United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997
Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1997 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to proscribe bringing a private class action based upon State or municipal law in State or Federal court by any private party alleging: (1) an untrue statement or omission in connection with the purchase or sale of a covered security; or (2) that the defendant used any manipulative or deceptive device in connection with such a transaction. Declares that any class action brought in any State court involving a covered security shall be removable to the Federal district court for the district in which the action is pending.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1997
Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2000; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2000. Prohibits the provisions of the preceding sentence from applying to taxes imposed by the following chapters of the Code: (1) two (relating to the tax on self-employment income); (2) 21 (Federal Insurance Contributions Act); and (3) 22 (Railroad Retirement Tax Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2001; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2001. Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 regarding the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services. Outlines specific requirements for private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians or health care practitioners for services for which no Medicare claims may be submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Surface Transportation Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Program Streamlining and Flexibility Subtitle C: Finance Subtitle D: Safety Subtitle E: Environment Subtitle F: Planning Subtitle G: Technical Corrections Title II: Research and Technology Subtitle A: Research and Training Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Subtitle C: Funding Intermodal Transportation Act of 1997 - Title I: Surface Transportation - Surface Transportation Act of 1997 - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Authorizes the use of specified sums from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) the Interstate (IS) and National Highway System (NHS) Program; (2) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (3) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ); and (4) the Federal Lands Highways Program (FLHP). Modifies the apportionment formulas under Federal highway provisions with respect to: (1) the IS and NHS Program (including an interstate maintenance (IM) and interstate bridge component, as well as funding for the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands); (2) CMAQ (providing for adjustments based on population and level of air pollution and requiring the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to use the latest available annual population estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce); and (3) STP. Sets forth transitional provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the conduct of annual audits of financial statements. (Sec. 1103) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for FY 1998 through 2003, with exceptions; and (2) obligation authority. (Sec. 1104) Revises provisions regarding obligation authority under the STP to direct: (1) a State that is required to obligate in an urbanized area with an urbanized area population of over 200,000 individuals certain funds apportioned to the State to make available during the three-fiscal year periods of 1998-2000 and 2001-2003 a specified amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs; and (2) each State, each affected metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and the Secretary to jointly ensure compliance. (Sec. 1105) Amends provisions regarding emergency relief to authorize an emergency fund for expenditure by the Secretary, subject to specified restrictions, for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads, and trails, in any part of the United States, including Indian reservations, that the Secretary finds to have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disaster over a wide area or catastrophic failure from any external cause. Prohibits the use of funds for the repair or reconstruction of bridges that have been permanently closed to all vehicular traffic by the State or responsible local official because of imminent danger of collapse due to a structural deficiency or physical deterioration. Authorizes appropriations from the HTF to establish the fund and replenish it annually. Makes a specified project to repair or reconstruct a Federal-aid primary route in San Mateo County, California, eligible for assistance. (Sec. 1106) Authorizes the use of: (1) Federal land management agency funds to pay the non-Federal cost share of funded Federal-aid highway projects; and (2) FLHP funds to pay the non-Federal cost share of specified projects that provide access to or within Federal or Indian lands. Modifies FLHP provisions to establish a coordinated FLHP. Requires: (1) the Secretary to develop transportation planning procedures that are consistent with required metropolitan and statewide planning processes; (2) the Secretary's approval of the transportation improvement program (TIP); (3) that all regionally significant FLHP projects be developed in cooperation with States and MPOs, and be included in appropriate FLHP, State, and metropolitan plans and TIPs; (4) the inclusion of the approved FLHP TIP in appropriate State and MPO plans and programs without further action on the TIP; and (5) the Secretary and the Secretary of each appropriate Federal land management agency to develop safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems for roads funded under the FLHP. Allows funds available for public lands highways, park roads and parkways, and Indian reservation roads to be used by the Secretary and the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency to pay for the cost of transportation planning, research, engineering, and construction of the highways, roads, and parkways, or of transit facilities within public lands, national parks, and Indian reservations. Includes among eligible projects a project to build a replacement of the federally owned bridge over the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area between Nevada and Arizona. Directs: (1) the Secretary to transfer to the appropriate Federal land management agency from amounts made available for public lands highways such amounts as necessary to pay the cost to the agency to conduct necessary transportation planning for Federal lands if funding for the planning is not otherwise provided; and (2) the Indian tribal government, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior and, as appropriate, with a State, local government, or MPO, to carry out a transportation planning process in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 1107) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to provide and maintain recreational trails. Sets forth provisions regarding State responsibilities, use of apportioned funds, State consideration of proposals that benefit or mitigate the impact to the natural environment, the Federal share (80 percent), uses not permitted, project administration, apportionment among the States, administrative costs, and contract authority. Makes amounts available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003 for such program. (Sec. 1108) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to: (1) increase from five to 15 the number of value (formerly, congestion) pricing pilot programs eligible for funding; (2) require the Secretary to fund all pre-implementation costs; and (3) remove the three-program cap on the number of such programs on which the Secretary shall allow the use of tolls on the IS. Makes sums available from the HTF for each of FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 1109) Repeals provisions regarding economic growth center development highways. Revises provisions of ISTEA regarding highway use tax evasion projects to set the Federal share of such projects at 100 percent and to make available specified funds to the Secretary from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the development and maintenance by the IRS of an excise fuel reporting system. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary from the HTF for development, operation, and maintenance of the system. (Sec. 1110) Includes the construction of pedestrian walkways as an eligible use of States' NHS apportionments under the same criteria by which bicycle transportation facilities are eligible. Removes a restriction against safely accommodating bicycles on highway bridges located on fully access-controlled highways. Modifies planning provisions to require that: (1) consideration be given to bicyclists and pedestrians in the comprehensive statewide and metropolitan planning processes; and (2) the inclusion of bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways be considered in conjunction with all new construction and reconstruction of transportation facilities, except where such transportation is not permitted. (Sec. 1111) Requires that: (1) at least ten percent of the funds authorized for specified programs under this Act be expended with small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (2) each State annually survey and compile a list of such businesses; and (3) the Secretary establish minimum uniform criteria for State government use in certifying business qualification. (Sec. 1112) Revises provisions regarding the Federal share payable on IS and other projects to authorize a State to determine a lower Federal share than that determined under such provisions. Authorizes a State to use as a credit toward the non-Federal share requirement for any program under ISTEA or specified Federal highway provisions, other than an emergency relief program, toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build, improve, or maintain, without the use of Federal funds, highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve the public purpose of interstate commerce, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 1113) Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct: (1) an evaluation of the methodology used by DOT to determine highway needs using the highway economic requirement system (the model); and (2) a study on the extent to which the model can be used to provide States with useful information for developing State transportation investment plans and State infrastructure investment projections. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to submit reports to the Congress on the international roughness index that is used as an indicator of pavement quality on the Federal-aid highway system; and (2) the Secretary to publish or otherwise report rates of obligation of funds apportioned or set aside according to program, funding category or subcategory, type of improvement, State, and sub-State geographic area on the basis of population. (Sec. 1115) Establishes the Cooperative Federal Lands Transportation Program, under which funds may be used for projects on highways that are owned or maintained by States or political subdivisions thereof that cross, are adjacent to, or lead to federally owned land or Indian reservations, as determined by the State. Directs that such projects be proposed by a State and selected by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions regarding formulas for the distribution of funds for projects, funds transfers, and rights-of-way across Federal land (not affected). Makes specified funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 1116) Directs the Secretary to make incentive grants to designated States and MPOs to encourage joint transportation planning activities and to improve people and vehicle movement into and through international gateways as a supplement to statewide and metropolitan transportation planning funding. Requires as a grant condition that a State transportation department or MPO certify to the Secretary that it commits to be engaged in joint planning with its counterpart agency in Mexico or Canada. Limits grant awards to $100,000 per department or MPO for any fiscal year. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Requires the Secretary to make grants to States to encourage, within the framework of the statewide transportation planning process, cooperative multistate corridor analysis of, and planning for, the safe and efficient movement of goods along and within international or interstate trade corridors of national importance. Sets forth provisions regarding the identification of corridors, corridor plans, and planning coordination. Consents to any two or more States: (1) entering into multistate agreements for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in support of interstate trade corridor planning activities; and (2) establishing agencies to make the agreements effective. Makes specified funds available from the HTF for each of FY 1998 through 2003. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States or MPOs that submit an application that: (1) demonstrates need for assistance in carrying out transportation projects that are necessary to relieve traffic congestion or improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws; and (2) includes strategies to involve both the public and private sectors in the proposed project. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the selection of States, MPOs, and projects to receive grants; (2) permissible uses of grants; and (3) construction of transportation infrastructure for law enforcement purposes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003. Sets forth provisions regarding coordination of planning, the Federal cost share, and the use of unallocated funds. (Sec. 1117) Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to provide that: (1) each allocation to a State for the Appalachian development highway system shall remain available for expenditure for the fiscal year in which the allocation is made and the three following fiscal years; and (2) funds authorized for FY 1998 or thereafter, and not expended by a State during those four fiscal years, shall be released to the Appalachian Regional Development Commission for reallocation. Includes within the Appalachian development highway system a substitute corridor in lieu of Corridor H in Virginia. Increases the Federal share for prefinanced projects. Makes specified funds available for the continued construction of the system for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 1118) Directs the Secretary to set aside specified funds for IS resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, or reconstructing, and for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 1119) Requires the Secretary to solicit applications from States, or authorities designated by one or more States, for financial assistance authorized under this section for planning, design, and construction of eligible MAGLEV (i.e, transportation systems employing magnetic levitation that would be capable of safe use by the public at a speed in excess of 240 miles per hour) projects. Sets forth provisions regarding project eligibility, the Federal cost share, project selection criteria, and joint ventures. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1999 and 2000. Authorizes appropriations from the HTF for FY 2000 through 2003. Permits the use by a State of certain STP and CMAQ funds to pay a portion of project costs. (Sec. 1120) Requires the Secretary to execute an agreement with the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority or any Capital Region jurisdiction before funds made available under this section are available for construction of the replacement bridge, which shall identify whether the Authority or an individual entity will accept ownership of the new facility, and include a financial plan that identifies the total cost, schedule, and source of funds necessary to complete the project. Modifies the definition of the project to require that the replacement bridge be the preferred alternative identified in the record of decision in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Authorizes appropriations from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003 to pay the costs of planning, preliminary engineering and design, final engineering, acquisition of rights-of-way, and construction of the project. (Sec. 1121) Establishes the NHS as those routes and transportation facilities depicted on the map submitted by the Secretary to the Congress with a specified report, dated May 24, 1996. (Sec. 1122) Replaces the bridge program authorized in ISTEA with a requirement that States maintain their current funding levels for bridges on the Federal-aid system. Requires States to reserve at least an amount equivalent to the funding a State received under the bridge program for FY 1997 for bridges on either the IS, the NHS, or other Federal-aid roads. Requires an amount equivalent to at least 15 percent of a State's FY 1997 bridge apportionment to be expended on bridges off the Federal-aid system. Replaces the current requirement that States with Indian reservations reserve one percent of their bridge program funds for Indian reservation bridges to direct the Secretary to reserve at least $9 million for a program to fund improvements to Indian bridges. (Sec. 1123) Extends eligibility for CMAQ funding to include areas classified as submarginal ozone nonattainment areas and flexible attainment regions. Modifies eligibility for such funding to allow a State with a nonattainment area or maintenance area that received the minimum apportionment to use that amount of its apportionment not based on its nonattainment and maintenance area population on any project in the State eligible for STP funds. Excludes projects funded with CMAQ apportionments from the list of safety projects eligible for 100 percent Federal participation (making the standard 80 percent Federal share applicable). (Sec. 1124) Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to remove Maine from the list of States (currently, Maine and New Hampshire) to which specified safety belt use law requirements apply. Updates and extends such requirements with respect to New Hampshire (requiring a belt use rate of at least 50 percent in FY 1997 through 2000). Subtitle B: Program Streamlining and Flexibility - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Replaces ISTEA provisions directing the Secretary to deduct up to three and three quarters per cent of specified apportionments for administrative expenses with a requirement that the Secretary deduct up to one and one half percent of certain