United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1997
Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2001, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that considers as intoxicated an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2001 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during the subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Provides for a specified increase in Federal judicial salaries. Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) provide for annual judicial cost-of-living adjustments; and (2) base such adjustments upon the Federal General Schedule. Amends Federal law to repeal the requirement that the Congress must vote for judicial cost-of-living adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1997
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay the State of New York an amount (up to $20 million) equal to the expenses incurred by the State of New York and Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City, New York (but not reimbursed by the Federal Government under other law), as a result of the crash of Trans World Airlines flight 800 on July 17, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such costs as well as the cost of extending routine patient care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Rhino and Tiger Product Labeling Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to make it unlawful for persons to import into, or export from, the United States any product labeled as containing any listed endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife (especially rhino and tiger).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make partial guaranteed mortgage loan payments for health care facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare Act of 1997 - Establishes the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to: (1) review and analyze the long-term financial condition of the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; (2) identify problems that threaten the financial integrity of the Medicare trust funds and make appropriate recommendations to restore such integrity through 2030; (3) analyze potential solutions to the problems identified that will ensure both the financial integrity of Medicare and the provision of appropriate benefits; and (4) make recommendations for establishing the appropriate financial structure of the Medicare program and for establishing the appropriate balance of benefits covered and beneficiary contributions to the Medicare program. Requires a report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes specified charges against the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the cost of the medal and requires the proceeds of duplicate medal sales to be deposited in the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1997
Bear Protection Act - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, purchasing, or possessing it with intent to sell or barter, transporting, acquiring, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the United States Trade Representative to discuss issues involving such trade with representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1997
Highway Infrastructure Privatization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of a qualified highway infrastructure project bond as an exempt facility bond. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to select no more than 15 highway infrastructure projects as pilot projects eligible for tax-exempt financing.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1997
Declares the sense of the Senate that all cost-of-living adjustments required by statute should accurately reflect the best available estimate of changes in the cost of living.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Sets forth a special timetable for any first session that begins in any year immediately following a leap year and during which the term of a President begins (except one who starts a second successive term). (Sec. 2) Devotes the first session of any Congress to the budget resolution and to appropriations decisions, retaining current deadlines in most cases. Changes certain deadlines to conform to the biennial scheme. Devotes each second session to authorization activity, subject to specified deadlines. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions relating to the reconciliation process. (Sec. 4) Sets forth revised pay-as-you-go provisions for the Senate. (Sec. 5) Conforms provisions governing the President's budget to the biennial framework. (Sec. 6) Requires all Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the Government to be enacted for a biennium and to specify the amount of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in that period. (Sec. 7) Amends CBA to provide that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider: (1) any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period of less than two fiscal years, unless the program, project, or activity for which the funds are to be spent is of less than two years duration; and (2) in any odd-numbered year, any authorization or revenue bill or joint resolution (but not including an appropriations measure or reconciliation bill) until Congress completes action on the biennial budget resolution, all regular biennial appropriations bills, and all reconciliation bills. Provides that, in the Senate, such point of order shall not apply to: (1) any measure that is privileged for consideration pursuant to a rule or statute; or (2) any matter considered in Executive Session. (Sec. 8) Directs the Comptroller General, during the second session of each Congress, to give priority to requests from Congress for audits and evaluations of Government programs and activities. (Sec. 9) Makes appropriations for the second year of a biennium necessary to continue, at the first year rate of operations, projects and activities funded by any regular appropriation Act that provides funding only for the first year of a biennium. (Sec. 10) Changes to a biennial basis specified requirements for certain Government strategic and performance plans, performance reports in budget submissions, and program performance reports. Requires congressional committee reviews of such plans and reports. (Sec. 11) Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate in any odd-numbered year to consider any regular bill providing new budget authority under the jurisdiction of all of the subcommittees of the Committees on Appropriations for a period other than each of the fiscal years of the biennium. (Sec. 12) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to specified congressional committees on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on that definition to a two-year fiscal period with a two-year budget process based on the two-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that studies are needed to further determine the benefits of screening women between the ages of 40 and 49 through mammography and other emerging technologies and that the Senate urges the Advisory Panel for the National Cancer Institute to consider reissuing a specified guideline rescinded in 1993 and, until there is more definitive data, direct the public to consider guidelines issued by other organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1997
