United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Declares that the Senate recognizes suicide as a national problem and declares suicide prevention a national priority, acknowledges that no single prevention program will be appropriate for all populations or communities, and encourages certain initiatives, including the development (and the promotion of accessibility and affordability) of mental health services to enable all persons at risk for suicide to obtain services without fear of stigma.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Mother Teresa of Calcutta in recognition of her contributions to humanitarian and charitable activities. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a suitable gold medal. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Declares these medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates deposit of sale proceeds in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Amends Federal law to repeal a provision permitting the Plains Railroad Depot in Plains, Georgia, to be acquired for the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site only by donation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1997 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Prescribes procedural guidelines for both Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and State access to records of a holding company (including subsidiaries, associates and affiliates) of a public utility or natural gas company. Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt specified holding companies from such access requirements. Requires FERC to exempt any person or transaction from such access requirements if it finds that regulation of such person or transaction is irrelevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility company. Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company may recover in rates any costs of affiliate transactions. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. Grants FERC certain Federal Power Act enforcement powers. Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to FERC all books and records that relate primarily to the functions vested in FERC by this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Open Competition Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit discrimination against any bidder on a prime contract for a federally funded project on the basis of a requirement that such person enter into or adhere to a collective bargaining agreement or any similar agreement as a condition of performing work on such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Women's Investment and Savings Equity Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on the deduction for active participants in certain pension plans to provide that an individual's participation in a plan is not treated as participation by the individual's spouse. Permits retirement contributions to be made for periods during which individuals were on leave for maternity or paternity leave. Permits "catchup contributions" by parents returning to work after periods of nonparticipation in a plan. Defines "catchup contributions."
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified State tuition programs to, among other things: (1) provide for the exclusion from gross income of distributions used for qualified higher education expenses; (2) include room and board in the definition of qualified higher education expenses; and (3) permit income from redeemed U.S. savings bonds to be used to contribute, without including such income in gross income (subject to income limitations), to a qualified State tuition program.
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
Tax Filing on Tax Freedom Day Act of 1997 - Changes the date on which individual income taxes are due from April 15 to Tax Freedom Day (the day of the year to which the average citizen will have to work to pay income taxes).
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Exempts a business entity from civil liability for any injury or death occurring at the entity's facility if: (1) such injury or death occurs during a tour of the facility in an area that is not otherwise accessible to the general public; and (2) the entity authorized the tour. Provides an exception for an entity's act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct, including crimes of violence or acts of international terrorism, hate crimes, sexual offenses, or misconduct that violates Federal or State civil rights laws. Provides that this Act shall not apply in a State that enacts a statute to that effect if all parties to an action are citizens of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Exempts a business entity from civil liability for any injury or death occurring at such entity's facility in connection with the use of such facility by a nonprofit organization if: (1) the use occurs outside of the scope of the business of the entity; (2) the injury or death occurs while the facility is being used by the organization; and (3) the entity authorized the organization's use of the facility. Provides an exception for an injury or death that results from an entity's act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct, including crimes of violence or acts of international terrorism, hate crimes, sexual offenses, and misconduct that violates Federal or State civil rights laws. Provides that this Act shall not apply in a State that enacts a statute to that effect if all parties to an action are citizens of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Exempts a business entity from civil liability for any injury or death occurring as a result of the operation of an entity's aircraft or motor vehicle loaned to a nonprofit organization for use outside the scope of business of such entity if: (1) the injury or death occurs while the aircraft or vehicle is used by the organization; and (2) the entity authorized the organization's use of the aircraft or vehicle. Provides an exception for an injury or death that results from an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct, including crimes of violence or acts of international terrorism, hate crimes, sexual offenses, or misconduct that violates Federal or State civil rights laws. Provides that this Act shall not apply in a State that enacts a statute to that effect if all parties to an action are citizens of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Exempts a business entity from civil liability relating to any injury or death that results from the use of mechanical, electronic, or office equipment donated by such entity to a nonprofit organization. Provides an exception with respect to an injury or death that results from an entity's act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct, including crimes of violence or acts of international terrorism, hate crimes, sexual offenses, and misconduct which violates Federal or State civil rights laws. Provides that this Act shall not apply in a State that enacts a statute to that effect if all parties to an action are citizens of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the electronic fund transfer system for the collection of taxes businesses with an aggregate amount of depository taxes below an applicable dollar amount.
