United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals engaged in eligible farming businesses to deduct from gross income for any taxable year the amount (limited to 20 percent of the individual's taxable income for the year) paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Deems a distribution, subject to income tax, of any deposits not actually distributed within five years, and prescribes an additional penalty tax of ten percent of any such deemed distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 1998 - Authorizes the oilheat industry to conduct a referendum through a qualified industry organization among retailers and wholesalers for the creation of a National Oilheat Research Alliance to develop programs concerning oilheat research and development, safety issues, consumer education, and training. Defines industry to include those persons involved in the production, transportation, and sale of oilheat, and in the manufacture and distribution of oilheat utilization equipment, in the United States (but not the ultimate consumers of oilheat). Permits State participation in such Alliance. Prescribes guidelines for Alliance membership and representation. Requires the Alliance to: (1) establish a program coordinating its operation with that of any similar State, local, or regional program; and (2) levy and collect annual assessments on the wholesale sale of No. 1 distillate and No. 2 dyed distillate sufficient to cover Alliance plans and program costs. Empowers the Alliance to bring suit in Federal court to compel compliance with any assessments it levies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Urges the President to expeditiously procure and provide to the Colombian National Police (CNP) three UH-60L Blackhawk utility helicopters for assisting the CNP in reducing and eliminating the production of illicit drugs in Colombia and the trafficking of such drugs, including heroin and cocaine, to the United States. Urges the President, if he believes that three of such helicopters are not sufficient for such purpose, to inform the Congress as to the appropriate number of additional helicopters needed so that amounts can be authorized for their procurement and transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers Child Protection and Sexual Predator Punishment Act of 1998 - Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to a fine and five years' imprisonment anyone who, using the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce: (1) or who within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, knowingly contacts (or attempts to contact) an individual who has not attained age 18, or who has been represented to the person making the contact as not having attained age 18, for purposes of engaging in criminal sexual activity; or (2) knowingly transfers obscene matter to such an individual. (Sec. 103) Increases penalties for: (1) enticing or coercing any person under age 18, in any U.S. territory or possession, to engage in prostitution or in criminal sexual activity or to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in such activity; (2) using any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the mail, to entice or coerce such an individual to engage in such activity; and (3) engaging in certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors or child pornography. (Sec. 105) Provides for: (1) criminal forfeiture for solicitation of minors and interstate prostitution; and (2) pretrial detention of persons who commit specified sex offenses involving child pornography or against a minor. (Sec. 107) Sets: (1) a three-year minimum term of imprisonment for enticing or coercing within U.S. jurisdiction, or for using a computer or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce to entice or coerce, any individual under age 18 to engage in prostitution or a criminal sexual act; and (2) the maximum term of imprisonment for a violation of provisions regarding transportation for illegal sexual activity after a prior sex offense conviction at twice the term otherwise provided. Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement, and increases penalties, for transportation of a minor or assumed minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and for travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor or assumed minor. (Sec. 203) Doubles penalties for abusive sexual contact where the victim is under age 12. (Sec. 204) Requires persons who violate aggravated sexual abuse provisions or engage in specified conduct that would violate such provisions if the conduct had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States after having been convicted twice previously of a serious State or Federal sex crime, to be imprisoned for life. (Sec. 205) Replaces repeat offender provisions with a provision doubling the maximum term of imprisonment after a prior sex offense conviction. (Sec. 206) Provides a civil remedy for personal injuries resulting from certain sex crimes against children. Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General, in investigations of alleged violations of provisions regarding sexual abuse of children, to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of records deemed relevant or material to the investigation. (Sec. 302) Provides that the fact that a presumption that a person has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce if the victim is not released within 24 hours after being unlawfully kidnapped has not yet taken effect does not preclude a Federal investigation of a possible kidnapping before the 24-hour period has ended. Includes the following among the jurisdictional elements for kidnapping: (1) the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce is used in furtherance of the offense; and (2) the offense affects interstate or foreign commerce, or would do so if the offense were consummated. Specifies that the kidnapping offense applies regardless of whether such person was alive when transported across a State boundary, provided the person was alive when the transportation began. (Sec. 303) Subjects any person who travels across a State line or enters or leaves Indian country with intent to engage in conduct that constitutes murder in the first degree to life imprisonment or, if death results, imposition of the death penalty. Prohibits such prosecution from being undertaken by the United States except on written certification of the Attorney General (or the Attorney General's highest ranking subordinate with responsibility for criminal prosecutions) that the conduct intended to be engaged in was a serial killing. Makes such certification unreviewable in any court. (Sec. 304) Directs the Attorney General to establish the Morgan P. Hardiman Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center to provide investigative support to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in matters involving child abductions, mysterious disappearance of children, child homicide, and serial murder across the country. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals missing and exploited children provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Title II: Punishable Conduct Citizens Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors - Subjects a Government attorney to State laws and rules, and local Federal court rules, governing attorneys in each State where such attorney engages in duties to the same extent and in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. Directs the Attorney General to make and amend rules of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assure compliance with this title. Title II: Punishable Conduct - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any DOJ employee to seek an indictment in the absence of probable cause, to fail promptly to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, to intentionally or knowingly misstate or alter evidence, to attempt to influence or color a witness's testimony, to act to frustrate or impede a defendant's right to discovery, to offer or provide sexual activities to any government witness or potential witness, to leak or otherwise improperly disseminate information to any person during an investigation, or to engage in conduct that discredits DOJ; and (2) establish penalties for engaging in such conduct, including probation, demotion, dismissal, referral of ethical charges to the bar, loss of pension or other retirement benefits, suspension from employment, and referral of the allegations (if appropriate) to a grand jury for possible criminal prosecution. (Sec. 202) Sets forth procedures regarding written complaints of such conduct by a DOJ employee, investigation of such complaints by the Attorney General, and imposition of appropriate penalties. (Sec. 203) Establishes an independent Misconduct Review Board to review all determinations by the Attorney General with respect to such complaints and to investigate allegations made in statements that may be submitted to it with respect to complaints for which the Attorney General has made no determination or imposed no penalty. Authorizes the Board to impose penalties established above.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998
Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to publish annually in the Federal Register a list of requirements applicable to small business concerns with respect to collection of information by agencies. Requires each Federal agency, with respect to the collection of information and the control of paperwork: (1) to establish one agency point of contact to act as a liaison with small businesses; (2) in the case of a first-time information collection violation by a small business which does not cause actual serious harm to the public health or safety, to impose no civil fine on such business if the violation is corrected within six months of violation notification; and (3) if a violation presents an imminent and substantial danger to public health or safety, to impose no civil fine if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after violation notification. Allows an agency to waive the suspension of such fines after congressional notification. Excludes the Internal Revenue Service as a Federal agency for purposes of (2) and (3), above. Establishes a task force to study and report to specified congressional committee members on the feasibility of streamlining requirements with respect to small businesses regarding the collection of information.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Declares that the House of Representatives is unequivocally opposed to legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. Urges the defeat of State initiatives which would seek to legalize marijuana for such use. Directs the Attorney General to report to the House Judiciary Committee on: (1) the total quantity of marijuana eradicated in the United States from 1992 through 1997; and (2) the annual number of arrests and prosecutions for Federal marijuana offenses in such years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Dollars to the Classroom Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to award the total amount of certain applicable education funding directly to the States. (Sec. 2) Requires such direct awarding of all the funds (except those used for specified multiyear awards) that are appropriated for the Department of Education for the fiscal year for programs or activities under specified provisions of: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (2) the Educational Research, Development, Disseminations, and Improvement Act of 1994; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (4) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (5) the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Sets deadlines for: (1) each State to conduct a census to determine, and report to the Secretary, the number of kindergarten through grade 12 students in the State for the academic year; and (2) the Secretary to publish and disburse the amount each State will receive under this Act for the succeeding fiscal year. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determination of such award amounts, based on relative numbers of such students in each State; and (2) penalties for false information. Provides for continuation of certain multiyear awards made prior to enactment of this Act. Requires award amounts under this Act to be paid to the State Governor, who shall make them available to the individual or entity in the State responsible for the State administration of Federal education funds. Prescribes requirements for the use of such funds, earmarking not less than 95 percent for distribution to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the costs of activities or services provided in the classroom that LEAs determine appropriate, excluding associated administrative expenses, but including nonadministrative expenses associated with statewide or districtwide initiatives directly affecting classroom learning. Prohibits: (1) any head of a Federal department or agency other than the Secretary from promulgating regulations under this Act; and (2) the Secretary from issuing any regulation regarding the type of classroom activities or services that may be assisted under this Act. (Sec. 3) Amends ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) to require the use of at least 95 percent of title I funds for an LEA for a fiscal year according to the requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan for streamlining regulations and eliminating bureaucracy so that 95 percent of such ESEA title I funds for LEAs are used for the costs of activities and services provided in the classroom; and (2) recommend to Congress legislation containing changes to Federal law needed for the use of such funds. (Sec. 4) Requires each LEA that receives funds under this Act to provide for the participation of children enrolled in private and home schools.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Parental Freedom of Information Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the availability of funds under any applicable program to any educational agency or institution that has a policy of denying, or that effectively prevents, parents of elementary and secondary school students from exercising the right to inspect and review any instructional materials used with respect to the educational curriculum of, or certain testing materials administered to, their children. Allows parents to maintain a civil action for appropriate relief if their right to gain access to such information is violated. Prohibits the availability of funds under any applicable program to an educational agency or institution that, as part of an applicable program and without the prior written informed consent of the parent of a student, requires the student to: (1) undergo medical, psychological, or psychiatric examination, testing, treatment, or immunization, except in the case of a medical emergency; or (2) reveal any information about the student's personal or family life, except to the extent necessary to comply with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) it has never granted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to compel broadcast station licensees to provide free broadcast time for the airing of political advertising, other than the specific equal time obligations required under the Communications Act of 1934; (2) such Act contains specific and reasonable limits on the compensation that may be required of candidates for such advertising; (3) the FCC may not further expand the public interest obligations of such licensees to accept such advertising without express statutory authority from the Congress; and (4) the FCC should not engage in litigation concerning limits on its authority over such advertising.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1998
