Environment

7 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to fund local government; and the changes, if any, he proposes to the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act. [16427/97]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 October 1997

7 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to fund local government; and the changes, if any, he proposes to the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act. [16427/97]

6 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Environment and Local Government the number of prosecutions which have been initiated under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997; the outcome of each such prosecution; the relevant local authorities which have initiated prosecutions; and if he has satisfied himself that local authorities are adequately fulfilling their obligations under the Act. [16097/97]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 October 1997

6 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Environment and Local Government the number of prosecutions which have been initiated under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997; the outcome of each such prosecution; the relevant local authorities which have initiated prosecutions; and if he has satisfied himself that local authorities are adequately fulfilling their obligations under the Act. [16097/97]

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee on a Europe-Asia co-operation strategy in the field of environment

European Union · European Commission · 13 October 1997

Mochovce-Bericht

Austria · National Council · 10 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Mochovce-Bericht

Nichterfüllung einer gesetzlichen Berichtspflicht

Austria · National Council · 10 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Peter Keppelmüller und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Nichterfüllung einer gesetzlichen Berichtspflicht <i>(über die Reduktion der Emission von Ozonvorläufersubstanzen</i> <i>gemäß § 12 Ozongesetz)</i>

Strahlenbelastung in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 10 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Johann Schuster und Genossen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend Strahlenbelastung in Österreich <i>(Auswirkungen des Reaktorunglücks in Tschernobyl)</i>

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should give high priority to working with partners in the Americas to address shared foreign policy and security problems in the Western Hemisphere.

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Calls for the United States to: (1) give high priority to working with U.S. partners in the Americas to address shared foreign policy and security problems in the Western Hemisphere; (2) encourage efforts to increase the transparency of defense planning, military acquisitions, exercises, and deployments as well as other mutual- confidence and security-building measures in the Hemisphere in order to strengthen the environment of trust, confidence, and mutual restraint; (3) begin discussions with U.S. partners in the Hemisphere on steps that could lead to a voluntary multilateral restraint regime on the acquisition of advanced weapons systems in the Hemisphere; (4) encourage countries in the Hemisphere to implement the Santiago Declaration on Confidence and Security-Building Measures resolution adopted by the Organization of American States (OAS) on November 10, 1995; (5) take steps to bring about the implementation of the resolution on Conventional Arms Transparency and Confidence Building in the Americas adopted by the OAS on June 5, 1997; (6) increase the number of civilian and military personnel in foreign policy and defense-related training, education, and exchange programs from and to eligible countries in the Western Hemisphere and encourage similar programs between countries in the region; and (7) conduct an in-depth study of the roles, requirements, missions, and priorities of the U.S. armed forces in the Western Hemisphere in the post-Cold War environment, including steps that should be taken to improve Hemispheric security and areas of possible cooperation with the armed forces of other countries in the region. Urges the United States, in consultation with other countries in the Americas, to explore areas for enhancing cooperation and collaboration, including the strengthening of existing inter-American organizations and arrangements, in order to address shared problems relating to subregional and Hemisphere-wide foreign policy and security-related issues.

Department of Commerce Dismantling Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Establishment of United States Trade Administration Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: United States Trade Administration Title IV: Statistical Consolidation Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Establishment of the Federal Statistical Service Subtitle C: Transfers of Functions and Offices Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Abolishes the Department of Commerce (Department). Transfers all Department functions to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before the applicable date of abolishment, which is the earlier of: (1) the last day of the six-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) September 30, 1998. (Sec. 103) Sets forth requirements for the resolution of all Department functions. Terminates all functions that are transferred to the Director that are not otherwise continued by this Act on the last day of the three-year period beginning on the date of enactment. (Sec. 104) Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the OMB Director's responsibilities during the resolution and termination of functions; and (2) transfer of Department personnel. (Sec. 106) Provides for the submission of specified reports. (Sec. 107) Requires General Accounting Office (GAO) audits of: (1) persons performing functions or activities pursuant to this Act; and (2) persons providing certain goods or services to, or receiving financial assistance from, persons performing functions or activities pursuant to this Act. (Sec. 109) Sets forth provisions for privatizing transferred functions designated for privatization under Title II of this Act. (Sec. 110) Amends Federal law concerning Government organization and employees to require affected agencies to establish agencywide priority placement programs for Federal employees affected by a reduction in force attributable to this Act. (Sec. 111) Limits the total amount authorized to be appropriated as funding related to the performance of functions transferred to the Director or to OMB from the Department to not exceed: (1) for the first fiscal year that begins after the abolishment date, 75 percent of the total amount of funding appropriated to the Department for FY 1997; and (2) for the second fiscal year that begins after the abolishment date and for each fiscal year thereafter, 65 percent of the total amount appropriated to the Department for FY 1997. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations owned by the Department under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all Department grants made under such Act in FY 1997. (Sec. 202) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Redesignates the National Institute of Standards and Technology as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Transfers: (1) the NBS to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reestablished under this Act; (2) all functions relating to the Bureau that were functions of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) or the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology to the NBS Director; and (3) all functions of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to the OMB Director for privatization. Provides for the reestablishment of NTIS as a wholly owned Government corporation if an arrangement for privatization of the functions of the NTIS has not been made. (Sec. 203) Transfers all functions of the Secretary relating to the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Statistical Service established under this Act. (Sec. 204) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). Transfers: (1) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) laboratories to the OMB Director for privatization; (2) NTIA functions concerning the research and analysis of the electromagnetic spectrum to the NBS Director; and (3) functions of the NTIA, and of the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of Communications and Information with respect to NTIA to the Federal Communications Commission. Provides for the transfer of NTIA laboratories to the reestablished NOAA if an arrangement for privatization of the laboratories has not been made. Abolishes the NTIA. (Sec. 205) Terminates specified miscellaneous NOAA research programs. Transfers from the NOAA: (1) aeronautical mapping and charting functions to the Transportation Administrative Services Center at the Department of Transportation; (2) functions relating to mapping, charting, and geodesy authorized under a certain Act to the Army Corps of Engineers; (3) all functions and assets performed by the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System to the reestablished NOAA; (4) all functions and assets (including global programs) performed by the NOAA that were authorized to be performed by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to the reestablished NOAA; and (5) all functions and assets of the NOAA that are authorized to be performed by the National Weather Service to the reestablished NOAA. Prohibits: (1) funding for the NOAA Corps of commissioned officers after FY 1997; and (2) allowing individuals to serve as such commissioned officers after FY 1997. Provides for the establishment of a priority placement program by NOAA to assist commissioned officers who are separated from the active list because of the termination. Abolishes on September 30, 2000: (1) the Office of the NOAA Administration Corps of Operations or its successor; and (2) the Commissioned Personnel Center. Sets forth service contract provisions with respect to the NOAA Administration Fleet. Directs the Administrator of Oceans and Atmosphere to: (1) use excess capacity of University National Oceanographic Laboratory System vessels; and (2) enter into memoranda of agreement with the operators of such vessels. Transfers certain excess vessels to the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Transfers to the: (1) NOAA all functions authorized to be performed by the National Marine Fisheries Service; (2) reestablished NOAA all functions performed by the National Ocean Service, including the Coastal Ocean Program; and (3) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency coastal nonpoint pollution functions that are vested in the Secretary under the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. (Sec. 206) Reestablishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the NOAA. Provides for administration of NOAA, and all functions and offices transferred to the new NOAA, under the supervision and direction of an Administrator of Oceans and Atmosphere. Transfers to the new NOAA: (1) the functions and offices of NOAA; (2) the NBS along with its functions and offices; and (3) the Office of Space Commerce, along with its functions and offices. Terminates NOAA and certain other agency offices affected by the transfer. (Sec. 207) Terminates: (1) the Minority Business Development Administration; (2) NTIA programs and activities mentioned in section 204 of this Act; (2) the Advanced Technology Program; (3) the Manufacturing Extension Programs; (4) the NIST METRIC Program; and (5) the Economics and Statistics Administration. Title III: Establishment of United States Trade Administration - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions. Subtitle B: United States Trade Administration - Chapter 1: Establishment - Reestablishes the Trade Administration in the executive branch as an independent establishment to be headed by the Trade Representative who shall retain ambassador rank and represent the United States in all trade negotiations conducted by the Trade Administration. Directs the Trade Representative to serve as the principal adviser to the President on international trade policy, along with certain additional trade related functions, including those under Chapter 3. Chapter 2: Officers - Sets forth provisions related to Trade Administration management positions and related functions, among other things establishing three Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives: (1) the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Negotiations (with ambassador rank); (2) the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative to the World Trade Organization (with ambassador rank); and (3) the U.S. Trade Representative for Administration (acts for and exercises the functions of the Trade Representative during the absence, disability, or vacancy of the Trade Representative and exercises all transferred or established Trade Administration functions, except those functions exercised by certain Trade Administration officials). (Sec. 322) Establishes four Assistant Administrators to exercise certain transferred Department functions under the direction of the Deputy Trade Representative for Administration: (1) the Assistant Administrator for Export Administration; (2) the Assistant Administrator for Import Administration; (3) the Assistant Administrator for Trade and Policy Analysis; and (4) the Assistant Administrator for Export Promotion (with ambassador rank). Creates the position of chief financial officer to perform all functions prescribed by the Deputy Trade Representative for Administration under the direction of such Deputy. Chapter 3: Transfers to the Trade Administration - Abolishes the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Transfers to the Trade Administration Federal trade functions, including those of the Department, the Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. (Sec. 336) Directs the President to: (1) transmit to the Congress a comprehensive plan to consolidate Federal nonagricultural export promotion and financing activities; and (2) transfer those functions to the Trade Administration. (Sec. 337) Transfers: (1) functions of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) to the Trade Administration; and (2) other functions of CITA related to the assessment of the impact of textile imports on domestic industry to the International Trade Commission. Abolishes CITA. Chapter 4: Administrative Provisions - Sets out Trade Representative related administrative provisions pertaining to personnel and other miscellaneous administrative matters, including those relating to a working capital fund for administrative expenses. Chapter 5: Related Agencies - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the National Security Act of 1947, and the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to make miscellaneous and conforming changes to complete the consolidation and streamlining process described above. Chapter 6: Conforming Amendments - Makes miscellaneous technical and conforming amendments to various specified provisions of Federal law, including those relating to executive schedule positions. Chapter 7: Miscellaneous - Limits the total amount appropriated in the performance of all functions vested in the Trade Representative and the Trade Administration to not exceed: (1) for the first fiscal year that begins after the effective date, 75 percent of the total amount appropriated in FY 1998; and (2) for the second fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, 65 percent of the total amount appropriated in FY 1998. Title IV: Statistical Consolidation - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to: (1) a more centralized statistical system and the role of the Chief Statistician of OMB; (2) confidentiality; and (3) decennial censuses of population. Subtitle B: Establishment of the Federal Statistical Service - Establishes the Federal Statistical Service as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Sets forth provisions for principal officers, including: (1) an Administrator; (2) a Deputy Administrator; (3) a Director of the Census; (4) a Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and (5) a Director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Sec. 413) Establishes a Federal Council on Statistical Policy to advise the Service, nominate the Administrator, serve as an advisory body to the Chief Statistician on certain confidentiality issues, and establish a unified statistical policy for the Federal Government. Mandates studies by the Council on: (1) whether the functions of the Bureau of the Census relating to decennial censuses of population could be delineated from the other functions of the Bureau; and (2) making the Bureau's field offices part of the field offices of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Subtitle C: Transfers of Functions and Offices - Transfers to the Service the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor, along with all of its functions and offices. Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions related to the administrative functions of the Administrator. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous - Sets forth miscellaneous provisions with respect to functions or offices of the Service and makes conforming amendments relating to certain officials of the Service. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth provisions pertaining to officers and employees to whom a function is transferred by this Act.

To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to permit States and political subdivisions to control the disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste within their boundaries.

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) to authorize State Governors to impose limitations or prohibitions on the receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste by landfills or incinerators. Permits a political subdivision: (1) notwithstanding such limitation or prohibition, to permit incinerators or landfills located in the subdivision to receive such waste; and (2) in the absence of such a limitation or prohibition, to impose a limitation or prohibition on the receipt of such waste by incinerators or landfills in the subdivision. Exempts the following from this Act's authorities: (1) solid waste identified as a hazardous waste under the SWDA; (2) solid waste resulting from a response action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or a comparable State law or from a corrective action under the SWDA; (3) recyclable materials that have been separated from waste destined for disposal; (4) materials and products returned from a dispenser or distributor to the manufacturer for credit, evaluation, and possible reuse; (5) specified solid waste that is generated by an industrial facility and is transported to a facility affiliated with the generator for purposes of treatment, storage, or disposal; and (6) medical waste that is not mixed with other solid waste.

