United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1997
Federal Facilities Clean Water Compliance Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Act) to waive immunity of the United States with respect to Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative authorities, sanctions, and penalties concerning water pollution control. Absolves Federal employees of personal liability for civil penalties under water pollution control laws for acts or omissions within the scope of official duties. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under Federal or State water pollution control laws, but prohibits applying criminal sanctions to Federal agencies. Permits the imposition of civil penalties or the issuance of compliance orders against Federal agencies determined to be in violation of specified water pollution control or permit requirements. Authorizes the suspension or revocation of permits. Permits the issuance of emergency administrative orders to, and penalties against, Federal agencies. Prohibits an administrative action commenced by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Secretary of the Army for violations by Federal facilities from precluding a civil enforcement action for the same violations. Permits citizen civil actions against Federal agencies alleged to have violated orders issued by the Administrator or the Secretary or that fail to pay a penalty within one year of the effective date of a final order. Includes Federal agencies within the definition of "person" for purposes of the Act.
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 · 17 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Program Accountability Title II: Program Equity Title III: Funding of Farm Ownership and Operating Loans USDA Accountability and Equity Act of 1997 - Title I: Program Accountability - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to increase the size of the county committees by two members who shall be: (1) appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary); and (2) demographically representative of local producers. States that: (1) civil service laws shall apply to all persons performing functions for any county, area, or local committee; and (2) the county executive director of such committee, or other person selected by the Secretary, shall have sole responsibility for making local agricultural loan determinations, subject to State-level approval. (Sec. 102) Provides for the conversion of permanent and temporary (at the Secretary's discretion) county and area office employees to Federal civil service status. Makes conforming amendments the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 and other Federal law. Title II: Program Equity - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit agricultural operating loans to be made to delinquent borrowers under specified circumstances. (Sec. 202) Appropriates funds for lease-back or buy-back opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers. (Sec. 203) Treats debt write-downs as non-income for tax purposes. (Sec. 204) Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to prohibit housing loan denial to an applicant who has been able to live in a financially independent manner for a reasonable time. (Sec. 205) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to the environmental quality incentives program to: (1) increase program funding; (2) reduce the livestock set-aside; and (3) establish a set-aside for socially disadvantaged agricultural producers. (Sec. 206) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to make permanent appropriations for 1890 land grant college grants. (Current law provides for non-permanent authorization of appropriations for such grants.) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to study whether such institutions' funding is equitable. (Sec. 208) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to make permanent appropriations (currently permanently authorized) for: (1) Indian reservation extension education programs; and (2) outreach and technical assistance programs for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Title III: Funding of Farm Ownership and Operating Loans - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make permanent appropriations for farm operating and ownership loans. (Current law provides for a non-permanent authorization of appropriations for such loans.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
Child Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to establish, publicize, and operate a national telephone service by which individuals may gain access to the Federal Bureau of Investigation database that tracks the movement and whereabouts of sex offenders. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) information that may not be disclosed; (2) notice to callers of fees, penalties for misuse of such information, and unavailability of the service to persons under age 18; (3) fees for use of the service; (4) limitations on the number of requests; (5) prohibited uses of such information; and (6) civil penalties imposed by the Attorney General of up to $1,000 per violation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1997
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1997
Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make aliens eligible for food stamps if they were receiving supplemental security income benefits as of a specified date or if they are eligible for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1997
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the maximum amounts of, and provide inflation indexing for, guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1997
