[Senate Report 106-40]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress, 1st Session -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - Senate Report 
106-40

 
                   REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

                                 OF THE

                              COMMITTEE ON

                       LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES

                          UNITED STATES SENATE

                               DURING THE

                             105TH CONGRESS

                                1997-98

                              PURSUANT TO

 SECTION 136 OF THE LEGISLATIVE REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1946, AS AMENDED 
             BY THE LEGISLATIVE REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1970

                                     


                                     

                 April 13, 1999.--Ordered to be printed



                            _________

                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
                        WASHINGTON : 1999

For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov  Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; (202) 512ï¿½091800  
Fax: (202) 512ï¿½092250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402ï¿½090001



                            [105th Congress]

                 COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES

                  JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont, Chairman

DAN COATS, Indiana                   EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts
JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire            CHRISTOPHER J. DODD, Connecticut
BILL FRIST, Tennessee                TOM HARKIN, Iowa
MIKE DeWINE, Ohio                    BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming             JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico
TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas             PAUL D. WELLSTONE, Minnesota
SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine              PATTY MURRAY, Washington
JOHN W. WARNER, Virginia             JACK REED, Rhode Island
MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky

                     Mark E. Powden, Staff Director

                 Susan K. Hattan, Deputy Staff Director

      J. Michael Myers, Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel

                                 ______

                 
                         [106th Congress]

          COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS

                  JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont, Chairman

JUDD GREGG, Indiana                  EDWARD M. KENNEDY, Massachusetts
JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire            CHRISTOPHER J. DODD, Connecticut
BILL FRIST, Tennessee                TOM HARKIN, Iowa
MIKE DeWINE, Ohio                    BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland
MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming             JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico
TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas             PAUL D. WELLSTONE, Minnesota
SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine              PATTY MURRAY, Washington
SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas                JACK REED, Rhode Island
CHUCK HAGEL, Nebraska
JEFF SESSIONS, Alabama

                     Mark E. Powden, Staff Director

                 Susan K. Hattan, Deputy Staff Director

      J. Michael Myers, Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel

                                  (ii)
                                FOREWORD

    This report on the legislative activities of the Committee 
on Labor and Human Resources \1\ during the 105th Congress is 
submitted pursuant to section 136 of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 190d), as amended by 
Public Laws 91-050, 92-136, and 93-334. The Legislative 
Reorganization Act requires standing committees of the U.S. 
Senate to ``review and study, on a continuing basis, the 
application, administration, and execution'' of laws within 
their jurisdiction and to submit biennial reports to the 
Congress. The full text of section 136 is as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ The Committee on Labor and Human Resources, pursuant to S.Res. 
20, was renamed the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
on January 19, 1999. As this report covers the activities of the 105th 
Congress, the committee will be referred to by its former title 
throughout.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sec. 136.(a) In order to assist the Congress--
          (1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of the 
        application, administration, and execution of the laws 
        enacted by Congress, and
          (2) its formulation, consideration and enactment of 
        such modifications of or changes in those laws, and of 
        such additional legislation, as may be necessary or 
        appropriate, each standing committee of the Senate and 
        the House of Representatives shall review and study, on 
        a continuing basis, the application, administration, 
        and execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the 
        subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of 
        that committee. Such committees may carry out the 
        required analysis, appraisal, and evaluation 
        themselves, or by contract, or may require a government 
        agency to do so and furnish a report thereon to the 
        Congress. Such committees may rely on such techniques 
        as pilot testing, analysis of costs in comparison with 
        benefits, or provision for evaluation after a defined 
        period of time.
    (b) In each odd-numbered year beginning on or after January 
1, 1973, each standing committee of the Senate shall submit, 
not later than March 31, to the Senate . . . a report on the 
activities of that committee under this section during the 
Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year.
    (c) The preceding provisions of this section do not apply 
to the Committees on Appropriations, the Budget, House 
Administration, Rules, and Standards of Official Conduct of the 
House.
                                       James M. Jeffords, Chairman.

                                 (iii)




                            C O N T E N T S

                                 ______

                                                                   Page

Foreword.........................................................   III
Committee jurisdiction...........................................     1
Committee organization...........................................     2
Review of Legislative activity...................................     5
Full committee activities........................................     5
   I. Bills Enacted:
   A. Education and Disability........................................6
   B. Health.........................................................12
   C. Labor..........................................................15
 II. Vetoed Bills....................................................16
III. Reported Bills Not Enacted......................................16
   A. Education......................................................16
   B. Labor..........................................................17
 IV. Other Bills Considered by Senate................................19
  V. List of Public Laws.............................................19
 VI. Anticipated Activities..........................................20
Committee printing...............................................    23

                                APPENDIX

  I. Reports of the Subcommittees, Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.......................................................24
      Children and Families..........................................24
      Aging..........................................................26
      Public Health and Safety.......................................28
      Employment and Training........................................31
 II. Reports of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources...........33
III. Public laws enacted during the 105th Congress...................35
 IV. Hearings by full committee and subcommittees....................38
  V. Statistical Summary.............................................53
 VI. Rules of Procedure..............................................54

                                  (v)
106th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                     106-40

======================================================================




 REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HUMAN 
                               RESOURCES

                                _______
                                

                 April 13, 1999.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Jeffords, from the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

[Pursuant to section 136 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, 
 as amended by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, as amended]



                         COMMITTEE JURISDICTION

    The jurisdiction of the Labor and Human Resources Committee 
in the 105th Congress was set forth in paragraph 1.(1) of Rule 
XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate as follows:

      (m)(1) Committee on Labor and Human Resources, to which 
        committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, 
        messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters 
        relating to the following subjects:

         1. Measures relating to education, labor, health, and 
            public welfare.
         2. Aging.
         3. Agricultural colleges.
         4. Arts and humanities.
         5. Biomedical research and development.
         6. Child labor.
         7. Convict labor and the entry of goods made by 
            convicts into interstate commerce.
         8. Domestic activities of the American National Red 
            Cross.
         9. Equal employment opportunity.
        10. Gallaudet College, Howard University, and Saint 
            Elizabeths Hospital.
        11. Handicapped individuals.
        12. Labor standards and labor statistics.

                                  (1)

        13. Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
        14. Occupational safety and health, including the 
            welfare of miners.
        15. Private pension plans.
        16. Public health.
        17. Railway labor and retirement.
        18. Regulation of foreign laborers.
        19. Student loans.
        20. Wages and hours of labor.

      (2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a 
        comprehensive basis, matters relating to health, 
        education and training, and public welfare, and report 
        thereon from time to time.



                         COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION

    During the 105th Congress, the committee was organized into 
the following subcommittees:

                         Children and Families

                          Mr. Coats, Chairman

Mr. Gregg                           Mr. Dodd
Dr. Frist                           Mr. Bingaman
Mr. Hutchinson                      Mr. Wellstone
Ms. Collins                         Mrs. Murray
Mr. McConnell                       Mr. Reed
Mr. Jeffords (ex officio)           Mr. Kennedy (ex officio)

                                 Aging

                          Mr. Gregg, Chairman

Mr. Hutchison                       Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Warner                          Mrs. Murray
Mr. Jrffords (ex officio)           Mr. Kennedy (ex officio)

                        Public Health and Safety

                          Dr. Frist, Chairman

Mr. Jeffords                        Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Coats                           Mr. Harkin
Mr. DeWine                          Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Enzi                            Mr. Bingaman

                        Employment and Training

                          Mr. DeWine, Chairman

Mr. Jeffords                        Mr. Wellstone
Mr. Enzi                            Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Warner                          Mr. Dodd
Mr. McConnell                       Mr. Harkin

                     REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

    The Committee on Labor and Human Resources has jurisdiction 
over approximately 1,000 Federal programs relating to health, 
education, labor, disability policy, children and families, 
older Americans, pensions and public welfare. These programs 
are administered by the Departments of Health and Human 
Services, Education, Labor, and some 123 independent agencies, 
councils, and bureaus.
    During the 105th Congress, which convened on January 7, 
1997, and adjourned on October 21, 1998, more than 300 bills 
and resolutions were referred to the committee for its 
consideration, a substantial increase from the approximately 
200 bills referred during the 104th Congress and a reflection 
of the substantial interest in issues within the committee's 
jurisdiction. The committee and its subcommittees held just 
over 100 hearings, and produced 29 public laws, about a third 
in the area of education.
    This body of education law represents the most substantial 
achievement of the committee during the 105th Congress, with 
major reforms accomplished in education from Head Start to 
higher education. The committee also enacted S. 830, the Food 
and Drug Accountability and Modernization Act, the most 
significant reform of the Food and Drug Administration in 
decades.
    At the outset of the 105th Congress, the committee 
reorganized its subcommittees to better address the issues 
before it. Responsibility for education and disability issues 
were assumed by the full committee, and the corresponding 
subcommittees were dissolved, while employment and training and 
public health and safety issues were transferred from the full 
committee to two newly created subcommittees.

