United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to prohibit a professional boxing trainer, manager, matchmaker, or promoter from requiring a boxer to employ, retain, or provide compensation to a designated individual or business as a condition for: (1) such person working with the boxer; (2) such person making fight arrangements; or (3) such boxer's participation in a professional boxing match. Provides for legal enforcement of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Control Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for research, eradication, and control of harmful algal blooms.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Welcomes the agreements and understandings reached by the United States and the People's Republic of China during President Jiang Zemin's state visit. Urges the President to continue to press vigorously for further progress in China's policies and practices on human rights, nonproliferation, trade, Tibet, and Taiwan. Views the expected return visit to China in 1998 by President Clinton as an opportunity for the United States and China to advance their relationship by enhancing cooperation in areas of accord and making genuine progress toward resolving areas of disagreement.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997
Declares that, on the date on which the People's Republic of China becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, specified provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 (which limit extension of normal trade relations status for nonmarket economies to one-year periods) shall cease to apply to China, and its products shall be afforded nondiscriminatory treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons (except those previously identified or sanctioned or subject to waiver) who, on or after August 8, 1995, have transferred, or attempted to transfer, controlled goods or technology, or provided, or attempted to provide, technical assistance or facilities that contributed, or would have contributed, to Iran's efforts to acquire, develop, or produce ballistic missiles. Requires imposition on such persons of minimum two-year sanctions prohibiting: (1) sales to such persons of items on the United States Munitions List (and terminating sales of any controlled U.S. arms); (2) the export to such persons of dual use goods and technology; and (3) the provision of U.S. financial assistance. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions on the basis of additional information demonstrating that the sanctioned person did not commit the acts alleged.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with respect to tariff treatment during a specified transition period of 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. Extends immediate duty- and quota-free treatment to certain textile and apparel articles assembled, and to certain handloomed, handmade and folklore articles originating, in an eligible CBTEA beneficiary country. Directs the President to reduce tariffs on footwear, canned tuna, petroleum and derivatives, watches and watch parts, and certain leather goods to half of the preference Mexican products enjoy under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) relative to imports of the same articles from CBTEA beneficiary countries. Authorizes the President to proclaim further reductions for such articles if a country meets specified criteria. (Sec. 4) Imposes certain penalties on persons or countries that have engaged in, or permitted, the transshipment (based on false claims) of covered textile or apparel products. 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 regarding 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. (Sec. 5) 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. (Sec. 6) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to postpone until April 1, 2000, a certain exemption from the imposition of specified customs service fees on passengers arriving in the United States by vessel whose journey originated in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean countries, or U.S. territories or possessions (other than Puerto Rico), or arriving in such places from the United States (thus making such fees applicable until such date).
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1997
Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1997 - Sets forth the purposes of this Act, which are, through trade agreements affording mutual benefits, to achieve: (1) more open, equitable, and reciprocal market access for U.S. goods, services, and investment; (2) the reduction or elimination of barriers and other trade-distorting policies and practices; (3) a more effective system of international trading disciplines and procedures; and (4) economic growth, higher living standards, and full employment in the United States, and economic growth and development among U.S. trading partners. (Sec. 2) Sets forth the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives for agreements regarding tariff barriers and agreements regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Declares that the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives regarding a reduction of barriers to trade in goods include eliminating specified tariffs for products identified in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding trade in services are: (1) reducing or eliminating barriers to, or other distortions of, international trade in services, including regulatory and other barriers that deny national treatment or unreasonably restrict the establishment and operation of service suppliers in foreign markets; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules, including dispute settlement procedures, that are consistent with U.S. commercial policies and will reduce or eliminate such barriers or distortions, and help ensure fair, equitable opportunities for foreign markets. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding foreign investment are: (1) reducing or eliminating artificial or trade-distorting barriers to foreign investment, expanding the principle of national treatment, and reducing unreasonable barriers to establishment; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules through the negotiation of investment agreements, including dispute settlement procedures, that will help ensure a free flow of foreign investment and will reduce or eliminate the trade distortive effects of certain trade-related investment measures. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding intellectual property are: (1) promoting adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights; (2) securing fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory market access opportunities for U.S. persons that rely on intellectual property protection; and (3) recognizing that the inclusion in the World Trade Organization (WT0) of adequate and effective substantive norms and standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and dispute settlement provisions and enforcement procedures is without prejudice to other complementary initiatives undertaken in other international organizations. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding agriculture are, in addition to those set forth in the Food Security Act of 1985, achieving on an expedited basis to the maximum extent feasible, more open and fair conditions of trade in agricultural commodities. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding unfair trade practices are: (1) enhancing the operation and effectiveness of the relevant Uruguay Round Agreements and any other agreements designed to define, deter, discourage the persistent use of, and otherwise discipline, unfair trade practices having adverse trade effects, including forms of subsidy and dumping not adequately disciplined; and (2) obtaining the enforcement of WTO rules against trade-distorting practices of state trading enterprises and the acts, practices, or policies of any foreign government which, as a practical matter, unreasonably require that substantial direct investment in the foreign country be made, intellectual property be licensed to the foreign country or to any firm of the foreign country or other collateral concessions be made, as a condition for the importation of any product or service of the United States into the foreign country or as a condition for carrying on business in the foreign country. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding safeguards are: (1) improving and expanding rules and procedures covering safeguard measures; (2) ensuring that safeguard measures are transparent, temporary, degressive, and subject to review and termination when no longer necessary to remedy injury and to facilitate adjustment; and (3) requiring notification of, and to monitor the use by, WTO members of import relief actions for their domestic industries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding improvement of the WTO and multilateral trade agreements are: (1) improving the operation and extending the coverage of the WTO and such agreements to products, sectors, and conditions of trade not adequately covered; and (2) expanding country participation in particular agreements, where appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding dispute settlement are: (1) providing for effective and expeditious dispute settlement mechanisms and procedures in any trade agreement entered into under this authority; and (2) ensuring that such mechanisms within the WTO and agreements concluded under the auspices of the WTO provide for more effective and expeditious resolution of disputes and enable better enforcement of U.S. rights. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding transparency is to obtain broader application of the principle of transparency through increased public access to information regarding trade issues, clarification of the costs and benefits of trade policy actions, and the observance of open and equitable procedures by U.S. trading partners and within the WTO. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding developing countries are: (1) ensuring that developing countries promote economic development by assuming the fullest possible measure of responsibility for achieving and maintaining an open international trading system by providing reciprocal benefits and assuming equivalent obligations with respect to their import and export practices; and (2) establishing procedures for reducing nonreciprocal trade benefits for the more advanced developing countries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding current account surpluses is to promote policies to address large and persistent global current account imbalances of countries by imposing greater responsibility on such countries to undertake policy changes aimed at restoring current account equilibrium through expedited implementation of trade agreements where feasible and appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding access to high technology is to obtain the elimination or reduction of foreign barriers to, and acts, policies, or practices by foreign governments which limit, equitable access by U.S. persons to foreign-developed technology. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding border taxes is, within the WTO, to obtain a revision of the treatment of border adjustments for internal taxes in order to redress the disadvantage to countries that rely primarily on direct taxes rather than indirect taxes for revenue. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding regulatory competition are: (1) ensuring that foreign government regulations and other government practices do not unfairly discriminate against U.S. goods, services, or investment; and (2) preventing the use of foreign government regulation and other government practices, including the lowering of, or derogation from, existing labor, health and safety, or environmental standards, for the purpose of attracting investment or inhibiting U.S. exports. States that it is U.S. policy to reinforce the trade agreements process by: (1) fostering stability in international currency markets and developing mechanisms to assure greater coordination, consistency, and cooperation between international trade and monetary systems and institutions in order to protect against the trade consequences of significant and unanticipated currency movements; (2) supplementing and strengthening standards for protection of intellectual property rights under conventions designed to protect such rights that are administered by non-WTO international organizations, expanding the conventions to cover new and emerging technologies, and eliminating discrimination and unreasonable exceptions or pre-conditions to such protection; (3) promoting respect for workers' rights; and (4) expanding the production of goods and trade in goods and services to ensure the optimal use of the world's resources while seeking to protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the international means for doing so. (Sec. 3) Sets forth the authority of the President to enter trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Allows the President to enter into such agreements before October 1, 2001 (or before October 1, 2005, if trade authorities are extended according to a specified congressional procedure). States that a trade agreement may be entered only if it makes progress in meeting the applicable objectives, and the President satisfies certain congressional consultation requirements, set forth in this Act. Declares that bills implementing trade agreements may qualify for congressional trade agreement approval (fast-track) procedures only if they consist solely of: (1) provisions approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act that achieves one or more of the principal negotiating objectives set forth above, and approving any statement of administrative action; (2) provisions that are necessary to implement such agreement or otherwise related to the implementation, enforcement, and adjustment to the effects of such trade agreement and are directly related to trade; and (3) provisions necessary to comply with budget offset requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides for extension of fast-track procedures to agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2005, upon the President's request if neither House of the Congress adopts an extension disapproval resolution according to a specified procedure. (Sec. 4) Prescribes requirements for presidential notice and consultation with the Congress before negotiations on tariff and nontariff barrier agreements. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional committees before entering an agreement. Provides that in the course of negotiations conducted under this Act, the United States Trade Representative shall consult closely and on a timely basis (including immediately before initialing an agreement) with, and keep fully apprised of the negotiations, the congressional advisers for trade policy and negotiations appointed under the Trade Act of 1974, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to notify the Congress within 90 days of entering an agreement. Requires the President, within 60 days of signing an agreement, to submit to the Congress a preliminary list of changes to existing laws considered mandatory to bring the United States into compliance with the agreement. Provides that fast-track procedures shall not apply to any implementing bill that contains a provision approving any agreement regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers with any foreign country if the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives disapprove of the negotiation of the agreement before the close of the 90-calendar day period that begins when notice is provided with respect to the negotiation of such agreement. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying fast-track to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with the Congress about it. (Sec. 6) Exempts from notice and certain consultation requirements of this Act agreements that result from negotiations which were commenced before the enactment of this Act: (1) under the auspices of WTO regarding trade in information technology products; (2) pursuant to a Uruguay Round Agreement; or (3) with Chile. (Sec. 8) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2000 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and for firms, respectively. Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2000. (Sec. 9) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend from FY 1997 through 1998 the inapplicability of the exemption for certain customs services fees involving the arrival of any passenger whose journey originated in Canada or Mexico, or originated in the United States but was limited to those countries.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act - Amends Federal law to mandate redesign of quarter-dollar coins issued during the ten-year period beginning 1999, with the reverse side emblematic of five of the 50 States each year during such period, selected in the order of their ratification of the U.S. Constitution or their admission to the Union.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Approval and Implementation of OECD Shipbuilding Agreement Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Other Provisions Subtitle C: Effective Date Title II: International Shipping Income Disclosure OECD Shipbuilding Trade Agreement Act - Title I: Approval and Implementation of OECD Shipbuilding Agreement - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Declares that the Congress approves the Agreement Respecting Normal Competitive Conditions in the Commercial Shipbuilding and Repair Industry (Shipbuilding Agreement), a reciprocal trade agreement resulting from negotiations under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, entered into on December 21, 1994. (Sec. 102) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose an injurious pricing charge upon the foreign producer of a vessel sold to U.S. buyers at less than fair value if the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that as a result of the sale an industry in the United States: (1) has been materially injured, or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment of an industry in the United States is or has been materially retarded. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) an injurious pricing investigation by an administering authority (Secretary of Commerce, or any other Federal officer to whom such responsibilities are transferred); (2) collection of such an injurious pricing charge; and (3) imposition of countermeasures. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) injurious pricing petitions by third countries, and by eligible interested parties with respect to a sale to a buyer in a Shipbuilding Agreement Party; (2) a comparison between export price and normal value in order to determine whether a subject vessel has been sold at less than fair value; (3) hearings and determinations on the basis of available facts; and (4) conduct of investigations. Authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to request the Commission to issue an advisory report, and to notify certain congressional committees, if a dispute settlement panel finds that a Commission action is not in conformity with U.S. obligations under the Shipbuilding Agreement. Provides for implementation of Commission determinations, including suspension of injurious pricing charges. (Sec. 103) Directs the Customs Service to deny any request, with certain exceptions, for a permit to lade or unlade passengers, merchandise, or baggage from or onto vessels appearing on a countermeasures list pursuant to this Act. (Sec. 104) Provides for judicial review in injurious pricing and countermeasure proceedings. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt certain Shipbuilding Agreement Party vessels from the customs duty on equipment purchased for, and repairs made in a foreign country upon, a vessel documented under U.S. law to engage in the foreign or coastwise trade. Specifies as so exempt: (1) self-propelled seagoing vessels of 100 gross tons or more used for transportation of goods or persons or for performance of a specialized service (including, but not limited to, ice breakers and dredges); (2) tugs of 365 kilowatts or more; and (3) integrated tug-barges or tug-barge combinations. (Sec. 112) Precludes any private right of action under the Shipbuilding Agreement. (Sec. 114) Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to include a Shipbuilding Agreement vessel within its eligibility guidelines on construction-differential and operating-differential subsidies. Revises guidelines for Federal loans and guaranteed loans for shipbuilding. (Sec. 116) Directs the USTR to: (1) establish a program to monitor the compliance of Shipbuilding Agreement Parties with their obligations under the Agreement; and (2) use the consultation and dispute settlement procedures under the Agreement to redress Agreement violations. (Sec. 118) Provides, with respect to the Shipbuilding Agreement, for: (1) Party withdrawal (and termination of withdrawal); (2) congressional procedures for withdrawing approval of the Agreement; (3) non-Party accession; and (4) protection of U.S. interests. Subtitle C: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective and termination dates of this Act. Title II: International Shipping Income Disclosure - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the exclusion from gross income of any such income derived from the international operation of a ship. Denies such exclusion unless the taxpayer discloses on the tax return its position that such income is not includible in gross income. Sets forth penalties for failure to make such disclosure, with an exception for failure due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
Declares that a primary objective of U.S. policy toward Cambodia should be the establishment of an international tribunal for the prosecution of those responsible for the Cambodia genocide. Calls upon: (1) the President, in compliance with the Cambodian Genocide Justice Act and the objectives stated above, to immediately deem it appropriate to encourage the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for the prosecution of members of the Khmer Rouge; (2) the United States, in further compliance with such Act, to support efforts to bring such members, including Pol Pot (former leader of the Khmer Rouge) to justice for their crimes against humanity before an international tribunal and to provide that tribunal with any information available on such members' involvement in the Cambodia genocide; and (3) the Secretary of State to encourage all Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the People's Republic of China, Japan, and other interested countries to support such a tribunal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1997
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to continue operation of the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program through contracts with appropriate colleges or universities. Authorizes appropriations.
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
Affordable Education Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as revised by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997) to exclude from income distributions from qualified tuition programs used for qualifying higher education expenses. Includes within the definition of "qualified State tuition program" programs maintained by eligible educational institutions. Requires such non-State programs to limit annual contributions on behalf of a designated beneficiary to $2,000. Sets forth related excess contribution provisions. (Sec. 3) Makes the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided educational assistance permanent. Includes graduate education assistance within such exclusion. (Sec. 4) Increases the maximum annual contribution limit for education individual retirement accounts to $2,000. Includes specified elementary and secondary school expenses (including home schooling) within the definition of "qualified education expenses."
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1997
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1999, the duty on (3-(acetoxy)-3-cyanopropyl) methylphosphinic acid butylester (ACM intermediate) in bulk.
