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United States · Official source
2,265 records where Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Parent and Student Savings Account PLUS Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to education individual retirement accounts to: (1) include qualified elementary and secondary education expenses (including home schooling); and (2) increase annual contribution limits to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1997
Calls for: (1) the President to demand that the Government of Russia take actions to stop governmental and nongovernmental entities in the Russian Federation from providing missile technology and technical advice to Iran in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime; (2) the United States, if Russia's response is inadequate, to impose sanctions on the responsible Russian entities in accordance with Executive Order 12938 on the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and to reassess cooperative activities with Russia; (3) raising the threshold under current law allowing for the waiver of the prohibition on the release of foreign assistance to Russia; and (4) encouragement of our European allies to take steps to stop such proliferation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
Ozone and Particulate Matter Research Act of 1997 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) request the National Academy of Sciences to convene an independent panel of scientists with expertise on the health effects of air pollution to establish priorities for research on the health effects of particulate matter; and (2) report the panel's recommendations to the Congress. Requires the President to establish the Particulate Matter Interagency Committee to develop recommendations for, and periodically evaluate, a program to coordinate the activities of Federal agencies engaged in research on health effects of particulate matter that ensures that such research advances the prioritized agenda of the panel. Directs the Administrator to: (1) review the air quality criteria and standards under the Clean Air Act for ozone and particulate matter; and (2) determine whether to retain or revise such standards and criteria or promulgate new ones. Authorizes the Administrator to require State implementation plans under such Act to require ambient air quality monitoring for fine particulate matter. Provides for grants to States to carry out such monitoring. Reinstates the national ambient air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter in effect on July 15, 1997. Bars revision of such standards until the Administrator's scientific review under this Act is completed. Directs the National Institutes of Health to begin a research program to study the health effects of allergens on asthmatics, particularly in inner city areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Security Title II: Human Rights Title III: Trade Title IV: Review of Policy United States-People's Republic of China National Security and Freedom Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: National Security - Sets forth the findings of Congress about: (1) the threat to U.S. global interests from the weapons proliferation practices of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including sale of C-802 cruise missiles to Iran; (2) the U.S. national security interest in Taiwan; and (3) the subsidization of PLA commercial activities by the People's Republic of China (PRC). (Sec. 102) Prohibits commercial activities in the United States by the PLA or any other Communist Chinese military company (CCMC). Directs the Secretary of Defense to compile and publish in the Federal Register a list of Communist Chinese military operating directly or indirectly in the United States or its territories and possessions. Grants the President authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to ban such activities. Directs the President to ban: (1) the importation of any product produced, manufactured, or grown by the PLA or by a CCMC; and (2) the sale of any debt on the U.S. bond market which benefits the PLA or a CCMC. (Sec. 103) Requires annual reports to the Congress: (1) jointly by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on PRC intelligence activities directed against or affecting U.S. interests; and (2) by the Secretary of Defense on PLA military modernization and on PLA or other CCMC commercial activities. (Sec. 104) Amends the Taiwan Relations Act to declare that its provisions on making U.S. defense articles and services available to Taiwan shall supersede the Joint Communique of the United States and China of August 17, 1982. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study jointly with appropriate representatives of the Government of Taiwan, and report to specified congressional committees on, the architecture requirements for the establishment and operation of a theater ballistic missile defense system for Taiwan, including the Penghu Islands, Kinmen, and Matsu. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, if requested by the Government of Taiwan, and in accordance with the results of such study, should sell to Taiwan appropriate defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services for the purpose of establishing, deploying, and operating such a defensive theater ballistic missile defense system. Declares that it is in the U.S. national interest that Taiwan be included in any effort at ballistic missile defense cooperation, networking, or interoperability among East Asian nations. (Sec. 105) Urges the President to enforce the Iran-Iraq Arms Nonproliferation Act of 1992 with respect to the acquisition by Iran of C-802 model cruise missiles. Title II: Human Rights - Sets forth the findings of Congress on: (1) human rights in the PRC, particularly the treatment of pro-democracy and human rights activists; (2) coercive family planning practices, especially forced abortion and forced sterilization; (3) religious persecution in the PRC; (4) slave labor and "re-education camps" in the PRC; and (5) the need for international broadcasting into the PRC. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for international broadcasting to China by Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. Requires the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve their continuous broadcasting to the PRC in multiple major dialects and languages. (Sec. 203) Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the President should make freedom of religion one of the major objectives of U.S. foreign policy with respect to the PRC. Urges the Department of State: (1) to raise in every relevant bilateral and multilateral forum the issue of individuals imprisoned, detained, confined, or otherwise harassed by the Chinese Government on religious grounds; and (2) in its communications with the Chinese Government name specific individuals of concern and request a complete and timely response from the Chinese Government regarding their whereabouts and condition, the charges against them, and the sentence imposed. Declares that the goal of such communications should be the expeditious release of all religious prisoners in China and Tibet and the end of the Chinese Government's policy and practice of harassing and repressing religious believers. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the Department of State, the U.S. Information Agency, or the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide travel expenses and per diem for the participation in conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities of a PRC national directly involved in or responsible for repressive religious policies and practices. Requires each Federal agency to certify to specified congressional committees that it did not pay, directly or through a grantee or contractor, for such travel expenses or per diem. Makes ineligible for a visa, and excludes from admission into the United States, any PRC national directly involved in or responsible for repressive religious policies and practices. (Sec. 204) Declares that it is U.S. policy to condemn those officials of the Chinese Communist Party, the Government of the PRC, and other persons involved in the enforcement of forced abortions, by preventing such persons from entering or remaining in the United States. Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing a visa, and the Attorney General from admitting into the United States, any PRC national who the Secretary finds, based on credible information, has been involved in the establishment or enforcement of population control policies resulting in a woman's being forced to undergo an abortion against her free choice, or in a man's or woman's being forced to undergo sterilization against his or her free choice. Allows the President to waive this prohibition in order to carry on the normal course of foreign policy. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations for monitoring by the U.S. Customs Service and the Department of State of the exportation by the PRC to the United States of products which may be made with slave labor. Requires the Commissioner of Customs and the Secretary of State each to report annually to the Congress on the manufacturing and exportation of products made with slave labor in the PRC. Declares the sense of Congress that, since the PRC has substantially frustrated the purposes of the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding with the United States on Prison Labor, the President should immediately commence negotiations to replace the current Memorandum with one providing for effective monitoring of forced labor in the PRC, without restrictions on which prison labor camps international monitors may visit. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations to support U.S. Embassy personnel in Beijing, as well as American consulates in other specified Chinese cities, to monitor political repression in the PRC and the use of the Laogai system of forced labor and re-education as tools of political repression. Title III: Trade - Declares the findings of Congress with respect to U.S. interests and Taiwan's and the PRC's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO). (Sec. 302) Declares that it is the policy of Congress that the United States should aggressively support the PRC's accession to the WTO under commercially viable terms. (Sec. 303) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Taiwan should be admitted to the WTO as a separate customs territory without making such admission conditional on the previous or simultaneous admission of the PRC, whether as a developing or a developed nation; and (2) it should be U.S. policy to support such unconditional admission. Title IV: Review of Policy - Directs the Chairmen and Ranking Members of specified congressional committees to review this Act at the President's request or upon any of the following conditions' being met: (1) the PRC's entry into the WTO; (2) its full implementation and compliance with bilateral and international nonproliferation agreements and standards; (3) its active and effective combatting of all forms of religious persecution; (4) its reevaluation of its official view of the Tiananmen Square Massacre of June 4, 1989, consistent with the findings of this Act; and (5) publication of a defense white paper providing a comprehensive description and transparency of the PLA's modernization program roles and missions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Immigration Reform Transition Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (and the Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996) to authorize the Attorney General to cancel the removal and adjust the status of certain Central American aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Accountability and Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to withhold the U.S. share of assistance for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) projects in Cuba except those for the discontinuation, dismantling, or safety inspection of nuclear facilities or related materials, or for inspections and similar activities designed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons by Cuba or other specified countries. Denies this exception to (thereby withholding the U.S. share of assistance for IAEA projects at) the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant near Cienfuegos, Cuba, or the Pedro Pi Nuclear Research Center, unless Cuba ratifies certain nuclear weapon nonproliferation treaties and incorporates internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. Directs the Secretary of State to instruct the U.S. representative to the IAEA to oppose IAEA projects at the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant and the Pedro Pi Nuclear Research Center (including any other IAEA project in Cuba that is, or could become, a threat to the security of the United States). Requires specified reports.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1997
Extends congressional gratitude to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his accomplishments and service on behalf of U.S. military service members. Confers upon Mr. Hope the status of an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1997
Miccosukee Settlement Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, as trustee for the Miccosukee Tribe, to assist in the fulfillment of the settlement agreement concerning the transfer of: (1) certain Miccosukee tribal land to the Florida Department of Transportation; and (2) certain Florida land to the United States to be received and accepted in trust for the use and benefit of the Miccosukee Tribe, as Miccosukee Indian Reservation lands.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1997
Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1997 - Requires country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States. Authorizes fines for violations of such provision.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1997
Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to: (1) take actions to include in the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area the I-4 corridor (the area along Interstate 4 in Florida that extends from Daytona Beach, Florida, and the surrounding vicinity to Tampa Bay, Florida, and the surrounding vicinity; and (2) conduct a comprehensive analysis of the problem of drug trafficking in the I-4 corridor and report to appropriate heads of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies on a strategy to address the problem. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1997
Commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Presidential Management Intern Program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1997
United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to accord, for a specified transition period, the same tariff and quota treatment (lower tariffs or duty-free treatment) given certain textile and apparel articles imported from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries to such articles from U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act (CBTEA) beneficiary countries planning to become parties to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, or countries which have undertaken their obligations under the World Trade Organization on or ahead of schedule. Authorizes any interested U.S. person during such transition period to request the President to proclaim lower tariff and quota treatment with respect to certain nonoriginating CBTEA textile and apparel articles. Directs the President to report periodically to the Congress concerning CBTEA beneficiary countries. Directs the United States International Trade Commission to report biennially to the Congress and the President on the economic impact of this Act on U.S. industries and consumers, including its effectiveness in promoting drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of the CBTEA beneficiary countries. Authorizes the President to determine that a country is not providing adequate protection of intellectual property rights under its laws, even if it is in compliance with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1997
Interstate Compact - Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin Compact between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia to promote interstate comity, remove causes of controversies, apportion surface waters, engage in water planning, and develop and share common data bases.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1997
