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Official portrait of Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]

Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]

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6,479 records where Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 1708 (105th)referred

Revitalize and Empower Public School Communities to Upgrade for Long-Term Success Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Helping Communities Renovate America's Schools Title II: Reducing Class Size Title III: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act Title IV: Promoting Effective Use of Technology in the Classroom Title V: Education Opportunity Zones Revitalize and Empower Public School Communities to Upgrade for Long-Term Success Act - Title I: Helping Communities Renovate America's Schools - Public School Construction Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. (Sec. 103) Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for calendar 1999 (and 2000), and eliminates the limitation after 2000. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar 1999 and 2000, and no limit after 2000. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) a specified minimum additional amount should be provided to begin construction of three new Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) school facilities and to increase funds available for the improvement and repair of existing facilities; and (2) the Congress should consider enacting legislation to establish other funding mechanisms that would leverage Federal investments on behalf of BIA schools to address the serious construction backlog which exists at tribal schools. Title II: Reducing Class Size - Establishes a program to help States and local educational agencies (LEAs) recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional qualified teachers to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Entitles States with approved applications to allotments according to a specified formula. Reserves certain funds for evaluations, outlying areas, and BIA schools. (Sec. 205) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State applications and the Secretary's approval; (2) within-State allocations; (3) State level activities; (4) local uses of funds; matching funds; (5) carryover; accountability; (6) participation of private school teachers; and (7) evaluation. Title III: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 302) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 303) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 304) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities as well as mentoring and academic assistance programs, and drug, alcohol, and gang prevention activities. (Sec. 305) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. (Sec. 306) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Title IV: Promoting Effective Use of Technology in the Classroom - Expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the national interest for the Federal Government to invest at least $4 billion in funding for Department of Education technology programs for FY 1999 through 2003. (Sec. 403) Internet Access Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require schools and libraries that receive universal service support for discounted telecommunications services to establish policies governing access to material that is inappropriate for children. (Sec. 404) Amends the Technology for Education Act of 1994 (TEA) to require each State educational agency (SEA) receiving school technology resource grant funds to give priority to awarding grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that: (1) serve the highest number or percentage of children in poverty, and have the lowest level of technology resources, in the State; or (2) provide evidence in their applications of a substantial commitment to train teachers and staff in the effective use of education technology, as demonstrated by devoting not less than 30 percent of such grant funds for preparing teachers to use technology as a tool in conducting lessons and academic instruction in core academic subject areas. Requires each recipient SEA to provide matching non-Federal funds to be used to award grants to LEAs for each of FY 1999 through 2004. Requires that such Federal grant funds supplement, not supplant, State and local funds. (Sec. 405) Directs the Secretary to use a specified portion of funds to award national challenge grants for technology in education to consortia that: (1) have as members departments of education within institutions of higher education; and (2) demonstrate in their applications that they will focus the grant-assisted activities on professional development in the effective use of learning technologies and are carrying out such professional development. (Sec. 406) Establishes a discretionary grants program for technology training for preservice and novice teachers. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants for specified activities for training teaching candidates and faculty at schools of education within institutions of higher education regarding the effective use and integration of education technology in teaching academic subjects to elementary and secondary school students. Makes eligible for such grants partnerships between two or more of the following: (1) an SEA; (2) a school of education within an institution of higher education; (3) an LEA that frequently employs individuals recently trained at a school of education; and (4) a nonprofit or other organization. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 407) Requires the Director of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) and the Chairperson of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in conjunction with the Secretary's adviser on education technology, to establish an Education Technology Innovation and Evaluation Program. Requires such program through competitively awarded projects to: (1) support early stage research on new education technologies and innovative methods of integrating technology and academic instruction; (2) promote joint product development, adoption, and dissemination of high-quality software and instructional approaches with private sector firms; (3) conduct evaluative research into the effectiveness of integrating learning technology in raising student achievement (by conducting a large scale study comparing learning for students exposed to education technology to a control group); and (4) demonstrate how technology can be used to individualize instruction and capitalize on smaller teacher-student ratios. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Education Opportunity Zones - Education Opportunity Zones Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for specified activities to LEAS that: (1) have high concentrations of children from low-income families; and (2) are implementing standards-based systemic reform strategies to pursue further reforms and raise the academic achievement of all their students. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) grant applications; (2) grantee selection criteria; (3) grant amount, duration, and continuation; (4) authorized activities; (5) grantee LEA school eligibility for, and planning and implementation of, school wide programs under certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (6) participation of private school students and teachers; (7) evaluation; and (8) reservation of certain funds for national activities. (Sec. 508) Directs the President designate the school district served by each LEA selected by the Secretary to receive a grant under this title as an Education Opportunity Zone. Authorizes the President to instruct Federal agencies to provide grant recipients under this title with technical and other assistance. (Sec. 515) Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1705 (105th)referred

Public School Modernization Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998

Public School Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for calendar 1999 (and 2000), and eliminates the limitation after 2000. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar 1999 and 2000 and no limit after 2000.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 188 (105th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Israeli membership in a United Nations regional group.

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support Israel's efforts to enter an appropriate United Nations (UN) regional group; (2) the President should instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN to carry out this policy; (3) the United States should insist that any effort to reform the UN, including the Security Council, also resolve this anomaly and should ensure that the principle of sovereign equality be upheld without exception; and (4) the Secretary of State should submit a report to the Congress on the steps taken by the United States, the UN Secretary General, and others to help secure Israel's membership in an appropriate UN regional group.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 189 (105th)referred

A resolution honoring the 150th anniversary of the United States Women's Rights Movement that was initiated by the 1848 Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, and calling for a national celebration of women's rights in 1998.

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998

Recognizes and celebrates 1998 as the 150th anniversary of the Women's Rights Movement and March 1998 as National Women's History Month under the theme "Living the Legacy of Women's Rights."

Bill· SS. 1697 (105th)referred

America After School Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Care and Development Services Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act Title III: Crime Prevention Program America After School Act - Title I: Child Care and Development Services - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children, and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 103) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Title II: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 201) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 202) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 203) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 204) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. (Sec. 205) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Title III: Crime Prevention Program - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to establish the After School Crime Prevention program. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to public and private agencies to fund effective after school juvenile crime prevention programs. Requires grantees to make available non-Federal matching funds in percentages determined by the Administrator. Requires grant priority to programs that: (1) are targeted to high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (2) operate during the period immediately following normal school hours; (3) provide educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 78 (105th)referred

A concurrent resolution relating to the indictment and prosecution of Saddam Hussein for war crimes and other crimes against humanity.

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1998

Urges the President to: (1) call for the creation of a United Nations (UN) commission to establish an international record of the criminal culpability of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials; (2) call for the UN to form an international criminal tribunal for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Hussein and other Iraqi officials who are responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, and other international law violations; and (3) seek, upon the creation of such a tribunal, the reprogramming of necessary funds to support the tribunal's efforts.

Bill· SS. 1677 (105th)open

Wetlands and Wildlife Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998

Wetlands and Wildlife Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Partnerships for Wildlife Act to extend the authorization of appropriations to carry out such Acts through FY 2003.

