United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Directs that nothing in this Act construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages. Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Medicare Diabetes Education and Supplies Amendments of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services and blood-testing strips for individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Medicare Patient Choice and Access Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans, among other things, to: (1) assure Medicare enrollees timely access to in-network primary and specialty health care providers and, under certain conditions, out-of-network providers as well; (2) establish a grievance process for resolving grievances between them and their enrollees; and (3) provide each enrollee with an explanation of the enrollee's rights and a copy of the most recent consumer report card for the organization. Prohibits provider incentive plans that fail to meet specified criteria. Bans interference with certain medical communications. Applies the same requirements to Medicare select policies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Declares that the United States is fully committed to the goals enunciated in the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and associated annexes negotiated in Dayton, Ohio, and signed in Paris, France (Agreement), and to the unified state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Commends the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) for its work in establishing peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Encourages the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), other institutions, and non-governmental organizations to promote further rebuilding of democratic institutions and civic society in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries. Opposes admission to international organizations and fora of, and the receipt of certain loans and financial or technical assistance from international financial institutions by, the parties to the Agreement until such states have complied with their obligations under the Agreement and United Nations Security Council Resolutions to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal. Urges: (1) the United States and the international community to oppose secession by any entity from the unified state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to actively support the work of the parties to establish democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to increase support for the efforts of the Tribunal, and to support the request of the Tribunal President for the High Representative to impose sanction on those who have not complied with their obligations to cooperate fully with the Tribunal; (2) the signatories to the Agreement and those nations and organizations participating in its implementation to ensure full implementation of the arms control and confidence-building agreements reached as part of the Agreement; (3) IFOR, the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR), the International Police Task Force, and other designated missions to make it an urgent priority to detain and bring to justice persons indicted by the Tribunal; (4) IFOR and SFOR to take an active role in ensuring respect by the parties to the Agreement for freedom of movement throughout the country; and (5) the United States, OSCE, and the international community to press the Serbian Government to recognize the results of recent elections, facilitate installation of duly elected opposition candidates, undertake a dialogue with democratic forces working for reform, and act immediately to improve respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996
Welcomes the efforts of many post-Communist countries to address the status of plundered properties. Urges: (1) countries which have not already done so to return plundered properties to their rightful owners or, as an alternative, pay compensation in accordance with principles of justice and in a manner that is just, transparent, and fair; and (2) post-Communist countries to pass and effectively implement laws that provide for restitution of, or compensation for, plundered property. Calls for: (1) the urgent return of property formerly belonging to Jewish communities as a means of redressing the particularly compelling problems of aging and destitute survivors of the Holocaust; and (2) the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and other countries to remove restrictions which require those whose properties have been wrongfully plundered by Nazi or Communist regimes to reside in or have the country's citizenship from which they now seek restitution or compensation. Calls upon foreign financial institutions, and the states having legal authority over their operation, that possess wrongfully and illegally property confiscated from Holocaust victims, from residents of former Warsaw Pact states who were forbidden by Communist law from obtaining restitution of such property, and from states that were occupied by Nazi, Fascist, or Communist forces, to assist and to cooperate fully with efforts to restore this property to its rightful owners.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Existing Land Management Laws Title II: Protection for Northwest Ancient Forests, Roadless Areas, and Special Areas Act to Save America's Forests - Title I: Amendments to Existing Land Management Laws - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (National Forest System), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (public lands), the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (National Wildlife Refuge System), the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act (Indian lands), and Federal law relating to forest management on military lands to: (1) provide for native biodiversity conservation; and (2) restrict and prohibit certain logging practices. Title II: Protection for Northwest Ancient Forests, Roadless Areas, and Special Areas - Designates specified Special Areas which shall be subject to restrictions on road construction and logging in the following States: (1) Alabama; (2) Alaska; (3) Arizona; (4) Arkansas; (5) California; (6) Colorado; (7) Georgia; (8) Idaho; (9) Illinois; (10) Minnesota; (11) Montana; (12) New Mexico; (13) North Carolina; (14) Oregon; (15) South Carolina; (16) South Dakota; (17) Tennessee; (18) Texas; (19) Vermont; and (20) Wyoming. Restricts road construction and logging in Northwest Ancient Forests, Special Areas, and roadless areas on Federal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) mint and issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of Jackie Robinson in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in major league baseball; and (2) distribute surcharge proceeds to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to enhance its education and youth leadership programs, and increase the availability of scholarships for economically disadvantaged youths.