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United States · Official source
2,206 records where Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
Provides for taking from the Speaker's table H.R. 914 (graduation data disclosure under the Higher Education Act of 1965) and agreeing to Senate amendments with amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Allocates surcharges from coin sales between the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service for activities associated with the bicentennial commemoration of the expedition.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Eastern Wilderness Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to: (1) study and inventory all Federal, State, and private lands of 500 acres or more which are east of the 100th meridian and which may qualify as wilderness; (2) review those areas identified as having wilderness characteristics; and (3) report to the President their recommendation as to the suitability of each area for preservation as wilderness. Requires the President to advise the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to such areas. Provides for the management of such areas before and after designation as wilderness, requiring such areas to be devoted to recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use and prohibiting commercial enterprise and permanent roads within such areas (with specified exceptions, including the continuation of uses established before the designation). Authorizes continued access for private landowners whose land is surrounded by wilderness area. Authorizes the appropriate Secretary to: (1) acquire State or privately owned land to establish a wilderness area if the owner consents and the acquisition is specifically authorized by the Congress; and (2) accept gifts or bequests of land within wilderness areas. Requires, at the beginning of each congressional session, a joint report from the Secretaries to the President for transmittal to the Congress on the status of the wilderness system.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Military Recruit Training Policy Restoration Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretaries of the military departments concerned to require that basic training (or its equivalent) at the company level and below (at the group level and below, with respect to the Air Force) be conducted through separate units for male and female recruits. Allows only male officers to command and serve as drill instructors in a male training unit, and only female officers to command and serve as drill instructors in a female training unit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience, the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed; and (2) the Government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, initiate or designate school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Trade and Professional Association Free Flow of Information Act of 1997 - Grants immunity from civil liability for acts done for the purpose of transmitting information among trade and professional associations and their members regarding product defects, quality, or performance, except to the extent such acts are proven by clear and convincing evidence to involve factual statements that are fraudulent, knowingly false, or made with reckless indifference to their truth or falsity. Authorizes a trade or professional association to file a special motion to strike any claim in a judicial proceeding on the ground that the claim is based on or relates to an act that is immune from liability under this Act. Grants a party filing such motion the right to remove the case to Federal court. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures with respect to a special motion to strike; (2) qualified immunity of such associations from third-party discovery; (3) a special motion to quash a subpoena to enforce such immunity; (4) procedures with respect to a special motion to quash; (5) a qualified association member privilege not to disclose confidential information received from the association relating to litigation involving product defects, quality, or performance; and (6) preemption of State laws.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that whenever a district court has jurisdiction in civil rights cases it shall not abstain from exercising or relinquishing its jurisdiction to a State court in an action where no claim of a violation of a State law, right, or privilege is alleged. Authorizes the district court, in such cases that cannot be decided without resolution of a significant but unsettled question of State law, to certify such question to the highest appellate court of that State (and after the State appellate court resolves the question certified to it, the district court shall proceed with resolving the merits). Bars the district court from certifying a question of State law unless such question will significantly affect the merits of the injured party's Federal claim and is so unclear and obviously susceptible to a limiting construction as to render premature a decision on the merits of the constitutional or legal issue in the case. Requires that any claim or action brought to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or territory of the United States, that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Provides that any claim brought under provisions regarding the United States as defendant and regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims that is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Sets guidelines for what constitutes a "final decision" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Veterans' Cemetery Protection Act of 1997 - Sets penalties for vandalism and theft at national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Expansion of Portability and Health Insurance Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish rules governing health plans sponsored by certain associations, including requirements for: (1) certification; (2) sponsors and boards of trustees, and treatment of franchised networks and collectively bargained plans; (3) participation and coverage of employers and individuals and of previously uninsured employees; (4) plan documents, contribution rates, and benefit options; (5) maintenance of reserves, excess-stop loss insurance, and solvency indemnification for plans providing health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage; (6) application and related matters, and notice for voluntary termination; (7) corrective actions and mandatory termination; and (8) special rules for church plans. Revises requirements for the treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Adds requirements relating to association health plans, with respect to: (1) enforcement; and (2) State responsibilities and cooperation between Federal and State authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Public Services Aviation Act of 1997 - Amends Federal aviation safety law to consider a government-owned aircraft to be a public aircraft if it is: (1) operated in the performance of a governmental function by a unit of government on behalf of another unit of government pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement; or (2) transporting (for non-commercial purposes) crewmembers whose presence is associated with the administration or support (or, as currently, performance) of a governmental function such as, but not limited to, public safety, among other functions specified by current law.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Cost of Higher Education Review Act of 1997 - Establishes a National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education to study and make recommendations to the President and the Congress regarding: (1) the increase in tuition compared with other commodities and services; (2) innovative methods of reducing or stabilizing tuition; (3) the impact on tuition of specified trends in college and university costs, student financial aid, and government mandates and fiscal policies; (4) mechanisms for a more timely and widespread distribution of data on tuition trends and other costs of operating colleges and universities; and (5) the adequacy of existing Federal and State financial aid programs in meeting the costs of attending colleges and universities. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to identify certain deportable aliens awaiting arraignment in specified local prisons, including all facilities in Ventura and Orange Counties, California.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Women's Investment and Savings Equity Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on the deduction for active participants in certain pension plans to provide that an individual's participation in a plan is not treated as participation by the individual's spouse. Permits retirement contributions to be made for periods during which individuals were on leave for maternity or paternity leave. Permits "catchup contributions" by parents returning to work after periods of nonparticipation in a plan. Defines "catchup contributions."