International Tobacco Responsibility Act of 1997 - Makes it unlawful to export to a foreign country cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products manufactured, imported, or packaged for distribution in the United States, unless in the country's primary language: (1) the package bears one of the specified warnings; and (2) the advertising bears one of the specified warnings. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if the importing country has similar or more stringent labeling or advertising requirements. Sets forth penalties. Prohibits the use of funds to: (1) affect restrictions imposed by foreign countries with respect to the sale of tobacco products; or (2) promote the export of such products in such country. Requires any interagency committee established to assist the United States Trade Representative in performing certain functions to include Department of Health and Human Services representatives with respect to any case involving specified tobacco products. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the United Nations to create a UN Conference to address the use of tobacco worldwide and to implement regulations to decrease its use.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) trafficking in persons violates the fundamental principles of human dignity and that forced prostitution involving coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of forced labor and a slavery-like practice; (2) the State Department or other appropriate Government agencies should investigate, combat, and report to the Congress annually on trafficking of women and girls and forced prostitution; (3) the international working group formed as a result of the World Congress on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children should continue its efforts; (4) the executive branch should take steps to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of forces involved in trafficking, forced prostitution, or abuse of women and girls who are apprehended; (5) the United States Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese women and girls in the Thai sex industry; and (6) the State Department should take specified steps, such as urging the Thai Government to strictly enforce the law criminalizing brothel operators, procurers, Thai police complicity in forced prostitution, and customers of women and children trafficked for the purpose of forced prostitution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Women's Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and related activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute with regard to cardiovascular diseases in women. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Telephone Consumer Slamming Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit telecommunications carriers from submitting or executing a change in a subscriber's selection of an interstate telephone service provider unless the carrier to which the subscriber will be changed has obtained a written change authorization from the subscriber. Makes carriers that violate such requirement liable for fees imposed for changing service to or from the unauthorized carrier and long distance charges incurred by the subscriber during a specified period of unauthorized service. Sets forth conditions under which States may administer a slamming complaint system for subscribers of interstate telephone service. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to administer such systems for States that fail to do so. Requires such systems to: (1) make available procedures for registering and maintaining records of complaints by subscribers of unauthorized changes of service; (2) make determinations and maintain records of violations and liability; (3) determine, on a monthly basis, the number of violations involving illegal changes of service for each carrier and provide such information to the FCC; and (4) comply with FCC regulations. Directs carriers providing interstate telephone service to include information on the slamming complaint system in phone bills. Requires the FCC to establish performance limits that are the maximum acceptable rates of unauthorized service changes. Makes carriers that exceed such limits liable for forfeiture penalties. Applies existing slamming liability provisions only to intrastate service changes.
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 · 26 June 1997
Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health Act of 1997 - Requires States to adopt water quality criteria for coastal recreation waters consistent with those published by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Directs the Administrator to conduct studies for use in developing: (1) a more complete list of potential health risks; and (2) better indicators and more expeditious methods for detecting or predicting the presence of pathogens in coastal recreational waters. Requires the Administrator to issue revised water quality criteria for pathogens in such waters that are harmful to human health. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator to publish and revise regulations requiring monitoring of, and specifying methods to be used by States to monitor, coastal recreation waters at public beaches for compliance with water quality criteria and protection of public safety. Requires notification of local governments and the public of exceedances, or the likelihood of exceedances, of water quality criteria for such waters. Directs the Administrator to: (1) issue guidance on uniform assessment and monitoring procedures for floatable materials in such waters; and (2) specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable material constitutes a threat to public health and safety. Requires the Administrator to issue guidance establishing core performance measures for testing, monitoring, and posting programs and for the delegation of such programs to local government authorities. Makes State resources available to such authorities if the programs are so delegated. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to fulfill requirements under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1997
Sequoia Ecosystem and Recreation Preserve Act of 1997 - Designates specified California lands within the Sequoia National Forest and the Inyo National Forest as wilderness areas to be administered as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Giant Sequoia National Forest Preserve as a unit of the National Forest System for the: (1) protection and maintenance of giant sequoia groves, their supporting ecosystems, and associated forests; and (2) preservation of the natural state and processes that have created and maintained such forests. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a Scientific Advisory Team for the Preserve. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to publish a final management plan for the Preserve for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural, scientific, and recreational values. Provides for interim Preserve management by the Secretary. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary, as part of the management plan, to designate and map the ancient forest reserves within the Preserve. (Sec. 10) Requires the management plan to include a comprehensive transportation plan that protects natural Preserve features while ensuring visitor safety and that includes a trail plan identifying which trails will allow motorized access. (Sec. 11) Allows all current campgrounds within the Preserve to remain in place, subject to evaluation by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide new camping opportunities. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the continued use of Preserve areas for hunting and fishing, firewood collection, and grazing, but prohibits new patents from being issued under the mining or geothermal laws. (Sec. 16) Directs the Secretary to establish a Community Assistance Task Force to oversee the provision of assistance to communities and workers in political subdivisions whose boundaries include Federal lands in the Preserve or contain facilities that milled timber from lands in the Preserve during any portion of the five-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 17) Prohibits the Secretary, in preparing the Preserve budget proposal for each fiscal year, from targeting any of the budget to any commodity production in the Preserve. (Sec. 18) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1997
Urges the United States to take all necessary steps to protect the Earth's climate and to take a leadership role in negotiating an international climate change agreement that: (1) contains legally binding targets and timetables beginning in 2005 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions substantially below 1990 level; (2) provides for participation by developing nations; and (3) is fair, enforceable, and provides options for nations to achieve necessary greenhouse gas reductions in a cost-effectiveness manner.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1997
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA) to revise and increase remedies and enforcement on behalf of victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex. Amends FLSA to provide for enhanced enforcement of equal pay requirements (also known as the Equal Pay Act of 1963), adding a nonretaliation requirement. Increases penalties for such violations. Provides for the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in such cases. Amends CRA to direct the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to require certain employers to maintain payroll records and report to the EEOC pay information analyzed by race, sex, and national origin of employees. Applies such requirement to employers who have 100 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks. Requires EEOC and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving discrimination in the payment of wages. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, including convening a national summit and carrying out other specified activities. Establishes the Robert Reich National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace, which shall be evidenced by a medal. Sets forth criteria for specified types of entities to receive such an award. Authorizes appropriations to the EEOC, the OFCCP, and the Secretary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1997
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Research, Treatment, and Assistance Act of 1997 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a waiver of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for Medicare coverage of any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment or alleviation of ALS-related symptoms. Authorizes appropriations, in addition to any already available, for ALS research through the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1997
Celebrates the accomplishments of: (1) title IX of the Education Act Amendments of 1972 in increasing opportunities for women and girls in all facets of education; and (2) the magnificent accomplishments of women and girls in sports.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Point Reyes National Seashore Farmland Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to include the Farmland Protection Area in the Point Reyes National Seashore, California, with the primary objective being to protect private agricultural land from nonagricultural development by conservation easements. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make farmland acquisitions within the Area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Cuban Humanitarian Trade Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to exempt from the embargo on trade with Cuba the export of food, medicines, or medical supplies, instruments, or equipment, or any travel incident to delivery of such items. Exempts the same items from the President's authority to restrict exports to Cuba under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the denial of foreign tax credit with respect to income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid to Cuba that are attributable to activities with respect to the permitted exports, or travel incident to such activities, under this Act. Directs the President to report to the Congress with respect to the uses, and end users, of the permitted exports to Cuba.
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 · 12 June 1997
Young American Workers' Bill of Rights - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise and increase requirements relating to child labor standards, including: (1) reporting, recordkeeping, and certification; (2) orders and regulations; (3) penalties; (4) coverage regardless of sales volume; (5) civil actions; and (6) migrant or seasonal agricultural labor. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) compile (jointly with the Census Bureau) annual child labor data with respect to individuals under age 18; (2) provide for coordination among enforcement personnel for Federal and State labor standards, occupational health and safety laws, and Federal immigration laws; (3) establish an Advisory Committee for Child Labor; and (4) publicize violators of child labor laws. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to educational and scientific instruments and apparatus that are imported for assembly into the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon receipt of a petition by an affected institution, to hold a single expedited hearing to determine whether or not to grant such duty treatment to all of the components of the particular scientific instrument or apparatus for which the application is made, in order to provide for expedited consideration of each component of a scientific instrument or apparatus for which duty treatment is requested.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
Forest Biodiversity Act of 1997 - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (Act), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act, and Federal law relating to military lands to: (1) provide for the protection of forest native biodiversity; (2) restrict certain logging activities; and (3) provide a private right of action in U.S. district court for violations of such provisions. Amends the Act to provide for the termination of the committee of scientists ten years from the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including an employing authority or office to which specified provisions of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 or the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 apply. Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from entering into a consent decree that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except regarding employment in a position the duties of which pertain solely to activities of the organization that generate unrelated business income subject to taxation under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for all remedies (except punitive damages, with compensatory damages available to the extent specified in certain existing provisions of law) to the same extent as under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Children's Health Coverage Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require group health plans to offer children-only coverage to dependents of participants under plans. Provides for continuation of coverage to add special rules for children-only coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Sets a deadline by which: (1) the Secretary of Energy shall consolidate the Office of Fossil Energy and the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency into an Office of Energy Technology (OET); and (2) such consolidation results in a reduction by 25 of the number of headquarters employees determined on a full-time equivalent basis. Mandates appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Technology whose duties shall include: (1) preparation and transmittal to the Congress of a strategic plan and policy agenda for the OET, as well as a multiyear OET program plan for FY 1999 through 2003 (including a comprehensive strategy for increasing the use of resources available in field offices); and (2) direction and supervision of the OET.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Personal Information Privacy Act of 1997 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to redefine the term "consumer report" to exclude identifying information listed in a local telephone directory (thereby ensuring that the personal identification information in the credit headers accompanying credit reports of unlisted individuals remains confidential). Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit the commercial acquisition or distribution of an individual's social security number (or any derivative of it), as well as its use as a personal identification number, without the individual's written consent. Provides for a civil action in a U.S. District Court by any individual aggrieved by any violation of this prohibition. Provides for civil money penalties for violations as well. Amends the Federal criminal code to require the uses of social security numbers by State departments of motor vehicles to be consistent with the uses authorized by the Social Security Act, the Privacy Act, and by any other statutes explicitly authorizing their use. Prohibits the use of social security numbers by marketing companies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
State Infrastructure Banks for Schools Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements with States for the establishment of State infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks for making loans to local educational agencies (LEAs) for building or repairing elementary or secondary public schools; and (2) make initial capitalization grants to State and multistate infrastructure banks. Sets forth: (1) conditions, including State contribution requirements, for States to meet in order to establish such infrastructure banks; (2) authorized forms of assistance to LEAs from such banks; (3) criteria for loans; and (4) qualifying projects. Declares that the contribution of Federal funds to an infrastructure bank shall not be construed as an obligation of the United States to any third party. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to review the financial condition of each infrastructure bank and report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Amends the Small Business Act to increase from 20 to 25 percent of the total value of all Federal prime contracts awarded in a fiscal year the goal for contracts awarded to small businesses, small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses owned and controlled by women.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Authorizes the President to carry out the United States Man and the Biosphere Program (Program) and to designate a lead agency for the Program. (Sec. 2) Requires the activities of the United States Man and the Biosphere Program to include: (1) promotion of interagency cooperation to develop scientific information pertaining to the relationship between human activities and the biosphere; (2) funding of scientific research, with particular focus on interdisciplinary methodologies, pertaining to the relationship between human activities and the biosphere; (3) promotion of public and private partnerships and linkages that sponsor and promote scientific study, education, and information exchange on options for prudent management of natural resources and the relationship between the environment and human health; and (4) coordination of the United States Biosphere Reserve Network to facilitate the study of biological diversity and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. (Sec. 3) Sets forth requirements for the designation of areas as additions to the United States Biosphere Reserve Network. (Sec. 4) Permits the Departments of State, the Interior, and Agriculture and any other Federal agency with authority over the management, protection, or study of natural resources and the environment to provide financial support or other resources to the United States Man and the Biosphere Program to support research, science education, information exchange, and scientific cooperation activities of the United States Man and the Biosphere Program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1997
DES Education and Research Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and permanently extend the following programs regarding the drug diethylstilbestrol (commonly known as DES): (1) the research program; and (2) the new national program of education. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the heads of the appropriate agencies of the Public Health Service, to carry out a national program for the education of health professionals and the public with respect to DES, from amounts appropriated for carrying out the research and training program. Requires such program, to the extent appropriate, to use methodologies developed through the education demonstration program carried out under the Act. Directs the Secretary, in developing and carrying out the national program, to consult closely with representatives of nonprofit private entities that represent individuals who have been exposed to DES and that have expertise in community-based information campaigns for the public and for health care providers. Requires the implementation of the national program to begin during FY 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1997
Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project under which covered members and beneficiaries under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be eligible to enroll in health benefits plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted in two geographic areas and to last at least two, but not more than three, contract years. Provides for: (1) management of participation in the project; (2) Government contributions for beneficiary coverage under the FEHB program; and (3) reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1997
Federal Surplus Property Reform Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to repeal the authority of the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service to receive requests for the transfer to foreign countries or international organizations in foreign assistance or military sales programs of excess supplies of Department of Defense (DOD) construction and fire equipment. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services, instead, to receive such requests. Limits to nonlethal the type of excess supplies that may be transferred. Allows such transfer for humanitarian relief purposes. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the emergency necessity for any such transaction. Amends specified Federal law to repeal the general delegation to the Secretary of Defense of disposal authority over personal property. Repeals the mandate for DOD participation in infrastructure improvement demonstration programs conducted by Regional Equipment Centers in Newport Township and Cambria County, Pennsylvania. (Sec. 3) Repeals general authority to transfer surplus property to disadvantaged small businesses. (Sec. 4) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to transfer surplus equipment to an educational institution with which it has a partnership agreement. (Sec. 5) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to repeal the authority of a Federal agency head or the director of a Federal laboratory to give excess research equipment to an educational institution or nonprofit organization. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to delegate such transfer authority to the director of a Federal laboratory.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Juvenile Offender Control and Prevention Grants Title II: Violent Juvenile Offenders Title III: Gang Violence Title IV: Prevention and Treatment of Youth Drug Addiction Title V: Improving Juvenile Crime and Drug Prevention Families First Juvenile Offender Control and Prevention Act of 1997 - Title I: Juvenile Offender Control and Prevention Grants - Juvenile Offender Control and Prevention Grant Act of 1997 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to replace provisions regarding alternative methods of punishment for young offenders with a juvenile offender control and prevention grant program. Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to qualifying units of local government, according to a specified formula, to be used for one of several specified activities, such as building or expanding secure juvenile correction or detention facilities for violent juvenile offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited uses of grant funds, repayment of unexpended amounts, and matching funds. Authorizes appropriations. Makes specified sums available to the Attorney General for studying effectiveness and efficiency, assuring compliance, and for administrative costs. Directs the Attorney General to establish and execute an oversight plan for monitoring the activities of grant recipients. Requires the Director to: (1) issue regulations establishing procedures under which a unit of local government is required to provide notice to the Director regarding the proposed use of grant funds; and (2) establish a process for the ongoing evaluation of projects developed with such funds. Sets forth provisions regarding sanctions for noncompliance and maintenance of effort requirements. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide information and technical assistance to community-based organizations and units of local government to assist in the establishment, operation, and replication of model programs designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. Title II: Violent Juvenile Offenders - Amends Federal criminal code (code) provisions regarding the transfer of a juvenile for criminal prosecution in Federal court to require that the transfer decision be made not later than 90 days after the first day of the hearing. (Sec. 202) Eliminates the statute of limitations for a Class A felony involving murder. (Sec. 203) Provides that, except for capital offenses and Class A felonies involving murder, no person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for a Class A felony that is a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime unless the indictment is returned or the information is filed within ten years after the commission of the offense. (Sec. 204) Modifies provisions regarding dispositional hearings to: (1) require that the probation officer prepare a predisposition report and promptly provide a copy to the juvenile, the attorney for the juvenile, and the attorney for the Government; and (2) require the court to order restitution; and (3) authorize the court, upon suspending the findings of juvenile delinquency, to impose any fine that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult. Specifies that for a juvenile found to be delinquent the term for which: (1) probation may be ordered may not extend beyond the maximum term that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult; (2) official detention may be ordered may not extend beyond the lesser of the maximum term of imprisonment that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult, ten years, or the date on which the juvenile achieves age 26; and (3) supervised release may be ordered may not extend beyond five years. Authorizes the court, with respect to any juvenile prosecuted and convicted as an adult, pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission, to determine to treat the conviction as an adjudication of delinquency and impose any disposition authorized. Directs the Commission to promulgate such guidelines within a year. Requires that a juvenile detained pending juvenile proceedings or a criminal trial, or detained or imprisoned pursuant to an adjudication or conviction, be substantially segregated from any prisoners convicted for crimes who have attained age 21. (Sec. 205) Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to increase penalties for: (1) juvenile handgun possession; and (2) knowingly receiving a firearm with an obliterated serial number. (Sec. 207) Directs the Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to increase the base offense level for certain offenses relating to the transfer of firearms or ammunition to prohibited persons. (Sec. 208) Modifies code provisions regarding the use of juvenile records to direct that a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony or for a violation of juvenile handgun possession provisions shall be fingerprinted and photographed and the results sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Directs the court to also transmit to the FBI information concerning the adjudication. Specifies that if the law of the State in which a Federal juvenile delinquency proceeding takes place permits or requires the reporting, retention, disclosure, or availability of records or information relating to a juvenile or to a juvenile delinquency proceeding or adjudication in certain circumstances, then such reporting, retention, disclosure, or availability is permitted under the code whenever the same circumstances exist. Title III: Gang Violence - Increases the penalty for, and the scope of provisions regarding, the use of physical force to tamper with witnesses, victims, or informants. (Sec. 302) Sets penalties for interstate: (1) travel to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice; and (2) franchising of criminal street gangs. (Sec. 303) Expands pretrial detention eligibility for serious gang and other violent criminals. (Sec. 304) Establishes a conspiracy penalty for obstruction of justice offenses involving victims, witnesses, and informants. Title IV: Prevention and Treatment of Youth Drug Addiction - Expresses the sense of the Congress that appropriations for State grants (for drug and violence prevention programs) and national programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act should increase by specified amounts. (Sec. 402) Amends: (1) the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and (2) the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to authorize the Attorney General to reschedule certain drugs posing an imminent danger to public safety. (Sec. 403) Directs the Attorney General to add ketamine hydrochloride and gamma hydroxybutyrate to schedule III of the CSA. Title V: Improving Juvenile Crime and Drug Prevention - Directs the Attorney General to enter into a contract with a public or nonprofit private entity for the purpose of conducting a study or studies to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of federally funded programs for preventing juvenile violence and juvenile substance abuse and criminal victimization of juveniles; (2) identify specific Federal programs and programs that receive Federal funds that contribute to reductions in juvenile violence, juvenile substance abuse, and risk factors among juveniles that lead to violent behavior and substance abuse and specific programs that have not achieved their intended results; and (3) make specific recommendations on programs that should receive continued or increased funding or that should have their funding terminated or reduced. Requires the Attorney General to request the National Academy of Sciences to enter into such contract, and if it declines, to carry out this title through other public or nonprofit private entities. Allows the contracting party to request assistance from the Department of Justice and any other appropriate Federal agency. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that certain permitted field studies, large-scale testing and evaluation, and demonstrations of the National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Blood Resources Program include: (1) the development and dissemination of a core content for a model State cardiac arrest training program for inclusion in emergency medical services educational curricula and training programs addressing lifesaving interventions; and (2) related matters. Establishes as an independent executive branch agency the Commission on Cardiac Arrest Survival. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1997
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Mother Teresa of Calcutta in recognition of her contributions to humanitarian and charitable activities. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a suitable gold medal. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Declares these medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates deposit of sale proceeds in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the surviving post-World War II, pre-1965 Basketball Association of America, National Basketball League, and National Basketball Association players with a minimum of three years of eligible service should be entitled to pension benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Children's Environmental Protection Subtitle A: Disclosure of Industrial Releases That Present a Significant Risk to Children Subtitle B: Disclosure of High Health Risk Chemicals in Children's Consumer Products Title II: Public Right to Know About Toxic Chemical Use Children's Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act of 1997 - Title I: Children's Environmental Protection - Subtitle A: Disclosure of Industrial Releases That Present a Significant Risk to Children -Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish thresholds for toxic chemicals which may present significant risks to children's health or the environment. Includes lead, mercury, dioxin, cadmium, chromium and other specified bioaccumulative chemicals as substances subject to such thresholds. Makes dioxin and specified bioaccumulative chemicals subject to toxic chemical release form reporting requirements under such Act. Authorizes citizen suits against the Administrator for failures to establish thresholds under this Act. Subtitle B: Disclosure of High Health Risk Chemicals in Children's Consumer Products - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the National Toxicology Program, to publish a list of substances which are toxic due to carcinogenic, neurotoxic, or reproductive toxic effects. Directs the Secretary to identify those substances to which infants and young children are exposed. Requires manufacturers or importers of eligible products (defined as toys or other articles intended for use by children) which contain such substances to report specified information to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including information supporting that a substance is not a misbranded or banned hazardous substance. Authorizes exemptions from such reporting requirements if a substance would not cause substantial personal injury or illness as a result of foreseeable handling, including ingestion by children. Permits citizen suits with respect to certain violations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and against the Commission for failure to perform duties under this Act. Title II: Public Right to Know About Toxic Chemical Use - Expands information to be included in toxic chemical release forms, including the number of employees and occupational exposures at reporting facilities as well as materials accounting information. Requires the Administrator to take certain actions to: (1) standardize data and obtain and integrate information regarding toxic chemicals; (2) consolidate all annual reporting requirements of Federal environmental laws for small businesses and entities subject to toxic chemical release reporting; and (3) provide the public with one point of contact for access to information gathered by EPA. Requires disclosures on the uses of toxic chemicals by reporting facilities. Permits the withholding of portions of materials accounting information reported by covered facilities for purposes of protecting trade secrets.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish in the National Park Service (NPS) a program to be known as the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom under which the Secretary shall: (1) produce and disseminate educational materials about the Railroad; (2) provide technical assistance to other government agencies, private entities, or the Governments of Canada, Mexico, or any appropriate Caribbean country to ensure coordination of Federal and non-Federal elements of the Network; and (3) regulate use of an official symbol for the Network. Includes within the Network: (1) NPS units or programs pertaining to the Railroad; (2) Federal, State, local, or privately-owned properties pertaining to the Railroad that have a verifiable connection to it and that are included or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) governmental or nongovernmental facilities or programs of educational, research, or interpretive natures that are directly related to such Railroad. Prohibits amounts from being appropriated for the purposes of this Act except to the Secretary for carrying out his or her responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Federal Procurement and Assistance Integrity Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness and protect the integrity of the Federal procurement and assistance systems by ensuring that the Federal Government does business with responsible contractors and participants. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to debar or suspend a person from procurement or nonprocurement activities upon a finding, in accordance with procedures developed under this Act, that the person violated any of the following: (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Fair Labor Standards Act; (3) the Occupational Safety and Health Act; or (4) Federal requirements for employment emphasis under Federal contracts to be given to special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary and the National Labor Relations Board to jointly develop procedures to determine whether a violation of a law listed above is serious enough to warrant debarment or suspension. Mandates a report by the Secretary and the National Labor Relations Board to the Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Reaffirms the view that the status quo on Cyprus is unacceptable and detrimental to U.S. interests. Considers that lasting peace and stability on Cyprus could be best secured by a process of complete demilitarization leading to the withdrawal of all foreign occupation forces, the cessation of foreign arms