United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 regarding the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services. Outlines specific requirements for private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians or health care practitioners for services for which no Medicare claims may be submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Taxpayer Dividend Act of 1997 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for any amount by which revenues for a budget year and any outyears through FY 2002 exceed the revenue target absent growth, to estimate the excess and include such estimate as a separate entry in the report to the Congress containing Congressional Budget Office estimates of amounts and changes in outlays and receipts of direct spending and receipts legislation at the same time the OMB sequestration preview report is issued. Requires OMB to include the amount of any change in revenues as a deficit decrease in estimates and sequestration reports unless such amount is offset by legislation decreasing revenues in an amount not exceeding the amount of such decrease. Sets forth the revenue targets absent growth for FY 1998 through 2002. Considers legislation decreasing revenues in compliance with this Act to be in order for purposes of specified provisions regarding congressional pay-as-you-go points of order and consideration in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Supports National Mammography Day and urges all American women to take an active role in the fight against breast cancer by all means available to them. Calls for recognition of the role played by community organizations and health care providers in promoting awareness of the importance of regular mammograms and in helping to expand the availability of low-cost mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Volunteers for Children Act - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to authorize youth-serving nonprofit organizations and institutions, in the absence of State procedures requiring qualified entities designated by the State to contact an authorized State agency to request a nationwide background check, to contact such agency to request such check, including a check of fingerprint records. Modifies fee provisions to limit fees collected by authorized State agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the case of a background check requested by a qualified entity to the actual costs of the background check conducted with fingerprints. Authorizes (current law requires) the State to establish fee systems that insure that fees to nonprofit entities for background checks do not discourage volunteers from participating in child care programs. Reauthorizes funding for improvement of child abuse crime information through 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2001. Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Marriage Tax Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a husband and wife to file a combined income tax return on which each spouse is taxed separately at the unmarried return rate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Wireless Telephone Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to penalize those who use, produce, traffic in, have control or custody of, or possess hardware or software knowing that it has been configured for altering or modifying a telecommunications instrument so that such instrument may be used to obtain unauthorized access to telecommunications services (but permits an officer, employee, or agent of, or a person under contract with, an entity that owns communications transmission facilities, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of those facilities, and holds an operating license issued by the Federal Communications Commission under authority of the Communications Act of 1934, for the purpose of protecting the property or legal rights of that carrier, to use, produce, have custody or control of, or possess such hardware or software). Provides increased penalties for a second or recurrent offense for fraudulent activities involving counterfeit communications access devices. Sets penalties for attempts to engage in such activity. Defines "scanner receiver" to include a device or apparatus that can be used to intercept an electronic serial number, mobile identification number, or other identifier of any telecommunications service, equipment, or instrument (thus bringing such devices within the scope of code prohibitions against fraud and related activity in connection with access devices). Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and the policy statements of the Commission, if appropriate, to provide an appropriate penalty for offenses involving the cloning of wireless telephones, including offenses involving an attempt or conspiracy to do so, taking into account specified factors.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) manage its public domain national forests to maximize the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and recognize the scientific validity of carbon sequestration and sinks of trees and wood products; and (2) serve as an example and as a world leader in actively managing such forests in a manner that substantially reduces the amount of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1997
Amends the National Trails System Act to: (1) delete provisions prohibiting the interim use of any established railroad rights-of-way for historic or recreation trails under such Act from being treated as abandonment of the use of such rights-of-way for railroad purposes; and (2) authorize the Surface Transportation Board, if a State, political subdivision, or qualified private organization is prepared to assume full responsibility with respect to the portion of any railroad right-of-way donated, transferred, leased, or otherwise conveyed for use for establishment of such a trail, for its management, for any legal liability arising out of such right-of-way, and for the payment of any and all taxes that may be levied or assessed against such rights-of-way, to impose such terms and conditions as a requirement of any transfer or conveyance for interim use in furtherance of the national policy to preserve established railroad rights-of-way for future reactivation of rail service. States that such Act shall not preempt State law with respect to the establishment of, and rights incident to, an easement, right-of-way, or other property interest in land.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1997
Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring, whose Director, appointed by the President, with Senate consent, shall: (1) consider the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom presented in certain annual reports on human rights by the Department of State and by independent human rights groups and nongovernmental organizations; (2) make policy recommendations to the President regarding U.S. policies toward governments engaged in religious persecution; and (3) maintain lists of religious persecution facilitating goods and services, and the responsible entities within countries engaged in religious persecution. (Sec. 3) Distinguishes between category 1 religious persecution (conducted by government officials or agents) and category 2 religious persecution (conducted by non-government entities or persons, but which the government fails to undertake serious and sustained efforts to eliminate). (Sec. 5) Requires the Director to report to specified congressional committees on countries and entities engaged in religious persecution, identifying the category of persecution and listing persecution facilitating products, good, and services. (Sec. 7) Prohibits: (1) Federal agencies and U.S. persons from exporting goods, including religious persecution facilitating goods and services, to countries and responsible entities engaged in religious persecution; and (2) U.S. and multilateral assistance to such countries. Declares that no consular officer shall issue a visa to, and the Attorney General shall exclude from the United States, any alien responsible for carrying out acts of religious persecution. (Sec. 8) Provides for the waiver of such sanctions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996), with respect to eligibility for asylum in the United States, to include under the term "credible fear of persecution" aliens who can claim membership in a community found to be subject to religious persecution. Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to provide training on religious persecution to immigration officers who inspect aliens for admission into the United States. Sets forth procedures for the denial of admission based on religious persecution claims. (Sec. 10) Sets forth requirements with respect to certain State Department human rights reports. Directs the Secretary of State to provide training on the right to religious freedom to chiefs of missions as well as certain Department officials. (Sec. 11) Provides for the termination of sanctions. (Sec. 12) Extends certain existing trade and economic sanctions against Sudan for supporting acts of international terrorism until the Director determines that Sudan has substantially eliminated religious persecution, or no longer supports acts of international terrorism, whichever occurs later. Imposes additional trade, economic, and cultural sanctions against Sudan. Sets forth penalties for violations of certain sanctions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, or, at his discretion, the Secretary of State should convene an international conference of the other industrialized democracies to reach an international agreement to bring about an end to religious persecution in Sudan. Prescribes congressional procedures for implementing such an agreement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations (UN) to propose that the UN Security Council impose measures against Sudan. Makes it U.S. policy to impose additional measures against Sudan if its policy of religious persecution has not ended on or before December 25, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1997
Amends the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 to remove a requirement that makes the President's line item veto authority contingent on a cancellation (line item veto) reducing the Federal budget deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1997
Makes veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart eligible for veterans' hospital care and medical services. Provides such veterans with a priority in the veterans' system of annual patient enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Drive for Teen Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to impose certain distance and work-hour restrictions in implementing a specified exemption from the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for minors aged 16 through 18 who engage in the operation of automobiles and trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Speed Trafficking Life in Prison Act of 1997 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) repeal provisions prescribing penalties for violations involving specified quantities of methamphetamine; and (2) provide for a fine of up to $8 million (for an individual) or $20 million (if other than an individual) and a mandatory life penalty (unless the death penalty is imposed) for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing (or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense) methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Caddie Relief Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat golf caddies performing services for nonprofessional golfers as nonemployees for employment tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Declares that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol to, or other agreement regarding, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, at negotiations in Kyoto in December 1997 or thereafter which would: (1) mandate new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Annex 1 Parties, unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Developing Country Parties within the same compliance period; or (2) result in serious harm to the U.S. economy. Calls for any such protocol or other agreement which would require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification to be accompanied by: (1) a detailed explanation of any legislation or regulatory actions that may be required to implement it; and (2) an analysis of the detailed financial costs which would be incurred by, and other impacts on, the U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to extend the authorization for the Office of National Drug Control Policy until September 30, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities Title II: Electronic Filing Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Oversight Subtitle B: Budget Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Executive Branch Government and Senior Management - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to replace current provisions establishing the office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with provisions establishing the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board (the Board). Requires that seven of the nine members of the Board not be full-time Federal officers or employees. Requires that all Board members have expertise in, among other things: (1) management of large service organizations; (2) customer service; and (3) the needs and concerns of taxpayers. Requires the Board to: (1) review and approve strategic plans of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); (2) review the operational functions of the IRS; (3) select the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner), as well as senior IRS managers, and review the Commissioner's reorganization