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United States · Official source
5,795 records where Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998
Designates October 18 through 24, 1998, as National Character Counts Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1998
Designates the week of May 3, 1998, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Attorney General should: (1) enforce the law and protect from violent attack persons seeking to provide or obtain, or assist in providing or obtaining, reproductive health services; and (2) allocate the resources needed to accomplish the Department of Justice's mission, including reproductive health services clinic protection, as described in a specified presidential instruction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to: (1) make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase armor vests for use by State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers; and (2) give preferential consideration to applications from jurisdictions that have a violent crime rate at or above the national average and that have not been providing each law enforcement officer assigned to patrol or other hazardous duties with body armor. Sets forth provisions regarding matching funds and allocation of funds, applications, and reimbursement of funds. Prohibits any State, local government, or Indian tribe that receives financial assistance made available by this Act from purchasing equipment or products manufactured using prison inmate labor. Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should, in expending such assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products. Authorizes appropriations.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1998
Designates March 25, 1998, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 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.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Marketing Quotas for Peanuts Title II: Market Transition Programs for Peanuts Title III: Implementation Peanut Program Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Marketing Quotas for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to extend peanut marketing quotas through crop year 2001. Eliminates: (1) minimum poundage quotas; and (2) the special Texas allocation. Authorizes additional (nonquota) peanuts to be sold for seed or Government use. Terminates peanut marketing quotas beginning with crop year 2002. Title II: Market Transition Programs for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend quota peanut (on a sliding scale) and additional peanut price supports through nonrecourse loans through crop year 2001. Makes nonrecourse loans available to all peanut producers beginning with crop year 2002. Title III: Implementation - Sets forth regulation and application provisions.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
National Drunk Driving Protection Act - Requires the transfer of certain Federal highway funds from Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and Federal surface transportation program apportionments to a State's highway safety program apportionment if the State fails, before FY 2001, to prohibit open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of such beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles on public highways.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Cargo Theft Deterrence Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code regarding thefts pertaining to interstate or foreign shipments by carrier to include thefts of trailers and air cargo containers and thefts from freight consolidation facilities. Increases the maximum penalty from one year to three years imprisonment. Authorizes the court, upon motion of the Attorney General, to reduce any penalty imposed under such provisions for any defendant who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of any dealer or wholesaler of stolen goods or chattels moving as, which are a part of, or which constitute, an interstate or foreign shipment. Specifies that goods and chattel shall be construed to be moving as an interstate or foreign shipment at all points between the point of origin and the final destination. Makes it an affirmative defense that the defendant bought, received, or possessed the goods at issue with the sole intent to report the matter to an appropriate law enforcement officer or to the owner. Directs: (1) the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement of not less than two levels for any such offense; and (2) the Attorney General to annually submit to the Congress a report including an evaluation of law enforcement activities relating to the investigation and prosecution of such offenses. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Cargo Theft to study, and develop recommendations regarding, the establishment of: (1) a national computer database for the collection and dissemination of information relating to violations of cargo theft provisions; and (2) an office within the Federal Government to promote, and to increase coordination between the Government and the private sector regarding, cargo security. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Enhanced Community Participation Title II: Liability Equity and Public Involvement in Superfund Act of 1997 - Title I: Enhanced Community Participation - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to define: (1) "affected community" as a group of two or more individuals who may be affected by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant from a covered facility; and (2) "covered facility" as a facility listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL) at which the President is undertaking a removal action expected to exceed one year or a specified funding limit or with respect to which the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has accepted a petition requesting a health assessment and that is under investigation by the Administrator (Administrator) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Sec. 102) Requires the President to make all records in the administrative record, with stated exceptions, available to an affected community throughout all phases of a response action. (Sec. 103) Sets forth requirements for expanded public participation in the response action process. Authorizes a member of a local community to propose a remedial action alternative in the same manner as any other interested party. Directs the President to assist in the establishment of a community advisory group for a covered facility to achieve direct and meaningful communication among community members throughout the response action process if: (1) requested by a specified amount of residents of the area in which the facility is located or of any local government; or (2) such group would achieve the purposes of this Act. Requires the President to consult with the group in developing and implementing the response action for a covered facility. Directs the President to ensure that the membership of such group reflects the composition of the affected community and a diversity of interests. Authorizes the President to make technical assistance grants to affected communities (including community advisory groups) for use in: (1) interpreting information and presenting recipient views with regard to a response action; (2) disseminating information to other members of the local community; or (3) providing funding for training to enable citizens to participate more effectively in the response process. (Sec. 104) Permits States or Indian tribes with NPL facilities within their borders or reservation boundaries, respectively, to establish waste site information offices funded by EPA grants. Requires the Administrator to establish such an office within EPA for States or Indian tribes that fail to do so. Requires such offices to inform the public of opportunities to participate under CERCLA and to serve as clearinghouses of information on waste, hazardous substances, covered facilities, and technical assistance. (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in an affected community for employment in response actions. Requires the Administrator to solicit the assistance of the waste site information office in identifying three facilities in the area covered by each EPA regional office in major urban areas or other areas with minority and low-income populations that are likely to warrant inclusion on the NPL. Accords such facilities a priority in evaluation for NPL listing and scoring. Title II: Liability - Provides exemptions from liability under CERCLA for: (1) certain owners or operators of real property contiguous to a facility at which there has been a release or a threatened release; (2) pre-July 1997 acts if liability is based solely on arranging for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or accepting, hazardous substances and the total of materials containing such substances did not exceed a specified amount; and (3) certain owners, operators, or lessees of residential property, businesses with fewer than 100 employees, or small nonprofit organizations whose liability is based on arrangement or acceptance provisions with respect to municipal solid waste (MSW). Makes municipalities currently liable for response costs on the basis of ownership or operation of a municipal landfill listed on the NPL on or before January 1, 1997, eligible for settlements. Limits liability to 20 percent of total response costs, but authorizes the President to increase such percentage to up to 35 percent under certain conditions. Authorizes the President to require such municipalities to perform or participate in response actions at the facility. Considers two or more municipalities that jointly own or operate a facility to be single owners for purposes of calculating settlement offers. Terminates liability limitations two years after this Act's enactment date unless a municipality participates in a qualified household hazardous waste collection program. Makes persons who commence actions for recovery or contribution of response costs against non-liable persons or those who have entered into expedited settlement agreements liable to the defendant for all reasonable defense costs. (Sec. 202) Adds to the list of parties eligible for expedited final settlements: (1) persons whose liability is based on arranging for disposal, treatment, transport of, or on accepting, MSW or municipal sewage sludge at an NPL facility; and (2) persons, small businesses, or municipalities who demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties. Makes municipalities that arranged for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or that accepted, such waste or sludge that are also liable as owners or operators eligible for expedited settlements as well. Establishes a moratorium on litigation for recovery or contribution of response costs from any person eligible for an expedited settlement within a specified time frame. Authorizes the President to require, as a condition of expedited settlements or settlements with municipalities with respect to NPL landfills described under this Act, that a potentially responsible party waive some or all of the claims that the party may have against other potentially responsible parties for all response costs incurred at the facility.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Declares three named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
JUMP Ahead Act of 1997 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) with respect to juvenile mentoring grants. Specifies goals for the grant program and limits the amount and duration of grants. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make youth mentoring program implementation and evaluation grants to national organizations or agencies serving youth. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) contract with an evaluating organization for an ongoing evaluation of the programs and activities assisted under this Act or under JJDPA; (2) establish minimum criteria for evaluating such programs and activities; and (3) annually designate a program or activity assisted under this Act as the Juvenile Mentoring Program of the Year. Requires each grant recipient under this Act or under JJDPA to report annually to the evaluating organization on any program or activity so assisted. Requires a report to the Congress evaluating such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
School Repair and Construction Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited school construction tax credit for eligible public elementary or secondary school construction projects. Establishes in the Treasury the School Infrastructure Improvement Trust Fund (consisting of either a specified revenue surplus or amount) in order to offset, in the general fund of the Treasury, any decrease in Federal revenues attributable to such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities. Increases the alternative incremental credit rates.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax rate on tobacco products.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Designates 1998 as the Onate Cuartocentenario to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first permanent Spanish settlement in New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Rights of Intellectual Property Owners Fairness Facilitation Act of 1997 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating a country a beneficiary developing country (BDC) eligible for trade benefits under the generalized system of preferences if such country is not implementing the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) or other intellectual property rights agreements within a specified period of time. Authorizes designation as a BDC of any country that has been denied such designation, or has had it withdrawn or suspended, if the President determines that the country is fully implementing TRIPS and other such agreements. Directs the U.S. Trade Representative to notify the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development of any country which is not implementing TRIPS and other such agreements. Requires such officials, and authorizes the President, to take specified actions to encourage countries to implement TRIPS and other such agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a deduction for any amount paid to the Federal Government or State or local government pursuant to any tobacco judgment or settlement. Establishes the National