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451 records in US in 1997
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
Renames the United States Court of Veterans Appeals as the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions Subtitle C: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Enlisted Personnel Policy Subtitle C: Reserve Personnel Policy Subtitle D: Education Policy Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special Pays Subtitle C: Allowances Subtitle D: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Repeal of Certain Acquisition Reports and Acquisition Policy Subtitle A: Repeal of Certain Acquisition Reports Subtitle B: Acquisition Policy Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Naval Vessels Subtitle C: Other Matters Subtitle D: Military Construction Provisions Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Title I: Procurement - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the transfer of up to $400 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction (NDST) Fund to specified aircraft procurement accounts for FY 1998. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation. (Sec. 202) Extends permanently (currently terminates on September 30, 1998) the authority of the Secretary of Defense to contract with commercial entities to conduct commercial test and evaluation activities at a major range and test facility installation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (3) O&M of Fisher houses, to be derived from the Fisher House Trust Fund. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the NDST Fund to specified O&M accounts. (Sec. 306) Repeals the Defense Business Operations Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts for capital assets of a working capital fund in advance of the availability of such funds. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to authorize the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with an Indian tribe to obtain assistance in certifying environmental technologies. (Sec. 312) Allows the use of a DOD facility for the storage and disposal of nondefense toxic and hazardous materials when such materials will or have been used in connection with a DOD activity or a service to be performed for the benefit of DOD. Provides as exceptions to the general prohibition against the use of DOD facilities for such storage and disposal the use of: (1) a space launch facility; and (2) DOD facilities for testing materials or training personnel. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to conduct programs to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of the Marshall Plan and the Korean War, using Army O&M funds. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense 50th Anniversary of the Marshall Plan and Korean War Commemoration Account. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on the use of Account funds. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School (currently, the Secretary of the Navy) to enter into an agreement with an accredited higher educational institution for an exchange of students. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active- duty forces as of the end of FY 1998 and 1999. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1998 and 1999 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to allow military personnel of that department, or the Department of Transportation when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, to serve in the management of a military welfare society and other designated entities. (Sec. 504) Revises generally the authority for the promotion of officers through promotion boards. (Sec. 505) Excludes chaplains, health care professionals, and officers assigned to duty with the American Battle Monuments Commission from current limitations on the period of recall to active duty. Subtitle B: Enlisted Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School to permit enlisted members of the armed forces and Coast Guard who are assigned to such School to receive instruction there on a space-available basis. (Sec. 512) Directs the Community College of the Air Force to prescribe programs for enlisted members of the armed forces, other than the Air Force, whose jobs are closely related to Air Force jobs and for enlisted personnel who are serving as instructors at Air Force training schools. Subtitle C: Reserve Personnel Policy - Allows lieutenant colonels (currently, only grades above lieutenant colonel) to serve on boards of inquiry for the involuntary separation of military personnel. Subtitle D: Education Policy - Protects educational assistance entitlements for those members of the Selected Reserve who are ordered to serve on active duty (current law) or in support of a contingency operation. Removes references to the entitlement period for such personnel who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1998 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 2.8 percent, effective on January 1, 1998, the rates of basic pay and basic allowance for quarters. (Sec. 602) Allows the Ready Reserve muster duty allowance to be paid before such duty is actually performed, while requiring such payment within 30 days after such duty. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special Pays - Increases and extends through FY 2002 certain bonuses and special pay provided to nuclear-qualified officers. (Sec. 612) Provides a special pay incentive for enlisted personnel who enter into an agreement with the Secretary concerned to extend their tour of duty overseas. (Sec. 613) Increases the special pay for Selected Reserve personnel who: (1) extend their enlistments for either three or six years; and (2) reenlist in a critical military skill position after completing their initial service obligation. Subtitle C: Allowances - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a variable housing allowance to military personnel without dependents who make a close-proximity move within the United States. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to use amounts appropriated for FY 1997 and thereafter for payments to participants in the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. Authorizes the payment of supplemental stipends to such participants. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Repeals a Federal provision which prohibits DOD funds from being used to perform abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the provision of prosthetic devices to military health care beneficiaries when determined necessary due to significant conditions resulting from trauma, congenital anomalies, or disease. Title VIII: Repeal of Acquisition Reports and Acquisition Policy - Subtitle A: Repeal of Certain Acquisition Reports - Amends prior defense authorization Acts to repeal various defense acquisition reporting requirements. Subtitle B: Acquisition Policy - Authorizes the use of a single payment due date for mixed invoices of a defense contractor. (Sec. 812) Authorizes the retention of amounts collected from a contractor under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 during the pendency of any further litigation or appeals. (Sec. 813) Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary concerned to contract for the procurement of severable services for periods which overlap fiscal years. (Sec. 814) Revises the quantity requirements for certain small arms weapons procurement objectives of the Secretary of the Army under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995. (Sec. 816) Eliminates certain time and qualifying requirements concerning acquisition unit cost reports. (Sec. 817) Repeals: (1) an additional competition documentation requirement with respect to international agreements; and (2) a certification requirement under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. (Sec. 819) Requires, under a contract in which property vests to the United States, that such title vest regardless of any prior or subsequently asserted security interest in the property. (Sec. 820) Authorizes the head of an agency to enter into an undefinitized contract action with respect to: (1) contingency operations; (2) peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations; (3) disaster relief operations; and (4) humanitarian assistance. (Sec. 821) Authorizes a defense agency director, when considered advantageous, to lease personal property that is under the control of the defense agency, not needed for public use, and not excess property. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Reduces from annually to every two years or as needed the required frequency of written policy guidance from the Secretary to defense agency heads concerning contingency plans. (Sec. 902) Changes from three to no less than two or more than four years the term for members of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Scientific Advisory Board. (Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary to phase out the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, beginning in FY 1998 and ending with its closure no later than September 30, 2001. Prohibits the entry of any new class of students there after September 30, 1997, and the awarding of degrees after September 30, 2001. (Sec. 904) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act, 1968 to repeal the requirement to operate the Naval Academy Dairy Farm in Gambrills, Maryland. (Sec. 905) Includes the Information Resources Management College within the National Defense University. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Amends the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1999 the authority of the Secretary to provide assistance in support of international nonproliferation activities. Subtitle B: Other Matters (sic) - Sets forth procedures for the sale of naval vessels stricken from the Naval Register and not subject to disposal under any other laws. (Sec. 1011) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to charter a vessel in support of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor Program. (Sec. 1012) Repeals Federal provisions providing shipbuilding contract adjustment limitations. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes a special agent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service to: (1) carry firearms; (2) execute and serve warrants or other Federal process; and (3) make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the officer's presence or for any Federal felony if such agent has probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing such felony. (Sec. 1022) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to extend through FY 1998 the authority of the Secretary to provide Mexico with specified support in connection with counter-drug activities. (Sec. 1023) Authorizes the Secretary to accept foreign gifts or donations in order to defray the costs of, or enhance the operation of, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Requires the Secretary to notify the Congress if total contributions exceed $2 million in any fiscal year. Requires a report identifying the foreign governments permitted to participate in Center programs during the preceding year. (Sec. 1024) Includes imagery, imagery intelligence, or geospatial information among the geodetic data authorized to be sold by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. (Sec. 1025) Extends through FY 1999 the authority to carry out the National Guard civilian youth opportunities pilot program as authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. (Sec. 1026) Repeals requirements for: (1) an annual DOD conventional standoff weapons master plan and report on standoff munitions under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991; and (2) annual reports concerning special operations training conducted with friendly foreign forces. (Sec. 1027) Revises general policy objectives and goals under the Ballistic Missile Defense Act of 1995. Subtitle D: Military Construction Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to construct a heliport at Fort Irwin, California, using prior authorized and appropriated funds. (Sec. 1032) Amends prior military construction authorization Acts to repeal report requirements concerning: (1) the procurement of overseas family housing from a U.S. contractor; (2) funding for naval strategic homeporting; and (3) a proposed contract for the sale of Gregg Circle Area, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. (Sec. 1033) Provides for the crediting of financial incentives received by military departments or defense agencies for energy savings or water conservation. (Sec. 1035) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to convey any U.S. interest in a utility system under the control of that department to another utility company or other entity, under specified conditions and requirements, including congressional notification. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel - Extends through FY 2001 the authority of the Secretary to provide voluntary separation incentive pay to DOD civilian personnel. (Sec. 1104) Amends the Intelligence Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1990 to state that no prior admission for permanent U.S. residence shall be required of staff and faculty of the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies. (Sec. 1105) Preserves certain civil service benefits and protections for certain former employees of the Defense Mapping Agency who became employees of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division B (sic): Military Construction Authorizations Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Other Matters Division B (sic): Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. (Sec. 2305) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to increase the authorized amount for a military construction project at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of authorized construction projects. (Sec. 2406) Reallocates specified funds made available due to the closure of the McClellan Air Force Base, California, to fund medical construction projects at Andersen Air Base, Guam, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (Sec. 2407) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to increase the funding for military construction projects at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and the Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in the preceding titles of this Act on October 1, 2000, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for FY 2001, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. (Sec. 2704) Extends until a specified conditional date the authorization of appropriations for the Over-the-Horizon Radar at the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, as authorized under a prior military construction authorization Act. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Repeals a current Federal provision prohibiting the Secretary of a military department (Secretary concerned) from entering into certain real property transactions of over $200,000 until 30 days after a report concerning the proposed transaction is submitted to the Senate Armed Services and House National Security Committees. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the maximum amount of real property that the Secretary concerned may acquire in the interest of national defense. (Sec. 2803) Authorizes DOD to accept funds from a non-Federal party for expenses incurred whenever the Secretary concerned exchanges real property with, or grants an easement, lease, or license to, such a party. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to lease in Naples, Italy, structures and real property associated with a regional hospital complex that are needed for military purposes. Provides a lease term of up to 20 years. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Commission on Military Justice and Fairness Act - Establishes the Commission on Military Justice and Fairness to investigate and report findings and recommendations to the President and the Congress concerning: (1) the existence of adequate safeguards for military personnel who report incidents of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, or unlawful gender discrimination; (2) the existence of adequate mechanisms for investigating such incidents, including the appropriate training of investigative personnel; (3) the availability of adequate mechanisms for the resolution of complaints involving such conduct, either through administrative hearing or court-martial; and (4) military justice system procedures and related matters with regard to such cases.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
"Let Our Military Personnel Buy a Home" Act of 1997 - Extends through FY 2000 a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may make payments on behalf of eligible veterans for buying down the interest rate on Federally-guaranteed veterans' loans for housing within housing shortage areas at military installations. Makes $25 million available from the Department of Defense during each of FY 1998 through 2000 for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Delays implementation of the plan for allocation of health care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as submitted to the Congress under the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, until after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has certified to the Congress that he has taken into account certain specified medical and nonmedical factors of veterans residing within each region to be served by a Veterans Integrated Services Network (a Department- developed network for veterans' health care).
