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United States · Official source
3,716 records where Rep. Skelton, Ike [D-MO-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase the conservation reserve program's maximum acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Designates the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Mandates Information Act of 1999 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in preparing estimates of the direct costs of all Federal private sector mandates, to estimate also, if feasible, the indirect impact of such mandates on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. Prohibits such estimate from being considered in determining whether the direct costs of all such mandates will exceed the threshold specified under current law. Revises provisions concerning legislation subject to a point of order to: (1) define the point of order for a determination by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office that it is not feasible to determine the economic impact of a Federal mandate; and (2) replace certain references to Federal intergovernmental mandates with references to Federal mandates with respect to legislation reported by the Appropriations Committee. Provides a point of order against consideration of legislation that would increase the direct costs of Federal private sector mandates (excluding direct costs attributable to revenue resulting from tax or tariff provisions of any such measure if it does not raise net tax and tariff revenues over the five-fiscal- year period beginning with the first fiscal year such measure affects such revenues) by an amount that causes the stated threshold of $100 million per fiscal year to be exceeded. Revises the definition of "Federal intergovernmental mandate" to mean any provision in legislation, statute, or regulation that relates to a then-existing Federal program under which $500 million or more is provided annually to State, local, or tribal governments under entitlement authority, and that meets certain other criteria, if such legislation, statute, or regulation does not provide participating State, local, or tribal governments with new or expanded authority (currently, if such governments lack such authority) to amend their financial or programmatic responsibilities to continue providing required services affected by the legislation, statute, or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 1999 - Declares that a person not prohibited under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Authorizes the President to award, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal honoring Wilma G. Rudolph in recognition of her outstanding and enduring contributions to humanity and women's athletics in the United States and the world. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes funding for the cost of the medals and requires deposit of sale proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Medicare Common Sense Hospital Payment Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to repeal a specified restriction on Medicare payment for certain hospital discharges to post-acute care.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Treatment and Assistance Act of 1999 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for a waiver of the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals disabled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for Medicare coverage of any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment or alleviation of ALS-related symptoms.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions for: (1) a small employer (100 or fewer employees) retirement plan; (2) a credit for the expenses of establishing such a plan; and (3) a model small employer retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified further assistance is needed for pork producers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to require an employer to give an employee who is a member of a military reserve component an authorized leave of absence to allow participation in a military honor guard at the funeral of a veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group coverage from discriminating on the basis: (1) of genetic information; or (2) that the participant or beneficiary has requested or received genetic services. Regulates genetic information collection and disclosure by plans and issuers. Provides for compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group coverage, or a health issuer in the individual market from so discriminating. Regulates genetic information collection and disclosure by plans and issuers. Provides for compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy from so discriminating. Provides for compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group coverage from so discriminating. Regulates genetic information collection and disclosure by plans and issuers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Designates the Federal building at 700 East San Antonio Street in El Paso, Texas, as the Richard C. White Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
John Glenn Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a congressional gold medal to Senator John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of his significant contributions to American society for more than 50 years. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the President, if he or she takes action to embargo the export under an export sales contract of an agricultural commodity to a country that is not part of an embargo on all exports to the country, to report to the Congress, not later than five days after imposing the embargo, on the reasons for such embargo and its proposed duration. Sets forth congressional procedures for termination of the embargo. Specifies plant nutrient materials among the agricultural commodities whose export the President may not prohibit or curtail if: (1) the export sales contract for such materials is entered into before he or she announces an action that would otherwise prohibit or curtail their export; and (2) the contract terms require delivery of the materials within 270 days after the date of the suspension of trade is imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Military Retiree Health Care Task Force Act of 1999 - Establishes the Medicare Eligible Military Retiree Health Care Consensus Task Force to study and report to the Congress on matters relating to health care coverage of retired military personnel and their families, Federal sharing agreements relating to such care, and proposals to provide a full continuum of such coverage to Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Treatment of Children's Deformities Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to set standards requiring that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide coverage for treatment of a minor child's congenital or developmental deformity or disorder due to trauma, infection, tumor, or disease.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, and link to the cost-of-living adjustment, the State low-income housing credit ceiling.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Self-Employed Health Affordability Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that all Federal agencies would benefit from reviewing specified recommendations for the purpose of improving equitable access for women-owned businesses to the Federal procurement market.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Military Retiree Health Care Task Force Act of 1998 - Establishes the Medicare Eligible Military Retiree Health Care Consensus Task Force to study and report to the Congress on matters relating to health care coverage of retired military personnel and their families, Federal sharing agreements relating to such care, and proposals to provide a full continuum of such coverage to Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1998