Institutes of Health Trust Fund for Health Research into which shall be deposited the net increase in revenues received attributable to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Designates November 1997 as National American Indian Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Urges the President to undertake efforts to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the enclaved people of Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) hosting a summit of the heads of state or government of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should be reserved for participating states that have demonstrated steadfast support for Helsinki principles and standards, particularly respect for human rights; (2) the United States should refuse to give consensus to any proposal that Turkey serve as the venue for such a summit meeting until the Turkish Government has demonstrably improved implementation of its OSCE commitments, including action to address human rights concerns; (3) the United States should encourage the development of genuine democracy in Turkey; and (4) the President should report to the Congress by April 15, 1998, on any improvement in Turkey's human rights record.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997
Joan's Law Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require that a person convicted of a serious violent felony or of sexual exploitation of a minor be sentenced to either life imprisonment or death if the victim is under age 14 and dies as a result of the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Imposition of Increased Taxes on Tobacco Products Title II: PHAER Trust Fund Title III: Federal Standards with Respect to Tobacco Products Title IV: Sense of the Senate Public Health and Education Research (PHAER) Act - Title I: Imposition of Increased Taxes on Tobacco Products - Increases the excise tax rate on tobacco products. Title II: PHAER Trust Fund - Establishes in the U.S. Treasury the PHAER Trust Fund into which shall be deposited amounts equivalent to the revenue increase in the Treasury attributable to the increased excise taxes of this Act. Requires 75 percent of the amounts in the Fund to be distributed, as specified, for the following State programs: (1) tobacco education, prevention, cessation, and treatment; (2) the Children's Health Insurance Program; (3) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program, or both; (4) the American Stop Smoking Intervention Study for Cancer prevention; and (5) general health care block grants. Requires the remaining 25 percent to be distributed, as specified, for the following Federal programs: (1) tobacco control and prevention; (2) protecting the financial well-being of tobacco farming families and communities; (3) the National Institutes of Health; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Title III: Federal Standards with Respect to Tobacco Products - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which limit health-related statements on cigarette and smokeless tobacco products and advertisements. Title IV: Sense of the Senate - Expresses the sense of the Senate that any final comprehensive tobacco legislation funded by the PHAER Trust Fund must include, among other things: (1) stiff penalties for advertising that targets children; (2) authority for the Food and Drug Administration to treat tobacco like any other drug; (3) elimination of secondhand tobacco smoke; (4) ingredient disclosure and more prominent health warnings on all tobacco products; and (5) a prohibition on the use of Federal Government resources to weaken nondiscriminatory public health laws or promote tobacco sales abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project under which covered members and beneficiaries under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be eligible to enroll in health benefits plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted in two geographic areas and to last at least two, but not more than three, contract years. Provides for: (1) management of participation in the project; (2) Government contributions for beneficiary coverage under the FEHB program; and (3) reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that November 6, 1997, should be designated as National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997
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.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Environmental Health Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to require the President to notify State, local, and tribal public health authorities whenever a release (or threat of release) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant has occurred or is about to occur and such release is under investigation pursuant to CERCLA. Provides that in a public health emergency, exposed persons shall be eligible for referral to licensed or accredited health care providers. (Currently, such persons are eligible for admission to hospitals and other facilities and services operated by the Public Health Service.) Requires the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles of hazardous substances that are not currently on the list of those that pose a most significant threat to human health but have been detected at covered facilities and are determined to pose a significant potential health threat due to known or suspected toxicity to humans and potential for human exposure. Defines "covered facilities" as facilities: (1) that are listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL); (2) at which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is undertaking a removal action that is anticipated to exceed one year or a specified funding limit; or (3) with respect to which the ATSDR Administrator has approved a petition for a health assessment or related health activity. Includes Indian tribes in the list of individuals to whom the ATSDR Administrator is required to provide consultations on health issues related to hazardous substance exposure. Provides for cooperation with Indian tribes with respect to certain ATSDR activities. Directs the ATSDR Administrator to perform a health assessment or related health activity for each covered facility (currently a health assessment for each NPL facility). Applies existing authorities related to assessments to health activities as well. Requires the President and the ATSDR Administrator to exchange information necessary to make a public health determination sufficiently before completion of a remedial investigation and feasibility study to allow full consideration of the public health implications of a release. Bars the delay of progress of a remedial action pending completion of a health assessment or health related activity. Includes cumulative effects of chemicals in the list of factors to be considered in a health assessment. Expands the list of parties to whom completed health assessments and recommendations are to be provided to include Indian tribes, local health officials, community advisory groups, and waste site information offices. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to include in the biennial report on ATSDR activities the health impacts on Indian tribes of hazardous substances from covered facilities. Provides for the distribution of: (1) medical education materials on hazardous substance exposure to local health officials; and (2) educational materials on human health effects of such substances to communities potentially affected by a facility. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to facilitate the provision of environmental health services in communities that: (1) may have been or may be subject to exposure to a hazardous substance from a covered facility; and (2) have a medically underserved population or lack sufficient expertise in environmental health. Directs the ATSDR Administrator, if considered appropriate, to conduct health education activities to make a community near a covered facility aware of the steps the community may take to mitigate or prevent exposure to hazardous substances and the health effects of such substances. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to conduct a study relating to the identification, assessment, and management of, and response to, multiple sources of exposure affecting or potentially affecting a community.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Disapproves the President's cancellations (line item veto) of appropriations for 36 military construction projects in the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment of certain in-line skates.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Designates October 17, 1997, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that every American handgun manufacturer should voluntarily begin equipping all new handguns with child safety devices.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the low-income State housing credit ceiling amount; and (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the post-1987 reduction in the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Provides, beginning in 1999, for cost-of-living adjustments in the State ceiling on such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1997 - Establishes the Estuary Habitat Restoration Collaborative Council, to be composed of specified Federal officials. Directs the Council to develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach to the selection and prioritization of estuary habitat restoration projects and the full coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to such restoration. Requires, as part of such strategy, the development of: (1) a framework for coordinating and streamlining existing Federal plans and programs; and (2) proposals to maximize incentives for public-private partnerships and to leverage Federal resources to encourage increased private sector involvement in such restoration. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Council in determining project selection and assistance eligibility. Authorizes a restoration project to be designated as a priority project if it meets selection criteria and: (1) it addresses a restoration goal identified in the strategy; (2) it is part of an approved Federal estuary management or habitat restoration plan; (3) the non-Federal share of the project exceeds 50 percent; and (4) there is a nonpoint source program upstream of the project that addresses upstream sources that would otherwise re-impair the restored habitat. Gives such projects a higher priority for funding. Permits the Council to pay up to 25 percent of the cost of interim actions of restoration activity, pending completion of the strategy. Prohibits selection of a project until non-Federal interests have entered into specified written cooperation agreements pertaining to water resources projects in accordance with the Flood Control Act of 1970. Requires such agreements to provide for project maintenance and monitoring. Authorizes appropriations for the Council. Requires non-Federal applicants for assistance to demonstrate that a project meets this Act's requirements and selection criteria. Limits the Federal share of assistance to between 25 and 65 percent of a project's cost. Raises the maximum limit to 75 percent of the cost in cases of demonstrated need. Authorizes the Council to use funds made available under this Act to pay the share of costs of estuary habitat restoration activities eligible for funding under other laws if such activities would also be eligible for funding under this Act. Directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain a database of information on projects funded by the Council. Makes certain funds provided under the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1996 available to States and non-Federal persons in carrying out interim actions or projects under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of the Army to give estuary habitat restoration projects the same consideration as irrigation, navigation, or flood control projects and to establish such restoration as a primary mission of the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such projects. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress and the Secretary on the extent to which the Council needs additional personnel and administrative resources to carry out this Act, including recommendations for necessary additional funding.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Human Rights Information Act - Requires certain Federal agencies to identify and organize all human rights records regarding activities occurring in Guatemala and Honduras after 1944 for declassification and disclosure purposes, and to make them available to the public and other official entities, including Latin American or Caribbean countries. Instructs the President to report to the Congress regarding agency compliance. Prescribes guidelines under which the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (the Panel) shall review agency determinations to postpone public disclosure of any human rights record. Authorizes postponement of such public disclosures on specified grounds. Directs the Information Security Policy Advisory Council to report to the Congress on declassification of human rights records relating to other Latin American and Caribbean countries and to make such report available to the public. Creates two additional positions in the Panel in order to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