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any bilateral or international agreement that imposes certain performance, testing, and deployment limits on U.S. missile defense systems would not be in the national security interests of the United States; (2) no additional international agreements are required to deploy such systems; and (3) the Congress will not be receptive to any agreement that serves to reduce the potential of U.S. theater missile defense systems to defend the U.S. armed forces abroad or the armed forces or population of allies of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act - Declares that the Congress affirms the basic economic rights and responsibilities under the 1944 "Economic Bill of Rights," while updating and extending it to include certain rights to: (1) decent jobs; (2) income security for individuals unable to work for pay; (3) a decent living for farm families; (4) freedom from monopolies; (5) decent housing; (6) adequate health services; (7) social security in old age, sickness, accidental injury, and unemployment; (8) education and work training; and (7) certain other rights relating to collective bargaining, a safe working environment, information on trends in pollution sources and products and processes that affect the well-being of workers throughout the world, voting and campaigning, and personal security. Recognizes specified personal responsibilities of persons benefitting from such rights. (Sec. 3) Sets forth requirements relating to corporate responsibility. Requires each corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to include in its annual reports to the SEC a full and fair disclosure of the impact of its activities in the United States and other countries on environmental quality and on the rights of other stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and communities. Requires each State, in order to be entitled to receive any Federal grants or enter into any Federal contracts, to have initiated a time-phased program to require that all State-chartered corporations submit annual reports including such disclosures of information. Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) identify corporations that have gone the furthest in managing their enterprises with responsible action toward environmental quality and the rights of other stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and communities; and (2) recommend to the President a special annual award to those chief executives and boards of directors that have made the greatest progress in this direction. Directs the Attorney General, with the assistance of business leaders and organizations, to establish an ongoing computerized registration program of all corporations found guilty of violating a Federal or State law. Authorizes the President, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation, to deny Federal contracts, loans, or loan guarantees to non-compliant corporations. Makes it the responsibility of each Federal agency and commission, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to perform so as to help establish and maintain conditions under which all adult Americans may freely exercise the economic rights specified in 1944 and in this Act. Prohibits Federal agencies or commissions from directly or indirectly promoting recession, stagnation, or unemployment as a means of reducing wages and salaries or inflation. (Sec. 4) Directs the President to establish a framework for the annual budget submitted to the Congress that meets specified goals with respect to: (1) quality of life and environment; (2) responsible and sustainable growth; (3) reduction of officially measured unemployment; and (4) support for international human rights declarations. Requires such framework also to include specific legislative proposals, budgets, and executive policies and initiatives such as: (1) conversion from military to civilian economy; (2) truth in budgets; (3) improved indicators of progress and regress; (4) anti-inflation policies; (5) lower real interest rates; (6) public works and services; (7) international economic policy; (8) international conferences on reducing unemployment and underemployment; (9) reductions in work hours; (10) part-time employment with social benefits; (11) insurance protection for pension fund investments; and (12) other specified matters. (Sec. 5) Mandates Joint Economic Committee oversight of actions taken or proposed to be taken under this Act. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to submit an annual Concurrent Resolution on Economic Policy setting forth both in aggregate terms and in detail its proposed goals for employment by type of employment, with special attention to hours, wages, and social benefits, and for reducing unemployment, underemployment, and poverty in urban, suburban and rural areas. Requires these goals to serve as the framework for any concurrent resolutions on the Federal budget. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Help Equip Local Police Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to expand current Department of Defense procedures for the procurement by State and local law enforcement agencies of law enforcement equipment suitable for counter-drug activities to include equipment that is not suitable or intended for counter-drug activities, but excluding any equipment that the Department does not procure for its own purposes. Terminates such expanded authority two years after the enactment of this Act, but allows the Secretary to continue to process requests received before such date.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1997
Defense Jobs and Trade Promotion Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of receipts attributable to military property which may be treated as exempt foreign trade income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide or pay for any health care item or service or health benefit coverage for the purpose of causing, or assisting to cause, the death of any individual. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs, facilities, and personnel to which the prohibition applies, including under Social Security Act titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services), the Public Health Service Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and provisions of Federal law relating to Federal employees, the military health care system, veterans medical care, Peace Corps volunteers, and Federal prisoners. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for: (1) causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; (2) compelling any person or entity to provide or fund any item, benefit, program, or service for such purpose; or (3) asserting or advocating a legal right to cause or assist such actions. Sets forth a nonexclusive list of programs to which the prohibition applies, including under specified provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965, and the Legal Services Corporation Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for any item or service for the purpose of causing or assisting in the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Declares that, for this Act, references to appropriated funds include funds appropriated to the District of Columbia under specified provisions of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act. Declares that this Act supersedes other Federal laws except to the extent such laws specifically supersede this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Authorizes the Court of Veterans Appeals to provide funds (where possible, through a nonprofit organization) for financial assistance to legal assistance entities to assist financially needy veterans in connection with proceedings before such Court. Permits legal assistance activities in connection with such proceedings to include: (1) financial assistance to defray the expenses of legal advice or representation (other than payment of attorney's fees); (2) case screening and referral services; (3) education and training of attorneys and other legal personnel who may appear before the Court; and (4) encouragement and facilitation of pro bono representation by attorneys, clinical law programs of law schools, and veterans' service organizations. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) contributions by legal assistance entities receiving financial assistance; (2) a prohibition against such entities requiring or requesting the payment of a charge or fee in connection with the program; and (3) administrative and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to guarantee veterans loans for adjustable rate mortgages in a manner similar to the manner in which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development insures adjustable rate mortgages under provisions of the National Housing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Amends Federal employment provisions to provide veterans' hiring preference status to members of the armed forces who served on active duty in connection with Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, whether or not such service took place in the Persian Gulf theater of operations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that a bill to increase the internal revenue shall laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole of the number of that House, unless the bill does not increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to specified conditions to be met by the President prior to ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 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.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Emission Reduction Credits Title III: Tax Incentives Title IV: Revision of Purchase Mandates Title V: Federal Transit Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VI: Government Contract Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VII: Research, Development, and Demonstration Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VIII: Minimum Distance Natural Gas Vehicle Incentives Act of 1997 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings of Congress with respect to increased use of domestic natural gas as a transportation fuel. Title II: Emission Reduction Credits - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an emission reduction credit program for natural gas vehicles, Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV)-certified alternative fuel vehicles, and fueling infrastructure. Title III: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish natural gas vehicle property credits for any of the following property placed in service during the taxable year: (1) natural gas vehicles (50 percent of the cost); (2) fueling stations (the lesser of $25,000 or ten percent of the cost); and (3) transportation fuel (25 cents per gallon of liquefied natural gas plus 25 cents per gasoline gallon equivalent of compressed natural gas). (Sec. 302) Imposes an excise tax of 3.54 cents per gallon on liquefied natural gas sold for use or used as motor vehicle or motorboat fuel unless there was a taxable sale of such gas. (Sec. 303) Provides for shorter depreciation recovery periods for natural gas vehicles (three years) and refueling property (seven years). Title IV: Revision of Purchase Mandates - Declares U.S. policy to be that the low emission vehicle market should be based on voluntary, economically sound decisions, not Federal mandates. (Sec. 402) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to repeal private fleet mandates. Sets forth sunset provisions to end the fuel provider mandate and the State fleet mandate. Title V: Federal Transit Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Amends Federal transportation law to require metropolitan mass transportation planning organizations, in developing plans, to consider opportunities to stimulate the use of natural gas vehicles and ULEV-certified alternative fueled vehicles and the installation of a fueling infrastructure to support such vehicles. (Sec. 504) Declares that research and investigations for which non-profit institutions of higher learning may receive Department of Transportation grants include the relationship between environmental policy and transportation policy, particularly the potential applications for natural gas vehicles and ULEV-certified alternative fueled vehicles in urban settings. (Sec. 505) Requires any Federal grant for a mass transportation project that involves acquiring buses powered by natural gas, or any ULEV-certified alternative fueled bus, and all related fueling property or equipment, to cover at least 90 percent of the project cost. Title VI: Government Contract Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Amends Federal law for Armed Services acquisitions and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Defense and Federal civilian agencies, respectively, to give a preference in procurement contracts to contractors and subcontractors using motor vehicles that: (1) operate on natural gas; or (2) operate on alternative fuel and meet the ULEV standard. Title VII: Research, Development, and Demonstration Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a five-year program of natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration projects, including specified activities. Title VIII: Minimum Distance - Amends Federal transportation law to mandate that the minimum driving range for dual fueled automobiles capable of operating on natural gas shall be 100 miles.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Freedom of Speech and Association on Campus Act of 1997 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to provide that no students at higher education institutions shall, on the basis of their exercise of constitutionally-protected speech and association, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or official sanction under any education program, activity, or division directly or indirectly receiving financial assistance under HEA, whether or not such program, activity, or division is sponsored or officially-sanctioned by the institution. Prohibits the availability of HEA funds to any such institution that the Secretary of Education finds has violated this Act. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to: (1) HEA funds for student assistance; and (2) higher education institutions controlled by religious or military organizations, if such speech or association is not consistent with the institutions' religious tenets or military training. Provides that such prohibition shall not be construed to prevent imposition of an official sanction on a student determined to have willfully participated in the disruption or attempted disruption of a lecture, class, speech, presentation, or performance made or scheduled to be made under the auspices of the institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Federal Employee Compensation Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal civil service and armed forces law to provide for the temporary continuance of basic civilian and military pay and associated benefits and allowances of Federal and District of Columbia personnel during any period of lapsed appropriations in which they perform service or are furloughed due to the failure to timely enact appropriations legislation for the employee's agency. Appropriates funds for such purposes, which shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever the regular appropriation bill becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Payoffs-for-Layoffs Corporate Welfare Elimination Act of 1997 - Prohibits any funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) from being obligated or expended for payment of any restructuring cost associated with a merger or acquisition incurred by a DOD contractor. Provides for the handling of contractor claims for such costs with respect to a merger or acquisition occurring before the enactment of this Act. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to: (1) repeal a provision made inconsistent by this Act; (2) extend through FY 2000 a requirement of a report from the Secretary of Defense to the Congress concerning DOD savings achieved under a corporate restructuring; (3) require in such report certain additional information concerning DOD's past experience with contractors for which DOD agreed to allow such costs; and (4) require a current report from the Comptroller General to the Congress to include an estimate and description of the net effect on the Federal budget of reimbursing defense contractors for such costs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
