United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Jennifer's Law Act of 1997 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for a ten percent reduction (for redistribution to States in compliance) for any State not substantially complying with rules made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to achieve greater ease in cross referencing indexes of missing persons with those of unidentified persons and requiring: (1) immediate reporting by a State's authorities of every unidentified person found in that State's jurisdiction, to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and to the State's law enforcement authorities; (2) the subsequent entry of a complete profile of the unidentified person; (3) the entry of an NCIC or other appropriate number on all unidentified persons' death certificates; and (4) the retention of all such records pertaining to unidentified persons in the NCIC and with appropriate State agencies until the person is identified. Directs the FBI to issue regulations to ensure compliance, including a requirement that any charge for making available such information not exceed the actual cost of making such information available.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1997
Iran Missile Protection Act of 1997 - Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1998 for the Department of Defense for cooperative activities with Russia for determining: (1) the extent of Russian cooperation and assistance in the development by Iran of a ballistic missile capability; and (2) the technical nature of the Iranian missile threat. Requires a certification by the President to the Congress with respect to the information to be released by Russia before such funds may be appropriated. Prohibits the obligation of $3 million in FY 1998 cooperative ballistic missile defense projects with Russia until the President certifies to the Congress that the Russian Government is providing full cooperation with respect to the release of such information. Authorizes appropriations for the Navy theater-wide missile defense system to be used to accelerate the development of such system through additional testing and risk reduction. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of specified missile defense sytems, radars, networks, and related activities. Authorizes appropriations for defense-wide RDT&E for support of the Israeli Arrow tactical ballistic missile defense system to be used to protect a U.S. ally in imminent peril. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the Iranian ballistic missile threat in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons (except those previously identified or sanctioned or subject to waiver) who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions, with written justification to Congress, on the basis of U.S. national security or additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1997
International Child Labor Elimination Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to annually identify foreign countries that do not prohibit child labor, or that have laws prohibiting child labor but do not enforce them, and those industries in such countries in which child labor is used. Prohibits U.S. bilateral and multilateral assistance to identified countries, with specified exceptions. Authorizes appropriations for a U.S. contribution to the International Labor Organization for the activities of the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1997
International Child Labor Elimination Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Labor annually to identify foreign countries that do not prohibit child labor, or that have laws prohibiting child labor but do not enforce them, and those industries in such countries in which child labor is used. Prohibits: (1) the entry into the United States of any article that is a product of child labor; and (2) U.S. bilateral and multilateral assistance to identified countries, with specified exceptions. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for a U.S. contribution to the International Labor Organization for the activities of the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Authorizes the Attorney General to adjust the status of certain nonimmigrant Nicaraguan nationals (and their spouses and children) to lawful permanent residents.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997
Disapproves the President's cancellations (line item veto) of appropriations for 38 military construction projects in the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997
Marriage Penalty Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction, on a joint return, an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) $30,000; or (2) the qualified earned income of the spouse with the lower qualified earned income.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
Denounces and rejects the resolution adopted on September 21, 1997, by the Foreign Ministers of the Arab League in their conference in Cairo which invites Arab states to take action to ease United Nations (UN) sanctions against Libya. Reaffirms U.S. commitment to support the sanctions until the two individuals suspected in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 and UTA flight 772 are turned over to appropriate judicial authorities in the United States or the United Kingdom and France as required by UN Security Council resolutions. Calls upon the President to suspend all U.S. assistance to all countries which violate the UN sanctions. Requests that the Secretary of State express to the government of each Arab League member country the profound concern of the United States about efforts to undermine the international fight against terrorism by weakening or violating the sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty Land Claims Act of 1997 - Establishes the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty Land Claims Commission to determine the validity of land claims arising out of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo of 1848. Authorizes three or more eligible Mexican descendants in the State of New Mexico who are also descendants of the same community land grant to petition the Commission for such a determination on behalf of themselves and all other descendants. Directs the Commission to establish a Community Land Grant Study Center at the Onate Center in Alcalde, New Mexico, to be responsible for directing the research, study, and investigations necessary to assist the Commission in performing its duties. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1997
Condemns the violations of international humanitarian law by the Taliban coalition in Afghanistan, the reported cases of stoning, public executions, and street beatings, and the Taliban's targeted discrimination against women and girls. Urges the Taliban and all other parties in Afghanistan to cease providing safe haven to suspected terrorists or permitting Afghan territory to be used for terrorist training. Affirms the need for peace negotiations and expresses hope that the Afghan parties will agree to a cease-fire. Urges the President to: (1) continue to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan; (2) call for adherence to international humanitarian law by all Afghan factions; (3) call for an end to the systematic discrimination and harassment of women and girls in Afghanistan; (4) encourage efforts to procure a durable peace in Afghanistan and support the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan led by Lakhdar Brahimi to assist in brokering a peaceful resolution to years of conflict; (5) call upon the Government of Pakistan to use its influence with the Taliban to cease human rights violations, end provision of safe haven to terrorists and terrorist training camps, and reverse discriminatory policies against women and girls; (6) call upon all nations to cease providing financial assistance, arms, and other kinds of support to the militaries or political organizations of any factions that abuse human rights in Afghanistan; and (7) support efforts by non-Taliban organizations in Afghanistan and moderate Taliban organizations and individuals to establish a cessation of hostilities and a transitional multiparty government leading to freedom, respect for human rights, and free and fair elections.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Higher Education for the Twenty-First Century Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish programs for postsecondary education opportunities for Hispanic students and other student populations underrepresented in postsecondary education. (Sec. 2) Amends HEA to provide for institutional aid to Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Defines Hispanic-serving institution as an eligible institution with an undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment that is at least 25 percent Hispanic, and that provides assurance that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income individuals. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide grants and related assistance to: (1) Hispanic-serving institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Hispanic students and other low-income individuals; and (2) Hispanic-serving institutions with graduate and professional programs to improve and expand graduate and professional opportunities for Hispanic students and other students underrepresented in graduate education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to make grants to American Indian tribal colleges and universities for specified authorized uses. (Sec. 4) Prescribes additional considerations for the making of grants and contracts under Federal TRIO programs (various programs of outreach to qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds). (Sec. 5) Revises the HEA campus-based student assistance programs allocation formula with respect to allocation of additional appropriations. (Such formula applies to the programs of: (1) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants; (2) College Work-Study; and (3) Federal Perkins, or direct, Loans.) (Sec. 6) Revises special student assistance programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork. Directs the Secretary, in making grants for such programs, to consider the project's coordination with other local, State, and Federal programs that provide health and education services for migrant students. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and conduct a longitudinal study of the educational attainment of migrant students and the health and education needs of such students; and (2) collect data on migrant students in any case where data on students is collected on a racial or ethnic basis. Directs the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement, through the National Center for Education Statistics, to collect certain data, including postsecondary education data, on migrant students. Authorizes appropriations for such special programs for migrant students. Authorizes the Secretary, when appropriations for the high school equivalency and college assistance migrant programs exceed specified levels, to make grants to otherwise eligible Hispanic-serving or historically Black institutions that have enrolled at least 30 first-year migrant students. (Sec. 7) Gives Hispanic-serving institutions a temporary exemption from certain default rate limitations on eligibility under the Federal guaranteed student loan program. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to cancel specified portions of a borrower's Federal guaranteed and direct student loan liability in return for certain types of teaching and other public service by the borrower. (Sec. 9) Revises requirements for grants for College Work-Study programs to require a 100 percent Federal share of compensation for work-study students who tutor students eligible for and receiving services under the high school equivalency and college assistance migrant student programs. (Sec. 10) Revises and renames HEA title V as Programs for Teaching and Counseling Excellence (currently Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development). Establishes a new Teacher Education and Professional Development program. Directs the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education and consortia of such institutions and local educational agencies, for one or more of the following uses: (1) technology training for elementary and secondary school teachers and counselors; (2) training of bilingual education teachers; (3) recruitment of minorities into the teaching and counseling professions; and (4) training of elementary and secondary school teachers in methodology to raise the academic achievement for all students. Gives an applicant priority if it is a consortium of an institution of higher education and a local educational agency. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes new Programs for Counseling Excellence (which revises certain requirements for Model Program Community Partnership and Counseling Grants). Directs the Secretary to award grants to develop model programs for counseling excellence. Adds in-service training for guidance counselors to the current uses of such grants for student counseling programs and community partnerships for tutoring and mentoring. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to give priority in funding to graduate program grant applicants that provide programs enrolling students who are underrepresented in graduate and professional programs, and that recruit such students from historically Black, Hispanic-serving, and American Indian Tribal colleges and universities. (Sec. 12) Revises Postsecondary Improvement Programs to add to the authorized uses of Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grants the development of innovative methods for ensuring the successful transfer of students from two-year to four-year institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Continued Dumping or Subsidy Offset Act of 1997 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that, whenever continued dumping or subsidization is found to exist by the administering authority or by operation of law, any duties assessed shall be distributed as continued dumping or subsidy offsets to the affected domestic producers for qualifying expenditures on an annual basis. Limits qualifying expenditures to expenditures incurred since the issuance of the antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing duty order in any or all of the categories of plant, equipment, research and development, personnel training, acquisition of technology, employer-paid employee health care and pension benefits, and environmental equipment, training and-or technology. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service to prescribe offset disbursement procedures. Sets forth general procedures for notification of eligible parties. Requires the Commissioner to establish a special account in the Treasury to receive all antidumping or countervailing duties, including interest, for distribution according to this Act, within 14 days after an antidumping or countervailing duty order takes effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Supports National Mammography Day and urges all American women to take an active role in the fight against breast cancer by all means available to them. Calls for recognition of the role played by community organizations and health care providers in promoting awareness of the importance of regular mammograms and in helping to expand the availability of low-cost mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1997
Marriage Tax Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a husband and wife to file a combined income tax return on which each spouse is taxed separately at the unmarried return rate.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1997
Expresses: (1) admiration and respect for the life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta; and (2) sympathy to the Missionaries of Charity with regard to her death.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1997
Fairness for Immigrants Facing Persecution in Their Native Country Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General to cancel the removal and adjust the status of certain Haitian and Central American aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1997
Expresses: (1) outrage over the terrorist bombing in Jerusalem on September 4, 1997; (2) condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Israel; and (3) the commitment of the American people to remain dedicated to Israel's security. Demands that Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority eliminate the terrorist infrastructure and combat terrorist activities of all terror groups operating in areas under its control and fulfill PLO commitments made to Israel, the United States, and the world. Informs Arafat and the leaders of the Palestinian Authority that either they do what they pledged to do as part of the Oslo process to fight terror and the terrorist infrastructure or the entire peace process, relations with America, and the hopes of the Palestinian people for a better future will be seriously jeopardized. Urges Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to underscore to the Palestinians that the Palestinian Authority must fulfill its obligation of fighting terrorism with all the means at its disposal. Calls for suspension of all U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority until such time as substantive compliance with its commitments under the Oslo agreements is achieved.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Political Freedom in China Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for additional diplomatic personnel at U.S. posts in China to monitor political repression there.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Declares that the House of Representatives recognizes suicide as a national problem and declares suicide prevention a national priority, acknowledges that no single prevention program will be appropriate for all populations or communities, and encourages certain initiatives, including the development (and the promotion of accessibility and affordability) of mental health services to enable all persons at risk for suicide to obtain services without fear of stigma.