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United States · Official source
5,991 records where Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1998
Designates the week of May 3, 1998, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Attorney General should: (1) enforce the law and protect from violent attack persons seeking to provide or obtain, or assist in providing or obtaining, reproductive health services; and (2) allocate the resources needed to accomplish the Department of Justice's mission, including reproductive health services clinic protection, as described in a specified presidential instruction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 - Declares the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) serve as the first authorization in a series of computing, information, and communication technology initiatives outlined in the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (HPCA); and (2) provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated U.S. research program on computer network infrastructure, high-speed data access, and networking technology. Directs the Advisory Committee on High-Performance Computing and Communications, Information Technology, and the Next Generation Internet (created under the HPCA) to assess the extent to which: (1) the Next Generation Internet program (program) carries out the purposes of this Act and addresses concerns relating to geographic penalties (costs imposed on Internet users in rural or small population areas that are greater than those imposed on users in large population areas or areas closer to network facilities) and technology transfer to and from the private sector; and (2) the role of each Federal department and agency involved in implementing the program is clear, complementary, and non-duplicative, as well as the extent to which each such department and agency concurs with the role of each other participating department or agency. Requires the Advisory Committee to assess program implementation and report at least annually to the President and specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for the program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to repeal a specified restriction on Medicare payment for certain hospital discharges to post-acute care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1998
Designates March 25, 1998, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 - Revises and extends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA). (Sec. 2) Provides for establishment of: (1) linkages between State vocational rehabilitation programs and workforce investment activities carried out under the Workforce Investment Partnership Act of 1998 (WIPA); and (2) special responsibilities for the Secretary of Education for coordination of all activities with respect to individuals with disabilities within and across programs administered by the Federal Government. (Sec. 3) Revises RA general provisions. Requires the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA, which is in the Office of the Secretary of Education) and the Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to reserve specified funds to carry out certain activities for outreach to minorities. (Sec. 4) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services programs. Revises requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation Services plans, individual eligibility, individualized rehabilitation employment plans, vocational rehabilitation services scope, group services, non-Federal shares for establishment of programs, State Rehabilitation Councils, evaluation standards and performance indicators, and monitoring and review. Maintains formulas for State allotments for Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services, but eliminates provisions for certain additional allotments and payments to States. Revises reallotment provisions. Revises the formula for reservation of funds for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Revises requirements for title I payments to States. Requires a State Governor to redesignate the agency conducting the client assistance program under certain conditions. Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such program. Eliminates RA title I (current part C) provisions for Innovation and Expansion Grants. Increases to 60 months the maximum effective duration of an approved application for an American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services grant. Revises requirements for vocational rehabilitation services client information. Directs the Secretaries of Education and of Health and Human Services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to exchange data of mutual importance that concern clients of designated State agencies, including data maintained either by the RSA or by the Social Security Administration from its Summary Earnings and Records and Master Beneficiary Records. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide the RSA Commissioner with labor market information that facilitates evaluation of the Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Services program and allows comparison of the progress of individuals with disabilities who are assisted under such program in securing, retaining, regaining, and advancing in employment with the progress made by individuals who are assisted under specified WIPA provisions. (Sec. 5) Revises RA title II (Research and Training). Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) expenses of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (Institute), including certain expenses of the Rehabilitation Research Advisory Council; and (2) research and other covered activities. Requires the Institute's Director to: (1) include, in an education program for the public, information on assistive technology services and devices, and disseminate engineering information about them; (2) provide for development and dissemination of models to address consumer-driven information needs related to assistive technology devices and services; and (3) publish for public comment drafts of five-year plans outlining and explaining priorities for rehabilitation research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, and consider public comments before submitting the final form of such a plan to the appropriate congressional committees. Eliminates grant or contract assistance for: (1) a pediatric rehabilitation research program; (2) a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center in the Pacific Basin; and (3) a center for research and training concerning the delivery of rehabilitation services to rural areas. (Sec. 6) Revises RA title III (Professional Development and Special Projects and Demonstrations). Directs the Secretary to ensure that all title III grants and contracts are awarded on a competitive basis. Revises and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for training programs. Requires (current law authorizes) the Commissioner to make grants and contracts for personnel training. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants and contracts for training: (1) regarding related Federal statutes; (2) personnel providing services to individuals with disabilities under WIPA (jointly funded with the Department of Labor); or (3) leading to an academic degree or certificate in various rehabilitation-related areas. Continues requirements for training grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other higher education institutions with minority enrollments of at least 50 percent. Includes hard-of-hearing individuals (as well as deaf or deaf-blind individuals) among those for whom interpreters may be trained under a discretionary grant program. Eliminates: (1) discretionary technical assistance to State rehabilitation agencies and community rehabilitation programs; (2) various grants and contracts relating to vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities; (3) loan guarantees for community rehabilitation programs; and (4) comprehensive rehabilitation centers. Revises and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) special demonstration programs; (2) migrant and seasonal farmworkers programs; and (3) recreational programs. Eliminates certain title III discretionary grants for: (1) reader services for blind individuals; and (2) interpreter services for deaf individuals. Authorizes the Commissioner to require title III grant recipients to submit information to measure project outcomes and performance. (Sec. 7) Amends RA title IV (National Council on Disability) to revise the deadline for the Council's annual progress report on national disability policy. Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the Council. (Sec. 8) Revises RA title V (Rights and Advocacy). Directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) to promulgate regulations for Federal agency procurement of electronic and information technology that allows individuals with disabilities to produce and have access to information and data in manner comparable to that of individuals without disabilities. Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for title V with respect to protection and advocacy of individual rights. Reserves for a grant to the eligible system serving the American Indian consortium a certain portion of such funds in excess of a specified amount. Applies certain limitations under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 to the use of allotments or grants under these RA provisions for protection and advocacy of individual rights. (Sec. 9) Amends RA title VI (Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities) (the Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Act). Eliminates current part A (Community Service Pilot Programs for Individuals with Disabilities). Sets forth a new part A (Projects in Telecommuting and Self-Employment for Individuals with Disabilities). Directs the Commissioner to award competitive, one-time, time-limited grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to establish and operate: (1) projects in telecommuting for individuals with disabilities; and (2) projects in self-employment for individuals with disabilities. Authorizes the Commissioner to establish procedures for dual-purpose applications. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004. Revises and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) part B (Projects with Industry); (2) part C (Supported Employment Services for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities). ("Most significant" replaces the term "severe" disabilities.) (Sec. 10) Amends RA title VII (Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living). Revises and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Individuals with Significant Disabilities, including provisions for Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living; and (2) Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind. (Sec. 11) Amends the Helen Keller National Center Act to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for the Helen Keller National Center for Youths and Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind and the Center's Federal Endowment Fund. Directs the Center to establish and maintain a national registry of individuals who are deaf-blind. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2000 for such registry. (Sec. 12) Amends a specified Joint Resolution of the Congress to allow the President's Committee on National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week to solicit, as well as accept, certain donations. (Sec. 13) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to provide that the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to peer review panels established by the Secretary to evaluate applications for financial assistance awarded on a competitive basis. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress recommended legislation containing technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998