Declares that it is U.S. policy to deploy a national missile defense.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Declares that Members of Congress should: (1) follow the example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police by living lives of love, respect, and integrity every day at all times, including on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives; and (2) deserve the title "Honorable" by setting an example so that such individuals did not die in vain.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1998
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for: (1) the Federal Council on the Aging; (2) administration; (3) grants for State and community programs on aging; (4) the availability of surplus commodities; (5) training, research, and discretionary projects and programs; (6) community service employment for older Americans; (7) grants for Native Americans; (8) allotments for vulnerable elder rights protection activities; and (9) the Native American Program. Revises guidelines governing the transfer between specified grant programs of certain Federal funds received by a State.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Public Works and Economic Development Programs Subtitle A: Reauthorizations Subtitle B: Innovative Financing Pilot Programs Title II: Appalachian Regional Development Economic Development Partnership Act of 1998 - Title I: Public Works and Economic Development Programs - Subtitle A: Reauthorizations - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to assure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and stimulate modernization and technological advances in the generation and commercialization of goods and services; and (2) issue regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into appropriate economic development agreements with two or more adjoining States. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients (defined later under this Act) for acquisition or development of land improvements for public works, public service, or development facility usage, as well as the acquisition, design and engineering, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of such facilities. Provides assistance conditions relating to the establishment of industrial or commercial plants and the increase of employment in the area. Prohibits more than 15 percent of the appropriations made for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Allows grants to be increased due to construction cost increases, with limitations. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for economic development planning and related administrative expenses. Requires such planning to be a continuous process and to be prepared as part of a comprehensive economic development strategy for the area involved. Requires State certification of an economic development plan's consistency with local and economic development district plans. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the applicant is eligible but cannot supply the required matching share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in such cases. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for training, research, and technical assistance for alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Allows such grants to include amounts for relocation assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for public facilities, public services, business development, planning, technical assistance, training and other assistance which demonstrably furthers the economic adjustment objectives of the Act. Allows such grant to be used in either direct expenditures by the recipient or through redistribution to other public and private entities, but prohibits any such redistribution to a private profit-making entity. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which changes after the grant has been made; (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects; and (3) make assistance available for projects to be carried out at a military or Department of Energy installation. Prohibits any assistance under the Act which would produce unfair commercial competition. Authorizes the sale of financial instruments in revolving loan funds to further the purposes of the Act. Requires reports from grant and assistance recipients. Defines as an eligible recipient for purposes of this Act an area that: (1) has a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate one percent above such average; (2) has experienced or is about to experience a special need to meet an expected rise in unemployment; or (3) is determined by the Secretary to be a pocket of poverty or high unemployment within a larger community of less economic distress and that has demonstrated a resistance to economic recovery without assistance under the Act. Requires from recipients: (1) documentation of the presence of any such criteria; and (2) a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to plan and carry out economic development projects of broader geographic significance, to designate appropriate economic development districts and economic development centers within such districts. Provides geographic, population, and other requirements with respect to each such designation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for the termination of such districts and centers. Authorizes the Secretary to increase by up to ten percent of project costs the amount of grant assistance otherwise provided in the Act for projects within designated districts. Requires each designated district to provide to the Appalachian Regional Commission a copy of such district's comprehensive economic development strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to a district area which does not meet the requirements of an eligible recipient under the Act when such assistance will be of substantial direct benefit to a qualifying area in such district. Directs the Secretary to administer this Act with the assistance of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Economic Development Administration (EDA) an Office of Economic Development Information to serve as a central information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development programs and activities of Federal and State governments, to help applicants for such assistance, and to develop electronic links or other connections to other information databases to assist such entities in identifying and applying for assistance and resources under such programs. Requires public access to Office information and data services. Requires appropriate consultation with other persons and agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas which desire Government supplies and services contracts. Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify specified congressional committees of any EDA reorganization of its offices, programs, or activities at least 30 days before such reorganization; (2) conduct an evaluation at least every three years of each university center and economic development district receiving assistance to assess its performance and contribution toward job retention and creation; (3) establish a Federal Coordinating Council for Economic Development to coordinate with Federal, State, and other districts and organizations its activities relating to comprehensive economic development strategies and grants; and (4) establish an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Task Force to review and make recommendations concerning the financial management and related standards and requirements of revolving loan funds from which financial instruments are sold in order to further the purposes of this Act. Imposes penalties upon persons who: (1) make false statements in order to obtain assistance under the Act; and (2) embezzle or commit other fraud-related crimes while connected in any capacity with the Secretary in the administration of the Act. Sets forth: (1) conflict-of-interest provisions; and (2) recordkeeping requirements for the Secretary and recipients regarding assistance under this Act. Provides that assistance under the Act shall supplement and not supplant other Federal assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Authorizes additional appropriations for administrative expenses and defense conversion activities. Subtitle B: Innovative Financing Pilot Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee a loan made by a private lending institution to a State, political subdivision, Indian tribe, or organization or association for any purpose for which the Secretary can make a direct grant under title I of this Act. Provides funding. (Sec. 122) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, to carry out a program to demonstrate the effectiveness of encouraging economic development by making grants for reducing interest rates on loans for economic development activities. Outlines grant requirements, terms, and conditions. (Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary to convey to the city of Two Harbors, Minnesota, the J and J Casting Site in Lake County, Minnesota, together with a road easement. (Sec. 124) Directs the Secretary, by September 30 of each of FY 1999 through 2003, to report to the Congress an evaluation of the effectiveness of the loan guarantees and grants under this Subtitle. (Sec. 125) Prohibits funds made available under this Act from being expended in violation of the Buy American Act. Title II: Appalachian Regional Development - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to: (1) require the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to meet at least once a year and allow the ARC to conduct additional meetings by electronic means as considered advisable; (2) require the ARC to obtain a quorum of State members before reaching certain decisions; (3) extend permanently the authorization of appropriations for ARC administrative expenses; (4) revise compensation levels for ARC employees; (5) extend ARC administrative authority through FY 2003; and (6) reduce from 100 to 50 percent of program costs the Federal cost-sharing requirement with respect to demonstration health projects in the Appalachian region under this Act, with an exception of 80 percent of such costs for counties designated as distressed. (Sec. 208) Repeals the following programs and provisions under the Act: (1) the land stabilization, conservation, and erosion control program; (2) the timber development program; (3) the mining area restoration program; (4) the water resource development and utilization survey; (5) the Appalachian airport safety improvements program; (6) the sewage treatment works program; and (7) amendments to the Housing Act of 1954. (Sec. 214) Reduces from 100 to 50 percent of program costs the Federal cost-sharing requirement with respect to Appalachian vocational education and education demonstration projects, with an exception of 80 percent of such costs for counties designated as distressed. Makes an identical reduction with respect to Federal costs for Federal grant-in-aid programs in the Appalachian region. (Sec. 218) Adds specified criteria and measurements to be considered when determining programs and projects to be given assistance under the Act. (Sec. 219) Directs the ARC to designate as: (1) distressed counties those counties that are the most severely and persistently distressed; (2) competitive counties those counties which are approaching economic parity with the rest of the country; and (3) attainment counties those counties which have attained or exceeded such economic parity. Requires the ARC to give special consideration to counties designated as distressed. Limits to 30 percent of project costs the authorized assistance for a county designated as competitive and prohibits assistance for a county designated as attainment. Provides exceptions and an authorized waiver by the ARC. (Sec. 220) Empowers the ARC (currently, the President) to make grants for administrative expenses and ARC research and development projects under the Act. Reduces from 75 to 50 percent of program costs the Federal share of such projects, with an exception of 80 percent for counties designated as distressed. Repeals provisions concerning such projects which: (1) require certain ARC studies and reports; (2) authorize appropriations through June 30, 1969; and (3) ensure public availability of all information obtained from such projects. (Sec. 221) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations and termination date under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of NIH with respect to autism. Requires the Director, among other things to: (1) ensure that at NIH there is a committee to coordinate research on autism; and (2) make awards and grants to public or nonprofit entities for centers of excellence regarding research on autism. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Recognizes 100 years of Guam's loyalty and service to the United States. Declares that the House of Representatives will use the centennial anniversary of the 1898 Spanish-American War to reaffirm its commitment to the U.S. citizens of Guam for increased self-government, consistent with self-determination for the people of Guam.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 and the related responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Entitles to veterans' disability compensation a veteran whose disease or injury is attributable in whole or part to the use of tobacco products. Authorizes an additional $1 billion for FY 1999 for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payment as specified to each children's hospital for each hospital cost reporting period beginning during FY 1999 or 2000 for the direct and indirect expenses associated with operating approved medical residency training programs. States that such payments are in lieu of certain Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, but shall not affect the amounts otherwise payable to such hospitals under a State Medicaid plan. Makes appropriations for such payments for such fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Designates the headquarters compound of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, as the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998
Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Library of Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to mint and issue $10 bimetallic coins of gold and platinum in lieu of the gold coins. Requires payment of coin sale surcharges to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board to support Library activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Other Matters Title III: Operation and Maintenance Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Military Pay Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Other Matters Title VII: Acquisition Policy and Management Title VIII: Department of Defense Management Subtitle A: General Management Subtitle B: Department of Defense Personnel Management Title IX: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals Subtitle C: Matters Relating to Terrorism Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Counter Drug Operations Subtitle E: Other Matters National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and for other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the use of multiyear contracts by the Army and Navy for the procurement of certain vehicles, weapons, and aircraft. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation, including activities of the Directors of Test and Evaluation and Operational Test and Evaluation. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Adds additional requirements for inclusion in the low-rate initial production of weapon systems. (Sec. 212) Extends through FY 2003 the authority of the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to contract with commercial entities to conduct commercial test and evaluation activities at a major range and test facility installation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (3) the operation of Fisher houses, to be derived from the Fisher House Trust Fund. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified O&M accounts. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary, using available amounts from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990, to pay stipulated damages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 assessed against McClellan Air Force Base, California. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1999. (Sec. 402) Repeals a requirement that such end strengths be sufficient to support two simultaneous major regional contingencies. (Sec. 403) Revises the due date of an annual manpower requirements report. (Sec. 404) Exempts from general and flag officer grade limits the position of Director, National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Makes permanent (currently ends October 1, 1998) the authority of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to designate up to 12 general and flag officers serving in joint duty positions for exclusion from such limits. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1999 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1999 for Army and Air Force military technicians (dual status). (Sec. 414) Increases the number of officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Excludes from active-duty end strength limitations certain reserve personnel on active duty for 181 days or more in support of peacetime requirements of the military services and combatant commands. Subtitle C: Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund - Authorizes appropriations for the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance fund. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Authorizes the Secretary to determine the composition of selective early retirement boards convened for determining retirement status with respect to Naval Reserve rear admirals or Marine Corps Reserve major generals. (Sec. 503) Provides active status service requirements, for promotion consideration purposes, for Army and Air Force Reserve brigadier generals. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the posthumous appointment of officer commissions and warrants, making the date of appointment the date of death. (Sec. 505) Excludes regular chief warrant officers in the W-4 grade from provisions requiring involuntary retirement due to non-selection for promotion. (Sec. 506) Adds required procedures for the selection of judge advocate generals and assistant or deputy judge advocate generals of the military departments. (Sec. 507) Establishes a three-year term of office for the Chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps. (Sec. 508) Provides time-in-grade requirements for reserve general and flag officers who are involuntarily transferred from an active status. (Sec. 509) Eliminates the requirement for a board of review after a board of inquiry determination relating to an officer's substandard performance of duty or certain other findings. (Sec. 510) Authorizes retired and former officers to be considered for promotion by special promotion selection boards. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order members under his jurisdiction to perform functions in support of the defense agencies and either the active or reserve components. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Military Pay - Waives any FY 1999 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases the rate of basic pay of members of the uniformed services by 3.1 percent, effective January 1, 1999. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 2001 certain bonuses and special pay for specially skilled military personnel, including nuclear-qualified personnel. (Sec. 612) Extends through FY 2000 certain bonuses and special pay authorities for reserve personnel. (Sec. 613) Extends through FY 2001 the special pay authority for nurse anesthetists. (Sec. 614) Provides reenlistment bonus eligibility for reserve personnel who perform active National Guard and Selected Reserve duty. (Sec. 615) Increases from $4,000 to $6,000 the maximum bonus for Army enlistment. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating under the Navy, to provide a transportation allowance for rest and recuperation travel during a period in which personnel perform at a duty station within a contingency operation, or in other appropriate circumstances as determined by such Secretary. Provides allowance limits. (Sec. 622) Deletes the Panama Canal Zone from inclusion within the definition of a U.S. possession. (Sec. 623) Allows for the storage of unaccompanied baggage of military dependent students. (Sec. 625) Provides for the restoration of annual leave lost due to the closure of an installation in the Republic of Panama in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977. Extends through December 31, 2003, the period during which annual leave lost due to the closure of a military installation under a base closure law will be restored. (Sec. 627) Authorizes the Superintendent of a U.S. military academy to order a cadet or midshipman to be placed on involuntary leave without pay: (1) after a suspension pending separation; (2) to repeat an academic semester or year; or (3) for other good cause. (Sec. 628) Repeals the requirement that no more than ten percent of reenlistment bonuses paid during a fiscal year exceed $20,000. (Sec. 629) Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard in appropriate circumstances, to provide an educational allowance to the sponsors of military dependent students in overseas areas in which DOD has not established defense dependents' schools. (Sec. 630) Amends the Civilian Health Medical Program of the the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) concerning the defense plan for military dependents to: (1) revise the premium amount; and (2) authorize the integration of a basic dental benefit plan into the TRICARE Program (a DOD managed care program). (Sec. 631) Provides for the recovery, care, and disposition of remains of military personnel who die while hospitalized after having been retired by reason of medical disability for an injury, illness, or disease incurred while on active duty, as long as the hospitalization has been continuous since such retirement. (Sec. 632) Revises the voluntary separation incentive program to ensure continued eligibility for members who involuntarily lose membership in a reserve component due to age, years of service, failure of promotion, or medical disqualification. (Sec. 633) Revises the defense domestic dependent elementary and secondary school program to: (1) allow dependents of Federal employees not residing on a military installation to be enrolled in a school program for more than five consecutive school years, at the discretion of the Secretary, where the dependent is qualified, space is available, and the Secretary will be reimbursed for educational services provided. Authorizes the enrollment in such school of the dependent of military personnel assigned to a remote or unaccompanied assignment when such dependent is residing in a U.S. territory, commonwealth, or possession. (Sec. 634) Extends until October 1, 2003: (1) the period during which the Secretary concerned may reduce the required term of active service before qualification for retirement for regular or reserve commissioned officers; (2) the period of exemption from required retirement for certain limited duty Navy commanders and captains; and (3) the exemption from mandatory retirement for failure of promotion for certain Navy and Marine Corps officers designated for limited duty. Title VII: Acquisition Policy and Management - Limits the authority of the head of a defense procuring activity to delegate the approval of the use of noncompetitive procedures in the procurement process. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to set similar limits with respect to the head of a Federal procuring activity. (Sec. 702) Repeals a provision stating that a defense contractor or subcontractor who is granted a waiver from procurement cost or pricing data requirements shall be considered to have met such requirements for purposes of tiered contracts (contracts having one or more contractors and subcontractors). Makes a similar repeal under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 with respect to nondefense contractors or subcontractors. (Sec. 704) Repeals a provision requiring equal allocation of procurement technical assistance program funding among Defense Contract Administrative Services regions. (Sec. 705) Amends the Defense Acquisition Improvement Act of 1986 to repeal the requirement of certain Defense Inspector General oversight of undefinitized contractual actions. (Sec. 706) Amends the Contracts Disputes Act of 1978 to specify the date for the Government payment of interest on contractor cost claims. (Sec. 707) Requires personnel to be assigned to the following positions for no fewer than three years: (1) program manager or deputy manager for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; (2) program executive officer; (3) general or flag officer or equivalent position; or (4) senior contracting official. (Currently, such requirement extends only to critical acquisition positions.) (Sec. 708) Makes eligible for the defense acquisition corps certain personnel who served as a GS-13 or above but were downgraded below such level due to a reduction in force, a base closure, or reason other than for cause. (Sec. 709) Amends the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act with respect to a test program within the Office of Federal Procurement Policy of alternative and innovative procurement procedures to: (1) remove the requirement that no more than one such test be conducted in any single procuring agency; (2) allow two (currently, one) contracts awarded for such tests to exceed $5 million; (3) reduce from 270 to 120 days before the conduct of a test the date by which a detailed test plan is required to be submitted to specified congressional committees; and (4) extend until January 1, 2003, the termination of the test program. (Sec. 710) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to: (1) remove the word "Pilot" from the Mentor-Protege Pilot Program; (2) authorize DOD to conduct an initiative that would allow DOD to participate in the mentoring of women-owned small business proteges; and (3) expand the definition of a disadvantaged small business concern for purposes of such Program. (Sec. 711) Authorizes holding General Accounting Office protest proceedings in abeyance when the agency involved has agreed to suspend contract award or performance pending completion of any agency protest procedure and any subsequent protest timely filed before the Comptroller General. (Sec. 712) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1993 to revise restrictions on DOD procurement from foreign sources of cotton, silk, wool and other natural fibers and specified derivative products. Title VIII: Department of Defense Management - Subtitle A: General Management - Increases from $5 million to $10 million the authorized annual DOD expenditures for the humanitarian clearance of landmines. Prohibits more than ten percent of such funds from being used to pay reserve personnel performing duty in connection with landmine clearing training and related activities. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary to impose a surcharge for dishonored checks issued to the Defense Commissary Agency and to deposit collected amounts in the commissary trust revolving fund for payment of costs incurred in collecting on such checks. Provides authorized means of collection, including military pay or entitlements deductions, Federal withholdings, or the use of private collection agencies. (Sec. 803) Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to revise generally the retirement home inspection requirements of the DOD Inspector General. (Sec. 804) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to exempt operational files of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) from certain public search, review, publication, and disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Provides for: (1) exceptions; and (2) judicial review of contested cases of withheld records. Requires the Directors of NIMA and Central Intelligence, at least every ten years, to review exempted records to determine whether they may be removed from exemption. Provides for judicial enforcement of such review requirement. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure any geodetic product that the Secretary has determined would, if disclosed, interfere or unfairly compete with an emerging or existing commercial industry or market operation. (Sec. 806) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 which requires certain prior approval procedures with respect to the export of high performance computers. (Sec. 807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to repeal a provision concerning the authority to waive certain requirements prior to the transfer of the tactical airlift mission to the reserve components. (Sec. 808) Requires funds received from the Federal Republic of Germany representing its share of the costs of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies to be used for Center costs. Authorizes the Secretary to waive reimbursement of certain Center costs for military officers and civilian officials of cooperation partner states of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council or the Partnership for Peace when determined to be in the national security interest. Provides a similar waiver with respect to the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies for military officers and civilian officials of the Asia Pacific Region. Subtitle B: Department of Defense Personnel Management - Authorizes the Secretary to commence a demonstration project of proposals for improving the personnel management policies or procedures for the Defense Commissary Agency. Provides project terms and conditions, limiting the project's scope to the Agency's workforce. Provides project conditions with respect to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. (Sec. 812) Eliminates an employment preference program for the hiring of military spouses as DOD child care employees. (Sec. 813) Preserves certain civil rights protection for former Defense Mapping Agency employees who continue such employment with NIMA. (Sec. 815) Authorizes (currently requires) the Secretary to establish a program for U.S. scientists, engineers, and managers to learn Japanese language and culture. (Sec. 816) Authorizes the Secretary, for five years, to appoint scientific and engineering personnel to conduct experimental research and development through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the defense committees on the use of such authority. Title IX: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement for a: (1) separate budget request for the procurement of reserve equipment; and (2) two-year DOD budget cycle. (Sec. 903) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to administer a program to provide off-post emergency preparedness to protect the public in the vicinity of installations where lethal chemical agents and munitions are stored. Authorizes the Director to establish an incentive program to encourage States and local governments to achieve early, efficient, and cost-effective preparedness. Requires the Director to report annually to the Congress on program activities. Requires program funds to be set out in a separate defense-related FEMA account. (Sec. 904) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds from specified defense accounts for combating terrorism or for force protection. (Sec. 905) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds between DOD investment appropriations within acquisition category I and II programs or clearly defined groups of associated acquisition programs, with transfer limits of $500 million per year and $20 million per program. (Sec. 906) Requires annual amounts requested for activities of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to be set forth in accordance with specified program elements. Requires amounts requested for Theater and National Missile Defense major defense acquisition programs to be specified in individual dedicated program elements, and to be available only for Ballistic Missile Defense activities. Requires management and support requests to be included within the program elements. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the Secretary, after 30 days' prior notification to the appropriate congressional committees, to transfer funds from DOD O&M accounts to military personnel accounts, to be used for military family housing privatization projects. (Sec. 909) Authorizes the Secretary to pay licensing or other fees to foreign countries or international organizations in connection with the sale there of maps, charts, and navigational books. (Sec. 910) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge and retain fees for providing historical information to public requesters from the United States Army or Air Force Military History Institute or the Naval or Marine Corps Historical Center. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals - Repeals a report: (1) concerning a NATO conventional defense assessment of allied performance, NATO conventional defense capabilities, and allied burdensharing; (2) relating to the joint training of special operations forces with friendly foreign forces; (3) on the Defense Business Operations Fund; (4) on the Defense Contract Audit Agency's authority to subpoena records of defense contractors; (5) on the use of funds from the lease of non-excess DOD property; (6) concerning the alternative utilization of military facilities; and (7) concerning a proposed contract for the sale of Gregg Circle Area, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. (Sec. 918) Requires the report on demonstration projects relating to the military health care delivery system to be submitted annually (currently, semiannually). (Sec. 922) Provides an exception from the requirement for a report from the Secretary concerned to the defense committees before entering into certain real property transactions with respect to any such transaction made in connection with a declaration of war, national emergency, or major disaster, a riot, or a contingency operation. Requires such a report within 30 days after entering into such a transaction. (Sec. 923) Repeals certain notification requirements with respect to DOD Inspector General investigations. (Sec. 924) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1989 to repeal the reporting of certain elements of DOD overseas basing costs. (Sec. 925) Directs the Secretary concerned to notify the appropriate congressional committees in the case of architectural and engineering services and construction design for which the estimated costs exceed $500,000 (currently $300,000). Subtitle C: Matters Relating to Terrorism - Authorizes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (currently, only the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments) to purchase right-hand drive motor vehicles for use in a foreign country. Authorizes each such official to purchase nontactical armored passenger vehicles under emergency situations for combating terrorism and for military force protection support. (Sec. 932) Authorizes the Secretary to make DOD personnel available to operate equipment with respect to a foreign or domestic counterterrorism operation or a rendition of a suspected terrorist from a foreign country to the United States for trial. Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Counter Drug Operations - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 2004 DOD's authority to provide support to other Federal agencies and law enforcement officials for counter-drug activities. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct domestic outreach programs to reduce the demand for illegal drugs among youths. (Sec. 942) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to: (1) authorize DOD to provide counter-drug support for specified Caribbean countries; (2) extend through FY 2004 the authority to provide such support; and (3) increase the amount authorized for such purpose. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Redefines "financial institution" for purposes of Federal Government reimbursement of charges incurred by military personnel or Federal employees because of Government error in the direct deposit of pay. (Sec. 952) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1987 to authorize drug test results of civil service mariners of the Military Sealift Command to be released to the Coast Guard to the same extent that similar submissions are required from commercial vessel operators. (Sec. 953) Provides for the disposition of amounts collected through military claims services from third parties for loss or damage to personal property shipped or stored at Government expense. (Sec. 954) Allows polychlorinated biphenyls located outside of U.S. customs territory but in U.S. possession and control to be imported for disposal within U.S. customs territory. (Sec. 955) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to 500 units in Italy and 800 units in Korea, subject to the maximum lease amount, for military family housing purposes. (Sec. 956) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary's agent would be exempt from providing a copy of notice or service as currently required when providing notice and taking action to enforce obligations for child support and alimony payments among military personnel under provisions of the Social Security Act. Requires a report describing the program from the Secretary to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. Terminates the program at the end of FY 2000. (Sec. 957) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into the long-term charter of three specified vessels in support of Navy submarine rescue, escort, and towing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Clean Air Common Sense Act - Sets forth provisions regarding the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's authorities to establish a requirement that States submit measures in State implementation plans under the Clean Air Act to ensure that emission reductions are achieved to mitigate transport of ozone pollution and oxides of nitrogen emissions across States included in the Ozone Transport Assessment Group Region (relating to the eastern portion of the United States). Prohibits: (1) the promulgation of a final rule to establish such requirement before the expiration of the one-year period beginning on the date the Administrator publishes notice that data described in this Act is publicly available; and (2) such rule from becoming effective before the later of May 1, 2005, or the expiration of the five-year period beginning on the date the rule is promulgated. Directs the Administrator, during the one-year period beginning on this Act's enactment, to collect data that the States in such region develop through air quality monitoring and modeling with respect to oxides of nitrogen and other pollutants to be regulated for purposes of a specified 1997 proposed rulemaking. Makes data publicly available after the expiration of such period. Establishes additional time frames with respect to the Administrator's findings, and denial of petitions, regarding sources that emit oxides of nitrogen or other pollutants to be regulated under the proposed rulemaking in violation of interstate pollution abatement requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1998
Designates the Federal building at 700 East San Antonio Street in El Paso, Texas, as the Richard C. White Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), after July 1, 1998, from making any reallocations of amateur radio service (ARS) frequency bands, diminishing the secondary allocations of such bands to ARS, or making additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their utility to ARS, unless at the same time the FCC provides equivalent replacement spectrum to ARS.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Agricultural Credit Restoration Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to exclude from "debt forgiveness": (1) loan rescheduling, consolidation, deferral, or reamortization; (2) one debt forgiveness due to natural disaster or family medical condition; and (3) loan restructuring, write-down, or buy-out as part of the resolution of a discrimination complaint against the Secretary of Agriculture (thus excluding such situations from the ban on lending program eligibility for producers with restructured farm debt). Increases the number of permitted loan (including direct operating and guaranteed loan) write-downs or buy-outs per borrower from one to two. Eliminates the aggregate limitation on per borrower debt forgiveness. Authorizes interstate allocation of unused funds for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Health Care Claims Guidance Act - Amends Federal law relating to claims against the U. S. Government to prohibit any action under such provisions based on a claim submitted: (1) under a federally funded health care program unless the amount of damages alleged is a material amount; (2) in reliance on erroneous information supplied by a Federal agency or in reliance on written statements of Federal policy which affects such claim provided by a Federal agency; or (3) by a person that is in substantial compliance with a model compliance plan issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense). Requires that the Government prove an allegation of a false health care claim by clear and convincing evidence. Defines, for the amendments made by this Act, "federally funded health care program" to mean a program that provides health benefits, directly or otherwise, established under Social Security Act titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance) or provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Designates the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998