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Calls for the United States to: (1) continue its leadership role within the international community in seeking a solution to the problems of the ethnic groups of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; (2) continue to oppose lifting the "outer wall of sanctions" against Yugoslavia until the situation of the Bosniac people of the Sanjak region (along with that of other ethnic groups) is substantially improved; and (3) raise the issue of human rights violations in the Sanjak region with Yugoslavia at every opportunity. Calls for the Yugoslav Government to: (1) restore political freedom in such region, end persecution of political leaders, and guarantee the safe return of those Bosniac people forced to leave the region; and (2) permit the return of a permanent mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the Sanjak region to monitor and report on developments and to help establish the necessary conditions for observing elections.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Encourages the Secretary of State, foreign nations, and organizations such as the Red Cross and Israel's Jewish Agency to coordinate efforts to help reunite family members separated during the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1996
Preempts any State or local law, ordinance, regulation, or order precluding a tip credit or requiring a tip credit less than the tip credit that is permitted under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 relating to the accounting of tips in determining the wage of tipped employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 1996 - Amends Federal law to provide that any service as a Member of Congress of an individual convicted of a felony committed while a Member during the 105th Congress or later shall not be taken into account as creditable service for purposes of annuity or retirement provisions. Entitles such individual (or his or her beneficiary or estate, if applicable) to be paid so much of such individual's lump-sum credit as is attributable to such service. Prohibits: (1) the individual, while serving as a Member after the date of the conviction, from being eligible to participate in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employee's Retirement System; and (2) interest from being computed on such lump-sum payment for the period after the conviction or commission of the violation, or after September 26, 1961, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Condemns human rights abuses and denials of religious liberty to Christians around the world and calls upon the responsible regimes to cease such abuses. Recommends that the President expand and invigorate U.S. international advocacy on behalf of persecuted Christians and initiate a thorough examination of all U.S. policies that affect persecuted Christians. Encourages the President to proceed expeditiously in appointing a White House special advisor on religious persecution. Applauds the actions of the World Evangelical Fellowship in declaring an annual international day of prayer on behalf of persecuted Christians.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Requires each Member and employing authority of the House of Representatives to comply with the Office Recycling Program of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Directs the AOC to: (1) ensure that all House employees with custodial duties are adequately trained in Program implementation; and (2) require any House contractor carrying out the Program to ensure that all personnel are trained in Program implementation; and (3) report semiannually to the Committee on House Oversight on Program compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Act of 1996 - Mandates evaluation (directly or through grants or contracts) of a wide variety of promising programs to prevent teenage pregnancy, including programs that do not receive Federal grants. Mandates scientific peer review of evaluation proposals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates establishment (directly or through grants or contracts) of the National Clearinghouse on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Programs. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes an operating grant to a program found (by the evaluation under this Act) to be effective. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1996
Calls for: (1) condemnation of the perpetrators of genocide and other crimes against humanity and violations of fundamental human rights in Rwanda; (2) the international community and the United States to provide the resources to avoid unnecessary and damaging delay in the justice process; (3) prosecution of those individuals who have been indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; (4) coordination between the Tribunal and the Rwandan national justice system; (5) all countries to ensure that individuals indicted by the Tribunal who are in such countries be apprehended and turned over to the Tribunal for prosecution; and (6) the President to instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to vote in the United Nations Security Council to ensure that such indicted individuals are apprehended and prosecuted.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the German Government should investigate and prosecute Dr. Hans Joachim Sewering for his crimes of active euthanasia and crimes against humanity committed during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1996
