifically, the space shuttle mock-up and astronaut 
     footprints. The conferees do not intend to circumvent this 
     process, but the conferees agree that GSA should take into 
     consideration the historical significance of these artifacts 
     at the Downey site, a significance that would be lost if the 
     artifacts were to move to a different location.
       7. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Ohio View Project.
       8. An increase of $2,000,000 for continued academic and 
     infrastructure needs related to the computer sciences, 
     mathematics and physics building at the University of 
     Redlands.
       9. An increase of $5,400,000 for the EPSCoR program.
       10. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Science Learning 
     Center in Kenai, Alaska.
       11. An increase of $2,000,000 for the Lewis and Clark 
     Rediscovery Web Technology Project.
       12. An increase of $1,000,000 for the Science Museum at 
     Spelman College.
       13. An increase of $7,600,000 for Minority University 
     Research and Education projects, including $1,000,000 to 
     provide support for the establishment of a Center of 
     Excellence in Mathematics and Science at Texas College.
       14. An increase of $500,000 for the University of San Diego 
     for a Science and Education Center.
       15. An increase of $500,000 for the City of Ontario, 
     California for the development of a Science and Technology 
     Learning Center.
       16. The conferees agree to provide the budget request of 
     $2,000,000 for the Classroom of the Future project.


                            mission support

       Appropriates $2,515,100,000 for mission support instead of 
     $2,269,300,000 as proposed by the House and $2,495,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The amount provided includes an 
     increase of $20,200,000, derived from other accounts, to 
     cover emergent personnel related requirements including lower 
     than anticipated personnel retirements and government-wide 
     pay rate changes.
       The conferees continue to prohibit the use of funds 
     appropriated or otherwise made available to the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration by this Act, or any 
     other Act enacted before the date of enactment of this Act, 
     by the Administrator of NASA to relocate aircraft of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration based east of 
     the Mississippi River to the Dryden Flight Research Center in 
     California.


                      office of inspector general

       Appropriates $20,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General as proposed by the Senate, instead of $20,800,000 as 
     proposed by the House.


                        administrative provisons

       Deletes language proposed by the House which directed NASA 
     to develop a revised appropriations structure for fiscal year 
     2001.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate which directed NASA 
     to terminate any program which experienced a cost growth of 
     15 percent.
       Inserts a new general provision which limits the amounts 
     NASA may use for the International Space Station.

                  National Credit Union Administration


                       central liquidity facility

       Appropriates $1,000,000 for the National Credit Union 
     Administration for the Community Development Revolving Loan 
     Program for credit unions, as proposed by the House instead 
     of no funding as proposed by the Senate.

                      National Science Foundation


                    research and related activities

       Appropriates $2,966,000,000 for research and related 
     activities instead of $2,768,500,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $3,007,300,000 as proposed by the Senate. Bill language 
     provides up to $253,000,000 of this amount for Polar research 
     and operations support.
       The conferees have included bill language which specifies 
     that $60,000,000 of appropriated funds are to be for a 
     comprehensive research initiative on plant genomes for 
     economically significant crops. Language has also been 
     included which prohibits NSF from obligating or expending 
     funds to enter into or extend a grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement regarding the administration of the 
     domain name and numbering system of the Internet.

[[Page 25288]]