Requests that the President issue a proclamation designating February 3, 1998, as Four Chaplains Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund Title II: National Protocol and Liability Provisions Subtitle A: National Tobacco Control Protocol Subtitle B: Consent Decrees Subtitle C: Liability Provisions Title III: Reduction in Underage Tobacco Use Subtitle A: State Laws Regarding the Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors Subtitle B: Required Reduction in Underage Usage Title IV: Health and Safety Regulation of Tobacco Products Title V: Payments to States and Public Health Programs Subtitle A: Payments to States Subtitle B: Public Health Programs Title VI: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title VII: Public Disclosure of Health Research Title VIII: Agricultural Transition Provisions Subtitle A: Tobacco Production Transition Subtitle B: Tobacco Price Support and Production Adjustment Programs Subtitle C: Funding Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions Placing Restraints on Tobacco's Endangerment of Children and Teens Act - PROTECT Act - Sets national goals for reductions in tobacco product use by individuals under 18 years old. Title I: National Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund - Establishes the National Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund (Settlement Fund), to be composed of compensatory and punitive damage payments by participating manufacturers (manufacturers that enter into the Protocol under subtitle A of title II of this Act and that enter into a consent decree with each State that requests that the manufacturer enter into the Protocol). Transfers to the Settlement Fund, without further appropriation, amounts received under specified provisions of this Act. Mandates Settlement Fund expenditures, setting forth a table by years and categories of recipients. (Sec. 102) Requires participating manufacturers, in order to receive protections under title II of this Act, to pay licensing fees to the Settlement Fund in specified amounts over 25 years, with amounts adjusted for inflation and relative domestic sales volume. (Sec. 103) Establishes the Advisory Board to advise the Settlement Fund's Trustees in Settlement Fund administration. (Sec. 104) Imposes an initial monetary penalty for a manufacturer's failure to make timely fee payments. Title II: National Protocol and Liability Provisions - Subtitle A: National Tobacco Control Protocol - Chapter 1: Establishment - Requires each tobacco manufacturer, in order to receive liability protections provided in this title, to enter into a National Tobacco Control Protocol with the U.S. Attorney General, the chief executive officer of each State, and a representative of the members of the class certified for a specified class action. Requires participating manufacturers, in their contracts with distributors and retailers, to include a clause requiring compliance with the Protocol. Chapter 2: Terms and Conditions - Subchapter A: Protocol Restrictions on Advertising - Requires that this chapter be considered part of the Protocol. (Sec. 212) Prohibits tobacco product advertising: (1) outdoors; (2) in any arena or stadium where athletic, social, or cultural activities occur; (3) using a human image or cartoon character; and (4) subject to exception, using the Internet or at the point of sale. (Sec. 213) Prohibits using a trade or brand name of a nontobacco product for a cigarette or smokeless product unless the name was on both products before 1995. Specifies the media and locations in which advertising is allowed and requires prior notification to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs describing the medium and the extent to which the advertising or labeling may be seen by individuals under 18 years old. Prohibits paid product placement in television programs, motion pictures, or video games. Prohibits direct or indirect payments to promote tobacco product image or use through print or film media that appeal to individuals under 18 years old or through a live performance that appeals to those individuals. (Sec. 214) Sets forth format and content requirements for labeling and advertising. (Sec. 215) Prohibits: (1) selling any item (other than tobacco products) or service bearing a brand name or any other indicia of product identification similar to those used for tobacco products; (2) any gift to tobacco purchasers; and (3) sponsorship (except under the corporate name) of any athletic, social, or cultural event, entry, or team in which any indicia of product identification similar to those used for tobacco products is used. Subchapter B: Provisions Relating to Lobbying - Regulates actions of lobbyists for tobacco product manufacturers. (Sec. 222) Requires tobacco manufacturers to terminate the Tobacco Institute and the Council for Tobacco Research, U.S.A. Regulates the trade or industry organizations tobacco product manufacturers may form or participate in. Subchapter C: Other Provisions - Requires that participating manufacturers determine the percentage of licensing fees to be paid by each manufacturer and the manner of payment. (Sec. 227) Establishes an Arbitration panel to award attorney's fees and expenses relating to litigation resulting in whole or part in this Act. (Sec. 228) Provides for the treatment of Indian country. Chapter 3: Enforcement - Empowers the Attorney General (and the chief law enforcement officer of a State) to bring a civil action for Protocol enforcement. Allows restraining orders, specific performance, and civil monetary penalties. Requires use of Settlement Fund amounts for Federal enforcement activities. (Sec. 233) Empowers a participating manufacturer to: (1) seek a declaration of its Protocol rights and obligations; and (2) bring a civil action against another participating manufacturer to enforce the Protocol, subject to exception. Allows any participating manufacturer to intervene in any Federal or State enforcement proceeding. Subtitle B: Consent Decrees - Requires a State (to be eligible for payments under title V), a tobacco manufacturer (to be eligible for protections under subtitle C), and a representative of the class in a specified class action (to receive benefits under this Act) to enter into consent decrees under this paragraph. Sets forth matters with which the decrees must deal (including a waiver of Federal and State constitutional claims) and may not deal. Requires Attorney General approval in order for a decree to be valid. (Sec. 242) Empowers a State to bring proceedings for the enforcement of a decree, but only for injunctive (not criminal or monetary) relief. (Sec. 243) Imposes an annual fee on manufacturers that do not enter into a decree equal to the fees paid under section 102. Requires each nonparticipating manufacturer to annually deposit into an escrowed reserve fund 150 percent of the amount the manufacturer would have paid (if it was a Protocol participant) under section 102, to be used solely for tobacco-related liability payments. Subtitle C: Liability Provisions - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions for this subtitle. Chapter 2: Immunity and Liability for Past Conduct - Declares that this chapter applies to the enforcement of all judgments and settlements regarding tobacco claims against participating manufacturers. Prohibits court enforcement of any judgment or settlement that is not final as of the effective date of this Act except in accordance with this chapter. (Sec. 256) Terminates pending health-related civil actions by State or local governments against a participating manufacturer. Grants participating manufacturers immunity from new civil actions by any Federal, State, or local governments for all health-related claims regarding tobacco use. Terminates pending, and grants immunity from new, class actions against participating manufacturers based on tobacco use, addiction, or dependence. Preserves all individual personal injury claims for tobacco use. (Sec. 257) Applies this section to all actions permitted under section 256 regarding a participating manufacturer for conduct before enactment of this Act. Prohibits punitive damages and devices to resolve cases other than as individual actions (without the consent of the defendant). Requires, as part of the Protocol, that all signatories agree to the joint sharing of any tobacco use civil liability. Makes participants not jointly and severally liable for damages involving nonparticipants and requires severing of actions involving both participating and nonparticipating manufacturers. Lists the permissible parties for actions under this section. Makes the development of any tobacco product that reduces injury or illness risk not admissible or discoverable. Sets an annual aggregate limit on judgment or settlement payments. Requires that participating manufacturers receive a credit, to be applied against the amount under section 102, for 80 percent of judgment or settlement amounts paid. Makes participating manufacturers responsible for all attorneys' fees and costs associated with being a defendant in an action to which this section applies. (Sec. 258) Applies certain provisions to all actions permitted under section 256 regarding a participating manufacturer for conduct after enactment of this Act. Prohibits third-party payor claims not based on subrogation from being commenced under this section. (Sec. 259) Declares that this title shall not apply to any manufacturer that is not a Protocol signatory and is at least 12 months delinquent in payments under section 102. (Sec. 261) Requires that a State, in order to receive funds under title V, have: (1) a law making sections 256 through 259 the law of the State and allowing any defendant in any related civil action a right of prompt interlocutory appeal to the State's highest court to enforce the law; and (2) withdrawn and dismissed with prejudice any claim required to be dismissed by the State under this chapter. Prohibits, in any State without such a law, maintaining (in State court) a tobacco claim that is otherwise maintainable under this chapter. (Sec. 262) Amends Federal judicial procedure provisions to prohibit removal of a civil action in State court under certain provisions of title I to Federal court except: (1) on agreement of all parties; or (2) by a manufacturer defendant when the action is being conducted in a manner inconsistent with provisions of title II. Title III: Reduction in Underage Tobacco Use - Subtitle A: State Laws Regarding the Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors - Tobacco Use by Minors Prevention Act - Requires a State, to be eligible for payments under title V, to have and enforce a law with the provisions of section 302. Allows State requests for waivers or modifications of model provisions. (Sec. 302) Sets forth the model State law, including: (1) prohibiting tobacco product distribution to minors; (2) prohibiting minors purchasing, possessing, or using tobacco products in public places (mandating parental notification of violation