Provides special immigrant status (under the Immigration and Nationality Act) for certain journalists working in Hong Kong.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Pension ProSave Plans Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Subtitle A: Definitions Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Plans Pension ProSave Act - Title I: Pension ProSave Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to deferred compensation and other matters to establish a system under which any employer may establish a Pension ProSave Plan: (1) for the exclusive benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries; and (2) the only contributions to which are contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts established on behalf of such employees. Specifies requirements for contributions, vesting, distributions and loans, and reporting. Provides that a Pension ProSave Plan shall be treated in the same manner as a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan including a certain kind of tax-exempt trust. Title II: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Subtitle A: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Establishment of Pension ProSave System - Directs the Board of Directors of the Pension Portability Clearinghouse (established by this Act) to establish a system of Pension ProSave Accounts under which: (1) employers and employees may make contributions on behalf of employees under a Pension ProSave Plan; (2) individuals may make qualified rollover contributions to Pension ProSave Accounts; and (3) amounts in the Pension ProSave Accounts are invested, and loans and distributions of amounts in such Accounts are made, as provided in this Act. Title III: Pension Portability Clearinghouse - Establishes the Pension Portability Clearinghouse within the executive branch of the Government and the Pension Portability Clearinghouse Advisory Council. Title IV: Simplified Defined Benefit Pla ns - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a simplified method for complying with pension requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1997
Florida Coast Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to define preleasing activity to include: (1) the scheduling of a lease; (2) making of a request for industry interest; (3) the issuance of a call for information or a nomination; (4) the publication of a draft or final environmental impact statement; and (5) the performance of any form of rotary drilling in a prospective lease area. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from conducting any preleasing activity, or holding any lease sale in the South Atlantic Planning Area off the coast of Florida, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, or the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area within 100 miles of the Florida coast. Requires the Secretary to cancel the six leases known as the "Pensacola Block 933 Unit." Prohibits the Secretary from approving any exploration or development plan or permit to drill with respect to such lease areas, prior to the Secretary's cancellation of those leases. Provides for compensation to lessees owning canceled leases.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Designation Act - Amends the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 to redesignate the Everglades Wilderness in Everglades National Park, Florida, as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness to commemorate Mrs. Douglas's vision and leadership in the protection of the Everglades and the establishment of such Park. Amends the Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989 to require the Secretary of the Interior to designate the main visitor center facility at the Park's headquarters as the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to commemorate Mr. Coe's vision and leadership in the establishment and protection of the Park.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1997
Designates August 15, 1997, as Indian Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Indian and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1997
Ocean and Coastal Research Revitalization Act of 1997 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to add or modify various definitions. (Sec. 5) Replaces provisions establishing and administering the National Sea Grant College Program with provisions maintaining such a program and setting forth its elements and the Program duties of the Secretary of Commerce. (Sec. 6) Repeals provisions authorizing grants and contracts regarding specified international activities, including research, education, and technology transfer. (Sec. 7) Replaces provisions providing for the designation of sea grant colleges and regional consortia with provisions setting forth the criteria for designation as a sea grant college or institute and designee duties. (Sec. 8) Repeals provisions mandating support of graduate fellowships related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. (Sec. 9) Modifies requirements regarding the sea grant review panel. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment of MediHealth Plans Title II: Increase in Flexibility Under Medicare Title III: Quality in MediHealth Plans Comprehensive Medicare Reform and Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Establishment of MediHealth Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (MediHealth Plans) (based on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan). (Sec. 101) Makes eligible for the MediHealth program an individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), who does not, before enrollment, have end-stage renal disease. Entitles each Medihealth eligible individual to: (1) choose to receive covered health care items and services through the traditional Medicare program or in a MediHealth plan; and (2) enroll in any new plan with a Medicare service area during open annual and other enrollment periods. States that health plans eligible for the MediHealth program include private managed or coordinated care plans, such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organization plans, point-of- service plans, and provider-sponsored plans, which provide health care services through an integrated network of providers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop an understandable standardized comparative report addressing specified issues about offered MediHealth plans, updated annually, that will assist MediHealth eligible individuals in their decisionmaking about medical care and treatment. Requires a MediHealth enrollee to pay: (1) ten percent of the plan's premium, plus 100 percent of any difference between the standardized payment amount and the plan premium, if higher; and (2) an amount equal to cost-sharing under the Medicare fee-for-service program, subject to a formula maximum. States that a MediHealth enrollee shall not be required to pay the part B premium. Makes appropriations to the Secretary representing each MediHealth's pro rata share of the Secretary's estimated costs in carrying out certain requirements, including enrollment requirements. Specifies general MediHealth plan requirements, including one-year enrollments and an open enrollment period each November. Permits Medicare Choice religious fraternal benefit society plans to restrict enrollment to affiliated church, convention, or group members. Includes prescription drugs and additional health services the Secretary may approve among mandatory basic plan benefits, as well as items and services covered under Medicare parts A and B (subject to nominal co-payments). Authorizes each MediHealth plan to offer specified optional supplemental benefit plans for an additional premium, which may not exceed the amount that would have been charged by a non-MediHealth plan in the MediHealth payment area. Prescribes licensing and financial requirements for MediHealth plan sponsors. Requires certification, according to specified standards, of each MediHealth plan a sponsor offers. Requires a sponsor, for each plan it operates, to have an agreement with an independent quality review and improvement organization