plans; and (4) review and approve the IRS budget request, as well as ensure audits of the IRS. (Sec. 102) Replaces current provisions which authorize the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to employ such personnel as necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the internal revenue laws with provisions requiring there to be in the Department of the Treasury a Commissioner who shall be appointed by the Board for a five-year term. Sets forth the duties of the Commissioner, including the: (1) administration and management of the internal revenue laws; and (2) Commissioner's responsibility to consult with the Board. Establishes and sets forth duties for: (1) a Chief Counsel for the IRS to be appointed by the President; (2) the Office of Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations; (3) an Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. (Sec. 103) Replaces current provisions concerning the effect of reorganization plans with provisions which authorize the Commissioner to employ such number of persons as proper to administer and enforce the internal revenue laws. Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities - Directs the Commissioner to establish a performance management system covering IRS employees which: (1) establishes retention standards; and (2) establishes performance goals or objectives. Provides for awards based on performance, but prohibits making an award solely on the basis of tax enforcement results. Sets forth other provisions concerning: (1) classification and pay; (2) staffing; and (3) demonstration projects. Title II: Electronic Filing - Provides for paperless filing and payment of taxes. Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights - Sets forth provisions concerning taxpayer protections and rights, including provisions concerning: (1) authority to issue taxpayer assistance orders; (2) authority to award costs and fees; (3) damages for negligence in collection actions; (4) criteria and procedures for selecting taxpayers for examination; (5) archival treatment of IRS records; (6) freedom of information; (7) offers-in-compromise; (8) jurisdiction of the Tax Court; (9) cataloging of complaints; and (10) procedures for taxpayer interviews. (Sec. 309) Eliminates the interest differential on overpayments and underpayments. (Sec. 310) Eliminates the failure to pay penalty as long as an installment payment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to accept installment tax liability payments if: (1) such liability does not exceed $10,000; (2) the taxpayer has, during the past five years, paid on time; and (3) the taxpayer has not entered into a prior installment agreement. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide matching funds for qualified low-income taxpayer clinics. (Sec. 319) Provides for studies concerning: (1) taxpayer confidentiality; (2) penalty administration; (3) treating all taxpayers as separate filing units; and (4) burden of proof. Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Oversight - Authorizes the Joint Committee on Taxation (Joint Committee) to procure the services of experts for investigations of the IRS by the General Accounting Office. (Sec. 402) Establishes additional reporting requirements for the Joint Committee. Subtitle B: Budget - Provides for additional budget authority for the IRS, but only on annual basis and only if specified improvements are made in taxpayer services. (Sec. 413) Directs the Commissioner to convene a financial advisory management group to advise the Commissioner. Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS should provide the Congress with an independent view of tax administration. (Sec. 422) Requires a Senate or House of Representatives committee, when reporting legislation including any provision amending the IRC, to contain within the report a Tax Complexity Analysis. (Sec. 423) Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that employers should have a single point of filing tax and wage reporting information. (Sec. 424) Requires the Joint Committee to prepare a study of the feasibility of developing a baseline estimate of taxpayers' compliance burdens against which future legislative proposals could be measured.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Arches National Park Expansion Act of 1997 - Modifies the boundary of the Arches National Park, Utah, to include the Lost Spring Canyon Addition (Area). Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transfer jurisdiction over the Federal lands contained in the Area from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service to be administered in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the Park. Continues existing grazing leases, permits, or licenses for the Area for the lifetime of the existing permittee and of any direct descendants of the permittee born before enactment of this Act. Allows the sale of such grazing lease, permit, or license, except that the term of a sold lease, permit, or license shall not exceed ten years or its retirement date, whichever occurs first. Withdraws Federal lands within the Area from the public land and mineral leasing laws. Provides that the inclusion of the Area in the Park shall not affect the operation or maintenance by the Northwest Pipeline Corporation of the natural gas pipeline that passes through the Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer specified Federal lands to the State of Utah in exchange for specified State school trust lands, if the State offers such exchange within one year after enactment of this Act. Subjects such exchanged lands to valid existing rights. Specifies requirements to be satisfied by the State before undertaking or permitting any surface disturbing activities. Requires the State to preserve existing grazing, recreational, and wildlife uses of such lands. Permits Utah to authorize or undertake surface or mineral activities authorized by existing or future land management plans for the acquired lands.