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Immigration Technical Revisions Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (and the Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996) to authorize the Attorney General to cancel the removal and adjust the status of certain Central American aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Directs the President to withhold foreign assistance funds (other than humanitarian assistance) to any Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) country that uses its voice or vote in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) or the Central American Common Market (CACM) to support provisional or permanent membership for Cuba in CARICOM or CACM. Directs the President to deny temporary or permanent tariff treatment of products of a CBI country that is equivalent to treatment provided to products of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) country if such CBI country: (1) uses its voice or vote to support provisional or permanent membership for Cuba in CARICOM or CACM; or (2) enters into negotiations for a free trade area agreement with Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Authorizes use of the rotunda of the Capitol on October 21, 1997, for a ceremony to allow Members of Congress to greet and receive His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of State to report periodically to specified congressional committees on the exclusion from the United States of aliens who have confiscated property of U.S. nationals or trafficked in such property.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Directs the President to withhold assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to any foreign government providing economic, development, or security assistance for, or engaging in nonmarket based trade with, the Government of Cuba, unless the President certifies to the Congress that such assistance is vital to the U.S. national interest.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Calls for: (1) the U.S. Postal Service to issue a postage stamp in honor of Zora Neale Hurston; and (2) such stamp to be unveiled at the 1999 Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike duplicate medals in bronze. Authorizes appropriations from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund, where sales proceeds shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Calls upon: (1) Chairman Yasir Arafat and other officials in the Palestinian authority to use their good offices with Syria, Lebanon, and the other governments in the region to secure the safe return of one American-Israeli soldier and three Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon, consistent with Chairman Arafat's obligation as specified in the May 4, 1994, Gaza-Jericho agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Israeli Government to cooperate with Israel in locating and working for the return of Israeli soldiers missing in action; and (2) the President, the Secretary of State, and other U.S. Government officials to pursue the resolution of these cases through all appropriate officials and channels. Urges: (1) the Government of Syria to use its good offices with the various paramilitary groups in Syria and in areas in which it has influence to bring about a resolution of this issue and secure the safe return of such soldiers; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State, as they formulate U.S. policy toward each government or authority in the Middle East, to take into consideration the level of assistance provided by that government or authority in resolving these cases.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1997
Radio Free Asia Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for programs of international broadcasting to China. Earmarks amounts for: (1) Radio Free Asia; (2) additional personnel to staff Cantonese language broadcasting; (3) additional advanced editing equipment; (4) capital expenditures for the purchase and construction of transmission facilities; and (5) augmentation of transmitters at Tinian, Marshall Islands. Directs the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America to China in multiple major dialects and languages. Reduces FY 1998 and 1999 authorizations of appropriations for migration and refugee assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
National Marrow Donor Program Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry with provisions mandating establishment, by contract, of a program to assist patients needing a blood stem cell transplant in searching for biologically unrelated donor individuals. Sets forth program functions, including: (1) maintaining one or more donor and one or more recipient registries; (2) educational activities (including donor recruitment and professional and public information); and (3) establishing the Office of Patient Advocacy and Case Management. Mandates: (1) standards regarding quality, tissue typing, donor informed consent, and patient advocacy; (2) donor selection criteria; (3) stem cell collection and transportation procedures; (4) confidentiality standards; and (5) procedures for integrating participating donor registries and centers. Mandates criminal penalties for confidentiality violations. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a plan to effectuate efficiencies in the relationship between the program and donor centers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
Child Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to establish, publicize, and operate a national telephone service by which individuals may gain access to the Federal Bureau of Investigation database that tracks the movement and whereabouts of sex offenders. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) information that may not be disclosed; (2) notice to callers of fees, penalties for misuse of such information, and unavailability of the service to persons under age 18; (3) fees for use of the service; (4) limitations on the number of requests; (5) prohibited uses of such information; and (6) civil penalties imposed by the Attorney General of up to $1,000 per violation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
Communist China Subsidy Reduction Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) determine annually the amount of the U.S. portion of any subsidy provided to China or any Chinese citizen, national, or entity by each international financial institution during the fiscal year; and (2) reduce the U.S. contribution to such institution by an amount equal to such subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1997
LIBERTAD Enforcement Act - Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to repeal the authority of the President to suspend the effective date of provisions making persons civilly liable for trafficking in property claimed by a U.S. person that has been confiscated by the Cuban Government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1997
Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make aliens eligible for food stamps if they were receiving supplemental security income benefits as of a specified date or if they are eligible for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Urges the German Government to: (1) expand and simplify its system of reparations so that all Holocaust survivors can receive reparations regardless of their nationality, length or place of internment, or current financial situation; (2) provide reparations to Holocaust survivors in the former Soviet Union and other former Communist countries in Eastern and Central Europe; (3) fulfill its responsibilities to Holocaust victims and immediately set up a comprehensive medical fund to cover the medical expenses of all Holocaust survivors worldwide; and (4) help restore the dignity of such survivors by paying them sufficient reparations to ensure that no Holocaust survivor be forced by poverty to live in conditions worse than those generally enjoyed by the surviving former Nazis who persecuted them.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1997
