United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Medicare Preventive Benefit Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for expanded coverage of preventive benefits under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program. Makes all women over age 49 eligible for annual screening mammography benefit coverage. Waives the deductible co-payment on such benefit. Makes women of childbearing age (if they have not had a negative result in such a test in each of the preceding three years), or at high risk of developing cervical cancer, eligible for yearly pap smears, by suspending in their cases a specified three-year frequency limitation on benefit coverage for screening pap smears. Makes such women eligible also for yearly screening pelvic exams, including a clinical breast exam. Makes other women eligible for triennial screening pelvic exams. Waives the deductible co-payment for such exams. Adds coverage of screening procedures, with specified payment and frequency limitations, for early detection of colorectal cancer, including fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy for high risk individuals, as well as a barium enema. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review the standards of medical practice with regard to colorectal cancer screening tests and, on the basis of such review if determined appropriate, issue and publish a determination that one or more colorectal cancer screening tests will no longer be covered under Medicare. Adds biennial coverage of certain prostate cancer screening procedures for men over 50 years of age, including a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Adds coverage of the following diabetes screening benefits: (1) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; and (2) blood-testing strips (with payment based on inexpensive, routinely purchased durable medical equipment). Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish outcome measures to evaluate improvement of the health of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus; and (2) submit recommendations to the Congress regarding modifications to the Medicare coverage of services for such beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that studies are needed to further determine the benefits of screening women between the ages of 40 and 49 through mammography and other emerging technologies and that the Senate urges the Advisory Panel for the National Cancer Institute to consider reissuing a specified guideline rescinded in 1993 and, until there is more definitive data, direct the public to consider guidelines issued by other organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1997
Corporate Subsidy Reform Commission Act of 1997 - Defines the term "inequitable Federal subsidy." Establishes an independent Corporate Reform Commission to: (1) examine the programs and tax laws of the Federal Government and identify those that provide inequitable Federal subsidies; (2) review inequitable Federal subsidies; and (3) submit a report to the President and the Congress in order to ensure fairness and equity in the operation and application of such existing programs or tax laws. Directs the Commission to limit its recommendations to the termination or reform of payments, benefits, services, or tax advantages, rather than the termination of Federal agencies and departments. Authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to provide assistance, including the detailing of employees, to the Commission in accordance with an agreement entered into with the Commission. Requires the Commission and the Comptroller General to consult with certain congressional committees before entering into such agreement. Authorizes appropriations to the Commission and the Comptroller General. Sets forth procedures for Federal departments and agencies, the Commission, and the President for making recommendations to terminate inequitable Federal subsidies. Provides a special review requirement for international trade programs. Sets forth requirements for Commission reports and for congressional consideration of any subsequent presidential recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1997
Disaster Victims Crime Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Attorney General, following the declaration of a major disaster by the President to: (1) consult with the appropriate U.S. Attorney and State and local law enforcement officials to determine the extent to which victims of the disaster are being further victimized by fraudulent or otherwise unscrupulous activities of suppliers offering consumer goods and services for the cleanup, repair, and other recovery from the effects of the disaster (cleanup); and (2) if it appears that resources of such officials are insufficient, establish an anti-fraud task force to quickly and adequately investigate and prosecute the activities. Sets penalties to be imposed against: (1) any supplier who, during the 180 days following declaration of a major disaster, obtains anything of value through false pretenses or fraudulent conduct in connection with an agreement to provide a consumer good or service for the cleanup; (2) any person who obtains through false pretenses any form of Government assistance for the cleanup; and (3) any supplier who provides or offers to provide during such period any consumer good or service at an unconscionably excessive price, based on a specified formula (and authorizes actions by victims and by State attorneys general for relief). Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) develop public information materials to assist victims of major disasters in detecting and avoiding unscrupulous suppliers; and (2) provide for the distribution of such materials to the victims of each major disaster as soon as practicable after the President's declaration of the existence of the disaster. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if necessary, amend the sentencing guidelines to make the commission of specified offenses in connection with the provision of a consumer good or service for such cleanup an aggravating factor that may result in the imposition of a sentence twice as great as that which would otherwise be imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Research Requirements Title II: Classified Research Human Research Subject Protections Act of 1997 - Title I: General Research Requirements - Applies the requirements of specified provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (common rule protections) to research conducted by research facilities using human subjects. Requires that the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services handle human subject protection, either through establishment in the Secretary's Office of the Office for Protection of Human Research Subjects or through reassignment to the Secretary's Office of the Office for Protection from Research Risks. Requires research facilities, in order to conduct research using human subjects, to have a registration with the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out inspections or investigations to determine whether any facility has violated or is violating this Act. Amends the Federal Criminal Code to mandate fines or imprisonment (or both) for assault, resistance, interference, etc., regarding the performance of official duties under this Act. Provides for suspension of registration for suspected violations and suspension or revocation of registration and fines or imprisonment for violations. Title II: Classified Research - Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds for the conduct of any classified research (research involving human subjects that is authorized under certain criteria established by an Executive Order to be kept secret) where a board has waived informed consent as defined in the common rule protections or where a determination has been made that the research is exempt from board review. Requires that, in addition to the common rule protections, subjects be informed: (1) of the identity of the Federal agency providing funds; (2) that the research involves classified information; and (3) regarding an unclassified description of the purpose of the research.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Employee Educational Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permanently extend the exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restore the exclusion for such assistance on the graduate level.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Medicare Diabetes Education and Supplies Amendments of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services and blood-testing strips for individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Incentives for Higher Education Title II: Educational Facilities Improvement Title III: America Reads Challenge Subtitle A: Parents As First Teachers Challenge Grants Subtitle B: Challenging America's Young Readers Title IV: Investing in Technology for the Classrooms Subtitle A: Sense of the Senate Subtitle B: Educational Technology Clearinghouses Education for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Tax Incentives for Higher Education - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a refundable tax credit (Hope Tax Credit) of up to $1,500 (inflation-adjusted) per academic year for higher education expenses (tuition and academic fees) of the first two years of post-secondary education. Reduces such credit to zero by certain increments according to a specified formula for modified adjust gross incomes between $50,000 and $70,000 (between $80,000 and $100,000 for joint returns). Limits the credit to students graduating from high school (or the equivalent) with a grade-point average of 2.75 on a four-point scale. (Sec. 102) Allows a tax deduction (apart from other itemized deductions) for up to $10,000 per individual per academic year paid by the taxpayer for the same higher education expenses (at any undergraduate or graduate school level). Allows such deduction for education to acquire or improve job skills. Sets the same income limits as for the Hope Tax Credit. (Sec. 103) Allows a tax deduction (apart from other itemized deductions) for interest on education loans. Requires specified tax returns from persons (including governmental units) which have received education loan interest in the course of trade or business from individuals. Title II: Educational Facilities Improvement - Educational Facilities Improvement Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise title XII (School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement Act of 1994) assistance for construction and renovation of educational facilities. (Sec. 202) Revises provisions relating to findings and the purpose of such title. Names current provisions as the part A General Infrastructure Grant Improvement Program