Federal Employees Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends provisions of Federal law relating to the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to authorize, and in certain circumstances require, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with qualified carriers for a high deductible health plan (as defined in existing Internal Revenue Code medical savings account provisions). Requires that such a plan provide benefits of the types provided by service benefit plans, indemnity benefit plans, or both. Sets forth special contribution requirements applicable to employees or annuitants enrolled in such plans, including mandating certain payments to the medical savings account of each individual so enrolled. Requires OPM to make information available to such individuals regarding the circumstances in which a Government contribution will be made to a medical savings account and the amount of that contribution. (Sec. 3) Amends Internal Revenue Code medical savings account provisions to modify the definition of "eligible individual" to add references to high deductible plans provided under the FEHBP. Regulates the medical savings account deduction for FEHBP individuals. Exempts FEHBP individuals from numerical limits on the number of taxpayers having medical savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Higher Education Reporting Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the higher education tuition information return requirement for educational institutions and certain related businesses; and (2) require certain institution-identifying information to be provided by the taxpayer in order to claim the tuition credit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Tax Code Termination Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2001. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Multichannel Video Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) initiate, and report to specified congressional committees on, an inquiry on the extent to which a certain differential fee decision (relating to the per subscriber per month royalty fee for the retransmission of superstation and distant network signals by direct-to-home satellite service providers) constitutes an impediment to the development of effective market competition for multichannel video programming distribution; and (2) based on such inquiry, make necessary regulatory changes. Includes direct-to-home satellite services under provisions protecting telecommunications services from piracy. Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from taking any action to implement or enforce the differential fee decision until 120 days after FCC submission of its report.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a Tropical Forest Facility in the Department of the Treasury to provide for the administration of debt reduction in accordance with this Act. Makes eligible for Facility benefits developing countries with tropical forests that: (1) meet certain requirements applicable to Latin American and Caribbean countries for eligibility for Enterprise for the Americas Facility benefits; and (2) have put in place major investment reforms in conjunction with international development bank loans or are making progress toward open investment regimes. Authorizes the President to: (1) reduce debt owed to the United States (outstanding as of January 1, 1997) by eligible countries as a result of concessional loans made under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or predecessor foreign economic assistance legislation or credits extended under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and (2) sell to any eligible purchaser any loan or portion of a loan made before such date to any eligible country pursuant to the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 or, on receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser, to reduce or cancel such loan. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into a Tropical Forest Agreement with any eligible country concerning the operation and use of the Tropical Forest Fund required to be established by a country to receive payments of interest on new obligations issued under this Act. Requires Funds to be used to provide grants to preserve, maintain, and restore tropical forests in beneficiary countries. Provides that grants shall be made to: (1) nongovernmental environmental, conservation, and indigenous peoples organizations in beneficiary countries; (2) other appropriate local or regional entities; and (3) governments of such countries, in exceptional circumstances. Makes grants of more than $100,000 subject to veto by the U.S. Government or the government of the beneficiary country. Establishes a Tropical Forest Board to: (1) advise the Secretary of State on the negotiations of Tropical Forest Agreements; (2) ensure that a suitable administering body is identified for each Fund; and (3) review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of each administering body. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Regulatory Right-to-Know Act of 1997 - Directs the President, no later than January 2000 and each January every two years thereafter, to submit to the Congress an accounting statement that estimates the costs and corresponding benefits of Federal regulatory programs and program elements. Provides for each accounting statement submitted to: (1) cover, at a minimum, the costs and corresponding benefits for the five fiscal years preceding October 1 of the year in which the report is submitted; and (2) also contain a projection of the costs and corresponding benefits for the next ten fiscal years. Directs the President to propose the first accounting statement no later than one year after the enactment of this Act. Provides for such statement to cover, at a minimum, each of the preceding fiscal years beginning with FY 1997. Requires the President, acting through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in each year following the year in which the President submits an accounting statement and after notice and opportunity for comment, to submit to the Congress a report associated with the accounting statement containing: (1) analyses of impacts; (2) an analysis of jurisdictional overlaps, duplications, and potential inconsistencies among Federal regulatory programs; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to: (1) provide guidance to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits in accounting statements and the format of the accounting statements; and (2) review submissions from agencies to assure consistency with the guidance. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after each accounting statement and associated report is submitted to the Congress, to make recommendations to the President for improving accounting statements and associated reports.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit the use of funds provided to the Department of Education, or to an applicable program, to develop, plan, implement, or administer any national testing program. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a similar prohibition against use of certain funds (from the Fund for the Improvement Education) for any national testing program. Exempts from such funding prohibitions the Third International Mathematics and Science Study.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Commends the personnel who served in the Asiatic Fleet of the United States Navy between 1910 and 1942. Expresses support for the goals of United States Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997