       Finally, the conferees have agreed to bill language which: 
     (1) prohibits funds spent in this or any other Act to acquire 
     or lease a research vessel with ice-breaking capability built 
     or retrofitted outside of the United States if such a vessel 
     of United States origin can be obtained at a cost of not more 
     than 50 per centum above the cost of the least expensive, 
     technically acceptable, non-United States vessel; (2) 
     requires that the amount of subsidy or financing provided by 
     a foreign government, or instrumentality thereof, to a 
     vessel's construction shall be included as part of the total 
     cost of such vessel; and (3) provides that should a U.S. 
     vessel as set forth in the foregoing language not be 
     available for leasing for the austral summer Antarctic season 
     of 2002-2003, and thereafter, a vessel of any origin can be 
     leased for a period not to exceed 120 days of that season 
     until delivery of such a United States vessel occurs.
       The conference agreement provides an increase of 
     $196,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriated level 
     for research and related activities, $90,000,000 of which is 
     to be used within the Computer and Information Sciences and 
     Engineering (CISE) directorate and $106,000,000 of which is 
     for the remaining directorates, including Integrative 
     Activities.
       With regard to the additional funds provided for CISE, the 
     conferees expect the Foundation to support individual and 
     team research projects related to information technologies, 
     specifically in the areas recommended in the PITAC report and 
     in H.R. 2086. Among the most important of these are software 
     research, scalable information infrastructure, software 
     design, stability, security and reliability, as well as the 
     need to acquire high-end computing equipment. In addition, 
     the conferees expect an appropriate level of funding be 
     provided for research to study privacy and access to 
     information, and to further the understanding of the impact 
     information technology advances have on issues that are of 
     significant societal, ethical, and economical importance. 
     Finally, as the NSF prepares to release CISE research funds 
     through its normal competitive process, the conferees 
     strongly encourage that an increased ratio of grants be 
     issued at higher funding levels and for longer duration.
       Within the amounts made available to all other 
     directorates, $50,000,000 is for the new Biocomplexity 
     Initiative. All other programs within the Integrative 
     Activities directorate, except the Opportunity Fund, have 
     been funded at the budget request. The Opportunity Fund has, 
     without prejudice, not been funded for fiscal year 2000.
       The NSF is directed to provide up to $5,000,000 for the 
     National Oceanographic Partnership Program, and is further 
     directed to contract with a non-federal entity to carry out a 
     review of the merit review process of the Foundation. This 
     review is to be completed and submitted to the Committees on 
     Appropriations within eleven months of enactment of this Act.
       The conferees have provided $25,000,000 for Arctic research 
     support and logistics, an increase of $3,000,000 above the 
     budget request. The conferees expect the Foundation, in 
     conjunction and in close cooperation with the Interagency 
     Arctic Research and Policy Committee to develop a multi-year, 
     multi-agency plan for the implementation of joint United 
     States-Japan Arctic research activities as envisioned by the 
     March 1997 science and technology section of the Common 
     Agenda agreed to by the United States and Japan. In this 
     regard, the conferees expect the Foundation to provide up to 
     $5,000,000 from within available funds for logistical 
     activities in support of United States-Japan international 
     research activities related to global climate change.
       Consistent with a directive of the Senate to strengthen 
     international cooperation in science and engineering, the 
     conferees encourage NSF to consider providing from within 
     available funds up to $3,000,000 to strengthen cooperative 
     research activities between the United States and the former 
     Soviet Union through the Civilian Research and Development 
     Foundation.
       Except as previously noted, the conferees expect that the 
     remaining additional funds will be distributed 
     proportionately and equitably, consistent with the ratio of 
     the budget request level above the fiscal year 1999 funding 
     level, among all of the remaining directorates, and request 
     that such distribution be specifically noted in the fiscal 
     year 2000 Operating Plan submission.
       The conferees commend the Foundation for its support of the 
     National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) located in 
     Tallahassee, Florida. That laboratory is an excellent example 
     of a facility that has worked closely with teams of academic 
     and industrial scientists from throughout the United States 
     and abroad. The conferees strongly support the work of this 
     important national facility and commend the NSF for its 
     increased support and interest in the work of the NHMFL.
       Finally, pursuant to recommendations made by the federally-
     mandated National Gambling Impact Study Commission, the 
     conferees encourage the NSF to explore the feasibility of 
     establishing a multi-disciplinary research program that will 
     estimate the benefits and costs of gambling.


                        MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT

       Appropriates $95,000,000 for major research equipment 
     instead of $56,500,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $70,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement provides the budget request level 
     for all projects within the MRE account, including 
     $36,000,000 for the development and construction of a new, 
     single site, five teraflop computing facility. The conferees 
     expect that the competition for this project will allow for 
     significant participation by universities and other 
     institutions throughout the country, and will have as its 
     goal completion of such a facility within 16 months of 
     enactment of this Act. The conferees further expect the 
     Foundation to provide regular, informal reports as to the 
     progress of this project, including the funding requirements 
     necessary to complete five teraflop capability.
       The conference agreement also provides $10,000,000 to begin 
     production of the High-Performance Instrumented Airborne 
     Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER). This new high-
     altitude research aircraft will, upon its completion, be 
     available to support critical and outstanding atmospheric 
     science research opportunities over the next 25 to 30 years.


