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United States · Official source
2,906 records where Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour) to: (1) $5.65 an hour during the year 1999; and (2) $6.15 an hour during the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Information Technology Partnership Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), subject to appropriations, to carry out a demonstration project under which grants are awarded to five eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) for: (1) developing information technology programs that build or expand mathematics, science, and information technology curricula; (2) purchasing equipment necessary to establish such programs; and (3) providing teacher training in such fields. Makes eligible for grants LEAs that: (1) are located in cities that have received an award from the NSF under the Urban Systemic Initiative program; (2) have provided assurances that they have executed conditional agreements with representatives of the private sector to provide services and scholarship funds; and (3) agree to enter into an agreement with the Director to comply with this Act. Sets forth application requirements. Requires the Director to give special priority for grants to LEAs that demonstrate the greatest ability to obtain commitments from the private sector for services and funds. Requires the Director to: (1) assess the effectiveness of activities under this Act; and (2) initiate a longitudinal study of students selected for scholarships and report findings to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the maximum grant awarded to an LEA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to- 65 Years of Age Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title IV: Financing Medicare Early Access Act of 1998 - Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age). Makes eligible to enroll in Medicare during a specified period individuals between the ages of 62 and 65 who: (1) are not eligible for coverage under group health plans or Federal health insurance; but (2) would be Medicare-eligible if age 65. Requires prior notification of each individual seeking to enroll of the deferred monthly premium amount for which the individual will be liable upon attaining age 65. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine rates for: (1) the base monthly premium; (2) the base annual premium for individuals age 62 or older; and (3) the deferred premium for such individuals. Limits the maximum annual premium in a premium area to assure participation in all areas of the country. Directs the Secretary to provide for payment and collection of the base monthly premium. Makes the enrollee liable for the deferred monthly premium payment. Requires collection of both premiums in the same manner as for the payment of monthly premiums under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to hold collected premiums as well as the savings from new fraud and abuse initiatives under the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998 which are transferred to it out of the Medicare trust funds. Directs: (1) the Trust Fund's Board of Trustees to report annually to the Congress on the need for adjustments in the new program in order to maintain its financial solvency; and (2) the Comptroller General to report periodically to the Congress on the adequacy of program financing along with appropriate recommendations to accomplish such end. Requires: (1) individuals enrolled under the new part D program to be treated for Medicare purposes as though they were entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B; and (2) new part D program benefits to be payable under Medicare to such individuals in the same manner as if they were so entitled and enrolled. Provides that the new part D program shall not be treated as Medicare for purposes of the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX, including the provision of Medicare cost-sharing assistance, nor for purposes of COBRA continuation requirements of the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 Years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII part D to rename the newly established part D program the Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 55-to-65 Years of Age. Provides for part D coverage for certain displaced workers and spouses between the ages of 55 and 62 under arrangements similar to those in title I. Directs the Secretary to provide for continued enrollment of displaced workers who attain 62 years of age. Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend specified group health plan insurance continuation coverage under COBRA to qualified retirees and their dependents, in cases of substantial reduction or termination of a retiree group health plan. Sets forth a special rule for certain dependents in case of termination or substantial reduction of retiree health coverage. Permits an increased level of premiums in the case of an individual provided continuation coverage by reason of the qualifying event. Title IV: Financing - Requires any increase in payments under the Medicare program that results from the enactment of this Act to be offset by reductions in Medicare payments pursuant to the anti-fraud and -abuse provisions of the Medicare Fraud and Overpayment Act of 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Provides for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-sponsored biennial conference on (regulatory) barriers to affordable housing. Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 5) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 6) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant assistance. (Sec. 7) States that the regulatory barriers clearinghouse shall be established within the Office of Policy Development of HUD under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) repeal the single family mortgage insurance owner-occupancy requirement; (2) repeal mortgage limits on dwellings begun prior to insurance approval; (3) revise the definition of "area"; and (4) revise downpayment provisions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to: (1) include 1- to 4-family residential construction loans within the percent of residential assets required of a qualifying Federal Home Loan Bank; and (2) eliminate the 30 percent cap on certain real estate-related capital that may be held as collateral by a member institution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Title II: Punishable Conduct Citizens Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors - Subjects a Government attorney to State laws and rules, and local Federal court rules, governing attorneys in each State where such attorney engages in duties to the same extent and in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. Directs the Attorney General to make and amend rules of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assure compliance with this title. Title II: Punishable Conduct - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any DOJ employee to seek an indictment in the absence of probable cause, to fail promptly to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, to intentionally or knowingly misstate or alter evidence, to attempt to influence or color a witness's testimony, to act to frustrate or impede a defendant's right to discovery, to offer or provide sexual activities to any government witness or potential witness, to leak or otherwise improperly disseminate information to any person during an investigation, or to engage in conduct that discredits DOJ; and (2) establish penalties for engaging in such conduct, including probation, demotion, dismissal, referral of ethical charges to the bar, loss of pension or other retirement benefits, suspension from employment, and referral of the allegations (if appropriate) to a grand jury for possible criminal prosecution. (Sec. 202) Sets forth procedures regarding written complaints of such conduct by a DOJ employee, investigation of such complaints by the Attorney General, and imposition of appropriate penalties. (Sec. 203) Establishes an independent Misconduct Review Board to review all determinations by the Attorney General with respect to such complaints and to investigate allegations made in statements that may be submitted to it with respect to complaints for which the Attorney General has made no determination or imposed no penalty. Authorizes the Board to impose penalties established above.