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike duplicate medals in bronze. Authorizes appropriations from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund, where sales proceeds shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Amendments of 1997 - Exempts a physician clinical office laboratory from Public Health Service Act certification requirements, except when such laboratory performs a pap smear (Papanicolaou Smear) analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assignment of Liability to Coal Operators Title II: Adjustments to Premium Computations Title III: Other Provisions Comprehensive Coal Act Reform Act - Title I: Assignment of Liability to Coal Operators - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning coal industry health benefits to define "signatory operator" to mean a person that is or was a signatory to the 1978 National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement or any subsequent coal wage agreement. (Currently, the term is defined as a person that is or was a signatory to a coal wage agreement. The term "coal wage agreement" is, and would continue to be, defined as the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement or any other agreement between a coal industry employer and the United Mine Workers of America having specified requirements.) (Sec. 102) Requires: (1) that each eligible coal industry retiree be assigned first to the signatory operator that most recently employed the retiree for at least two years, then to the signatory operator that was the most recent to employ the operator; and (2) revocation of the assignment of any beneficiary to anyone who ceases to be a signatory operator because of the above change in definition, not reassigning the beneficiary, and considering them to be unassigned. Prohibits assigning or reassigning a beneficiary after enactment of this Act, treating as unassigned any beneficiary determined to have been incorrectly assigned. Title II: Adjustments to Premium Computations - Modifies the formula for determining the per beneficiary premium. (Sec. 202) Provides for: (1) annual premium reductions for small reachback signatory operators; and (2) the treatment of a surplus or deficit in the Combined Fund. (Sec. 203) Sets separate requirements for death benefit premiums for reachback signatory operators and other assigned operators. Modifies: (1) requirements regarding the unassigned beneficiaries premium; (2) the definition of "applicable percentage" and (3) requirements regarding applicable premium annual adjustments. Mandates establishment of a separate subaccount in the death benefits premium account for each of: (1) the death benefit premiums of reachback signatory operators; (2) the death benefit premiums of other assigned operators; and (3) the portion of the unassigned beneficiaries premiums attributable to death benefits coverage of unassigned beneficiaries. (Sec. 204) Sets forth a special rule regarding annual premium payment by a related person of an assigned operator. Title III: Other Provisions - Modifies requirements regarding certain 1988 agreement operators paying withdrawal liability. (Sec. 302) Requires the Combined Fund to make available to any person required to make contributions to that Fund all documents: (1) that reflect the Fund's financial and operational status; and (2) prepared at the request of the Fund's trustees or staff that form the basis for any actions or reports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1997
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) take no action to promulgate a final rule on a proposed regulation of the Food and Drug Administration to designate the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in metered-dose inhalers (MDI) as non-essential, making MDIs that use CFCs an adulterated device; and (2) focus efforts on implementing existing Montreal Protocol decisions that will facilitate a transition to CFC-free by the year 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
National Marrow Donor Program Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry with provisions mandating establishment, by contract, of a program to assist patients needing a blood stem cell transplant in searching for biologically unrelated donor individuals. Sets forth program functions, including: (1) maintaining one or more donor and one or more recipient registries; (2) educational activities (including donor recruitment and professional and public information); and (3) establishing the Office of Patient Advocacy and Case Management. Mandates: (1) standards regarding quality, tissue typing, donor informed consent, and patient advocacy; (2) donor selection criteria; (3) stem cell collection and transportation procedures; (4) confidentiality standards; and (5) procedures for integrating participating donor registries and centers. Mandates criminal penalties for confidentiality violations. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a plan to effectuate efficiencies in the relationship between the program and donor centers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Directs each Federal agency, before implementing policies and regulations that may affect family well-being, to assess such actions with respect to specified criteria. Requires each agency to: (1) certify to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to the Congress that such policy or regulation has been assessed in accordance with this Act; and (2) provide adequate rationale for implementation of each policy or regulation that may negatively affect family well-being. Directs OMB to: (1) ensure that policies and regulations proposed by agencies are implemented consistent with this Act; and (2) compile, index, and submit annually to the Congress the written certifications received. Directs the White House Office of Policy Development to: (1) assess proposed policies and regulations in accordance with this Act; (2) provide evaluations of such policies and regulations to OMB; and (3) advise the President on policy and regulatory actions that may be taken to strengthen the institutions of marriage and family in the United States. (Sec. 4) Requires an agency to conduct an assessment of a proposed policy or regulation in accordance with this Act upon request by a Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Commends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for successfully carrying out the Mars Pathfinder Mission and for its commitment to developing low-cost spacecraft with highly focused science objectives. Urges the United States to continue to act as the leader in space exploration into the 21st century.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit requiring persons who pay election officials and workers to furnish the officials and workers with an annual statement of amounts paid and withheld unless the pay is subject to tax under provisions relating to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1997
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to remove intrastate distribution restrictions on State inspected meat and poultry as of a specified future date. Authorizes early waiver of such restrictions if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a State's inspection and sanitation requirements are at least equal to appropriate Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1997
Inactive Well Recovery Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income (if so elected by the taxpayer) income attributable to independent producer oil from a recovered inactive well. Includes both oil and natural gas in the definition of "independent producer oil." Prohibits deductions directly connected with amounts so excluded.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1997
