United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Expanded War Crimes Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply the criminal penalties prescribed for a grave breach of the Geneva Convention, inside or outside the United States, by a U.S. national or member of the armed forces to additional war crimes defined to include conduct: (1) prohibited by Articles 23, 25, 17, or 28 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed October 18, 1907; (2) which constitutes a violation of common Article 3 of the conventions and which deals with non-international armed conflict; or (3) of a person who willfully kills or causes serious injury to civilians in relation to an armed conflict and contrary to the provisions of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices as amended at Geneva on May 3, 1996, when the United States is a party to such Protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Replaces the Department of Commerce (DOC) with the Commerce Programs Resolution Agency (CPRA), which is limited to three years to wind up and terminate the functions and obligations of the DOC before the CPRA itself is abolished. Directs the Comptroller General to report on the most efficient means of abolishing the DOC, and transferring or terminating its functions. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations, liabilities, and related rights owned by DOC under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all DOC grants made under such Act in FY 1995. (Sec. 202) Transfers all export control functions of the DOC under the Export Administration Act of 1979 to the Secretary of State, the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General. Authorizes transfer of a limited number of specified DOC special agents to the Customs Service. Abolishes the Office of Foreign Availability and the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and provides for the appointment of an Industries Board to advise the Secretary of State. (Sec. 203) Transfers specified national security functions: (1) granted by the Trade Expansion Act to the International Trade Commission (ITC); and (2) granted by the Defense Production Act to the Secretaries of Defense and of the Treasury. Directs the President to appoint committees of industry representatives to advise the National Security Council. (Sec. 204) Transfers to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the functions of the DOC's International Trade Administration, and powers granted by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to make the Secretary of the Treasury chairman and executive officer of the Foreign Trade Zones Board. Renames the United States and Foreign Commercial Service the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (Commercial Service), abolishes specified functions, and transfers it to the USTR. Conveys all export promotion functions of the DOC to the USTR, authorizing the USTR to require private entities to pay for promotion services. Transfers the authority to collect and evaluate information on international investment and trade services to the Secretary of the Treasury. Abolishes the international economic policy analysis functions of the DOC. Terminates the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), and divides CITA's tasks among the USTR, the ITC, the Commercial Service, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Transfers all DOC functions under the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to the ITC. Requires the appointment of industry boards to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the USTR regarding their new powers. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal authorities for trade adjustment assistance to firms injured by import competition. (Sec. 205) Transfers the Patent and Trademark Office to the Department of Justice, and requires that the activities of that Office be funded solely by fees. (Sec. 206) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Transfers the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the National Science Foundation, and transfers its laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. Eliminates funding for, and requires the sale of assets of, the National Technical Information Service. (Sec. 207) Transfers the Bureau of the Census to the Department of the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such Bureau should: (1) implement the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 in a timely fashion; and (2) streamline census questionnaires to promote savings in the collection and tabulation of data. (Sec. 208) Transfers the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Reserve System, requiring the director of that Bureau to report to the Congress on: (1) the availability of private resources capable of handling a portion or all of the Bureau's assigned tasks; and (2) the feasibility of a fee system to defray costs. (Sec. 209) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). (Sec. 210) Transfers specified functions under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 211) Terminates: (1) funding of specified fishery assistance programs; (2) the fisheries trade promotion program; (3) the authority to guarantee obligations for fishing vessels and facilities; (4) future compensation for damage, loss, or destruction of fishing vessels or fishing gear; and (5) funding of specified Federal fishery research projects. Eliminates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and conveys specified functions of both to the National Weather Service. Transfers the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System Data Centers in part to the CPRA to be sold, and in part to the National Weather Service. Terminates certain functions of the National Weather Service, and transfers it to the Department of the Interior. Reallocates specified functions of the National Marine Fisheries Services to the Secretary of Transportation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Conveys specified functions of the National Ocean Service to the United States Geological Survey and the Secretary of the Interior. Transfers certain NOAA environmental research laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. (Sec. 212) Abolishes the following DOC agencies and programs: (1) Economic Development Administration; (2) Minority Business Development Administration; (3) United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (4) National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (5) Advanced Technology Program; and (6) Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 214) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency performing a function vested by this Act should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for services provided in the performance of such function, to offset operating costs. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Limits annual expenditures for any function not terminated by this Act to 75 percent of FY 1994 expenditures for the performance of such function.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 2000; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Requires intermodal transfer (rail-to-heavy-haul-truck) of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste pending direct rail access to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Subjects the Secretary's movement of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by heavy-haul transport route to the exclusive regulatory purview of the Secretary of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Prescribes transportation planning, package certification, technical assistance, interim storage facility, permanent disposal, land withdrawal, and private storage facility requirements to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 31, 2000, and transport it to mainline transportation facilities. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances to Nye County. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person holding title to or generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, and possession, transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Requires the Secretary to determine the level of an annual fee for electricity generated and sold by each civilian nuclear power reactor. Permits the Secretary to make expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund in the event of a shortfall. Delineates budget priorities in the event of such shortfall. Requires the NRC to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay the currently required one-time fee on spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste derived from it, and used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor before April 7, 1983. Provides that payment of the one-time fee relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Class Action Relief Act of 1997 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to provide a moratorium between the date of enactment of this Act and December 31, 1998, on class certification, sanction imposition, or other proceedings with regard to class action lawsuits under such Act.