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Recruit and Reward Future Math and Science Teachers of America Act of 1998 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a pilot program for recruitment and training of future secondary school mathematics and science teachers. Makes available 500 scholarship grants and stipends to outstanding students enrolled in nationally accredited teacher training graduate programs who are committed to pursuing such careers in secondary school mathematics and science teaching. Authorized appropriations. Designates funds under this Act as National Math and Science Teacher Scholarships. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award funds for such scholarships on a competitive basis to qualifying higher education institutions with graduate programs in teacher training. Limits the amount of such funds in any academic year which may be awarded to any individual higher education institution. Requires such institutions to: (1) meet nationally accredited teacher training graduate program standards; or (2) demonstrate to the Secretary that at least 90 percent of the graduates of the graduate teacher training program take, and on their first attempt pass, the State teacher qualification assessments for new teachers. Sets forth eligibility requirements for individual scholarships. Limits the scholarship amount per student to $10,000 per academic year. Requires scholarship recipients to agree to teach in an urban or rural public secondary school for at least three full academic years, or repay the pro rata amount of awards received, plus interest, for any failure to fulfill such obligation. Sets forth exceptions to such repayment requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Persian Gulf Veterans Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) a disease or disability occurring in a Persian Gulf War veteran that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with exposure to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a Gulf War veteran within a period to be prescribed by the Secretary. Requires such presumption even though there is no record of evidence of such disease or disability in the veteran during the period of service. Provides the same presumption for diseases and disabilities determined to be positively associated with such service by reason of having a prevalence among Persian Gulf veterans greater than such prevalence among matched peers who are veterans or active duty servicemembers of the same era who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment (and which becomes manifest within the prescribed period). Requires the Secretary to make the above determinations based on sound medical and scientific evidence and within 60 days after receipt of reports submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as required under this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement under which NAS shall: (1) identify the agents or hazards to which Gulf War veterans may have been exposed; (2) identify the diseases that are manifest in such members; and (3) determine whether a disease occurs in a Persian Gulf veteran with a greater prevalence than in matched peers who were neither deployed nor vaccinated for deployment. Directs NAS to determine whether a statistical association exists between exposure to such agent or hazard and the disease, separately review potential treatment models and evolving technologies to identify such diseases, make recommendations for additional studies, perform subsequent reviews of available evidence and data, and report to the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the veterans and defense committees (designated committees) concerning NAS activities under this Act. Terminates requirements and activities under this Act ten years after NAS submits its first report. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an alternative scientific organization if agreement cannot be reached with NAS. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for the establishment and operation of a single computerized information database for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on diseases of, and treatment provided to, Gulf War veterans. Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, NAS, and the designated committees. Directs NAS to evaluate and report on such plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) continually compile and analyze all appropriate clinical data contained in the database; and (2) report annually, along with the Secretary of Defense, to the designated committees with respect to such data analysis. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a research program of the evolving technologies available to measure the exposure to certain agents or hazards associated with Gulf War service, as well as the diagnosis of diseases resulting from such exposure. Directs the Secretary and the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to jointly report to the designated committees on research results. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to carry out an ongoing program to provide Gulf War veterans with information relating to: (1) any health risks determined to be associated with Persian Gulf service; and (2) any services or benefits available with respect to such health risks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to exempt State-licensed pharmacies that supply durable medical equipment from surety bond requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt disabled individuals from required enrollment with a managed care entity under the Medicaid program. Makes this Act effective as if included in the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Incentive for Achievement Through Pell Grants Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to increase Pell grant awards to students who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Land Management Act of 1996 to authorize additional appropriations for fiscal years beginning after FY 1998 for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures at eligible historically black colleges and universities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Amends Federal law to add Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (the third Monday in January) to the list of days on which the U.S. flag should especially be displayed.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Allows a veteran claiming to be entitled to employment or reemployment rights with a State or private employer to request the Secretary of Labor to refer such claim to the Attorney General (current law) in the case of an unsuccessful effort to resolve such claim through the Secretary. Empowers U.S. district courts to hear cases commenced against a State or private employer by the Attorney General on behalf of such veterans, or against a private employer by a person. Requires direct payment to the veteran of any claim compensation which is considered lost wages or benefits or liquidated damages. Includes within the definition of "employee," for purposes of employment and reemployment rights, any person who is a citizen, national, or permanent resident alien of the United States employed in a foreign workplace by an employer that is an entity incorporated or otherwise organized in the United States or that is controlled by an entity organized in the United States. Provides that if a U.S. employer controls a foreign entity, then any denial of employment, reemployment, or benefits by such foreign entity shall be presumed to be by such employer. Provides an exception when employer compliance would violate the law of the foreign country in which the workplace is located. Authorizes a veteran claiming employment or reemployment rights to request the Secretary to refer such complaint to the Merit Systems Protection Board (current law), without regard as to whether such complaint accrued before, on, or after October 13, 1994 (the effective date of such provision).