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Accountability and Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to withhold the U.S. share of assistance for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) projects in Cuba except those for the discontinuation, dismantling, or safety inspection of nuclear facilities or related materials, or for inspections and similar activities designed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons by Cuba or other specified countries. Denies this exception to (thereby withholding the U.S. share of assistance for IAEA projects at) the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant near Cienfuegos, Cuba, or the Pedro Pi Nuclear Research Center, unless Cuba ratifies certain nuclear weapon nonproliferation treaties and incorporates internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. Directs the Secretary of State to instruct the U.S. representative to the IAEA to oppose IAEA projects at the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant and the Pedro Pi Nuclear Research Center (including any other IAEA project in Cuba that is, or could become, a threat to the security of the United States). Requires specified reports.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: District of Columbia Retirement Funds Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Freezing of Existing Program Subtitle C: Retirement Trust Subtitle D: District Government Subtitle E: The Actuarial Board Subtitle F: Federal Supplemental Fund Subtitle G: Judges Retirement Program Subtitle H: Enforcement Subtitle I: Miscellaneous Title II: Assistance Under Medicaid Program Title III: Criminal Justice Subtitle A: Corrections Subtitle B: Compliance with Truth-in-Sentencing Subtitle C: Offender Supervision and Parole Subtitle D: District of Columbia Courts Subtitle E: Pretrial Services Agency and Public Defender Service Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Privatization of Tax Collection and Administration Title V: Financing of District of Columbia Accumulated Deficit Title VI: Revenue Bonds Title VII: District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation Charter Subtitle C: Operations of the Corporation Subtitle D: Capitalization and Finance Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle F: Sunset Provisions Title VIII: District of Columbia Government Budget; Effective Date Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle A: Regulatory Reform in the District of Columbia Subtitle B: Other Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle C: Effective Date; General Provisions National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: District of Columbia Retirement Funds - District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997 - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Requires the Federal Government to make payments to finance all liabilities associated with the pension plans for District of Columbia police officers, firefighters, and teachers, including the unfunded liability transferred by the Congress to the District government under the District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act of 1979. Prohibits the reversion of the responsibility to make payments to the District. Subtitle B: Freezing of Existing Program - Prohibits service after the freeze date (date on which legislation to enact this title is introduced in the House of Representatives) from being credited under the retirement program for District fire fighters, police officers, and teachers for purposes of determining the amount of benefits an employee has accrued. (Sec. 122) Provides that in the case of a disability retirement in which benefits commence after the freeze date, the only benefit payable is the deferred or normal retirement benefit the employee would receive if the employee left service on the day before disability retirement benefits commence. (Sec. 123) Limits death benefits that are not determined by length of service to the percentage of the entire benefit represented by a fraction where the numerator represents the number of months of service prior to the freeze date and the denominator the total number of months of service. Subtitle C: Retirement Trust - Establishes the District of Columbia Retirement Trust Fund for purposes of paying benefits under this title. Transfers all assets of the District of Columbia Police Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement Fund and the District of Columbia Teachers Retirement Fund to the Retirement Trust. (Sec. 134) Provides for tax-exempt status of the Retirement Trust and sets forth provisions regarding treatment under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). (Sec. 137) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions when assets remaining in the Retirement Trust are projected to be depleted. (Sec. 138) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for disclosure of individual tax return information for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under this Act. Subtitle D: District Government - Continues the District's responsibilities with respect to the retirement program until the Secretary directs the Trustee of the Retirement Trust to commence such responsibilities. (Sec. 143) Requires the District to: (1) furnish the Trustee with a final reconciliation of accounts in connection with the transfer of assets and obligations to the Retirement Trust; and (2) adopt a replacement plan to be effective as of the freeze date. (Sec. 144) Provides that if the District fails to adopt such plan, the retirement program applicable to police, fire fighters, and teachers hired on or after October 1, 1996 (as provided under District laws in effect as of June 1, 1997), shall apply. Subtitle E: The Actuarial Board - Establishes a Department of the Treasury Retirement Board of Actuaries to: (1) review the actuarial valuation reports produced by the enrolled actuary engaged by the Trustee; (2) report to the Secretary and the Congress annually on the actuarial status of the Retirement Trust and the Federal Supplemental District of Columbia Pension Fund; and (3) furnish advice and opinions on matters referred by the Secretary. Subtitle F: Federal Supplemental Fund - Establishes the Federal Supplemental District of Columbia Pension Fund, to be administered by the Secretary and used to finance Federal obligations for benefits and administrative expenses under this title. (Sec. 164) Directs the Actuarial Board to determine the amount that is the present value as of the freeze date of future benefits payable from the Federal Supplemental Fund, which shall be its original unfunded liability. Subtitle G: Judges Retirement Program - Refers to the judges retirement program described in part 2 of Subtitle D of title III. Subtitle H: Enforcement - Sets forth provisions regarding judicial review of actions brought by retirement participants or the Trustee, jurisdiction and venue, and limitations of actions. Subtitle I: Miscellaneous - Sets forth miscellaneous provisions. (Sec. 193) Provides that this title supersedes any inconsistent provision of the District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act. Prohibits the authorization of appropriations for any Federal payment to the existing District retirement funds after FY 1997. (Sec. 194) Authorizes the Comptroller General to evaluate and report on the administration of this title. Title II: Assistance Under Medicaid Program - Amends the Social Security Act to increase the Federal medical assistance percentage under Medicaid for assistance provided by the District to 70 percent for calendar quarters in any fiscal year for which the District is certified to be implementing a plan to: (1) have in effect an effective system for the identification and collection of amounts owed by third parties for medical care and services furnished under Medicaid; (2) ensure the timely audit and settlement of cost reports of institutional providers under Medicaid; (3) implement a comprehensive health care management information system for Medicaid; and (4) develop a comprehensive behavioral managed health care system under Medicaid. Title III: Criminal Justice - Subtitle A: Corrections - Requires, no later than October 1, 2001, any person convicted of a felony pursuant to the District Code or the truth-in-sentencing system under this title to be designated by the Bureau of Prisons to a Bureau penal or correctional facility for such term as the court may direct. Provides for the closure of the Lorton Correctional Complex by December 31, 2003, and for the transfer of its felony population to a Bureau facility. Makes the Bureau responsible for the care, education, treatment, and training of such persons. Transfers Lorton property to the Department of the Interior. (Sec. 302) Requires the Attorney General to appoint a Corrections Trustee, an independent officer of the District, to oversee operations of the District's Department of Corrections until all felony offenders are transferred to a Bureau facility. Provides Federal funding for incarceration of such individuals. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Trustee to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau to allow the Trustee to enter into contracts to lease beds or facilities for a period that may extend longer than the trusteeship. Permits the District's felony population to be housed in any facility that meets the requirements of the American Correctional Association. (Sec. 304) Requires the Trustee to establish a priority placement program to facilitate employment placement for District employees scheduled to be separated from service due to the assumption of authority by the Trustee. (Sec. 307) Authorizes the District to expend funds necessary to carry out the Sewage Delivery System and Capacity Purchase Agreement between Fairfax County and the District for a specified project without regard to the amount appropriated in the District's budget for the fiscal year concerned. Subtitle B: Compliance with Truth-in-Sentencing - Requires any person convicted of a felony offense under a law exclusively applicable to the District to be sentenced in accordance with a system that meets truth-in-sentencing requirements applicable to a State receiving a truth-in-sentencing incentive grant under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. Directs the District of Columbia Truth in Sentencing Compliance Commission to develop a system if the District fails to do so by October 1, 1997. (Sec. 312) Requires provisions designed to maximize the effectiveness of the drug court of the District's Superior Court to be enacted for the District. (Sec. 313) Establishes the District of Columbia Truth in Sentencing Compliance Commission as an independent agency of the District government if the District fails to establish a truth-in-sentencing system that meets the requirements described above. Provides that the Commission shall not have authority to provide for capital punishment under any law exclusively applicable to the District. Terminates the Commission upon adoption of a sentencing system that meets requirements or earlier, if it fails to adopt such a system. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 314) Establishes the District of Columbia Truth in Sentencing Monitoring Agency in the Department of Justice. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 316) Requires the National Institute of Justice to evaluate the sentencing system to determine its success. (Sec. 317) Directs the Attorney General to inform the Council of the District, the Congress, and the Agency of any changes in Federal or District laws and results of evaluations that may require amendment of District statutes or sentencing guidelines. Subtitle C: Offender Supervision and Parole - Transfers jurisdiction and authorities of the District Board of Parole to the U.S. Parole Commission, with respect to felons, and to the District Superior Court, with respect to misdemeanants. Abolishes the Board of Parole upon the establishment of the District of Columbia Offender Supervision, Defender, and Courts Services Agency. Amends the Parole Commission Phaseout Act of 1996 to increase the authorized number of U.S. Parole Commissioners to five. (Sec. 332) Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Pretrial Services, Defense Services, Parole, Adult Probation and Offender Supervisions Trustee, an independent officer of the District government, to effectuate the reorganization and transition of functions and funding related to such activities. (Sec. 333) Establishes the District of Columbia Offender Supervision, Defender, and Courts Services Agency within the Federal executive branch. Provides for Agency assumption of duties upon certification by the Trustee that the Agency can carry out its functions. Directs the Agency to provide supervision for offenders on probation, parole, and supervised release pursuant to the District Code. Grants Agency supervision officers the same powers as granted to U.S. Probation and Pretrial Officers. Provides that the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency and Public Defender Service shall function as independent entities within the Agency. (Sec. 334) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: District of Columbia Courts - Part 1: Transfer of Administration and Financing of Courts to Federal Government - Authorizes appropriations for the District Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and court system and for the Executive Office for the District of Columbia Courts. (Sec. 342) Amends the District Code to make technical and conforming changes to administrative, financing, and reporting provisions regarding the District court system to reflect the transfer of specified authorities to the Federal Government. Part 2: Judicial Retirement Program - Revises provisions regarding the District of Columbia Judicial Retirement and Survivors Annuity Fund to re-establish such fund in the Treasury. Requires, subject to the availability of appropriations, an annual deposit in the Treasury of amounts required to reduce the unfunded liability of the fund to zero. (Sec. 352) Amends the District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act to provide for the transfer of assets of the District of Columbia Judges' Retirement Fund to the District of Columbia Judicial Retirement and Survivors Annuity Fund (thus, terminating the Judges' Retirement Fund). Removes judges from the District Retirement Board. (Sec. 353) Transfers specified authorities regarding the Judicial Retirement and Survivors Annuity Fund from the District Mayor to the Secretary of the Treasury. Part 3: Miscellaneous Conforming and Administrative Provisions - Makes provisions of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 and the District of Columbia Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 inapplicable to the District courts. Subtitle E: Pretrial Services Agency and Public Defender Service - Makes technical changes to administrative provisions regarding the District's Pretrial Services Agency and Public Defender Service. Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to the National Institute of Justice for activities to assess the crime problem in the District and to establish a corporation or institute supporting research and demonstration projects for the prevention, solution, or punishment of crimes in the District. (Sec. 382) Exempts the Trustees described in this title and their respective agencies from personnel or budget limitations which otherwise apply to District agencies. Title IV: Privatization of Tax Collection and Administration - Authorizes the District's Chief Financial Officer to enter into contracts with a private entity for the administration and collection of District taxes. Title V: Financing of District of Columbia Accumulated Deficit - Amends the District of Columbia Revenue Act of 1939 to permit intermediate-term advances of funds from the Treasury for purposes of assisting the District in liquidating the outstanding accumulated operating deficit of the District general fund existing as of September 30, 1997. Conditions such advances on actions by the District, including actions to demonstrate obligations to reimburse, inability to obtain credit elsewhere, and compliance with a financial plan and budget. Limits the aggregate of all advances to $500 million. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to require early reimbursement of the advance if the District is able to obtain credit elsewhere to refinance the unpaid balance without adversely affecting its financial stability. Title VI: Revenue Bonds - District of Columbia Revenue Bond Financing Authority Improvements Act of 1997 - Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to expand the list of activities for which revenue bonds may be issued. Authorizes the District Council to delegate authority to issue revenue bonds or other obligations to any District instrumentality. (Sec. 603) Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to provide that the issuance of revenue bonds or other obligations shall not be considered to be borrowing. Title VII: District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation - Subtitle A: General Provisions - District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation Act of 1997 - Sets forth findings, purposes, and definitions with respect to economic development in the District. Subtitle B: District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation Charter - Establishes the District of Columbia Economic Development Corporation, a corporate instrumentality of the District. Subtitle C: Operations of the Corporation - Sets forth general powers of the Corporation. (Sec. 722) Requires the Corporation to establish a strategic plan for carrying out this title. (Sec. 723) Authorizes the Corporation to: (1) provide financial assistance for economic development projects; and (2) establish subsidiaries and revolving funds for providing different types of assistance. Sets forth conditions for assisting projects. (Sec. 724) Grants the Corporation power to acquire land through condemnation by eminent domain. (Sec. 725) Authorizes the Corporation to request the District government to give expedited consideration to applications for regulatory licenses, permits, and approvals for economic development projects assisted by the Corporation. Subtitle D: Capitalization and Finance - Authorizes appropriations for the Corporation. Requires a minimum amount to be provided to: (1) nonprofit organizations to finance job training, placement, and related activities for targeted District residents in those organizations; or (2) nonprofit third-party intermediaries to promote and finance such activities for targeted District residents in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Provides for a waiver of such requirement upon a vote and notification by the Corporation. (Sec. 732) Permits the Corporation to: (1) authorize the issuance of project revenue obligations and use the proceeds to provide financial assistance for projects; and (2) establish special or reserve funds for such purposes. Absolves the District and Federal Government of liability for such obligations and provides that issuance of such obligations shall not be considered as borrowing. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth provisions concerning legal actions, judicial review of financial assistance determinations, and the independent status of the Corporation. Exempts the Corporation from any budget or personnel limitations which would otherwise apply to the District. Subtitle F: Sunset Provisions - Sets forth provisions with respect to dissolution of the Corporation. Title VIII: District of Columbia Government Budget; Effective Date - Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to repeal provisions that provide for the annual Federal payment to the District. Authorizes appropriations for a Federal contribution towards the costs of operating the District government of $140 million for FY 1998 and of such amounts as necessary for subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 802) Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to prohibit the District's expenditures from exceeding revenues in FY 1998 (currently, FY 1999). (Sec. 803) Permits the submission and approval of a joint consensus budget and financial plan for the District by the Mayor, Council, and the District Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Authority). (Sec. 804) Increases the District's borrowing limitation to allow amounts to be paid on obligations in any fiscal year to be up to 17 (currently, 14) percent of the District's revenues. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Regulatory Reform in the District of Columbia - Directs the Authority to: (1) review District regulations and analyze the extent to which such regulations inappropriately impair economic development and the financial stability and management efficiency of the District government; (2) review current processes for obtaining permits and applications and analyze the extent to which processes and their completion times vary from those in other jurisdictions; and (3) repeal or revise such regulations or processes, as appropriate. (Sec. 902) Repeals the Clean Air Compliance Fee Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (date of enactment), except for provisions which exempt the delivery of newspapers from gross sales and compensating-use taxes. (Sec. 903) Repeals the Act incorporating Group Hospitalization, Inc., on the date Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., files articles of incorporation under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. (Sec. 904) Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to exempt from specified limitations on amounts or time periods contracts entered into: (1) by the Washington Convention Center Authority for preconstruction activities or project management, design, or construction; (2) by the District Water and Sewer Authority, other than those for sale or lease of the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant; and (3) for Federal highway improvement projects, at the option of the District Council. Subtitle B: Other Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to permit the use of interest earned on accounts to promote the economic stability and management efficiency of the District government. (Sec. 912) Authorizes covered Federal law enforcement agencies to enter into cooperative agreements with the District Police Department to assist the Department in carrying out crime prevention and law enforcement activities. Establishes penalties for knowingly obstructing bridges between the District and Virginia. (Sec. 913) Permits garnishment of wages and other government remuneration of District employees. (Sec. 914) Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to authorize the District Water and Sewer Authority, beginning in FY 1997, to expend excess revenues for capital projects in fiscal years in which such revenues exceed estimated revenues. (Sec. 915) Requires heads of Federal agencies and the Architect of the Capitol to provide notice before carrying out activities that affect real property in the District. (Sec. 916) Changes the name of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Subtitle C: Effective Date; General Provisions - Requires this Act to take effect on the later of October 1, 1997, or the day the Authority certifies that the financial plan and budget for FY 1998 meet specified requirements under title II of this Act. (Sec. 922) Authorizes Federal agencies to provide technical assistance to, and training for, District government personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Florida Coast Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to define preleasing activity to include: (1) the scheduling of a lease; (2) making of a request for industry interest; (3) the issuance of a call for information or a nomination; (4) the publication of a draft or final environmental impact statement; and (5) the performance of any form of rotary drilling in a prospective lease area. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from conducting any preleasing activity, or holding any lease sale in the South Atlantic Planning Area off the coast of Florida, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, or the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area within 100 miles of the Florida coast. Requires the Secretary to cancel the six leases known as the "Pensacola Block 933 Unit." Prohibits the Secretary from approving any exploration or development plan or permit to drill with respect to such lease areas, prior to the Secretary's cancellation of those leases. Provides for compensation to lessees owning canceled leases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Export Administration Title II: Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Title I: Export Administration - Export Administration Act of 1997 - Declares the export policy of the United States, including that: (1) export controls should be imposed to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and (2) restrictions on the export of agricultural commodities should be minimized. (Sec. 104) Specifies the kinds of export licenses the Secretary of Commerce may require. Requires the Secretary to establish a United States Commodity Control Index specifying the license requirements for items on the control index. Directs the President to ensure a list is semiannually published in the Federal Register of all parties: (1) denied or debarred from exporting under this Act or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) sanctioned for prohibited proliferation; and (3) blocked and specifically designated nationals. Requires the Secretary to appoint export advisory committees with respect to items upon which export controls have been imposed. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the President to prohibit, curtail, or require the provision of information regarding, the export of commodities, technology, or other information in order to implement multilateral export control regimes under this Act. Requires the Secretary to designate as part of the control index, a multilateral control list composed of the items controlled under this Act. Provides for the creation of multilateral export control regimes. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide for the export of controlled commodities and technology free of license requirements among members of such regimes; and (2) adjust licensing policies for a particular country or entity for access to controlled items to the extent it adheres to the export control policies of this Act. Requires the Secretary to review: (1) at least biennially all items on the multilateral control list; and (2) annually whether the policy on minimizing restrictions on the export of information technology products and services is being achieved. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretary of State, and only after consultation with the Congress, unilaterally to prohibit, curtail, or require the provision of information regarding the export of any commodity, technology, or other information for up to 12 months in order to further specified nonproliferation, antiterrorism, national security or national interest, and foreign policies of the United States. Requires the Secretary of State to seek support from other countries and multilateral export control regimes for such controls. Sets forth procedures for cessation and extension of such controls. Prohibits export of controlled commodities or technology to countries that have repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. Declares that crime control and detection instruments and equipment shall be approved for export by the Secretary only pursuant to an export license, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the President to prohibit or impose quantitative restrictions on the export of commodities that are domestically in short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor exports, and contracts for exports, of commodities in cases where their volume in relation to domestic supply contributes, or may contribute, to an increase in domestic prices or a domestic shortage, and such increase or shortage has, or may have, a serious adverse impact on the economy. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy to determine whether monitoring or export controls are warranted with respect to exports of facilities, machinery, or equipment normally and principally used in the production, conversion, or transportation of fuels and energy (except nuclear energy). Authorizes an entity, including a trade association, firm, or certified union or group of workers, that is representative of an industry that processes metallic materials capable of being recycled, to petition the Secretary requesting both the monitoring of or the imposition of export controls on exports of such items in short supply. Prohibits the President from imposing quantitative restrictions based on short supply controls on agricultural commodities (including fats and oils, forest products, or animal hides or skins) without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Declares that shipments of crude oil and refined and partially refined petroleum products for use by the Department of Defense or U.S.