United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Lifetime Caps Discrimination Prevention Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan (and a health insurer providing coverage under a group plan) from imposing an aggregate dollar lifetime limit less than specified amounts. Exempts plans offered to or maintained for employees of employers with fewer than 20 employees.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty treatment of ski-boots, cross-country ski footwear, and snowboard boots (all with uppers of textile material).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Older Industrial Region Rail and Port Access and Modernization Act - Establishes a program of grants by the Secretary of Transportation to applicant older industrial States (Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire) for assistance in carrying out one or more transportation projects for: (1) connecting all railroads to ports and ensuring that double-stack rail cars can travel freely throughout such States; (2) enlarging tunnels and embankments and removing, repairing, or replacing bridges or other obstructions that inhibit the free movement of freight or passenger rail cars and the use of double-stack rail cars; (3) repairing, upgrading, and purchasing railbeds and tracks, including improving track safety; and (4) constructing, operating, and maintaining train maintenance facilities and facilities for the transfer of goods and individuals between other transportation modes, including intermodal truck-train transfer facilities, passenger rail stations, and bulk fuel transfer facilities. Sets the Federal share of such projects, which the grants represent, at 80 percent. Establishes in the Treasury the Older Industrial Rail Modernization and Port Access Fund to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury to pay guaranteed loans for rail projects in an older industrial State. Limits the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such obligations at $50 million for any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Grants Title II: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Tax Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Grants - Directs the Secretaries of Education and Labor, using funds made available from the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund, to make grants to eligible agencies and organizations for carrying out education and workforce activities described by this title. Requires grants provided to local educational agencies or organizations with experience in carrying out such activities to be used for: (1) providing professional development for teachers and principals; (2) developing programs to provide business experience to teachers participating in vocational or technology training; (3) constructing, renovating, or improving educational facilities for workforce training programs; (4) developing partnerships between businesses and vocational education or training providers to carry out student internships; (5) providing youth and adult workforce training with remedial help; (6) establishing model benchmarks to be used in education and workforce training curricula; (7) providing for evaluations of other education and workforce training activities; (8) assisting in mentoring and parental involvement programs and career path records for students; (9) establishing and assessing voluntary skill standards for workforce training participants; (10) assessing the need for, and improving, educational technology in the metropolitan region; and (11) providing resources to extend a school year or day. Sets forth provisions regarding distribution of funds and maintenance of fiscal effort with respect to such activities. (Sec. 103) Establishes the: (1) Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Partnership in the Departments of Labor and Education; and (2) Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Board within the Partnership. Requires the Board to provide advice to the Secretaries on applications and grants and report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on Partnership activities. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretaries to accept voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of this title. Permits the Partnership to accept monetary contributions to defray expenses. Title II: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Tax - Amends the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Tax Act of 1947 to define "gross income," in the case of nonresidents of the District, as income derived from: (1) salaries or compensation for personal services performed within the District, including Federal employee compensation; (2) certain trade or business conducted in the District, including sales or dealings in District property; and (3) rent on property located in the District. Imposes an income tax on nonresidents at a rate equal to one-third of the rate applied to residents. Provides for deductions and personal exemptions with respect to such tax. Bars the District Council from: (1) imposing any additional tax on the personal income of nonresidents unless the same proportion of tax is imposed on the personal income of residents; and (2) providing deductions or personal exemptions to residents which are not also available to nonresidents. Allocates the revenues received from income tax on nonresidents as follows: (1) one-third to the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority for funding the repair and modernization of District public schools; and (2) two-thirds to the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund. Sets forth a formula for the phasing-in of the nonresident income tax. (Sec. 202) Repeals provisions of the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Tax Act of 1947 regarding the unincorporated business tax. Provides that unincorporated businesses as such shall not be subject to tax. Requires individuals carrying on business as unincorporated businesses to be liable in their individual capacity, for personal income tax as residents or nonresidents, with respect to their distributive share of the net income of the business derived from sources within the District. Sets forth provisions regarding allowable excess deductions with respect to such businesses. (Sec. 203) Sets forth requirements for tax withholding by employers of nonresidents and revises provisions regarding declarations of estimated tax. (Sec. 204) Allows a credit against income tax imposed under this title for residents subject to income tax of another State. Disallows such credit if the other State allows a credit for income tax paid to the District. (Sec. 206) Grants States and territories the right to sue in the District's Superior Court to recover any tax due when the reciprocal right is accorded to the District by the State or territory. Authorizes the Corporation Counsel to bring suit in the name of the District to collect taxes. (Sec. 207) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretaries to obligate sums from the Fund to make grants under title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Science Foundation Authorization Title II: General Provisions National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1997 - Title I: National Science Foundation Authorization - Sets forth long-term goals and core strategies. Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY 1998 and 1999. Title II: General Provisions - Directs NSF to submit to the Congress an annual upgrade and maintenance plan for national research facilities. (Sec. 202) Makes administrative amendments to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1976, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, and the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act. (Sec. 203) Directs the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with other relevant agencies the Director deems appropriate, to prepare a certain report analyzing the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates paid to universities in comparison with Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates paid to other entities, such as industry, government laboratories, research hospitals, and non-profit institutions. Requires that such report be transmitted to the Congress no later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 204) Subjects NSF temporary employees to the same financial disclosure requirements as apply to permanent employees. (Sec. 205) Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this Act from being used for any lobbying activity, except that the prohibition shall not prevent officers or employees of the Federal Government or of its departments or agencies, from communicating to: (1) Members of Congress on the request of any Member; or (2) to the Congress, through the appropriate procedures, requests for legislation or appropriations which the officers or employees deem necessary for the efficient conduct of the Federal Government. (Sec. 206) Requires that if any funds authorized by this Act are subject to a reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, notice of such action shall concurrently be provided to the House Committee on Science and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Directs the NSF Director to provide notice not later than 15 days before any major reorganization of any NSF program, project, or activity. (Sec. 207) Directs the NSF Director to: (1) donate surplus computers and other research equipment to elementary and secondary schools to enhance the science and mathematics programs of such schools; and (2) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the donations made.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1997
James P. Grant World Summit for Children Implementation Act of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified amounts should be appropriated for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC Program); and (2) programs under the Head Start Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for contributions to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Child Survival Fund. Earmarks funds for activities that have a direct measurable impact on reducing rates of child death and disease. Expresses the sense of the Congress that authority should be granted to the President to exercise specified debt forgiveness authority for least developed countries that are pursuing economic policy reforms to promote long-term development. Earmarks development assistance funds for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Vitamin A Deficiency Program. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) iodine and iron deficiency prevention programs; (2) prevention and control programs related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in developing countries; and (3) population assistance programs. Earmarks development and economic assistance funds for FY 1998 and 1999 for programs in support of basic education. Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified amounts should be appropriated for FY 1998 and 1999 for migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the prevention of the global spread of tuberculosis. Requires the President to call upon other governments to provide their share of resources required to achieve the World Summit for Children goals by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Demand for Quality Child Care Subtitle A: Tax Benefits for Quality Child Care Subtitle B: Child Care Quality Improvement Incentive Program Subtitle C: Distribution of Information About Quality Child Care Subtitle D: Quality Child Care Through Federal Facilities and Programs Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions Creating Improved Delivery of Child Care: Affordable, Reliable, and Educational Act - CIDCARE Act - Title I: Demand for Quality Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the amount of the dependent care tax credit. Defines "accredited child care center," "child care credentialing or accreditation entity," and "credentialed child care professional." Makes the credit refundable for taxpayers eligible for the earned income credit. Requires an employer to make advance payments (with wage withholding payments) of dependent care amounts. (Sec. 102) Increases the dollar limits on the exclusion from employee gross income of employer payments for dependent care assistance. Includes in the definition of "dependent care assistance" payments to the employee from amounts contributed to the employee's account during the pregnancy paid within one year after contribution and while the employee, the employee's spouse, or one of their parents stays at home to care for a qualifying individual. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to establish and maintain a dependent care assistance program for employees. (Sec. 103) Amends the Social Security Act to require States to have laws requiring that child support orders enforced under certain provisions include an amount for child care services. Title II: Supply of Quality Child Care - Subtitle A: Tax Benefits for Quality Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business credit for 50 percent (with a dollar limit) of qualified child care expenses, including the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or expansion of property, operating costs, services contracts, and accreditation costs. Terminates the credit after 1999. (Sec. 202) Applies provisions relating to corporate charitable contributions of scientific property used for research to include contributions to: (1) accredited or certified child care centers or their support entities; (2) educational organizations; (3) certain governmental units; and (4) certain scientific research organizations. Allows the donor to repair and refurbish the property. (Sec. 203) Excludes the deduction for the accreditation and credentialing expenses for child care providers from the two-percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions. (Sec. 204) Allows for the care of a dependent in a home office without loss of the home office deduction. Subtitle B: Child Care Quality Improvement Incentive Program - Establishes a program of competitive grants to States to improve child care quality. Requires recipient States to: (1) establish a subsidy for certified child care providers; (2) establish a grant program to assist small businesses in operating child care programs; and (3) carry out one or more of seven specified activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Distribution of Information About Quality Child Care - Requires technical assistance and the collection and dissemination of information concerning the importance of high quality child care. Mandates competitive grants to certain child care credentialing or accreditation entities, with the grants used to refine and evaluate the entities' procedures. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 222) Mandates a grant to an eligible organization to develop and operate a technology-based child care training infrastructure in order to facilitate accreditation, credentialing, and information dissemination. Regulates grantee fund use. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 223) Requires that grantee to establish and operate a child care training revolving fund to make loans to enable the purchase of equipment used to disseminate training through the infrastructure. Subtitle D: Quality Child Care Through Federal Facilities and Programs - Mandates regulations: (1) requiring any child care center in an executive, legislative, or judicial facility to comply with State and local licensing requirements; and (2) specifying accreditation standards and requiring any such center to comply. Provides for enforcement. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 232) Requires the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor to ensure that any child care made available under any Federal financial assistance carried out by those agencies be provided by an accredited child care center or a credentialed child care professional. Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to impose similar requirements on child care services made available under certain provisions. (Sec. 233) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the establishment of accredited child care centers in activities permitted to be assisted under community development provisions. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow loan repayments or cancellation for individuals employed providing child care services who have a certificate or degree in early childhood education or development. (Sec. 242) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that each State case registry record include the custodial status of any child covered by the order involved. Requires that the Secretary of the Treasury have access to: (1) the National Directory of New Hires to verify information that is required on a tax return (currently, to verify a claim regarding employment in a tax return); and (2) the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders to administer Internal Revenue Code provisions granting tax benefits based on support and residence provided dependent children. Limits the minimum past due support to which offset procedures may be applied to not more than $150. Sets the withholding threshold at $150 (currently, $500).
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 Title II: Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act Arts and Humanities Amendments of 1997 - Title I: National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 to revise and reauthorize provisions for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). (Sec. 101) Prohibits the use of grants awarded under such Act for lobbying or providing general membership services for groups. Establishes a single Office of the Inspector General for both the NEA and the NEH. Requires the NEA and NEH Chairpersons to jointly conduct, or contract for, a study, and report to the appropriate committees of Congress, on the feasibility of establishing a true endowment for the NEA and the NEH to provide supplemental funding to support their efforts. Requires examination of innovative methods through which a true endowment may be funded, including private fund raising, an extension of a copyright term, recapture of funds from past grants that have proven profitable, or any other innovative methods the Chairpersons determine appropriate. Provides for NEA and NEH solicitation, acceptance, and investment of donations, bequests, and devises. Permits use of a certain amount of the proceeds for reception and representation expenses. Limits administrative expenditures by NEA and NEH for annual funding under $150 million and for funding over that amount. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the NEA and the NEH through FY 2002. Provides for a program of NEA partnership grants to States and local and regional groups for 50 percent (with certain discretionary increases) of the costs of establishing local arts activities, with emphasis on arts education and projects that reach rural and urban underserved communities. Provides for a program of NEA national significance grants to groups, including regional groups, of demonstrated and substantial artistic and cultural importance, for projects, productions, and workshops to increase the access of all the people to the best of U.S. arts and culture (with a 25 percent Federal match, or 16.67 percent in the case of groups with certain larger annual budgets, and with certain discretionary increases of such match). Gives priority to projects, productions, and workshops that increase public access, including by touring, by regional or national dissemination, or by geographic dispersion. Provides for a program of NEA direct grants to groups and individuals that are broadly representative of the U.S. cultural heritage and broadly geographically representative, for projects, productions, and workshops of high artistic excellence and merit (with a 50 percent Federal match, and certain discretionary increases of such match). Gives priority to those that will be disseminated widely after completion. Authorizes the NEA Chairperson to make grants to States, arts agencies, or other local or regional groups to promote access to the arts through support of specified activities for education, for expansion and advancement of the arts, and for assisting developing arts organizations in underserved communities (with a 50 percent Federal match, and certain discretionary increases of such match). Revises requirements for advisory panels which review and make recommendations on grant applications. Reduces the number of members of the National Council on the Arts. Sets forth limitations on NEA grants. Prohibits subgrants, except by State or regional groups, to any other organization or individual to conduct activities independent of the direct grant recipient. Revises NEA administrative provisions and those for reports, sanctions, and payments. Requires recipients of funding to repay certain amounts if they have derived net program income from the funded activities exceeding a specified amount. Continues provisions for the National Medal of Arts. Provides for NEH partnership grants to support programs of humanities councils at the State and local levels (with a 50 percent Federal match, and certain discretionary increases of such match). Provides for NEH national grants to groups, individuals, and State agencies or entities for specified activities relating to education and the public humanities that have a national audience and significance (with a 50 percent Federal match, or 25 percent in the case of development of new sources of long-term support). Provides for NEH research and scholarship grants to groups, individuals, and State agencies and entities (with a 50 percent Federal match). Provides for review panels. Reduces the number of members of the National Council on the Humanities. Revises limitations on NEH grants. Revises NEH administrative provisions and those for reports, sanctions, and payments. Requires recipients of funding to repay certain amounts if they have derived net program income from the funded activities exceeding a specified amount. Continues provisions for the Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities Award. Eliminates authority for the Charles Frankel Prize. Authorizes the President to award a National Humanities Medal to individuals or groups. Repeals authorization for a grant program to support artistic and cultural programs in the Nation's Capital. (Sec. 102) Makes conforming amendments to the Inspector General Act of 1978. Title II: Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act - Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to re-establish the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities as an independent Federal agency. (Sec. 201) Makes eligible for loss or damage indemnity agreement coverage parts of an exhibition that originates either in the United States or outside the United States and that is touring the United States (thus extending coverage to domestic as well as foreign exhibitions). Revises Council functions to eliminate: (1) specified current advise and consult duties; (2) the mandate to plan and coordinate participation in major and historic national events; and (3) the mandate for studies and reports on the state of the arts and humanities, particularly their economic needs and problems.