Establishes a Construction and Renovation Bond Subsidy Program. Directs the Secretary of Education to award entitlement grants to States and local bond authorities to pay portions of interest costs applicable to bonds issued to finance specified activities for the construction and renovation of educational facilities in local areas. Makes appropriations for FY 1998 for such bond subsidy program. (Sec. 203) Amends the Education Infrastructure Act of 1994 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the General Infrastructure Grant Improvement Program. Makes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002 for such program. Entitles to payments each State or local bond authority awarded a grant under the program. Title III: America Reads Challenge - Subtitle A: Parents as First Teachers Challenge Grants - Parents as First Teachers Challenge Grant Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) at least two grants to public or private agencies or institutions to support national or regional networks that share information on helping eligible children to read; and (2) at least two grants to State or local government agencies, nonprofit community groups or organizations, or consortia thereof, for programs or activities that help parents to be good teachers to their children and assist them in learning to read. Makes children eligible if they are attending any level from pre-school through third grade. (Sec. 317) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002 for such challenge grant program. Entitles grant recipients to payments. Subtitle B: Challenging America's Young Readers - Challenging America's Young Readers Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Education and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Administrators) to: (1) make allotments to State educational agencies for grants for reading tutoring programs for children attending any level from pre-school through third grade; and (2) reserve certain amounts for direct grants to local reading programs, national leadership and evaluation activities, programs for Indian children, and programs in territories. (Sec. 330) Directs the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service to make available to carry out this subtitle for FY 1998 through 2002 specified funds under the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Education to carry out this subtitle for FY 1999 through 2002. Entitles to payments each entity receiving an allotment, awarded a grant, or entering into a contract or cooperative agreement, under this subtitle. Title IV: Investing in Technology for the Classrooms - Subtitle A: Sense of the Senate - Expresses the sense of the Senate that it is in the Nation's best interest for the Federal Government to invest at least $1.8 billion in additional funding for education technology programs between FY 1998 and 2002. Subtitle B: Educational Technology Clearinghouses - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to or contracts with regional public or private nonprofit entities to support a system of regional educational technology clearinghouses, developed according to specified requirements, to serve each geographic region of the United States. (Sec. 424) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Subtitle A: Political Action Committees Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures Title III: Enforcement Title IV: Miscellaneous Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to set forth Senate election spending limits and benefits. Entitles complying candidates to specified: (1) broadcast discounts and free time; and (2) postage reductions. Directs the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify a candidate who has met the requirements of this title as eligible for benefits (under such title). (Sec. 106) Sets forth Senate candidate reporting requirements, including: (1) specification of in-State residents' contributions; and (2) expenditure of (candidate) personal funds. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) provide for preemption only in situations beyond a station's control; and (2) extend the license revocation provision for failure to provide cable access. Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Political Action Committees - Amends FECA to prohibit Federal election contributions by political action committees (as defined by this Act). States that if such ban is not in effect: (1) a committee's contributions to a candidate shall not exceed limits applicable to an individual; and (2) a candidate may not accept more than 20 percent of contributions from committee sources. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees - Amends FECA with respect to "soft money" to: (1) prohibit a national committee of a political party (including specified related entities) from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to such Act; (2) require a State, district, or local committee of a political party to make Federal election year expenditures (with exceptions) from funds subject to such Act; (3) prohibit a national, State, district, or local committee from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (4) prohibit an incumbent or candidate for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to such Act, or to solicit or receive funds for a non-Federal election in excess of certain limits or from prohibited sources (with exceptions for State or local candidates in compliance with State law). (Sec. 212) Establishes aggregate and separate individual contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and all committees established by a State committee of a political party. Increases annual individual contribution limits. Sets forth State Party Grassroots Fund and reporting provisions. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Amends FECA to require certain persons other than a political party that make aggregate election activity disbursements exceeding $10,000 to file with the Commission. Subtitle D: Contributions - Amends FECA to treat contributions: (1) made through an intermediary or conduit as having been made by the original contributor; and (2) delivered through a bundler as having been made by the bundler to the candidate as well as from the original contributor. Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA regarding independent expenditure reporting requirements. Title III: Enforcement - Amends FECA to authorize the Commission to: (1) prescribe regulations for computer and facsimile reporting; (2) conduct random post election audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance; and (3) seek injunctions. (Sec. 304) Reduces the aggregate annual contribution reporting requirement. (Sec. 305) Increases the penalty for knowing and willful violations of such Act. (Sec. 306) Prohibits: (1) contributions by individuals not qualified to vote; and (2) false representations to solicit contributions. (Sec. 309) Sets forth expedited Commission procedures regarding violations of such Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends FECA to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds. (Sec. 402) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print and broadcast or cablecast communications. (Sec. 403) Prohibits franked mass mailings by a Member in his or her election year, unless such Member will not be a candidate for any Federal office. (Sec. 404) Requires a committee of a political party, before making coordinated expenditures (as defined in this Act) in excess of $5000 for a Federal election, to certify to the Commission that it has not and will not make any independent expenditures (as defined in this Act) in connection with such campaign. (Sec. 406) Defines "express advocacy." Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Sets forth provisions regarding severability, review of constitutional issues, effective date, and Commission regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Coverage for Eligible Children Title II: Health Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women Title III: Children's Health Coverage Subsidy Credits Children's Health Coverage Act - Title I: Health Insurance Coverage for Eligible Children - Mandates establishment of a program of subsidies to children and their families for a portion of the child's health plan premium. Sets forth State responsibilities, including certification of plans and income verification. Requires each health insurance issuer that provides health coverage under contract with any Federal program and that offers family coverage to apply to the State insurance commissioner for certification. Makes a noncomplying issuer ineligible to provide benefits under a Federal contract. (Sec. 102) Sets forth procedures for obtaining coverage under certified plans. Requires payment of premiums to the State and from the State to the plans of enrollment. (Sec. 103) Regulates the subsidy percentage, basing it on family income as related to the poverty line. (Sec. 104) Prohibits, with regard to subsidy eligible children: (1) preexisting condition exclusions; (2) insurance issuer discrimination on the basis of health status (including medical condition, claims experience, genetic information, and disability); and (3) employment discrimination. (Sec. 105) Prohibits States from modifying eligibility under the State Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) in any way that would reduce the eligibility of children for Medicaid coverage. (Sec. 106) Provides for Federal action if a State fails to carry out this title. Title II: Health Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women - Mandates programs of: (1) grants to States to assist pregnant women in obtaining prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care; and (2) categorical grants to States to assist children and pregnant women in obtaining health care services and coverage. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Children's Health Coverage Subsidy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit for the premium subsidies provided by an insurance issuer under this Act. Mandates transfer from the general fund to the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds and the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of amounts sufficient to cover the decreased tax revenues resulting from the credit. (Sec. 302) Allows a credit for the premium subsidy determined under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Crime Control Subtitle A: More Police Officers on the Beat Subtitle B: Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth in-Sentencing Grants Subtitle C: Domestic Violence Subtitle D: Assistance to Local Law Enforcement Title II: Youth Violence Control Subtitle A: Federal Juvenile Prosecutions Subtitle B: Assistance to States for Prosecuting and Punishing Youth Offenders Subtitle C: Juvenile Gun Courts Subtitle D: Gang Violence Reduction Subtitle E: Rights of Victims in State Juvenile Courts Title III: Prevention and Treatment of Youth Drug Abuse and Addiction Subtitle A: Protecting Youth From Dangerous Drugs Subtitle B: Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Drug Addiction Subtitle C: Prevention and Treatment Programs Subtitle D: National Drug Control Policy Subtitle E: Penalty Enhancements Title IV: Protecting Youth From Violent Crime Subtitle A: Grants for Youth Organizations Subtitle B: "Say No to Drugs" Community Centers Act of 1997 Subtitle C: Missing Children Title V: Improving Youth Crime and Drug Prevention Subtitle A: Comprehensive Study of Federal Prevention Efforts Subtitle B: Evaluation Mandate for Authorized Programs Subtitle C: Elimination of Ineffective Programs Title VI: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Youth Violence, Crime, and Drug Abuse Control Act of 1997 - Title I: Crime Control - Subtitle A: More Police Officers on the Beat - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for public safety and community policing grants; and (2) limit to 20 percent of grant funds available in any fiscal year the amount authorized for grants for equipment, technology, and support systems. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Attorney General (AG) to make grants to States, local governmental units, Indian tribes, other public and private entities, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia to encourage the use of, and to implement, 311 (as opposed to 911) nonemergency telecommunication systems for public safety. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (Fund) through FY 2002. Subtitle B: Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in- Sentencing Grants - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to revise the formula allocation between States and U.S. territories and possessions for technical assistance and training to entities receiving grants under either the Violent Offender Incarceration or Truth-in-Sentencing grant programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations under each such grant program through FY 2002. Subtitle C: Domestic Violence - Extends through FY 2002: (1) grants to combat violent crimes against women; (2) education and prevention grants to reduce sexual assaults against women; (3) the grant for a national domestic violence hotline; (4) grants for battered women's shelters; and (5) programs for victims of child abuse. Subtitle D: Assistance to Local Law Enforcement - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 the funding for: (1) law enforcement family support; (2) rural drug enforcement and training; (3) DNA identification grants; (4) Byrne grants (law enforcement training and education); (5) technical automation grants; and (6) grants for State court prosecutors. Requires no less than 20 percent of the funds made available during FY 2001 and 2002 for the latter grant program to be used to provide increased resources to State juvenile courts, including its prosecutors, public defenders, and other juvenile court system participants. Title II: Youth Violence Control - Subtitle A: Federal Juvenile Prosecutions - Amends provisions concerning Federal juvenile prosecutions to require a predisposition report, which includes victim impact information, to be prepared by the probation officer and provided to the juvenile, his or her attorney, and the attorney for the government. Directs the juvenile court, after a dispositional hearing, to enter an order of restitution for the victim. Authorizes such court to suspend the findings of juvenile delinquency, place the juvenile on probation, commit the juvenile to official detention (including supervised release), and impose any fine that would be authorized if the juvenile had been tried and convicted as an adult. Provides the terms of probation, official detention, or supervised release for such juveniles. Excludes time spent in the custody of the AG for observation and study from time served for a juvenile offense. Authorizes the court, with respect to any juvenile prosecuted and convicted as an adult, to treat the conviction as an adjudication of delinquency and impose any disposition authorized for an adult offender. Requires: (1) a juvenile adjudicated for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony to be fingerprinted and photographed; (2) such records to be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (3) the court to transmit to the FBI information concerning the adjudication and sentence. (Sec. 203) Directs a juvenile court, in determining whether an information should be dismissed with or without prejudice, to consider the seriousness of the offense, the facts and circumstances leading to the dismissal, and the impact of a reprosecution on the administration of justice. Subtitle B: Assistance to States for Prosecuting and Punishing Youth Offenders - Authorizes the AG to make grants to assist States and local governments in planning, establishing, and operating secure facilities, staff-secure facilities, detention centers, and other correctional programs for violent juvenile offenders. Requires each facility or program funded under this subtitle to contain an evaluation component, developed under guidelines established by the AG, which includes outcome measures that may be used to determine the effectiveness of the funded programs. Requires periodic reviews and reports. Reserves a specified percentage of program funds for FY 1998 through 2002 for grants to Indian tribes for constructing correctional facilities and establishing correctional programs for the incarceration of tribal juvenile offenders. Requires a report from the AG to the Congress regarding the possible use of performance-based criteria in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of juvenile corrections facilities and programs. (Sec. 215) Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, State courts, local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes for: (1) providing juvenile courts with a range of sentencing options such that first time juvenile offenders face at least some level of punishment as a result of their initial contact with the juvenile justice system; and (2) increasing the sentencing options available to juvenile court judges so that juvenile offenders receive increasingly severe sanctions as the seriousness of their conduct increases and for each additional offense. Requires each applicant to submit a comprehensive implementation plan as part of such application. Provides for grant award uses and limitations, with a Federal share limit of 90 percent of the total program costs. Requires reports and evaluations: (1) from grant recipients to the AG; and (2) from the AG to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1998 through 2001. Subtitle C: Juvenile Gun Courts - Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, State courts, local courts, local governments, and Indian tribes for court-based juvenile justice programs that target juvenile firearm offenders through the establishment of juvenile gun courts. Requires each applicant to submit a comprehensive implementation plan. Provides for grant award uses and limitations, with a Federal share limit of 90 percent of total program costs. Requires reports and evaluations as above. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1998 through 2002. Subtitle D: Gang Violence Reduction - Part 1: Enhanced Penalties for Gang-Related Activities - Sets forth criminal penalties for anyone who travels in interstate or foreign commerce to recruit, solicit, induce, command, or cause to create, or attempt to create, a franchise of a criminal street gang. (Sec. 242) Includes franchising a criminal street gang as a "racketeering activity" for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. (Sec. 243) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) to provide an appropriate enhancement with respect to any offense committed in connection with, or in furtherance of the activities of, a criminal street gang if the defendant is a member of the gang at the time of the offense. (Sec. 244) Increases the penalties for using physical force to tamper with witnesses, victims, or informants. (Sec. 245) Sets forth criminal penalties for using or carrying a firearm during and in close proximity to (currently, in relation to) any crime of violence or drug trafficking. Directs the USSC to provide an appropriate sentence enhancement with respect to a defendant who discharges a firearm during or in close proximity to a crime of violence or drug trafficking. (Sec. 246) Increases the penalties for transferring a firearm to a minor for use in a crime. (Sec. 247) Eliminates any statute of limitations with respect to any offense punishable by death or for a Class A felony involving murder. (Sec. 248) Extends to ten years after the commission of the offense the statute of limitations with respect to a Class A felony that is a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Part 2: Gang Paraphernalia - Authorizes the appropriate court to enter an order authorizing the installation and use by law enforcement personnel of a pen register or a trap and trace device within the jurisdiction of the court, or of a clone pager whose service provider is within the court's jurisdiction, if the court finds that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. Authorizes a Federal court to order a provider of a paging service or other person to furnish to appropriate law enforcement personnel all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the operation and use of a clone pager unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with normal service. (Sec. 252) Directs the USSC to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement for any offense in which the defendant: (1) used body armor; (2) possessed a firearm equipped with a laser sighting device; or (3) possessed a firearm while another defendant possessed a firearm so equipped. Subtitle E: Rights of Victims in State Juvenile Courts - Directs the AG to establish guidelines for State programs to require: (1) prior to the disposition of adjudicated juvenile delinquents, that victims or their representatives are provided the opportunity to make a statement or present any relevant information; (2) that such victims be given notice of the disposition; and (3) that restitution to victims may be ordered as part of such a disposition. Requires State compliance with such requirements within three years, with an additional two-year extension authorized to be granted by the AG when a State is determined to be making a good faith effort to implement such requirements. Title III: Prevention and Treatment of Youth Drug Abuse and Addiction - Subtitle A: Protecting Youth from Dangerous Drugs - Directs the AG to add ketamine hydrochloride