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit grants for the national estuary program to be used for the development and implementation of a comprehensive conservation and management plan, to reauthorize appropriations to carry out the program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Amends the Clean Water Act to require grants made under the National Estuary Program to be used for assisting activities necessary for the development and implementation of conservation and management plans (currently, for research and other technical work necessary for the development of such plans). Reauthorizes appropriations for the Program for FY 1998 through 2003.

nicht abgeschlossene, überfällige Forschungsprojekte

Austria · National Council · 8 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Thomas Barmüller und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend nicht abgeschlossene, überfällige Forschungsprojekte

Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1997

Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1997 - Sets forth the purposes of this Act, which are, through trade agreements affording mutual benefits, to achieve: (1) more open, equitable, and reciprocal market access for U.S. goods, services, and investment; (2) the reduction or elimination of barriers and other trade-distorting policies and practices; (3) a more effective system of international trading disciplines and procedures; and (4) economic growth, higher living standards, and full employment in the United States, and economic growth and development among U.S. trading partners. (Sec. 2) Sets forth the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives for agreements regarding tariff barriers and agreements regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Declares that the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives regarding a reduction of barriers to trade in goods include eliminating specified tariffs for products identified in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding trade in services are: (1) reducing or eliminating barriers to, or other distortions of, international trade in services, including regulatory and other barriers that deny national treatment or unreasonably restrict the establishment and operation of service suppliers in foreign markets; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules, including dispute settlement procedures, that are consistent with U.S. commercial policies and will reduce or eliminate such barriers or distortions, and help ensure fair, equitable opportunities for foreign markets. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding foreign investment are: (1) reducing or eliminating artificial or trade-distorting barriers to foreign investment, expanding the principle of national treatment, and reducing unreasonable barriers to establishment; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules through the negotiation of investment agreements, including dispute settlement procedures, that will help ensure a free flow of foreign investment and will reduce or eliminate the trade distortive effects of certain trade-related investment measures. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding intellectual property are: (1) promoting adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights; (2) securing fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory market access opportunities for U.S. persons that rely on intellectual property protection; and (3) recognizing that the inclusion in the World Trade Organization (WT0) of adequate and effective substantive norms and standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and dispute settlement provisions and enforcement procedures is without prejudice to other complementary initiatives undertaken in other international organizations. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding agriculture are, in addition to those set forth in the Food Security Act of 1985, achieving on an expedited basis to the maximum extent feasible, more open and fair conditions of trade in agricultural commodities. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding unfair trade practices are: (1) enhancing the operation and effectiveness of the relevant Uruguay Round Agreements and any other agreements designed to define, deter, discourage the persistent use of, and otherwise discipline, unfair trade practices having adverse trade effects, including forms of subsidy and dumping not adequately disciplined; and (2) obtaining the enforcement of WTO rules against trade-distorting practices of state trading enterprises and the acts, practices, or policies of any foreign government which, as a practical matter, unreasonably require that substantial direct investment in the foreign country be made, intellectual property be licensed to the foreign country or to any firm of the foreign country or other collateral concessions be made, as a condition for the importation of any product or service of the United States into the foreign country or as a condition for carrying on business in the foreign country. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding safeguards are: (1) improving and expanding rules and procedures covering safeguard measures; (2) ensuring that safeguard measures are transparent, temporary, degressive, and subject to review and termination when no longer necessary to remedy injury and to facilitate adjustment; and (3) requiring notification of, and to monitor the use by, WTO members of import relief actions for their domestic industries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding improvement of the WTO and multilateral trade agreements are: (1) improving the operation and extending the coverage of the WTO and such agreements to products, sectors, and conditions of trade not adequately covered; and (2) expanding country participation in particular agreements, where appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding dispute settlement are: (1) providing for effective and expeditious dispute settlement mechanisms and procedures in any trade agreement entered into under this authority; and (2) ensuring that such mechanisms within the WTO and agreements concluded under the auspices of the WTO provide for more effective and expeditious resolution of disputes and enable better enforcement of U.S. rights. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding transparency is to obtain broader application of the principle of transparency through increased public access to information regarding trade issues, clarification of the costs and benefits of trade policy actions, and the observance of open and equitable procedures by U.S. trading partners and within the WTO. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding developing countries are: (1) ensuring that developing countries promote economic development by assuming the fullest possible measure of responsibility for achieving and maintaining an open international trading system by providing reciprocal benefits and assuming equivalent obligations with respect to their import and export practices; and (2) establishing procedures for reducing nonreciprocal trade benefits for the more advanced developing countries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding current account surpluses is to promote policies to address large and persistent global current account imbalances of countries by imposing greater responsibility on such countries to undertake policy changes aimed at restoring current account equilibrium through expedited implementation of trade agreements where feasible and appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding access to high technology is to obtain the elimination or reduction of foreign barriers to, and acts, policies, or practices by foreign governments which limit, equitable access by U.S. persons to foreign-developed technology. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding border taxes is, within the WTO, to obtain a revision of the treatment of border adjustments for internal taxes in order to redress the disadvantage to countries that rely primarily on direct taxes rather than indirect taxes for revenue. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding regulatory competition are: (1) ensuring that foreign government regulations and other government practices do not unfairly discriminate against U.S. goods, services, or investment; and (2) preventing the use of foreign government regulation and other government practices, including the lowering of, or derogation from, existing labor, health and safety, or environmental standards, for the purpose of attracting investment or inhibiting U.S. exports. States that it is U.S. policy to reinforce the trade agreements process by: (1) fostering stability in international currency markets and developing mechanisms to assure greater coordination, consistency, and cooperation between international trade and monetary systems and institutions in order to protect against the trade consequences of significant and unanticipated currency movements; (2) supplementing and strengthening standards for protection of intellectual property rights under conventions designed to protect such rights that are administered by non-WTO international organizations, expanding the conventions to cover new and emerging technologies, and eliminating discrimination and unreasonable exceptions or pre-conditions to such protection; (3) promoting respect for workers' rights; and (4) expanding the production of goods and trade in goods and services to ensure the optimal use of the world's resources while seeking to protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the international means for doing so. (Sec. 3) Sets forth the authority of the President to enter trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Allows the President to enter into such agreements before October 1, 2001 (or before October 1, 2005, if trade authorities are extended according to a specified congressional procedure). States that a trade agreement may be entered only if it makes progress in meeting the applicable objectives, and the President satisfies certain congressional consultation requirements, set forth in this Act. Declares that bills implementing trade agreements may qualify for congressional trade agreement approval (fast-track) procedures only if they consist solely of: (1) provisions approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act that achieves one or more of the principal negotiating objectives set forth above, and approving any statement of administrative action; (2) provisions that are necessary to implement such agreement or otherwise related to the implementation, enforcement, and adjustment to the effects of such trade agreement and are directly related to trade; and (3) provisions necessary to comply with budget offset requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides for extension of fast-track procedures to agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2005, upon the President's request if neither House of the Congress adopts an extension disapproval resolution according to a specified procedure. (Sec. 4) Prescribes requirements for presidential notice and consultation with the Congress before negotiations on tariff and nontariff barrier agreements. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional committees before entering an agreement. Provides that in the course of negotiations conducted under this Act, the United States Trade Representative shall consult closely and on a timely basis (including immediately before initialing an agreement) with, and keep fully apprised of the negotiations, the congressional advisers for trade policy and negotiations appointed under the Trade Act of 1974, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to notify the Congress within 90 days of entering an agreement. Requires the President, within 60 days of signing an agreement, to submit to the Congress a preliminary list of changes to existing laws considered mandatory to bring the United States into compliance with the agreement. Provides that fast-track procedures shall not apply to any implementing bill that contains a provision approving any agreement regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers with any foreign country if the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives disapprove of the negotiation of the agreement before the close of the 90-calendar day period that begins when notice is provided with respect to the negotiation of such agreement. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying fast-track to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with the Congress about it. (Sec. 6) Exempts from notice and certain consultation requirements of this Act agreements that result from negotiations which were commenced before the enactment of this Act: (1) under the auspices of WTO regarding trade in information technology products; (2) pursuant to a Uruguay Round Agreement; or (3) with Chile. (Sec. 8) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2000 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and for firms, respectively. Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2000. (Sec. 9) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend from FY 1997 through 1998 the inapplicability of the exemption for certain customs services fees involving the arrival of any passenger whose journey originated in Canada or Mexico, or originated in the United States but was limited to those countries.

Federal Transit Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1997

Federal Transit Act of 1997 - Amends Federal mass transportation law to extend through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for various mass transit programs, including: (1) urban and rural area formula grants; (2) New Starts for fixed guideway systems; (3) fixed guideway modernization; (4) bus programs; (5) elderly and handicapped transit services; and (6) planning. Sets aside certain amounts for various purposes, including planning, programming, and research, and workplace safety. (Sec. 3) Revises the definition of capital project to include intelligent transportation systems and preventive maintenance, as well as leasing of equipment and facilities and introduction of new technology. Sets forth eligible costs of capital projects that enhance economic development or incorporate private investment, including safety elements and community services facilities. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make capital project grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in mass transportation in an urbanized area with a population of less than 200,000 (small area flexibility). (Sec. 4) Revises metropolitan planning requirements, including those relating to development, process scope, goals, metropolitan planning organizations' duties, metropolitan transportation improvement program, information publication, and transportation management areas. Sets forth statewide planning requirements, including development requirements, planning process scope, coordination with metropolitan planning, State air quality implementation plan, long-range transportation plan, information publication, and State transportation improvement program. (Sec. 5) Requires metropolitan planning organizations to include representatives of the users of public transit. (Sec. 6) Allows State and local mass transit entities to use proceeds from issuance of farebox revenue bonds in meeting the required local share of funding for capital projects; but requires State maintenance of effort with respect to non-Federal transportation capital expenditures. (Sec. 7) Establishes a clean fuels formula grant program for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, biodiesel fuels, batteries, alcohol-based fuels, or hybrid electric, fuel cell, or other zero emissions technology. Provides for assistance to eligible mass transit entities for projects to: (1) purchase or lease such vehicles; (2) construct or lease clean fuel vehicle fueling or electrical recharging facilities and equipment; (3) improve existing transit facilities to accommodate clean fuel vehicles; and (4) cover incremental costs of biodiesel fuel. Provides for apportionment of funds to eligible entities in specified types of areas with certain conditions. Requires the use of a specified portion of funds for: (1) purchase or construction of hybrid electric or battery-powered buses; or (2) facilities specifically designed to service those buses. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Renames specified discretionary grants and loans as capital investment grants and loans. (Sec. 9) Requires the Secretary, in deciding whether to approve a grant or loan for a capital project for a new or extended fixed guideway system, to recognize reductions in local infrastructure costs achieved through compact land use development. (Sec. 10) Limits to not more than eight percent for any fiscal year the amount of funding under the New Starts program that may be used for fixed guideway system activities other than final design and construction. (Sec. 11) Establishes a joint partnership program for deployment of innovation. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and cooperative and other agreements with selected consortia to promote the early deployment of innovation in mass transportation technology, services, management, or operational practices. Requires such program to be carried out by competitively selected public-private partnerships that will share costs, risks, and rewards of early deployment of innovation with broad applicability. Requires assisted consortia to provide at least 50 percent of the costs of any joint partnership project. (Sec. 12) Authorizes National Mass Transportation Institute programs to include courses in workplace safety. (Sec. 13) Restores current law designating and funding University Research Institutes and Regional and National University Transportation Centers, by repealing their repeal by the highway program reauthorization legislation as reported by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in S. 1173 on September 17, 1997. (Sec. 14) Establishes a job access grants program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to qualified entities for up to 50 percent of the costs of projects to develop transportation services for welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and employment-related activities. Authorizes appropriations, allocated: (1) 60 percent for projects in urbanized areas with populations of not less than 200,000; (2) 20 percent for projects in urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000; and (3) 20 percent for projects in areas other than urbanized areas. (Sec. 15) Makes specified formula and discretionary grant requirements apply to any project that receives any assistance from an infrastructure bank or through other financing under subtitle C of title I of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997. (Sec. 16) Requires that governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations that receive assistance from Government sources (other than the Department of Transportation) for nonemergency transportation services: (1) participate and coordinate with recipients of assistance under Federal mass transit law in the design and delivery of transportation services; and (2) be included in the planning for those services. (Sec. 17) Allows recipients of specified Federal transportation assistance to sell any asset (including real property) acquired with such assistance, with no further obligation to the Government, if they: (1) determine that it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was acquired; and (2) use the proceeds of the sale for the provision of mass transportation services. (Sec. 18) Requires the Secretary, in distributing operating assistance to urbanized areas with a population of one million or more under the most recent census, to direct each such area to give priority consideration to the impact of reductions on operating assistance on smaller transit authorities operating within the area, and to consider their needs and resources. (Sec. 19) Revises distribution formulas for apportionment of appropriations under the fixed guideway modernization program. Requires route segments to be included in specified apportionment formulas. (Sec. 20) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) whether the formula for apportioning specified funds to urbanized areas accurately reflects the transit needs of such areas; and, if not, (2) whether any changes should be made either to the formula or through some other mechanism to reflect the fact that some urbanized areas with a population between 50,000 and 200,000 have transit systems that carry more passengers per mile or hour than the average of those transit systems in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000.

