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United States · Official source
5,610 records where Rep. Matsui, Robert T. [D-CA-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Designates the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Investment in Children Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to increase the credit for dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Provides for an "increased dependent care credit equivalent amount" (as defined) if the taxpayer has a child under the age of four, but only if the taxpayer elects not to use the credit for dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. (Sec. 3) Allows for an employer-provided child care credit of up to 25 percent of qualified child care expenditures (not to exceed $150,000), which can include the costs of acquiring or expanding property to be used as a qualified day care facility. (Sec. 4) Amends part A ( Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide for grants to States: (1) to improve the quality and safety of child care; (2) for the provision of child care assistance for low-income working families; and (3) for the provision of child care services before and after regular school hours. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for part I (21st Century Community Learning Centers Act) of title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of assistance under part I. (Sec. 6) Revises IRC provisions concerning the aggregate amount of nonrefundable personal credits allowed to provide that the aggregate amount of such credits allowed shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability; plus (2) the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt certain woven fabrics containing silk or silk waste from the country of origin marking requirements under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt disabled individuals from required enrollment with a managed care entity under the Medicaid program. Makes this Act effective as if included in the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Small Business Pension Start-Up Credit Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a three-year business credit of 50 percent of small employer pension plan start-up costs, with a limit of $1000 for the first year and $500 for each of the second and third years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) reducing the publicly held debt of the Federal Government and addressing the solvency of the social security system should be the primary objectives of the Federal budget process for FY 1999; and (2) any new tax cuts or spending increases must be compatible with these objectives, offset fully within the budget, and in accordance with the 1997 budget agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998
Urges international cooperation in working to resolve cases in which children in the United States are abducted by family members who are foreign nationals and taken to foreign countries, and in seeing that justice is served by holding the abductors accountable for criminal law violations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1998
Federal Pay Fairness Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law concerning Government organization and employees to modify the conditions that must be met before the President may provide for an alternative pay plan or an alternative level of comparability payments. Applies the new standards starting with any alternative pay adjustments and any alternative level of comparability payments scheduled to take effect after 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to delay from FY 1998 to FY 1999 the effective date of the per beneficiary limits under the interim payment system for home health agencies. Changes from FY 1994 to FY or (at the home health agency's election) calendar 1995 the base year for calculating new payment rates under the system for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Treasury the Save Social Security First Reserve Fund to save any surpluses in the Federal budget pending social security reform. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) pay into the Fund at the end of each fiscal year an amount equal to any such surplus; and (2) invest all such amounts in public debt securities with suitable maturities and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Vaccinate America's Children Now Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the tax on vaccines from 75 cents per dose to 25 cents per dose.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) strongly urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national public awareness campaign regarding colorectal cancer risk, preventive screening options, and the importance of early detection; and (2) encourages the Secretary, in designing and carrying out the campaign, to work closely with groups having colorectal cancer expertise.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States expects the European Union to comply immediately with the ruling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the European Union's ban of U.S. beef is in violation of the WTO's Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and grant U.S. beef producers access to the European market; and (2) the United States Trade Representative should take immediate action to open European markets to U.S. beef producers in the event the European Union fails to comply with the WTO's ruling.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that permits private contracting between physicians and Medicare beneficiaries for medical services otherwise covered by the Medicare program. Declares invalid and unenforceable any provision of any contract, agreement, or other arrangement that provides for waiver of the claims submission requirement, the billing limitation, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, for three years, the work opportunity credit.