                       FULL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

    In addition to the 332 bills and resolutions introduced in 
the Senate within the jurisdiction of the Labor and Human 
Resources Committee, the committee received 1,202 nominations 
and promotions within the U.S. Public Health Service Corps.
    The committee reported 19 bills and one resolution to the 
Senate, and 29 measures within its jurisdiction were enacted 
into law. No measures within the committees jurisdiction were 
vetoed.
    Of the 1,202 nominees referred to the committee, all but 31 
were confirmed by the Senate. Of the nominees who were not 
confirmed, 8 were withdrawn by the White House and 23 were 
returned to the President pursuant to Rule XXXI of the Senate 
at the conclusion of the 105th Congress. Of those returned to 
the President, several were nominated in the final weeks of the 
105th Congress.
    The committee and its subcommittees held 101 days of public 
hearings, held 25 executive sessions for the purpose of 
considering legislation and nominations, and conducted four 
conferences with the House.

I. BILLS FROM THE LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE ENACTED INTO LAW 
                         IN THE 105TH CONGRESS

                      A. Education and Disability

     INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997

    This legislation provides grants to States to assist in the 
provision of a free appropriate public education to children 
with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 and early 
intervention services for infants and toddlers with 
disabilities. In addition, the law provides funding for 
personnel training, research, demonstrations, and technical 
assistance activities.
    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments 
of 1997 were the product of extensive bipartisan and bicameral 
negotiations. The Act clarifies and strengthens the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by providing parents and 
educators with the tools to preserve the right of children with 
disabilities to a free appropriate public education while 
bringing meaningful accountability to the process of educating 
children with disabilities by placing emphasis on standards 
applied to all children and achieving outcomes for children 
with disabilities based on such standards. The act provides 
children with disabilities early intervention, preschool, and 
educational experiences that prepare them for later educational 
challenges and employment. The act clarifies permissible 
discipline of children with disabilities who violate school 
rules, requiring consideration of the child's disability in 
making decisions regarding discipline.
    The 1997 amendments drive more Federal dollars to local 
school districts; expand and promote opportunities for parents, 
special education, related services, regular education, early 
intervention service providers, and other personnel to work in 
new partnerships at both the State and local levels; and create 
incentives to enhance the capacity of schools and other 
community-based entities to work effectively with children with 
disabilities and their families, through targeted funding for 
personnel training, research, media, technology and the 
dissemination of technical assistance and best practices.
    [Public Law 105-17, enacted June 4, 1997. H.R. 5 (S. 717).]

            EMERGENCY STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 1997

    This act responded to the suspension of the Direct Loan 
consolidation loan program which left many borrowers in a 
position of being unable to consolidate their loans. Prior to 
the enactment of this measure, a student with Federal Family 
Education Loans (FFEL) could consolidate those loans through 
the FFEL program but could not consolidate a Direct Loan into a 
FFEL consolidation.
    The key feature of this legislation was a provision 
permitting borrowers to consolidate their Direct Loans into a 
FFEL consolidation package. This provision expired on October 
1, 1998, at which time the new loan consolidation provisions of 
the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 went into effect.
    The legislation also includes provisions excluding the new 
HOPE Scholarship tax credit from any consideration in the need 
analysis that is used to calculate eligibility for Federal 
student financial aid. This change allows eligible students to 
benefit fully from both the tax credit and the Federal student 
aid programs.
    The Emergency Student Loan Consolidation Act of 1997 (S. 
1294) was approved by the committee by voice vote (Senate 
Report 105-122) on October 22, 1997. The legislation was 
included in Title VI (Section 609) of the conference report 
accompanying the fiscal year 1998 Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education Appropriations Act.
    [Public Law 105-78, enacted 11/13/97. H.R. 2264 (S. 1294)]

               NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) was established in 
1950 to ``develop and encourage the pursuit of a national 
policy for the promotion of basic research and education in the 
sciences.'' Following the 1957 Soviet launch of the Sputnik 
satellite, this mission was expanded to provide greater support 
for science education and literacy. Over the next three 
decades, NSF became the primary Federal sponsor of basic 
research in mathematics, physical sciences, computer science, 
engineering and environmental science at colleges and 
universities. Equally important to the future of our Nation, 
NSF has become a catalyst for the reform of math and science 
education.
    The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 
was the product of strong bipartisan support for our Nation's 
research enterprise. Title I of the legislation authorized more 
than $11 billion over three years for a strengthened investment 
in basic math, science and engineering research. The title 
authorized NSF to take a lead role in the development of the 
Internet II and the Next Generation Internet (NGI) and to use 
program fees generated through the Agency's domain name 
registration program to support the NGI initiative. Funds 
authorized under this title will allow NSF to support more than 
19,000 projects at 2,000 colleges and universities each year 
and enable our Nation to strengthen its position as the world 
leader in science and technology.
    Title II of the Act was designed to improve committee 
oversight of our Nation's research and development enterprise. 
The Title required NSF to develop and submit to Congress each 
year a plan for the proposed construction of, and repair and 
upgrades to, national research facilities. In addition, in 
recognition of growing expenditures for indirect costs paid to 
colleges and universities, the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy (OSTP) was directed to prepare a report to Congress 
analyzing Federal facility and administration costs paid to 
universities and to make recommendations on ways to reduce 
regulatory burdens while achieving cost savings. OSTP was also 
directed to create a database for tracking these Federal 
expenditures.
    The title also required the Foundation to undertake and 
support programs and activities designed to encourage the 
participation of persons with disabilities in the science and 
education professions
    [Public Law 105-207, enacted July 29, 1998. H.R. 1273 (S. 
1046).]

                        WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

        (includes Vocational Rehabilitation and Adult Education)

    The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) consolidates, 
coordinates, and improves employment, training, adult and 
family literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs.
    Title 1 of the Workforce Investment Act authorizes a new 
workforce investment system to replace that erected by the Job 
Training Partnership Act. State workforce investment boards 
will be established and States will develop 5-year strategic 
plans. Local workforce boards will also be established. Both 
the State and local workforce boards will oversee a broad array 
of employment and training services for youth, adults, and 
dislocated workers. Title 1 also authorizes an accountability 
system to ensure that the needs of individuals seeking 
employment and training services are met.
    A number of national programs are also included in the 
Workforce Investment Act. These include: Job Corps; Native 
American job training programs; Migrant and Seasonal Farm 
worker employment and training activities; veterans' workforce 
investment programs; youth opportunity grants; technical 
assistance for States and local areas; demonstration and pilot 
initiatives, and National Emergency grants.
    Title 2 of WIA reauthorizes Adult Education and Literacy 
programs, which will now be coordinated with job training and 
employment programs. Title 2 encourages States to develop an 
array of literacy programs which include: adult education and 
literacy services; English literacy programs; workplace 
literacy initiatives; and family literacy programs.
    The legislation also includes reforms to the Rehabilitation 
Act, which supports job training of and employment-related 
supports to individuals with disabilities. In addition, it 
links vocational rehabilitation services to those that will be 
available under State workforce systems and under the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998. The amendments also simplify access to 
vocational rehabilitation services; streamline the 
administration of the vocational rehabilitation program; make 
improvements in discretionary programs related to personnel 
training, research, and demonstration projects; and provide 
greater access to information technology.
    The Rehabilitation Act reauthorization was introduced on 
November 7, 1997, as S. 1579. It was approved by the committee 
on February 4, 1998, and was offered as an amendment to S. 
1186, the Workforce Investment Partnership Act during floor 
consideration of that legislation. Although reauthorized 
through P.L. 105-220, the Rehabilitation Act remains a free-
standing statute.
    [Public Law 105-220, enacted August 7, 1998. H.R. 1385 (S. 
1186).]

                  HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998

    This legislation extends for 5 years Federal postsecondary 
education programs, the largest of which are student financial 
aid programs including Pell Grants, Federal Family Education 
Loans, and Direct Loans. These three programs provide financial 
aid directly to students. The act also includes three programs 
that are campus-based financial aid initiatives which provide 
Federal assistance to students through postsecondary 
institutions. Other components of the act focus on early 
intervention, teacher preparation and training, institutional 
aid, international education activities, graduate student 
programs, and special projects for postsecondary improvement.
    Major provisions of the reauthorization bill include 
providing students with the lowest interest rates on loans in 
nearly two decades and increasing the authorized maximum Pell 
Grant. A new comprehensive program designed to improve teacher 
quality is established, and individuals who teach for five 
years in low-income schools will be eligible for up to $5,000 
in loan forgiveness. Existing early intervention programs, 
designed to offer support for students who might not otherwise 
consider postsecondary education, are expanded through the new 
GEAR UP program. In addition, a number of provisions promote 
greater efficiency in the delivery of student financial aid--
including the establishment of a Performance-Based Organization 
within the Department of Education.
    The bill also reauthorizes the Education of the Deaf Act, 
extending federal funding for Gallaudet University and the 
National Technical Institute for the Deaf through fiscal year 
2003. These amendments allow Gallaudet University and the NTID 
to continue to offer specialized educational opportunities to 
students who are deaf and to be accountable to Congress and the 
Secretary of Education with regard to the effects of their 
programs and their expenditure of Federal funds.
    The legislation was reported favorably by the committee on 
April 1, 1998, by a vote of 18 to 0 (Senate Report 105-181) and 
approved by the full Senate on July 9, 1998, by a vote of 96 to 
1. The conference report (House Report 105-750) was approved by 
the Senate on September 29, 1998, by a vote of 96 to 0.
    [Public Law 105-244, enacted 10/7/98. H.R. 6 (S. 1882).]

                         READING EXCELLENCE ACT

    The Reading Excellence Act will provide professional 
development for teachers who teach reading. State Education 
Agencies will be eligible for a one-time, three-year grant 
which will be awarded competitively. Upon receipt of the one-
time award, State Education Agencies will then distribute funds 
to local educational agencies based on certain criteria. 
Funding will be used for professional development activities, 
family literacy services, and other activities to improve the 
teaching of reading for children from pre-kindergarten through 
grade three. In addition, funds will be expended on tutorial 
assistance grants. These funds will be used to pay the costs of 
providing tutorial services to students having difficulty in 
learning to read. The provisions of H.R. 2614 were included as 
Title VIII of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999.
    [Public Law 105-277, enacted October 21, 1998. H.R. 4328 
(H.R. 2614).]

                  CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION ACT OF 1998

    The Charter School Expansion Act of 1998 revises current 
Federal law pertaining to charter schools. The act gives 
priority to States for Federal assistance if the States: 
provide charter schools financial autonomy; have increased the 
number of charter schools; and provide means by which charter 
applicants may appeal decisions not to grant a charter. In 
addition, the Charter School Expansion Act expands technical 
assistance that may be given to charter schools.
    [Public Law 105-278, enacted October 22, 1998. H.R. 2616.]

            COATS HUMAN SERVICES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

    The Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 
includes changes in the Head Start Act, the Community Services 
Block Grant Act, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act. 
In addition, the 1998 legislation includes a new title, the 
Assets for Independence Act.
    The Head Start Act, reauthorized for 1999 through 2003, 
includes several new activities designed to improve the 
performance of Head Start programs. For the first time, the 
Head Start legislation includes the promotion of school 
readiness as the primary program goal. Four results-based 
measures of educational attainment are identified in the 
legislation. For many low-income families, Head Start is a 
critical component in efforts to prepare their children for 
success in elementary school. It is important that Head Start 
providers focus more attention on improving the educational 
readiness of children participating in the program.
    Since its inception, there has been no comprehensive, 
rigorous evaluation of the Head Start program. The legislation 
sets-aside substantial funds to conduct an evaluation of the 
Head Start program, including a longitudinal research study 
utilizing control groups and rigorous scientific methods. The 
legislation increases funding for activities designed to 
improve the quality of child care and expand the Early Head 
Start program.
    The Community Services Block Grant Act was reauthorized to 
the year 2003. The legislation includes several provisions to 
increase the capacity of communities to provide assistance to 
low-income families and facilitate the revitalization of high 
poverty neighborhoods. The 1998 reauthorization emphasizes the 
continued role of charitable and religious organizations in 
meeting the needs of communities and families. The Coats Human 
Services Reauthorization of 1998 reauthorizes the Community 
Food and Nutrition program through fiscal year 2003.
    The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is 
reauthorized through fiscal year 2004. Because this program is 
forward-funded, the program will need to be reauthorized in 
2003, with the other programs included in the Coats Human 
Services Act. The legislation clarifies the circumstances under 
which the Department of Health and Human Services can release 
emergency LIHEAP funds. In addition, funds are set-aside for 
training, technical assistance and on-site compliance reviews. 
The LIHEAP leveraging fund is capped at $30 million until 
appropriations for the LIHEAP program reach $1.4 billion.
    The new title in the Coats Human Services Reauthorization 
Act of 1998 is the Assets for Independence Act. This act 
establishes an Individual Development Account (IDA) 
demonstration program to be carried out in several sites 
throughout the country. Individual Development Accounts are 
dedicated, matched savings accounts. Through IDAs, low-income 
families are encouraged to save a portion of their earnings 
which are matched by a sponsoring organization or unit of state 
or local government. Funds withdrawn from IDAs can be used to 
purchase a first home, meet the costs of post-secondary 
education, capitalize a business, or respond to hardship 
circumstances. This new program is authorized for five years at 
$25 million a year.
    [Public Law 105-285, enacted October 27, 1998. S. 2206.]

     CARL D. PERKINS VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENTS

    The Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Act 
Amendments will more fully develop the academic, vocational, 
and technical skills of secondary and postsecondary students 
who choose to enroll in vocational and technical education. 
This measure will build on the efforts of States and localities 
to develop challenging academic standards, promote integration 
of academic and vocational and technical instruction, increase 
State and local flexibility in providing vocational and 
technical education, and disseminate best practices in 
vocational and technical education.
    [Public Law 105-332, enacted October 31, 1998. H.R. 1853 
(S. 1186).]

                    ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998

    The legislation provides funds to States to sustain and 
strengthen their capacity to address the assistive technology 
needs of individuals with disabilities; focuses the investment 
in technology across Federal agencies and departments, that 
could benefit individuals with disabilities; and authorizes 
funding for micro-loan programs to provide assistance to 
individuals who desire to purchase assistive technology devices 
or services. The Act also repeals the Technology-Related 
Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 
(U.S.C. 2201 et seq.). The legislation was introduced as the 
Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (ATA), S. 2432 on September 2, 
1998, was reported out of the committee on September 9, 1998.
    [Public Law 105-394, enacted November 13, 1998. S. 2432.]

                    THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES

              TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS OF 1997

    S. 1505 makes technical and conforming amendments to the 
Institute for Museum and Library Services Act which was enacted 
as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1997. 
The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is a small 
but important agency that provides support for quality museum 
and library programs throughout the country.
    These changes to the authorizing statute will enable the 
IMLS to improve upon its mission of fostering and expanding our 
Nation's access to high quality museums and libraries. It 
includes provisions relating to the appointment and 
compensation of technical and professional employees; special 
libraries; reservations of funds; clarification of maintenance 
of effort; services to Native Americans; National Leadership 
grants and contracts; and the correction of typographical 
errors. The Congressional Budget Office determined that the 
legislation was budget neutral. The legislation was introduced 
on November 9, 1997, and passed by unanimous consent in the 
Senate on the same day.
    [Public Law 105-128, enacted December 1, 1997. S. 1505.]

                      BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997

    Title VI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 includes 
modifications of federal student aid programs designed to 
achieve savings of approximately $1.8 billion over 5 years. 
Savings are achieved through: (1) Recall of $1 billion in 
guaranty agency reserves; (2) Elimination of the direct lending 
loan origination fee; (3) Reductions in Section 458 
expenditures; and (4) Repeal of the Smith-Hughes Act. In 
addition, Title VI provides for the payment of an 
administrative cost allowance to guaranty agencies at .85 
percent of every new loan. Those expenditures are capped at 
$170 million in each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999 and at $150 
million in each of fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002.
    [Public Law 105-33, enacted August 5, 1997. H.R. 2015/S. 
947]

      NEED-BASED EDUCATIONAL AID ANTITRUST PROTECTION ACT OF 1997

    This legislation amends the Improving America's Schools Act 
to extend through September 30, 2001, a provision which permits 
institutions of higher education that award financial aid 
solely on the basis of need to agree on certain principles and 
methods for awarding such aid. That provision had been 
scheduled to expire on September 30, 1997.
    The measure was approved under suspension by the House of 
Representatives on June 23, 1997, and was held at the desk in 
the Senate. The Senate approved the measure, with a DeWine/Kohl 
amendment on July 30, 1997. The amended version was approved by 
House on September 8, 1997.
    [Public Law 105-43, enacted September 17, 1997. H.R. 1866]

                               B. Health

         FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1997

    The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act (FDAMA) 
of 1997, S. 830, includes important reforms at the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) to increase its efficiency, improve 
its accountability to the public, and speed the delivery of 
important new medical treatments to patients. The bill extends 
the Prescription Drug User Fee Act for 5 years; makes long-
needed reforms in the drug and medical device review process, 
and streamlines several food labeling requirements and food 
additive approval processes to improve information and products 
available to consumers. The committee approved a substitute to 
S. 830, with amendments on June 18, 1997, by a vote of 14-4. 
The Senate approved a substitute to the committee-reported 
bill, with amendments on September 24, 1997, by a vote of 98-2. 
The Senate approved the report of the committee on conference 
on S. 830 (report 105-399) on November 9, 1997, by voice vote.
    [Public Law 105-115, enacted 11/21/97, S. 830.]

              RICKY RAY HEMOPHILIA RELIEF FUND ACT OF 1997

    The Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act provides for 
compassionate payments with regard to individuals with blood-
clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, who contracted human 
immunodeficiency virus due to contaminated blood products.
    The measure specifies that any individual who submits to 
the Attorney General written medical documentation that the 
individual has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection 
shall receive $125,000 from amounts available in the Fund if 
the individual: (1) has a blood-clotting disorder and was 
treated with blood-clotting agents between January 1, 1980, and 
December 31, 1987; (2) is the lawful spouse of such individual 
or the former lawful spouse and was the lawful spouse of the 
individual at any time after a date within such period on which 
the individual was treated; or (3) acquired the HIV infection 
through perinatal transmission from a parent who is such an 
individual.
    [Public Law 105-369, enacted 11/12/98. H.R. 1023 (S. 358, 
S. 2564).]

            BONE MARROW REGISTRY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

    The National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 
1998, amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth the 
purpose of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry and impose 
requirements regarding its board of directors. It also sets 
forth program functions, including collection, analysis, and 
publication of data on donor searches. S. 2150 addressed the 
need for increasing the number and availability of minority 
donors, establishes an Office of Patient Advocacy and provides 
services for those volunteering as potential donors.
    [Public Law: 105-196, enacted 7/16/98. H.R. 2202, (S. 
2150)]

                  BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION ACT OF 1998

    The Birth Defects Prevention Act provides for the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out programs to: 
(1) collect and analyze, and make available data on birth 
defects; (2) operate regional centers for the conduct of 
applied epidemiological research on the prevention of such 
defects; and (3) provide information and education to the 
public on the prevention of such defects. It provides for a 
National Information Clearinghouse on Birth Defects to collect 
and disseminate to health professionals and to the public 
information on birth defects, including the prevention of such 
defects.
    [Public Law 105-168, enacted 4/21/98, S. 419.]

           WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH AND PREVENTION ACT OF 1998

    The Women's Health Research and Prevention Act revises and 
extends certain programs with respect to women's health 
research and prevention activities at the National Institutes 
of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC). Among the initiatives addressed by the 
legislation are: breast, ovarian, and related cancer research; 
heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in 
women; and osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone 
disorders. Also included is an extension of grants dealing with 
community programs on domestic violence.
    [Public Law 105-340, enacted 10/31/98, S. 1722.]

         HRALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS ACT OF 1998

    The Health Professions Education Partnerships Act 
reauthorizes and consolidates the health care training programs 
contained in Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Services 
Act. The legislation provides comprehensive, flexible, and 
effective authority for the support of health professions 
training programs and the related community-based educational 
partnerships.
    The Act also establishes a comprehensive Fetal Alcohol 
Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect prevention, intervention, and 
services delivery program. It requires that the program include 
an education and public awareness program, a prevention and 
diagnosis program, and an applied research program.
    [Public Law 105-392, enacted 11/13/98, S. 1754.]

         MAMMOGRAPHY QUALITY STANDARDS REAUTHORIZATION OF 1997

    The Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act is 
designed to improve and facilitate the review, inspection, and 
certification of mammography facilities. It provides 
mammography quality standards and requires that women be 
notified of their mammogram test results in understandable 
terms. It sets forth procedures for facilities inspection for 
compliance with certification requirements, requires that 
certification denials follow specific appeals procedures; and 
modifies mammogram record retention requirements.
    To ensure patient safety, it requires facilities to notify 
patients who received mammograms if the Secretary determines 
the quality was so inconsistent with standards as to present a 
significant risk to the individual or public health. To ensure 
compliance, the Act authorizes civil money penalties and 
revocation and suspension of certification for failure to 
comply with an accreditation body's requests for records or 
materials.
    [Public Law 105-248, enacted 10/9/98, H.R. 4382]

                                C. Labor

                THE AMY SOMERS VOLUNTEER FOOD BANKS ACT

    The Amy Somers Volunteer Food Banks Act, H.R. 3152, amends 
the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 to clarify that 
persons who help out a food bank on a volunteer basis and 
receive groceries from the food bank are not considered 
employees of that food bank under the FLSA. The legislation 
clarifies the employment status of food bank volunteers so that 
non-profit food banks are able to continue to provide 
volunteers with food assistance.
    [Public Law 105-221, enacted 8/7 /98. H.R. 3152]

                   THE DRIVE FOR TEEN EMPLOYMENT ACT

    The Drive for Teen Employment Act allows minors who are 
covered by the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 to drive on public roads under limited 
circumstances. The legislation permits employees who are at 
least 17 years of age and hold a valid drivers license to drive 
as part of their employment under restrictive conditions 
including that the driving: (1) is done during daylight hours; 
(2) is contained to a 30-mile radius; and (3) does not exceed 
more than one-third of an employee's work time in any workday, 
nor more than 20 percent of an employee's work time in any 
workweek.
    [Public Law 105-334, enacted 10/31/98. H.R. 2327]

                          INVESTMENT ADVISERS

    S. 1227 amended title I of the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to clarify the treatment of 
investment advisors under the Act. The bill was needed to 
correct an error in title III, section 308 of the National 
Securities Market Improvement Act of 1996 (the Banking bill), 
landmark bipartisan legislation that bifurcated the treatment 
of investment managers for purposes of ERISA. Large investment 
advisors, meaning those with over $25 million in client assets 
were required to continue to be registered with the SEC. Small 
investment advisors, however, were prohibited from registering 
with the SEC and were instead required to register with the 
states. Because ERISA requires all investment managers to be 
registered with the SEC, this bifurcation would have 
disqualified so-called small investment managers. S. 1227 
clarified that investment advisors who are prohibited from 
registering with the SEC are not disqualified from handling 
ERISA assets.
    [Public Law 105-72, enacted 11/10/97. S. 1227.]

            SAVINGS ARE VITAL FOR EVERYONE'S RETIREMENT ACT

    S. 757, the Savings Are Vital for Everyone's Retirement, or 
SAVER, Act, authorized a series of bicameral, bipartisan 
summits to promote the importance of retirement savings. The 
legislation also required the U.S. Department of Labor to 
maintain a program of public outreach and information on 
retirement plans, including educational materials and a site on 
the Internet to help individuals calculate their estimated 
retirement savings needs based on their retirement income 
goals. The first SAVER summit was held June 4 and 5, 1998. It 
was attended by more than 200 delegates, who were recognized 
experts in the field of retirement savings education, actuarial 
sciences, financial planing, pension plan administration and 
funding, advocacy for pension plan participants, insurance and 
banking. Delegates met and discussed the barriers and 
challenges to savings and the best practices for retirement 
savings in workplaces today. The next SAVER Summit will be held 
in the year 2001.
    [Public Law 105-92, enacted November 20, 1997. H.R. 1377.]

             OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT AMENDMENTS

    Congress approved three pieces of legislation amending the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act (Public Law 91-596). The 
first two measures, H.R. 2864 and H.R. 2877, were passed by the 
House of Representatives on March 17, 1998. H.R. 2864, by 
authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
(OSHA) to fund State-administered employer consultation 
programs, codified an existing OSHA initiative. The legislation 
permits employers to remedy possible violations discovered by 
the State consultants, without being subjected to OSH Act 
penalties. [Public Law 105-197, enacted 7/16/98].
    The second measure, H.R. 2877, barred OSHA from utilizing 
the results of enforcement activities, including inspections, 
citations, and fines, in job performance reviews of its 
inspectors and their supervisors. [Public Law 105-198, enacted 
7/16/98].
    The third bill, S. 2112, authorized OSHA to issue fines and 
citations for safety violations discovered at United States 
Postal Service facilities. OSHA standards already applied to 
the Postal Service, but OSHA lacked the authority to issue 
citations to the agency, making enforcement difficult. The 
legislation also requires the Postal Service, when making a 
determination to close or consolidate a facility, to consider 
the impact of that action on the community and Postal Service 
employees, but prohibits the Postal Service from using OSHA 
compliance costs as a factor in making that determination. 
[Public Law 105-241, enacted 9/28/98].

                         II. VETOED LEGISLATION

                                  None

III. BILLS REPORTED FROM THE LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE IN THE 
                  105TH CONGRESS NOT ENACTED INTO LAW

                              A. Education

                EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY AMENDMENTS OF 1998

    The Education Flexibility Amendments of 1998, S. 2213, were 
reported by the committee on July 30, 1998, by a vote of 17 to 
1. The full Senate did not consider this legislation prior to 
the close of the 105th Congress. This legislation would expand 
the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program to 
permit all 50 States the opportunity to participate. Currently, 
12 State participate in the demonstration program--which 
permits the waiver of certain Federal requirements related to 
elementary and secondary education programs in exchange for 
stronger accountability.

                 ARTS AND HUMANITIES AMENDMENTS OF 1997

    S. 1020, The Arts and Humanities Amendments of 1997, would 
reauthorize the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the 
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for a period of 5 
years. In addition, the legislation proposed expanding the 
scope of the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act.
    The legislation established four broad grant categories for 
the NEA: Partnership Grants to States, National Significance 
Grants, Direct Grants, and Arts Education and Underserved 
Communities Grants, as well as three broad grant categories for 
the NEH: Partnership Grants, National Significance Grants, and 
Research and Scholarship Grants. In addition, the legislation 
made significant changes to both agencies in an effort to 
streamline operations and improve accountability. Finally, the 
legislation would have expanded the scope of the Arts and 
Artifacts Indemnity Act to include indemnification for 
exhibitions originating in the United States and touring the 
United States.
    On July 23, 1997, the committee approved S. 1020 by a vote 
of 14-4. The full Senate did not consider the legislation.

                                B. Labor

               THE FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKPLACE ACT OF 1997

    The Family Friendly Workplace Act of 1997, S. 4, was 
designed to give private employees greater flexibility in their 
work schedule. S. 4 contained four components aimed at updating 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). The bill contained 
a compensatory time provision which would enable hourly 
employees the opportunity to choose to take paid leave time 
instead of cash compensation for overtime work. The bill also 
contained two flexible scheduling provisions: a bi-weekly work 
schedules which would allow hourly employees the ability to 
choose to work their 80 hours in any combination over a two-
week period as well as flexible credit-hours which would give 
hourly employees the ability to work additional hours in a work 
week in order to use the extra hours to shorten another week at 
a later date. The bill also clarified that an employee would 
not lose his or her exempt status just because he or she is 
``subject to'' a deduction in pay for absences of less than a 
full day or less than a full week. Only actual reductions in 
pay may be considered.
    On March 18, 1997, the committee voted to report S. 4 to 
the full Senate by a vote of 10 to 8. The legislation was 
reported with an amendment to the Senate on April 2, 1997 
(Senate Report 105-11). On May 15, 1997, the Senate failed to 
invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the committee 
amendment (roll call vote # 68). The cloture vote was 53-47. A 
second motion to proceed to the committee amendment was held on 
June 4, 1997. The Senate failed to invoke cloture in a vote of 
51-47. (roll call vote #93).

                TEAMWORK FOR MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES ACT

    The Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1997, S. 
295, would amend the National Labor Relations Act to declare 
that, where no labor organization is the representative of an 
employer's employees, it shall not be an unfair labor practice 
for the employer to establish, assist, maintain, or participate 
in an organization or entity: (1) in which employees 
participate to at least the same extent as management 
representatives to address matters of mutual interest 
(including issues of quality, productivity, and efficiency); 
and (2) which cannot negotiate, enter into, or amend collective 
bargaining agreements. Such organizations or entities would be 
able to address matters of mutual interest (including issues of 
quality, productivity, and efficiency) but, to protect 
employees' NLRA rights, would be prohibited from engaging in 
collective bargaining.
    The committee conducted a hearing on the bill on February 
12, 1997. On February 26, 28, and March 5, 1997, the committee 
considered S. 295 during executive sessions and defeated all 
amendments offered to the bill. During the March 5, 1997 
executive session the committee voted to report the TEAM Act 
favorably. However, no further action was taken on S. 295 in 
the Senate and no companion bill was reported out of committee 
in the House of Representatives. [Senate Report 105-12].

                  SAFETY ADVANCEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES ACT

    The Safety Advancement for Employees (SAFE) Act, S. 1237, 
was designed to improve workplace safety by giving employers 
the alternative of private-sector consultation rather than 
relying on infrequent, traditional OSHA inspections. Under this 
``third party consultation'' program, firms that employ a 
qualified safety consultant and are certified by him/her as 
being in compliance with the OSH Act will not be subject to 
OSHA penalties for two years. OSHA would retain general 
authority to determine the qualifications of consultants. In 
addition, the traditional inspection/citation process would be 
revised so that reduced fines or simply warnings could be 
issued when an employer acts promptly to abate a violation 
(except for willful or repeated cases).
    The SAFE Act also deals with the process of establishing 
safety and health standards. Before issuing a new or revised 
standard, OSHA would submit its rulemaking record to the 
National Academy of Sciences for a review of its use of 
scientific data and methodology. OSHA would not be required to 
make any changes in response, but the Academy's recommendations 
would be published in the Federal Register.
    On July 10, 1997, the committee held a hearing on oversight 
of OSHA. On October 22, 1997, the committee voted to report the 
bill favorably with only a technical amendment. The SAFE Act 
was placed on the Legislative Calendar and no further action 
was taken on it during the 105th Congress. [Senate Report 105-
159].

IV. OTHER BILLS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES 
        COMMITTEE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE IN THE 105TH CONGRESS

                         Minimum Wage Increase

    During the Senate's consideration of the Consumer 
Bankruptcy Reform Ac of 1998, S. 1301, Senator Kennedy 
introduced the Fair Minimum Wage Act as an amendment (am. # 
3540) to the underlying bill. The Fair Minimum Wage Act would 
have raised the minimum wage in two increments: beginning 
January 1, 1999, it would have increased the minimum wage from 
$5.15/hour to $5.65/hour; beginning January 1, 2000, it would 
have increased the minimum wage to $6.15/hour. The amendment 
was tabled by the Senate on September 22, 1998, by a roll call 
vote of 55-44 (roll call vote #278).

