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United States · Official source
2,725 records where Rep. Coyne, William J. [D-PA-14] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Prohibits civilian employees of the National Guard from being required to wear military uniforms while performing civilian service.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Authorizes use of the rotunda of the Capitol on October 21, 1997, for a ceremony to allow Members of Congress to greet and receive His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Recognizes the crew members of the U.S.S. Pittsburgh for their heroism in March 1945 rendering aid and assistance to the U.S.S. Franklin and its crew.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1997
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions in the attack of San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War on July 1, 1898.
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 July 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a (temporary) business-related credit for qualified equity investments in community development financial institutions. Sets forth credit limitation, recapture, deduction for unused credit, and carryback provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Calls for: (1) the President to demand that the Government of Russia take actions to stop governmental and nongovernmental entities in the Russian Federation from providing missile technology and technical advice to Iran in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime; (2) the United States, if Russia's response is inadequate, to impose sanctions on the responsible Russian entities in accordance with Executive Order 12938 on the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and to reassess cooperative activities with Russia; (3) raising the threshold under current law allowing for the waiver of the prohibition on the release of foreign assistance to Russia; and (4) encouragement of our European allies to take steps to stop such proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1997
American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1997 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years mentioned, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; (4) $6.95 in 2001; and (5) $7.25 in 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
National Marrow Donor Program Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry with provisions mandating establishment, by contract, of a program to assist patients needing a blood stem cell transplant in searching for biologically unrelated donor individuals. Sets forth program functions, including: (1) maintaining one or more donor and one or more recipient registries; (2) educational activities (including donor recruitment and professional and public information); and (3) establishing the Office of Patient Advocacy and Case Management. Mandates: (1) standards regarding quality, tissue typing, donor informed consent, and patient advocacy; (2) donor selection criteria; (3) stem cell collection and transportation procedures; (4) confidentiality standards; and (5) procedures for integrating participating donor registries and centers. Mandates criminal penalties for confidentiality violations. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a plan to effectuate efficiencies in the relationship between the program and donor centers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1997
Federal Accountability and Institutional Reform in Education Act of 1997 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise requirements for student loan cohort default management. Requires guaranty agreements, with regard to due diligence in insured loan collection efforts, to require proof that the institution and the State licensing board were contacted. Requires guaranty agreements to prohibit reimbursement to a guaranty agency upon a default claim unless the agency demonstrates (currently, certifies) diligent attempts, including direct contact with the institution and the State licensing board, have been made. (Sec. 3) Prohibits the Secretary from reimbursing or permitting any eligible lender, servicer, or guaranty agency (or its affiliates) which previously filed a claim for reimbursement on a loan to retain any proceeds from subsequent collection of a defaulted loan to the extent that such funds, when added to the amount of prior reimbursement, exceed 100 percent of the original principal of the loan. Revises provisions relating to notice to the Secretary, payment of loss, notice to institutions of credit bureau information, and cohort default rate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress that lenders, servicers and guaranty agencies have demonstrated their compliance with servicing and due diligence requirements; and (2) provide information on the successful practices of low-default lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies to other financial, servicing, and guaranty institutions participating in HEA student aid programs, to encourage duplication of successful servicing and collection programs. Requires uniform application to all eligible institutions of certain mitigating circumstances which allow an institution to continue in the student loan insurance program despite a high default rate for its three most recent fiscal years. Limits such circumstances to the following criteria: (1) at least 50 percent of the students enrolled in eligible programs qualify for a Pell grant; (2) an institution's student completion rate is 60 percent or greater; and (3) the initial job placement rate of program graduates is 60 percent or greater. (Sec. 4) Provides for: (1) judicial review of any final determination of the Secretary concerning eligibility for, or the terms of participation in, any student loan or grant program; as well as (2) injunctive relief from such determination. (Sec. 5) Requires an institution, at its request, to have access to a complete copy of loan servicing and collection records when appealing, on the basis of alleged improper loan servicing, a loss of eligibility for Federal student loan programs. (Sec. 6) Provides for standard (ten-year), extended (30-year), graduated (30-year), and income-sensitive (25-year) repayment plans for insured, guaranteed, consolidated, and direct loans. Directs the Secretary to discharge a borrower's liability by repaying the holder of a loan subject to an income-sensitive repayment plan the amount of remaining unpaid principal and interest after the borrower has completed 25 years of repayment in accordance with such plan. (Sec. 7) Declares that certain types of student loans shall not be considered in default for any purpose under this paragraph if the borrower is making regularly scheduled payments towards the repayment of the borrower's loan obligation in the amount required by the borrower's repayment plan, even if those payments are not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a monthly or quarterly basis (negative amortization waiver). (Sec. 8) Revises certain requirements for interest rates for consolidation loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program. Provides for consolidation of new student loans for which no interest subsidy may be paid along with Federal Stafford loans on which the Secretary shall continue making such interest subsidies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Women's Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and related activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute with regard to cardiovascular diseases in women. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 19 June 1997