Intermodal Transportation Safety Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Highway Safety Title II: Traffic Safety Title III: Hazardous Materials Transportation Reauthorization Title IV: Comprehensive One-Call Notification Title V: Motor Carrier Safety Title VI: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism and Safety Intermodal Transportation Safety Act of 1997 - Title I: Highway Safety - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to makes grants to States that take specified actions to advance highway safety with respect to: (1) alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures (including a graduated licensing system for drivers under age 21); (2) motor vehicle occupant protection (including safety belts and child passenger protection devices); (3) State highway safety data improvements; and (4) drugged driver countermeasures. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an organization representing the interests of the States to manage, administer, and operate the National Driver Register's computer timeshare and user assistance functions. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency that issues motor vehicle operator's licenses to request information about an individual applicant from the chief driver licensing official of a State. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for consolidated State highway safety programs and for the National Driver Register. Title II: Traffic Safety - Requires transfer to a State's highway safety programs of increasing specified percentages of the State's apportionments for the national highway system, the surface transportation program, and resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System, if the State fails by certain deadlines to enact and have in continuous effect a primary enforcement safety belt use law. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities that improve worldwide motor vehicle safety through appropriate activities, including: (1) promoting adoption of international and national vehicle standards harmonized with, functionally equivalent to, or compatible with U.S. standards; (2) participating in efforts to foster an international acceptance of globally harmonized and-or functionally equivalent or compatible motor vehicle regulations and standards; (3) promoting international cooperative programs for research, development, demonstration projects, training, and other forms of technology transfer and exchange; and (4) providing technical assistance to other countries relating to their adoption of U.S. vehicle regulations or standards functionally equivalent to U.S. standards. Title III: Hazardous Materials Transportation Reauthorization - Repeals the Secretary's authority to prescribe criteria for handling hazardous material. (Sec. 307) Repeals the mandate of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to distribute the hazardous materials training curriculum for the public sector. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor public sector emergency response planning and training for an accident or incident involving hazardous material; and (2) provide technical assistance to a State, local government, or Indian tribe for carrying out such training and planning. Permits the Secretary to authorize a State or Indian tribe receiving a planning and training grant to use up to 25 percent of it to assist small businesses in complying with regulations. (Sec. 312) Authorizes Department of Transportation (DOT) officers, employees, or agents, during an inspection, to: (1) open, examine, sample, and analyze the contents of a package marked or otherwise represented as containing a hazardous material, or about which there is an objectively reasonable and articulable belief that the package may contain such material; and (2) prevent the further transportation of any material when there is an objectively reasonable and articulable belief that an imminent hazard may exist, until the material's hazardous qualities have been determined. Requires inspectors to mark a package found to contain hazardous materials, and notify the shipper before the package may continue in transportation. Directs the Secretary to issue or impose immediate restrictions, prohibitions, recalls, or out-of-service orders, without notice or the opportunity for a hearing, that may be necessary to abate an emergency situation. (Sec. 313) Prescribes criminal penalties for knowing violations of law or regulations governing the transportation of hazardous materials. (Sec. 315) Provides for judicial review of final orders and civil or criminal penalties. (Sec. 316) Directs the Secretary to study the feasibility and desirability of a Federal permit program for high risk hazardous material carriers, including alternative regulatory methods and procedures that may improve the safety of such carriers and shippers. (Sec. 317) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003. Title IV: Comprehensive One-Call Notification - Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act of 1997 - Provides for the establishment of a State one-call notification program to protect underground facilities from excavation damage. Outlines required elements of the program, including minimum standards and provisions for implementation and enforcement. Authorizes a State to maintain an alternate one-call notification program if it provides protection for public safety, the environment, or excavators that is equivalent to, or greater than, protection under a program that meets the minimum standards of this Act. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study damage prevention practices associated with existing one-call notification systems in order to determine which systems practices appear to be the most effective in preventing damage to underground facilities and in protecting the public, the environment, excavators, and public service disruption. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist qualifying States in improving their one-call notification programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Motor Carrier Safety - Provides for performance-based grants to States for: (1) improving motor carrier safety; and (2) enforcing regulations for hazardous materials transportation safety. Requires State plans under such grants to implement performance-based activities by FY 2000. (Sec. 503) Makes 100 percent the Federal share of public education activities with respect to commercial motor vehicle safety programs and enforcement. (Sec. 504) Authorizes appropriations for commercial motor vehicle safety programs for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to establish motor carrier information systems and data analysis programs to support motor carrier regulatory and enforcement activities. Requires such information systems, in cooperation with the States, to be coordinated into a network providing identification of motor carriers and drivers, registration and licensing tracking, and motor carrier and driver safety performance. Requires the Secretary to develop and maintain data analysis capacity and programs to provide the means: (1) to develop strategies to address safety problems and to use data analysis to measure the effectiveness of these strategies and related programs; (2) to determine the cost effectiveness of State and Federal safety compliance, enforcement programs, and other countermeasures; (3) to evaluate the safety fitness of motor carriers and drivers; (4) to identify and collect necessary data; and (5) to adapt, improve, and incorporate other information and information systems as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to include, as part of the DOT motor carrier safety information network system, a Performance and Registration Information Systems Management information system to serve as a clearinghouse and repository of information related to State registration and licensing of commercial motor vehicles and the safety system of the commercial motor vehicle registrants or the motor carriers operating the vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program focusing on improving commercial motor vehicle driver safety. (Sec. 506) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program in cooperation with one or more States to: (1) improve upon the timely exchange of pertinent driver performance and safety records data; and (2) determine to what extent such data, including relevant fines, penalties, and failures to appear for a hearing or trial, should be included as part of any information systems under DOT oversight. (Sec. 507) Requires specified allocations of appropriations for each of FY 1998 through 2003 for activities designed to advance commercial motor vehicle and driver safety, with any obligation, contract, cooperative agreement, or support granted in excess of $100,000 to be awarded on a competitive basis. (Sec. 508) Authorizes FY 1998 through 2003 appropriations for information systems and strategic safety initiatives. Repeals the existing truck and bus accident grant program. (Sec. 511) Repeals the requirement for State submission of commercial motor vehicle safety laws and regulations to the Secretary for review, including the mandate for the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel. Prohibits motor carriers, including passenger and hazardous material carriers, which fail to meet safety fitness requirements from operating in interstate commerce. (Sec. 512) Repeals grant programs for: (1) testing and ensuring the fitness of operators of commercial motor vehicles; and (2) issuing commercial drivers' licenses and complying with State participation requirements. Declares that no action or proceeding for defamation, invasion of privacy, or interference with a contract that is based on the furnishing or use of safety performance records in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary may be brought against: (1) a motor carrier requesting the safety performance records of an individual under consideration for employment as a commercial motor vehicle driver as required by and in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary; (2) a person who has complied with such a request; or (3) the agents or insurers of such persons. (Sec. 513) Revises civil penalties for violations of Federal law with respect to commercial motor vehicle safety. (Sec. 514) Repeals the mandate for a working group of State and local government officials with respect to the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement. Repeals the authority for grants to States and appropriate persons to facilitate participation in such Plan and Agreement, as well as the authorization of appropriations for the program. (Sec. 515) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies to determine the location and quantity of parking facilities at commercial truck stops and travel plazas and public rest areas that could be used by motor carriers to comply with Federal hours-of-service rules. (Sec. 518) Revises the Secretary's authority with respect to charter bus transportation. (Sec. 519) Requires the DOT to maintain the level of Federal motor carrier safety investigators as in effect on September 30, 1997, or provide for alternative resources and mechanisms to ensure an equivalent level of commercial motor vehicle safety inspections. (Sec. 520) Directs the Secretary to determine the willingness and ability of any foreign motor carrier that applied to operate in the United States before January 1, 1996, to meet the safety fitness and other regulatory requirements under this title. Requires a related report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 521) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Committee to give advice on commercial motor vehicle safety regulations and assistance in negotiated rulemaking procedures. (Sec. 522) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out pilot programs to examine innovative approaches or alternatives to existing commercial motor vehicle safety regulations. Title VI: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism and Safety - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the use of firearms, dangerous weapons, and propelling objects against railroad trains and mass transportation. (Sec. 604) Requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to lead the investigation of all such offenses (including existing offenses under the "Wrecking Trains" statute). (Sec. 605) Requires the Federal Transit Administrator to consult with the Federal Railroad Administrator concerning relevant safety issues in making a mass transportation grant or loan that concerns a railroad subject to the Secretary's railroad safety jurisdiction. (Sec. 606) Changes the frequency with which rail carriers must file accident and incident reports with the Secretary from monthly to periodically.

Klärschlammtrocknungsanlage in Klagenfurt

Austria · National Council · 7 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Ing. Mathias Reichhold und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend eine Klärschlammtrocknungsanlage in Klagenfurt

22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the functions previously held by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry prior to 26 June 1997 which will no longer be retained therein upon the establishment of the new Departments of Marine and Natural Resources, Health and Children, Environment and Local Government and Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the justification for these changes. [14639/97]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 October 1997

22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the functions previously held by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry prior to 26 June 1997 which will no longer be retained therein upon the establishment of the new Departments of Marine and Natural Resources, Health and Children, Environment and Local Government and Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the justification for these changes. [14639/97]

22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the functions previously held by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry prior to 26 June 1997 which will no longer be retained therein upon the establishment of the new Departments of Marine and Natural Resources, Health and Children, Environment and Local Government and Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the justification for these changes. [14639/97]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 October 1997

22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the functions previously held by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry prior to 26 June 1997 which will no longer be retained therein upon the establishment of the new Departments of Marine and Natural Resources, Health and Children, Environment and Local Government and Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the justification for these changes. [14639/97]

20 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, is any, he is taking to ensure the extension of the REP scheme payment system for a further period beyond 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/97]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 October 1997

20 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, is any, he is taking to ensure the extension of the REP scheme payment system for a further period beyond 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/97]

A bill to authorize the conveyance of the Coast Guard Station, Ocracoke, North Carolina.

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to convey to North Carolina such portion of Coast Guard Station Ocracoke, North Carolina, as the Secretary considers to be appropriate for transportation, education, environmental, or other public purposes.