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 Internal Revenue Code to extend permanently the tax credit for expenses of clinical testing of certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
21st Century Classrooms Act for Private Technology Investment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide businesses with a deduction for: (1) the donation of computer technology and equipment (within two years of production or acquisition) to elementary or secondary schools, tax-exempt entities supporting education, or private foundations that contribute such property to these entities; and (2) cash contributions used for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Historic Homeownership Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a certified historic home which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and used as his or her principal residence. Allows the credit for such expenditures to be taken by a purchaser of the rehabilitated home. Permits, in lieu of the credit, a historic rehabilitation mortgage credit certificate, which shall be transferred to a lender in exchange for a reduction in the rate of interest on the loan secured by the building.
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
HIV Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to add certain requirements relating to prevention of the transmission of the HIV virus which State Medicaid plans must incorporate in order to receive Federal approval. Includes among such requirements: (1) mandatory confidential reporting of HIV positive results by the health professional or other entity performing HIV tests to the State public health officer; (2) informing of individuals who may have been exposed to HIV by the public health officer of the State (partner notification); (3) mandatory HIV testing of alleged rapists for which victims and their attorneys are notified of the results, with appropriate follow up tests upon the request of the victim; (4) subjection to mandatory HIV testing of prospective patients who are to undergo a medical procedure that would place the health professionals involved at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with the health professionals notified of the results; (5) affording applicants for health insurance who are required by the health insurance issuer to undergo HIV testing as a condition of issuance the opportunity to be informed by the issuer, upon request, of the applicant's HIV status; and (6) affording prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to be informed by the adoption agency, upon request, of the HIV status of the child which they wish to adopt. Expresses the sense of the Congress that with respect to health professionals with HIV disease: (1) the health professionals should notify their patients that they have the disease in medical circumstances that place the patients at risk of being infected with HIV by the health professionals; and (2) the States should encourage the medical profession to develop guidelines to assist the health professionals in so notifying patients. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) States should have in effect laws providing that, in the case of an individual who knows that he or she has HIV disease, it is a felony for the individual to infect another with HIV if the individual engages in the behaviors involved with the intent of so infecting the other individual; and (2) strict confidentiality should be maintained in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Subtitle B: Charitable Contribution Credit Title III: Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program Title IV: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1997 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a new subchapter on renewal communities (RCs), authorizing designation of not more than 100 areas (with the first 50 being from areas which are enterprise zones or empowerment communities) as RCs if: (1) the areas have pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress and meet other requirements; and (2) State and local governments agree to take actions such as tax reduction, crime reduction strategies, and reducing, repealing, or not enforcing within the area certain governmental requirements such as licensing, zoning, and permits. Provides for: (1) coordination of RCs with empowerment zones and enterprise communities; and (2) interaction of the provisions of this Act with other Federal programs. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report to the Congress concerning such designations. Title II: Tax Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Excludes from gross income the capital gain from an RC stock, business property, or partnership interest held more than five years. Allows a deduction to any qualified individual or other person for amounts paid in cash to a family development account for the individual's benefit. Allows account use for postsecondary education, first home purchase, business capitalization, medical expenses, and qualified rollovers. Excludes such accounts from taxation. Requires that the individual resided in an RC and was allowed an earned income credit for the preceding taxable year. Authorizes designation of not more than 25 RCs as account matching demonstration areas. Provides, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, for matching contributions to accounts. Sets the commercial revitalization credit (established below) at 20 to 50 percent of the revitalization expenditures regarding a revitalization building. Increases, for an RC business, the dollar limit on expensing certain depreciable business assets. Permits a taxpayer to treat any RC environmental remediation cost as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account. Allows any cost so treated as a deduction. (Sec. 202) Provides a special work opportunity credit rule for RCs. (Sec. 203) Provides for the commercial revitalization credit. Subtitle B: Charitable Contributions Credit - Allows an individual a credit for 75 percent of the contributions (of up to $100 annually for a taxpayer) to an organization described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) (charitable, etc., organizations) for which the taxpayer has done more than ten hours of volunteer service and which: (1) is primarily assisting poor individuals; (2) spends all of its resources providing services to the poor; and (3) has limited political activity. Terminates such credit after December 31, 1999. Title III : Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program - Low-Income Educational Opportunity Act of 1997 - Requires an RC to establish and operate a Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship program to: (1) provide RC families a choice of schools; and (2) provide assistance for attending public and private elementary and secondary schools, including religious schools. (Sec. 309) Requires that children attending: (1) private schools receive assistance for tuition, fees, and transportation; and (2) alternative public schools receive assistance for transportation. (Sec. 310) Sets forth school eligibility requirements. (Sec. 