Redesignates the Austin Post Office Building located at 324 South Laramie Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the Reverend Milton R. Brunson Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1997
Iran Missile Protection Act of 1997 - Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1998 for the Department of Defense for cooperative activities with Russia for determining: (1) the extent of Russian cooperation and assistance in the development by Iran of a ballistic missile capability; and (2) the technical nature of the Iranian missile threat. Requires a certification by the President to the Congress with respect to the information to be released by Russia before such funds may be appropriated. Prohibits the obligation of $3 million in FY 1998 cooperative ballistic missile defense projects with Russia until the President certifies to the Congress that the Russian Government is providing full cooperation with respect to the release of such information. Authorizes appropriations for the Navy theater-wide missile defense system to be used to accelerate the development of such system through additional testing and risk reduction. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of specified missile defense sytems, radars, networks, and related activities. Authorizes appropriations for defense-wide RDT&E for support of the Israeli Arrow tactical ballistic missile defense system to be used to protect a U.S. ally in imminent peril. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the Iranian ballistic missile threat in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997
Designates the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 3750 North Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the Daniel J. Doffyn Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for: (1) recognition of an interpretive site near Wood River, Illinois, as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition; and (2) the people of Illinois to properly recognize this site as one of monumental historical impact. Calls upon the President, Secretary of the Interior, Director of the National Park Service, other public officials, and the people of the United States to support and promote this site near Wood River, Illinois, as the starting point for one of the greatest journeys in American history.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Enhancement of Trade, Security, and Human Rights Through Sanctions Reform Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to establish an effective framework for consideration by the legislative and executive branches of unilateral economic sanctions. (Sec. 3) Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) pursue U.S. interests through vigorous and effective diplomatic, political, commercial, charitable, educational, cultural, and strategic engagement with other countries, while recognizing that U.S. national security interests may sometimes require the imposition of economic sanctions on other countries; (2) foster multilateral cooperation on vital matters of U.S. foreign policy, including promoting human rights and democracy, combating international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and international narcotics trafficking, and ensuring adequate environmental protection; (3) promote U.S. economic growth and job creation by expanding exports of goods, services, and agricultural commodities, and by encouraging investment that supports the sale abroad of U.S. products and services; (4) maintain the reputation of U.S. businesses and farmers as reliable suppliers to international customers of quality products and services; (5) avoid the use of restrictions on exports of agricultural commodities as a foreign policy weapon; and (6) oppose policies of other countries designed to discourage economic interaction with countries friendly to the United States or with any U.S. national, and to avoid use of such measures as instruments of U.S. foreign policy. States that when economic sanctions are necessary, it is U.S. policy to: (1) target them as narrowly as possible on those foreign governments, entities, and officials that are responsible for the conduct being targeted, thereby minimizing unnecessary or disproportionate harm to individuals who are not responsible for such conduct; and (2) to the extent feasible, avoid any adverse impact of economic sanctions on the humanitarian activities of the United States and foreign nongovernmental organizations in a country against which sanctions are imposed. (Sec. 5) Provides that any bill or joint resolution imposing or authorizing the imposition of a unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch, and considered by the House of Representatives or the Senate, should: (1) state the U.S. foreign policy or national security objective; (2) terminate after two years unless specifically reauthorized; (3) provide for contract sanctity; (4) provide presidential authority to adjust or waive the sanction in the national interest; (5) target the sanction as narrowly as possible against the parties responsible for the conduct being targeted; and (6) provide for expanded export promotion programs if sanctions are likely to target an export market for American farmers. (Sec. 6) Sets forth a procedure for congressional consideration of any bill or joint resolution that imposes, or authorizes the imposition of, any unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch. Requires the committee of primary jurisdiction reporting such a bill or joint resolution to timely request specified reports: (1) from the President assessing the likelihood that the proposed unilateral economic sanction will achieve its stated objective within a reasonable period of time, as well as the impact of the proposed unilateral economic sanction on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and humanitarian activities; and (2) from the Secretary of Agriculture assessing the extent to which any country or countries proposed or likely to be sanctioned are markets that accounted for more than three percent of all U.S. agricultural export sales in the preceding calendar year, as well as the likelihood that U.S. agricultural exports will be affected by the proposed sanction or by retaliation by any country proposed or likely to be sanctioned, and specific commodities which are most likely to be affected. Considers any bill or joint resolution that imposes any unilateral economic sanction to include a Federal private sector mandate for purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Requires the Congressional Budget Office, in its report pursuant to such Act, to assess the likely short- and long-term costs of the proposed sanction to the U.S. economy. Authorizes the President to implement a unilateral economic