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
American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years specified, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; and (4) in 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, $6.65 adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide non-Roth IRAs with an annual cost-of-living contribution adjustment (in $500 increments).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any budget surplus that is achieved between now and the end of FY 2002 should not be spent, but rather saved for investment in the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection with Slamming Slamming Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any telephone exchange carrier that submits or executes a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange or toll service in violation of subscriber verification requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refund to such subscriber any charges imposed for such service during the three-month period after such change is effected. Prohibits any change in selection, or verification of such a change, without the affirmative request of the subscriber. Requires the FCC to complete rulemaking for enforcement of such verification requirements within two years after the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides a private right of action for any subscriber whose service is changed in violation of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriate State court to increase damage awards by up to three times the maximum allowable award for willful and knowing violations. Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection With Slamming - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices in any advertisement for or solicitation of any change in a subscriber's selection of a service provider. Requires a carrier to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the offer seeks to change the subscriber's service provider, as well as the total cost for such new service. Permits States to bring civil actions on behalf of residents to enjoin unlawful exchange practices, to enforce carrier compliance with FTC rules, or to obtain damages or other appropriate relief.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
HIV Treatment Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require State Medicaid plans to make medical assistance available for HIV-infection-related drug treatment for certain HIV-infected individuals. Amends the Public Health Service Act to modify the program for treatments for HIV disease, including providing for the inclusion of laboratory services in such program. Requires, as a condition for receiving Federal treatment drug program funding, that States allocated more than $1 million in HIV-related care grants for a fiscal year provide non-Federal contributions toward at least 20 percent of the costs the State will incur in carrying out such program. Revises the formula for determining the minimum grant allotment under such program to eliminate the distinction between States with less than 90 living acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases and States with more than that number.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Healthy and Smoke Free Children Act - Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate payments to States for the States' expenses for treating tobacco-related illnesses or conditions and for services for children. Makes certain amounts available for specified activities under this Act and its amendments, including: (1) the costs associated with Food and Drug Administration tobacco-related activities; (2) national biomedical and basic scientific research activities and child development and research activities; and (3) assistance and compensation to individuals with tobacco-related illnesses and conditions. Establishes the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board to make grants and contracts for the expansion of basic and biomedical research and to provide graduate training in that research. Mandates grants or contracts for the conduct and support of research, training, and demonstration projects regarding child health and development. Mandates, to discourage individuals from using tobacco products and to assist quitting: (1) research on methods, drugs, and devices; (2) programs to reduce tobacco use through education, prevention, and cessation campaigns; and (3) programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mandates block grants to States for tobacco use reduction and education activities. Requires a Federal model smoking cessation program and Federal regulations regarding approval of cessation programs and devices. Includes in the allowed uses of block grants activities for the transitional sponsorship of certain activities. Mandates an annual survey on children's tobacco use. Requires each tobacco manufacturer to reduce the number of children using its products by specified percentages in specified years. Imposes a per-unit fee for failing to meet targets. Mandates regulations: (1) prohibiting the sale of tobacco product single packs in cases of repeated noncompliance; and (2) requiring generic packaging in cases of severe repeated noncompliance. Requires fee amounts to be made available: (1) to the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board for research, training, and demonstration project grants; (2) for healthy child development grants; and (3) for reduction and addiction prevention research grants and grants under the national tobacco usage reduction and education program. Prohibits reprisals against whistleblower employees of tobacco manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Establishes the National Tobacco Document Depository, requiring that it be open to the public and maintained as a resource for individuals interested in the manufacturers' corporate records and research. Requires manufacturers, the Tobacco Institute, and the Council for Tobacco Research, U.S.A., to provide specified Depository contents. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Tobacco Documents Dispute Resolution Panel to resolve all claims of attorney-client, work product, or trade secrets privilege. Establishes the Tobacco Oversight and Compliance Board to monitor tobacco industry compliance with this Act. Mandates manufacturer submission and Board disclosure of documents: (1) relating to tobacco health effects (including addiction), manipulation or control of nicotine, or the sale or marketing of tobacco products to children; or (2) produced or ordered to be produced by the manufacturer in State of Minnesota v. Philip Morris, Inc. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Declares that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug Administration, shall have the authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to regulate the manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution, and advertising of tobacco products. (Sec. 203) Amends the FDCA to include nicotine in tobacco products in the definitions of "drug" and "device." Deems tobacco misbranded if it violates the FDCA or its regulations. Requires that tobacco products be classified as Class II devices. Prohibits the Secretary from prohibiting tobacco products under specified provisions. Sets forth tobacco product performance standard requirements. Declares that a tobacco product is a restricted device. (Sec. 204) Establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary regarding a performance standard. Allows a standard involving the reduction or elimination of nicotine, other constituents, or harmful components. Mandates regulations: (1) for the testing, reporting, and disclosure of smoke constituents; and (2) limiting cigarette tar. Deems tobacco products misbranded if there are claims (not scientifically proven) of reduced health risk. Requires manufacturers to: (1) notify the Commissioner of Food and Drugs of any technology that would reduce risk; and (2) permit licensing of the technology to other manufacturers. Allows the Commissioner, on determining the technology feasible, to require manufacturers to either manufacture the less hazardous products or license the technology's use by other manufacturers. Requires the Commissioner, if no manufacturer agrees to manufacture less hazardous products, to provide for the manufacture of the products through the Public Health Service. Allows good manufacturing practice regulations, but prohibits placing burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Mandates annual disclosure to the Secretary of tobacco product ingredients (including added substances and nicotine). Requires ingredient safety assessments and prohibits inclusion of current ingredients with disapproved assessments and new ingredients without approved assessments. Provides for public disclosure. Mandates specified warnings on packaging and in advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Declares that this paragraph does not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law. Exempts exports from warning requirements. Requires specified use statements on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco describing the product as a nicotine delivery device for persons 18 or older. Allows State and local governments to impose additional controls to limit tobacco use by minors. Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the responsible entity for each non-residential public building (regularly entered by at least ten individuals at least one day per week (except portions of a building used as a bar, tobacco merchant, designated smoking hotel room, or prison)) to implement a smoke-free environment policy. Allows designated smoking areas meeting specified requirements. Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance - Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer to enter into: (1) a buyout contract with the owner of a tobacco basic marketing quota; (2) a producer transition payment contract with producers of quota tobacco that were quota lessees or quota tenants; and (3) a producer nonquota transition payment contract with producers of nonquota tobacco. Requires the contracting quota owners to permanently relinquish the quota and producers (quota and non-quota) to permanently refrain from growing tobacco for which a quota program is in effect. Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the termination date of a requirement that producers, purchasers, and importers of tobacco for which price support is available pay a nonrefundable marketing assessment to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires that payment amounts be sufficient to cover the costs of the administration of certain tobacco quota and price support programs. Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants - Mandates grants to tobacco States to enable the States to: (1) empower tobacco producers and tobacco manufacturing workers by providing economic alternatives to tobacco; and (2) carry out non-tobacco economic development initiatives in tobacco communities. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should increase excise taxes on tobacco products; (2) the tax should be indexed; and (3) the tax should not be deductible.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax rate on tobacco products.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to increase from three to seven the maximum number of county-operated health insuring organizations in California authorized to enroll beneficiaries under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Increases from 10 percent to 20 percent the maximum percentage of California Medicaid beneficiaries which may be enrolled with such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Community Employment Partnership Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth, as a general rule, that the amount equal to the work opportunity credit amount with respect to any wages paid for any calendar quarter by an eligible tax-exempt employer shall be treated as payment by such employer of such employer's tax liability for such calendar quarter.
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 · 9 November 1997
Supports and encourages the convening of National Days of Dialogue associated with the national celebration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to improve understanding and cooperation across race, ethnicity, culture, gender, religion, and creed and to build a lasting framework for reconciliation between all people in America.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1997 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. Requires the Attorney General to report on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border arrivals and departures. Provides for increased numbers of full-time Immigration and Naturalization and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders, with at least half of such inspectors to be assigned to the northern border.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Excludes from identification in such reports any such persons who were previously identified or sanctioned, who are subject to a waiver, or who have acted on behalf of, or in concert with, the United States. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions on the basis of U.S. national security or additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should exercise the authority granted to him under the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 to prevent: (1) the transfer through purchase, barter, or other acquisition of weapons-related material and delivery systems to Iran; and (2) the transfer to Iran of scientific and technical expertise with respect to such material and systems. Authorizes the use of certain assistance, otherwise available for the independent states of the former Soviet Union under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to prevent such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income scholarship amounts received for certain teaching, research, or other services by an individual under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Condemns prejudice against Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Supports Asian and Pacific Islander American participation in the political, public, and civic affairs of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Deems the discharge of a named individual from the Naval Reserve to have been made under honorable conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate the conduct or support of research on the extent to which additives in feminine hygiene products pose any risks to the health of women or to the children of women who use those products during or before the pregnancies involved. Requires that the research include research to confirm the data on feminine hygiene products submitted to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs by manufacturers of the products. Requires that research results be submitted to the Congress, specified governmental agencies, and the public.