Reciprocal Trade Agreement Authorities Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Trade Authorities Procedures Title II: Trade Adjustment Assistance Title III: Revenue Provisions Reciprocal Trade Agreement Authorities Act of 1997 - Title I: Trade Authorities Procedures - Sets forth the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States for trade agreements (generally similar to the objectives of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (OTCA)), including: (1) to further strengthen the system of international trading disciplines and procedures, including dispute settlement; and (2) to foster economic growth, raise living standards, and promote full employment in the United States and to enhance the global economy. (Sec. 102) Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives (generally similar to the principal OTCA negotiating objectives) regarding trade barriers and other trade distortions, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property, transparency, reciprocal trade in agriculture, labor, the environment and other matters, and World Trade Organization (WTO) extended negotiations. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding trade barriers and other trade distortions include: (1) expanding competitive market opportunities for U.S. exports, and obtaining fairer and more open conditions of trade, by reducing or eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers and policies and practices of foreign governments directly related to trade that decrease market opportunities for U.S. exports or otherwise distort U.S. trade; and (2) obtaining reciprocal tariff and nontariff barrier elimination agreements, with particular attention to specified tariff categories covered in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding intellectual property include: (1) ensuring that any multilateral or bilateral trade agreement entered into by the United States provides protection at least as strong as the protection afforded by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its annexes; and (2) providing strong protection for new and emerging technologies and new methods of transmitting and distributing products embodying intellectual property. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding reciprocal trade in agriculture is to obtain competitive opportunities for United States exports in foreign markets substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities afforded foreign exports in U.S. markets, and to achieve fairer and more open conditions of trade in bulk and value-added commodities. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding labor, the environment and other matters include ensuring that: (1) foreign labor, environmental, health, or safety policies and practices do not arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate or serve as disguised barriers to trade; and (2) foreign governments do not derogate from or waive existing domestic environmental, health, safety, or labor measures, including measures that deter exploitative child labor, as an encouragement to gain competitive advantage in international trade or investment. Specifies the principal U.S. objectives regarding WTO extended negotiations regarding trade in financial services, trade in civil aircraft, and rules of origin. Urges the President to take into account the following general international economic policy priorities (not subject to fast track): (1) seeking to ensure that trade and environmental policies are mutually supportive; (2) seeking to protect and preserve the environment and enhance the international means for doing so, while optimizing the use of the world's resources; (3) promoting respect for worker rights and the rights of children and an understanding of the relationship between trade and worker rights, particularly by working with the International Labor Organization to encourage the observance and enforcement of core labor standards, including the prohibition on exploitative child labor; and (4) supplementing and strengthening standards for protection of intellectual property under conventions administered by non-WTO international organizations, expanding these conventions to cover new and emerging technologies, and eliminating discrimination and unreasonable exceptions or preconditions to such protection. Requires U.S. negotiators to take into account U.S. domestic objectives, including the protection of health and safety, essential security, environmental, consumer, and employment opportunity interests, and related law and regulations. Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) consult closely with congressional advisers on trade policy and negotiations appointed under the Trade Act of 1974; and (2) take into account the need for the United States to retain the ability to enforce rigorously its trade laws in order to ensure that U.S. workers, agricultural producers, and firms can compete fully on fair terms and enjoy the benefits of reciprocal trade concessions. Requires the President, in determining whether to enter into negotiations with a particular country, to take into account the extent to which that country has implemented, or has accelerated the implementation of, its obligations under the Uruguay Round Agreements. (Sec. 103) Sets forth the authority of the President (generally similar to his authority under OTCA) to enter trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Allows the President to enter into such agreements before October 1, 2001 (or before October 1, 2005, if trade authorities are extended according to a specified congressional procedure). States that a trade agreement may be entered only if it makes progress in meeting the applicable objectives, and the President satisfies certain congressional consultation requirements, set forth in this Act. Declares that bills implementing trade agreements may qualify for congressional trade authorities (fast-track) procedures only if they consist solely of: (1) a provision approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act, and approving any statement of administrative action; (2) provisions directly related to the principal trade negotiating objectives set forth in this Act achieved in such trade agreement, if they are necessary for the operation or implementation of U.S. rights or obligations under such trade agreement; (3) provisions that define and clarify, or provisions that are related to, the operation or effect of the provisions of the trade agreement; (4) provisions to provide adjustment assistance to workers and firms adversely affected by trade; and (5) provisions necessary to comply with budget offset requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides for extension of fast-track procedures to implementing bills submitted after September 30, 2001, and before October 1, 2005, upon the President's request if neither House of the Congress adopts an extension disapproval resolution according to a specified procedure. (Sec. 104) Prescribes requirements for Presidential notice and consultation with the Congress before negotiations on: (1) tariff and nontariff barrier agreements; (2) certain principal trade negotiating objectives; and (3) agriculture. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional committees before entering an agreement. (Sec. 105) Requires the President (as under OTCA) to notify Congress within 90 days of entering an agreement. Requires the President, within 60 days of signing an agreement, to submit to the Congress a preliminary list of changes to existing laws considered mandatory to bring the United States into compliance with the agreement. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying fast-track to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with Congress about it. (Sec. 106) Exempts from the prenegotiation consultation requirements of this Act any tariff or nontariff agreement which results from negotiations commenced before enactment of this Act, and which is entered into with Chile or is entered into under WTO auspices regarding: (1) trade in information technology products (Information Technology Agreement); (2) extended negotiations on financial services; or (3) the rules of origin work program under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Requires consultations with specified congressional committees about such negotiations as soon as feasible after enactment of this Act. Title II: Trade Adjustment Assistance - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2000 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and for firms, respectively. (Sec. 203) Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on TAA programs by the end of FY 1999. (Sec. 204) Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2000. Title III: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the exclusion from gross income of rental income from a dwelling unit the taxpayer uses as a residence and actually rents out for less than 15 days during the taxable year; and (2) the denial of any allowable deduction of expenses because of the rental use of such dwelling unit. (Sec. 301) States that the basis reduction for such a dwelling unit by reason of such rental use in any taxable year shall not exceed the depreciation deduction allowed for it.

Asthma Inhalers Regulatory Relief Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

Asthma Inhalers Regulatory Relief Act of 1997 - Bars the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, under title VI of the Clean Air Act, from prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, or sale of metered-dose inhalers that use chlorofluorocarbons unless the Administrator and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs jointly certify to the Congress that alternatives are available for all populations of inhaler users that are comparable in terms of safety, effectiveness, costs, and retail availability.

Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1997 - Sets forth the purposes of this Act, which are, through trade agreements affording mutual benefits, to achieve: (1) more open, equitable, and reciprocal market access for U.S. goods, services, and investment; (2) the reduction or elimination of barriers and other trade-distorting policies and practices; (3) a more effective system of international trading disciplines and procedures; and (4) economic growth, higher living standards, and full employment in the United States, and economic growth and development among U.S. trading partners. (Sec. 2) Sets forth the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives for agreements regarding tariff barriers and agreements regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Declares that the principal U.S. trade negotiating objectives regarding a reduction of barriers to trade in goods include eliminating specified tariffs for products identified in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding trade in services are: (1) reducing or eliminating barriers to, or other distortions of, international trade in services, including regulatory and other barriers that deny national treatment or unreasonably restrict the establishment and operation of service suppliers in foreign markets; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules, including dispute settlement procedures, that are consistent with U.S. commercial policies and will reduce or eliminate such barriers or distortions, and help ensure fair, equitable opportunities for foreign markets. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding foreign investment are: (1) reducing or eliminating artificial or trade-distorting barriers to foreign investment, expanding the principle of national treatment, and reducing unreasonable barriers to establishment; and (2) developing internationally agreed rules through the negotiation of investment agreements, including dispute settlement procedures, that will help ensure a free flow of foreign investment and will reduce or eliminate the trade distortive effects of certain trade-related investment measures. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding intellectual property are: (1) promoting adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights; (2) securing fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory market access opportunities for U.S. persons that rely on intellectual property protection; and (3) recognizing that the inclusion in the World Trade Organization (WT0) of adequate and effective substantive norms and standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and dispute settlement provisions and enforcement procedures is without prejudice to other complementary initiatives undertaken in other international organizations. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding agriculture are, in addition to those set forth in the Food Security Act of 1985, achieving on an expedited basis to the maximum extent feasible, more open and fair conditions of trade in agricultural commodities. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding unfair trade practices are: (1) enhancing the operation and effectiveness of the relevant Uruguay Round Agreements and any other agreements designed to define, deter, discourage the persistent use of, and otherwise discipline, unfair trade practices having adverse trade effects, including forms of subsidy and dumping not adequately disciplined; and (2) obtaining the enforcement of WTO rules against trade-distorting practices of state trading enterprises and the acts, practices, or policies of any foreign government which, as a practical matter, unreasonably require that substantial direct investment in the foreign country be made, intellectual property be licensed to the foreign country or to any firm of the foreign country or other collateral concessions be made, as a condition for the importation of any product or service of the United States into the foreign country or as a condition for carrying on business in the foreign country. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding safeguards are: (1) improving and expanding rules and procedures covering safeguard measures; (2) ensuring that safeguard measures are transparent, temporary, degressive, and subject to review and termination when no longer necessary to remedy injury and to facilitate adjustment; and (3) requiring notification of, and to monitor the use by, WTO members of import relief actions for their domestic industries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding improvement of the WTO and multilateral trade agreements are: (1) improving the operation and extending the coverage of the WTO and such agreements to products, sectors, and conditions of trade not adequately covered; and (2) expanding country participation in particular agreements, where appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding dispute settlement are: (1) providing for effective and expeditious dispute settlement mechanisms and procedures in any trade agreement entered into under this authority; and (2) ensuring that such mechanisms within the WTO and agreements concluded under the auspices of the WTO provide for more effective and expeditious resolution of disputes and enable better enforcement of U.S. rights. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding transparency is to obtain broader application of the principle of transparency through increased public access to information regarding trade issues, clarification of the costs and benefits of trade policy actions, and the observance of open and equitable procedures by U.S. trading partners and within the WTO. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding developing countries are: (1) ensuring that developing countries promote economic development by assuming the fullest possible measure of responsibility for achieving and maintaining an open international trading system by providing reciprocal benefits and assuming equivalent obligations with respect to their import and export practices; and (2) establishing procedures for reducing nonreciprocal trade benefits for the more advanced developing countries. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding current account surpluses is to promote policies to address large and persistent global current account imbalances of countries by imposing greater responsibility on such countries to undertake policy changes aimed at restoring current account equilibrium through expedited implementation of trade agreements where feasible and appropriate. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding access to high technology is to obtain the elimination or reduction of foreign barriers to, and acts, policies, or practices by foreign governments which limit, equitable access by U.S. persons to foreign-developed technology. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objective regarding border taxes is, within the WTO, to obtain a revision of the treatment of border adjustments for internal taxes in order to redress the disadvantage to countries that rely primarily on direct taxes rather than indirect taxes for revenue. Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives regarding regulatory competition are: (1) ensuring that foreign government regulations and other government practices do not unfairly discriminate against U.S. goods, services, or investment; and (2) preventing the use of foreign government regulation and other government practices, including the lowering of, or derogation from, existing labor, health and safety, or environmental standards, for the purpose of attracting investment or inhibiting U.S. exports. States that it is U.S. policy to reinforce the trade agreements process by: (1) fostering stability in international currency markets and developing mechanisms to assure greater coordination, consistency, and cooperation between international trade and monetary systems and institutions in order to protect against the trade consequences of significant and unanticipated currency movements; (2) supplementing and strengthening standards for protection of intellectual property rights under conventions designed to protect such rights that are administered by non-WTO international organizations, expanding the conventions to cover new and emerging technologies, and eliminating discrimination and unreasonable exceptions or pre-conditions to such protection; (3) promoting respect for workers' rights; and (4) expanding the production of goods and trade in goods and services to ensure the optimal use of the world's resources while seeking to protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the international means for doing so. (Sec. 3) Sets forth the authority of the President to enter trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. Allows the President to enter into such agreements before October 1, 2001 (or before October 1, 2005, if trade authorities are extended according to a specified congressional procedure). States that a trade agreement may be entered only if it makes progress in meeting the applicable objectives, and the President satisfies certain congressional consultation requirements, set forth in this Act. Declares that bills implementing trade agreements may qualify for congressional trade agreement approval (fast-track) procedures only if they consist solely of: (1) provisions approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act that achieves one or more of the principal negotiating objectives set forth above, and approving any statement of administrative action; (2) provisions that are necessary to implement such agreement or otherwise related to the implementation, enforcement, and adjustment to the effects of such trade agreement and are directly related to trade; and (3) provisions necessary to comply with budget offset requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides for extension of fast-track procedures to agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2001, and before October 1, 2005, upon the President's request if neither House of the Congress adopts an extension disapproval resolution according to a specified procedure. (Sec. 4) Prescribes requirements for presidential notice and consultation with the Congress before negotiations on tariff and nontariff barrier agreements. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional committees before entering an agreement. Provides that in the course of negotiations conducted under this Act, the United States Trade Representative shall consult closely and on a timely basis (including immediately before initialing an agreement) with, and keep fully apprised of the negotiations, the congressional advisers for trade policy and negotiations appointed under the Trade Act of 1974, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to notify the Congress within 90 days of entering an agreement. Requires the President, within 60 days of signing an agreement, to submit to the Congress a preliminary list of changes to existing laws considered mandatory to bring the United States into compliance with the agreement. Provides that fast-track procedures shall not apply to any implementing bill that contains a provision approving any agreement regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers with any foreign country if the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives disapprove of the negotiation of the agreement before the close of the 90-calendar day period that begins when notice is provided with respect to the negotiation of such agreement. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying fast-track to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with the Congress about it. (Sec. 6) Exempts from notice and certain consultation requirements of this Act agreements that result from negotiations which were commenced before the enactment of this Act: (1) under the auspices of WTO regarding trade in information technology products; (2) pursuant to a Uruguay Round Agreement; or (3) with Chile. (Sec. 8) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2000 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and for firms, respectively. Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2000. (Sec. 9) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend from FY 1997 through 1998 the inapplicability of the exemption for certain customs services fees involving the arrival of any passenger whose journey originated in Canada or Mexico, or originated in the United States but was limited to those countries.

98/249/EC: Council Decision of 7 October 1997 on the conclusion of the Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic

European Union · EUR-Lex · 7 October 1997

Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Appropriations; Authorized Levels Title II: Coast Guard Management Title III: Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Title IV: Miscellaneous Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Title I: Appropriations; Authorized Levels - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, testing, and evaluation; (4) retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefit Plans, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges constituting obstructions to navigation and for personnel and administrative costs associated with the bridge alteration program; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration at Coast Guard facilities. (Sec. 102) Authorizes Coast Guard end-of-year strength and military training student loads. Title II: Coast Guard Management - Amends Federal law relating to the Coast Guard to remove the dollar limit on severance pay for regular warrant officers. Allows the Secretary of the Service (sic) in which the Coast Guard is operating to determine that the discharge or separation conditions of an officer receiving other than an Honorable Discharge do not warrant severance pay. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Coast Guard Commandant to rent or lease vehicles to transport the next of kin of eligible retired Coast Guard military personnel to attend funeral services of the service member at a national cemetery. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Commandant to use up to $25,000 to provide economic adjustment assistance for the City of Novato, California, for the cost of revising the Hamilton Reuse Planning Authority's reuse plan as a result of the Coast Guard's request for housing at Hamilton Air Force Base. (Sec. 204) Requires, when the Coast Guard supply fund is reduced to delete items stocked, that the existing capital of the fund be reduced by the value of the materials transferred to other Coast Guard accounts. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Commandant to provide for honorary recognition of individuals and organizations that significantly contribute to Coast Guard programs, missions, or operations. (Sec. 206) Sets forth requirements for the Coast Guard to transfer ownership of personal property to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Title III: Marine Safety and Environmental Protection - Amends Federal law (relating to suspension and revocation of licenses, certificates of registry, or merchant mariner's documents) to mandate procedures ensuring that, after a serious marine incident, alcohol testing of crew members responsible for the operation or other safety-sensitive functions of the vessel(s) involved is conducted within two hours after the incident is stabilized. Increases the first-violation civil penalty dollar limit regarding operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug. (Sec. 302) Prohibits, for one year after the detention, using a vessel to transport U.S. Government-sponsored cargoes if the vessel has been detained for violation of an international safety convention. Allows a case-by-case exemption if the owner of a vessel provides compelling evidence of current compliance. (Sec. 303) Shields marine casualty investigation reports from public disclosure requirements in the same circumstances as are applicable generally to Federal agencies. (Sec. 304) Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to remove a requirement of a biennial report to the Congress by the Interagency Committee Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution. (Sec. 305) Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act and Federal law relating to vessels and seamen to define "navigable waters of the United States" to include all waters of the U.S. territorial sea as described in a specified Presidential Proclamation. Makes changes relating to U.S. navigable waters in provisions relating to the operation of vessels, uninspected vessel safety equipment, recreational vessels, uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels, and vessel pilots. (Sec. 306) Expands the authority of Coast Guard civilian special agents to include serving process and making arrests. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends Federal law relating to vessels and seamen to remove a requirement that, in order to be eligible for documentation, a vessel must not be titled in a State. Declares that a documented vessel shall not be titled or required to display numbers (under provisions relating to numbering undocumented vessels) and requires surrender of any State title certificate issued for a documented vessel (but only if the mortgagee consents to the surrender). Modifies: (1) the circumstances in which a secured indebtedness may have any rate of interest agreed to by the parties; and (2) the steps a mortgagee may take on default of a preferred mortgage. Gives district courts original jurisdiction (exclusive of State courts) over certain preferred mortgage default actions regarding a vessel titled in a State. (Sec. 402) Authorizes conveyance, without consideration, of: (1) the Coast Guard Communication Station Boston Marshfield Receiver Site, Massachusetts, to the Town of Marshfield, Massachusetts; (2) the Coast Guard Recreation Facility Nahant, Massachusetts, to the Town of Nahant; (3) the Eagle Harbor Light Station, Michigan, to the Keweenaw County Historical Society; (4) the Coast Guard station Ocracoke, North Carolina, to the ferry division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation; and (5) the Long Branch Rear Range Light, Jacksonville, Florida, to the University of Jacksonville, Florida. (Sec. 407) Recognizes the community of Grand Haven, Michigan, as "Coast Guard City, USA."

To make a regulatory correction concerning methyl bromide to meet the obligations of the Montreal Protocol without placing the farmers of the United States at a competitive disadvantage versus foreign growers.

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997

Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from controlling the consumption, production, importation, or export of methyl bromide for pesticide use, except: (1) as required by the Montreal Protocol of all parties; or (2) upon a Department of Agriculture certification of appropriate alternatives or substitutes.

Directive 97/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 1997 amending Council Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for the purpose of adaptation to a competitive environment in telecommunications

European Union · EUR-Lex · 6 October 1997

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network

European Union · European Commission · 6 October 1997

Public Lands Management Improvement Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ensuring the Effectiveness and Implementation of Federal Land Planning Part A: In General Part B: Resource Management and Management Activity Planning Part C: Challenges to Planning Title II: Coordination and Compliance with Other Environmental Laws Title III: Development of Ecoregion Assessments Title IV: Development of a Global Renewable Resources Assessment Title V: Administration Part A: In General Part B: Non-Federal Lands Part C: The Forest Resource Title VI: Miscellaneous Public Lands Management Improvement Act of 1997 - Provides that this Act shall prevail in the event of an inconsistency with other laws applicable to Federal lands, except for laws governing the National Wilderness Preservation System, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or the National Trails System and as otherwise provided. Title I: Ensuring the Effectiveness and Implementation of Federal Land Planning - Part A: In General - Requires the mission of the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to be to manage Federal lands to furnish a sustainable flow of multiple goods and services while protecting and providing a full range and diversity of natural habitats of native species. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretaries, in rendering decisions concerning resource management plans for and management activities on Federal lands, to utilize the best scientific and commercial data available. Part B: Resource Management and Management Activity Planning - Limits the Secretaries to two levels of planning for Federal lands comprised of: (1) multiple-use planning in the form of resource management plans for planning units; and (2) site or area specific planning for management activities. Authorizes the Secretaries to conduct analyses or assessments for geographical areas larger or smaller than designated planning units but bars their application to affected Federal lands unless the resource management plans for such units are amended or revised in accordance with this Act and other laws. Grants the Secretaries three years from this Act's enactment date to amend or revise plans to modify policies in plans which do not comply with this Act's planning requirements. Terminates noncomplying plans after such three-year period. (Sec. 105) Sets forth specific plan requirements, planning deadlines, and procedures for amending and revising plans to eliminate conflicts between plan provisions and the Secretaries' policies. (Sec. 107) Continues management activities during the amendment or revision process, except as otherwise required by this Act, court order, or a formal declaration of the Secretary concerned. (Sec. 109) Requires, in preparing or revising plans, consideration of the stability of each community dependent on the resources of the Federal lands to which a plan applies. (Sec. 110) Requires alternatives to plans or revisions developed by independent committees of local interest to be included in documentation related to environmental impact assessment analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Requires committees to be composed of interests representing commodity resource production and noncommodity resource protection, respectively. Authorizes funding to such committees for plan monitoring and implementation if the Secretary concerned adopts a significant part of a committee's alternative. Encourages the Secretaries to establish committees corresponding to planning units. (Sec. 111) Requires consideration of ecosystem management principles in environmental analysis documents prepared for plans and plan revisions. Directs the Secretaries, in such documents, to specify the fully allocated cost, expressed as a user or cost-per- beneficiary, of each noncommodity output from Federal lands to which plans apply. (Sec. 113) Sets forth procedures for citizen petitions to challenge plans or plan revisions. (Sec. 114) Requires the President's budget requests to the Congress governing the planning and management of Federal lands to include a statement of what funds would be required to achieve 100 percent of annual outputs specified in, and implement fully, the plan for each planning unit. Directs each Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on the total cost and costs per function or procedure incurred in the preparation of plans, ecoregion assessments, and significant plan revisions, including costs incurred by other Federal agencies. (Sec. 115) Requires each Secretary to report in each decision to undertake a management activity on Federal lands that the decision contributes to or, at a minimum, does not preclude, achievement of plan goals, land allocations, outputs, or policies. Provides for monitoring of plan implementation and Federal land management at least every two years. Part C: Challenges to Planning - Requires each Secretary to promulgate regulations to govern administrative appeals of decisions to approve plans and plan revisions and to approve or disapprove Federal land management activities. Replaces certain Forest Service regulations promulgated pursuant to provisions related to decisionmaking and appeals reform with those required by this Act. (Sec. 117) Sets forth provisions regarding judicial review of challenges to planning, citizen suits, and filing deadlines. Title II: Coordination and Compliance with Other Environmental Laws - Directs the Secretary concerned to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to NEPA in developing a plan or plan revision. Requires environmental assessments (or an EIS if the nature or scope of activity is substantially different from, or greater than, consequences considered in the plan EIS) with respect to planning management activities on Federal lands. (Sec. 203) Directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Forest Service, as appropriate, to ensure that plan or management activities are not likely to jeopardize the existence of any threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Sets forth procedures for certifying such agencies to perform certain consultation and biological assessment actions currently assigned to the Secretaries of the Interior or Commerce. (Sec. 204) Deems management activities on Federal lands which constitute a nonpoint source of water pollution certified by the State in which the Federal lands are located to meet best management practices to be in compliance with area wide waste treatment management plans and State nonpoint source management programs under the Clean Water Act. (Sec. 205) Deems a prescribed use of fire on Federal lands which, pursuant to a finding by a Forest Service supervisor or BLM district manager, would reduce the risk of greater emissions from a wildfire and will be conducted in a manner to minimize air quality impacts, to be in compliance with State implementation plans for air quality standards and any other Environmental Protection Agency requirements imposed under the Clean Air Act. Title III: Development of Ecoregion Assessments - Authorizes each Secretary to prepare or participate in the preparation of ecoregion assessments which may encompass all Federal and non-Federal lands within a region specified by the Secretary. Permits the inclusion of non-Federal lands only upon concurrence of the affected State's Governor. Provides for review of assessments and requires the Forest Service or BLM to determine whether a plan revision is warranted. Bars regulation of non-Federal lands based on an assessment. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Consortium of Regional Forest Assessment Centers, through the University of Washington, to conduct a review of the Pacific Northwest Forest Plan and supporting documentation, including documents regarding the Northern spotted owl. Requires such review to be submitted to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Development of a Global Renewable Resources Assessment - Directs the National Council on Renewable Resources Policy (established by this Act) to prepare a Global Renewable Resources Assessment, to be submitted to specified congressional committees every five years. (Sec. 403) Establishes the Council. (Sec. 404) Repeals provisions of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act relating to a Renewable Resource Assessment and presidential budget requests for Forest Service activities. Title V: Administration - Part A: In General - Sets forth provisions regarding the presidential appointment and confirmation of the Chief of the Forest Service. (Sec. 502) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Public Lands Monitoring Fund and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Forest Lands Monitoring Fund. (Sec. 503) Authorizes interagency land transfers and interchanges of jurisdiction between the Secretaries to facilitate land management or achieve other public purposes, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 505) Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct, and report to specified congressional committees on, a study of the feasibility and likely effects of prohibiting appropriations to the Forest Service and the BLM, except for activities conducted on or related to non-Federal lands, and permitting such agencies to retain for their use, without fiscal year limitation, all revenues from Federal lands minus funds necessary to make payments to State and local governments. Part B: Non-Federal Lands - Sets forth deadlines and processing requirements for applications for access through Federal lands to non-Federal lands pursuant to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Sec. 507) Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to set forth certain procedural deadlines and requirements related to the exchange of Federal lands for non-Federal lands. Increases the maximum combined value of Federal lands that may be exchanged in exchanges of lands of approximately equal value. Part C: The Forest Resource - Authorizes the Secretaries to require, as a condition of any specific salvage sale of forest products from Federal lands or any sale of forest products constituting a forest health enhancement project, that the purchaser undertake a forest management activity which addresses effects of the sale or past sales or involves vegetation management within the sale or affected area. Sets forth financing provisions and authorizes the use of appropriated funds for such activities, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Secretary, prior to the advertisement of such sales, to determine the amount of forest health credits to be allocated to each activity to be performed by the purchaser. Permits the transfer of unused credits from one sale to another sale held by the same purchaser if the other sale applies to Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the same Secretary and is located in the same State as the original sale. Terminates the authority to offer such sales five years after this Act's enactment date but continues contracts in effect on such date. (Sec. 509) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a special fund to be derived from the Federal share of monies received from the salvage sales of forest products from BLM lands and to be available for planning, preparing, and administering such sales, subsequent site preparation and reforestation, and forest health enhancement projects. Credits the Federal share of all monies received from such sales and other specified activities on lands within the National Forest System to the Forest Service Permanent Appropriations. Lists purposes for which such funds shall be expended. Considers monies received from salvage sales and other activities funded by this section to be money received for purposes of computing and distributing payments to State and local governments under other law concerning the distribution of revenues derived from forest resources from affected lands. (Sec. 510) Requires the Secretaries, to the extent feasible and subject to specified conditions, to use private contractors to prepare sales for forest products. (Sec. 511) Permits purchasers of sales of forest products from Federal lands, with specified exceptions, to elect not to harvest the stands of trees subject to the sale. (Sec. 512) Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to bar the imposition of liability without fault for fire suppression costs with respect to a right-of-way granted or renewed to or for a nonprofit entity. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. (Sec. 604) Sets forth certain laws that will prevail in case of inconsistencies with this Act.

Nationalinitiative Wald Dritte Welt/Bedrohung Lebensraumes Völker Amazoniens

Austria · National Council · 2 October 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Doris Kammerlander und Genossen an den Bundesminister für auswärtige Angelegenheiten betreffend Nationalinitiative Wald Dritte Welt/Bedrohung des Lebensraumes der indigenen Völker Amazoniens

proposition de résolution sur la proposition de directive du Conseil relative à l'évaluation des incidences de certains plans et programmes sur l'environnement

France · Senate · 2 October 1997

Konzept "Ostsee-Express" des Bundes für Umwelt- und Naturschutz (BUND) zur Verbesserung des Schienenverkehrs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (G-SIG: 13055405)

Germany · German Bundestag · 2 October 1997

To exempt prescribed burning on national forestlands from regulation under the Clean Air Act.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997

Amends the Clean Air Act to suspend the application of such Act to prescribed burning carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture on national forest system lands for purposes of demonstrating that an aggressive prescribed burning program over time will lower the total amount of particulate produced from combined outputs of prescribed fires and wildfires.

Amended Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on the review of the European Community Programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development "Towards Sustainability"

European Union · European Commission · 1 October 1997

Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 189B(2) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development - 'Towards sustainability'

European Union · European Commission · 1 October 1997

Highway and Surface Transportation Safety Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Highway Safety Title II: Hazardous Materials Transportation Reauthorization Title III: Sanitary Food Transportation Title IV: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism Title V: Rail and Mass Transportation Safety Title VI: Motor Carrier Safety Subtitle A: State Grants and Other Commercial Vehicle Programs Subtitle B: Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1997 Title VII: Research Subtitle A: Programs and Activities Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Title VIII: Boating Safety Highway and Surface Transportation Safety Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to provide for awards to individuals and organizations that significantly contribute to Department of Transportation (DOT) programs, missions, or operations, including State and local governments, transportation unions, and commercial and nonprofit organizations. Title I: Highway Safety - Amends requirements for highway safety programs. Requires the Secretary to make safety incentive grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from persons driving under the influence of alcohol. Specifies requirements for such programs, including: (1) driver's license suspension or revocation systems; (2) three-stage graduated licensing; (3) nondiscriminatory vehicle-stopping to determine alcohol influence; and (4) certain alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. Establishes incentive programs to: (1) improve data systems and identify priorities for State and local highway and traffic safety programs; and (2) increase safety belt and child safety seat use. Requires the Secretary to carry out safety research on, among other things, measures that may deter drugged driving. (Sec. 102) Revises the National Driver Register (NDR) statute to: (1) authorize the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an organization representing State interests to manage, administer, and operate NDR's computer timeshare and user assistance functions; (2) extend participation to specified other Federal departments or agencies; and (3) allow Federal agencies authorized to receive NDR information to make their requests and receive the information directly from NDR. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) consolidated State highway safety programs; (2) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operations and research; and (3) NDR. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to participate in the development of an international compendium of national motor vehicle standards, including both safety and environmental standards. Authorizes the Secretary or the Administrator to promote international cooperative programs for conducting research, development, demonstration projects, training, and other forms of technology transfer and exchange to enhance international motor vehicle safety, and provide technical assistance to other countries relating to their adoption of U.S. Federal standards for vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of EPA to participate in international negotiations and agree to harmonized rules for vehicular safety and environmental pollution if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to develop a program to notify U.S. dealers and distributors that Federal law prohibits the sale or delivery of a schoolbus that does not meet certain Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Title II: Hazardous Materials Transportation Reauthorization - Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Repeals the Secretary's authority to prescribe criteria for handling hazardous material. (Sec. 205) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to impose a fee on persons who are required to file a registration statement for the transport of hazardous materials in order to pay for the costs of processing such statements. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot program to evaluate the use of automated carrier assessment programs for carriers of certain hazardous materials. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary (currently, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to monitor public sector emergency response planning and training for an accident involving hazardous material. Authorizes the Secretary to allow a State or Indian tribe receiving a planning and training grant to use up to 25 percent of the grant amount to assist small businesses in complying with regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous material. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with a person, U.S. agency, State or local government, Indian tribe, foreign government, educational institution, or other entity to further research, development, demonstration, risk assessment, emergency response planning and training activities with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials. (Sec. 212) Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to: (1) inspect and examine packages in transport when they are marked as containing a hazardous material, or when there is a reasonable belief that such a package may contain such material; and (2) prevent, when there is a reasonable belief that an imminent hazard may exist, the further transportation of the hazardous material until the hazardous qualities of such material have been determined. (Sec. 213) Revises penalties for violations of a regulation, order, special permit, or approval in connection with the transportation of a hazardous material to: (1) increase the maximum civil penalty to not more than $27,500 for each violation; and (2) provide for a fine, or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both for violations which lead to the release of a hazardous material (aggravated violations). (Sec. 215) Authorizes a person with a substantial interest in a final enforcement order issued in connection with the transportation of a hazardous material to petition for review in the appropriate court. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to: (1) determine the safety benefits of implementing a Federal permit program for high risk hazardous material carriers; (2) examine the safety benefits of increased monitoring of high risk hazardous material carriers, and the costs, benefits, and procedures of existing State permit programs; and (3) assess the potential of advanced technologies for improving the assessment of high risk hazardous material carrier's compliance with motor carrier safety regulations. (Sec. 217) Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks certain funds for: (1) training the public sector to respond to accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials; and (2) hazardous material emergency response planning and training grants to States and Indian tribes. Title III: Sanitary Food Transportation - Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem as adulterated any food transported under unsanitary conditions. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to establish by regulation sanitary transportation practices (subject to waiver) which shippers, carriers, receivers, and other persons engaged in the transportation of food shall follow to ensure that such food will not become adulterated during transportation. Authorizes the Secretary, by publication in the Federal Register, to establish a list of nonfood products that may, if shipped in a tank or bulk vehicle, or motor or rail vehicle, adulterate any food transported subsequently in such vehicle. (Sec. 304) Amends Federal transportation law to revise sanitary food transportation requirements to direct the Secretary to establish transportation safety inspection procedures to identify suspected incidents of contamination or adulteration of food, and to train Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel in the use of such procedures. Directs the Secretary to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture of any instances of potential food contamination or adulteration of food identified during such inspections. Title IV: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism - Transportation Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the use of firearms, dangerous weapons, and propelling objects against railroad trains and mass transportation. (Sec. 405) Requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to lead the investigation of all such offenses (including existing offenses under the "Wrecking Trains" statute). Title V: Rail and Mass Transportation Safety - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Federal Transit Administrator to consult with the Federal Railroad Administrator concerning relevant safety issues when making mass transportation grants or loans to commuter railroads that are under the Secretary's railroad safety jurisdiction. (Sec. 502) Changes the frequency with which rail carriers must file accident and incident reports with the Secretary from monthly to periodically. (Sec. 503) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to extend through January 1, 2003, the temporary exemption from certain axle weight limitations to any intrastate public agency transit passenger bus using the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Title VI: Motor Carrier Safety - Subtitle A: State Grants and Other Commercial Vehicle Programs - Provides for performance-based grants to States for: (1) improving motor carrier safety; and (2) enforcing regulations for hazardous materials transportation safety. Requires State plans under such grants to implement performance-based activities by FY 2000. (Sec. 603) Makes 100 percent the Federal share of public education activities with respect to commercial motor vehicle safety programs and enforcement. (Sec. 604) Provides funding for commercial motor vehicle safety programs for FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 605) Authorizes the Secretary to establish motor carrier information systems and data analysis programs to support motor carrier regulatory and enforcement activities. Requires such information systems, in cooperation with the States, to be coordinated into a network providing identification of motor carriers and drivers, registration and licensing tracking, and motor carrier and driver safety performance. Requires the Secretary to develop and maintain data analysis capacity and programs to provide the means: (1) to develop strategies to address safety problems and to use data analysis to measure the effectiveness of these strategies and related programs; (2) to determine the cost effectiveness of State and Federal safety compliance, enforcement programs, and other countermeasures; (3) to evaluate the safety fitness of motor carriers and drivers; (4) to identify and collect necessary data; and (5) to adapt, improve, and incorporate other information and information systems as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to include, as part of the DOT motor carrier safety information network system, a Performance and Registration Information Systems Management information system to serve as a clearinghouse and repository of information related to State registration and licensing of commercial motor vehicles and the safety system of the commercial motor vehicle registrants or the motor carriers operating the vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program focusing on improving commercial motor vehicle driver safety. (Sec. 606) Authorizes FY 1998 through 2003 appropriations for information systems and strategic safety initiatives. Repeals the existing truck and bus accident grant program. Subtitle B: Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1997 - Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1997 - Amends commercial vehicle safety law to abolish the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel (effectively making the Secretary the primary one to review State laws or regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety). (Sec. 652) Repeals the requirement for State submission of commercial motor vehicle safety laws and regulations to the Secretary for review, including the mandate for the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel. Revises safety fitness provisions to prohibit motor carriers (including motor carriers that transport hazardous material or more than 15 passengers) who fail to meet certain safety fitness requirements from operating in interstate commerce. Authorizes an commercial motor carrier employee, in conjunction with other remedies, to bring a civil action in district court to enforce an order by the Secretary of Labor that such employee had been discharged, disciplined, or discriminated against for filing a complaint related to a violation of a commercial motor vehicle safety regulation. (Sec. 653) Repeals grant programs for: (1) testing and ensuring the fitness of operators of commercial motor vehicles; and (2) issuing commercial drivers' licenses and complying with State participation requirements. Declares that no action for defamation, invasion of privacy, or interference with a contract that is based on the furnishing or use of safety performance records in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary may be brought against: (1) a motor carrier requesting such records of an individual under consideration for employment as a commercial motor vehicle driver; (2) a person who has complied with such request; or (3) the agents or insurers of such persons. (Sec. 654) Revises civil penalties for violations of certain commercial motor vehicle safety and recordkeeping requirements. Subjects to both civil and criminal penalties a person who knowingly aids, abets, counsels, or procures a violation of such requirements. (Sec. 655) Repeals the mandate for a working group of State and local government officials with respect to the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement. Repeals the authority for grants to States and appropriate persons to facilitate participation in such Plan and Agreement, as well as the authorization of appropriations for the program. (Sec. 656) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the adequacy of parking facilities that could be used by motor carriers to comply with Federal hours-of-service rules. Title VII: Research - Subtitle A: Programs and Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) a national strategic planning process which encompasses Federal, State, and local planning activities for intermodal, multimodal, and modal transportation research and technology; and (2) the Intermodal Transportation Research and Development Program. (Sec. 701) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish one university transportation center (thereby combining the existing university research institute and transportation centers programs) in each of the ten U.S. Government regions that compose the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System to address transportation management, research and development, and education and training for qualified graduate and undergraduate students, with special attention to women and minorities. (Sec. 702) Requires the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to compile statistics on transportation-related variables influencing global competitiveness. Revises the duties of the BTS Director with respect to the long term data collection program to require, among other things, that it be coordinated with efforts to measure outputs and outcomes of DOT and the nation's transportation systems under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Requires the BTS Director to establish an Intermodal Transportation Data Base, the National Transportation Library, and a National Transportation Atlas Data Base. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into cooperative contracts with, public and nonprofit entities to conduct research and development in support of the Bureau's activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 703) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to engage in research, development, and technology transfer activities with respect to motor carrier transportation and all phases of highway planning and development. Directs the Secretary to develop programs to facilitate application of the products of research and technical innovations that will improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the highway system. (Sec. 704) Repeals the mandate for the National Highway Institute (thus abolishing it). Converts the current discretionary education and training assistance program providing urban and rural highway and transportation agencies access to modern highway technology into a mandatory a National Technology Deployment Initiatives program Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 - Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and advance the deployment of such systems as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems (in effect, extending the expiring Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1991). (Sec. 753) Defines "intelligent transportation systems" (ITS) as the application of electronics, communications, or information processing to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. (Sec. 754) Directs the Secretary to establish a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally-sponsored projects under this title. (Sec. 755) Directs the Secretary to update the National ITS Program Plan as necessary. (Sec. 756) Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) planning and technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement ITS technologies and services; and (2) funding to Federal agencies and make grants to non-Federal entities (including State and local governments, universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other persons) for ITS research. (Sec. 757) Directs the Secretary to conduct an intelligent transportation infrastructure (ITI) deployment incentives program to promote deployment of integrated, multimodal transportation systems throughout the Nation. (Sec. 758) Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Boating Safety - Sportfishing and Boating Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends the Act popularly known as the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act to establish the National Outreach and Communications Fund. Credits to the Fund specified amounts from the Sport Fish Restoration Account. Increases: (1) the regional average that States must allocate from specified appropriations for certain recreational boating purposes; and (2) the limit on State funding for aquatic resource education, outreach, and communications (currently, for aquatic resource education and outreach) programs. (Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and implement a national plan for outreach and communications. Authorizes grants and contracts from the National Outreach and Communications Fund to carry out the plan. Requires States to develop an outreach and communications plan. (Sec. 804) Requires that, of the balance remaining after the annual initial distribution of funds from appropriations to carry out the Act, certain amounts be used for programs and projects under specified provisions of: (1) Federal law relating to State recreational boating safety programs; (2) the Clean Vessel Act of 1992; and (3) this Act. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary to adopt a national framework for a public boat access needs assessment. Requires States to conduct the assessments unless the Secretary certifies that a State is implementing a plan that ensures adequate access. Allows States to fund the assessments from amounts dedicated to access to recreational waters under existing provisions. Mandates matching grants to States for up to 75 percent of the cost of facilities for transient nontrailerable recreational vessels. (Sec. 806) Amends Federal boating safety law to direct the Secretary, subject to specified restrictions, to expend in each fiscal year specified funds for State recreational boating safety programs. Earmarks funds for the payment of expenses of the Coast Guard for personnel and activities directly related to carrying out the national recreational boating safety program. (Sec. 807) Limits the allocation of funds for recreational boating safety programs for the insular areas to no more than one-half of one percent of the total expended for such programs for all eligible States. Waives local matching fund requirements for amounts under $200,000 that are received by the insular areas for such programs. Reduces the period of availability of State allocations from three years to two years after the date of allocation. Requires amounts not obligated by the State within such period to be withdrawn and allocated to the State the following fiscal year.

