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Bill· SS. 1556 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National School Lunch Act Title II: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Child Nutrition Initiatives Act - Title I: National School Lunch Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to three selected private organizations or institutions to integrate food and nutrition projects with elementary school curricula. (Sec. 102) Revises, expands, and extends the authorization of appropriations for the summer food service program for children. Increases the number of areas which may be considered as having poor economic conditions, for purposes of program coverage. Allows use of commercial vendors. Increases the allowable number of sites run by private nonprofit organizations in rural areas. Increases program reimbursement rates. Directs the Secretary to provide an additional reimbursement to each eligible service institution located in a very rural area for the cost of transporting each child to and from a feeding site. Increases the number of meals and supplements allowed daily. Allows a camp or migrant program to serve a breakfast, lunch, supper, and meal supplement. (Sec. 103) Revises the child and adult care food program. Extends authority for: (1) automatic eligibility of Head Start program child-participants whose families meet low-income criteria; (2) grants to States to provide assistance to family or group day care homes; and (3) demonstration projects for program qualification of private for-profit organizations providing nonresidential services. Provides funding for an additional meal or meal supplement for children who are in a child care center for eight hours or more. Increases the amount of base funding to each State for grants to provide assistance to family or group day care homes. (Sec. 104) Provides for the eligibility of additional schools for the program of meal supplements for children in after-school care. (Sec. 105) Extends and increases the authorization of appropriations for the homeless children nutrition program for projects to provide food service throughout the year to homeless children under the age of six in emergency shelters. (Sec. 106) Extends authority for: (1) the demonstration food and nutrition program for boarder babies, and allows use of program funds for support staff; and (2) use of funds for the pilot program to help schools offer increased choices of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and grain-based products. Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the demonstration program to provide meals and supplements outside of school hours; and (2) pilot projects for reduced paperwork and application requirements and increased participation in school lunch and breakfast programs. (Sec. 107) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the information clearinghouse for nongovernmental groups that provide food assistance and self-help activities for low-income individuals and communities. Title II: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an Area Grant Program to assist eligible schools and service institutions to initiate or expand programs under the school breakfast program and the summer food service program for children. Requires such payments to be made: (1) on a competitive basis; (2) in a specified order of priority; (3) in addition to other payments under CNA and NSLA; and (4) with preference given to a school food authority that meets certain criteria. (Sec. 202) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program). Extends specified authority relating to funds for nutrition services and administration. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the WIC program should be fully funded for FY 1998 and each subsequent fiscal year for all eligible applicants. Extends the authorization for funding for the WIC Farmers' Market Program. Entitles the Secretary to receive such program funds. (Sec. 203) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Nutrition Education and Training Program. Increases the minimum amount of a State grant under such program.
Bill· SS. 1563 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Temporary Agricultural Worker Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish: (1) an alternative temporary agricultural worker process pilot program based upon a labor condition attestation filed by an employer and accepted by the appropriate State agency; and (2) a nonimmigrant visa category for such aliens. Sets forth program provisions.
Law· SS. 1565 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Makes technical corrections to the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
Bill· SS. 1551 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Classifies a named individual as a child for immediate relative status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3054 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Equal Justice for Immigrants Act - Directs the Attorney General to adjust the status to permanent resident, and cancel any removal order, of certain Central American and Haitian aliens. Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to: (1) subject status adjustment determinations to judicial review, including determinations respecting aliens granted temporary protection from deportation; and (2) eliminate the temporary reductions in diversity and other workers' visas.
Bill· HRH.R. 3049 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3075 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to sentences for bringing in and harboring certain aliens to: (1) establish minimum prison terms; (2) increase the maximum sentence in instances of serious bodily injury; and (3) establish minimum prison terms for repeat violations. Amends Federal criminal law to subject persons bringing in and harboring aliens while armed to such revised penalties (in addition to penalties provided under criminal law).
Bill· HRH.R. 3041 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Makes technical corrections to the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3037 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997
Justice for Victims of Communism Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 to extend and revise eligibility for the (Vietnamese) Orderly Departure Program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3033 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.
Bill· SS. 1517 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the visa waiver pilot program.
Bill· SS. 1504 (105th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2985 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, to make certain aliens determined to be delinquent in child support payments inadmissable, deportable, and ineligible for naturalization. Authorizes immigration officers to serve child support-related legal process on certain arriving aliens. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for Immigration and Naturalization Service access to certain delinquent child support information.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 193 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Attorney General should remove Hani El-Sayegh from the United States to Saudi Arabia.
Bill· SS. 1460 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Declares three named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fees.
Bill· HRH.R. 2955 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1997 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. Requires the Attorney General to report on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border arrivals and departures. Provides for increased numbers of full-time Immigration and Naturalization and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders, with at least half of such inspectors to be assigned to the northern border.
Bill· HRH.R. 2976 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1997
Declares three named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fees.
Bill· SS. 1420 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to provide for full State and local reimbursement of emergency medical services provided to persons: (1) attempting to cross into the United States without inspection; or (2) under State or local custody pursuant to Federal authority. Establishes a related Treasury trust fund. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2920 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to specified land border provisions of the automated entry-exit control system.
Bill· HRH.R. 2922 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the armed forces to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in preventing the entry of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens into the United States; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service (Customs) in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at U.S. points of entry. Allows such assignment only at the request of the Attorney General (for the INS) or Secretary of the Treasury (for Customs). Requires the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Treasury, together with the Secretary of Defense, to establish a training program for members so assigned. Requires a civilian law enforcement official to accompany each member performing such a function. Requires notification to the appropriate State of military personnel so assigned. Terminates the assignment authority after September 30, 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 2917 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997
Provides for a five-year visa increase for spouses and children of lawful permanent resident aliens, with a specified order of priority. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the adjustment of status to permanent resident of nonimmigrants physically present in the United States to: (1) increase the related fee; and (2) apply such provision to only those aliens with a petition filed before a specified date.
