United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Regulatory Accountability Act of 1997 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 with regard to Federal mandates to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any new or reauthorized measure (controlled private regulatory legislation) imposing costs on the private sector of $100 million or more (controlled Federal private sector mandate) unless it specifies a regulatory cost authorization for each such mandate of the dollar amount of private sector costs authorized to result from implementing or enforcing regulations. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the costs of mandate compliance for each measure reported by an authorization committee. Prohibits the total amount of private sector compliance costs from exceeding the regulatory cost authorization for a covered law. Prohibits a proposed covered regulation from taking effect unless the Director of the Office of Management and Budget has certified in the Federal Register that its implementation will not violate the first prohibition. Exempts from such prohibitions any regulation which the President finds is necessary because of an emergency. Requires such estimates to be publicly available for each covered law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce the tax rate on wine (other than champagne and sparkling wine); and (2) repeal the credit for small domestic wine producers.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Allocates surcharges from coin sales between the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service for activities associated with the bicentennial commemoration of the expedition.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience, the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed; and (2) the Government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, initiate or designate school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Withdraws nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) treatment from the products of Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Authorizes the President to restore nondiscriminatory treatment of the products of Syria upon certification to the Congress that Syria is participating in the Middle East peace process in good faith.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that whenever a district court has jurisdiction in civil rights cases it shall not abstain from exercising or relinquishing its jurisdiction to a State court in an action where no claim of a violation of a State law, right, or privilege is alleged. Authorizes the district court, in such cases that cannot be decided without resolution of a significant but unsettled question of State law, to certify such question to the highest appellate court of that State (and after the State appellate court resolves the question certified to it, the district court shall proceed with resolving the merits). Bars the district court from certifying a question of State law unless such question will significantly affect the merits of the injured party's Federal claim and is so unclear and obviously susceptible to a limiting construction as to render premature a decision on the merits of the constitutional or legal issue in the case. Requires that any claim or action brought to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or territory of the United States, that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Provides that any claim brought under provisions regarding the United States as defendant and regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims that is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Sets guidelines for what constitutes a "final decision" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Community Broadcasting Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to establish a class A license for qualifying low-power television (LPT) stations. Requires notification of LPT licensees of the availability of such license. Defines as a qualifying LPT station one which in the 90 days preceding enactment of this Act: (1) broadcast for at least 18 hours per day; (2) broadcast for at least three hours weekly programming that was produced within the community of license of such station; and (3) complied with other requirements applicable to LPT stations. Allows the FCC to treat non-qualifying stations as LPT stations under this Act if public interest, convenience, and necessity would be so served. Provides that: (1) the FCC is not required to issue any additional licenses for advanced television services to the licensees of class A television stations; and (2) no licensee of a class A television station shall be required to cease operations, or have a license rescinded or terminated, due to the implementation of amendments to the table of allotments adopted before the enactment of this Act. Allows the FCC to order such a cessation, rescission, or termination only after compliance with specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Expansion of Portability and Health Insurance Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish rules governing health plans sponsored by certain associations, including requirements for: (1) certification; (2) sponsors and boards of trustees, and treatment of franchised networks and collectively bargained plans; (3) participation and coverage of employers and individuals and of previously uninsured employees; (4) plan documents, contribution rates, and benefit options; (5) maintenance of reserves, excess-stop loss insurance, and solvency indemnification for plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage; (6) application and related matters, and notice for voluntary termination; (7) corrective actions and mandatory termination; and (8) special rules for church plans. Revises requirements for the treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Adds requirements relating to association health plans, with respect to: (1) enforcement; and (2) State responsibilities and cooperation between Federal and State authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Urges the Department of Education, States, and local education agencies to work together to ensure that at least 90 percent of all funds appropriated for Department-administered elementary and secondary education programs is spent for children in their classrooms.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Permanent Crop Loss Emergency Assistance Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide specified assistance to eligible commercial orchardists for restoring and replanting trees and vineyards lost or injured by damaging weather or related condition. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Prisoners Frivolous Lawsuit Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide that by presenting to the court a pleading, written motion, or other paper, an attorney or unrepresented party is certifying (among other things and subject to specified limitations) that the allegations and other factual contentions have evidentiary support, are made in a case involving a party other than a prisoner, and, if specifically so identified, are likely to have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery. Directs the court, upon determining in a case involving a party who is a prisoner that provisions regarding improper representations to the court have been violated, to impose an appropriate sanction upon the attorneys, law firms, or parties responsible for the violation. Specifies that a sanction imposed for a violation of this rule shall not be limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated in a case involving a party who is a prisoner.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall spending levels. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Allows waiver of such prohibition if such bill is required to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year-to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to require a budget law to include a major functional category ("rainy day fund") for natural disasters, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law to require the President to submit: (1) a budget, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences, setting forth on a single page specific budget ceilings in each major functional category; and (2) a detailed budget, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide the appropriate House of Congress (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference) an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill likely to result in costs of over $10 million, before being voted on by the Senate or the House, or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee) to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate, or both, to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress, by two-thirds vote, exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions in spending in the same functional category. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. (Sec. 309) Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals an exemption in the House from pay-as-you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure that budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require CBO reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of social security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law to provide that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts and collections as negative budget authority.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Spending Limits in House Elections Title II: Expanding Scope of Contributions and Expenditures Subject to Federal Law Title III: Other Reforms Title IV: General Provisions Federal Election Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Spending Limits in House Elections - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Act) to establish a $700,00 election cycle expenditure limit for each House of Representatives candidate (with specified increases for runoff elections and closely contested primaries). Exempts specified legal service, income tax, and recount expenses from such limit. Includes a candidate's authorized committee expenditures within such limit. Sets forth excess expenditure penalty provisions. (Sec. 102) Establishes: (1) a $30,000 expenditure limit for national or State political party committees; and (2) a $25,000 independent expenditure limit. Title II: Expanding Scope of Contributions and Expenditures Subject to Federal Law - Amends the Act to ban soft money solicitation, receipt, transfer, or expenditure. (Sec. 202) Subjects to regulation under such Act: (1) certain advocacy communications; and (2) recount-related contributions or expenditures. Title III: Other Reforms - Amends the Act to remove the $200 disclosure threshold for specified expenditures and contributions. Requires disclosure of certain independent communication expenditures. (Sec. 302) Prohibits: (1) leadership committees; and (2) fund raising on behalf of certain nonprofit organizations. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth effective date and severability provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to allow certain eligible covered beneficiaries to enroll in any health benefits plan under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) offering medical and dental care comparable to that offered under CHAMPUS. Includes as an eligible covered beneficiary any member or former member of the armed forces, and any dependent of such member, who: (1) is not guaranteed access under CHAMPUS or TRICARE Standard (a Department of Defense managed care program) to health and dental care comparable to the highest level provided under the FEHB; (2) is eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Program but is not so enrolled because of geographical inaccessibility, enrollment limitations, or any other reason; or (3) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. States that any such beneficiary shall not be required to satisfy any FEHB eligibility criteria as a condition for enrollment. Provides for: (1) enrollment contributions; (2) participation management by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (3) annual reports from the Secretary of Defense and the OPM Director concerning the provision of such care. Requires the health and dental care benefits provided under CHAMPUS and TRICARE Standard, as well as the rates prescribed for the reimbursement of providers under such programs, to be comparable to the highest level of benefits provided under the FEHB. Requires the Secretary to begin offering the health benefits option of this Act no later than November 1, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Expanded War Crimes Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply the criminal penalties prescribed for a grave breach of the Geneva Convention, inside or outside the United States, by a U.S. national or member of the armed forces to additional war crimes defined to include conduct: (1) prohibited by Articles 23, 25, 17, or 28 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed October 18, 1907; (2) which constitutes a violation of common Article 3 of the conventions and which deals with non-international armed conflict; or (3) of a person who willfully kills or causes serious injury to civilians in relation to an armed conflict and contrary to the provisions of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices as amended at Geneva