311) Declares that a scholarship under this title is an award of aid to a family, not to a school. Prohibits: (1) a Federal, State, or local agency taking into account Federal funds provided to a renewal community, school, or parent in determining whether to provide any other funds; and (2) deeming scholarships as parental income for Federal income tax purposes or for determining eligibility for other Federal programs. States that nothing in this title shall be construed to supersede any State law prohibiting the expenditure of public funds by sectarian schools, except that no State law may prohibit the expenditure by sectarian schools of Federal funds under this title. (Sec. 316) Requires that any constitutional challenge to the program be tried in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Permits an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Sec. 317) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Additional Provisions - Provides for the transfer of ownership of any qualified Department of Housing and Urban Development property to the unit of local government having jurisdiction, if such unit of local government agrees to dispose such qualified property as specified, including granting to a community development corporation the right of first refusal. (Sec. 402) Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to declare that the provisions of this section apply to each program under the PHSA that makes Federal awards to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization (RO) to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes ROs eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and (2) requirements that an RO, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires an RO to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the RO. Allows an RO to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by ROs, that the Federal funds shall be segregated from State or other public funds. Requires, for personnel working in RO drug treatment programs, giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the RO has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. (Sec. 403) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to allow the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing the record of a financial institution, to consider the institution's ventures with any community development organization in an RC.
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
Amends Federal motor vehicle safety law to provide an exception to requirements prohibiting a motor vehicle manufacturer, dealer, or repair business from knowingly making inoperative any motor vehicle safety device. Authorizes such persons to install a device which may be used by a driver to deactivate an air bag in a car, truck, bus, or multipurpose passenger vehicle, as long as the device causes the air bag to activate when the vehicle engine is turned off.
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 · 11 March 1997
Requests the President to submit a detailed plan to balance the Federal budget by FY 2002, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), that: (1) uses the most recent CBO economic and technical assumptions; (2) reduces the deficit through programmatic reforms rather than alternative budgetary procedures such as automatic spending cuts and the sunsetting of tax cuts; (3) realizes a significant proportion of its total savings in the first three years; and (4) offers sufficient Medicare reforms to forestall the imminent bankruptcy of the Medicare trust funds for a substantial period.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Mandates approval of the marketing of devices to aid in the self-examination of breasts without the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirement that such devices be prescription-only or otherwise restricted in their availability to women.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Amends Federal law relating to appropriations to provide for continuing appropriations in the absence of regular appropriations. Limits such continuing appropriations to 90 percent of the current rate of operations or a lower rate determined according to specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a postage stamp to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit performing a partial birth abortion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother and no other medical procedure would suffice. Defines "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the procedure partially vaginally delivers a living fetus before killing the infant and completing the delivery. Prescribes penalties. Authorizes the father and, if the mother is under 18 years of age, the maternal grandparents of the fetus to obtain specified relief in a civil action, even if the mother consented to the abortion, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
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
Human Cloning Prohibition Act - Makes it unlawful for any person to use a human somatic cell for the process of producing a human clone. Sets forth a civil money penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
American Land Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from nominating any Federal lands for inclusion on the World Heritage List pursuant to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage unless: (1) the Secretary finds that commercially viable uses of nominated lands (including lands located within ten miles of them) will not be adversely affected by such inclusion, and publishes that finding; (2) the Secretary has reported to the Congress on the lands' natural resources and the impact that the inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such lands; and (3) such nomination is specifically authorized by a law. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the President to submit proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination. Requires the Secretary to object to the inclusion of any property in the United States on the list of World Heritage in Danger (established under the Convention) unless the Secretary: (1) has reported to the Congress on the necessity for such inclusion, including the natural resources associated with the property, and the impact that such inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such property; and (2) is specifically authorized to assent to the inclusion by a joint resolution of the Congress enacted after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees certain information on each World Heritage Site within the United States. (Sec. 4) Prohibits Federal officials from nominating lands in the United States for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Provides that any such designation shall not have, and shall not be given, any force or effect, unless the Biosphere Reserve: (1) is specifically authorized by a law enacted before December 31, 2000; (2) consists solely of federally-owned lands; and (3) is subject to a management plan that specifically ensures that the use of intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property is not limited or restricted as a result of that designation. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees information on each Biosphere Reserve within the United States. (Sec. 5) Prohibits, under any international agreement (with exceptions under certain wetlands agreements and conventions), the nomination, classification, or designation of: (1) federally-owned lands located within the United States for a special or restricted use unless specifically authorized by law; (2) State or local government lands unless specifically authorized by State or local law; or (3) privately owned lands without the owner's consent.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Self-Employed Health Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for health insurance costs for self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Truth in Employment Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who seeks or has sought employment with the employer in furtherance of other employment or agency status.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign up to 10,000 Department of Defense personnel at any one time to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service in preventing the entry into the United States of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Designates the nursing care center at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, as the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Care Center.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Fair Trade in Meat and Pork Products Act of 1997 - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR), for purposes of identifying foreign countries not in compliance with the terms of any trade agreement with the United States, to determine whether the European Union has failed to implement its obligations under the Exchange of Letters, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, or any other agreement. Requires the USTR, in the event of such a failure, to: (1) promptly request proceedings under the formal dispute settlement procedures applicable under the agreement; and (2) request the Secretary of Agriculture to direct the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture to review certifications for European Union facilities that import meat and other agricultural products into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Congressional Annuity Reform Act of 1997 - Amends provisions concerning the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to: (1) limit the maximum CSRS annuity payable to Members of Congress with respect to cost of living adjustments (COLAs) to the final pay (or average pay, if higher) of the Member with respect to whom the annuity is paid; and (2) make other changes in the formula for computation of CSRS and Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) annuities payable to Members and congressional employees. Provides for the deduction and withholding of seven percent (currently, eight and seven and a half percent, respectively) of the basic pay of a member or congressional employee under CSRS (thus making such deduction and withholding equivalent to that of a Federal employee).
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the taxes excluded from a requirement to transfer taxes to the Highway Trust Fund. Increases the rate of transfer to the Mass Transit Account. Requires transfer to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund of aviation fuel taxes (currently, aviation fuel taxes to the extent attributable to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund financing rate).
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1997
Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Amends Federal law relating to appropriations to provide for continuing appropriations in the absence of regular appropriations. Limits such continuing appropriations to 75 percent of the current rate of operations or a lower rate determined according to specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1997
Right to Life Act of 1997 - States that the Congress declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at fertilization.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Criminal Welfare Prevention Act, Part II - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to enter into an agreement with a State or local jail or correctional facility under which the facility shall report monthly the name and social security number of any inmate who has received a benefit check under SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) despite being prohibited under other existing SSA law because of confinement in a correctional institution. Requires the Commissioner to pay any complying institution: (1) $400 if it furnishes the information within 30 days; or (2) $200 if it does so within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit, if an individual receives a frequent flier benefit as a result of the purchase in a trade or business of property or services: (1) including any amount in such individual's gross income as a result of receiving such benefit; (2) any deduction otherwise allowable for the purchase of such property or services from being reduced by reason of such benefit; and (3) any deduction allowable for the portion of any transportation purchase using such a benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Illegal Alien Employment Disincentive Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to not count work experience as an unauthorized alien for purposes of admission as an employment-based immigrant or an H-1B nonimmigrant.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1997
Truth in Political Advertising Act - Prohibits an individual from disseminating, or causing to be disseminated, any false political advertisement by U.S. mails or by any means in or having an effect on commerce. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to impose a specified civil monetary penalty. Shields certain media from liability for the dissemination of any false political advertisement, unless a Federal Trade Commission request for the name and post-office address of the person causing such dissemination is refused.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1997 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the deduction for individual retirement accounts (IRAs), to increase the income limits applicable to active participants. Removes limitations on a spouse's participation. (Sec. 102) Provides an inflation adjustment for the deductible amount. (Sec. 103) Revises provisions concerning the allowance of certain coins and bullion as IRA investments. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Permits individuals to establish IRA Plus accounts which shall be treated similarly to an IRA plan. Prohibits deductions for contributions to such accounts. Sets forth distribution rules (including the exclusion of qualified distributions from gross income). Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Permits distributions without penalty for qualified: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (3) unemployed individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that no Federal funds should be used to pay for or support any program that is based upon the premise that "Ebonics" is a legitimate language.