sanction under any provision of law not less than 60 days after announcing his intention to do so. Requires any executive sanction to include a clear finding that the sanction is likely to achieve a specific U.S. foreign policy or national security objective within a reasonable and specified period of time. Requires, before imposition of a unilateral economic sanction, that the President and the Secretary of Agriculture report to appropriate congressional committees the same assessments required in connection with any bill or joint resolution imposing or authorizing the imposition of a unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch. Requires the President to request a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission on the likely short- and long-term costs of the proposed sanction to the U.S. economy, including the potential impact on U.S. competitiveness. Provides, in the case of a national emergency, for allowing the President temporarily to waive most of the requirements for executive action in order to act immediately, generally requiring the waived requirements to be met within 60 days after imposition of the sanction (which shall terminate after 90 days if such requirements are not met). Directs the President to establish an interagency Sanctions Review Committee to coordinate U.S. policy regarding unilateral economic sanctions and provide appropriate recommendations to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Expansion Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the sunset date for and numerical limitation on Medicare participation in Medicare+Choice medical savings account (MSA) plans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all schools should be drug-free; (2) all Federal, State, and local drug fighting agencies should work together with schools and parents to ensure that a renewed effort is made to fight the distribution, sale, and use of illegal drugs in our schools and to America's youth; (3) all governmental leaders and parents share a role in raising awareness of this issue and offering constructive alternatives to illegal drug use; and (4) the Congress and the President should set a goal and work with local communities and parents to end the distribution, sale, and use of illegal drugs in the Nation's schools by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997
Paycheck Protection Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful, except with the separate, prior, written, voluntary authorization of each individual, for: (1) national banks or corporations to collect from or assess its stockholders or employees any dues, initiation fee, or other payment as a condition of employment if any part of such dues, fee, or payment will be used for political activities in which the national bank or corporation is engaged; and (2) labor organizations to collect from or assess its members or nonmembers any dues, fee, or other payment if any part of such dues, fee, or payment will be used for political activities in which the labor organization is engaged. States that an authorization shall remain in effect until revoked and may be revoked at any time. Requires each entity collecting from or assessing amounts from an individual with an authorization in effect to provide the individual with a statement that the individual may at any time revoke the authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997
National Narcotics Leadership Act Amendments of 1997 - Amends Federal law to establish in the Office of National Drug Control Policy: (1) a Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs; and (2) a Deputy Director of Intelligence. Replaces the Associate Director for National Drug Control with the Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs as the head of the Bureau of State and Local Affairs. (Sec. 3) Expands the responsibilities of the Director of National Drug Control Policy to include: (1) establishing Federal policies, objectives, goals, priorities, and performance measures for the National Drug Control Program, and for each National Drug Control Program agency, which include specified targets; (2) requiring the submission of specified reports from National Drug Control Program agencies; (3) making recommendations to National Drug Control Program agency heads on the implementation of Federal counter-drug programs; and (4) taking actions to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance in any form that is listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and that has not been approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration. States that certain surveys of drug use among young people in the United States shall not be prohibited under any law. (Sec. 4) Expands the powers of the Director, to include: (1) requiring the heads of National Drug Control Program agencies to provide the Director with statistics, studies, reports, and any other information regarding Federal control of drug abuse; and (2) making recommendations to the National Drug Control Center on the specific projects that the Director determines will enhance the effectiveness of the National Drug Control Strategy. (Sec. 5) Revises National Drug Control Strategy requirements to include: (1) comprehensive, research-based, specific, long-range goals and performance measures (including specific annual targets expressed in terms of precise percentages) for reducing drug abuse and the consequences of drug abuse in the United States; (2) four-year projections for National Drug Control Program priorities, including budget priorities; and (3) the review of international, Federal, and private sector drug control activities (currently State and local drug control activities). Revises requirements for the assessment of the reduction of drug availability by certain measurements. Sets forth requirements with respect to the establishment of performance measures by the Director. (Sec. 7) Revises requirements for reprogramming and transferring of funds. (Sec. 8) Requires the Director to submit a specified long-term plan for reducing drug use in the United States by December 31, 2001. (Sec. 9) Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Drug Policy Council to make cabinet-level decisions regarding national drug policy, with the President as Chairman and the Director as the Executive Director. (Sec. 10) Redefines the term "National Drug Control Program agency." (Sec. 11) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Office of Drug Control Policy until September 30, 1999. (Sec. 13) Directs the Director to submit a report to the Congress including: (1) proposed goals, targets, performance measures and specific initiatives with respect to the National Drug Control Program, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program; and (2) proposals to coordinate the efforts of all National Drug Control Program agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Alternative Fuels--General Title II: Alternatives Fuels--Non-Federal Programs Title III: Availability and Use of Replacement Fuels, Alternative Fuels, and Alternative Private Vehicles Energy Policy Act Amendments of 1997 - Title I: Alternative Fuels--General - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to: (1) include biodiesel fuels as alternative fuels; (2) modify definitions relating to heavy duty motor vehicles and marine vessels; and (3) include among replacement fuels those fuels derived from biodiesel. (Sec. 102) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that, if alternative-fueled light duty Federal vehicles are not acquired from original equipment manufacturers, existing fleet vehicles may be converted to alternative fuel-use if the original manufacturer's warranty continues to apply to such vehicles. (Sec. 103) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe compliance guidelines governing the conversion of Federal fleet vehicles into alternative-fueled vehicles. Title II: Alternative Fuels -- Non-Federal Programs - Requires State and local incentives programs to include the goal of introducing substantial numbers of light and heavy duty alternative fuels vehicles and increasing the use of alternative fuels. Conditions State eligibility for Federal assistance upon inclusion in each State plan of an examination of the introduction of converted or acquired light and heavy duty alternative-fueled vehicles in State-owned or operated motor vehicle fleets. (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to provide, upon State request, Federal financial assistance grants for the incremental purchase cost of alternative fuels. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on the volume of alternative fuel likely to be consumed. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance to States and political subdivisions for the incremental cost of alternative-fuels used in dual fueled school buses, and the conversions of such buses to alternative-fueled vehicles. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies regarding the use of alternative fuels in nonroad vehicles, including marine vessels. Title III: Availability and Use of Replacement Fuels, Alternative Fuels, and Alternative Fueled Vehicles - Modifies the deadline for the Secretary to evaluate whether program goals have been achieved with respect to the replacement fuel supply and demand program. (Sec. 302) Modifies credit allocation guidelines governing alternative-fueled vehicle acquisitions to deem certain acquisitions (conversions of existing vehicles) as alternative compliance credits. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress recommendations for requirements or incentives for: (1) suppliers of alternative-fueled vehicles to make such vehicles available to the public through conversion and warranty; and (2) exempting replacement fuels from taxes levied on nonreplacement fuels if the Secretary notifies the Congress that a fleet requirement program is not necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Authorizes the President to present gold medals, on behalf of the Congress, to named individuals referred to collectively as the "Little Rock Nine," in recognition of the selfless heroism they exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates of such medals in bronze. States that these medals are national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty Land Claims Act of 1997 - Establishes the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty Land Claims Commission to determine the validity of land claims arising out of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo of 1848. Authorizes three or more eligible Mexican descendants in the State of New Mexico who are also descendants of the same community land grant to petition the Commission for such a determination on behalf of themselves and all other descendants. Directs the Commission to establish a Community Land Grant Study Center at the Onate Center in Alcalde, New Mexico, to be responsible for directing the research, study, and investigations necessary to assist the Commission in performing its duties. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues Title II: Improved Bankruptcy Administration Responsible Borrower Protection Bankruptcy Act - Title I: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to prescribe guidelines for a needs-based bankruptcy system which precludes individuals from filing for complete relief in bankruptcy (under chapter 7 (Liquidation)) if certain current monthly income is available to pay creditors. (Sec. 101) Sets forth formulae for income levels determinative of debtor eligibility for bankruptcy relief. Treats as having income available to pay creditors (and thus eligible for chapter 13 Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) any individual (or in a joint case, an individual and spouse combined) with: (1) a current monthly total income of 75 percent of the national median household income for one earner (or 75 percent of the national median family income for a family of equal size); (2) projected monthly net income greater than $50; and (3) projected monthly net income sufficient to repay 20 percent or more of unsecured non-priority claims during a five-year repayment plan. (Sec. 102) Provides for adjustment to a chapter 13 debtor's monthly net income for extraordinary circumstances such as loss of income or unusual expenses. (Sec. 103) Modifies notice requirements to apprise a consumer debtor of alternatives to bankruptcy, including independent non-profit debt counseling services. (Sec. 104) Declares embezzlement or fraudulently-incurred debts of individuals nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 105) Instructs the bankruptcy court to confirm the bankruptcy plan of an individual if it provides that the holder of a secured allowed claim retains the lien securing such claim until discharge of all debts. (Sec. 106) Grants a claim arising from a nondischargeable debt incurred to pay a Federal tax (or any other nondischargeable debt) the same priority as the claim for the underlying obligation which was paid for by such nondischargeable debt. (Sec. 107) Establishes a presumption that consumer debts owed to a single creditor and incurred within 90 days prior to an order for relief in bankruptcy are nondischargeable in bankruptcy. (Sec. 108) Revamps prescriptions governing the effects of conversion from chapter 13 to another chapter. Declares that: (1) valuations of property and of allowed secured claims in a chapter 13 case shall not apply in a chapter 7 case; and (2) with respect to cases converted from chapter 13, the claim of any creditor holding security as of the date of the petition shall continue to be secured by that security unless the full amount of that claim determined under applicable non-bankruptcy law has been paid in full as of the date of conversion. (Sec. 109) Terminates the automatic stay 30 days after filing of a petition if a petition was pending and dismissed under chapter 7 the previous year, unless the subsequent filing is in good faith. Delineates conditions under which a history of previous petitions in bankruptcy give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the case is not filed in good faith. (Sec. 110) Requires that the value of personal property collateral be at least equal to the outstanding balance of the purchase price, including interest and charges, where the property was acquired by the debtor within 180 days of filing the petition in bankruptcy. (Sec. 111) Declares that, in the case of chapter 7 and chapter 13 debtors, the personal property securing the individual debtor's personal property shall be the replacement value as of the date the petition is filed without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. (Sec. 112) Modifies debtor's duties to mandate specified affirmative actions to be taken by a chapter 7 debtor, including reaffirmation of the debt or redemption of the property within 60 days, in order to retain possession of personal property. (Sec. 113) Establishes the Bankruptcy Exemption Study Commission to study and report to the Congress on issues and problems in the bankruptcy system, including whether exemptions should be uniform nationally, and the appropriate size of exemptions in individual cases. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Mandates that a chapter 13 debtor file a bankruptcy plan within a specified deadline. (Sec. 115) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the court's authority to dismiss an individual debtor case if relief would be a substantial abuse of chapter 7. Requires the court to find that substantial abuse exists if: (1) the debtor is ineligible for chapter 7 relief under the needs-based test; or (2) the totality of the circumstances of the debtor's financial situation demonstrate substantial abuse. (Sec. 116) Provides for a chapter 7 debtor's assumption of executory contracts and unexpired leases. Declares that in a chapter 11 case in which the debtor is an individual, and in a chapter 13 case, if the lease is not assumed in the plan, it is rejected (and no longer subject to an automatic stay) as of the plan's confirmation date. (Sec. 117) Mandates a maximum five-year payment period under a chapter 13 plan for any individual debtor (or in a joint case, an individual and spouse combined) with a current monthly total income of 75 percent of the national median household income for one earner (or 75 percent of the national median family income for a family of equal size). Permits the court to approve a longer period, not to exceed seven years. (Sec. 118) Revises prescriptions governing a stay of action against a codebtor to provide that: (1) the co-debtor stay would continue to be available when the debtor who borrowed the money sought Chapter 13 relief; but (2) if a guarantor or other co-debtor who did not receive the consideration for the creditor's claim filed for relief, the debtor who borrowed the money would not be protected by a stay unless he or she also filed a bankruptcy petition. Declares that the stay shall terminate as to the debtor's interest in personal property if the debtor surrendered or abandoned that property. (Sec. 120) Includes within the definition of a debtor's "principal residence" an individual condominium or cooperative unit, or mobile, or manufactured home or trailer. Provides that the inclusion of incidental property in a mortgage on the debtor's principal residence will not disqualify that mortgage from protection under chapter 13. Provides that if the debtor resides in a house the debtor owns during the 180 days before filing, such protection applies. States that the automatic stay will not be violated if a prepetition foreclosure proceeding is postponed during the pendency of a Chapter 13 proceeding, so long as any prepetition default remains uncured by actual payment in full according to the plan. (Sec. 121) Extends the mandatory period between discharges in bankruptcy from six to ten years for chapter 7 debtors. Sets five years as the mandatory period between discharges for chapter 13 debt repayment plans. Title II: Improved Bankruptcy Administration - Modifies the organization of bankruptcy courts to mandate the compilation of bankruptcy statistics for individual debtors with primarily consumer debts seeking relief under chapters 7, 11 (Reorganization), and 13. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (Administrative Office) to make such statistics public and to report them annually to the Congress. (Sec. 202) Requires each U.S. trustee to report to the Attorney General on audit results of bankruptcy petitions and schedules performed by independent certified or licensed public accountants. Requires the Attorney General to establish random audits of individual bankruptcy cases under chapter 11. (Sec. 203) Directs the Administrative Office to establish and maintain a nationwide debtors' docket accessible to searches by any users. (Sec. 204) Revises guidelines governing meetings of creditors and equity security holders to provide that if the debtor is an individual in a voluntary case under chapters 7, 11, or 13, the first meeting of creditors shall not convene earlier than 60 days after the date of the order for relief in bankruptcy, unless the court determines that unusual circumstances justify an earlier meeting. Authorizes a creditor holding a consumer debt to participate in a meeting of creditors in a chapter 7 or 13 case, either alone or in conjunction with an attorney. Prescribes notice procedures for chapter 7 and chapter 13 creditors. (Sec. 207) Revises automatic stay guidelines to provide that in the case of an individual filing under chapters 7, 11, or 13, the automatic stay shall terminate 60 days after a request for its release by a party in interest, unless the court orders or the parties agree to a longer time. Terminates such stay if the debtor fails to complete an intended surrender of consumer debt collateral. (Sec. 210) Expands debtor's duties to require filing with the bankruptcy court: (1) Federal tax returns; (2) evidence of payments received; (3) monthly net income projections; and (4) anticipated debt or expenditure increases. Permits a chapter 7 or chapter 13 creditor to request the debtor's petition, schedules and statement of affairs, including the debt adjustment plan filed by the debtor. Mandates debtor compliance within ten days of such request. Mandates that, at the time of filing with the taxing authority, a chapter 7 or 13 debtor file with the bankruptcy court specified tax documentation pertaining to the period from the commencement of the case until case termination. Requires a chapter 13 debtor to file with the court a statement of income and expenditures in the preceding tax year, and monthly net income, showing how calculated. (Sec. 211) Provides for automatic dismissal if a chapter 7 debtor fails to furnish all mandatory information, or fails to timely file the requisite schedules. Requires the court to order dismissal within five days of a request by a party in interest for the debtor's failure to timely submit requisite documentation. (Sec. 212) Delineates a cash payment plan for chapter 13 debtors for payments to any lessor of personal property and to any creditor holding a claim secured by personal property to the extent such claim is attributable to the debtor's purchase of such property. (Sec. 213) Prohibits a Chapter 13 confirmation hearing from being held less than 20 days after the first meeting of creditors if there is an objection.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 regarding the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services. Outlines specific requirements for private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians or health care practitioners for services for which no Medicare claims may be submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Supports National Mammography Day and urges all American women to take an active role in the fight against breast cancer by all means available to them. Calls for recognition of the role played by community organizations and health care providers in promoting awareness of the importance of regular mammograms and in helping to expand the availability of low-cost mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2001. Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 16 September 1997
Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2000; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2000. Prohibits the provisions of the preceding sentence from applying to taxes imposed by the following chapters of the Code: (1) two (relating to the tax on self-employment income); (2) 21 (Federal Insurance Contributions Act); and (3) 22 (Railroad Retirement Tax Act).
