United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal criminal code provisions regarding failure to pay legal child support obligations to create two new categories of felony offenses, subject to a two-year maximum prison term: (1) traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to evade a support obligation if the obligation has remained unpaid for a period longer than one year or is greater than $5,000; and (2) willfully failing to pay a support obligation regarding a child residing in another State, if the obligation has remained unpaid for a period longer than two years or is greater than $10,000. Specifies that the existence of a support obligation that was in effect for the time period charged in the indictment or information creates a rebuttable presumption that the obligor has the ability to pay such obligation for that period. Directs the court, upon a conviction, to order restitution in an amount equal to the total unpaid support obligation as it exists at the time of sentencing.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the termination dates of the alcohol fuels credit and of provisions setting tax rates for qualified methanol and ethanol fuel, fuels containing alcohol, certain taxable fuels mixed with alcohol, mixtures of aviation fuel and alcohol, and fuels used to produce certain alcohol fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1997
Amends Federal transportation law to require foreign air carriers to transmit to the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan for addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents involving foreign air carriers and a significant loss of life. Requires such a plan to include: (1) publicizing a reliable, toll-free telephone number and staff to take calls from families of passengers involved in such an accident; (2) a process for notifying such families as soon as possible, and in person to the extent practicable, before providing any public notice of the passengers' names; (3) an assurance that each passenger's family will be consulted about the disposition of any remains and personal effects (including return to the family) within the foreign air carrier's control; (4) an assurance of retention by the foreign air carrier of unclaimed possessions for at least 18 months; and (5) an assurance of other specified services. Makes inclusion of such a plan in the application for a foreign air transportation permit, or exemption from the requirement of a permit, a condition for permit or exemption approval. Declares that a foreign air carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the foreign air carrier's performance in preparing or providing a passenger list pursuant to such a plan, unless the liability was caused by any conduct of the carrier which was grossly negligent or which constituted intentional misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Landmine Elimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits Federal agencies from funding any new deployments of anti-personnel landmines as of January 1, 2000. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on actions and proposals to substitute for new deployments of such landmines on the Korean Peninsula. Authorizes the President to delay implementation of the funding proscription with respect to the Korean Peninsula if he certifies annually to the Congress that new deployments of anti-personnel landmines on such Peninsula would be indispensable to the defense of the Republic of Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Safety Rulemaking and Enforcement Title II: Grade Crossing Safety Title III: Hours of Service Title IV: Passenger Service Safety Standards Title V: Employee Authority, Certification, and Equipment Railroad Safety Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Safety Rulemaking and Enforcement - Amends Federal transportation law with respect to railroad safety to direct the Secretary of Transportation to convene an annual conference to determine the most important actions needed to improve railroad safety, and report the results to the Congress. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to report monthly to specified congressional committees on the status of FRA's safety-related rulemakings and reports. (Sec. 104) Declares that certain railroad power brake safety rules proposed on September 16, 1994, shall take effect as final rules one year after enactment of this Act if before that time the Secretary has not issued all final regulations required by specified law. (Sec. 105) Declares that contingent safety standards contained in certain proposed rules shall take effect if the Secretary has not issued final revised track safety regulations before a specified time. Prescribes additional standards for track inspections and track owner compliance with the Secretary's safety regulations. (Sec. 107) Requires fees imposed on railroad carriers to cover the costs of providing an additional 400 railroad safety inspectors. (Sec. 109) Prohibits a railroad carrier, or an employee of a railroad carrier, from preventing another employee from furnishing, or discharging or disciplining an employee who has furnished, railroad accident and injury information. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties. Title II: Grade Crossing Safety - Revises grade crossing safety provisions to require each railroad carrier to: (1) establish a toll-free telephone service to receive calls reporting malfunctions of safety equipment, or disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks, at grade crossings; (2) notify trains operating near a grade crossing of the malfunction or disabled vehicle and contact appropriate public safety officials; and (3) ensure placement of signs at each grade crossing displaying the toll-free telephone information. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to review current local, State, and Federal laws regarding violations of grade crossing signals. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to State and local governments model State legislation providing for civil or criminal penalties, or both, for violations of grade crossing signals. Title III: Hours of Service - Revises hours of duty limitations for train employees to increase off-duty time requirements. (Sec. 302) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) split shifts; (2) employee sleeping quarters; and (3) rotating shifts (including a Secretary of Transportation study of alternative methods of preventing fatigue due to such shifts). (Sec. 306) Includes in the definition of dispatching service employee (thus extending hours of service regulatory coverage to) supervisory train dispatchers, power directors, and other train employees who perform dispatching functions, as well as employees who dispatch trains through control of third rail or pantographic electrical power. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring railroad carriers to develop, in consultation with employees and employee organization representatives, fatigue management plans designed to reduce the fatigue experienced by railroad employees and the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by fatigue. Requires the Secretary to prescribe such a plan for any railroad carrier which does not submit one, or submits one the Secretary does not approve. Authorizes the Secretary, upon a railroad carrier's request, to waive any Federal hour of service requirements that would prevent a fatigue management plan from achieving the objective of reducing fatigue and enhancing safety. (Sec. 308) Directs the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to convene a working group to consider what legislative changes might be appropriate with respect to hours of service. Title IV: Passenger Service Safety Standards - Requires all passenger railroad cars to have emergency windows and doors after January 1, 2000. (Sec. 402) Sets forth requirements for: (1) passenger railroad signals; (2) internal and compartmentalized fuel tanks on passenger locomotives; and (3) specified corner posts on passenger cars to improve crashworthiness. (Sec. 405) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a model for assessing accident or injury risks on railroad corridors, and compile related information; (2) identify high-priority railroad corridors which shall be required to have positive train control systems; and (3) issue regulations for the use of such systems. Title V: Employee Authority, Certification, and Equipment - Prohibits a railroad carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee responsible for the inspection or repair of safety-related equipment, track, or structures for refusing to authorize their use because such employee believes they are in hazardous condition and would endanger human life. (Sec. 501) Revises dispute resolution requirements. Requires certification of other safety-related railroad personnel in addition to locomotive engineers. (Sec. 503) Requires each locomotive or cab-forward passenger car from which a train is operated, and each roadway work group or lone roadway worker when working along a railroad's right-of-way, to be equipped with a radio that permits two-way communication with the railroad's dispatcher (or other supervisory official able to communicate with the railroad's locomotive operators and roadway workers).