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Tipped Wage Parity Act - Declares that the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 relating to the accounting of tips in determining the wage of tipped employees preempts any State or local law, ordinance, regulation, or order precluding a tip credit or requiring a tip credit less than the tip credit permitted under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Voter Eligibility Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to establish a voter eligibility confirmation system to respond to Federal, State, or local election officials' inquiries made to verify a voter registrant's citizenship. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to develop methods to confirm the reliability of the information provided. Amends the Social Security Act to permit States to require voter registrants to provide their social security numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Disaster Relief Tax Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to postpone, for up to 90 days, certain tax-related deadlines in the case of a taxpayer affected by a presidentially declared disaster. Permits the Secretary to prescribe regulations under which an appraisal for the purpose of obtaining a Federal loan as a result of such a disaster may be used to establish the amount of the disaster loss.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Employment, Training, and Literacy Programs Title I: Amendments to General Provisions and Program Requirements Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: State and Local Administrative Provisions Subtitle C: Program and Fiscal Provisions Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title II: Amendments to Employment and Training Programs for Disadvantaged Youth Title III: Amendments to Employment and Training Programs for Adults Title IV: Amendments to Federally Administered Programs Subtitle A: Employment and Training Programs for Native Americans and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Subtitle B: Job Corps Subtitle C: National Activities Subtitle D: Repealers Title V: Amendments to Adult Education Programs Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VII: Amendments to State Human Resource Investment Council Title VIII: Amendments to Wagner-Peyser Act Title IX: Technical and Conforming Amendments Subtitle A: Amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act Subtitle B: Amendments to Other Acts Title X: Effective Date and Transition Provisions Division B: Vocational Rehabilitation Programs Title XXI: Amendments to General Provisions Title XXII: Amendments to Vocational Rehabilitation Services Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services Title XXIII: Amendments to Research and Training Title XXIV: Amendments to Training and Demonstration Projects Subtitle A: Training Programs and Community Rehabilitation Programs Subtitle B: Special Projects and Supplementary Services Title XXV: Amendments to National Council on Disability Title XXVI: Amendments to Rights and Advocacy Title XXVII: Amendments to Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Title XXVIII: Amendments to Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living Title XXIX: Repeal of Special Demonstrations and Training Projects Title XXX: Effective Date Employment, Training, and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997 - Division A: Employment, Training, and Literacy Programs - Title I: Amendments to General Provisions and Program Requirements - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to extend through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for various JTPA programs. Subtitle B: State and Local Administrative Provisions - Requires State Governors to establish a collaborative process, including representatives of the State legislature, State agencies, local governments, education and training experts, business leaders, and labor representatives, to develop: (1) a single State plan for the three new block grants under this Act and for Wagner-Peyser Act programs; (2) a performance measurement system for the three block grant programs; and (3) criteria for the statewide full-service employment and training delivery system, designation of local workforce development areas, and appointment of local workforce development boards. (Sec. 112) Requires establishment of local Workforce Development Boards (replacing the Private Industry Councils which currently run local programs). Requires such boards to: (1) provide policy guidance and oversight over local systems (rather than directly run programs); and (2) establish local full service employment and training delivery systems to be easily accessible, single points of entry into the employment and training system. Requires selection of service providers eligible to provide training services under the Adult Employment and Training Block Grant. Subtitle C: Program and Fiscal Provisions - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Revises JTPA general program requirements as well as requirements for trainee or employee benefits, labor standards, grievance procedures, identification of additional imposed requirements, authority of State legislatures, and interstate agreements. Chapter 2: Performance Accountability Provisions - Requires each State receiving JTPA funds to implement a statewide performance accountability system with negotiated benchmarks, including core indicators of performance, performance reports, incentive grants, and sanctions. Chapter 3: Other Provisions - Revises JTPA requirements relating to: (1) data for prompt allocation of funds; (2) fiscal controls and sanctions; (3) reports, recordkeeping, and investigations; (4) administrative adjudication; (5) nondiscrimination; and (6) administrative provisions. Repeals specified provisions relating to: (1) judicial review; (2) Presidential awards for outstanding private sector involvement in job training programs; and (3) construction of certain JTPA provisions. Establishes limits on certain administrative costs. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals specified JTPA provisions, including certain criminal provisions. Title II: Amendments to Employment and Training Programs for Disadvantaged Youth - Consolidates: (1) adult training programs with those for disadvantages workers under a new title III; and (2) summer youth employment and training programs with year-round youth training programs into a new title II disadvantaged youth employment and training opportunities block grants program. (Sec. 203) Revises requirements for the allotment of funds within States. Provides for allocation of funds to local areas under a State-determined formula developed through the collaborative process. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements. Gives service priority to individuals who, in addition to being economically disadvantaged, are determined to be hard to serve, including school dropouts. Requires the use of disadvantaged youth program funds for specified activities, including: (1) assessments and service strategies for participants; (2) integration of academic, occupational, and work-based learning; (3) comprehensive guidance and counseling; (4) postsecondary education and training opportunities, where appropriate; (5) involvement of employers and parents in program design and implementation; and (6) adult mentoring. Authorizes use of program funds for: (1) direct training services; (2) tutoring and study skills training; (3) instruction leading to completion of high school or the equivalent; (4) alternative high school services; (5) paid and unpaid work experience, including summer employment opportunities, which are directly linked to academic, occupational, and work-based learning; (6) mentoring; (7) training-related supportive services; (8) peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors during non-school hours; and (9) other locally determined appropriate training and transition services that assist disadvantaged youth make the transition to employment. Title III: Amendments to Employment and Training Programs for Adults - Consolidates the current dislocated worker grant program and economically disadvantaged adult training program, as well as various other training programs for adults, into an adult employment and training opportunities block grant program for all adults. Provides for allocation of funds, under both the adult and dislocated worker funding streams, to local workforce development areas based upon State-determined formulas developed through the collaborative process. Makes such funds available to local workforce development areas for establishing full-service employment and training delivery, and for providing core, intensive, and training (as well as supportive) services for adults and for dislocated workers. (Sec. 301) Allows individuals to receive further training beyond core services if: (1) they are unable, through core services, to obtain initial employment, or employment that will lead to self-sufficiency; and (2) they have been determined, after an interview, evaluation, or assessment and counseling, to be in need of training services. Requires, under the adult funding stream, that priority for intensive and training services be given to welfare recipients and other economically disadvantaged individuals with multiple barriers to employment. Requires provision (except in certain circumstances) of training services for adults: (1) through service delivery methods that maximize consumer choice in the selection of eligible training service providers; and (2) through the use of skill grants distributed through the full-service employment and training delivery system. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award national emergency grants to: (1) certain entities to provide employment and training to workers in areas affected by major economic dislocations; and (2) State Governors to provide disaster relief employment assistance to areas that have suffered specified emergencies and disasters. Authorizes the award of grants, also, to assist projects that provide training to upgrade the skill of employed workers who reside and are employed in enterprise zones or empowerment communities. Title IV: Amendments to Federally Administered Programs - Programs - Subtitle A: Employment and Training Programs for Native Americans and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers - Revises JTPA employment and training programs for Native Americans. Requires eligible Indian tribal, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities to submit program plans to the Secretary for grant and contract assistance. Eliminates the Native American Employment and Training Council. Allows entities receiving such assistance to consolidate it with assistance received from related programs in accordance with the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. (Sec. 402) Revises JTPA employment and training programs for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Requires eligible entities to submit program plans to the Secretary for grant and contract assistance. Directs the Secretary to consult with State Governors and local boards in making such grants and contracts. Subtitle B: Job Corps - Revises JTPA Job Corps provisions relating to: (1) individual eligibility; (2) screening and selection of applicants; (3) Job Corps centers; (4) standards of conduct; (5) counseling and job placement; and (6) experimental and developmental projects and coordination with other programs. Subtitle C: National Activities - Revises JTPA with respect to research, demonstration, evaluation, and capacity building, including: (1) national partnerships and special training; (2) technical assistance, dissemination, and replication activities; and (3) incentive grants. (Sec. 422) Repeals the mandate for a nontraditional employment demonstration program. Subtitle D: Repealers - Repeals JTPA provisions for: (1) the National Commission on Employment Policy; (2) training to fulfill affirmative action obligations; (3) the Youth Fair Chance Program; (4) the Microenterprise Grants Program; and (5) disaster relief employment assistance (while making provisions for such disaster assistance under title III). Title V: Amendments to Adult Education Programs - Consolidates various adult education and literacy programs into a block grant program. Requires program funds distributed through the States to local adult education providers to be used to provide adult education and family literacy services to qualifying adults. Establishes a framework to ensure that adult education programs are aligned with job training programs. (Sec. 501) Repeals authority for the current Jobs for Employable Dependent Individuals Incentive Bonus Program. (Sec. 502) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act - Establishes a new JTPA title V, Adult Education Programs, to be cited as the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), by transferring a renamed and revised Adult Education Act from the Elementary and Secondary Education Amendments of 1996. Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations under AEFLA. Revises provisions for grants to eligible agencies, including initial and additional allotments, fund uses, competitive grant requirements, and adult education and literacy activities. Directs eligible agencies to require local providers to use their competitive grant funds for one or more programs in one or more of these categories: (1) adult education and literacy services; (2) family literacy services; and (3) English literacy programs. Sets forth fiscal requirements and restrictions on uses of funds. Revises provisions for: (1) the National Institute for Literacy (NIL); (2) NIL's authority to make certain grants, contracts, agreements, and literacy leadership fellowships; (3) an NIL Advisory Board; and (4) NIL funding from the Secretaries of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of national leadership activities to enhance the quality of adult education and family literacy programs nationwide. (Sec. 503) Repeals the National Literacy Act of 1991. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals JTPA provisions relating to specified amendments to: (1) the Wagner-Peyser Act; and (2) the Social Security Act, regarding certain required training and employment services and regarding an earnings disregard. Title VII: Amendments to State Human Resource Investment Council - Revises JTPA provisions for State Human Resource Investment Councils. Title VIII: Amendments to Wagner-Peyser Act - Amends the Wagner-Peyser Act with respect to: (1) functions of the Secretary of Labor; (2) designation of State agencies; (3) disposition of allotted funds; and (4) State plans. Repeals the mandate for a Federal advisory council. Requires the provision of all job search, placement, recruitment, labor market information, and other authorized labor exchange services as part of the full service employment and training delivery system established by the State. Title IX: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act - Renames JTPA as the Employment, Training, and Literacy Enhancement Act, and makes various technical and conforming amendments. Subtitle B: Amendments to Other Acts - Makes technical and conforming amendments to other specified Federal laws. Title X: Effective Date and Transition Provisions - Sets forth an effective date and transition provisions for Division A of this Act. Division B: Vocational Rehabilitation Programs - Title XXI: Amendments to General Provisions - Revises Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA) general provisions, including those relating to the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Title XXII: Amendments to Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for grants to States for basic vocational rehabilitation services. Revises provisions relating to: (1) State plans; (2) individualized written rehabilitation programs; (3) scope of vocational rehabilitation services; (4) State Rehabilitation Advisory Councils; (5) evaluation standards and performance indicators; and (6) monitoring and review. Subtitle B: Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Extends through FY 2000 the reservation of funds from State allotments for American Indian vocational rehabilitation services. (Sec. 2213) Extends through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for the client assistance program. Title XXIII: Amendments to Research and Training - Extends through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council; and (2) specified research programs and centers. Repeals the mandate for a Deputy Director of the Institute, and the authority to appoint technical and professional employees. Title XXIV: Amendments to Training and Demonstration Projects - Subtitle A: Training Programs and Community Rehabilitation Programs - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for various training programs. Repeals the mandate for grants for career advancement and competency-based training. (Sec. 2232) Repeals specified RA provisions for: (1) certain grants and contracts for vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities; (2) loan guarantees for community rehabilitation programs; (3) comprehensive rehabilitation centers; and (4) general grant and contract requirements. (Sec. 2233) Extends through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for Special Projects and Supplementary Services (sic). Subtitle B: Special Projects and Supplementary Service s - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) special demonstration programs; (2) migratory workers programs; and (3) special recreational programs. Repeals RA provisions for: (1) transitional planning services for youth with severe disabilities; and (2) educational and vocational rehabilitation projects for individuals who are low-functioning and deaf or hard-of-hearing. Title XXV: Amendments to National Council on Disability - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for the National Council on Disability. Title XXVI: Amendments to Rights and Advocacy - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations to support a system in each State to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who: (1) need services beyond the scope of those under the client assistance program; and (2) are ineligible for protection and advocacy programs under specified Acts. Title XXVII: Amendments to Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) projects with industry; and (2) supported employment services for individuals with disabilities. (Sec. 2272) Repeals RA provisions for: (1) community service pilot programs for individuals with disabilities; and (2) business opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Title XXVIII: Amendments to Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living - Amends RA to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) independent living services, and centers for independent living, for individuals with disabilities; and (2) independent living services for older individuals who are blind. Title XXIX: Repeal of Special Demonstrations and Training Projects - Repeals RA provisions for special demonstrations and training projects. Title XXX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for Division B of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Labor to maintain an ongoing program of outreach to the public to promote effectively retirement income savings by workers, through: (1) public service announcements; (2) public meetings; (3) educational materials; and (4) a permanent site on the Internet. Includes among the information to be disseminated through such program: (1) a description of the common types of retirement income savings arrangements available to both individuals and employers, including small businesses; (2) a means for individuals to calculate their estimated retirement savings needs; and (3) an explanation for employers of how to establish and maintain different retirement savings arrangements for their workers. Directs the President to convene a National Summit on Retirement Savings, no later than June 1, 1998, and again in September 2001 and September 2005. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall spending levels. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Allows waiver of such prohibition if such bill is required to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year-to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to require a budget law to include a major functional category ("rainy day fund") for natural disasters, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law to require the President to submit: (1) a budget, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences, setting forth on a single page specific budget ceilings in each major functional category; and (2) a detailed budget, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide the appropriate House of Congress (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference) an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill likely to result in costs of over $10 million, before being voted on by the Senate or the House, or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate (or any committee, subcommittee, or conference committee) to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or the Senate, or both, to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress, by two-thirds vote, exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions in spending in the same functional category. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. (Sec. 309) Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals an exemption in the House from pay-as-you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure that budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require CBO reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of social security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law to provide that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts and collections as negative budget authority.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to allow certain eligible covered beneficiaries to enroll in any health benefits plan under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) offering medical and dental care comparable to that offered under CHAMPUS. Includes as an eligible covered beneficiary any member or former member of the armed forces, and any dependent of such member, who: (1) is not guaranteed access under CHAMPUS or TRICARE Standard (a Department of Defense managed care program) to health and dental care comparable to the highest level provided under the FEHB; (2) is eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Program but is not so enrolled because of geographical inaccessibility, enrollment limitations, or any other reason; or (3) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. States that any such beneficiary shall not be required to satisfy any FEHB eligibility criteria as a condition for enrollment. Provides for: (1) enrollment contributions; (2) participation management by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (3) annual reports from the Secretary of Defense and the OPM Director concerning the provision of such care. Requires the health and dental care benefits provided under CHAMPUS and TRICARE Standard, as well as the rates prescribed for the reimbursement of providers under such programs, to be comparable to the highest level of benefits provided under the FEHB. Requires the Secretary to begin offering the health benefits option of this Act no later than November 1, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment Implementation Act of 1997 - Grants each victim of a Federal felony offense or any other Federal crime of violence the right: (1) to notice of, and not to be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the offense; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a written statement at all public proceedings relating to the offense (and non-public parole proceedings to the extent the convicted offender is afforded such rights) to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence; (3) to notice of any release or escape from custody relating to the offense; (4) to seek relief from an unreasonable delay of the final disposition of the proceedings relating to the offense; (5) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender pursuant to law; (6) to consideration for the safety of the victim in determining any release from custody; (7) to notice of such rights; (8) to be treated with fairness and respect for the victim's dignity and privacy; and (9) to confer with the attorney for the Government. Makes such rights applicable in: (1) Federal (other than military) criminal proceedings, including juvenile justice proceedings; (2) collateral proceedings such as habeas corpus; and (3) similar proceedings in the courts of any district or territory of the United States not within a State. Grants the victim standing in the proceeding to assert the rights established by this Act. Sets forth: (1) remedies for violations; and (2) exceptions and limitations to such rights. (Sec. 4) Directs the courts, and the head of each U.S. department and agency engaged in the detection, investigation, prosecution, or adjudication of crimes to which this Act applies, to designate the persons who will be responsible for identifying the victims, assuring the implementation of the rights provided in this Act, and performing specified services, at each stage of a criminal case. Requires a responsible official, at the earliest opportunity after the detection of a crime at which it may be done without interfering with an investigation, to identify the victims, inform the victims of their right to receive such services upon request, and inform each victim of the responsible official to whom the victim should address such request. Directs such official to: (1) inform a victim regarding emergency medical and social services, restitution or other relief to which the victim may be entitled, and counseling, treatment, and other support programs; (2) arrange for a victim to receive reasonable protection; (3) provide notices of specified steps or events during the investigation and prosecution of a crime and after trial; and (4) provide the victim with general information regarding the corrections process. Sets forth: (1) provisions regarding protecting the property of a victim being held, and payment or reimbursement of the cost of a physical examination of the victim, for evidentiary purposes; and (2) remedies for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crimes or crimes for which the defendant can be imprisoned for longer than one year the right: (1) to notice of, and to not be excluded from, all public proceedings relating to the crime; (2) to be heard, if present, and to submit a written statement at all public proceedings (and non-public parole proceedings to the extent the convicted offender is afforded such rights) relating to the crime to determine a release from custody, an acceptance of a negotiated plea, or a sentence; (3) to notice of any release or escape from custody relating to the crime; (4) to seek relief from an unreasonable delay of the final disposition of the proceedings relating to the crime; (5) to an order of restitution from the convicted offender; (6) to consideration for the victim's safety in determining any release from custody; and (7) to notice of the rights established by this amendment. Grants the victim standing to assert such rights. Grants power to the Congress and the States to enforce this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Veterans American Dream Homeownership Assistance Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code concerning the eligibility of veterans for State-financed veterans' home mortgages.