United Nations Erroneous Debt Act of 1997 - Prohibits the payment of U.S. contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to the Congress that the United Nations has: (1) agreed to reimburse or credit to the United States a specified sum which reflects unreimbursed U.S. assistance to U.N. military peacekeeping efforts from 1992 through 1995; or (2) eliminated alleged U.S. arrearages to the United Nations and agreed to reimburse or credit a specified sum to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXI (sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Other Matters Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 - Title XXI (sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. (Sec. 2305) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to increase the authorized amount for a military construction project at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years after 1997 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of authorized construction projects. (Sec. 2406) Reallocates specified funds made available due to the closure of the McClellan Air Force Base, California, to fund medical construction projects at Andersen Air Base, Guam, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (Sec. 2407) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to increase the funding for military construction projects at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and the Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1997 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in the preceding titles of this Act on October 1, 2000, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for FY 2001, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. (Sec. 2704) Extends until a specified conditional date the authorization of appropriations for the Over-the-Horizon Radar at the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, as authorized under a prior military construction authorization Act. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Repeals a current Federal provision prohibiting the Secretary of a military department (Secretary concerned) from entering into certain real property transactions of over $200,000 until 30 days after a report concerning the proposed transaction is submitted to the Senate and House Armed Services and National Security Committees. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the maximum amount of real property that the Secretary concerned may acquire in the interest of national defense. (Sec. 2803) Authorizes DOD to accept funds from a non-Federal party for expenses incurred whenever the Secretary concerned exchanges real property with, or grants an easement, lease, or license to, such a party. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to lease in Naples, Italy, structures and real property associated with a regional hospital complex that are needed for military purposes. Provides a lease term of up to 20 years. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
Makes U.S. nationals eligible for advanced training in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and for financial assistance as members of the Corps, provided such individuals enter into an agreement requiring: (1) residency within a State before commencement of the advanced training or financial assistance; or (2) application for naturalization within 60 days after either meeting the naturalization requirements or being accepted into the program of advanced training or financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Encrypted Communications Privacy Act of 1997 - Allows any person within any State and any U.S. person in a foreign country to use any encryption, regardless of encryption algorithm selected, key length chosen, or implementation technique or medium used, with exceptions. Prohibits the Federal Government or a State from requiring as a sale condition that a decryption key be given to another person. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) require the use of any form of encryption; or (2) limit or affect the ability of any person to use encryption without a key escrow function or of any person who chooses to use encryption with a key escrow function not to use a key holder. Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to criminal penalties and civil liability any key holder who, without authorization, releases a decryption key or provides decryption assistance. Makes it a complete defense against any such civil or criminal action that the defendant acted in good faith reliance upon a court warrant or order, grand jury or trial subpoena, or statutory authorization. Authorizes a key holder to release a decryption key or provide decryption assistance to a governmental entity requiring the disclosure of stored wire and electronic communications and transactional records, as well as stored electronic information, as long as appropriate court order requirements are met. Directs the Attorney General and other specified officials to report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the number of orders and extensions served on key holders to obtain access to decryption keys or decryption assistance. Sets penalties for willfully endeavoring by means of encryption to obstruct, impede, or prevent the communication to an investigative or law enforcement officer of information in furtherance of a felony. Allows any person within any State to sell any encryption in interstate commerce. Grants the Secretary of Commerce exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, and technology for information security (including encryption), except computer hardware, software, and technology specifically designed or modified for military use. Prohibits requiring any validated license (with limited exceptions) for the export or reexport of any: (1) software, including software with encryption capabilities, that is generally available as is, and designed for installation by the purchaser, or that is in the public domain or publicly available because it is generally accessible to the public in any form; (2) computing device solely because it incorporates or employs in any form software (including software with encryption capabilities) exempted from any such requirement for a validated license; (3) software or hardware otherwise restricted because it incorporates interface mechanisms for interaction with other software and hardware; or (4) encryption technology related to a device, software, or hardware described in (1) through (3) above. Directs the Secretary to authorize the export or reexport of software, hardware, and technology with encryption capabilities under a license exception if: (1) a product offering comparable security is commercially available from a foreign supplier without effective restrictions; (2) a comparable product is generally available in a foreign country; or (3) the sole basis for otherwise withholding the license exception is the employment of encryption from a foreign source. Directs the Secretary to prohibit the export or reexport of any computer software, hardware, and technology to a foreign country if the Secretary determines that there is substantial evidence that such equipment or technology will be: (1) diverted to a military end- use or a use supporting international terrorism; (2) modified for such uses; or (3) reexported without U.S. authorization. Prohibits any investigative or law enforcement officer or key holder from releasing a decryption key or providing decryption assistance to a foreign country, with an exception when the United States has entered into a treaty or convention with a foreign country to provide mutual decryption assistance. Declares that nothing in this Act: (1) constitutes authority for the conduct of intelligence activity; and (2) shall affect specified conduct by Federal officers or employees related to communications security and communications by or among foreign powers or agents.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Promotion of Commerce On-Line in the Digital Era (Pro-CODE) Act of 1997 - Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the National Institute of Standards and Technology or otherwise) from promulgating or enforcing regulations, or otherwise adopting standards or carrying out policies: (1) that result in encryption standards intended for use by businesses or entities other than Federal computer systems; or (2) in a manner inconsistent with this Act, or that have the effect of imposing Government-designed encryption standards on the private sector by restricting the export of computer hardware and computer software with encryption capabilities. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Federal and State governments from: (1) restricting or regulating the interstate sale by any person of any product designed to provide encryption capabilities; or (2) requiring, as a condition of such a sale, that a decryption key, or access to a decryption key, be given to any other person (including a Federal agency or a private entity certified or approved by the Federal or a State government). Grants the Secretary exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, and technology with encryption capabilities, except that which is specifically designed or modified for military use, including command, control, and intelligence applications. Requires only a general license (with limited exceptions) for the export or reexport of any: (1) computer software, including that with encryption capabilities, that is generally available, as is, and designed for installation by the purchaser, or (2) that is available on enactment of this Act or becomes legally available thereafter in the public domain (including on the Internet) or publicly available because it is generally accessible to the public in any form; or (3) computing device or computer hardware solely because it incorporates or employs in any form such computer software (including that with encryption capabilities). Directs the Secretary to