to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Subtitle B: Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Drug Addiction - Part 1: Pharmacotherapy Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations from the Fund for FY 2001 and 2002 for the medication development program (a program providing research into medicines used to treat drug addiction). Part 2: Patent Protections for Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) authorize the sponsor of a drug for the treatment of an addiction to illegal drugs to request the Secretary of Agriculture for written recommendations for the investigation necessary for the approval or licensing of such drug; (2) authorize such a sponsor to request the Secretary to designate such drug as a drug for the treatment of addiction to illegal drugs; (3) provide exclusive approval or licensing of such drug as an unpatented drug for such purpose; and (4) provide open protocols for the clinical investigation of such drugs. Part 3: Encouraging Private Sector Development of Pharmacotherapies - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to establish criteria for an acceptable drug for the treatment of an addiction to heroin and one for the treatment of an addiction to cocaine. Requires such criteria to be reviewed by specified congressional committees and published in the Federal Register. Authorizes the patent owner of a drug used for either such treatment to submit to the Secretary an application: (1) to contract to sell to the Secretary such patent rights; or (2) to enter into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Secretary for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Provides for purchase amount limitations and the transfer of rights from the patent owner to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, within 90 days after purchasing patent rights or entering into such an agreement, to develop a plan for the manufacture and distribution of such drug. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000. Subtitle C: Prevention and Treatment Programs - Part 1: Comprehensive Drug Education - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations from the Fund for the safe and drug-free schools and communities program. Part 2: Drug Courts - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the drug courts program (a program providing continuing judicial supervision over non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems). (Sec. 362) Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, State courts, local courts and governments, and Indian tribes to establish programs that: (1) involve continuous early judicial supervision over juvenile offenders, other than violent juvenile offenders, with substance abuse or related problems; and (2) integrate administration of other sanctions and services, including testing, treatment, and diversion, probation, or other forms of supervised release. Requires the AG to issue regulations to ensure that such programs do not permit participation by violent offenders. Prohibits the Federal share of such programs from exceeding 75 percent of total program costs, with an authorized limit waiver by the AG. Requires the AG to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grant awards, with a required specified allocation to Indian tribes. Requires annual reports to the AG from grant recipients. Authorizes the AG to provide technical assistance and training in furtherance of program goals and to carry out program evaluations. Provides for the reallocation of unawarded grant funds. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1998 through 2002. Part 3: Drug Treatment - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (Center) to award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, public and nonprofit private entities to provide treatment to juveniles for substance abuse through programs in which the juveniles reside in facilities made available under the programs. Requires the inclusion by grant recipients of an individualized plan for the provision of services to the juvenile or young adult. Includes as eligible supplemental services under such programs hospital referrals, HIV and AIDS counseling, domestic violence and sexual abuse counseling, and preparation for reentry into society. Requires the appropriate State agency or Indian tribe to certify that the applicant has the capacity to carry out the program and meets certain other requirements. Outlines provisions with respect to: (1) applicants who are also Medicaid providers; (2) the provision of treatment for mental diseases; (3) matching fund requirements; (4) program outreach and accessibility; (5) continuing education for individuals providing such services; (6) the imposition of appropriate charges for such services; (7) applicant reports to the Center Director; and (8) required equitable geographic allocation of grant awards. Limits to five years the period during which payments may be made to any entity under a program. Requires annual Director approval of program payments. Requires the Director to conduct program evaluations and disseminate findings. Requires an initial and periodic reports from the Director to specified congressional committees describing the programs carried out under this Part. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002, including an authorization of appropriations from the Fund for the last two fiscal years. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to established projects for the outpatient treatment of substance abuse among juveniles. Requires entities receiving such grants to engage in activities to prevent such abuse. Requires such Secretary to evaluate the projects and disseminate evaluation results. Subtitle D: National Drug Control Policy - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to extend through FY 2002 the authority for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (Office), as well as the authorization of appropriations for the Office. (Sec. 382) Requires the Office Director to conduct a study on the effect of the 1996 voter referenda in California and Arizona concerning the medicinal use of marijuana and other controlled substances on the general use of such substances in those States. Requires a Director report to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999. Subtitle E: Penalty Enhancements - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to increase the penalties for using Federal property to grow or manufacture controlled substances. Directs the USSC to provide an appropriate sentencing enhancement to ensure that such violations are punished substantially more severely than violations that do not occur on Federal property. Title IV: Protecting Youth from Violent Crime - Subtitle A: Grants for Youth Organizations - Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, Indian tribes and national nonprofit organizations in crime-prone areas (such as Boys and Girls Clubs and the 4-H) to: (1) provide constructive activities to youth during nonschool hours to prevent their criminal victimization; (2) provide supervised activities in safe environments to youth in crime-prone areas; (3) provide antidrug education to prevent youth drug abuse; (4) support police officer training and salaries and educational materials; or (5) provide constructive activities to youth in a safe environment through the use of parks and other public recreation areas. Requires annual reports from: (1) grant recipients to the AG; and (2) the AG to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1998 through 2002. Subtitle B: "Say No to Drugs" Community Centers Act of 1997 - Say No to Drugs Community Centers Act of 1997 - Authorizes the AG to make grants to certain AG-approved recipients to provide the following services to youth during after-school hours or summer vacations: (1) rigorous drug prevention education; (2) drug counseling and treatment; (3) academic tutoring and mentoring; (4) activities promoting interaction between youth and law enforcement officials; (5) vaccinations and other preventive health care; (6) sexual abstinence education; and (7) other activities and instruction to reduce youth violence and substance abuse. Specifies the Federal and non-Federal share of costs under the grant program, as well as grant allocation and reallocation requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 and 2002 from the Fund. Subtitle C: Missing Children - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to contract with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in order to provide a national 24-hour toll-free hotline and national resource center for use by missing children. (Currently, the hotline and resource center are required to be established and operated by such Administrator.) Title V: Improving Youth Crime and Drug Prevention - Subtitle A: Comprehensive Study of Federal Prevention Efforts - Directs the AG to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Science or, if the Academy declines, another public or nonprofit private entity to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of federally funded programs for preventing youth violence, youth substance abuse, and the criminal victimization of juveniles. Outlines reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Evaluation Mandate for Authorized Programs - Directs the AG to provide for the comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of each program under titles II through IV of this Act, using independent evaluation and research criteria. Authorizes the AG to require grant recipients to comply with any information requirements under the mandate. Reserves a specified amount of the funds authorized for such programs to carry out the required evaluation and research. Subtitle C: Elimination of Ineffective Programs - Expresses the sense of the Senate that programs found ineffective under the study required under Subtitle A, above, in addressing juvenile crime and substance abuse should not receive Federal funding in any fiscal year following the issuance of such study. Title VI: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the Fund. Reduces by specified amounts in FY 2001 and 2002 the discretionary spending limits set forth under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle A: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits Subtitle B: General Provisions Title II: Independent Expenditures Title III: Expenditures Subtitle A: Personal Funds; Credit Subtitle B: Soft Money of Political Parties Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Title IV: Contributions Title V: Authorities and Duties of the Federal Election Commission Title VI: Miscellaneous Title VII: Effective Dates; Authorizations Congressional Election Campaign Spending Limit and Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending - Subtitle A: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to make a Senate candidate eligible for FECA benefits if the candidate: (1) files a primary election eligibility declaration; (2) files a general election eligibility certification and declaration; and (3) meets certain contribution and expenditure limits. Limits Senate primary expenditures for a candidate (or his or her authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit; or (2) $2.75 million. Limits runoff expenditures. Sets a threshold contribution amount which triggers application of such primary and runoff limits. Limits the use by a Senate candidate (or authorized committees), during an entire election cycle, of the candidate's personal (or family) funds (including debt). Limits aggregate general election expenditures by an eligible Senate candidate (or authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) $5.5 million; or (2) the greater of $1.2 million, or $400,000 plus 30 cents times the voting age population up to 4 million and 25 cents times the voting age population over 4 million. Exempts from the general election expenditure limit qualified accounting or legal expenditures. Entitles eligible Senate candidates to certain broadcast media rates, and in certain circumstances, payments compensating for independent expenditures and excess expenditures on behalf of the candidate's opponent. Requires the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify an eligible Senate candidate within 48 hours after his or her application to the Secretary of the Senate. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of all candidates in five percent of the elections to the Senate in which there was an eligible Senate candidate on the ballot. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments or expenditures. Sets civil penalties for excess expenditures and contributions. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the Senate after each general election. Requires closed captioning for eligible Senate candidates' television broadcasts. Authorizes reduced payments to an eligible Senate candidate under circumstances of insufficient funds. (Sec. 102) Prohibits Senate election activities by political action committees (PACs). (Sec. 103) Sets forth reporting requirements for Senate candidates not eligible for FECA benefits. Requires reports to the Secretary within two days after aggregate contributions have been received and aggregate expenditures have been made or obligated to be made in excess of FECA limits. Requires any candidate for the Senate who, during the election cycle, expends more than the personal funds expenditure limit to report to the Secretary of the Senate within two days after expenditures have been made or loans incurred in excess of the personal funds expenditure limit. Requires certain expenditure reports from any Senate candidate who held Federal, State, or local office during the same election cycle, and made any expenditures, before becoming a Senate candidate, that would have been treated as Senate candidate expenditures. (Sec. 104) Requires Senate candidates ineligible for FECA benefits to place on every paid or authorized political commercial or communication the declaration: "This candidate has not agreed to voluntary campaign spending limits." (Sec. 105) Sets forth provisions governing excess campaign funds of Senate candidates. (Sec. 106) Sets forth a contribution limit for an eligible Senate candidate (and the candidate's authorized political committees) whose opponent fails to comply with the expenditure limits and has received contributions in excess of ten percent of the general election limits or has expended personal funds in excess of ten percent of the general election limits. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Allows Senate candidates to purchase broadcast time at 50 percent of the lowest unit rate for the 30 days before a primary or runoff election and 60 days before a general election. Prohibits broadcasters from preempting advertisements sold to political candidates at the lowest unit rate, unless the preemption is beyond the broadcaster's control. (Sec. 112) Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 113) Makes certain amendments with regard to campaign advertising that include certain requirements for printed as well as broadcast and cablecast communications. (Sec. 114) Adds various defintions to FECA for such specified terms as "general election," "general election period," and "primary election period." (Sec. 115) Amends Federal postal law to prohibit a Senator who is a candidate for election to any public office from making a mass mailing under the frank during the calendar year of any primary or general election for such office. Title II: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to define "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person other than a candidate or candidate's authorized committee: (1) that is made for a communication that contains express advocacy; and (2) is made without the participation or cooperation of and without coordination with a candidate. Defines the following terms: (1)"express advocacy"; and (2) "without the participation or cooperation of and without coordination with a candidate." (Sec. 202) Defines "coordinated expenditure" to mean an expenditure that is made by a person other than the candidate and that is not an independent expenditure. Prohibits political party committees from making both a coordinated expenditure and an independent expenditure to the same candidate during a single election cycle. Requires political party committees to file with the Commission a certification signed by the treasurer stating whether the committee will make coordinated expenditures or independent expenditures to the candidate. Prohibits a party committee that certifies that it will make coordinated expenditures to a candidate from, in the same election cycle, making a transfer of funds to, or receiving a transfer of funds from, any other party committee that has certified that it will make independent expenditures to the candidate. (Sec. 203) Permits qualified nonprofit corporations to make independent expenditures. (Sec. 204) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for equal broadcast time, including notification and opportunity to purchase equal time on an independent expenditure basis. Title III: Expenditures - Subtitle A: Personal Funds; Credit - Amends FECA to prohibit the use of contributions after the date of a general election to repay loans to a candidate (or authorized committee) by the candidate or by members of the candidate's family. (Sec. 302) Treats as a contribution any extension of credit for goods or services relating to general political advertising of more than $1,000 for more than 60 days to candidates for Federal office (or authorized committees). Subtitle B: Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to exclude from the definition of "contribution" the preparation and distribution, by volunteers, of materials in connection with State and local party voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. (Sec. 312) Permits maximum contributions to a State Party Grassroots Fund of: (1) $20,000 by an individual; and (2) $15,000 from a multicandidate committee. Establishes an overall $60,000 annual limit on individual contributions, including specified limits for: (1) candidates and their political committees; and (2) State committees. (Sec. 313) Provides for the treatment of: (1) any amount solicited, received, or expended directly or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) with respect to an activity (such as voter registration and get-out-the vote activities among others) which is in connection with an election to Federal office as a contribution subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements; (2) any amount to raise funds that are used, in whole or in part, in connection with such activities as an expenditure subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements; and (3) any get-out-the-vote activity for a State and local candidate, or for a ballot measure conducted by a State, district, or local committee of a political party as an expenditure subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements. Limits the expenditures for which a State committee may use its State Party Grassroots Fund. (Sec. 314) Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from soliciting contributions: (1) not subject to FECA; and (2) on behalf of tax-exempt organizations, if a significant portion of the activities of the organization include voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities. (Sec. 315) Requires: (1) a national committee and a congressional campaign committee to report all receipts and disbursements whether or not in connection with a Federal election; and (2) other specified political committees to report all receipts and disbursements in connection with a Federal election. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Requires that persons other than political parties who make (or obligate to make) aggregate disbursements totaling over $2,000 for specified election activities shall file a statement with the Commission within 48 hours after the disbursements or obligations are made, or in the case of disbursements or obligations that are made within 14 days of an election, on or before the 14th day before the election. Title IV: Contributions - Prohibits certain lobbyist contributions. (Sec. 402) Treats contributions by a dependent not of voting age as having been made by the individual on whom that dependent is a dependent. (Sec. 403) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting, with respect to any election, any contribution from a State or local political party committee (or subordinate committee) if such contribution, when added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such committees of that political party, would cause the total amount of contributions to exceed the relevant contribution limitation. (Sec. 404) Makes it unlawful to use physical threat, intimidation, or taking or threatening to take other adverse action to: (1) coerce contributions or expenditures from another person; or (2) deter or prevent any person from filing a complaint, providing testimony, or otherwise cooperating with enforcement efforts under FECA; or (3) retaliate against any person who has filed a complaint, provided testimony, or otherwise cooperated with enforcement efforts under FECA. (Sec. 405) Prohibits acceptance by a candidate of cash contributions from any one person aggregating more than $100. Title V: Authorities and Duties of the Federal Election Commission - Authorizes the Commission to issue a regulation to require the filing of designations, statements, and reports using computers if the person has, or has reason to expect to have, aggregate contributions or expenditures in excess of a threshold amount determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to prescribe a regulation allowing persons to file designations, statements, and reports using facsimile machines. (Sec. 502) Increases the threshold amount to $50 with respect to reporting the identification of certain contributors and disbursements. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Commission to conduct random audits and investigations to ensure voluntary compliance. Extends the period during which a campaign audit of a candidate's authorized committee may be begun. (Sec. 504) Grants authority to the Commission, to seek at any time in a proceeding, a temporary restraining order or a temporary injunction if the Commission believes there is a substantial likelihood that a violation is occurring or is about to occur. (Sec. 505) Revises specified enforcement requirements to provide for: (1) increased monetary penalties; and (2) equitable remedies if authorized by a conciliation agreement with the Commission. Directs the Commission to establish a schedule of automatic monetary penalties for the late filing of reports. (Sec. 506) Repeals requirements authorizing the Commission to appear in and defend against any action initiated under FECA. Replaces them with requirements authorizing the Commission to appear on its own behalf in any action related to the exercise of its statutory duties or powers in any court as a party or amicus curiae. Revises a requirement respecting the powers of the Commission to initiate civil actions to permit the Commission to petition the Supreme Court for certiorari to review judgements or decrees entered with respect to actions in which the Commission appears. (Sec. 507) Revises requirements concerning the referral of suspected violations to the Attorney General. (Sec. 508) Revises certain powers of the Commission. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee (such as a "leadership committee") other than a principal campaign committee of the candidate, authorized committee, party committee, or other political committee designated as an authorized committee. (Sec. 602) Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing a system by which persons with disabilities could vote by telephone. (Sec. 603) Exempts certain tax-exempt organizations from specified corporate expenditure limits. (Sec. 604) Provides that with respect to any provision of FECA that places a requirement or prohibition on any person acting in a particular capacity, any person who knowingly aids or abets the person in that capacity in violating that provision may be proceeded against as a principal in the violation. (Sec. 605) Requires exact copies of campaign advertising that refers to a candidate's opponent to be filed with the Commission and the Secretary of State of the candidate's State. (Sec. 606) Amends Federal postal law to prohibit a Member of Congress, during an election year, from using the franking privilege for a mass mailing from January 1 until the general election date. (Sec. 607) Amends FECA to make it unlawful for: (1) foreign nationals to make or promise to make contributions and expenditures in connection with an election to any political office or in connection with any primary election, convention, or caucus held to select candidates for any political office; or (2) any person to solicit, receive, or accept contributions from a foreign national. Makes it unlawful for foreign nationals or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence to participate in the decisionmaking process of any other person with regard to the person's election-related activities. Prohibits a candidate or the candidate's authorized committee from accepting a contribution over $500 unless the contribution is accompanied by a statement, signed by the person making the contribution, affirming that the person is not a person prohibited from making the contribution. (Sec. 608) Requires that reports shall include a certification under penalty of perjury that the political committee has complied with foreign contribution and solicitation limitations. Title VII: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth the general effective date of this Act. Provides for direct, expedited appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from any court rulings on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or amendment made by it.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1996
Agent Orange Benefits Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide needed health care to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida, for any associated disability. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such health care directly or by contract or other arrangement with a health care provider. Includes within such care home, hospital, nursing home, outpatient, preventive, and rehabilitative care, case management, respite care, the training of family members in the provision of necessary home care, and necessary pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment. Authorizes the Secretary to provide vocational training to such a child if the Secretary determines that the achievement of a vocational goal by such child is reasonably feasible. Limits such training to 24 months, unless the Secretary determines that an extension is necessary (up to 24 additional months). Requires a child eligible for more than one assistance program through the Department of Veterans Affairs to elect one program for participation. Directs the Secretary to pay a monetary allowance to any such child for any disability resulting from spina bifida based on the degree of disability. Requires an increase in such disability benefit whenever there is an increase in benefits payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides veterans' disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for the additional disability or death of a veteran which: (1) was not the result of the veteran's own willful misconduct; (2) was caused by care, treatment, or examination furnished to the veteran through the Department; and (3) was incurred as a proximate result of such care, treatment, or examination.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1996
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to construct the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum Dulles Center at Washington Dulles International Airport. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to pay construction expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1996
Indian Child Welfare Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to provide for retention by an Indian tribe of exclusive jurisdiction over child custody proceedings involving specified Indian children. Revises requirements, with respect to Indian children, regarding: (1) the voluntary termination of parental rights; and (2) the withdrawal of a consent to such voluntary termination or to adoption. Requires a party seeking the voluntary placement of an Indian child or the voluntary termination of parental rights to provide written notice to the Indian child's tribe. Sets forth the requirements for such a written notice. Permits an Indian tribe to intervene only if a child's tribe has filed a written objection, but permits the child's Indian tribe to intervene in any case in which the Indian tribe did not receive a written notice. Provides criminal sanctions for fraudulent representation with respect to any proceeding involving an Indian child.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 - Makes Federal criminal code prohibitions against, and penalties for, damaging religious property or obstructing any person's free exercise of religious beliefs applicable where: (1) the property is damaged because of its racial or ethnic character; and (2) the offense is in, or affects, interstate commerce. (Currently such provisions apply only where: (1) the property is damaged because of its religious character; (2) the defendant, in committing the offense, travels in interstate or foreign commerce or uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) the loss exceeds $10,000.) Prohibits intentionally defacing, damaging, or destroying religious real property (or attempting to do so) because of the race, color, religious, or ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with such property. Increases penalties for violations of such provisions where bodily injury results or where such acts include the use, or attempted or threatened use, of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire. Includes within the definition of "religious property" fixtures or religious objects contained within a place of religious worship. Sets a seven-year statute of limitation for the prosecution, trial, or punishment of a person for any noncapital offense under such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to use up to $5 million of the credit subsidy provided under the General and Special Risk Insurance Fund for guaranteed loans to financial institutions in connection with loans made to assist certain tax exempt religious or other organizations that have been damaged by arson or terrorism. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and Justice, including the Community Relations Service, to increase personnel to investigate, prevent, and respond to potential violations of this Act and Federal explosives prohibitions. Reauthorizes the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Commends those individuals and entities that have responded with funds to assist in the rebuilding of places of worship that have been victimized by arson. Encourages the private sector to continue such efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Federal Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1996 - Authorizes the head of an agency to submit a plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to pay voluntary separation incentives to employees of the agency who agree to separate from the agency by retirement or resignation. (Sec. 4) Provides that a voluntary separation incentive payment be paid in a lump sum after the employee's separation and be equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount the employee would have been entitled to receive (without adjustment for any previous payment); or (2) if the employee separates during a certain fiscal year, according to a specified payment amount for such fiscal year, from FY 1996 through FY 2000. (Sec. 5) Prescribes that an individual who has received a voluntary separation incentive payment and accepts any subsequent employment with the Government within five years after the date of separation shall be required to repay, prior to the first day of employment, the entire amount of the incentive payment to the agency that paid the incentive payment. Provides