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for a voluntary limitation on expenditures in House of Representatives elections. Decreases the contribution limitation amount applicable to contributions made to House candidates by multicandidate political committees. Increases the contribution limitation amount applicable to contributions made to House candidates by individuals other than multicandidate political committees. Requires that with respect to a reporting period for a House election: (1) at least two-thirds of the total amount of contributions be from individuals; and (2) at least 80 percent of such total be from local individual residents.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1996
Calls for: (1) condemnation of the perpetrators of genocide and other crimes against humanity and violations of fundamental human rights in Rwanda; (2) the international community and the United States to provide the resources to avoid unnecessary and damaging delay in the justice process; (3) prosecution of those individuals who have been indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; (4) coordination between the Tribunal and the Rwandan national justice system; (5) all countries to ensure that individuals indicted by the Tribunal who are in such countries be apprehended and turned over to the Tribunal for prosecution; and (6) the President to instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to vote in the United Nations Security Council to ensure that such indicted individuals are apprehended and prosecuted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: English Language Empowerment Title II: Repeal of Bilingual Voting Requirements English Language Empowerment Act of 1996 - Title I: English Language Empowerment - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act. Title II: Repeal of Bilingual Voting Requirements - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal bilingual voting requirements and related provisions regarding voting discrimination against language minorities and a prohibition of English-only elections.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Transportation should: (1) take into account the interests of affected communities and the past safety record at grade crossings (among other criteria) when providing exceptions to certain train whistle requirements; and (2) take specified action whenever he or she determines that supplementary safety measures are necessary to provide an exception to such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1996
Withdraws nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) treatment from the products of Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Authorizes the President to restore nondiscriminatory treatment of the products of Syria upon certification to the Congress that Syria is participating in the Middle East peace process in good faith.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 19 men and women who died in the bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, should be accorded all honor due to heroes; and (2) those who continue to serve in the United States armed forces anywhere in the world should be assured that their well-being and interests will at all times be safeguarded and given the highest priority.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
George Bush School of Government and Public Service Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a grant to assist in the establishment of the George Bush Fellowship Program, located at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service of the Texas A & M University. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
Debt Collection Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends Federal law to require the head of an executive or legislative agency (who, currently, is merely authorized) to: (1) contract with a collection service to recover indebtedness owed to the United States; (2) collect such indebtedness from Federal employees in installment deductions; (3) disclose certain information to a consumer reporting agency when trying to collect a claim; and (4) collect such a claim by administrative offset. Requires the head of a Federal agency to report promptly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) any debt that has been paid in full. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the IRS to disclose address information in accordance with any law granting a Federal claim against a taxpayer. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress after annual audits of each Federal agency on: (1) the amount of debt owed to the agency; (2) the amount that is delinquent; and (3) action taken by the agency to recover such debt. Repeals the termination date of the pilot debt collection project of the Department of Justice. Requires the Attorney General to include in the annual report to the Congress on activities to recover indebtedness the total cost of the pilot project and the total amount of debt recovered under it. Requires that recovered funds be used to reduce the Federal deficit. Requires a percentage of recovered funds to be used by the agency in collecting indebtedness. Prohibits the head of a Federal agency from making a loan until the loan applicant has been prescreened to determine creditworthiness. Requires the IRS to disclose address information to a Federal agency for use in collecting a claim. Prohibits the head of a Federal agency from making a loan to a loan applicant who owes a delinquent debt to the Federal Government, including the IRS. Allows the use of administrative charges by the Secretary of the Treasury for improving credit management techniques.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
Prohibits the President from providing economic assistance, military assistance, or arms transfers to Sudan (or to any foreign country involved in chattel slavery in Sudan) unless he certifies to the Congress that Sudan has taken action to eliminate chattel slavery, including: (1) enactment of antislavery laws that punish violators; and (2) rigorous enforcement of such laws. Directs the Secretary of State to designate an individual from the diplomatic mission in Khartoum, Sudan, for monitoring slavery there. Requires the President to report to the Congress on all forms of covert and overt forms of slavery in Sudan. Directs the President to instruct: (1) the U.S. representative to each international financial institution to oppose any assistance to Sudan until it has taken action to eliminate chattel slavery; and (2) the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations to pursue passage of any U.N. Security Council resolution that enhances cooperation of other countries in applying sanctions against Sudan. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should work with foreign countries and appropriate international organizations to ensure that humanitarian assistance organizations have access to all parts of Sudan for the purpose of assisting individuals who have been enslaved to resettle in Sudan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Labor Title II: Department of Health and Human Services Title III: Department of Education Title IV: Related Agencies Title V: General Provisions Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 - Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies, programs, and various trust funds, within the Department of Labor. Prescribes uses and limitations on the use of funds under this title. (Sec. 106) Provides that, in the administration of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 16- and 17-year-old individuals who are not apprentices or student-learners shall be permitted to load, but not operate or unload, materials into scrap paper balers or paper box compactors that: (1) meet the current safety standards of the American National Standards Institute; and (2) meet other specified standards regarding on-off switches and employee notification. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the use of funds to enforce and issue fines under a specified Hazardous Occupation Order with respect to incidental and occasional driving by minors under age 18, unless the Secretary of Labor finds that operation of a motor vehicle is the primary duty of the minor's employment. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies and programs within the Department of Health and Human Services. Prescribes limitations on the use of appropriated funds under this title. (Sec. 211) Prohibits the use of funds by the National Institutes of Health to provide grants or cooperative agreements under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for research proposals when the median of the evaluation scores for such proposals in the review cycle is higher than the median for investigator-initiated research (RO1) grant proposals. (Sec. 212) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, to extend through December 31, 2000, or until the first day of the first quarter on which the Medigrant plan for Michigan is effective, the moratorium on treating Kent and Saginaw Community Hospitals in Michigan as institutions for mental diseases. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide for the relocation of the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center (located in Louisiana) and its patients, in accordance with specified requirements. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to such Center. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 (including certain transfers of funds) for agencies and programs within the Department of Education, subject to certain requirements for and limitations of their use. (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to transport teachers or students in order to: (1) overcome racial imbalance in any school or school system; or (2) carry out a racial desegregation plan. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the use of funds to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in the public schools. (Sec. 304) Limits the amount of funds which may be used for specified student aid programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Prohibits the Secretary of Education from using HEA funds for subsequent fiscal years for administrative expenses of the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1997 for the following agencies or programs: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service (for domestic volunteer service programs); (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (7) National Council on Disability; (8) National Education Goals Panel; (9) National Labor Relations Board; (10) National Mediation Board; (11) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (12) Physician Payment Review Commission; (13) Prospective Payment Assessment Commission; (14) Social Security Administration, for various trust funds and programs; (15) Railroad Retirement Board; and (16) United States Institute of Peace. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions and limitations on the use of appropriated funds under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug unless the Secretary of HHS determines that such programs are effective in preventing the spread of HIV and do not encourage the use of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products purchased under this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds to perform abortions except to save the life of the mother or where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. (Sec. 510) Prohibits use of funds in this Act for the expenses of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) task force. (Sec. 512) Prohibits use of funds in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under certain Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 513) Prohibits the National Labor Relations Board from using funds in this Act to assert jurisdiction over any labor dispute which does not involve any class or category of employer over which the Board would assert jurisdiction under the standards prevailing on August 1, 1959, with each financial threshold amount adjusted for inflation in a specified manner. (Sec. 514) Prohibits use of funds in this Act to provide any direct benefit or assistance to any individual in the United States when it is made known to the appropriate Federal official that: (1) the individual is not lawfully within the United States; and (2) the benefit or assistance to be provided is other than emergency medical assistance or a State-provided benefit mandated by the Federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates all environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Recognition of the Millennium Society Title II: Commemorative Coins Title III: Commemorative Postage Stamps Millennium