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Protection from Sexual Predators Act of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should: (1) more seriously consider the relatively high recidivism rate of sexual offenders when deciding whether to plea bargain with or grant parole to sexual offenders; and (2) review treatment and parole supervision programs for sexual offenders to assure that such programs are fulfilling their goals. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that whoever violates provisions regarding aggravated sexual abuse (or engages in conduct that would violate such provisions if the conduct had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States under specified circumstances) after previously having been convicted of another State or Federal sexual abuse offense (or conduct which would have been such an offense if the offense had occurred in such jurisdiction) shall be imprisoned for life. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require a State, to be eligible for a truth in sentencing incentive grant, to provide assurances to the Attorney General that such State has in effect laws which allow the court to impose a sentence of life in prison without parole on a defendant in a criminal case who is convicted of a State offense for conduct which is a sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse offense under the Federal criminal code (or which would have been an offense under such provisions if the offense had occurred in U.S. jurisdiction) after having previously been convicted of another State or Federal sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse offense. Requires the National Institute of Justice to carry out a study of persistent sexual predators and to report to the Congress and the President.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Prohibition on United Nations Taxation Act of 1997 - Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations (UN) or any of its agencies if the UN: (1) attempts to impose a tax on any U.S. person; or (2) borrows funds from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), International Monetary Fund, or any other similar or regional international financial institution. Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary or assessed contributions to the UN or any of its agencies, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to the Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN or such agency is not engaged in any effort to develop or promote any taxation proposals in order to raise revenue.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
No Frills Prison Act - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require a State, to be eligible for truth in sentencing incentive grants, to demonstrate that it: (1) provides living conditions and opportunities within its prisons that are not more luxurious than those that the average prisoner would have experienced if not incarcerated; (2) does not provide to any such prisoner specified benefits or privileges, including earned good time credits, less than 40 hours a week of work that either offsets or reduces the expenses of keeping the prisoner or provides resources toward restitution of victims, unmonitored phone calls (with exceptions), in-cell television viewing, possession of pornographic materials, instruction or training equipment for any martial art or bodybuilding or weightlifting equipment, or dress or hygiene other than as is uniform or standard in the prison; and (3) in the case of a prisoner serving a sentence for a crime of violence which resulted in serious bodily injury to another, does not provide housing other than in separate cell blocks intended for violent prisoners, less than nine hours a day of physical labor (with exceptions), any release from the prison for any purpose unless under physical or mechanical restraint, any viewing of television, any inter-prison travel for competitive sports, more than one hour a day spent in sports or exercise, or possession of personal property exceeding 75 pounds in total weight or that cannot be stowed in a standard size U.S. military issue duffel bag. Directs the Attorney General to establish similar conditions in the Federal prison system.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Push Poll Disclaimer Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require individuals conducting polls by telephone or electronic means to interview individuals on opinions relating to any election for Federal office, to disclose the following information: (1) the individual's identity; (2) the identity of the individual sponsoring the poll or paying the expenses associated with the poll; and (3) if during the interview the individual provides information relating to a candidate for the election, the source of the information (or, if there is no source, a statement to that effect).
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 1997 - Amends the Small Business Act to require each participating Federal agency (the Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Labor), the Office of Small Business Development Centers (Office) of the Small Business Administration, and representatives of an association representing a majority of small business development centers (SBDCs) to agree to a small business regulatory compliance assistance plan. Requires each participating agency to ensure the nonduplication of compliance assistance efforts. Requires the Office, with the agreement of the association, to develop and publish guidelines for the establishment by SBDCs or by consortia of SBDCs of a system of small business voluntary regulatory compliance (system), with specified guideline requirements. Outlines the assistance to be provided to participating small businesses. Requires annual reports from the Office to the President and the congressional small business committees concerning the assistance provided under this Act, the level of outreach to small businesses achieved by SBDCs and consortia, and recommendations for improvements in the regulation of small businesses participating in the system. Requires the Office to provide for an independent third-party evaluation of the system, to be submitted to the President and the small business committees. Provides funding to assist the Office and participating agencies in fostering, promoting, developing, and carrying out the system, including funds for the implementation and administration of worker safety and health compliance assistance plans and regulatory compliance assistance plans for fiscal years 1999 through 2003. Provides funds to each participating SBDC under a population-based funding formula. Exempts such funds from matching requirements. Prohibits the Office from providing any funds to an SBDC or consortia after September 30, 2000, unless such SBDC or consortia has been approved for funding under a certification requirement.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000373_200.jpg)