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Pension ProSave Plans Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Subtitle A: Definitions Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Plans Pension ProSave Act - Title I: Pension ProSave Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to deferred compensation and other matters to establish a system under which any employer may establish a Pension ProSave Plan: (1) for the exclusive benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries; and (2) the only contributions to which are contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts established on behalf of such employees. Specifies requirements for contributions, vesting, distributions and loans, and reporting. Provides that a Pension ProSave Plan shall be treated in the same manner as a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan including a certain kind of tax-exempt trust. Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Subtitle A: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Directs the Board of Directors of the Pension Portability Clearinghouse (established by this Act) to establish a system of Pension ProSave Accounts under which: (1) employers and employees may make contributions on behalf of employees under a Pension ProSave Plan; (2) individuals may make qualified rollover contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts; and (3) amounts in the Pension ProSave Accounts are invested, and loans and distributions of amounts in such Accounts are made, as provided in this Act. Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse - Establishes the Pension Portability Clearinghouse within the executive branch of the Government and the Pension Portability Clearinghouse Advisory Council. Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Pla ns - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a simplified method for complying with pension requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Grants Title II: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Tax and Offsetting Tax Credits Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Grants - Directs the Secretaries of Education and Labor, using funds made available from the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund, to make grants to eligible agencies and organizations for carrying out education and workforce activities described by this title. Requires grants provided to local educational agencies or organizations with experience in carrying out such activities to be used for: (1) providing professional development for teachers and principals; (2) developing programs to provide business experience to teachers participating in vocational or technology training; (3) constructing, renovating, or improving educational facilities for workforce training programs; (4) developing partnerships between businesses and vocational education or training providers to carry out student internships; (5) providing youth and adult workforce training with remedial help; (6) establishing model benchmarks to be used in education and workforce training curricula; (7) providing for evaluations of other education and workforce training activities; (8) assisting in mentoring and parental involvement programs and career path records for students; (9) establishing and assessing voluntary skill standards for workforce training participants; (10) assessing the need for, and improving, educational technology in the metropolitan region; and (11) providing resources to extend a school year or day. Sets forth provisions regarding distribution of funds and maintenance of fiscal effort with respect to such activities. (Sec. 103) Establishes the: (1) Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Partnership in the Departments of Labor and Education; and (2) Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Board within the Partnership. Requires the Board to provide advice to the Secretaries on applications and grants and report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on Partnership activities. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretaries to accept voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of this title. Permits the Partnership to accept monetary contributions to defray expenses. Title II: Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Tax and Offsetting Tax Credits - Amends the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Tax Act of 1947 to define "gross income," in the case of nonresidents of the District, as income derived from: (1) salaries or compensation for personal services performed within the District, including Federal employee compensation; (2) certain trade or business conducted in the District, including sales or dealings in District property; and (3) rent on property located in the District. Imposes an income tax on nonresidents at a rate equal to one-third of the rate applied to residents. Provides for deductions and personal exemptions with respect to such tax. Bars the District Council from: (1) imposing any additional tax on the personal income of nonresidents unless the same proportion of tax is imposed on the personal income of residents; and (2) providing deductions or personal exemptions to residents which are not also available to nonresidents. Allocates the revenues received from income tax on nonresidents as follows: (1) one-third to the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority for funding the repair and modernization of District public schools; and (2) two-thirds to the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund. Sets forth a formula for the phasing-in of the nonresident income tax. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an amount equal to 100 percent of the tax imposed on a District nonresident as a nonrefundable personal credit in the first taxable year after this Act's enactment date. Allows as such credit an amount equal to one-third of such tax in subsequent tax years. Denies a deduction for such tax. (Sec. 202) Repeals provisions of the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Tax Act of 1947 regarding the unincorporated business tax. Provides that unincorporated businesses as such shall not be subject to tax. Requires individuals carrying on business as unincorporated businesses to be liable in their individual capacity, for personal income tax as residents or nonresidents, with respect to their distributive share of the net income of the business derived from sources within the District. Sets forth provisions regarding allowable excess deductions with respect to such businesses. (Sec. 203) Sets forth requirements for tax withholding by employers of nonresidents and revises provisions regarding declarations of estimated tax. (Sec. 204) Allows a credit against income tax imposed under this title for residents subject to income tax of another State. Disallows such credit if the other State allows a credit for income tax paid to the District. (Sec. 206) Grants States and territories the right to sue in the District's Superior Court to recover any tax due when the reciprocal right is accorded to the District by the State or territory. Authorizes the Corporation Counsel to bring suit in the name of the District to collect taxes. (Sec. 207) Establishes the Metropolitan Washington Education and Workforce Training Trust Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretaries to obligate sums from the Fund to make grants under title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Landmine Elimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits, beginning on January 1, 2000, funds appropriated or otherwise available to any Federal department or agency from being obligated or expended for new deployments of anti-personnel landmines. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on actions and proposals to substitute for new deployments of such landmines on the Korean Peninsula. Allows the President to delay application of the prohibition with respect to the Peninsula if, not later than January 1, 2000, and each year thereafter, the President certifies the Congress that new deployments of anti-personnel landmines on the Peninsula in the event of a Korean war or a period of emergency in Korea declared by the President would be indispensable to the defense of the Republic of Korea in such year.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expanding Small Business Coverage Title II: Enhancing Fairness for Women and Families Title III: Increasing Portability for Participants Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement Title V: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Retirement Security for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Expanding Small Business Coverage - Amends Internal Revenue Code (IRC) deferred compensation provisions to prohibit treating as an elective deferral any matching contribution made on behalf of a self-employed individual. (Sec. 102) Exempts from prohibited transaction taxes certain transactions regarding a trust forming part of a stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan involving loans to, payments for services rendered by, or acquisitions from or sales to an owner-employee. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exempt such transactions from provisions: (1) limiting plan holding of employer securities and employer real property; (2) prohibiting certain fiduciary actions, benefits, and compensation; and (3) relating to certain plan transactions involving employer securities or employer real property. (Sec. 103) Allows an employer to establish payroll deductions for contributions to employee individual retirement plans without incurring ERISA liability. (Sec. 104) Amends the IRC to allow an eligible employer to establish and maintain a SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan), both to be funded by the employer. Makes the employer contributions deductible without limitation and otherwise provides for the treatment of contributions and distributions. Mandates a penalty for early withdrawals. Requires simplified employer reports for SAFE annuities and simplified actuarial reports for SAFE trusts. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to exempt SAFE trusts from coverage requirements and SAFE annuities from certain employer reporting requirements. (Sec. 105) Amends the IRC to modify definitions applicable to special rules for top-heavy plans. Requires consideration of employer matching contributions in determining whether a defined contribution plan meets minimum contribution requirements. Title II: Enhancing Fairness for Women and Children - Removes a requirement that an individual's spouse's participation in certain pension plans reduce the individual's dollar limitations on retirement contribution deductions. (Sec. 202) Makes the salary percentage limitations on additions to defined contribution plans inapplicable to elective deferrals. (Sec. 203) Permits participants on maternity or paternity leave to make additional elective deferrals. Provides for the treatment and timing of the contributions and sets forth other definitions and rules. (Sec. 204) Amends the IRC and ERISA to set three- and five-year vesting periods for matching contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement. Provides for the treatment of matching contributions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal civil service retirement and Federal employees' retirement system provisions to entitle a former spouse of a deceased former employee to a deferred annuity in certain circumstances. (Sec. 206) Amends the IRC to provide for the circumstances in which a distribution or payment from an eligible deferred compensation plan must be treated as made pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. Title III: Increasing Portability for Participants - Excludes from gross income any portion of an individual's eligible retirement plan rolled over or transferred into another eligible retirement plan. Sets forth related rules. (Sec. 302) Allows plans to accept rollover contributions. (Sec. 303) Amends the IRC and ERISA to set forth the circumstances in which a defined contribution plan will not be treated as failing to meet requirements merely because the transferee plan does not provide some or all the forms of distribution previously available under another defined contribution plan. (Sec. 304) Amends the IRC to allow amounts in a qualified cash or deferred arrangement to be distributed after: (1) severance from employment (currently, after separation from service); or (2) a plan termination (currently, a plan termination, a disposition of assets, or a disposition of a subsidiary). Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC and ERISA to modify the definition of "full-funding limitation" and set forth a special amortization rule. Amends the IRC to change deductibility requirements regarding an employer's contributions to an employees' trust annuity plan and compensation under a deferred-payment plan. (Sec. 402) Amends ERISA to modify requirements regarding missing participants. (Sec. 403) Amends ERISA and the IRC to exempt from a requirement that plans prohibit the assignment or alienation of benefits any offset of a benefit against an amount a participant is ordered or required to pay under certain criminal or civil judgements or settlements. (Sec. 404) Amends ERISA to increase the maximum civil penalty authorized for certain prohibited transactions. (Sec. 405) Modifies the definition of "eligible individual account plan" for provisions regarding the acquisition and holding of employer securities and employer real property by certain plans. (Sec. 406) Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 407) Allows (currently, requires) civil monetary penalties of up to (currently, equal to) specified amounts regarding certain breaches of fiduciary responsibility. Modifies the amounts and makes the liability joint and severable. (Sec. 408) Amends the IRC to modify requirements regarding the tax on nondeductible contributions. (Sec. 409) Prohibits plans from making loans to beneficiaries through any revolving credit arrangement. Title V: Reducing Regulatory Burdens - Makes certain nondiscrimination and participation requirements inapplicable to a governmental plan. (Sec. 502) Declares that a trust does not fail to be qualified if it made good faith efforts but failed to satisfy requirements and substantially corrected the failure. Allows, in some circumstances, the plan to be required to make a payment bearing a reasonable relationship to the severity of the plan's failure to satisfy requirements. Modifies requirements regarding the taxability of the beneficiary of a nonexempt trust. (Sec. 503) Amends ERISA to remove a requirement to file a summary plan description, a plan description, modifications and changes, and documents relating to the employee benefit plan. Authorizes a civil monetary penalty for failure to furnish such material on request. (Sec. 504) Mandates issuance of coordinated guidance to: (1) modify operational and time requirements to permit the use of new technologies; and (2) clarify the extent to which State paper transaction laws are preempted and the extent to which IRC requirements shall be interpreted to permit paperless transactions. (Sec. 505) Amends the IRC and ERISA to increase the dollar amount that, if exceeded, requires a participant's consent for immediate distribution. (Sec. 506) Amends the IRC to modify requirements regarding plan valuation timing. (Sec. 507) Amends ERISA to change requirements, in the case of a terminated single-employer plan, regarding the guarantee of benefits and the allocation of assets. (Sec. 508) Amends the IRC to modify the definition of "applicable dividend" for provisions relating to deductions for dividends paid on certain employer securities. (Sec. 509) Changes the definition of "includible compensation" for provisions relating to the taxability of beneficiaries under annuities purchased by section 501(c)(3) organizations or public schools. Mandates a change in the regulations regarding the exclusion allowance to reflect an amendment made by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
Fair ATM Fees for Consumers Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to proscribe the assessment of an electronic terminal surcharge (ATM fee) against a consumer if the transaction: (1) neither relates to nor affects an account held by the consumer with the financial institution that owns or operates the electronic terminal; (2) is conducted through a national or regional electronic banking network.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including an employing authority or office to which specified provisions of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 or the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 apply. Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from entering into a consent decree that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except regarding employment in a position the duties of which pertain solely to activities of the organization that generate unrelated business income subject to taxation under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for all remedies (except punitive damages, with compensatory damages available to the extent specified in certain existing provisions of law) to the same extent as under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a term or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply specified uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements (similar to those of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act) that a label containing certain information be affixed to the windshield or window of a rebuilt or remanufactured salvage vehicle before its first sale. Prohibits a person from willfully removing, altering, or rendering illegible such label before the vehicle is delivered to the ultimate purchaser. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of these acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
Medicare Equity and Choice Enhancement Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the formulae for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs). Provides for a metropolitan based system under which: (1) all portions of each metropolitan statistical area in a State are treated as a single Medicare payment area; and (2) all areas in that State that do not fall within a metropolitan statistical area are treated as a single Medicare payment area. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the annual per capita rate of payment for each individual (not, as currently, each class of individuals) enrolled with an HMO or CMP by adjusting the capitation rate, after any annual differential adjustment to reflect differences in applicable beneficiary risk factors, for: (1) individuals who are enrolled with an eligible organization that has entered into a risk-sharing contract and who are enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) only; and (2) in 1999 and any succeeding year, such risk factors as health status, diagnoses, and other appropriate factors so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. Requires the Secretary to establish a separate rate of payment to an eligible organization with respect to any individual determined to have end-stage renal disease and enrolled with the organization. Prescribes a general formula for the adjusted capitation rate of a Medicare payment area based on an area-specific adjusted capitation rate and an input-price-adjusted national adjusted capitation rate. Specifies area-specific and national percentages for contract years 1998 through 2001 and after. Requires the Secretary, upon written request of the Chief Executive Officer of a State for a contract year, to adjust the system under which Medicare payment areas in the State are otherwise determined to a system which: (1) has a single statewide Medicare payment area; (2) is a metropolitan based system; or (3) consolidates into a single Medicare payment area noncontiguous counties (or equivalent areas) within the State. Provides for making additional payments to certain institutions on the basis of need, especially, for certain savings, to institutions which train physicians who within two years after such training practice in health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects in every applicable area for the purpose of establishing competitive pricing for eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts under Medicare. Repeals the (50-50) requirement that each eligible organization with which the Secretary contracts have an enrolled membership at least one-half of which consists of individuals who are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Directs the Secretary to study, and report annually to the Congress on, the implementation and effects of this Act on the Medicare program. Requires the Physician Payment Review Commission to comment on such annual report in its own annual report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving Patient Access Title II: Increasing Access to Expertise and Resources Title III: Improving Collaboration and Communication Title IV: Improving Certainty and Clarity of Rules Title V: Improving Accountability Title VI: Increasing Resources by Setting Priorities Title VII: Fees Relating to Drugs Title VIII: Miscellaneous Food and Drug Administration Modernization and Accountability Act of 1997 - Title I: Improving Patient Access - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission statement. (Sec. 102) Authorizes any person, through a licensed practitioner, to request, and any manufacturer or distributor to provide, an investigational drug, biological product, or device for the diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of a serious condition (or any other condition designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) if specified requirements are met. (Sec. 103) Modifies effectiveness exception requirements for devices relating to conditions that affect fewer than 4,000 individuals in the United States. Title II: Increasing Access to Expertise and Resources - Mandates programs and policies that foster collaboration between the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and other science-based Federal agencies. (Sec. 202) Declares the sense of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee concerning international regulatory harmonization regarding drugs, biological products, devices, foods, food additives, color additives, and good manufacturing practices. (Sec. 203) Authorizes a contract with any organization or individual with relevant expertise to review, evaluate, and make recommendations on part or all of any application or submission regarding approval of a biological product. Mandates use of that authority when such a contract will improve a review's timeliness or quality. (Sec. 204) Mandates accreditation of non-governmental entities to review and make recommendations regarding submissions under provisions relating to reports preceding the introduction of devices into interstate commerce. (Sec. 205) Authorizes recognition of all or part of a performance standard established by a nationally or internationally recognized standard development organization for which a person may submit a conformity declaration. Title III: Improving Collaboration and Communication - Directs the Secretary: (1) on request of a person intending to submit a premarket approval application, to meet with the person to determine the type of scientific evidence of effectiveness that will be necessary; and (2) to meet with a premarket approval applicant to discuss the application's review status and, prior to that meeting, to notify the applicant in writing of application deficiencies. Title IV: Improving Certainty and Clarity of Rules - Mandates (after evaluation of the Good Guidance Practices document published in the Federal Register) promulgation as a regulation of FDA policies and procedures for the development, issuance, and use of guidance documents. (Sec. 402) Allows a person who submits an application or submission to submit a request regarding: (1) classification of the article as a drug, biological product, or device; or (2) the FDA component that will regulate the article. (Sec. 403) Allows, six years after application approval, use by the Secretary of application information in approving devices, determining whether product development protocols have been completed, establishing a performance standard or special control, and classifying devices. (Sec. 404) Requires, in determining premarket approval and substantial equivalence, reliance on the proposed labeling's use conditions. (Sec. 405) Defines "day" for provisions relating to review of any application or submission. (Sec. 406) Sets review time limits regarding initial classification and premarket approval. (Sec. 407) Prohibits withholding initial classification because of a failure to comply with any FDCA provision unrelated to a substantial equivalence decision, including a failure to comply with good manufacturing practice requirements. (Sec. 408) Mandates a regulation specifying the general principles considered in determining whether a specific intended device use is not reasonably included in a general use of the device for purposes of a substantial equivalence determination. (Sec. 409) Declares that device effectiveness is to be determined by well-controlled investigations, including one or more clinical investigations (currently, including clinical investigations). Allows the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that only one investigation is required for new drug approval, to require supporting scientific evidence obtained prior to or after the investigation. (Sec. 410) Repeals provisions prohibiting using, on any drug or device label, any suggestion of approval under FDCA new drug, premarket approval, or investigational use exemption provisions. Title V: Improving Accountability - Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) a plan bringing the Secretary into compliance with each of the Secretary's obligations under the FDCA and other statutes; and (2) an annual report on the Secretary's performance under the plan. Title VI: Increasing Resources by Setting Priorities - Mandates modification of specified Federal Regulations regarding the procedures and conditions under which a device may be granted an exemption from certain FDCA requirements. Requires the regulation to permit developmental device changes without requiring additional application approval in specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary (for premarket approval) to accept and review information from investigations conducted under the authority of regulations required by investigational exemption provisions. Requires a supplemental application for a change that affects a device's safety or effectiveness, subject to exception. Regulates review of supplemental applications. (Sec. 602) Declares that no action by the Secretary under the FDCA shall be subject to an environmental assessment or impact statement or other environmental consideration, subject to exception. (Sec. 603) Mandates publication of a list of each type of class II device that does not require a report prior to introduction into interstate commerce. Exempts those types from the reporting requirement. Provides for petitioning for exemption of a type. (Sec. 604) Modifies requirements regarding: (1) reporting prior to introduction into interstate commerce; and (2) initial classification and reclassification of certain devices. (Sec. 606) Empowers any patient receiving a device subject to tracking to refuse to release (or refuse permission to release) identifying information for tracking purposes. Mandates publication of a list identifying each type of device subject to tracking. Deems any device not identified exempt from mandatory tracking. (Sec. 607) Modifies postmarket surveillance requirements. (Sec. 608) Removes: (1) references to distributors in provisions relating to recordkeeping and reporting; and (2) a requirement that each manufacturer, importer, and distributor submit an annual certification. (Sec. 609) Mandates approval of a new drug application based on information from a small facility. (Sec. 610) Sets forth requirements regarding radiopharmaceuticals designed for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and conditions. (Sec. 611) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise requirements regarding: (1) introducing biological products into interstate commerce, including related license approval and labeling requirements; and (2) inspection of biological product facilities. (Sec. 612) Amends the FDCA to allow approval of a supplement to an approved application for an additional use of a drug based on literature, clinical experience, or scientific evidence. (Sec. 613) Requires that a health care economic statement included in labeling or advertising provided to a formulary committee, managed care organization, or similar entity with responsibility for drug selection be competent and reliable. Makes any such statement subject solely to this section. (Sec. 614) Directs the Secretary to facilitate development and expedite approval of new drugs and biological products intended for serious conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for those conditions. Terms such products "fast track drugs." Sets forth designation requirements and procedures. (Sec. 615) Regulates changes in the manufacture of a new drug or biological product. (Sec. 616) Mandates guidance that describes when abbreviated study reports in lieu of full reports may be submitted with a new drug application for certain types of studies. (Sec. 617) Deems a food contact substance (a substance used as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food, but not intended to have any technical effect in the food) unsafe and the food adulterated unless: (1) there is (and the substance is in conformity with) a regulation prescribing the conditions under which the substance may be safely used; or (2) the manufacturer has notified the Secretary of the identity and intended use of the substance and the manufacturer's or supplier's determination that the substance is safe under a specified standard. (Sec. 618) Allows a health claim to be made regarding the relationship of a food to a disease or health-related condition if: (1) an authoritative scientific body of the U.S. Government with official responsibility for public health protection or research directly relating to human nutrition or the National Academy of Sciences has published statements, conclusions, or recommendations in effect recognizing that relationship; and (2) the manufacturer or distributor has notified the Secretary of the claim. (Sec. 619) Allows for additional deferred effective dates for the approval of certain new drug applications to allow for additional pediatric information developed by further studies. Mandates development, publication, and annual updating of a list of approved drugs for which additional pediatric information may produce health benefits in the pediatric population. Title VII: Fees Relating to Drugs - Prescription Drug Users Fee Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends provisions concerning fees relating to drugs to revise and add various definitions. (Sec. 704) Makes the fee (currently, 50 percent of the fee) for human drug applications or supplements due on submission. Mandates a refund of 75 (currently, 50) percent if the application or supplement is refused for filing. Exempts from the fee: (1) an application for a drug for a rare condition (orphan drug) or a supplement proposing a new indication for a rare condition; and (2) certain applications or supplements including an indication for use in pediatric populations. Allows fee refund if an application or supplement is withdrawn. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the annual prescription drug establishment fee; (2) the prescription drug product fee; (3) fee amounts; (4) fee adjustments; (5) fee waiver or reduction; (6) assessment of fees; and (7) crediting and availability of fees (including authorizing appropriations). (Sec. 707) Terminates, on a specified date, the effectiveness of the amendments made by this title. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Requires (currently, allows) a foreign establishment that manufactures, processes, etc., a drug or device to register with the Secretary. Authorizes cooperative agreements with foreign countries to ensure that means are available to determine whether drugs or devices from such an establishment shall be refused admission to the United States on the grounds specified in existing provisions. (Sec. 802) Replaces the requirement that prescription-only drugs bear the label phrase "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription" with a minimum requirement of a label designation "Rx only." Removes provisions requiring that certain substances be labeled "Warning--May be habit forming." (Sec. 803) Requires that any person seeking to export an imported article under provisions relating to the disposition of goods after a decree of condemnation establish that the article was intended for export at the time the article entered commerce. (Sec. 804) Authorizes, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, the conduct and support of research training in regulatory scientific programs by predoctoral and postdoctoral scientists and physicians, including the use of fellowships. Authorizes the support of fellowships through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. (Sec. 805) Deems a device that is, or purports to be, subject to a performance standard or special control: (1) adulterated unless it conforms to the standard or special control; or (2) misbranded unless it bears labeling as prescribed in the standard or special control. (Sec. 806) Empowers the Secretary to require the submission of samples and component samples of a device: (1) in connection with a recall; and (2) if the device may have caused or contributed to a serious injury. (Sec. 807) Modifies the FDCA definition of "interstate commerce" to include any article or class of articles that directly or indirectly affects interstate commerce. Provides for the condemnation of any adulterated or misbranded device, food, drug, or cosmetic (currently, any adulterated or misbranded device). Presumes the existence of a connection with interstate commerce in any action to enforce FDCA requirements regarding a device, food, drug, or cosmetic (currently, regarding a device).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Medicare Beneficiary Information Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements that eligible organizations provide enrollees with an explanation of their rights. Requires inclusion in such explanation of a copy of the most recent report comparing the organizations that Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to enroll with. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish such comparative reports according to prescribed criteria in an understandable standardized format. Applies the same new requirements to Medicare select policies. Directs the Secretary to establish a clearinghouse and, if appropriate, a toll-free telephone hotline to provide for dissemination of such comparative reports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Health Plan Quality Council Title II: Coverage of Federal Health Care Programs Title III: Certification of Federal Health Plan Contracts Title IV: Federal Health Plan Contract Performance Title V: Expansion of Health Care Quality Activities Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Federal Health Care Quality, Consumer Information and Protection Act - Title I: Federal Health Plan Quality Council - Establishes as an independent council the Federal Health Plan Quality Council to: (1) oversee and ensure the effective evaluation of health care programs financed under Federal Government authority; (2) endorse and direct Federal participation in regional health care accountability initiatives; and (3) advise the President and the Congress on the protection and quality of the health of Federal health plan contract participants and beneficiaries. (Sec. 102) Requires that the Council be composed of at least nine members. (Sec. 104) Establishes the Quality Advisory Institute to advise the Council concerning licensing and certification criteria and comparative measurement methods under this Act. (Sec. 106) Sets forth Council duties, including: (1) licensing certifying entities; (2) certifying Federal health plan contracts; (3) selecting from existing comparative health care measures to guide consumer choice and improve care delivery; and (4) contracting with an independent entity for the conduct of certification and quality measurement audits. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Coverage of Federal Health Care Programs - Requires the administrator of each of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act), Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), TRICARE (under provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces), and a veterans health care program under provisions of Federal law relating to veterans' benefits to ensure that: (1) coverage under those Programs is provided only through contracts certified under title III of this Act; and (2) information on each Program is collected, available, and disseminated in accordance with title IV of this Act. (Sec. 202) Requires the Council to establish: (1) a program under which payments are made to various Federal health plan contracts to reward the contracts for meeting or exceeding quality targets; and (2) broad categories of quality targets and performance measures. Requires that the Programs withhold a specified percentage from payments to eligible organizations and disburse such amounts in accordance with a specified formula relating to quality targets and performance measures (amending Medicare and Medicaid provisions accordingly). Title III: Certification of Federal Health Plan Contracts - Requires that an entity be certified under this title in order to contract with the Government to enroll individuals for health coverage. (Sec. 302) Mandates procedures to certify such contracts. (Sec. 303) Requires the Council to establish minimum criteria to be used by licensed certifying entities in contract certification, including: (1) implementing a total quality improvement plan; (2) compiling and annually providing to the certifying entity documentation regarding the credentials of the hospitals and providers reimbursed under the contract; and (3) implementing a program to provide participants and beneficiaries with access to information enabling comparison with other plans. (Sec. 304) Mandates grievance and appeals procedures. Title IV: Federal Health Plan Contract Performance - Requires the Council to develop or select measures to be used by individuals to compare the overall quality of Federal health plan contracts. Requires contracting entities to compile and submit specified process and outcomes data. Title V: Expansion of Health Care Quality Activities - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to take specified actions regarding health care quality assessment and comparability. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effective dates of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency should: (1) immediately release to the Congress the study of mercury emissions required under the Clean Air Act to have been completed by November 15, 1994; (2) initiate a pilot program for landfill air emission tests for mercury in the Northeast and nationally; and (3) not exempt mercury-containing lamps from hazardous waste regulations, but instead adopt universal waste rules that foster mercury recycling.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
African Growth and Opportunity Act - Declares the support of the Congress for the economic self-reliance of Sub-Saharan African countries committed to economic and political reform, market incentives and private sector growth, eradication of poverty, and the importance of women to economic growth and development. (Sec. 4) Makes a sub-Saharan African country eligible to participate in programs, projects, or activities, or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act for a fiscal year only if the President determines, according to specified evidence, that it has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing, a market-based economy. Directs the President to monitor and review eligible sub-Saharan countries that are in need of making continual progress in meeting one or more of this Act's requirements. Makes ineligible to participate in programs or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act any countries that have not made progress in meeting such requirements. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Congress that sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa depends upon the development of a receptive environment for trade and investment through the continued support by the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) of programs that help to create this environment. Sets forth declarations of policy with respect to assistance provided to sub-Saharan Africa through the Development Fund for Africa and the African Development Foundation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide: (1) additional program authorities to include assistance to promote democratization and strengthen conflict resolution; and (2) increased program flexibility through presidential waivers of certain requirements (except those for certain child survival activities). (Sec. 6) Directs the President to convene annual high-level meetings between U.S. Government officials and officials of the governments of sub-Saharan African countries to foster close economic ties between them. Directs the President to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Directs the President to develop a plan meeting certain requirements to enter into one or more trade agreements with certain eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Congress that reform of trade policies in sub-Saharan Africa that removes structural impediments to trade, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO), can lay the groundwork for sustained growth there in both textile and apparel exports. Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate the existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius, provided they adopt a visa system to guard against the unlawful transshipment of such goods. Directs the President to: (1) continue the existing no quota policy for sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) report to the Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel exports to the United States from such countries in order to protect U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers from economic injury on account of the no quota policy. (Sec. 9) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for any non-import-sensitive article that is the growth, product, or manufacture of an eligible sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing country. Waives the competitive need limitation with respect to eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Extends duty-free treatment to sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing countries through May 31, 2007. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) specified international financial institutions and their programs are vital to the economic growth and development of sub-Saharan African countries; (2) the executive branch should extinguish concessional debt owed to the United States by the poorest sub-Saharan countries; and (3) the Congress supports the efforts of the executive branch to secure agreement from such institutions to maximize debt reduction for such countries as part of the multilateral initiative known as the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Supports and encourages the implementation of specified initiatives through AID and the Trade Development Agency, including: (1) the formation of American-African business partnerships; (2) technical assistance to promote trade reforms; (3) agricultural market liberalization; (4) trade promotion; and (5) trade in services. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should exercise its authorities to initiate two or more equity funds in support of projects in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly projects that expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and employment for the poor. (Sec. 12) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise the composition of the Board of Directors of OPIC to require at least one of the eight presidentially-appointed Directors to have extensive private sector experience in sub-Saharan Africa. Directs the Board to increase financial assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to make similar changes with respect to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Sec. 13) Directs the President to establish the position of Assistant United States Trade Representative within the Office of the United States Trade Representative to focus on trade issues relating to sub-Saharan Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Choice Act of 1997 - Requires a person who transmits an electronic mail message as part of the transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail to include: (1) the word "Advertisement" at the very beginning of such message; and (2) the name, physical address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the sender prominently displayed within such message. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with regulatory authority over such unsolicited electronic mail, including authority to conduct investigations, commence civil actions against individuals, and impose fines and penalties. Requires the FTC to take appropriate action within two years after the transmission of such electronic mail. Authorizes a State to bring a civil action on behalf of its residents against individuals or entities transmitting electronic mail in violation of this Act. Requires such State to notify the FTC of such action. States that this Act shall not apply to an electronic mail transmission by an interactive computer service provider unless the provider initiates the transmission. Requires a provider to notify the FTC of any use of its equipment in violation of this Act. Requires each such provider to make available to subscribers a system permitting the subscribers to block the receipt of any electronic mail that contains the term "advertisement" in its subject line. Authorizes a person who receives a transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail to request, by return electronic mail, the termination of such transmissions. Requires such a request to be complied with within 48 hours after its receipt. States that a person who secures a good or service from, or otherwise responds electronically to, an offer of unsolicited commercial electronic mail shall be deemed to have authorized such transmission without inclusion of the information required of the sender under this Act. Authorizes actions by private persons to enforce the sanctions under this Act. Requires such action within one year after receipt of the transmission.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude gain or loss from the sale of livestock (as defined in existing provisions relating to property used in the trade or business and involuntary conversions) from the definition of "disqualified income" for purposes of the earned income credit. Applies the amendment to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1997