Jobs and Exports Renewal Act of 1997 - Sets forth policy recommendations for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY 1999 OPIC's authority to issue investment insurance and guarantees. Revises maximum contingent liability requirements for such insurance and guarantees to specify a single maximum contingent liability outstanding at any time for investment insurance, investment guaranties, and direct investment of $29 million in the aggregate. Declares that no OPIC-approved loan, financial guarantee, or insurance commitment exceeding $200 million should be effective unless OPIC submits to the Congress a detailed statement describing the transaction at least 35 days before it becomes effective. Establishes the Commission on Foreign Export and Investment Promotion to assess, and report to the Congress on, the impact on U.S. economic and foreign policy interests of Federal agencies and programs which promote foreign export and investment opportunities for U.S. business concerns. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish within OPIC an Office of Inspector General with responsibility over the Trade and Development Agency. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise the composition of the OPIC Board of Directors. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to develop a Federal trade promotion plan that, among other things, shall: (1) identify the means for providing more coordinated export promotion services to small and medium-sized businesses; and (2) establish a set of priorities to promote U.S. exports to, and free market reforms in, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other emerging markets, that are designed to stimulate job growth both in the United States and those regions and emerging markets. Requires the TPCC to: (1) identify areas of overlap and duplication among Federal export promotion activities and report on actions to eliminate such overlap and duplication; and (2) report to the Congress on actions taken to promote better coordination among State, Federal, and private sector export promotion activities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1997
Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997 - Affords a person the right to choose between: (1) a personal protection system (personal system) providing insurance for that person and any resident relative or dependent; and (2) a tort maintenance system (tort system) providing for the form of motor vehicle insurance otherwise required in the State in which the person is insured. Sets forth personal system minimum requirements, including regarding waiver of certain tort rights. Supersedes State laws inconsistent with this Act. Sets forth tort system minimum requirements, allowing State laws (not inconsistent with this Act) regarding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Provides for: (1) the effect of a person's choice on resident relatives and dependents; (2) underwriting rules to encourage choice uniformity within a household; and (3) the failure of a person to choose. Requires States to maintain a program to inform consumers (comparing the two systems) about costs, benefits, rights, and obligations. (Sec. 6) Requires that a person who chooses: (1) a tort system and is involved in an accident be subject to tort law for injury except that, based on fault, the person may claim against (and be claimed against by) a personal system person only for uncompensated economic loss; and (2) a personal system be compensated only for economic loss, without regard to fault. Provides for the handling of accidents involving: (1) persons with personal protection and unlawfully uninsured persons; and (2) motorists under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or engaging in intentional misconduct. (Sec. 8) Declares that this Act does not apply to a State if: (1) the State so elects; or (2) the State finds that average premiums will not be reduced by at least 30 percent for persons choosing the personal system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1997
Selective Service Registration Privacy Act of 1997 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Military Selective Service Act to prohibit the Corporation for National and Community Service, and related State Commissions, from: (1) receiving information from the Selective Service System (SSS); or (2) using SSS to help recruit or notify young people of service opportunities with the Corporation or recruit national service participants. Prohibits SSS from providing the Corporation with information about SSS registrants or providing such registrants with information about national and community service opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1997
Consumer Disclosure and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to create a new title on rental purchase agreements. Declares that the title does not apply to rental-purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or made with Government instrumentalities. Regulates: (1) the content and manner of disclosures by merchants in rental-purchase agreements; and (2) the contents of rental-purchase agreements. Prohibits a rental-purchase agreement from containing specified inclusions. Sets forth provisions for: (1) receipts and accounts of rental payments; (2) renegotiations and extensions of rental-purchase agreements; and (3) the content of rental-purchase advertising. Imposes individual and class action civil liability for violations. Establishes merchant defenses and provides for the liability of merchant assignees. Mandates model disclosure forms and clauses. Preempts inconsistent State laws providing lesser consumer protection.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ensure that the Bipartisan Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997 Achieves Its Goal Title II: Enforcement Provisions Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 - Title I: Ensure that the Bipartisan Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997 Achieves Its Goal - Sets forth a timetable for completion of certain budget actions by the President, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). (Sec. 102) Directs the President to submit a special message with the OMB Analysis of Actual Spending Levels and Projections for the Upcoming Year if such Analysis indicates that: (1) deficits or outlays in the most recent fiscal or budget year exceeded or are projected to exceed deficit targets or caps, as appropriate; or (2) revenues in such years were less than or projected to be less than revenue targets. Requires such message to include proposed legislative changes to: (1) offset the net deficit, outlay excess, or revenue shortfall; or (2) revise the deficit or revenue targets or outlay caps contained in this Act. Sets forth congressional procedures for the consideration of legislation to address excess deficits or outlays and revenue shortfalls. (Sec. 103) Requires presidential budgets to be consistent with the spending, revenue, and deficit levels established in this Act or to recommend changes to such levels. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any concurrent budget resolution unless it is consistent with the levels set forth in this Act. (Sec. 104) Sets forth consolidated deficit (or surplus) and revenue targets for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 105) Requires OMB to submit a report containing account numbers and spending limits for specific entitlement categories to the President and the Congress. Applies direct spending caps, effective upon submission of such report, to all entitlement authority except for undistributed offsetting receipts and net interest outlays. Sets forth entitlement categories subject to caps. (Sec. 106) Requires determinations of direct spending caps (as well as any breaches of such caps and actions necessary to remedy such breaches) to be based on certain economic assumptions set forth in the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1998 (House Concurrent Resolution 84) and subject to periodic reestimation based on changed economic conditions or changes in eligible population. (Sec. 107) Provides for automatic adjustments to deficit and revenue targets and caps for entitlements and other mandatory spending to reflect changes in specified economic and other conditions. Title II: Enforcement Provisions - Directs OMB: (1) to compile a statement of actual deficits, revenues, and direct spending for a fiscal year, following the end of that year, identifying such deficits, revenues, and spending by categories of entitlements and other mandatory spending; and (2) in any year in which actual or projected deficits, revenues, or spending in violation of revenue targets or caps by more than one percent of the applicable total revenues or direct spending for the year concerned occurs, to issue a report to the President and the Congress, estimating necessary spending reductions. (Sec. 202) Provides for enforcement of the direct spending caps on categories of spending established under title I of this Act. Applies specified enforcement rules and procedures for any fiscal year in which direct spending exceeds the applicable direct spending cap. (Sec. 203) Sets forth: (1) general rules triggering sequestration to reduce spending for programs subject to direct spending caps; (2) special rules for direct spending programs with certain characteristics; and (3) rules for insurance and loan programs and State grant program formulas. Requires a within session sequester under certain conditions. (Sec. 204) Sets forth procedures for enforcing revenue targets, including delays in implementing tax credits, deductions, exclusions, or cuts under the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997. (Sec. 205) Exempts certain budget accounts, activities within accounts, or income from sequestration. Authorizes the President to exempt any military personnel account from sequestration or provide for a lower uniform percentage reduction that would otherwise apply, subject to specified congressional notification requirements. (Sec. 206) Sets forth special rules for sequestration orders for: (1) the child support enforcement program under the Social Security Act; (2) the Commodity Credit Corporation; (3) the earned income tax credit; (4) regular and extended unemployment compensation; (5) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Fund; (6) the Federal Housing Finance Board; (7) Federal pay; (8) Medicare; (9) the Postal Service Fund; (10) Department of Energy power marketing administration funds or the Tennessee Valley Authority fund; and (11) programs which provide a businesslike service in exchange for a fee. (Sec. 207) Directs CBO and OMB to report to the President and the Congress the budget baselines for the budget year and the next nine fiscal years. Specifies requirements for the budget baseline. (Sec. 208) Requires amounts to be withheld from allocation to the appropriate congressional committees (within the discretionary caps for each fiscal year) and reserved for natural disasters and other emergency purposes. Provides that such amounts shall be at least one percent of total budget authority and outlays available within those caps for the fiscal year concerned. Sets forth conditions under which reserved amounts shall be made available for allocation to such committees. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider legislation containing an emergency designation if it also provides an appropriation or direct spending for any other item or contains other matter. Permits such legislation to contain rescissions or spending reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Presidential and Executive Office Financial Accountability Act of 1997 - Provides, within the Executive Office of the President, for the appointment of: (1) a Chief Financial Officer; and (2) a Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Places a four-year moratorium on the promulgation of new or revised national ambient air quality standards for ozone or fine particulate matter under the Clean Air Act by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Administrator, within five years of this Act's enactment date, to: (1) complete a review of the air quality criteria and standards for ozone and particulate matter; and (2) determine whether to retain or revise such standards or promulgate new standards. Directs the Administrator, in reviewing such criteria for particulate matter, to: (1) evaluate any adverse health effects of exposure to airborne particulate matter; (2) determine the amount and size of particles inhaled and retained in the lungs; and (3) investigate the biological mechanisms by which particulate matter may induce adverse health effects. Authorizes the Administrator to require State implementation plans to require air quality monitoring for fine particulate matter and to make grants to States for such purposes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Special Government Employee Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include within the definition of "special Government employee" a reserve officer of the armed forces, or a National Guard officer, who is serving voluntarily for up to 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days. (Such officers are currently considered officers of the United States.) States that "officer and employee" and "special Government employee" shall not include enlisted military personnel or an individual retained, designated, or appointed without compensation specifically to act as a representative of a non-Federal interest on an advisory committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Computer Investment Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a two-year cost recovery period for computers or peripheral equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Prohibits persons sentenced to life in prison or death pursuant to Federal law from receiving gratuitous veterans' benefits (including the right to burial in a national cemetery).