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Allows the remains of the following persons to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery: (1) any member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty; (2) any retired member; (3) any former member who was separated for physical disability before October 1, 1949, who served on active duty, and who would have been eligible for disability retirement if such provisions had been in effect on such date; (4) any former member whose last active military service was terminated honorably and who has been awarded one of a number of specified military decorations; (5) any former prisoner of war who served honorably while such a prisoner, whose last active military service terminated honorably, and who died on or after November 30, 1993; (6) the President or any former President; (7) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and, in the discretion of the Cemetery's Superintendent, unmarried adult child of an interred member (but only if buried in the same gravesite); (8) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and unmarried adult child (again, discretionary) of a member buried as part of a group burial (but cannot be buried in the group gravesite); (9) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child of any person already buried in the Cemetery; (10) the widow or widower of a member who was lost or buried at sea or officially determined to be permanently absent in a missing or missing in action status; and (11) the parents of a minor child or unmarried adult child whose remains, based on the parent's eligibility, are already buried in the Cemetery. Makes such burial eligibility the exclusive eligibility for Cemetery burial. Prohibits the Secretary of the Army or any other responsible official from considering a request for Cemetery burial made before the death of the individual. Allows gravesite markers to be provided by the Secretary or at private expense, as long as certain marker and marker maintenance conditions are met. Directs the Secretary to maintain for the public a register of each individual buried in the Cemetery which shall include, for each individual buried there on or after January 1, 1998, a brief description of his or her eligibility for such burial. Requires the Secretary to publish an updated pamphlet describing Cemetery burial eligibility. Authorizes the cremated remains of the following persons to be placed in the Cemetery columbarium: (1) a person eligible for burial under this Act; (2) a veteran whose last period of active duty ended honorably; and (3) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child (discretionary) of such a veteran. Prohibits a memorial or marker: (1) from being placed in the Cemetery unless it commemorates the service of the individual or group whose memory is to be honored by such memorial or marker; or (2) that refers to a particular military event from being placed in the Cemetery until 25 years after such event.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Biomedical Revitalization Resolution of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that funding for the National Institutes of Health should be increased by $2 billion in FY 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that national goals should include providing access to affordable housing and expanding home ownership opportunities pursued through policies of tax incentives and private and public sector activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consumer Bankruptcy Provisions Subtitle A: Needs-Based Bankruptcy Subtitle B: Adequate Protections for Consumers Subtitle C: Adequate Protections for Secured Lenders Subtitle D: Adequate Protections for Unsecured Lenders Subtitle E: Adequate Protections for Lessors Subtitle F: Bankruptcy Relief Less Frequently Available for Repeat Filers Subtitle G: Exemptions Title II: Business Bankruptcy Provisions Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Specific Provisions Title III: Municipal Bankruptcy Provisions Title IV: Bankruptcy Administration Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Data Provisions Title V: Tax Provisions Title VI: Miscellaneous Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998 - Title I: Consumer Bankruptcy Provisions - Subtitle A: Needs-Based Bankruptcy - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to prescribe guidelines for a needs-based bankruptcy system which precludes individuals from filing for complete relief in bankruptcy under chapter 7 (Liquidation), if certain current monthly income is available to pay creditors. (Sec. 101) Sets forth formulae for income levels determinative of debtor eligibility for bankruptcy relief. Treats as having income available to pay creditors (and thus eligible for chapter 13 Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) any individual (or in a joint case, an individual and spouse combined) with: (1) a current monthly total income of 75 percent of the national median household income for one earner (or 75 percent of the national median family income for a family of equal size); (2) projected monthly net income greater than $50; and (3) projected monthly net income sufficient to repay 20 percent or more of unsecured non-priority claims during a five-year repayment plan. (Sec. 102) States that a debtor's monthly net income shall be determined by taking the current monthly total income minus: (1) expense allowances under specified "Necessary Expenses"; (2) the average monthly payment on account of secured creditors; and (3) the average monthly payment on account of priority creditors. Provides for adjustment to a chapter 13 debtor's monthly net income for extraordinary circumstances such as loss of income or unusual expenses. (Sec. 103) Revises dismissal guidelines to: (1) permit a motion to dismiss by a party in interest; and (2) convert a case from chapter 7 to chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) with the debtor's consent, if the court finds that granting relief would be an inappropriate use of chapter 7. States that the court shall determine that an inappropriate use of chapter 7 exists if: (1) the debtor is excluded from chapter 7 by the bankruptcy code; or (2) the totality of the circumstances of the debtor's financial situation demonstrates such inappropriate use. Subtitle B: Adequate Protections for Consumers - Requires notice to a consumer debtor before a case commences of alternatives to bankruptcy, including independent non-profit debt counseling services. (Sec. 112) Instructs the Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees to: (1) develop a financial management training curriculum and materials for debtors to educate them on how to better manage their finances; and (2) evaluate and report to the Congress on the curriculum's effectiveness. (Sec. 114) Mandates specified notices and disclosures to a debtor by a debt relief counseling agency. (Sec. 115) Sets forth a debtor's bill of rights which such an agency must observe. (Sec. 116) Declares invalid any waiver of debtor protections by the assisted person. Prescribes