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to require certain group health plans, and health insurance issuers providing coverage under a group plan, to ensure specified minimum coverage regarding: (1) breast cancer mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissections; (2) post-mastectomy breast reconstruction on both breasts; and (3) secondary consultations by specialists. Prohibits: (1) changing coverage terms and conditions based on a participant's or beneficiary's decision to request less than the minimum coverage; and (2) certain penalties or incentives to providers or specialists. Amends: (1) the Public Health Service Act to apply the same requirements to health insurance issuers in the individual market; and (2) the Internal Revenue Code to apply those requirements to group health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special rules for gifts of qualified appreciated stock to certain tax-exempt private foundations for purposes of the itemized deduction of charitable contributions. Includes grants to certain foreign organizations as qualified distributions by private foundations for purposes of the tax on failure to distribute income. Changes the due date for first quarter estimated tax payments by private foundations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Curt Flood Act of 1997 - Amends the Clayton Act to make the antitrust laws applicable to the business of professional major league baseball. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect: (1) the applicability of the antitrust laws to professional baseball's amateur draft, the minor league reserve clause, the Professional Baseball Agreement (the agreement between professional major league baseball teams and teams of the National Association of Baseball), or any other matter relating to the minor leagues or to any restraint by professional baseball on franchise relocation; or (2) the application of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Grant's Tomb National Monument Act of 1997 - Redesignates General Grant National Memorial located at Riverside Drive and West 122d Street, New York, New York, as Grant's Tomb National Monument. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) maintain and promote the Monument in accordance with provisions applicable to National Park System units; (2) construct a visitors center; and (3) acquire from New York City non-Federal lands located within the Monument. Requires the Secretary to establish a study commission to: (1) review security and maintenance at the Monument; (2) plan for interpretive programs and the complete restoration of the Monument; (3) monitor and report to the Secretary and the Congress on the progress of repairs to the tomb; and (4) report to the Secretary who must report to the Congress a final plan for projects to be fully completed by April 27, 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Commission to Study the Federal Statistical System Act of 1997 - Establishes the Commission to Study the Federal Statistical System. Directs the Commission to study all matters relating to Federal statistical infrastructure, including longitudinal surveys conducted by private agencies and partially funded by the Federal Government, for the purpose of identifying opportunities to improve the quality of statistics in the United States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Poverty Data Correction Act of 1997 - Requires any data relating to the incidence of poverty produced or published by or for the Secretary of Commerce for subnational areas to be corrected for differences in the cost of living and data produced for State and sub-State areas to be corrected for differences in the cost of living for at least all States of the United States. Requires such corrected data to be published in 1997 and biennially thereafter. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop or cause to be developed a State cost-of-living index which ranks and assigns an index value to each State using data on wage, housing, and other costs relevant to the cost of living; and (2) multiply the Federal Government's statistical poverty thresholds by the index value for each State's cost of living to produce State poverty thresholds for each State. Requires the State cost-of-living index and resulting State poverty thresholds to be published before September 30, 1998, for calendar year 1997 and to be updated annually thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Commission on the Year 2000 Computer Problem Act - Establishes the National Commission to Address the Year 2000 Computer Problem to conduct a study of the history of the year 2000 computer problem, providing for the following: (1) a brief analysis of the history and background concerning the reasons for the occurrence of the year 2000 computer problem; (2) a determination of the costs of reviewing and rewriting computer codes for both the Federal Government and State governments for a specified period immediately following enactment; (3) an analysis of the implications of the year 2000 computer problem with respect to intergovernmental and integrated systems; (4) a determination of the period of time necessary (including testing) to remedy the computer problem; (5) the development of recommended balanced and sound contracts to be used in necessary Federal procurement with respect to using private contractors in the computer industry, including contracts to carry out compliance with measures to remedy the computer problem for computer programs and systems; and (6) an analysis of the effects and potential effects on the U.S. economy that would result if the computer problem is not resolved by June 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Employee Educational Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permanently extend the exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restore the exclusion for such assistance on the graduate level.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Requires the Attorney General to pay a specified sum to a named individual in full settlement of all claims by her estate against the United States relating to her discharge and debarment from Federal employment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