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Social Security Check Protection Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit a financial institution from imposing withdrawal fees upon benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act that are deposited electronically directly into the consumer's account and subsequently withdrawn from an electronic terminal. Prohibits imposition of or increase in any other fee with respect to such an account unless the fee is also imposed at the same rate on other similar accounts which do not receive OASDI benefits deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Veterans Benefits Check Protection Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit a financial institution from imposing withdrawal fees upon veterans benefits deposited electronically directly into the consumer's account and subsequently withdrawn from an electronic terminal. Prohibits imposition of or increase in any other fee with respect to such an account unless the fee is also imposed at the same rate on other similar accounts which do not receive veterans' benefits deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal-Aid Highways Title II: Highway Safety Title III: Federal Transit Administration Programs Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety Title V: Programmatic Reforms and Streamlining Title VI: Transportation Research Subtitle A: Surface Transportation Research, Technology, and Education Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Title VII: Truth in Budgeting Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act of 1997 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highways - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the following: (1) the Interstate Maintenance Program (IM); (2) the National Highway System (NHS); (3) the Bridge Program; (4) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (5) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ); (6) a new High Risk Road Safety Improvement Program (high risk program); (7) the High Cost Interstate System Reconstruction and Improvement Program (high cost program); (8) Discretionary Programs; (9) the Appalachian Development Highway System Program; (10) the Recreational Trails Program; (11) the Federal Lands Highways Program (FLHP); and (12) Highway Use Tax Evasion Projects. (Sec. 103) Sets forth specified obligation ceilings, and formulas for distribution of (and redistribution of unused) obligation authority for Federal-aid highway programs. (Sec. 104) Revises apportionment provisions to require the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary): (1) whenever an apportionment is made of the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditure on IM, NHS, the bridge program, STP, CMAQ, the high risk program, the high cost program, the national corridor planning and development program, the border infrastructure and safety program, and FLHP, to deduct a sum not to exceed one and a half percent of all sums so authorized as necessary for administering legal provisions to be financed from appropriations for the Federal-aid highway program; and (2) on October 1 of each fiscal year, after making a specified deduction and set aside, to apportion the remainder of the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditure on IM, NHS, STP, CMAQ, and the high risk program according to specified formulas. Modifies the recreational trails program to direct the Secretary to: (1) deduct from apportionments of sums for the program an amount not to exceed three percent to cover administrative, research, and technical assistance costs; and (2) apportion half of the remainder equally among eligible States and half to such States in amounts proportionate to the degree of non-highway recreational fuel use in each of those States during the preceding year. Sets forth a new list of State percentages for NHS apportionments. Requires the Secretary to use the most up-to-date data available for the latest fiscal year in making apportionments. (Sec. 105) Revises the IM to authorize the Secretary to approve reconstruction of roads on the Interstate System (IS). (Sec. 106) Repeals certain requirements: (1) on States, local officials, and the Secretary regarding NHS components; and (2) regarding approval of designations and an interim system. Designates specified NHS modifications that consist of highway connections to major ports, airports, international border crossings, public transportation and transit facilities, interstate bus terminals, and rail and other intermodal transportation facilities as NHS components. Directs the Secretary to: (1) review the condition of and improvements made to NHS connectors approved by this Act that serve seaports, airports, and other intermodal freight transportation facilities since the designation of the NHS and report to the Congress; and (2) conduct a national children's competition to design a national logo sign for the routes comprising the NHS, appoint a panel to evaluate all designs and select a winning design, and report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 107) Amends provisions regarding the highway bridge program to provide that if a State transfers funds apportioned to it in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1997, to any other apportionment of funds to such State, the total cost of deficient bridges in such State and in all States to be determined for the succeeding fiscal year shall be reduced by the amount of such transferred funds. Grants the Secretary discretion regarding the amounts authorized for FY 1998 through 2000 for bridges under this Act. Authorizes the use of agriculturally derived, environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti- and de-icing compositions or installation of scour countermeasures for bridges other than those on a Federal-aid highway. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the application of anti- and de-icing compositions to bridges under the STP. Includes among eligible STP projects environmental restoration and pollution abatement projects, including the retrofit or construction of storm water treatment systems, to address water pollution or environmental degradation caused or contributed to by existing transportation facilities at the time such facilities are undergoing reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, or restoration. Limits the expenditure of funds to 20 percent of the total cost of such activity. Replaces certification requirements by the Governor of each State with a requirement that each State submit a project agreement for each fiscal year, certifying that the State will meet specified requirements and notifying the Secretary of the amount of obligations needed to administer the STP. Deems the Secretary's approval a contractual obligation of the United States for the payment of STP funds. (Sec. 109) Modifies CMAQ to authorize a State to obligate CMAQ funds if the program or project would have been eligible for funding on or before September 30, 1997, under guidance issued by the Secretary, subject to specified requirements. Authorizes: (1) funds for a project which will result in the construction of new capacity available to single occupant vehicles and to high occupancy vehicles if the project is otherwise eligible for assistance; and (2) appropriations for "minimum allocations" to States through FY 1997. Directs the Secretary to: (1) request the National Academy of Sciences to study the impact of CMAQ on the air quality of nonattainment areas and to report to specified congressional committees; (2) establish and implement a high risk program for construction and operational improvement projects only where the primary purpose of the project is to improve highway safety on a high risk road; and (3) allocate to States, in FY 1998 and beyond, amounts sufficient to ensure that a State's percentage of the total apportionments in each such FY for IM, NHS, the bridge program, STP, CMAQ, the high risk program, the recreational trails program, the Appalachian Development Highway System program, and metropolitan planning be at least 95 percent of the percentage of estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in the State paid into the HTF, other than the Mass Transit Account, in the latest fiscal year for which data are available. Sets forth a formula regarding calculation of a minimum allocation adjustment. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to apportion specified funds for FY 1998 through 2000 among the States based on the latest available cost to complete estimate for the Appalachian Development Highway System prepared by the Appalachian Regional Commission, unless the Commission adopts an alternative method for distribution. Specifies that, in general, no State containing System routes shall receive less than $1 million. Increases the Federal share for pre-financed projects. (Sec. 113) Replaces provisions regarding reimbursement for segments of the IS constructed without Federal assistance with a high cost interstate system reconstruction and improvement program. Makes funds available for a fiscal year for any major reconstruction or improvement project to a highway designated as part of the IS and open to traffic before this Act's enactment, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 114) Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer a national program to provide and maintain recreational trails (and terminates the National Recreational Trails Advisory Committee on September 30, 2000); and (2) establish and implement a program to make allocations to States for coordinated planning and design of corridors of national significance, economic growth, and international or interregional trade, and a coordinated border infrastructure and safety program to improve the safe movement of people and goods at or across the U.S.- Canadian and U.S.