Society Act of 1996 - Title I: Recognition of the Millennium Society - Recognizes the Millennium Society (a nonprofit U.S. corporation chartered and organized under the laws of the State of Illinois on November 21, 1983) and any other organization that is organized and operated by the corporation exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. (Sec. 105) Sets forth the goals and purposes of the Society, which include: (1) establishing national goals for commemoration and celebration of the millennium in the United States and U.S. participation in such international events; (2) exercising exclusive jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to U.S. participation in commemorations or celebrations of the millennium; (3) coordinating activities and holding forums and symposiums to promote educational and cross-cultural exchange; and (4) establishing, endowing, and administering the Millennium Scholars Program. (Sec. 114) Grants the Society the sole and exclusive right to the use of specified symbols, emblems, trademarks, and names to carry out its functions. Authorizes the Society to allow contributors and suppliers of goods and services to use the Society's trade name, trademarks, symbols, insignia, emblems, seals, descriptive or designating marks, and slogans in advertising under specified conditions. Subjects to a civil action by the Society for the remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946 any person who, without the Society's consent, uses its trademark, symbol, insignia, emblem, seal, descriptive or designating mark, or slogan: (1) for the purposes of trade; (2) to induce the sale of any goods or services; (3) or to promote any theatrical exhibition, performance, or competition. Exempts persons who lawfully used such a symbol or slogan before the enactment of this Act. Allows the individuals to continue such lawful use for the same purpose and for the same goods or services. Title II: Commemorative Coins - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the events of the second millennium and the advent of the third. (Sec. 204) Provides for the issuance of such coins beginning on July 1, 1999, and ending on January 1, 2001. (Sec. 207) Requires all surcharges received from coin sales to be promptly paid to the Society, under specified conditions, to be used only for the purpose of supporting the Millennium Scholars Program. Title III: Commemorative Postage Stamps - Urges the U.S. Postal Service to cooperate with the Secretary and the Society in the: (1) issuance of appropriate first day of issuance postage stamps commemorating the end of the second millennium and the advent of the third; and (2) production of a philatelic numismatic combination as a unique item to be made available to the public for such commemoration.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1996
Urges the President to promptly seek the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification of the 1994 Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
National Marine Sanctuaries Preservation Act - Amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act. Mandates a long-range, comprehensive plan for the management, stabilization, preservation, and recovery of artifacts and materials of the U.S. ship Monitor. Modifies national marine sanctuary advisory committee meeting notice requirements. Authorizes adoption of a symbol for the national marine sanctuary program (NMSP) or any individual sanctuary and the related designation of official sponsors, the collection of symbol use fees, and the selling of products to promote the NMSP. Makes it unlawful for a sponsor to try to influence any national marine sanctuary decision. Establishes the National Marine Sanctuaries Program Account and authorizes the use of Account funds, without further appropriations, for the NMSP or specific sanctuaries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Calls for the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release all Buddhist monks and civilians and all Roman Catholic monks and priests currently being unlawfully detained.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Directs the President, until certain conditions are met, to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods in order to compensate for the losses to the U.S. economy resulting from certain Chinese Government acts, polices, and practices with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights and market access to persons who rely on intellectual property protection.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (4) State and local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Makes inapplicable to owner or operator recipients of Trust Fund amounts under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund should submit to the Congress without further delay its annual report due on April 1, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Amends Federal law to deny annuity or retirement pay to a Member of Congress convicted of a State or Federal felony which was committed: (1) while the individual was a Member of Congress (including a Delegate to Congress); and (2) after the enactment of this Act. Makes this prohibition applicable with respect to such offenses after the date of the conviction. Denies annuity benefits to an individual who willfully remains outside the United States or its territories and possessions for more than one year with knowledge of his or her indictment or charges, whichever the case may be. Sets forth provisions regarding the refund, under specified conditions, of contributions and deposits made for annuity benefits by such individuals, including contributions into the Thrift Savings Plan. Authorizes the restoration of such annuity if the individual is pardoned by the Governor in the case of a felony under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Recognizes April 26, 1996, as the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. Calls upon the Government of Ukraine to continue its negotiations with the G-7 countries to implement the December 20, 1995, memorandum of understanding which calls for all nuclear reactors at Chernobyl to be shut down. Urges the President to: (1) support U.S. assistance to provide medical relief, humanitarian assistance, social impact planning, and hospital development for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and other nations most heavily afflicted by Chernobyl's aftermath; (2) encourage national and international health organizations to expand the scope of research into the public health consequences of Chernobyl so that the global community can benefit; (3) support closing the plant; and (4) support broadening Ukraine's regional energy sources which will reduce its dependence on any individual country.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Safe Drinking Water Estrogenic Substances Screening Program Act - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and, under specified conditions, implement a screening program, using appropriate validated test systems, to determine whether certain substances (including all active and inert ingredients used in registered pesticides) may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or such other endocrine effect as the Administrator may designate. Allows the Administrator to exempt a biologic or other substance if the Administrator determines that the substance does not have any effect in humans similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen. Requires the Administrator to order a manufacturer of a substance for which such testing is required to conduct such testing and submit results within a certain time period. Provides for suspension of the sale or distribution of the substance if the manufacturer fails to submit required information. Requires the Administrator to: (1) take such action as is necessary to ensure the protection of public health in the case of any substance that is found to have a potential adverse effect on humans; and (2) report findings and recommendations to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
National Discovery Trails Act of 1996 - Amends the National Trails System Act (the Act) to provide that national discovery trails established under the Act shall be components of the National Trails System. Provides that such trails shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Designates the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail (established by this Act) as a national discovery trail. Provides that the Trail shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Exempts the Trail from comprehensive national scenic trail plan requirements under the Act, but requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into arrangements with a nonprofit organization to submit to specified congressional committees, within three fiscal years after this Act's enactment, a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Medical Device Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission. (Sec. 3) Allows device approval applicants to declare a review impasse and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 4) Revises requirements regarding: (1) investigational devise exemptions; (2) premarket approval requirements (mandating a device review priority); (3) humanitarian device exceptions; (4) safety and effectiveness performance standards (allowing consensus standards recognition); (5) effectiveness determinations (as used in classifying devices); (6) premarket notification; (7) classification panels; and (8) premarket approval application review (allowing review by accredited persons). (Sec. 12) Mandates procedures for accrediting parties that review premarket approval applications and conduct good manufacturing practice inspections. (Sec. 13) Mandates reclassification of certain devices. (Sec. 14) Modifies requirements regarding: (1) device tracking; (2) postmarket surveillance; and (3) good manufacturing practice regulations (including foreign harmonization) and inspections (including adding references to accredited entities and post-inspection procedural requirements). (Sec. 18) Regulates the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, displays at trade shows, and other material. (Sec. 19) Removes distributors from record keeping and reporting requirements. Declares that the failure of a device to perform as labeled or in an acceptable manner does not constitute a malfunction when caused by improper servicing. Repeals user reporting requirements. (Sec. 20) Prohibits subjecting a person to penalties if the person acted in good faith and had no reason to believe the acts violated the law. (Sec. 21) Allows using monetary penalties for violation correction. Entitles violators to reasonable discovery. (Sec. 22) Mandates an information system to track the status of each submission requesting FDA action. (Sec. 23) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the FDCA from requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement or assessment. (Sec. 24) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on any statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 25) Mandates training programs for FDA employees regarding FDCA regulations and policies. Allows the FDA to conduct or contract for scientific research only if directly related to FDCA implementation. (Sec. 26) Regulates communications to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of related investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Drug and Biological Products Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and mandate an annual report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 3) Modifies new drug requirements regarding: (1) clinical investigation commencement; (2) application contents and review; (3) effectiveness determinations; (4) the use of scientific advisory panels; and (5) marketing approval application review by accredited persons. (Sec. 8) Provides for the accreditation of persons to: (1) review applications for new drugs or for certification of insulin-containing drugs; and (2) conduct good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections. (Sec. 9) Allows applicants to declare an impasse in a review or a submission for an investigational use exemption and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 10) Adds references to accredited persons to provisions relating to GMP inspections. Imposes post-inspection requirements. Deems certain chemistry, manufacturing, and controls to comply with current GMP and prohibits actions to delay or prevent the manufacture or marketing of a drug for failure to conform to GMP, subject to exception. (Sec. 