on May 3, 1996, when the United States is a party to such Protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment Implementation Act of 1997 - Grants each victim of a Federal felony offense or any other Federal crime of violence the right: (1) to notice of, and not to be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the offense; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a written statement at all public proceedings relating to the offense (and non-public parole proceedings to the extent the convicted offender is afforded such rights) to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence; (3) to notice of any release or escape from custody relating to the offense; (4) to seek relief from an unreasonable delay of the final disposition of the proceedings relating to the offense; (5) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender pursuant to law; (6) to consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any release from custody; (7) to notice of such rights; (8) to be treated with fairness and respect for the victim's dignity and privacy; and (9) to confer with the attorney for the Government. Makes such rights applicable in: (1) Federal (other than military) criminal proceedings, including juvenile justice proceedings; (2) collateral proceedings such as habeas corpus; and (3) similar proceedings in the courts of any district or territory of the United States not within a State. Grants the victim standing in the proceeding to assert the rights established by this Act. Sets forth: (1) remedies for violations; and (2) exceptions and limitations to such rights. (Sec. 4) Directs the courts, and the head of each U.S. department and agency engaged in the detection, investigation, prosecution, or adjudication of crimes to which this Act applies, to designate the persons who will be responsible for identifying the victims, assuring the implementation of the rights provided in this Act, and performing specified services, at each stage of a criminal case. Requires a responsible official, at the earliest opportunity after the detection of a crime at which it may be done without interfering with an investigation, to identify the victims, inform the victims of their right to receive such services upon request, and inform each victim of the responsible official to whom the victim should address such request. Directs such official to: (1) inform a victim regarding emergency medical and social services, restitution or other relief to which the victim may be entitled, and counseling, treatment, and other support programs; (2) arrange for a victim to receive reasonable protection; (3) provide notices of specified steps or events during the investigation and prosecution of a crime and after trial; and (4) provide the victim with general information regarding the corrections process. Sets forth: (1) provisions regarding protecting the property of a victim being held, and payment or reimbursement of the cost of a physical examination of the victim, for evidentiary purposes; and (2) remedies for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crimes or crimes for which the defendant can be imprisoned for longer than one year the right: (1) to notice of, and to not be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a written statement at all public proceedings (and non-public parole proceedings to the extent the convicted offender is afforded such rights) relating to the crime to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence; (3) to notice of any release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (4) to seek relief from an unreasonable delay of the final disposition of the proceedings relating to the crime; (5) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (6) to consideration for the victim's safety in determining any release from custody; and (7) to notice of the rights established by this amendment. Grants the victim standing to assert such rights. Grants power to the Congress and the States to enforce this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Relief for All Individuals Title II: Additional Relief for Family-Owned Businesses and Farms Title III: Benefits for Conservation Easements Title IV: Benefits for Historic Preservation Family Business Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Relief for All Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the unified credit against the estate tax and the unified credit against the gift tax with a unified exemption amount. Title II: Additional Relief for Family-Owned Businesses and Farms - Excludes from the value of the gross estate of certain decedents specified portions of qualified family-owned business interests. Title III: Benefits for Conservation Easements - Excludes from the gross estate, if the executor elects, the value of land subject to a qualified conservation easement, except for any debt-financed portion. Provides for the treatment of any retained development right. Adds references to such property to provisions controlling the basis of property acquired from a decedent. (Sec. 302) Prohibits treating the transfer by gift of land subject to a qualified conservation easement as a transfer of property by gift for purposes of provisions relating to gift taxes. (Sec. 303) Amends provisions relating to the valuation of certain farm and other real property to prohibit a qualified conservation contribution (as defined in provisions relating to charitable contributions) from being deemed a disposition unless it is subject to a conservation easement. Declares that, if property is otherwise qualified real property, being subject to a conservation easement does not disqualify it. (Sec. 304) Allows a contribution to be treated as exclusively for conservation purposes if the surface estate and mineral interests have been and remain separated (currently, if the surface estate and mineral interests were separated before June 13, 1976, and remain separated) and if the probability of surface mining is so remote as to be negligible. Title IV: Benefits for Historic Preservation - Provides that for purposes of determining the estate tax the value of the taxable estate shall be determined by deducting from the value of the gross estate an amount equal to the value of any qualified historic property included in the estate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Student Health Insurance Portability Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply health insurance portability, access, and renewability requirements to coverage offered in connection with a college-sponsored health plan as they apply to a group health plan. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to include coverage under a college-sponsored plan in the definition of "creditable coverage."