-Mexican borders. (Sec. 117) Increases the Federal share payable for IS projects. Permits the use of funds appropriated to a Federal land managing agency, and for the FLHP, as the non-Federal share for specified purposes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) allocate 50 percent of sums authorized to be appropriated for forest highways according to a specified formula; (2) conduct a study of methods to improve pedestrian and vehicular access to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (3) allocate funds for specified transportation-related historical research activities of the Smithsonian Institution; (4) allocate specified funds for the planning, design, and construction of a visitors center to facilitate visitor understanding and enjoyment of resources accessible by the New River Parkway in West Virginia; (5) carry out a national scenic byways program that recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archeological qualities by designating them as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads; (6) allocate funds to establish a center for national scenic byways in Duluth, Minnesota; and (7) establish and implement a variable pricing pilot program (repeals a congestion pricing program under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)), and report to the Congress. (Sec. 120) Allows States to use as credit toward the non-Federal matching share requirement for certain funds made available, toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build, improve, or maintain highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve the public purpose of interstate commerce which were not built, improved, or maintained with Federal funds. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement an IS reconstruction and rehabilitation pilot program under which the Secretary may permit a State to collect tolls on a highway, bridge, or tunnel on the IS for the purpose of constructing and rehabilitating Interstate highway corridors that could not otherwise be adequately maintained or functionally improved without the collection of tolls; and (2) develop performance-based criteria for the distribution of up to five percent of the funds from each of the IM, bridge, high risk, STP, and CMAQ programs, and report to the Congress. (Sec. 121) Amends ISTEA to: (1) allow, at the Secretary's discretion, the obligation from the HTF funds for the construction of ferry boat and ferry terminal facilities; and (2) authorize the use of funds to establish and operate an automated fuel reporting system. (Sec. 124) Modifies Federal highway provisions regarding: (1) metropolitan planning to include that it is in the national interest to foster economic growth and development; and (2) statewide planning to authorize a State to consider specified goals and objectives in the transportation planning process. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the participation of local elected officials in transportation planning and programming, and report to the Congress. (Sec. 126) Requires the Secretary to initiate and: (1) issue a guidance regarding the benefits and performance of various types of crash cushions in different road configurations; and (2) complete a rulemaking proceeding to determine the appropriate use by States of movable barrier technologies to enhance safety and improve the capacity and geometric design of highways. (Sec. 127) Authorizes appropriations for specified executive and legislative branch discretionary programs. (Sec. 128) Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to direct the Secretary to convey to Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia all U.S. interest in and to the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, which shall subsequently convey to the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority their respective interests in and to the Bridge. (Sec. 129) Authorizes a State, in implementing Federal-aid highway projects, to reserve training positions for persons who receive welfare assistance from such State. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to develop, conduct, and administer highway technology training, and to develop and fund summer transportation institutes; (2) give priority to funding for a transportation project related to an Olympic event under specified conditions; (3) provide assistance to State and local governments in carrying out transportation projects related to an international quadrennial Olympic event; (4) carry out a project for the reconstruction of a highway, or portion of a highway, located outside the United States that is important to the national defense; and (5) fund the production of a documentary about infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the location and quantity of parking facilities at commercial truck stops and travel plazas and public rest areas that could be used by motor carriers to comply with Federal hours of service rules, and report to the Congress. (Sec. 133) Sets forth provisions regarding various projects in California, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Minnesota. (Sec. 134) Repeals a law regarding Federal approval of membership of bridge commissions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to examine the impact of truck weight standards on specialized hauling vehicles, and to report to the Congress. (Sec. 135) Bars States from restricting motorcycle access to any highway or portion thereof for which Federal-aid highway funds have been utilized for planning, design, construction, or maintenance. (Sec. 136) Amends ISTEA to include specified corridors, such as the Capital Gateway Corridor, as high priority corridors. (Sec. 137) Revises provisions regarding: (1) bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways to authorize the use of NHS funds for pedestrian walkways; and (2) standards for Federal-aid highways to prohibit the Secretary from approving any project or taking any regulatory action that will result in the severance of an existing major route or have significant adverse impact on the safety for non-motorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless such project or action provides for a reasonably alternate route or such a route exists. Directs the Secretary to initiate a study to consider proposals to amend the policies of such association relating to highway and street design standards to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a national bicycle safety education curricula that may include courses relating to on-road training. Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 138) Amends Federal highway provisions regarding the hazard elimination program to consider conditions that may constitute a danger to bicyclists. (Sec. 139) Authorizes the Secretary to approve substitute highway, bus transit, and light rail transit projects, in lieu of construction of the Barney Circle Freeway project in the District of Columbia. (Sec. 140) Requires: (1) the Secretary to conduct life-cycle cost analyses of each usable project segment on the NHS (currently, with a cost of $25 million or more); and (2) the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess the impact that a utility company's failure to relocate its facilities in a timely manner has on the delivery and cost of Federal-aid highway and bridge projects, and report to the Congress. Title II: Highway Safety - Amends Federal highway provisions to: (1) provide that uniform guidelines for highway safety programs take into account accident prevention; (2) direct that the apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior for highway safety programs not be less than three-fourths of one percent of the total apportionment; (3) make provisions regarding access for physically handicapped across curbs at pedestrian crosswalks applicable to Indian tribes, with exceptions; and (4) replace a mandatory rulemaking process with one authorizing the Secretary to periodically identify highway safety programs that are highly effective in reducing motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths. (Sec. 203) Revises highway safety research and development provisions to authorize the use of safety research funds for training in work zone safety management. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to make grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting from individuals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor vehicles. (Sec. 205) Replaces provisions regarding: (1) school bus driver training with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to improve the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, and accessibility of the State's data needed to identify priorities for State and local highway and traffic safety programs, evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to make such improvements, and link these State data systems, including traffic records, together and with other data systems within the State; and (2) drunk driving prevention programs with an alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures program (which provides for grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from individuals driving while under the influence of alcohol). (Sec. 207) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an organization that represents the interests of the States to manage, administer, and operate the National Driver Register's (NDR) computer timeshare and user assistance functions. Directs that any transfer of such functions to an organization that represents the interests of the States begin only after a determination is made by the Secretary that all States are participating in NDR's "Problem Driver Pointer System" and that the system is functioning properly. (Sec. 208) Directs: (1) the Secretary to conduct a study on the benefit to public safety of the use of blowout resistant tires on commercial motor vehicles and the potential to decrease the incidence of accidents and fatalities from accidents occurring as a result of blown out tires, and to report to the Congress; (2) the Comptroller General to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of State laws that deem any individual with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater, and .02 percent or greater for persons under age 21, while operating a motor vehicle to be driving while intoxicated, in reducing the number and severity of alcohol-involved crashes, and report to the Congress; and (3) the Secretary to make grants to establish and maintain a center for transportation injury research at the State University of New York at Buffalo. (Sec. 210) Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF for: (1) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highway safety programs, and highway safety research and development (R&D); (2) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs and highway safety R&D; (3) occupant protection incentive grants; (4) State highway safety data grants; (5) State highway safety data grants; (6) the alcohol traffic safety incentive grant program; and (7) NDR. Title III: Federal Transit Administration Programs - Amends Federal transportation law with respect to the metropolitan transportation planning process to replace the current mandatory factors for consideration in developing plans and programs with specified discretionary considerations whose translation into goals and objectives the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) shall determine cooperatively with the State and mass transportation operators. (Sec. 304) Requires the transportation improvement program to be updated at least once every three years (currently, every two years). Allows the program financial plan to include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available. (Sec. 305) Changes from mandatory to discretionary the inclusion of a congestion management system in the transportation planning process in a transportation management area (TMA). Requires the State, instead of the TMA MPO, to select high risk road safety projects. (Sec. 306) Changes the capital project block grant program into an urbanized area formula grant program. Repeals authority to finance operating costs generally under the program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in mass transportation only in an urbanized area with a population of less than 200,000. Changes the interest allowance under the covered cost of advance construction projects from a specified formula to the most favorable financing terms reasonably available, given the applicant's reasonable diligence in seeking them. Declares that two percent of the block grant funds apportioned to urbanized areas of at least 200,000 population shall only be available for transit enhancement activities. (Sec. 307) Repeals the Secretary's current authority to make capital project block grants from the Mass Transit Account. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to assist State and local authorities in financing: (1) capital projects to modernize existing fixed guideway systems; and (2) capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. Repeals authority to make such grants and loans for transportation projects that enhance urban economic development or incorporate private investment. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary consider the adverse effect of decreased commuter rail transportation when deciding whether to approve a grant or loan under this section to acquire a rail line and all related facilities: (1) owned by a rail carrier subject to reorganization under the bankruptcy code; and (2) used to provide commuter rail transportation. Revises the criteria for grants and loans for fixed guideway systems. Revises requirements for: (1) letters of intent and full funding agreements; and (2) grant and loan allocations, including bus and bus facility grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the testing and deployment of new bus technology, including clean fuel and alternative fuel technology. (Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into 50 percent cost-sharing contracts, cooperative agreements, and other agreements with specified consortia selected competitively from among public and private partnerships to promote the early deployment of innovation in mass transportation technology, services, management, or operational practices. Authorizes the Secretary to inform the U.S. domestic mass transportation community about technological innovations available in the international marketplace and activities that may afford domestic businesses the opportunity to become globally competitive in the export of mass transportation products and services. Directs the Secretary to make grants for 80 percent of the cost of developing low speed magnetic levitation technology for public transportation in urban areas to demonstrate energy efficiency, congestion mitigation, and safety benefits. (Sec. 313) Repeals the mandate to make grants to specified university research institutes and for regional transportation centers. (Sec. 316) Increases from 90 percent to 95 percent the Federal share of a project providing bicycle access to mass transportation. Requires capital project grants and loans to require that any person agreeing to occupy space in a federally funded facility pay a reasonable share of facility costs through rental payments or other means. Declares that, to the extent feasible, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations that receive assistance from Government sources (other than the Department of Transportation) for nonemergency transportation services shall participate and coordinate with assistance recipients in the planning, design, and delivery of transportation services. (Sec. 318) Authorizes a grant recipient to award a procurement contract to other than the lowest bidder when the award furthers an objective consistent with the purposes of the grant, including improved long-term operating efficiency and lower long-term costs. (Sec. 319) Authorizes an urbanized area formula grant recipient procuring an associated capital maintenance item to contract directly with the original manufacturer or supplier of the item to be replaced, without the Secretary's prior approval, if the recipient first certifies in writing to the Secretary that: (1) the manufacturer or supplier is the only source for the item; and (2) the item's price is no more than what similar customers pay for it. (Sec. 321) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on how the alcohol and controlled substances random testing rate for mass transportation employees should be calculated. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to collect fees to cover the costs of training or conferences, including costs of promotional materials, sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration to promote mass transportation. Directs the Secretary to seek public comment on ways to simplify and streamline the administration of the formula program for urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000, and make every effort to ease any administrative burdens identified. (Sec. 324) Limits the total amount of funds available for any fiscal year for operating assistance and preventive maintenance activities for urbanized areas. (Sec. 325) Revises the apportionment of appropriations for fixed guideway modernization. Requires inclusion of route segments in apportionment formulas. (Sec. 326) Authorizes appropriations, and sets the obligation ceilings, for FY 1998 through 2000. (Sec. 328) Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to assist States, local authorities, and nonprofit organizations in financing transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. Sets the Federal share of costs at 50 percent. (Sec. 329) Declares that it is the sense of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that the Secretary of the Treasury should estimate the mass transit portion of net highway receipts every 24 months instead of every 12 months. (Sec. 330) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on the Secretary of Transportation's implementation of project management oversight. (Sec. 331) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effect of privatization or contracting out of mass transportation operation and administrative functions on cost, availability and level of service, efficiency, safety, quality of services provided to transit-dependent populations, and employer-employee relations; and (2) the safety issues attendant to transportation of school children to and from school and school-related activities by various transportation modes. (Sec. 333) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on whether the current formula for apportioning funds to urbanized areas accurately reflects their transit needs, and, if not, whether any changes should be made either to the formula or through some other mechanism to reflect the fact that some urbanized areas with a population between 50,000 and 200,000 have transit systems that carry more passengers per mile or hour than the average of those transit systems in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. (Sec. 334) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on Federal departments and agencies (other than the Department of Transportation) that receive Federal financial assistance for non-emergency transportation services. Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety - Amends Federal transportation law to specify that discretionary grants to States to develop commercial motor vehicle regulatory programs include performance-based grants to improve motor carrier safety, and in particular hazardous materials transportation safety. (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1998 through 2000. Authorizes the Secretary, in allocating funds for State grants, to designate up to five percent of them to reimburse: (1) States for carrying out high priority (including national) activities and projects that improve commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance with commercial motor vehicle safety regulations, including any that increase public awareness and education or demonstrate new technologies; and (2) local governments and other persons that use trained and qualified officers and employees, for carrying out such activities and projects in coordination with State motor vehicle safety agencies. (Sec. 403) Converts the current discretionary commercial motor vehicle information system program into mandatory motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver information systems and data analysis programs to support required safety activities. Requires coordination of such systems into a network providing identification of motor carriers and drivers, commercial motor vehicle registration and license tracking, and motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver safety performance data. Requires the Secretary to develop data analysis capacity and programs providing the means to perform specified functions. Provides funding for the existing performance and registration information clearinghouse. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to improve commercial motor vehicle driver safety. Requires the Secretary to make data collected in such systems and programs available to the public to the maximum extent permissible under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of Information Act. Grants access to such data to State and local safety and enforcement officials to the same extent as Federal safety and enforcement officials. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000. (Sec. 405) Authorizes the Secretary to make contracts for inspections and investigations. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the Secretary to grant a person or class of persons up to a two-year, renewable exemption from a commercial motor vehicle safety or operators regulation if it would likely achieve a level of safety equal to or greater than the level that would be achieved without such exemption. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct pilot programs to evaluate innovative approaches to motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety. Allows such a program containing specified elements to include an exemption under this section. (Sec. 407) Repeals the mandate for (thus abolishing) the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel. Requires the Secretary to review State laws and regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety. Requires any State that enacts a State law or issues a regulation on commercial motor vehicle safety to submit a copy of it to the Secretary for review immediately after enactment or issuance. Allows enforcement of such law or regulation if the Secretary decides it has the same effect as a regulation prescribed by the Secretary. Prohibits enforcement if the law or regulation is less stringent than a regulation prescribed by the Secretary. (Sec. 408) Repeals certain requirements for: (1) procedures to ensure timely correction of safety violations; and (2) compliance review priority. (Sec. 409) Declares that an individual may operate a commercial motor vehicle only with a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). Requires each CDL issued after January 1, 2000, to include unique identifiers to minimize fraud and duplication. Repeals the Secretary's discretionary authority to make an agreement for the operation of a CDL information system. Requires the Secretary to maintain the system. Requires the system to include information on all fines, penalties, convictions, and failure to appear for a hearing or trial incurred by the operator with respect to operation of a motor vehicle for a period of at least three years beginning on the date of the imposition of such a fine or penalty, or the date of such a conviction or failure to appear. Requires the Secretary to make data collected in such systems and programs available to the public to the maximum extent permissible under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of Information Act. Grants access to such data to State and local safety and enforcement officials to the same extent as Federal safety and enforcement officials. Repeals current authority (superseded by this title) for grants to States for: (1) testing and ensuring the fitness of operators of commercial motor vehicles; and (2) issuing CDLs and complying with State participation requirements. (Sec. 410) Directs the Secretary to make grants to border States, local governments, organizations, and other persons for specified activities designed to improve commercial motor vehicle safety in the vicinity of borders between the United States and Canada and the United States and Mexico. Sets the Federal share of costs for such activities at 80 percent (but only 50 percent for the third year of a grant used to employ additional personnel to enforce commercial motor vehicle safety regulations). (Sec. 411) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on State laws and regulations pertaining to penalties for violation of State commercial motor vehicle weight laws. (Sec. 412) Repeals the mandate and authorization of appropriations to participate in the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement. (Sec. 413) Directs the Secretary to establish a nationwide toll-free telephone system for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and others to report potential violations of Federal motor carrier safety regulations and any laws or regulations relating to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to determine whether a practicable and cost-effective screening, operating, and monitoring protocol could likely be developed for insulin-treated diabetes mellitus individuals who want to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce that would ensure a level of safety equal to or greater than that achieved with the current prohibition against operation of such vehicles by such individuals. Requires the Secretary to compile, evaluate, and report to Congress on research and other information on the effects of insulin treated diabetes mellitus on driving performance. (Sec. 415) Requires the Secretary to: (1) review State procedures to determine if the current system for testing is an accurate measure and reflection of an individual's knowledge and skills as an operator of a commercial motor vehicle; and (2) identify methods to improve testing and licensing standards, including identifying the benefits and costs of a graduated licensing system. Requires issuance of regulations reflecting the results of such review. (Sec. 416) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of using emergency responders and law enforcement officers to conduct post-accident alcohol testing of commercial motor vehicle operators as a method of obtaining more timely information and reducing the burdens that employers may encounter in meeting current testing requirements. (Sec. 417) Requires the Secretary to encourage the research, development, and demonstration of technologies, identified taking into account specified considerations, that may aid in reducing the fatigue of commercial motor vehicle operators. (Sec. 418) Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine whether an owner or operator is fit to operate safely commercial motor vehicles; (2) periodically update such safety fitness determinations; (3) make such determinations readily available to the public; and (4) prescribe by regulation penalties for violations. Requires the Secretary to maintain by regulation a procedure with specified elements for determining whether an owner or operator is fit to operate safely commercial motor vehicles. Prohibits an owner or operator determined unfit from operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce until the Secretary determines such owner or operator is fit. Requires the Secretary to review, upon request, an unfit owner's or operator's compliance with those requirements with which the owner or operator failed to comply, resulting in the unfitness determination. Prohibits any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from using an unfit owner or operator to provide any transportation service until the Secretary determines such owner or operator is fit. (Sec. 419) Declares that Federal law governing the transportation of hazardous material does not prohibit a State from providing an exception from requirements relating to placarding, shipping papers, and emergency telephone numbers for the private motor carriage in intrastate transportation of an agricultural production material from a source of supply to a farm, from a farm to another farm, from a field to another field on a farm, or from the farm back to the source of supply. Defines agricultural production material as: (1) under 16,094 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer; (2) under 502 gallons (liquid) or 5,070 pounds (solids) of a pesticide; and (3) under 3,500 gallons of a diluted solution of water and pesticides or fertilizer. Title V: Programmatic Reforms and Streamlining - Modifies provisions regarding plans, specifications, and estimates to direct the Secretary to enter into a formal project agreement with each State highway department formalizing the conditions of project approval. Requires such agreement to make provision for State funds required for the State's pro rata share of the cost of construction of the project and for the maintenance of the project after completion of construction. Authorizes the Secretary to discharge to the State any of the Secretary's responsibilities for design, plans, specifications, estimates, contract awards, and inspection of projects on the NHS, with exceptions. Directs: (1) the State to assume such responsibilities for projects that are not on the NHS; and (2) the Secretary and the State to reach agreement as to the extent the State may assume the Secretary's responsibilities for NHS projects, subject to a limitation. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for highway construction projects that require: (1) the preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), with an exception; or (2) the conduct of any other environmental review, analysis, opinion, or issuance of an environmental permit, license, or approval by operation of Federal law. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and all other Federal (and, where appropriate, State) agencies; (2) elements of the coordinated process; (3) dispute resolution; (4) acceptance of project purpose and need; (4) State agency participation; (5) assistance to affected Federal agencies; and (6) judicial review. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a State environmental review pilot demonstration program; (2) eliminate the major investment study as a separate requirement and promulgate regulations to integrate such requirement as part of each analysis undertaken pursuant to NEPA for a project receiving assistance with funds made available under this Act; and (3) require each recipient of Federal financial assistance for a highway or transit project with an estimated total cost of $1 billion or more to submit to the Secretary an annual financial plan. (Sec. 505) Provides that if at least 50 percent of a State's apportionment under specified Federal-aid highway, and highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program, funds for a fiscal year, or at least 50 percent of specified allocations of apportioned funds from the State's apportionment may not be transferred to any other apportionment of the State for such fiscal year, then the State may transfer up to 50 percent of such apportionment or set aside to any other State apportionment for that fiscal year. Sets forth provisions regarding the application of this general rule to certain STP set- asides and CMAQ funds. (Sec. 506) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish criteria for all discretionary programs funded from the HTF which, to the extent practicable, conform to a specified executive order relating to infrastructure investment; and (2) eliminate any required programmatic responsibility for any regional office of DOT carrying out responsibilities of the FHWA regarding any funds made available by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to retain regional DOT offices carrying out responsibilities of the FHWA for the purpose of providing technical support to States, metropolitan areas, and transit authorities upon request. Title VI: Transportation Research - Subtitle A: Surface Transportation Research, Technology, and Education - Part I: Highway Research - Modifies research and planning provisions. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to: (1) continue the monitoring, material-testing, and evaluation of the highway test sections established under the long-term pavement performance program; (2) carry out analyses of the data collected under the program; and (3) prepare the products required to fulfill the original objectives of the program and meet future pavement technology needs. (Sec. 611) Replaces provisions regarding short haul passenger transportation systems with provision for an advanced research program that addresses longer-term, higher-risk research that shows potential benefits for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety (including bicycle and pedestrian safety) of highway and intermodal transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to strive to develop partnerships with the public and private sectors. Repeals the strategic highway research program and the applied research and technology program. Modifies: (1) the seismic research program to direct the Secretary to establish a program to study the vulnerability of the Federal-aid highway and other surface transportation systems to seismic activity and to develop and implement cost-effective methods to reduce such vulnerability; and (2) the international highway transportation outreach program to authorize the Secretary to engage in activities to promote U.S highway transportation goods and services internationally, and to gather and disseminate information on foreign transportation markets and industries. Part II: Transportation Education, Professional Training, and Technology Deployment - Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a national technology deployment initiative to expand adoption by the surface transportation community of innovative technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, reliability, service life, and sustainability of transportation systems and to reduce environmental impact; (2) integrate activities undertaken with DOT efforts to disseminate the results of research sponsored by DOT and to facilitate technology transfer; and (3) give preference to projects that leverage Federal funds with other significant public or private resources. (Sec. 624) Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish and operate one university transportation center in each of the ten U.S. Government regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System, and ten such additional centers to address transportation management and R&D; (2) Marshall University, West Virginia, to establish and operate an Appalachian Transportation Institute; and (3) the University of Minnesota to continue to operate and expand the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute. Part III: Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Miscellaneous Programs - Amends Federal transportation provisions to provide for compilation of statistics on transportation-related variables influencing global competitiveness. Directs the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to review and report to the Secretary on the sources and reliability of the statistics proposed by the heads of the operating administrations of DOT to measure outputs and outcomes, and to undertake such other reviews as may be requested by the Secretary. (Sec. 631) Requires the Director of the Bureau to: (1) ensure that statistics compiled are relevant for transportation decisions by Federal, State, and local governments, transportation-related associations, private businesses, and consumers; (2) establish and maintain an intermodal transportation database and a national transportation library; and (3) develop and maintain geographic databases depicting transportation networks; flows of people, goods, vehicles, and craft over those networks; and social, economic, and environmental conditions affecting or affected by those networks. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, public and nonprofit private entities to support the programs and activities of the Bureau. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) a prohibition of certain disclosures regarding information obtained under the long-term data collection program; and (2) collection of data for non-statistical purposes. Allows funds received by the Bureau from the sale of data products to be credited to the HTF and made available for the purpose of reimbursing the Bureau for such expenses. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 632) Directs the Secretary to carry out a transportation technology innovation and demonstration program, as part of which the Secretary shall: (1) conduct research on improved methods of using concrete and asphalt pavement in the construction, reconstruction, and repair of Federal-aid highways, on improved methods of deploying and integrating existing ITS projects to include hazardous materials monitoring systems across various modes of transportation, on the deployment of a system of advanced sensors and signal processors in trucks and tractor trailers, and on the use of composite materials for guardrails and bridge decking; (2) expand and continue the study relating to the development of a motor vehicle safety warning system and conduct tests of such system; (3) make grants for research and construction to improve and demonstrate the use of steel bridge construction; (4) continue to support the Urban Consortium's ITS outreach and technology transfer activities; (5) continue development and deployment to metropolitan planning organizations of the Transportation Economic and Land Use System; (6) make grants to Wisconsin to continue specified ITS activities; and (7) carry out a program to advance the deployment of an operational intelligent transportation infrastructure system for the measurement of various transportation system activities to aid in the transportation planning and analysis while making a significant contribution to the ITS program, to be located in the two largest metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania. Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing ITS program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and advance nationwide deployment of such systems as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems. Lists ITS program goals. (Sec. 653) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out the ITS program in cooperation with governmental, private, and educational entities, and in consultation with Federal officials; (2) develop, implement, and maintain a national ITS architecture and standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of ITS technology as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems; (3) issue guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of field and related operational tests; (4) establish and maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects and make, upon request, such information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost; (5) ensure that ITS projects carried out using funds made available from the HTF conform to the national ITS architecture and standards and protocols, with an exception; (6) require an analysis of the life-cycle costs of specified projects where the total initial capital costs of ITS operations and maintenance elements exceeds $3 million; and (7) develop appropriate technical assistance and guidance to assist State and local agencies in evaluating and selecting appropriate methods of procurement for its projects carried out using funds made available from the HTF. (Sec. 654) Directs the Secretary to maintain and update, as necessary, the National ITS Program Plan developed by DOT and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, and report to the Congress. (Sec. 655) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, and evaluate ITS technologies and services; funding to support adequate consideration of transportation system management and operations, including ITS, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes; and funding for research and operational tests relating to ITS; and (2) conduct R&D activities for the purpose of demonstrating integrated intelligent vehicle highway, and roadway safety, systems, including state-of-the-art systems and integrating collision avoidance, in-vehicle information, and other safety-related systems. (Sec. 