                     EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

       Appropriates $696,600,000 for education and human resources 
     instead of $660,000,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $688,600,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Within this appropriated level, the conferees have provided 
     $55,000,000 for the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
     Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to allow for renewed emphasis 
     on research infrastructure development in the EPSCoR states, 
     as well as to permit full implementation awards to states 
     which have research proposals in the planning process. In 
     addition, the conferees have provided $10,000,000 to initiate 
     a new Office of Innovation Partnerships. This new office, in 
     addition to housing the EPSCoR program, will examine means of 
     helping those non-EPSCoR institutions receiving among the 
     least federal research funding expand their research capacity 
     and competitiveness so as to develop a truly national 
     scientific research community with appropriate research 
     centers located throughout the nation.
       The conferees expect that funds for these two efforts will 
     be included in a single program office within the EHR 
     account, under the direct supervision of the Director's 
     office. Building upon the EPSCoR experience, the conferees 
     also expect the new office to work with CISE to insure that 
     all areas of the country share in advanced networking and 
     computing activities, especially rural and insular areas with 
     research institutions. Assistance in developing scientific 
     research applications for use on the computing and networking 
     systems now available as a result of earlier NSF programs is 
     a high priority in the EPSCoR states. The conferees also 
     expect the new office to coordinate with all research and 
     related activities directorates.
       The conference agreement also provides $10,000,000 for 
     Historically Black Colleges and Universities through the 
     underrepresented population undergraduate reform initiative, 
     including $8,000,000 from the EHR account and $2,000,000 from 
     the RRA account. Similarly, the conferees have provided the 
     budget request level of $46,000,000 for the Informal Science 
     Education (ISE) program. This program has acted as a catalyst 
     for increasing the public's appreciation and understanding of 
     science and technology in settings such as science centers, 
     museums, zoos, aquariums, and public television. The ISE 
     program has also been involved in the professional 
     development of science teachers. The conferees continue to 
     support this important program, including its focus for 
     fiscal year 2000 on increasing access to informal learning 
     opportunities in inner cities and rural areas that have 
     received little exposure to science and technology.
       Except as previously noted, the conferees expect that the 
     remaining additional funds will be distributed 
     proportionately and equitably, consistent with the ratio of 
     the budget request level above the fiscal year 1999 funding 
     level, among all of the remaining directorates, and request 
     that such distribution be specifically noted in the fiscal 
     year 2000 Operating Plan submission.


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Appropriates $149,000,000 for salaries and expenses instead 
     of $146,500,000 as proposed by the House and $150,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. Consistent with the position of the 
     Senate, the conferees direct the Foundation to fund program 
     travel only from within the salaries and expenses account. 
     Additionally, the conferees urge the Foundation to improve 
     its oversight activity of its many programs, using available 
     funds from within this account.


                      office of inspector general

       Appropriates $5,450,000 for the Office of Inspector General 
     instead of $5,325,000 as proposed by the House and $5,550,000 
     as proposed by the Senate. The conferees expect the OIG to 
     increase efforts in the areas of cost-sharing, indirect 
     costs, and reducing misconduct in scientific research.

[[Page 25289]]



                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

       Appropriates $75,000,000 for the Neighborhood Reinvestment 
     Corporation instead of $80,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $60,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.