authorize the export or reexport of computer software with encryption capabilities under a general license for nonmilitary end-uses in any country to which exports of software or hardware of similar capability are permitted for use by financial institutions not controlled in fact by U.S. persons, unless there is substantial evidence that such software and hardware will be diverted to a military end-use or an end-use supporting international or domestic terrorism, modified for military or terrorist end-use, including acts against the national security, public safety, or the integrity of the transportation, communications, or other essential systems of interstate commerce in the U.S., or reexported without requisite Federal authorization, or intentionally used to evade enforcement of U.S. law or taxation by the U.S. or by any State or local government. Requires that the publisher or manufacturer of computer software or hardware with encryption capabilities shall disclose (for reporting purposes only) within 30 days after export, to the Secretary such information regarding a program's or product's encryption capabilities as would be required for an individual license to export that program or product. Prohibits requiring or permitting the Secretary to impose any conditions or reporting requirements as a precondition to the exportation of any such product or program. (Sec. 6) Establishes an Information Security Board comprised of representatives of agencies within the Federal Government responsible for or involved in the formulation of information security policy, including export controls on products with information security features (including encryption) to: (1) provide a forum to foster communication and coordination between industry and the Federal Government; and (2) foster the aggregation and dissemination of general, nonproprietary, and nonconfidential developments in important information security technologies, including encryption. Requires that the Board shall regularly report such information to appropriate Federal agencies to keep law enforcement and national security agencies abreast of emerging technologies so they are able effectively to execute their responsibilities and cause such information (other than classified, proprietary, or confidential information) to be published from time to time and made available to the public. Directs the Secretary to establish quarterly meetings between the Board and representatives from the private sector with interest or expertise in information security, including cryptographers, engineers, and product managers. Permits the Board to meet at any time with one or more representatives of any person involved in the development, production, or distribution of encryption technology or of computing devices containing encryption technology. Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to affect any law intended to prevent the: (1) distribution of descramblers and any other equipment for illegal interceptions of cable and satellite television signals; (2) illegal or unauthorized distribution or release of classified, confidential, or proprietary information; or (3) enforcement of Federal or State criminal law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Makes veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart eligible for veterans' hospital care and medical services. Provides such veterans with a priority in the veterans' system of annual patient enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Provides that, in any civil action, a biomaterials supplier (one who supplies components or raw materials used to manufacture implants) may raise any defense provided under this Act. Exempts a biomaterials supplier from liability for harm to a claimant caused by an implant, with exceptions in the case of a supplier who: (1) is a registered manufacturer of the implant; (2) is a seller of the implant and who held title to the implant at the time of sale (or is related by common ownership or control to such a seller); or (3) furnishes raw materials or components that fail to meet applicable contractual requirements or specifications. States that a supplier may be considered a manufacturer of an implant, for purposes of such civil actions, only if the supplier has registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Requires claimant payment of attorney's fees if the court finds the claim to be without merit and frivolous.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that any period during which a student was called or ordered to active duty in a reserve component of the armed forces shall not be included in determining the six-month grace period (after the student ceases to carry at least a half-time academic load) before repayment of a student loan must begin.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Balancing the Budget Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments Balanced Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 - Title I: Balancing the Budget - Part A: Purpose - Repeals parts C (Emergency Powers to Eliminate Deficits in Excess of Maximum Deficit Amount), D (Budgetary Treatment of Social Security Trust Funds), and E (Miscellaneous and Related Provisions) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Part B: The Deficit Elimination Act of 1997 - Deficit Elimination Act of 1997 - Sets for FY 1998 through 2002: (1) deficit reduction targets for direct spending and receipts legislation; and (2) discretionary funding limits, measured in terms of new budget authority. Permits adjustments, whenever appropriate, to discretionary funding limits to reflect: (1) changes in concepts; (2) changes in inflation; (3) expiring housing contracts; (4) emergencies; (5) new limits for FY 2002 and thereafter; and (6) transportation trust funds. (Sec. 103) Provides for: (1) balancing the budget in FY 2002; (2) preventing deficits after FY 2002; (3) enactment of a spin-off law, if required, to achieve such goals; and (4) targeted sequestration if a spin-off law is in effect for a fiscal year on the date of the final sequestration report for that fiscal year. (Sec. 106) Establishes a scorecard upon which shall be entered: (1) for FY 1998 through 2002 the estimated increase or decrease in the deficit; (2) for FY 2003 and thereafter the estimated increase or decrease in the deficit or surplus; and (3) for fiscal years after FY 1998 the amount of discretionary appropriations. (Sec. 109) Declares that, for a budget year in which a spin-off law is not in effect, the amount to be sequestered: (1) shall be the amount (if any) by which the sum of all budget-year entries on the direct spending and receipts scorecard is greater than zero; and (2) shall be increased whenever the average out-year change in direct spending and receipts, combined, achieved during that budget-year session would result in higher deficits than if that average change had equaled the amount targeted for the budget year, with that budget-year target being the amount that the sequestration preview report for the budget year shows was needed to bring the budget-year entries on the direct spending and receipts scorecard to zero. Provides that, within 15 days after the Congress adjourns to end a session, and on the same day as an across-the-board reduction of discretionary programs, such a sequestration shall take place to reduce the amount of receipts in the current policy baseline, unless the sum computed for the sequestration is less than $500 million. Mandates that sequestration be achieved by reducing each non-exempt direct spending account by the uniform percentage necessary to achieve 80 percent of the sequestration sum, and increasing receipts to achieve the other 20 percent through surtaxes as enacted under this Act. (Sec. 110) Provides for an across-the-board reduction of discretionary programs, if there is a sequestration. (Sec. 111) Lists programs and activities which shall be exempt from sequestration, including optional exemptions of military personnel. (Sec. 112) Sets forth general sequestration rules, including permanent sequestration of direct spending and receipts, as well as special rules for: (1) block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) under the Social Security Act; (2) the Child Support Enforcement Program; (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation; (4) the Conservation Reserve Program; (5) extended unemployment compensation; (6) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Fund; (7) the Federal Housing Finance Board; (8) Federal pay; (9) guaranteed student loans; (10) Federal insurance programs; (11) Medicaid; (12) Medicare; (13) the Postal Service Fund; (14) power marketing administration funds and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) fund; and (15) veterans' housing loans. (Sec. 113) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the imposition of tax sequestration surtaxes on individuals and corporations. (Sec. 114) Requires both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to prepare both sequestration preview and final reports. Directs the Board of Estimates (established under this Act), at specified appropriate times, to choose one report from each pair as the official preview or final report. Directs the President, on the day that the Board chooses the final sequestration report, to issue an order fully implementing without change all required sequestrations and tax actions. (Sec. 115) Provides for determination of the current policy baseline and the baseline assuming deficit reduction. (Sec. 117) Establishes in the Treasury a Stabilization Reserve Fund in order to accumulate balances during years of comparative prosperity, which balances may later be used to cover the loss of receipts and the increase in outlays that occur during times of comparative economic distress. (Sec. 118) Provides for the suspension of sequestration procedures: (1) upon the declaration of war; and (2) during periods of low economic growth. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of a low growth joint resolution by the Congress. (Sec. 119) Establishes a Board of Estimates to report to the President and the Congress concerning the selection of the OMB and CBO sequestration preview and final reports. (Sec. 120) Provides for: (1) expedited judicial review of the constitutionality of provisions of this Act in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in an action by any Member of Congress or other adversely affected individual seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief; and (2) direct appeal to the Supreme Court of any court order issued pursuant to such an action. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth technical and conforming amendments to: (1) the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974; (2) the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990; (3) the Rules of the House of Representatives and the Standing Rules of the Senate; and (4) other Federal law provisions concerning, among other things, the President's budget and the public debt limit.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Constitution provides that all citizens have the right to keep and bear arms and that such right supersedes the power and authority of any government.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1997 - Provides that, in any civil action, a biomaterials supplier (one who supplies components or raw materials used to manufacture implants) may raise any defense provided under this Act. Exempts a biomaterials supplier (supplier) from liability for harm to a claimant caused by an implant, with exceptions in the case of a supplier who: (1) is a registered manufacturer of the implant; (2) is a seller of the implant and who held title to the implant at the time of sale; or (3) furnishes raw materials or components that fail to meet applicable contractual requirements or specifications. Provides grounds for liability with respect to each exception. Outlines procedural guidelines for the dismissal of civil actions against suppliers . States that a supplier may be considered a manufacturer of an implant, for purposes of such civil actions, only if the supplier has registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Requires claimant payment of attorney's fees if: (1 ) the claimant named or joined the biomaterials supplier; and (2) the court finds the claim to be without merit and frivolous.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Internal Revenue Service Accountability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to mandate a fine or imprisonment for any U.S. officer or employee who willfully and maliciously disregards any revenue law or related regulation relating to any proceeding against a taxpayer. Allows, if litigation costs are awarded, a portion of the costs to be assessed against any current or former Internal Revenue Service officer or employee (prohibiting Government reimbursement) if the proceeding resulted from any arbitrary, capricious, or malicious act of the officer or employee. Allows Government defense of the officer or employee, but makes the officer or employee liable for defense costs if the employee is found liable for litigation costs. Imposes similar liabilities regarding civil damages for a failure to release a lien or for certain unauthorized collection actions. Amends provisions allowing civil damages for disclosure of returns and return information to allow the damages for access as well as disclosure and apply the provisions to former as well as current officers and employees. Provides for dismissal from office or discharge from employment, a fine or imprisonment, and costs of prosecution for unauthorized access. Prohibits unauthorized access and, on discovery of unauthorized access, requires immediate taxpayer notification. Requires reasonable justification (not random selection) for examining a return. Prohibits, except on court approval, a second examination of a return or extending an examination back beyond three taxable years. Extends from 21 to 90 calendar days after notice and demand the deadline to pay a tax required to be shown on certain returns but not shown. Allows a district court to rule on a decision by the Secretary of the Treasury to not acquiesce regarding conclusions of law in identical, similar, or previously-decided cases. Requires court consent for a levy to collect a tax. Prohibits interest on assessable penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax. Sets the interest rate for overpayments and underpayments (the same rate for both). Modifies requirements regarding abatement of interest, penalties, additional amounts, or additions to tax attributable to a mathematical or clerical error.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1997
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1995 (sic) - 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.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1997
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to the qualified surviving spouse of each member of the armed forces who: (1) died before March 21, 1974, and was entitled to retired or retainer pay at the time of death; or (2) was a member of the reserves during the period beginning on September 21, 1972, and ending on October 21, 1978, and at the time of death would have been entitled to retired pay but for being under 60 years of age. Defines a qualified surviving spouse as one who has not remarried and is not entitled to an income supplement available to certain widows of retired military personnel. Sets the annuity amount at $165 monthly, reduced by the amount of any monthly dependency and indemnity compensation to which the surviving spouse is entitled. Terminates on September 30, 2001, the authority to pay such annuities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1997
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for peace on earth; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to the Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1997
Prohibits a person from leaving a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition, any of which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, in a manner that the person knows or reasonably should know is likely to be accessible to a juvenile, unless the person has given the juvenile permission to possess the firearm and the possession is under the supervision of an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm. Requires that: (1) licensed dealers post a copy of such prohibition; and (2) notice be included on the form required to be obtained by licensed dealers from prospective firearms transferees. Makes it an affirmative defense that the firearm was left in a locked, opaque box or with a trigger locking device installed. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a violation. Limits judicial review of the Secretary's action. Prohibits, with exceptions, the sale of a firearm by a licensed dealer to any person unless, before the sale, the dealer has offered to sell the purchaser a trigger locking device, explained its operation, and had the person indicate in writing that the person understands that trigger locking devices are available for purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Permits the performance of honor guard functions by members of the National Guard at funerals for veterans to be treated as Federal functions for which appropriated funds may be used.