transfers to Cyprus, and providing for alternative internationally acceptable and effective security arrangements as negotiated by the parties. Supports the commitment by President Clinton to give increased attention to Cyprus and make the search for a solution a priority of U.S. foreign policy. Encourages the President to launch an early substantive initiative, in close coordination with the United Nations, the European Union, and interested governments to promote a speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law, the provisions of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, democratic principles, including respect for human rights, and in accordance with the norms and requirements for accession to the European Union. Calls upon the parties to lend their full support and cooperation to such an initiative. Requests the President to report actions taken to give effect to the objectives set forth in this Act in the bimonthly report on Cyprus transmitted to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Declares that the Congress: (1) maintains that the standard for the "Made in USA" label should continue to be that a product was all or virtually all made in the United States; and (2) urges the Federal Trade Commission to refrain from lowering the standard at the expense of consumers and jobs in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Establishes the congressional budget for the Government for FY 1998. Sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1999 through 2002. (Sec. 2) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 1998 through 2002, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; (6) new direct loan obligations; and (7) new primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 3) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 4) Sets forth appropriate levels of new budget authority and budget outlays for Federal investments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 5) Establishes reconciliation procedures. Specifies outlay reductions for the House Committee on Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means for each of FY 1998 through 2002. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means to report changes in laws within its jurisdiction: (1) such that the total level of revenues for that committee is increased by specified amounts in each of such fiscal years; and (2) that provide for the establishment of an Investment Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury, into which shall be transferred revenues realized by the acution of spectrum allocations by the Federal Communications Commission. Requires that amounts in that fund be used exclusively for programs assumed under Federal investments provisions of this resolution. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding budget trends. Declares that the increasing portion of the Federal budget absorbed by interest payments and consumption programs, particularly health spending, has led to a declining level of domestically financed investment and may adversely impact the ability of the economy to grow at the levels needed to provide for future generations. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the need to maintain Federal investments. Declares that a balanced program to improve the economy should be based on the concurrent goals of eliminating the deficit and maintaining Federal investment in programs that enhance long-term productivity such as research and development, education and training, and physical infrastructure improvements. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the treatment of Federal investments within the budget. Declares that: (1) the current budget structure focuses primarily on short-term spending and does not highlight for decision making purposes the differences between Federal spending for long-term investment and that for current consumption; and (2) in order to restructure the Federal budget to make such a distinction, it is necessary to identify an investment component in the Federal budget and establish specific budgetary targets for such investments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize appointments to: (1) additional permanent bankruptcy judgeships in specified districts of California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Tennessee; and (2) additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (provides that the first vacancy occurring in such a district five years or more after a judge is appointed under this Act shall not be filled). Extends a temporary bankruptcy judgeship position authorized for the district of Delaware.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997 - Establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study the laws relating to the financing of political activity and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws. (Sec. 6) Requires the Commission, not later than July 1998 or 240 days after the appointment of its members (whichever occurs earlier), to submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, a report of the activities of the Commission. Requires the report to include any recommendations for changes in the laws (including regulations) governing the financing of political activity, including any changes in House and Senate rules, to which nine or more Commission members may agree, together with drafts of: (1) any legislation (including technical and conforming provisions) recommended by the Commission to implement such recommendations; and (2) any proposed amendment to the Constitution recommended by the Commission as necessary to implement such recommendations, except that if the Commission includes such a proposed amendment in its report, it shall also include recommendations and drafts for legislation that may be implemented prior to the adoption of such proposed amendment. Requires the Commission, in making recommendations and preparing drafts of legislation, to consider the following to be its primary goals: (1) encouraging fair and open Federal elections that provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and issues; (2) eliminating the disproportionate influence of special interest financing of Federal elections; and (3) creating a more equitable electoral system for challengers and incumbents. (Sec. 7) Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation introduced the substance of which implements a recommendation of the Commission submitted, including a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
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