                        Selective Service System


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Appropriates $24,000,000 for salaries and expenses instead 
     of $7,000,000 for termination costs as proposed by the House 
     and $25,250,000 as proposed by the Senate.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Retains language proposed by the Senate permitting EPA 
     appropriations to be used for comprehensive conservation and 
     management plans.
       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate providing for a rescission of Tennessee Valley 
     Authority borrowing authority.
       Inserts and modifies language proposed by the Senate to 
     hereafter authorize the use of funds for the United States/
     Mexico Foundation for Science. Inserts new language renaming 
     the Foundation the ``George E. Brown United States/Mexico 
     Foundation for Science.''
       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate prohibiting the use of funds by the EPA to publish or 
     issue assessments under the Global Change Research Act unless 
     certain conditions are met. The conferees have addressed this 
     issue in the EPA Environmental Programs and Management 
     account under title III.
       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate expressing House support for the improvement of health 
     care services in rural areas. Similar language is included in 
     the Administrative Provisions section of title I.
       Restores language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate expressing the sense of the Congress that honor guards 
     at a veteran's funeral is a benefit that a veteran has 
     earned.
       Deletes language proposed by the House and stricken by the 
     Senate reducing certain accounts within the bill by 
     $7,000,000 and increasing another account by a like amount.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate prohibiting the use 
     of funds to carry out Executive Order 13083.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate prohibiting HUD 
     from using funds for any activity in excess of amounts set 
     forth in the budget estimates.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate 
     prohibiting the use of funds for the purpose of lobbying or 
     litigating against any Federal entity or official, with 
     certain exceptions.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate prohibiting the 
     obligation of any funds after February 15, 2000 unless each 
     department provides a detailed justification for all salary 
     and expense activities for fiscal years 2001-2005.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate amending 
     section 101 (20)(D) of CERCLA to stipulate that law 
     enforcement agencies shall not be considered owners or 
     operators following seizure of properties needing certain 
     environmental cleanup response.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate 
     prohibiting the use of funds for any activity or publication 
     or distribution of literature that is designed to promote 
     public support or opposition to any legislative proposal on 
     which Congressional action is not complete.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate redesignating an 
     economic development grant for Kohala, Hawaii. The conferees 
     have included this provision in title II of the bill.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate prohibiting the 
     movement of NASA aircraft from the Glenn Research Center to 
     any other field center.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate establishing a GAO 
     study of the Federal Home Loan Bank system capital structure.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate expressing the 
     sense of the Senate regarding aeronautics research. This 
     issue has been addressed in the NASA section of title III.
       Deletes language proposed by the Senate directing the EPA 
     Administrator to develop a compliance plan for the 
     underground storage tank program. This issue was addressed in 
     the EPA Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program under title 
     III.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate extending 
     the comment period on the proposed rule related to section 
     303(d) of the Clean Water Act by 90 days. The conferees agree 
     that nothing in this language is intended to limit EPA's 
     administrative authority to extend the comment period beyond 
     this 90 day period.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate extending the 
     authority of 16 U.S.C. 777c(a) through calendar year 2000.
       Inserts modified language proposed by the Senate 
     prohibiting EPA from promulgating the Phase II stormwater 
     regulations until the Administrator submits a report to the 
     Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the 
     House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
       Inserts language proposed by the Senate prohibiting the 
     EPA's expenditure of funds to promulgate a final regulation 
     to implement changes in the payment of pesticide tolerance 
     fees for fiscal year 2000. The conferees support and 
     encourage EPA and the industry's joint effort to develop a 
     comprehensive fee-for-service proposal to provide the 
     necessary additional resources for registration and tolerance 
     actions coupled with EPA performance enhancements, 
     milestones, and accountability. The conferees expect that 
     this fiscal year 2000 prohibition will not be repeated in 
     future years. The conferees direct that the EPA not reduce 
     its effort to approve both pesticide reassessments and 
     approval of new applications at a pace presumed in the budget 
     submittal.
       Inserts language amending section 70113(f) of title 49, 
     U.S.C., providing for a one year extension of indemnification 
     for commercial space launches.
       Inserts language providing the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration with authority to establish a 
     demonstration program regarding the commercial feasibility of 
     private sector business operations involving the 
     International Space Station.
       Inserts language repealing section 431 of Public Law 105-
     276 and amending the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 
     1958 to allow for insurance, indemnification, and liability 
     protection for experimental aerospace vehicle developers.