War Crimes Disclosure Act - Requires disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of any matter in the possession of specified Federal agencies that relates to any individual who participated in the persecution of any person because of race, religion, national origin, or political opinion at the direction of, or in association with, the Nazi government of Germany. Provides disclosure exceptions, such as for the protection of intelligence agents and informants or for compelling national security reasons. Requires disclosure of information that can be reasonably separated from excepted information. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that the exemption from public disclosure authorized under such Act for operational files of the Central Intelligence Agency shall not apply to information regarding Nazi war crimes participants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal a prohibition against restrictions on communications between State and local governmental agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding an alien's immigration status.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Amendment Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to expand the definition of "armor piercing ammunition" to include a projectile that may be used in a handgun and that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be capable of penetrating body armor. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations based on standards to be developed for the uniform testing of projectiles to determine whether such projectiles are capable of penetrating National Institute of Justice Level II-A body armor. Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary and the Attorney General to develop and implement, and promulgate regulations for, performance standards for armor piercing ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Directs the Secretary of the Army to design and construct a project for shoreline protection at Orchard Beach, Bronx, New York, at a specified Federal cost.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Violent Crime Reduction Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, importation, sale, or delivery of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition, except for: (1) the use of the Federal Government or any State or local government; and (2) testing or experimenting authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year upon manufacturers and importers of .25 or .32 caliber or nine millimeter ammunition. Requires licensed importers and manufacturers to mark all .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition and packages containing such ammunition for distribution. Includes .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition as restricted ammunition, the use of which during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory five-year prison term.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Destructive Ammunition Prohibition Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the use of destructive ammunition, defined as any jacketed, hollow point projectile that may be used in a handgun and the jacket of which is designed to produce, upon impact, sharp-tipped, barb-like projections that extend beyond the diameter of the unfired projectile.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Handgun Ammunition Control Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) require each licensed importer and manufacturer of ammunition to maintain records of, and submit an annual report on, the importation, production, shipment, sale, or other disposition of ammunition, including the amount, caliber, and type of ammunition, as prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) increase licensing fees for manufacturers of ammunition. Directs the Secretary to request the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) prepare a study of the criminal use and regulation of ammunition; and (2) report to the Congress, not later than July 31, 1998, on the potential for preventing crime by regulating or restricting the availability of ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Stop Tax-Exempt Arena Debt Issuance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat certain bonds used directly or indirectly for financing professional sports facilities as private activity bonds and not as qualified bonds, except for certain approved projects, facilities with final bond resolutions, and current refundings.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that it is not a violation of certain age discrimination provisions solely because a plan or arrangement of a higher education institution offers employees with unlimited tenure benefits on a voluntary retirement that are reduced or eliminated on the basis of age.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to set forth qualifications for the Deputy Director of Demand Reduction in the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Real Cost of Handgun Ammunition Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on the sale of certain ammunition, except sales for law enforcement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Real Cost of Destructive Ammunition Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on handgun ammunition. Provides for such additional taxes to be added to the general fund. Imposes a special (occupational) tax on importers and manufacturers of certain handgun ammunition for each place of business.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Equity Act of 1997 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the minimum Federal medical assistance percentage for any State or territory under the Medicaid program by ten percentage points to not less than 60 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Higher Education Bond Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the tax treatment of bonds of certain nonprofit tax-exempt organizations in a manner similar to governmental bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Bullet Death and Injury Control Program Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Certain Bullets Title III: Use of Ammunition Violent Crime Control Act of 1997 - Title I: Bullet Death and Injury Control Program - Establishes within the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control a Bullet Death and Injury Control Program. Directs the Center to conduct research into, and provide leadership and coordination for: (1) the understanding and promotion of knowledge about the epidemiologic basis for bullet-related death and injury within the United States; (2) developing technically sound approaches for controlling and eliminating bullet-related deaths and injuries; (3) building the capacity for implementing the options and for expanding the approaches to controlling death and disease from bullet-related trauma; and (4) educating the public about the nature and extent of bullet-related violence. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the functions of the Center; and (2) establishment of an independent advisory board to assist in setting the policies for and directing the Program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Certain Bullets - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set the excise tax rate on .25 and .32 caliber and nine millimeter ammunition at 1,000 percent, with an exemption for law enforcement agencies. Title III: Use of Ammunition - Amends the Federal criminal code to require each licensed importer and manufacturer of ammunition to maintain records of and report annually on disposition of ammunition. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a study of the criminal use of, and regulation of, ammunition and to report to the Congress with recommendations on the potential for preventing crime by regulating or restricting the availability of ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
American Handgun Standards Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a junk gun that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Defines a "junk gun" as any handgun that does not meet specified criteria for authorization by the Secretary of the Treasury for importation into the United States. Makes such provision inapplicable to: (1) the possession or transfer of any junk gun otherwise lawfully possessed under Federal law on the date of this Act's enactment; (2) any firearm or replica of a firearm that has been rendered permanently inoperative; (3) the manufacture for, transfer to, or possession by the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State of a junk gun, or a transfer to or possession by a law enforcement officer employed by such an entity for law enforcement purposes (whether on or off duty); (4) the transfer to or possession by a rail police officer employed by a rail carrier and certified or commissioned as a police officer under the laws of a State of a junk gun for such purposes; or (5) the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a junk gun by a licensed manufacturer or licensed importer for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Amends the Federal judicial code to repeal the requirement that a State court's determination of the merits of a factual issue in a proceeding to which an applicant for a writ of habeas corpus was a party shall be presumed to be correct unless the Federal court believes that the State court acted in an unreasonable manner.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Title II: Prospective Purchasers Title III: Innocent Landowners Brownfields and Environmental Cleanup Act of 1997 - Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide grants to States or local governments to inventory brownfield sites and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites. Defines a "brownfield site," with exceptions, as a facility that has or is suspected of having environmental contamination that: (1) could prevent the timely use, development, reuse, or redevelopment of the facility; and (2) is relatively limited in scope or severity and can be comprehensively characterized and readily analyzed. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide grants to State and local governments for capitalization of loan programs for brownfield site cleanup by either the State or locality or by an owner or prospective purchaser. (Sec. 104) Makes amounts in the Hazardous Substance Superfund (the Fund) available to carry out the grant programs of this Act. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund. (Sec. 105) Requires reports to the Congress regarding the site assessment and loan capitalization programs. (Sec. 106) Imposes funding limitations, including a restriction on use of funds to meet Federal cost-sharing requirements and a prohibition on the use of grants to pay fines or penalties. (Sec. 109) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the site assessment and loan capitalization programs. Title II: Prospective Purchasers - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to absolve from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this Act and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. Title III: Innocent Landowners - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Extends veterans' benefits to an individual who served as a member of the U.S. merchant marine between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, who, during that period, was licensed or otherwise documented by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document such an individual as a crewmember of a vessel that at the time of service was: (1) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation, or an agent thereof; (2) operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States; (3) under contract, charter to, or property of, the U.S. Government; and (4) serving the armed forces. Establishes application procedures. Requires the issuance of a certificate of honorable discharge to an individual who performed qualified service. Deems qualified service to be active duty in the armed forces during a period of war for purposes of eligibility for benefits. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reimbursement of the Secretary for benefits provided under this Act; and (2) an application processing fee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Subtitle A: Political Action Committees Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures Title III: Enforcement Title IV: Miscellaneous Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Senate Election Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to set forth Senate election spending limits and benefits. Entitles complying candidates to specified: (1) broadcast discounts and free time; and (2) postage reductions. Directs the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify a candidate who has met the requirements of this title as eligible for benefits (under such title). (Sec. 106) Sets forth Senate candidate reporting requirements, including: (1) specification of in-State residents' contributions; and (2) expenditure of (candidate) personal funds. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) provide for preemption only in situations beyond a station's control; and (2) extend the license revocation provision for failure to provide cable access. Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Political Action Committees - Amends FECA to prohibit Federal election contributions by political action committees (as defined by this Act). States that if such ban is not in effect: (1) a committee's contributions to a candidate shall not exceed limits applicable to an individual; and (2) a candidate may not accept more than 20 percent of contributions from committee sources. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Party Committees - Amends FECA with respect to "soft money" to: (1) prohibit a national committee of a political party (including specified related entities) from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to such Act; (2) require a State, district, or local committee of a political party to make Federal election year expenditures (with exceptions) from funds subject to such Act; (3) prohibit a national, State, district, or local committee from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (4) prohibit an incumbent or candidate for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to such Act, or to solicit or receive funds for a non-Federal election in excess of certain limits or from prohibited sources (with exceptions for State or local candidates in compliance with State law). (Sec. 212) Establishes aggregate and separate individual contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and all committees established by a State committee of a political party. Increases annual individual contribution limits. Sets forth State Party Grassroots Fund and reporting provisions. Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Amends FECA to require certain persons other than a political party that make aggregate election activity disbursements exceeding $10,000 to file with the Commission. Subtitle D: Contributions - Amends FECA to treat contributions: (1) made through an intermediary or conduit as having been made by the original contributor; and (2) delivered through a bundler as having been made by the bundler to the candidate as well as from the original contributor. Subtitle E: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA regarding independent expenditure reporting requirements. Title III: Enforcement - Amends FECA to authorize the Commission to: (1) prescribe regulations for computer and facsimile reporting; (2) conduct random post election audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance; and (3) seek injunctions. (Sec. 304) Reduces the aggregate annual contribution reporting requirement. (Sec. 305) Increases the penalty for knowing and willful violations of such Act. (Sec. 306) Prohibits: (1) contributions by individuals not qualified to vote; and (2) false representations to solicit contributions. (Sec. 309) Sets forth expedited Commission procedures regarding violations of such Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends FECA to prohibit the personal use of campaign funds. (Sec. 402) Sets forth political advertising provisions for print and broadcast or cablecast communications. (Sec. 403) Prohibits franked mass mailings by a Member in his or her election year, unless such Member will not be a candidate for any Federal office. (Sec. 404) Requires a committee of a political party, before making coordinated expenditures (as defined in this Act) in excess of $5000 for a Federal election, to certify to the Commission that it has not and will not make any independent expenditures (as defined in this Act) in connection with such campaign. (Sec. 406) Defines "express advocacy." Title V: Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Sets forth provisions regarding severability, review of constitutional issues, effective date, and Commission regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Waives the prohibition of the Trade Act of 1974 against appointment as United States Trade Representative (USTR) or as a Deputy USTR of any person who has represented a foreign entity in any trade negotiation, or trade dispute, with the United States. Authorizes the President, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Charlene Barshefsky as the USTR.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 1997 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Medical Education Trust Fund) establishing in the Treasury the Medical Education Trust Fund, consisting of specified accounts. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make annual payments from the Fund to eligible medical schools and teaching hospitals applying for assistance to: (1) maintain and develop quality educational programs in an increasingly competitive health care system; and (2) meet the indirect and direct costs of graduate medical education. Outlines requirements for Fund investments and determination of payments. Amends SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to provide for annual transfers to the Fund. Makes specified appropriations to the Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax equal to 1.5 percent of premiums received under accident or health insurance policies (including applicable self-insured plans), and equal to 1.5 percent of the amount received for certain health-related administrative services, payable by the policy issuer and the service provider, respectively. Makes specified appropriations and transfers of such to the Fund for allocation among the various specified accounts. Establishes the Medical Education Advisory Commission to study and report on Fund operations and other specified matters, including recommendations for demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the HHS Secretary to prescribe guidelines for the establishment and operation of such demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1997