To consolidate certain mineral interests in the National Grasslands in Billings County, North Dakota, through the exchange of Federal and private mineral interests to enhance land management capabilities and environmental and wildlife protection, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1997

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company (formerly Meridian Oil Inc.) all Federal oil and gas rights and interests identified on a map entitled the "Billings County, North Dakota, Consolidated Mineral Exchange--November 1995," contingent on Burlington's conveyance to the Secretary of title to its own oil and gas rights and interests identified on the same map. States that the values of such exchanged oil and gas rights shall be deemed to be equal. Directs the Secretary, after Burlington makes such conveyance, to convey all remaining Federal non-oil and gas mineral rights, title, and interests in the National Forest System lands and National Grasslands in the State of North Dakota, to owners of the remaining non-oil and gas mineral interests identified on such map, contingent on the owners' conveyance to the Secretary of all their rights, title, and interests. States that the values of such exchanged interests shall be approximately equal, as determined by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to grant to Burlington the use of federally-owned surface lands to explore and develop interests conveyed to Burlington under this Act.

Department of Commerce Dismantling Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Establishment of United States Trade Administration Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: United States Trade Administration Title IV: United States Patent and Trademark Organization Subtitle A: United States Patent and Trademark Organization Subtitle B: Early Publication of Patent Applications Subtitle C: Patent Term Restoration Subtitle D: Prior Domestic Commercial Use Subtitle E: Patent Reexamination Reform Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Patent Provisions Title V: Statistical Consolidation Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Establishment of the Federal Statistical Service Subtitle C: Transfers of Functions and Offices Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Abolishes the Department of Commerce (Department). Transfers all Department functions to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before the applicable date of abolishment, which is the earlier of: (1) the last day of the six-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) September 30, 1998. (Sec. 103) Sets forth requirements for the resolution of all Department functions. Terminates all functions that are transferred to the Director that are not otherwise continued by this Act on the last day of the three-year period beginning on the date of enactment. (Sec. 104) Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the OMB Director's responsibilities during the resolution and termination of functions; and (2) transfer of Department personnel. (Sec. 106) Provides for the submission of specified reports. (Sec. 107) Requires General Accounting Office (GAO) audits of: (1) persons performing functions or activities pursuant to this Act and (2) persons providing certain goods or services to, or receiving financial assistance from, persons performing functions or activities pursuant to this Act. (Sec. 109) Sets forth provisions for privatizing transferred functions designated for privatization under Title II of this Act. (Sec. 110) Amends Federal law concerning Government organization and employees to require affected agencies to establish agencywide priority placement programs for Federal employees affected by a reduction in force attributable to this Act. (Sec. 111) Limits the total amount authorized to be appropriated as funding related to the performance of functions transferred to the Director or to OMB from the Department to not exceed: (1) for the first fiscal year that begins after the abolishment date, 75 percent of the total amount of funding appropriated to the Department for FY 1997; and (2) for the second fiscal year that begins after the abolishment date and for each fiscal year thereafter, 65 percent of the total amount appropriated to the Department for FY 1997. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations owned by the Department under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all Department grants made under such Act in FY 1997. (Sec. 202) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Redesignates the National Institute of Standards and Technology as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Transfers: (1) the NBS to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reestablished under this Act; (2) all functions relating to the Bureau that were functions of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) or the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology to the NBS Director; and (3) all functions of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to the OMB Director for privatization. Provides for the reestablishment of the NTIS as a wholly owned Government corporation if an arrangement for privatization of the functions of the NTIS has not been made. (Sec. 203) Transfers all functions of the Secretary relating to the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Statistical Service established under this Act. (Sec. 204) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). Transfers the: (1) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) laboratories to the OMB Director for privatization; (2) NTIA functions concerning the research and analysis of the electromagnetic spectrum to the NBS Director; and (3) functions of the NTIA, and of the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of Communications and Information with respect to the NTIA to the Federal Communications Commission. Provides for the transfer of NTIA laboratories to the reestablished NOAA if an arrangement for privatization of the laboratories has not been made. Abolishes the NTIA. (Sec. 205) Terminates specified miscellaneous NOAA research programs. Transfers from the NOAA: (1) aeronautical mapping and charting functions to the Transportation Administrative Services Center at the Department of Transportation; (2) functions relating to mapping, charting, and geodesy authorized under a certain Act to the Army Corps of Engineers; (3) all functions and assets performed by the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System to the reestablished NOAA; (4) all functions and assets (including global programs) performed by the NOAA that were authorized to be performed by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to the reestablished NOAA; and (5) all functions and assets of the NOAA that are authorized to be performed by the National Weather Service to the reestablished NOAA. Prohibits: (1) funding for the NOAA Corps of commissioned officers after FY 1997; and (2) allowing individuals to serve as such commissioned officers after FY 1997. Provides for the establishment of a priority placement program by NOAA to assist commissioned officers who are separated from the active list because of the termination. Abolishes on September 30, 2000: (1) the Office of the NOAA Administration of Corps of Operations or its successor; and (2) the Commissioned Personnel Center. Sets forth service contract provisions with respect to the NOAA Administration Fleet. Directs the Administrator of Oceans and Atmosphere to: (1) use excess capacity of University National Oceanographic Laboratory System vessels; and (2) enter into memoranda of agreement with the operators of such vessels. Transfers certain excess vessels to the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Transfers to the: (1) NOAA all functions authorized to be performed by the National Marine Fisheries Service; (2) reestablished NOAA all functions performed by the National Ocean Service, including the Coastal Ocean Program; and (3) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency coastal nonpoint pollution functions that are vested in the Secretary under the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. (Sec. 206) Reestablishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the NOAA. Provides for administration of NOAA, and all functions and offices transferred to the new NOAA, under the supervision and direction of an Administrator of Oceans and Atmosphere. Transfers to the new NOAA: (1) the functions and offices of NOAA; (2) the NBS along with its functions and offices; and (3) the Office of Space Commerce, along with its functions and offices. Terminates NOAA and certain other agency offices affected by the transfer. (Sec. 207) Terminates: (1) the Minority Business Development Administration; (2) NTIA programs and activities mentioned in section 204 of this Act; (2) the Advanced Technology Program; (3) the Manufacturing Extension Programs; (4) the NIST METRIC Program; and (5) the Economics and Statistics Administration. Title III: Establishment of United States Trade Administration - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions. Subtitle B: United States Trade Administration - Chapter 1: Establishment - Reestablishes the Trade Administration in the executive branch as an independent establishment to be headed by the Trade Representative who shall retain ambassador rank and represent the United States in all trade negotiations conducted by the Trade Administration. Directs the Trade Representative to serve as the principal adviser to the President on international trade policy, along with certain additional trade related functions, including those under Chapter 3. Chapter 2: Officers - Sets forth provisions related to Trade Administration management positions and related functions, among other things establishing three Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives: (1) the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Negotiations (with ambassador rank); (2) the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (with ambassador rank); and (3) the U.S. Trade Representative for Administration (acts for and exercises the functions of the Trade Representative during the absence, disability, or vacancy of the Trade Representative and exercises all transferred or established Trade Administration functions, except those functions exercised by certain Trade Administration officials). Establishes four Assistant Administrators to exercise certain transferred Department functions under the direction of the Deputy Trade Representative for Administration: (1) the Assistant Administrator for Export Administration; (2) the Assistant Administrator for Import Administration; (3) the Assistant Administrator for Trade and Policy Analysis; and (4) the Assistant Administrator for Export Promotion (with ambassador rank). Creates the position of chief financial officer to perform all functions prescribed by the Deputy Trade Representative for Administration under the direction of such Deputy. Chapter 3: Transfers to the Trade Administration - Abolishes the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Transfers to the Trade Administration Federal trade functions, including those of the Department, the Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. (Sec. 336) Directs the President to: (1) transmit to the Congress a comprehensive plan to consolidate Federal nonagricultural export promotion and financing activities; and (2) transfer those functions to the Trade Administration. (Sec. 337) Transfers: (1) functions of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) to the Trade Administration; and (2) other functions of CITA related to the assessment of the impact of textile imports on domestic industry to the International Trade Commission. Abolishes CITA. Chapter 4: Administrative Provisions - Sets out Trade Representative related administrative provisions pertaining to personnel and other miscellaneous administrative matters, including those relating to a working capital fund for administrative expenses. Chapter 5: Related Agencies - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the National Security Act of 1947, and the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to make miscellaneous and conforming changes to complete the consolidation and streamlining process described above. Chapter 6: Conforming Amendments - Makes miscellaneous technical and conforming amendments to various specified provisions of Federal law, including those relating to executive schedule positions. Chapter 7: Miscellaneous - Limits the total amount appropriated in the performance of all functions vested in the Trade Representative and the Trade Administration to not exceed: (1) for the first fiscal year that begins after the effective date, 75 percent of the total amount appropriated in FY 1998; and (2) for the second fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, 65 percent of the total amount appropriated in FY 1998. Title IV: United States Patent and Trademark Organization - Subtitle A: United United States Patent and Trademark Organization - United States Patent and Trademark Organization Act of 1997 - Chapter 1: Establishment of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization - Establishes the United States Patent and Trademark Organization as a wholly owned Government corporation under the policy direction of the Secretary. Requires the Organization to maintain an office in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Makes the Organization responsible for authorizing the transfer of up to $100,000 in any year to the Department of State for special payments to international intergovernmental organizations for studies and programs to advance international cooperation concerning patents, trademarks, and related matters. Authorizes the Organization to retain and use all of its revenues and receipts. (Sec. 413) Vests management of the Organization in a Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization (Director) who shall be appointed by the President. Requires the Director to take specified actions, including: (1) advising the President of all activities of the office undertaken in response to U.S. obligations under treaties and executive agreements or which relate to cooperative programs with foreign governmental authorities responsible for granting patents or registering trademarks; (2) representing the United States, at the President's direction, in international negotiations on matters of patents or trademarks; (3) maintaining a program for identifying national security positions and providing for appropriate security clearances; (4) ensuring that the United States Patent and Trademark offices each prepare appropriation requests, adjust fees to provide sufficient revenues to cover expenses, and expend funds derived from such fees only for the functions of such offices; (5) reporting annually to the Congress on office budgetary and expenditure activities and related matters; and (6) appointing Commissioners of Patents and Trademarks, respectively. Exempts the Organization from any administratively or statutorily imposed limitation on positions or personnel and from provisions governing Federal employees, with exceptions, including those relating to retirement, health benefits, life insurance, and labor-management relations. (Sec. 414) Revises Federal provisions to establish as separate administrative units of the Organization the United States Patent and Trademark Offices. Provides for the establishment of Patent and Trademark Office Management Advisory Boards to review the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of their respective Offices and a Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences within the Patent Office. Sets forth provisions regarding annual reporting requirements to the Congress by, and funding of, such Offices. (Sec. 416) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) suits by and against the Organization; (2) funding of Organization activities; and (3) transfer of functions, funds, and property. (Sec. 419) Prohibits the unofficial use of the names of the Organization or the Patent or Trademark Offices. Chapter 2: Effective Date; Technical Amendments - Makes this title effective four months after its enactment. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments to patent and trademark law and the Inspector General Act of 1978. Subtitle B: Early Publication of Patent Applications - Patent Application Publication Act of 1997 - Requires each patent application, except applications for design patents and provisional applications, to be published as soon as possible after 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought, except for an application that is no longer pending, one subject to a secrecy order, or one certifying that the invention disclosed has and will not be the subject of an application filed in a foreign country. Directs GAO to conduct a three-year study of applicants who file only in the United States. Permits earlier publication at the applicant's request. Prohibits disclosure of information concerning published applications except as determined by the Commissioner of Patents. Directs the Commissioner to establish appropriate procedures to ensure that this title does not create new opportunities for pre-issuance opposition that did not exist before its adoption. (Sec. 443) Entitles a patent application to claim the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country if a claim, identifying the original foreign application by specifying its application number, country, and the day, month, and year of its filing, is filed in the Patent Office at any such time during the pendency of the application as required by the Commissioner. Allows the Commissioner to: (1) consider the failure of the applicant to file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim; (2) require the payment of a surcharge as a condition of accepting an untimely claim during such pendency; and (3) require a certified copy of the original foreign application, specifications, and drawings upon which it is based, a translation if not in the English language, and such other information as necessary. Authorizes the Commissioner to determine the time period within which an amendment containing the specific reference to an earlier filed application shall be submitted. (Sec. 444) Provides that a patent shall include the right to obtain a reasonable royalty from any person who, between the date the patent application is published and the date the patent is issued: (1) makes, uses, or sells in or imports into the United States the claimed invention or a product made by the invention if it is a process; and (2) had actual notice of the published patent application. Specifies that an action to obtain such a royalty must be brought within six years after the patent is issued. Provides for issuance to an applicant of a patent incorporating multiple claims of a published application. (Sec. 445) Revises Federal patent law to provide that a person shall not be entitled to a patent if the invention was described in a published patent application filed earlier by another person in the United States, with exceptions. (Sec. 448) Provides that, if the day that is 12 months after the filing date of a provisional application falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period of pendency shall be extended to the next succeeding business day. Subtitle C: Patent Term Restoration - Modifies Federal patent law to restore to the patent holder any part of the term that is lost because of undue administrative delay caused by specified factors, such as an unusual administrative delay by the Patent Office in issuing the patent, subject to specified limitations. Defines "unusual administrative delay" as the failure to take specified actions, such as the failure to issue a patent within four months after the date on which the issue fee was paid and all outstanding requirements were satisfied. Requires the Commissioner to determine the period of any patent term adjustment available to an applicant and include a copy of such determination with the final application notice. Provides for judicial review with respect to patent term extensions. (Sec. 452) Directs the Commissioner to prescribe regulations for the further limited reexamination of applicants for patent at the request of the applicant. Authorizes the Commissioner to establish appropriate fees for such reexamination, allowing for a 50 percent fee reduction for certain qualifying small entities. Subtitle D: Prior Domestic Commercial Use - Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act of 1997 - Amends Federal patent law to create a defense to patent infringement with respect to any subject matter that would otherwise infringe one or more claims in the patent being asserted, if a person had, acting in good faith, commercially used the subject matter before the effective filing date of such patent. Specifies that the sale or other disposition of the subject matter of a patent by a person entitled to assert the defense shall exhaust the patent owner's rights to the extent they would have been exhausted had such disposition been made by the patent owner. Subjects the defense to specified limitations and qualifications regarding: (1) the scope of the defense; (2) effective and serious preparation; (3) burden of proof; (4) abandonment of use; (5) who may assert the defense; (6) a one-year limitation; (7) unsuccessful assertion of the defense; and (8) invalidity of a patent. Subtitle E: Patent Reexamination Reform - Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1997 - Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests. Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties. Grants third-party requesters: (1) one opportunity to file written comments not less than one month after the date of service of the patent owner's response to any Patent Office action on the merits of reexamination; and (2) the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from asserting at a later time the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Prohibits: (1) patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published; and (2) a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions. Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. (Sec. 475) Requires the Director to submit to the Congress a report evaluating whether the reexamination proceedings established under amendments made by this title are inequitable to any of the parties in interest and, if so, to recommend necessary changes. Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Patent Provisions - Revises provisions regarding abandonment of provisional applications to allow, notwithstanding the absence of a claim, a provisional application to be treated as a patent application under specified conditions. (Sec. 482) Grants: (1) benefits of an earlier filing date to an invention patent application filed in this country that has previously and regularly been filed for the same invention in a foreign country which affords similar privileges in the case of applications filed in a foreign WTO member country under specified conditions; and (2) applications for plant breeder's rights filed in such country or in a foreign UPOV Contracting Party the right of priority as a patent application, subject to the same conditions and requirements. (Sec. 483) Requires the Organization to develop and implement statewide computer networks with remote library sites in rural areas so that those citizens will have enhanced access to information in their State's patent and trademark depository library. (Sec. 485) Allows a patent to be issued for a tuber propagated plant. Provides that, in the case of a plant patent, the grant to the patentee shall include the right to exclude others from offering the reproduced plant or any of its parts for sale throughout, or importing the plant so reproduced into, the United States. (Sec. 486) Amends Federal patent provisions to authorize electronic filing of patent and trademark documents. (Sec. 487) Directs GAO to study and report to the Congress on the potential risks to the U.S. biotechnology industry relating to biological deposits in support of biotechnology patents. Requires the Patent Office to consider such recommendations in drafting regulations affecting biological deposits. Title V: Statistical Consolidation - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to: (1) a more centralized statistical system and the role of the Chief Statistician of OMB; (2) confidentiality; and (3) decennial censuses of population. Subtitle B: Establishment of the Federal Statistical Service - Establishes the Federal Statistical Service as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Sets forth provisions for principal officers, including: (1) an Administrator; (2) a Deputy Administrator; (3) a Director of the Census; (4) a Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and (5) a Director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Sec. 513) Establishes a Federal Council on Statistical Policy to advise the Service, nominate the Administrator, serve as an advisory body to the Chief Statistician on certain confidentiality issues, and establish a unified statistical policy for the Federal Government. Mandates studies by the Council on: (1) whether the functions of the Bureau of the Census relating to decennial censuses of population could be delineated from the other functions of the Bureau; and (2) making the Bureau's field offices part of the field offices of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Subtitle C: Transfers of Functions and Offices - Transfers to the Service the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor, along with all of its functions and offices. Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions related to the administrative functions of the Administrator. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth miscellaneous provisions with respect to functions or offices of the Service and makes conforming amendments relating to certain officials of the Service. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth provisions pertaining to officers and employees to whom a function is transferred by this Act.