for waiver of repayment if the individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant for the position. (Sec. 6) Requires that an agency make a contribution to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund in an amount equal to 15 percent of the final basic pay of each agency employee to whom a voluntary separation incentive has been paid. (Sec. 7) Mandates the reduction of total full-time equivalent employment in each agency by one for each employee receiving a voluntary separation payment. Requires that the President take appropriate action to ensure that functions involving more than ten full-time equivalent employees are not converted to contracts except in cases in which a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be to the advantage of the Government. Provides for the preceding two clauses to be waived upon a determination by the President that the existence of a state of war or other national emergency, or the existence of an extraordinary emergency so requires. (Sec. 8) Mandates certain reports. Makes technical amendments to the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. (Sec. 9) Modifies requirements regarding the order of retention in a voluntary participation in a reduction in force. (Sec. 10) Provides for continued health insurance coverage for separated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Social Security Family Protection Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that a monthly OASDI benefit shall be paid for the month in which the recipient dies, subject to a reduction of 50 percent if the recipient dies during the first 15 days of such month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1996
Provides for observation of a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time on April 19, 1996, in remembrance of the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commends the people of Oklahoma and the aid provided by rescuers, Federal agencies, countless volunteers, and Federal employees. Reaffirms trust in our system of justice to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Pays tribute to the remarkable life and career of Ronald H. Brown (the late Secretary of Commerce) and to the contributions of all those who perished in the airplane accident on April 3, 1996, while in service to their country on a mission to Bosnia. Extends condolences to the victims' families.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
National Invasive Species Act of 1996 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to mandate: (1) regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes through ballast water; and (2) voluntary guidelines to prevent such introduction and spread in U.S. waters by ballast water and other vessel operations. Authorizes mandatory regulations if guideline compliance is inadequate. Provides for enforcement through revocation of clearance and civil and criminal penalties. Encourages negotiations with foreign governments to develop and implement an international program for preventing such introduction and spread in North American waters. Mandates studies of Lake Champlain, the Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, Honolulu Harbor, Prince William Sound, and other waters. Requires annual grants for six years for aquatic nuisance species prevention and control research in the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Establishes a clearinghouse of national data on ballasting practices and compliance with guidelines under this Act. Mandates a ballast water management program for the Navy's seagoing fleet to limit the risk of invasion by nonindigenous species from ballast water. Requires: (1) a ballast water management program to demonstrate technologies and practices to prevent aquatic nonindigenous species from being introduced into and spread through ballast water in U.S. waters; and (2) that the installation and construction of those technologies and practices be performed in a U.S. shipyard or ship repair facility. Modifies: (1) the composition and research priorities of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force; and (2) zebra mussel demonstration program requirements. Requires the Task Force to encourage (including through financial assistance) the development and use of regional coordination panels and similar entities in regions other than the Great Lakes. Provides for interstate (in addition to existing State) aquatic nuisance species management plans, allowing Indian tribes as well as States to participate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to read as if certain exceptions to its nuclear non-proliferation provisions made by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104-107), which permit the transfer of certain military equipment or technology to Pakistan, had not been made.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the deadline for the submission by the Great Lakes National Program Office to the Congress of a report assessing the adverse effects of water pollutants in the Great Lakes System on the health of persons in Great Lakes States and the health of fish, shellfish, and wildlife in the Great Lakes System. Requires such report to include documenting exposure pathways, body burdens, and associated human health effects in defined at-risk populations with the Great Lakes basin. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Sports Heritage Act of 1996 - Prohibits a professional sports team that relocates to another community from enforcing any right, interest, or privilege under the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to its identity used on the date one year before the relocation. Exempts any team: (1) that is located and plays home games in a community for less than ten years immediately preceding the relocation; and (2) the relocation of which is approved in writing by the chief executive officer of the local government of the area in which the team's playing facility is located.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 - Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in prescribing risk-based program selection criteria for major programs, from requiring the identification of more programs as major for a particular non-Federal entity, subject to specified exceptions, than would be identified if the major programs were defined as any program for which total expenditures for Federal awards by the non-Federal entity exceed specified dollar amounts or percentages of the non-Federal entity's total Federal expenditures. Directs that, in any fiscal year, a non-Federal entity have either a single audit or a program-specific audit if such entity expends a total Federal award amount in excess of a specified amount. Sets forth audit requirements and exceptions. Requires the non-Federal entity to transmit a reporting package to a Federal clearinghouse and make it available for public inspection within a specified time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1996
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) assert the U.S. Government's concern regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, including members of the Baha'i community, along with expressions of concern regarding the Iranian Government's support for international terrorism and its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of the Iranian Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; (3) urge the Iranian Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights; and (4) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1996
Commends the men and women who have served or are presently serving in the American Foreign Service and honors those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Designates the first Friday in May 1996 as American Foreign Service Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1996
Team Relocation Taxpayer Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits specified entities or persons (entities) from benefiting from any expenditure of Federal funds or from being allowed any Federal tax exclusion, deduction, credit, exemption, or allowance in connection with the relocation of a National Football League (NFL) franchise of such entity. Specifies that the interest paid or accrued on any bond from which proceeds are used or to be used to provide facilities for any such entity shall not be exempt from Federal tax. Makes such provision applicable: (1) to any entity that has conducted regular season home football games through ownership of a franchise in the NFL in facilities which are owned by a State or local government or financed by a Federal, State, or local governmental unit, has publicly announced that it intends to conduct such football games outside such facilities before the expiration of the period during which such governmental unit has authorized the entity to use such facilities, has publicly announced that it intends to conduct such football games in facilities to be owned by a State or local government or to be financed by a Federal, State, or local governmental unit; (2) if in the NFL season preceding the announcement of the entity's intention to relocate, attendance at the regular season home football games of such entity averaged at least 75 percent of normal capacity as previously published by the NFL with respect to such season; and (3) if within one year before or after such announcement, an election or referendum has been held by the State or local government and the voters have approved a tax increase or extension of a tax, or have failed to repeal any such increase or extension, intended to be used as part of the financing for improved facilities or new facilities for such football games of such entity. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) preemption (no preemption of State or local actions); (2) who constitutes a "related person" for tax purposes; and (3) bankruptcy venue.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prohibit applying certain provisions concerning the maximum amount which may be deferred under deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations to any qualified excess benefit arrangement of a qualified medical entity; and (2) exclude benefits provided under such an arrangement from being used to determine whether any other plan is an eligible deferred compensation plan and the amount which may be deferred under such other plan. Exempts plans maintained by tax-exempt qualified medical entities from the reduction of the limit under such provisions for other elective deferrals. Limits the maximum amount of compensation of any one participant which may be deferred under a qualified excess benefit arrangement to an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (1) $25,000; or (2) 33 and one-third percent of the participant's includible compensation. Defines "qualified excess benefit arrangement."