 V. LIST OF PUBLIC LAWS OF THE 105TH CONGRESS FROM THE LABOR AND HUMAN 
                           RESOURCE COMMITTEE

    P.L. 105-17 [enacted June 4, 1997], Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. (H.R. 5/S. 717).
    P.L. 105-72 [enacted November 10, 1997], clarifying 
treatment of investment managers under ERISA. (S. 1227).
    P.L. 105-92 [enacted November 19, 1997], The Savings are 
Vital to Everyone's Retirement Act of 1997. (H.R. 1377).
    P.L. 105-115 [enacted November 21, 1997], Food and Drug 
Administration Modernization Act of 1997. (S. 830/H.R. 1411) .
    P.L. 105-128 [enacted December 1, 1997], Institute for 
Museum and Library Services Act Technical Amendments. (S. 
1505).
    P.L. 105-168 [enacted 4/21/98], Birth Defects Prevention 
Act of 1998. (S. 419).
    P.L. 105-196 [enacted 7/16/98], The Bone Marrow Registry 
Reauthorization Act of 1998. (H.R. 2202/S. 2150).
    P.L. 105-197 [enacted July 16, 1998], OSHA Compliance 
Assistance Authorization Act. (H.R. 2864).
    P.L. 105-198 [enacted July 16, 1998], barring the use of 
enforcement activities or quotas in the evaluation of OSHA 
employees. (H.R. 2877).
    P.L. 105-207 [enacted July 29, 1998], National Science 
Foundation Reauthorization. (H.R. 1273/S. 1046).
    P.L. 105-220 [enacted August 7, 1998], Workforce Investment 
Act of 1998. (H.R. 1385/S. 1186).
    P.L. 105-221 [enacted August 7, 1998], Amy Somers Volunteer 
Food Banks Act. (H.R. 3152).
    P.L. 105-241 [enacted September 28, 1998], applying the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act to the U.S. Postal Service. 
(S. 2112).
    P.L. 105-244 [enacted October 6, 1998], Higher Education 
Amendments of 1998. (H.R. 6/S. 1882).
    P. L. 105-248 [enacted October 14, 1998], The Mammography 
Quality Standards Reauthorization of 1997. (H.R. 4382).
    P.L. 105-255 [enacted October 14, 1998], Commission on the 
Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering and 
Technology Development. (H.R. 3007/S. 2479).
    P.L. 105-278 [enacted October 22, 1998], Charter Schools 
Expansion Act of 1997. (H.R. 2616/S. 1380).
    P.L. 105-285 [enacted October 27, 1998], Coats Human 
Services Reauthorization Act. (S. 2206).
    P.L. 105-332 [enacted October 31, 1998], Carl D. Perkins 
Vocational Technical Act Amendments. (H.R. 1853/S. 1186).
    P.L. 105-334 [enacted October 31, 1998], Drive for Teen 
Employment Act. (H.R. 2327).
    P.L. 105-340 [enacted October 31, 1998], Women's Health 
Research and Prevention Act of 1998 (S. 1722).
    P.L. 105-369 [enacted November 12, 1998], The Ricky Ray 
Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1997 . (H.R. 1023 (S. 358, S. 
2564).
    P.L. 105-392 [enacted November 13, 1998], The Health 
Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998. (S. 1754).
    P.L. 105-394 [enacted November 13, 1998], Assistive 
Technology Act. (S. 2432).

           VI. ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

    Among its major efforts, during the 106th Congress the 
committee will focus on taking steps to improve the quality of 
health care in this country. The committee will also devote 
substantial time and attention to ensuring that federal 
resources are being wisely spent to promote the best education 
possible for our children. Finally, the committee will examine 
how to strengthen the private pension system.

                                 Health

    The following is a summary of legislation and 
reauthorization proposals that the committee will consider 
during the 106th Congress:
    PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS.--The committee will examine 
legislation relating to health care quality which addresses 
those issues that have broad consensus and that the states are 
unable to address. The legislation could include consumer 
protection standards for self-funded group health plans and 
information disclosure and appeals standards for all group 
health plans.
    MEDICAL RECORDS PRIVACY.--The current loose web of medical 
records protections at the Federal and State levels that has 
evolved in the absence of a comprehensive law leaves many 
aspects of health information unevenly protected. If Congress 
fails to enact Federal privacy legislation by August 1999, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to 
promulgate regulations establishing electronic privacy 
standards in the year 2000. The committee will seek to develop 
legislation to establish Federal standards for protecting the 
privacy of medical records--without halting innovations in 
health care and health research.
    FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.--The committee will continue 
its oversight of FDA's implementation of the Food and Drug 
Administration Modernization Act of 1997 and other general 
oversight activities with regard to FDA, including the adequacy 
of the agency's current procedures with regard to food imports.
    HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.--While the United States enjoys 
one of the greatest economic growth periods in our history, the 
number of people without health insurance rose sharply last 
year to 43.4 million, up 1.7 million from the previous year 
according a recent report by the Census Bureau. The share of 
the population without health insurance increased from 15.6 
percent in 1996 to 16.1 percent in 1997. The committee will 
monitor the health insurance coverage status of individuals 
under 65 years old, with a special emphasis on the coverage 
status of low-income working Americans.
    HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURES.--A recent study by the Health 
Care Financing Administration (HCFA) indicates that the 
Nation's health spending will more than double, from $1 
trillion in 1996 to $2.1 trillion in 2007. Health spending as a 
share of gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase 
from 13.6 percent to 16.6 percent. The committee will monitor 
the growth in national health spending, with a particular focus 
on the future of technology in medicine.
    HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 
(HIPAA).--The 104th Congress enacted the Kassebaum/Kennedy 
legislation, also known as the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The oversight and 
enforcement roles of Federal and State agencies relating to 
HIPAA have not yet been fully determined. In the five States 
that have failed to or chosen not to pass the legislation 
required by HIPAA (California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode 
Island, and Missouri), HCFA is now required to act as insurance 
regulator for the state HIPAA provisions. The committee will 
continuing its monitoring of the implementation of HIPAA.

                               Education

    The primary education focus of the committee during the 
106th Congress will be the reauthorization of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act. This act authorizes Federal 
programs providing assistance for elementary and secondary 
education, including the Title I program which supports 
compensatory education, the Eisenhower professional development 
program, and Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities.
    Reauthorization issues will include an examination of: (1) 
the respective roles of local, State, and the Federal 
Governments in elementary and secondary education in an effort 
to clarify and, where appropriate, reassign responsibilities; 
(2) measures by which the quality of the teaching force can be 
improved, with an emphasis on providing for a coordinated 
strategy for in-service training which builds upon and 
complements the comprehensive teacher training initiative 
included in Title II of the Higher Education Amendments of 
1998; (3) means by which Federal elementary and secondary 
education programs can be streamlined or consolidated; and (4) 
the most effective means by which the Federal government can 
assist in the promotion and assessment of student performance.
    The committee will also consider education flexibility 
legislation as one of the first items of business in the 106th 
Congress. This legislation would expand the Education 
Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program to permit all 50 
States the opportunity to participate. Currently, 12 States 
participate in the demonstration program--which permits the 
waiver of certain Federal requirements related to elementary 
and secondary education programs in exchange for stronger 
accountability. The Education Flexibility Amendments of 1998 
(S. 2213) were reported by the committee on July 30, 1998, by a 
vote of 17 to 1. The full Senate did not consider this 
legislation prior to the close of the 105th Congress.
    In addition to the reauthorization of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act, the committee may consider additional 
reauthorizations listed below.
    OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT (OERI).--
This act authorizes Federal education research programs. 
Entities authorized under the act include the Office of 
Educational Research and Improvement; National Center for 
Education Statistics; National Education Library; and Education 
Resources Information Clearinghouses (ERIC). The committee will 
give particular attention to identifying means by which timely 
and relevant research findings can be made available to 
practitioners and policy makers.
    NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP).--NAEP 
offers subject-by-subject reports on the status of students and 
trends in student learning over time. It is the only national 
measure of what American students know and can do.
    GOALS 2000: EDUCATE AMERICA ACT.--This act authorizes 
grants to States and local communities for elementary and 
secondary education reform activities. The committee will 
examine the impact of Goals 2000 at the national, State, and 
local levels. The committee will also consider whether these 
activities should be consolidated with other elementary and 
secondary education initiatives.
    NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT.--This act authorizes 
the administration of national and community service programs 
and also includes authorization for Federal domestic volunteer 
service programs administered by the ACTION agency (VISTA, 
Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions).
    NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES ACT.--This 
act authorizes the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the 
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute 
for Museum/- and Library Services (IMLS).

                           Disability Policy

    The committee intends to reauthorize the Developmental 
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). This 
Act promotes independence, productivity, integration, and 
inclusion in community life of individuals with disabilities. 
It authorizes funding for: State developmental disability 
councils to develop comprehensive services to individuals with 
developmental disabilities and their families, legal and 
advocacy services for such individuals and their families, 
personnel training, as well as projects of national 
significance. Unless reauthorized, this legislation expires 
September 30, 1999. The committee intends to reauthorize the 
Families of Children with Disabilities Support Act of 1994, the 
authorization for which expired on September 30, 1998, as part 
of the DD Act.

                       Other Oversight Activities

    The committee expects to examine several other issues, 
including:
    ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS.--The committee will work with the 
General Accounting Office to examine the Federal and non-
Federal entities that make up the current system of adverse 
drug event reporting, post-market surveillance, and prevention.
    DRUG PRICE COMPETITION AND PATENT TERM RESTORATION ACT.--
The committee will examine the adequacy of the current market 
exclusivity provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act 
with regard to the incentives to bring new therapies to market, 
and the adequacy of the current generic drug approval process 
under the Act with regard to providing timely and predictable 
market entry for safe, generic equivalents to brand drugs.
    HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998.--The committee intends 
to monitor the implementation of the Higher Education Act 
Amendments of 1998, including examination of the effect of the 
Y2K problem on the financial aid system--both within the 
Department of Education and the postsecondary institutions 
involved in various aspects of student assistance programs.
    INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT OF 1997.--The 
committee intends to monitor the implementation of this act, 
both at the Federal level, particularly with respect to the 
promulgation of regulations by the Department of Education, and 
at the local level.
    RETIREMENT SECURITY.--The committee will investigate the 
strengths and weaknesses of our current private retirement 
system, and will seek ways to improve both the security and 
soundness of the system, while expanding it to a greater number 
of individuals. With the strain on the Social Security system 
that will inevitably result from demographic changes over the 
next few decades, it is imperative that Congress act to shore 
up the other components of retirement income, namely private 
pension plans and retirement savings plans.