Federal Facility Superfund Compliance Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997

Federal Facility Superfund Compliance Act of 1997 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to subject each department, agency, and instrumentality of the Federal Government to all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements and other laws relating to response or restoration actions or management of hazardous waste, pollutants, or contaminants (current law refers only to compliance with CERCLA provisions) in the same manner and to the same extent as a nongovernmental entity. Waives any U.S. immunity otherwise applicable with respect to any such requirement. Absolves Federal employees of personal liability for civil penalties under Federal or State law relating to response actions or management of hazardous substances for acts or omissions within the scope of official duties. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under such laws, but exempts Federal agencies from such sanctions. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue an abatement order to a Federal entity and requires initiation of an administrative enforcement action in the same manner and under the same circumstances as action would be initiated against any other person. Removes provisions for application (and preemption) of State laws concerning removal and remedial action at Federal facilities not on the National Priorities List. Precludes interagency remedial action agreements from impairing or diminishing State, local, individual, or court authority to enforce requirements of State or Federal law, unless such requirements have been addressed or waived without objection after notice to the State.

Pfiesteria Research Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997

Pfiesteria Research Act of 1997 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service), the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Directors of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a research program for the eradication or control of Pfiesteria piscicida and other aquatic toxins; and (2) make grants to specified colleges, universities, and other entities in affected States for carrying out such research. Authorizes appropriations.

Bundesmittel für das mit Verweisen auf die linksextremistisch eingestufte "Graswurzelbewegung" versehene Jugend-Aktionsheft Umwelt (G-SIG: 13049869)

Germany · German Bundestag · 26 September 1997

Pfiesteria Research Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Pfiesteria Research Act of 1997 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service), the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Directors of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a research program for the eradication or control of Pfiesteria piscicida and other aquatic toxins; and (2) make grants to specified colleges, universities, and other entities in affected States for carrying out such research. Authorizes appropriations.

Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Fifth Chamber, extended composition) of 25 September 1997.#UK Steel Association, formerly British Iron and Steel Producers Association v Commission of the European Communities.#Action for annulment - State aid - ECSC Treaty - Fifth Steel Aid Code - New plant - Community guidelines on aid for environmental protection.#Case T-150/95.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 25 September 1997

Projekt Wärmeversorgung des Truppenübungsplatzes Allentsteig

Austria · National Council · 24 September 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Leopold Schöggl und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Landesverteidigung betreffend Projekt Wärmeversorgung des Truppenübungsplatzes Allentsteig

98/181/EC, ECSC, Euratom: Council and Commission Decision of 23 September 1997 on the conclusion, by the European Communities, of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on energy efficiency and related environmental aspects

European Union · EUR-Lex · 23 September 1997

Projekt Wärmeversorgung des Truppenübungsplatzes Allentsteig

Austria · National Council · 22 September 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Leopold Schöggl und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Projekt Wärmeversorgung des Truppenübungsplatzes Allentsteig

Behandlung der Thematik "Sicherung/Sanierung der Fischer-Deponie"

Austria · National Council · 19 September 1997

Antrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen betreffend Behandlung der Thematik "Sicherung/Sanierung der Fischer-Deponie"

Murenkatastrophe in Nußdorf-Debant

Austria · National Council · 19 September 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Gilbert Trattner und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Murenkatastrophe in Nußdorf-Debant

Stempel für Schweine

Austria · National Council · 19 September 1997

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mares Rossmann und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Stempel <i>(zur Qualitätskennzeichnung)</i> für Schweine

Errichtung einer 380-kV-Leitung in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 19 September 1997

Antrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen betreffend die Errichtung einer 380-kV-Leitung in Österreich

Collbran Project Unit Conveyance Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1997

Collbran Project Unit Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, within one year after enactment of this Act, to convey to the Ute Water Conservancy District and the Collbran Conservancy District all U.S. rights and interests in the Collbran Reclamation Project. Provides for: (1) the granting of easements to the Districts for National Forest System lands and the Southside Canal; (2) payment to the United States by the Districts for the Project; (3) the deposit and authorized uses of such payments; (4) Project operation and use by the Districts for 40 years; (5) a required annual plan from the Districts for such operation; and (6) conveyance subject to specified agreements between the United States and Colorado relating to the construction and operation of recreational facilities at Vega Reservoir. Requires the Project's power component and facilities to be operated in substantial conformity with its past operation. Provides for Project power marketing under existing agreements. Requires the Districts, after the expiration of such agreements, to provide all Project power produced to the Western Area Power Administration at a specified rate. Grants a 40-year license to the Districts for Project operation. States that any dam licensed or constructed under the Project shall not be considered a Government dam for purposes of the Federal Power Act. Makes the "major Federal action" provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 inapplicable to such conveyance. Terminates certain previous agreements upon such conveyance. Makes the Districts liable for all acts or omissions relating to the operation and use of the Project subsequent to the conveyance.