Bill· SS. 1382 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Naturalization Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make criminal deportation a bar to U.S. naturalization. (Sec. 3) Establishes a ten-year period of good moral character for naturalization purposes. (Sec. 4) Requires a fingerprint and criminal background check of certain aliens and alien sponsors. (Sec. 5) Requires an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personal interview as part of the permanent resident adjustment of status and naturalization procedures. (Sec. 7) Authorizes citizenship testing by private entities. Sets forth related provisions, including a report by the Comptroller General of the United States of such testing's integrity. (Sec. 8) Establishes a civil penalty for failure to report the loss, theft, or destruction of a resident alien card. Requires the surrender, or an affidavit of loss, theft, or destruction, of a resident alien card upon naturalization. (Sec. 9) Revises revocation of naturalization provisions with respect to materiality and presumption of willfulness. (Sec. 10) Directs the Attorney General to provide for ongoing review of INS naturalization compliance.
Bill· HRH.R. 2837 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1997
Naturalization Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make criminal deportation a bar to U.S. naturalization. (Sec. 3) Establishes a ten-year period of good moral character for naturalization purposes. (Sec. 4) Requires a fingerprint and criminal background check of certain aliens and alien sponsors. (Sec. 5) Requires an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personal interview as part of the permanent resident adjustment of status and naturalization procedures. (Sec. 7) Authorizes citizenship testing by private entities. Sets forth related provisions, including a report by the Comptroller General of the United States of such testing's integrity. (Sec. 8) Establishes a civil penalty for failure to report the loss, theft, or destruction of a resident alien card. Requires the surrender, or an affidavit of loss, theft, or destruction, of a resident alien card upon naturalization. (Sec. 9) Revises revocation of naturalization provisions with respect to materiality and presumption of willfulness. (Sec. 10) Directs the Attorney General to provide for ongoing review of INS naturalization compliance.
Bill· SS. 1373 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Political Relationship Title II: Applicability of Federal Law Title III: Foreign Affairs and Defense Title IV: Courts Title V: Trade Title VI: Taxation Title VII: Immigration Title VIII: Labor Title IX: Transportation and Telecommunications Title X: Land, Natural Resources, and Utilities Title XI: United States Financial Assistance Title XII: Technical Amendments and Interpretation Guam Commonwealth Act - Title I: Political Relationship - Creates the Commonwealth of Guam. Grants the people of Guam the right of full self-government through adoption of a Constitution and within specified guidelines. (Sec. 102) Recognizes the right of self-determination of the people of Guam. Directs the U.S. Government to promote preservation of the Chamorro culture, enhanced economic, social, and educational opportunities for Chamorros, and training of Chamorros for employment. Directs Guam to establish a land trust for the benefit of the indigenous Chamorro people and to establish residency requirements under the Constitution of Guam for voting and holding elective office. (Sec. 103) Allows this Act to be modified only with the mutual consent of the Governments of the United States and Guam. Title II: Applicability of Federal Law - Makes specified provisions of, and amendments to, the U.S. Constitution applicable to Guam. (Sec. 202) Makes Federal laws, rules, or regulations passed after the date of this Act inapplicable unless mutually consented to by the Governments of the United States and Guam. (Sec. 203) Creates the Joint Commission on the Applicability of Federal Law. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the President to delegate to the Governor of Guam performance of functions now vested in Federal administrative agencies. Title III: Foreign Affairs and Defense - Grants the United States responsibility for authority with respect to matters relating to foreign affairs and defense that affect Guam. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the establishment of military security zones or the stationing of foreign military personnel on the Island of Guam without the approval of the Government of Guam except in time of declared war, or the establishment of military bases without consultation with the Governor. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the United States from using Guam or the water surrounding it for the dumping or storage of nuclear waste or hazardous chemicals. Provides for the cleanup by the United States of chemical dump sites used by the military. Requires the United States to compensate any person injured as a result of hazardous materials stored, used, or disposed of by the U.S. Government in Guam or its waters. Title IV: Courts - Specifies provisions governing the relations between U.S. courts and the local courts of Guam, the jurisdiction of the District Court of Guam, and the applicable district court rules. (Sec. 404) Provides for the appointment of a judge for the District Court of Guam, a U.S. attorney, and a U.S. marshal for Guam. Title V: Trade - Establishes a Guam-United States free trade area. (Sec. 501) Authorizes Guam to impose, increase, reduce, or eliminate duties and other restrictions on certain imports and exports. Title VI: Taxation - Makes U.S. income tax laws applicable to Guam. Deems such laws to impose a separate tax to be known as the Guam Commonwealth income tax. (Sec. 603) Allows the Government of Guam to provide for the rebate or reduction of taxes in order to assist new industries or economic development. (Sec. 604) Grants Guam the power to determine the nature and amount of taxes imposed upon the income and property of persons within its jurisdiction. Repeals applicable U.S. tax laws one year after Guam has enacted a replacement comprehensive local income tax. (Sec. 605) Exempts all bonds or other obligations issued by Guam from taxation by Federal, State, or local governments of the United States. Title VII: Immigration - Applies the Immigration and Nationality Act and pertinent Federal regulations to Guam for two years from enactment of this Act. Directs Guam to enact a comprehensive law on immigration to become effective at the end of the two-year period. (Sec. 702) Authorizes U.S. consular officials to issue visas for travel only to Guam for any alien seeking to enter Guam as a non-immigrant in order to encourage investors and tourists to come to Guam. Title VIII: Labor - Grants preference to qualified residents of Guam in all Federal civil service vacancies occurring in Guam. (Sec. 802) Grants Guam the authority to enact and enforce all laws regulating or affecting employment in Guam. Title IX: Transportation and Telecommunications - Precludes application of any U.S. law barring the U.S. registration and use of any foreign-built vessel within the waters around Guam for any purpose. (Sec. 901) Exempts from the coastwise laws of the United States any shipment of fish or fish products from Guam to any U.S. coastwise destination. Directs the Commission to examine the applicability of such laws and to recommend their termination upon determining that such laws constrain Guam's economic development. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the Governor of Guam to sponsor any qualified air service carrier to come to Guam, subject to presidential consultation concerning U.S. foreign policy and national defense interests. Exempts Guam from all bilateral treaties between the United States and foreign states with respect to scheduling and technical specifications of aircraft, other than safety requirements. (Sec. 903) Defines Guam as "domestic" for Federal Communications Commission rate setting purposes. Title X: Land, Natural Resources, and Utilities - Grants the Government of Guam the power of eminent domain. (Sec. 1001) Sets limits on U.S. acquisition of real property on Guam. Exempts Guam from Federal regulations governing the transfer or sale of excess Federal real property. Provides for the transfer of all excess Federal property to Guam, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 1003) Provides for access and use by the residents of Guam of certain retained Federal property, subject to military security requirements. (Sec. 1004) Directs the United States to transfer ownership of island utilities to Guam. Title XI: United States Financial Assistance - Provides for the return of U.S. revenues from taxes and fees collected in Guam to the Government of Guam. Makes U.S. laws providing Federal benefits and financial assistance which are applicable to the States equally applicable to Guam. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Governor of Guam, in preparing an annual budget, to identify the costs and benefits to Guam brought about by its role as one of the principal U.S. military bastions in the Far East. (Sec. 1105) Provides for assistance to aid Guam's transition to a Commonwealth. Title XII: Technical Amendments and Interpretation - Makes technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 1204) Requires this Act to be submitted to the registered voters of Guam for ratification after being passed by the Congress. Repeals the Organic Act of Guam in specified phases.