                           Committee Printing

    The committee printed a total of 101 copies of hearings and 
committee prints during the 105th Congress. These encompassed 
16,675 volumes, and consisted of 2,082,800 pages. The committee 
also bound 14 volumes of executive meetings of the 105th 
Congress for its permanent record. The committee also has on 
Micro Fiche the legislative hearings, bills, and public laws.

                                APPENDIX

I. REPORTS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES, COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES

                     CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

             Subcommittee on Children and Families

                      Dan Coats, Chairman

    The Subcommittee on Children and Families, chaired by 
Senator Judd Gregg, has jurisdiction over a variety of Federal 
programs related to children and families. During the 105th 
Congress, the subcommittee focused its efforts on the COATS 
Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 which reauthorized 
and made improvements in the Head Start Act, the Low-Income 
Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and the Community Services Block 
Grant Act. The legislation also established the Assets for 
Independence Act which provides support for projects designed 
to provide an opportunity for persons with limited means to 
accumulate assets.
    During the course of the 105th Congress, the subcommittee 
also conducted six hearings on a variety of child and family 
related issues. The subcommittee was particularly interested in 
facilitating a discussion on the critical issues surrounding 
the care and education of children with particular emphasis on 
(1) maximizing parental choice while recognizing the diverse 
child care needs of children and families, (2) maintaining 
local control over the design and implementation of successful 
early learning programs, and (3) improving the coordination, 
quality, and accountability of such programs.

           LEGISLATION CONSIDERED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE

    The subcommittee considered the following legislation 
during the 105th Congress:
    S. 2206, the COATS Human Services Reauthorization Act of 
1998, reauthorizes and makes improvements in the Head Start 
Act, the Community Services Block Grant Act, and the Low-Income 
Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. The legislation also 
establishes demonstration projects that provide an opportunity 
for persons with limited means to accumulate assets. The bill 
was introduced by Senators Coats, Dodd, Jeffords, and Kennedy 
on June 22, 1998, and was ordered reported with an amendment in 
the nature of a substitute on July 21, 1998 (Rep. No. 105-256). 
On July 27, 1998, the bill was laid before the Senate by 
unanimous consent. An amendment proposed by Senator Coats was 
adopted by unanimous consent and the bill subsequently passed 
the Senate by unanimous consent. On October 8, 1998 the Senate 
agreed to the Conference Report to S. 2206 by unanimous 
consent. S. 2206 was signed into law on October 27, 1998 (P.L. 
105-285).

             HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE

    Pre to 3: Policy Implications of Child Brain Development--
June 5, 1997. Examining the status of medical and scientific 
findings into prenatal and postnatal brain development and 
implications that Federal policies have on childhood 
development.
    Workplace Religious Freedom Act--October 21, 1997. 
Examining S. 1124, a bill to amend Title VII of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 to establish provisions with respect to 
religious accommodation in employment, and for other purposes.
    Caring for America's Children: A Congressional Symposium on 
Child Care and Parenting--February 23, 1998. Examining three 
vital questions which should be addressed before action is 
taken by this Congress concerning the care of our Nation's 
children. First, what is best for children? Second, what do 
families really want? And third, what truly effective steps can 
be taken to enable families to provide the best care they can 
for their children?
    School Age Care: Creative Solutions for Out-of-School 
Care--March 5, 1998. Examining proposals to coordinate Federal 
and State efforts to establish increased programs to provide 
after school care for children, including S. 882, to improve 
academic and social outcomes for students by providing 
productive activities during after school hours.
    Head Start: Is it Making a Difference? Can It Be 
Improved?--March 26, 1998. Examining proposed legislation 
authorizing funds through fiscal year 2002 for the Head Start 
program, focusing on Head Start's impact on children and their 
families.
    The Community Services Block Grant: Expanding Opportunities 
for Community and Neighborhood Partnerships--May 5, 1998. 
Examining proposals to expand opportunities for community and 
neighborhood partnerships through the Community Services Block 
grant program.

         ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

    The subcommittee's top legislative priority includes the 
reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 
Act, Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, Adoption 
Opportunities Act, Community Based Family Resource and Support 
Grants, and the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act. The 
subcommittee intends to conduct several oversight hearings on 
these programs as we prepare for their FY 2000 reauthorization.
    The subcommittee is also planning hearings which may 
include the following:
    Child Exploitation in America and Abroad; Eliminating 
Internet Child Pornography: Where Do We Go From Here; Federal 
Programs for Children: What Works and What Doesn't; and 
Children in Crisis: What Have We Learned About Child Abuse?
    The subcommittee is also likely to conduct oversight 
hearings to examine the implementation of the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act, the implementation of the Family 
and Medical Leave Act, and the implementation of the Multi-
ethnic Placement Act.

                                 AGING

                         Subcommittee on Aging

                          Judd Gregg, Chairman

    The Subcommittee on Aging has legislative jurisdiction over 
the Older Americans Act. During the 105th Congress, the 
subcommittee pursued improvements in legislation affecting 
older citizens, and monitored other issues of concern to older 
Americans and their families.

              LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE 105TH CONGRESS

    The subcommittee held a hearing on June 5, 1997 on the 
challenges of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, ``Meeting the 
Challenges of Alzheimer's Disease: The Biomedical Research that 
will carry us into the 21st Century,'' addressed the scientific 
developments relating to disease research and the advances that 
have been made in understanding, treating and developing a cure 
for Alzheimer's disease. Among the witnesses were Dr. Richard 
J. Hodes, Director of the National Institute on Aging, National 
Institutes of Health, and Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, Director of 
the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Institute of the Alzheimer's 
Association. The subcommittee learned the prospects for 
providing hope to Alzheimer's victims and their families. In 
the final months of the 105th Congress, the subcommittee was 
involved in transferring to the Administration on Aging the 
Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States program to 
support these worthwhile initiatives. This coordination of 
research will help meet the many challenges facing victims of 
Alzheimers and their caregivers.
    The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, and the 
development of priorities and legislation, remained the 
subcommittee's main focus during the 105th Congress. The 
subcommittee convened congressional staff briefings concerning 
the status of the reauthorization legislation. With the 
assistance of the Congressional Research Service, the 
subcommittee provided an overview of the great needs of older 
Americans and the opportunities offered under the Older 
Americans Act, the legislative history of the Act including the 
various proposals from the previous Congress, and the work of 
the subcommittee to retool the Act to meet the needs of the 
21st Century. Senator Gregg and subcommittee staff also met 
with a wide array of organizations, Administration officials 
and Congressional offices, to examine how best to streamline, 
modernize and enhance the quality of services and care under 
the various titles of the Older Americans Act.
    Other Older Americans Act related activities included the 
release of an update of a November 1995 study by the GAO, 
``Department of Labor: Senior Community Service Employment 
Program Delivery Could be Improved through Legislative and 
Administrative Actions.'' The update had been requested by 
Senator Gregg as part of the subcommittee's consideration of 
the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. The 
subcommittee continued to be disturbed by indications that the 
Senior Community Service Employment Program was operating 
inefficiently and that the Department of Labor was not properly 
overseeing the program. Addressing these concerns was a 
priority for Senator Gregg.

             ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

    The subcommittee plans to address a wide range of issues 
affecting older Americans, with a primary focus on 
reauthorizing the Older Americans Act. Toward that end, the 
subcommittee will hold numerous hearing dealing with different 
portion of the Older Americans Act including nutrition 
programming, elder abuse, and the Act's jobs program (including 
ways to connect the program to the recently passed Workforce 
Investment Act's system of One-Stops). While most hearings will 
be in Washington, DC some will be held outside of Washington in 
an effort to learn State perspectives on such issues. Other 
areas the subcommittee may address include inter-generational 
issues and how technology and the Internet can be incorporated 
into the current Federal and State aging systems.

                        PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY

                Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety

                       Bill Frist, M.D., Chairman

    The Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety has 
authorizing jurisdiction and oversight of Federal health 
programs in the Public Health Service Act. These include the 
National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, National Organ Transplant Act, National Marrow 
Donor Program, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the 
Ryan White AIDS Act, community health centers and health 
professions education programs. In addition, the subcommittee 
has authorizing jurisdiction and oversight of the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Act 
(MSHA).