              TITLE V--PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING


                                OVERVIEW

       Title V combines certain provisions from three bipartisan 
     House housing bills (including H.R. 202 ``Preserving 
     Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens into the 21st Century 
     Act,'' introduced by Reps. James A. Leach and Rick Lazio, 
     H.R. 1336 ``Emergency Resident Protection Act of 1999'', 
     introduced by Reps Leach, Lazio and James T. Walsh, and H.R. 
     1624 ``Elderly Housing Quality Improvement Act'', introduced 
     by Reps. John J. LaFalce, Barney Frank and Bruce Vento) and 
     the title is designed to address a potentially crisis-level 
     loss of affordable housing for seniors, individuals with 
     disabilities and other vulnerable families. The consolidate 
     House bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on 
     September 27, 1999 by a vote of 405 to 5. In addition, this 
     title is consistent with a number of provisions contained in 
     S. 1319, the ``Save My Home Act'', legislation introduced by 
     Senators Kit Bond and Wayne Allard which is designed to 
     address the section 8 opt out problem. The Senate VA/HUD FY 
     2000 appropriations bill also includes authority on section 
     202 and assisted living units.
       The legislation protects existing residents of Federal-
     assisted housing from being forced to move from their homes 
     in the face of market-rate rent increases; preserves the 
     housing as affordable itself where appropriate by emphasizing 
     renewal at market-rate rents for developments that serve 
     seniors or persons with disabilities or in other 
     circumstances where there is risk of loss of an important 
     affordable housing resource; and provides flexibility for the 
     conversion of housing to assisted living environments to 
     allow seniors to ``age in place.''
       Title V represents a consensus between the House and Senate 
     VA/HUD Appropriations subcommittees as well as the House 
     Banking Committee. The references to conferees herein reflect 
     the views of all these parties.


SECTION BY SECTION: ``PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS 
                        INTO THE 21ST CENTURY''

     Section 501. Short title and table of contests
       Titled cited as ``Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior 
     Citizens into the 21st Century Act''.
     Section 502. Regulations
       Provides that the HUD Secretary shall issue regulations 
     necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act only after 
     notice and opportunity for public comment.
     Section 503. Effective date
       Provisions of the Act are effective as of the date of 
     enactment unless such provisions specifically provide for 
     effectiveness or applicability upon another date. The 
     authority to issue regulations to implement this Act shall 
     not be construed to affect the effectiveness or applicability 
     of the bill as of the effective date.

Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations for Supportive Housing for 
               the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities

     Section 511. Supportive housing for elderly persons
       Provides annual authorization of appropriation of $710 
     million for existing program of supportive housing for the 
     elderly (section 202) for FY2000.
     Section 512. Supportive housing for persons with disabilities
       Provides annual authorization of appropriation of $201 
     million for supportive housing for the disabled (section 811) 
     for FY2000.
     Section 513. Service coordinators and congregate services for 
         elderly and disabled housing
       Provides annual authorization of appropriation of $50 
     million for grants for service coordinators for certain 
     federally assisted multifamily housing projects for FY2000.

[[Page 25290]]



Subtitle B--Expanding Housing Opportunities for the Elderly and Persons 
                           With Disabilities

     Section 521. Study of debt forgiveness for section 202 loans
       Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of the net impact 
     on the Federal budget deficit or surplus of making available, 
     on a one-time basis, debt forgiveness relating to remaining 
     principal and interest from Section 202 loans with a dollar-
     for-dollar reduction of rental assistance amounts under the 
     Section 8 rental assistance program.
     Section 522. Grants for conversion of elderly housing to 
         assisted living facilities
       Authorizes grants to convert and repair elderly affordable 
     housing projects to assisted living facilities. Authorizes 
     such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000.
     Section 523. Use of section 8 assistance for assisted living 
         facilities
       Provides that a recipient of Section 8 housing assistance 
     may use such assistance in an assisted living facility.
     Section 524. Size limitation for projects for persons with 
         disabilities
       Provides that of any amounts made available in any fiscal 
     year for capital advances or project rental assistance under 
     this section, not more than 25% may be used for supportive 
     housing which contains more than 24 separate dwelling units. 
     Requires the Secretary to study and submit a report to 
     Congress regarding the extent to which the authority of the 
     Secretary under Section 811(k)(4) of the Cranston Gonzalez 
     National Affordable Housing Act has been used to provide 
     assistance to supportive housing projects for persons with 
     disabilities having more than 24 units
     Section 525. Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care 
         Facility Needs in the 21st Century
       Establishes a commission to be known as the Commission on 
     Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs in the 21st 
     Century. The Commission shall provide an estimate of the 
     future needs of seniors for affordable housing and assisted 
     living and health care facilities, identify methods of 
     encouraging private sector participation and investment in 
     affordable housing, and perform other matters relating to 
     housing the elderly.