enforcement guidelines. Subtitle C: Adequate Protections for Secured Lenders - Terminates the automatic stay 30 days after filing of a petition if a chapter 7 petition was pending and dismissed the previous year, unless the subsequent filing is in good faith. Delineates conditions under which a history of previous petitions in bankruptcy give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the case is not filed in good faith. (Sec. 123) Modifies debtor's duties to mandate specified affirmative actions to be taken by a chapter 7 debtor, including reaffirmation of the debt or redemption of the property within 60 days, in order to retain possession of personal property. (Sec. 124) Declares that the automatic stay is terminated regarding property of the bankrupt estate securing a claim or subject to an unexpired lease if the debtor fails to complete an intended surrender of consumer debt collateral within a revised, accelerated time frame. (Sec. 125) Instructs the bankruptcy court to confirm a chapter 13 bankruptcy plan if it provides that the holder of a secured allowed claim retains the attendant lien until payment or discharge of all debts. Provides that, if a chapter 13 proceeding is dismissed or converted without completion of the plan, the holder retains such lien to the extent recognized by applicable nonbankruptcy law. (Sec. 126) Revises automatic stay guidelines to provide that in the case of an individual filing under chapters 7, 11, or 13, the automatic stay shall terminate 60 days after a request for its release by a party in interest, unless the court orders or the parties agree to a longer time. (Sec. 127) Revamps prescriptions governing the effects of conversion from chapter 13 to another chapter. Declares that: (1) valuations of property and of allowed secured claims in a chapter 13 case shall not apply in a chapter 7 case; and (2) with respect to cases converted from chapter 13, the claim of any creditor holding security as of the date of the petition shall continue to be secured by that security unless the full amount of that claim, as determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law has been paid in full as of the date of conversion. States that a prebankruptcy default shall have the effect given under applicable nonbankruptcy law unless it has been fully cured pursuant to the plan at the time of conversion. (Sec. 128) Requires that the value of personal property collateral be at least equal to the outstanding balance of the purchase price, including interest and charges, where the property was acquired by the debtor within 180 days of filing the petition in bankruptcy. (Sec. 129) Declares that, in the case of chapter 7 and chapter 13 debtors, the personal property securing the individual debtor's personal property shall be the replacement value as of the date the petition is filed without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. (Sec. 130) Includes within the definition of a debtor's "principal residence" an individual condominium or cooperative unit, or mobile or manufactured home or trailer. Provides that the inclusion of incidental property in a mortgage on the debtor's principal residence will not disqualify that mortgage from protection under chapter 13. Provides that if the debtor resides in a house the debtor owns during the 180 days before filing, such protection applies. States that the automatic stay will not be violated if a prepetition foreclosure proceeding is postponed during the pendency of a chapter 13 proceeding, so long as any prepetition default remains uncured by actual payment in full according to the plan. Subtitle D: Adequate Protections for Unsecured Lenders - Grants a claim arising from a nondischargeable debt incurred to pay a Federal tax (or any other nondischargeable debt) the same priority as the claim for the underlying obligation which was paid for by such nondischargeable debt. (Sec. 142) Establishes a presumption that consumer debts owed to a single creditor and incurred within 90 days prior to an order for relief in bankruptcy are nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 143) Declares embezzlement or fraudulently-incurred debts of individuals nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 144) Revises requirements governing a stay of action against a codebtor to provide that: (1) the co-debtor stay would continue to be available when the debtor who borrowed the money sought chapter 13 relief; but (2) if a guarantor or other co-debtor who did not receive the consideration for the creditor's claim filed for relief, the debtor who borrowed the money would not be protected by a stay unless he or she also filed a bankruptcy petition. Declares that the stay shall terminate as to the debtor's interest in personal property if the debtor surrendered or abandoned that property. (Sec. 145) Declares nondischargeable in bankruptcy any debt obtained: (1) through the use of credit cards or other device to access a credit line without a reasonable expectation or ability to repay; or (2) by use of a written statement the debtor caused to be made or published without taking reasonable steps to ensure its accuracy. Subtitle E: Adequate Protection for Lessors - Provides for a chapter 7 debtor's assumption of executory contracts and unexpired leases. Declares that in a chapter 11 case in which the debtor is an individual, and in a chapter 13 case, if the lease is not assumed in the plan, it is rejected (and no longer subject to an automatic stay) as of the plan's confirmation date. (Sec. 162) Delineates a cash payment plan for chapter 13 debtors for payments to any lessor of personal property and to any creditor holding a claim secured by personal property to the extent such claim is attributable to the debtor's purchase of such property. (Sec. 163) Repeals the limitation to nonresidential real property (thus applying to all real property, including residential) the exception to the automatic stay for any act by a lessor to the debtor to obtain possession of real property under a lease that has terminated by the expiration of its stated term before the commencement of or during a bankruptcy case. Subtitle F: Bankruptcy Relief Less Frequently Available for Repeat Filers - Extends the mandatory period between discharges in bankruptcy from six to ten years for chapter 7 debtors. Sets five years as the mandatory period between discharges for chapter 13 debt repayment plans. Subtitle G: Exemptions - Increases from 180 to 365 days the length of a debtor's location of domicile for purposes of determining which State law governs the debtor's selection of property exempt from the bankrupt estate. Title II: Business Bankruptcy Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Prohibits the bankruptcy court from appointing any person to examine any request for compensation or reimbursement to bankruptcy officers. (Sec. 202) Exempts from the proscription against fee splitting any sharing of compensation with a bona fide public service attorney referral program operating in accordance with non-Federal law regulating attorney referral services and with rules of professional responsibility applicable to attorney acceptance of referrals. (Sec. 203) Amends the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986 to repeal its repeal of Chapter 12 (Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income), thus permanently extending chapter 12 bankruptcy protection for family farmers. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the bankruptcy court, upon request of a party in interest, to: (1) order that the U.S. trustee not convene a meeting of creditors or equity security holders if the debtor has filed a plan for which acceptances have been solicited before commencement of the case; and (2) order a change in the membership of such a committee to ensure adequate representation of creditors or equity security holders. (Sec. 206) States that acceptance or rejection of a chapter 11 (business reorganization) plan may be solicited from a holder of a claim or interest if: (1) the solicitation complies with applicable nonbankruptcy law; and (2) it was made before commencement of the case in a manner complying with applicable nonbankruptcy law. (Sec. 207) Prohibits the bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer if, in a case filed by a debtor whose debts are not primarily consumer debts, the aggregate value of all property that constitutes or is affected by such transfer is less than $5,000. (Sec. 208) Amends the Federal judicial code to state that a bankruptcy trustee may commence a proceeding or a case related to a bankruptcy case to recover a nonconsumer debt against a noninsider of less than $10,000. (Sec. 209) Extends from 60 days to 120 days the period in which the bankruptcy trustee may assume or reject unexpired leases of nonresidential real property under which the debtor is the lessee. Prohibits the bankruptcy court from extending such period beyond the date the plan is confirmed. Subtitle B: Specific Provisions - Chapter 1: Small Business Bankruptcy - Prescribes guidelines for small business reorganization plans and attendant disclosure statements. (Sec. 233) Directs the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States to propose for adoption: (1) standard form disclosure statements and plans of reorganization for small business debtors; and (2) amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official Bankruptcy Forms for such debtors. (Sec. 234) Sets forth the duties, reporting requirements, and administrative procedures in small business reorganization cases, including serial filer provisions and expanded grounds for dismissal or conversion and appointment of a trustee. Chapter 2: Single Asset Real Estate - Sets forth the parameters for plan confirmation for a debtor holding single asset real estate. Title III: Municipal Bankruptcy Provisions - Makes technical amendments to requirements for a municipal bankruptcy petition. Title IV: Bankruptcy Administration - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Revises guidelines governing meetings of creditors and equity security holders to provide that if the debtor is an individual in a voluntary case under chapters 7, 11, or 13, the first meeting of creditors shall not convene earlier than 60 days after the date of the order for relief in bankruptcy, unless the court determines that unusual circumstances justify an earlier meeting. Authorizes a creditor holding a consumer debt to participate in a meeting of creditors in a chapter 7 or 13 case, either alone or in conjunction with an attorney. (Sec. 404) Requires each U.S. trustee to report to the Attorney General on audit results of bankruptcy petitions and schedules performed by independent certified or licensed public accountants. Requires the Attorney General to establish random audits of individual bankruptcy cases under chapter 11. (Sec. 405) Prescribes notice procedures for chapter 7 and chapter 13 creditors. (Sec. 407) Expands debtor's duties to require filing with the bankruptcy court: (1) all tax returns; (2) evidence of payments received; (3) monthly net income projections; and (4) anticipated debt or expenditure increases. Permits a chapter 7 or chapter 13 creditor to request the debtor's petition, schedules, and statement of affairs, including the debt adjustment plan filed by the debtor. Mandates debtor compliance within ten days of such request. Mandates that, at the time of filing with the taxing authority, a chapter 7 or 13 debtor file with the bankruptcy court specified tax documentation pertaining to the period from case commencement until case termination. Requires a chapter 13 debtor to file with the court a statement of income and expenditures in the preceding tax year, and monthly net income, showing how calculated. (Sec. 408) Provides for automatic dismissal if a chapter 7 debtor fails to furnish all mandatory information, or fails to timely file the requisite schedules. Requires the court to order dismissal within five days of a request by a party in interest for the debtor's failure to timely submit requisite documentation. (Sec. 409) Prohibits a Chapter 13 confirmation hearing from being held less than 20 days after the first meeting of creditors if there is an objection. (Sec. 410) Revises the current three-to-five-year length of a payment plan to set a maximum five year payment period under a chapter 13 plan for any individual debtor (or in a joint case, an individual and spouse combined) with a current monthly total income of 75 percent of the national median household income for one earner (or 75 percent of the national median family income for a family of equal size). Permits the court to approve a longer period, not to exceed seven years. Reserves the current three-to-five-year payment period to cases involving debtors (or in a joint case, an individual and spouse combined) with a current monthly total income of less than 75 percent of the national median household income for one earner (or 75 percent of the national median family income for a family of equal size). Revises the maximum duration for a plan modified after confirmation. (Sec. 411) Expresses the sense of the Congress that rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure should include a requirement that all debtors' documents be submitted to the court only after debtors have made reasonable inquiry to verify that all information therein is well grounded in fact, and warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for extension, modification or reversal of existing law. (Sec. 412) Amends the Federal judicial code to confer upon the courts of appeals appellate jurisdiction pertaining to designated bankruptcy appeals. Subtitle B: Data Provisions - Modifies the organization of bankruptcy courts to require the Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees to compile bankruptcy statistics for individual debtors with primarily consumer debts seeking relief under chapters 7, 11, and 13. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (Administrative Office) to make such statistics public and to report them annually to the Congress. (Sec. 442) Instructs the Attorney General to promulgate requirements for uniform forms for: (1) final reports by trustees in cases under chapters 7, 12, and 13; and (2) periodic reports by chapter 11 debtors or trustees in possession. Prescribes report contents. (Sec. 443) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the national policy should be that: (1) all data held in electronic form by bankruptcy clerks should be released in electronic form to the public on demand; and (2) a bankruptcy data system should be established in which a single set of data definitions are used to collect data nationwide, and in which all data for any particular bankruptcy case are aggregated in the same electronic record. Title V: Tax Provisions - Amends the bankruptcy code to modify the treatment of certain tax liens. (Sec. 502) Provides that property that is exempt from the estate in bankruptcy is liable for specified debts, including taxes, customs duties, and child and spousal support and maintenance. (Sec. 503) Requires a debtor indebted to a governmental unit to furnish specified information concerning such debt, including the underlying basis for the governmental unit's claim. Requires the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference to propose for adoption enhanced rules for providing notice to Federal, State, and local government units that have regulatory authority over the debtor or which may be creditors in the debtor's case. (Sec. 505) Prescribes the rate of interest to which the holder of a claim for taxes arising before the order for relief is entitled, if such holder is