approved by the Secretary. Prohibits: (1) discrimination in enrollment because of an individual's health status; and (2) cancellation of or refusal to renew a beneficiary, except in the case of fraud or nonpayment of premium amounts due the plan, or other circumstances specified by the Secretary. Provides for handling enrollee appeals and grievances. Authorizes the Secretary to waive or modify any requirement for a MediHealth plan offered in a rural area to reflect any differences between the provision of health care items and services in rural and nonrural areas, and encourage organizations to offer MediHealth plans in rural areas. Establishes an Office of Competition within HHS to administer the MediHealth program. Requires each MediHealth plan sponsor to file annual bids containing the monthly premium for each plan it offers in each Medicare payment area. Prohibits the premiums charged by a MediHealth plan sponsor from varying among individuals that reside in the same payment area. Specifies procedures for: (1) the Secretary's determination of a standardized amount of the Medicare payment to a MediHealth plan sponsor for the following calendar year for each Medicare payment area; and (2) monthly advance payments to such sponsors. Places a limitation on the payment amounts an out-of-plan physician or other entity may collect. Sets forth the Secretary's contracting authority with respect to MediHealth plan sponsors, as well as a temporary Federal licensing process for coordinated health plans for which a State: (1) has failed to complete the licensing process by a certain deadline; or (2) has denied a license application in a process or according to standards which create an unreasonable barrier to market entry. (Sec. 102) Provides that current Medicare payment requirements for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans shall not apply to risk-sharing contracts effective for contract years beginning on or after January 1, 2003, except that an individual enrolled in Medicare part B only, and also enrolled in an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract under such requirements on December 31, 2002, may continue enrollment in such organization. Requires the Secretary, not later than July 1, 2002, to issue regulations relating to such individuals and such organizations. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects implementing this title in: (1) ten urban areas where under 25 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled with an eligible HMO or competitive medical plan; and (2) three rural areas. Requires the Secretary to report to the President an evaluation of whether the method of payment to MediHealth plans used in the demonstration projects should be extended to the entire Medicare population, plus any legislative recommendations to modify such method, if determined necessary, along with an implementing bill which shall receive expedited congressional consideration. Title II: Increase in Flexibility Under Medicare - Amends SSA title XVIII part B to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish competitive acquisition (bidding) areas for contract award purposes; and (2) conduct a competition among individuals and entities supplying Medicare items and services (except physician services) for each competitive acquisition area established for each class of items and services. Requires any entity awarded a contract to meet quality standards specified by the Secretary. Prohibits payment under Medicare part A or B for any expenses incurred for an item or service furnished in a competitive acquisition area by an entity other than an entity with which the Secretary has entered into a contract for such an item or service in that area, except in a case of urgent need, or in other circumstances the Secretary specifies. (Sec. 202) Allows the Secretary to enter into contracts with providers of services, physicians, and other entities and individuals that furnish Medicare items or services under which the Secretary may utilize: (1) alternative claims processing, administrative, and related procedures; and (2) reduced payment rates or alternative payment methodologies. Allows such contracts to provide for reductions in payments required from individuals entitled to Medicare benefits. Requires the Secretary to certify that the amounts to be paid under such a contract are less than the amounts that would otherwise be paid. Allows the Secretary to waive any otherwise applicable competitive procedures to any contract entered into under this title. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the implementation of this title and its results. Title III: Quality in MediHealth Plans - Establishes the Quality Advisory Institute to make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Competition concerning criteria for the licensing of certifying entities, the certification of MediHealth plans, and measurement methods for the development of comparative reports for assisting prospective enrollees in choosing which plans to enroll in. (Sec. 304) Requires the Director to: (1) ensure that a MediHealth plan may not be offered unless it has been certified in accordance with this title; and (2) establish a program under which payments are made to reward various MediHealth plans for meeting or exceeding quality targets. (Sec. 306) Requires a MediHealth plan sponsor to participate in the certification process and offer MediHealth plans certified in accordance with this title in order to be eligible to contract with the Director to enroll individuals in a MediHealth plan. (Sec. 307) Directs the Director to: (1) develop procedures for the licensing of entities to certify MediHealth plans; (2) establish minimum criteria to be used by licensed certifying entities in the certification of MediHealth plans; and (3) develop grievance and appeals procedures under which a MediHealth plan may appeal a certification denial to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Removal of Tax Traps for the Unwary Title II: Conformity With Regulated Investment Company Rules Title III: Other Simplification Title IV: Effective Date Real Estate Investment Trust Tax Simplification Act of 1997 - Title I: Removal of Tax Traps for the Unwary - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose monetary penalties for the failure of a real estate investment trust (REIT) to comply with regulations regarding ascertaining the actual ownership of the outstanding shares, or certificates of beneficial interest, of the REIT. Requires treating a complying REIT as if it had met a requirement to not be closely held if it does not know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether it was closely held. (Sec. 102) Revises the definition of "rents from real property" with regard to impermissible tenant service income and constructive ownership of stock. Title II: Conformity with Regulated Investment Company Rules - Provides for the treatment by shareholders of undistributed capital gains. Title III: Other Simplification - Revises requirements concerning the treatment of earnings and profits with regard to certain distributions. (Sec. 302) Modifies the grace period regarding foreclosure property. Allows one extension (currently, one or more extensions). Allows a REIT to revoke an election to treat property as foreclosure property. Changes requirements concerning termination of the grace period. (Sec. 303) Sets forth special foreclosure rules for health care properties. (Sec. 304) Revises: (1) the treatment of certain interest rate agreements; (2) the formula for determining the amount of excess noncash income; and (3) the circumstances in which a sale of property that is a real estate asset is not a prohibited transaction. (Sec. 307) Provides for the circumstances in which sale of secured property by a REIT will be treated as if the REIT had held the property for at least four years. (Sec. 308) Removes a requirement that, in order to be a qualified REIT subsidiary, the stock of a corporation must have been held by the REIT at all times the corporation was in existence. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1997