Bill· SS. 1360 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1997 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. Requires the Attorney General to report on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border arrivals and departures. Provides for increased numbers of full-time Immigration and Naturalization and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders, with at least half of such inspectors to be assigned to the northern border.
Bill· HRH.R. 2759 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1997
Health Professional Shortage Area Nursing Relief Act of 1997 - Amends Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant classification for (nonimmigrant) nurses in health professional shortage areas. Sets forth admissions requirements, including a maximum five-year stay. Limits fiscal year entrants and the number of such entrants permitted to work in any one State. Requires the Secretary of Labor to compile a public list of facilities petitioning for the admission of each such nurse.
Bill· HRH.R. 2745 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997
Waives specified requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for naturalization of a named individual if he is otherwise qualified.
Bill· HRH.R. 2727 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Title I: Remedy Selection and Environmental Standards Title II: Community Participation and Human Health Subtitle A: Community Participation Subtitle B: Human Health Title III: Liability Reform Title IV: Brownfields Revitalization Title V: State Role Title VI: Natural Resources Damages Title VII: Oil Pollution Title VIII: Miscellaneous Title IX: Funding Subtitle A: Expenditures From the Hazardous Substance Superfund Subtitle B: 5-Year Extension of Hazardous Substance Superfund Superfund Acceleration, Fairness, and Efficiency Act - Title I: Remedy Selection and Environmental Standards - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to revise remedy selection provisions. Authorizes remedial actions to achieve protection of human health and the environment through: (1) treatment that reduces the toxicity, mobility, or volume of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants; (2) natural attenuation; (3) containment or other controls to limit exposure or release; (4) removal of contaminated media; (5) a combination of treatment, containment, and removal; or (6) other methods of protection. (Current law requires that actions in which treatment which permanently and significantly reduces the volume, toxicity, or mobility of such substances is a principal element are to be preferred over actions not involving such treatment.) Requires the President to give preference to remedies that include a treatment component for discrete areas within a facility that contain: (1) high concentrations of highly toxic substances that present such a threat to human health or the environment that it would be imprudent to rely solely on remedies that exclude such component; or (2) high concentrations of such substances that cannot be controlled reliably through engineered barriers and therefore could present such threats if not treated. Directs the President, in any case in which a selected action allows hazardous substances to remain on-site at a facility above concentration levels that would be protective for unrestricted use, to: (1) include, as an integral component of the remedy, restrictions on the use of land, water or other resources to provide long-term health and environmental protection; (2) not determine the remedy to be complete until a mechanism is established to ensure ongoing monitoring and operation and maintenance of the remedy and until necessary institutional controls are implemented and subject to monitoring and enforcement; and (3) ensure that such controls remain in effect as long as necessary to protect human health and the environment. Authorizes the President to use institutional controls as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, other response measures except in extraordinary circumstances. Establishes public notice requirements with respect to the selection of remedies at facilities relying on such controls. Directs the President to maintain a registry of restrictions on the use of land, water, or other resources through institutional controls that are included in final records of decision as an integral component of the remedy at facilities that are, or have been, on the National Priorities List (NPL). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to report annually to specified congressional committees on each record of decision signed during the previous fiscal year, the type of institutional controls and media affected, and the institution designated to monitor, enforce, and ensure compliance with such controls. (Sec. 104) Revises requirements for the degree of cleanup. Requires the President, in determining what is protective of human health and the environment, to conduct site-specific human health and ecological risk assessments. Bases human exposure assessments on the reasonably anticipated uses of land and water. Bases determinations of what is protective of plants and animals on the significance of impacts from a release or threatened release of hazardous substances to a local ecosystem and plant and animal communities or populations. Requires selected remedies to take into account reasonably anticipated beneficial uses of: (1) land at a facility and, as appropriate, of nearby property; and (2) groundwater that are or may be impacted by releases or threatened releases and the timing of such uses. Sets forth assumptions to be made by the Administrator regarding such uses. Requires remedial actions with respect to hazardous substances that will remain onsite to comply with requirements applicable to the operation of such actions and that will attain at least any promulgated concentration levels applicable to determining the level of cleanup for actions under: (1) a Federal environmental or facility siting law legally applicable to the substance concerned; or (2) a legally applicable State law that is identified by the State to the President as applicable at the facility to the proposed remedial alternative, that is of general applicability, and that is consistently applied to response actions in the State. Requires final remedies, to the extent technically practicable, to prevent impairment of any designated use of surface water under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and to ensure that uncontaminated groundwater is protected from contamination unless: (1) the remedial action includes natural attenuation to facilitate restoration of groundwater to beneficial use within a reasonable period of time; (2) an alternative concentration limit has been adopted; or (3) the groundwater has no beneficial use. Requires final remedies to prevent or eliminate, at a minimum, human ingestion or exposure to drinking water containing hazardous substances in levels exceeding Maximum Contaminant Levels under the Safe Drinking Water Act, including the provision of an alternative water supply. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to consider new procedures for conducting remedial investigations and feasibility studies in an efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner. Provides for a phased approach to site characterization and remediation in which remedies are arrived at through a sequence of investigations and actions. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the President, to expedite and increase the efficiency of the remedy selection process, to establish generic remedies where such remedies are demonstrated to be effective in protecting human health and the environment. Permits such remedies to provide for consideration of site-specific factors along with generic approaches for particular categories of sites. Waives the requirement for a site-specific risk assessment (other than a baseline) in cases where generic remedies are applied. Permits the Administrator to issue waivers of generic remedies if information submitted by the interested party demonstrates that a generic remedy is inappropriate or that another alternative can protect human health and the environment through less costly means. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the President, in order to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, to acquire a hazardous substance easement which limits or controls the use of land or other natural resources. Permits easements to be used whenever institutional controls have been selected as a component of a remedial action and the national contingency plan. Makes easements enforceable in perpetuity (unless terminated pursuant to this Act) against owners of affected property or persons who acquire interest in, or rights to use, the property. Sets forth provisions regarding the President's authority to assign easements to other parties. (Sec. 108) Requires risk assessments and characterizations conducted under CERCLA to: (1) provide objective assessments, estimates, and characterizations which neither minimize nor exaggerate the nature and magnitude of health and environmental risks; (2) distinguish scientific findings from other considerations; (3) be based on the best, relevant, and current scientific and technical information; and (4) be based on a careful analysis of the weight of scientific evidence that supports conclusions about a problem's potential health and environmental risk. Directs the President to: (1) update and publish exposure and ecological risk assessment guidelines consistent with such principles; and (2) conduct a study of the cancer potency values of 12 specified hazardous substances frequently found to pose significant risks at NPL facilities. (Sec. 109) Requires the President to establish a National Superfund Remedy Review Board to control remedy costs and to provide for protective, consistent, and cost-effective remedial decisions at NPL facilities. Directs the Board, for remedial alternatives identified after this Act's enactment date and following identification of a preferred remedy, to review remedies for NPL facilities for which the estimated cost of the preferred remedy exceeds $15 million. Permits the Board to review remedies for which the estimated cost is less than such amount, if requested. Authorizes the President to establish a different threshold for remedy review for U.S.-owned or operated facilities. Provides for public notice of such reviews. (Sec. 110) Directs the President to review past Superfund records of decision, upon request of an interested party within 12 months of this Act's enactment date, to ensure that such decisions reflect the current state of knowledge with respect to remediation science and technology and to improve the cost-effectiveness of site remediation while ensuring long-term health and environmental protection. Defines a past record of decision as one selecting a remedy for an NPL site that was signed prior to October 2, 1995, and that has not been reviewed pursuant to a specified EPA directive or otherwise updated since such date. Title II: Community Participation and Human Health - Subtitle A: Community Participation - Requires the President to take specified actions to provide for meaningful public participation in every significant phase of a response action at a facility listed or proposed for listing on the NPL (covered facilities). Permits Community Advisory Groups, affected Indian tribes and communities, local government officials, and State and local health officials to propose remedial alternatives to the President. (Sec. 203) Requires the President to make records relating to response actions at covered facilities available to the public throughout all phases of an action. Sets forth minimum requirements for documents made available to the public which describe risk to human health. (Sec. 204) Authorizes a State with an NPL site to establish a Superfund Site Information Office. Requires the Administrator to provide financial and other assistance to States for establishment and operation of such Offices. Directs the Administrator to establish such Offices within EPA for States that fail to do so. (Sec. 205) Revises provisions regarding grants for technical assistance to authorize the Administrator to make such grants to Community Advisory Groups or affected communities with respect to: (1) covered facilities; (2) facilities at which the Administrator is undertaking a response action anticipated to exceed one year; or (3) facilities at which a specified funding limit is anticipated to be reached. (Sec. 207) Sets forth specific notice and comment requirements to provide for public participation in removal actions. (Sec. 208) Requires the President to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a Community Advisory Group, a representative public forum, to achieve direct, regular, and meaningful consultation with all interested parties throughout all stages of a response action whenever: (1) the President determines such a group will be helpful; or (2) 25 individuals residing in the area in which the facility is located, or ten percent of the population of a locality in which the NPL facility is located, whichever is fewer, petition for a Group to be established. Authorizes such Groups to offer recommendations on the anticipated future use of land at a facility prior to the selection of a remedy. Authorizes the President to provide technical and administrative support for such Groups. (Sec. 209) Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress and Superfund Site Information Offices a community study that includes an analysis of: (1) the duration of time between the discovery and listing of a facility; (2) the timing and nature of response actions; (3) the degree to which public views are reflected in response actions; (3) future land use determinations and use of institutional controls; (4) the population, race, ethnicity, and income characteristics of communities affected by facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL; and (5) the risk presented by each such facility. Requires periodic updates of such study. Directs the Administrator to institute necessary improvements or modifications to address any deficiencies identified by the study. Subtitle B: Human Health - Requires the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator to develop and distribute educational materials on human health effects of hazardous substances to the public. Authorizes the ATSDR Administrator to provide grant or contract assistance to individuals who may be affected by releases or threatened releases when: (1) a public health assessment is conducted at an NPL facility; or (2) a facility is being evaluated for inclusion on the NPL. Authorizes and directs the ATSDR Administrator, pursuant to such grants or contracts, to provide diagnostic services, health data registries, and preventative public health education to communities affected by such releases. (Sec. 223) Requires the President, in setting priorities for remedial action under the national hazardous substance response plan (part of the national contingency plan for the removal of oil and hazardous substances), to place highest priority on facilities with releases resulting in actual ongoing human exposures at levels of public health concern or demonstrated adverse effects. (Sec. 224) Requires the Administrator to evaluate areas such as Indian country or poor rural communities that warrant special attention and identify up to five facilities in each EPA region that are likely to warrant inclusion on the NPL. Accords such facilities a priority in evaluation for NPL listing and scoring. Title III: Liability Reform - Revises limits on obligations from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) to continue response actions. Bars the President from taking or requiring response actions at any facility after $4 million has been expended or two years have elapsed from the date of initial response unless the facility is on or proposed to be on the NPL or: (1) continued response actions are required to prevent or mitigate an emergency; (2) there is immediate risk to public health or welfare or the environment; and (3) such assistance will not be otherwise provided on a timely basis. Revises confidentiality requirements with respect to information regarding response actions and applies such requirements to contractors. (Sec. 302) Bars the President from issuing orders in connection with abatement actions to protect public health and the environment against any person who would not be liable for damages and costs described under general liability provisions. (Sec. 304) Absolves of liability for response costs and damages certain owners or operators and contiguous property owners, including persons who inherited the property concerned or received it by charitable donation and government entities that acquired property involuntarily or through eminent domain, if such persons: (1) did not cause or contribute to the hazardous substance release that caused the incurrence of response costs; and (2) exercised due care with respect to such substance. Exempts from liability construction contractors whose liability is based solely on construction contract activities and who did not know of the presence of hazardous substances and exercised due care upon discovery of such substances. Grants the United States a lien for unrecovered response costs on a facility for which the owner is not liable by reason of meeting the conditions described above. Prescribes conditions for such liens. Bars liens with respect to property: (1) for which the property owner preceding the current owner is not liable or has resolved liability; or (2) where an environmental assessment gave the owner or operator no reason to know of the release of hazardous substances. (Sec. 305) Absolves certain small businesses and de minimis parties of liability with respect to actions taken before October 23, 1997. Removes such exemption if the de minimis materials contribute significantly to response costs or to natural resource damages. Directs the