    Subtitle C--Renewal of Expiring Rental Assistance Contracts and 
                        Protection of Residents

     Section 531. Renewal of expiring contracts and enhanced 
         vouchers for project residents
       Unless otherwise provided, for expiring Section 8 
     properties that have current rents below comparable market 
     rents for the area and that meet certain criteria set out in 
     the bill, the Secretary of HUD is directed upon renewal of 
     such Section 8 contracts to set rents at comparable market 
     rent levels. For those expiring Section 8 contracts that have 
     rent levels above comparable market rents but are not being 
     restructured, the Secretary upon renewal shall set these 
     rents at comparable market rents. With regard to those 
     expiring Section 8 contracts for multifamily housing projects 
     that are not eligible multifamily housing project[s] under 
     Section 512(2) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
     Affordability Act (MAHRA) or that are exempt from mortgage 
     restructuring pursuant to section 514(h) of MAHRA, upon the 
     request of the owner, renewal rents shall be set at the 
     lesser of existing rents, adjusted by an operating cost 
     adjustment factor, or a rent level that provides income 
     sufficient to support a budget-based rent.
       Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to 
     provide ``enhanced vouchers'' to residents residing in a 
     property upon the date of the expiration of a federally-
     assisted housing contract that is not renewed. Enhanced 
     vouchers allow increased assistance for residents in cases 
     where rents increase as a result of the project owner's 
     decision to opt-out of the Section 8 program, therefore 
     ensuring that the resident may continue to reside in the 
     unit. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary for enhanced 
     voucher assistance for fiscal years 2000 through fiscal year 
     2004.
       To the extent funds are specifically appropriated for this 
     purpose, authorizes the Secretary to renew expiring Section 8 
     contracts for projects that are subject to an approval plan 
     of action under the Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation 
     Act of 1987 or the Low-Income Housing Preservation and 
     Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 on terms comparable to 
     those provided in the plan of action.
       Provides a limited preemption of state distribution 
     limitations in cases where such limitations interfere with 
     affordable housing preservation.
     Section 532. Section 236 assistance
       Allows Section 236 property to continue to receive interest 
     reduction payments following a mortgage refinancing, subject 
     to the owner's agreement to continue to operate the project 
     in accordance with low income affordability restrictions for 
     the period of the interest reduction payments plus an 
     additional five years.
       Allows an owner of a project financed under a State program 
     pursuant to Section 236 of the National Housing Act to retain 
     any excess rental income from the project for use for the 
     benefit of the project, upon terms and conditions established 
     by the Secretary, subject to appropriations.
     Section 533. Rehabilitation of assisted housing
       Amends Section 236 of the National Housing Act to 
     accelerate the use of recaptured interest reduction payments.
     Section 534. Technical assistance
       Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
     Affordability Act of 1997 to allow for technical assistance 
     for preservation of low-income housing.
     Section 535. Termination of section 8 contract and duration 
         of renewal contract
       Provides that section 8 contracts may be renewed for up to 
     one year or for any number of years, subject to 
     appropriations (as opposed to mandatory renewals of one 
     year).
     Section 536. Eligibility of residents of flexible subsidy 
         projects for enhanced vouchers
       Amends Section 201 of the Housing and Community Development 
     Amendments of 1978 by allowing the use of enhanced vouchers 
     for projects preserved as affordable housing under section 
     229 of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident 
     Homeownership Act of 1990.
     Section 537. Enhanced disposition authority
       Amends section 204 of the FY 1997 VA/HUD Appropriations Act 
     to extend current grant and loan authority under Section 204 
     through FY 2000, expressly provide that upfront grants or 
     loans may support reconstruction as well as rehabilitation 
     and demolition, and provide that vacant as well as occupied 
     projects shall be eligible for such grants or loans.
     Section 538. Unified enhanced voucher authority
       Consolidates and unifies all existing enhanced voucher 
     authority, the terms regarding provision of tenant-based 
     assistance through an enhanced voucher under a new subsection 
     8(t) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.


