United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Sportsmen's Bill of Rights Act of 1997- Requires Federal public land to be open to access and for use for fishing and hunting if: (1) the responsible State agency in which Federal public land is located limits access to and use of the land as part of wildlife management by the State; or (2) the Federal agency responsible for Federal public land limits access and use for national security or for reasons related to specific statutory requirements regarding the management and use of the land, including public safety. Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior of Puerto Rico (currently, Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico) in the conduct of wildlife-restoration projects. Prohibits the amount of funding made available to the Secretary for expenses in the administration and execution of wildlife-restoration projects and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act from being made available to replace funding that is: (1) authorized for any other expense under the Secretary's jurisdiction; and (2) decreased under any other provision of law. Amends the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act to prohibit the amount of funding made available to the Secretary for fish restoration and management projects from being used to replace funding that is authorized and decreased as above. Prohibits a Federal agency's action that may significantly diminish opportunities or access to engage in fishing or hunting on Federal public land from being effective until the agency prepares a detailed statement evaluating the effect of such action. Provides for judicial review of such action. Entitles a person interested in fishing or hunting to intervene as a matter of right in a civil action brought under any other Federal law relating to the use of Federal public land, under specified conditions. Bars the court from granting the relief sought unless the plaintiff shows that the interest intended to be advanced by the other Federal law clearly outweighs the interest of protecting access to, and use of, Federal public land for fishing and hunting. Allows an individual licensed by a State to fish or hunt or an organization representing such individual's interests to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court to seek declaratory or injunctive relief regarding the implementation of this Act, including a declaration that a civil action brought by a person may significantly disrupt or eliminate opportunities for fishing or hunting and an injunction against the prosecution of the civil action. Reaffirms the primacy of State authority in regulating the taking of fish and wildlife on such State's land, including Federal public land, stating that a Federal agency's taking authority in such regard shall be no greater than that of a private landowner.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
First Flight Commemorative Coin Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue for a limited period ten-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Instructs the Secretary to ensure: (1) establishment of a coin marketing plan; and (2) availability of adequate funds to cover the costs of implementing such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Establishes a Joint United States-Canada Commission on Cattle and Beef to identify, and recommend means of resolving, national, regional, and provincial trade-distorting differences between the United States and Canada with respect to the production, processing, and sale of cattle and beef, with particular emphasis on: (1) animal health requirements; (2) transportation differences; (3) the availability of feed grains; and (4) other market-distorting direct and indirect subsidies. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress and the Government of Canada.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Requests that a nationwide moment of remembrance be observed on Memorial Day, May 26, 1997, by the simultaneous pausing of all citizens to acknowledge the playing of "Taps" at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in honor of the Americans who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Imported Meat Labeling Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require country of origin (where an animal is raised before slaughter) labeling: (1) of imported meat, or U.S.-prepared meat food products containing imported meat; or (2) originating from an animal imported into the United States for slaughter.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to publicly affirm as a matter of U.S. policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. Urges U.S. officials to refrain from any actions that contradict U.S. law on this subject.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Loan Interest Forgiveness for Education Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited deduction (based on modified adjusted gross income) on an amount equal to the interest paid by a taxpayer on any qualified educational loan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Senior Citizen Home Equity Protection Act - Amends the National Housing Act with respect to home equity conversion mortgages to: (1) require full disclosure to the mortgagor of all mortgage costs, including estate planning, financial advice, or other related costs; and (2) provide for imposition of restrictions by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that the mortgagor is not charged for such costs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the certification of mammography facilities. Requires that appeals from certification denials follow procedures in effect at that time (currently, in effect on a specified date). Modifies mammogram record retention requirements. Allows inspection of facilities (currently, certified facilities) for compliance with certification requirements and mammography quality standards (currently, compliance with mammography quality standards). Allows inspections to be conducted by a local agency on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Empowers the Secretary to require a facility to notify patients who received mammograms if the Secretary determines the quality was so inconsistent with standards as to present a significant risk to the individual or public health. Authorizes civil money penalties for failure to comply. Allows certificate suspension or revocation for a failure to comply with an accreditation body's requests for records or materials. Modifies requirements for certification suspension before holding a hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Level and Distribution of Funds Title II: Program Streamlining Title III: Reduction of Regulation Title IV: Effective Date; Transition Rules Surface Transportation Authorization and Regulatory Streamlining Act - Title I: Level and Distribution of Funds - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 out of the Highway Trust Fund other than the Mass Transit Account (Highway Fund) for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (3) the Federal Lands Highways Program (including Indian reservation roads, public lands highways, and parkways and park roads); (4) the Cooperative Federal Lands Transportation Program; and (5) U.S. territories. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary), beginning in FY 1999, to publish in the Federal Register specified information concerning the use of, and methods of apportionment for, the additional highway account revenues authorized under this Act. Requires 60 percent of such amounts to be apportioned for the NHS, and 40 percent for the STP. (Sec. 103) Provides further apportionment of authorized funds within programs under the NHS and STP. Requires population determinations for apportionment purposes to be based on the most recent estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce. (Sec. 104) Provides an apportionment adjustment program under which: (1) Puerto Rico is provided specified additional highway funds; and (2) additional apportionments are made, according to specified apportionment percentages, to low-population-density States (20 individuals or less per square mile) and small States (population of 1.5 million or fewer in a land area of 10,000 square miles or less). Provides five calculation levels for the determination of appropriated amounts to such States. Authorizes appropriations for such additional apportionments out of the Highway Fund for FY 1998 and thereafter. Repeals certain prior apportionment adjustment programs. (Sec. 105) Decreases from three and three-fourths to two the percentage of apportionment funds to be spent on administrative expenses and appropriate highway and transportation research. Requires such expense deduction to be made only after the completion of all other aspects of calculating the apportionment. Requires one percent of NHS and STP funds annually to be set aside for metropolitan planning activities. Directs the Secretary to undertake an enhanced level of research to determine methods of reducing the long- and short-term costs of constructing and maintaining asphalt pavement in areas with severe or frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Requires the Secretary, in selecting research topics, allocating funds, and promoting and developing transportation systems, to give careful consideration to the national interest in transportation issues, infrastructure, and modern transportation technology related to rural areas. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 from the Highway Fund to carry out the recreational trails program under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Provides a State apportionment formula and a deduction of up to three percent for administrative expenses. Limits the Federal share to 80 percent of the cost of a recreational trails project. Provides for matching funds from Federal grant programs. (Sec. 107) States that nothing in this Act establishes a limitation on the total of all obligations for any fiscal year for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs. Provides specific rules for any such limitations, including: (1) a distribution formula for FY 1998 and thereafter; (2) the redistribution of unused obligation authority; (3) the authority to obligate up to an additional five percent of all funds apportioned to a State for such programs; and (4) the maintenance of overall program balance. Title II: Program Streamlining - Requires each State, beginning with FY 1998, to certify to the Secretary that: (1) it has reserved an amount for bridge expenditures that is not less than the amount apportioned to such State for such purpose for FY 1997; or (2) the amount the State will reserve to carry out bridge projects between FY 1998 and 2003 will be no less than six times the amount appropriated to the State for such purpose for FY 1997. Directs the Secretary, beginning with FY 1998, to set aside specified amounts for discretionary bridge projects. Repeals provisions: (1) requiring an inventory of highway bridges on public roads and park and Indian reservation bridges; (2) concerning the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges and apportionment of funds for such purpose; (3) concerning bridge inventory reports; and (4) providing for an off-system bridge program as well as a historic bridge program. (Sec. 201) Provides a specified set-aside from the STP for highway safety programs and related activities for FY 1998 through 2003. Allows such funds to be used for the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. Provides further set-asides for such fiscal years for: (1) transportation enhancement activities; and (2) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement activities. (Sec. 202) Repeals NHS provisions which require the Secretary to remove from designation as a part of the Interstate System (IS) each segment for which that State has not notified the Secretary that it intends to construct such segment and which the Secretary finds is not essential to the completion of a unified and connected IS. (Sec. 203) Repeals provisions concerning: (1) the transfer to the apportionments of a State of amounts not used for IS segment construction costs, resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating; and (2) the placing of funding limitations on IS highway or bridge expansion which does not involve high-occupancy-vehicle lanes or auxiliary lanes. (Sec. 204) Makes eligible under the STP an area of a State that is a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide, for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to ten micrometers resulting from transportation activities, or for any combination thereof, for congestion mitigation and air quality improvement projects without regard to any Department of Transportation (DOT) limitation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard addressed by such project. Makes eligible under the STP the placement of funds in a State infrastructure bank approved by the Secretary. Removes a limitation concerning STP projects undertaken on roads classified as local or rural minor collectors. Revises provisions regarding: (1) the determination by a State of its allocation formula used for the apportionment of STP funds for division between urbanized areas of over 200,000 population for FY 1998 and thereafter; and (2) State certification procedures. Extends through FY 2003 the STP obligation authority with respect to such urbanized areas. (Sec. 205) Increases from $300,000 to $500,000 the funds required to be expended by the Secretary to carry out a public information program aimed at preventing and reducing motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and improving driver performance, at railway-highway crossings. Repeals current set-asides for IS and NHS discretionary programs. (Sec. 206) Establishes the Cooperative Federal Lands Transportation Program to provide funds for projects on State-owned or maintained highways that cross, are adjacent to, or lead to federally owned land or Indian reservations. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) project funds distribution; and (2) the transfer of project funds to a State to carry out projects on Federal lands highways within such State. Title III: Reduction of Regulation - Directs the Secretary to carry out a periodic review of all significant DOT rules to determine which should be amended, rescinded, or continued without change. Requires publication of a plan for such review. (Sec. 302) States that any decision by the Secretary concerning a State transportation plan or program shall not be considered a Federal action subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 303) Removes the requirement that, after September 30, 2000, a State must use or plan to use metric system designations as part of a Federal-aid highway project. Title IV: Effective Date; Transition Rules - Makes this Act effective on the date of enactment and applicable only to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after September 30, 1997, except as otherwise specified. Provides for State transfers of unobligated funds apportioned to the State before October 1, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Federal Prisoner Health Care Copayment Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a fee for health care visits (with certain types of visits exempted) and prescriptions, to be paid by the prisoner making the visit or taking the prescription or, in the case of a prisoner injured by another prisoner, to be paid by the prisoner who inflicted the injury. Prohibits refusal of treatment on the basis that a prisoner is unable to pay.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Home-Based Business Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for the health insurance costs of a self-employed individual to allow as a deduction an amount equal to the amount paid by such individual for insurance which constitutes medical care for such individual, such individual's spouse, and dependents. Adds to provisions defining the disallowance of certain expenses in connection the business use of the home to provide that a home office shall in any case qualify as the principal place of business if the office is: (1) in the location where the taxpayer's essential administrative or management activities are conducted on a regular and systematic basis; and (2) necessary because the taxpayer has no other location for the performance of the essential management or administrative activities of the business. Considers a service provider as not being an employee if the provider: (1) can realize a profit or loss, can incur unreimbursed expenses, and makes a time-limited or task-limited agreement; (2) has a principal place of business, does not primarily provide service at a single service recipient's facilities, pays fair rent for the use of the recipient's facilities, or operates primarily with equipment not supplied by the recipient; and (3) if there is a written contract providing that the provider will not be treated as an employee for Federal tax purposes. Considers (in addition) a provider as not an employee if: (1) there is such a written contract; and (2) the provider is a corporation or limited liability company and does not receive benefits that the recipient's employees receive. Regulates the treatment of determinations by the Secretary of the Treasury that a service provider should have been treated as an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Prohibits a State or political subdivision thereof from imposing, assessing, or attempting to collect any tax or fee on the Internet or interactive computer services (ICs) or on their use. Preserves State and local taxing authority with respect to income, license, and sales taxes. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, and State to: (1) undertake an examination of U.S. and international taxation of the Internet and ICs, as well as commerce conducted thereon; and (2) jointly submit to the President appropriate policy recommendations concerning such taxation. Directs the President to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees policy recommendations on the taxation of sales and other transactions effected on the Internet or through ICs. Requires all such recommendations to be consistent with policy statements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek bilateral and multilateral agreements through various international forums to establish that activity on the Internet and ICs be free from tariff and taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first amendment to the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a nutrition program for older individuals. Recognizes that nutrition programs carried out under such Act continuously have made an invaluable contribution to the well-being of older individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 1997 - Divides the current U.S. Court of Appeals for the ninth circuit into the following two circuits: (1) the ninth circuit composed of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, consisting of 19 judges, and holding regular sessions in San Francisco and Los Angeles; and (2) the twelfth circuit, composed of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, consisting of seven judges, and holding regular sessions in Portland and Seattle. Assigns circuit judges of the former ninth circuit to either of the two new circuits based upon their official station, with senior judges permitted election of assignment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Congressional Responsibility Act of 1997 - Prohibits a regulation from taking effect before the enactment of a bill comprised solely of the text of the regulation. Requires an agency, whenever it promulgates a regulation, to submit to each House of the Congress a report containing its text and an explanation. Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for consideration of agency regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1997
Rural Health Improvement Act of 1997 - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare, while continuing payment to designated EACHs, with the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (MRHFP). Declares that it is the purpose of MRHFP to: (1) ensure access to health care services for rural communities by allowing hospitals to be designated as critical access hospitals if they limit the scope of available inpatient acute care services; (2) provide more appropriate and flexible staffing and licensure standards; (3) enhance the financial security of critical access hospitals by requiring that they be reimbursed on a reasonable cost basis; and (4) promote linkages between critical access hospitals and broader programs supporting the development of and transition to integrated provider networks. Authorizes States to establish such an MRHFP if they provide assurances that they have developed or are developing a State rural health care plan that: (1) provides for the creation of one or more rural health networks in the State; (2) promotes regionalization of rural health services in the State; (3) improves access to hospital and other health services for rural residents of the State; and (4) has designated or is designating rural nonprofit or public hospitals or facilities as critical access hospitals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to applicant States for rural health care plans and rural emergency medical services. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing, and administrative requirements necessary to establish, an alternative for certain medical diagnoses to the 96-hour limitation for inpatient care in critical access hospitals. Replaces requirements for rural primary care hospitals and services with requirements for critical access hospitals and services in order to allow all States to develop critical access hospitals for use under MRHFP.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Home Office Deduction Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a home office qualifies as the principal place of business if: (1) the office is the location where the taxpayer's essential administrative or management activities are conducted on a regular and systematic (and not incidental) basis by the taxpayer; and (2) the office is necessary because the taxpayer has no other location for the performance of the essential administrative or management activities of the business.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