12) Allows a new drug manufactured in a small facility to be used to show safety and effectiveness. (Sec. 13) Regulates changes in the manufacture of a new drug, biological product, new animal drug, blood, or blood component. (Sec. 14) Repeals provisions relating to the certification of drugs containing insulin or antibiotics. (Sec. 15) Requires that applications or petitions requesting conversion from prescription to nonprescription status and all matters relating to nonprescription drugs be reviewed by a single office in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Allows a single scientific advisory panel to provide recommendations. (Sec. 16) Mandates an applicant-accessible information system to track applications and submissions to the FDA. (Sec. 17) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from requiring an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. (Sec. 18) Regulates drugs compounded by a licensed pharmacist on the order of a licensed physician. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to meet with foreign countries to discuss harmonization of regulatory requirements. (Sec. 20) Controls the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, and other material. (Sec. 21) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 22) Mandates training for FDA employees on regulations and policies under the FDCA. (Sec. 23) Regulates: (1) the delegation of authority under the FDCA; (2) judicial review of decisions regarding investigational new drugs and new drugs; and (3) communication to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of an investigation. (Sec. 26) Defines "biological product" and "human tissue." Declares that blood, a blood component, an organ, milk, or human tissue is not a drug. Prohibits subjecting computer software developed or modified by, or used in, a human tissue establishment to any premarket clearance requirement. Requires such software to be validated to demonstrate that it achieves its intended purpose before use and subjects it to the GMP requirements of the FDCA. Requires licenses to introduce biological products, blood, and blood components into interstate commerce. Regulates licensing. Allows regulation of human tissue only if the Secretary demonstrates that voluntary regulation is inadequate to protect the public health. Provides for such regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Food Amendments Title II: Animal Drugs Food Amendments and the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 - Title I: Food Amendments - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to state the mission of the Food and Drug Administration. (Sec. 102) Modifies requirements regarding label claims of a relationship between a nutritional ingredient and a health-related condition. (Sec. 104) Prohibits construing FDCA provisions relating to misbranding or food additives to require a separate disclosure of a method of production or an ingredient other than in the statement of ingredients, unless necessary to protect the public health. (Sec. 105) Allows certain labeling and additive (including color additive) petitions to be submitted to an accredited person and deems the person's recommendation to be a decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services unless the Secretary makes certain findings. Provides for accreditation. (Sec. 107) Allows an additive in feed for food-producing animals, and allows approval of a new animal drug, if the additive or drug presents a small risk (currently, if the additive will not adversely affect the animals and if no residue will be found in food from the animal). (Sec. 108) Prohibits States and subdivisions from having any requirement for a human food, a drug or biological product, or a cosmetic of the type authorized or required under the adulteration, misbranding, or new drug provisions of the FDCA, subject to exception and waiver. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to regularly meet with other countries regarding reducing regulation and seeking reciprocal arrangements. (Sec. 110) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements that have not been promulgated in accordance with Federal rulemaking requirements to require any action to be taken to satisfy an FDCA requirement. (Sec. 111) Amends the FDCA and the Federal Trade Commission Act to remove or repeal provisions regulating the sale, public eating place serving, and advertising of colored oleomargarine or colored margarine. Repeals related definitions. Title II: Animal Drugs - Amends the FDCA to revise the definition (for new animal drug provisions) of "substantial evidence." Modifies requirements regarding approval of supplemental applications. Exempts use in a minor species and the minor use of a drug from provisions prohibiting approval if there is a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have its purported effect. Revises requirements regarding combination drugs. (Sec. 202) Reduces the period for approval of new animal drug applications. (Sec. 203) Empowers applicants to declare that a review impasse exists. Sets forth a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 204) Revises requirements regarding drug residues and tolerances. (Sec. 205) Regulates animal feed drugs that are limited by approved applications to use under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (veterinary feed directive drugs) (VFDDs). Deems animal feed with a new animal drug unsafe unless its labeling, distribution, holding, and use (currently, its labeling and use) conform to specified FDCA requirements. Allows withdrawal of approval for certain VFDD recordkeeping violations. Adds to the prohibited acts list the refusal to permit record access as required by VFDD provisions and the failure to maintain records or make reports as required by VFDD provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Expresses support for Zairian nongovernmental organizations seeking to promote the protection of fundamental human rights and the transition to democracy in Zaire. Encourages all Zairian political parties to include representatives of civil society in every stage of the electoral process. Condemns: (1) the continuing intimidation of those groups by Zairian military authorities and the practice of torture, arbitrary arrest, extrajudicial execution, and extortion