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1997
Hamburger Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit construing specified FDCA provisions to require on food labeling a separate radiation disclosure statement more prominent than the required declaration of ingredients. Requires approval of the Isomedix Corporation petition submitted on a specified date under FDCA provisions relating to regulations on food additive safety. Requires a commercial establishment serving prepared meat and poultry to make information available to patrons, in a manner deemed appropriate by the establishment, about whether the meat and poultry has been treated with low-dose radiation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Marriage Tax Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a husband and wife to file a combined income tax return on which each spouse is taxed separately at the unmarried return rate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving the Regulation and Labeling of Food Title II: Effective Date Food and Nutrition Information Reform Act - Title I: Improving the Regulation and Labeling of Food - Amends Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provisions relating to food nutrition levels and health-related claims to allow certain regulations to be effective on publication at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Sec. 102) Modifies requirements regarding petitions to issue a regulation on health-related claims. (Sec. 103) Allows a health or nutrient content claim not authorized by the Secretary if: (1) a U.S. governmental scientific body with public health protection or research responsibility directly relating to human nutrition has published an authoritative statement, currently in effect, about the relationship to which the health claim refers or setting forth a basis for the nutrient claim; (2) a person has notified the Secretary; (3) the claim and food are in compliance with certain requirements; and (4) the claim is stated in a way that it is an accurate representation of the authoritative statement and in a way that it enables the public to understand the information and its significance. (Sec. 105) Requires, if a nutrient claim is made and the food contains a nutrient at a level that increases to persons in the general population the risk of a disease or health-related condition that is diet-related, that the label contain, close to the claim, a statement referring to the nutrition information elsewhere on the label. (Sec. 107) Revises oleomargarine sale and labeling requirements. Repeals provisions relating to: (1) a congressional declaration of policy regarding oleomargarine sales; and (2) noncontravention of State oleomargarine laws. Title II: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Amends Federal law relating to health insurance for Federal employees to authorize the Office of Personnel Management to contract for or approve one or more high deductible plans providing specified benefits. Allows the Government contribution for high deductible plans to be 100 percent of the subscription charge. Requires that, if 60 percent of the average subscription charge exceeds the total subscription charge of an employee's or annuitant's plan, the excess be paid into the employee's or annuitant's medical savings account. Determines that average disregarding high deductible plans. Amends Internal Revenue Code medical savings account provisions to require, for those provisions, treating the Federal Government as a small employer. Exempts individuals in high deductible plans from provisions limiting: (1) the medical savings account deduction to the compensation of the individual (provides for coordination with the exclusion for employer contributions); and (2) the number of taxpayers having medical savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1997
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties against any person who, while engaged in the business of betting or wagering, knowingly uses a communication facility for the transmission or receipt in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers, information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, or a communication that entitles the transmitter or receiver to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers. Provides a smaller penalty for those engaging in such activities who are not in the business of betting or wagering. Provides prohibition exceptions. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to enforce against interstate computer service providers regulations prohibiting the interstate or foreign transmission of gambling information. Authorizes injunctive relief against such carriers or providers. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should have extraterritorial jurisdiction over the transmission to or receipt from the United States of gambling information as well as any communication that entitles the transmitter or recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers. Requires a report from the Attorney General to the Congress concerning the enforcement of such gambling regulations and related recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1997
Temporary Agricultural Worker Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a 24-month pilot program for the U.S. admission of temporary or seasonal agricultural workers based upon an employer labor condition attestation filed with the appropriate State agency. Sets forth program provisions. Establishes a trust fund in the Treasury to assure the return of such workers to their home countries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1997
Parents and Students Savings Account Plus Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to education individual retirement accounts to: (1) include qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (including home schooling); and (2) increase annual contribution limits to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Speed Trafficking Life in Prison Act of 1997 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) repeal provisions prescribing penalties for violations involving specified quantities of methamphetamine; and (2) provide for a fine of up to $8 million (for an individual) or $20 million (if other than an individual) and a mandatory life penalty (unless the death penalty is imposed) for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing (or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense) methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers.
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