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Recognizes the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel. Commends the Israeli people for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Extends congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the bells taken from the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, Philippines, which are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, to the people of the Philippines.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title II: Health Care Provisions Subtitle A: Health Care Services Subtitle B: Tricare Program Subtitle C: Uniformed Services Treatment Facilities Subtitle D: Other Changes to Existing Laws Regarding Health Care Management Subtitle E: Other Matters Subtitle F: Persian Gulf Illness Title III: Military Construction, Army Title IV: Military Construction, Navy Title V: Military Construction, Air Force Title VI: Military Construction, Defense Agencies Title VII: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title VIII: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title IX: Expiration and Extension of Certain Authorizations Title X: General Military Construction Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Subtitle D: Land Conveyances Subtitle E: Other Matters Title XI: Sikes Act Improvement Military Readiness Act of 1997 - Title I: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1998 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases the rates of basic pay by 2.8 percent, effective January 1, 1998. (Sec. 102) Entitles all enlisted personnel other than those in basic training to the basic allowance for subsistence (BAS). Provides a new BAS rate based on food costs. Allows BAS to be paid to enlisted personnel in advance for not more than three months. Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to prescribe policies regarding the use of dining and field messing facilities of the military departments. Provides transitional provisions with respect to the current BAS, terminating such transitional authority on a specified conditional date. (Sec. 103) Consolidates and revises generally Federal provisions concerning the basic allowance for quarters (BAQ), the variable housing allowance, and overseas housing allowances (which include a family separation housing allowance). (Sec. 104) Requires the President to adjust the basic pay of military personnel whenever the General Schedule of Compensation is adjusted. Authorizes the President to allocate such increases among pay grade and years-of-service categories, requiring congressional notification of any such allocation. Requires quadrennial assessment of such allocations. (Sec. 105) Prohibits the total pay and allowances of a member from being reduced when such member is assigned either to field duty at a home station or to temporary duty away from the member's permanent duty station. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 1999 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1998 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 114) Increases the monthly hazardous duty incentive pay and the aviation career incentive pay, the latter effective as of January 1, 1999. (Sec. 116) Increases the aviation officer retention bonus and authorizes bonus agreements to extend for a third year. (Currently, only one or two-year agreements are permitted.) (Sec. 117) Authorizes the payment of an annual retention bonus for certain dental officers who execute a written agreement to remain on active duty for two, three, or four years after completion of their active-duty service commitment. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to extend such bonus authority to other dental officers not immediately qualifying for such bonus. (Sec. 118) Increases the variable and additional special pays for dental officers with specified years of creditable service. (Sec. 119) Authorizes the payment of special pay for members on duty at a location designated by the Secretary as a hardship duty location. (Sec. 121) Makes eligible for the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus those Reserve enlisted personnel with less than 14 (currently, ten) years of total military service. Authorizes the payment of bonuses for consecutive three-year reenlistments. Revises bonus amounts. (Sec. 122) Provides eligibility for the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus to an enlisted member of a reserve component who has completed less than 14 (currently, ten) years of total military service. Increases bonus amounts. Provides similar eligibility and amount revisions with respect to former enlisted personnel who become members of the Selected Reserve after completion of their enlisted service. (Sec. 123) Extends to Coast Guard personnel eligibility for payment of a bonus when entering into a reserve affiliation agreement to serve in the reserves upon completion of an active-duty tour. (Sec. 124) Increases the special pay and bonuses authorized for nuclear qualified officers. (Sec. 125) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to pay either a monthly special pay or an annual bonus for enlisted personnel with designated specialties who agree to extend their tours of duty at designated overseas locations. Requires pro rata repayment of an unearned bonus, with a waiver authorized. Prohibits the concurrent receipt by such personnel of the annual bonus and rest and recuperative absence or transportation. (Sec. 126) Increases from $75 to $100 the monthly family separation allowance. (Sec. 127) Allows for payment of the muster duty allowance within 30 days after such duty is performed. (Currently, such payment is required on or before the date of such duty.) Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Removes certain restrictions on the payment of travel and transportation allowances to dependents of members who receive certain court-martial sentences. (Sec. 132) Changes the authorized amount of the military dislocation allowance from two months of the BAQ to a rate based on the member's pay and dependency status. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Authorizes a participant in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to elect to discontinue participation at any time during the one-year period beginning on the second anniversary of the date on which payment of retired pay to the participant commences. Requires spousal concurrence, with an exception. (Sec. 142) Allows at any time (currently, within one year after remarriage) a change of election in SBP coverage to provide an annuity to a spouse instead of a former spouse. (Sec. 143) Directs the Secretary to review and report to the defense committees on the current Federal protections and benefits afforded to: (1) current and former military personnel and Federal employees; and (2) former spouses of such personnel and employees. (Sec. 144) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay an annuity to the qualified surviving spouse of each member who: (1) died before March 21, 1974, and was entitled to retired or retainer pay at the time of death; or (2) was a reserve member between September 21, 1972, and October 1, 1978, and at the time of death would have been entitled to retired or retainer pay except for not having attained 60 years of age. Provides annuity amounts. Terminates annuity payment authority on September 30, 2001. (Sec. 145) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989 to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consolidate into a single payment certain annuities currently paid by the Secretary of Defense to the survivors of military retirees. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to repay loans used to finance the education of commissioned officers who are qualified in the health professions. Requires the officer to serve an additional period of active duty in return for such repayment. Limits the repayment amount to $22,000 for each additional year that the officer agrees to extend his or her duty. (Sec. 152) Amends the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 to bring the separation pay provisions of commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration into conformity with separation pay authorized for members of the armed forces. (Sec. 153) Makes members of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration eligible for reimbursement of certain adoption expenses. (Sec. 154) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay to World War II veterans who served as guerilla fighters in the Philippines an amount representing the quarters and subsistence allowance which accrued during the period of service between January 1942 and February 1945. (Sec. 155) Directs the Secretary to study and report on military personnel and their families who subsist at, near, or below the poverty level. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make available to the Secretary the same payments and commodities for military personnel outside the United States as are made for the special supplemental food program in the United States under the Child Nutrition Act of 1996. Requires an implementation report. Title II: Health Care Provisions - Subtitle A: Health Care Services - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to include under its military retiree dental insurance plan the surviving spouse and child dependents of military personnel who die while on active duty of 30 days or more and whose dependents are no longer eligible for dental benefits under the regular dental insurance plan. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the provision of prosthetic devices necessary due to significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study on the provision to TRICARE beneficiaries of comparative information on the medical assistance provided by a managed care entity. Subtitle B: Tricare Program - Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit a plan for the expansion of the managed care option of the TRICARE Program known as TRICARE Prime into areas outside of the catchment areas of military medical treatment facilities in which such option is a cost-effective alternative. Subtitle C: Uniformed Services Treatment Facilities - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to authorize the Secretary to modify the effective date of the implementation of military health care designated provider agreements to permit a transition period of not more than six months between the date of agreement execution and the date on which the designated provider commences delivery of health care services. Provides for the temporary continuation during such period of existing health care participation agreements. (Sec. 222) Requires a designated provider to be considered part of the Department of Defense (DOD) for purposes of the continued acquisition of reduced-cost drugs for enrollees under the agreement. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary, in establishing the ceiling rate for designated provider enrollees who are also eligible for CHAMPUS services, to take into account the health status of such enrollees. Subtitle D: Other Changes to Existing Law Regarding Health Care Management - Makes active-duty personnel assigned to certain remote duty locations eligible for health care under CHAMPUS. Directs the Secretary to waive any deductible, copayment, or annual CHAMPUS fee with respect to such personnel. (Sec. 232) Authorizes the Secretary to waive or reduce the overseas dental plan copayments required of military dependents who accompany members overseas. (Sec. 233) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures for the collection of the member's share of premiums under the Selected Reserve dental insurance plan and the retiree dental insurance plan; (2) allow such members to pay such premiums through payroll deduction; and (3) submit an implementation program with respect to both plans. Extends through April 1, 1998, the deadline for implementation of the dental insurance plan for military retirees. (Sec. 234) Makes the administering Secretaries (Secretaries of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service of the Navy) (currently, only the Secretary of Defense) responsible for CHAMPUS dental plan coverage for certain military retirees and their dependents. (Sec. 235) Revises CHAMPUS provisions to conform health care provider reimbursement rates with such rates under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 236) Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation to enter into personal services contracts to carry out certain health care responsibilities at locations outside of military medical treatment facilities. Includes the actions of service contract personnel under provisions concerning the defense of lawsuits arising out of medical malpractice. Requires a report from the Secretary on alternative means for performing medical screening examinations routinely performed at military entrance processing stations. (Sec. 237) Authorizes any health-care professional holding a current medical, dental, or other health care license to practice within a DOD health care facility, a civilian facility affiliated with DOD, or any other location authorized by the Secretary. (Sec. 238) Requires the Secretary to prescribe a standard form for the admission of claims for the payment of health care services provided under CHAMPUS. (Sec. 239) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend through FY 1999 the chiropractic health care demonstration program. Requires such program to be expanded to at least three other military health care facilities, including the National Naval Medical Center and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the defense committees on the additional facilities participating in the program; and (2) modify the program to evaluate its effectiveness at all of the facilities. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with an accredited institution of higher education under which students may attend the physician assistant training program conducted by the Army Medical Department at the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in return for the institution's agreeing to perform Academy support services. (Sec. 242) Authorizes the Secretary to pay the costs of any overseas emergency health care provided to military and civilian personnel of the On-Site Inspection Agency. Provides funding. (Sec. 243) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force, after 90 days' notice to the defense and appropriations committees, to enter into an agreement with Gerald Champion Hospital, Alamagordo, New Mexico, for the provision of health care services to eligible individuals in a medical resource facility in Alamagordo that is constructed, in part, using funds provided by the Secretary under the agreement. Provides funding for such agreement from Air Force operation and maintenance (O&M) funds. Directs the Secretary to review the proposed agreement and provide comments to the Congress before the agreement may take effect. (Sec. 244) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring each source dispensing a prescription medication under CHAMPUS to furnish to the recipient cautionary information on such medication. (Sec. 245) Requires, by October 1, 1998, the competitive procurement outside DOD of all ophthalmic services related to the provision of eyeware for certain current and former military personnel and their beneficiaries, with an exception. (Sec. 246) Directs the Comptroller General (CG) to conduct studies evaluating: (1) the adequacy of the maximum allowable charges for physicians under CHAMPUS and the effect of such charges on physician participation in CHAMPUS; (2) DOD pharmacy programs; and (3) the validity of recommendations made by the Navy's Medical Education Policy Council regarding restructuring the Navy's graduate medical education program (prohibits any restructuring until a required report is submitted). (Sec. 249) Directs the Secretary to report on expanding the eligibility for participation in a demonstration project for the purchase of prescription pharmaceuticals by mail to include additional Medicare-eligible CHAMPUS beneficiaries. (Sec. 250) Directs the CG to study and report to the Congress and the Secretary on current requirements for military medical facilities in the National Capital Region. (Sec. 251) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the effectiveness of DOD policies and programs promoting healthy lifestyles among military personnel and their dependents. (Sec. 252) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Congress and the President should address the problems associated with the provision of quality health care to military retirees. Subtitle F: Persian Gulf Illness - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly prepare and submit a plan to provide appropriate health care to Persian Gulf veterans (and their dependents) who suffer from a Gulf War illness. (Sec. 263) Directs the CG to submit a study evaluating revised DOD criteria used by physical evaluation boards to set disability ratings for military personnel who are no longer medically qualified for active duty so as to ensure the accuracy of such ratings with respect to the diagnosis of a Persian Gulf illness. (Sec. 264) Entitles to medical care to the same extent as a member on active duty a member of the reserves who is: (1) a Persian Gulf War veteran with a qualifying symptom or illness; and (2) not otherwise entitled to medical and dental care under either CHAMPUS or veterans' medical care. (Sec. 265) Directs the Secretary to establish a medical tracking system for military personnel deployed outside the United States as part of a contingency or combat operation. (Sec. 266) Directs the Secretary to provide affected members with specified information with regard to the receipt of an investigational new drug, including new drug notification and information concerning possible side effects. (Sec. 267) Directs the Secretary to submit a plan for tracking members and units serving in a theater of operations during a contingency or combat operation. (Sec. 268) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should ensure that U.S. military units involved in a contingency or combat operation include specialized units to detect and monitor the presence of chemical, biological, and similar hazards. (Sec. 269) Directs the Secretary to report on the effectiveness of medical research initiatives regarding Persian Gulf War illnesses. (Sec. 270) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to establish a program of cooperative clinical trials at multiple sites to address the effectiveness of protocols for treating Persian Gulf War veterans who suffer from ill-defined or undiagnosed conditions. (Sec. 271) Expresses the sense of the Congress that all promising technologies and treatments relating to Persian Gulf War illnesses should be fully explored and tested to facilitate treatment to such veterans who are stricken with unexplainable illness. Title III: Military Construction, Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the use of prior-year military construction funds to construct a heliport at Fort Irwin, California. Title IV: Military Construction, Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 405) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to: (1) authorize a military construction project at the Naval Station in Pascagoula, Mississippi, using funds authorized under such Act; and (2) increase the amount authorized for a project at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Title V: Military Construction, Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army. (Sec. 505) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to authorize a military construction project at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, using funds authorized under such Act. Title VI: Military Construction, Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 605) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years beginning after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 607) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified military construction projects, using amounts authorized under a prior military construction authorization Act, for a project at McClellan Air Force Base, California. (Sec. 608) Increases the amounts authorized under a prior military construction authorization Act for projects at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon. Title VII: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997 for such contributions. Title VIII: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. (Sec. 802) Increases the amounts authorized under a prior military construction authorization Act for projects at the Army National Guard, Hilo, Hawaii, and the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana. (Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary of the Army, with regard to a military construction project at Camp Williams, Utah, to enter into an agreement under which the State of Utah agrees to provide financial or in-kind contributions toward project land acquisition, site preparation, and relocation costs. Title IX: Expiration and Extension of Certain Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles III through VIII of this Act on October 1, 2000, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2001, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. (Sec. 906) Extends the availability of funds appropriated under a prior defense appropriations Act for construction of over-the-horizon radar at the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Title X: General Military Construction Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Requires the Secretary concerned to provide congressional notification when carrying out unspecified minor construction projects even though the project will use funds made available to enhance the deployment and mobility of military forces and supplies. (Sec. 1002) Requires congressional notification by the Secretary concerned when using O&M funds to carry out a repair project with an estimated cost in excess of $10 million. (Sec. 1003) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to eight family housing units in the Miami, Florida area for key and essential personnel of the United States Southern Command for which unit rental expenditures exceed normal authorized amounts. (Sec. 1004) Provides for the crediting of financial incentives received by DOD from gas, electric, and water utilities for energy and water cost savings. (Sec. 1005) Requires congressional notification with respect to the use of DOD housing funds for investments in nongovernmental entities. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the minor land acquisition threshold. (Sec. 1012) Authorizes the Secretary of a military department to convey to a municipal, private, regional, district, or cooperative utility company or other entity part or all of a utility system under its jurisdiction. Requires 21-day prior congressional notification. (Sec. 1013) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to accept amounts provided by a person or entity to cover administrative expenses incurred in entering into real property transactions. (Sec. 1014) Prohibits the Secretary concerned from conveying any real property unless the Administrator of General Services has screened the property for further Federal use under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Requires notification to the Secretary concerned of screening results. Provides excepted conveyances. (Sec. 1015) Provides for the disposition of proceeds from the sale of Air Force Plant No. 78 in Brigham City, Utah. (Sec. 1016) Directs the Secretary of the Army to report to the defense and appropriations committees a plan to address the requirements for fire protection and hazardous materials protection services at Fort Meade, Maryland. Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment - Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to direct the head of the Federal agency acquiring non-federal property as a new or replacement Federal facility to consult with the Secretary concerning the feasibility and cost advantages of using Federal property or facilities at a closed military installation in lieu of such an acquisition. Requires the concurrence of the redevelopment authority for the area concerned. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, conclude cooperative agreements, and supplement other Federal funds to assist a State or local government in enhancing that government's capability to support DOD efforts to privatize its military family support services. (Sec. 1023) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with the local redevelopment authority for the Red River Army Depot, Texas, under which the Secretary shall provide security, fire protection, or hazardous material response services on property under the jurisdiction of such authority after realignment under the base closure laws. (Sec. 1024) Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to the defense and appropriations committees a report on costs and savings attributable to prior base closure rounds and on the need for additional base closure rounds. Requires the Congressional Budget Office and the CG to review such report. Prohibits the use of any funds for the closure or realignment of military installations until such report and reviews are completed. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should develop a system for determining actual costs and savings associated with base closures and apply such system to the 1995 base closure round. (Sec. 1025) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the savings derived from the base closure process should be utilized by DOD solely for the modernization of new weapon systems. (Sec. 1026) Prohibits the Secretary of the Navy, in disposing of real property in connection with the closure of Naval Station, Long Beach, California, from conveying any portion of such property to the China Ocean Shipping Company or any of its successors or subsidiaries. Provides a reversionary interest to the United States if such a transfer occurs. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to separately submit to the President and the defense and appropriations committees a report on the national security implications of such a conveyance. Provides presidential waiver authority with respect to the prohibition. Subtitle D: Land Conveyances - Part I: Army Conveyances - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to: (1) Hale County, Alabama, specified real property at the Army Reserve Center, Greensboro; (2) Big Five Community Services Incorporated, an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation, the James T. Coker Army Reserve Center in Durant; (3) the Lawndale Business and Local Development Corporation in Illinois the Gibson Army Reserve Center, Chicago; (4) Caroline County, Virginia, specified real property at Fort A.P. Hill; (5) Wrightstown, New Jersey, and the New Hanover Board of Education specified portions of real property at Fort Dix; (6) Spring Lake and Harnett County, North Carolina, specified portions of real property at Fort Bragg; and (7) Mineral County, Nevada, the Schweer Driving House Area within the Hawthorne Army Ammunition Depot. (Sec. 1038) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to convey to Indiana an additional parcel of real property at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. (Sec. 1039) Modifies prior land conveyances with respect to: (1) Lompoc, California; (2) the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado; and (3) the Army Reserve Center, Andersen, South Carolina. Part II: Navy Conveyances - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey to: (1) the Maine School Administrative District No. 75, Topsham, a parcel of the Topsham Annex, Naval Air Station in Brunswick; and (2) Nassau County, New York, the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant No. 464 in Oyster Bay. (Sec. 1053) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to change from the State of Mississippi to Lauderdale County, Mississippi, the lessee designation with respect to a lease of the Naval Air Station in Meridian. Part III: Air Force Conveyances - Transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified real property at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, from the Secretary of Transportation to the Secretary of the Air Force. Revokes a contrary executive order. (Sec. 1062) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to: (1) Air Force Village West, Incorporated, in