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 · 25 July 1997
National Discovery Trails Act of 1997 - Amends the National Trails System Act to provide for the establishment, as components of the National Trails System, of national discovery trails which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Permits such trails to be designated on nonfederal lands, with an owner's consent. Allows such consent to be revoked at any time. Prohibits a trail from being considered feasible and desirable for designation as a national discovery trail unless it: (1) links one or more areas within the boundaries of a metropolitan area and joins with other trails, tying the National Trails System to significant recreation and resources areas; (2) is supported by a competent trailwide nonprofit organization and has extensive local and trailwide support by the public, user groups, and affected State and local governments; and (3) extends and passes through more than one State and, at a minimum, is a continuous, walkable route, exclusive of any nonfederal property for which an owner has not provided consent for inclusion and use. Requires the appropriate Secretary for each national discovery trail to administer the trail in cooperation with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization. Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail which shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Requires the administering Federal agency, within three complete fiscal years after designation of a national discovery trail, to provide for a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Federal portions of the trail and provide technical assistance to States, local units of government, and private landowners, as requested, for nonfederal portions of the trail.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1997
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike duplicate medals in bronze. Authorizes appropriations from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund, where sales proceeds shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1997
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1997 - Provides that a veterans' preference eligible (PE) or an individual who has been separated from military service under honorable conditions after three or more years of active duty shall not be denied the opportunity to compete for a vacant position within a Federal agency, either in the competitive or excepted service, by reason of: (1) not having acquired competitive status; or (2) not being an employee of such agency. Requires each agency to notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. employment offices of each vacant position for which competition is restricted to employees or individuals having competitive service. Requires OPM, at least every two years, to submit to the Congress and the President a report detailing for the prior period the number of such vacant positions in the Federal Government and the number of PE or separated individuals referred or appointed to such positions. Directs OPM to establish and keep current a comprehensive list of all announcements of vacant positions within each agency for which competition is so restricted. Applies such PE requirements to the Postal Service, with exceptions for certain collective bargaining positions. Prohibits, during a Federal reduction in force (RIF), a position occupied by a PE from being placed in a single-position competitive level if the PE is qualified to perform the essential functions of any other position at the same grade in the competitive area (defined as being able to perform such functions within 150 days). Entitles a PE whose current or latest performance rating is at least fully successful to be assigned during a RIF to any position for which he or she is qualified that is within: (1) the PE's commuting area and is currently occupied by an individual placed in such position within six months before the RIF; or (2) the PE's competitive area and is not more than three grades below the position from which the PE was released (with an exception). Authorizes a PE to challenge the classification of any position to which the PE asserts assignment rights in an action before the Merit Systems Protection Board. Requires each agency to establish an agency-wide priority placement program to facilitate employment placement for PEs who are scheduled to be or who are separated from service due to a RIF and who have received a rating of at least fully successful at their last performance evaluation or who occupy positions excluded from a performance appraisal system. Allows an individual to designate a different local commuting area in order to exercise reemployment rights if there are no alternative positions within the most local area. Requires an agency to place qualified present and former employees in retention order by PE subgroup and tenure group. Makes an individual eligible for reemployment for two years after a RIF. Provides conditions under which an individual loses eligibility for such reemployment. Provides administrative and judicial redress and remedies for any PE or other individual who alleges that an agency has violated such individual's veterans' preference or related rights. Extends the veterans' preference to: (1) employment within the General Accounting Office; (2) appointments made to the Office of the President (with an exception when the President certifies that the position is a confidential, policy-making, or political position); and (3) appointments to the legislative branch (with specified exclusions). Establishes administrative remedies and procedures for PE and separated individuals with respect to appointments within the legislative or judicial branches of the Federal Government. Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to prescribe regulations to provide for: (1) veterans' preference in the consideration of applicants for employment, and in the conduct of any RIF, within the judicial branch; and (2) redress procedures for alleged violations of any rights of such individuals. Requires the Conference to: (1) consult with specified congressionally chartered veterans' service organizations when considering such regulations; and (2) provide specified congressional committees with a copy of such regulations. Extends the veterans' preference to RIFs in the Federal Aviation Administration. Includes among PE veterans those who served during a military operation in a qualified hazardous duty area under requirements prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Prohibits any employee authorized to take personnel actions from knowingly taking, or failing to take, any personnel action if such taking or failure would violate a PE requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1997
Declares that: (1) President Jiang Zemin's statements constitute a welcome reaffirmation of the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of its people remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is elected democratically; and (2) China's fulfillment of these obligations under the terms of the Joint Declaration of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law constitute a crucial test of Beijing's ability to play a responsible global role.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1997
Regulatory Improvement Act of 1997 - Provides for the analysis of major regulatory rules by Federal agencies. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) principles for risk assessments; (2) peer review; (3) deadlines for rule making; (4) judicial review; and (5) guidelines, interagency coordination, and research. Mandates a comparative risk analysis study. Requires certain agency heads to establish advisory committees for the review of rules. Directs the: (1) President to establish a process for the review and coordination of Federal agency regulatory actions; and (2) Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish procedures for public and agency access to information concerning regulatory review actions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) wishes good fortune to the people of Hong Kong as they embark on their historic transition of sovereignty; (2) urges the People's Republic of China to honor both the spirit and the letter of its commitments to accord Hong Kong substantial autonomy; (3) looks forward to continuing a close, productive relationship with the people of Hong Kong; and (4) hopes to develop a positive, productive relationship with China based upon shared respect for human dignity and responsible behavior in the international community of nations. Calls for the executive branch to exercise diligence in enforcing the terms and conditions of the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 and subsequent acts and provisions concerning the protection of civil liberties and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Tax Credit and Other Family Tax Relief Title II: Education Incentives Subtitle A: Tax Benefits Relating to Education Expenses Subtitle B: Expanded Education Investment Savings Opportunities Subtitle C: Other Education Initiatives Title III: Savings and Investment Incentives Subtitle A: Retirement Savings Subtitle B: Capital Gains Title IV: Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Tax Provisions Title V: Extensions Title VI: Incentives for Revitalization of the District of Columbia Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Excise Taxes Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Pensions and Fringe Benefits Subtitle C: Revisions Relating to Disasters Subtitle D: Provisions Relating to Small Businesses Subtitle E: Foreign Provisions Subtitle F: Other Provisions Title VIII: Revenues Subtitle A: Financial Products Subtitle B: Corporate Organizations and Reorganizations Subtitle C: Other Corporate Provisions Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions Subtitle E: Excise Tax Provisions Subtitle F: Provisions Relating to Tax-Exempt Entities Subtitle G: Foreign Provisions Subtitle H: Other Revenue Provisions Title IX: Foreign-Related Simplification Provisions Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Subtitle C: Repeal of Excise Tax on Transfers to Foreign Entities Subtitle D: Information Reporting Subtitle E: Determination of Foreign or Domestic Status of Partnerships Subtitle F: Other Simplification Provisions Title X: Simplification Provisions Relating to Individuals and Businesses Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Individuals Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Businesses Generally Subtitle C: Simplification Relating to Electing Large Partnerships Subtitle D: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investment Trusts Subtitle E: Provisions Relating to Regulated Investment Companies Subtitle F: Taxpayer Protections Title XI: Simplification Provisions Relating to Estate and Gift Taxes Title XII: Simplification Provisions Relating to Excise Taxes, Tax-Exempt Bonds, and Other Matters Subtitle A: Excise Tax Simplification Subtitle B: Tax-Exempt Bond Provisions Subtitle C: Tax Court Procedures Subtitle D: Other Provisions Title XIII: Pension Simplification Title XIV: Technical Amendments Related to Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and Other Legislation Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997 - Title I: Child Tax Credit and Other Family Tax Relief - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a tax credit of up to $500 dollars for each qualifying child of a taxpayer. (Sec. 102) Increases the exemption amounts applicable to the alternative minimum tax for individuals. Title II: Education Incentives - Subtitle