Administrator to establish a small business Superfund assistance section within the EPA small business ombudsman office to provide assistance and information regarding CERCLA and the allocation and settlement processes. (Sec. 306) Revises contribution provisions to require an action by a potentially responsible party (PRP) against another PRP for recovery of costs to be commenced within the later of: (1) three years after completion of a removal action or within six years after initiation of physical on-site construction for a remedial action; or (2) three years after the date of judgment in any action for recovery or the date of any administrative order or judicial settlement for recovery of costs or damages. Provides that a person who has resolved liability to a State or an Indian tribe in an administrative or judicially approved settlement shall not be liable for claims by persons other than the United States regarding response costs or damages addressed in the settlement. Provides the same protection for persons who have resolved liability to the United States (except for liability to a State for remedial or removal action costs). Includes protection against all claims that may be asserted against the settling party for recovery of costs or damages paid by another person if addressed in the settlement, except claims based on contractual indemnification. Limits the right to seek contribution from other parties where: (1) the person asserting the right has waived such right in a settlement; (2) the person from whom the contribution is sought is not liable under CERCLA; or (3) the person from whom the contribution is sought has entered into a final settlement with the United States. Makes any person who commences a contribution action liable to the person against whom the action is brought for all reasonable costs of defending against the claim if the action: (1) is barred for the reasons stated above; (2) is brought against a person who is protected from suits by reason of settlement with the United States; or (3) is brought during a specified moratorium period. (Sec. 307) Expands the exemption from liability for response action contractors to include exemption from liability under State or local law unless a State has enacted a law determining liability of such contractors. Extends certain indemnification agreements made by the President with respect to negligence of response action contractors to any claims for negligence arising under State or local law. Extends certain provisions relating to surety bonds with respect to direct Federal procurement of response actions. Bars actions against contractors more than six years after the completion of work. Makes such prohibition inapplicable in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct or in States or political subdivisions where the State has enacted a statute determining liability for such contractors. (Sec. 308) Requires consent decrees pursuant to settlements to require the parties to attempt expeditiously to resolve disagreements concerning implementation of the remedial action informally with Federal and State agencies. Requires such decrees to provide authority for the Federal district court with jurisdiction to resolve disagreements. Authorizes the Administrator, if a PRP will be paying amounts to the President as part of a settlement for carrying out a response action, to accept ownership of a financial instrument running irrevocably to the benefit of the United States to conduct such response actions. Revises provisions regarding mixed funding to require the President to reimburse parties from Superfund where settlements or administrative orders require them to perform response actions at NPL sites where the costs will exceed the aggregate equitable shares of costs. Provides special conditions for funding with respect to settlements entered into, or orders issued, before October 23, 1997. Authorizes the President to delay reimbursements in fiscal years in which funds are unavailable. Requires (current law authorizes) the President to offer PRPs (currently, any person) who enter into settlement agreements that are in the public interest a final covenant not to sue concerning liability to the United States for response actions or costs, provided that: (1) the settling party agrees to perform a final remedial action for the release that is the subject of the settlement; (2) the agreement has been reached prior to the commencement of litigation against the settling party; (3) the settling party waives all contribution rights against other PRPs at the facility; (4) the settling party pays a premium that compensates for the risks of remedy failure, future liability, and unanticipated increases in the cost of any uncompleted action (unless the party is performing the action); (5) the remedial action does not rely on institutional controls to ensure continued health and environmental protection; and (6) the settlement is otherwise acceptable to the United States. Authorizes the President, for settlements for which covenants are unavailable, to provide any person with a covenant not to sue concerning any liability to the United States if the covenant not to sue is in the public interest. Makes PRPs who are natural persons, small businesses, or municipalities with a demonstrated limited ability to pay response costs eligible for expedited settlements. (Sec. 309) Absolves persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material or who transported such material from liability for environmental response actions with respect to NPL facilities. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental standards regarding such batteries. Deems transactions involving used oil to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the recyclable material was sent to a facility that recycled used oil by using it as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (2) the material was not mixed with hazardous waste regardless of when generated; (3) the material (or product made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (5) he or she was in compliance with standards for the management of used oil under the Solid Waste Disposal Act; and (6) the transaction was not for the purpose of recycling used oil by using it for dust suppression. Makes the exemptions from liability inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration (in the case of materials other than used oil) or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained: (1) polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of the threshold for regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act; or (2) a concentration of a solid waste determined by the Administrator to be inherently waste-like (including certain hazardous wastes and sludges) pursuant to specified Federal regulations. (Sec. 310) Requires the President, upon request of two or more PRPs at an NPL facility or vessel, to initiate an allocation for a response action at such facility or vessel if: (1) the action is not the subject of a consent decree entered, or an administrative order issued, before October 23, 1997; and (2) the aggregate costs of all actions at such facility or vessel are estimated to exceed $5 million. Provides for allocations, upon request of such parties, for actions that are undergoing construction pursuant to such decrees or orders if provided for under Section 311 of this Act. Makes the allocation process inapplicable to any U.S.-owned or operated facility or vessel and any facility or vessel for which there is only one PRP or for which there has been a final settlement, decree, or order that determines the allocated shares of all PRPs. Sets forth requirements for the President in initiating the allocation process. Authorizes the Administrator or the Attorney General, as representatives of Superfund, and any State that may be responsible for costs, to participate in allocation proceedings. Places a moratorium on litigation seeking recovery of response costs or contributions in connection with actions for which the President has initiated allocations until 150 days after issuance of the allocator's report or of a subsequent report under this section. Stays pending actions or claims, including those under State law, until such prescribed period unless the court determines that a stay will result in manifest injustice. Sets forth requirements for the selection of a neutral, third party allocator by PRPs or the President. Describes the allocator's authorities. Authorizes the allocator, based on collected information, to amend the list of PRPs to add, delete, or change the status of such parties. Permits allocation parties to submit the names of additional PRPs to the allocator. Sets forth procedures for the allocation of response costs to PRPs and Superfund by the allocator. Divides unattributable shares pro rata among the allocation parties and Superfund. Requires the allocator to issue an allocation report identifying the share of response costs attributable to each party, individually and by category, and to Superfund. Permits private allocations submitted by allocation parties to be adopted as the allocation report under certain conditions. Sets forth: (1) confidentiality requirements with respect to documents submitted to the allocator; (2) conditions under which the Administrator and Attorney General may reject the allocator's report; and (3) requirements for accepting settlements based on allocations. Authorizes the United States to commence an action against any allocation party that has not resolved its liability to the United States following an allocation. (Sec. 311) Sets forth conditions under which parties responsible for carrying out response actions pursuant to consent decrees entered, or administrative orders issued, before October 23, 1997, shall be entitled to mixed funding. Title IV: Brownfields Revitalization - Directs the President to establish a program to provide grants to eligible States or political subdivisions, including Indian tribes, for: (1) inventory and assessment of brownfield facilities; and (2) capitalization of revolving loan funds for remedial actions at such facilities. Defines a "brownfield facility" as real property with respect to which expansion or redevelopment is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance. Makes Superfund monies available for such grants. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical and other assistance to States to establish and expand State voluntary cleanup programs. Makes limited amounts available from Superfund for FY 1998 through 2002 for such assistance. (Sec. 403) Bars the President or any person (other than a State), with respect to a facility that is not listed or proposed for listing on the NPL at which there is a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, from taking an administrative or judicial enforcement action or bringing a civil action if a voluntary response action is being conducted under an approved State plan or the action has been certified as complete by a State. Makes exceptions to this prohibition if the State requests the President to take action or in certain cases of emergency, risk, or migration of contamination across State lines. Title V: State Role - Authorizes the Administrator to delegate authority to States to take specified actions at NPL facilities, including actions relating to response, liability, settlements, allocations, Federal facilities, remedy selections, and community participation. Sets forth administrative provisions and restrictions on such authority. Authorizes States to request delisting of NPL facilities for which responsibility has been transferred. Permits the Administrator to withdraw State authority under certain conditions. Sets forth conditions under which the President may take actions in States to which authorities have been delegated. (Sec. 502) Allows the Administrator to authorize States to implement a State hazardous substance response program in lieu of the response action authorities of this Act at any NPL facility. Sets forth administrative provisions and restrictions on such authority. Permits States to delist a facility from the NPL if no further action to address the contamination is necessary to protect health and the environment or cleanup is proceeding under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to withdraw State authority under certain conditions. Sets forth conditions under which the President may take actions in States implementing State response programs. (Sec. 503) Requires the Administrator to provide grants to, or enter into contracts with, States to which authorities have been delegated. Revises provisions requiring contracts with States before remedial actions are provided to prohibit the Administrator or a State to which authorities have been delegated from providing any remedial action unless the State enters into an agreement providing assurances that it will pay ten percent of the costs of the action and the costs of operation and maintenance. (Sec. 506) Permits the President to add a facility to the NPL only with the concurrence of the Governor of the State in which the facility is located. Authorizes the President to add a facility without a Governor's concurrence 12 months following the request for concurrence if the Governor has not taken a response action to address the release or threatened release at the facility and the facility presents sufficient risks under the Hazard Ranking System to be listed as a national priority. Provides for deferrals to listing if long-term remedial action will be conducted under other Federal authorities or if remedial action that will provide long-term health and environmental protection is underway under a State response program. (Sec. 507) Extends certain provisions authorizing reimbursements by the President to local governments affected by releases or threatened releases to affected States as well. (Sec. 508) Sets forth provisions regarding enforcement and dispute resolution regarding remedy selection at Federal facilities for which authorities have been delegated to a State. Title VI: Natural Resources Damages - Revises provisions regarding liability for natural resources damages to include the governments of foreign countries whose natural resources are damaged in the list of parties to which a charged party may be liable. (Sec. 604) Sets forth provisions regarding the designation of trustees for natural resources by Indian tribes and foreign governments. (Sec. 606) Limits the measure of damages to a natural resource to: (1) reasonable costs of restoration; (2) the loss of use by the public of the resource prior to restoration, except that any loss before December 11, 1980 (CERCLA's enactment date), shall not be recoverable; and (3) costs of reasonable assessment of damages to the resource. Bars recovery for psychological damages. (Sec. 607) Sets forth requirements for damage assessments by Federal, State, Indian tribe, and foreign trustees. (Sec. 608) Requires all assessments to be adjudicated in a de novo trial in a Federal district court. Provides for public participation in the damage assessment process. Limits admissibility of relevant evidence that is not made public. (Sec. 610) Permits sums recovered by trustees to be available only for restoration, replacement, or acquisition of natural resources. (Sec. 611) Precludes trustees who receive compensation for natural resources damages or claims pursuant to this Act from recovering compensation for the same natural resource pursuant to any other State or Federal law. Bars recovery under such other laws if recovery for such resources is made under this Act. Prohibits double liability for such resources in the same manner as double recovery is barred. Bars recovery for natural resources damages where such damages and the release of a hazardous substance from which such damages resulted occurred wholly before December 11, 1980. (Sec. 613) Requires a foreign claimant, in order to recover such damages, to demonstrate that: (1) he or she has not been otherwise compensated for such damages; and (2) recovery is authorized by an agreement between the United States and the claimant's country or the Secretary of State has certified that such country provides a comparable remedy for U.S. claimants. Permits foreign claims for damages resulting from a release or threatened release in or on the territorial sea, internal waters, or adjacent shoreline of a foreign country only if the release is from: (1) an Outer Continental Shelf facility or a deepwater port; (2) a vessel in the navigable waters; or (3) a vessel carrying a hazardous substance as cargo between two places in the United States. (Sec. 614) Makes this title inapplicable to actions to recover natural resources damages in which a trial has begun before July 1, 1997, or in which a final settlement, decree, or order has been issued before such date. Title VII: Oil Pollution - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to make amendments conforming to those made to CERCLA in Title VI of this Act with respect to natural resources damages, recovery, and liability. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Expands CERCLA provisions regarding treatment of Indian tribes to afford Indian tribes the same treatment as States with respect to provisions regarding public participation and remedy selection. Deems references to State facilities under CERCLA to mean facilities on Federal Indian reservations as well. Requires the President to conduct a study of, and report to the Congress on, the health impacts on Indian tribes of pollutants, contaminants, and hazardous substances released from facilities listed on or proposed for listing on the NPL. (Sec. 803) Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to require certain grants for the training and education of workers engaged in hazardous waste removal or containment or emergency response activities to be made from Superfund. Allocates at least 20 percent of funds for such purposes to the training of minority and other community-based workers who are involved in such activities. Title IX: Funding - Subtitle A: Expenditures From the Hazardous Substance Superfund - Revises the list of activities for which expenditures from Superfund are authorized. Permits the President to use Superfund monies for administrative costs directly related to the costs of authorized activities. Bars the use of Superfund for response actions that are not removal actions with respect to non-NPL facilities. Repeals provisions regarding the assumption of certain liability by the Post-closure Liability Fund. (Sec. 902) Authorizes appropriations to Superfund for FY 1998 through 2002. Subtitle B: 5-Year Extension of Hazardous Substance Superfund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, and before January 1, 2003. Extends specified provisions regarding: (1) Superfund's financing rate; (2) limits on tax if the unobligated balance in Superfund exceeds a specified amount; and (3) the repayment deadline for advances made to Superfund.