Riverside, California, specified real property at March Air Force Base; (2) the Greater Box Elder Area Economic Development Corporation in Box Elder, South Dakota, specified real property at Ellsworth Air Force Base; (3) Onondaga County, New York, specified real property at Hancock Field, Syracuse; (4) the Bear Paw Development Corporation, Havre, Montana, the Havre Air Force Station and the Havre Training Site; and (5) Bangor, Maine, the Charleston Family Housing Complex in Bangor. (Sec. 1067) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Air Force to report on Air Force land exchange options in the vicinity of Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to terminate or reduce the operations of the Naval Academy Dairy Farm in Gambrills, Maryland. Authorizes such Secretary to lease the dairy farm property, as long as the rural and agricultural nature of the property is maintained. (Sec. 1072) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to acquire by long-term lease structures and real property relating to a regional hospital complex in Naples, Italy, that are suitable for the Naples Improvement Initiative. (Sec. 1073) Designates specified military family housing developments at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in honor of Frank Tejeda, a late Member of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1074) Directs the Secretary, in at least one U.S. metropolitan area containing multiple military installations, to provide for the installation of fiber-optics based telecommunications technology to link as many of such installations as possible. Title XI: Sikes Act Improvement - Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends an Act of September 15, 1960, commonly known as the Sikes Act, to officially designate such Act as the Sikes Act. Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary to carry out a program for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations. Requires the Secretary of each military department to prepare and implement an integrated natural resources management plan (plan) for each military installation under his or her jurisdiction. Authorizes such Secretaries to provide for: (1) the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on such installations and the sustainable multipurpose use of such resources; and (2) public access to such installations to facilitate their use. Directs each Secretary to: (1) review military installations under his or her jurisdiction for which the preparation of a plan is appropriate; (2) submit such determinations to the Secretary; and (3) implement such plans within three years thereafter. Requires the Secretary to report such reviews to the Congress. Provides an opportunity for public comment on such plans. (Sec. 1106) Allows wildlife conservation fees collected at military installations which are subsequently closed to be transferred to another military installation and used for the same purpose. (Sec. 1107) Requires annual reviews and reports by the Secretaries of Defense and the Interior with respect to the implementation of such plans. (Sec. 1108) Authorizes multiyear cooperative agreements for plan implementation. (Sec. 1109) Provides for the enforcement on military installations of all Federal laws relating to natural resources conservation on Federal lands. (Sec. 1110) Requires the Secretary of each military department to ensure that sufficient numbers of trained natural resource management and law enforcement personnel are available and assigned to perform necessary tasks for plan compliance. (Sec. 1114) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for natural resources conservation programs on military installations, as well as equivalent programs on other public lands.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to: (1) make grants to States or units of local government to purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers; and (2) give preferential consideration to applications from jurisdictions that have the greatest need, a mandatory wear policy, and a violent crime rate at or above the national average. Sets forth provisions regarding matching funds and allocation of funds, State and local applications, and grant application renewal. Prohibits any State or unit of local government that receives financial assistance made available by this Act from purchasing equipment or products manufactured using prison inmate labor. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should, in expending such assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude distributions form an individual retirement account from inclusion in gross income to the extent that such distributions are used for charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Printed Circuit Investment Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify as three-year depreciable property any printed wiring board or printed wiring assembly equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Increases the alternative incremental credit rates.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997
Health Care Access Improvement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to qualified primary health services providers who establish practices in health professional shortage areas.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules for the granting of incentive stock options to individuals who are not highly compensated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) set a limitation on the amount of non-Federal money that may be contributed by any person to any political committee of a national political party; (2) redefine the term "independent expenditure"; (3) restrict the solicitation of contributions by candidates and Federal officeholders to or on behalf of certain nonprofit organizations; (4) prohibit solicitations for or donations to nonprofit organizations by political parties and specified entities; and (5) revise reporting requirements to require certain principal campaign committees to file additional monthly reports electronically and make such reports available on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Urges the President to undertake efforts to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the enclaved people of Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997
Health Care Worker Protection Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and Federal veterans benefits law to make it a condition of participation, except in specified circumstances, that hospitals use only designated hollow-bore needle devices that minimize the risk of needlestick injury to health care workers when furnishing services to individuals under the Medicare program and to individuals in veterans hospitals. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to designate classes of hollow-bore needle devices that minimize the risk of needlestick injury, in consultation with an advisory council the Commissioner shall establish for such purpose. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for such education and training in the use of such designated devices as the Secretary determines appropriate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1997- Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
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.