656) Directs the Secretary to conduct a program to promote the deployment of regionally integrated, intermodal intelligent transportation systems and, through financial and technical assistance, assist in the development and implementation of such systems. Lists goals, funding limitations, and priorities for ITS deployment. (Sec. 657) Sets forth provisions regarding funding allocations (for the intelligent transportation infrastructure deployment incentives program, and for ITS research and program support activities), and the Federal share for specified programs. (Sec. 658) Repeals the Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act of 1991 (Title VI, Part B, of ISTEA). Title VII: Truth in Budgeting - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund shall: (1) not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the President's budget, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985; and (2) be exempt from any general budget limitation imposed by statute on expenditures and net lending (budget outlays) of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 701) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that the amount of interest credited to any of such trust funds for any fiscal year shall not exceed the amount of interest which would be credited to the fund if it were determined at the average interest rate on 52-week Treasury securities sold to the public during such fiscal year. (Sec. 702) Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to estimate annually the net aviation receipts and the unfunded aviation authorizations at the close of the following fiscal year. Requires adjustments to the amount authorized to be appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for such fiscal year so that the estimated unfunded aviation authorization will neither exceed nor be less than the estimated net aviation receipts. (Sec. 703) Requires the Secretary of the Army to estimate annually the net inland waterways and net harbor maintenance receipts, and the unfunded inland waterways and unfunded harbor maintenance authorizations at the close of the following fiscal year. Requires adjustments to the amounts authorized to be appropriated from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for such fiscal year so that the estimated unfunded authorizations will neither exceed nor be less than the estimated net receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that it: (1) supports and encourages character building initiatives in schools across the Nation; and (2) urges colleges and universities to affirm that the development of character is one of the primary goals of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1997
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike duplicate medals in bronze. Authorizes appropriations from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund, where sales proceeds shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 24 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 · 24 June 1997
Medicaid Community Attendant Services Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicaid coverage of qualified community-based attendant services for any individual entitled to nursing facility or intermediate care facility services. Limits such services to those furnished to an individual in a home or community-based setting, which may include a school, workplace, or recreating or religious facility, but not a nursing facility, an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or other institutional facility. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) review existing Medicaid regulations for home health services and other services in home and community-based settings; (2) report to the Congress on how excessive utilization of medical services can be reduced under Medicaid by using qualified community-based attendant services; (3) develop a functional needs assessment instrument with respect to an individual's need for such services; and (4) establish a task force to examine appropriate methods for financing long-term care services. Amends SSA title XIX to allow States to waive certain income limitations with respect to Medicaid payments to individuals eligible for medical assistance who are also eligible for or already receiving a State supplementary payment. Allows such a waiver in such cases as the State finds the potential for employment opportunities would be enhanced through the provision of qualified community-based attendant services. Allows the State, in the case of such an individual made eligible for medical assistance because of such a waiver, to impose a premium based on a sliding scale relating to income.
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 · 20 June 1997
Amends Federal aviation law to declare that nothing in such law or in the Death on the High Seas Act shall affect any remedy existing at common law or under State law with respect to any injury or death arising out of any aviation incident occurring on or after January 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for specified activities relating to personal information about a child (defined as a person under age 16), including knowingly: (1) selling such information (by a list broker) without the written consent of a parent of that child, knowing that such information pertains to a child; (2) using prison inmate labor for data processing of personal information about children; and (3) distributing or soliciting any such information, knowing or having reason to believe that the information will be used to abuse or physically harm the child. Sets penalties for contacting that child or a parent of that child (by a person who uses personal information about a child that was obtained for commercial purposes) to offer a commercial product or service to that child and knowingly failing to comply with a parent's request to: (1) disclose the source of such information, all information that has been sold or otherwise disclosed by that list broker about that child, and the identity of all persons to whom such information has been disclosed; or (2) discontinue providing such information to third parties. Sets penalties for knowingly releasing personal information about another person's child to any entity that intends to use the information to solicit the sale of a product or service, without the permission of that child's parent. Authorizes civil actions by a child or a parent with respect to whom a violation of this Act occurs. Directs the court to award a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs. Specifies that nothing in this Act affects the sale of lists to: (1) the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (the Center); (2) accredited colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning; (3) the U.S. military; or (4) local, State, or Federal law enforcement agencies. Declares that it shall be the duty of each list broker operating in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce to make that broker's databases available twice annually, without charge, to the Center to allow the Center to match it with the database of missing children held by the Center.
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 · 19 June 1997
Places a four-year moratorium on the promulgation of new or revised national ambient air quality standards for ozone or fine particulate matter under the Clean Air Act by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Administrator, within five years of this Act's enactment date, to: (1) complete a review of the air quality criteria and standards for ozone and particulate matter; and (2) determine whether to retain or revise such standards or promulgate new standards. Directs the Administrator, in reviewing such criteria for particulate matter, to: (1) evaluate any adverse health effects of exposure to airborne particulate matter; (2) determine the amount and size of particles inhaled and retained in the lungs; and (3) investigate the biological mechanisms by which particulate matter may induce adverse health effects. Authorizes the Administrator to require State implementation plans to require air quality monitoring for fine particulate matter and to make grants to States for such purposes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Supports the National Railroad Hall of Fame, Inc., of Galesburg, Illinois, in its endeavor to erect the monument known as the National Railroad Hall of Fame.
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 · 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 · 16 May 1997
Highway Restoration Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal aid highway program to: (1) increase to $800 million per fiscal year the amount to be set aside for 4R projects (projects for highway resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction); (2) include additions to the Interstate System within such 4R projects; and (3) repeal set-aside amounts for FY 1992 through 1994 for improvements on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.
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
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 · 14 May 1997
Retired Worker Health Security Act of 1997 - Requires employers to notify workers at least 60 days before their health care benefits or retirement benefits are terminated. Defines employer as any business enterprise which has 100 or more employees or 500 or more employees who have retired and receive or will receive health and pension benefits from such enterprise.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the nonrecognition of gain on property held for at least ten years which is compulsorily or involuntarily converted as the result of the exercise of eminent domain, without regard to whether the replacement property is similar or of like kind.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Commends 25 specified States for their efforts with respect to prison time served by criminal offenders. Encourages all remaining States to adopt legislation to increase the time served by violent felons. Reemphasizes that individuals who commit violent crime should serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.