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Internal Revenue Service Accountability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a fine or imprisonment upon any U.S. officer or employee who willfully and maliciously disregards any revenue law or related regulation relating to any proceeding against a taxpayer. Allows, if litigation costs are awarded, a portion of the costs to be assessed against any current or former Internal Revenue Service officer or employee (prohibiting Government reimbursement) if the proceeding resulted from any arbitrary, capricious, or malicious act of the officer or employee. Allows Government defense of the officer or employee, but makes the officer or employee liable for defense costs if the employee is found liable for litigation costs. Imposes similar liabilities regarding civil damages for a failure to release a lien or for certain unauthorized collection actions. Amends provisions allowing civil damages for disclosure of returns and return information to allow the damages for access as well as disclosure and apply the provisions to former as well as current officers and employees. Provides for dismissal from office or discharge from employment, a fine or imprisonment, and costs of prosecution for unauthorized access. Prohibits unauthorized access and, on discovery of unauthorized access, requires immediate taxpayer notification. Requires reasonable justification (not random selection) for examining a return. Prohibits, except on court approval, a second examination of a return or extending an examination back beyond three taxable years. Extends from 21 to 90 calendar days after notice and demand the deadline to pay a tax required to be shown on certain returns but not shown. Allows a district court to rule on a decision by the Secretary of the Treasury to not acquiesce regarding conclusions of law in identical, similar, or previously-decided cases. Requires court consent for a levy to collect a tax. Prohibits interest on assessable penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax. Sets the interest rate for overpayments and underpayments (the same rate for both). Modifies requirements regarding abatement of interest, penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax attributable to a mathematical or clerical error.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
Honors the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide. Calls for the United States to encourage the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge and commemorate the atrocity committed against the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
United States Armed Forces in Bosnia Protection Act of 1997 - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or any other Federal department or agency from being obligated or expended for the deployment on the ground of U.S. armed forces in the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina after September 30, 1997. Provides exceptions: (1) for the deployment of troops to aid in troop withdrawal; or (2) if the President transmits to the Congress a request for a deployment extension for an additional 90 days after such deadline and a joint resolution is enacted approving such request. Outlines congressional procedures for the consideration of such request. Prohibits DOD or other Federal funds from being obligated or expended for: (1) the conduct of, or support for, any law enforcement activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an exception for the training of law enforcement personnel or to prevent imminent loss of life; (2) any activity that may jeopardize the primary mission of the United Nations-led Stabilization Fore in preventing armed conflict there; (3) the transfer of refugees within the Republic that has a purpose of acquiring control by one Bosnian entity of territory allocated to another or that may expose U.S. armed forces to substantial risk; or (4) implementation of any decision to change the legal status of any territory within the Republic unless expressly agreed to by all signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Requires a report from the President to the Congress on the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit the use of ESEA funds to promote teaching or using dialects peculiar to a region or group within the U.S. population. Allows teachers, notwithstanding such prohibition, to: (1) be trained in, use, and teach foreign languages; and (2) communicate in their own modes of speech, if no special effort is made to teach or encourage students to communicate in such modes of speech.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Mandates the display of the POW-MIA flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Days, National POW-MIA Recognition Day, and on the last business day before each of the preceding holidays, on the grounds or in the public lobbies of: (1) major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense; (2) Federal national cemeteries; (3) the national Korean War Veterans Memorial; (4) the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial; (5) the White House; (6) the official office of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Director of the Selective Service System; and (7) U.S. Postal Service post offices. Repeals provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 relating to the display of the POW-MIA flag.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
State Initiative Fairness Act - Prohibits a U.S. district court or judge thereof from granting any application for an interlocutory or permanent injunction restraining the enforcement, operation, or execution of a State law adopted by referendum upon the ground of unconstitutionality unless such application is heard and determined by a three-judge court. Requires, in any such case, the additional judges to be designated as soon as practicable and the court to expedite the consideration of the application for an injunction. Requires any appeal of a determination on such application to be to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Methamphetamine Elimination Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General for FY 1998 through 2003 to make grants to the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement to implement the Bureau's methamphetamine strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include distributions from publicly traded partnerships as qualifying income of regulated investment companies. Excludes such distributions from the source-based inclusion limitation applicable to other partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Home-Based Business Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for the health insurance costs of a self-employed individual to allow as a deduction an amount equal to