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United States · Official source
4,609 records where Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
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 · 23 September 1997
Property Owners Access to Justice Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that whenever a district court has jurisdiction in civil rights cases it shall not abstain from exercising or relinquishing its jurisdiction to a State court in an action where no claim of a violation of a State law, right, or privilege is alleged. Authorizes the district court, in such cases that cannot be decided without resolution of a significant but unsettled question of State law, to certify such question to the highest appellate court of that State (and after the State appellate court resolves the question certified to it, the district court shall proceed with resolving the merits). Bars the district court from certifying a question of State law unless such question will significantly affect the merits of the injured party's Federal claim and is so unclear and obviously susceptible to a limiting construction as to render premature a decision on the merits of the constitutional or legal issue in the case. Requires that any claim or action brought to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or territory of the United States, that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Provides that any claim brought under provisions regarding the United States as defendant and regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims, that is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Sets guidelines for what constitutes a "final decision" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997
Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 regarding the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services. Outlines specific requirements for private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians or health care practitioners for services for which no Medicare claims may be submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1997
Declares September 26, 1997, to be Austrian-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1997
Urges Hong Kong Chief Executive C.H. Tung and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to schedule and conduct elections for the first legislature of the Region according to rules approved by the Hong Kong people through an election-law convention, referendum, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Priorities, Scope, and Review of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Title II: Other Reforms of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Subtitle A: Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 Subtitle B: Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 Subtitle C: Amendments to Other Laws Subtitle D: New Programs Subtitle E: Studies and Miscellaneous Title III: Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Title IV: Extension or Repeal of Certain Authorities; Technical Amendments Title V: Agricultural Program Savings Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Priorities, Scope, and Review of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to: (1) ensure that agricultural research, education, or extension activities of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) are priority concerns with a national or multistate significance; and (2) establish such priorities. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to provide for: (1) scientific peer review of research grants and merit review of extension and education grants by CSREES; and (2) scientific peer review of ARS research. Requires pre-funding merit review of land grant college and university research and extension activities. Makes related amendments to the Smith-Lever Act and the Hatch Act of 1887. (Sec. 104) Amends such Acts to set forth multistate project requirements for research and extension funding. (Sec. 106) Amends the Research Facilities Act and the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to provide for multistate or national activities. Title II: Other Reforms of Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education - Subtitle A: Amendments to National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize the Secretary to maintain a national food and agricultural education information system. (Sec. 204) Includes teaching within the activities of international research and extension. Authorizes grants for collaborative projects among Federal scientists, university faculty, and scientists from international agricultural institutions, including centers of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research. (Sec. 206) Makes all colleges and universities eligible for agricultural research, extension, and education cost-reimbursable agreements. Subtitle B: Amendments to Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 - Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to revise National Agricultural Weather Information System provisions to: (1) make the System's establishment discretionary; (2) revise its components, authority, and fund use requirements; and (3) authorize appropriations. (Sec. 212) Establishes a National Food Genome Strategy, which shall include among its purposes and components Plant and Animal Genome Initiatives. (Sec. 213) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to: (1) authorize the Secretary to establish a National Advisory and Implementation Board on Imported Fire Ant Control, Management, and Eradication; (2) authorize fire ant research and control grants; and (3) authorize appropriations. (Sec. 214) Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to A*DEC (distance education consortium) to administer the agricultural telecommunications program. (Sec. 215) Authorizes appropriations for the assertive technology program for farmers with disabilities. Obligates a specified percent of such funds for national grants. Subtitle C: Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the Equity in Education Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 to include the Little Priest Tribal College within the group of 1994 institutions. (Sec. 223) Amends the Smith-Lever Act to expand college and university extension funding eligibility. (Sec. 224) Amends the Hatch Act of 1887 to require increased use of land grant institution funds for integrated research and extension activities. (Sec. 225) Amends the Cooperative, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to revise special grant authority provisions. (Sec. 226) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to extend funding authority for the Fund for Rural America. (Sec. 227) Amends the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act to obligate specified funds for research projects to advance efficiency, pest and disease control, and other management aspects of beekeeping and honey production. (Sec. 228) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Office of the Secretary an Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Subtitle D: New Programs - Provides for research, cooperative agreements, and an ARS pilot program with respect to biobased products (produced from renewable agricultural or forestry products). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 232) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for precision agriculture (integrated information- and production-based farming system) activities, including multistate and national partnerships. Authorizes appropriations, with set-asides for specified activities. (Sec. 233) Authorizes a Formosan termite research and eradication program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 234) Directs the Secretary to periodically update nutrient composition data. (Sec. 235) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts for the construction of a consolidated administrative and laboratory facility of the Animal and Plant Inspection Service to be located in or near Ames, Iowa. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 236) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through ARS, to accept as a gift and administer the National Swine Research Center in Ames, Iowa. Subtitle E: Studies and Miscellaneous - Directs the Secretary to: (1) evaluate whether federally funded agricultural research, education, and extension programs have national or multistate significance; and (2) request a National Academy of Sciences study of such programs' mission. (Sec. 243) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should provide matching funds for 1890 Institutions. Title III: Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems - Establishes in the Treasury the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Account for grants to address emerging agricultural issues. Transfers unappropriated Treasury funds to the Account. Title IV: Extension or Repeal of Certain Authorities; Technical Amendments - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend program authority or authorization of appropriations for: (1) grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education; (2) grants for research on the production and marketing of alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural commodities and forest products; (3) policy research centers; (4) the human nutrition intervention and health promotion research program; (5) the nutrition education program; (6) continuing animal health and disease research programs; (7) research on national and regional animal health or disease problems; (8) grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University; (9) national research and training centennial centers; (10) education grants for Hispanic-serving institutions; (11) general agricultural research; (12) agricultural research at state agricultural experiment stations; (13) extension education; (14) research for supplemental and alternative crops; (15) building acquisition or construction; and (16) aquaculture. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the: (1) National Genetics Resources Program; (2) agricultural telecommunications program; and (3) global climate change program. Amends the Critical Agricultural Materials Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for critical agricultural materials. Amends the Research Facilities Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for agricultural research facilities. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 to extend the authorization of appropriations for Federal agricultural research facilities. Amends the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to extend authorization of appropriations for competitive, special, and facilities research grants. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Amendments of 1981 to extend the authorization of appropriations for agricultural research at 1890 land grant colleges, including Tuskegee University. Amends the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 to extend the authorization of appropriations for 1994 Institutions, including institutional capacity building grants. Amends the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of appropriations for forest and rangeland renewable resources activities. Amends the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to extend the authorization of appropriations for aquaculture activities of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act to repeal authority for: (1) the pilot program to combine medical and agricultural research; and (2) the research program for intensive water recirculating aquaculture systems. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal authority for the: (1) water quality research, education, and coordination program; (2) livestock product safety and inspection program; (3) national centers for agricultural product quality research; and (4) red meat safety research center. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal authority for agricultural research, education, and extension activities. (Sec. 403) Amends specified Acts to make their common names (Smith-Lever Act and the Hatch Act of 1887) their official titles. Title V: Agricultural Program Savings - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to limit amounts the Secretary may pay States for administering the food stamp program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary to establish a Low-Income Area Grant Program to assist schools and service institutions to expand programs under the school breakfast and summer food service programs. Amends the National School Lunch Act to: (1) increase the number of covered meals and supplements under the child care and summer food service programs; and (2) authorize appropriations for the Information Clearinghouse. (Sec. 502) Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to reduce information technology funding limits. (Sec. 503) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to set forth requirements for haying and grazing on conservation reserve land.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Alternative Fuels - General Title II: Alternative Fuels - Non-Federal Programs Title III: Availability and Use of Replacement Fuels, Alternative Fuels, and Alternative Fueled Vehicles Biodiesel Energy Development Act of 1997 - Title I: Alternative Fuels - General - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to modify definitions relating to alternative fuels, dual-fueled vehicles, heavy duty motor vehicles, and marine vessels. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to alternative fuel use by light duty Federal vehicles to provide that if such vehicles are not acquired from original equipment manufacturers, existing fleet vehicles may be converted to use alternative fuels at the time of a major vehicle overhaul or rebuild. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), if appropriate, to permit a Federal fleet to: (1) acquire one heavy duty alternative fueled vehicle in place of two light duty alternative fueled vehicles; and (2) take an additional credit for the purchase and documented use of alternative fuel used in a dual-fueled vehicle, comparable conventionally-fueled motor vehicle, or marine vessel. Title II: Alternative Fuels - Non-Federal Programs - Requires State and local alternative fuel incentives programs to include the goal of introducing substantial numbers of light and heavy duty alternative fuels vehicles and increasing the use of alternative fuels. Conditions State eligibility for Federal assistance upon inclusion in each State plan of an examination of the introduction of converted or acquired light and heavy duty alternative fueled vehicles in State-owned or operated motor vehicle fleets. (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to provide, upon State request, Federal financial assistance grants for the incremental purchase cost of alternative fuels. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on the volume of alternative fuel consumed. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance to States and political subdivisions for the incremental cost of alternative fuels used in flexible fueled school buses and school bus conversions to alternative fueled vehicles. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on alternative fuel use in marine vessels. Title III: Availability and Use of Replacement Fuels, Alternative Fuels, and Alternative Fueled Vehicles - Modifies the mandate for alternative fuel providers to include regulation of heavy duty trucks. (Sec. 301) Cites circumstances under which the Secretary may allow the conversion of an existing fleet vehicle into a dual-fueled alternative fueled vehicle at the time of a major vehicle overhaul or rebuild. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to: (1) include heavy duty motor vehicles in the program to promote the development and use in light duty motor vehicles of domestic replacement fuels; and (2) review every five years a development plan and production goals for replacement fuel supply and demand. (Sec. 304) Modifies the fleet program purchase goals to require that specified percentages of new light duty motor vehicles acquired in each model year be acquired as, or converted into, alternative fueled vehicles. Modifies the fleet requirement program to direct the Secretary to permit fleets to substitute the acquisition or conversion of one heavy duty alternative fueled vehicle for two light duty vehicle acquisitions to meet program requirements. Permits a fleet owner to convert an existing fleet vehicle into an alternative fueled vehicle, and purchase the fuel for such vehicle for compliance purposes, if the original equipment manufacturer's warranty continues to apply to the vehicle. Allows a fleet owner a credit for such conversion. (Sec. 305) Instructs the Secretary to allocate a credit to a fleet or covered person that acquires a volume of alternative fuel equal to the estimated need for one year for any dual-fueled vehicle acquired or converted under this Act. Sets forth a credit allocation scheme for dual-fueled vehicles and alternative fuel. (Sec. 306) Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress recommended requirements for exempting replacement fuels from taxes levied on non-replacement fuels if the Secretary notifies the Congress that a fleet requirement program is not necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities Title II: Electronic Filing Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service Subtitle A: Oversight Subtitle B: Budget Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Executive Branch Governance and Senior Management of the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Executive Branch Government and Senior Management - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to replace current provisions establishing the office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with provisions establishing the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board (the Board). Requires that seven of the nine members of the Board not be full-time Federal officers or employees. Requires that all Board members have expertise in, among other things: (1) management of large service organizations; (2) customer service; and (3) the needs and concerns of taxpayers. Requires the Board to: (1) review and approve strategic plans of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); (2) review the operational functions of the IRS; (3) select the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Commissioner), as well as senior IRS managers, and review the Commissioner's reorganization plans; and (4) review and approve the IRS budget request, as well as ensure audits of the IRS. (Sec. 102) Replaces current provisions which authorize the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to employ such personnel as necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the internal revenue laws with provisions requiring there to be in the Department of the Treasury a Commissioner who shall be appointed by the Board for a five-year term. Sets forth the duties of the Commissioner, including the: (1) administration and management of the internal revenue laws; and (2) Commissioner's responsibility to consult with the Board. Establishes and sets forth duties for: (1) a Chief Counsel for the IRS to be appointed by the President; (2) the Office of Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations; (3) an Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. (Sec. 103) Replaces current provisions concerning the effect of reorganization plans with provisions which authorize the Commissioner to employ such number of persons as proper to administer and enforce the internal revenue laws. Subtitle B: Personnel Flexibilities - Directs the Commissioner to establish a performance management system covering IRS employees which: (1) establishes retention standards; and (2) establishes performance goals or objectives. Provides for awards based on performance, but prohibits making an award solely on the basis of tax enforcement