Bill· SS. 1647 (105th)open

Economic Development Partnership Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Economic Development Partnership Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to assure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and stimulate modernization and technological advances in the generation and commercialization of goods and services; and (2) prescribe regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into appropriate economic development agreements with two or more adjoining States. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a National Public Advisory Committee on Regional Economic Development to make recommendations to the Secretary, including regarding the coordination of activities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients (defined later under this Act) for acquisition or development of land improvements for public works, public service, or development facility usage, as well as the acquisition, design and engineering, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of such facilities. Provides assistance conditions relating to the establishment of industrial or commercial plants and the increase of employment in the area. Prohibits more than 15 percent of the appropriations made for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Allows grants to be increased due to construction cost increases. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for economic development planning and related administrative expenses. Requires such planning to be a continuous process and to be prepared as part of a comprehensive economic development strategy for the area involved. Requires State certification of an economic development plan's consistency with local and economic development district plans. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the applicant is eligible but for which the applicant cannot supply the required matching share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in such cases. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for training, research, and technical assistance for alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Allows such grants to include amounts for relocation assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for public facilities, public services, business development, planning, technical assistance, training and other assistance which demonstrably furthers the economic adjustment objectives of the Act. Allows such grant to be used in either direct expenditures by the recipient or through redistribution to other public and private entities, but prohibits any such redistribution to a private profit-making entity. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which changes after the grant has been made; (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects; and (3) make assistance available for projects to be carried out at a military or Department of Energy installation. Prohibits any assistance under the Act which would produce unfair commercial competition. Requires reports from grant and assistance recipients. Defines as an eligible recipient for purposes of this Act an area that: (1) has a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate one percent above such average; (2) has experienced or is about to experience a sudden economic dislocation resulting in significant job losses; (3) is a community or neighborhood which has a large concentration of low-income individuals, substantial out-migration, or substantial unemployment; (4) has long-term economic deterioration; (5) has a special need to meet an expected rise in unemployment; (6) contains a population of 250,000 or less with growth potential; or (7) is experiencing severe out-migration. Requires from recipients: (1) documentation of meeting such criteria; and (2) evidence of a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to plan and carry out economic development projects of broader geographic significance, to designate appropriate economic development districts and economic development centers within such districts. Provides geographic, population, and other requirements with respect to each such designation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for the termination of such districts and centers. Authorizes the Secretary to increase by up to ten percent of project costs the amount of grant assistance otherwise provided in the Act for projects within designated districts. Requires each designated district to provide to the Appalachian Regional Commission a copy of such district's comprehensive economic development strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to a district area which does not meet the requirements of an eligible recipient under the Act when such assistance will be of substantial direct benefit to a qualifying area in such district. Directs the Secretary to administer this Act with the assistance of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Directs the Secretary to serve as a central information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, and defense conversion programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to help applicants for such assistance. Requires appropriate consultation with other persons and agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas which desire Government supplies and services contracts. Imposes penalties upon persons who: (1) make false statements in order to obtain assistance under the Act; and (2) embezzle or commit other fraud-related crimes while connected in any capacity with the Secretary in the administration of the Act. Sets forth: (1) conflict-of-interest provisions; and (2) recordkeeping requirements for the Secretary and recipients regarding assistance under this Act. Provides that assistance under the Act shall supplement and not supplant other Federal assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities.