Bill· HRH.R. 2728 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Chinese Student Protection Act of 1997 - Extends the provisions of the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 to certain aliens who entered the United States without inspection.
Bill· HRH.R. 2716 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997
Codifies certain general and permanent laws relating to aliens and nationality as Title 8, United States Code, "Aliens and Nationality."
Bill· SS. 1304 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997
Declares a named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fee.
Bill· HRH.R. 2694 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to approved petitions for preference or immediate relative immigrant status to authorize the Attorney General to disregard the subsequent death of the beneficiary in applying the provisions of such Act to the beneficiary or to any spouse or child of the beneficiary (thus eliminating the need to restart the application process).
Bill· HRH.R. 2705 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997
Directs the Attorney General to stay deportation of two named individuals and allow them to remain temporarily in the United States and to engage in employment pending a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals regarding a motion to reopen deportation proceedings based on ineffective assistance of counsel.
Bill· SS. 1295 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Dropout Prevention Title II: Amendments to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act Title III: Dropout Prevention in the Higher Education Act of 1965 Title IV: State Responsibilities National Dropout Prevention Act of 1997 - Title I: Dropout Prevention - Amends the School Dropout Assistance Act (title V part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)) to establish a coordinated national strategy and a national school dropout prevention initiative. (Sec. 101) Declares it a national priority, for the five-year period after enactment of this Act, to lower the school dropout rate, and increase school completion, for middle school and secondary school students. Requires all Federal agencies that carry out activities that serve students at risk of dropping out of school, or that are intended to help address the school dropout problem, to make school dropout prevention a top priority in the agencies' funding priorities during such period. Directs the Secretary of Education to collect systematic data on the participation of different racial and ethnic groups (including migrant and limited English proficient students) in all Federal programs. Requires the Director of the Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion (established by this Act) to provide for: (1) a national school dropout prevention strategy, through an interagency plan to assess coordination, use of resources, and availability of funding under Federal law that can be used to address school dropout prevention, or middle school or secondary school reentry; (2) a national clearinghouse on effective school dropout prevention, intervention and reentry programs; and (3) a national recognition program that recognizes schools that have made extraordinary progress in lowering school dropout rates. Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States for dropout prevention. Authorizes State educational agencies to use such allotment funds to award grants to public middle schools or secondary schools with dropout rates in the highest one-third of all school dropout rates in the State, to enable them to pay only the startup and implementation costs of school dropout prevention programs, including activities for professional development, curricular materials, release time for professional staff, and planning and research. Expresses the intent of Congress that the activities started or implemented with these dropout prevention grant allotment funds shall be continued with funding provided under ESEA title I part A (Helping Disadvantaged Students Meet High Standards). Limits the number, amount, and duration of such grants. Provides for: (1) strategies and allowable models; (2) selection of schools; (3) dissemination activities; (4) progress incentives; (5) school dropout rate calculation; (6) reporting and accountability; and (7) a prohibition on tracking. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Dropout Prevention and Program Completion, whose Director shall report directly to the Secretary and carry out specified duties. Title II: Amendments to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act to direct the Secretary to establish and publish performance measures and expected levels of performance to assess the progress of each State educational agency in achieving: (1) student mastery of academic skills; (2) student mastery of vocational skill proficiencies for students in vocational education programs that are necessary for a secondary school diploma, equivalent, or skill certificate; and (3) placement in, retention in, and completion of, secondary school education and postsecondary education. Authorizes the Secretary to establish other related performance measures as well. (Sec. 202) Revises requirements for State leadership activities and local activities, adding vocational education programs for adults and school dropouts to complete their secondary school education. Title III: Dropout Prevention in the Higher Education Act of 1965 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a Trio Middle School Program, among Federal TRIO Programs (various programs of outreach to qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds) under Federal Early Outreach and Student Services Programs, to assist projects providing specified services for middle school students to make the transition to, and complete, secondary school. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Prescribes additional considerations for the awarding of grants and contracts under Federal TRIO programs. (Sec. 303) Revises local coordination requirements to direct the Secretary to allow a program director to administer one or more TRIO programs. (Sec. 304) Establishes additional TRIO program requirements for: (1) coordination incentives; (2) recruiting prohibitions; (3) number of disadvantaged students served; and (4) counseling. (Sec. 305) Revises the Upward Bound program (one of the TRIO programs) to include among permissible services provision of work-study positions where youths participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree. Allows such youths to be paid summer monthly stipends. Requires Upward Bound program grant or contract recipients to plan, report, and make adjustments to projects in order to increase Upward Bound student retention rates to specified levels. (Sec. 306) Revises provisions for special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork. Adds requirements relating to coordination of services and data collection. Extends and increases the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to use a portion of such programs' funds, when they exceed a specified amount, to make grants to eligible institutions for services to migrant students, if such institutions offer in-State tuition to migrant students who are not State residents. (Sec. 307) Establishes Programs for Counseling Excellence under which the Secretary shall award grants to develop model programs for counseling excellence, including specified student counseling programs, community partnerships for tutoring and mentoring, and in-service training for guidance counselors. Requires the Secretary to collect and disseminate certain information on student counseling programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: State Responsibilities - Amends ESEA to require State educational agencies to comply with specified requirements with respect to school dropouts, including: (1) uniform data collection and reporting; (2) attendance-neutral funding policies; (3) development of uniform long-term suspension and expulsion policies for serious infractions; and (4) alternative educational placements for students expelled for more than ten school days per academic year.