Requests the President to issue a proclamation commending the American airmen held as political prisoners at the Buchenwald concentration camp during World War II for their service, bravery, and fortitude.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
Authorizes the Government of India to establish a memorial to honor Mahatma Gandhi on specified Federal land in the District of Columbia. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protecting Program Integrity Title II: Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Title III: Technical Clarifications and Corrections Title IV: Coordination of Benefits Medicare Antifraud Act of 1997 - Title I: Protecting Program Integrity - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from issuing or renewing the provider number of a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier unless the supplier provides information on ownership or control interests and a surety bond of at least $50,000; (2) require home health agencies to provide such a surety bond; and (3) authorize application of such disclosure and surety bond requirements to suppliers of ambulance services and clinics that furnish medical and other health services (other than physicians' services) under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XI to condition provider payment under the Medicare, Medicaid (SSA title XIX), and Maternal and Child Health Services (SSA title V) programs on the disclosure to the Secretary of certain applicable employer identification and social security numbers, including those of individuals with an ownership or control interest in the provider. Requires verification of such information, and correction if necessary, by the Social Security Administration. (Sec. 103) Requires non-physician practitioners to provide diagnostic codes for furnished items or services. Requires both physicians and non-physician practitioners to provide diagnostic information to another entity when ordering from it certain items or services if the Secretary requires such entity to provide such information in order to be paid. (Sec. 104) Replaces the reasonable charge methodology for the payment of Medicare benefits with a methodology that uses fee schedules developed by the Secretary. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to describe by regulation the factors to be used in determining the cases or particular items in which application of special DME payment rules results in inherently unreasonable amounts. Applies such regulations to payment for surgical dressings. (Sec. 106) Amends SSA title XI to authorize the Secretary to exclude from the Medicare program an entity controlled by a family or household member of a sanctioned individual. (Sec. 107) Amends SSA title XVIII to make Medicare carriers, States, and fiscal intermediaries liable to the Secretary for any payment of claims submitted by excluded providers after the Secretary notifies the organization or agency of such exclusion. (Sec. 108) Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX to authorize the Secretary or a State to refuse to enter into Medicare or Medicaid agreements with individuals or entities convicted of felonies. (Sec. 109) Amends part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to provide that Medicare- and Medicaid-related actions are not stayed by bankruptcy proceedings, and Medicare- and Medicaid-related debt is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for the use of Medicare standards and procedures in bankruptcy proceedings. (Sec. 110) Amends the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to: (1) authorize the availability of National Practitioner Data Bank information to the Inspectors General of the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), of Defense, and of Labor, of the Office of Personnel Management, and of the Railroad Retirement Board; and (2) exempt the HHS Inspector General from fees for such information. (Sec. 111) Amends SSA title XIX to extend the authority of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units to investigate and prosecute: (1) fraud in other Federal health care programs, upon the approval of the relevant Federal agency; and (2) patient abuse in non-Medicaid board and care facilities. (Sec. 112) Amends SSA title XVIII to change from biennial to annual the General Accounting Office report on the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund's Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account. Title II: Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Amends SSA title XI to permit the Secretary to impose civil monetary penalties for kickback violations, and for persons that contract with individuals excluded from participation in a Federal health care program, as well as for services ordered or prescribed by an excluded individual or entity. Title III: Technical Clarifications and Corrections - Makes technical amendments to SSA title XI. Title IV: Coordination of Benefits - Amends SSA title XVIII to repeal the termination dates of, thus extending permanently, certain Medicare secondary payer provisions with respect to the working disabled, individuals with end-stage renal disease, and the IRS-SSA- HCFA data match. (Sec. 402) Makes technical changes concerning minimum sizes of group health plans. (Sec. 403) Requires group health plans to provide the Secretary, and employers and employee organizations to provide plan administrators, certain information pertaining to employers, employees, and employee family members with current or former employment status. (Sec. 404) Makes certain technical revisions to time and filing limitations, the liability of third party administrators, and requirements for reimbursement for Medicare secondary payer payments.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a term or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply specified uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements (similar to those of the Automobile Information Disclosure Act) that a label containing certain information be affixed to the windshield or window of a rebuilt or remanufactured salvage vehicle before its first sale. Prohibits a person from willfully removing, altering, or rendering illegible such label before the vehicle is delivered to the ultimate purchaser. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of these acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1997
Repeals the tax increase on social security benefits made by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. Mandates application and administration of the Internal Revenue Code as if such increase had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improving Patient Access Title II: Increasing Access to Expertise and Resources Title III: Improving Collaboration and Communication Title IV: Improving Certainty and Clarity of Rules Title V: Improving Accountability Title VI: Increasing Resources by Setting Priorities Title VII: Fees Relating to Drugs Title VIII: Miscellaneous Food and Drug Administration Modernization and Accountability Act of 1997 - Title I: Improving Patient Access - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission statement. (Sec. 102) Authorizes any person, through a licensed practitioner, to request, and any manufacturer or distributor to provide, an investigational drug, biological product, or device for the diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of a serious condition (or any other condition designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) if specified requirements are met. (Sec. 103) Modifies effectiveness exception requirements for devices relating to conditions that affect fewer than 4,000 individuals in the United States. Title II: Increasing Access to Expertise and Resources - Mandates programs and policies that foster collaboration between the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and other science-based Federal agencies. (Sec. 202) Declares the sense of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee concerning international regulatory harmonization regarding drugs, biological products, devices, foods, food additives, color additives, and good manufacturing practices. (Sec. 203) Authorizes a contract with any organization or individual with relevant expertise to review, evaluate, and make recommendations on part or all of any application or submission