allegations); (3) regulating retail signage; (4) prohibiting sample distribution to individuals appearing to be under 18 years old without securing age proof; (5) prohibiting out-of-package distribution; (6) prohibiting display or storage affording customers direct access to packages; (7) mandating notification of retail tobacco employees of relevant requirements (imposing employer liability if the employer pays an employee's penalty); (8) mandating random unannounced inspections and allowing use of individuals under 18 to test compliance; (9) mandating separate licensure of each retail distribution place and a minimum annual license fee; (10) regulating the suspension, revocation, denial, and nonrenewal of licenses; and (11) not preempting other State or local provisions providing greater restrictions so long as they do not conflict with regulations under specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Subtitle B: Required Reduction in Underage Usage - Provides for the determination of the underage use base percentages for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to: (1) annually determine the average annual incidence of daily tobacco product use by individuals under 18; and (2) determine whether specified percentage reductions have been achieved. (Sec. 315) Mandates a surcharge on manufacturers if the reduction has not been achieved. Sets dollar limits on total surcharges during a calendar year. Makes the surcharge a joint and several obligation of all manufacturers as allocated by their market share. Allows abatement petitions. Mandates manufacturer license fee reductions if use reduction targets are exceeded. Title IV: Health and Safety Regulation of Tobacco Products - Amends the FDCA to add to the list of prohibited acts: (1) introducing into interstate commerce a tobacco product not in compliance with FDCA chapter IX (created below by this Act); or (2) the failure by a tobacco manufacturer to comply with any chapter IX requirement. Includes nicotine-containing tobacco products that do not comply with chapter IX in the definition of "drug." Adds references to tobacco products to provisions authorizing facility and vehicle inspections. Mandates establishment, by regulation, of tobacco product health risk standards. Requires that the standards: (1) include provisions designed to reduce overall health risks for both users and nonusers; (2) comply with regulations specifying health risk assessment testing procedures; and (3) limit the amount of tar in a cigarette. Requires manufacturers (beginning five years after enactment of this Act) to annually submit a health risk assessment for each substance (other than tobacco or water) for each tobacco brand. Mandates regulations to prohibit any substance for which no health risk assessment has been submitted as required. Requires each manufacturer to annually provide the Secretary with a list of ingredients and nicotine. Provides for confidentiality, allowing the Secretary to require disclosure of any ingredient if disclosure is in the interest of public health. Allows adoption of a health risk management standard requiring: (1) the modification of a tobacco product to reduce or eliminate nicotine or other harmful substances; or (2) prohibition of a tobacco product. Requires congressional review and allows its disapproval of any tobacco product health risk standard. Makes a standard prohibiting a class of products effective only on adoption of a joint resolution of approval. Declares that a tobacco product cannot be considered in violation of prohibited act provisions while it is in compliance with a health risk standard. Mandates regulations requiring conformance with tobacco product current good manufacturing practice, including requiring: (1) all tobacco product manufacturers to register with the Secretary; and (2) the development of and adherence to pesticide chemical residues tolerances (to apply only if necessary to prevent the residues from being injurious to health when used in tobacco products). Allows exemptions and variances, establishing the Tobacco Product Requirements Waiver Board to advise the Secretary. Prohibits regulations under this provision from having the effect of placing regulatory burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens generally placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Mandates certain warnings on cigarette and smokeless tobacco labels and advertising. Prohibits cigarette, little cigar, and smokeless tobacco advertising on any electronic medium subject to Federal Communications Commission regulation. Mandates certain intended use statements on cigarette and smokeless tobacco advertising. Requires regulations requiring public disclosure of the common or usual name of each tobacco product ingredient, subject to exception. Exempts cigarettes and smokeless tobacco manufactured, imported, or packaged for export. Deems tobacco products in violation of this chapter if their labeling or manufacturer claims imply reduced health risk, unless proven by scientific evidence. Requires a manufacturer to: (1) notify the Secretary (after securing intellectual property protections) of any technology that would reduce risk; and (2) permit licensing of the technology to other manufacturers. Provides for licensing fees. Allows the Secretary, on determining that the manufacture of a less hazardous product is technologically and commercially feasible, to require disclosure of the technology's existence, prohibit use of the superseded technology, and require that manufacturers cease manufacturing and marketing tobacco products not incorporating the technology. Prohibits retail tobacco product distribution to any individual under 18 years old. Requires photo identification for anyone under 27. Requires retailers to keep tobacco in areas where customers to not have product access. Allows sale only in a direct, face-to-face exchange. Prohibits out-of-package distribution. Requires removal of retail tobacco-related self-service displays, advertising, labeling, and other items not complying with the requirements of this paragraph. Sets minimum cigarette package size at 20 cigarettes. Prohibits sample distribution. Prohibits vending machine and other self-service sales, subject to exception. Establishes the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary in establishing, amending, or revoking regulations under specified provisions. Prohibits State or local requirements conflicting with specified provisions of this Act. (Sec. 402) Declares that this title supersedes cigarette provisions of the Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act. Repeals the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. (Sec. 403) Mandates a tobacco licensing program to be applied to entities that sell or distribute tobacco products on military installations, in U.S. embassies, in any facility owned and operated by the Government, in any duty-free shop in the United States, or through any other Federal entity or on any other Federal property. Requires the program to apply requirements similar to those implemented by States under this subtitle. Treats an Indian tribe or tribal organization as a State for applying and enforcing this subtitle's provisions regarding entities that distribute tobacco products on Indian reservations. Title V: Payments to States and Public Health Programs - Subtitle A: Payments to States - Requires use of Settlement Fund amounts to reimburse States for amounts expended by the States for the treatment of individuals with tobacco-related illnesses or conditions. Sets forth the percentage for each State. Allows a State to use the amounts as it determines appropriate, except for the amount equal to that State's Federal medical assistance percentage under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 502) Requires a State, in order to receive payments, to prepare a plan regarding use of the funds for anti-tobacco and anti-smoking programs, deeming plans approved unless disapproved by Settlement Fund Trustees. Subtitle B: Public Health Programs - Establishes the National Institutes of Health Trust Fund for Health Research (Research Fund), appropriating amounts described in specified provisions to it each fiscal year. Sets forth the portions of Research Fund amounts to be used for specified purposes. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to annually submit to the Secretary and appropriate congressional committees a National Tobacco Research Agenda. Excludes Research Fund amounts from, and prohibits taking them into account, for purposes of any budget enforcement procedure under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. (Sec. 522) Mandates a national anti-tobacco program to discourage beginning use of tobacco and other substances of abuse and assist cessation, including: (1) development of model public education curricula and materials regarding tobacco use health risks; (2) action to inform tobacco users of effective therapies; (3) a mass media campaign designed to counter the effects of manufacturer marketing; and (4) a model smoking cessation program for State use. Authorizes grants and contracts. Mandates block grants to States for tobacco use prevention and cessation activities. Title VI: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Requires that public facilities implement a smoke-free environment policy meeting specified requirements. Sets forth special rules for facilities serving children. (Sec. 603) Declares that this title does not preempt any Federal, State, or local law providing protections from environmental tobacco smoke equal to or greater than under this title. Title VII: Public Disclosure of Health Research - Requires manufacturers of tobacco products, to receive certain liability protections of this Act, acting in conjunction with the Tobacco Institute and the Council for Tobacco Research, U.S.A. (prior to their termination), to establish a National Tobacco Document Depository. Requires the Depository to be open to the public regarding manufacturers' corporate records and research concerning smoking and health, addiction or nicotine dependency, safer or less hazardous cigarettes, and underage tobacco use and marketing. Specifies required Depository contents. Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Tobacco Documents Dispute Resolution Panel to resolve all claims of attorney-client, work product, or trade secrets privilege. Allows the Attorney General or a State's chief law enforcement officer to bring an enforcement action. Mandates civil monetary penalties for violations. Title VIII: Agricultural Transition Provisions - Tobacco Transition Act - Subtitle A: Tobacco Production Transition - Chapter 1 - Tobacco Transition Contracts - Establishes a Tobacco Transition Account (Account) to provide tobacco buyout and transition payments. Terminates the Account as of a specified date. (Sec. 812) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to offer to enter into transition contracts with tobacco owners and producers. Sets forth contract terms. (Sec. 815) Directs the Secretary to make temporary transition payments to certain quota tobacco producers. (Sec. 816) Sets forth group eligibility requirements under a tobacco worker transition program for those workers for whom the national tobacco settlement has contributed importantly to job separation or threat of separation. Includes in program assistance employment and training, readjustment allowances, and job search and relocation allowances. Prohibits assistance for persons receiving buyout assistance. Obligates specified funds. Sets forth program termination provisions. (Sec. 817) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize through a certain date a higher education farmer opportunity grant program for qualifying tobacco farm families. Transfers specified amounts from the Account for such program. Chapter 2 - Rural Economic Assistance Block Grants - Directs the Secretary to use Account funds for a temporary program of rural economic assistance block grants to States with tobacco-dependent areas. Subtitle B: Tobacco Price Support and Production Adjustment Programs - Chapter 1 - Tobacco Price Support Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 with respect to tobacco to: (1) revise and extend price supports at reduced levels; (2) require each producer marketing association providing price supports to establish a No Net Cost Tobacco Fund; (3) authorize the Secretary to carry out the price support program through association loans to producers; and (4) terminate existing price support and no net cost provisions. Chapter 2 - Tobacco Production Adjustment Programs - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate specified tobacco adjustment programs. Subtitle C: Funding - Directs the Secretary to provide for the transfer of specified funds from the Account to the Commodity Credit Corporation for activities under this Act. Terminates such authority as of a specified date. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that the provisions of this Act shall apply to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco products within Indian country and to Indian tribes, with exceptions for religious practices. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to waive requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to tobacco products manufactured, distributed, or sold within Indian country as appropriate to comply with such requirement. Provides for the treatment of tribes under various provisions of this Act. (Sec. 902) Sets forth whistleblower and antitrust provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Makes corrections in the enrollment of S. 830 (regulation of drugs, devices, and food).
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Museum and Library Services Technical and Conforming Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act to authorize the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to appoint and compensate technical and professional Institute employees without regard to Federal civil service law, provided that the number of such employees does not exceed one-fifth of the number of the Institute's full-time regular or professional employees and their compensation does not exceed a specified level. Covers special libraries under the Act, if the States in which they are located determine they should be considered libraries. Revises provisions, including the formula for reservation of funds, for: (1) grants for services to Indian tribes; and (2) national leadership grants or contracts. Revises the formula for maintenance of effort by States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Minimum Guaranteed Benefits Title II: Treatment of Asset Deficient Multiemployer Pension Plans Title III: Actuarial Assumptions Title IV: Administration and Enforcement Title V: Increase in Multiemployer Plan Insurance Premiums Workers' Pension Protection Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to revise protections for workers in multiemployer pension plans. Title I: Minimum Guaranteed Benefits - Revises a formula and increases the amount of multiemployer plan benefits guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Title II: Treatment of Asset Deficient Multiemployer Pension Plans - Prohibits multiemployer pension plan trustees from increasing benefits if the plan is an asset deficient plan with a funded current liability percentage of 95 percent or less. Allows a plan that is not asset deficient to choose to increase benefits if the benefit increase would not reduce the funding levels to below 90 percent. Requires multiemployer plans to use specified interest rate assumptions and mortality tables. Modifies a rule which prohibits decrease of accrued benefits to make an exception for plan amendments which reduce an increase resulting from an increase in benefits prohibited under this title. Requires multiemployer plan administrators to notify plan participants, beneficiaries, and contributing employers of the plan's funding status and the limits of the guarantee by the PBGC if the plan becomes insolvent. Title III: Actuarial Assumptions - Requires multiemployer plans, for purposes of determining withdrawal liability, to adopt the interest rate and mortality tables for determining current liability which are specified under title I of this Act. Title IV: Administration and Enforcement - Grants employers that contribute to multiemployer plans the right to seek an injunction against a plan to prevent an impermissible benefit increase or any other violations of specified provisions, or obtain other appropriate relief to redress such violations or enforce such provisions. Authorizes a court, in its discretion, to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to either party in such actions. Title V: Increase in Multiemployer Plan Insurance Premiums - Provides for phased-in increases in multiemployer plan insurance premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Quality Child Care for Federal Employees Act - Mandates that a Federal agency that either operates, or contracts for operation of, a child care center in a facility owned or leased by an executive agency obtain the appropriate State and local licenses and comply with child care licensing requirements. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish and enforce child care health, safety and facility standards; and (2) require child care center compliance with accreditation standards issued by a nationally recognized accreditation organization approved by the Administrator. Prescribes enforcement procedures. Instructs the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to promulgate regulations for child care centers in legislative and judicial facilities which are no less stringent than those issued by the Administrator. Confers upon the Architect and the Director child care center duties and authorities comparable to those of the Administrator. Provides for technical assistance, studies, and reviews in order to assist child care center operator compliance with this Act. Instructs the Administrator to establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and coordinate policy regarding the provision of child care in the Federal Government. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, for five years, the credit for producing energy from wind or a closed-loop biomass.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Designates 1998 as the Onate Cuartocentenario to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent Spanish settlement in New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Cuban Women and Children Humanitarian Relief Act - Declares that it should be U.S. policy to permit the sale and export of food, medicines, and medical equipment to the Cuban people. Authorizes the President to permit the sale and export of such items to Cuba. Requires the President to notify the Congress and the public of any decision to permit the sale and export of such items.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Designates November 1997 as National American Indian Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
Federal Energy Bank Act - Establishes the Federal Energy Bank (trust fund) in the Treasury to finance energy efficiency projects at Federal agencies. Prescribes guidelines for loan program and project selection criteria. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1997 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. Requires the Attorney General to report on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border arrivals and departures. Provides for increased numbers of full-time Immigration and Naturalization and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders, with at least half of such inspectors to be assigned to the northern border.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997
Limits the amount of a veteran's disability compensation that may be deducted by reason of the receipt of military separation pay or a Department of Defense separation benefit to 75 percent of that pay or benefit. Makes such provision effective for compensation payments made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for months beginning after December 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) repeal a provision which prohibits a State or local government from regulating the placement, construction, or modification of personal wireless service facilities (communications towers) on the basis of the environmental effects of frequency emissions from such facilities when such facilities comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations; (2) require that, in any action in which a person seeking to place, construct, or modify such a facility is a party, such person bear the burden of proof of its necessity; and (3) prohibit the FCC from adopting as a final rule a certain proposed rule which would preempt State and local zoning and land use restrictions on the siting, placement, and construction of broadcast station transmission facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project under which covered members and beneficiaries under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be eligible to enroll in health benefits plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted in two geographic areas and to last at least two, but not more than three, contract years. Provides for: (1) management of participation in the project; (2) Government contributions for beneficiary coverage under the FEHB program; and (3) reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that November 6, 1997, should be designated as National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997