Bill· SS. 1638 (105th)open

Healthy Kids Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Healthy Kids Trust Fund Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Payments Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Youth Smoking Reduction Targets and Incentives to Reduce Youth Smoking Rates Title IV: Tobacco Transition Assistance Fund Title V: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title VI: Public Health and Other Programs Subtitle A: Research Programs Subtitle B: Education and Prevention Programs Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs Title VII: Liability Protection; Consent Decrees; National Protocol Subtitle A: Liability Protection and Attorney Fees Subtitle B: Consent Decrees Subtitle C: National Tobacco Control Protocol Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IX: Provisions Relating to Native Americans Healthy Kids Act - Title I: Healthy Kids Trust Fund - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Establishes the Health Enhancement and Lowered Tobacco Hazards for Young Kids Trust Fund (HEALTHY Kids Trust Fund)(Fund). Appropriates to the Fund the initial payment under section 102 of this Act and 75 percent of annual assessments under section 102, fines or penalties under section 103, and amounts repaid or recovered under title III. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as repayable advances. Makes specified percentages of Fund amounts available without further appropriation for carrying out provisions of this Act, for the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and for reducing the Federal debt subject to limit. Excludes amounts for the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the debt from consideration for the Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and House Concurrent Resolution 67 of the 104th Congress. (Sec. 102) Requires each tobacco product manufacturer (including repackers, labelers, and relabelers) to pay annually to the Fund amounts based on that manufacturer's stock market capitalization as compared to the average stock market capitalization of all manufacturers. Mandates annual assessments on each manufacturer based on the number of specified products removed during the year. Provides for floor stock treatment. Makes the initial capitalization-based payment and any penalties under title III not tax deductible. Amends the Federal bankruptcy code regarding the priority of unsecured Federal claims for payments, assessments, or penalties to be paid into the Fund. Prohibits manufacturers from using any liability insurance to make payments into the Fund. Mandates regulations regarding placing a Healthy Kids Stamp on each tobacco product package for which an assessment has been paid. Exempts a manufacturer who has consent decrees with more than 25 States before 1998 from the initial payment and certain portions of annual payments. (Sec. 103) Establishes a tobacco manufacturer licensing program. Requires a manufacturer or importer to be licensed to manufacture, distribute, or import tobacco products and to be eligible for protections under subtitle A of title VII. Mandates, for assessment nonpayment, manufacturer and importer license ineligibility and license revocation or suspension. (Sec. 104) Imposes a minimum monetary penalty for noncompliance with section 102. Subtitle B: Payments - Chapter 1: To States - Requires that funds under section 101 be made available to reimburse each eligible State for: (1) State expenditures under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for the treatment of individuals with tobacco-related conditions; (2) other State expenses incurred in providing treatment for tobacco-related conditions; and (3) providing funds to local governments. Requires States, in order to receive the funds, to: (1) agree to resolve any State civil action against a tobacco manufacturer, distributor, or retailer; (2) submit a plan regarding payments to local governments; and (3) have procedures to provide an equitable portion of the funds to local government entities for the local entities' tobacco-related health costs. Chapter 2: Federal Health Programs - Establishes the National Institutes of Health Trust Fund for Health Research (Research Fund), transferring to it amounts made available under section 101. Sets forth the portions of Research Fund amounts to be used for specified purposes. Chapter 3: Investments for Children - Requires use of amounts under section 101: (1) working through the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, to improve child care, early childhood development, school-aged care, parent education and supportive services, health services, and services for children with disabilities; and (2) for grants to State and local educational agencies to train, recruit, and hire elementary school teachers, thus reducing average class size for certain grades. (Sec. 133) Amends Medicaid provisions regarding presumptive eligibility for children to include in the definition of "qualified entity" elementary or secondary schools, child care resource and referral agencies, and agencies authorized to determine child eligibility for health assistance under title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Modifies requirements regarding certain Medicaid expenditures that are counted against individual State allotments. Allows an alien who lawfully entered the United States after August 22, 1996, to be eligible for child health assistance under title XXI and Medicaid, notwithstanding the five-year means-tested public benefit waiting period or any other provision of law. Declares that a State does not have the authority to determine the Medicaid eligibility of a qualified alien. Makes the above amendments of this section effective as if they had been included in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Mandates a performance bonus payment to each State relating to increases in the number of Medicaid-enrolled children. (Sec. 134) Mandates a demonstration project providing for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs that are provided to an individual with cancer and enrolled in Medicare as part of the individual's participation in a clinical trial and that are not otherwise eligible for Medicare payment. Requires use of amounts available under section 101 to carry out this section. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Deems specified regulations to have been promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) as amended by this title. (Sec. 203) Amends the FDCA to include nicotine in tobacco products in the definition of "drug" and tobacco product delivery components in the definition of "device." Authorizes regulation of any tobacco product as a drug, device, or both. Deems tobacco misbranded if it: (1) states or implies that it presents a reduced health risk unless the product will achieve the best public health result; or (2) violates the FDCA or its regulations. Makes noncompliance with specified provisions added to the FDCA by this Act a prohibited act under the FDCA. Makes provisions preempting State and local requirements inapplicable to tobacco product devices. (Sec. 204) Exempts tobacco products from device Class II special controls if the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that special controls will achieve the best public health result. Declares that, for the purposes of listed provisions, the safety and effectiveness of a tobacco product device need not be found if the action to be taken under any such provision would achieve the best public health result. Authorizes a tobacco product recall if the best public health result would be achieved. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary, examine the effects of tobacco product nicotine yield level alteration, examine whether there is a nicotine threshold below which dependence is not produced, and review other safety, dependence, or health issues regarding tobacco products. Authorizes the Secretary to adopt a tobacco product performance standard regardless of whether the product has been classified under device classification provisions. Allows the standard to include: (1) reduction or elimination of nicotine; or (2) reduction or elimination of other constituents. Authorizes the Secretary to require that a manufacturer test, report, and disclose tobacco and tobacco smoke constituents, including in labeling and advertising. Requires manufacturers to annually submit: (1) an ingredient list for each brand it manufactures; and (2) a safety assessment for each new ingredient it desires to make a part of the product, with current ingredients receiving a safety assessment within five years after enactment of this Act. Requires that the safety assessment demonstrate that the ingredient will not present any risk to consumers or the public in the intended quantities. Mandates regulations to prohibit any ingredient if: (1) no safety assessment has been submitted as required; or (2) the Secretary finds that safety has not been demonstrated. Requires tobacco product packages to disclose: (1) all ingredients; and (2) the percentages of domestic and foreign tobacco. Authorizes the Secretary to require disclosure of an ingredient that relates to a trade secret if the Secretary determines that the disclosure will promote the public health. Mandates specified warnings on cigarette and smokeless tobacco packages and advertising. Preempts related State or local requirements. Declares that nothing in this paragraph relieves any person from liability to any other person at common law or under State statutory law. Makes it unlawful to advertise tobacco products on electronic communications subject to Federal Communications Commission jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to restrict the access of minors to tobacco products. Requires States, in order to receive amounts under section 111 of this Act, to have a program meeting or exceeding the requirements of the model State program under which a retailer would be required to obtain a State or local license to distribute tobacco products. Includes in minimum model program requirements: (1) licensing fees to defray program administration; (2) prohibiting retail distribution without a license; (3) prohibiting distribution to minors; (4) monetary penalties for violations; and (5) suspension and revocation for repeated distribution to minors or violation of State or local law. Provides for specified penalties for distribution to minors, including penalties imposed on employees of retailers, minors (including loss of driving privileges), and retailers. Authorizes enforcement grants to States. Authorizes the Secretary to enforce the prohibition of distribution to minors. Declares that the provisions of this paragraph do not preempt State or local laws providing greater restrictions than these provisions. Mandates a Federal tobacco licensing program regarding military installations, U.S. embassies, Federally-owned facilities, duty-free shops, and any other Federal entity or Federal property. Treats an Indian tribe or tribal organization as a State for applying and enforcing the provisions of this paragraph regarding Indian reservations. Requires each manufacturer to submit to the Secretary each document in the manufacturer's possession: (1) relating to tobacco-caused health effects in humans or animals (including addiction), control of nicotine, tobacco sale or marketing, or research involving safer tobacco products; or (2) produced, or ordered to be produced, in any health-related civil or criminal proceeding, including attorney-client and other documents produced, or ordered to be produced, for in camera inspection. Directs the Secretary to make the documents available to the public. Exempts from public disclosure trade secrets and attorney-client privilege materials unless the Secretary determines disclosure is necessary to promote the public health. Authorizes any individual to begin a civil action: (1) against any person allegedly in violation of these provisions; or (2) against the Secretary or the Commissioner of Food and Drugs for alleged failure to perform as required. Prohibits regulations having the effect of placing burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens generally placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Title III: Youth Smoking Reduction Targets and Incentives to Reduce Youth Smoking Rates - Mandates an annual survey of the percentage of individuals under 18 using tobacco products. (Sec. 303) Requires annual determinations of whether the required percentage reduction in underage tobacco use has been achieved. Specifies the required reductions in cigarette and smokeless tobacco products. Requires each manufacturer to reduce the percentage of children who use the manufacturer's brand accordingly. (Sec. 304) Mandates industry-wide and individual manufacturer monetary penalties if targets are not met for a year. Multiplies the penalties for consecutive failure years. Requires regulations to prohibit the sale of single packs of a manufacturer's tobacco products in cases of repeated noncompliance with required reductions and to require generic packaging in severe repeated noncompliance. Authorizes regulations requiring reductions in the use of other tobacco products by individuals under 18, including manufacturer monetary penalties for reduction failures. Title IV: Tobacco Transition Assistance Trust Fund - Establishes the Tobacco Transition Trust Fund and transfers to it amounts available under section 101. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as repayable advances as necessary for Fund expenditures. Makes the Fund available for transition assistance to tobacco producers and tobacco-growing communities to adjust to reduced demand for tobacco, including economic development assistance, producer and factory worker retraining, or producer scholarships. Makes those amounts available only if a law is enacted by January 1, 2000, specifically prescribing Fund authorized uses. Declares that this title constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts. Terminates the authority of this title unless such a prescribing law is enacted. Title V: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the responsible entity for each non-residential public building (regularly entered by at least ten individuals at least one day per week (except certain types of facilities)) to implement a smoke-free environment policy. Allows designated smoking areas meeting specified requirements. Sets forth special rules for: (1) schools and other facilities serving children; and (2) public transportation. Requires States, in order to receive funds under this Act, to demonstrate enforcement. Title VI: Public Health and Other Programs - Subtitle A: Research Programs - Mandates programs (through grants, contracts, or otherwise) to: (1) promote expanded research concerning specified aspects of tobacco and health; and (2) for the conduct of research on the cultural, social, behavioral, neurological, and psychological reasons that individuals refrain from using, begin, continue, or quit using tobacco products. (Sec. 603) Mandates surveillance and evaluation to monitor patterns of tobacco use and determine the effectiveness of various anti-tobacco programs funded under this Act. Requires that funding be made available for the activities under this subtitle. Subtitle B: Education and Prevention Programs - Mandates a program of grants to States for: (1) school-, college-, or university-based education programs concerning tobacco product use dangers; and (2) community-based prevention programs. Requires that funding be made available. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs - Requires a program to reduce tobacco use through national and local media-based (such as counter-advertising campaigns) and nonmedia-based education, prevention, and cessation campaigns. Requires that funding be made available. (Sec. 622) Establishes the National Tobacco Cessation Program. Authorizes grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Requires making funding available. (Sec. 623) Establishes a program to provide assistance and compensation to individuals (and entities providing services to individuals) suffering from tobacco-related conditions, targeting uninsured or underinsured individuals who can demonstrate financial hardship. Requires making funding available. (Sec. 624) Authorizes multilateral assistance to foreign countries to assist in reducing and preventing the use of tobacco in foreign countries, focusing on preventing use by minors. Requires making funding available. Establishes in the District of Columbia a private, nonprofit corporation to be known as the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco (ACT). Requires that an International Advisory Council advise ACT. Mandates the annual transfer of a specified amount to carry out this paragraph. Makes ACT and its grantees subject to the oversight and supervision of the Congress. (Sec. 625) Mandates the National Event Sponsorship Program, authorizing grants for the sponsorship of athletic or other social or cultural events that, before enactment of this Act, was provided by a tobacco manufacturer or distributor. Requires making funding available. Terminates the Program ten years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 626) Requires a program of grants to States to augment existing programs to reduce alcohol and illicit drug use by individuals under 18. Requires making funding available. Title VII: Liability Protection; Consent Decrees; National Protocol - Subtitle A: Liability Protection and Attorney Fees - Requires that, in order to receive funds under section 111, a State resolve any existing, and agree not to start any new, civil action seeking recovery for expenditures attributable to tobacco-related conditions commenced by the State against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer and pending at enactment of this Act. Bars the Federal Government from starting any such action. Prohibits construing these provisions to limit an individual's right to start a civil action for past, present, or future conduct by tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. (Sec. 702) Establishes an Arbitration Panel to award attorney's fees and expenses relating to litigation affected by, or legal services resulting in, this Act. Prohibits any Panel award from affecting any fee payments required under any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Consent Decrees - Requires that, in order to receive funds under section 111 a State, and in order to receive liability protections under subtitle A tobacco manufacturer, enter into consent decrees under this subtitle. Allows a State to qualify with good faith but unsuccessful efforts. Requires that the decrees resolve State actions for claims associated with manufacturer conduct before this Act. Sets forth required terms, conditions, and limitations. Makes the decrees enforceable by the signatories and the Attorney General. Requires, prior to decree entry by a court, that the decrees be: (1) approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General; (2) fair and reasonable; and (3) in the public interest. Subtitle C: National Tobacco Control Protocol - Chapter 1: Establishment - Requires that a tobacco manufacturer, in order to receive liability protections under subtitle A, enter into a National Tobacco Control Protocol with the U.S. Attorney General and the attorney general of each State that does not opt out. Requires that the Protocol be a binding contract embodying the terms of this subtitle and designed to be enforceable in Federal or State courts. Chapter 2: Terms and Conditions - Declares that this chapter is a part of the Protocol. (Sec. 726) Prohibits tobacco advertising: (1) outdoors; (2) except as allowed in this Act, in any arena or stadium where athletic or other social or cultural activities occur; (3) using a human image or cartoon character; (4) on the Internet, unless inaccessible in or from the United States; and (5) subject to exception, at the point of sale. (Sec. 727) Prohibits a manufacturer from using a trade or brand name of a non-tobacco product for a cigarette or smokeless tobacco product, unless in use before 1998. Sets forth situations in which tobacco brand names or other identification indicia may, with prior notice to the Secretary, be used in advertising and labeling. Prohibits payment for the placement of tobacco products in television programs, motion pictures, or videos or on video game machines. Prohibits direct or indirect payment or consideration for promoting tobacco product image or use through print, film, or broadcast media that appeals to individuals under 18 or through a live performance artist that appeals to such individuals. (Sec. 728) Allows, subject to exceptions, tobacco product labeling and advertising to use only black text on a white background. Limits audio (alone or with video) to words only, prohibiting music and sound effects. (Sec. 729) Prohibits: (1) the use of a tobacco product brand name, logo, symbol, motto, selling message, recognizable color or pattern of colors, or any other indicia of product identification on any service or nontobacco item; (2) offering tobacco purchasers any non-tobacco item in consideration of purchase; and (3) manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from sponsoring athletic or other social or cultural event in which any indicia of product identification is used (but allows sponsorship under the corporate name, if in use before 1995 and if the corporate name does not include any indicia of product identification). Chapter 3: Enforcement - Allows the Attorney General to bring an action for enforcement, or restrain a breach, of the Protocol. Allows restraining orders, orders of specific performance, civil monetary penalties, and (for officers of manufacturers who knowingly violate the Protocol) criminal penalties, including incarceration. Authorizes grants and contracts for State enforcement. Authorizes use of amounts from the HEALTHY Kids Trust Fund and Department of Justice funds for Attorney General enforcement. (Sec. 732) Authorizes the attorney general of a State to bring an action for enforcement, or to restrain a breach, of the Protocol if the alleged violation occurred in that State. Provides for concurrent Federal and State court jurisdiction in such actions. Allows the remedies specified in section 731. (Sec. 733) Authorizes a manufacturer to file an action seeking a declaration of its Protocol rights and obligations. Authorizes any person to bring an action to enforce the Protocol, with any damages remitted to the Treasury. Entitles any manufacturer to intervene as a matter of right in any Federal or State Attorney General enforcement action. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds made available by appropriations or otherwise for specified actions, including: (1) promoting the export, reexport, sale, manufacture, advertising, or use of tobacco products to or in a foreign country; or (2) subject to exception, seeking the removal or reduction of any foreign restriction on the importation, export, sale, manufacture, advertising, use, imposition of tariffs, or taxation of tobacco products. (Sec. 802) Prohibits reprisals against a whistleblower employee of any tobacco product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer for disclosing to specified Federal agencies or State or local authorities information regarding a violation of law related to this Act or related State or local laws. Allows the whistleblower to receive a portion of a payment to the Government resulting from the whistleblower's disclosure. (Sec. 803) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to make it unlawful for any domestic concern, directly or through a foreign subsidiary or affiliate, to use the mails or interstate commerce to contribute to: (1) the foreign sale or distribution of tobacco products to children or the foreign advertising of tobacco products in a way that appeals to children; and (2) the tobacco product export from any country without a package warning label in the primary language or languages of the country of sale or distribution that complies with domestic labeling requirements. Adds the unlawful acts of this section to the FDCA list of prohibited acts and entitles a person who provides information leading to a related criminal conviction to a portion of the criminal fine collected. (Sec. 804) Allows State or local measures to further this Act's purposes not less stringent than the requirements of this Act. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that the provisions of this Act shall apply to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco products in any area in tribal or tribal organization jurisdiction, with exceptions for religious practices. Mandates regulations applying the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirements regarding tobacco products to such areas. Provides for the treatment of tribes and tribal organizations under various provisions of this Act. Prohibits manufacturers from engaging in any activity in such areas that is prohibited under the Protocol. Requires that amounts made available under certain portions of section 101 be provided to the Indian Health Service for anti-tobacco-related consumption and cessation activities. Allows tribes and tribal organizations to: (1) take measures to further this Act's purposes in addition to the requirements of this Act; and (2) have rules or practices providing greater protection from the health hazards of environmental tobacco smoke. Prohibits a State from imposing requirements regarding the application of this Act to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