Bill· SS. 1290 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Declares a named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fee.
Bill· HRH.R. 2666 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Authorizes the Attorney General to adjust the status of certain nonimmigrant Nicaraguan nationals (and their spouses and children) to lawful permanent residents.
Bill· HRH.R. 2664 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the temporary visitor or student admission of certain alien spouses or children of U.S. permanent residents. States that a petition for permanent resident classification filed on behalf of such alien shall not constitute evidence of intent to abandon a foreign residence.
Bill· HRH.R. 2634 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997
Declares a named individual to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2618 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997
Declares three named individuals to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2617 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1997
Declares three named individuals to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2595 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997
Farmers' Temporary Employment Assistance Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish: (1) an alternative temporary agricultural worker process based upon a labor condition attestation filed by an employer and accepted by the appropriate State agency; and (2) a nonimmigrant visa category for such aliens. Sets forth program provisions.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 164 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands should provide for a plebiscite on the question of governance under U.S. immigration and wage laws or independence from the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 2578 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the visa waiver pilot program. Directs the Attorney General to implement a data collection program with respect to nonimmigrant overstay rates.
Bill· HRH.R. 2588 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1997
Border Security and Enforcement Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Office of Enforcement and Border Affairs, to be headed by a Director. Transfers from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to the Director all functions, personnel, infrastructure, and funding of the following programs: (1) the Border Patrol program; (2) the detention and deportation program; (3) the intelligence program; (4) the investigations program; and (5) the inspections program. Transfers DOJ personnel and assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and INS funds in connection with such functions to the Office, for allocation by the Director. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) continuation of proceedings and suits and nonabatement of actions in connection with transferred functions; and (2) delegation and assignment and authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding functions transferred.
Bill· HRH.R. 2570 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1997
Forced Abortion Condemnation Act - Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing any visa to, and the Attorney General from admitting to the United States, any Chinese national (including any Communist Party official or Chinese Government official) that has been found to have been involved in the enforcement of population control policies resulting in a woman being forced to undergo an abortion against her free choice, or resulting in a man or woman being forced to undergo sterilization against his or her free choice.
Bill· HRH.R. 2569 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
Declares a named individual to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 94 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997
Makes appropriations for FY 1998 for continuing projects or activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, which were conducted in FY 1997 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998; (3) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998; (4) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1998; (5) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1998; (6) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1998; (7) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998; (8) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998; (9) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998; (10) the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1998; (11) the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 1998; (12) the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1998; and (13) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998. Sets forth the rates of (current rates, with specified exceptions), and limitations on, such funding. Provides funding under this resolution until enactment into law of any covered appropriation or the applicable appropriations Act or October 23, 1997, whichever occurs first. Continues provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act pertaining to a visa waiver pilot program for certain visitors through the effective period of this resolution. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the authority to enter into new flood insurance contracts through October 23, 1997. Authorizes the District of Columbia government to delay repayment of the 1997 Treasury advances beyond October 1, 1997, until it receives the full year Federal contribution. Waives any interest or penalties otherwise applicable to late payments. Continues the issuing authority of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation through the effective period of this resolution. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to extend the Export-Import Bank's functions through October 23, 1997. Extends, through October 23, 1997, certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act pertaining to the issuance of immigrant visas within 90 days' of an alien's departure and the adjustment to permanent resident status of certain aliens.
Bill· HRH.R. 2548 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Eliminate the Magnet for Illegal Immigration Act of 1997 - Authorizes additional appropriations for increases in: (1) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) investigators to enforce employer sanctions; (2) Department of Labor investigators to enforce labor standards; and (3) Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (Department of Justice) investigators to enforce antidiscrimination provisions. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant specified subpoena authority to the Secretary of Labor. Increases specified penalties for: (1) hiring, recruiting, and referral violations; (2) labor standards violations; and (3) unfair immigration-related employment practices. Provides for joint INS-Department of Labor efforts to investigate violations of employer sanctions and labor standards and target high concentration areas of illegally employed aliens. Directs the Attorney General to conduct: (1) a national employer education program; and (2) a study of immigration-related discrimination.
Bill· HRH.R. 2551 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize waiver of the landing fee for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or specified Canadian visitors on certain pleasure boats entering the United States from Canada.
Bill· SS. 1212 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to exempt certain Canadian nationals or residents from the arrival-departure information required to be collected under the U.S. automated entry-exit control system.