Technology Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the: (1) Scientific and Technical Research and Services laboratory activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (2) construction and maintenance of Institute facilities; (3) activities of Under Secretary for Technology, the Office of Technology Policy, and the Office of Air and Space Commercialization; and (4) industrial technology services activities of the Institute. (Sec. 6) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act respecting the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) to, among other things: (1) require each applicant for a contract or award to certify that the applicant has made an effort to secure private market funding for the research project involved; (2) permit a large business to participate in a research project that is the subject of a contract or award only as a member of a joint venture that includes one or more small businesses as members; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Commerce to vest title to tangible personal property in any recipient of financial assistance under specified conditions. (Sec. 7) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to revise requirements for the extension of Federal financial assistance to Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. (Sec. 8) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 respecting the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award to expand the list of categories for awards. (Sec. 9) Prohibits funds authorized by this Act or any other Act enacted before the date of enactment of this Act from being used for the Next Generation Internet, with the exception of funds that may be used for the continuation of the programs and activities related to Next Generation Internet that were funded and carried out during FY 1997. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of the Congress on the Year 2000 problem. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Director should donate educationally useful Federal equipment to schools to enhance the science and mathematic programs of those schools. Mandates annual reports to the President. (Sec. 13) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish within the Institute a teacher science and technology enhancement program to provide for the professional development of mathematics and science school teachers. (Sec. 14) Requires a joint study by the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering to review the effectiveness of the ATP. (Sec. 15) Establishes within the Department an Office of Air and Space Commercialization to be the principal unit for the coordination of space-related issues, programs, and initiatives within the Department. (Sec. 16) Establishes the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) to strengthen the technological competitiveness of States that have historically received less Federal research and development funds than those received by a majority of the States. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to: (1) enter into arrangements for the coordination of EPSCoT through the State committees established under the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) of the National Science Foundation; and (2) cooperate with any State science and technology council established under EPSCoR and representatives of small business firms and other technology-based businesses. Requires: (1) a specified report; and (2) an evaluation of the EPSCoT program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Repeals the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 and the amendments made by such Act. Applies the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 as if the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Provides for a 90-day extension of a temporary prohibition of strikes or lockout in the labor dispute between Amtrak and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. Requires the use of binding arbitration, if necessary, to settle such dispute.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Designates April 24, 1998, as National Child Care Professional's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997
National Research Investment Act of 1998 - States purposes of this Act, including to double the annual authorized amount of Federal funding for basic scientific, medical, and pre-competitive engineering research over the ten-year period following enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for covered research and development for FY 1999 through 2008 to be used by the National Institutes of Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth limitations on the use of such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Prohibits construction of any monument, memorial, or other structure on the parcel of Federal land located south of Rosslyn, Virginia, and north of the Arlington National Cemetery that is bounded on the west by Meade Street, on the north by Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50), on the east by Jefferson Davis Highway (Virginia Route 110), and on the south by Marshall Drive (site of the Iwo Jima Memorial). Exempts the United States Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon from this Act. Allows an individual to bring a civil action in U.S. district court against any person (including the United States) to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Emergency Student Loan Consolidation Act of 1997 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to allow until October 1, 1998, the consolidation, under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), of all of a student's loans under both the FFELP and the Direct Loan Program. (Authorizes such consolidation of loans under both programs into single FFELP consolidation loans, which may be administered by entities other than the Department of Education, for an emergency period until October 1, 1998, to provide time to reduce a backlog in processing consolidation of both types of loans into Direct Lending Consolidation loans administered by the Department of Education.) Reduces the amount of certain funds available for administrative expenses under HEA student assistance provisions. Revises HEA need analysis requirements to reduce the family contribution for dependent or independent students by the amount of the Hope Tax Credit taken by the student, the student's parents, or the student's spouse (thus providing that students will not receive reduced financial aid as a result of qualifying for and receiving the new Hope Tax Credits under the Internal Revenue Code).
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income scholarship amounts received for certain teaching, research, or other services by an individual under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to use amounts in the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (established under this Act) to provide financial assistance for projects for the conservation of Asian elephants for which final project proposals are approved by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) requirements for project proposals; (2) project review and approval; (3) reporting requirements for recipients of assistance provided by this Act; and (4) priority for projects for which there exists some measure of matching funds. Establishes the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that every American handgun manufacturer should voluntarily begin equipping all new handguns with child safety devices.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the post-1987 reduction in the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Provides, beginning in 1999, for cost-of-living adjustments in the State ceiling on such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997
Special Separation Benefits Improvement Act - Limits the amount of veterans' disability compensation that may be deducted as a result of the payment of special separation benefits to not more than 75 percent of the amount of the separation benefits. Makes such amendment effective for benefits paid for months beginning after December 5, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1997
Safety Advancement for Employees Act of 1997 - SAFE Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to authorize employers to establish employer and employee safety and health participation committees. States that such committees shall not constitute labor organizations for purposes of the National Labor Relations Act or the Railway Labor Act. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a special advisory committee, with expertise in workplace safety and health, to advise on the establishment and implementation of a third party consultation services program. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a third party consultation services program that certifies individuals to provide consultation services to help employers identify and correct safety and health hazards in the workplace. Provides for: (1) a registry of certified consultants; (2) disciplinary actions against consultants for malfeasance; (3) scope and guidelines for such consultative services; and (4) access to records. Exempts any employer receiving a declaration of OSHA compliance from a certified consultant from assessment of certain civil penalties for two years after receipt of such declaration, except in specified circumstances. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary, before issuing a final OSHA standard, to submit for review the draft final standard and a copy of the administrative record to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Directs NAS to appoint an independent Scientific Review Committee to review the draft final standard and the scientific literature, and make written recommendations to the Secretary. (Sec. 7) Requires certain Federal personnel responsible for enforcing OSHA to: (1) meet specified eligibility requirements; and (2) receive professional education and training at least every five years if they carry out inspections or investigations. (Sec. 8) Revises inspection procedures. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing any quotas for subordinates within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with respect to number of inspections conducted, citations issued, or penalties collected. (Sec. 9) Establishes the use of alternative safe methods as an affirmative defense for employers. Establishes a civil penalty for employee violations of specified OSHA requirements. (Sec. 10) Reduces the types of violations of posting or paperwork requirements for which an employer may be assessed a civil penalty. (Sec. 11) Revises factors which the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is required to consider in assessing civil penalties. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for State consultation services to employers concerning the provision of safe and healthful working conditions. Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program in three States to provide small businesses, upon request, for a nominal fee, with expedited consultation services on safe and healthful working conditions. Requires the Secretary, before issuing a citation to an employer for a violation found during a consultation, to permit the employer to carry out corrective measures. (Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) cooperative agreements to encourage the establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems with specified features; and (2) a voluntary protection program with specified features to encourage the achievement of excellence in both the technical and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards. (Sec. 14) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs in accordance with specified Federal guidelines. (Sec. 15) Sets forth consultation alternatives to issuance of citations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act - Amends Federal law to mandate redesign of quarter-dollar coins issued during the ten-year period beginning 1999, with the reverse side emblematic of five of the 50 States each year during such period, selected in the order of their ratification of the U.S. Constitution or their admission to the Union.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide that investment managers under ERISA shall include fiduciaries registered solely under State law only if Federal registration is prohibited under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Treats a fiduciary as meeting certain ERISA filing requirements if the information is available to the Secretary of Labor from a centralized electronic or other record-keeping database.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Human Rights Information Act - Requires certain Federal agencies to identify and organize all human rights records regarding activities occurring in Guatemala and Honduras after 1944 for declassification and disclosure purposes, and to make them available to the public and other official entities, including Latin American or Caribbean countries. Instructs the President to report to the Congress regarding agency compliance. Prescribes guidelines under which the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (the Panel) shall review agency determinations to postpone public disclosure of any human rights record. Authorizes postponement of such public disclosures on specified grounds. Directs the Information Security Policy Advisory Council to report to the Congress on declassification of human rights records relating to other Latin American and Caribbean countries and to make such report available to the public. Creates two additional positions in the Panel in order to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1997