Point Reyes National Seashore Farmland Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to include the Farmland Protection Area in the Point Reyes National Seashore, California, with the primary objective being to protect private agricultural land from nonagricultural development by conservation easements. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make farmland acquisitions within the Area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Cuban Humanitarian Trade Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to exempt from the embargo on trade with Cuba the export of food, medicines, or medical supplies, instruments, or equipment, or any travel incident to delivery of such items. Exempts the same items from the President's authority to restrict exports to Cuba under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the denial of foreign tax credit with respect to income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid to Cuba that are attributable to activities with respect to the permitted exports, or travel incident to such activities, under this Act. Directs the President to report to the Congress with respect to the uses, and end users, of the permitted exports to Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to: (1) reduce the loan rate for quota peanuts by specified amounts through crop year 2001; and (2) eliminate peanut price supports as of crop year 2002. Amends: (1) the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to eliminate peanut marketing quota provisions as of crop year 2002; and (2) the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make conforming amendments. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) from providing any subsequent peanut price supports. Directs the Secretary to make nonrecourse loans and loan deficiency payments available to peanut producers beginning with crop year 2002. Sets forth: (1) loan rate, term, and repayment provisions; and (2) deficiency computation provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including an employing authority or office to which specified provisions of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 or the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 apply. Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from entering into a consent decree that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except regarding employment in a position the duties of which pertain solely to activities of the organization that generate unrelated business income subject to taxation under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for all remedies (except punitive damages, with compensatory damages available to the extent specified in certain existing provisions of law) to the same extent as under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Sets a deadline by which: (1) the Secretary of Energy shall consolidate the Office of Fossil Energy and the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency into an Office of Energy Technology (OET); and (2) such consolidation results in a reduction by 25 of the number of headquarters employees determined on a full-time equivalent basis. Mandates appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Technology whose duties shall include: (1) preparation and transmittal to the Congress of a strategic plan and policy agenda for the OET, as well as a multiyear OET program plan for FY 1999 through 2003 (including a comprehensive strategy for increasing the use of resources available in field offices); and (2) direction and supervision of the OET.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1997
Nigeria Democracy Act - Imposes certain economic sanctions on Nigeria to promote democracy and human rights there. Requires the President to direct the Secretary of Transportation to revoke the right of Nigerian air carriers to service, and prohibit U.S. air carriers from servicing, routes between the United States and such country. Authorizes waiver of such sanctions if the President certifies to the Congress that such waiver is important to the national interest. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should exclude Nigerian sporting teams from participating in any sporting event in the United States; and (2) the President should work with the Government of Australia before the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sydney to determine the appropriateness of issuing visas for Nigerian participants in such Games. Directs the President to report periodically to the Congress on the extent to which Nigeria has made progress toward democracy, civilian rule, and respect for internationally-recognized human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the work opportunity credit to: (1) extend the credit; (2) increase the credit wage percentage; (3) revise minimum employment requirements; and (4) revise the definition of a targeted welfare (IV-A) recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the reduction of any tax credit or refund due a taxpayer in order to collect past-due, legally enforceable State tax obligations. Provides for the disclosure of information to States requesting such a reduction. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to treat as though they had never been enacted specified amendments of that Act requiring tax overpayment offsets against overpayments to the taxpayer under State plans relating to title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of the Social Security Act (and related disclosures of information to States).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the 2004 Summer Olympic Games should be held in Cape Town, South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
School-Based Children Health Insurance Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an income-based, refundable tax credit for the purchase of school-based health insurance coverage for qualified children. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide financial assistance to States for health insurance outreach and information programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that certain permitted field studies, large-scale testing and evaluation, and demonstrations of the National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Blood Resources Program include: (1) the development and dissemination of a core content for a model State cardiac arrest training program for inclusion in emergency medical services educational curricula and training programs addressing lifesaving interventions; and (2) related matters. Establishes as an independent executive branch agency the Commission on Cardiac Arrest Survival. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 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
Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such costs as well as the cost of extending routine patient care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish in the National Park Service (NPS) a program to be known as the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom under which the Secretary shall: (1) produce and disseminate educational materials about the Railroad; (2) provide technical assistance to other government agencies, private entities, or the Governments of Canada, Mexico, or any appropriate Caribbean country to ensure coordination of Federal and non-Federal elements of the Network; and (3) regulate use of an official symbol for the Network. Includes within the Network: (1) NPS units or programs pertaining to the Railroad; (2) Federal, State, local, or privately-owned properties pertaining to the Railroad that have a verifiable connection to it and that are included or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) governmental or nongovernmental facilities or programs of educational, research, or interpretive natures that are directly related to such Railroad. Prohibits amounts from being appropriated for the purposes of this Act except to the Secretary for carrying out his or her responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Federal Procurement and Assistance Integrity Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness and protect the integrity of the Federal procurement and assistance systems by ensuring that the Federal Government does business with responsible contractors and participants. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to debar or suspend a person from procurement or nonprocurement activities upon a finding, in accordance with procedures developed under this Act, that the person violated any of the following: (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Fair Labor Standards Act; (3) the Occupational Safety and Health Act; or (4) Federal requirements for employment emphasis under Federal contracts to be given to special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary and the National Labor Relations Board to jointly develop procedures to determine whether a violation of a law listed above is serious enough to warrant debarment or suspension. Mandates a report by the Secretary and the National Labor Relations Board to the Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Reaffirms the view that the status quo on Cyprus is unacceptable and detrimental to U.S. interests. Considers that lasting peace and stability on Cyprus could be best secured by a process of complete demilitarization leading to the withdrawal of all foreign occupation forces, the cessation of foreign arms transfers to Cyprus, and providing for alternative internationally acceptable and effective security arrangements as negotiated by the parties. Supports the commitment by President Clinton to give increased attention to Cyprus and make the search for a solution a priority of U.S. foreign policy. Encourages the President to launch an early substantive initiative, in close coordination with the United Nations, the European Union, and interested governments to promote a speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law, the provisions of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, democratic principles, including respect for human rights, and in accordance with the norms and requirements for accession to the European Union. Calls upon the parties to lend their full support and cooperation to such an initiative. Requests the President to report actions taken to give effect to the objectives set forth in this Act in the bimonthly report on Cyprus transmitted to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Declares that the Congress: (1) maintains that the standard for the "Made in USA" label should continue to be that a product was all or virtually all made in the United States; and (2) urges the Federal Trade Commission to refrain from lowering the standard at the expense of consumers and jobs in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Highway Programs Title II: Transit Programs ISTEA Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Title I: Highway Programs - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the surface transportation program; (3) the bridge program; (4) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (5) the minimum allocation program; (6) apportionment adjustments; (7) the Interstate System reimbursement program; (8) level of effort bonus; (9) certain projects under the Federal lands highways program; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs; (11) FHWA highway safety research and development; and (12) the Appalachian development highway program. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal-aid highway law to revise the formula for determining the State apportionment of funds for the NHS and the surface transportation program. Extends through FY 2003 the set aside of Federal highway funds for discretionary projects for the resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing of routes on the Interstate System. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct, and submit to specified congressional committees, a study of the impact of the movement of goods on transportation infrastructure as a measure of need for apportioning funds for the NHS. (Sec. 104) Earmarks 50 percent of NHS funds apportioned to States for Interstate maintenance projects. Repeals the State apportionment of Federal highway funds (nondiscretionary) for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. (Sec.105) Revises the formula for the apportionment of funds to States under the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. Authorizes States that are apportioned more than 15 percent of the total amount of such apportioned funds to transfer, with the approval of the metropolitan planning organization, all or a portion of the amount that exceeds such percentage to the State's apportionment of funds under the surface transportation program. Prohibits the use of transferred funds for a project which will result in the construction of new capacity available to single occupant vehicles unless the project consists of a high occupancy vehicle facility available to single occupant vehicles only at other than peak travel times. . (Sec. 106) Extends for an additional six-fiscal year period the obligation of a State to allocate surface transportation program funds for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. (Sec.107) Increases the minimum amount of apportioned highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program funds that a State shall receive in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the discretionary bridge and off-system bridges programs. Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the highway timber bridge research and demonstration program. (Sec.108) Revises for FY 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter the formula for determining the amount of highway funds that would be required to ensure a State's percentage of the total apportionments in each fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year for specified transportation programs is not less than 90 percent of the percentage that the population of the State is of the population of the United States (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent revised estimate of State populations prepared by the Bureau of Census). (Sec. 110) Provides for the adjustment of funds apportioned to States for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to allocate Federal highway funds to eligible States in a ratio that the financial level of effort of each State exceeds the financial level of effort of all States in a fiscal year, except that no State may receive more than ten percent of the total amount made available for such fiscal year. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds to certain States that have a high level of effort as measured by equivalent motor fuel taxes collected. Directs the Secretary to transfer amounts allocated to a State under this section to the State's apportionment of funds for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 112) Extends through FY 2003: (1) the strategic highway research program; (2) the applied research and technology program; (3) the seismic research program; (4) intelligent transportation systems; (5) the scenic byways program; and (6) construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities (discretionary). (Sec. 115) Amends Federal-aid highway law to authorize the Secretary to make grants to Mexican and Canadian border States that demonstrate the need due to increased traffic resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Act for assistance in carrying out transportation projects that are necessary to relieve traffic congestion in the border region, in particular to connect the NHS with Federal border crossing facilities, or to improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws there. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 116) Sets forth highway transportation program streamlining provisions including: (1) authorizing States to give priority for high priority segments of corridors of national significance for inclusion in transportation improvement projects; (2) Federal and State environmental reviews for surface transportation projects; (3) State credit for non-Federal share of the cost of projects for toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build or improve highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve interstate commerce; (4) encouragement of alternative transportation purposes, including bikeway and walkway projects, of historic bridges; and (5) simplifying the administration of enhancement projects and congestion mitigation and air quality projects with costs of less than $500,000. Title II: Transit Programs - Federal Transit Act of 1997 - Amends Federal mass transportation law to authorize urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000 to use block grant mass transportation assistance for either operating or capital purposes. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for discretionary grants and loans for: (1) fixed guideway modernization; (2) capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing fixed guideway systems; and (3) replacement of buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for certain apportionments to urbanized areas for fixed guideway modernization (nondiscretionary). Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for specified mass transportation programs. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the national mass transportation institute; and (2) university research institutes. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for transportation centers (including set-asides). (Sec. 208) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a certain limitation on the transfer of amounts from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Permits the performance of honor guard functions by members of the National Guard at funerals for veterans to be treated as Federal functions for which appropriated funds may be used.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997 - Establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study the laws relating to the financing of political activity and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws. (Sec. 6) Requires the Commission, not later than July 1998 or 240 days after the appointment of its members (whichever occurs earlier), to submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, a report of the activities of the Commission. Requires the report to include any recommendations for changes in the laws (including regulations) governing the financing of political activity, including any changes in House and Senate rules, to which nine or more Commission members may agree, together with drafts of: (1) any legislation (including technical and conforming provisions) recommended by the Commission to implement such recommendations; and (2) any proposed amendment to the Constitution recommended by the Commission as necessary to implement such recommendations, except that if the Commission includes such a proposed amendment in its report, it shall also include recommendations and drafts for legislation that may be implemented prior to the adoption of such proposed amendment. Requires the Commission, in making recommendations and preparing drafts of legislation, to consider the following to be its primary goals: (1) encouraging fair and open Federal elections that provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and issues; (2) eliminating the disproportionate influence of special interest financing of Federal elections; and (3) creating a more equitable electoral system for challengers and incumbents. (Sec. 7) Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation introduced the substance of which implements a recommendation of the Commission submitted, including a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Allocates surcharges from coin sales between the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service for activities associated with the bicentennial commemoration of the expedition.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
American Cities Investment Act of 1997 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to: (1) set limitations on maximum outstanding loan guarantees issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; (2) authorize the Secretary to guarantee advances from Federal Home Loan Banks; and (3) expand the community participation requirements to include major stakeholders (as defined by this Act). Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize advances to metropolitan cities, urban counties, or their public agencies for certain extraordinary, nonusual community development purposes pursuant to such loan guarantees. Prohibits the use of such funds to supplant Federal or non-federal fund sources. Sets forth amount limit and repayment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include liability to pay workers' compensation within the definition of personal injury liability assignments (thus, making amounts received for agreeing to such liability assignment eligible for exclusion from gross income).