by elements of the Zairian armed forces; and (2) the human rights violations and the intimidation of local civil society groups by such armed forces, with President Mobutu's implicit approval. Urges: (1) President Clinton to continue indefinitely the sanctions already imposed upon Zaire; (2) the United States to work through the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Zaire and pressure the Zairian Government to allow him to open an office in Kinshasa and to facilitate this process; (3) the President to pressure President Mobutu to respect his commitments to prevent the use of Zairian territory for military incursions into Rwanda or for military or militia training and to halt the flow of arms to Hutu extremists living in Eastern Zaire; and (4) the President to assist the United Nations Arms Investigators in removing from the refugee camps intimidators who compel refugees to follow a political agenda of the Zairian Government, to combat extremist propaganda in the refugee camps that is designed to undermine voluntary repatriation efforts of the Commission, and to cooperate with the International Tribunal's efforts to bring the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide to justice. Recommends that the United States, in collaboration with its allies, investigate and implement other means of continuing and reinforcing international pressure on President Mobutu, his family, and his associates.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Sets forth Federal policy requiring Federal departments and agencies to encourage the development and use of product testing procedures that do not rely upon animals yet accurately reflect the acute health effects on humans of certain products, including consumer products and products containing hazardous or toxic substances. Requires each Federal department or agency head to: (1) evaluate any regulation, guideline, or recommendation issued by that agency which requires, recommends, or encourages the use of the Draize or other animal acute toxicity test to evaluate the safety of a regulated product; (2) evaluate nonanimal alternatives with the potential for partial or full replacement of such test; and (3) promulgate regulations, guidelines, or recommendations that specify a nonanimal acute toxicity test or battery of tests that should be used instead of an animal test unless the nonanimal test is less likely to predict the acute health effects of a product on humans. Provides that any Federal agency head who finds that regulations requiring or recommending animal tests should not be amended, to publish in the Federal Register an explanation of options considered and the justification for continuing the animal test. Requires each Federal agency head, at least every two years, after considering the most recent technological advances available, to determine whether continued use of any animal test is justified. Makes this Act inapplicable to regulations, guidelines, or recommendations related to medical research.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the situation in Kosova must be resolved before the outer wall of sanctions against Serbia is lifted and Serbia is able to return to the international community; and (2) the human rights of the people of Kosova must be restored to levels guaranteed by international law. Calls for: (1) the United States to support the legitimate claims of the Kosovan people to determine their political future; (2) the return of international observers to Kosova as soon as possible; (3) the elected Government of Kosova to be permitted to meet and exercise its legitimate mandate as elected representatives of the Kosovan people; and (4) the reinstatement of all individuals whose employment was terminated on the basis of their ethnicity. Declares that the Kosovan education system should be reopened to all residents of Kosova regardless of ethnicity and the majority ethnic Albanian population should be allowed to educate its youth in its native tongue. Commends progress toward the establishment of a United States Information Agency cultural center in Prishtina, Kosova. Urges the Secretary of State to redouble efforts to open the center as soon as possible. Calls for the President to appoint a special envoy to aid in negotiating a resolution to the crisis in Kosova.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Uniformed Services Medicare Subvention Demonstration Project Act - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly establish a demonstration project (project) to provide the Department of Defense (DOD) with reimbursement, under provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for health services provided through DOD to certain Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries. Requires the project to be conducted in one or more regions in which the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) has been implemented. Allows such project to be conducted for up to two years. Requires such Secretaries to jointly submit to the Congress a first annual report and a final report containing specified information concerning project participants and such project's effects on military medical care access, readiness, and training. Directs the HHS Secretary to make monthly payments to DOD from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (HHS trust funds) representing appropriate reimbursement amounts. Provides for the determination of such amounts. Directs such Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a base level of TRICARE coverage required in a geographic region for eligibility under the project; (2) determine baseline costs of such care and coverage; and (3) establish upper reimbursement limits. Directs the Secretary of Defense to waive the enrollment fee for individuals enrolled in a TRICARE program participating in the project. Establishes in the Treasury the Medicare Subvention Fund (Fund) for providing payments to the HHS Secretary for reimbursement of the HHS trust funds and for the payment of all expenses related to the participation of Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries in excess of the base level established under this Act, as well as administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 and 1998 for deposit into the Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000444_200.jpg)