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Class Action Relief Act of 1997 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to provide a moratorium between the date of enactment of this Act and December 31, 1998, on class certification, sanction imposition, or other proceedings with regard to class action lawsuits under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1997 - Requires country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States. Authorizes fines for violations of such provision.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Veterans American Dream Homeownership Assistance Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code concerning the eligibility of veterans for State-financed veterans' home mortgages.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
Amends Federal civil service law to include as Federal law enforcement officers eligible under Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees' Retirement System provisions for early retirement (at age 50 after 20 years of Federal service) revenue officers in the Internal Revenue Service, customs inspectors and canine enforcement officers in the U.S. Customs Service, and inspectors in the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from taking land in trust for the benefit of an Indian or Indian tribe until the affected State and local jurisdictions have entered into a written agreement with the person or tribe regarding State and local sales and excise taxes. Exempts from such provision land taken into trust pursuant to: (1) an Act extending Federal recognition to a tribe; or (2) a judgment or order of a U.S. court.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
United States Armed Forces in Bosnia Protection Act of 1997 - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other Federal department or agency from being obligated or expended for the deployment on the ground of U.S. armed forces in the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina after September 30, 1997. Provides exceptions: (1) for the deployment of troops to aid in troop withdrawal; or (2) if the President transmits to the Congress a request for a deployment extension for an additional 90 days after such deadline and a joint resolution is enacted approving such request. Outlines congressional procedures for the consideration of such request. Prohibits DOD or other Federal funds from being obligated or expended for: (1) the conduct of, or support for, any law enforcement activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an exception for the training of law enforcement personnel or to prevent imminent loss of life; (2) any activity that may jeopardize the primary mission of the United Nations-led Stabilization Fore in preventing armed conflict there; (3) the transfer of refugees within the Republic that has a purpose of acquiring control by one Bosnian entity of territory allocated to another or that may expose U.S. armed forces to substantial risk; or (4) implementation of any decision to change the legal status of any territory within the Republic unless expressly agreed to by all signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Requires a report from the President to the Congress on the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend permanently the tax credit for expenses of clinical testing of certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 1997 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments. Requires States to grant public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees. Specifies related requirements for public safety employers. Requires the Director the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to issue regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures for public safety employers and employees in States that fail to comply with the requirements of this Act. Gives the FMCS the same authority as a State Labor Relations Board (or of the National Labor Relations Board where no such State Board exists) for public safety employers and employees covered by this Act. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of such regulations through appropriate State courts. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes. Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit the use of ESEA funds to promote teaching or using dialects peculiar to a region or group within the U.S. population. Allows teachers, notwithstanding such prohibition, to: (1) be trained in, use, and teach foreign languages; and (2) communicate in their own modes of speech, if no special effort is made to teach or encourage students to communicate in such modes of speech.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture Programs Title II: Energy and Water Programs Title III: Interior Programs Title IV: Foreign Operations Programs Title V: Transportation Programs Omnibus Corporate Welfare Reduction Act of 1997 - Title I: Agriculture Programs - Repeals the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA), provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 relating to adjusting the repayment schedules on REA loans, and provisions of Federal law regarding: (1) congressional policy concerning making funds available to rural electric and telephone systems; (2) congressional policy with respect to rural telephone system financing; (3) loan programs under the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund; and (4) rural advanced telecommunications. Rescinds related unobligated balances. (Sec. 102) Repeals provisions of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 regarding an agricultural commodity export promotion program. Title II: Energy and Water Programs - Prohibits obligating or spending funds for the Animas-La Plata Project, Colorado and New Mexico, except regarding alternatives that would satisfy the water rights interests of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. (Sec. 202) Declares that the Congress is concerned about the pyroprocessing program and should not proceed with a liquid metal reactor program. Amends provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 relating to advanced nuclear reactors to remove references to liquid metal reactors. Title III: Interior Programs - Prohibits the Department of Energy from conducting any fossil energy research and development, except as required by contracts entered into before enactment of this Act and as necessary to terminate ongoing activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Amends Federal law commonly known as the National Forest Roads and Trails Act to modify requirements regarding the construction of forest development roads. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the full cost of forest road design, construction, and maintenance should be recovered through user fees. (Sec. 303) Prohibits fund obligation for the Clean Coal Technology program. Repeals, subject to exception, related appropriations from an appropriations Act for FY 1986 and rescinds any related unobligated funds. Title IV: Foreign Operations Programs - Abolishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and repeals related provisions. Requires that the Office of Management and Budget perform OPIC functions on certain existing contracts until their expiration. Prohibits contract renewal. Deposits unexpended balances in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. (Sec. 402) Sets forth findings regarding the International Monetary Fund and its Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF). Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should not participate in the latest round of General Agreements to Borrow (commonly referred to as the New Arrangement to Borrow) or provide additional resources to the ESAF. Title V: Transportation Programs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that highway demonstration projects should not be required by Federal law. (Sec. 502) Repeals provisions of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 authorizing the Appalachian development highway system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans Title II: Expansion of Grant Authority to Include Technical Assistance for Rural Health Networks Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas Title V: Classification as Rural Referral Centers; Geographic Reclassification for Disproportionate Share Payment Adjustment Title VI: Medicare Payment Methodologies Title VII: Antitrust Title VIII: Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of the Congress that HMOs or CMPs in rural areas receiving additional payments as a result of this title should allocate those payments to provide increased health care services to Medicare beneficiaries or to pay for health care service infrastructure needs. Title II: Expansion of Grant Authority to Include Technical Assistance for Rural Health Networks - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide technical assistance, directly or through grants or contracts, for the planning, development, and operation of any program or service carried out pursuant to a rural health network under that Act. Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program while continuing payment to designated EACHs, rural primary care hospitals, and certain other medical assistance facilities operated as limited service rural hospitals under a specified demonstration program. Permits agreements between rural primary care hospitals and the Secretary for the use of up to 25 beds for extended care services. Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services. Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on the study being conducted on the criteria for designation of health professional shortage areas and medically underserved areas under the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician. Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers; Geographic Reclassification for Disproportionate Share Payment Adjustment - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages. Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. (Sec. 502) Permits Medicare hospital geographic reclassification for purposes of disproportionate share payment adjustments. Title VI: Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to implement a methodology based on a specified proposal for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services. Title VII: Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) physician and hospital networks in rural areas are working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to Americans living and working in rural areas; and (2) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Justice Department, should, when implementing antitrust guidelines with respect to physician and hospital networks in rural areas, give special consideration to and provide appropriate relief for such networks. Title VIII: Financing - Extends certain Medicare secondary payer requirements with respect to end stage renal disease.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Mandates the display of the POW-MIA flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Days, National POW-MIA Recognition Day, and on the last business day before each of the preceding holidays, on the grounds or in the public lobbies of: (1) major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense; (2) Federal national cemeteries; (3) the national Korean War Veterans Memorial; (4) the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial; (5) the White House; (6) the official office of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Director of the Selective Service System; and (7) U.S. Postal Service post offices. Repeals provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 relating to the display of the POW-MIA flag.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Methamphetamine Elimination Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General for FY 1998 through 2003 to make grants to the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement to implement the Bureau's methamphetamine strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Firefighters Pay Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to provide that, for Federal fire fighters, the annual rate of basic pay shall be calculated on the basis of 26 administrative biweekly work periods of up to 106 hours each. Prescribes a formula for computing the basic biweekly pay of Federal employees who are not fire fighters but perform fire fighting duties. Extends existing biweekly pay period and pay computation requirements to Federal fire fighters and employees in and under the judicial branch. Removes employees of the District of Columbia government from coverage by such requirements. Repeals the current exception from such requirements for employees on the Isthmus of Panama in the service of the Panama Canal Commission. Requires compensation at time-and-a-half per hour for any hours worked in excess of 106 during a biweekly pay period by fire fighters subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Prescribes basic rates of pay for fire fighters: (1) promoted to a supervisory position; and (2) selected and assigned for training. Adds certain pay retention rights for Federal fire fighters subject to a reduction or termination of a rate of pay established under this Act. Authorizes a Federal agency to pay cash awards of up to five percent of basic pay to fire fighters or other employees performing fire fighting duties who make substantial use of: (1) special skills, such as handling hazardous materials; or (2) a certification or license, such as certification as an emergency medical technician. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress with respect to transition and funding increase plans and regulatory or legislative modifications necessary to prevent diminution in retirement benefits under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