regarding approval of a biological product. Mandates use of that authority when such a contract will improve a review's timeliness or quality. (Sec. 204) Mandates accreditation of non-governmental entities to review and make recommendations regarding submissions under provisions relating to reports preceding the introduction of devices into interstate commerce. (Sec. 205) Authorizes recognition of all or part of a performance standard established by a nationally or internationally recognized standard development organization for which a person may submit a conformity declaration. Title III: Improving Collaboration and Communication - Directs the Secretary: (1) on request of a person intending to submit a premarket approval application, to meet with the person to determine the type of scientific evidence of effectiveness that will be necessary; and (2) to meet with a premarket approval applicant to discuss the application's review status and, prior to that meeting, to notify the applicant in writing of application deficiencies. Title IV: Improving Certainty and Clarity of Rules - Mandates (after evaluation of the Good Guidance Practices document published in the Federal Register) promulgation as a regulation of FDA policies and procedures for the development, issuance, and use of guidance documents. (Sec. 402) Allows a person who submits an application or submission to submit a request regarding: (1) classification of the article as a drug, biological product, or device; or (2) the FDA component that will regulate the article. (Sec. 403) Allows, six years after application approval, use by the Secretary of application information in approving devices, determining whether product development protocols have been completed, establishing a performance standard or special control, and classifying devices. (Sec. 404) Requires, in determining premarket approval and substantial equivalence, reliance on the proposed labeling's use conditions. (Sec. 405) Defines "day" for provisions relating to review of any application or submission. (Sec. 406) Sets review time limits regarding initial classification and premarket approval. (Sec. 407) Prohibits withholding initial classification because of a failure to comply with any FDCA provision unrelated to a substantial equivalence decision, including a failure to comply with good manufacturing practice requirements. (Sec. 408) Mandates a regulation specifying the general principles considered in determining whether a specific intended device use is not reasonably included in a general use of the device for purposes of a substantial equivalence determination. (Sec. 409) Declares that device effectiveness is to be determined by well-controlled investigations, including one or more clinical investigations (currently, including clinical investigations). Allows the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that only one investigation is required for new drug approval, to require supporting scientific evidence obtained prior to or after the investigation. (Sec. 410) Repeals provisions prohibiting using, on any drug or device label, any suggestion of approval under FDCA new drug, premarket approval, or investigational use exemption provisions. Title V: Improving Accountability - Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) a plan bringing the Secretary into compliance with each of the Secretary's obligations under the FDCA and other statutes; and (2) an annual report on the Secretary's performance under the plan. Title VI: Increasing Resources by Setting Priorities - Mandates modification of specified Federal Regulations regarding the procedures and conditions under which a device may be granted an exemption from certain FDCA requirements. Requires the regulation to permit developmental device changes without requiring additional application approval in specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary (for premarket approval) to accept and review information from investigations conducted under the authority of regulations required by investigational exemption provisions. Requires a supplemental application for a change that affects a device's safety or effectiveness, subject to exception. Regulates review of supplemental applications. (Sec. 602) Declares that no action by the Secretary under the FDCA shall be subject to an environmental assessment or impact statement or other environmental consideration, subject to exception. (Sec. 603) Mandates publication of a list of each type of class II device that does not require a report prior to introduction into interstate commerce. Exempts those types from the reporting requirement. Provides for petitioning for exemption of a type. (Sec. 604) Modifies requirements regarding: (1) reporting prior to introduction into interstate commerce; and (2) initial classification and reclassification of certain devices. (Sec. 606) Empowers any patient receiving a device subject to tracking to refuse to release (or refuse permission to release) identifying information for tracking purposes. Mandates publication of a list identifying each type of device subject to tracking. Deems any device not identified exempt from mandatory tracking. (Sec. 607) Modifies postmarket surveillance requirements. (Sec. 608) Removes: (1) references to distributors in provisions relating to recordkeeping and reporting; and (2) a requirement that each manufacturer, importer, and distributor submit an annual certification. (Sec. 609) Mandates approval of a new drug application based on information from a small facility. (Sec. 610) Sets forth requirements regarding radiopharmaceuticals designed for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and conditions. (Sec. 611) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise requirements regarding: (1) introducing biological products into interstate commerce, including related license approval and labeling requirements; and (2) inspection of biological product facilities. (Sec. 612) Amends the FDCA to allow approval of a supplement to an approved application for an additional use of a drug based on literature, clinical experience, or scientific evidence. (Sec. 613) Requires that a health care economic statement included in labeling or advertising provided to a formulary committee, managed care organization, or similar entity with responsibility for drug selection be competent and reliable. Makes any such statement subject solely to this section. (Sec. 614) Directs the Secretary to facilitate development and expedite approval of new drugs and biological products intended for serious conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for those conditions. Terms such products "fast track drugs." Sets forth designation requirements and procedures. (Sec. 615) Regulates changes in the manufacture of a new drug or biological product. (Sec. 616) Mandates guidance that describes when abbreviated study reports in lieu of full reports may be submitted with a new drug application for certain types of studies. (Sec. 617) Deems a food contact substance (a substance used as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food, but not intended to have any technical effect in the food) unsafe and the food adulterated unless: (1) there is (and the substance is in conformity with) a regulation prescribing the conditions under which the substance may be safely used; or (2) the manufacturer has notified the Secretary of the identity and intended use of the substance and the manufacturer's or supplier's determination that the substance is safe under a specified standard. (Sec. 618) Allows a health claim to be made regarding the relationship of a food to a disease or health-related condition if: (1) an authoritative scientific body of the U.S. Government with official responsibility for public health protection or research directly relating to human nutrition or the National Academy of Sciences has published statements, conclusions, or recommendations in effect recognizing that relationship; and (2) the manufacturer or distributor has notified the Secretary of the claim. (Sec. 619) Allows for additional deferred effective dates for the approval of certain new drug applications to allow for additional pediatric information developed by further studies. Mandates development, publication, and annual updating of a list of approved drugs for which additional pediatric information may produce health benefits in the pediatric population. Title VII: Fees Relating to Drugs - Prescription Drug Users Fee Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends provisions concerning fees relating to drugs to revise and add various definitions. (Sec. 704) Makes the fee (currently, 50 percent of the fee) for human drug applications or supplements due on submission. Mandates a refund of 75 (currently, 50) percent if the application or supplement is refused for filing. Exempts from the fee: (1) an application for a drug for a rare condition (orphan drug) or a supplement proposing a new indication for a rare condition; and (2) certain applications or supplements including an indication for use in pediatric populations. Allows fee refund if an application or supplement is withdrawn. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the annual prescription drug establishment fee; (2) the prescription drug product fee; (3) fee amounts; (4) fee adjustments; (5) fee waiver or reduction; (6) assessment of fees; and (7) crediting and availability of fees (including authorizing appropriations). (Sec. 707) Terminates, on a specified date, the effectiveness of the amendments made by this title. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Requires (currently, allows) a foreign establishment that manufactures, processes, etc., a drug or device to register with the Secretary. Authorizes cooperative agreements with foreign countries to ensure that means are available to determine whether drugs or devices from such an establishment shall be refused admission to the United States on the grounds specified in existing provisions. (Sec. 802) Replaces the requirement that prescription-only drugs bear the label phrase "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription" with a minimum requirement of a label designation "Rx only." Removes provisions requiring that certain substances be labeled "Warning--May be habit forming." (Sec. 803) Requires that any person seeking to export an imported article under provisions relating to the disposition of goods after a decree of condemnation establish that the article was intended for export at the time the article entered commerce. (Sec. 804) Authorizes, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, the conduct and support of research training in regulatory scientific programs by predoctoral and postdoctoral scientists and physicians, including the use of fellowships. Authorizes the support of fellowships through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. (Sec. 805) Deems a device that is, or purports to be, subject to a performance standard or special control: (1) adulterated unless it conforms to the standard or special control; or (2) misbranded unless it bears labeling as prescribed in the standard or special control. (Sec. 806) Empowers the Secretary to require the submission of samples and component samples of a device: (1) in connection with a recall; and (2) if the device may have caused or contributed to a serious injury. (Sec. 807) Modifies the FDCA definition of "interstate commerce" to include any article or class of articles that directly or indirectly affects interstate commerce. Provides for the condemnation of any adulterated or misbranded device, food, drug, or cosmetic (currently, any adulterated or misbranded device). Presumes the existence of a connection with interstate commerce in any action to enforce FDCA requirements regarding a device, food, drug, or cosmetic (currently, regarding a device).
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the business meal expense deduction to 80 percent (currently 50 percent) for individuals subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Treatment of Passive Foreign Investment Companies Title II: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Title III: Other Provisions International Tax Simplification for American Competitiveness Act - Title I: Treatment of Passive Foreign Investment Companies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt U.S. shareholders of a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) from passive foreign investment company (PFIC) inclusion. (Sec. 102) Allows a U.S shareholder of a PFIC to elect to include the difference between such stock's fair market value and adjusted basis as income, or the difference between adjusted basis and fair market value or unreversed inclusions as a deduction. (Sec. 103) Modifies the definition of "passive income." Title II: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Amends the Code to treat the gain on certain CFC stock sales as dividends. (Sec. 203) Revises specified indirect (deemed taxes paid) foreign tax credit provisions. (Sec. 204) Excludes certain active finance-related income from inclusion as foreign personal holding company income. (Sec. 205) Applies, for foreign tax credit purposes, income category "look-through" rules to dividends earned by certain noncontrolled U.S.-foreign corporations providing specified information. Applies a single foreign tax credit limitation where such information is not provided. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study on the feasibility of treating all European Union countries as one country for purposes of certain same-country exceptions with respect to controlled foreign corporations. (Sec. 207) Increases the amount of income used to determine the taxability of foreign base company income or insurance income with respect to CFCs. (Sec. 208) Permits use of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles with respect to CFCs. (Sec. 209) Excludes income from the transportation of oil or gas within a foreign country from the definition of "foreign base company oil related income." (Sec. 210) Provides a deduction for dividends received from certain foreign corporations. Applies constructive ownership provisions to certain foreign ownership requirements with respect to post-1986 undistributed U.S. earnings. Title III: Other Provisions - Amends the Code with respect to certain foreign tax credit determinations to provide that accrued taxes shall be translated into dollars by using the average exchange rate for the year to which such taxes relate. (Sec. 302) Allows a taxpayer to elect a specified alternative minimum foreign tax credit limitation. (Sec. 303) Provides for recognition of taxable gain with respect to certain property transfers by a U.S. person to a foreign corporation. (Sec. 306) Applies uniform capitalization rules to foreign taxpayers with respect to income connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. (Sec. 307) Extends the excess foreign tax carryover or carryback period. (Sec. 308) Provides for recharacterization of overall domestic loss by treating certain U.S. source income as non-U.S. source income. (Sec. 309) Includes computer software within the category of foreign sales corporation property. Eliminates the special 50 percent rule relating to foreign sales corporation transactions of military property. (Sec. 310) Provides special rules with respect to financial services income and interest. (Sec. 311) Excludes from consideration as U.S. property certain assets acquired by securities or commodities dealers. (Sec. 312) Exempts from taxation certain regulated investment company dividends received by nonresident aliens. Treats certain regulated investment company stock owned by nonresident noncitizens as non-U.S.property for estate tax purposes. (Sec. 313) Excludes nonenforceable preliminary agreements from the definition of "intangible property." (Sec. 314) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the interest allocation rules.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Proclaims March 15 through 21, 1998, as National Safe Place Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1997
Calls upon: (1) the Clinton administration to investigate and report to the Congress on the Palestinian Authority's role in enforcing a policy that selling land to Jews is a crime punishable by death; and (2) the Authority to denounce this policy. Prohibits providing foreign assistance to the Authority until this policy is reversed.