the amount paid by such individual for insurance which constitutes medical care for such individual, such individual's spouse, and dependents. Adds to provisions defining the disallowance of certain expenses in connection the business use of the home to provide that a home office shall in any case qualify as the principal place of business if the office is: (1) in the location where the taxpayer's essential administrative or management activities are conducted on a regular and systematic basis; and (2) necessary because the taxpayer has no other location for the performance of the essential management or administrative activities of the business. Considers a service provider as not being an employee if the provider: (1) can realize a profit or loss, can incur unreimbursed expenses, and makes a time-limited or task-limited agreement; (2) has a principal place of business, does not primarily provide service at a single service recipient's facilities, pays fair rent for the use of the recipient's facilities, or operates primarily with equipment not supplied by the recipient; and (3) if there is a written contract providing that the provider will not be treated as an employee for Federal tax purposes. Considers (in addition) a provider as not an employee if: (1) there is such a written contract; and (2) the provider is a corporation or limited liability company and does not receive benefits that the recipient's employees receive. Regulates the treatment of determinations by the Secretary of the Treasury that a service provider should have been treated as an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army or Naval Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act. Mandates a processing fee for any benefit application of a member possessing such qualified service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Prohibits a State or local government from imposing, assessing, or attempting to collect any tax or fee on the Internet or interactive computer services (ICs) or on their use. Preserves State and local taxing authority with respect to income, license, and sales taxes. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, or State to: (1) undertake an examination of U.S. and international taxation of the Internet and ICs, as well as commerce conducted thereon; and (2) jointly submit to the President appropriate policy recommendations concerning such taxation. Directs the President to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees policy recommendations on the taxation of sales and other transactions effected on the Internet or through ICs. Requires all such recommendations to be consistent with policy statements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to state that the Federal Communications Commission or any equivalent State commission shall have no regulatory authority or jurisdiction with respect to charges paid by subscribers for ICs or information services transmitted through the Internet, except for the requirement that such services be provided at affordable rates to rural health care providers, schools, and libraries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek bilateral and multilateral agreements through various international forums to establish that activity on the Internet and ICs be free from tariff and taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Pharmacy Compounding Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make specified provisions of that Act inapplicable to a drug or device that is compounded by a licensed pharmacist, licensed physician, or other licensed practitioner authorized by State law to prescribe drugs or devices. Declares null and void a proposed rule concerning exceptions to good manufacturing practices for makers of positron emission tomography drug products and a guideline on the manufacture of such products. Prohibits another proposed regulation or guideline on those matters.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any bilateral or international agreement that imposes certain performance, testing, and deployment limits on U.S. missile defense systems would not be in the national security interests of the United States; (2) no additional international agreements are required to deploy such systems; and (3) the Congress will not be receptive to any agreement that serves to reduce the potential of U.S. theater missile defense systems to defend the U.S. armed forces abroad or the armed forces or population of allies of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Congressional Responsibility Act of 1997 - Prohibits a regulation from taking effect before the enactment of a bill comprised solely of the text of the regulation. Requires an agency, whenever it promulgates a regulation, to submit to each House of the Congress a report containing its text and an explanation. Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for consideration of agency regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1997 - Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund - Establishes in the Treasury the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Specifies that any individual who has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection shall receive $125,000 from amounts available in the Fund if the individual meets one of the following conditions: (1) has a blood-clotting disorder and was treated with blood-clotting agents between July 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987; (2) is the lawful spouse of such individual or the former lawful spouse and was the lawful spouse of the individual at any time after a date within such period on which the individual was treated; or (3) acquired the HIV infection through perinatal transmission from a parent who is such an individual. Requires that the following conditions be met with respect to such individual: (1) the individual submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services written medical documentation that the individual has an HIV infection; (2) a petition for payment be filed with the Secretary by or on behalf of such individual; and (3) that the Secretary determine that the claim meets the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 105) Specifies that any right under this Act shall not be assignable or transferable. Sets limits regarding the number of claims per victim. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the Secretary from making any payment with respect to any petition filed under this Act unless the petition is filed within three years after the enactment of this Act. Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs - Prohibits a settlement payment from being considered income or resources in determining a class member's eligibility for, or the amount of: (1) medical assistance under the Medicaid program; or (2) benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program. Defines the terms: (1) "class member"; and (2) "settlement payment."