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
Charitable Donation Antitrust Immunity Act of 1997 - Amends the Charitable Gift Annuity Antitrust Relief Act of 1995 to make the antitrust laws and similar State laws inapplicable to charitable gift annuities or remainder trusts, except as provided under this Act. Grants immunity from suits to persons subjected to legal proceedings for relief of any kind under Federal or State antitrust laws on account of being involved in the planning, issuance, or payment of such annuities or remainder trusts. Presumes that annuities or trusts treated as charitable gift annuities or remainder trusts in filings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or in written documents provided by or on behalf of the donee to the donor are charitable gift annuities or remainder trusts unless the IRS has made a final determination, for fraud or otherwise, that an annuity or trust did not qualify as such. Makes immunity from antitrust laws under this Act inapplicable with respect to enforcement of a State law pertaining to such annuities or trusts created after the State enacts a statute, no later than December 8, 1998, that provides that such immunity is inapplicable. Applies this Act retroactively to conduct occurring before, and administrative and judicial actions pending on, the enactment date. Requires the Attorney General to carry out a study and report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on this Act's effect on markets for noncharitable annuities and charitable gift annuities and remainder trusts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
Computer Security Enhancement Act of 1997 - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Institute), in fulfilling the establishment of the computer standards program, to: (1) upon request from the private sector, assist in establishing voluntary interoperable standards, guidelines, and associated methods and techniques to facilitate and expedite the establishment of non-Federal public key management infrastructures that can be used to communicate with and conduct transactions with the Federal Government; and (2) provide assistance to Federal agencies in the protection of computer networks, and to coordinate Federal response efforts related to unauthorized access to Federal computer systems. Authorizes the Institute to perform evaluation and tests of: (1) information technologies to assess security vulnerabilities; and (2) commercially available security products for their suitability for use by Federal agencies for protecting sensitive information in computer systems. (Sec. 5) Requires the Institute to carry out specified activities in the development of uniform standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive information in certain Federal computer systems. (Sec. 6) Directs the Institute to solicit the recommendations of the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board (Board) regarding standards and guidelines that are being considered for submittal to the Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes separate appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 to enable the Board to identify emerging issues related to computer security, privacy, and cryptography and to convene public meetings on those subjects, receive presentations, and publish reports, digests, and summaries for public distribution on those subjects. (Sec. 7) Sets forth requirements for the evaluation of the capabilities of encryption technologies embodied in the form of software or hardware that are offered and generally available outside of the United States. (Sec. 8) Prohibits the Institute from promulgating, enforcing, or otherwise adopting standards, or carrying out activities or policies, for the Federal establishment of encryption standards required for use in computer systems other than Federal Government computer systems. (Sec. 9) Revises specified requirements, including to authorize (currently requires) the Institute, for the purposes of performing research and conducting studies, to draw upon computer system security guidelines developed by the National Security Agency. (Sec. 10) Amends the Computer Security Act of 1987 to revise requirements regarding Federal computer system security training to require that such training include emphasis on protecting sensitive information in Federal databases and Federal computer sites that are accessible through public networks. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999, for fellowships to support students at institutions of higher learning in computer security. (Sec. 12) Requires a study by National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences of public key infrastructures. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the study.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that a provision of a treaty which denies or abridges: (1) any right enumerated in the Constitution shall have no force or effect; or (2) legislative authority of the several States shall have no force or effect unless ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures within five years of such treaty's ratification by the Senate. Prohibits: (1) any treaty from authorizing or permitting any foreign power or any international organization to supervise, control, or adjudicate rights of U.S. citizens enumerated in the Constitution or other matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of the United States or the several States; and (2) any decision of any international body purporting to interpret treaties to which the United States is a party from being given any precedential effect by Federal or State courts in any proceeding concerning such matters. Requires the enactment of appropriate legislation by the Congress before a treaty becomes effective as internal law in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
Job Protection Act of 1997 - Prohibits the promulgation of any new or revised national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter and ozone under the Clean Air Act until after the final date on which the standards for particulate matter and ozone are required to be attained in areas having the highest concentrations of particulate matter (December 31, 2001) or ozone (November 15, 2010).
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Federal Employees Health Care Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law concerning government organization and employees to revise provisions regarding the debarment of any health care provider found to have engaged in fraudulent practices, including requiring (currently permitting) debarment for certain fraudulent practices. (Sec. 3) Makes amendments relating to the health benefits program for Federal employees which: (1) modify the definition of a carrier; (2) specify that the Government-wide service plan be underwritten by participating affiliates licensed in each State; and (3) revise preemption provisions. (Sec. 4) Amends the FEGLI Living Benefits Act to provide for the continuation of health benefits for individuals enrolled in a plan administered separately by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System before each such plan's termination on January 3, 1998. (Sec. 5) Amends Federal law to require a carrier and its subcontractors to include in a health plan contract advance written disclosure of any discounted rate agreements entered into with health care providers, if such carrier or its subcontractors do not: (1) require financial incentives that are made known to the employee, annuitant, family member or other eligible persons prior to their use of such contracted health care providers; or (2) use other forms of steerage to direct the employee, annuitant, family member, or other eligible persons to use such contracted health care providers. Prohibits any carrier and its subcontractors from accessing discounted rate agreements entered into with health care providers for health care services provided to an employee, family member, annuitant, or other eligible person.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to a Federal agency from being used to develop, implement, or carry out the American Heritage Rivers Initiative or any similar initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Higher Education and Learning Promotion Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish nontaxable education investment accounts which shall permit annual contributions of not more than $1,500 for the account holder's qualified higher education costs. Subjects account distributions used for nonqualifying purposes to taxation, including an additional ten percent tax. Sets forth related reporting requirements. Makes the employer-provided educational assistance program exclusion permanent. Excludes from gross income distributions from a qualified state tuition program used for qualified higher education expenses (including room and board).
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1997
Robert Stodola Homeless Veterans Assistance Act - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to require each city, county, State, and Indian tribe which is provided assistance under the following programs to ensure that not less than 20 percent of the total amount received by such entity is used for activities benefiting homeless veterans: (1) the emergency shelter grants program; (2) the supportive housing program; (3) the safe havens for homeless individuals demonstration program; (4) a program for single room occupancy dwellings; (5) the shelter plus care program; and (6) the rural homelessness grant program. Provides for related technical assistance. Allows a waiver of such requirement in each case upon a determination that general program funds will remain unused for an unreasonable period of time unless the waiver is permitted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promotion of Commercial Space Opportunities Title II: Remote Sensing Title III: Federal Acquisition of Space Transportation Services Commercial Space Act of 1997 - Title I: Promotion of Commercial Space Opportunities - Requires the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to deliver to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate: (1) a specified study that identifies and examines the opportunities for commercial providers to play a role in International Space Station activities, including operation, use, servicing, and augmentation; and (2) an independently-conducted market study that examines and evaluates potential industry interest in providing commercial goods and services for the operation, servicing, and augmentation of the International Space Station, and in the commercial use of the International Space Station (including updates to the cost savings and revenue estimates made in the preceding study, based on the external market assessment). Requires the Administrator to deliver to the Congress, no later than the submission of the President's annual budget request for FY 1999, a report detailing how many proposals (whether solicited or not) NASA received during 1997 regarding commercial operation, servicing, utilization, or augmentation of the International Space Station, and specifying how many agreements NASA has entered into in response to these proposals. (Sec. 102) Amends Federal law to include reentry vehicles and reentry operations within the scope of commercial space launch activities. Mandates an annual report. (Sec. 103) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 to: (1) discontinue funding of the commercial launch voucher demonstration program through the Office of Commercial Programs within NASA (continues funding such program directly through NASA); and (2) extend the program indefinitely. (Sec. 104) Encourages the President to promote U.S. Global Positioning System standards. (Sec. 105) Directs NASA to purchase, to the maximum extent possible, space science data from a commercial provider. Title II: Remote Sensing - Makes amendments to the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 respecting the commercialization of land remote sensing space systems. Modifies license application and issuance requirements to allow U.S. Government agencies to enter into agreements for utilization of a private land remote sensing space system if such remote sensing space system will be licensed by the Secretary of Commerce before commencing its commercial operation. Prohibits duplication of U.S. commercial space science data collection or distribution activities by the Federal Government unless such activities would result in significant cost savings to the Federal Government. Repeals the technology demonstration program. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to: (1) acquire space-based and airborne Earth remote sensing data provided by a commercial provider for purposes of meeting Government goals for Mission to Planet Earth; and (2) conduct a study to determine the extent to which baseline scientific requirements of Mission to Planet Earth can be met by commercial providers, and how NASA will meet such requirements which cannot be met by commercial providers. Requires that the study be carried out as part of the Commercial Remote Sensing Program at the Stennis Space Center. Title III: Federal Acquisition of Space Transportation Services - Requires the Federal Government to procure space transportation services from U.S. commercial providers whenever such services are required in the course of its activities, subject to exception. (Sec. 303) Makes conforming amendments to the Launch Services Purchase Act of 1990. Maintains the prohibition for the launching of commercial payloads as primary payloads on the space shuttle.
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