Calls for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the U.S. Submarine Force on its 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Allows the remains of the following persons to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery: (1) any member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty; (2) any retired member; (3) any former member who was separated for physical disability before October 1, 1949, who served on active duty, and who would have been eligible for disability retirement if such provisions had been in effect on such date; (4) any former member whose last active military service was terminated honorably and who has been awarded one of a number of specified military decorations; (5) any former prisoner of war who served honorably while such a prisoner, whose last active military service terminated honorably, and who died on or after November 30, 1993; (6) the President or any former President; (7) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and, in the discretion of the Cemetery's Superintendent, unmarried adult child of an interred member (but only if buried in the same gravesite); (8) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and unmarried adult child (again, discretionary) of a member buried as part of a group burial (but cannot be buried in the group gravesite); (9) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child of any person already buried in the Cemetery; (10) the widow or widower of a member who was lost or buried at sea or officially determined to be permanently absent in a missing or missing in action status; and (11) the parents of a minor child or unmarried adult child whose remains, based on the parent's eligibility, are already buried in the Cemetery. Makes such burial eligibility the exclusive eligibility for Cemetery burial. Prohibits the Secretary of the Army or any other responsible official from considering a request for Cemetery burial made before the death of the individual. Allows gravesite markers to be provided by the Secretary or at private expense, as long as certain marker and marker maintenance conditions are met. Directs the Secretary to maintain for the public a register of each individual buried in the Cemetery which shall include, for each individual buried there on or after January 1, 1998, a brief description of his or her eligibility for such burial. Requires the Secretary to publish an updated pamphlet describing Cemetery burial eligibility. Authorizes the cremated remains of the following persons to be placed in the Cemetery columbarium: (1) a person eligible for burial under this Act; (2) a veteran whose last period of active duty ended honorably; and (3) the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, or unmarried adult child (discretionary) of such a veteran. Prohibits a memorial or marker: (1) from being placed in the Cemetery unless it commemorates the service of the individual or group whose memory is to be honored by such memorial or marker; or (2) that refers to a particular military event from being placed in the Cemetery until 25 years after such event.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Expresses gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of the brave men, including current Congressmen Sam Johnson of Texas and Pete Peterson of Florida, who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. Urges States and localities to honor such courage and sacrifice with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Declares that the House of Representatives will continue to press for a final accounting of the more than 2,000 members of the U.S. armed forces who remain unaccounted for from such conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that national goals should include providing access to affordable housing and expanding home ownership opportunities pursued through policies of tax incentives and private and public sector activities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection with Slamming Slamming Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Improved Communications Act Remedies for Slamming - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any telephone exchange carrier that submits or executes a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange or toll service in violation of subscriber verification requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refund to such subscriber any charges imposed for such service during the three-month period after such change is effected. Prohibits any change in selection, or verification of such a change, without the affirmative request of the subscriber. Requires the FCC to complete rulemaking for enforcement of such verification requirements within two years after the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides a private right of action for any subscriber whose service is changed in violation of such requirements. Authorizes the appropriate State court to increase damage awards by up to three times the maximum allowable award for willful and knowing violations. Title II: Regulation of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Connection With Slamming - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit unfair and deceptive acts and practices in any advertisement for or solicitation of any change in a subscriber's selection of a service provider. Requires a carrier to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the offer seeks to change the subscriber's service provider, as well as the total cost for such new service. Permits States to bring civil actions on behalf of residents to enjoin unlawful exchange practices, to enforce carrier compliance with FTC rules, or to obtain damages or other appropriate relief.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the current crisis regarding Iraq should be resolved peacefully through diplomatic means but in a manner which assures full Iraqi compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding the destruction of Iraq's capability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction; (2) if military means are necessary to compel compliance, such action should be undertaken with the broadest feasible multinational support, preferably pursuant to a decision of the Security Council; and (3) if necessary, the United States should take military action unilaterally to compel Iraqi compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Commercial Driver's License Devolution Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to allow an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle solely within the borders of a State if such individual has passed written and driving tests that meet minimum standards prescribed by such State. Provides penalties for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle in another State under a driver's license issued solely for operation within one State.