Bill· SS. 1644 (105th)referred

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Grants to States for State Student Incentives (SSI grants). Establishes a Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Assistance Program of grants to States for the following activities on behalf of eligible students who demonstrate financial need: (1) increased dollar amounts for SSI grant awards; (2) transition programs from secondary school to postsecondary education; (3) community service programs; (4) a scholarship program for such students who wish to enter teaching; (5) early intervention programs, mentoring programs, and career education programs; and (6) merit or academic scholarships. Sets the Federal share at one-third of the cost of authorized activities.

Bill· SS. 1643 (105th)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to delay for one year implementation of the per beneficiary limits under the interim payment system to home health agencies and to provide for a later base year for the purposes of calculating new payment rates under the system.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to delay from FY 1998 to FY 1999 the effective date of the per beneficiary limits under the interim payment system for home health agencies. Changes from FY 1994 to FY or (at the home health agency's election) calendar 1995 the base year for calculating new payment rates under the system for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 75 (105th)referred

A concurrent resolution honoring the sesquicentennial of Wisconsin statehood.

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998

Declares that the Congress: (1) honors the proud history of Wisconsin statehood; and (2) encourages all Wisconsinites to reflect on the State's distinguished past and look forward to the State's promising future.

Bill· SS. 1618 (105th)referred

Anti-slamming Amendments Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1998

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that, in order for a telecommunications carrier to verify a subscriber's selection of a telephone exchange or toll service provider, such carrier shall, at a minimum, require the subscriber to: (1) acknowledge the type of service to be changed by the selection; (2) affirm the intent to select the service provider; (3) affirm the subscriber's authority to make such selection for that telephone number; (4) acknowledge that such selection will result in a change of service provider; (5) acknowledge that the individual making such communication is the subscriber; and (6) provide any other such information as considered appropriate for the subscriber's protection. Requires Federal Communications Commission (FCC) selection verification procedures to: (1) preclude the use of negative option marketing; (2) provide for verification of a change of service in oral, written, or electronic form; and (3) require the retention of such verification in a manner and form and for such time as considered appropriate by the FCC. Makes the above provisions inapplicable to providers of commercial mobile service. Requires a carrier selected by a subscriber to notify the subscriber in writing not more than 15 days after such selection, and to include the name of the individual who authorized such change. Provides for the prompt resolution of complaints concerning an unauthorized change. Requires the FCC to provide a simplified process for resolving such complaints, and authorizes the FCC to award damages in the amount of $500 or the actual damages, if greater. Provides penalties for violations of this section and authorizes the FCC to collect fines and damages. Authorizes a State to bring an action on behalf of its residents when it has reason to believe that a carrier has or is engaged in a practice of changing service providers without subscriber authority. Gives Federal courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions. Requires the FCC to be notified of any such action. Directs the FCC to issue a report on the telemarketing practices used by carriers to solicit subscriber service changes. Authorizes the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to prohibit the use of any practices found to likely mislead, deceive, or confuse subscribers.

Bill· SS. 1609 (105th)referred

Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998

Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 - Declares the purposes of this Act to be to: (1) serve as the first authorization in a series of computing, information, and communication technology initiatives outlined in the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (HPCA); and (2) provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated U.S. research program on computer network infrastructure, high-speed data access, and networking technology. Directs the Advisory Committee on High-Performance Computing and Communications, Information Technology, and the Next Generation Internet (created under the HPCA) to assess the extent to which: (1) the Next Generation Internet program (program) carries out the purposes of this Act and addresses concerns relating to geographic penalties (costs imposed on Internet users in rural or small population areas that are greater than those imposed on users in large population areas or areas closer to network facilities) and technology transfer to and from the private sector; and (2) the role of each Federal department and agency involved in implementing the program is clear, complementary, and non-duplicative, as well as the extent to which each such department and agency concurs with the role of each other participating department or agency. Requires the Advisory Committee to assess program implementation and report at least annually to the President and specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for the program.

Bill· SS. 1610 (105th)referred

Child Care ACCESS (Affordable Child Care for Early Success and Security) Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving the Affordability of Child Care Title II: Enhancing the Quality of Child Care and Early Childhood Development Title III: Expanding the Availability and Quality of School- Age Child Care Title IV: Supporting Family Choices in Child Care Title V: Encouraging Private Sector Involvement Title VI: Ensuring the Quality of Federal Child Care Centers Child Care ACCESS (Affordable Child Care for Early Success and Security) Act - Title I: Improving the Affordability of Child Care - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to make increased appropriations for State child care assistance grants for FY 1999 through 2003. Title II: Enhancing the Quality of Child Care and Early Childhood Development - Creates under TANF a State grant program for improving the quality of child care and early childhood development. Makes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Title III: Expanding the Availability and Quality of School-Age Child Care - Establishes under TANF a State grant program for increasing the availability and quality of school-age child care. Makes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. (Sec. 301) Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase from 13 to 16 the maximum age of an eligible child under the child care and development block grant program. (Sec. 302) Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Education to give priority to rural, urban, and low-income communities in awarding grants to public elementary and secondary schools for projects that benefit the educational, health, social services, cultural, and recreational needs of the community; (2) revise grant application requirements; (3) change from four to one the minimum number of specified activities for which community learning center grant funds may be used; (4) change children's day care services to child care services; and (5) authorize increased appropriations for 21st century community learning centers. Title IV: Supporting Family Choices in Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the formula to increase the dependent care income tax credit for certain taxpayers, indexed for inflation, with an even greater credit for employment-related dependent care expenses; (2) allow a minimum dependent care income tax credit for stay-at-home parents; and (3) provide for advance payment by the employer of an employee's dependent care income tax credit. (Sec. 404) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to cover employers of at least 25 (currently 50) employees. Title V: Encouraging Private Sector Involvement - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax credit for 25 percent of an employer qualified child care expenditures. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to local communities for the purpose of expanding the availability and improving the quality of child care on a community-wide basis. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Ensuring the Quality of Federal Child Care Centers - Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for the executive branch, the Architect of the Capitol for the legislative branch, and the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for the judicial branch to issue regulations to establish standards and ensure quality child care for Federal employees through accredited child care centers. (Sec. 601) Directs the GSA Administrator to establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices among the three branches, and to develop and coordinate policy, regarding the provision of child care in the Federal Government. Authorizes appropriations.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 71 (105th)open

A concurrent resolution condemning Iraq's threat to international peace and security.

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1998

Condemns the continued threat to international peace and security posed by Iraq's refusal to meet its international obligations and end its weapons of mass destruction programs. Urges the President to: (1) take all necessary and appropriate actions to respond to such threat; and (2) work with the Congress in furthering a long-term policy aimed at definitively ending such threat.

Bill· SS. 1573 (105th)referred

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years specified, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; and (4) in 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, $6.65 adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Bill· SS. 1557 (105th)referred

A bill to end the use of steel jaw leghold traps on animals in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997

Prohibits the import, export, or shipment in interstate commerce of steel jaw leghold traps and of articles of fur derived from animals trapped in such traps. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture. Applies the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the customs laws, respectively, to the seizure and forfeiture of articles or traps exported or imported in violation of this Act.

Bill· SS. 1529 (105th)open

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.

Bill· SS. 1504 (105th)reported

Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997

Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.

Bill· SS. 1492 (105th)referred

Healthy and Smoke Free Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Healthy and Smoke Free Children Act - Title I: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act Relating to Tobacco - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate payments to States for the States' expenses for treating tobacco-related illnesses or conditions and for services for children. Makes certain amounts available for specified activities under this Act and its amendments, including: (1) the costs associated with Food and Drug Administration tobacco-related activities; (2) national biomedical and basic scientific research activities and child development and research activities; and (3) assistance and compensation to individuals with tobacco-related illnesses and conditions. Establishes the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board to make grants and contracts for the expansion of basic and biomedical research and to provide graduate training in that research. Mandates grants or contracts for the conduct and support of research, training, and demonstration projects regarding child health and development. Mandates, to discourage individuals from using tobacco products and to assist quitting: (1) research on methods, drugs, and devices; (2) programs to reduce tobacco use through education, prevention, and cessation campaigns; and (3) programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mandates block grants to States for tobacco use reduction and education activities. Requires a Federal model smoking cessation program and Federal regulations regarding approval of cessation programs and devices. Includes in the allowed uses of block grants activities for the transitional sponsorship of certain activities. Mandates an annual survey on children's tobacco use. Requires each tobacco manufacturer to reduce the number of children using its products by specified percentages in specified years. Imposes a per-unit fee for failing to meet targets. Mandates regulations: (1) prohibiting the sale of tobacco product single packs in cases of repeated noncompliance; and (2) requiring generic packaging in cases of severe repeated noncompliance. Requires fee amounts to be made available: (1) to the National Biomedical and Basic Scientific Research Board for research, training, and demonstration project grants; (2) for healthy child development grants; and (3) for reduction and addiction prevention research grants and grants under the national tobacco usage reduction and education program. Prohibits reprisals against whistleblower employees of tobacco manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Establishes the National Tobacco Document Depository, requiring that it be open to the public and maintained as a resource for individuals interested in the manufacturers' corporate records and research. Requires manufacturers, the Tobacco Institute, and the Council for Tobacco Research, U.S.A., to provide specified Depository contents. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Tobacco Documents Dispute Resolution Panel to resolve all claims of attorney-client, work product, or trade secrets privilege. Establishes the Tobacco Oversight and Compliance Board to monitor tobacco industry compliance with this Act. Mandates manufacturer submission and Board disclosure of documents: (1) relating to tobacco health effects (including addiction), manipulation or control of nicotine, or the sale or marketing of tobacco products to children; or (2) produced or ordered to be produced by the manufacturer in State of Minnesota v. Philip Morris, Inc. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Declares that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug Administration, shall have the authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to regulate the manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution, and advertising of tobacco products. (Sec. 203) Amends the FDCA to include nicotine in tobacco products in the definitions of "drug" and "device." Deems tobacco misbranded if it violates the FDCA or its regulations. Requires that tobacco products be classified as Class II devices. Prohibits the Secretary from prohibiting tobacco products under specified provisions. Sets forth tobacco product performance standard requirements. Declares that a tobacco product is a restricted device. (Sec. 204) Establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary regarding a performance standard. Allows a standard involving the reduction or elimination of nicotine, other constituents, or harmful components. Mandates regulations: (1) for the testing, reporting, and disclosure of smoke constituents; and (2) limiting cigarette tar. Deems tobacco products misbranded if there are claims (not scientifically proven) of reduced health risk. Requires manufacturers to: (1) notify the Commissioner of Food and Drugs of any technology that would reduce risk; and (2) permit licensing of the technology to other manufacturers. Allows the Commissioner, on determining the technology feasible, to require manufacturers to either manufacture the less hazardous products or license the technology's use by other manufacturers. Requires the Commissioner, if no manufacturer agrees to manufacture less hazardous products, to provide for the manufacture of the products through the Public Health Service. Allows good manufacturing practice regulations, but prohibits placing burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Mandates annual disclosure to the Secretary of tobacco product ingredients (including added substances and nicotine). Requires ingredient safety assessments and prohibits inclusion of current ingredients with disapproved assessments and new ingredients without approved assessments. Provides for public disclosure. Mandates specified warnings on packaging and in advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Declares that this paragraph does not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law. Exempts exports from warning requirements. Requires specified use statements on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco describing the product as a nicotine delivery device for persons 18 or older. Allows State and local governments to impose additional controls to limit tobacco use by minors. Title III: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the responsible entity for each non-residential public building (regularly entered by at least ten individuals at least one day per week (except portions of a building used as a bar, tobacco merchant, designated smoking hotel room, or prison)) to implement a smoke-free environment policy. Allows designated smoking areas meeting specified requirements. Title IV: Tobacco Market Transition Assistance - Subtitle A: Tobacco Quota Buyout Contracts and Producer Transition Payments - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer to enter into: (1) a buyout contract with the owner of a tobacco basic marketing quota; (2) a producer transition payment contract with producers of quota tobacco that were quota lessees or quota tenants; and (3) a producer nonquota transition payment contract with producers of nonquota tobacco. Requires the contracting quota owners to permanently relinquish the quota and producers (quota and non-quota) to permanently refrain from growing tobacco for which a quota program is in effect. Subtitle B: No Net Cost Tobacco Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the termination date of a requirement that producers, purchasers, and importers of tobacco for which price support is available pay a nonrefundable marketing assessment to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires that payment amounts be sufficient to cover the costs of the administration of certain tobacco quota and price support programs. Subtitle C: Tobacco Community Empowerment Block Grants - Mandates grants to tobacco States to enable the States to: (1) empower tobacco producers and tobacco manufacturing workers by providing economic alternatives to tobacco; and (2) carry out non-tobacco economic development initiatives in tobacco communities. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should increase excise taxes on tobacco products; (2) the tax should be indexed; and (3) the tax should not be deductible.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 149 (105th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the state visit to the United States of the President of the People's Republic of China.

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997

Welcomes the agreements and understandings reached by the United States and the People's Republic of China during President Jiang Zemin's state visit. Urges the President to continue to press vigorously for further progress in China's policies and practices on human rights, nonproliferation, trade, Tibet, and Taiwan. Views the expected return visit to China in 1998 by President Clinton as an opportunity for the United States and China to advance their relationship by enhancing cooperation in areas of accord and making genuine progress toward resolving areas of disagreement.

Bill· SS. 1427 (105th)open

Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to establish a class A license for qualifying low-power television (LPT) stations. Requires notification of LPT licensees of the availability of such license. Defines as a qualifying LPT station one which, within 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act and for six months prior to the filing of its class A application: (1) broadcast for at least 18 hours per day; (2) broadcast for an average of at least three hours weekly programming that was produced within the market area served by such station or the market area served by a group of commonly controlled stations that carry common local or specialized programming not otherwise available to their communities; and (3) complied with other requirements applicable to LPT stations and, after the date of its license application, complies with the FCC's operating rules for full power television stations. Allows the FCC to treat non-qualifying stations as LPT stations under this Act if public interest, convenience, and necessity would be so served. Provides that: (1) the FCC is not required to issue any additional licenses for advanced television services to the licensees of class A television stations; (2) the FCC shall approve such license applications proposing facilities that will not cause interference to any other broadcast facility authorized on the date of the filing of the class A advanced television application; and (3) no licensee of a class A television station shall be required to cease operations, or have a license rescinded or terminated, due to the implementation of amendments to the table of allotments adopted before the enactment of this Act. Allows the FCC to order such a cessation, rescission, or termination only after compliance with specified requirements.

Bill· SS. 1405 (105th)open

Financial Regulatory Relief and Economic Efficiency Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving Monetary Policy and Financial Institution Management Practices Title II: Streamlining Activities of Institutions Title III: Streamlining Agency Actions Title IV: Disclosure Simplification Title V: Miscellaneous Title VI: Technical Corrections Financial Regulatory Relief and Economic Efficiency Act of 1997 - Title I: Improving Monetary Policy and Financial Institution Management Practices - Amends the Federal Reserve Act (FRA) to permit interest payments on reserves maintained at a Federal reserve bank to meet depository institution reserve requirements. (Sec. 102) Repeals the limitation on the authority of a depository institution to permit the owner of any deposit or account to make withdrawals by negotiable or transferable instruments for transfers to third parties. (Currently, such authority may be applied only with respect to the accounts of charitable, religious, and other nonprofit organizations, as well as to Federal, State, and local governments.) Amends the FRA, the Home Owners' Loan Act (HOLA), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to repeal the prohibition against interest or dividend payments on demand deposits. (Sec. 103) Amends HOLA to: (1) repeal savings association liquid asset and dividend notice requirements; (2) provide for examination of savings association companies; (3) repeal certain restrictions on interstate acquisitions that result in the formation of a multiple savings and loan holding company which controls savings and loan associations in more than one State; and (4) permit a savings and loan holding company, with the prior approval by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, to acquire more than five percent of the voting shares of a non-subsidiary savings association or non-subsidiary savings and loan holding company. (Sec. 108) Amends the FDIA to repeal deposit broker notification and recordkeeping requirements. (Sec. 109) Amends the FRA to reserve to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) (currently, the appropriate Federal banking agency) the authority to promulgate regulations on extensions of credit to executive officers of member banks. (Sec. 110) Amends the National Bank Consolidation and Merger Act to prescribe expedited procedures permitting a national banking association to: (1) reorganize as either a bank holding company, or as a bank holding company subsidiary; or (2) merge with subsidiaries or nonbank affiliates. (Sec. 111) Amends Federal banking law to increase from one year to three years the term of the national bank director. Amends the Banking Act of 1933 to authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to exempt a national banking association from the 25-member limit on the number of members of an association's governing body. (Sec. 113) Amends Federal banking law and the FDIA to exclude from the prohibition against loans or discounts on the security of the shares of its own capital stock any such loan or discount if a national banking association or depository institution acquires the stock in order to prevent loss upon a debt contracted for in good faith before the discount transaction or loan date. Removes the prohibition against depository institution affiliation with a Government-sponsored enterprise. (Sec. 116) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHCA) to: (1) repeal certain cross-marketing restrictions placed upon banks controlled by certain companies that are not treated as bank holding companies; (2) preserve the exemption from bank holding company treatment of certain companies whose limited purpose bank subsidiary may have permitted overdrafts resulting from an inadvertent computer or accounting error beyond the control of both the bank and the affiliate (daylight overdrafts); and (3) authorize actions which specified banks may take to avoid divestiture following loss of exemption from treatment as bank holding companies. (Sec. 118) Amends the FRA to mandate inclusion of net debit caps and daylight overdraft fees (as well as exemption from such caps and fees) within any FRA policy or regulation governing payment system or intraday credit. (Sec. 119) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to: (1) repeal the requirement of Board approval for certain internal bank management practices; (2) provide that a Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) shall not be required to submit budget, business, or strategic plans to its board of directors for approval; and (3) revise guidelines for secured advances to FHLB members to include federally insured or guaranteed mortgages as collateral eligible for such advances. Title II: Streamlining Activities of Institutions - Amends the HOLA to permit community development investments for the primary purpose of promoting the public welfare, including housing, services, and jobs for low- and moderate-income communities. (Sec. 202) Amends the FDIA to repeal the restriction on the interest rate paid by an adequately- but not well-capitalized insured depository institution, or by an insured depository institution in conservatorship, that accepts deposits from a deposit broker. Applies the prohibition on deposit solicitation to adequately- but not well-capitalized insured depository institutions and insured depository institutions in conservatorship. (Sec. 203) Amends the FRA to terminate the power of the Board to set lending limitations upon member banks' extension of loans that are collateralized by stocks and bonds (thus eliminating the Board's duty to prevent undue use of bank loans for the speculative carrying of securities). (Sec. 204) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970 to repeal the prohibition against certain bank tying arrangements in connection with credit, leasing, or property sales transactions. (Sec. 205) Amends the BHCA to permit certain banks and bank holding companies to extend credit card accounts for business purposes, including the issuance of such accounts to small businesses. (Sec. 206) Makes it lawful for a real estate settlement services provider, upon clear disclosure to the consumer, to make payments to an unrelated affinity group in exchange for its endorsement of such provider's services or products. (Sec. 207) Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt from its coverage: (1) communications involving legal proceedings or made to collect loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965; and (2) bank drafts payable on demand and signed by the maker. (Sec. 208) Amends BHCA to exempt from treatment as a bank holding company any company that acquires control from the Resolution Trust Corporation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision of more than five percent of the shares of an undercapitalized bank, savings association, or other insured institution. (Sec. 209) Revises HOLA guidelines governing reorganization by a mutual savings association into a holding company. (Sec. 210) Mandates that the Federal banking agencies work jointly to develop: (1) electronic filing and public dissemination of depository institution status reports (call reports); and (2) uniform formats as well as simplified filing instructions for such reports. Title III: Streamlining Agency Actions - Amends the Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act to reduce from four to two times a year the frequency of scheduled meetings of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. (Sec. 302) Amends the FDIA to: (1) repeal the mandate for Federal banking agencies to jointly develop a method for supplemental disclosures in various required Federal filings of the estimated fair market value of depository institution assets and liabilities; (2) authorize the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish the interest rate for or make postinsolvency interest payments to creditors holding proven claims against the receivership estates of insured Federal or State depository institutions following satisfaction by the receiver of the principal amount of all creditor claims; and (3) repeal the mandate that Federal banking agencies file annual reports with certain congressional banking committees regarding differing accounting and capital standards used by other agencies. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible agency, in its review of competitive factors in bank merger filings, to request a report from the Attorney General only (currently, from the Attorney General and the other Federal banking agencies). Amends the BHCA and the FDIA to require the Board and the responsible agency, respectively, before disapproving a bank merger transaction on the grounds of disproportionate anticompetitive effects, to consider specified criteria concerning competitive effects. (Sec. 306) Terminates the Thrift Depositor Protection Oversight Board. Title IV: Disclosure Simplification - Amends the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosure requirements for open end consumer credit plans to permit, as an alternative to the currently required table illustration, a statement at the option of the creditor that periodic payments may increase or decrease substantially. (Sec. 402) Amends specified consumer protection disclosure requirements for advertisements for credit other than open end plans. Sets forth requirements for alternative compliance methods for advertising credit terms. Title V: Miscellaneous - Revises the positions of Board members on the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 502) Prescribes enrollment guidelines for certain enrollees in health plans administered by the Federal banking agencies. (Sec. 503) Amends the FHLBA to eliminate the position of consumer representative from mandatory membership on the board of directors of the Federal Housing Finance Board. Title VI: Technical Corrections - Makes technical corrections to related Acts. (Sec. 603) Amends Federal banking law to: (1) authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to waive the citizenship requirement for a minority of the total number of directors sitting on the board of a national bank; (2) declare it is unlawful for the Comptroller to hold an interest in any national bank; and (3) repeal specified capital and surplus requirements for national banking associations. (Sec. 604) Amends the International Bank Act of 1978 to modify examination requirements pertaining to establishment and operation by a foreign bank of Federal branches and agencies.

Bill· SS. 1422 (105th)reported

Federal Communications Commission Satellite Carrier Oversight Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

Federal Communications Commission Satellite Carrier Oversight Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) include direct-to-home satellite services under provisions protecting signal broadcast; (2) direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a notice of inquiry to determine the best way to facilitate the retransmission of distant broadcast signals in order to promote market competition for delivery of multichannel video programming in the public interest; and (3) direct the FCC to report to the Congress on the effect of the increase in royalty fees paid by satellite carriers for such retransmission on such competition and the ability of the direct-to-home satellite industry to compete. Prohibits the Copyright Office from implementing, before January 1, 1999, the decision of the Librarian of Congress which established a specified royalty fee per subscriber per month for the retransmission of distant broadcast signals by satellite carriers.

Bill· SS. 1391 (105th)referred

Cuban Women and Children Humanitarian Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997

Cuban Women and Children Humanitarian Relief Act - Declares that it should be U.S. policy to permit the sale and export of food, medicines, and medical equipment to the Cuban people. Authorizes the President to permit the sale and export of such items to Cuba. Requires the President to notify the Congress and the public of any decision to permit the sale and export of such items.

Bill· SS. 1365 (105th)referred

A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that the reductions in social security benefits which are required in tHE case of spouses and surviving spouses who are also receiving certain Government pensions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.

United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.

Bill· SS. 1334 (105th)referred

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to establish a demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of using the Federal Employees Health Benefits program to ensure the availability of adequate health care for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries under the military health care system.

United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997

Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project under which covered members and beneficiaries under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be eligible to enroll in health benefits plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted in two geographic areas and to last at least two, but not more than three, contract years. Provides for: (1) management of participation in the project; (2) Government contributions for beneficiary coverage under the FEHB program; and (3) reporting requirements.