Family Caregiver Enumeration Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that an enumeration of family caregivers is taken as part of the 2000 decennial census of the population.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reasonable Efforts and Safety Requirements for Foster Care and Adoption Placements Title II: Incentives for Providing Permanent Families for Children Title III: Additional Improvements and Reforms Title IV: Miscellaneous Title V: Effective Date Promotion of Adoption, Safety, and Support for Abused and Neglected Children (PASS) Act - Title I: Reasonable Efforts and Safety Requirements for Foster Care and Adoption Placements - Amends title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to declare that, in meeting the "reasonable efforts" requirement of family preservation and reunification, the paramount concern of a State plan for foster care and adoption assistance shall be the health and safety of the child. States that reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the family shall not be required on behalf of certain parents, including those who have murdered or committed felony assault against another child, or who would otherwise pose a serious risk to a child's health or safety. (Sec. 102) Includes the safety of the child in State case planning and review system requirements. (Sec. 103) Requires a State plan for foster care and adoption assistance to include certification by the State to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that it has established a State child death review team to investigate and prevent fatal child abuse and neglect. Requires the Secretary to establish a Federal child death review team to review child death reports on Federal lands, disseminate information to State and local jurisdictions, and develop policy and procedural recommendations for the Congress and the States. (Sec. 104) Delineates circumstances compelling a State to file a parental rights termination petition and concurrently initiate selection of a qualified family for an adoption for certain children in foster care or under State responsibility. Sets forth a one-year statute of limitations for appeals of orders terminating parental rights, or court-ordered removal of a child. (Sec. 106) Makes the Federal Parent Locator Service available to child welfare services for enforcement of child custody or visitation orders. (Sec. 107) Requires State plans for foster care and adoption assistance to provide: (1) procedures for criminal records checks for prospective foster and adoptive parents and group care staff; and (2) standards and guidelines ensuring quality services that protect the safety and health of children in foster care placements with agencies. (Sec. 109) Requires a case plan for a child for whom the State's goal is adoption or placement in another permanent home to document State agency efforts to accomplish that goal. Title II: Incentives for Providing Permanent Families for Children - Authorizes the Secretary to award an adoption incentive grant to an incentive-eligible State meeting specified criteria whose number of foster child or special needs adoptions for a fiscal year exceeds the number of such adoptions for the previous fiscal year. (Sec. 202) Modifies Adoption Assistance Program guidelines regarding a child with special needs to include a child who: (1) was in the care of a public or licensed private child care agency (or Indian tribal organization) prior to termination of parental rights or initiation of adoption proceedings; or (2) answers the same description but is not a U.S. citizen or resident. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to States and local communities to reach their targets for increased adoptions or alternative permanent placements for children in foster care. (Sec. 204) Requires a State plan for foster care and adoption assistance to proscribe geographic barriers to interstate adoption or foster care placement. Instructs the Secretary to appoint an advisory panel to report on interjurisdictional adoption issues and to recommend procedural improvements to facilitate such adoptions. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to use Department of Health and Human Services facilities to facilitate the voluntary, mutually requested reunion of an adult adopted child age 21 with any birth parent, or adult adopted sibling age 21, if certain confidentiality criteria are met. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to issue an annual report rating the performance of each State in protecting children placed in foster care, for adoption, or with a relative or guardian. Title III: Additional Improvements and Reforms - Expands from ten to 15 the number of States authorized to conduct child welfare demonstration projects. (Sec. 301) Changes the mandatory annual dispositional hearing for a child in foster care to a mandatory semiannual permanency planning hearing. (Sec. 302) Requires the Secretary to report to the interjurisdictional adoption advisory panel on the extent to which children in foster care are placed in kinship care, and subsequently to certain congressional committees, following advisory panel review and comment on the report. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the States should have procedures in effect for a chronically ill or near-death parent, without surrendering parental rights, to designate a standby guardian for the minor children, to take effect on the parent's death, mental incapacity, or physical debilitation (with consent). (Sec. 305) Requires that independent living programs be designed, among others, for children with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments are no longer being made because the child has accumulated assets of up to $5,000 which are otherwise regarded as resources in determining eligibility for Federal foster care benefits. (Sec. 306) Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on: (1) State and Federal programs that may fund substance abuse prevention and treatment services; (2) joint substance abuse prevention and treatment activities that are conducted by State agencies and State child welfare agencies; and (3) how those agencies address the needs of infants exposed to substance abuse. Provides guidelines for foster care maintenance payments to a child placed with a parent in a residential treatment program designed for specified purposes. (Sec. 307) Authorizes appropriations for family preservation and support services for FY 1999 through 2003. Mandates that State plans have a minimum spending requirement of 25 percent of certain funds for time-limited family reunification services. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to the States to implement innovations to reduce backlogs of children awaiting adoption or foster care placement. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report to certain congressional committees on State or local child welfare service agencies that act as representative payees on behalf of children under their care for purposes of receiving supplemental security income payments. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) and part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to set forth guidelines for allocating the administrative costs of determining eligibility for such benefits. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth effective dates for amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Vocational, Technological, and Tech-Prep Education Subtitle A: Vocational Education Subtitle B: Tech-Prep Education Subtitle C: General Provisions Subtitle D: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle E: Repeal Title II: Adult Education and Literacy Subtitle A: Adult Education and Literacy Programs Subtitle B: Repeal Title III: Workforce Investment and Related Activities Subtitle A: Workforce Investment Activities Subtitle B: Job Corps Subtitle C: National Programs Subtitle D: Administration Subtitle E: Repeals and Conforming Amendments Title IV: Workforce Investment-Related Activities Subtitle A: Wagner-Peyser Act Subtitle B: Linkages with Other Programs Title V: General Provisions Workforce Investment Partnership Act of 1997 - Establishes a coordinated system of Federal aid programs for vocational education, adult education, and job training at State and local levels. Title I: Vocational, Technological, and Tech-Prep Education - Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1997 - Replaces the current Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (Perkins Act). Subtitle A: Vocational Education - Chapter 1: Federal Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary under this title) to reserve certain amounts of vocational education funds for: (1) assistance for the outlying areas; (2) Indian and Hawaiian Native programs; (3) grants to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions; (4) incentive grants to States; (5) national activities; (6) national assessment of vocational education programs; and (7) national research centers. Sets forth State allotment formulas for the remainder of vocational education funds. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to establish and publish performance measures to assess the progress of each eligible agency in achieving certain goals for students with respect to academic, job readiness, and vocational skills, postsecondary degrees or certificates, secondary and postsecondary education, employment, military service, and nontraditional vocational education programs. Requires each eligible agency, in developing a State plan, to negotiate with the Secretary the expected levels of performance for such measures. (Sec. 113) Sets forth requirements for use of reserved funds for assistance for the outlying areas, Indian and Hawaiian Native programs, grants to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions, and incentive grants to States. Chapter 2: State Provisions - Makes each eligible agency responsible for State administration of programs under this title. (Sec. 122) Requires State reservation of certain portions of vocational education funds for: (1) State leadership activities; (2) technical assistance for gender equity; (3) State planning, review of local applications, program evaluation, and compliance; and (4) criminal offenders programs. Requires the remainder to be distributed to local secondary school and postsecondary vocational education programs. Allows the eligible agency to determine the portion of funds that will be available for secondary school and postsecondary programs. Sets forth a State matching requirement with respect to a specified portion of funds under this subtitle. (Sec. 123) Sets forth mandatory and permissible State leadership activities. (Sec. 124) Requires coordination of the three-year State plan under this title with the period for the State plan under title III of this Act. Sets forth requirements for State plan development, contents, approval, and reports. Chapter 3: Local Provisions - Sets forth formulas for State distribution of funds for: (1) secondary school vocational education; and (2) postsecondary vocational education. Allows alternative allocation formulas for postsecondary programs if the eligible agency demonstrate that certain conditions are met. (Sec. 133) Sets forth mandatory and permissible local activities. (Sec. 134) Sets forth minimum requirements for local applications. Subtitle B: Tech-Prep Education - Tech-Prep Education Act - Revises provisions for tech-prep programs (which are currently under the Perkins Act replaced by this title). (Sec. 154) Retains the mandate for the Secretary's discretionary grants to specified local consortia for such programs when program funding is below a specified minimum. Prescribes the formula for allotments to States for State competitive and formula grants to such programs. (Sec. 155) Revises requirements for the content of tech-prep education programs and for additional authorized activities. (Sec. 156) Requires the eligible State agency (currently a State board) to approve applications for State grants by eligible entities. (Sec. 157) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Provides for program and funds administration, evaluation, improvement, and accountability for programs under this title. (Sec. 163) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out research, development, dissemination, evaluation, capacity-building, and technical assistance activities under this title. (Sec. 164) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national assessment of vocational education programs assisted under this title, through studies and analyses conducted independently through competitive awards; (2) appoint an independent advisory panel on the implementation of such assessment; and (3) report to the Congress. (Sec. 165) Authorizes the Secretary to establish one or more national centers in the areas of: (1) applied research and development; and (2) dissemination and training. (Revises and replaces provisions for such centers which are in the current Perkins Act). (Sec. 166) Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a data system to collect information about, and report on, the condition of vocational education and on the effectiveness of State and local programs, services, and activities carried out under this title; and (2) annually report to Congress on the analysis of performance data collected each year. Subtitle D: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Repeal - Repeals the Perkins Act. Title II: Adult Education and Literacy - Adult Education and Literacy Act - Replaces the Adult Education Act (AEA), the National Literacy Act of 1991, and other adult education and literacy programs. Subtitle A: Adult Education and Literacy Programs - Chapter 1: Federal Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary under this title) to reserve certain portions of adult education and literacy funds for: (1) national leadership activities; (2) incentive grants; (3) the National Institute for Literacy; and (4) grants to States. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to establish and publish performance measures to assess the progress of each eligible agency in enhancing and developing more fully the literacy skills of the adult population in the State or outlying area, including certain measures. Requires each eligible agency, in developing a State plan, to negotiate with the Secretary the expected levels of performance for such measures. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program of national leadership activities for adult education. Chapter 2: State Provisions - Makes each eligible agency responsible for State administration of programs under this title. (Sec. 222) Specifies percentages for distribution of State grant funds to eligible providers (including programs for corrections education and other institutionalized individuals), State leadership activities, and administrative expenses of the eligible State agency. Sets forth a State share requirement equal to 25 percent of the total amount expended for adult education in the State. Authorizes the Secretary to decrease such amount for an eligible agency serving an outlying area. (Sec. 223) Requires the eligible agency to use reserved funds for one or more of specified State leadership activities in adult education and literacy. (Sec. 224) Requires three-year State plans from eligible agencies as a condition for grants. Allows the eligible agency to submit such State plan as part of a comprehensive plan or application for Federal education assistance. Sets forth requirements for State plan contents and approval procedures. (Sec. 225) Sets forth provisions for adult education and literacy programs for corrections education and other institutionalized individuals. Chapter 3: Local Provisions - Directs each eligible agency to use State grant funds to award multiyear grants or contracts to eligible providers to adult education and literacy activities. (Sec. 232) Sets forth local application requirements and local administrative cost limits. Chapter 4: General Provisions - Provides for program and funding administration, priorities and preferences, incentive grants for States, and evaluation, improvement, and accountability for programs under this title. (Sec. 245) Revises requirements for the National Institute for Literacy (which are currently under AEA, which this title replaces). Renames the Institute's Board as its Advisory Board. (Sec. 246) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Repeal - Repeals the AEA, the National Literacy Act of 1991, and certain adult education and literacy program provisions under the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. Title III: Workforce Investment and Related Activities - Replaces the Job Training Partnership Act and certain other Federal job training law. Subtitle A: Workforce Investment Activities - Chapter 1: Allotments to States for Adult Employment and Training Activities, Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities, and Youth Activities - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary under this title) to make allotments to States with approved State plans, and grants to outlying areas, to assist local areas in providing, through a statewide workforce investment system: (1) adult employment and training activities; (2) dislocated worker employment and training activities; and (3) youth activities, including summer employment opportunities, tutoring, activities to promote study skills, alternative secondary school services, employment skill training, adult mentoring, and supportive services. (Sec. 302) Sets forth formulas for determining amounts of such State allotments and grants to outlying areas for such activities. (Sec. 303) Directs State Governors to establish and appoint the members of a statewide partnership to assist in the development of the State plan. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for State plans. Chapter 2: Allocations to Local Workforce Investment Areas - Sets forth formulas for within-State allocations to local workforce investment areas. (Sec. 307) Directs State Governors to designate local workforce investment areas in accordance with State plan requirements. Provides for automatic designations in the case of large local governments, counties, and other local political subdivisions. Allows any small State eligible for minimum allotments to be designated as single State local area. (Sec. 308) Requires that local workforce investment partnerships and youth partnerships be established in each local area of a State. (Sec. 309) Sets forth requirements for local plans. Chapter 3: Workforce Investment Activities and Providers - Authorizes the chief elected official and the local partnership to: (1) develop and implement operating agreements to appoint one-stop partners; (2) designate or certify one-stop customer service center operators; and (3) conduct oversight with respect to the one-stop customer service system in the local area. (Sec. 312) Requires certain State and local procedures for determination and identification of eligible providers of training services by program. (Sec. 313) Authorizes youth partnerships to identify eligible providers of youth activities. (Sec. 314) Sets forth both required and allowable statewide workforce investment activities, including mandatory statewide rapid response activities. (Sec. 315) Sets forth both required and permissible local employment and training activities. Requires establishment of a one- stop customer service system at the State level and one-stop customer service centers in each local area. Requires such centers to provide specified core services and required training services to participants. Gives priority to disadvantaged adults for receipt of limited local adult employment and training activities. Sets forth customer choice requirements. Authorizes local areas to use certain funds for additional permissible local activities, including intensive and customized services and supportive services for certain participants, and needs-related payments for dislocated workers. (Sec. 316) Sets forth certain required elements in the provision of local youth activities. Requires that at least 50 percent of funds for such youth activities be devoted to out-of-school youth. Chapter 4: General Provisions - Sets forth accountability requirements for: (1) State and local performance measures; (2) reports and information dissemination; (3) State program evaluation; and (4) fiscal and management accountability information systems. (Sec. 321) Authorizes the Secretary to make incentive grants to States that exceed State performance measures. (Sec. 322) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) adult employment and training activities; (2) dislocated worker employment and training activities; and (3) youth activities. Subtitle B: Job Corps - Revises provisions for the Job Corps. (Currently such provisions are under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), which this title repeals and replaces.) (Sec. 335) Provides for Job Corps: (1) recruitment standards; (2) graduate readjustment allowances through local one-stop customer service centers; (3) industry councils; (4) management information. (Sec. 334) Revises Job Corps requirements for: (1) individual eligibility; (2) screening, selection, assignment, and enrollment; (3) Job Corps Centers; (4) program activities and continued services; (5) counseling and job placement; (6) support; (7) operating plan; (8) standards of conduct; (9) community participation; (10) advisory committees; and (11) experimental, research, and demonstration projects. (Sec. 351) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Job Corps. Subtitle C: National Programs - Provides for workforce investment activities and supplemental services under programs for: (1) Native Americans and Native Hawaiians; (2) migrant and seasonal farmworkers; and (3) veterans. (Replaces similar programs which are currently under JTPA.) (Sec. 364) Directs the Secretary to make youth opportunity grants to eligible local partnerships to provide specified activities to increase the long-term employment of eligible youth who live in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and high poverty areas. (Sec. 365) Authorizes the Secretary to make incentive grants to States that exceed: (1) the State performance measures established by the Secretary of Education under this Act; and (2) the State performance measures established under this title. (Sec. 366) Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance to States to help with transitions, general performance improvement, and dislocated worker training improvement. (Sec. 367) Directs the Secretary to publish a biennial plan for demonstration, pilot, multiservice, research, and multistate projects. Sets forth requirements for such projects under such plan, including competitive award procedures and peer review. (Sec. 368) Directs the Secretary to provide for continuing evaluation of programs and activities under this title. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct evaluations of other federally funded employment related programs and activities. (Sec. 369) Authorizes the Secretary to make national emergency grants for: (1) employment and training assistance to workers affected by major economic dislocations; (2) disaster relief employment; and (3) additional assistance for dislocated workers, under certain conditions. (Sec. 370) Authorizes appropriations for specified programs and activities under this subtitle. Subtitle D: Administration - Sets forth requirements for: (1) labor standards, prohibitions on worker displacement, and other requirements relating to use of funds; (2) prompt allocation of funds; (3) monitoring; (4) fiscal controls and sanctions; (5) reports, recordkeeping, and investigations; (6) administrative adjudication; (7) judicial review; (8) nondiscrimination; and (9) State legislative authority. Subtitle E: Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Repeals: (1) the JTPA; and (2) the Displaced Homemakers Self-Sufficiency Assistance Act. (Sec. 391) Repeals certain provisions relating to employment and training assistance under various Federal laws, including the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Title IV: Workforce Investment-Related Activities - Subtitle A: Wagner-Peyser Act - Amends the Wagner-Peyser Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) assist in the coordination and development of a nationwide system of public labor exchange services, provided as part of the one-stop customer service systems of the States; (2) assist in the development of continuous improvement models for such nationwide system that ensure private sector satisfaction with the system and meet the demands of jobseekers relating to the system; and (3) ensure, for individuals otherwise eligible to receive unemployment compensation, the provision of reemployment services and other activities in which the individuals are required to participate to receive the compensation. (Sec. 406) Provides for coordination of State plans under the Wagner-Peyser Act and this Act. (Sec. 407) Repeals the mandate for a Federal Advisory Council on problems relating to employment. (Sec. 409) Sets forth requirements for a system of labor market information. Authorizes appropriations for such system. Subtitle B: Linkages with Other Programs - Provides for linkages between programs under this title and specified employment and training assistance programs under: (1) the Trade Act of 1974; (2) the National Apprenticeship Act; (3) veterans employment programs; and (4) the Older Americans Act of 1965. Title V: General Provisions - Allows for State unified plans for two or more of specified one-stop customer service system programs, including programs under titles I, II, or III of this Act, as well as specified programs under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Trade Act of 1974, the Wagner-Peyser Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965, State unemployment compensation and Federal unemployment insurance, and certain work programs under the Social Security Act, as well as activities of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, and training activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Federal Judiciary Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to increase: (1) from three to eight years the maximum term of imprisonment for assaulting, resisting, or impeding a Federal law enforcement official, or member of his or her family, while engaged in his or her official duties; (2) from ten to 20 years the maximum term of imprisonment for one who uses a deadly or dangerous weapon during the commission of any of the above acts; and (3) the maximum terms of imprisonment for threats or assaults made upon a family member of a Federal law enforcement official for purposes of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against such official in the performance of his or her duties. Provides a ten-year maximum term for an individual mailing a threatening communication to a Federal law enforcement official, including a U.S. judge. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend Federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements with respect to offenses involving influencing, assaulting, resisting, impeding, retaliating against, or threatening a Federal judge, magistrate judge, or other appropriate Federal law enforcement official, taking into consideration specified factors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1997
Declares September 26, 1997, to be Austrian-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should use specified existing authority to establish a temporary emergency minimum milk price that is equitable to all producers nationwide and provides price relief to economically distressed milk producers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1997
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to continue operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program through contracts with appropriate colleges or universities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1997
Commends the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on its 50th anniversary.
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities Title II: Electronic Filing Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Oversight Subtitle B: Budget Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Executive Branch Government and Senior Management - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to replace current provisions establishing the office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with provisions establishing the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board (the Board). Requires that seven of the nine members of the Board not be full-time Federal officers or employees. Requires that all Board members have expertise in, among other things: (1) management of large service organizations; (2) customer service; and (3) the needs and concerns of taxpayers. Requires the Board to: (1) review and approve strategic plans of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); (2) review the operational functions of the IRS; (3) select the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner), as well as senior IRS managers, and review the Commissioner's reorganization plans; and (4) review and approve the IRS budget request, as well as ensure audits of the IRS. (Sec. 102) Replaces current provisions which authorize the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to employ such personnel as necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the internal revenue laws with provisions requiring there to be in the Department of the Treasury a Commissioner who shall be appointed by the Board for a five-year term. Sets forth the duties of the Commissioner, including the: (1) administration and management of the internal revenue laws; and (2) Commissioner's responsibility to consult with the Board. Establishes and sets forth duties for: (1) a Chief Counsel for the IRS to be appointed by the President; (2) the Office of Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations; (3) an Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. (Sec. 103) Replaces current provisions concerning the effect of reorganization plans with provisions which authorize the Commissioner to employ such number of persons as proper to administer and enforce the internal revenue laws. Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities - Directs the Commissioner to establish a performance management system covering IRS employees which: (1) establishes retention standards; and (2) establishes performance goals or objectives. Provides for awards based on performance, but prohibits making an award solely on the basis of tax enforcement results. Sets forth other provisions concerning: (1) classification and pay; (2) staffing; and (3) demonstration projects. Title II: Electronic Filing - Provides for paperless filing and payment of taxes. Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights - Sets forth provisions concerning taxpayer protections and rights, including provisions concerning: (1) authority to issue taxpayer assistance orders; (2) authority to award costs and fees; (3) damages for negligence in collection actions; (4) criteria and procedures for selecting taxpayers for examination; (5) archival treatment of IRS records; (6) freedom of information; (7) offers-in-compromise; (8) jurisdiction of the Tax Court; (9) cataloging of complaints; and (10) procedures for taxpayer interviews. (Sec. 309) Eliminates the interest differential on overpayments and underpayments. (Sec. 310) Eliminates the failure to pay penalty as long as an installment payment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to accept installment tax liability payments if: (1) such liability does not exceed $10,000; (2) the taxpayer has, during the past five years, paid on time; and (3) the taxpayer has not entered into a prior installment agreement. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide matching funds for qualified low-income taxpayer clinics. (Sec. 319) Provides for studies concerning: (1) taxpayer confidentiality; (2) penalty administration; (3) treating all taxpayers as separate filing units; and (4) burden of proof. Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Oversight - Authorizes the Joint Committee on Taxation (Joint Committee) to procure the services of experts for investigations of the IRS by the General Accounting Office. (Sec. 402) Establishes additional reporting requirements for the Joint Committee. Subtitle B: Budget - Provides for additional budget authority for the IRS, but only on annual basis and only if specified improvements are made in taxpayer services. (Sec. 413) Directs the Commissioner to convene a financial advisory management group to advise the Commissioner. Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS should provide the Congress with an independent view of tax administration. (Sec. 422) Requires a Senate or House of Representatives committee, when reporting legislation including any provision amending the IRC, to contain within the report a Tax Complexity Analysis. (Sec. 423) Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that employers should have a single point of filing tax and wage reporting information. (Sec. 424) Requires the Joint Committee to prepare a study of the feasibility of developing a baseline estimate of taxpayers' compliance burdens against which future legislative proposals could be measured.