               LEGISLATION CONSIDERED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE

    As chairman of the subcommittee, Senator Frist introduced 
legislation to reauthorize the Agency for Health Care Policy 
and Research (S. 2208), the National Marrow Donor Program (S. 
2150), the Nurse Education Act and title VII health professions 
education programs (S. 1754) and numerous women's health 
programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (S. 1722).
    More than 25 public health programs were reauthorized by 
Congress. These programs were included in the following 
legislation considered by the subcommittee during the 105th 
Congress:
    S. 1722, the Women's Health Research and Prevention 
Amendments of 1998 revises and extends certain programs with 
respect to women's health research and prevention activities at 
the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention. The bill was introduced by Senators 
Frist, Lott and others on March 6, 1998, and was discharged by 
unanimous consent by the Committee on Labor and Human Resources 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute on October 12, 
1999, and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. 
On October 13, 1998, the House passed S. 1722 under suspension 
of the rules and cleared the bill for White House approval. S. 
1722 was signed into law on October 31, 1998 (P.L. 105-340).
    S. 1754, the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act 
of 1998 reauthorizes and consolidates health professions, 
nursing, and disadvantaged health education programs. The bill 
was introduced by Senators Frist, Kennedy, Jeffords, and 
Bingaman on March 12, 1998, and was ordered reported with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute by the Committee on 
Labor and Human Resources on June 23, 1998. (Rep. No. 105-220). 
On July 31, 1998, the bill was laid before the Senate by 
unanimous consent. Two amendments proposed by Senator Frist and 
Senator Daschle were adopted by unanimous consent and the bill 
subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. On October 
14, 1998, the Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1754 
by unanimous consent and cleared the bill for White House 
approval. S. 1754 was signed into law on November 13, 1998 
(P.L. 105-392).
    S. 2150, the National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization 
Act of 1998 reauthorizes the National Marrow Donor Program 
which began in 1987. S. 2150 addressed the need for increasing 
the number and availability of minority donors, establishes an 
Office of Patient Advocacy and provides services for those 
volunteering as potential donors. The bill was introduced by 
Senators Frist, Jeffords, Kennedy, Wellstone and Mikulski on 
June 9, 1998 as a companion to H.R. 2202 introduced by 
Congressman Young. H.R. 2202, as amended by the House Committee 
on Commerce, passed the House of Representatives under 
suspension of the rules on May 19, 1998. H.R. 2202 was 
discharged by unanimous consent by the Committee on Labor and 
Human Resources on June 24, 1998 and subsequently passed the 
Senate by unanimous consent clearing the bill for White House 
approval. H.R. 2202 was signed into law on July 16, 1998 (P.L. 
105-196).

                 HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE

    During the course of the 105th Congress the subcommittee 
conducted more than fifteen hearings on a variety of public 
health and safety related issues. Most hearings focused on 
issues to advance the reauthorization of several expired 
authorities for public health programs, including the National 
Institutes of Health and the Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research. Of particular interest to the subcommittee were the 
ethics and public policy concerns surrounding emerging cloning 
technology and global health as it relates to the U.S. response 
to infectious disease. In addition, the subcommittee held two 
joint hearings with the House Committee on Commerce to examine 
issues related to reauthorization of the National Marrow Donor 
Program and the organ allocation regulations proposed by the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

             ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

    In the reorganization of the Labor and Human Resources 
Committee at the outset of the 106th Congress, the functions of 
the Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety related to OSHA 
and MSHA were transferred to the Subcommittee on Employment, 
Safety, and Training. The subcommittee was renamed the 
Subcommittee on Public Health.
    Priorities for the subcommittee in the 106th Congress will 
include: reform of the Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research to refocus it on the improvement of health care 
quality; reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration which provides grants to state 
and local programs supporting drug and alcohol abuse treatment, 
mental health services and homeless programs; and continued 
oversight of the National Institutes of Health, especially the 
agency's process for setting research priorities, its 
coordination of research on emerging technologies and 
activities to promote clinical research. In addition, the 
subcommittee will focus on global health issues, such as 
emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and the increasing 
threat to public health of drug-resistant microbes.

                        EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

                Subcommittee on Employment and Training

                         Mike DeWine, Chairman

    The Subcommittee on Employment and Training has authorizing 
jurisdiction over statutes governing labor standards, labor 
management relations, and employment and training policy. These 
include the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor 
Relations Act, employment discrimination law and programs 
providing training for dislocated and disadvantaged 
individuals.

               LEGISLATION CONSIDERED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE

    As chairman of the subcommittee, Senator DeWine introduced 
S. 1186, the Workforce Improvement Partnership Act, which was 
designed to consolidate, coordinate, and improve employment, 
training, adult and family literacy, and vocational 
rehabilitation programs. The subcommittee held several hearings 
on the components of the legislation, which was renamed the 
Workforce Investment Act and signed into law on August 7, 1998.
    Title 1 of the Workforce Investment Act authorizes a new 
workforce investment system to replace that erected by the Job 
Training Partnership Act. State workforce investment boards 
will be established and States will develop five-year strategic 
plans. In addition, local workforce boards will also be 
established. Both the State and local workforce boards will 
oversee a broad array of employment and training services for 
youth, adults, and dislocated workers. Title 1 also authorizes 
an accountability system to ensure that the needs of 
individuals seeking employment and training services are met.
    A number of national programs are also included in the 
Workforce Investment Act. These include: Job Corps; Native 
American job training programs; Migrant and Seasonal Farm 
worker employment and training activities; veterans' workforce 
investment programs; youth opportunity grants; technical 
assistance for States and local areas; demonstration and pilot 
initiatives, and National Emergency grants.
    Title 2 of WIA reauthorizes Adult Education and Literacy 
programs which will now be coordinated with job training and 
employment programs. Title 2 encourages States to develop an 
array of literacy programs which include: adult education and 
literacy services; English literacy programs; workplace 
literacy initiatives; and family literacy programs.
    The legislation also included reforms to the Rehabilitation 
Act, which supports job training of and employment-related 
supports to individuals with disabilities. In addition, it 
links vocational rehabilitation services to those that will be 
available under State workforce systems now and under the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The amendments also simplify 
access to vocational rehabilitation services; streamline the 
administration of the vocational rehabilitation program; make 
improvements in discretionary programs related to personnel 
training, research, and demonstration projects; and provide 
greater access to information technology.
    The vocational education provisions of S. 1186 were dropped 
in conference with the House and were conferenced and enacted 
as part of separate legislation.
    The subcommittee also held hearings on legislation to 
update the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide greater 
flexibility to employees to arrange their work schedule so as 
to balance competing demands on their time in the manner that 
such flexibility has been available to Federal, State and local 
workers.
    The Family Friendly Workplace Act of 1997, S. 4, was 
designed to give private employees greater flexibility in their 
work schedule. S. 4 contained four components aimed at updating 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). The bill contained 
a compensatory time provision which would enable hourly 
employees the opportunity to choose to take paid leave time 
instead of cash compensation for overtime work. The bill also 
contained two flexible scheduling provisions: a bi-weekly work 
schedules which would allow hourly employees the ability to 
choose to work their 80 hours in any combination over a 2-week 
period as well as flexible credit-hours which would give hourly 
employees the ability to work additional hours in a work week 
in order to use the extra hours to shorten another week at a 
later date. The bill also permitted employees to take voluntary 
partial day unpaid leave without affecting their status under 
the FLSA.
    The legislation was ordered reported by the committee, but 
the Senate failed in two attempts to invoke cloture so as to 
permit its consideration.

             ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

    In the reorganization of the Labor and Human Resources 
Committee at the outset of the 106th Congress, jurisdiction 
over the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Mine Safety 
and Health Act was transferred from the Subcommittee on Public 
Health and Safety to the Subcommittee on Employment and 
Training, which was redesignated as the Subcommittee on 
Employment, Safety, and Training.
    The subcommittee will make a high priority of improving the 
effectiveness of our safety and health statutes. Activity will 
focus on the Safety Advancement for Employees Act, which would 
primarily allow employers access to OSHA-qualified third party 
safety professionals to help improve the safety of their 
workplaces. The subcommittee will also examine the Mine Safety 
and Health Act, which has not been the subject of significant 
oversight for several years. In addition, the subcommittee will 
continue the oversight efforts of the 105th Congress with 
respect to the National Labor Relations Act and the Workforce 
Investment Act enacted during the 105th Congress.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