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
Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the Lincoln National Historic Trail (a trail of approximately 350 miles extending from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River with an extension of the water route down the River to connect with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail near Wood River, Illinois as a component of the National Trails System. Designates an extension of such water route down the Sangamon River from Beardstown to Springfield for study as an addition to such System.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Farmer Retirement Security Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farm property to the extent that the proceeds are paid into an individual retirement account. Establishes limitations on such rollover amounts per individual and per family. Denies an itemized deduction for such rollover amounts and exempts such amounts from limitations on contributions to individual retirement accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation of Wilderness Title II: Administrative Provisions America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 1997 - Title I: Designation of Wilderness - Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin wilderness areas; (2) Zion and Mojave Desert wilderness areas; (3) the Grand Staircase Wilderness and the Kaiparowits Plateau Wilderness; (4) Escalante Canyon wilderness areas; (5) the Henry Mountains Wilderness; (6) the Dirty Devil River Wilderness; (7) Cedar Mesa wilderness areas; (8) Canyonlands wilderness areas; (9) San Rafael Swell wilderness areas; and (10) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin wilderness areas. Title II: Administrative Provisions - Reserves the Federal Government's rights to a quantity of water sufficient for each wilderness area designated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Hunger Has a Cure Act of 1997 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for an annual price-indexed standard deduction adjustment (as of FY 2001). (Sec. 3) Revises maximum excess shelter deduction amounts and authorizes such amounts through FY 2001 (currently permanent). (Sec. 4) Provides for an annual price-indexed vehicle allowance adjustment. (Sec. 5) Revises work requirement provisions. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to reserve specified amounts for FY 1998 through 2002 employment and training programs. (Sec. 6) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 to make legal immigrants who became disabled after U.S. entry and certain elderly and under-18 years of age legal immigrants eligible for the food stamp program (program). Extends program eligibility for refugees and asylees from five years to seven years. Repeals specified program attribution of (alien) sponsor income provisions. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) specified funds under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 should be appropriated to provide FY 1998 short-term emergency food assistance; and (2) FY 1997 and 1998 appropriations for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) should meet case load demands. (Sec. 9) Amends the National School Lunch Act to: (1) increase lunch and supper reimbursement rates for the summer food service program for children; and (2) increase the number of meals and-or supplements available under the child and adult food care program. (Sec. 10) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary to carry out school breakfast and summer feeding program outreach activities. Obligates specified Treasury funds for State start-up and expansion costs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Patient Access to Responsible Care Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a health insurance issuer to: (1) assure that covered items and services are available and accessible to each enrollee; (2) assure the availability and accessibility of emergency services and urgent care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; (3) not require prior authorization for emergency services; and (4) cover emergency and urgent (and related ancillary) services. Requires an issuer offering network coverage to show that enrollees have access to specialized treatment. Regulates network incentive plans. Requires an issuer to: (1) permit each network enrollee to select a personal health professional from participating professionals; (2) cover nonparticipating providers, regulating premiums and cost sharing; (3) avoid undue enrollee burden from care coordination and cost control processes; (4) ensure direct specialist access; (5) provide for continuity of care for those with special needs or a chronic condition; and (6) provide for continued coverage in certain circumstances. Prohibits issuer discrimination on the basis of specified factors against individuals or providers. Prohibits any issuer-professional agreement from restricting the professional from engaging in medical communications with the professional's patient. Sets forth requirements regarding utilization review, an appeals process, and the process by which health professionals and providers become participants. Requires issuers to: (1) disclose certain information to enrollees and prospective enrollees; (2) comply with Federal and State confidentiality laws; (3) meet State solvency-related requirements; and (4) establish a quality improvement program. Requires issuers to comply with this Act regarding group and individual coverage. Declares that the requirements of this Act do not preempt any State law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan and an issuer offering coverage under such a plan to comply with the requirements of this Act. Declares that this Act does not preempt any State: (1) law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals; or (2) cause of action for personal injury or wrongful death damages that provides insurance or administrative services to or for an employee welfare benefit plan maintained to provide health benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation of Wilderness Areas Title II: Biological Connecting Corridors Title III: National Park and Preserve Studies Title IV: Wild and Scenic Rivers Designations Title V: National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System Title VI: Implementation and Monitoring Title VII: Rules of Construction Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Designation of Wilderness Areas - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier-Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon-Selway Ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk Ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6) Blackfeet Wilderness. (Sec. 109) Reserves, with respect to each wilderness area designated by this Act, a sufficient quantity of water to fulfill the area's designated purpose. Title II: Biological Connecting Corridors - Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors (Corridors) to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Exempts specified roads and highways from provisions of this Act. Title III: National Park and Preserve Studies - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of: (1) creating a Hells Canyon-Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve; (2) creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve; and (3) designating such areas as units of the National Park System. Requires the national park and preserve study areas to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. Title IV: Wild and Scenic Rivers Designations - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Title V: National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System - Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System. Specifies component recovery areas. Requires the U.S. Forest Service, after recovery is achieved for a component area, to evaluate its suitability for inclusion in the System or for other consistent uses. Establishes the National Wildland Recovery Corps (as a special unit of the U.S. Forest Service) to carry out land recovery responsibilities. Requires the Corps to develop a wildland recovery plan for each area of the Recovery System, requiring each plan to take into account the specific conditions of the area. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Implementation and Monitoring - Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to: (1) report to the Congress on implementation of this Act; (2) establish an interagency team to monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations to ensure long-term results required by this Act and to develop a geographic information system for monitoring the Northern Rockies Bioregion; and (3) establish a governmental review board to make recommendations to the Congress on legally restating and unifying the natural resource management mandates of Federal agencies. (Sec. 605) Requires the Secretaries to assure nonexclusive access to Wilderness areas, National Park and Preserve Study areas, Wildland Recovery areas, and Biological Corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Requires the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to enter into cooperative management agreements with the appropriate Indian tribes to assure protection of religious, burial, and gathering sites, and to work cooperatively on the management of all uses in the protected areas that affect Indian lands and people. (Sec. 606) Requires the Secretaries to give particular emphasis to the preservation and protection of cultural resources located within the areas. Title VII: Rules of Construction - Provides that nothing in this Act may be construed as: (1) a relinquishment or reduction of any U.S.-secured water rights; (2) establishing a precedent with regard to any future designations, including wilderness designations; or (3) affecting any Indian treaty or right.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that certain provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 relating to transportation of merchandise between U.S. points in other than domestically built or rebuilt and documented vessels and to incineration of hazardous waste at sea (those provisions popularly known as the Jones Act) and related statutes are critically important components of our Nation's economic and military security and should be fully and strongly supported.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dieticians and nutrition professionals.
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
Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of medically necessary dental procedures which are cost-effective.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to affirm publicly as a matter of U.S. policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. Urges U.S. officials to refrain from any actions that contradict this policy.
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 · 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
United States Efficient Currency Act of 1997 - Amends Federal currency law to prescribe the color and content of one-dollar coins. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) place certain authorized one-dollar coins into circulation before the government's current inventory of one-dollar coins bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony is depleted; and (2) increase capacity at U.S. Mint facilities to a level that permits replacement of one-dollar Federal reserve notes. Prohibits a Federal reserve bank from placing into circulation any one-dollar Federal Reserve note after specified deadlines. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cease regular production of one-dollar Federal Reserve notes (except for such quantities ordered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve to meet collectors' needs).
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
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
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Costello, Jerry F. [D-IL-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000794_200.jpg)