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide or pay for any health care item or service or health benefit coverage for the purpose of causing, or assisting to cause, the death of any individual. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs, facilities, and personnel to which the prohibition applies, including under Social Security Act titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services), the Public Health Service Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and provisions of Federal law relating to Federal employees, the military health care system, veterans medical care, Peace Corps volunteers, and Federal prisoners. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for: (1) causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; (2) compelling any person or entity to provide or fund any item, benefit, program, or service for such purpose; or (3) asserting or advocating a legal right to cause or assist such actions. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs to which the prohibition applies, including under specified provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and the Legal Services Corporation Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for any item or service for the purpose of causing or assisting in the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Declares that, for this Act, references to appropriated funds include funds appropriated to the District of Columbia under specified provisions of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act. Declares that this Act supersedes other Federal laws except to the extent such laws specifically supersede this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Neighborhood Assistance Act - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to transfer to any nonprofit organization that exists for the purpose of providing housing or housing assistance for homeless or low-income individuals or families, such surplus real and personal property as is needed for housing use. Directs the Administrator, in making transfers, to take such action as may be necessary to ensure that: (1) assistance provided is used to facilitate and encourage home ownership opportunities through the construction of self-help housing, under terms that require that the person receiving the assistance contribute a significant amount of labor toward the construction; and (2) the dwellings constructed with property transferred be quality dwellings that comply with local building and safety codes and standards and be made available at prices below prevailing market prices. States that if the Administrator transfers a significant portion of a surplus real property, the transfer of the entire surplus real property is deemed to be in compliance with title V of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Modifies the exception regarding the transfer of surplus personal property by the Administrator to a State agency for distribution through donation to nonprofit educational or public health institutions or organizations, to include providers of assistance to families or individuals whose annual incomes are below 185 percent of the poverty line.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Allows an individual to deduct losses arising from the sale or exchange of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Americorps Program Elimination Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to repeal the National Service Trust Program (Americorps) under which certain persons who perform national or community service receive stipends and educational awards for such service.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire fire fighting goods or services from Federal agencies without regard to certain commercial contracting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the post-1987 reduction in the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Provides, beginning in 1999, for cost-of-living adjustments in the State ceiling on such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Citizen Legislature and Political Freedom Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to remove the limitations on Federal election campaign contributions after 1998. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the designation of income tax payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund after December 31, 1997; (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund after December 31, 1998; and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 4) Amends FECA to require the following regarding soft money expenditures of political parties: (1) the disclosure of all funds (soft money) transferred by a political committee of a national political party to any political committee of a State or local political party, without regard to whether or not the funds are otherwise treated as contributions or expenditures; and (2) a political committee of a State or local political party required under State or local law, rule, or regulation to submit a report on its disbursements to an entity of the State or local government, to file a copy of the report with the Federal Election Commission (Commission) at the time it submits the report to such an entity. (Sec. 5) Revises reporting requirements to provide for mandatory electronic filing of FECA reports. Repeals requirements regarding the candidate's principal campaign committee notifying the Clerk of the House, the Secretary or Commission, and the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution of $1,000 or more received by any authorized committee of the candidate. Replaces them with requirements providing for each political committee to notify the Secretary or the Commission, and the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution received by the committee within 90 days of an election, within 24 hours (or, if earlier, by midnight of the day on which the contribution is deposited) after the receipt of such contribution and include the involved candidate's name (as appropriate) and the office sought by the candidate, the identification of the contributor, and the date of receipt and the contribution amount, in addition to all other reporting requirements. Directs the Commission to make the information contained in the reports submitted available on the Internet and publicly available at Commission offices as soon as practicable (but in no case later than 24 hours) after the information is received by the Commission. (Sec. 6) Waives the "best efforts" exception with respect to information regarding the identification of any person who makes a contribution or contributions aggregating more than $200 during a calendar year (as currently required to be provided).
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
United Nations Erroneous Debt Act of 1997 - Prohibits the payment of U.S. contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to the Congress that the United Nations has: (1) agreed to reimburse or credit to the United States a specified sum which reflects unreimbursed U.S. assistance to U.N. military peacekeeping efforts from 1992 through 1995; or (2) eliminated alleged U.S. arrearages to the United Nations and agreed to reimburse or credit a specified sum to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Amends Federal employees' retirement law to compute annuities for Members of Congress under the same formula as applies to Federal employees generally. Subjects Members to the same guidelines as apply to Federal employees with respect to deductions from pay and Government contributions for retirement plans. Applies this Act to individuals who first served as Members of Congress in the 103d Congress or later. Requires Member annuities based on service performed before enactment of this Act or to which this Act does not apply to be computed as if this Act had never been enacted.