Federal-aid highway apportionments to administer the Federal-aid highway program. (Sec. 1202) Amends Federal highway provisions to: (1) authorize advance acquisition of real property for transportation improvements (currently limited to highway projects); and (2) provide a credit for acquired lands based on the value of publicly owned lands incorporated within a federally funded project. (Sec. 1203) Permits obligations incurred in prior fiscal years and released in a current fiscal year to be made available for reobligation. (Sec. 1204) Repeals a restriction that applies the Federal-non-Federal matching share requirement to each payment a State receives for construction. Makes the requirement applicable to total project costs rather than to individual voucher payments. (Sec. 1205) Replaces provisions regarding income from airspace rights-of-way with provisions regarding proceeds from the sale or lease of real property acquired with assistance from the HTF. (Sec. 1206) Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to provide that the Secretary shall not require States to use or plan the use of the metric system (currently, the Secretary may not require such action before September 30, 2000). (Sec. 1207) Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress an annual (currently, monthly) report on States' obligations for Federal-aid highways, highway safety construction programs, and unobligated balances. (Sec. 1208) Terminates the right-of-way revolving fund (and provides for a 20 year close-out period), a pilot toll collection program, and a congressional bridge commission). Directs the Secretary to terminate the National Recreational Trails Advisory Committee. (Sec. 1209) Revises: (1) the eligible uses of funds apportioned for IM; and (2) the rules regarding the ability to transfer such funds to other Federal-aid highway programs. Chapter 2: Project Approval - Provides for the program-wide, rather than project-by-project, transfer and administration of transit funds made available for highway projects and highway funds made available for transit projects. Requires the Secretary to administer specified funds made available and transferred to Amtrak. (Sec. 1222) Eliminates provisions regarding State plans, specifications, and estimates for highway projects, including a provision limiting construction engineering costs to 15 percent of the total estimated costs of projects financed by Federal highway funds within a State in a fiscal year. Directs: (1) the Secretary to act upon plans, specifications, and estimates submitted by the State transportation department as soon as practicable and to enter into an agreement formalizing the conditions of project approval; and (2) the project agreement to make provision for State funds required for the State's pro rata share of project construction and maintenance costs. Authorizes the Secretary to discharge to the States with their approval the Secretary's responsibilities for the design, plans, specifications, estimates, contract awards, and inspection of projects on the NHS. (Sec. 1223) Requires States to set aside eight (currently, ten) percent of the STP funds for transportation enhancement activities. Reduces the current quarterly, project-by-project State certification and notification requirements to annual, program-wide approval of each State's project agreement. (Sec. 1224) Authorizes States to use design-build contracting for Federal-aid highway projects meeting specified minimum criteria. Chapter 3: Eligibility and Flexibility - Redefines "operational improvement" to include the installation, operation, or maintenance of certain intelligent transportation systems (ITS) infrastructure projects. (Sec. 1232) Specifies that the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities are eligible uses of NHS, STP, and CMAQ funds. (Sec. 1233) Requires each State to set aside two percent of its STP apportionment for railway-highway crossings, two percent for hazard elimination activities, and six percent for railway highway crossings or hazard elimination activities. (Sec. 1234) Expands eligibility of projects on the NHS and under the STP. (Sec. 1236) Eliminates a requirement that a State highway project plan accommodate future traffic demands. Requires the Secretary to ensure the consideration of planned future traffic needs. Subtitle C: Finance - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for the establishment of State infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks for making loans and providing other assistance to public and private entities carrying out or proposing to carry out projects eligible for assistance, subject to specified requirements. Chapter 2: Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation - Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1997 - Establishes a transportation Federal credit assistance pilot program to provide alternative financing for eligible surface transportation projects. Sets forth eligibility criteria. (Sec. 1315) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with one or more obligors to make secured and direct loans to finance eligible project costs (including the refinancing of interim construction financing of such project costs for a limited time period). (Sec. 1318) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the duties of the Secretary to include, among other things, to develop and coordinate Federal policy on financing transportation infrastructure, including the provision of direct Federal credit assistance and other techniques used to leverage Federal transportation funds. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Office of the Secretary an Office of Infrastructure Finance, headed by a Director responsible for: (1) carrying out certain responsibilities of the Secretary, and research on financing transportation infrastructure; and (2) providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local government agencies and officials to facilitate the development and use of alternative techniques for financing transportation infrastructure. (Sec. 1321) Makes specified sums available from the HTF for FY 1998-2003 to carry out this chapter. (Sec. 1322) Sets forth reporting requirements. Subtitle D: Safety - Directs the Secretary to set aside for each of FY 1998 through 2003 from STP funds: (1) $500,000 to carry out a public information and education program to help prevent and reduce motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and to improve driver performance at railway-highway crossings; and (2) $5 million for elimination of hazards of such crossings. (Sec. 1403) Expands the list of projects eligible for railway-highway funds to include trespassing countermeasures, safety education, enforcement of traffic laws, and publicly sponsored projects at privately owned railway-highway crossings. Requires States to report to DOT on certain completed projects. Repeals a requirement that half of such funds be available for installation of protective devices at such crossings. (Sec. 1404) Expands list of projects eligible for hazard elimination program funds to include projects that would remove road hazards to bicyclists. Repeals a prohibition on States using such funds to correct hazards on IS routes . (Sec. 1405) Requires the Secretary, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing a repeat intoxicated driver law, to transfer one and one-half percent of a State's NHS and STP funds to the apportionment to be used for alcohol-impaired driving programs. Increases such percentage to three percent in FY 2002 and thereafter. Defines a "repeat intoxicated driver law" as one that requires, at a minimum, drivers with alcohol concentrations greater than or equal to .15 percent who are convicted of a second or subsequent offense within five years of the earlier conviction to receive a license suspension for at least one year, an assessment of the degree of alcohol abuse and treatment, as appropriate, and 30 days' community service or five days' imprisonment. (Sec. 1406) Provides incentive grants to States that either obtain a State seat belt use rate above the national average or increase the State seat belt usage. Makes funding available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Subtitle E: Environment - Directs the Secretary to carry out a National Scenic Byways program, and to make grants and provide technical assistance to States to implement National Scenic Byways, State scenic byways, and All-American Roads projects and plan, design, and develop a State scenic byway program. Sets the Federal share at 80 percent, with exceptions. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 1502) Allows an MPO, State transportation department, or other project sponsor to enter into an agreement with any public, private, or nonprofit entity to cooperatively implement any project carried out under CMAQ. Provides that activities eligible for funding in the case of projects for the use of alternative fuels by privately owned vehicles or vehicle fleets shall include costs of vehicle refueling infrastructure and other capital investments associated with the project but shall not include costs that would be borne by a private party or that would otherwise be offset under any other Federal, State, or local program. Prohibits a Federal participation payment from being made regarding any activity that is required under the Clean Air Act or any other Federal law. (Sec. 1503) Directs the Secretary to establish a national wetland restoration pilot program to fund specified mitigation projects to offset the degradation of wetlands, or the loss of functions and values of the aquatic resource, resulting from highway projects carried out before December 27, 1977, for which mitigation has not been performed. Sets forth provisions regarding selection of projects (and the formation of an interagency advisory council), selection criteria for priority projects, and reporting requirements. Makes specified funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Subtitle F: Planning - Revises provisions regarding metropolitan transportation planning. Sets forth specified boundary requirements for urbanized areas designated after this Act's enactment as ozone or carbon monoxide nonattainment areas, including that the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area be established by agreement between the local government and the Governor and encompass at least the urbanized and contiguous areas expected to become urbanized in a 20-year forecast period. Revises factors to be considered in the metropolitan transportation planning process. Requires such factors and State or local goals to be addressed in long-range transportation plans as they relate to a 20-year forecast and other forecast periods determined by planning process participants. Requires financial plans included in transportation management programs to indicate available resources and innovative financing techniques without requirements for indicating project-specific funding sources. Lists parties responsible for selection of federally funded projects to be implemented in metropolitan areas from approved transportation improvement programs. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold up to 20 percent of Federal highway and mass transportation funds attributable to a transportation management area if a metropolitan planning process is not certified. (Currently, all or part of STP funds may be withheld for failures to certify.) (Sec. 1602) Makes amendments to statewide planning provisions similar to those made to metropolitan planning provisions with respect to: (1) factors considered in the planning process; (2) elimination of requirements for project-specific funding sources; and (3) a 20-year forecast period for long-range transportation plans. (Sec. 1603) Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an advanced travel forecasting procedures program; and (2) a comprehensive initiative to investigate and address the relationships between transportation and community and system preservation. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Subtitle G: Technical Corrections - Makes technical and conforming changes to Federal highway law. Increases the maximum allowable mileage on the NHS to 178,250 miles. Describes the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and limits maximum mileage on the IS to 43,000 miles, exclusive of additional designations authorized by the Secretary. Title II: Research and Technology - Subtitle A: Research and Training - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary to establish a strategic planning process to: (1) determine national transportation research, development, and technology (RD&T) deployment priorities, strategies, and milestones over the next five years; (2) coordinate Federal transportation RD&T deployment activities; and (3) measure the impact of specified RD&T investments on the performance of the U.S. transportation system. Sets forth provisions regarding transactional authority of the Secretary, implementation of such process, and reporting requirements. Authorizes funds from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2002) Directs the Secretary to establish a Multimodal Transportation Research and Development Program. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2003) Directs the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, selected nonprofit institutions of higher learning to operate one university transportation center in each of the ten Federal administrative regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to such institutions to establish and operate up to ten additional centers to address specified transportation issues. Sets forth provisions regarding selection criteria, the Federal cost share, program coordination, and review and evaluation. Makes funds available from the HTF for each of FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2004) Expands the list of topics to be covered by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), including transportation-related variables influencing global competitiveness. Requires the Director of BTS to: (1) establish and maintain a transportation data base for all modes of transportation, and a National Transportation Library; and (2) develop and maintain geospatial data bases that depict transportation networks, flows of people, goods, vehicles, and craft over the networks, and social, economic, and environmental conditions that affect or are affected by the networks. Authorizes the Secretary to make specified research and development grants, including for development of electronic clearinghouses of transportation data and related information, as part of the National Transportation Library. Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited disclosures, and disposition of proceeds of data product sales. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2005) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out certain transportation-related RD&T transfer activities (and authorizes the Secretary to test, develop, or assist in testing and developing any material, invention, patented article, or process); and (2) develop and carry out programs to facilitate the application of such products of research and technical innovations as will improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the transportation system. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain collaborative research and development activities. Sets forth mandatory elements of surface transportation RD&T transfer programs. (Sec. 2006) Directs the Secretary to establish an advanced research program within the FHWA to address longer-term, higher-risk research that shows potential benefits for improving the durability, mobility, efficiency, environmental impact, productivity, and safety of transportation systems. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2007) Directs the Secretary to complete long-term pavement performance program tests through the midpoint of a planned 20-year life of the program. Makes HTF funds available for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2008) Makes two percent of certain transportation funds available to the States for each fiscal year to fund planning and research. (Sec. 2009) Directs the Secretary to carry out a transportation assistance program to provide access to modern highway technology to: (1) certain low-population and rural highway and transportation agencies; and (2) contractors who work for such agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to: (1) assist rural local transportation agencies, tribal governments, and consultants; (2) deliver transportation technology and traffic safety information to local jurisdictions; (3) operate local technical assistance program centers; and (4) allow local transportation agencies and tribal governments to enhance new technology implementation. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and operate in FHWA a National Highway Institute; and (2) carry out a Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program to attract qualified students to the field of transportation. Makes funds available from the HTF for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2010) Provides authorized uses of international highway transportation outreach program funds. Enables States to use their State Planning and Research Program Funds for program activities. (Sec. 2011) Directs the Secretary to develop and administer a national technology deployment initiatives and partnerships program. Sets forth reporting requirements. Makes HTF funds available for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 2012) Directs the Secretary to: (1) report every two years on estimates of the future highway and bridge needs of the United States; (2) establish and carry out a program to demonstrate the application of innovative material technology in the construction of bridges and other structures (and makes HTF funds available for FY 1998 through 2003); (3) make a grant to, or enter into a cooperative agreement or contract with, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to determine the goals, purposes, research agenda and projects, administrative structure, and fiscal needs for a new strategic highway research program (and sets reporting requirements); and (4) encourage and promote joint partnerships for advanced vehicles, components, and infrastructure (and sets forth reporting requirements and authorizes appropriations). Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems - Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary to carry out a comprehensive program of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research, development, operational testing, technical assistance and training, national architecture activities, standards development and implementation, and other similar activities, including a program to conduct research, development, and engineering designed to stimulate and advance deployment of an integrated intelligent vehicle program and an integrated intelligent infrastructure program. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities, cost sharing, a six-year plan, reporting and evaluation requirements, and funding. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects and, upon request, make such information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost; (2) carry out a program to advance traffic incident management and response technologies, strategies, and partnerships that are fully integrated with ITS; (3) conduct a comprehensive program to accelerate the integration and interoperability of ITS; (4) conduct a comprehensive program to accelerate the integration or deployment of ITS in rural areas; and (5) carry out a comprehensive program to promote the safety and productivity of commercial vehicles and drivers, and reduce costs associated with commercial vehicle operations and State and Federal commercial vehicle regulatory requirements. Makes HTF funds available for FY 1998 through 2003. Requires the Secretary to develop, implement, and maintain a national architecture and supporting standards to promote the widespread use and evaluation of ITS technology as a component of U.S. surface transportation systems. Sets forth provisions regarding reporting requirements, waivers, funding limitations, and advisory committees. Repeals the Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1991. Subtitle C: Funding - Makes funds available from the HTF for research, technology, and training for FY 1998 through 2003. Limits obligations for each such year.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1997
Calls for the United States to discontinue all financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority and urge its allies to do the same, unless and until the Palestinian Authority demonstrates a 100-percent maximum effort to curtail terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1997
Expresses the condolences of the Congress on the death of Mother Teresa. Designates September 13, 1997, as a National Day of Recognition for the humanitarian efforts of Mother Teresa and those who have labored with her in service to the poor and afflicted of the world.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1997
Condemns the bombing in Jerusalem on September 4, 1997, and those responsible for encouraging or inciting such acts. Expresses: (1) condolences to the families of the victims; and (2) solidarity with the people of Israel. Reaffirms that the United States should fully cooperate with Israel in helping to stem the tide of terrorism which has threatened the Oslo peace process and the stability of the region. Affirms that the United States should provide no monetary or other assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it has fulfilled its obligations under the Oslo Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act of 1997 - Provides for the establishment of a State one-call notification program to protect underground facilities from excavation damage. Outlines required elements of the program, including minimum standards and provisions for implementation and enforcement. Authorizes a State to maintain an alternate one-call notification program if it provides protection for public safety, the environment, or excavators that is equivalent to, or greater than, protection under a program that meets the minimum standards of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study damage prevention practices associated with existing one-call notification systems in order to determine which systems practices appear to be the most effective in preventing damage to underground facilities and in protecting the public, the environment, excavators, and public service disruption. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist qualifying States in improving their one-call notification programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Parent and Student Savings Account PLUS Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to education individual retirement accounts to: (1) include qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (including home schooling); and (2) increase annual contribution limits to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Calls for: (1) the President to demand that the Government of Russia take actions to stop governmental and nongovernmental entities in the Russian Federation from providing missile technology and technical advice to Iran in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime; (2) the United States, if Russia's response is inadequate, to impose sanctions on the responsible Russian entities in accordance with Executive Order 12938 on the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and to reassess cooperative activities with Russia; (3) raising the threshold under current law allowing for the waiver of the prohibition on the release of foreign assistance to Russia; and (4) encouragement of our European allies to take steps to stop such proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Aircraft Repair Station Safety Act of 1997 - Terminates the effectiveness of certain November 22, 1988, amendments to the foreign repair station rules of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Declares that certain standards issued by the FAA for domestic repair stations shall apply in the same manner to foreign repair stations. Amends Federal aviation safety law to require the FAA Administrator to issue an order revoking an air agency certificate for a repair station if the Administrator finds that that any station owner or personnel knowingly used an uncertified or substandard airframe, engine, propeller, appliance, or any other part in the repair or overhaul of an aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Authorizes each State that issues licenses to commercial motor vehicle operators to waive any requirement to obtain such a license for operators of custom harvesting farm machinery or employees of farm-related service industries (or both) that would otherwise apply.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Ozone and Particulate Matter Research Act of 1997 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) request the National Academy of Sciences to convene an independent panel of scientists with expertise on the health effects of air pollution to establish priorities for research on the health effects of particulate matter; and (2) report the panel's recommendations to the Congress. Requires the President to establish the Particulate Matter Interagency Committee to develop recommendations for, and periodically evaluate, a program to coordinate the activities of Federal agencies engaged in research on health effects of particulate matter that ensures that such research advances the prioritized agenda of the panel. Directs the Administrator to: (1) review the air quality criteria and standards under the Clean Air Act for ozone and particulate matter; and (2) determine whether to retain or revise such standards and criteria or promulgate new ones. Authorizes the Administrator to require State implementation plans under such Act to require ambient air quality monitoring for fine particulate matter. Provides for grants to States to carry out such monitoring. Reinstates the national ambient air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter in effect on July 15, 1997. Bars revision of such standards until the Administrator's scientific review under this Act is completed. Directs the National Institutes of Health to begin a research program to study the health effects of allergens on asthmatics, particularly in inner city areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1997
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1997 - Provides that a veterans' preference eligible (PE) or an individual who has been separated from military service under honorable conditions after three or more years of active duty shall not be denied the opportunity to compete for a vacant position within a Federal agency, either in the competitive or excepted service, by reason of: (1) not having acquired competitive status; or (2) not being an employee of such agency. Requires each agency to notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. employment offices of each vacant position for which competition is restricted to employees or individuals having competitive service. Requires OPM, at least every two years, to submit to the Congress and the President a report detailing for the prior period the number of such vacant positions in the Federal Government and the number of PE or separated individuals referred or appointed to such positions. Directs OPM to establish and keep current a comprehensive list of all announcements of vacant positions within each agency for which competition is so restricted. Applies such PE requirements to the Postal Service, with exceptions for certain collective bargaining positions. Prohibits, during a Federal reduction in force (RIF), a position occupied by a PE from being placed in a single-position competitive level if the PE is qualified to perform the essential functions of any other position at the