Oceans Act of 1997 - Directs the President to develop and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy on ocean and coastal activities and, regarding Federal agencies and departments, to review ocean and coastal activities, plan and implement an integrated and cost-effective program of ocean and coastal activities, designate responsibility for funding and conducting ocean and coastal activities, and ensure cooperation and resolve differences arising from laws and regulations. (Sec. 5) Establishes the National Ocean Council to serve as the forum for developing a policy and program, improve coordination and cooperation among Federal agencies, work with academic, State, industry, public interest, and other groups, and cooperate with the Secretary of State. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy, requiring it to report to the President and the Congress on a comprehensive national ocean and coastal policy to carry out the purpose and objectives of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Requires the Council to report to the Congress biennially and to annually provide general guidance to each Federal agency or department involved in coastal activities regarding the preparation of appropriations requests. Requires each such agency or department to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying budget elements relating to ocean and coastal activities and specifying how each element contributes to the implementation of a national ocean and coastal policy. Directs the President to identify in each budget submitted to the Congress those elements of each agency or department that contribute to the implementation of a national ocean and coastal policy. (Sec. 8) Repeals the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Prevention Subtitle A: Family Planning Subtitle B: Prescription Equity and Contraceptive Coverage Subtitle C: Emergency Contraceptives Title II: Research Title III: Choice Protection Family Planning and Choice Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Prevention - Subtitle A: Family Planning - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to authorize appropriations for voluntary family planning projects. (Sec. 102) Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any authority of the United States, in or through any health care services or information program or activity administered or assisted by that authority, from limiting any person's right to provide or receive nonfraudulent information regarding reproductive health care services. Subtitle B: Prescription Equity and Contraceptive Coverage - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the PHSA to prohibit a group health plan, and an insurer providing coverage in connection with a group plan, from restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, or outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or services. Prohibits related denial of eligibility or enrollment, monetary payments or rebates to covered individuals, and penalties or incentives to health care professionals. Amends the PHSA to apply these prohibitions to insurers in the individual market. Declares that this paragraph does not preempt State law providing greater enrollee protections. Subtitle C: Emergency Contraceptives - Mandates development and dissemination to the public and health care providers of information on drugs or devices designed to be used after sexual relations to prevent pregnancy. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Research - Declares the sense of the Congress regarding adequate funding for PHSA provisions regarding sexually transmitted diseases, breast and cervical cancers, and research on contraception and infertility. Title III: Choice Protection - Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal and State governments should provide funding for abortion services to women eligible for assistance through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) Federal resources are necessary to ensure safety for women and health professionals regarding reproductive health facilities and services; and (3) it is necessary and appropriate to use Federal resources to combat violence and harassment against reproductive health centers. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) ensure that a Food and Drug Administration decision to approve the drug called Mifepristone or RU-486 is made only on the basis provided in law; and (2) assess initiatives to promote the testing, licensing, and manufacturing in the United States of the drug or other antiprogestins. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a State from restricting a woman's freedom to choose pregnancy termination before fetal viability. Allows a State to: (1) restrict that freedom after viability unless termination is necessary to preserve the woman's life or health; and (2) impose requirements on abortions if the requirements are medically necessary to protect the woman's health. (Sec. 306) Amends Federal law to allow funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) to be used for abortions when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest or when the abortion is medically necessary or appropriate. Replaces provisions prohibiting (with exceptions) the use of DOD facilities to perform abortions with provisions declaring that certain provisions do not limit performing abortions in a uniformed services facility outside the 48 contiguous States if the cost is fully paid by non-DOD funds, abortions are not prohibited by the facility's jurisdiction, and the abortion would otherwise be permitted under laws regarding health care for uniformed services members and former members and their dependents in that facility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Foreign Air Carrier Family Support Act - Amends Federal transportation law to require foreign air carriers to transmit to the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan for addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents involving foreign air carriers and a significant loss of life. Requires such a plan to include: (1) publicizing a reliable, toll-free telephone number and staff to take calls from families of passengers involved in such an accident; (2) a process for notifying such families as soon as possible, and in person to the extent practicable, before providing any public notice of the passengers' names; (3) an assurance that each passenger's family will be consulted about the disposition of any remains and personal effects (including return to the family) within the foreign air carrier's control; (4) an assurance of retention by the foreign air carrier of unclaimed possessions for at least 18 months; and (5) an assurance of other specified services. Makes inclusion of such a plan in the application for a foreign air transportation permit, or exemption from the requirement of a permit, a condition for permit or exemption approval. Declares that a foreign air carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the foreign air carrier's performance in preparing or providing a passenger list pursuant to such a plan, unless the liability was caused by any conduct of the carrier which was grossly negligent or which constituted intentional misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2000, the duty on ferroboron.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1997
Secret Tobacco Giveaway Repeal Act - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as amended by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, to repeal the provision crediting the increase in excise taxes on certain tobacco products against payments made pursuant to specified tobacco industry settlement legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1997
Reauthorizes the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Citizen Advisory Commission until October 31, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1997
Declares September 26, 1997, to be Austrian-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1997
Expresses the condolences of the Congress on the death of Mother Teresa. Designates September 13, 1997, as a National Day of Recognition for the humanitarian efforts of Mother Teresa and those who have labored with her in service to the poor and afflicted of the world.