International Telecommunications Investment Clarification Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any broadcast radio station license from being granted to or held by any corporation of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens or by a foreign corporation, or any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens or by a foreign corporation, if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finds that the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license. Provides a similar prohibition with respect to the granting of licenses for a common carrier or aeronautical en route or aeronautical fixed radio station. Prohibits the FCC from denying a license to land or operate submarine cable solely on the grounds that such license will be issued to a corporation owned by aliens or by a foreign corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Mississippi Sioux Tribes Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 1997 - Provides for distribution to, and use of certain funds by, the Sisseton and Wahpeton Tribes of Sioux Indians. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, one year after enactment of this Act, to distribute specified amounts to the tribal governing body of the: (1) Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe of North Dakota; (2) Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; and (3) Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. Designates the Sisseton and Wahpeton Sioux Council of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes as the tribal governing body of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation. (Sec. 5) Directs each tribal governing body, as a condition for receiving the distributed funds, to establish a tribal trust fund for the benefit of the covered Indian tribe under its jurisdiction. Requires that each tribal governing body serve as the trustee of, and administer, the trust fund. (Sec. 6) Prohibits funds distributed to a covered Indian tribe from being used to make per capita payments to members of the covered Indian tribe. Allows funds distributed to be used by a tribal governing body only for the purpose of making investments or expenditures that the tribal governing body determines to be related to: (1) economic development that is beneficial to the covered Indian tribe; (2) the development of resources of the covered Indian tribe; or (3) the development of a program that is beneficial to members of the covered Indian tribe, including educational and social welfare programs. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual audit. (Sec. 7) Sets forth provisions concerning the effect of payments to a covered Indian tribe or an individual on eligibility for, or the reduction or denial of, Federal benefits. Prohibits subjecting a payment made to a covered Indian tribe or individual under this Act to Federal or State income tax. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary, not later than one year after enactment, to distribute a specified amount to the lineal descendants of the Sisseton and Wahpeton Tribes of Sioux Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Commends the 3,600 students who have been selected to participate in the William Randolph Hearst Foundation Senate Youth Program between 1962 and 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
Mandates Information Act of 1997 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require a congressional committee report on any bill or joint resolution that includes any Federal mandate to contain information concerning the impact of such mandate on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Encrypted Communications Privacy Act of 1997 - Allows any person within any State and any U.S. person in a foreign country to use any encryption, regardless of encryption algorithm selected, key length chosen, or implementation technique or medium used, with exceptions. Prohibits the Federal Government or a State from requiring as a sale condition that a decryption key be given to another person. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) require the use of any form of encryption; or (2) limit or affect the ability of any person to use encryption without a key escrow function or of any person who chooses to use encryption with a key escrow function not to use a key holder. Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to criminal penalties and civil liability any key holder who, without authorization, releases a decryption key or provides decryption assistance. Makes it a complete defense against any such civil or criminal action that the defendant acted in good faith reliance upon a court warrant or order, grand jury or trial subpoena, or statutory authorization. Authorizes a key holder to release a decryption key or provide decryption assistance to a governmental entity requiring the disclosure of stored wire and electronic communications and transactional records, as well as stored electronic information, as long as appropriate court order requirements are met. Directs the Attorney General and other specified officials to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the number of orders and extensions served on key holders to obtain access to decryption keys or decryption assistance. Sets penalties for willfully endeavoring by means of encryption to obstruct, impede, or prevent the communication to an investigative or law enforcement officer of information in furtherance of a felony. Allows any person within any State to sell any encryption in interstate commerce. Grants the Secretary of Commerce exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, and technology for information security (including encryption), except computer hardware, software, and technology specifically designed or modified for military use. Prohibits requiring any validated license (with limited exceptions) for the export or reexport of any: (1) software, including software with encryption capabilities, that is generally available as is, and designed for installation by the purchaser, or that is in the public domain or publicly available because it is generally accessible to the public in any form; (2) computing device solely because it incorporates or employs in any form software (including software with encryption capabilities) exempted from any such requirement for a validated license; (3) software or hardware otherwise restricted because it incorporates interface mechanisms for interaction with other software and hardware; or (4) encryption technology related to a device, software, or hardware described in (1) through (3) above. Directs the Secretary to authorize the export or reexport of software, hardware, and technology with encryption capabilities under a license exception if: (1) a product offering comparable security is commercially available from a foreign supplier without effective restrictions; (2) a comparable product is generally available in a foreign country; or (3) the sole basis for otherwise withholding the license exception is the employment of encryption from a foreign source. Directs the Secretary to prohibit the export or reexport of any computer software, hardware, and technology to a foreign country if the Secretary determines that there is substantial evidence that such equipment or technology will be: (1) diverted to a military end- use or a use supporting international terrorism; (2) modified for such uses; or (3) reexported without U.S. authorization. Prohibits any investigative or law enforcement officer or key holder from releasing a decryption key or providing decryption assistance to a foreign country, with an exception when the United States has entered into a treaty or convention with a foreign country to provide mutual decryption assistance. Declares that nothing in this Act: (1) constitutes authority for the conduct of intelligence activity; and (2) shall affect specified conduct by Federal officers or employees related to communications security and communications by or among foreign powers or agents.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Promotion of Commerce On-Line in the Digital Era (Pro-CODE) Act of 1997 - Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the National Institute of Standards and Technology or otherwise) from promulgating or enforcing regulations, or otherwise adopting standards or carrying out policies: (1) that result in encryption standards intended for use by businesses or entities other than Federal computer systems; or (2) in a manner inconsistent with this Act, or that have the effect of imposing Government-designed encryption standards on the private sector by restricting the export of computer hardware and computer software with encryption capabilities. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Federal and State governments from: (1) restricting or regulating the interstate sale by any person of any product designed to provide encryption capabilities; or (2) requiring, as a condition of such a sale, that a decryption key, or access to a decryption key, be given to any other person (including a Federal agency or a private entity certified or approved by the Federal or a State government). Grants the Secretary exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, and technology with encryption capabilities, except that which is specifically designed or modified for military use, including command, control, and intelligence applications. Requires only a general license (with limited exceptions) for the export or reexport of any: (1) computer software, including that with encryption capabilities, that is generally available, as is, and designed for installation by the purchaser, or (2) that is available on enactment of this Act or becomes legally available thereafter in the public domain (including on the Internet) or publicly available because it is generally accessible to the public in any form; or (3) computing device or computer hardware solely because it incorporates or employs in any form such computer software (including that with encryption capabilities). Directs the Secretary to authorize the export or reexport of computer software with encryption capabilities under a general license for nonmilitary end-uses in any country to which exports of software or hardware of similar capability are permitted for use by financial institutions not controlled in fact by U.S. persons, unless there is substantial evidence that such software and hardware will be diverted to a military end-use or an end-use supporting international or domestic terrorism, modified for military or terrorist end-use, including acts against the national security, public safety, or the integrity of the transportation, communications, or other essential systems of interstate commerce in the U.S., or reexported without requisite Federal authorization, or intentionally used to evade enforcement of U.S. law or taxation by the U.S. or by any State or local government. Requires that the publisher or manufacturer of computer software or hardware with encryption capabilities shall disclose (for reporting purposes only) within 30 days after export, to the Secretary such information regarding a program's or product's encryption capabilities as would be required for an individual license to export that program or product. Prohibits requiring or permitting the Secretary to impose any conditions or reporting requirements as a precondition to the exportation of any such product or program. (Sec. 6) Establishes an Information Security Board comprised of representatives of agencies within the Federal Government responsible for or involved in the formulation of information security policy, including export controls on products with information security features (including encryption) to: (1) provide a forum to foster communication and coordination between industry and the Federal Government; and (2) foster the aggregation and dissemination of general, nonproprietary, and nonconfidential developments in important information security technologies, including encryption. Requires that the Board shall regularly report such information to appropriate Federal agencies to keep law enforcement and national security agencies abreast of emerging technologies so they are able effectively to execute their responsibilities and cause such information (other than classified, proprietary, or confidential information) to be published from time to time and made available to the public. Directs the Secretary to establish quarterly meetings between the Board and representatives from the private sector with interest or expertise in information security, including cryptographers, engineers, and product managers. Permits the Board to meet at any time with one or more representatives of any person involved in the development, production, or distribution of encryption technology or of computing devices containing encryption technology. Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to affect any law intended to prevent the: (1) distribution of descramblers and any other equipment for illegal interceptions of cable and satellite television signals; (2) illegal or unauthorized distribution or release of classified, confidential, or proprietary information; or (3) enforcement of Federal or State criminal law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Medicare Payment Equity Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the formulae for payments to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans. Provides for a metropolitan based system under which: (1) all portions of each metropolitan statistical area in a State are treated as a single Medicare payment area; and (2) all areas in that State that do not fall within a metropolitan statistical area are treated as a single Medicare payment area. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the annual per capita rate of payment for each Medicare payment area by adjusting the adjusted capitation rate for: (1) individuals who are enrolled with an eligible organization which has entered into a risk-sharing contract and who are enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) only; and (2) such risk factors as age, disability status, gender, institutional status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. Requires the Secretary to establish a separate rate of payment to an eligible organization with respect to any individual determined to have end-stage renal disease and enrolled with the organization. Prescribes a general formula for the adjusted capitation rate of a Medicare payment area based on an area-specific adjusted capitation rate and an input-price-adjusted national adjusted capitation rate. Specifies area-specific and national percentages for contract years 1998 through 2001 and after. Requires the Secretary, upon written request of the Chief Executive Officer of a State for a contract year, to adjust the system under which Medicare payment areas in the State are otherwise determined to a system which: (1) has a single Statewide Medicare payment area; (2) is a metropolitan based system; or (3) consolidates into a single Medicare payment area noncontiguous counties (or equivalent areas) within the State. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct demonstration projects in certain Medicare payment areas for the purpose of establishing competitive pricing for eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts; and (2) report to the Congress regarding such demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1997
Grand Staircase-Escalante Resource Protection Act - Requires the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to be managed by the Secretary of the Interior as a special management area. Requires the Secretary to: (1) manage the resources within the Monument in accordance with the principles of multiple use and sustained yield (including recreation, range, timber, minerals, oil and gas, watershed, wildlife, fish, and natural scenic, scientific, and historical values), using principles of economic and ecologic sustainability; (2) provide for protection, interpretation, and responsible use of Monument resources; (3) manage such resources in a way that provides for economic sustainability of local communities; and (4) delegate authority to manage the Monument to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Makes the BLM the lead agency in all management decisions concerning the Monument. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to: (1) recognize and give due deference to the exercise of any valid existing right, lease, permit, or authorization under any law with respect to the designation of the Monument; and (2) provide compensation for any such right determined to be taken as a result of the designation. Requires the Secretary to permit routine maintenance and improvement of roads and rights-of-way within Monument boundaries to ensure public safety and a high-quality visitor experience. (Sec. 6) Provides that grazing of livestock within the Monument shall continue and not be curtailed by reason of designation of the Monument. Sets forth provisions governing water rights. (Sec. 9) Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a management plan to the Congress for the Monument by September 18, 1999; and (2) in the development and revision of such plan, use principles of multiple use and sustained yield and a systematic interdisciplinary approach to achieve integrated consideration of physical, biological, economic, and other sciences. Authorizes development and utilization of Monument resources if: (1) the President or the Congress determines it to be in the interests of the United States; or (2) in case of a national emergency. Requires the Secretary to modify any existing guidelines regarding management of the Monument to conform to the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary to provide necessary resources to expedite all exchanges of school trust lands within the Monument when sought by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration of Utah. Provides for valuation of school trust land sections. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit an analysis to the Congress of the loss of Federal royalties that can be expected to result from designation of the Monument, based on research compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey; and (2) allow access to school trust lands within the Monument by Utah agencies. (Sec. 12) Establishes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committee to: (1) advise the Secretary, the Director, and the Governor of Utah concerning the development, management, and interpretation of Monument resources and the development, exchange, or disposal of State school trust lands. (Sec. 13) Requires the Secretary to include on the Monument planning team at least five persons, appointed by the Governor, to represent Utah and local governments. (Sec. 14) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the requirements for procurement of products of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Directs a Federal agency which has a requirement for a specific product listed in the current edition of the FPI catalog to: (1) provide a copy of the notice required under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to FPI at least 15 days before the issuance of a solicitation of offers for procurement of such product; (2) use competitive procedures (with exceptions); and (3) consider a timely offer from FPI for award in accordance with the specifications and evaluation factors specified in the solicitation. Requires the agency to: (1) negotiate a contract with FPI for a product on a non-competitive basis if the Attorney General determines it is unreasonable to expect that FPI would be selected on a competitive basis and it is necessary to award the contract to FPI to maintain work opportunities that are essential to the safety and effective administration of the penal facility at which the contract would be performed or to permit diversification into the manufacture of a new product that has been approved for sale by the FPI board of directors; and (2) award the contract to FPI if the contracting officer determines that FPI can meet the agency's requirements with respect to the product in a timely manner, at a fair and reasonable price. Directs FPI, to the extent practicable, to concentrate any effort to produce a new product or to expand significantly the production of an existing product on products that are otherwise produced with non-U.S. labor.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Expresses support for: (1) the work of the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and all the Federal, State, and local entities and other interested groups that are preparing bicentennial activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the years 2004 through 2006; and (2) the events to be held in observance of the expedition at St. Louis, Missouri, in 2004, Bismarck, North Dakota, in 2005, and many other cities during such observance. Calls upon the President, the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the National Park Service, American Indian tribes, other public officials, and U.S. citizens to support, promote, and participate in the many bicentennial activities being planned to commemorate the expedition.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Freedom From Government Competition Act of 1997 - Requires Federal agencies to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of their authorized functions by procurement from private sources, unless except as specified. (Sec. 4) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish a Center for Commercial Activities and Privatization within OMB to: (1) be responsible for the implementation of and compliance with the policies, standards, and procedures that are set forth in this Act or are prescribed to carry out this Act; and (2) provide agencies and private sector entities with guidance, information, and other assistance appropriate for facilitating conversions to use of private sector entities for providing goods and services on behalf of the Federal Government. (Sec. 5) Amends Federal law to require that each agency shall include in its annual performance plan the identity of each program activity that is: (1) performed for the agency by a private sector entity in accordance with this Act; and (2) not subject to this Act by reason of an exception, together with a discussion specifying why the activity is determined to be covered by the exception. Revises requirements regarding program performance reports to require each agency, in its annual program performance report, in the case of an activity not performed by a private sector entity, to: (1) explain and describe whether an activity not performed by a private sector entity could be performed by a private sector entity in accordance with this Act; and (2) if the activity could be performed by a private sector entity, set forth a schedule for converting to performance of the activity by a private sector entity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes specified charges against the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the cost of the medal and requires the proceeds of duplicate medal sales to be deposited in the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to establish a national cooperative geologic mapping program between the U.S. Geological Survey and State geological surveys. Establishes a geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geological mapping program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, or to compel any individual, institution, or government entity to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, any item, good, benefit, program, or service, the purpose of which is to cause, or to assist in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to prohibit payment (or use of block grant funds) for any item or service furnished to cause the death of any individual. Provides for the treatment of advance directives. Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to prohibit the use of appropriated funds to cause the death of any individual. Amends Federal law relating to members and certain former members of the uniformed services and to dependents of members to prohibit furnishing (or including coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for) any item or service to cause the death of any individual. Amends Federal law relating to contracting for government employees' health benefit plans to prohibit including coverage for any item or service to cause the death of any individual. Amends Federal law relating to health care for Peace Corps volunteers to prohibit providing any item or service to cause the death of any individual. Amends Federal criminal code provisions relating to medical and other services to the Federal penal and correctional institutions to prohibit furnishing any item or service to cause the death of any individual. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to prohibit the use of funds appropriated under specified provisions of that Act for any item or service to cause the death of any individual.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the election of any person to a full term as a Senator more than twice or to a full term as a Representative more than three times. Bars any person who has been: (1) a Senator for more than three years of a term to which another person was elected from being subsequently elected more than once; and (2) a Representative for more than a year of a term to which another person was elected from being subsequently elected more than twice.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1997
Commends the organizers, coordinators, and volunteers of NetDay throughout the United States. Supports NetDay's commitment to have classrooms of K-12 schools fitted with the needed technological infrastructure for the 21st century.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1997
Establishes a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals to: (1) study the present division of the United States into the several judicial circuits and the structure and alignment of the Federal Court of Appeals system, with particular reference to the Ninth Circuit; and (2) report its recommendations for changes to the President and the Congress by the earlier of June 30, 1998, or one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Senate Judiciary Committee to act on the report within 60 days of its transmission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1997
Military Voting Rights Act of 1997 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to require that a person who is absent from a State in compliance with military or naval orders shall not, solely by reason of that absence, for purposes of voting for an office of the United States or of a State, be deemed to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in that State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act to require States, with respect to elections for State and local offices, to permit absentee voting by uniformed services members.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1997
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1965 to direct the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives to include in each semiannual report of expenditures: (1) the total amount of individual contributions made by each Member of Congress to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Thrift Savings Fund for all Federal service performed as a Member and a Federal employee; (2) an estimate of the annuity each Member would be entitled to receive based on the earliest possible date for receipt of annuity payments by reason of retirement beginning after the expiration of the Member's term of office; and (3) any other information necessary to enable the public to compute the Federal retirement benefits of each Member based on various assumptions of years of service and age of separation from service by reason of retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Sets forth a special timetable for any first session that begins in any year immediately following a leap year and during which the term of a President begins (except one who starts a second successive term). (Sec. 2) Devotes the first session of any Congress to the budget resolution and to appropriations decisions, retaining current deadlines in most cases. Changes certain deadlines to conform to the biennial scheme. Devotes each second session to authorization activity, subject to specified deadlines. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions relating to the reconciliation process. (Sec. 4) Sets forth revised pay-as-you-go provisions for the Senate. (Sec. 5) Conforms provisions governing the President's budget to the biennial framework. (Sec. 6) Requires all Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the Government to be enacted for a biennium and to specify the amount of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in that period. (Sec. 7) Amends CBA to provide that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider: (1) any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period of less than two fiscal years, unless the program, project, or activity for which the funds are to be spent is of less than two years duration; and (2) in any odd-numbered year, any authorization or revenue bill or joint resolution (but not including an appropriations measure or reconciliation bill) until Congress completes action on the biennial budget resolution, all regular biennial appropriations bills, and all reconciliation bills. Provides that, in the Senate, such point of order shall not apply to: (1) any measure that is privileged for consideration pursuant to a rule or statute; or (2) any matter considered in Executive Session. (Sec. 8) Directs the Comptroller General, during the second session of each Congress, to give priority to requests from Congress for audits and evaluations of Government programs and activities. (Sec. 9) Makes appropriations for the second year of a biennium necessary to continue, at the first year rate of operations, projects and activities funded by any regular appropriation Act that provides funding only for the first year of a biennium. (Sec. 10) Changes to a biennial basis specified requirements for certain Government strategic and performance plans, performance reports in budget submissions, and program performance reports. Requires congressional committee reviews of such plans and reports. (Sec. 11) Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate in any odd-numbered year to consider any regular bill providing new budget authority under the jurisdiction of all of the subcommittees of the Committees on Appropriations for a period other than each of the fiscal years of the biennium. (Sec. 12) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to specified congressional committees on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on that definition to a two-year fiscal period with a two-year budget process based on the two-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the special treatment of livestock sold or involuntarily converted on account of drought conditions also to livestock sold or converted because of flood or other weather-related conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1997
Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Amends Federal law relating to appropriations to provide for continuing appropriations in the absence of regular appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1997
Value-added Agricultural Products Market Access Act of 1997 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR), by 30 days after the annual National Trade Estimate is due, to identify those foreign countries that: (1) deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. value-added agricultural products, or that apply standards to such imports that are not related to public health concerns (or cannot be substantiated by reliable analytical methods); and (2) are priority foreign countries (which engage in the most egregious acts, policies, or practices that deny market access to, or whose acts, policies, or practices have the greatest adverse impact on, U.S. value-added agricultural products). Prescribes certain requirements with respect to the identification of such countries. Requires the USTR to report annually to specified congressional committees on actions taken, and on progress made, in achieving market access for U.S. value-added agricultural products. Authorizes the USTR, with respect to the identification of such foreign countries, to request that the Secretary of Agriculture direct the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture to review certifications for the facilities of such countries that export meat and other agricultural products to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1997
HUBZone Act of 1997 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to define the following terms for purposes of this Act: (1) historically underutilized business (HUB) zones; (2) small business concerns located in such zones; and (3) qualified areas and qualified small businesses (QSBs) located in such areas. Provides qualification requirements for small businesses to receive Federal contracting assistance under the Act for locating in or relocating to HUB zones (distressed urban and rural communities which have suffered economic decline). Includes within such requirements that not less than 50 percent of the contract performance incurred for services or supplies be expended for employees or for the manufacturing of supplies in HUB zones. Requires a certification from a small business to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with respect to such requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to change the above percentage. Directs the Administrator to establish and maintain a list of QSBs located in HUB zones. Establishes within the SBA a program to provide for Federal contracting assistance to QSBs located in HUB zones. Requires the head of a Federal procuring agency to provide a contract set-aside (preference) to a QSB if such agency head determines that two or more QSBs will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair market price. Allows sole source contracts to be awarded to a QSB if it submits a reasonable and responsive offer and the Administrator determines it to be a responsible contractor. Limits the value of sole source contracts to $5 million. Provides a price evaluation preference to a QSB if its offer is not more than ten percent higher than the other offeror, as long as the other offeror is not a small business. Directs the Administrator to enforce the requirements of this Act and to verify the qualification requirements of QSBs, including the use of random inspections. Provides penalties. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Act in order to provide QSBs under this Act with a higher preference for Federal contracting assistance than small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Sets forth as Government-wide goals for the awarding of Government contracts to QSBs a goal in FY 1998 of one percent of the total value of all prime contracts awarded, with an increase of one percent each year to four percent for FY 2001 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1997
Amends Federal provisions concerning the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary of Defense and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to enter into an agreement under which covered CHAMPUS beneficiaries who are also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be permitted to enroll in a health benefits plan offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program in lieu of receiving care under CHAMPUS or the TRICARE program. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) required contributions for such coverage; and (2) the management of participants in the plan. Requires: (1) the Secretary to begin to offer such health benefits option no later than January 1, 1998; and (2) the Secretary and the OPM Director to report annually to the Congress describing the provision of health care services to covered beneficiaries under the plan during the preceding fiscal year.
![Official portrait of Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001126_200.jpg)