also entitled to receive interest on such claim. (Sec. 506) Revises the specifications for income tax claims receiving eighth priority (allowed unsecured claims of governmental units). Provides for tolling of the time periods covering such tax claims for stays of proceedings in a prior bankruptcy case and the pendency or effect of offers in compromise or installment agreements. (Sec. 509) States that confirmation of a bankruptcy plan does not discharge a corporate debtor from any debt for a tax or customs duty with respect to which the debtor made a fraudulent return or willfully attempted to evade or defeat such tax. (Sec. 510) Amends the automatic stay of United States Tax Court proceedings concerning the debtor to restrict such stay to tax liability for a taxable period ending before the order for relief. States that the filing of a bankruptcy petition does not operate as a stay of an appeal from a judicial or administrative determination of the debtor's tax liability. (Sec. 511) Includes among the requirements for court confirmation of a chapter 11 bankruptcy plan which includes tax claims, that the debtor, at the minimum, make deferred cash payments in quarterly installments designed to pay at least 15 percent of such claims in each of the first five years, and no more than 20 percent of the claims in the final year of the plan. (Sec. 512) Prohibits the avoidance of statutory tax liens by certain purchasers. (Sec. 513) Amends the Federal judicial code to require officers and agents conducting business under court authority to pay all Federal, State, and local taxes when due in the course of the bankrupt business, unless it is a property tax secured by a lien against property of the estate which is abandoned by the bankruptcy trustee. Allows for the payment from a debtor's estate of property taxes for which liability is in rem, in personam, or both (ad valorem taxes). States that a governmental unit shall not be reuired to file a request for payment of such administrative expense taxes. (Sec. 514) Requires as a condition for payment of tardily filed priority tax claims that they be filed before the date on which the court approves the trustee's final report and accounting (currently, before the trustee commences distribution of the estate). (Sec. 516) Declares that an estate's liability for unpaid taxes is discharged upon payment of such tax according to certain requirements. (Sec. 517) Conditions court confirmation of a chapter 13 bankruptcy plan upon filing by the debtor: (1) of all prepetition tax returns; and (2) before the day on which the first meeting of the creditors is convened, of all tax returns for taxable periods ending in the six-year period that ends on the date of the filing of the petition. Authorizes the court to dismiss a plan, or to convert the case to a case under chapter 7, if a chapter 13 debtor fails to comply with such timeframe. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference should propose for adoption amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure pertaining to objections to tax claims and to plan confirmation. (Sec. 518) Redefines "adequate disclosure," for postpetition disclosure and solicitation purposes, to include full discussion of the potential material Federal and State tax consequences of the plan to the debtor and to a hypothetical investor typical of the holders of claims or interests in the case. (Sec. 519) Denies an automatic stay, unless specified conditions are met, to the setoff of an income tax refund for a taxable period which ended before the order for relief against an income tax liability for a taxable period which also ended before the order for relief. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Sets forth technical amendments to reflect the changes made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that permits private contracting between physicians and Medicare beneficiaries for medical services otherwise covered by the Medicare program. Declares invalid and unenforceable any provision of any contract, agreement, or other arrangement that provides for waiver of the claims submission requirement, the billing limitation, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to make accessible to the public via the Internet all information available through the CRS web site that is not confidential, including all CRS issue briefs, reports, and authorization or appropriations products. Requires the information to be made accessible not earlier than 30 days after the first day it is available to Members of Congress through the CRS web site.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Higher Education Reporting Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the higher education tuition information return requirement for educational institutions and certain related businesses; and (2) require certain institution-identifying information to be provided by the taxpayer in order to claim the tuition credit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years specified, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; and (4) in 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, $6.65 adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Requests that the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative postage stamp in 1999 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection with Slamming Slamming Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any telephone exchange carrier that submits or executes a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange or toll service in violation of subscriber verification requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refund to such subscriber any charges imposed for such service during the three-month period after such change is effected. Prohibits any change in selection, or verification of such a change, without the affirmative request of the subscriber. Requires the FCC to complete rulemaking for enforcement of such verification requirements within two years after the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides a private right of action for any subscriber whose service is changed in violation of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriate State court to increase damage awards by up to three times the maximum allowable award for willful and knowing violations. Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection With Slamming - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices in any advertisement for or solicitation of any change in a subscriber's selection of a service provider. Requires a carrier to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the offer seeks to change the subscriber's service provider, as well as the total cost for such new service. Permits States to bring civil actions on behalf of residents to enjoin unlawful exchange practices, to enforce carrier compliance with FTC rules, or to obtain damages or other appropriate relief.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Voters' Choice Act - Permits a State to establish multi-seat congressional districts only if the State uses a voting system that meets specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Meals for Achievement Act - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to expand the School Breakfast Program in elementary schools by revising the formula for determining breakfast assistance payments to State educational agencies to include the number of breakfasts served in elementary schools and free breakfasts served in non-elementary schools. Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide greater access to snacks in school-based childcare programs by eliminating certain restrictions on children's eligibility for such meal supplements in afterschool care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Digital Era Copyright Enhancement Act - Expands the fair use of a copyrighted work to include uses by analog or digital transmission in connection with teaching, research, and other specified activities. Expands certain rights of libraries and archives to reproduce and distribute copies or phonorecords to authorize three copies or phonorecords (currently, one) to be reproduced or distributed for preservation, security, or replacement purposes. Revises certain limitations on exclusive rights to provide that the following are not infringements: (1) performances, displays, or distributions of copyrighted works by or in the course of analog or digital transmissions in connection with certain distance education activities; and (2) copying works in digital format if such copying is incidental to the operation of a device in the course of the otherwise lawful use of a work, does not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work, and does not unreasonably prejudice the author's interests. Provides that when a work is distributed to the public subject to non-negotiable license terms, such terms shall not be enforceable under the common law or statutes of any State to the extent that they: (1) limit the reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, or display of uncopyrightable material; or (2) abrogate or restrict specified limitations on exclusive rights. Prohibits, for purposes of infringement, the knowing removal, deactivation, or circumvention of technological measures used by a copyright owner to preclude or limit reproduction of a work. Bars the provision or distribution of false copyright management information with the intent to induce or conceal infringement. Defines "copyright management information" as certain information, including title, name of author and copyright owner, and terms for use of the work, in electronic form as carried in or as data accompanying a copy or a phonorecord of a work. Prohibits the removal or alteration of such information or the distribution of copies or phonorecords so altered with the intent to induce infringement. Establishes civil remedies with respect to violations of technological measure or copyright management information provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 1997 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to modify the definition of "religion" to include all aspects of religious observance, practice, and belief unless, after initiating and engaging in an affirmative and bona fide effort, an employer demonstrates that it is unable to reasonably accommodate a religious observance or practice without undue hardship (action requiring significant difficulty or expense) on the conduct of the employer's business. Prohibits deeming an accommodation by the employer reasonable if the accommodation does not remove the conflict between employment requirements and the religious observance or practice. Excludes, in certain circumstances, a defense that the accommodation would be in violation of a seniority system. Prohibits requiring payment of premium wages for work performed during hours to which premium wages would ordinarily be applicable if work is performed during those hours only to accommodate religious requirements of an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Social Security Family Protection Act of 1997 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that a monthly OASDI benefit shall be paid for the month in which the recipient dies, subject to a reduction of 50 percent if the recipient dies during the first 15 days of such month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Excludes from identification in such reports any such persons who were previously identified or sanctioned, who are subject to a waiver, or who have acted on behalf of, or in concert with, the United States. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions on the basis of U.S. national security or additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should exercise the authority granted to him under the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 to prevent: (1) the transfer through purchase, barter, or other acquisition of weapons-related material and delivery systems to Iran; and (2) the transfer to Iran of scientific and technical expertise with respect to such material and systems. Authorizes the use of certain assistance, otherwise available for the independent states of the former Soviet Union under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to prevent such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Multichannel Video Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) initiate, and report to specified congressional committees on, an inquiry on the extent to which a certain differential fee decision (relating to the per subscriber per month royalty fee for the retransmission of superstation and distant network signals by direct-to-home satellite service providers) constitutes an impediment to the development of effective market competition for multichannel video programming distribution; and (2) based on such inquiry, make necessary regulatory changes. Includes direct-to-home satellite services under provisions protecting telecommunications services from piracy. Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from taking any action to implement or enforce the differential fee decision until 120 days after FCC submission of its report.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Medicare Venipuncture Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to repeal provisions denying payment for home health benefits based solely on venipuncture to obtain a blood sample. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress with respect to the provision of home health services consisting of venipuncture under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Early Hearing Loss Detection, Diagnosis, and Intervention Act of 1997 - Mandates grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) develop statewide hearing loss early detection, diagnosis, and intervention networks; and (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies to complement an intramural program and to conduct applied research related to infant hearing detection, diagnosis, and treatment or intervention. Requires the National Institutes of Health to carry out research on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology. Mandates coordination and collaboration. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Sound Science for the Environment Act - Authorizes and directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Institute for the Environment to: (1) initiate, facilitate, and perform comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge of environmental issues and their implications; (2) establish a Center for Environmental Assessment; (3) award competitively grants and contracts for extramural scientific research; (4) establish an Office of Research and a universally accessible National Library for the Environment; and (5) sponsor education and training of environmental scientists and professionals and improve public environmental literacy. Establishes a Board of Governors for the Institute. Requires the Institute to be operated by a nonprofit organization under contract with the NSF. Provides for interagency acquisition of information and requires the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council or an equivalent body to serve as an Interagency Advisory Committee to ensure that the scientific efforts of the Institute and Federal agencies are complementary. Makes scientists, engineers, and other researchers eligible to receive funding from the Institute. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Insurance Disclosure Act of 1997 - Requires insurers, if a medical exam (procured by the insurer) is required for initial or continued enrollment, to: (1) provide the individual involved with all medical information obtained from the exam; and (2) encourage the individual to make the information available to the individual's physician. Deems the above requirements to be provisions of the Public Health Service Act for purposes of provisions relating to enforcement, preemption, State flexibility, and construction. Provides for a private cause of action, including applying certain civil enforcement provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Supersedes any State law providing less protection to individuals. (Sec. 7) Amends ERISA to require a group insurance plan, and any insurer offering a policy in connection with such plan, if a medical exam (procured by the insurer) is required for initial or continued eligibility for benefits, to: (1) provide the individual involved with all medical information obtained from the exam; and (2) encourage the individual to make the information available to the individual's physician. Supersedes any State law providing less protection to individuals. Makes an administrator who fails or refuses to comply liable to the individual for up to $100 per day. Allows other relief.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Recognizes the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel. Commends the Israeli people for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Assets for Independence Act - Provides for the establishment of four-year demonstration projects designed for the stated purpose of determining: (1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets by saving a portion of their earned income in an individual development account; (2) the extent to which an asset-based policy that promotes saving for education, home ownership, and microenterprise development may be used to enable individuals and families with limited means to increase their economic self-sufficiency; and (3) the extent to which an asset-based policy stabilizes and improves families and the community in which they live. Authorizes not-for-profit organizations and qualified State or local government agencies to participate in the grant program. Requires each qualified not-for-profit organization receiving a grant to establish a Reserve Fund for deposit of private and public funds provided for the demonstration project, as well as proceeds from investments. Provides for individual development accounts (IDAs), held by federally insured financial institutions, into which qualified individuals may make contributions, which shall be matched by the qualified entity conducting a demonstration project under a grant, according to a certain formula, in an amount up to $2,000 per individual ($4,000 per household). Limits the use of IDA distributions to specified postsecondary educational, first-home purchase, and business capitalization expenses, as well as transfers to IDAs of family members. Makes an individual eligible for assistance under a demonstration project if the individual is a member of a household that: (1) is eligible for assistance under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act; or (2) meets certain income and net worth tests. Authorizes appropriations. Disregards funds in the IDA of a demonstration project participant for purposes of all means-tested Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to: (1) make grants to States or units of local government to purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers; and (2) give preferential consideration to applications from jurisdictions that have the greatest need, a mandatory wear policy, and a violent crime rate at or above the national average. Sets forth provisions regarding matching funds and allocation of funds, State and local applications, and grant application renewal. Prohibits any State or unit of local government that receives financial assistance made available by this Act from purchasing equipment or products manufactured using prison inmate labor. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should, in expending such assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude distributions form an individual retirement account from inclusion in gross income to the extent that such distributions are used for charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a limited tax credit to a first-time purchaser of a principal residence in an enterprise zone or an empowerment community.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Increases the alternative incremental credit rates.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) set a limitation on the amount of non-Federal money that may be contributed by any person to any political committee of a national political party; (2) redefine the term "independent expenditure"; (3) restrict the solicitation of contributions by candidates and Federal officeholders to or on behalf of certain nonprofit organizations; (4) prohibit solicitations for or donations to nonprofit organizations by political parties and specified entities; and (5) revise reporting requirements to require certain principal campaign committees to file additional monthly reports electronically and make such reports available on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1997- Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Family Farmer Cooperative Marketing Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to include in the definition of "producer": (1) poultrymen; and (2) persons furnishing labor, production management, facilities, or other agricultural product production services. Defines accredited association," "designated handler," and "bargain and bargaining." (Sec. 4) Makes it a prohibited handler practice to: (1) refuse to bargain in good faith with an accredited association; and (2) interfere with the formation or administration of a producer association, or contribute financial or other support to such an association. (Sec. 5) Requires a handler to bargain in good faith with an accredited association. (Sec. 6) Sets forth association accreditation and handler designation provisions. (Sec. 7) Authorizes producer assignment of association fees, dues, or retained amounts. (Sec. 8) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture specified investigative powers. Sets forth related administrative proceeding provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Authorizes the President to award, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal honoring Wilma G. Rudolph in recognition of her outstanding and enduring contributions to humanity and women's athletics in the United States and the world. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes funding for the cost of the medals, and requires deposit of sale proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax-Free Conversions of Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Into Pass-Thru Entities Title II: Additional Incentives Related to Investing in Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Entrepreneurial Equity Capital Formation Act - Title I: Tax-Free Conversions of Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Into Pass-Thru Entities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules for determining whether a specialized small business investment company is a regulated investment company, to define such a company, to waive the distribution requirement for such a company, and to disregard certain earnings and profits of such a company. Permits the tax-free reorganization of a specialized small investment company as a partnership if the reorganization is carried out within a specified time period following enactment and other specified conditions are met. Title II: Additional Incentives Related to Investing in Specialized Small Business Investment Companies - Sets forth additional tax incentives for investing in specialized small business investment companies.