same grade in the competitive area (defined as being able to perform such functions within 150 days). Entitles a PE whose current or latest performance rating is at least fully successful to be assigned during a RIF to any position for which he or she is qualified that is within: (1) the PE's commuting area and is currently occupied by an individual placed in such position within six months before the RIF; or (2) the PE's competitive area and is not more than three grades below the position from which the PE was released (with an exception). Authorizes a PE to challenge the classification of any position to which the PE asserts assignment rights in an action before the Merit Systems Protection Board. Requires each agency to establish an agency-wide priority placement program to facilitate employment placement for PEs who are scheduled to be or who are separated from service due to a RIF and who have received a rating of at least fully successful at their last performance evaluation or who occupy positions excluded from a performance appraisal system. Allows an individual to designate a different local commuting area in order to exercise reemployment rights if there are no alternative positions within the most local area. Requires an agency to place qualified present and former employees in retention order by PE subgroup and tenure group. Makes an individual eligible for reemployment for two years after a RIF. Provides conditions under which an individual loses eligibility for such reemployment. Provides administrative and judicial redress and remedies for any PE or other individual who alleges that an agency has violated such individual's veterans' preference or related rights. Extends the veterans' preference to: (1) employment within the General Accounting Office; (2) appointments made to the Office of the President (with an exception when the President certifies that the position is a confidential, policy-making, or political position); and (3) appointments to the legislative branch (with specified exclusions). Establishes administrative remedies and procedures for PE and separated individuals with respect to appointments within the legislative or judicial branches of the Federal Government. Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to prescribe regulations to provide for: (1) veterans' preference in the consideration of applicants for employment, and in the conduct of any RIF, within the judicial branch; and (2) redress procedures for alleged violations of any rights of such individuals. Requires the Conference to: (1) consult with specified congressionally chartered veterans' service organizations when considering such regulations; and (2) provide specified congressional committees with a copy of such regulations. Extends the veterans' preference to RIFs in the Federal Aviation Administration. Includes among PE veterans those who served during a military operation in a qualified hazardous duty area under requirements prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Prohibits any employee authorized to take personnel actions from knowingly taking, or failing to take, any personnel action if such taking or failure would violate a PE requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1997
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1997 - Provides for the analysis of major regulatory rules by Federal agencies. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) principles for risk assessments; (2) peer review; (3) deadlines for rule making; (4) judicial review; and (5) guidelines, interagency coordination, and research. Mandates a comparative risk analysis study. Requires certain agency heads to establish advisory committees for the review of rules. Directs the: (1) President to establish a process for the review and coordination of Federal agency regulatory actions; and (2) Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish procedures for public and agency access to information concerning regulatory review actions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1997
Amends Federal aviation law to declare that nothing in such law or in the Death on the High Seas Act shall affect any remedy existing at common law or under State law with respect to any injury or death arising out of any aviation incident occurring on or after January 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Declares that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol to, or other agreement regarding, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, at negotiations in Kyoto in December 1997 or thereafter which would: (1) mandate new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Annex 1 Parties, unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Developing Country Parties within the same compliance period; or (2) result in serious harm to the U.S. economy. Calls for any such protocol or other agreement which would require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification to be accompanied by: (1) a detailed explanation of any legislation or regulatory actions that may be required to implement it; and (2) an analysis of the detailed financial costs which would be incurred by, and other impacts on, the U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Oklahoma City National Memorial Act of 1997 - Establishes: (1) the Oklahoma City National Memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as a National Park System unit; and (2) the Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust, as a wholly owned Government corporation, to administer the operation, maintenance, management, and interpretation of the Memorial. Requires the Trust, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to develop a comprehensive program for management of lands, operations, and facilities within the Memorial. Authorizes appropriations. Requires amounts appropriated in any fiscal year to carry out this Act to be expended only on a matching basis in a ratio of at least one non-Federal dollar to every Federal dollar. Requires, before the construction of the Memorial, the Administrator of the General Services Administration to exchange, sell, lease, donate, or otherwise dispose of the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, or a portion thereof, to the Trust. Exempts such disposal from: (1) the Public Buildings Act of 1959; (2) the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949; and (3) any other Federal law establishing requirements or procedures for Federal property disposal. Directs the General Accounting Office, six years after the first meeting of the Trust's Board of Directors, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the Trust's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a term or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply specified uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements (similar to those of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act) that a label containing certain information be affixed to the windshield or window of a rebuilt or remanufactured salvage vehicle before its first sale. Prohibits a person from willfully removing, altering, or rendering illegible such label before the vehicle is delivered to the ultimate purchaser. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of these acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize Federal agency heads to donate surplus law enforcement canines determined to be no longer needed for official purposes to an individual who has experience handling canines in the performance of law enforcement duties.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Amends Federal aviation law, with respect to the automatic stay of administrative orders pending appeal, to revise general deadline requirements for the National Transportation Safety Board to make a disposition concerning the issues on appeal that are related to the existence of an emergency, as declared by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, because of which the order must be effective immediately.