Bill· SS. 1325 (105th)referred

Technology Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, and 2000

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997

Technology Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for the: (1) Scientific and Technical Research and Services laboratory activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (2) construction and maintenance of Institute facilities; (3) activities of Under Secretary for Technology, the Office of Technology Policy, and the Office of Air and Space Commercialization; and (4) industrial technology services activities of the Institute. (Sec. 6) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act respecting the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) to, among other things: (1) require each applicant for a contract or award to certify that the applicant has made an effort to secure private market funding for the research project involved; (2) permit a large business to participate in a research project that is the subject of a contract or award only as a member of a joint venture that includes one or more small businesses as members; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Commerce to vest title to tangible personal property in any recipient of financial assistance under specified conditions. (Sec. 7) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to revise requirements for the extension of Federal financial assistance to Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. (Sec. 8) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 respecting the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award to expand the list of categories for awards. (Sec. 9) Prohibits funds authorized by this Act or any other Act enacted before the date of enactment of this Act from being used for the Next Generation Internet, with the exception of funds that may be used for the continuation of the programs and activities related to Next Generation Internet that were funded and carried out during FY 1997. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of the Congress on the Year 2000 problem. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Director should donate educationally useful Federal equipment to schools to enhance the science and mathematic programs of those schools. Mandates annual reports to the President. (Sec. 13) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish within the Institute a teacher science and technology enhancement program to provide for the professional development of mathematics and science school teachers. (Sec. 14) Requires a joint study by the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering to review the effectiveness of the ATP. (Sec. 15) Establishes within the Department an Office of Air and Space Commercialization to be the principal unit for the coordination of space-related issues, programs, and initiatives within the Department. (Sec. 16) Establishes the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) to strengthen the technological competitiveness of States that have historically received less Federal research and development funds than those received by a majority of the States. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to: (1) enter into arrangements for the coordination of EPSCoT through the State committees established under the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) of the National Science Foundation; and (2) cooperate with any State science and technology council established under EPSCoR and representatives of small business firms and other technology-based businesses. Requires: (1) a specified report; and (2) an evaluation of the EPSCoT program.

Bill· SS. 1321 (105th)open

A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit grants for the national estuary program to be used for the development and implementation of a comprehensive conservation and management plan, to reauthorize appropriations to carry out the program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997

Amends the Clean Water Act to require grants made under the National Estuary Program to be used for assisting activities necessary for the development and implementation of conservation and management plans (currently, for research and other technical work necessary for the development of such plans). Reauthorizes appropriations for the Program for FY 1999 through 2004.

Bill· SS. 1327 (105th)open

A bill to grant normal trade relations status to the People's Republic of China on a permanent basis upon the accession of the People's Republic of China to the World Trade Organization.

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997

Declares that, on the date on which the People's Republic of China becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, specified provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 (which limit extension of normal trade relations status for nonmarket economies to one-year periods) shall cease to apply to China, and its products shall be afforded nondiscriminatory treatment.

Bill· SS. 1322 (105th)referred

Paul E. Tsongas Fellowship Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997

Paul E. Tsongas Fellowship Act - Establishes Paul E. Tsongas Doctoral Fellowships for study and research in fields of science or engineering that relate to energy or the environment such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, computer science, materials science, environmental science, behavioral science, and social sciences at institutions proposed by applicants for such fellowships. Creates the Paul E. Tsongas Fellowship Board to: (1) establish general policies for the program and oversee its operation; (2) establish general criteria for awarding fellowships; (3) award fellowships; and (4) submit to the Congress at least once in every three-year period a report on any modifications in the program. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1320 (105th)open

Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997

Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1997 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) any illness that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to warrant such a presumption based upon a positive association with exposure to a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a Gulf War veteran within a period to be prescribed by the Secretary. Requires such presumption even though there is no record of evidence of such illness in the veteran during the period of service. Requires the Secretary to make determinations under (1), above, based on sound medical and scientific evidence and to take into account reports submitted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as required under this Act. Requires the Secretary to make appropriate determinations within 60 days after receipt of the NAS report. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the NAS under which NAS shall identify: (1) the agents or hazards to which Gulf War veterans may have been exposed; and (2) the illnesses that are manifest in such members. Directs NAS, after such identification, to determine whether a statistical association exists between exposure to such agent or hazard and the illness. Requires NAS to separately review potential treatment models for such illnesses, make recommendations for additional studies, and perform subsequent reviews of available evidence and data. Requires periodic reports from NAS to the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the veterans and defense committees (designated committees) concerning NAS activities under this Act. Terminates requirements and activities under this Act ten years after NAS submits its first report. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an alternative scientific organization if agreement cannot be reached with NAS. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for the establishment and operation of a single computerized information data base for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on illnesses of, and treatment provided to, Gulf War veterans. Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, NAS, and the designated committees. Directs NAS to evaluate and report on such plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) continually compile and analyze all appropriate clinical data contained in the data base; and (2) report annually, along with the Secretary of Defense, to the designated committees with respect to the analysis of such data. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Health and Human Services to jointly carry out, and report to the designated committees on, a program of feasibility studies for conducting additional scientific research on health hazards resulting from exposure to agents or hazards associated with Gulf War service. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to carry out an ongoing program to provide Gulf War veterans with information relating to any health risks determined to be associated with such service, together with services or benefits available.

Bill· SS. 1311 (105th)open

Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997

Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons (except those previously identified or sanctioned or subject to waiver) who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions on the basis of additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged.

Bill· SS. 1309 (105th)referred

Early Childhood Development Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Young Children Title II: Child Care for Families Title III: Amendments to the Head Start Act Early Childhood Development Act of 1997 - Title I: Assistance for Young Children - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make allotments to eligible States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of enabling them to make competitive grants to local collaboratives for young child assistance activities. Requires the Governor of each State to establish or designate a State Early Learning Coordinating Board to make such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Child Care for Families - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish a Zero-to-Six program of formula payments to States for child care assistance on behalf of children under six years of age. Makes appropriations for such grants. Title III: Amendments to the Head Start Act - Amends the Head Start Act to extend the authorization of appropriations and revise requirements for allotment of funds.

Bill· SS. 1293 (105th)referred

Child Support Performance Improvement Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Child Support Performance Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an incentive payment to each State in accordance with prescribed formulae with respect to each of the following measures of State performance levels: (1) paternity establishment; (2) support order; (3) current payment; (4) arrearage payment; (5) cost-effectiveness; and (6) medical support. Requires the Secretary to: (1) study and report to the Congress on the implementation of such incentive payment system; and (2) develop and report to the Congress on a new medical support performance measure based on State efficacy in establishing and enforcing medical support obligations. Repeals the predecessor incentive payment system. Includes among the Secretary's duties providing Federal guidance, technical assistance, and monitoring in order to ensure data reliability. Denies State eligibility for incentive payments when Federal audits find claims are based on incomplete or unreliable data.

Bill· SS. 1287 (105th)open

Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to use amounts in the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (established under this Act) to provide financial assistance for projects for the conservation of Asian elephants for which final project proposals are approved by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) requirements for project proposals; (2) project review and approval; (3) reporting requirements for recipients of assistance provided by this Act; and (4) priority for projects for which there exists some measure of matching funds. Establishes the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1283 (105th)referred

A bill to award Congressional gold medals to Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson Thomas, commonly referred collectively as the "Little Rock Nine" on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the integration of the Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Authorizes the President to present gold medals, on behalf of the Congress, to named individuals referred to collectively as the "Little Rock Nine," in recognition of the selfless heroism they exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates of such medals in bronze. States that these medals are national medals.

Law· SS. 1260 (105th)enacted

Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1997 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to proscribe bringing a private class action based upon State or municipal law in State or Federal court by any private party alleging: (1) an untrue statement or omission in connection with the purchase or sale of a covered security; or (2) that the defendant used any manipulative or deceptive device in connection with such a transaction. Declares that any class action brought in any State court involving a covered security shall be removable to the Federal district court for the district in which the action is pending.