Mass Transit Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to add to the general purposes of mass transportation programs: (1) providing financial assistance to State and local governments to help carry out national goals related to mobility for individuals seeking employment or job training in order to end their reliance on public assistance programs; and (2) achieving demonstrable reductions in energy consumption and air pollution through increased reliance on mass transportation. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States, local governments, and private nonprofit organizations to provide access, through the use of vans, buses, or train routes, to suburban employment and job training opportunities to residents of distressed urban and rural areas. Defines "distressed urban area" as any urban area with a population over 50,000 that meets certain Housing and Urban Development criteria. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Requires metropolitan planning organizations in developing transportation plans and programs to consider, among other things, the transportation requirements of a strategy to revitalize the Nation's inner cities by creating new employment, job training, housing, mobility, and other economic opportunities in urban areas. (Sec. 6) Makes mass transportation block grants for capital projects and related equipment and facilities available for maintaining capital assets. (Sec. 7) Authorizes urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000 and rural areas to use capital project block grants for either operating or capital needs. (Sec. 8) Extends for an additional four-year period discretionary grants and loans: (1) for fixed guideway modernization and capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing systems; and (2) to replace, rehabilitate, and buy buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. (Sec. 9) Declares that the Secretary may authorize a recipient who no longer needs an asset acquired with mass transportation block grant assistance to sell (currently, transfer) such asset and retain the proceeds of the sale if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) certain apportionments to urbanized areas for fixed guideway modernization (nondiscretionary); (2) specified mass transportation programs; (3) the national mass transportation institute; (4) university research institutes; and (5) transportation centers (including set-asides). (Sec. 11) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary, for apportionment adjustment purposes, to estimate quarterly the net highway receipts of the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the 24-month period (currently, 12-month period) beginning at the close of the next fiscal year. (Sec. 12) Establishes in the HTF the Intercity Passenger Rail Account. Transfers to the Account certain portions of the amounts attributable to taxes for gasoline, diesel fuel, special motor fuels, compressed natural gas, methanol and ethanol fuel, and nongasoline noncommercial aviation fuels. Makes amounts in the Account available to finance qualified expenses of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and each non-Amtrak State. (Redistributes to the Intercity Passenger Rail Account and the Mass Transit Account the 4.3 cents per gallon gasoline tax which is currently going to deficit reduction.) Increases the rate of transfer to the Mass Transit Account. Extends until October 1, 2002, the availability of Mass Transit Account funds for authorized expenditures. Increases the HTF financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Breast-Cancer Research Stamp Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is one cent higher than the regular rate as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for breast-cancer research. Authorizes the Service to design and sell special stamps. Requires the Service to pay amounts attributable (additional revenues minus costs) to the one-cent differential to the Department of Health and Human Services at least twice a year.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 - Title I: Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to revise its provisions and extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for IDEA programs. Allows States to extend use of the developmental delay category of eligibility for children up to age nine (under a new part A of IDEA). Revises the program of assistance for education of all children with disabilities (under a new part B of IDEA). Revises the funding formula for allotments to States. Provides for increases in allotments over a transition period of FY 1998 through 2006. Bases the new formula on a State's: (1) child population; and (2) child poverty. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth State eligibility requirements for placement of students. Requires States to use methods of distributing IDEA funds that ensure compliance with such requirements. Allows a public agency to reduce or deny reimbursement to parents of a child placed in a private school without the public agency's consent or referral if: (1) the parents (with specified exceptions) did not notify the agency of the intended placement, with a written statement of their concerns, at least ten days before the child's removal from public school; (2) the parents did not make the child available for a local educational agency (LEA) initial assessment and evaluation before the child's removal from public school and enrollment in private school; or (3) it is so ruled at the judge's discretion. Allows an LEA to reduce its level of special education expenditures under specified limited circumstances. Allows commingling of Federal and State special education funds under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to modify certain LEA requirements for ten designated LEAs or groups of LEAs which endeavor to achieve innovative delivery of services. Revises provisions for evaluations, reevaluations, eligibilty determinations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and educational placements. Grants parents a right to refuse an initial evaluation of a referred child's need for special education services. Authorizes the LEA, in such a circumstance, to utilize certain mediation and due process procedures to resolve the dispute. Prohibits construing the parents' consent for a child's evaluation as consent for placement for receipt of special education and related services. Requires, in the cases of children whose behavior impedes their own or others' learning, the IEP Team to consider strategies, including behavioral management plans, to address that behavior. Includes the following categories of behavior, at school or a school function, among those for which school personnel may order removal of a child with a disability from the classroom, and placement in an alternative educational setting, for an additional 45 days over the regular ten-day limit for such a removal: (1) carrying any weapons (current law only covers firearms); (2) having, using, soliciting sale of, or selling medications or illegal drugs; and (3) causing serious physical or emotional injury as a result of physical or verbal assault. Authorizes a hearing officer to order such a change of placement for up to 45 days if there is substantial evidence that maintenance of the current placement is substantially likely to result in injury to the child or to others. Requires an IEP Team to review whether the child's inappropriate action was a manifestation of the disability, including review of the technical soundness of the behavior management plan. Allows change of placement, with the parents' agreement, if the behavior is a result of the disability. Provides for an immediate appeal to the hearing officer if the parents disagree with the determination or the changed educational placement. Allows application to children with disabilities of the same relevant disciplinary procedures applicable to children without disabilities, if the behavior is determined to be not a manifestation of the disability. Allows a due process hearing if the parents disagree with such application of discipline. Requires States and LEAs receiving IDEA assistance to offer parents voluntary mediation procedures for disputes over provision of free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. Requires all parties in a dispute to disclose, for review, to all other parties evaluations and recommendations intended for use at the hearing. Revises the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities (under a new part C of IDEA), repealing a requirement that all State policies and assurances pertaining to programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities be filed with every application to the Department of Education. Continues provisions for a Federal Interagency Coordinating Council. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002. Provides for national activities to improve education of children with disabilities (under a new part D of IDEA), replacing current provisions for training personnel for the education of individuals with disabilities, and consolidating as discretionary programs certain current programs. Sets forth part D provisions for such programs under the following categories (as subparts 1 and 2): (1) State Program Improvement Grants for Children with Disabilities; and (2) Coordinated Research, Personnel Preparation, Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information. Includes under such subpart 2 provisions for Improving Early Intervention, Educational, and Transitional Services and Results for Children with Disabilities through Coordinated: 1) chapter 1 Research and Personnel Preparation; and (2) chapter 2 Technical Assistance, Support, and Dissemination of Information. Authorizes appropriations for such part D programs for FY 1998 through 2002. Authorizes State educational agencies to apply for improvement grants upon certification that a collaborative process with specified types of participants has been used in developing the State improvement plan for special education and early intervention systems. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for activities involving coordinated research and personnel preparation, and technical assistance, support, and dissemination of information under IDEA. Requires such plan to include mechanisms to address educational, related services, transitional, and early intervention needs identified by State educational agencies in applications for State program improvement grants. Directs the Secretary to ensure that a specified portion of funds is used to: (1) provide outreach and technical assistance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and to institutions of higher education with minority enrollments of at least 25 percent, to promote the participation of such colleges, universities, and institutions in such research, personnel preparation, support, technical assistance, and information dissemination activities under IDEA; and (2) enable such entities to assist other colleges, universities, institutions, and agencies in improving educational and transitional results for children with disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and contracts for: (1) coordinated research and innovation; (2) studies and evaluations; and (3) various activities of national significance relating to development of personnel to work with children with disabilities, including professional development for personnel who will provide educational and related services to children with low-incidence disabilities, and personnel who will provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, as well as preparation of leadership personnel. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with parent organizations to support parent training and information centers, including community parent resource centers, as well as provide technical assistance for such centers' programs. Directs the Secretary to make competitive grants and contracts for: (1) coordinated technical assistance and dissemination; and (2) technology development, demonstration, and utilization, and media services. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for coordination of schoolwide programs with those under IDEA. (Sec. 203) Repeals specified parts of IDEA superseded by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Makes permanent (currently, terminates September 30, 1997) a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Mother Teresa of Calcutta in recognition of her contributions to humanitarian and charitable activities. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a suitable gold medal. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Declares these medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates deposit of sale proceeds in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Electric System Public Benefits Protection Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Electric System Public Benefits Board the (Board) to establish accounts known as the "National Electric System Public Benefits Fund" at financial institutions in order to provide matching funds to States to support programs relating to renewable energy sources, universal electric service, energy conservation, and other public purposes. Prescribes guidelines for funding, distribution, and wires charges. (Sec. 6) Prescribes a minimum schedule for the total amount of electricity sold by non-hydroelectric facilities and generated by renewable energy sources. Prescribes procedural guidelines for renewable energy credits. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to repeal its cogeneration and small power production provisions. (Sec. 7) Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) emissions standards and allocations; (2) a monitoring system for pollutants; and (3) emissions credits. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a disclosure system to allow retail consumers to knowledgeably compare retail electric service offerings (including comparisons based on generation source portfolios, emissions data, and price terms); and (2) promulgate regulations accordingly. Declares that failure of a retail company to provide accurate disclosure shall be treated as a deceptive act in commerce under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Children's Health Insurance Provides Security (CHIPS) Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to offer an enhanced Federal match to States with Medicaid plans that provide for: (1) coverage of pregnant women, infants, and children under age six with family income between 133 and 150 percent of the poverty line, as well as older children with family income between 100 and 150 percent of the poverty line; and (2) continuous eligibility for a 12-month period for children under any age the State specifies (up to age 19). Gives States the option to: (1) expand Medicaid eligibility to 150 percent of the poverty line for children over one year of age; and (2) extend coverage to all children under age 19. Prohibits any employer which elects to make employer health insurance contributions on behalf of an employee (or dependent) from conditioning, or varying, such contributions with respect to any such individual by reason of his or her eligibility for Medicaid. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for grants to States, localities, and nonprofit entities to promote outreach efforts to enroll eligible children under Medicaid and related programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1997 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a bronze medal to commemorate organ donors and their families. Makes any organ donor, or the family or family member of any organ donor, eligible for the medal. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to arrange for medal presentation to eligible individuals. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with the OPTN to collect funds to offset expenditures relating to medal issuance. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit all solicited donations into the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Open Competition Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit discrimination against any bidder on a prime contract for a federally funded project on the basis of a requirement that such person enter into or adhere to a collective bargaining agreement or any similar agreement as a condition of performing work on such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Women's Investment and Savings Equity Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on the deduction for active participants in certain pension plans to provide that an individual's participation in a plan is not treated as participation by the individual's spouse. Permits retirement contributions to be made for periods during which individuals were on leave for maternity or paternity leave. Permits "catchup contributions" by parents returning to work after periods of nonparticipation in a plan. Defines "catchup contributions."
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
ISTEA Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for: (1) the National Highway System; (2) the Interstate maintenance program; (3) the surface transportation program; (4) the bridge program; (5) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (6) the minimum allocation program; (7) apportionment adjustments; (8) the Interstate System reimbursement program; (9) certain projects under the Federal lands highways program; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs; and (11) FHWA highway safety research and development. (Sec. 4) Amends Federal-aid highway law to revise the formula for determining the State apportionment of funds for the National Highway System and the surface transportation program. Extends through FY 2003 the set aside of Federal highway funds for discretionary projects for the resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing of routes on the Interstate System (4 R projects). (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Transportation, not later than April 1, 2000, to report to specified congressional committees recommended adjustments to the formula used to apportion funds to States for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and to the amount apportioned for the program, to reflect changes since the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) in: (1) national ambient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act; and (2) the emission control requirements that result from such standards. Directs the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the apportionments if the recommendations are not enacted into law by October 1, 2000. Revises the formula for the apportionment of funds under the program. Adds transportation projects which will have air quality benefits, and consist of certain intercity rail passenger activities, to the eligible projects that a State may obligate congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program and surface transportation program funds. Limits a State's obligation for such projects to no more than 50 percent of the apportioned funds. (Sec. 6) Extends for an additional six-fiscal year period the obligation of a State to allocate surface transportation program funds for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. (Sec. 7) Increases the minimum amount of apportioned highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program funds that a State shall receive in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the discretionary bridge program. (Sec. 8) Revises for FY 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter the formula for determining the amount of highway funds that would be required to ensure a State's percentage of the total apportionments in each fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year for specified transportation programs is not less than 90 percent of the percentage that the population of the State is of the population of the United States. (Sec. 10) Provides for the adjustment of funds apportioned to States for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 11) Extends through FY 2003: (1) the strategic highway research program; (2) the applied research and technology program; (3) intelligent transportation systems; (4) the scenic byways program; (5) construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities; and (6) the national recreational trails program. (Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a comprehensive initiative to carry out a comprehensive research program to investigate and understand the relationships between transportation, land use, and the environment; and (2) award transportation and land use planning and policy grants to State, regional, and local agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for construction of the Appalachian development highway system.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Health Insurance Tax Equity for Self-Employed Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for health insurance costs for self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Northern Forest Stewardship Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, at the request of the Governor of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, or Vermont, to: (1) provide technical assistance for sustainable forest management; (2) assist in coordinating ecological and economic research and implementation of interstate and Northern Forest Lands Council policies; and (3) provide technical and financial assistance for State conservation land planning and acquisition (authorizes appropriations), and rural community assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding: (1) the need to address certain tax policies that work against Northern Forest conservation; (2) liability exemption for private landowners who permit public use of their land; and (3) nongame conservation funding. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the request of the Governor of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, or Vermont, to provide technical and financial assistance for Northern Forest water quality assessment. Authorizes specified appropriations.
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