                            report language

       The conferees are aware that the Department has issued a 
     notice permitting non-profit owners of section 202 properties 
     to repay their section 202/section 8 mortgages and to 
     refinance those mortgages provided the housing remains 
     available to existing and future tenants under terms at least 
     as advantageous to them as the terms required by the original 
     loan, and if the subsequent refinancing would enhance the 
     housing for the tenants. For this reason, the conferees do 
     not feel it necessary to include Section 102 of HR 202, which 
     passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Section 102 
     of HR 202 was intended to accomplish this same purpose. In 
     keeping with the intent of section 102 of HR 202, however, 
     the conferees direct the Department, in instances where 
     section 202 borrowers choose to prepay and refinance their 
     mortgages, to share at least 50% of any section 8 savings 
     that might become available as a result of prepayment with 
     the borrower in order to facilitate the refinancing so that 
     enhancements can be made to serve the current and future 
     elderly tenants.
       The conferees are aware that the non-profit sponsors of 
     section 202 developments for the elderly struggle to identify 
     additional sources of financing for their projects to enhance 
     the amenities and services available to low-income senior 
     citizens. One alternative that should be explored is to 
     permit the non-profit organizations that are eligible as 
     borrowers for section 202 funds to be the sole general 
     partner of a for-profit limited partnership as long as that 
     general partner meets the definition of private non-profit 
     organization under section 202(k)(4). This would enable 
     borrowers under the 202 program to become eligible for LIHTC, 
     and the equity financing it generates, in the same way as 
     non-profit borrowers under the section 515 rural rental 
     housing program are eligible for the LIHTC. Such eligibility 
     would provide a critical source of additional capital to 
     housing for the elderly, giving our deserving elderly 
     residents the best housing possible.
       Sections 307 and 327 of HR 202 specifically allowed for the 
     development and operation of commercial facilities in Section 
     202 and Section 811 projects, respectively. The conferees, 
     however, believe that nothing in federal law currently 
     prohibits the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
     from permitting the development and operation of commercial 
     facilities in Section 202 and Section 811 projects. For this 
     reason, the conferees do not feel inclusion of these 
     provisions of HR 202 is necessary, but instead specifically 
     directs HUD to grant requests of project sponsors to do this 
     wherever feasible.
       In addition, the conferees believe that HUD has authority 
     to allow the development and operation of Section 202 units 
     on the same premises as, and integrated with, privately-
     financed units. Such integrated housing would allow low-
     income elderly residents and elderly residents in privately 
     financed units to live side-by-side without the stigma of a 
     separate, low-income wing or of units that are clearly 
     designated for low-income residents. Such was the intent of 
     Section 308 of HR 202. Because the conferees believe the

[[Page 25291]]