results. Sets forth other provisions concerning: (1) classification and pay; (2) staffing; and (3) demonstration projects. Title II: Electronic Filing - Provides for paperless filing and payment of taxes. Title III: Taxpayer Protection and Rights - Sets forth provisions concerning taxpayer protections and rights, including provisions concerning: (1) authority to issue taxpayer assistance orders; (2) authority to award costs and fees; (3) damages for negligence in collection actions; (4) criteria and procedures for selecting taxpayers for examination; (5) archival treatment of IRS records; (6) freedom of information; (7) offers-in-compromise; (8) jurisdiction of the Tax Court; (9) cataloging of complaints; and (10) procedures for taxpayer interviews. (Sec. 309) Eliminates the interest differential on overpayments and underpayments. (Sec. 310) Eliminates the failure to pay penalty as long as an installment payment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to accept installment tax liability payments if: (1) such liability does not exceed $10,000; (2) the taxpayer has, during the past five years, paid on time; and (3) the taxpayer has not entered into a prior installment agreement. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide matching funds for qualified low-income taxpayer clinics. (Sec. 319) Provides for studies concerning: (1) taxpayer confidentiality; (2) penalty administration; (3) treating all taxpayers as separate filing units; and (4) burden of proof. Title IV: Congressional Accountability for the Internal Revenue Service - Subtitle A: Oversight - Authorizes the Joint Committee on Taxation (Joint Committee) to procure the services of experts for investigations of the IRS by the General Accounting Office. (Sec. 402) Establishes additional reporting requirements for the Joint Committee. Subtitle B: Budget - Provides for additional budget authority for the IRS, but only on annual basis and only if specified improvements are made in taxpayer services. (Sec. 413) Directs the Commissioner to convene a financial advisory management group to advise the Commissioner. Subtitle C: Tax Law Complexity - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS should provide the Congress with an independent view of tax administration. (Sec. 422) Requires a Senate or House of Representatives committee, when reporting legislation including any provision amending the IRC, to contain within the report a Tax Complexity Analysis. (Sec. 423) Declares it to be the policy of the Congress that employers should have a single point of filing tax and wage reporting information. (Sec. 424) Requires the Joint Committee to prepare a study of the feasibility of developing a baseline estimate of taxpayers' compliance burdens against which future legislative proposals could be measured.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Designates November 15 of 1997 and 1998 as America Recycles Day.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Urges the Government to: (1) fully participate in EXPO 2000 in Hannover, Germany; and (2) encourage support from the U.S. academic community and private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Mexico should: (1) review whether it properly initiated an antidumping investigation into imports of high fructose corn syrup from the United States in conformity with the standards of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Antidumping; and (2) terminate such investigation. Declares that if the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determines that Mexico initiated the investigation in violation of WTO standards, and Mexico does not terminate it, then the USTR should immediately take appropriate measures, including actions pursuant to the dispute settlement provisions of the WTO.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike duplicate medals in bronze. Authorizes appropriations from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund, where sales proceeds shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Allows use of the rotunda of the Capitol on October 21, 1997, for a congressional ceremony honoring Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1997
Declares that no final rule that prohibits States from granting exceptions for not-for-hire intrastate transportation farmers and farm-related service industries shall take effect before October 1, 1999, or until authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 to carry out chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code (relating to transportation of hazardous materials).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the termination dates of the alcohol fuels credit and of provisions setting tax rates for qualified methanol and ethanol fuel, fuels containing alcohol, certain taxable fuels mixed with alcohol, mixtures of aviation fuel and alcohol, and fuels used to produce certain alcohol fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Adolescent Family Life and Abstinence Education Act of 1997 - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to adolescent family life demonstration projects to include the provision of abstinence information in the definition of "necessary services." Mandates, in approving demonstration project grants, adequate representation of both urban and rural areas. Requires a simplified and expedited application process for applicants seeking less than $15,000. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the demonstration project provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Landmine Elimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits, beginning on January 1, 2000, funds appropriated or otherwise available to any Federal department or agency from being obligated or expended for new deployments of anti-personnel landmines. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on actions and proposals to substitute for new deployments of such landmines on the Korean Peninsula. Allows the President to delay application of the prohibition with respect to the Peninsula if, not later than January 1, 2000, and each year thereafter, the President certifies the Congress that new deployments of anti-personnel landmines on the Peninsula in the event of a Korean war or a period of emergency in Korea declared by the President would be indispensable to the defense of the Republic of Korea in such year.