Calls for: (1) Ngawang Choephel and other prisoners of conscience in Tibet, as well as in China, to be released; (2) U.S. officials to request Mr. Choephel's release in all official meetings with representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China; (3) the U.S. Government to sponsor and promote a resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights regarding China and Tibet which specifically addresses political prisoners and negotiations with the Dalai Lama; (4) an exchange program to be established in honor of Ngawang Choephel, involving students of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and appropriate U.S. educational institutions; and (5) the U.S. Government to seek access for internationally recognized human rights groups to monitor human rights in Tibet.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Enhancement of Trade, Security, and Human Rights through Sanctions Reform Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to establish an effective framework for consideration by the legislative and executive branches of unilateral economic sanctions. (Sec. 3) Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) pursue U.S. interests through vigorous and effective diplomatic, political, commercial, charitable, educational, cultural, and strategic engagement with other countries, while recognizing that U.S. national security interests may sometimes require the imposition of economic sanctions on other countries; (2) foster multilateral cooperation on vital matters of U.S. foreign policy, including promoting human rights and democracy, combating international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and international narcotics trafficking, and ensuring adequate environmental protection; (3) promote U.S. economic growth and job creation by expanding exports of goods, services, and agricultural commodities, and by encouraging investment that supports the sale abroad of U.S. products and services; (4) maintain the reputation of U.S. businesses and farmers as reliable suppliers to international customers of quality products and services; (5) avoid the use of restrictions on exports of agricultural commodities as a foreign policy weapon; and (6) oppose policies of other countries designed to discourage economic interaction with countries friendly to the United States or with any U.S. national, and to avoid use of such measures as instruments of U.S. foreign policy. States that when economic sanctions are necessary, it is U.S. policy to: (1) target them as narrowly as possible on those foreign governments, entities, and officials that are responsible for the conduct being targeted, thereby minimizing unnecessary or disproportionate harm to individuals who are not responsible for such conduct; and (2) to the extent feasible, avoid any adverse impact of economic sanctions on the humanitarian activities of the United States and foreign nongovernmental organizations in a country against which sanctions are imposed. (Sec. 5) Provides that any bill or joint resolution imposing or authorizing the imposition of a unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch, and considered by the House of Representatives or the Senate, should: (1) state the U.S. foreign policy or national security objective; (2) terminate after two years unless specifically reauthorized; (3) provide for contract sanctity; (4) provide presidential authority to adjust or waive the sanction in the national interest; (5) target the sanction as narrowly as possible against the parties responsible for the conduct being targeted; and (6) provide for expanded export promotion programs if sanctions are likely to target an export market for American farmers. (Sec. 6) Sets forth a procedure for congressional consideration of any bill or joint resolution that imposes, or authorizes the imposition of, any unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch. Requires the committee of primary jurisdiction reporting such a bill or joint resolution to timely request specified reports: (1) from the President assessing the likelihood that the proposed unilateral economic sanction will achieve its stated objective within a reasonable period of time, as well as the impact of the proposed unilateral economic sanction on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and humanitarian activities; and (2) from the Secretary of Agriculture assessing the extent to which any country or countries proposed or likely to be sanctioned are markets that accounted for more than three percent of all U.S. agricultural export sales in the preceding calendar year, as well as the likelihood that U.S. agricultural exports will be affected by the proposed sanction or by retaliation by any country proposed or likely to be sanctioned, and specific commodities which are most likely to be affected. Considers any bill or joint resolution that imposes any unilateral economic sanction to include a Federal private sector mandate for purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Requires the Congressional Budget Office, in its report pursuant to such Act, to assess the likely short- and long-term costs of the proposed sanction to the U.S. economy. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the President to implement a unilateral economic sanction under any provision of law not less than 60 days after announcing his intention to do so. Requires any executive sanction to include a clear finding that the sanction is likely to achieve a specific U.S. foreign policy or national security objective within a reasonable and specified period of time. Requires, before imposition of a unilateral economic sanction, that the President and the Secretary of Agriculture report to appropriate congressional committees the same assessments required in connection with any bill or joint resolution imposing or authorizing the imposition of a unilateral economic sanction by the executive branch. Requires the President to request a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission on the likely short- and long-term costs of the proposed sanction to the U.S. economy, including the potential impact on U.S. competitiveness. Provides, in the case of a national emergency, for allowing the President temporarily to waive most of the requirements for executive action in order to act immediately, generally requiring the waived requirements to be met within 60 days after imposition of the sanction (which shall terminate after 90 days if such requirements are not met). Directs the President to establish an interagency Sanctions Review Committee to coordinate U.S. policy regarding unilateral economic sanctions and provide appropriate recommendations to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1996
Authorizes the continuation of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations solely for the purpose of performing any contract entered into under the National Gambling Impact Study Commission Act. Revises restrictions on funds provided under the Community Oriented Policing Services Program and part Q (Public Safety and Community Policing; "Cops on the Beat") of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 concerning the provision of health benefits to public safety officers retired because of certain personal injuries sustained in the line of duty in certain emergency situations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001054_200.jpg)