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 · 30 April 1997
Extends the legislative authority of the National Peace Garden to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia until June 30, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Insular Fair Wage and Human Rights Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to prohibit the affixation of the "Made in the USA" label to a textile fiber product from the Northern Mariana Islands unless: (1) each worker producing such product was paid a minimum wage equal to or greater than a specified amount; and (2) the product was manufactured in compliance with all Federal labor laws, including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Applies to the Northern Mariana Islands: (1) the Immigration and Nationality Act; and (2) the minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as modified by this Act. Requires a minimum wage through December 31, 1997, of $3.55 per hour, adjusted semiannually thereafter in $.50 increments until it equals the minimum wage required by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Requires a study of the extent of human and labor rights violations in the Northern Mariana Islands, which shall be included in the Secretary of the Interior's annual Federal-CNMI Initiative on Labor Immigration, and Law Enforcement report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Biomedical and Behavioral Research Title II: Preventive Health Research Title III: Development of Improved Pharmaceutical and Other Therapeutic Agents Title IV: Research on Environmental Risks Pediatric Research Initiative Act of 1997 - Title I: Biomedical and Behavioral Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a comprehensive plan for the conduct and support by the national research institutes of pediatric research. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Pediatric Research. Authorizes appropriations. Requires: (1) guidelines for the inclusion of children as subjects in clinical research projects conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health; and (2) increasing the percentage of child subjects. Title II: Preventive Health Research - Mandates: (1) a program of research (directly or through grants) regarding preventable diseases, disabilities, and injuries in children; (2) an advisory committee; and (3) a comprehensive plan for the research. Establishes the Pediatric Prevention Research Initiative Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Development of Improved Pharmaceuticals and Other Therapeutic Agents - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to delay for a specified time (after the approval would otherwise be granted) the approval of new drugs for which the application materials refer to a drug whose approval application materials include pediatric clinical investigations. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider pharmacokinetic studies as clinical investigations. Provides for requests for pediatric studies. Title IV: Research on Environmental Risks - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program to conduct and support research regarding environmental factors that affect children differently than adults. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Zero to Three Resolution for Early Childhood Development - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that sufficient funding should be provided to meet the needs of infants and toddlers through: (1) the Healthy Start program under the Public Health Service Act; (2) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (3) Head Start programs and programs under the Head Start Act that provide services for families with infants and toddlers; (4) programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and (5) programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Declares that legislation should be enacted during the 105th Congress to expand health insurance to provide coverage for all uninsured children.
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
James P. Grant World Summit for Children Implementation Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for contributions to the United Nations Children's Fund. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Child Survival Fund. Earmarks funds for activities that have a direct measurable impact on reducing rates of child death and disease. Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to report to the Congress on the progress to significantly increase the level of funding to private and voluntary organizations conducting community-based child survival programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that authority should be granted to the President to exercise specified debt forgiveness authority for least developed countries that are pursuing economic policy reforms to promote long-term development. Earmarks development assistance funds for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Vitamin A Deficiency Program. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) iodine and iron deficiency prevention programs; (2) prevention and control programs related to human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in developing countries; and (3) population assistance programs. Earmarks development and economic assistance funds for FY 1998 and 1999 for programs in support of basic education. Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified amounts should be appropriated for FY 1998 and 1999 for migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the prevention of the global spread of tuberculosis. Requires the President to call upon other governments to provide their share of resources required to achieve the World Summit for Children goals by the year 2000.
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 · 17 April 1997
Redesignates the Department of Justice Building located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C., as the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act with respect to the sugar program to: (1) reduce sugarcane loan rates through crop year 2002; (2) revise the sugar beet loan rate; (3) eliminate nonrecourse loans after FY 1997; and (4) eliminate sugar price supports after crop year 2002. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal sugar and crystalline fructose marketing quota and allotment provisions. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985, beginning with the 1996-1997 quota year, to direct the President to use all available authority to ensure that U.S. market raw sugar shall be available at not more than the higher of the world sugar price or the U.S. loan rate.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income (under the qualified scholarship provisions) certain amounts provided by an employer to the child of an employee.