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Stealth Tax Prevention Act - Amends Federal law relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to include in the definition of "major rule" any rule that is promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service and for which the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget finds that implementation and enforcement of the rule has resulted in (or is likely to result in) any net increase in Federal revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Economic Growth Dividend Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for any amount by which revenues for a budget year and any outyears through FY 2002 exceed the revenue target absent growth, to estimate the excess and include such estimate as a separate entry in the report to the Congress containing Congressional Budget Office estimates of amounts and changes in outlays and receipts of direct spending and receipts legislation at the same time the OMB sequestration preview report is issued. Requires OMB to include the amount of any change in revenues as a deficit decrease in estimates and sequestration reports unless such amount is offset by legislation decreasing revenues in an amount not exceeding the amount of such decrease. Sets forth the revenue targets absent growth for FY 1998 through 2002. Considers legislation decreasing revenues in compliance with this Act to be in order for purposes of specified provisions regarding congressional pay-as-you-go points of order and consideration in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that it should be U.S. policy to support the admission of Taiwan to membership in the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and all appropriate regional multilateral economic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reform of Existing Programs Title II: Incentive Grants for Accountability-Based Reforms Title III: Reform of Federal Juvenile Justice System Title IV: General Provisions Juvenile Crime Control and Community Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Reform of Existing Programs - Revises Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (the Act): (1) findings to specify that juvenile delinquency requires action by Federal, State, and local governments (currently, the Federal Government); and (2) purposes to include assisting State and local governments in promoting public safety by improving the openness of the juvenile justice system to the public and by encouraging the identification of violent and hard-core juveniles and transferring them into adult criminal court jurisdiction. (Sec. 103) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan, and implement overall policy and a strategy to carry out such plan, for all Federal juvenile delinquency programs and activities relating to punishment and to submit such plan to the Congress. Replaces certain requirements regarding the Administrator's duties with a requirement that he reduce duplication among Federal juvenile delinquency programs and activities. Repeals requirements that the Administrator: (1) consult with the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and (2) require certain Federal agencies to submit annual juvenile delinquency development statements to the Council. (Sec. 104) Requires the Administrator to submit to the President, specified congressional leaders, and the Governor of each State a report containing data and analysis regarding the rate at which juveniles are taken into custody, the numbers of juveniles taken into custody, repeat offenders, juveniles using weapons, and juvenile and adult victims of juvenile crime, and trends. (Sec. 105) Amends Act provisions regarding block grants for State and local programs to authorize the Administrator to: (1) make grants to charitable and religious organizations and for specified purposes such as initiatives for holding juveniles accountable for acts of delinquency and improving juvenile court and law enforcement records; and (2) use specified sums to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to disseminate to the States information on juvenile delinquency prevention, treatment, and control, and to provide training and technical assistance. (Sec. 106) Repeals a requirement that a State plan for carrying out a State's purposes applicable to a three-year period under such Act be amended annually to include new programs and challenge activities subsequent to State participation. Rewrites provisions regarding an advisory group to require that it include: (1) members who have training, experience, or special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency, the administration of juvenile justice (including law enforcement), and the representation of the interests of the victims of violent juvenile crime and their families; and (2) as members at least one locally elected official representing general purpose local government. Requires the State plan to provide assurances that, in each secure facility located in the State, there is no commingling in the same cell or community room or any other regular, sustained physical contact between a juvenile and an adult offender. (Sec. 107) Repeals various Act programs, including provisions regarding the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, special emphasis prevention and treatment programs, State challenge activities, treatment for juvenile offenders who are victims of child abuse or neglect, mentoring, boot camps, and the White House Conference on Juvenile Justice. Title II: Incentive Grants for Accountability-Based Reforms - Amends the Act to direct the Administrator to provide juvenile delinquent accountability grants to States that have: (1) policies and programs that ensure that juveniles who commit an act after attaining age 14 that would be a serious violent crime if committed by an adult are treated as adults for prosecution purposes, unless on a case-by-case basis, as a matter of law or prosecutorial discretion, the transfer of such juveniles for disposition in the juvenile system is determined to be in the interest of justice (but the juvenile's age alone shall not be determinative of whether such transfer is in the interest of justice); (2) graduated sanctions for juvenile offenders; and (3) a specified system of records relating to juveniles under age 15 who are adjudicated delinquent for conduct that if committed by an adult would constitute a serious violent crime. Makes such records available to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the courts, and school officials. Subjects school officials to the same standards applicable to law enforcement and juvenile justice system employees under Federal and State law for handling and disclosing such information. Makes such States eligible for additional sums upon demonstrating compliance with specified accountability-based youth violence reduction practices, such as mandatory victim and community restitution (including statewide programs to reach restitution collection levels of not less than 80 percent), public access to juvenile court delinquency proceedings, zero tolerance for truancy and for deadbeat juvenile parents, and specified recordkeeping and fingerprinting requirements for juveniles under age 14 who commit acts which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony under Federal or State law. Title III: Reform of Federal Juvenile Justice System - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to promulgate, or amend existing, guidelines to provide that offenses contained in the juvenile record of an adult defendant shall be considered as adult offenses in sentencing determinations if such juvenile offenses would have constituted a felony had they been committed by the defendant as an adult. (Sec. 302) Amends: (1) the Federal criminal code to provide for the release of juvenile records as necessary to meet inquiries from officials of a school, school district, or any postsecondary school where the individual who is the subject of the record seeks, intends, or is instructed or ordered to enroll (school officials); (2) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize the referral of children with disabilities to juvenile and criminal authorities when such a child commits a criminal act; (3) the Federal judicial code to authorize the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division, to provide, upon request, certain information received under the Act to school officials; and (4) the Act to require the prosecution of a juvenile defendant age 14 or older as an adult if such juvenile is charged with specified offenses, including murder, robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, forcible rape, certain serious drug offenses, and a third or subsequent occasion on which such juvenile engages in conduct for which an adult could be imprisoned for a term exceeding one year, with exceptions. Title IV: General Provisions - Modifies the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for the Office, for block grants for State and local programs, and for incentive grants for accountability-based reforms. Specifies that the source of such appropriations may be the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Breast-Cancer Research Stamp Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is one cent higher than the regular rate as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for breast-cancer research. Authorizes the Service to design and sell special stamps. Requires the Service to pay amounts attributable (additional revenues minus costs) to the one-cent differential to the Department of Health and Human Services at least twice a year.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
First Flight Commemorative Coin Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue for a limited period ten-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Instructs the Secretary to ensure: (1) establishment of a coin marketing plan; and (2) availability of adequate funds to cover the costs of implementing such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Alternative Minimum Tax Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide, with respect to the method of depreciation used for businesses to determine the alternative minimum tax, for the use of the regularly used method of depreciation. Revises the method for recovering long-term unused credits against such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1997
Urges the Clinton Administration to: (1) enforce the Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act of 1992 with respect to the acquisition by Iran of C-802 model cruise missiles; or (2) carry out an alternative policy that would address such acquisition in a similar manner.