A: Tax Benefits Relating to Education Expenses - Permits an individual a tax credit of up to $1,500 per year for the first two years of qualified post- secondary education. (Sec. 202) Permits a deduction of up to $2,500 for interest paid during the first five years interest is due on a qualified higher education loan. Makes a dependent ineligible for the deduction if a personal exemption is taken with respect to such dependent. (Sec. 203) Waives the ten percent early withdrawal tax due on IRA distributions if the withdrawal is used to pay higher education expenses. Subtitle B: Expanded Education Investment Savings Opportunities - Excludes from gross income education distributions for qualified higher education expenses from State tuition programs. (Sec. 212) Permits an eligible institution to maintain a qualified State tuition program. Includes room and board in the definition of qualified higher education expenses. Makes additional modifications to the qualified State tuition program including, among other things, provisions concerning: (1) the definition of a family member; (2) estate and gift tax treatment; and (3) excess contributions. (Sec. 213) Exempts an education individual retirement account (defined as a trust created exclusively to pay qualified higher education expenses) from taxation, subject to an exception relating to the imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable organizations. Subtitle C: Other Education Initiatives - Permanently extends the exclusion for employer-provided educational expenses. Repeals, with respect to such expenses, the limitation on graduate education. (Sec. 222) Repeals the $150 million limit applicable to qualified 501(c)(3) (charitable organization) bonds. (Sec. 223) Increases the arbitrage rebate exception for public school capital expenditure bonds. (Sec. 224) Makes the two-percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions inapplicable to certain elementary and secondary teacher education expenses. Title III: Savings and Investment Incentives - Subtitle A: Retirement Savings - Increases the income limits for active participants with respect to the IRA (Individual Retirement Account) deduction. Removes limitations on a spouse's participation. (Sec. 302) Permits individuals to establish IRA Plus accounts which shall be treated similarly to IRAs. Prohibits deductions for contributions to such accounts. Sets forth distribution rules (including excluding qualified distributions from gross income). (Sec. 303) Permits distributions without penalty for: (1) first home purchases; and (2) certain unemployed individuals. (Sec. 304) Permits the investment of IRA assets in certain bullion. Subtitle B: Capital Gains - Reduces the maximum capital gains rate for individuals from 28 to 20 percent. (Sec. 312) Makes the 50 percent exclusion for gain from the sale of small business stock applicable to corporations as well as to individuals. (Sec. 313) Permits the nontaxable rollover of the gain from the sale of small business stock to another qualified small business stock, if done within 60 days of the sale date. (Sec. 314) Revises provisions concerning the one-time exclusion for the gain from the sale of a principal residence to, among other things: (1) increase the exclusion to $250,000 ($500,000 for certain joint returns); (2) allow the exclusion once every two years; and (3) remove the age limitation. Title IV: Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Tax Provisions - Increases, incrementally, the unified estate and gift tax credit to $1 million by the year 2006. (Sec. 402) Provides, in general, for the exclusion from the estate tax of the first $1 million of the value of a qualified family owned business. (Sec. 403) Excludes from the estate tax a portion of land subject to a qualified conservation easement. (Sec. 404) Extends from 10 to 20 the number of installments permitted to an estate for making payments of the estate tax in an estate consisting largely of an interest in a closely held business. Revises provisions concerning the payment of interest on such tax. (Sec. 406) Permits a lineal descendent to rent specially-valued farm or trade property without imposition of the additional estate tax. (Sec. 407) Extends the predeceased parent exception to transfers to collateral heirs, as specified. Title V: Extensions - Extends: (1) the research tax credit until December 31, 1999; (2) the special rule for contributions of stock (for which market quotations are readily available) to private foundations until December 31, 1999; (3) the work opportunity tax credit for 22 months; and (4) permanently, the orphan drug credit. Title VI: Incentives for the Revitalization of the District of Columbia - Permits, in the District of Columbia, the following tax incentives if, prior to January 1, 1998, a Federal law is enacted creating an entity known as the Economic Development Corporation as part of the District of Columbia government: (1) a first-time homebuyers tax credit of up to $5,000; (2) the allocation of up to $75 million in tax credits for certain investments in and loans to businesses; and (3) a zero-percent capital gains rate for capital gains resulting from the sale of qualified assets held over five years. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Excise Taxes - Repeals the diesel fuel tax applicable to diesel fuel used in recreational boats. (Sec. 702) Establishes the Intercity Passenger Rail Fund to finance qualified expenses of: (1) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation; and (2) each non-Amtrak State. (Sec. 703) Provides for the tax treatment of certain hard cider derived from apples. (Sec. 704) Provides for the transfer of a portion of the 4.3 cents per gallon General Fund motor fuel excise tax to the Highway Trust Fund. (Sec. 705) Revises the rate of tax on certain special motor fuels (benzol, naphtha, and etc). (Sec. 706) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study concerning the options for changing the collection point of the distilled spirits excise tax. (Sec. 707) Extends the alcohol used as fuel credit until December 31, 2007, and the related excise tax exemption until September 30, 2007. (Sec. 708) Adds provisions which regulate the use of semi-generic designations on wine labels. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Pensions and Fringe Benefits - Eliminates the percentage (100 percent of compensation or a specified dollar amount) limitation for a defined benefit compensation plan thereby subjecting such plans only to the dollar (indexed for inflation) limitation. (Sec. 712) Modifies rules concerning the partial termination of a pension plan. (Sec. 713) Increases the full funding limit for defined benefit pension plans. (Sec. 714) Requires written spousal consent for distributions from qualified cash or deferred arrangement plans. (Sec. 715) Excludes contributions from a self-employed minister to a church plan on the same basis as if such minister were a church employee. (Sec. 716) Repeals application of the unrelated business income tax for an employee stock ownership plan that is an S corporation shareholder. Subtitle C: Revisions Relating to Disasters - Provides special treatment for income from the sale of livestock sold or involuntarily converted because of drought or other weather related conditions. (Sec. 722) Disregards gain or loss from the sale of livestock for purposes of the earned income credit. (Sec. 723) Waives, with respect to qualified mortgage bond financing, specified requirements for residences located in disaster areas. Subtitle D: Provisions Relating to Small Businesses - Waives any penalty through July 1, 1998, for a taxpayer first required to use the electronic fund transfer system after July 1, 1997, and who does not use such system. (Sec. 732) Permits the use of the installment method of accounting for purposes of computing alternative minimum taxable income. Subtitle E: Foreign Provisions - Provides that computer software is not excluded from the definition of export property under the foreign sales corporation provisions. (Sec. 742) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations which determine the extent to which a taxpayer will be denied benefits under an income tax treaty with respect to income from a hybrid entity. (Sec. 743) Excepts certain cash, securities, and obligations from the definition of U.S. property for purposes the controlled foreign corporation (CFC) rules. (Sec. 744) Excepts for purposes of CFC rules, for the 1998 taxable year, certain income derived by a foreign personal holding company in the active conduct of an insurance, banking, financing, or similar business. (Sec. 745) Provides for the treatment of the income nonresident aliens earned as a crew member of a foreign vessel temporarily in the United States, including treating such income as foreign source income. (Sec. 751) Provides generally that certain U.S. shareholders of controlled foreign corporations will not be subject to passive foreign investment company inclusion. (Sec. 752) Allows, as specified, a mark-to-market election by a shareholder of a passive foreign investment company. Subtitle F: Other Provisions - Provides for the tax-exempt status of any organization created by State law which is organized and operated exclusively to provide workmen's compensation. (Sec. 762) Excepts an existing partnership which elects to be subjected to a specified additional tax from the general rule that a publicly traded partnership be treated as a corporation. (Sec. 763) Excludes certain sponsorship payments received by a tax-exempt organization from unrelated taxable income. (Sec. 764) Permits timeshare associations to be taxed under provisions provided for the taxation of other homeowners associations. (Sec. 765) Increases the business meals deduction for certain individuals: (1) subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation; and (2) working at specified northern food processing facilities. (Sec. 766) Permits a State or local government employee to deduct expenses incurred in connection with such employment. (Sec. 767) Increases, for purposes of computing the charitable deduction for the use of a passenger automobile, the standard mileage rate. (Sec. 768) Permits: (1) a taxpayer to treat any qualified environmental remediation expenditure incurred by the taxpayer as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account; and (2) any expenditure so treated to be allowed as a deduction. (Sec. 769) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for a demonstration project assessing the feasibility and desirability of expanding combined Federal and State tax reporting. (Sec. 770) Increases the maximum capital expenditure limit for qualified small issue bonds. (Sec. 771) Extends, for two years, the credit for electricity produced from wind and closed-loop biomass. (Sec. 772) Makes the 100 percent net income limitation applicable to the oil and gas depletion deduction inapplicable for any year in which the annual average wellhead price per barrel of crude oil is less than $14 per barrel. (Sec. 773) Permits cooperative hospital service organizations to purchase patron accounts receivable on a recourse basis and remain tax-exempt. (Sec. 774) Exempts Federal Home Loan Bank Board bonds from the general rule that interest on Federally guaranteed bonds is not tax- exempt. (Sec. 775) Sets forth rules concerning the: (1) period for the deduction for traveling expenses while working away from home, including special rules for construction workers; (2) charitable contribution deduction for certain expenses incurred in support of Native Alaskan subsistence whaling; (3) eligibility criteria for the designation of future enterprise zones in Alaska or Hawaii; (4) de minimis fringe benefit rules concerning no-charge employee meals; and (5) standard for determining the employment tax status of securities brokers. Title VIII: Revenues - Subtitle A: Financial Products - Provides that if there is a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position: (1) a taxpayer shall recognize gain as if such position were sold for its fair market value on the date of the constructive sale; and (2) for purposes of the treatment of gains and losses for periods after the constructive sale, proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of any gain or loss subsequently realized with respect to such position for any gain taken into account by reason of the above and the holding period of such position shall be determined as if such position were originally acquired on the date of such constructive sale. (Sec. 802) Modifies the definition of an investment company for purposes of determining whether a gain or loss is recognized if property is transferred to a corporation by one or more persons solely in exchange for stock and immediately such person or persons controls such corporation. (Sec. 803) Extends to all property (currently, only personal property) specified provisions concerning gains or losses from certain cancellations or other terminations of rights or obligations which are capital assets. Subtitle B: Corporate Organizations and Reorganizations - Revises provisions concerning a corporate shareholder's basis in stock being reduced by the nontaxed portion of extraordinary dividends received to provide that if the nontaxed portion of such dividends exceeds such basis, such excess shall be treated as gain for the sale or exchange of such stock for the taxable year in which the extraordinary dividend is received. (Sec. 812) Revises rules for: (1) distributions of stock and securities of a controlled corporation; (2) redemptions of stock through the use of related corporations; and (3) the holding period applicable to the dividends received deduction. Subtitle C: Other Corporate Provisions - Revises provisions concerning the registration of tax shelters. Includes as a tax shelter any plan: (1) with a significant purpose being the avoidance of Federal income tax for a corporation; (2) offered to any potential participant under conditions of confidentiality; and (3) for which promoters receive in excess of $100,000. Requires the registration of a corporate tax shelter promoter. (Sec. 822) Treats, subject to exceptions, certain preferred stock as boot. Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the reporting of payments made by Federal agencies to corporations; (2) extending the Department of Veterans Affairs disclosure provision; (3) requiring consistent reporting of the return of a beneficiary's estate or trust return and the return of the estate or trust; and (4) a continuous levy, levy exemptions, and levy disclosure. Subtitle E: Excise Tax Provisions - Extends, for ten years, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund taxes. (Sec. 842) Restores, for ten years, the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund excise tax. (Sec. 843) Applies the three percent communications tax to long- distance prepaid telephone cards. (Sec. 844) Replaces the varied excise tax rates on vaccines with a single tax rate of 84 cents per dose. (Sec. 845) Permits a credit against the manufacturers' excise tax paid with respect to the tire tax on certain truck tires. (Sec. 846) Increases the excise tax rate on all tobacco products. Subtitle F: Provisions Relating to Tax-Exempt Entities - Modifies provisions concerning interest, annuities, royalties, and rents received by a tax-exempt organization from a subsidiary and the unrelated business income tax to define the term "control" of a subsidiary to mean ownership of more than 50 percent. (Sec. 852) Provides, as a general rule, that in the case of a sale or exchange between a tax-exempt entity and a related person, the basis of the related person in the property acquired shall not exceed the adjusted basis of such property in the hands of the tax-exempt entity, increased by the gain recognized to the tax-exempt entity on the transfer which is subject to the unrelated business income tax. (Sec. 853) Provides for the tax treatment of Mutual of America. Subtitle G: Foreign Provisions - Treats as foreign personal holding company income: (1) income from notional principal contracts; and (2) payments in lieu of dividends. Provides, for dealers, for an exception from certain foreign personal holding company income provisions. (Sec. 862) Provides, for purposes of like-kind exchanges, that personal property used predominantly within the United States and personal property used predominantly outside the United States are not property of a like kind. (Sec. 863) Establishes minimum holding periods for stock dividends in order to qualify for foreign tax credits. (Sec. 864) Treats as U.S. source income income from the sale of property by a U.S. resident to another U.S. resident for use, consumption, or disposition in the United States, if the sale is not attributable to an office maintained by the seller outside the United States. (Sec. 865) Prohibits the reduction of interest on underpayments by foreign tax credit carrybacks. (Sec. 866) Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the period of limitations on a claim for a credit or refund attributable to a foreign tax carryforward; (2) the reduction of the foreign tax credit carryback period and the increase of the foreign tax credit carryforward period; and (3) the repeal of the exception concerning the use of foreign tax credits for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Subtitle H: Other Revenue Provisions - Prohibits a family farm establishing a suspense account when required to use the accrual method of accounting. (Sec. 872) Limits the net operating loss carryback period to two years and extends the net operating loss carryforward period to 20 years. (Sec. 873) Prohibits, with respect to life insurance, a deduction for that portion of the taxpayer's interest expense which is allocable to unborrowed policy cash values, subject to exceptions. (Sec. 874) Modifies basis allocation rules upon distribution of partnership property. (Sec. 875) Eliminates the requirement that inventory must have substantially appreciated in value to cause ordinary income with respect to rules concerning sales and exchanges of partnership interests. (Sec. 876) Permits the income forecast method of depreciation to be used only for film and video tape, copyrights, books, patents, and other property specified in regulations. (Sec. 877) Sets forth provisions which: (1) require that involuntarily converted property be replaced with property acquired from an unrelated person in certain cases; (2) repeal the exception permitting the use of the installment method of accounting for certain sales by manufacturers to dealers; (3) increase the limit on involuntary pension cash-outs; (4) include a parking benefit in income only if an employee chooses a cash benefit instead of parking; (5) extend the current 6.2 unemployment tax rate through calendar year 2007; (6) repeal the excess distribution and excess retirement accumulation tax; (7) revise the treatment of charitable remainder trusts with a greater than 50 percent annual payout; (8) increase the tax on prohibited pension transactions by five percent; and (9) revise the basis recovery rules for annuities received over more than one life. Title IX: Foreign-Related Simplification Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Exempts from the foreign tax credit limitation certain individuals whose entire gross income from sources outside the United States consists of qualified passive income and whose amount of creditable foreign taxes paid does not exceed $300. (Sec. 902) Revises the method of translating foreign income taxes into dollars by providing, in general, for the use of the average exchange rate for the taxable year. Subtitle B: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Provides, with respect to controlled a foreign corporation, for: (1) the treatment of gain on certain stock sales by controlled foreign corporations as dividends; (2) regulations concerning basis adjustments of stock in controlled foreign corporation; and (3) extending the application of the indirect foreign tax credit to taxes paid by certain lower-tier controlled foreign corporations. Subtitle C: Repeal of Excise Tax on Transfers to Foreign Entities - Repeals Chapter 5 (Tax on Transfers to Avoid Income Tax) of the IRC. Provides for the recognition of gain on certain transfers to foreign trusts and estates. Subtitle D: Information Reporting - Revises provisions concerning: (1) the return requirement for foreign partnership income; (2) information reporting for controlled foreign corporations; (3) returns as to interests in foreign partnerships; (4) notice of certain transfers to foreign corporations; (5) the statute of limitations applicable in the case of failure to notify the Secretary of certain transactions; and (6) increasing the filing threshold for returns as to organization or reorganization of foreign corporations and acquisitions of stock in such corporations. Subtitle E: Determination of Foreign or Domestic Status of Partnerships - Revises the definition of "domestic" when applied to a corporation or partnership to permit the Secretary, by regulation, to provide an exception to such definition for a partnership. Subtitle F: Other Simplification - Amends the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 to permit a trust in existence on August 20, 1996, and which was treated as a U.S. person on the day before enactment of such Act to elect to continue to be treated as a U.S. person notwithstanding the IRC definition of a U.S. person. (Sec. 952) Eliminates the stock and securities safe harbor requirement that an entity's principal office be outside the United States. Title X: Simplification Provisions Relating to Individuals and Businesses - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Individuals - Increases the: (1) standard deduction for a taxpayer with respect to whom a dependency exemption is allowed on another taxpayer's return; (2) the alternative minimum tax exemption for minors under the age of 14; and (3) estimated de minimis tax threshold. (Sec. 1003) Revises the treatment of: (1) reimbursed expenses of rural mail carriers; and (2) traveling expenses of certain Federal employees engaged in criminal investigations. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Businesses Generally - Permits a taxpayer to elect not to apply the look-back method for a long-term contract for de minimis (below 10 percent of taxable income or loss) amounts. (Sec. 1013) States that a method of determining inventories shall not be deemed not to clearly reflect income solely because it utilizes estimates of inventory shrinkage that are confirmed by a physical count only after the last day of the taxable year, subject to conditions. (Sec. 1014) Excludes from the gross income of a lessee any amount received in cash by a lessee from a lessor: (1) under a short-term lease of retail space; and (2) for the purpose of such lessee's constructing or improving long-term real property for use in the lessee's business. Subtitle C: Simplification Relating to Electing Large Partnerships - Establishes special rules for large partnerships (100 or more partners) which: (1) take into account separately a partner's distributive share of specified items for purposes of determining the income tax of a partner; (2) compute the taxable income of a large partnership in the same manner as in the case of an individual, subject to stated exceptions; and (3) provide for the treatment of partnerships holding oil and gas properties. (Sec. 1022) Creates an audit system for electing large partnerships which provides as a general rule that a partner of any electing large partnership shall, on the partner's return, treat each partnership item attributable to such partnership in a manner which is consistent with the treatment of such partnership item on the partnership return. Sets forth provisions concerning partnership adjustments which generally will flow through to partners for the year in which the adjustment takes effect. (Sec. 1031) Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to an oversheltered return (a return which shows no taxable income and shows a net loss from partnership items), to send a notice of adjustment in specified situations. (Sec. 1032) Provides, on the basis of a decision of the Secretary, that the partnership return shall determine the audit procedures to be followed. (Sec. 1033) Sets forth provisions, with respect to partnerships, concerning: (1) the statute of limitations and untimely petition filing; (2) the exception for small partnerships (under the definition of partnership); (3) the period for assessing tax where a partner and the Secretary enter a settlement agreement but other partnership items remain in dispute; (4) the time for filing a request for administrative adjustment; (5) the innocent spouse defense in court proceedings; (6) partnership level penalties; (7) court jurisdiction; (8) premature petitions; (9) bonds in appeals from Tax Court decisions; and (10) closing the taxable partnership year with respect to a deceased partner. Subtitle D: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investment Trusts - Modifies provisions relating to qualification as, and the taxation of, a real estate investment trust, including: (1) rules relating to ownership determination; (2) tenant service income and tenant ownership; (3) repeal of the 30 percent gross income requirement; (4) earnings and profit rules; (5) income from hedges; (6) excess noncash income; and (7) shared appreciation mortgages. Subtitle E: Provisions Relating to Regulated Investment Companies - Repeals, with respect to regulated investment companies, the 30 percent test. Subtitle F: Taxpayer Protections - Provides for the waiver of certain penalties if a failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. (Sec. 1082) Permits a taxpayer who was due a refund, but who initially failed to file a return and who received a deficiency notice during the third year after the return's due date, to obtain a refund. (Sec. 1083) Repeals the requirement of the Secretary to disclose, upon request, if a prospective juror has been audited. (Sec. 1084) Specifies, for purposes of the statute of limitations, that the term "return" means the taxpayer's return and not the return of any person form whom the taxpayer has received an item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit. (Sec. 1085) Establishes penalties for Federal employees and others who, without proper authorization, willfully inspect any return or information. Title XI: Simplification Provisions Relating to Estate and Gift Taxes - Provides that, under specified conditions, gifts to charities are not subject to gift tax filing requirements. (Sec. 1102) Waives the right of recovery with respect to qualified terminable interest property only to the extent that the language in the decedent's will specifically indicates. (Sec. 1103) Treats any trust created before enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 as satisfying the withholding requirement if it requires all trustees to be U.S. citizens or corporations. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions concerning, among other things: (1) the treatment for estate tax purposes of short-term obligations held by nonresident aliens; (2) distributions during the first 65 days of the taxable year of the estate; (3) application of the separate share rules to estates; (4) treatment of an estate and a beneficiary as related for purposes of disallowance of losses; (5) treatment of a qualified funeral trust; (6) adjustments for certain gifts within three years of a decedent's death; and (7) the authority to waive the requirement that a qualified domestic trust have a U.S. trustee. Title XII: Simplification Provisions Relating to Excise Taxes, Tax-Exempt Bonds, and Other Matters - Subtitle A: Excise Tax Simplification - Increases the de minimis limit for aftermarket alterations for heavy trucks and luxury cars. (Sec. 1211) Makes refunds available for imported bottled distilled spirits returned to distilled spirits plants. (Sec. 1212) Permits records of exportation to be maintained by the exporter for purposes of cancelling or crediting bonds furnished when distilled spirits are removed from bonded premises. (Sec. 1213) Permits distilled spirits plants to maintain records of their activities at locations other than the premises where the operations covered by the records are performed. (Sec. 1214) Allows beer to be transferred without payment of tax to a distilled spirits plant to be used in the production of distilled spirits regardless of whether the brewery is contiguous to the distilled spirits plant. (Sec. 1215) Repeals the requirement that wholesale liquor dealers post a sign outside their place of business indicating that they are wholesale liquor dealers. (Sec. 1216) Repeals the requirement that wine returned to bonded premises be unmerchantable in order for the tax to be refunded to the proprietor of the bonded wine cellar to which the wine is delivered. (Sec. 1217) Allows the use of ameliorating material (not in excess of 60 percent) in certain wines made exclusively from a fruit or berry with a natural fixed acid of 20 parts per thousand or more. (Sec. 1218) Allows domestically-produced beer to be withdrawn from the place of production without payment of tax for the official or family use of representatives of foreign governments or public international organizations. (Sec. 1219) Allows beer to be removed from a brewery without payment of tax for purposes of destruction. (Sec. 1220) Permits a domestic exporter to recover the tax paid on the exported beer with specified proof. (Sec. 1221) Provides for imported beer to be withdrawn from customs custody for transfer to a brewery without payment of tax. (Sec. 1231) Expands the authority of the Secretary to waive the excise tax registration requirement. (Sec. 1232) Repeals certain provisions concerning the: (1) tax on heavy trucks and trailers sold at retail; (2) tax on the removal of hard minerals from the deep seabed; and (3) excise tax on the sale or use by a manufacturer or importer of certain ozone depleting chemicals. (Sec. 1233) Revises provisions concerning: (1) the excise taxes on arrows; (2) the excise tax on skydiving flights; and (3) refunding certain aviation fuel taxes paid by a registered producer. Subtitle B: Tax-Exempt Bond Provisions - Repeals the $100,000 limitation on unspent proceeds under the one-year exception from arbitrage rebate requirements. (Sec. 1242) Exempts earnings on bond proceeds invested in bona fide debt service funds from the arbitrage rebate requirements and the penalty requirement of the 24-month exception, if the spending requirements of that exception are otherwise satisfied. (Sec. 1243) Repeals: (1) the debt service-based limitation on investment in certain nonpurpose investments; and (2) certain expired provisions. Subtitle C: Tax Court Procedures - Provides that an order to refund an overpayment is appealable in the same manner as a decision of the Tax Court. Declares that the Tax Court shall not have jurisdiction over the validity or merits of the credits or offsets that reduce or eliminate the refund to which the taxpayer was otherwise entitled. (Sec. 1252) Provides for a taxpayer to file a motion, rather than a petition, to seek, in the Tax Court, a redemption of interest. (Sec. 1253) Applies to estates and trusts the net worth limitations currently applicable to individuals. (Sec. 1254) Permits the Tax Court to have jurisdiction over certain employment status disputes. Subtitle D: Other Provisions - Extends the due date of the first quarter estimated tax payment of a private foundation. (Sec. 1262) Permits any Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with the Secretary providing for income tax withholding. (Sec. 1263) Revises provisions concerning the notice to a large corporation of a tax underpayment. Title XIII: Pension Simplification - Treats matching contributions for self-employed individuals the same as matching contributions for employees. (Sec. 1302) Permits an employer to establish a system under which eligible employees, through employer payroll deductions, may make contributions to an individual retirement plan. (Sec. 1303) Sets forth provisions concerning a plan accepting a rollover contribution. (Sec. 1304) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to: (1) permit a participant's benefit in a plan to be reduced in order to satisfy the participant's liability if an order or requirement to pay arises from a civil or criminal judgment in connection with the plan; and (2) eliminate certain filing requirements. (Sec. 1306) Redefines includible compensation to: (1) include any elective deferral; and (2) certain amounts contributed by the employer at the employee's election which are not includible in the employee's gross income. (Sec. 1307) Provides for the issuance of guidelines concerning the use of new technology for plan purposes. (Sec. 1308) Exempts governmental plans from nondiscrimination and minimum participation rules. (Sec. 1309) Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) rules relating to employee stock ownership plans of S corporations; (2) the ten percent tax on nondeductible contributions; and (3) minimum funding requirements for certain plans. Title XIV: Technical Amendments Related to Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and Other Legislation - Sets forth, with respect to sections of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 which amend the IRC, provisions concerning, among other things: (1) informational returns for those engaged in selling fish; (2) the definition of an electing small business trust; (3) the treatment of a wholly owned S corporation subsidiary; (4) the definition of unrelated trade or business for certain hospitals; (5) SIMPLE retirement plans; (6) the treatment of an employee participating in an Indian tribal government annuity; (7) definitions concerning financial asset securitization trusts; (8) definitions concerning State tuition plans; and (9) the year an adoption credit is allowed. (Sec. 1402) Sets forth, with respect to sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 which amend the IRC, provisions concerning, among other things: (1) the tax on nonmedical withdrawals from a medical savings account; (2) the definition of a chronically ill individual for purposes of a long-term care insurance contract; (3) deductions for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (4) reporting requirements concerning long-term care contracts; (5) consumer protection provisions for long- term care insurance contracts; and (6) rules concerning expatriation to avoid tax. (Sec. 1403) Sets forth, with respect to sections of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act 2 which amend the IRC, provisions concerning, among other things: (1) abatement of first-tier taxes in certain cases; and (2) returns of exempt organizations. (Sec. 1404) Sets forth other provisions which amend the IRC which are related to the: (1) Energy Policy Act of 1992; (2) Uruguay Round Agreements Act; and (3) Tax Reform Act of 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Women's Retirement Security Title III: Expansion of Pension Coverage for Small Business Title IV: Portability Title V: Pension Security Subtitle A: Economically Targeted Investments Subtitle B: Other Provisions Title VI: Simplification of Plan Requirements Title VII: Date for Adoption of Plan Amendments Retirement Income, Security, and Savings Act of 1997 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase individual retirement account (IRA) income limits applicable to active participants. Repeals active participation restrictions. (Sec. 102) Provides for IRA contribution inflation adjustments. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Amends the Code to establish a nondeductible tax-free IRA Plus account. Sets forth related provisions. Title II: Women's Retirement Security - Amends the Code to make an individual's eligibility for deductible IRA contributions independent of spousal pension plan participation. (Sec. 202) Authorizes pension plan contributions with respect to periods of: (1) maternity and paternity leave; and (2) child-raising periods. Title III: Expansion of Pension Coverage for Small Business - Amends the Code to allow an eligible employer to establish an employer-funded SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan). Sets forth related provisions. Makes related amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). (Sec. 302) Treats as not an elective deferral certain retirement and SIMPLE account matching contributions made on behalf of a self-employed individual. (Sec. 304) Provides for payroll deduction contributions to IRAs. Title IV: Portability - Amends the Code to allow specified pension plan rollovers, and related nondisqualification of receiving plans. (Sec. 405) Provides a hardship exception with respect to the 60-day exempt trust rollover provision. (Sec. 406) Amends the Code and ERISA to set forth the circumstances in which a defined contribution plan will not be treated as failing to meet requirements merely because the transferee plan does not provide some or all the forms of distribution previously available under another defined contribution plan. Title V: Pension Security - Subtitle A: Economically Targeted Investments - Expresses the sense of the Congress that economically targeted investments violate ERISA intent. (Sec. 502) Sets forth specified prohibitions on Department of Labor interpretations and activities with respect to employee benefit plan investment. (Sec. 503) Amends ERISA to prohibit any Federal agency or instrumentality from establishing or maintaining a clearinghouse or database relating to economically targeted investments. (Sec. 504) Requires termination of any Federal contracts that are in violation of this title. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Amends the Code to provide for a phased-in increase to full employer funding of pension liabilities. Title VI: Simplification of Plan Requirements - Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor to issue guidance with respect to the use of new technologies and paperless transactions. (Sec. 602) Makes certain nondiscrimination and participation requirements inapplicable to a government plan. (Sec. 603) Amends ERISA to eliminate specified plan description and related requirements. Title VII: Date for Adoption of Plan Amendments - Sets forth plan adoption dates.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reforms Subtitle A: Operational Reforms Subtitle B: Procurement Subtitle C: Employee Protection Reforms Subtitle D: Use of Railroad Facilities Title II: Fiscal Accountability Title III: Authorization of Appropriations Title IV: Miscellaneous Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 - Title I: Reforms - Subtitle A: Operational Reforms - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to operate as a national rail passenger transportation system which provides access to all areas of the country and ties together existing and emergent regional rail passenger corridors and other intermodal passenger service. Repeals the condition that Amtrak provide intercity rail passenger transportation within the basic system unless it is provided by: (1) rail carriers without a contract with Amtrak; or (2) regional transportation authorities under contract with Amtrak. (Sec. 101) Repeals Amtrak's mandate to continue to carry out a specified plan to improve rail passenger transportation. Increases from 90 days to 180 days before a discontinuance the deadline for notice that Amtrak must give of its intention to discontinue rail service over a route to States, regional or local authorities, or other persons. Repeals Amtrak's mandates for: (1) annual cost and performance reviews of Amtrak routes in the basic system; and (2) provision of special commuter transportation. (Sec. 102) Repeals: (1) Amtrak's mandate to take action to increase its mail and express transportation revenues; (2) the authority of others besides Amtrak to provide auto-ferry transportation over any route; (3) the requirement of congressional review of amendments to route and service criteria with respect to route discontinuances and additions; (4) the mandate for Amtrak to provide rail passenger transportation over certain additional qualifying routes; and (5) authority for the Amtrak Commuter (thus abolishing it as an Amtrak subsidiary). (Sec. 106) Exempts certain commuter authorities from paying a tax or fee to the same extent that Amtrak is exempt. Declares that such exemption is without prejudice to Amtrak's retention of trackage rights over property owned or leased by commuter authorities. (Sec. 107) Authorizes Amtrak, with a specified exception, to contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes only if certain conditions are met. Urges Amtrak and motor common carriers of passengers to use specified authority to provide improved service to the public and economy of operation. (Sec. 108) Authorizes Amtrak and motor carriers of passengers, subject to Surface Transportation Board review, to: (1) combine their respective services and facilities to the public as a means of increasing revenue; and (2) coordinate schedules, routes, rates, reservations, and ticketing to provide for enhanced intermodal surface transportation. (Sec. 109) Authorizes Federal employees to travel on Amtrak for official business where total travel cost from office to office is competitive on a total trip or time basis. Subtitle B: Procurement - Repeals the prohibition against contracting out work normally performed by bargaining unit employees covered by a contract between a labor organization and Amtrak, if the contracting out results in the layoff of a bargaining unit employee. (Sec. 121) Provides that notices to Amtrak employees regarding all issues relating to contracting out shall be deemed served and effective 45 days after enactment of this Act. Declares that such notice shall not be required in situations involving: (1) the scope or classification of work performed by an Amtrak employee; (2) the contracting out of work involving food and beverage services provided on Amtrak trains; or (3) the contracting out of work not resulting in the layoff of Amtrak employees. Requires the National Mediation Board to complete all efforts with respect to the contracting out dispute not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes parties to such dispute to agree to submit it to arbitration under the Railway Labor Act. Declares that nothing in this subtitle shall be precedent for the resolution of any dispute between a freight railroad and any labor organization representing that railroad's employees. Subtitle C: Employee Protection Reforms - Provides that notices to Amtrak employees regarding employee protective arrangements and severance benefits, including all provisions of Appendix C-2 to the National Railroad Passenger Agreement, signed July 5, 1973, shall be deemed served and effective 45 days after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 141) Requires the National Mediation Board to complete all efforts with respect to the dispute over such arrangements and benefits not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes parties to such dispute to agree to submit it to arbitration under the Railway Labor Act. (Sec. 142) Repeals certain requirements for fair and equitable employee protective arrangements in the event of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service (effectively eliminating such contracts). Subtitle D: Use of Railroad Facilities - Makes enforceable any contracts between Amtrak and its passengers, the Alaska Railroad and its passengers, or private railroad car operators and their passengers regarding claims for personal injury, death, or damage to property in connection with the provision of rail transportation, if: (1) punitive or exemplary damages, where permitted, are not limited to less than two times compensatory damages awarded to any claimant, or $250,000, whichever is greater; and (2) passengers are provided adequate notice of any contractual limitation or waiver or choice of forum. (Sec. 161) Declares that any obligation of a party, however arising, to indemnify against damages or liability for personal injury, death, or damage to property, shall be enforceable, notwithstanding any other statutory or common law or public policy, or the nature of the conduct giving rise to such damages or liability. Title II: Fiscal Accountability - Directs Amtrak to prepare a financial plan to operate within specified funding levels, including budgetary goals for FY 1998 through 2002. Requires Amtrak within five years after enactment of this Act to operate without the need for Federal operating grant funds. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity to conduct an independent assessment of the financial requirements of Amtrak through FY 2002. (Sec. 203) Establishes as a independent commission the Amtrak Reform Council to: (1) evaluate Amtrak's performance; and (2) make recommendations for achieving further cost containment and productivity improvements, and financial reforms. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Directs the Council to notify the President and specified congressional committees if it finds that: (1) Amtrak's business performance will prevent it from meeting its financial goals; or (2) Amtrak will require operating grant funds five years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Council, after making such a finding, to develop and submit to the Congress an action plan for: (1) a restructured and rationalized intercity rail passenger system; and (2) the complete liquidation of Amtrak. (Sec. 207) Exempts Amtrak (and Amtrak subsidiary) passengers and customers from any fee, head charge, or other charge imposed by a State or local taxing authority on any persons traveling in intercity rail passenger transportation or mail or express transportation provided by Amtrak (or a subsidiary), or on the carriage of such persons, mail, or express, or on the sale of any such transportation, or on the gross receipts derived from such activities. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak for capital expenditures, operating expenses, and certain mandatory payments. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Extends from October 15, 1996, to October 15, 2001, the deadline for retrofitting certain intercity rail passenger cars with human waste disposal systems that provide for waste discharge at a servicing facility only. (Sec. 403) Repeals the authority or mandate for: (1) assistance for upgrading rail facilities that pose a hazard; (2) a plan for demonstrating new technology in rail passenger equipment; and (3) a program master plan for a Boston-New York main line. (Sec. 406) Declares that Amtrak shall be responsible for its share, if any, of the costs of accessibility improvements at any station jointly used by Amtrak and a commuter authority. Declares that Amtrak shall not be subject to certain requirements under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 until January 1, 1998. (Sec. 408) Amends the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 to repeal the mandate for determination of a costing methodology with respect to certain Northeast Corridor cost disputes. (Sec. 410) Grants congressional consent to States with an interest in a specific form, route, or corridor of intercity passenger rail service, including high speed rail service, to enter into interstate compacts to promote such service. (Sec. 411) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the number and composition of the board of directors of Amtrak.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Government Secrecy Act of 1997 - States that it is the purpose of this Act to promote the effective protection of classified information and the disclosure of information where there is not a well-founded basis for protection or where the costs of maintaining a secret outweigh the benefits. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the President, in accordance with this Act, to protect from unauthorized disclosure, information in the possession and control of the executive branch, when there is a demonstrable need to do so in order to protect the national security of the United States. Directs the President to ensure that the amount of information classified is the minimum necessary to protect the national security. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of standards and procedures for classifying and declassifying information. Requires each head of an agency that is responsible for the classification and declassification of information to submit to the Congress each year a report that describes the application of the classification and declassification standards and procedures of that agency during the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 5) Directs the President to establish within an existing agency a National Declassification Center to: (1) coordinate and oversee the declassification policies and practices of the Federal Government; and (2) provide technical assistance to agencies in implementing such policies and practices, in accordance with this Act. Establishes the National Declassification Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Center and make recommendations concerning declassification priorities and activities. Mandates annual reports by the Center to the President and the Congress on its activities during the preceding fiscal year, and on the implementation of agency declassification practices and its efforts to coordinate those practices.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Volunteer Firefighter and Rescue Squad Worker Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude from coverage any employee fire fighters or rescue squad members during the period in which they volunteer their services at a location where they are not employed. Waives overtime compensation requirements when fire fighters or rescue squad members volunteer their services to their employer and sign a legally binding waiver. Prohibits employers from requiring or coercing such volunteer services.
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
Women's Investment and Savings Equity Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on the deduction for active participants in certain pension plans to provide that an individual's participation in a plan is not treated as participation by the individual's spouse. Permits retirement contributions to be made for periods during which individuals were on leave for maternity or paternity leave. Permits "catchup contributions" by parents returning to work after periods of nonparticipation in a plan. Defines "catchup contributions."
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to regulate the recognition of gain when there is a distribution of stock or securities that is part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which a person acquires stock representing a 50 percent or greater interest in the distributing corporation or any controlled corporation (or any successor of either). Presumes the existence of such a plan in certain circumstances (unless disproved).
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 30th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to publicly affirm as a matter of U.S. policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. Urges U.S. officials to refrain from any actions that contradict U.S. law on this subject.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
ISTEA Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for: (1) the National Highway System; (2) the Interstate maintenance program; (3) the surface transportation program; (4) the bridge program; (5) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (6) the minimum allocation program; (7) apportionment adjustments; (8) the Interstate System reimbursement program; (9) certain projects under the Federal lands highways program; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs; and (11) FHWA highway safety research and development. (Sec. 4) Amends Federal-aid highway law to revise the formula for determining the State apportionment of funds for the National Highway System and the surface transportation program. Extends through FY 2003 the set aside of Federal highway funds for discretionary projects for the resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing of routes on the Interstate System (4 R projects). (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Transportation, not later than April 1, 2000, to report to specified congressional committees recommended adjustments to the formula used to apportion funds to States for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and to the amount apportioned for the program, to reflect changes since the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) in: (1) national ambient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act; and (2) the emission control requirements that result from such standards. Directs the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the apportionments if the recommendations are not enacted into law by October 1, 2000. Revises the formula for the apportionment of funds under the program. Adds transportation projects which will have air quality benefits, and consist of certain intercity rail passenger activities, to the eligible projects that a State may obligate congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program and surface transportation program funds. Limits a State's obligation for such projects to no more than 50 percent of the apportioned funds. (Sec. 6) Extends for an additional six-fiscal year period the obligation of a State to allocate surface transportation program funds for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. (Sec. 7) Increases the minimum amount of apportioned highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program funds that a State shall receive in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the discretionary bridge program. (Sec. 8) Revises for FY 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter the formula for determining the amount of highway funds that would be required to ensure a State's percentage of the total apportionments in each fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year for specified transportation programs is not less than 90 percent of the percentage that the population of the State is of the population of the United States. (Sec. 10) Provides for the adjustment of funds apportioned to States for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 11) Extends through FY 2003: (1) the strategic highway research program; (2) the applied research and technology program; (3) intelligent transportation systems; (4) the scenic byways program; (5) construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities; and (6) the national recreational trails program. (Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a comprehensive initiative to carry out a comprehensive research program to investigate and understand the relationships between transportation, land use, and the environment; and (2) award transportation and land use planning and policy grants to State, regional, and local agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for construction of the Appalachian development highway system.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Senior Citizen Home Equity Protection Act - Amends the National Housing Act with respect to home equity conversion mortgages to: (1) require full disclosure to the mortgagor of all mortgage costs, including estate planning, financial advice, or other related costs; and (2) provide for imposition of restrictions by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that the mortgagor is not charged for such costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration relating to occupational exposure to methylene chloride. Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Condemns the terrorist grenade attack outside the Cambodia National Assembly on March 30, 1997, and extends sympathies to the families of the persons killed or wounded. Calls upon the: (1) U.S. Government to offer the Cambodia Government assistance in identifying and prosecuting those responsible; and (2) Cambodia Government to accept such assistance and to expeditiously identify and prosecute such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to depreciation to modify, for provisions concerning property on Indian reservations, the definition of "Indian reservation" to eliminate a reference to the definition of that term in the Indian Financing Act of 1974. Makes the change effective as if it had been included in the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund to finance qualified expenses of: (1) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation; and (2) non-Amtrak States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Cost-of-Living Board Act of 1997 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish the Cost-of-Living Board, composed of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, and three other members appointed by the President, to: (1) attempt each calendar year to determine a single percentage increase or decrease in the cost-of-living which shall apply to any cost-of-living adjustment which is determined by reference to any Consumer Price Index and taking effect during the next calendar year under the Internal Revenue Code and SSA titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid); and (2) report to the President and the Congress on such adjustment. Authorizes appropriations.
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 · 13 February 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America and Japan remains vital to the security interests of the United States, Japan, and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region; and (2) the people of Okinawa deserve special recognition and gratitude for their contributions toward ensuring the Treaty's implementation and regional peace and stability.
![Official portrait of Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000460_200.jpg)