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Declares that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol to, or other agreement regarding, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, at negotiations in Kyoto in December 1997 or thereafter which would: (1) mandate new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Annex 1 Parties, unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Developing Country Parties within the same compliance period; or (2) result in serious harm to the U.S. economy. Calls for any such protocol or other agreement which would require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification to be accompanied by: (1) a detailed explanation of any legislation or regulatory actions that may be required to implement it; and (2) an analysis of the detailed financial costs which would be incurred by, and other impacts on, the U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish in the National Park Service (NPS) a program to be known as the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom under which the Secretary shall: (1) produce and disseminate educational materials about the Railroad; (2) provide technical assistance to other government agencies, private entities, or the Governments of Canada, Mexico, or any appropriate Caribbean country to ensure coordination of Federal and non-Federal elements of the Network; and (3) regulate use of an official symbol for the Network. Includes within the Network: (1) NPS units or programs pertaining to the Underground Railroad; (2) Federal, State, local, or privately-owned properties pertaining to the Railroad that have a verifiable connection to it and that are included or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) governmental or nongovernmental facilities or programs of educational, research, or interpretive natures that are directly related to such Railroad. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to transfer authority to conduct the census of agriculture from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary (Secretary) of Agriculture. Requires the Secretary to take a census every five years beginning in 1998. Sets forth enforcement and confidentiality provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Proclaims March 15 through 21, 1998, as National Safe Place Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
War Crimes Prosecution Facilitation Act of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be achieved if indicted war criminals remain at large and refugees and displaced persons are unable to return to their homes; (2) the United States should ensure that multilateral and bilateral assistance is provided to the Dayton Agreement parties only if doing so would promote reconciliation as well as reconstruction, including the transfer of war criminals to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the return of refugees and displaced persons, and freedom of movement; and (3) the ICTY should continue to investigate and bring indictments against persons who have violated international humanitarian law. Prohibits foreign assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act (except humanitarian or democratization assistance, or assistance for physical infrastructure projects) to: (1) any country whose government fails to apprehend and transfer to the ICTY persons in their territory the ICTY has indicted; (2) any program or activity in such country in which an indicted war criminal has any financial interest or through any organization with which the indicted person is affiliated; and (3) any program or activity in any country (other than emergency food, medical, or demining assistance) in which local authorities are not complying with certain articles of the Dayton Agreement. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to work in opposition to, and vote against, any extension of any financial assistance or grants to such a country. Provides for a waiver of such sanctions if a majority of indicted persons within the country's territory have been arrested and transferred to the ICTY.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Department of Agriculture Information Technology Reform Act - Grants additional information technology-related powers to the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Agriculture. Provides for: (1) annual transfer of Department agency or office information technology funds to the account of the Chief Information Officer; and (2) a discretionary Office of Management and Budget review of information technology system regulation or transfer or obligation of funds. Makes a related conforming amendment to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. Terminates authority under this Act (with a specified exception) as of a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that it should be U.S. policy to support the admission of Taiwan to membership in the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and all appropriate regional multilateral economic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Designates the weeks beginning on November 23, 1997, and November 22, 1998, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1997
Commends the American Medical Association on its 150th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to eliminate the prohibition on recovery of erroneously made farm payments by State, county, or area committees if not made within 90 days of benefit filing (finality rule).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
African Growth and Opportunity Act - Declares the support of the Congress for the economic self-reliance of Sub-Saharan African countries committed to economic and political reform, market incentives and private sector growth, eradication of poverty, and the importance of women to economic growth and development. (Sec. 4) Makes a sub-Saharan African country eligible to participate in programs, projects, or activities, or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act for a fiscal year only if the President determines, according to specified evidence, that it has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing, a market-based economy. Directs the President to monitor and review eligible sub-Saharan countries that are in need of making continual progress in meeting one or more of this Act's requirements. Makes ineligible to participate in programs or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act any countries that have not made progress in meeting such requirements. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Congress that sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa depends upon the development of a receptive environment for trade and investment through the continued support by the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) of programs that help to create this environment. Sets forth declarations of policy with respect to assistance provided to sub-Saharan Africa through the Development Fund for Africa and the African Development Foundation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide: (1) additional program authorities to include assistance to promote democratization and strengthen conflict resolution; and (2) increased program flexibility through presidential waivers of certain requirements (except those for certain child survival activities). (Sec. 6) Directs the President to convene annual high-level meetings between U.S. Government officials and officials of the governments of sub-Saharan African countries to foster close economic ties between them. Directs the President to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Directs the President to develop a plan meeting certain requirements to enter into one or more trade agreements with certain eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Congress that reform of trade policies in sub-Saharan Africa that removes structural impediments to trade, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO), can lay the groundwork for sustained growth there in both textile and apparel exports. Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate the existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius, provided they adopt a visa system to guard against the unlawful transshipment of such goods. Directs the President to: (1) continue the existing no quota policy for sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) report to the Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel exports to the United States from such countries in order to protect U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers from economic injury on account of the no quota policy. (Sec. 9) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for any non-import-sensitive article that is the growth, product, or manufacture of an eligible sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing country. Waives the competitive need limitation with respect to eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Extends duty-free treatment to sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing countries through May 31, 2007. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) specified international financial institutions and their programs are vital to the economic growth and development of sub-Saharan African countries; (2) the executive branch should extinguish concessional debt owed to the United States by the poorest sub-Saharan countries; and (3) the Congress supports the efforts of the executive branch to secure agreement from such institutions to maximize debt reduction for such countries as part of the multilateral initiative known as the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Supports and encourages the implementation of specified initiatives through AID and the Trade Development Agency, including: (1) the formation of American-African business partnerships; (2) technical assistance to promote trade reforms; (3) agricultural market liberalization; (4) trade promotion; and (5) trade in services. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should exercise its authorities to initiate two or more equity funds in support of projects in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly projects that expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and employment for the poor. (Sec. 12) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise the composition of the Board of Directors of OPIC to require at least one of the eight presidentially-appointed Directors to have extensive private sector experience in sub-Saharan Africa. Directs the Board to increase financial assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to make similar changes with respect to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Sec. 13) Directs the President to establish the position of Assistant United States Trade Representative within the Office of the United States Trade Representative to focus on trade issues relating to sub-Saharan Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Commemorates the 15th anniversary of the construction and dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Amends specified Federal trade laws to replace the term "most-favored-nation" status or treatment with the term "normal trade relations."
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Breast-Cancer Research Stamp Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is one cent higher than the regular rate as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for breast-cancer research. Authorizes the Service to design and sell special stamps. Requires the Service to pay amounts attributable (additional revenues minus costs) to the one-cent differential to the Department of Health and Human Services at least twice a year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 1997 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) cover colorectal cancer screening tests for individuals age 50 or over (screening fecal-occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopies, barium enemas, and, for high-risk individuals, colonoscopy); and (2) prescribe frequency and payment limits. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review such coverage after two years and determine whether to terminate it for one or more of such tests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1997 - Amends the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990 to: (1) include among the Act's purposes to develop and implement proposals for the restoration of fish and wildlife resources in the Great Lakes Basin; and (2) include microorganisms within the definition of "nonindigenous species." Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) ensure that proposals resulting from recommendations of the Great Lakes fishery resources restoration study or identified through an annual request to specified State and tribal entities are developed and that the highest priority proposals are implemented; and (2) annually request that State Directors and Indian Tribes submit fish and wildlife resources restoration proposals based on the results of the study or other sources. Requires the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to retain authority and responsibility for formulation and implementation of a comprehensive program for eradicating or minimizing sea lamprey populations in the Basin. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, at the Commission's request, to construct and improve water resources projects related to sea lamprey management. Establishes the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Proposal Review Committee. Requires the Director to select proposals to be implemented and, within available appropriations, fund their implementation. Sets forth cost-sharing requirements. Requires maintenance of the functions of the Great Lakes Coordination Office in East Lansing, Michigan, and of the Upper and Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Offices. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Designates April 30, 1997, as National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Requests that a nationwide moment of remembrance be observed on Memorial Day, May 26, 1997, by the simultaneous pausing of all citizens to acknowledge the playing of "Taps" at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in honor of the Americans who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Authority Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons Title III: Reporting Title IV: Inspections Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 1997- Title I: National Authority - Directs the President to establish the United States National Authority to serve as the focal point for liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, opened for signature on January 13, 1993. Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, acquires, stockpiles, transfers, uses, owns, or possesses any chemical weapon, assists any other person in doing so, or attempts to do so. Makes such provision inapplicable to the retention, ownership, or possession of any chemical weapon permitted by the Convention, pending the weapon's destruction, by any Federal agency. (Sec. 201) Provides for seizures and forfeitures of chemical weapons, as well as U.S. injunctive relief against prohibited conduct related to them. Imposes criminal penalties upon persons who knowingly use riot control agents as a method of warfare or assist another person in doing so. Subjects members of the armed forces who engage in such activity to military penalties. (Sec. 203) Makes it unlawful for any person or any U.S. national located outside the United States to produce, acquire, transfer, or use a chemical listed on Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals of the Convention unless: (1) the chemicals are applied to research, medical, pharmaceutical, or protective purposes; (2) the types and quantities of chemicals are strictly limited to those justifiable for such purposes; and (3) the amount of such chemicals per person at any given time for such purposes does not exceed a limit to be determined by the United States National Authority or, in any case, one metric ton. Makes it unlawful for any person or U.S. national located outside the United States to: (1) produce, acquire, transfer, or use Schedule 1 chemicals outside the territories of the States Parties to the Convention or to transfer such chemicals to any persons outside of the United States except as provided for in the Convention for transfers to persons located in other State Parties; or (2) transfer a chemical on Schedule 2 of the Annex to any person outside the territory of a State Party or to receive such a chemical from any person outside a State Party. Title III: Reporting - Requires the Department of Commerce to establish requirements of recordkeeping and reporting by persons who produce, process, consume, export, or import chemical substances subject to the Convention, or who propose to engage in such activities. (Sec. 302) Exempts information reported to or obtained by the National Authority, the Department of Commerce, or any other agency under this Act or under the Convention from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Sets forth criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure. (Sec. 303) Makes it unlawful to fail to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Title IV: Inspections - Authorizes members of inspection teams of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization to inspect plants, plant sites, or other locations in the United States subject to inspection under the Convention, according to specified notice, time frame, and scope of inspection requirements. (Sec. 402) Provides for other inspections under the Convention, with specified ones by the Department of Commerce and others by a lead agency designated by the President. (Sec. 403) Makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection or to disrupt or impede an inspection. (Sec. 404) Provides for civil and criminal penalties for specified violations of this Act, as well as specific enforcement of this Act and related legal proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Economic Growth and Price Stability Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal the mandate of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee to maintain long run growth of monetary and credit aggregates in order to promote maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. Replaces such mandate with a mandate to: (1) establish an explicit numerical definition of "price stability"; and (2) maintain a monetary policy that effectively promotes long-term price stability. Repeals the mandate of the Board and the Committee to report biannually to the Congress on national economic trends, taking into account unemployment, investment, and productivity. Replaces such mandate with a mandate to consult semiannually with the Congress and report on their plans and the time required to achieve price stability. Repeals the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978 (Humphrey-Hawkins Act). Amends the Employment Act of 1946 and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to reflect the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified State tuition programs to, among other things: (1) provide for the exclusion from gross income of distributions used for qualified higher education expenses; (2) include room and board in the definition of qualified higher education expenses; and (3) permit income from redeemed U.S. savings bonds to be used to contribute, without including such income in gross income (subject to income limitations), to a qualified State tuition program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to publicly affirm as a matter of U.S. policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. Urges U.S. officials to refrain from any actions that contradict U.S. law on this subject.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the electronic fund transfer system for the collection of taxes businesses with an aggregate amount of depository taxes below an applicable dollar amount.