-supported installations shall not, for purposes of export controls on Alaskan North Slope oil, be considered to be exports. (Sec. 108) Directs the President to issue regulations that prohibit, with specified exceptions, U.S. persons from supporting any boycott imposed by a foreign country against a country friendly to the United States that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. (Sec. 109) Specifies procedures for the processing of export license applications, including the screening, referral, approval or denial, and review of such applications. (Sec. 110) Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to establish, as part of the control index, dual-use items on the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex (MTCR), or on the list of the Australia Group or the Chemical Weapons Convention, which may include items that would contribute to the development or use of missile delivery systems or chemical or biological weapons, and are not included in the MTCR list or the Australia Group list, but which the United States has proposed to other members of MTCR or the Australia Group for inclusion on such lists. Requires a validated license for the export of such items to any country, including items the exporter knows are destined for a missile project or facility in a country that is not an MTCR adherent, or to a chemical or biological weapon project or facility. Declares that an export license should be denied if the ultimate consignee is a facility in a country that is not an adherent to the MTCR and the facility is designed to develop or build missiles. Prohibits the export of commodities and technology if the ultimate consignee is a program for the design, development, or acquisition of a weapon of mass destruction or missile in a country that is not an adherent to the regime controlling such weapon or missile, unless the Secretary determines such export would not make a material contribution to such program. Requires the President to impose sanctions, for a 12-month period, against a foreign person that knowingly and materially contributes, through the export from the United States or from any other country of any controlled goods or technology, to the efforts by any of certain foreign countries to use, develop, or otherwise acquire chemical or biological weapons. Includes among such sanctions: (1) the barring of Government procurement contracts; and (2) appropriate import restrictions on the products of an offending foreign person or entity. Requires the President to impose sanctions, for a two-year period, against a U.S. or foreign person that knowingly: (1) exports, transfers, or engages in the trade of any item on the MTCR Annex; (2) conspires or attempts to engage in such an export, transfer, or trade; or (3) facilitates such an export, transfer, or trade by any other person. (Sec. 112) Provides for administrative and judicial review of determinations made under this Act. (Sec. 113) Makes the Secretary responsible for providing policy guidance on the enforcement of this Act. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the forfeiture of goods and tangible items lawfully seized by the United States for violations of this Act; (2) undercover investigative operations of the Office of Export Enforcement of the Department of Commerce; and (3) a financial audit and report to the Congress on each undercover investigative operation. (Sec. 114) Requires issuance of an annual policy guidance for export licensing officials in all Federal departments and agencies. Declares that all power, authority, and discretion conferred by this title with respect to export control functions shall be exercised by the Secretary. Establishes an Export Control Policy Committee to provide policy guidance and advice to the President on export control issues. Directs the President to appoint an Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration who shall perform all functions of the Secretary under this Act and other Federal laws relating to national security. Sets forth requirements for: (1) non-disclosure of confidential information; (2) disclosure of information to the Congress and the General Accounting Office (GAO); (3) penalties for disclosure of confidential information; and (4) public opportunity for comment on regulations imposing export controls. Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the education and training of officials from other countries on the principles and procedures for implementation of effective export controls. Declares that export controls may not be imposed for the export of a commodity solely because it contains parts or components subject to export control if they are essential to the functioning of the commodity, are customarily included in the sales of the item in non-controlled countries, and compose 25 percent or less of the total value of the commodity, unless the commodity itself would make a significant contribution to the military or proliferation potential of a controlled country or end user which would prove detrimental to U.S. national security. Declares that no authority may be required for certain reexports to any country (other than a terrorist or embargoed country) of foreign-made items incorporating U.S. items. Declares it is U.S. policy that no U.S. exporter should be affected unfairly by export control policies or practices unless relief from such controls would create a significant risk to the foreign policy, nonproliferation, or national security interests of the United States. Authorizes a person to petition the Secretary for relief from export controls on the basis of foreign availability, or for approval of an application for an export license on other grounds which the Secretary shall establish by regulation. Declares that this Act does not authorize export controls on: (1) medicine or medical supplies; or (2) donations of items intended to meet basic human needs, including food, educational materials, seeds, hand tools, water resources equipment, clothing and shelter materials, and basic household supplies. Requires the Secretary to ensure that: (1) at least one full-time representative of the Department of Commerce stationed in the People's Republic of China (PRC) has duties (and appropriate resources and procedures) related to the implementation of export controls under this Act; and (2) sensitive items (especially those exported to Hong Kong) are not diverted to inappropriate end uses or end users in the PRC. Declares that no license shall be required for replacement parts exported to replace on a one-to-one basis parts that were in a commodity lawfully exported from the United States, unless the President determines that a license should be required for such parts. (Sec. 115) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. (Sec. 118) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Arab League countries should end the secondary Arab boycott. Title II: Nuclear Proliferation Prevention - Directs the Secretary of State to seek the support of other countries for sanctions imposed under the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994. (Sec. 203) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to direct the President to prohibit the importation of specific products from countries that have engaged in the export of nuclear weapons and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1997
Condemns the rebellious Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) for ousting the democratically elected Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, including President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. Urges: (1) an immediate end to all violence in such country; and (2) AFRC members and all armed elements involved in the conflict to ensure the protection and safety of international aid agencies and personnel serving there and allow them unobstructed access to affected areas to deliver emergency humanitarian relief to people in need. Encourages: (1) AFRC members to negotiate a hand-over of power back to the democratically elected Government; and (2) all of the country's citizens to work together to bring about a peaceful solution to the current conflict. Reaffirms U.S. support of the government led by President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. Commends the Organization of African Unity for calling on all African countries and the international community to refrain from recognizing the new regime or lending support to the AFRC.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1997
Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project under which covered members and beneficiaries under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be eligible to enroll in health benefits plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted in two geographic areas and to last at least two, but not more than three, contract years. Provides for: (1) management of participation in the project; (2) Government contributions for beneficiary coverage under the FEHB program; and (3) reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Missing and Exploited Children Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for FY 1998 through 2002 to operate a national resource center and clearinghouse designed to: (1) provide information regarding free or low-cost legal, restaurant, lodging, and transportation services for the benefit of missing children and their families and information on Federal programs to assist such persons; (2) coordinate public and private programs which locate or reunite missing children with their legal guardians; (3) disseminate information about innovative and model missing children's programs, services, and legislation; and (4) provide technical assistance and training in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of missing and exploited child cases and in locating and recovering missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Child Care Infrastructure Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer-provided child care credit for qualified expenses to build, rehabilitate, or expand a qualified child care facility, or subsidize or contract for such services, for an employer's employees. Terminates such credit by a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring, whose Director, appointed by the President, with Senate consent, shall: (1) consider the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom presented in certain annual reports on human rights by the Department of State and by independent human rights groups and nongovernmental organizations; (2) make policy recommendations to the President regarding U.S. policies toward governments engaged in religious persecution; and (3) maintain lists of religious persecution facilitating goods and services and the responsible entities within countries engaged in religious persecution. (Sec. 3) Distinguishes between category 1 religious persecution (conducted by government officials or agents) and category 2 religious persecution (conducted by non-government entities or persons, but which the government fails to undertake serious and sustained efforts to eliminate). (Sec. 5) Requires the Director to report to specified congressional committees on countries and entities engaged in religious persecution, identifying the category of persecution and listing persecution facilitating products, goods, and services. (Sec. 7) Prohibits: (1) Federal agencies and U.S. persons from exporting goods, including religious persecution facilitating goods and services, to countries and responsible entities engaged in religious persecution; and (2) U.S. and multilateral assistance to such countries. Directs the President, in casting any vote concerning the membership of a country in the World Trade Organization (WTO), to consider as a significant factor that the country is engaged in religious persecution. Directs the Secretary of State to deny the issuance of a visa to, and the Attorney General shall exclude from the United States, any alien responsible for carrying out acts of religious persecution. (Sec. 8) Provides for the waiver of such sanctions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996), with respect to eligibility for asylum in the United States, to include under the term "credible fear of persecution" aliens who can claim membership in a community found to be subject to religious persecution. Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to provide training on religious persecution to immigration officers who inspect aliens for admission into the United States. Sets forth procedures for the denial of admission based on religious persecution claims. (Sec. 10) Sets forth requirements with respect to certain State Department human rights reports. Directs the Secretary of State to provide training on the right to religious freedom to chiefs of missions as well as certain Department officials. (Sec. 11) Provides for the termination of sanctions. (Sec. 12) Extends certain existing trade and economic sanctions against Sudan for supporting acts of international terrorism until the Director determines that Sudan has substantially eliminated religious persecution, or no longer supports acts of international terrorism, whichever occurs later. Imposes additional trade, economic, and cultural sanctions against Sudan. Sets forth penalties for violations of certain sanctions. Declares it is the sense of the Congress that the President, or, at his discretion, the Secretary of State should convene an international conference of the other industrialized democracies to reach an international agreement to bring about an end to religious persecution in Sudan. Prescribes congressional procedures for implementing such an agreement. Declares it is the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations (UN) to propose that the UN Security Council impose measures against Sudan. Makes it U.S. policy to impose additional measures against Sudan if its policy of religious persecution has not ended on or before December 25, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offenders Registration Improvements Act of 1997 - Amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (Title XVII, Subtitle A, of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994) regarding State sex offender registration programs to require that a determination that a person is or is no longer a sexually violent predator be made by the sentencing court after considering the recommendations of the appropriate State board or boards or of the State under certain circumstances. Directs each State, within two years, to establish one or more State boards. Authorizes the Attorney General to waive such requirement under specified circumstances. Modifies requirements regarding release, parole, supervised release, and probation of such persons to require specified actions by a designated agency, court, or other responsible official under an approved State registration program, including reporting address changes as provided by State law. Requires such agency to forward the registration information to the agency responsible for registration under State law, in accordance with State procedures that meet specified requirements. Requires that any person who is: (1) required to register in that person's State of residence also register in accordance with the law that governs the registration, verification, and notification of sex offenders of each State in which that person is employed or carries on a vocation or is enrolled as a student; and (2) serving a sentence of probation, parole, or other supervised release for conviction of an offense that requires registration, and who is residing in any State other than that in which that person was sentenced, to register in accordance with the law of the State of residence of the offender. Sets forth notification requirements. Requires a State, by July 1, 1999, to submit a report to the Attorney General that sets forth existing or proposed laws regarding stalking crimes against individuals 16 years old or younger. Prohibits the sale or exchange of information collected under a State registration program for profit or remuneration. Includes independent contractors acting at the direction of law enforcement agencies and State officials within immunity for good faith conduct. Expands registration requirements to include certain Federal offenders and military offenders. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should have in effect a law that makes it a crime to stalk an individual under age 16 without requiring that such individual be physically harmed before a stalker is restrained or punished.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Reaffirms the view that the status quo on Cyprus is unacceptable and detrimental to U.S. interests. Considers that lasting peace and stability on Cyprus could be best secured by a process of complete demilitarization leading to the withdrawal of all foreign occupation forces, the cessation of foreign arms transfers to Cyprus, and providing for alternative internationally acceptable and effective security arrangements as negotiated by the parties. Supports the commitment by President Clinton to give increased attention to Cyprus and make the search for a solution a priority of U.S. foreign policy. Encourages the President to launch an early substantive initiative, in close coordination with the United Nations, the European Union, and interested governments to promote a speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of international law, the provisions of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, democratic principles, including respect for human rights, and in accordance with the norms and requirements for accession to the European Union. Calls upon the parties to lend their full support and cooperation to such an initiative. Requests the President to report actions taken to give effect to the objectives set forth in this Act in the bimonthly report on Cyprus transmitted to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Allocates surcharges from coin sales between the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service for activities associated with the bicentennial commemoration of the expedition.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000435_200.jpg)