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
Commends the American Medical Association on its 150th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for an increase in update for FY 1998 and 1999 for certain hospitals with a high proportion of Medicare patients.
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
District of Columbia Economic Recovery Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow residents of the District of Columbia to elect to limit their net income tax to the sum of: (1) 15 percent of so much District-sourced income as exceeds the exemption amount; and (2) the average rate of the non-District-sourced adjusted gross income. Excludes from gross income the capital gain on a District asset held over three years, but excludes only 50 percent of the capital gain on residential rental property held by non-District residents over three years. Allows a taxpayer to elect to treat any qualified environmental remediation expenditure involving a District site as an expense that is not chargeable to capital account. Allows a deduction for any expenditure so treated. Allows a first-time home buyer of a principal residence in the District a credit of up to $5,000.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1997
Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to hospice care to: (1) restructure the hospice care benefit period; (2) cover any other item or service which is specified in the plan and for which payment may otherwise be made under Medicare; (3) permit contracting with independent physicians or physician groups for hospice care services; (4) allow waiver of certain staffing requirements for hospice care programs in non-urbanized areas; (5) define coverage denial, with respect to the limitation on the liability of beneficiaries and providers, to mean a determination that an individual is not terminally ill; and (6) extend the period for physician certification of an individual's terminal illness.
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 · 8 May 1997
First Flight Commemorative Coin Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue for a limited period ten-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Instructs the Secretary to ensure: (1) establishment of a coin marketing plan; and (2) availability of adequate funds to cover the costs of implementing such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Cancer Research Fund Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Treasury the Cancer Research Trust Fund (hereafter referred to as the "Fund") consisting of such amounts as are credited or paid to the Fund as provided for under the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by this Act) and any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to annually make available such sums as are available in the Fund (including any amounts not obligated in previous fiscal years) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the conduct of biomedical, intramural, and extramural research. Prohibits an expenditure from being made during any fiscal year in which the annual amount appropriated for NIH is less than the amount so appropriated for the prior fiscal year. Authorizes the NIH Director to distribute amounts made available among the various research institutes and centers to conduct research that the Director determines is appropriate. Requires the Director to make awards from such amounts available for research on cancer. Requires amounts provided to an institute or center to be used to supplement and not supplant other research conducted with Federal funds. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow every individual (other than a nonresident alien) to: (1) designate that a portion (not less than one dollar) of any overpayment of tax; and (2) provide that a cash contribution (not less than one dollar), be paid over to the Cancer Research Trust Fund in accordance with the Public Health Service Act. Allows each spouse, in the case of a joint return, to designate one-half of any such overpayment of tax (not less than two dollars).
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Alternative Minimum Tax Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide, with respect to the method of depreciation used for businesses to determine the alternative minimum tax, for the use of the regularly used method of depreciation. Revises the method for recovering long-term unused credits against such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Designates the Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 300 Northeast First Avenue, Miami, Florida, as the David W. Dyer Federal Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Mother Teresa of Calcutta in recognition of her contributions to humanitarian and charitable activities. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a suitable gold medal. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Declares these medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates deposit of sale proceeds in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, public lands highways, parkways and park roads, highway safety programs, and highway safety research and development, through FY 2002. Amends provisions regarding transferability of funds to authorize a State, upon determining that excess funds have been made available to the State for a purpose, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the State. Specifies that if the Secretary determines that a State has transferred funds to a purpose that is not a surface transportation purpose, the amount of the improperly transferred funds shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from HTF for the next fiscal year. Repeals provisions regarding the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System and sets forth provisions regarding the apportionment of funds to the States for interstate maintenance. Authorizes appropriations for motor carrier safety grants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend until October 1, 2002, the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a core programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to States for transportation purposes. Terminates transfers to HTF's Mass Transit Account on and after October 1, 1997. (Sec. 6) Grants congressional consent to States to enter into interstate compacts to: (1) promote the continuity, quality, and safety of the Interstate System; (2) develop programs to promote and fund surface transportation safety initiatives and establish surface transportation safety standards; (3) conduct long-term planning for surface transportation infrastructure in, and develop design and construction standards for such infrastructure to be used by, participating States; and (4) establish surface transportation infrastructure banks. Sets forth provisions regarding financing and authority of infrastructure banks. (Sec. 7) Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist State and local governments in efforts to privatize the transportation infrastructure assets of the State and local governments; and (2) approve requests from State and local governments to privatize transportation infrastructure assets and waive or modify any condition relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding criteria for approval of requests, the lack of a State or local obligation to repay Federal grant funds for assets that are privatized, the use of proceeds from the privatization of a transportation infrastructure asset, and cost recovery. (Sec. 8) Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and special fuels funding HTF. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress describing necessary technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 11) Makes this Act contingent upon certification by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that this Act is deficit neutral and meets specified requirements regarding discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1997 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Medicare Bone Mass Measurement Standardization Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for standard national Medicare coverage of bone mass measurements (for early detection of potential osteoporosis).
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1997 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Prescribes procedural guidelines for both Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and State access to records of a holding company (including subsidiaries, associates and affiliates) of a public utility or natural gas company. Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt specified holding companies from such access requirements. Requires FERC to exempt any person or transaction from such access requirements if it finds that regulation of such person or transaction is irrelevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility company. Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company may recover in rates any costs of affiliate transactions. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. Grants FERC certain Federal Power Act enforcement powers. Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to FERC all books and records that relate primarily to the functions vested in FERC by this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines.
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
Open Competition Act of 1997 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit discrimination against any bidder on a prime contract for a federally funded project on the basis of a requirement that such person enter into or adhere to a collective bargaining agreement or any similar agreement as a condition of performing work on such contract.