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
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - States that this Act preempts inconsistent State law except when such law provides additional protection from liability relating to volunteers, nonprofit organizations, or governmental entities. Exempts a volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity from liability for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of such organization or entity if: (1) the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities at the time; (2) if appropriate or required, the volunteer was properly licensed or otherwise authorized for the activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred; and (3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed. Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a volunteer, organization, or entity unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an action of such volunteer which constitutes willful or criminal misconduct or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed. Provides exceptions. Makes each volunteer, organization, or entity liable for noneconomic loss only in the amount allocated to such defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility for the harm for which the defendant is liable. Requires the trier of fact to determine such percentage of responsibility.
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
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - States that this Act preempts inconsistent State law except when such law provides additional protection from liability relating to volunteers, nonprofit organizations, or governmental entities. Exempts a volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity from liability for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of such organization or entity if: (1) the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities at the time; (2) if appropriate or required, the volunteer was properly licensed or otherwise authorized for the activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred; and (3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed. Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a volunteer, organization, or entity unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an action of such volunteer which constitutes willful or criminal misconduct or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed. Provides exceptions. Makes each volunteer, organization, or entity liable for noneconomic loss only in the amount allocated to such defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility for the harm for which the defendant is liable. Requires the trier of fact to determine such percentage of responsibility.
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 · 8 April 1997
Taxpayer Privacy Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit civil damages and criminal penalties for the unauthorized or unlawful accessing or disclosure (currently, only for the unauthorized or unlawful disclosure) of tax returns or return information. Requires immediate notification to a taxpayer upon discovery that the taxpayer's return or return information has been accessed in an unauthorized manner.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Taxpayer Privacy Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit civil damages and criminal penalties for the unauthorized or unlawful accessing or disclosure (currently, only for the unauthorized or unlawful disclosure) of tax returns or return information. Requires immediate notification to a taxpayer upon discovery that the taxpayer's return or return information has been accessed in an unauthorized manner.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Penalties for Unlawful Activities Within the United States or By United States Nationals Abroad Subtitle A: Criminal Penalties Subtitle B: Civil Penalties Subtitle C: Other Penalties Title II: Foreign Relations and Defense-Related Provisions Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act of 1997 - Declares that it should be U.S. policy to take all appropriate measures to: (1) prevent and deter the threat or use of chemical and biological weapons against the citizens, armed forces, and territory of the United States and its allies, and to protect against, and manage the consequences of, such use; (2) discourage the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons; (3) prohibit within the United States the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and transfer to third parties of chemical or biological weapons; and (4) impose unilateral sanctions, and seek international sanctions, against any nation using chemical and biological weapons in violation of international law. Title I: Penalties for Unlawful Activities Within the United States or By United States Nationals Abroad - Subtitle A: Criminal Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: knowingly developing, producing, otherwise acquiring, receiving from any person located outside U.S. territory, stockpiling, retaining, transferring, using, owning, or possessing any chemical or biological weapon, unless: (1) such weapon is intended for a permissible purpose; (2) the types and quantities of such weapons are strictly limited to those that can be justified for such purposes; and (3) the amount of such weapons per person at any given time does not exceed a quantity that, under the circumstances, is inconsistent with permissible purposes. Provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment for knowingly using chemical or biological weapons in violation of such provision where the death of another person results. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exclusions; (2) jurisdiction; (3) reimbursement of costs to the United States for expenses incurred incident to the seizure, storage, handling, transportation, and destruction or other disposition of property seized in connection with an investigation of the offense; and (4) the seizure, forfeiture, and destruction of chemical and biological weapons. Makes the owner or possessor of seized property jointly and severally liable to the United States in an action for money damages for any expenses incurred by the United States incident to the seizure. Sets penalties for using riot control agents as an act of terrorism. Authorizes the United States to obtain injunctions against proscribed conduct under this subtitle. Authorizes the Attorney General to request military assistance in support of Department of Justice activities relating to enforcement of this subtitle in an emergency situation involving a biological or chemical weapon. Subtitle B: Civil Penalties - Directs the President to designate the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the agency primarily responsible for implementing this subtitle. (Sec. 112) Sets forth civil prohibitions (analogous to the criminal prohibitions) on chemical and biological weapons-related activities and prescribes a penalty of up to $100,000 per violation. Sets forth procedures regarding hearings, administrative appellate review, offsets of amounts of such penalty from sums owed by the United States to the person, judicial review, enforcement of orders, and regulatory authority. Subtitle C: Other Penalties - Authorizes the President, upon determining that any person within U.S. jurisdiction has committed a violation of prohibitions under section 112, to issue an order for the suspension or revocation of such person's authority to export from any goods or technology from the United States. Repeals provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979 regarding civil penalties and administrative sanctions relating to chemical and biological weapons proliferation. (Sec. 122) Provides for a three-year suspension of patent rights for knowingly violating any provision of section 112. Sets forth provisions regarding effect on patent rights, procedures, fees, and certificates of suspension. Title II: Foreign Relations and Defense-Related Provisions - Amends the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to rewrite provisions regarding determinations with respect to the use of chemical and biological weapons, and sanctions for their use. Requires the President, after consulting with the Congress, to impose at least five of the following sanctions for three years upon determining that any foreign government has used a chemical or biological weapon in violation of international law or against its own nationals: (1) termination of foreign assistance (with exceptions); (2) termination of arms sales; (3) termination of foreign military financing; (4) denial of U.S. Government credit or other financial assistance; (5) imposition of export controls; (6) imposition of import restrictions; (7) opposition to financial or technical assistance by international financial institutions; (8) prohibition on U.S. bank loans or credit; (9) termination of air service and suspension of aviation rights to or from the United States; and (10) downgrading or suspending diplomatic privileges with such country. Declares that such sanctions are in addition to any multilateral sanction or measure that may be otherwise agreed. Specifies exceptions: (1) where the President certifies that implementing such sanctions would have a substantial negative impact upon the supreme national interests of the United States; and (2) with respect to any activity pursuant to a contract or international agreement entered into before the date of the President's determination if performance of the activity would reduce the potential for the use of a chemical or biological weapon by the sanctioned country. Requires the President, in addition, to block any transactions in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which the violating foreign country or any national thereof has any interest, for the purpose of compensating the victims of such weapons use and for punitive damages. Conditions the removal of sanctions against a foreign government on the President's certification, after three years, that such government: (1) has provided reliable assurances that it will not use such a weapon in violation of international law or against its people; (2) will accept onsite inspections to verify that it is not preparing to use such a weapon; and (3) is making restitution to those affected by any use of such weapons in violation of international law or against its own nationals. Requires the President to notify and report to the Congress within specified periods regarding any use of such a weapon and any actions planned and undertaken by the President in response. (Sec. 202) Expresses the sense of the Congress that any collapse of the "Australia Group" or any substantial weakening of common Australia Group export controls and nonproliferation measures would seriously undermine international and national efforts to curb the spread of chemical and biological weapons. Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) continue close cooperation with other countries in the Australia Group in support of its current efforts and in devising additional means to monitor and control the supply of chemicals and biological agents applicable to weapons production; (2) maintain an equivalent or more comprehensive level of control over the export of toxic chemicals and their precursors, dual-use processing equipment, human, animal, and plant pathogens and toxins with potential biological weapons application, and dual-use biological equipment as that afforded by the Australia Group as of this Act's enactment date; (3) block any effort by any Australia Group member to achieve Australia Group consensus on any action that would substantially weaken export controls and nonproliferation measures or otherwise undermine the Group's effectiveness; and (4) work closely with other countries to devise and harmonize the most effective national controls possible on the transfer of equipment, materials, and technology with particular applicability to the production of chemical or biological weapons. Requires the President, annually, to determine and certify to the Congress whether: (1) the Australia Group continues to maintain an equivalent or more comprehensive level of control over exports and remains a viable mechanism for curtailing the spread of such weapons; and (2) the Group's effectiveness has been undermined by changes in membership, lack of compliance with common export controls, or any weakening of common controls and measures in effect as of this Act's enactment date. Sets forth provisions regarding presidential consultation with the Congress on Australia Group export controls and nonproliferation measures. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the provision of certain U.S. assistance to Russia unless the President determines and certifies to the Congress, annually, that: (1) Russia is making reasonable progress toward the implementation of a bilateral agreement signed on June 1, 1990, regarding destruction and nonproduction of chemical weapons and on measures to facilitate the multilateral convention on banning chemical weapons; (2) the United States and Russia have resolved, to the satisfaction of the United States, outstanding compliance issues under such agreement and under a memorandum of understanding signed in Wyoming on September 23, 1989, regarding a bilateral verification experiment and data exchange related to a prohibition on chemical weapons; (3) Russia has fully and accurately declared all information regarding its unitary and binary chemical weapons, chemical weapons production facilities, and other facilities associated with the development of chemical weapons and riot control agents; and (4) Russia is in compliance with its obligations under a biological weapons convention completed at Washington, London, and Moscow on April 10, 1972. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to report annually to the Speaker and specified congressional committees on: (1) proliferation by foreign countries; (2) foreign persons assisting in proliferation; (3) third country assistance in proliferation, and intelligence information on such assistance; (4) intelligence information on subnational groups, including terrorists or paramilitary organizations, developing, producing, stockpiling, or using any chemical or biological weapon; and (5) funding priorities for detection and monitoring capabilities. (Sec. 205) Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to work to obtain multilateral agreement: (1) to effective, international enforcement mechanisms to existing international agreements that prohibit the use of chemical and biological weapons, to which the United States is a state party; and (2) regarding the collective imposition of sanctions and other measures described in the AECA, as amended by this Act. Directs the Secretary of State: (1) as a priority matter, to take steps necessary to achieve such objectives; and (2) to work to convene an international negotiating forum to conclude an international agreement on enforcement of the 1925 Geneva Protocol regarding the prohibition of the use in war of poisonous gas and bacteriological warfare. (Sec. 206) Restricts the use of funds for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons until the Convention on the Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction enters into force for the United States. (Sec. 207) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. armed forces should place increased emphasis on potential threats to deployed U.S. forces and should make countering the use of chemical and biological weapons an organizing principle for U.S. defense strategy and policy. Directs the Secretary to take actions to ensure that the U.S. armed forces are capable of carrying out required military missions in U.S. regional contingency plans despite the threat or use of chemical or biological weapons. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of State to: (1) give a high priority to discussions with key regional allies and likely regional coalition partners to determine what steps are necessary to ensure that allied and coalition forces and other critical civilians are adequately equipped and prepared to operate in chemically and biologically contaminated environments; and (2) report to the Speaker and to specified congressional committees on the results of such discussions. Directs the Secretary to take actions to ensure that the United States Army Chemical School remains under the oversight of a general officer of the United States Army. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the transfer, consolidation, and reorganization of the School should not disrupt or diminish the training and readiness of the armed forces to fight in a chemical-biological warfare environment, and that the Army should continue to operate the Chemical Defense Training Facility at Fort McClellan until such time as the replacement facility at Fort Leonard Wood is functional. Directs the President to report to the Speaker and specified congressional committees on previous, current, and planned chemical and biological weapons defense activities of the U.S. armed forces. (Sec. 208) Expresses the sense of the Congress that in order to achieve an effective deterrence against attacks of the United States and U.S. armed forces by chemical weapons, the President should reevaluate the extension of negative security assurances by the United States to non-nuclear weapon states (i.e., assurances that the United States will forswear the use of certain weapons unless attacked by that non-nuclear weapon state in alliance with a nuclear-weapon state) in the context of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Requires the President to report to the Speaker and specified congressional committees on: (1) the findings of a detailed review of U.S. policy on negative security assurances as a deterrence strategy; and (2) a determination by the President of appropriate responses to the use of chemical or biological weapons against the U.S. armed forces, U.S. citizens, allies, and third parties. (Sec. 209) Prohibits the President from issuing any order or directive that diminishes, abridges, or alters the right of the United States to use riot control agents in any circumstance not involving international armed conflict, or in a defensive military mode to save lives in such a conflict. Expresses the sense of the Congress that international law permits the United States to use herbicides, under regulations applicable to their domestic use, for control of vegetation within U.S. bases and installations or around their immediate defensive perimeters. Directs the President to take all necessary measures, and prescribe such rules and regulations as necessary, to ensure that the policy contained in this section is observed by the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for civil and criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of telemarketing fraud. Directs that any property forfeited, or the proceeds of such property, be used to the extent needed, as determined by the Attorney General, for the national information hotline established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and other telemarketing fraud enforcement. Grants the payment of mandatory restitution for telemarketing fraud priority over the payment of restitution in connection with the commission of a Federal health care offense. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase: (1) by two levels the vulnerable victim adjustment; and (2) the offense level for any fraud offense by two levels if the defendant conducted activities to further the fraud from a foreign country in order to impede prosecution for the offense. Requires any presentence report required under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to include information about the age of each victim of each fraud offense for which a defendant is convicted.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
National Right to Work Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement (union security agreement), to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties against any person who, while engaged in the business of betting or wagering, knowingly uses a communication facility for the transmission or receipt in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers, information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, or a communication that entitles the transmitter or receiver to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers. Provides a smaller penalty for those engaging in such activities who are not in the business of betting or wagering. Provides prohibition exceptions. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to enforce against interstate computer service providers regulations prohibiting the interstate or foreign transmission of gambling information. Authorizes injunctive relief against such carriers or providers. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Government should have extraterritorial jurisdiction over the transmission to or receipt from the United States of gambling information as well as any communication that entitles the transmitter or recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers. Requires a report from the Attorney General to the Congress concerning the enforcement of such gambling regulations and related recommendations and information.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Designates the Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 475 Mulberry Street in Macon, Georgia, as the William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Ten Commandments are a declaration of fundamental principles that are the cornerstones of a fair and just society; and (2) the public display of the Ten Commandments, including in government offices and courthouses, should be permitted.
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 · 12 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Subtitle B: Charitable Contribution Credit Title III: Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program Title IV: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1997 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a new subchapter on renewal communities (RCs), authorizing designation of not more than 100 areas (with the first 50 being from areas which are enterprise zones or empowerment communities) as RCs if: (1) the areas have pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress and meet other requirements; and (2) State and local governments agree to take actions such as tax reduction, crime reduction strategies, and reducing, repealing, or not enforcing within the area certain governmental requirements such as licensing, zoning, and permits. Provides for: (1) coordination of RCs with empowerment zones and enterprise communities; and (2) interaction of the provisions of this Act with other Federal programs. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report to the Congress concerning such designations. Title II: Tax Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Excludes from gross income the capital gain from an RC stock, business property, or partnership interest held more than five years. Allows a deduction to any qualified individual or other person for amounts paid in cash to a family development account for the individual's benefit. Allows account use for postsecondary education, first home purchase, business capitalization, medical expenses, and qualified rollovers. Excludes such accounts from taxation. Requires that the individual resided in an RC and was allowed an earned income credit for the preceding taxable year. Authorizes designation of not more than 25 RCs as account matching matching demonstration areas. Provides, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, for matching contributions to accounts. Sets the commercial revitalization credit (established below) at 20 to 50 percent of the revitalization expenditures regarding a revitalization building. Increases, for an RC business, the dollar limit on expensing certain depreciable business assets. Permits a taxpayer to treat any RC environmental remediation cost as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account. Allows any cost so treated as a deduction. (Sec. 202) Provides a special work opportunity credit rule for RCs. (Sec. 203) Provides for the commercial revitalization credit. Subtitle B: Charitable Contributions Credit - Allows an individual a credit for 75 percent of the contributions (of up to $100 annually for a taxpayer) to an organization described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) (charitable, etc., organizations) for which the taxpayer has done more than ten hours of volunteer service and which: (1) is primarily assisting poor individuals; (2) spends all of its resources providing services to the poor; and (3) has limited political activity. Terminates such credit after December 31, 1999. Title III : Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program - Low-Income Educational Opportunity Act of 1997 - Requires an RC to establish and operate a Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship program to: (1) provide RC families a choice of schools; and (2) provide assistance for attending public and private elementary and secondary schools, including religious schools. (Sec. 309) Requires that children attending: (1) private schools receive assistance for tuition, fees, and transportation; and (2) alternative public schools receive assistance for transportation. (Sec. 310) Sets forth school eligibility requirements. (Sec. 311) Declares that a scholarship under this title is an award of aid to a family, not to a school. Prohibits: (1) a Federal, State, or local agency taking into account Federal funds provided to a renewal community, school, or parent in determining whether to provide any other funds; and (2) deeming scholarships as parental income for Federal income tax purposes or for determining eligibility for other Federal programs. States that nothing in this title shall be construed to supersede any State law prohibiting the expenditure of public funds by sectarian schools, except that no State law may prohibit the expenditure by sectarian schools of Federal funds under this title. (Sec. 316) Requires that any constitutional challenge to the program be tried in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Permits an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Sec. 317) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Additional Provisions - Provides for the transfer of ownership of any qualified Department of Housing and Urban Development property to the unit of local government having jurisdiction, if such unit of local government agrees to dispose such qualified property as specified, including granting to a community development corporation the right of first refusal. (Sec. 402) Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to declare that the provisions of this section apply to each program under the PHSA that makes Federal awards to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization (RO) to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes ROs eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and (2) requirements that an RO, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires an RO to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the RO. Allows an RO to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by ROs, that the Federal funds shall be segregated from State or other public funds. Requires, for personnel working in RO drug treatment programs, giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the RO has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. (Sec. 403) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to allow the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing the record of a financial institution, to consider the institution's ventures with any community development organization in an RC.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 3 March 1997
Disapproves the President's determination contained in the foreign assistance certification submitted to the Congress on February 28, 1997, that Mexico has cooperated fully with the United States to achieve full compliance with the goals and objectives established by the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
Disapproves the President's determination contained in the foreign assistance certification submitted to the Congress on February 28, 1997, that Mexico has cooperated fully with the United States to achieve full compliance with the goals and objectives established by the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
Disapproves the President's determination contained in the foreign assistance certification submitted to the Congress on February 28, 1997, that Mexico has cooperated fully with the United States to achieve full compliance with the goals and objectives established by the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Provides that provisions relating to the withholding of bilateral assistance and opposition to multilateral development assistance shall cease to apply to Mexico during FY 1997 if the President submits to the Congress a certification that the vital national interests of the United States so require.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1997 - Title I: Hemophilia Relief Fund - Establishes in the Treasury the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Specifies that any individual who has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection shall receive $125,000 from amounts available in the Fund if the individual meets one of the following conditions: (1) has a blood-clotting disorder and was treated with blood-clotting agents between July 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987; (2) is the lawful spouse of such individual or the former lawful spouse and was the lawful spouse of the individual at any time after a date within such period on which the individual was treated; or (3) acquired the HIV infection through perinatal transmission from a parent who is such an individual. Requires that the following conditions be met with respect to such individual: (1) the individual submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services written medical documentation that the individual has an HIV infection; (2) a petition for payment be filed with the Secretary by or on behalf of such individual; and (3) that the Secretary determine that the claim meets the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 105) Specifies that any right under this Act shall not be assignable or transferable. Sets limits regarding the number of claims per victim. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the Secretary from making any payment with respect to any petition filed under this Act unless the petition is filed within three years after the enactment of this Act. Title II: Treatment of Certain Private Settlement Payments in Hemophilia-Clotting-Factor Suit under the Medicaid and SSI Programs - Prohibits a settlement payment from being considered income or resources in determining a class member's eligibility for, or the amount of: (1) medical assistance under the Medicaid program; or (2) benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program. Defines the terms: (1) "class member"; and (2) "settlement payment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Provides that, in any civil action, a biomaterials supplier (one who supplies components or raw materials used to manufacture implants) may raise any defense provided under this Act. Exempts a biomaterials supplier (supplier) from liability for harm to a claimant caused by an implant, with exceptions in the case of a supplier who: (1) is a registered manufacturer of the implant; (2) is a seller of the implant and who held title to the implant at the time of sale; or (3) furnishes raw materials or components that fail to meet applicable contractual requirements or specifications. Provides grounds for liability with respect to each exception. Outlines procedural guidelines for the dismissal of civil actions against suppliers . States that a supplier may be considered a manufacturer of an implant, for purposes of such civil actions, only if the supplier has registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Requires claimant payment of attorney's fees if: (1 ) the claimant named or joined the biomaterials supplier; and (2) the court finds the claim to be without merit and frivolous.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to prohibit the House of Representatives or the Senate from considering any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that increases a tax and applies such increase to taxable years beginning before the date of the enactment of the law (retroactive tax increases). Provides that a point of order raised under any such measure may be waived only by a three-fifths vote in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Internal Revenue Service Accountability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to mandate a fine or imprisonment for any U.S. officer or employee who willfully and maliciously disregards any revenue law or related regulation relating to any proceeding against a taxpayer. Allows, if litigation costs are awarded, a portion of the costs to be assessed against any current or former Internal Revenue Service officer or employee (prohibiting Government reimbursement) if the proceeding resulted from any arbitrary, capricious, or malicious act of the officer or employee. Allows Government defense of the officer or employee, but makes the officer or employee liable for defense costs if the employee is found liable for litigation costs. Imposes similar liabilities regarding civil damages for a failure to release a lien or for certain unauthorized collection actions. Amends provisions allowing civil damages for disclosure of returns and return information to allow the damages for access as well as disclosure and apply the provisions to former as well as current officers and employees. Provides for dismissal from office or discharge from employment, a fine or imprisonment, and costs of prosecution for unauthorized access. Prohibits unauthorized access and, on discovery of unauthorized access, requires immediate taxpayer notification. Requires reasonable justification (not random selection) for examining a return. Prohibits, except on court approval, a second examination of a return or extending an examination back beyond three taxable years. Extends from 21 to 90 calendar days after notice and demand the deadline to pay a tax required to be shown on certain returns but not shown. Allows a district court to rule on a decision by the Secretary of the Treasury to not acquiesce regarding conclusions of law in identical, similar, or previously-decided cases. Requires court consent for a levy to collect a tax. Prohibits interest on assessable penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax. Sets the interest rate for overpayments and underpayments (the same rate for both). Modifies requirements regarding abatement of interest, penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax attributable to a mathematical or clerical error.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Truth in Employment Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who seeks or has sought employment with the employer in furtherance of the objectives of an organization other than the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Designates the Southern Piedmont Conservation Research Center located at 1420 Experimental Station Road in Watkinsville, Georgia, as the J. Phil Campbell, Senior Natural Resource Conservation Center.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the: (1) National Highway System (NHS); (2) Surface Transportation Program (STP); and (3) Federal Lands Highway Program, including Indian reservation roads, public lands highways, and parkways and park highways. (Sec. 4) Defines "highway funds" as funds apportioned and allocations authorized under this Act for the fiscal year and funds allocated to a State for the preceding fiscal year for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction. Revises the apportionment of NHS funds to allocate one third of one percent (previously, one percent) to U.S. territories and possessions, and the remaining 99 and two-thirds percent among the States according to a formula based on population density. Includes bridge construction and related activities among eligible NHS projects. (Sec. 5) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) apportionments for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System (IS); and (2) the transfer of interstate construction apportionments, the transfer of funds for STP projects, and limits on new capacity. (Sec. 6) Includes bridge construction and related activities as an eligible activity within the streamlined STP. Makes eligible under the STP an area of a State that is a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide, or 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 limitation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard addressed by such project. Requires a State, for each fiscal year, to allocate an amount determined according to a specified formula (based on FY 1995 funds) for transportation enhancement activities. Revises State certification procedures. (Sec. 7) Directs that, for purposes of STP and IS provisions, population shall be determined based on the most recent estimate prepared by the Secretary of Commerce, while apportionment factors shall be determined on the basis of the most recent data certified by the Secretary. (Sec. 8) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program; and (2) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. (Sec. 10) Replaces provisions regarding minimum allocations to States with an apportionment adjustment program under which the Secretary shall apportion among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that the ratio of the highway funds of a State to highway funds of all States for the fiscal year is not less than the adjustment percentage specified for that State under this Act. Requires each State to receive additional apportionments so that its percentage of highway funds is not less than 95 percent of the percentage of estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in the State paid into the Highway Trust Fund. Repeals: (1) existing apportionment adjustment programs; and (2) set-asides for interstate discretionary projects. (Sec. 12) Reduces from 3.75 to 2.0 the percentage of program funds authorized to be set aside for administrative costs. (Sec. 13) Sets forth provisions regarding permissible transfers of unobligated balances of funds apportioned to a State for: (1) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement; (2) interstate construction and maintenance; (3) bridge replacement and rehabilitation; and (4) the STP.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Language of Government Act of 1997 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.
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
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Coverdell, Paul [R-GA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000813_200.jpg)