California Floods Emergency Repair Act of 1997 - Exempts from the Endangered Species Act of 1973 certain California flood control facility maintenance, repair, and improvements necessitated by the floods of December 1996 and January 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Rural Environment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers primarily engaged in a farming-related business an investment tax credit for a percentage of: (1) the costs of agricultural environmental property (as defined by this Act); and (2) the amount allowed as a deduction for soil and water conservation expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Credit Union Membership Access Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to limit Federal credit union membership to one or more groups each of which has a common bond within such group.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration relating to occupational exposure to methylene chloride. Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Pharmacy Compounding Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make specified provisions of that Act inapplicable to a drug or device that is compounded by a licensed pharmacist, licensed physician, or other licensed practitioner authorized by State law to prescribe drugs or devices. Declares null and void a proposed rule concerning exceptions to good manufacturing practices for makers of positron emission tomography drug products and a guideline on the manufacture of such products. Prohibits another proposed regulation or guideline on those matters.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Fast-Track Fairness and Accountability Act - Authorizes the President to enter into a trade agreement eligible for fast-track consideration only if it requires each country party to the agreement to: (1) adopt laws that afford internationally recognized worker rights to workers and that promote internationally recognized environmental standards in that country; and (2) treat as an actionable unfair trade practice the denial of such rights and standards as a means for such country to gain a competitive trade advantage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any bilateral or international agreement that imposes certain performance, testing, and deployment limits on U.S. missile defense systems would not be in the national security interests of the United States; (2) no additional international agreements are required to deploy such systems; and (3) the Congress will not be receptive to any agreement that serves to reduce the potential of U.S. theater missile defense systems to defend the U.S. armed forces abroad or the armed forces or population of allies of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1997 - Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund - Establishes in the Treasury the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Specifies that any individual who has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection shall receive $125,000 from amounts available in the Fund if the individual meets one of the following conditions: (1) has a blood-clotting disorder and was treated with blood-clotting agents between July 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987; (2) is the lawful spouse of such individual or the former lawful spouse and was the lawful spouse of the individual at any time after a date within such period on which the individual was treated; or (3) acquired the HIV infection through perinatal transmission from a parent who is such an individual. Requires that the following conditions be met with respect to such individual: (1) the individual submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services written medical documentation that the individual has an HIV infection; (2) a petition for payment be filed with the Secretary by or on behalf of such individual; and (3) that the Secretary determine that the claim meets the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 105) Specifies that any right under this Act shall not be assignable or transferable. Sets limits regarding the number of claims per victim. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the Secretary from making any payment with respect to any petition filed under this Act unless the petition is filed within three years after the enactment of this Act. Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs - Prohibits a settlement payment from being considered income or resources in determining a class member's eligibility for, or the amount of: (1) medical assistance under the Medicaid program; or (2) benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program. Defines the terms: (1) "class member"; and (2) "settlement payment."
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Insurance Claims Privacy Protection Act - Specifies the circumstances in which disclosure of insurance claims information is allowed to law enforcement agencies by insurers and by nongovernmental crime bureaus (CBs) and insurance data support organizations (IDSOs). Regulates the activities in which CBs and IDSOs may engage. Provides for enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide or pay for any health care item or service or health benefit coverage for the purpose of causing, or assisting to cause, the death of any individual. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs, facilities, and personnel to which the prohibition applies, including under Social Security Act titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services), the Public Health Service Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and provisions of Federal law relating to Federal employees, the military health care system, veterans medical care, Peace Corps volunteers, and Federal prisoners. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for: (1) causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; (2) compelling any person or entity to provide or fund any item, benefit, program, or service for such purpose; or (3) asserting or advocating a legal right to cause or assist such actions. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs to which the prohibition applies, including under specified provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and the Legal Services Corporation Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for any item or service for the purpose of causing or assisting in the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Declares that, for this Act, references to appropriated funds include funds appropriated to the District of Columbia under specified provisions of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act. Declares that this Act supersedes other Federal laws except to the extent such laws specifically supersede this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Mandates Information Act of 1997 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (the Act) to require a congressional committee report on any bill or joint resolution that includes any Federal mandate to contain information concerning the impact of such mandate on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. Revises provisions concerning legislation subject to a point of order to: (1) define the point of order for a determination by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO Director) that it is not feasible to determine the economic impact of a Federal mandate; and (2) replace certain references to Federal intergovernmental mandates with references to Federal mandates. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any unfunded mandates that are determined by the CBO Director to exceed the applicable threshold under the Act should be financed through reduced taxes, tax abatements, or direct compensation by the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Condit, Gary A. [D-CA-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000670_200.jpg)