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
Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, public lands highways, parkways and park roads, highway safety programs, and highway safety research and development, through FY 2002. Amends provisions regarding transferability of funds to authorize a State, upon determining that excess funds have been made available to the State for a purpose, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the State. Specifies that if the Secretary determines that a State has transferred funds to a purpose that is not a surface transportation purpose, the amount of the improperly transferred funds shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from HTF for the next fiscal year. Repeals provisions regarding the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System and sets forth provisions regarding the apportionment of funds to the States for interstate maintenance. Authorizes appropriations for motor carrier safety grants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend until October 1, 2002, the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a core programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to States for transportation purposes. Terminates transfers to HTF's Mass Transit Account on and after October 1, 1997. (Sec. 6) Grants congressional consent to States to enter into interstate compacts to: (1) promote the continuity, quality, and safety of the Interstate System; (2) develop programs to promote and fund surface transportation safety initiatives and establish surface transportation safety standards; (3) conduct long-term planning for surface transportation infrastructure in, and develop design and construction standards for such infrastructure to be used by, participating States; and (4) establish surface transportation infrastructure banks. Sets forth provisions regarding financing and authority of infrastructure banks. (Sec. 7) Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist State and local governments in efforts to privatize the transportation infrastructure assets of the State and local governments; and (2) approve requests from State and local governments to privatize transportation infrastructure assets and waive or modify any condition relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding criteria for approval of requests, the lack of a State or local obligation to repay Federal grant funds for assets that are privatized, the use of proceeds from the privatization of a transportation infrastructure asset, and cost recovery. (Sec. 8) Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and special fuels funding HTF. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress describing necessary technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 11) Makes this Act contingent upon certification by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that this Act is deficit neutral and meets specified requirements regarding discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Product Liability Reform Title II: Biomaterials Access Assurance Title III: Limitations on Applicability; Effective Date Product Liability Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Product Liability Reform - Applies this Act to any product liability action in any State or Federal court on any theory for harm caused by a product, except for: (1) commercial loss actions; (2) civil negligent entrustment actions; and (3) any dramshop or third-party liability actions arising from the sale or provision of alcohol to intoxicated persons or minors. (Sec. 103) Imposes seller liability if the seller failed to exercise reasonable care, made an express warranty, or engaged in intentional wrongdoing. Declares that a failure to inspect is not a failure of reasonable care if there was no reasonable opportunity to inspect or if the inspection would not have revealed the aspect that caused the harm. Makes a seller liable as a manufacturer if the manufacturer is not subject to service or if the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment. Makes certain persons engaged in the business of renting or leasing liable as a seller, but prohibits liability for the tortious act of another solely by reason of ownership. (Sec. 104) Makes it a complete defense if the defendant proves that the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or a drug and was more than 50 percent responsible. (Sec. 105) Reduces damages by the percentage of harm attributable to misuse or alteration, except for actions involving an employer or co-employee if the employer or co-employee is, under State law, immune from claimant's action. (Sec. 106) Limits the time within which a product liability action must be started. (Sec. 107) Allows a claimant or defendant in a product liability action to offer to proceed with voluntary, nonbinding alternative dispute resolution. (Sec. 108) Allows punitive damages, as permitted by State law, if the claimant shows by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's conduct, carried out with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others, was the proximate cause of the harm. Regulates punitive damage amounts. (Sec. 110) Permits several and prohibits joint liability for noneconomic loss, allocating liability in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility. Title II: Biomaterials Access Assurance - Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Excludes from the term "claimant," for this title, anyone who alleges harm caused by a silicone gel breast implant. (Sec. 204) Applies this title, subject to exception, to any civil action in Federal or State court against a manufacturer, seller, or biomaterials supplier, on any legal theory, for harm allegedly caused by an implant. (Sec. 205) Declares that a biomaterials supplier shall not be liable for harm caused by an implant unless the supplier: (1) is a manufacturer; (2) is a seller; and (3) furnishes materials or parts that fail to meet contractual requirements or specifications. Sets forth the circumstances in which a supplier may be considered a manufacturer and the circumstances in which a supplier may be considered a seller. Allows a supplier, to the extent required and permitted by other law, to be liable if the claimant shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, violation of contractual requirements or specifications. (Sec. 206) Sets forth procedures relating to motions by a supplier to dismiss actions that are subject to this title. Title III: Limitations on Applicability; Effective Date - Makes any circuit court of appeals decision interpreting this Act a precedent for any Federal or State court within that court's geographic jurisdiction. Declares that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction under this Act based on provisions of the U.S. Code relating to Federal questions, commerce and antitrust, and amounts in controversy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Requests that a nationwide moment of remembrance be observed on Memorial Day, May 26, 1997, by the simultaneous pausing of all citizens to acknowledge the playing of "Taps" at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in honor of the Americans who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 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
Health Insurance Tax Equity for Self-Employed Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for health insurance costs for self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
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
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) necessary administrative expenses directly related to corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) other costs of such programs in any instance, as determined by the State, in which an owner's or operator's financial resources (excluding resources provided by such programs) are inadequate to pay the costs of a corrective action without significantly impairing the ability to continue in business; (4) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (5) State or local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Requires States to limit the proportion of such funds used to pay administrative expenses to a percentage that may be established by State law. Makes inapplicable to Trust Fund amounts provided to owners or operators under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000024_200.jpg)