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1995 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) to exempt from land disposal restrictions (other than requirements pertaining to applicable specific methods of treatment promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under SWDA) solid waste identified as hazardous based on characteristic alone if such waste: (1) is managed in a treatment system that subsequently discharges to waters of the United States pursuant to a permit issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), undergoes pretreatment for purposes of compliance with toxic and pretreatment effluent standards of such Act, or is managed under a zero-discharge system that the Administrator determines to be engaging in Clean Water Act-equivalent treatment; (2) no longer exhibits such characteristic prior to land disposal; (3) has met any applicable specific method of treatment promulgated by the Administrator; and (4) would not generate toxic gases, vapors, or fumes due to the presence of cyanide at the point of generation when exposed to pH conditions of a specified range. Requires the Administrator to conduct a study of hazardous waste managed in accordance with this Act to characterize the risks to human health or the environment associated with such management, upon completion of which the Administrator may impose additional requirements or defer management of such risks to other State or Federal programs or authorities. Amends SWDA to exempt from land disposal restrictions solid waste identified as hazardous based on characteristic alone if the waste no longer exhibits a hazardous characteristic at the point of injection into any Class I deep well regulated under safe drinking water provisions of the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Disaster Victims Crime Prevention Act of 1995 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Attorney General, following the declaration of a major disaster by the President: (1) to consult with the appropriate U.S. Attorney and State and local law enforcement officials to determine the extent to which victims of the disaster are being further victimized by fraudulent or otherwise unscrupulous activities of suppliers offering consumer goods and services for the cleanup, repair, and other recovery from the effects of the disaster (cleanup); and (2) if it appears that resources of such officials are insufficient, to establish an anti-fraud task force to quickly and adequately investigate and prosecute the activities. Sets penalties to be imposed against: (1) any supplier who, during the 180 days following declaration of a major disaster, obtains anything of value through false pretenses or fraudulent conduct in connection with an agreement to provide a consumer good or service for the cleanup; (2) any person who obtains through false pretenses any form of Government assistance for the cleanup; and (3) any supplier who provides or offers to provide during such period any consumer good or service at an unconscionably excessive price, based on a specified formula (and authorizes actions by victims and by State attorneys general for relief). Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) develop public information materials to assist victims of major disasters in detecting and avoiding unscrupulous suppliers; and (2) provide for the distribution of such materials to the victims of each major disaster as soon as practicable after the President's declaration of the existence of the disaster. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if necessary, amend the sentencing guidelines to make the commission of specified offenses in connection with the provision of a consumer good or service for the cleanup an aggravating factor that may result in the imposition of a sentence twice as great as that which would otherwise be imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Congratulates Frederick P. Hitz on his five-year anniversary as the first statutory Central Intelligence Agency Inspector General. Expresses support for the Office of the CIA Inspector General.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1995
Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to exclude: (1) bacteria from the definition of "fungus"; and (2) liquid chemical sterilant products for use on a critical or semi-critical medical or dental device from the definition of "pesticide." Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) coordinate data requirements, test protocols, timetables, and standards of review and reduce burdens and redundancy caused to the registrant, whenever data in support of a pesticide registration is requested by one or more State or Federal agencies; and (2) develop a process to identify and assist in alleviating future disparities between Federal and State data requirements. Provides, with respect to the labeling of an antimicrobial pesticide product, that: (1) a registrant may modify the labeling to include relevant information on the product's efficacy, composition, or container or other characteristics unrelated to a pesticidal claim or activity; (2) such labeling shall not be false or misleading or in conflict with statements required as a condition of registration and be substantiated upon request; (3) modifications shall be subject to a notification and approval process; and (4) different cautionary statements for use dilutions may be included in the labeling upon approval of the Administrator. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent practicable, to identify and evaluate changes to the process for registration of antimicrobial pesticides that will reduce current time periods for review. Details rulemaking requirements regarding the review of such pesticides. Requires an annual report to the Congress on measures taken to effect such changes. Exempts from applicability of certain FIFRA storage, disposal, transportation, and container requirements household, industrial, or institutional antimicrobial products that are not subject to regulation under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, unless the Administrator determines that their application is necessary to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1995
Fans Rights Act of 1995 - Declares that it shall not be unlawful by reason of any provision of the antitrust laws for a professional sports league to enforce rules authorizing the membership of the league to decide that a member club of such league shall not be relocated. Sets forth criteria for relocation decisions by leagues, including: (1) fan loyalty; (2) the extent to which the team received public financial support by means of any publicly financed playing facility, special tax treatment, or any other form of such support; (3) the adequacy of the stadium in which the team played its home games in the previous season, and the willingness of the stadium, arena authority, or local government to remedy any deficiencies in the facility; and (4) whether the team has incurred net operating losses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, sufficient to threaten the continued financial viability of the team. Requires any person seeking to change the home territory of a member team to furnish notice to all interested parties of the proposed change not later than 180 days before the commencement of the season in which the member team is to play in such other location. Sets forth notice requirements. Provides that, during the 180-day notice period, a local government, stadium, arena authority, person, or any combination thereof: (1) may prepare and present a proposal to purchase the member team to retain the team in the home territory; and (2) shall be given the opportunity to prepare and present such a proposal. Requires the response of the owner to any offer made to be in writing and delivered in person or by certified mail, stating in detail the reasons for refusal of any bona fide offer. Directs the league to make a determination with respect to the location of such member team's home territory before the expiration of the notice period, after conducting a hearing at which interested parties are afforded an opportunity to present testimony. Sets forth provisions regarding judicial review. Prohibits making or offering to make a payment, or to provide or arrange with others for the provision of other value, to a league or any of its members in connection with a decision regarding the relocation of a member team.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1995
Condemns the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Extends condolences to his family and to all the people of Israel. Expresses admiration for his historic contributions and support for the government of Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Reaffirms a commitment to the process of building a just and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors. Provides for the adjournment of the Senate as a further mark of respect for Rabin.
![Official portrait of Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000236_200.jpg)