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign up to 10,000 Department of Defense personnel at any one time to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service in preventing the entry into the United States of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Increases the rates of veterans' basic educational assistance, survivors and dependents educational assistance, the allowances provided for the pursuit of correspondence courses, special restorative training, and apprenticeship training, and basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Increases such rates annually for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1998 (currently, October 1, 1994) by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to: (1) make persons who willfully misclassify an individual for purposes of any employment tax ineligible for any defense contract; (2) require a person who submits a bid or proposal for a defense contract to certify that the amount of the bid or proposal is adequate to pay all employment taxes with respect to all work to be performed under the contract by the contractor's employees; (3) require each defense contract to include a requirement that the contractor provide certain notifications to each person who performs work under the contract and who is treated as an independent contractor for purposes of employment taxes; and (4) allow a person who submits a bid or proposal for a defense contract and who suffers damages as a result of the award of the contract to a person who knowingly and willfully submits a false certification to bring an action for damages against the person awarded the contract in any U.S. district court in which the defendant is located.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Public Health and Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, import, export, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, ownership, possession, transport, or use (transaction) of a handgun or handgun ammunition. Makes exceptions with respect to the military, law enforcement agencies, registered security guard services, and licensed handgun clubs and members of such clubs. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to approve such a transaction by licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers as necessary to meet the lawful requirements of such persons and entities covered by the exceptions. Specifies handgun club licensing requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke the license of any such club that does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such club to pay to the Secretary an annual license fee of $25. Specifies security guard service registration requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke such registration if the service does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such service to pay to the Secretary an annual registration fee of $50. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) recordkeeping (by licensed manufacturers, importers, dealers, handgun clubs or their members and by registered security guard services that transfer handguns or handgun ammunition); (2) reports of loss or theft; and (3) transfers to handgun clubs. Authorizes the voluntary delivery to any designated Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency of a handgun owned or possessed by a person. Directs the Secretary to: (1) arrange with each such agency to receive handguns for the transfer, destruction, or other disposition of such handguns; and (2) pay to such person $25 or the fair market value of the gun. Authorizes appropriations. Sets penalties for violations of this Act. Specifies that a person who voluntarily delivers a handgun under this Act after 180 days after enactment shall not be subject to criminal prosecution for possession of the handgun, but shall pay to the Secretary a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500. Establishes penalties for: (1) failure to report the loss or theft of a handgun; (2) negligent and intentional deliveries to an unauthorized place; (3) false statements or representations; and (4) failure to keep, or permit inspection of, records. Provides for the forfeiture of any handgun or handgun ammunition involved or used in a violation of this Act or of any other criminal law of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1997
Intelligence Budget Accountability Act of 1997 - Directs the President to include in the annual budget submitted to the Congress a separate, unclassified statement of the appropriations and proposed appropriations for the current fiscal year, and the amount of appropriations requested for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, for national and tactical intelligence activities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Prohibits parking fees from being charged at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility which is operated jointly with the Department of Defense pursuant to a contract or agreement for the sharing of health care resources.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Designates the national cemetery established at the former site of the Joliet Arsenal, Illinois, as the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit any person within any State, and any U.S. person in a foreign country, to use any encryption regardless of the encryption algorithm selected, encryption key length chosen, or implementation technique or medium used, with an exception for the unlawful use of encryption in furtherance of a criminal act. Allows any person within any State to sell in interstate commerce any encryption. Specifies that no person in lawful possession of a key to encrypted information may be required by Federal or State law to relinquish to another person control of that key, with an exception for access for law enforcement purposes. Sets penalties for the willful use of encryption in furtherance of the commission of a criminal offense. (Sec. 3) Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to grant the Secretary of Commerce exclusive authority to control exports of all hardware, software, and technology for information security (including encryption), except that which is specifically designed or modified for military use. Prohibits requiring any validated license (with limited exceptions pursuant to the Trading With The Enemy Act or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) for the export or reexport of any: (1) software, including software with encryption capabilities that is generally available as is and that is designed for installation by the purchaser, or that is in the public domain for which copyright or other protection is not available or is available to the public because it is generally accessible to the public in any form; or (2) computing device solely because it incorporates or employs in any form software (including software with encryption capabilities) exempted from any requirement for a validated license under this section. Directs the Secretary to authorize the export or reexport of: (1) software with encryption capabilities for nonmilitary end-uses in any country to which exports of software of similar capability are permitted for use by financial institutions not controlled in fact by U.S. persons, unless there is substantial evidence that such software will be diverted to a military end-use or an end-use supporting international terrorism, modified for military or authorization that may be required under the Act; and (2) computer hardware with encryption capabilities if the Secretary determines that a product offering comparable security is commercially available outside the United States from a foreign supplier without effective restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Military Voting Rights Act of 1997 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to require that a person who is absent from a State in compliance with military or naval orders shall not, solely by reason of that absence, for purposes of voting for an office of the United States or of a State, be deemed to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in that State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act to require States, with respect to elections for State and local offices, to permit absentee voting by uniformed services members.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Designates the national cemetery established at the former site of the Joliet Arsenal, Illinois, as the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Designates the nursing care center at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, as the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Care Center.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1997
Air Traffic Supervisor Retirement Reform Act of 1997 - Provides that service performed by certain civilian employees of the Departments of Transportation or of Defense holding specified positions for which experience as an air traffic controller is a prerequisite (air traffic second-level supervisors and managers) shall be creditable for retirement under the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems.