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Bill· HRH.R. 1590 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Authority Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons Title III: Reporting Title IV: Inspections Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 1997 - Title I: National Authority - Directs the President to establish the United States National Authority to serve as the focal point for liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, opened for signature on January 13, 1993. Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, acquires, stockpiles, transfers, uses, owns, or possesses any chemical weapon, assists any other person in doing so, or attempts to do so. Makes such provision inapplicable to the retention, ownership, or possession of any chemical weapon permitted by the Convention, pending the weapon's destruction, by any Federal agency. (Sec. 201) Provides for seizures and forfeitures of chemical weapons, as well as U.S. injunctive relief against prohibited conduct related to them. Imposes criminal penalties upon persons who knowingly use riot control agents as a method of warfare or assist another person in doing so. Subjects members of the armed forces who engage in such activity to military penalties. (Sec. 203) Makes it unlawful for any person or any U.S. national located outside the United States to produce, acquire, transfer, or use a chemical listed on Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals of the Convention unless: (1) the chemicals are applied to research, medical, pharmaceutical, or protective purposes; (2) the types and quantities of chemicals are strictly limited to those justifiable for such purposes; and (3) the amount of such chemicals per person at any given time for such purposes does not exceed a limit to be determined by the United States National Authority or, in any case, one metric ton. Makes it unlawful for any person or U.S. national located outside the United States to: (1) produce, acquire, transfer, or use Schedule 1 chemicals outside the territories of the States Parties to the Convention or to transfer such chemicals to any persons outside of the United States except as provided for in the Convention for transfers to persons located in other State Parties; or (2) transfer a chemical on Schedule two of the Annex to any person outside the territory of a State Party or to receive such a chemical from any person outside a State Party. Title III: Reporting - Requires the Department of Commerce to establish requirements of recordkeeping and reporting by persons who produce, process, consume, export, or import chemical substances subject to the Convention, or who propose to engage in such activities. (Sec. 302) Exempts information reported to or obtained by the National Authority, the Department of Commerce, or any other agency under this Act or under the Convention from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Sets forth criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure. (Sec. 303) Makes it unlawful to fail to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Title IV: Inspections - Authorizes members of inspection teams of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to inspect plants, plant sites, or other locations in the United States subject to inspection under the Convention, according to specified notice, time frame, and scope of inspection requirements. (Sec. 402) Provides for other inspections under the Convention, with specified ones by the Department of Commerce and others by a lead agency designated by the President. (Sec. 403) Makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection or to disrupt or impede an inspection. (Sec. 404) Provides for civil and criminal penalties for specified violations of this Act, as well as specific enforcement of this Act and related legal proceedings.
Bill· HRH.R. 1588 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
United Nations Accountability Act of 1997 - Prohibits the payment of arrearages of U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the President certifies to, and a joint resolution is approved by, the Congress that the UN has implemented specified reforms, including: (1) a reformulation of the assessed U.S. payment to the UN; (2) implementation of a code of conduct for UN employees; (3) strengthening of the powers of the Office of Inspector General of the UN; (4) reform of the UN grievance system to permit UN employees to hire outside counsel; (5) implementation of certain reforms to UN procurement procedures; (6) whistleblower protection for UN employees; (7) adoption of a no growth biennial budget; (8) acceptable downsizing; (9) a freeze on UN employee salaries; (10) making the eight member states with the highest contributions to the UN permanent members of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions; (11) providing access by Budget Committee member states to certain expenditure documents; (12) requiring an annual review and reauthorization of any peacekeeping missions by the UN Security Council; (13) UN reimbursement for Department of Defense contributions to UN peacekeeping missions; (14) satisfaction of U.S. arrearages in contributions to the UN; (15) allowance of all member states to be nominated to the Security Council; (16) abandonment of UN efforts to establish an international tax; and (17) UN noninterference with any people's religion, moral values, culture, or traditions.
Law· HRH.R. 1585 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is one cent higher than the regular rate as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for breast-cancer research. Authorizes the Service to design and sell special stamps. Requires the Service to pay 70 percent of the amounts attributable (additional revenues minus costs) to the one-cent differential to the National Institutes of Health and the remainder to the Department of Defense under arrangements as mutually agreed, provided payments are made at least twice a year.
Bill· HRH.R. 1580 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) consider a veteran unable to defray the expenses of necessary medical care if such costs for the previous year are in excess of seven and one-half percent of the veteran's adjusted gross income for such year; (2) increase the income threshold used to determine a veteran's ability to defray such expenses with respect to those veterans residing in a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area; (3) include within the membership of the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans members of the general public with expertise in the care of the chronically mentally ill; (4) require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate at least one Center for Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Activities in each service network region of the Veterans Health Administration; and (5) direct the Secretary, in applying the veterans' health care resources allocation system, to exclude from consideration programs of readjustment counseling and treatment, counseling and treatment for the mentally ill, drug and alcohol abuse and dependence, homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, spinal cord dysfunctions, AIDS, and geriatric and extended care.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 78 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
Reaffirms the need to maintain utmost military defense readiness. Rejects recent statements suggesting the need for an additional round or rounds of military base closures.
Bill· SS. 735 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to support, through the provision of loan guarantees, programs sponsored by the Federal Government, regional entities, State and local governments, private entities, and nonprofit organizations that assist small and medium-sized businesses that are economically dependent on defense expenditures to acquire dual-use (military and commercial) capabilities. Provides for the transfer of such loan guarantee authority and funding from the Secretary to the appropriate Federal agency by way of a memorandum of understanding. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the loan guarantee program during any fiscal year for which funds are specifically made available for such purpose. Requires competitive procedures to be used in the selection of appropriate businesses for the loan program, under specified criteria. Requires a borrower to demonstrate that, during any one of the past seven years, at least 25 percent of the borrower's sales were derived from: (1) contracts with the Department of Defense or defense-related activities of the Department of Energy; or (2) subcontracts in support of defense-related prime contracts. Provides for: (1) a maximum loan amount and a loan guaranty rate; and (2) a 60-40 allocation of loan funds to small and medium-sized businesses, respectively. Provides for the continued availability through FY 1999 of current funding for the loan guarantee program.
Bill· SS. 730 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Makes retroactive from specified dates the entitlement of three named Medal of Honor recipients to the special monthly pension provided to Medal recipients whose names have been entered and recorded on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay to the next of kin any accrued pension due to any such individual who died before receiving full payment.
Bill· SS. 723 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Anti-Gun Invasion Act of 1997 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to remove an exemption from a prohibition on imports of certain military firearms and ammunition of U.S. manufacture furnished to a foreign government by the United States with respect to curio or relic weapons. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to the Congress on the scope and effect of the importation of foreign-made surplus military firearms, including: (1) a list of types and models of military firearms currently being imported into the United States as "curios or relics" which would otherwise be barred; (2) a list of the number of each such type and model that has been imported during the five years preceding the date of submission of the report; (3) a description of the ease with which each such type and model may be converted to a semi-automatic assault weapon or to a fully automatic weapon; (4) statistics that may be relevant to the use of each such type and model for criminal activities; and (5) a comprehensive evaluation of the scope of such importation and the use of such weapons in crimes in the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 1568 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Establishes as a nonprofit corporation the National Military Museum Foundation to: (1) preserve military artifacts having historical or technological significance; (2) facilitate research on military history; (3) promote partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector for the preservation of such artifacts; (4) engage in related military history documentation and preservation activities; and (5) recognize and honor the individuals who have served in the armed forces. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1559 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Military Recruit Training Policy Restoration Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretaries of the military departments concerned to require that basic training (or its equivalent) at the company level and below (at the group level and below, with respect to the Air Force) be conducted through separate units for male and female recruits. Allows only male officers to command and serve as drill instructors in a male training unit, and only female officers to command and serve as drill instructors in a female training unit.
Bill· HRH.R. 1576 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into a series of cooperative agreements with the California State University, Hayward, to provide continuing support for the California Urban Environmental Research and Education Center if the University consents and provides matching funds or in-kind resources equal to 20 percent of funds provided by the Administrator. States requirements regarding university membership in the Center, the Governing Board, and the Center's principal office. Declares the overall objective of the Center to be to promote sustainable economic development throughout California by engaging in specified functions, including: (1) developing an ongoing program of applied environmental research, education, and outreach; (2) fostering public-private partnerships to find solutions to environmental problems of California; (3) bringing together university and college researchers to focus on California's most important environmental problems; (4) supporting specified activities related to data evaluation, economic development analysis, the development and conduct of educational programs and conferences, providing ready access to the Center's expertise, the minimization of duplication and waste in research and demonstration programs, and the development and administration of an environmental and economic development information repository; (5) working closely with EPA- and other federally-funded research centers; (6) assisting environmentally-related and other small businesses; and (7) assisting in military base conversion. Authorizes the Center to provide undergraduate scholarships for individuals studying in environmental fields, assistantships and fellowships for graduate students to encourage study in fields related to sustainable economic development, and research grants to college and university faculty. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1577 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administration Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Redesignates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency (the Agency), headed by an Administrator to perform the previous functions of the Department of Energy. Provides for the continuation of service of the Secretary of Energy as the interim Administrator. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Administrator to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Energy Programs Resolution Agency any organizational entities that were entities of DOE. Sunsets the Agency three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the most efficient way to accomplish the complete abolishment of DOE and the transfer or termination of its functions. Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities - Establishes an independent Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to privatize and reduce energy laboratories and programs. Prescribes procedural guidelines. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account to fund implementation of such guidelines. Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations - Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (except the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)). Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal Power Marketing Administration operations (except BPA operations) upon completion of the sales. Directs the Secretary to retain a private sector firm through a competitive bidding process to serve as financial advisor with respect to such sales. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former Federal Power Marketing Administration personnel. Mandates that sale proceeds be deposited into the Treasury. Sets forth a sales completion deadline for each Power Marketing Administration concerned. (Sec. 305) Mandates that the pertinent sales agreements require each purchaser providing electric power to customers within any region to insure that the price of electric power does not increase above the baseline price at a rate greater than ten percent annually. (Sec. 306) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable prior to the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. (Sec. 307) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the prohibition against the use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 308) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all DOE functions affecting the BPA. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective option of disposing of the BPA. Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves - Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all former DOE functions affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) sell the reserves held at Weeks Island, Louisiana; and (2) appoint an advisory board to monitor the sale of such reserves and report to the Congress on whether the United States should maintain or dispose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 402) Transfers to the Administrator of the Energy Programs Resolution Agency all functions performed with respect to the naval petroleum reserves, except Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (Elk Hills). Instructs the Administrator to: (1) obtain the highest possible price for the naval petroleum reserves; and (2) develop a joint plan with the Secretary of the Interior for disposal of the naval petroleum reserves within a specified timeframe. Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs - Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency - Establishes the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency (the Agency) in the Department of Defense (DOD), headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs with primary responsibility for defense nuclear programs. (Sec. 504) Transfers to the Under Secretary all supervisory functions previously performed by: (1) DOE over Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; (2) Defense Special Weapons Agency of DOD relating to nuclear weapons systems; and (3) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer other nuclear weapons-related functions to the Under Secretary. (Sec. 505) Places restrictions upon the transfer of funds by the Agency. (Sec. 508) Requires the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to transmit recommendations to the Congress for a civilian entity that should perform the functions previously performed by DOE relating to the naval nuclear propulsion program. Precludes Commission consideration of the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency or any other entity within DOD. Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the Under Secretary to review ongoing and planned remediation activities consistent with this Act. (Sec. 521) Sets forth guidelines for site-specific risk assessment, including a cost-benefit analysis of risk reduction, before the selection of a remedial action at a defense nuclear facility. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Under Secretary to renegotiate the terms of any compliance agreement entered into with the Secretary of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the relevant State in order to have it reflect this Act. Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department - Limits authorizations for enumerated energy research and development programs through FY 2002. (Sec. 601) Directs the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to identify for the Congress all DOE research and development activities carried out at energy laboratories or institutions of higher education that perform a critical research function important to the long-term economic well-being of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate all DOE clean coal technology research and development activities. Authorizes appropriations for DOE fossil energy and energy conservation research and development activities. Terminates such activities 1at the end of FY 2000. Transfers from DOE to DOD specified weapons and defense activities. (Sec. 602) Transfers to the Department of the Treasury all functions performed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Authorizes appropriations for the EIA. Transfers to the Attorney General all functions performed by the Energy Regulatory Administration. Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to terminate the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfer to the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) its authority and assets with respect to a repository for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Requires: (1) the Corps to assume all obligations of the Office affecting the Yucca Mountain site; and (2) reissuance of Nevada State permits for the Corps. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corps preparation and implementation of a Yucca Mountain site characterization plan. (Sec. 702) Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reaffirm that the obligation of the Secretary of Energy to accept high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel beginning by January 31, 1998, is absolute and is not dependent on commencement of operation of a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility. States that such obligation shall be neither voided nor delayed for any reason. Repeals: (1) the site selection limitation placed upon the siting of a monitored retrievable storage facility; and (2) the licensing conditions placed upon such facility. (Sec. 703) Prescribes procedural guidelines for the licensing and expansion of an initial uranium storage facility. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget to make any determination regarding functions transferred under this Act and incidental transfers.
Bill· HRH.R. 1570 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Anti-Gun Invasion Act of 1997 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to remove an exemption from a prohibition on imports of certain military firearms and ammunition of U.S. manufacture furnished to a foreign government by the United States with respect to curio or relic weapons. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to the Congress on the scope and effect of the importation of foreign-made surplus military firearms, including: (1) a list of types and models of military firearms currently being imported into the United States as "curios or relics" which would otherwise be barred; (2) a list of the number of each such type and model that has been imported during the five years preceding the date of submission of the report; (3) a description of the ease with which each such type and model may be converted to a semi-automatic assault weapon or to a fully automatic weapon; (4) statistics that may be relevant to the use of each such type and model for criminal activities; and (5) a comprehensive evaluation of the scope of such importation and the use of such weapons in crimes in the United States.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 77 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that cost-of-living adjustments for Federal civilian and military retirees should be paid beginning in January of each year and should not be delayed, whether as part of a budget agreement or otherwise.
Law· SS. 714 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Makes permanent (currently, terminates September 30, 1997) a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans.
Bill· SS. 709 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Private Property Rights Act of 1997 - States that the policy of the Federal Government is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public in a manner that, to the extent practicable, avoids takings of private property. (Sec. 5) Directs each Federal agency to complete a private property taking impact analysis before taking any agency action (including the promulgation of a regulation) which is likely to result in a taking of private property. Exempts from such requirement certain: (1) actions in which the power of eminent domain is formally exercised; (2) any action taken with respect to property held in trust by the United States or in connection with treaty negotiations; (3) law enforcement actions; (4) communications between a Federal agency and a State or local land-use planning agency about a proposed State or local activity regulating private property; (5) military activities or military or foreign affairs functions; and (6) emergencies involving immediate threats to health or safety. Requires that the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies under this Act. Specifies the content of such an analysis and requires a copy to be transmitted to the owner of the affected property, as well as made available to the public. Requires each agency to provide the analysis required under this Act as part of any submission otherwise required to be made to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) relating to an agency action. (Sec. 6) Requires the agency, before taking any final agency action, to fully consider alternatives described in this Act, and to the maximum extent practicable, alter the action to avoid or minimize the taking of private property. (Sec. 7) Allows the owner of private property, if an agency action results in the taking of such property, to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action against the agency that has caused the taking to occur. Provides for a civil action against the agency to be brought: (1) in either the U.S. District Court in which the property at issue is located or in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (currently), regardless of the amount in controversy; and (2) if the property is located in more than one judicial district, in any district in which any part of the property is located. (Sec. 8) Directs the Attorney General to provide legal guidance in a timely manner, in response to a request by an agency, to assist it in complying with this Act. Requires annual reports by each agency to the OMB Director and Attorney General identifying each agency action that has resulted in the preparation of a taking impact analysis, the filing of a taking claim, and any award of compensation pursuant to the Just Compensation Clause of the fifth amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 9) Creates a rebuttable presumption that unmodified analyses five years or older are outdated for purposes of any agency action or administrative or judicial proceeding.
Bill· HRH.R. 1544 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Federal Agency Compliance Act - Requires a Federal agency, in administering a statute, rule, regulation, program, or policy (statute) within a judicial circuit, to adhere to the existing precedent respecting the interpretation and application of such statute, as established by the decisions of the U.S. court of appeals for that circuit, with exceptions. Allows an agency to take a position, either in administration or litigation, that is at variance with such precedent if: (1) it is uncertain whether the administration of the statute will be subject to review by the appeals court that established that precedent or a court of appeals for another circuit; (2) the Government did not seek further review of the case in which that precedent was first established in that appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court because neither the United States nor any agency or officer thereof was a party to the case or because the decision establishing that precedent was otherwise substantially favorable to the Government; or (3) it is reasonable to question the continued validity of that precedent in light of a subsequent decision of that appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court, a subsequent change in any pertinent statute or regulation, or any other subsequent change in the public policy or circumstances on which that precedent was based. Requires: (1) the officers of any Federal agency supervising the conduct of litigation to ensure that the initiation, defense, and continuation of proceedings in the U.S. courts within, or subject to the jurisdiction of, a particular judicial circuit avoids unnecessarily repetitive litigation on questions of law already consistently resolved against the U.S. position in precedents established by the U.S. courts of appeals for three or more other judicial circuits; (2) decisions on whether to initiate, defend, or continue litigation for purposes of this Act to take into account specified factors, including the effect of intervening changes in pertinent law or the public policy or circumstances on which the established precedents were based; and (3) the Attorney General to report annually to specified congressional committees on the Federal agency efforts to comply with this Act. Specifies that a decision on whether to initiate, defend, or continue litigation is not subject to court review on the grounds that the decision violates the requirement under this Act regarding adherence to court of appeals precedents.
Bill· HRH.R. 1540 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Provides that any of certain listed diseases or disabilities becoming manifest in any veteran who served 90 days or more of active military duty during which such veteran was exposed to carbon tetrachloride shall be considered to be service-connected, and therefore compensable through veterans' disability compensation, notwithstanding evidence of such disease during such service.
Bill· SS. 696 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1997
International Peacekeeping Reform Act of 1997 - Prohibits funds made available to the Department of State under the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities Account, or under any law to pay for contributions for United Nations peacekeeping activities, from being available to the United Nations for the establishment, expansion, or modification in mission of a United Nations peacekeeping operation unless the President: (1) makes the certification required by this Act; and (2) notifies the Congress, at least 15 days before (or in the event of an emergency, within 48 hours after) any vote by the United Nations Security Council to establish, expand, or modify such operation, of the intent to support the operation. Directs the President to certify that the peacekeeping operation meets the following requirements: (1) the operation involves an international conflict in which hostilities have ceased and all significant parties to the conflict agree to the imposition of United Nations forces to seek an enduring solution to the conflict; (2) the percentage of the U.S.-assessed share of the operation's cost is no greater than the percentage of the share for the regular United Nations budget; (3) adequate measures have been taken by the United Nations to protect sensitive U.S.-supplied intelligence information; and (4) with respect to units of the U.S. armed forces trained to carry out direct combat missions, the operation advances U.S. national security interests, the units are critical to the success of the operation and will be under U.S. command and control, and any armed forces member would be protected by the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Bill· SS. 686 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Establishes as a nonprofit corporation the National Military Museum Foundation to: (1) preserve military artifacts having historical or technological significance; (2) facilitate research on military history; (3) promote partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector for the preservation of such artifacts; (4) engage in related military history documentation and preservation activities; and (5) recognize and honor the individuals who have served in the armed forces. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 682 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Requires not less than $200 million of the funds available to the Department of Defense for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities each fiscal year to be available to fund National Guard participation in such activities.
Bill· SS. 672 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Defense Supplementals Title II: Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies Title III: Other Supplementals Title IV: Department of Defense Offsets Title V: Other Offsets Title VI: Social Services Block Grant Amendment Title VII: Government Shutdown Prevention Act Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act of 1997 - Title I: Department of Defense Supplementals - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 to the Department of Defense (DOD)--Military, for: (1) Military Personnel of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps,and Air Force; (2) operation and maintenance, Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (3) OPLAN 34A-35 POW payments to individuals; and (4) the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund. (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, upon his determination that it is necessary in the national interest and with Office of Management and Budget approval, to transfer between such appropriations, but only for higher priority items, based on unforeseen military requirements, up to a specified amount of DOD working capital and other specified funds earmarked for: (1) U.S. participation in the Bosnia Stabilization Force (SFOR); and (2) enforcement of the no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. (Sec. 102) Prohibits the use of DOD funds to transfer management, development, and acquisition authority over the National Missile Defense Program from the Military Services until the contract for a Lead System Integrator for it is awarded. Directs the Joint Requirements Oversight Council to: (1) submit recommendations to Congressional Defense Committees on the future roles of the Services with respect to the management, technical development, cost, schedule, and acquisition plan for the elements in such program; and (2) certify that such contract will conform to these recommendations. (Sec. 103) Makes additional appropriations for a grant to reimburse the American Red Cross for disaster relief and recovery expenditures. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer specified funds to reimburse costs incurred for repairing damage caused by hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters during 1996 and 1997 to real property and facilities at Marine Corps facilities (including Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Cherry Point, North Carolina; and the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California). (Sec. 105) Makes additional appropriations to cover incremental operation and maintenance costs from hurricane damage to family housing units at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. (Sec. 106) Prohibits use of DOD funds for operations or activities of the Armed Forces relating to Bosnia, unless the President reports to the Congress, with specified details, on the cost and source of funds for military activities relating to Bosnia. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the incumbent to continue to serve as the Secretary of Defense designee on the Board of the Panama Canal Commission if he retires as an officer of the Department of Defense, until and unless the Secretary of Defense designates another person to serve in this position. Title II: Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies - Chapter 1: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Farm Service Agency's Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account for the additional cost of certain emergency insured loans (including loan modifications); (2) the Emergency Conservation Program for expenses, including carcass removal; (3) the Tree Assistance Program for assistance to small orchardists to replace, rehabilitate, or replant disaster-damaged trees and vineyards, including (through the Forestry Incentives Program) trees damaged by 1997 tornadoes; and (4) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund, Disaster Reserve Assistance Program, to implement a livestock indemnity program. Makes such appropriations to: (1) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations to repair damages to the waterways and watersheds; (2) the Rural Housing Service, Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program, for the cost of specified direct loans for emergency expenses, and Rural Housing Assistance Program, for very low-income housing repair grants and domestic farm labor grants; and (3) the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Utilities Assistance Program, for the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Economic Development Administration, Economic Development Assistance Programs; and (2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for construction. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of Defense--Civil, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for: (1) flood control, Mississippi River and tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee; (2) general operations and maintenance; and (3) flood control and coastal emergencies. Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, for operation and maintenance. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management; (2) the Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) National Park Service; (4) U.S. Geological Survey; and (5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Makes such appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to: (1) the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service for the National Forest System's emergency expenses;and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. Chapter 5: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations for FY 1997 with respect to flood and other natural disaster costs to the Department of Transportation for: (1) the Federal Highway Administration, Federal-Aid Highways, Emergency Relief Program; and (2) the Federal Railroad Administration, Emergency Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair, to repair and rebuild freight rail lines of regional and short line railroads damaged as a result of the floods in the northern plains States in March and April of 1997. Makes such appropriations for a related agency, the National Transportation Safety Board, for emergency expenses resulting from the crashes of TWA Flight 800 and ValuJet 592, and for assistance to families of victims of aviation accidents. Chapter 6: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations to: (1) the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and Development, community development block grants fund; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for disaster relief. Requires the FEMA Director to submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to control disaster relief expenditures, including the elimination of funding for certain revenue producing facilities. Chapter 7: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies - Makes emergency appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary, Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, to support research on environmental risk factors associated with breast cancer. Directs the Secretary of HHS to award such funds on a competitive basis. Title III: Other Supplementals - Chapter 1: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Farm Service Agency's Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account for the additional cost of certain direct operating loans; and (2) the Food and Consumer Service's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of State for payment of United States arrearages owed to the United Nations, subject to express authorization enacted in a subsequent Act. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on the District of Columbia - Makes supplemental FY 1997 appropriations to the District of Columbia, (Federal Payment to the District of Columbia) for deposit into an escrow account of the D.C. Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority and disbursal pursuant to the instructions of, and in accordance with a plan approved by, such Authority. Requires the use of specified portions of such funds for: (1) emergency repair of D.C. public schools; and (2) pay raises within the Metropolitan Police Department. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, for repairs, facilities construction, visitor transportation, and related purposes at Yosemite National Park. Chapter 5: Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Congressional Operations, Senate - Makes supplemental appropriations for an additional amount for expenses of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, to carry out specified provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1997. Chapter 6: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Transportation for: (1) Coast Guard retired pay and for operating expenses directly related to support activities in the TWA Flight 800 crash investigation; (2) Federal Aviation Administration, to reimburse State and local agencies for unanticipated disaster costs associated with efforts directly related to the 1996 TWA Flight 800 and ValuJet Flight 592 tragedies; and (3) Federal Highway Administration, Federal-Aid Highways. Chapter 7: Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary of Treasury to use the law enforcement services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the State of Colorado and of the County and City of Denver for security arrangements for the Denver Summit of Eight. Makes supplemental appropriations to the U.S. Postal Service, for the Postal Service Fund, for revenue forgone on free and reduced rate mail for specified purposes. Chapter 8: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies - Makes supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration; and (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for annual contributions for assisted housing and for capacity building for community development and affordable housing. Chapter 9: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies - Amends specified Federal law relating to appropriations to provide for additional amounts for: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Health Resources and Services Administration's Health Education Assistance Loans Program, and the Administration for Children and Families' Social Services Block Grant program; and (2) the Department of Education, Education for the Disadvantaged programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Chapter 10: General Provisions - Earmarks a specified amount from the Counterterrorism Fund of the Department of Justice for allocation to the appropriate unit or units of government in Ogden, Utah, for necessary expenses to counter any potential terrorism threat related to the 2002 Winter Olympic games. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the use of any funds made available in any appropriations Act for FY 1997 to the Department of Commerce for preparing to use sampling in the 2000 decennial census. (Sec. 304) Provides that, for specified purposes, all patents in force on June 8, 1995, are entitled to the full benefit of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994 as well as any extension granted before such date. (Sec. 305) Repeals specified provisions of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, which make certain additional Department of Defense appropriations earmarked for the Dual-Use Applications Program. (Sec. 306) Declares that the U.S. members and alternate members, appointed under the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact, shall be officers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who hold Presidential appointments as Regular Army officers with Senate confirmation, and serve without additional compensation. (Sec. 307) Amends the Delaware River Basin Compact to provide that certain members serve at the pleasure of the President. (Sec. 308) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (part of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996) with respect to a recreational fee demonstration program. (Sec. 309) Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, to authorize the Indian Health Service (IHS), with respect to functions it transfers to tribes or tribal organizations, to provide goods and services to those entities, on a reimbursable basis, including payment in advance with subsequent adjustment. (Sec. 310) Prohibits the use of any funds for any Federal agency for FY 1997 and thereafter to promulgate or implement any rule, regulation, policy, statement, or directive issued after October 1, 1993, regarding the recognition, validity, or management of any right of way established pursuant specified Federal law relating to public lands. (Sec. 311) Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to exempt certain emergency flood control projects from specified consultation and conferencing requirements, and prohibitions against the taking of species. (Sec. 312) Extends through FY 1998 the availability, to recipients in Presidentially-declared disaster areas, of certain funds awarded for State-administered programs of the Department of Education for FY 1995 (and for FY 1996, with respect to such programs under the Rehabilitation Act). (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary of Education, with respect to student aid awards for award year 1997-1998, to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to assist individuals and other program participants who suffered financial harm from natural disasters. (Sec. 314) Prohibits the use of any funds to administer or implement in Denver, Colorado, a Medicare Competitive Pricing-Open Enrollment Demonstration program. (Sec. 315) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 to make a specified limitation on the minimum rate of gross compensation inapplicable to any member or civilian employee of the Capitol Police whose compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate. (Sec. 316) Authorizes the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration, to provide additional facilities, services, equipment, and office space for use by a Senator in that Senator's State in connection with a Presidentially-declared disaster or emergency. (Sec. 319) Authorizes additional appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1997 for grants to States for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. (Sec. 320) Amends Federal transportation law to exempt from certain fees overflights operated by citizens of a country contiguous to the United States if: (1) both the origin and destination of such flights are within that country; and (2) that country exempts similar categories of flights operated by U.S. citizens. (Sec. 321) Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to obligate specified appropriations for construction of the Montgomery, Alabama, courthouse. (Sec. 322) Prohibits the use of funds to impose or collect any penalty imposed solely because of a failure to use the electronic fund transfer system by a person first required do so during the last six months of 1997. (Sec. 323) Amends the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 to repeal specified provisions relating to cooperative purchasing. (Sec. 324) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to publish quarterly in the Federal Register a list of all contracts and task orders in excess of $250,000 entered into by HUD, the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. (Sec. 325) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise certain time periods relating to notice requirements for terminating section 8 housing contracts. Title IV: Department of Defense Offsets - Rescinds specified funds provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1997 for: (1) military personnel of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; (2) operation and maintenance for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense-wide; (3) environmental restoration by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense-wide; (4) Former Soviet Union Threat Reduction; (5) various types of procurement, including aircraft missile, weapons, tracked combat vehicles, shipbuilding and conversion, and ammunition, by various branches of the armed forces; (6) National Guard and Reserve equipment; (7) armed forces research, development, test and evaluation; (8) the National Defense Sealift Fund; (9) chemical agents and munitions destruction; and (10) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. (Sec. 401) Rescinds specified amounts of the funds appropriated in specified categories in: (1) the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1996, including the Base Realignment and Closure Account; and (2) the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1997. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the continuing obligation and expenditure of certain funds appropriated for Navy weapons procurement that were obligated and expended to settle claims on the MK-50 torpedo program. (Sec. 403) Prohibits the use of any Department of Defense funds to pay the cost of operating a National Missile Defense Joint Program Office which includes more than 55 military and civilian personnel located in the National Capital Region. (Sec. 404) Requires the merger of certain National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Air Force funds for obligation only on Titan IV vehicles and related activities. (Sec. 405) Rescinds a certain amount of funds appropriated for Military Construction in the Navy under specified Federal law. Title V: Other Offsets - Chapter 1: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Rescinds specified amounts of the available unobligated balances for the Department of Justice under the General Administration Working Capital Fund. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies - Rescinds specified funds made available to the Department of Energy for Clean Coal Technology and for Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies - Rescinds specified contract authorizations for the Department of Transportation for: (1) Federal Aviation Administration grants-in-aid for airports; (2) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highway traffic safety grants; and (3) Federal Transit Administration discretionary grants for fixed guideway modernization and bus activities. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government - Rescinds specified amounts available to the General Services Administration for Presidential transition expenses. Chapter 5: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies - Rescinds specified amounts recaptured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from annual contributions for assisted housing. Directs the Secretary of HUD to recapture a specified section 8 reserve funds made available to housing agencies for tenant-based assistance. Rescinds a specified amount of negative credit subsidy from the sale of mortgage notes for the HUD Federal Housing Administration General and Special Risk Program Account. Rescinds certain funds for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and NASA. Chapter 6: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies - Prohibits the use of Department of Agriculture funds under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 to pay the personnel salaries and expenses above specified levels to carry out: (1) a combined program for export credit guarantees, supplier credit guarantees, and emerging democracies facilities guarantees; and (2) an export enhancement program. Chapter 7: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development - Cancels, permanently, specified funds for the Department of Defense--Civil, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for general construction. Title VI: Social Services Block Grant Amendment - Amends title XX of the Social Security Act to establish a program of block grants to States for non-Medicaid assistance to noncitizens. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997. Title VII: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for continuing appropriations for FY 1998 at 98 percent of the level of FY 1997 operations, in the absence of regular appropriations for FY 1998.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 80 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States cannot afford to carry out all three of the FA-18EF aircraft program, the F-22 aircraft program, and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft program at the proposed acquisition levels; (2) the Department of Defense (DOD) should reexamine its spending level assumptions and priorities; and (3) DOD should develop an alternative acquisition strategy for an effective, affordable tactical fighter force structure.
Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 75 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 1469 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters Title II: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Peacekeeping Title III: General Provisions -- This Act 1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts, Including Those in Bosnia - Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1997 to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) Farm Service Agency emergency conservation, conservation reserve, and tree assistance programs; (2) Natural Resources Conservation Service watershed and flood prevention operations; (3) the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Rural Housing Insurance Fund program (RHS grant and loan eligibility for the College Station area of Pulaski County, Arkansas); and (4) the Food and Consumer Service's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Chapter 2 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Economic Development Administration's economic development assistance programs for emergency infrastructure expenses; (2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for new grants for industrial technology services under the Advanced Technology Program; and (3) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for emergency construction expenses resulting from flooding and other natural disasters. Chapter 3 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Defense--Civil, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for emergency expenses due to flooding and other natural disasters, including flood control on the Mississippi River and tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Makes such appropriations to the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation for repair of damage caused by floods and other natural disasters. (Sec. 301) Makes the U.S. members and the alternate members, appointed under the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact, officers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who hold Presidential appointments as Regular Army officers with Senate confirmation, and serve without additional compensation, and at the President's pleasure. (Sec. 303) Declares that a specified policy issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act (currently applicable to certain California counties declared Federal disaster areas) shall also apply for a certain period of time to: (1) all counties nationwide declared Federal disaster areas at any time during 1997; and (2) repair activities on flood control facilities in response to an imminent threat to human lives and property. Chapter 4 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) Bureau of Land Management flood damage repair and other activities for Oregon and California Grant Lands; (2) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resource management; (3) National Park Service emergency expenses and construction; (4) the U.S. Geological Survey; and (5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Makes such appropriations for emergency expenses of the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. (Sec. 401) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (part of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996) to revise the formula for distribution of amounts collected under the recreational fee demonstration program. Chapter 5 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Transportation for: (1) the Coast Guard, retired pay; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration; (3) the Federal Highway Administration, Federal-Aid Highway emergency relief program; and (4) the Federal Railroad Administration, to repair and rebuild freight rail lines of regional and short line railroads damaged as a result of the floods in the northern plains States in the spring of 1997. Makes such appropriations to the National Transportation Safety Board for: (1) emergency expenses resulting from the crashes of TWA Flight 800 and ValuJet 592; and (2) assistance to families of victims of aviation accidents. (Sec. 503) Authorizes additional appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1997 for grants to States for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. (Sec. 504) Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the National Driver Register. Chapter 6 - Makes such appropriations to: (1) the U.S. Postal Service, for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail; (2) the Federal Election Commission, for internal automated data processing systems to carry out the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971; and (3) the U.S. Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, for the Automated Targeting System with respect to counter-terrorism and drug law enforcement. (Sec. 601) Permits Federal contracting for procurement of distinctive currency paper with any corporation or other entity created under Federal or State law, more than 50 percent of which is held by U.S. citizens. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to induce an appropriate level of competition among those desiring to provide such paper to the United States. Chapter 7 - Makes such appropriations to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration; (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for preserving the existing housing investment and for drug elimination grants for low-income housing; and (3) the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for disaster relief as well as salaries and expenses. Reduces from 30 days to 15 days the waiting period before the effective date of new contracts for flood insurance coverage (and any coverage modifications for existing contracts) under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 entered into between January 1 and June 30, 1997. Chapter 8 - Sets forth various offset conditions for certain Department of Agriculture funds with respect to: (1) the Office of the Secretary, the Fund for Rural America and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); (2) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wetlands Reserve Program; (3) the Food and Consumer Service, the Emergency Food Assistance Program; and (4) the Foreign Agricultural Service, for the export credit and export enhancement programs. Rescinds specified funds available for: (1) the Department of Justice; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Federal Communications Commission; (4) the Department of Energy; (5) the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Federal Transit Administration; (6) the General Services Administration; and (7) the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Title II: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Peacekeeping - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense--Military, for: (1) Military Personnel, of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; (2) operation and maintenance, Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (3) OPLAN 34A-35 P.O.W. payments to individuals; and (4) the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund. (Sec. 2102) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer up to a specified amount from certain accounts to the Marine Corps for repair of damage caused by hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters during 1996 and 1997 to Marine Corps facilities (including Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, North Carolina, and the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California). (Sec. 2103) Appropriates additional amounts for direct patient care at military treatment facilities and for force protection and counter-terrorism initiatives. (Sec. 2105) Requires prior and specific written approval from the Appropriations Committees of the Congress for the use of any funds appropriated for any fiscal year to compensate certain military personnel or civilian employees employed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) on or after May 1, 1997, or in the organization of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Resources, Warfare Requirements, and Assessments) for budgeting or financial management. Chapter 2 - Rescinds specified funds provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1997 to reflect savings from revised economic assumptions and revised foreign currency exchange rates. (Sec. 2203) Rescinds from funds provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts specified amounts associated with unobligated balances expected to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. (Sec. 2204) Rescinds specified amounts from funds provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts or appropriated in the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1996. Chapter 3 - Rescinds a specified amount of the funds appropriated for Military Construction, Navy, under specified Federal law. Makes appropriations in an additional amount (equal to the preceding rescission) for Family Housing, Navy and Marine Corps, to cover the incremental operation and maintenance costs arising from hurricane damage to family housing units at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Title III: General Provisions: This Act - Authorizes the President to waive any earmarks for Ukraine under Assistance for the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union in the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 upon determining, and reporting to the congressional committees on Appropriations, that the Government of Ukraine: (1) is not making significant progress toward economic reform and the elimination of corruption; (2) is not permitting American firms and individuals to operate in Ukraine according to generally accepted business principles; or (3) is not effectively assisting American firms and individuals in their efforts to enforce commercial contracts and resist extortion and other corrupt demands.
Bill· HRH.R. 1486 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: International Affairs Agency Consolidation, United Nations Reform, Foreign Assistance Reform, and Foreign Assistance Authorizations Title I: General Provisions Title II: Consolidation of Certain Foreign Assistance Agencies Chapter 1: General Provisions Chapter 2: United States International Development Cooperation Agency Title III: Foreign Assistance Reform Title IV: Defense and Security Assistance Chapter 1: Narcotics Control Assistance Chapter 2: Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs Chapter 3: Foreign Military Financing Program Chapter 4: International Military Education and Training Chapter 5: Transfer of Naval Vessels to Certain Foreign Countries Chapter 6: Other Provisions Title V: Economic Assistance Chapter 1: Economic Support Assistance Chapter 2: Development Assistance Chapter 3: Urban and Environmental Credit Program Chapter 4: The Peace Corps Chapter 5: International Disaster Assistance Chapter 6: Debt Relief Chapter 7: Other Assistance Provisions Title VI: Trade and Development Agency Title VII: Special Authorities and Other Provisions Chapter 1: Special Authorities Chapter 2: Repeals Division B: Foreign Relations Authorizations Act Title X (sic): General Provisions Title XI: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities Title XII: Department of State Authorities and Activities Chapter 1: Authorities and Activities Chapter 2: Consular Authorities of the Department of State Chapter 3: Refugees and Migration Title XIII: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel; the Foreign Service Chapter 1: Organization of the Department of State Chapter 2: Personnel of the Department of State; the Foreign Service Title XIV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Title XV: International Organizations; United Nations and Related Agencies Chapter 1: General Provisions Chapter 2: United Nations and Related Agencies Title XVI: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Title XVII: Foreign Policy Provisions Foreign Policy Reform Act - Division A: International Affairs Agency Consolidation, United Nations Reform, Foreign Assistance Reform, and Foreign Assistance Authorizations - Title I: General Provisions - Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1997 - Declares that: (1) U.S. leadership overseas must be maintained to support America's vital national security, economic, and humanitarian overseas interests; and (2) with the end of the Cold War, foreign assistance programs must be reformed to take advantage of the opportunities for the United States in the 21st century. Title II: Consolidation of Certain Foreign Assistance Agencies - Chapter 1: General Provisions - International Affairs Agency Consolidation Act of 1997 - Chapter 2: United States International Development Cooperation Agency - Abolishes the United States International Development Cooperation Agency, and transfers all functions of the Director of such agency to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (Sec. 221) Provides for: (1) the continuation of USAID as a Federal agency; and (2) the Administrator of USAID to be under the direction of the Secretary of State. Title III: Foreign Assistance Reform - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise requirements for the annual report to the Congress on foreign assistance programs. Replaces responsibility for such report from the Chairman of the Development Coordination Committee to the President. (Sec. 301) Directs the President, as part of the annual requests for foreign assistance program authorizations and appropriations, to submit to the Congress annual congressional presentation documents that provide, among other things, the amount, the rationale, and the direct U.S. national interest for the allocation of assistance provided under this Act and the Arms Export Control Act to each foreign country or international organization. Requires the President, as part of such documents, to estimate the year in which each country will no longer receive bilateral development assistance. (Sec. 302) Prohibits U.S. assistance to countries that consistently oppose the U.S. position in the UN General Assembly. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition if it is determined that the provision of assistance is necessary to promote U.S. foreign policy objectives. (Sec. 303) Urges the President for FY 1998 and 1999 to allocate foreign assistance funds to private and voluntary organizations and cooperatives in a manner that reflects the increase in the funding of such entities since FY 1995. (Sec. 304) Replaces the Private Sector Revolving Fund with a program of assistance (including loans, guarantees, and training) to increase the availability of credit to micro- and small enterprises. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Administrator of USAID to provide grant assistance for programs of credit and other assistance for microenterprises in developing countries. Urges the Administrator to establish a monitoring system establishing performance goals for such assistance. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the President to provide funds and support to private sector Enterprise Funds for countries eligible to receive development assistance on the same basis as such funds and support are provided to Enterprise Funds for Poland and Hungary under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 307) Authorizes the President to use certain Development Credit Authority to promote: (1) micro- and small enterprise development; and (2) certain urban and environmental activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of U.S. technology, firms, and equipment with respect to such activities. (Sec. 308) Withholds from obligation an amount equivalent to 110 percent of the total unpaid fully adjudicated parking fines owed to the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, New York, and New York City by the government of a foreign country in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such fines are fully paid. Title IV: Defense and Security Assistance - Chapter 1: Narcotics Control Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for U.S. antinarcotics assistance to foreign countries. Chapter 2: Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to establish the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund to promote bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation and disarmament activities with specified goals. Prohibits the use of the Fund to implement U.S. obligations under bilateral or multilateral arms control treaties or nonproliferation accords. (Sec. 411) Earmarks specified amounts of U.S. military assistance funds for: (1) nonproliferation and disarmament activities; (2) demining activities; and (3) voluntary contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999. Chapter 3: Foreign Military Financing Program - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for grant assistance and direct loans for the procurement of defense articles and services by countries and international organizations friendly to the United States. (Sec. 422) Earmarks specified amounts of military assistance for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) Israel and Egypt; (2) assistance for the transition of countries to NATO membership; (3) direct loans for Greece and Turkey; and (4) administrative expenses. Chapter 4: International Military Education and Training - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for military education and training for civilian personnel in foreign countries. (Sec. 432) Makes Panama and Haiti eligible for assistance under the international military education and training (IMET) program. Chapter 5: Transfer of Naval Vessels to Certain Foreign Countries - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer certain naval class vessels to: (1) Brazil; (2) Chile; (3) Egypt; (4) Israel; (5) Malaysia; (6) Mexico; (7) Taiwan; and (8) Thailand. (Sec. 444) Directs the Secretary to encourage recipient countries to have such vessels repaired or refurbished at U.S. shipyards. Chapter 6: Other Provisions - Amends Federal law to authorize for FY 1998 and 1999 the transfer of excess defense articles to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace program and eligible for assistance under the SEED Act of 1989. (Sec. 452) Authorizes the President, in return for specified concessions, to transfer to the Republic of Korea certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in the war reserve allies stockpile. (Sec. 453) Limits to no more than $60 million for FY 1998 the value of additions to the stockpiles of defense articles in foreign countries. Sets forth limits on stockpiles in the Republic of Korea and Thailand. Title V: Economic Assistance - Chapter 1: Economic Support Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for economic support funds (ESF) assistance. (Sec. 502) Earmarks amounts for Israel, Egypt, the International Fund for Ireland, and assistance and training for civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defense of the Government of Nicaragua. Chapter 2: Development Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for specified development assistance, including: (1) the Development Fund for Africa; (2) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union (independent states); (3) assistance for Eastern Europe; (4) the Inter-American Foundation; and (5) the African Development Foundation. (Sec. 512) Earmarks certain foreign assistance funds for specified child survival, health, basic education for children, and disease prevention programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999. (Sec. 513) Limits the amount of foreign assistance funds available to the Russian Federation unless the President determines and reports to the Congress that the Government of the Russian Federation has terminated assistance to the ballistic missile or nuclear programs of Iran and Cuba. (Sec. 521) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for operating expenses of USAID and its Office of the Inspector General. Chapter 3: Urban and Environmental Credit Program - Revises the authority for the urban and environmental credit program to repeal: (1) minimum annual program levels; (2) authority for agricultural and productive credit and self-help community development programs; and (3) certain requirements for guaranties for housing projects (including face amounts for Egypt and Israel). Chapter 4: The Peace Corps - Amends the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Peace Corps. (Sec. 542) Earmarks certain foreign assistance funds for Peace Corps activities in the independent states of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia. Prohibits the use of funds to pay for abortions. Chapter 5: International Disaster Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise congressional policy to affirm U.S. willingness to provide international disaster assistance for the reconstruction of foreign countries. (Sec. 522) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for international disaster assistance. Chapter 6: Debt Relief - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to replace the Central America Democracy, Peace, and Development Initiative with a program of special debt relief for poor countries. Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the U.S. Government as a result of loans or guarantees issued under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or credits or guarantees extended under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 561) Makes eligible for such debt reduction countries with a heavy debt burden that: (1) are eligible to borrow from the International Development Association but not from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and (2) meet other specified conditions concerning military expenditures, terrorism, narcotics control, and human rights. Limits such authority only to implement multilateral official debt relief ad referendum agreements (the Paris Club Agreed Minutes), and only to the extent that appropriations for the modifications are made in advance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999. (Sec. 562) Authorizes the President, subject to certain conditions, to sell to an eligible purchaser concessional loans made before January 1, 1995, to the government of an eligible country or reduce or cancel such loans on receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser for purposes of facilitating debt-for-equity, debt-for-development, or debt-for-nature swaps or debt buybacks by eligible countries to support specified activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999. Chapter 7: Other Assistance Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that restrictions on assistance for a country shall not be construed to restrict support of programs of nongovernmental organizations. (Sec. 571) Repeals authority to waive the requirement that U.S. private and voluntary organizations to which assistance is made available obtain at least 20 percent of their total annual financial support for international activities from sources other than the U.S. Government. (Sec. 573) Prohibits the availability of foreign assistance funds to private and voluntary organizations which: (1) fail to provide documents to meet auditing requirements of the USAID; or (2) are not registered with such agency. Title VI: Trade and Development Agency - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the Trade and Development Agency. Title VII: Special Authorities and Other Provisions - Chapter 1: Special Authorities - Increases from ten to 20 percent the amount authorized to be transferred between specified accounts under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 702) Increases the amount of emergency assistance the President is authorized to use in any fiscal year for unanticipated contingencies. (Sec. 703) Authorizes the President to provide assistance, sales, or other action under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Arms Export Control Act, or any annual (or periodic) foreign assistance authorization or appropriations legislation, notwithstanding laws restricting such assistance, if the Speaker of the House and a specified congressional committee are notified that to do so is vital to national interests. Increases annual ceilings with respect to such assistance. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the President, to make an equitable settlement of termination claims under extraordinary contractual relief standards, to adopt as a contract or other U.S. obligation and assume any liabilities under it, any contract with a U.S. or third-country contractor to carry out any program of foreign assistance that was subsequently terminated. (Sec. 705) Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to authorize the use of foreign assistance provided to independent nongovernmental human rights organizations and individuals in Cuba for local costs in delivering such assistance. Chapter 2: Repeals - Repeals specified foreign assistance laws. Division B: Foreign Relations Authorizations Act - Title X: (sic) General Provisions - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Sets forth general provisions and definitions. Title XI: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) contributions to international organizations and international peacekeeping activities; (3) international conferences and contingencies; (4) offset of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (5) international commissions; (6) migration and refugee assistance; (7) the Asia Foundation; (8) international information activities and educational and cultural exchange programs; and (9) purposes of carrying out the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Earmarks funds for specified organizations and activities. (Sec. 1102) Withholds certain amounts of funds from the United Nations Development Program unless the President certifies to appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC); (3) provide no financial, political, or military support to SLORC; and (4) are supported by the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Title XII: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Chapter 1: Authorities and Activities - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of aiders or abettors of acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property or in certain narcotics-related offenses. Makes the resources of the rewards program available, at the Secretary's discretion, for the publication of rewards offered by foreign governments about acts of terrorism not involving the United States. Directs the President, in carrying out the rewards program, to take possession and exercise full control of up to two percent of earnings accruing on all assets of foreign governments blocked under the International Emergency Powers Act. (Sec. 1202) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit amounts contained in the Foreign Service national separation liability trust fund in interest-bearing accounts. (Sec. 1203) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to make one of the purposes of the Capital Investment Fund the enhancement of information technology and other related capital investments for the Department of State. (Sec. 1204) Amends the International Center Act to authorize the deposit of amounts contained in the International Center Reserve Fund in interest-bearing accounts. Authorizes the Secretary to retain, and expend without further appropriation, the interest earned on such deposits. (Sec. 1205) Amends the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926 to authorize the deposit of proceeds from the sale of foreign properties into interest-bearing accounts. Authorizes the Secretary to retain, and expend without further appropriation, the interest earned on such deposits. (Sec. 1208) Amends the International Claims Settlement Act to grant jurisdiction to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to adjudicate claims included in a category of claims against a foreign government which is referred to it by the Secretary. (Sec. 1210) Establishes a special fee account for use in paying certain expenses of the Department of State and the Foreign Service. Earmarks funds for the provision, without charge, of passport information services to U.S. citizens. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to require deposit in a special fund of the Treasury of a certain amount of fees collected from processing machine readable visas. Makes funds available for certain costs of the Department's border security program. Repeals the prohibition against the charging of fees to citizens of countries that are signatories to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 1212) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to change from $700,000 to all the amount of registration fees collected by the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State which shall be credited for each fiscal year to a Department of State account, without limitation. Adds to the permissible expenses payable from such account the enhancement of defense trade export compliance and enforcement activities to include compliance audits of U.S. and foreign parties, the conduct of administrative proceedings, end-use monitoring of direct commercial arms sales and transfers, and cooperation in criminal proceedings related to defense trade export controls. (Sec. 1213) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary to provide training through the Foreign Service Institute to U.S. company employees engaged in business abroad, and their families. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such training on a reimbursable basis to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the judiciary, and their employees. Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for use of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center Facility of the Department. (Sec. 1214) Declares that the United States, in cases where a covered beneficiary is provided health care by the Department and is enrolled in a covered health benefits plan of a third-party payer, shall have the right to collect from such third-party payer a reasonable charge for the care to the extent that the payment would be made under such plan for such care if a claim were submitted by or on behalf of the covered beneficiary. (Sec. 1215) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary to charge a fee for use of the Department's diplomatic reception rooms. (Sec. 1217) Bars the use of funds to further normalize diplomatic relations with Vietnam unless the President certifies to appropriate congressional committees that Vietnam: (1) accounts for American prisoners-of-war and missing in action from the Vietnam war; (2) has made substantial progress toward the release of all political and religious prisoners; and (3) is cooperating with U.S. requests to obtain access to persons of humanitarian interest there and in providing exit visas to such persons. Requires certification also that the U.S. Government is making vigorous efforts to interview and resettle former re-education camp victims, their immediate families, former U.S. Government employees, and certain other persons. (Sec. 1218) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 1999 the authorization for admission into the United States of a specified number of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania based on religious persecution owing to participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Makes September 30, 1999, the latest allowable entry date for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status. (Sec. 1219) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize a Federal agency to make grants to the Department, or otherwise reimburse or credit it with advance payment, for funds used in providing assistance to overseas educational facilities attended by children of agency employees. (Sec. 1220) Amends the International Child Abduction Remedies Act to authorize the U.S. Central Authority to make grants to, or enter into contracts or agreements with, any individual, corporation, or other Federal, State, or local agency, or U.S. private organization for the purpose of helping it remedy international child abductions (returning wrongfully removed children, as well as securing the exercise of visitation rights). Chapter 2: Consular Authorities of the Department of State - Makes 30 percent of the fees collected in FY 1998 and 1999 for expedited passport processing available only for enhancing passport services, investigating passport fraud, and deterring entry into the United States by terrorists and other criminals. Chapter 3: Refugees and Migration - Directs the Secretary to include in the monthly report to the Congress entitled "Update on Monitoring of Cuban Migrant Returnees" information on: (1) the methods employed by the Cuban Government to enforce the United States-Cuba Immigration Agreement of September 1994 to restrict the emigration of Cuban people to the United States; and (2) their treatment of persons who have returned to Cuba pursuant to the United States-Cuba Agreement of May 1995. (Sec. 1262) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary to waive certain congressional notification requirements with respect to the reprogramming of Department funds if failure to do so would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare. Requires such notification to specified congressional committees, with an explanation of the emergency circumstances, not later than three days after taking the action to which notification is required. Title XIII: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel; the Foreign Service - Chapter 1: Organization of the Department of State - Establishes a Coordinator for Counterterrorism within the office of the Secretary. (Sec. 1302) Repeals the statutory establishment of: (1) an Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs; (2) a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Burdensharing; and (3) a Bureau and Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. (Sec. 1303) Establishes within the Department of State: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources; (2) an Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security; and (3) a U.S. Special Envoy for Tibet. (Sec. 1306) Declares that the Bureau of Migration and Refugee Assistance: (1) shall be the State Department bureau charged with principal responsibility for carrying out the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962; and (2) shall not be charged with responsibility for assisting the Secretary in matters relating to family planning or population policy. Chapter 2: Personnel of the Department of State; the Foreign Service - Establishes limits on the number of Foreign Service personnel in the Department of State, the United States Information Agency (USIA), and the Agency for International Development (AID) during FY 1998 and 1999. Allows a waiver of such limitations as necessary to carry out foreign affairs functions. (Sec. 1323) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary to separate from the Foreign Service without a hearing a member of the Service convicted of a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment of more than one year may be imposed. (Currently, a Foreign Service member can be separated without a hearing only if convicted of a crime related to the cause of separation). (Sec. 1325) Directs the Secretary report annually to the Congress on minorities and the Foreign Service officer corps. (Sec. 1326) Provides for certain retirement benefits under the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System and the Foreign Service Pension System for employees who are involuntarily separated from the Foreign Service. (Sec. 1327) Makes qualified criminal investigators within the Diplomatic Security Service eligible for availability pay. Title XIV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to decrease the fiscal year authorization of appropriations for the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between North and South. (Sec. 1405) Revises the Muskie Fellowship Program for graduate students from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to require selection of participants on the basis of academic and leadership potential in the additional fields of journalism and communications, education administration, public policy, and library and information science. (Sec. 1406) Establishes within USIA, in order to improve the coordination and effectiveness of U.S. Government sponsored international exchanges and training, a senior-level interagency Working Group on United States Government Sponsored International Exchanges and Training. (Sec. 1407) Requires the USIA Director to establish programs of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and the people of Tibet, including scholarships to Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who are outside their countries. (Sec. 1408) Requires transfer from USAID to USIA of funds appropriated or allocated for the ATLAS and Mandela Fellows programs. Requires USIA to enter agreements with the J. William Fulbright Commission in South Africa to provide for oversight and management of such programs. (Sec. 1409) Urges the USIA and the Board of Broadcasting Governors to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the appropriateness, feasibility, and projected costs of: (1) providing surrogate broadcasting service to Africa; and (2) a Radio Free Europe- Radio Liberty broadcasting service to Iran. (Sec. 1410) Authorizes the Director of USIA to administer summer travel-work programs without regard to preplacement requirements. (Sec. 1411) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to make permanent certain administrative authorities regarding appropriations for the USIA. (Sec. 1412) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to revise the authorities of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Director of the Board. (Sec. 1413) Amends the Japan-United States Friendship Act to authorize the investment of amounts from the United States-Japan Trust Fund, as redesignated, in interest-bearing obligations of Japan, or in obligations guaranteed by Japan. Renames: (1) the Japan-United States Friendship Commission as the United States-Japan Commission; and (2) the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund as the United States-Japan Trust Fund. Title XV: International Organizations; United Nations and Related Agencies - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing employment benefits due to Federal employees who are reemployed after having served in an international organization. Chapter 2: United Nations and Related Agencies - Authorizes the President to withhold 20 percent of the funds appropriated for the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations has failed to implement consensus-based decisionmaking procedures on budgetary matters which assure that sufficient attention is paid to the views of the United States and other member states who are major financial contributors. Title XVI: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency - Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to repeal the mandate for the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to report annually to the Congress a comprehensive compilation of studies relating to arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament issues concluded during the previous calendar year. Title XVII: Foreign Policy Provisions - Bars the use of funds for the involuntary return by the United States of a person to a country in which the person has a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, except on grounds recognized as precluding protection as a refugee under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of refugees of July 28, 1951, and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees of January 31, 1967. (Sec. 1701) Bars the use of migration and refugee assistance funds for the involuntary return of a person to any country unless the Secretary first notifies the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 1702) Prohibits the United States from expelling, extraditing, or otherwise effecting the involuntary return of a person to a country in which there are reasonable grounds for believing the person would be in danger of subjection to torture. (Sec. 1703) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on specific actions taken by the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Commerce in resolving certain commercial disputes between U.S. firms and the Saudi Arabia Government. (Sec. 1705) Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) UNFPA has terminated all activities in China; or (2) during the 12 months preceding such certification, there have been no forced abortions associated with family planning policies in China. (Sec. 1706) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the number of persons and aliens residing in the United States entitled to diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution, including each case involving such an alien whom appropriate law enforcement authorities reasonably believe to have committed a serious crime within the United States; and (2) the number of U.S. citizens residing in a receiving state who are entitled to diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution there, including each case in which the United States has been requested by the government of the state to waive immunity. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should explore, in appropriate fora, whether states should enter into agreements and adopt legislation to provide: (1) jurisdiction in the sending state to prosecute crimes committed in the receiving state by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and (2) that where there is probable cause to believe that an individual with such immunity committed a serious crime, the sending state will waive immunity or will prosecute the individual. (Sec. 1707) Declares the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should submit to the Congress a plan to consolidate some or all of the functions currently performed by the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in order to increase efficiency and accountability in the conduct of the foreign policy of the United States. (Sec. 1708) Expresses the sense of the Congress that Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty should continue surrogate broadcasting beyond the year 2000 to countries (including Serbia, Belarus, Slovakia, and other countries) whose people do not yet fully enjoy freedom of expression. (Sec. 1709) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to withhold the U.S. share of assistance for IAEA projects in Cuba, except those for the discontinuation, dismantling, or safety inspection of nuclear facilities or related materials. Declares that such exception shall not apply to the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant near Cienfuegos, or the Pedro Pi Nuclear Research Center, unless Cuba: (1) ratifies the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (commonly known as the Treaty of Tlatelolco); and (2) incorporates internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. representative to the IAEA to use the U.S. vote to oppose IAEA projects at: (1) the Juragua Nuclear Power Plant, Cuba; and (2) any other IAEA project there that is, or could become, a threat to the security of the United States. (Sec. 1710) Earmarks specified funds for construction of a U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. Bars use of funds for the publication of any official government document which lists countries and their capitals unless it identifies Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (Sec. 1711) Directs the Secretary to report semi-annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the compliance of its signatories with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Bill· HRH.R. 1482 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 1997 - Amends Federal armed forces provisions to require that a member of the armed forces who submits an allegation of a retaliatory personnel action taken against such member due to the reporting of a wrongdoing by another member (whistleblowing) be assigned a judge advocate to represent such member during any proceedings or investigation in connection with such allegation. Requires such whistleblower provision to be posted in a prominent location in each military installation or vessel to which more than 100 military personnel are assigned. Allows a member to make such an allegation within 120 (currently 60) days after the member becomes aware of the personnel action that is the subject of the allegation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1483 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Single Standard of Aviation Safety Act - Amends Federal aviation law to subject to Federal Aviation Administration safety regulation both nonmilitary government aircraft and military aircraft transporting civilians (including persons who operate such aircraft).
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 68 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to preserve the territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty, and full independence of Lebanon. Commends the President for hosting the "Friends of Lebanon" conference on December 16, 1996, and urges the President to take further steps to assist Lebanon's reconstruction. Calls for: (1) the withdrawal of all non-Lebanese forces from Lebanon; (2) the President to consider resolving the presence of non-Lebanese forces in Lebanon without relying exclusively upon a comprehensive peace in the region; (3) the security of Lebanon from interference from its neighbors; (4) the President to negotiate directly with officials of the Government of Lebanon on issues pertaining to Lebanon; (5) Lebanon to assert more independence to assure the international community that it has the political will and military capability to guarantee security along its borders for itself and its neighbors and disarm all militias; (6) Lebanon to respect freedom of the press, human rights, judicial due process, political freedom, the right of association, and freedom of assembly; and (7) the President to use such guidelines in formulating U.S. policy toward Lebanon. Commends the Lebanese Government for its determination to hold municipal elections for the first time since 1963.
Bill· HRH.R. 1466 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer specified land within the Fort Howard Division of the Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System to Baltimore County, Maryland, to be used for public purposes.
Bill· SS. 657 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1997 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total.
Bill· SS. 648 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Product Liability Reform Title II: Biomaterials Access Assurance Title III: Limitations on Applicability; Effective Date Product Liability Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Product Liability Reform - Applies this Act to any product liability action in any State or Federal court on any theory for harm caused by a product, except for: (1) commercial loss actions; (2) civil negligent entrustment actions; and (3) any dramshop or third-party liability actions arising from the sale or provision of alcohol to intoxicated persons or minors. (Sec. 103) Imposes seller liability if the seller failed to exercise reasonable care, made an express warranty, or engaged in intentional wrongdoing. Declares that a failure to inspect is not a failure of reasonable care if there was no reasonable opportunity to inspect or if the inspection would not have revealed the aspect that caused the harm. Makes a seller liable as a manufacturer if the manufacturer is not subject to service or if the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment. Makes certain persons engaged in the business of renting or leasing liable as a seller, but prohibits liability for the tortious act of another solely by reason of ownership. (Sec. 104) Makes it a complete defense if the defendant proves that the claimant was under the influence of alcohol or a drug and was more than 50 percent responsible. (Sec. 105) Reduces damages by the percentage of harm attributable to misuse or alteration, except for actions involving an employer or co-employee if the employer or co-employee is, under State law, immune from claimant's action. (Sec. 106) Limits the time within which a product liability action must be started. (Sec. 107) Allows a claimant or defendant in a product liability action to offer to proceed with voluntary, nonbinding alternative dispute resolution. (Sec. 108) Allows punitive damages, as permitted by State law, if the claimant shows by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's conduct, carried out with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others, was the proximate cause of the harm. Regulates punitive damage amounts. (Sec. 110) Permits several and prohibits joint liability for noneconomic loss, allocating liability in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility. Title II: Biomaterials Access Assurance - Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Excludes from the term "claimant," for this title, anyone who alleges harm caused by a silicone gel breast implant. (Sec. 204) Applies this title, subject to exception, to any civil action in Federal or State court against a manufacturer, seller, or biomaterials supplier, on any legal theory, for harm allegedly caused by an implant. (Sec. 205) Declares that a biomaterials supplier shall not be liable for harm caused by an implant unless the supplier: (1) is a manufacturer; (2) is a seller; and (3) furnishes materials or parts that fail to meet contractual requirements or specifications. Sets forth the circumstances in which a supplier may be considered a manufacturer and the circumstances in which a supplier may be considered a seller. Allows a supplier, to the extent required and permitted by other law, to be liable if the claimant shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, violation of contractual requirements or specifications. (Sec. 206) Sets forth procedures relating to motions by a supplier to dismiss actions that are subject to this title. Title III: Limitations on Applicability; Effective Date - Makes any circuit court of appeals decision interpreting this Act a precedent for any Federal or State court within that court's geographic jurisdiction. Declares that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction under this Act based on provisions of the U.S. Code relating to Federal questions, commerce and antitrust, and amounts in controversy.
Bill· HRH.R. 1430 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Economic Development Partnership Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to assure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and stimulate modernization and technological advances in the generation and commercialization of goods and services; and (2) prescribe regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into appropriate economic development agreements with two or more adjoining States. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a National Public Advisory Committee on Regional Economic Development to make recommendations to the Secretary, including regarding the coordination of activities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible recipients (defined later under this Act) for acquisition or development of land improvements for public works, public service, or development facility usage, as well as the acquisition, design and engineering, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of such facilities. Provides assistance conditions relating to the establishment of industrial or commercial plants and the increase of employment in the area. Prohibits more than 15 percent of the appropriations made for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Allows grants to be increased due to construction cost increases. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for economic development planning and related administrative expenses. Requires such planning to be a continuous process and to be prepared as part of a comprehensive economic development strategy for the area involved. Requires State certification of an economic development plan's consistency with local and economic development district plans. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the applicant is eligible but for which the applicant cannot supply the required matching share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in such cases. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for training, research, and technical assistance for alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Allows such grants to include amounts for relocation assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants for public facilities, public services, business development, planning, technical assistance, training and other assistance which demonstrably furthers the economic adjustment objectives of the Act. Allows such grant to be used in either direct expenditures by the recipient or through redistribution to other public and private entities, but prohibits any such redistribution to a private profit-making entity. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which changes after the grant has been made; (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects; and (3) make assistance available for projects to be carried out at a military or Department of Energy installation. Prohibits any assistance under the Act which would produce unfair commercial competition. Requires reports from grant and assistance recipients. Defines as an eligible recipient for purposes of this Act an area that: (1) has a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate one percent above such average; (2) has experienced or is about to experience a sudden economic dislocation resulting in significant job losses; (3) is a community or neighborhood which has a large concentration of low-income individuals, substantial out-migration, or substantial unemployment; (4) has long-term economic deterioration; (5) has a special need to meet an expected rise in unemployment; (6) contains a population of 250,000 or less with growth potential; or (7) is experiencing severe out-migration. Requires from recipients: (1) documentation of the presence of any such criteria; and (2) a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to plan and carry out economic development projects of broader geographic significance, to designate appropriate economic development districts and economic development centers within such districts. Provides geographic, population, and other requirements with respect to each such designation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for the termination of such districts and centers. Authorizes the Secretary to increase by up to ten percent of project costs the amount of grant assistance otherwise provided in the Act for projects within designated districts. Requires each designated district to provide to the Appalachian Regional Commission a copy of such district's comprehensive economic development strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to a district area which does not meet the requirements of an eligible recipient under the Act when such assistance will be of substantial direct benefit to a qualifying area in such district. Directs the Secretary to administer this Act with the assistance of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Directs the Secretary to serve as a central information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, and defense conversion programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to help applicants for such assistance. Requires appropriate consultation with other persons and agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas which desire Government supplies and services contracts. Imposes penalties upon persons: (1) making false statements in order to obtain assistance under the Act; and (2) who embezzle or commit other fraud-related crimes while connected in any capacity with the Secretary in the administration of the Act. Sets forth: (1) conflict-of-interest provisions; and (2) recordkeeping requirements for the Secretary and recipients regarding assistance under this Act. Provides that assistance under the Act shall supplement and not supplant other Federal assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2002. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1456 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Enrollment of Retirees in TRICARE Prime and Medicare Reimbursement Title II: FEHBP Option for Retirees Uniformed Services Retiree and Dependents Health Care Availability Act - Title I: Enrollment of Retirees in TRICARE Prime and Medicare Reimbursement - States that the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) may not prohibit the enrollment of Medicare-eligible military retirees in the managed care option of the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) solely on account of age or entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare part A. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to jointly establish a program (subvention program) that, beginning October 1, 1997, provides DOD with reimbursement from the Medicare program for health care services provided to Medicare-eligible retirees through the TRICARE program. Allows such reimbursement only if such retirees are also enrolled in the supplementary medical insurance program under Medicare part B. Requires program enrollment to be voluntary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive enrollment fees; (2) modify existing TRICARE program contracts to incorporate enrollment provisions; and (3) establish cost-sharing requirements for enrollees. (Sec. 104) Provides for the determination of DOD reimbursement amounts, requiring the HHS Secretary to make such payments from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Insurance Trust Fund. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to maintain current DOD health-care efforts for Medicare-eligible retirees in order to avoid imposing added costs to the Medicare program. Requires specified estimates of prior efforts and future targets with respect to DOD health care provided under the subvention program. Directs the Comptroller General to determine and report to the two Secretaries and the Congress annually on the extent, if any, to which costs of the Secretary under the TRICARE program and the HHS Secretary under the Medicare program have increased as a result of the subvention program. Requires the Secretaries to take necessary action to offset any added costs. (Sec. 106) Requires the Secretary to reimburse subvention program participants for any late enrollment penalties imposed under the Medicare program. (Sec. 107) Provides that, in the case of a Medicare-eligible retiree who seeks to enroll in a Medicare supplemental policy, the issuer of such policy may not: (1) deny the issuance or effectiveness of such policy; or (2) discriminate in the policy's price. Makes eligible for both the subvention program and the Medicare supplemental program a Medicare-eligible retiree who: (1) is at least 65 years old and was eligible to enroll in Medicare part B; and (2) did not enroll in the Medicare program during his or her initial enrollment period. Title II: FEHBP Option for Retirees - Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management under which a Medicare-eligible military retiree will be offered an opportunity to enroll in a health benefits plan offered through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) as an additional option for receiving health care services. Makes eligible under such agreement: (1) a Medicare-eligible retiree who is entitled to retired or retainer pay; and (2) a dependent of such individual who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare part A. Allows a retiree who enrolls in the FEHBP to continue to receive health care services through a military medical treatment facility. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) contribution requirements; (2) management of participation; and (3) reporting requirements concerning plan enrollment, costs and effectiveness. Requires the Secretary to begin offering the FEHBP option no later than January 1, 1999. (Sec. 202) Requires the health and dental care benefits provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and TRICARE Standard to be the same as those provided for the highest level of benefits under the service benefit plan of the FEHBP.
Bill· HRH.R. 1446 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Extremely Low Frequency Communications System Termination Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to terminate all operations of the Navy's communications system known as the Extremely Low Frequency System.
Bill· HRH.R. 1431 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
European Security Act of 1997 - Directs the President to designate additional emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe which meet specified criteria and that have not been designated as eligible to receive assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective NATO members; and (2) upon their complete satisfaction of all relevant criteria should be invited to become full NATO members at the earliest possible date. Makes funds under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 available to support the implementation of the Regional Airspace Initiative and the Partnership for Peace Information Management System. Extends through FY 1999 the Department of Defense's authority to transfer excess defense articles to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace and eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the President to approve on behalf of the United States the Document Agreed Among States Parties to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe dated November 19, 1990, signed in Vienna, Austria, on May 31, 1996, concerning the resolution of issues related to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty flank zone. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any revisions to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe can enter into force only if specifically approved in a manner described under the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Prohibits approval of any Treaty revisions that jeopardize U.S. security interests in Europe, or the effectiveness and flexibility of NATO as a defensive alliance, by: (1) extending rights or imposing responsibilities on new NATO members different from those applicable to current NATO members, including with respect to nuclear weapons deployment and the stationing of other NATO troops and equipment; (2) limiting NATO's ability to defend the territory of new NATO members by restricting defense infrastructure construction or limiting NATO's ability to deploy necessary reinforcements; (3) providing any international organization or any non-NATO country with authority to review, delay, veto, or otherwise impede deliberations and decisions of the North Atlantic Council or their implementation, including with respect to NATO force deployment or the admission of additional members to NATO; or (4) impeding the development of enhanced relations between NATO and other non-NATO European countries by, for example, recognizing spheres of influence in Europe. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of cooperative ballistic missile defense-related projects with the Russian Federation. Urges the President to establish with the Russian Federation a joint working group to examine the potential for mutual accommodation of outstanding issues between the two nations on matters relating to ballistic missile defense and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, including the possibility of developing a strategic relationship not based on mutual nuclear threats. (Sec. 6) Declares that an ABM-TMD (anti-ballistic missile-theater missile defense) demarcation agreement shall not be binding on the United States unless it is specifically approved in a manner described under the Arms Control and Disarmament Act.
Bill· SS. 631 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
New Jersey Women's Environmental Health Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to award one or more grants to the University of the Health Sciences of New Jersey to enable the University and its affiliates to conduct research, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, concerning environmental, lifestyle, and genetic susceptibilities for breast cancer in New Jersey. Directs the University to use amounts received under the grant to conduct a study to assess biological markers, exposure to carcinogens, and other potential risk factors contributing to the incidence of breast cancer in New Jersey. Requires the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to be the co-investigator with the University for any population based epidemiologic studies that attempt to explore associations between environmental and other risk factors and breast cancer. Mandates an annual report. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1407 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Provides that the Purple Heart may only be awarded to a person who is a member of the armed forces at the time such person is killed or wounded under circumstances otherwise qualifying the person for such award. Directs the President to establish a decoration for non-military individuals who are killed or wounded while serving in any capacity with the armed forces. Requires the color and design of such decoration to be distinct from the Purple Heart.
Bill· HRH.R. 1413 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
New Jersey Women's Environmental Health Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to award one or more grants to the University of the Health Sciences of New Jersey to enable the University and its affiliates to conduct research, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, concerning environmental, lifestyle, and genetic susceptibilities for breast cancer in New Jersey. Directs the University to use amounts received under the grant to conduct a study to assess biological markers, exposure to carcinogens, and other potential risk factors contributing to the incidence of breast cancer in New Jersey. Requires the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to be the co-investigator with the University for any population based epidemiologic studies that attempt to explore associations between environmental and other risk factors and breast cancer. Mandates an annual report. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1406 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Authorizes the corporation known as the Disabled American Veterans to sue and be sued in the Federal courts.
Bill· HRH.R. 1426 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Veterans Cold Weather Injury Compensation Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a registry of veterans who, while in active military service, were exposed for a significant period of time to sustained periods of extremely cold weather (seven days or more of average temperatures of 32 degrees or lower). Requires such registry to be used to determine the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and the exposure to such weather. Presumes cold-weather injuries in such veterans to be service-connected and therefore compensable through veterans' disability compensation. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days, to prescribe initial regulations on injuries determined to have a positive association with sustained exposure to cold weather.
Bill· HRH.R. 1408 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special one-year period for claiming an income tax credit or refund based on retroactive determinations of entitlement to military disability benefits. Applies the amendment with respect to determinations that became final after 1989.
Bill· HRH.R. 1409 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any benefit administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Current law excludes from gross income only qualified military benefits.)
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 65 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that certain provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 relating to transportation of merchandise between U.S. points in other than domestically built or rebuilt and documented vessels and to incineration of hazardous waste at sea (those provisions popularly known as the Jones Act) and related statutes are critically important components of our Nation's economic and military security and should be fully and strongly supported.
Bill· SS. 623 (105th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1997- Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to include certain service in the organized military forces of the Philippines and service as Philippine Scouts within the definition of active U.S. military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits for former active-duty military personnel.
Bill· SS. 610 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Authority Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons Title III: Reporting Title IV: Inspections Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 1997- Title I: National Authority - Directs the President to establish the United States National Authority to serve as the focal point for liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, opened for signature on January 13, 1993. Title II: Application of Convention Prohibitions to Natural and Legal Persons - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, acquires, stockpiles, transfers, uses, owns, or possesses any chemical weapon, assists any other person in doing so, or attempts to do so. Makes such provision inapplicable to the retention, ownership, or possession of any chemical weapon permitted by the Convention, pending the weapon's destruction, by any Federal agency. (Sec. 201) Provides for seizures and forfeitures of chemical weapons, as well as U.S. injunctive relief against prohibited conduct related to them. Imposes criminal penalties upon persons who knowingly use riot control agents as a method of warfare or assist another person in doing so. Subjects members of the armed forces who engage in such activity to military penalties. (Sec. 203) Makes it unlawful for any person or any U.S. national located outside the United States to produce, acquire, transfer, or use a chemical listed on Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals of the Convention unless: (1) the chemicals are applied to research, medical, pharmaceutical, or protective purposes; (2) the types and quantities of chemicals are strictly limited to those justifiable for such purposes; and (3) the amount of such chemicals per person at any given time for such purposes does not exceed a limit to be determined by the United States National Authority or, in any case, one metric ton. Makes it unlawful for any person or U.S. national located outside the United States to: (1) produce, acquire, transfer, or use Schedule 1 chemicals outside the territories of the States Parties to the Convention or to transfer such chemicals to any persons outside of the United States except as provided for in the Convention for transfers to persons located in other State Parties; or (2) transfer a chemical on Schedule 2 of the Annex to any person outside the territory of a State Party or to receive such a chemical from any person outside a State Party. Title III: Reporting - Requires the Department of Commerce to establish requirements of recordkeeping and reporting by persons who produce, process, consume, export, or import chemical substances subject to the Convention, or who propose to engage in such activities. (Sec. 302) Exempts information reported to or obtained by the National Authority, the Department of Commerce, or any other agency under this Act or under the Convention from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Sets forth criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure. (Sec. 303) Makes it unlawful to fail to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Title IV: Inspections - Authorizes members of inspection teams of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization to inspect plants, plant sites, or other locations in the United States subject to inspection under the Convention, according to specified notice, time frame, and scope of inspection requirements. (Sec. 402) Provides for other inspections under the Convention, with specified ones by the Department of Commerce and others by a lead agency designated by the President. (Sec. 403) Makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection or to disrupt or impede an inspection. (Sec. 404) Provides for civil and criminal penalties for specified violations of this Act, as well as specific enforcement of this Act and related legal proceedings.
Bill· SS. 602 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Crime Control Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for persons prosecuted in State courts for violent and drug trafficking crimes involving a firearm. Prohibits probation, suspension of sentence, concurrent sentencing, or early release for such persons. Makes this Act inapplicable to certain persons found to have committed a criminal act while acting in defense of a person or property during the course of a crime being committed by another person. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) give due deference to the interest that a State or local prosecutor has in prosecuting a person under State law; and (2) implement and enforce regulations which mandate prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions and which prohibit the provision by the Government of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or similar amenities in the cell of any inmate.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 75 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Grants the Senate's advice and consent to the ratification of the Convention on the Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, signed by the United States at Paris on January 13, 1993, including specified protocols and memorandum of understanding (Chemical Weapons Convention), subject to 33 specified conditions, including those summarized below, which shall be binding upon the President. Requires the President to certify to the Congress: (1) upon the deposit of the United States instrument of ratification (deposit), that the United States has informed all other nations that are parties to the Convention that the Senate reserves the right to give its advice and consent to ratification subject to reservations; and (2) within 240 days after deposit, that the current internal audit office of the Preparatory Commission has been expanded into an independent internal oversight office whose functions will be transferred to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons upon its establishment. Requires the President, prior to deposit and annually thereafter, to submit a report to the Congress identifying all cost-sharing arrangements with the Organization. Directs that no U.S. intelligence information be provided to the Organization or any affiliated organization unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Director of Central Intelligence has established and implemented procedures for protecting U.S. intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure. Requires that: (1) a U.S. representative be present at all Amendment Conferences and cast a vote on all proposed amendments; and (2) the President submit to the Senate for advice and consent any amendment to the Convention adopted by an Amendment Conference. Declares that the collapse of the "Australia Group" (the informal forum of states, chaired by Australia, whose goal is to discourage and impede chemical and biological weapons proliferation through specified means), or the substantial weakening of common Australia Group export controls and non-proliferation measures in force on the date of U.S. ratification of the Convention, would constitute a fundamental change in circumstances to U.S. ratification. Directs the President to certify to the Congress that: (1) each Australia Group member has officially communicated to the U.S. Government its understanding and agreement that export control and nonproliferation measures which the Australia Group has undertaken are fully compatible with the provisions of the Convention, and its commitment to maintain in the future such controls and measures against non-Australia Group members; and (2) the Australia Group remains a viable mechanism for limiting the spread of chemical and biological weapons-related materials and technology. Declares the primacy of the U.S. Constitution over anything in the Convention. Declares that the United States shall not accept any effort by Russia to make deposit of Russia's instrument of ratification contingent upon the United States providing financial guarantees to pay for implementation of commitments by Russia under the 1990 Bilateral Destruction Agreement or the Convention. Requires the President, prior to deposit, to certify to the Congress that: (1) the United States shall not provide certain assistance under Article X of the Convention; and (2) for any state party the government of which is not eligible for military assistance or economic support assistance of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, no assistance under Article X will be provided to the State party, with exceptions. Requires the President: (1) to notify the Congress within 30 days after determining that an officer or employee of the Organization has willfully made known in any manner or to any extent not authorized by the Convention any U.S. confidential business information and such disclosure has resulted in financial losses or damages to a U.S. person; and (2) within 270 days after such notification, to certify to the Congress that the immunity from jurisdiction of such foreign person has been waived by the Director-General of the Technical Secretariat. Requires 50 percent of the amount of each annual U.S. contribution to the regular budget of the Organization assessed pursuant to Article VIII to be withheld from disbursement if the President is unable to make such certification, until specified conditions are met. Provides for a similar withholding of contributions for breach of confidentiality involving a state party and the Organization. Directs the President, prior to deposit, to certify to the Senate that no sample collected in the United States pursuant to the Convention will be transferred for analysis to any laboratory outside U.S. territory. Limits U.S. annual assessments to the Organization to $25 million until the year 2000, except under specified circumstances. Requires the President, prior to deposit, to certify to the Congress that: (1) the United States is not restricted by the Convention in its use of riot control agents under specified circumstances; and (2) specified conditions are satisfied with respect to alternative technologies for chemical weapons destruction. Requires the President to certify to the Congress that: (1) for any challenge inspection conducted on U.S. territory pursuant to Article IX, where consent has been withheld, the U.S. National Authority will first obtain a criminal search warrant based upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing with particularity the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized; and (2) for any routine inspection of a declared facility under the Convention that is conducted on an involuntary basis on U.S. territory, such Authority will obtain an administrative search warrant from a U.S. magistrate judge. Directs the President, prior to deposit, to: (1) make certain certifications to the Congress regarding Russian elimination of chemical weapons; and (2) certify to the Congress that countries which have been determined to have offensive chemical weapons programs and all other countries determined to be state sponsors of international terrorism, have ratified or otherwise acceded to the Convention. Requires the President to bar from entering U.S. territory for the purpose of conducting any activity associated with the Convention inspectors and inspection assistants who are nationals of countries designated by the Secretary of State as supporters of international terrorism or nationals of countries that have been determined by the President, in the last five years, to have violated U.S. nonproliferation law. Directs the President, prior to deposit, to certify to the Congress that: (1) the state parties have concluded an agreement amending the Convention by striking Article X and by amending Article XI to strike any provision that states or implies disapproval of trade restrictions in the field of chemical activities; (2) no provision has been added to the Convention or its annexes, and no statement has been issued by the Organization, stating or implying the right or obligation of state parties to share or facilitate the exchange among themselves of chemical weapons defense technology, chemicals, equipment, or scientific and technical information; and (3) compliance with the Convention is effectively verifiable.
Bill· HRH.R. 1376 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Existing Land Management Laws Title II: Protection for Northwest Ancient Forests, Roadless Areas, and Special Areas Act to Save America's Forests - Title I: Amendments to Existing Land Management Laws - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (National Forest System), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (public lands), the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (National Wildlife Refuge System), the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act (Indian lands), and Federal law relating to forest management on military lands to: (1) provide for native biodiversity conservation; and (2) restrict and prohibit certain logging practices. Title II: Protection for Northwest Ancient Forests, Roadless Areas, and Special Areas - Describes special areas as Federal forest land parcels possessing outstanding biological, scenic, recreational, or cultural values, exemplary on a regional or national level, which may not meet the definitions of Northwest Ancient Forests or roadless areas. Designates specified Special Areas which shall be subject to restrictions on road construction and logging in the following States: (1) Alabama; (2) Alaska; (3) Arizona; (4) Arkansas; (5) California; (6) Colorado; (7) Georgia; (8) Idaho; (9) Illinois; (10) Michigan; (11) Minnesota; (12) Missouri;(13) Montana; (14) New Mexico; (15) North Carolina; (16) Ohio; (17) Oklahoma; (18) Oregon; (19) South Carolina; (20) South Dakota; (21) Tennessee; (22) Texas; (23) Vermont; (24) Virginia; (25) Wisconsin; and (26) Wyoming. Provides for the appointment of a committee of scientists to recommend additional Special Areas. Restricts road construction and logging in Northwest Ancient Forests, Special Areas, and roadless areas on Federal lands.
Bill· HRH.R. 1397 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Defense Nuclear Workers' Health Insurance Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide for payments to certain former Department of Energy (DOE) employees who were employed at a DOE defense nuclear facility and who are not entitled to Medicare benefits for all reasonable expenses above $25,000 for certain health care services for the treatment of specified conditions related to exposure to ionizing radiation.