     Department already has the authority to accomplish this goal, 
     rather than including Section 308 of 202, the conferees 
     direct HUD to develop policies to enable Section 202 project 
     sponsors who request it to include privately-financed units 
     in their 202 developments.
       The conferees direct the Department, for Fiscal Year 2000, 
     that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or any 
     Department regulation, in the case of any denial of an 
     application for assistance under Section 202 of the Housing 
     Act of 1959 for failure to timely provide information 
     required by the Secretary, the Secretary shall notify the 
     applicant of the failure and provide the applicant an 
     opportunity to show that the failure was due to the failure 
     of a third party to provide information under the control of 
     the third party. If the applicant demonstrates, within a 
     reasonable period of time after notification of such failure, 
     that the applicant did not have such information but 
     requested the timely provision of such information by the 
     third party, the Secretary may not deny the application on 
     the grounds of failure to timely provide such information.
       The conferees are concerned that section 8 projects whose 
     rent structure was modified and a use agreement executed 
     under one of the portfolio reengineering demonstration 
     programs may be required to undertake a second round of time 
     consuming and expensive rent restructuring. If the Secretary 
     has previously found debt restructuring to be inappropriate 
     for a project by closing a project under a demonstration 
     program using budget-based rents without debt restructuring 
     and pursuant to a use agreement between the Secretary and the 
     project owner, the conferees direct the Secretary to use the 
     authority provided by the conference report to honor the 
     terms of the use agreement without debt restructuring.
       The contract renewals for moderate rehabilitation Section 8 
     projects are treated differently than contract renewals for 
     other Section 8 properties by requiring a renewal at the 
     lesser of: current rents with an operating cost adjustment 
     factor (OCAF), FMRs minus tenant paid utilities, or the 
     comparable market rent for unassisted units. The conferees do 
     not intend for such renewals to result in a rent that is 
     below the aggregate base rent for the project. The base rent 
     reflects the rent without the rehabilitation financing that 
     was added to the project upon entering the moderate 
     rehabilitation program.
       The conferees direct the Department to streamline and 
     reduce the cost of refinancing Home Equity Conversion 
     Mortgages [HECMs] for elderly homeowners, including (a) 
     reducing the single premium payment to credit the premium 
     paid on the original loan [subject to actuarial study], (b) 
     establishing a limit on origination fees that may be charged 
     [which fees may be fully financed] and prohibiting the 
     charging of broker fees, (c) waiving counseling requirements 
     if the borrower has received counseling in the prior five 
     years and the increase in the principal limit exceeds 
     refinancing costs by an amount set by the Department, and (d) 
     providing a disclosure under a refinanced mortgage of the 
     total cost of refinancing and the principal limit increase.
       The conferees further direct the Department to conduct 
     within 180 days an actuarial study of the effect of reducing 
     the refinancing premium collected under a refinancing and of 
     the effect creating a single national loan limit for HECM 
     reverse mortgages.
       The conferees note the increasing trend in the mortgage 
     industry of various types of home equity loans such as 
     reverse mortgages, and are concerned about the potential 
     effect of abusive lending practices on elderly homeowners. 
     Because the elderly have high rates of homeownership and are 
     more likely to have high levels of equity in their homes, 
     they are prime targets for reverse mortgage scams. While the 
     conferees recognize the majority of lenders operate 
     legitimately, the conferees are concerned about the 
     increasing number of reverse mortgage scams. The conferees 
     therefore direct HUD to evaluate and report on the lending 
     practices of the reverse mortgage industry no later than June 
     30, 2000. This report should focus on elderly borrowers and 
     should include, at a minimum, an evaluation of: current 
     consumer protection measures; the terms of home equity loans, 
     including the rates and fees paid by elderly borrowers; and 
     the marketing of home equity loans to elderly borrowers. The 
     report should also include an assessment of HUD's role in 
     ensuring that reverse mortgages are not used to defraud 
     elderly homeowners and should detail HUD's plan for 
     preventing such activity.


                   conference total--with comparisons

       The total new budget (obligational) authority for the 
     fiscal year 2000 recommended by the Committee of Conference, 
     with comparisons to the fiscal year 1999 amount, the 2000 
     budget estimates, and the House and Senate bills for 2000 
     follow:

                       [In thousands of dollars]

New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 1999.......$95,263,261
Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal year99,603,004
House bill, fiscal year 2000.................................91,980,156
Senate bill, fiscal year 2000................................97,828,196
Conference agreement, fiscal year 2000.......................99,452,918
Conference agreement compared with:
                  New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal+4,189,657
     Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal y-150,086
House bill, fiscal year 2000.................................+7,472,762
Senate bill, fiscal year 2000................................+1,624,722

     James T. Walsh,
     Tom DeLay,
     David Hobson,
     Joe Knollenberg,
     Rod Frelinghuysen,
     Roger Wicker,
     Anne M. Northup,
     John E. Sununu,
     Bill Young,
     Alan Mollohan,
     Marcy Kaptur,
     Carrie P. Meek,
     David E. Price,
     Bud Cramer,
     David Obey,
       (except for delayed funding gimmick),
                                    Managers on Part of the House.

     C.S. Bond,
     Conrad Burns,
     Richard Shelby,
     Larry E. Craig,
     Kay Bailey Hutchison,
     Ted Stevens,
     Barbara Mikulski,
     Patrick Leahy,
     Frank R. Lautenberg,
     Tom Harkin,
     Robert C. Byrd,
     Daniel Inouye,
                                   Managers on Part of the Senate.

     

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