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) necessary administrative expenses directly related to corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) other costs of such programs in any instance, as determined by the State, in which an owner's or operator's financial resources (excluding resources provided by such programs) are inadequate to pay the costs of a corrective action without significantly impairing the ability to continue in business; (4) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (5) State or local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Requires States to limit the proportion of such funds used to pay administrative expenses to a percentage that may be established by State law. Makes inapplicable to Trust Fund amounts provided to owners or operators under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the gift tax exclusion from $10,000 to $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that cash rental of farmland to a member of the decedent's family, or a member of the decedent's spouse's family, for a qualified use will not cause recapture of the special estate tax valuation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the certification of mammography facilities. Requires that appeals from certification denials follow procedures in effect at that time (currently, in effect on a specified date). Modifies mammogram record retention requirements. Allows inspection of facilities (currently, certified facilities) for compliance with certification requirements and mammography quality standards (currently, compliance with mammography quality standards). Allows inspections to be conducted by a local agency on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Empowers the Secretary to require a facility to notify patients who received mammograms if the Secretary determines the quality was so inconsistent with standards as to present a significant risk to the individual or public health. Authorizes civil money penalties for failure to comply. Allows certificate suspension or revocation for a failure to comply with an accreditation body's requests for records or materials. Modifies requirements for certification suspension before holding a hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out this Act. Establishes a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth, including grants to coalitions including youth, parents, businesses, the media, schools, organizations serving youth, law enforcement, religious organizations, and other specified types of entities. Authorizes: (1) technical assistance and training; and (2) contracts and cooperative agreements with grant recipients. Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities. Terminates the Commission five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Tobacco Disclosure and Warning Act of 1997 - Makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, package, or distribute cigarettes, spit tobacco products, or other tobacco products for sale unless: (1) the package bears one of specified warnings and discloses (for cigarettes, contains an insert disclosing) ingredients; and (2) the advertising bears one of the specified warnings. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise the warnings. Requires each manufacturer, packager, or importer of any tobacco product to report annually on ingredients. Directs the Secretary: (1) if the Secretary finds the information directly affects public health, to require inclusion of the information in labeling and inserts required by this Act; and (2) to establish a toll-free telephone number and an Internet site to make additional ingredient information available. Requires that the Secretary carry out the Secretary's duties under this Act through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Allows any nonprofit organization (a substantial part of the activities of which include promoting public health through reducing tobacco use) to bring a civil action for an injunction. Mandates a civil monetary penalty for violations. Declares that compliance with this Act, the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, or the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 shall not relieve any person from liability to any other person at common law or under State statutory law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Home-Based Business Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for the health insurance costs of a self-employed individual to allow as a deduction an amount equal to the amount paid by such individual for insurance which constitutes medical care for such individual, such individual's spouse, and dependents. Adds to provisions defining the disallowance of certain expenses in connection the business use of the home to provide that a home office shall in any case qualify as the principal place of business if the office is: (1) in the location where the taxpayer's essential administrative or management activities are conducted on a regular and systematic basis; and (2) necessary because the taxpayer has no other location for the performance of the essential management or administrative activities of the business. Considers a service provider as not being an employee if the provider: (1) can realize a profit or loss, can incur unreimbursed expenses, and makes a time-limited or task-limited agreement; (2) has a principal place of business, does not primarily provide service at a single service recipient's facilities, pays fair rent for the use of the recipient's facilities, or operates primarily with equipment not supplied by the recipient; and (3) if there is a written contract providing that the provider will not be treated as an employee for Federal tax purposes. Considers (in addition) a provider as not an employee if: (1) there is such a written contract; and (2) the provider is a corporation or limited liability company and does not receive benefits that the recipient's employees receive. Regulates the treatment of determinations by the Secretary of the Treasury that a service provider should have been treated as an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from establishing a national housing occupancy standard for five years. Provides that during such period: (1) a State-established standard shall be presumed reasonable for purposes of determining familial status discrimination and the Secretary shall not decertify a State or local public agency based upon such standard or its operation; and (2) in the absence of a State standard a two-person per bedroom standard shall be deemed reasonable.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Designates the week of May 4, 1997, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Urges the Presidents of the United States and Mexico to expand and strengthen their cooperative relationship in order to make additional progress in halting the production in and transit through Mexico of illegal drugs.