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Bill· HRH.R. 3507 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Reforming Non-Medical Welfare Programs Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Title II: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability Subtitle F: Retirement Age Eligibility Title III: Child Support Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents Subtitle J: Effective Dates and Conforming Amendments Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support Subtitle D: General Provisions Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments Subtitle F: Earned Income Credit Denied to Unauthorized Employees Title V: Reductions in Federal Government Positions Title VI: Reform of Public Housing Title VII: Child Protection Block Grant Programs and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living Programs Subtitle A: Child Protection Block Grant Program and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living Programs Subtitle B: Child and Family Services Block Grant Title VIII: Child Care Title IX: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Title X: Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution Programs Title XI: Miscellaneous Division B: Restructuring Medicaid Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 - Division A: Reforming Non-Medical Welfare Programs - Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are important Government interests. (Sec. 103) Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a single program of block grants to the States for operating statewide temporary assistance (TEA) programs with certain mandatory work, education, and job preparation requirements for needy families either already with or expecting a child, which are designed to assist such families in becoming self-sufficient. Limits such families generally to no more than five years of TEA cash assistance, with certain exceptions for minor children, battered family members, and hardship situations. Denies TEA assistance in cases where an individual family member is a fugitive felon or a probation or parole violator and in certain other specified situations as well. Requires, in addition, certain adult-supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents. Provides for the exchange of TEA program information with law enforcement agencies under certain conditions. Establishes penalties for States and individual families for specified grant and program violations, respectively, through reduced grants and assistance payments, allowing States to terminate such payments to certain adult family members without small children needing child care who refuse to: (1) engage in work, educational, or job preparation activities (required program activities); or (2) cooperate with the State in establishing paternity or obtaining child support, unless the member qualifies for a good cause exception. Provides for a separate reduction in State family assistance grant payments for States failing to comply with Federal requirements under SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) pertaining to paternity establishment and child support enforcement. Sets forth the mechanism for State appeal of Federal adverse decisions with respect to State plans or imposition of penalties, providing for advance notification of any program violation and the opportunity for a State to correct it before any such penalty is imposed. Limits the amount of any penalty reduction in the State's quarterly family assistance grant payment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that State TEA programs should: (1) assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and in single-parent families with older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in required program activities; and (2) require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents under age 18 to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. Specifies State TEA plan contents, including provisions for numeric goals for reducing illegitimacy in the State over a specified ten year period beginning in 1996, and certain certifications by the State that it will operate child support enforcement and protection programs, in order for it to be eligible (according to certain other criteria as well) to receive Federal grants for its TEA programs (family assistance grants). Allows the States to decide in their TEA plans: (1) whether or not they intend on providing TEA assistance to aliens; and (2) how to treat families moving interstate. Provides for: (1) the allowable uses of quarterly family assistance grants, family planning services and assistance to low income households in meeting home heating and cooling costs; (2) additional grants to States as rewards for reductions in illegitimate births and for high performance under the TEA program, as well as supplemental grants to certain States for population increases; and (3) a Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs (Contingency Fund) in the Treasury for payments to certain eligible States. Makes appropriations for such grants and the Contingency Fund. Sets up a Federal loan program for State TEA programs for anti-fraud and other specified activities, making necessary appropriations. Outlines specific program data collection and reporting requirements, as well as certain research, evaluation, and study requirements. Provides for direct funding, by way of three-year tribal family assistance grants, to Indian tribes (with a special rule for Indian tribes in Alaska) with approved tribal family assistance plans. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation to obtain information that will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the changes made by this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State programs. Provides for the treatment of existing State AFDC waivers in effect on the date of enactment of this Act and those granted subsequently. Retains the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Family Supports as the official responsible for administering SSA title IV part A and D programs. (Sec. 104) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, and private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified under titles I, II, and VI of this Act. Prohibits the expenditure of financial assistance provided under such programs for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to expand census data collection efforts to enable the Bureau of the Census to collect statistically significant data on grandparent caregivers. (Sec. 106) Requires an HHS report to the Congress on State automated data processing systems used in administering SSA title IV part A programs to determine what would be required to establish a system for tracking public program participants and checking case records to determine if such participants are participating in public programs of two or more States. (Sec. 107) Details requirements for a similar report, and study, on alternative outcomes measures for evaluating the success of the States in moving individuals off welfare through employment. (Sec. 108) Makes conforming amendments to SSA, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. (Sec. 111) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner) to: (1) develop a prototype counterfeit-resistant social security card; and (2) study and issue a report to the Congress with regard to improving the social security card application process. (Sec. 112) Requires any organization accepting Federal funds under this Act to disclose that fact in any communication it makes that in any way intends to promote public support or opposition to any Federal, State, or local government policy through any broadcasting station, periodical, or other specified type of general public advertising. Makes any organization failing to make such a disclosure ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act. (Sec. 113) Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to remove the "demonstration" status of the Job Opportunities for Certain Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program and give it an increased annual authorization for any fiscal year. Title II: Supplemental Security Income - Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions - Amends SSA title XVI to deny SSI for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. Denies SSI for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. Provides for exchange of SSI information with law enforcement agencies under certain conditions. (Sec. 203) Revises the treatment afforded prisoners with regard to SSI and OASDI (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) benefits under SSA title II to: (1) deny SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained SSI benefits while in prison; (2) eliminate the OASDI requirement that confinement stem from a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; and (3) authorize the Commissioner to contract with any interested State or local institutions used to confine prisoners for monthly reports back of certain identifying information in order to enforce SSI and OASDI benefit limitations, and pay such institution a specified fee with regard to each SSI- or OASDI-eligible inmate identified who becomes ineligible for such benefit as a result of such reporting. Requires the Commissioner to study and report to the Congress on other specified potential improvements in the collection of information respecting public inmates. (Sec. 204) Makes certain changes respecting the effective date of applications for SSI benefits. Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children - Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Modifies medical improvement review standards, specifically dividing their applicability to, and creating separate criteria for, individuals aged 18 or older, and individuals under age 18, respectively. (Sec. 211) Provides that once an eligible child meets the definition of disability, the amount of the individual's cash benefit will be based on whether or not the child meets criteria for needing personal assistance enabling the child to stay at home with his or her family. (Sec. 212) Provides that at least once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained age 18 and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which is likely to improve (or, at the Commissioner's option, is unlikely to improve). Requires a representative payee of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present, at the time of review, evidence demonstrating that the recipient is, and has been, receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, for the condition which was the basis for providing benefits under the SSI program. Provides that if the representative payee refuses to comply without good cause with such requirement, the Commissioner shall, if in the individual's best interest, promptly terminate payment of benefits to the representative payee, and provide for payment of benefits to an alternative representative payee of the individual or, if the interest of the individual would be served thereby, to the individual. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one-year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Specifies requirements governing continuing disability reviews for low-birth-weight babies. (Sec. 213) Revises provisions regarding the disposal of resources for less than fair market value by certain individuals and appropriate notification of Medicaid. Provides for the treatment of assets held in trust by individuals who have not attained age 18 and any earnings resulting from such trust. Requires representative payees of eligible individuals below age 18 to establish financial institution accounts on their behalf into which SSI payments shall be paid. Allows representative payees to use funds in the account to pay for certain allowable expenses. Directs the Commissioner to establish a system for accountability monitoring whereby a representative payee shall report on activities respecting funds in the account. (Sec. 214) Reduces cash SSI payments to institutionalized children whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. (Sec. 215) Provides for installment payment of large amounts of past-due SSI benefits, and the recovery of SSI overpayments from social security benefits. Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs - Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program - Requires the Commissioner to prepare an annual report for the President and the Congress on the SSI program, and make appropriate arrangements for a study of the disability determination process under SSA titles II and XVI for any needed changes. (Sec. 233) Outlines the requirements for a study and report by the General Accounting Office on the impact of this title on the SSI program and on the extra expenses incurred by families of children receiving benefits under such program that are not covered by other Federal, State, or local programs. Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability - Establishes the National Commission on the Future of Disability to develop and carry out a comprehensive study of all matters related to the nature, purpose, and adequacy of all Federal programs serving individuals with disabilities in order to develop appropriate recommendations for any needed legislation or administrative action. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Retirement Age Eligibility - Provides that, for purposes of determining an aged individual under SSI, the age used shall be the retirement age used under the OASDI program. Title III: Child Support - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 302) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 303) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification to services applicants or recipients of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 312) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 313) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 314) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 315) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 316) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. Requires the Secretaries of Labor and HHS to jointly develop cost-effective methods of accessing information in the various State directories of new hires and the National Directory of New Hires (established under this Act), taking into account impact and cost to the States, and the need to ensure authorized use of wage record information. (Sec. 317) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the social security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased persons (on death records). Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 323) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 333) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding - Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 342) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec 344) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 345) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 352) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 353) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 362) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 364) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 365) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of a non-custodial parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of Health and Human Services as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 372) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each non-custodial parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 373) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 374) Amends Federal bankruptcy law and the Social Security Act to declare a debt for child support nondischargeable in bankruptcy. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 377) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non- Residential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate non-custodial parents' access to their children. Subtitle J: Effective Dates and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth effective dates and conforming amendments. Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits - Prohibits (with exceptions) specified Federal benefits to nonqualified aliens. Limits (with exceptions) qualified alien access to other specified Federal programs. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with information on illegal aliens. Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs - Sets forth similar prohibitions and limitations on alien access to State and local public benefits. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Attributes a sponsor's (and spouse) income and resources to the alien sponsoree in determining eligibility for Federal means-tested public benefits. (Sec. 422) Authorizes States to make similar attributions. (Sec. 423) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth sponsor affidavit of support requirements. (Sec. 424) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require sponsor cosignature of alien student loans. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations for verification of Federal public benefits eligibility. (Sec. 435) Makes the determination of an alien's qualifying quarters under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act dependant upon whether or not a parent or spouse received Federal means-tested assistance during such quarters. Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments Related to Assisted Housing - Makes conforming amendments to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. Subtitle F: Earned Income Credit Denied to Unauthorized Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer to provide his or her social security number in order to qualify for the individual earned income credit. Title V: Reductions In Federal Government Positions - Outlines the mechanism for various specified Federal executive agency workforce reductions, requiring submission to specified congressional committees of certain determinations about the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions of their respective departments by the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Education, of Labor, of Housing and Urban Development, and of HHS. Requires the Secretaries to make FTE reductions, including reductions-in-force, resulting from such determinations over the ensuing 14 months. Requires the Comptroller General to analyze and report to such committees on such determinations, with recommendations for further FTE reductions, if appropriate. (Sec. 502) Requires the HHS Secretary to reduce the Federal workforce within HHS: (1) by 75 percent of the FTE positions relating to any direct spending program, or any program funded through discretionary spending, that has been converted into a block grant program by this Act; and (2) 75 percent of a proportionate number of the total FTE departmental management positions. Requires reduction of FTE positions in HHS by: (1) 245 FTE positions related to the program converted by this Act into TEA block grants; and (2) 60 FTE managerial positions. (Sec. 503) Encourages the HHS Secretary to reduce personnel in the Washington, D.C., area office (agency headquarters) before reducing field personnel. Title VI: Reform of Public Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prohibit (with an exception) increased housing assistance under such Act due to reduced family income resulting from noncompliance reductions in welfare or other public assistance benefits. (Sec. 602) Prohibits an increase in federally appropriated means-tested welfare or public assistance due to reduced income resulting from fraud-caused reductions under another means-tested welfare or public assistance program. Title VII: Child Protection Block Grant Programs and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance and Independent Living Programs - Subtitle A: Child Protection Block Grant Program and Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living Programs - Replaces title IV-B (Child Welfare Services) with a block grant program to the States to implement: (1) child protection programs regarding child abuse and neglect; and (2) child protection. (Sec. 701) Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) shall: (1) establish a national data collection and analysis program to coordinate existing State child abuse and neglect reports; and (2) implement a data collection system regarding adoption and foster care. Appropriates funds for child welfare studies and for assessment of State courts improvement of foster care and adoption proceedings. (Sec. 711) Makes conforming amendments to title IV-E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance). Delineates requirements for State eligibility for Federal payments for foster care maintenance and adoption assistance. Sets forth guidelines for payments and allotments to the States for adoption assistance, foster care, and independent living programs (designed to assist children who have attained age 16 to make the transition from foster care to independent living). (Sec. 731) Instructs the Secretary to submit a legislative proposal to certain congressional committees providing for technical and conforming amendments in the law, pursuant to this Act. (Sec. 732) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should: (1) allocate sufficient funds for adoption and medical assistance to encourage child adoption; (2) offer incentives to make adoption of special needs children more affordable for middle-class families; (3) provide a child that must be removed from its biological parents with a single foster care placement and single coordinated case team, including conclusion of adoption within one year of such child's foster care placement; and (4) participate in programs to enable maximum visibility of waiting children to potential parents. Subtitle B: Child and Family Services Block Grant - Renames the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as the Child and Family Services Block Grant Act of 1996. Changes the purposes of the Act to emphasize assistance to each State in improving child protective service systems. Delineates criteria governing State eligibility for Federal block grants for: (1) child and family services; and (2) research, demonstrations, training, and technical assistance. (Sec. 751) Abolishes the current Federal program, including the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, community-based family resource programs, temporary child care for children with disabilities, crisis nursery demonstration programs, certain preventive services for children of homeless families or families at risk of homelessness, and requirements for criminal background checks for child care providers. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) establish a national child abuse and neglect data collection and analysis program (in addition to the current national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse); (2) provide technical and training assistance to the States for child abuse and neglect programs and for adoption opportunities. Mandates peer review for such grants. Instructs the Secretary to conduct a national random sample study of children at risk of child abuse or neglect. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2002, including grants for demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to assist them in developing programs related to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases. Requires any State requesting such assistance to establish a multidisciplinary task force on children's justice to study administrative, civil, and criminal judicial handling of such cases, and make recommendations which the State must adopt (or equivalent alternatives). Title VIII: Child Care - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments of 1996 - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (the Act, for purposes of this title). Sets forth goals for State child care assistance. (Sec. 803) Amends part A (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to entitle each State to payments for providing child care assistance. (Sec. 804) Authorizes the State lead agency to administer the financial assistance it receives through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies. (Sec. 805) Revises State application and plan requirements with respect to consumer education information, State licensing compliance, meeting the needs of AFDC or TEA recipients (especially those attempting through work activities to leave the assistance program) and those at risk of becoming dependent on assistance, and assistance for certain low-income working families. (Sec. 807) Reduces from 20 percent to three percent the minimum amount of certain funds available for State activities to improve the quality of child care, limited to: (1) comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public; (2) activities increasing parental choice; and (3) activities designed to improve child care quality and availability. (Sec. 808) Repeals a requirement that States expend a specified minimum amount of reserved funds for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. (Sec. 813) Reduces the allotment reserved for Indian tribes or tribal organizations from three percent to one percent. Prescribes guidelines for the use of such allotment for facility repair and construction. (Sec. 815) Repeals: (1) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985; (2) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; (3) specified programs under title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and (4) the Native Hawaiian Family-based Education Centers program under the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Title IX: Child Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to repeal specified authorities and requirements for the school lunch and related programs, including: (1) State educational authority to use resources from the nutrition and education (NET) program; (2) prohibition of State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (3) certain demonstration grants to private nonprofit organizations or educational institutions for elementary school curriculum food and nutrition projects; (4) aspects of summer food service programs, reducing payment rates and daily meals at camps, reducing the National Youth Sports Program, and revising nutritional standards compliance requirements; (5) certain commodity distribution program requirements, including State Advisory Councils; (6) expansion of the child care food program; (7) adult care food aid to adult day care centers and services for persons over 60; (8) certain pilot projects, including one for paperwork reduction; and (9) an information clearinghouse. (Sec. 901) Includes in the definition of child any individual with one or more mental or physical disabilities, regardless of age, who attends a specified type of institution, or any nonresidential public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, in order to participate in a school program for such individuals. (Sec. 902) Revises nutritional requirements. (Sec. 905) Prohibits, in general, any waiver that will increase Federal costs. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to revise the school breakfast program: (1) eliminating Federal assistance for food preparation training and program expansion and start-up costs; (2) repealing certain authorities and requirements relating to State administrative expenses (SAE); (3) repealing the prohibition against State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (4) repealing the program of cash grants for nutrition education. Revises the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), among other things repealing specified requirements and changing from mandatory to optional: (1) drug abuse education; and (2) provision of WIC information in languages other than English. (Sec. 931) Makes revisions to the nutrition education and training program. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution - Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Act) to establish a maximum 24-month food stamp program (program) authorization period for households whose adult members are elderly or disabled. (Sec. 1012) Expands the definition of "coupon." (Sec. 1013) Treats children who are themselves parents living with their children and married children living with their spouses as part of an existing household rather than as a separate household. (Sec. 1014) Authorizes States to establish additional criteria for separate household determinations. (Sec. 1015) Revises thrifty food plan adjustment requirements. (Sec. 1016) Revises the definition of "homeless individual" to limit the length of time a person may temporarily live in another person's residence. (Sec. 1018) Revises household income exclusion provisions regarding: (1) students; and (2) Federal energy assistance. (Sec. 1020) Revises household income deduction provisions regarding: (1) standard deductions; (2) earned income; (3) dependent care; (4) child support payments; (5) homeless shelter assistance; (6) excess medical expenses; and (7) excess shelter expenses. (Sec. 1021) Eliminates specified excludable auto value increases and establishes the maximum excludable auto value at $4600. (Sec. 1022) Includes as household income third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless. (Sec. 1023) Increases penalties for certain program violations. (Sec. 1024) Disqualifies permanently an individual convicted of specified coupon violations. (Sec. 1025) Revises work requirement and employment and training provisions. Extends employment and training funding authorizations. (Sec. 1028) Authorizes comparable program disqualification based upon welfare or public assistance disqualification. (Sec. 1029) Disqualifies permanently an individual who participates in the program in two or more States. (Sec. 1030) Disqualifies a fleeing felon from program participation. (Sec. 1031) Requires at State option: (1) cooperation with child support agencies in order to maintain program eligibility; and (2) program disqualification for child support arrears. (Sec. 1033) Defines "work program." Makes nonexempt persons ineligible for program benefits if during the preceding 12-month period they received food stamps for four months or more without working at least 20 hours per week, or participating in a workfare program. Sets forth exempted persons and situations. (Sec. 1034) Directs States to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 1035) Eliminates annual minimum allotment adjustments. (Sec. 1037) Authorizes a combined allotment for expedited households. (Sec. 1038) Authorizes program reductions for failure to comply with a public assistance reduction requirement. (Sec. 1039) Authorizes program assistance for households residing in a homeless shelter or drug or alcohol treatment center. (Sec. 1040) Provides that no food store or wholesale food concern be approved for program participation without a prior visit by a Department of Agriculture employee, or whenever possible, a designated State or local official. (Sec. 1041) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish authorization periods for retail food stores and wholesale food concerns to redeem food stamps or benefits through an electronic benefit transfer system. (Sec. 1042) Includes income and sales tax information among the types of eligibility verification information that may be requested. (Sec. 1043) Establishes a six-month reapplication waiting period for a store that does not meet participation requirements. (Sec. 1044) Revises: (1) food stamp office operating provisions; and (2) expedited coupon service requirements. (Sec. 1045) Eliminates certain certification personnel training requirements. (Sec. 1046) Provides for the exchange of information with law enforcement or Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel. (Sec. 1048) Authorizes a family to withdraw a fair hearing request. (Sec. 1049) Permits States to use income, and immigration eligibility verification systems other than the system used in part A (General Provisions) of title XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 1050) Provides for disqualification of a store: (1) that knowingly submits a falsified application; and (2) that is disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 1052) Directs program overissuances to be collected by: (1) allotment reduction; (2) unemployment compensation withholding; or (3) Federal pay or Federal income tax refund recovery. (Sec. 1053) Authorizes suspension of a store pending administrative and judicial review. (States that the Secretary shall not be liable for lost sales during such period.) (Sec. 1054) Establishes criminal forfeiture penalties for specified program violations. (Sec. 1055) Terminates Federal matching requirements for program recruitment activities. (Sec. 1057) Authorizes States to use funds otherwise available to a participating household for a work supplementation or support program. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1058) Authorizes waiver of program requirements as necessary to conduct related pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1061) Authorizes States to carry out private sector employment initiatives. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1062) Authorizes appropriations for program operations. (Sec. 1063) Authorizes States to carry out a Simplified Food Stamp Program in lieu of existing program requirements. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 1064) Establishes an optional State food assistance block grant program in lieu of the food stamp program. Sets forth program provisions. Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution Programs - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to combine the emergency food assistance program with the soup kitchen-food bank program. Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to purchase commodities for such combined programs. (Sec. 1072) Amends the Charitable Assistance and Food Bank Act of 1987 to repeal the food bank demonstration project. (Sec. 1073) Makes conforming amendments to the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Requires any funds received by a State under the TEA program, the optional State food assistance block grant program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or the child care block grant program under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, to be expended only in accordance with the laws and procedures applicable to expenditures of the State's own revenues, including appropriation by the State legislature, consistent with the terms and conditions required under such provisions of law. (Sec. 1102) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to eliminate housing assistance with respect to fugitive felons and probation and parole violators, and provide for the exchange of certain housing information with law enforcement agencies upon request for specified official purposes. (Sec. 1103) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Congress should adopt enterprise zone legislation in the 104th Congress, and that such legislation provide various specified incentives and provisions, such as Federal tax incentives that expand access to capital, increase the formation and expansion of small businesses, and promote commercial revitalization. (Sec. 1104) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) States should diligently continue their efforts to enforce child support payments by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, regardless of the employment status or location of the non-custodial parent; and (2) States are encouraged to pursue pilot programs in which the parents of a non-adult, non-custodial parent who refuses to or is unable to pay child support must pay or contribute to the child support owed by the non-custodial parent or otherwise fulfill all financial obligations and meet all conditions imposed on the non-custodial parent, such as participation in a work program or other related activity. (Sec. 1105) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to modify the eligibility disqualifications for aliens to give State agencies the option of considering either all income and financial resources of the individual rendered ineligible to participate in the food stamp program, or such income, less a pro rata share, and the financial resources of the ineligible individual, to determine the eligibility and the value of the allotment of the household of which such individual is a member. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement a certain strategy for: (1) preventing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies; and (2) assuring that at least 25 percent of the communities in the United States have teenage pregnancy prevention programs in place. (Sec. 1107) Expresses the sense of the Senate that States and local jurisdictions should aggressively enforce statutory rape laws. (Sec. 1108) Provides that States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for the use of controlled substances. (Sec. 1109) Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to provide for an increase in funding under such title and authorize the provision of abstinence education, along with a separate funding set-aside for it. (Sec. 1110) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to make certain amendments in order to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems for the distribution of needs-tested benefits by a government agency. (Sec. 1111) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for a reduction in block grants to States for social services. Division B: Restructuring Medicaid - Medicaid Restructuring Act of 1996 - Amends SSA to add a new title XV (Program of Medical Assistance for Low-Income Individuals and Families), the stated purpose of which is to provide funds to States to enable them to provide medical assistance to low-income individuals and families in a more effective, efficient, and responsive manner. (Sec. 2003) Outlines program components, including key provisions for: (1) certain guaranteed benefits for select individuals, including certain poor pregnant women, disabled and poor elderly individuals, and children receiving foster care or adoption assistance; (2) guaranteed coverage of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for certain Medicare beneficiaries; (3) only nominal cost-sharing for children and pregnant women with regard to primary and preventive care services; (4) prevention of spousal and family impoverishment with regard to long-term care; (5) State flexibility in benefits, provider payments, geographical coverage area, and selection of providers; (6) coverage of abortions only for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or when a woman suffers from a physical disorder, illness, or injury that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed; (7) denial of payment under the State Medicaid plan for any item or service furnished for euthanasia purposes; (8) limitation on payments for Medicaid services to nonlawful aliens, generally allowing treatment only in emergency situations; (9) periodic, independent evaluations and audits under the program; (10) a separate fraud prevention program, as well as, under certain conditions, State fraud control units; (11) an information reporting system with regard to actions taken by State licensing authorities against health care practitioners and providers; (12) quality assurance requirements for nursing facilities, as well as requirements relating to residents' rights; and (13) an optional master drug rebate agreement program for covered outpatient drugs of a manufacturer. (Sec. 2004) Terminates the current Medicaid program as of October 1, 1997. Sets a limitation on Medicaid payments in FY 1997. (Sec. 2005) Directs the HHS Secretary to waive such requirements of SSA titles XV and XVIII as may be necessary for States to conduct certain demonstration projects to use funds to develop and implement innovative programs for individuals dually eligible for benefits under both titles, including such individuals who are chronically ill.
Bill· HRH.R. 3503 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent disqualification of low-income housing units for purposes of the low-income housing credit due to the assignment of dependency deductions by full-time student single parents.
Bill· HRH.R. 3498 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the rules concerning a "qualified research contribution." Redefines such term as a "qualified research or education contribution." Expresses the sense of the Congress that one of the main purposes of the revision is to encourage the donation of computer supplies and equipment to underprivileged schools.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 440 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3448 (income tax revisions) and H.R. 1227 (payment of wages to employees who use employer owned vehicles).
Bill· SS. 1777 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1997 for operating expenses, plant projects, and capital equipment necessary in carrying out the following activities for national security programs: (1) weapons activities; (2) environmental restoration and waste management; (3) other defense activities; and (4) nuclear waste disposal. Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this title for: (1) the cost of a program exceeding 110 percent of the program authorization or $1 million more than the amount authorized, whichever is the lesser; or (2) programs which have not been presented to, or requested of, the Congress, unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a full statement of the action proposed and 30 days have since expired. (Sec. 3122) Places certain funding limits (requiring congressional reports when amounts exceed such limits) for general plant and construction projects of DOE. Provides fund transfer authority (requiring congressional notification of any such transfer). (Sec. 3125) Directs the Secretary, before submitting a funding request for a construction project in support of a DOE national security program, to complete a conceptual design for such project. Requires a separate funding request for such designs for which the estimated costs exceed $3 million. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out construction design services in connection with any proposed construction project if the total estimated cost for the design does not exceed $600,000. Requires specific authorization by law for designs that exceed such amount. (Sec. 3126) Authorizes the use of DOE funds for planning, design, and construction activities for any DOE national security program that must proceed expeditiously in order to protect public health and safety, meet the needs of national defense, or protect property. Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees when funds are so used. (Sec. 3127) Makes funds for management and support activities and for general plant projects under this Subtitle available for all DOE national security programs. Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - Requires the Secretary to make a final decision during FY 1997 on the technologies to be utilized, and the accelerated schedule to be adopted, for tritium production in order to meet the requirements of a certain Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum. Requires a report to the Congress. Earmarks funds authorized under this title for such activities. (Sec. 3132) Directs the Secretary to carry out activities to modernize and consolidate the tritium recycling facilities at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Provides funding. (Sec. 3133) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to add a specified purpose and capability to the general requirements for the DOE nuclear weapons stockpile program. Requires a plan and report with respect to such program. Provides funding. (Sec. 3134) Prohibits FY 1997 DOE funds from being used for certain research and development or technology transfer purposes unless such activities support the DOE national security mission. Requires an annual report. (Sec. 3135) Directs the Secretary to accelerate the schedule for the isolation of high-level nuclear waste in glass canisters at the Defense Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site if the Secretary determines that such acceleration will achieve cost savings and the removal and isolation of such waste from the long-term storage tanks there. (Sec. 3136) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the processing of high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel rods. Requires the updating of an implementation plan concerning such waste under a prior defense authorization Act. (Sec. 3137) Earmarks funds for conducting the fellowship program for the development of skills critical to the ongoing mission of the DOE nuclear weapons complex as required under prior law. Requires 21 days' advance notification to the Congress before funds may be obligated or expended for such program. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to annually prepare, and submit to the defense and appropriations committees, a five-year budget for DOE national security programs. (Sec. 3152) Sets forth specified requirements for DOE weapons activities budgets for fiscal years after 1997. (Sec. 3153) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 which requires a report from the President to the defense and appropriations committees on issues associated with purchasing tritium from foreign suppliers. (Sec. 3154) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress a plan for the near-term processing of spent nuclear fuel rods in two facilities of the Savannah River Site. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a multiyear plan for the cleanup of nuclear waste at the Site. (Sec. 3155) Requires reports concerning: (1) nuclear test readiness postures; and (2) critical difficulties encountered at nuclear weapons laboratories and production plants. (Sec. 3157) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend through December 31, 1997, a requirement concerning notification to the Congress and a subsequent waiting period before undertaking a proposed defense cooperation agreement. (Sec. 3158) Redesignates the Defense Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program as the Defense Nuclear Waste Management Program. Redesignates the Assistant Secretary in charge of such Program as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Defense Nuclear Waste Management. Redesignates a related Account. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on such redesignations. (Sec. 3159) Establishes the Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise to develop and report to the Congress a plan for recruiting and retaining within the DOE nuclear weapons complex the appropriate scientific, engineering, and technical personnel necessary to permit DOE to maintain a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile without engaging in underground testing. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its report. Provides Commission funding. (Sec. 3160) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President: (1) should consult closely with the Congress concerning U.S. policy and practices for ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile; and (2) if he determines that a safety or reliability problem cannot be corrected within the stockpile stewardship program, to notify the Congress of such problem, together with a plan for corrective action. Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Bill· SS. 1773 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the definition of the corporate adjusted net minimum tax, as affected by provisions regarding the nonconventional fuels credit.
Bill· SS. 1772 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require, if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stops making determinations on whether any gas is produced from geopressured brine, Devonian shale, coal seams, or a tight formation, that the Secretary of the Treasury make that determination.
Bill· SS. 1774 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1996
Airport Revenue Protection Act of 1996 - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit, with specified exceptions, the expenditure for non-airport purposes of local aviation fuel taxes or revenues generated by an airport that is the subject of Federal assistance or that operates pursuant to an airport operating certificate. Terminates all current (grandfathered) exceptions to such prohibition ten years after enactment of this Act, or on the date all covered debt obligations are either retired or refinanced, whichever is earlier. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to promulgate regulations requiring a recipient of an airport project grant or any other Federal airport financial assistance to include in its annual audit a review of airport-related funding activities, which must be certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General. Requires the Secretary: (1) to review any audit identifying an illegal diversion of airport revenues; and (2) after determining such identification is accurate, and notifying the airport and its sponsor, to assess, or withhold from apportioned or grant funds, an administrative penalty equaling the amount of the diversion plus interest and, at the Secretary's discretion, a payment to a whistleblowing petitioner, if any. Provides for a civil action by the Secretary for both administrative and specified civil penalties if the sponsor fails to pay the administrative assessment. Requires the Secretary to reimburse an airport affected by a diversion the collected diversion amount plus interest. Directs the Secretary, acting through the FAA Administrator, to establish a (whistleblower) process under which a private citizen or other party (except for a DOT or auditor employee) may petition for review of an allegation of illegal diversion of airport revenues. Requires a payment to the petitioner if any such funds are recovered. Prohibits disclosure of the petitioner's identity. Authorizes a private citizen to bring a (qui tam) civil action for a violation of the prohibition set forth in this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to conform to this Act.
Bill· SS. 1763 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1997 for operating expenses, plant projects, and capital equipment necessary in carrying out the following activities for national security programs: (1) weapons activities; (2) environmental restoration and waste management; (3) other defense activities; and (4) nuclear waste disposal. Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this title for: (1) the cost of a program exceeding 110 percent of the program authorization or $1 million more than the amount authorized, whichever is the lesser; or (2) programs which have not been presented to, or requested of, the Congress, unless the Secretary of Energy transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a full statement of the action proposed and 30 days have since expired. (Sec. 3122) Places certain funding limits (requiring congressional reports when amounts exceed such limits) for general plant and construction projects of DOE. Provides fund transfer authority (requiring congressional notification of any such transfer). (Sec. 3125) Directs the Secretary, before submitting a funding request for a construction project in support of a DOE national security program, to complete a conceptual design for such project. Requires a separate funding request for such designs for which the estimated costs exceed $3 million. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out construction design services in connection with any proposed construction project if the total estimated cost for the design does not exceed $600,000. Requires specific authorization by law for designs that exceed such amount. (Sec. 3126) Authorizes the use of DOE funds for planning, design, and construction activities for any DOE national security program that must proceed expeditiously in order to protect public health and safety, meet the needs of national defense, or protect property. Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees when funds are so used. Makes funds for management and support activities and for general plant projects under this Subtitle available for all DOE national security programs. Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - Requires the Secretary to make a final decision during FY 1997 on the technologies to be utilized, and the accelerated schedule to be adopted, for tritium production in order to meet the requirements of a certain Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum. Requires a report to the Congress. Earmarks funds authorized under this title for such activities. (Sec. 3132) Directs the Secretary to carry out activities to modernize and consolidate the tritium recycling facilities at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Provides funding. (Sec. 3133) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to add a specified purpose and capability to the general requirements for the stockpile program. Requires a plan and report with respect to such program. Provides funding. (Sec. 3134) Prohibits FY 1997 DOE funds from being used for certain research and development or technology transfer purposes unless such activities support the DOE national security mission. Requires an annual report. (Sec. 3135) Directs the Secretary to accelerate the schedule for the isolation of high-level nuclear waste in glass canisters at the Defense Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site if the Secretary determines that such acceleration will achieve cost savings and the removal and isolation of such waste from the long-term storage tanks there. (Sec. 3136) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the processing of high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel rods. Requires the updating of an implementation plan concerning such waste under a prior defense authorization Act. (Sec. 3137) Earmarks funds for conducting the fellowship program for the development of skills critical to the ongoing mission of the DOE nuclear weapons complex as required under prior law. Requires 21 days' advance notification to the Congress before funds may be obligated or expended for such program. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to annually prepare, and submit to the defense and appropriations committees, a five-year budget for DOE national security programs. (Sec. 3152) Sets forth specified requirements for DOE weapons activities budgets for fiscal years after 1997. (Sec. 3153) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 which requires a report from the President to the defense and appropriations committees on issues associated with purchasing tritium from foreign suppliers. (Sec. 3154) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress a plan for the near-term processing of spent nuclear fuel rods in two facilities of the Savannah River Site. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a multiyear plan for the cleanup of nuclear waste at the Site. (Sec. 3155) Requires reports concerning: (1) nuclear test readiness postures; and (2) critical difficulties encountered at nuclear weapons laboratories and production plants. (Sec. 3157) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend through December 31, 1997, a requirement concerning notification to the Congress and a subsequent waiting period before undertaking a proposed defense cooperation agreement. (Sec. 3158) Redesignates the Defense Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program as the Defense Nuclear Waste Management Program. Redesignates the Assistant Secretary in charge of such Program as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Defense Nuclear Waste Management. Redesignates a related Account. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on such redesignations. (Sec. 3159) Establishes the Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise to develop and report to the Congress a plan for recruiting and retaining within the DOE nuclear weapons complex the appropriate scientific, engineering, and technical personnel necessary to permit DOE to maintain a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile without engaging in underground testing. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its report. Provides Commission funding. (Sec. 3160) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President: (1) should consult closely with the Congress concerning U.S. policy and practices for ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile; and (2) if he determines that a safety or reliability problem cannot be corrected within the stockpile stewardship program, to notify the Congress of such problem, together with a plan for corrective action. Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Bill· SS. 1764 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Subtitle C: Land Conveyances Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2204) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to make advances to the Secretary of Transportation for the construction of defense access roads. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 2404) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund and the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund, for appropriate uses. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2406) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for such contributions. (Sec. 2503) Redesignates the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Infrastructure Program as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 1999, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2000, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Increases threshold amounts for unspecified minor military construction projects. (Sec. 2802) Authorizes day-to-day maintenance and repair of military family housing. Includes under authorized military family housing activities the building of drives into such facilities. (Sec. 2803) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to grant easements for rights-of-way for electric poles and lines and for communications lines and facilities. Subtitle B: Defense Base Closure and Realignment - Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to authorize the Secretary to transfer real property or facilities at military installations closed or realigned under a base closure law to a military department or other entity within DOD or the Coast Guard. (Sec. 2812) Amends the above Act and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (together, the base closure laws) to: (1) provide for the deposit of proceeds from the disposal of commissary stores and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities at installations closed or realigned under a base closure law; (2) authorize the Secretary to use such amounts for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of such stores and instrumentalities; and (3) authorize the Secretary to enter into agreements for services at such installations after their closure or realignment. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and the Army to undertake a specified land exchange within the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (Sec. 2822) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the United States Institute for Peace administrative jurisdiction over the Potomac Annex in Washington, D.C. (Sec. 2823) Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to convey to Montpelier, Vermont, the Army Reserve Center in Montpelier; (2) Navy to convey to Delaware the former Naval Reserve Facility in Lewes, Delaware; (3) Air Force to convey to the Belle Fourche School District, South Dakota, the Air Force radar bomb scoring site in Belle Fourche; (4) Air Force to convey to an appropriate entity the primate research complex at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and (6) Air Force to carry out a demonstration project for the installation and operation by private entities of an electric power distribution system at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Youngstown, Ohio.
Bill· SS. 1762 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Army Programs Subtitle C: Navy Programs Subtitle D: Air Force Programs Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense Subtitle D: Other Matters Subtitle E: National Oceanographic Partnership Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Depot-Level Activities Subtitle D: Environmental Provisions Subtitle E: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components Subtitle C: Officer Education Programs Subtitle D: Other Matters Subtitle E: Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service Subtitle F: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Subtitle G: Armed Forces Retirement Home Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Subtitle A: General Matters Subtitle B: National Imagery and Mapping Agency Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards Subtitle C: Counter-Drug Activities Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Foreign Countries Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements Subtitle F: Other Matters Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Subtitle A: Personnel Management, Pay, and Allowances Subtitle B: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Title XII: Federal Charter for the Fleet Reserve Association Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for procurement to the armed forces for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and for other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) reserve procurements; (3) the Defense Inspector General; (4) the chemical demilitarization program; and (5) the Defense Health Program. (Sec. 109) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Defense Nuclear Agency. Subtitle B: Army Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for the Javelin missile system. (Sec. 112) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to replace the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Logistics, and Environment) with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development and Acquisition) on State chemical demilitarization citizens' advisory commissions. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - Requires certain certifications by the Secretary of the Navy before funds may be obligated for the EA-6B aircraft reactive jammer program. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, with a cost limitation, to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for up to 106 Penguin missiles. (Sec. 123) Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for one remaining Seawolf attack submarine and a New Attack submarine, under specified contract and construction requirements and limitations. (Sec. 124) Makes funds available for construction of a third Arleigh Burke class destroyer under authority provided in a prior defense authorization Act, with funding limitations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to construct 12 such destroyers in accordance with specified contracting and construction requirements during FY 1998 through 2001 (allowing three destroyers to be constructed in each fiscal year). Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into one or more multiyear procurement contracts for the C-17 aircraft program. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). Earmarks funds so authorized for: (1) basic research and exploratory development; and (2) the Defense Nuclear Agency. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Earmarks funds, with limitations, for the space launch modernization program. (Sec. 212) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to include the kinetic energy tactical antisatellite program of the Department of Defense (DOD) as an element of the space control architecture being developed by the DOD Space Architect. Provides funding limitations with respect to such program. (Sec. 213) Makes funds available for the Space-Based Infrared System program for specified purposes. Provides for the conditional transfer of management oversight of the program. (Sec. 214) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision earmarking funds for advanced submarine technology activities. (Sec. 215) Earmarks funds, with limitations, for the Clementine 2 micro-satellite near-Earth asteroid interception mission. (Sec. 216) Prohibits any DOD official from contracting for the procurement of a higher number of Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicles than necessary to complete procurement of a total of three of such vehicles until flight testing has been completed. (Sec. 217) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress comparing the Predator and Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicle programs. (Sec. 218) Requires a program review and report to the congressional defense and appropriations committees with respect to the F-22 aircraft. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on event-based decision making for such program for that fiscal year. (Sec. 220) Earmarks funds for joint service RDT&E of nonlethal weapons and technologies, with specified elements and limitations. (Sec. 221) Earmarks funds for the Counterproliferation Support Program, further earmarking some of such funds for a tactical antisatellite technologies program. Provides authority to transfer additional funds for such programs, with limitations. (Sec. 222) Allows funds authorized to DOD for FY 1997 to be obligated to procure work from a federally funded research and development center or a university-affiliated research center only if the Secretary names such center in a report to the defense committees and only in an amount not in excess of the proposed funding level for such center. Provides funding limits, authorizing the Secretary to waive such limits after notification to the defense committees. Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense - Provides that, unless a missile defense system, upgrade, or component is ABM-qualifying flight tested, it has not been tested in an ABM mode and therefore is not subject to any application, limitation, or obligation under the ABM Treaty. (Sec. 232) Prohibits FY 1997 DOD funds from being used to implement any agreement or understanding, with respect to the ABM Treaty between the United States and the former Soviet Union, concerning limitations on the performance, operations, or deployment of U.S. theater missile defense systems. (Sec. 233) Prohibits the United States during FY 1997 from being bound by any international agreement that would convert the ABM Treaty to a multilateral treaty. (Sec. 234) Earmarks funds for specified upper tier theater missile defense systems, with a certification limitation. (Sec. 235) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to eliminate the requirement that certain items be included in an annual report concerning the ballistic missile defense program. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes alternative testing in lieu of live-fire survivability testing for the F-22 and V-22 aircraft. Provides funding for such programs. Subtitle E: National Oceanographic Partnership - National Oceanographic Partnership Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish the National Oceanographic Partnership Program to promote national security, advance economic development, protect the quality of life, and strengthen science education and communication through increased knowledge of the ocean. Establishes a National Ocean Research Council to report annually to the Congress on activities and achievements under the Program. Directs the Council to establish an Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group and an Ocean Research Advisory Panel to perform appropriate responsibilities as assigned by the Council. Directs the Council to select the Partnership projects eligible for support under the Program. Provides funding. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 to DOD for working capital and revolving funds. Earmarks funds so authorized for the Defense Nuclear Agency. (Sec. 304) Authorizes up to $150 million to be transferred from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund for DOD O&M for FY 1997, to be evenly divided between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Sec. 305) Earmarks funds for: (1) the Civil Air Patrol; (2) search and rescue costs; and (3) the SR-71 contingency reconnaissance force. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Authorizes funds from the National Defense Sealift Fund to be used for the purchase and conversion, or construction, of up to three ships to enhance Marine Corps prepositioning ship squadrons. Eliminates the requirement that vessels constructed using Fund amounts be built in the United States. Allows up to ten (currently, five) vessels to be purchased from foreign shipyards. (Sec. 313) Earmarks funds for the procurement of nonlethal weapons capabilities. (Sec. 314) States that no funds are authorized by this Act to be appropriated to DOD for the Coast Guard within budget subfunction 054. Subtitle C: Depot-Level Activities - Directs the Secretary to maintain within DOD currently-required logistics activities and capabilities. Requires core-logistics functions to be performed in Government-owned and operated facilities of DOD by DOD personnel using DOD equipment. (Sec. 322) Increases from 40 to 50 the percentage of all DOD depot-level maintenance and repair workloads that may be contracted out for performance by non-Federal personnel. Maintains such level at 40 percent until submission to the defense committees of a strategic plan for the performance of such maintenance and repair (such plan being required later under this Subtitle). Revises a current reporting requirement with respect to such workloads. Defines "depot- level maintenance and repair workload" for purposes of such contracting limitations. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees a strategic plan for the performance of depot-level maintenance and repair for DOD for fiscal years 1998 through 2007. Requires the Comptroller General to review such strategic plan and report review results to such committees. (Sec. 326) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the defense committees describing the competitive procedures used for contracting for the performance of depot-level maintenance and repair workload activities. (Sec. 327) Directs the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit annually to the Secretary a report on the privatization of the performance of the various DOD depot-level maintenance workloads. Requires the Secretary to report in turn to the Congress on such matters. (Sec. 328) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 1997 the authority for naval shipyards and aviation depots to engage in defense-related production and services. (Sec. 329) Limits the expenditure of funds for F-18 aircraft depot maintenance until the Secretary reports to the defense and appropriations committees on aviation depot maintenance. (Sec. 330) Prohibits the Secretary, until taking specified action and reporting to the Congress, from contracting for the performance by a private source of any of the depot maintenance currently performed at the Sacramento or San Antonio Air Logistics Centers. Subtitle D: Environmental Provisions - Establishes in DOD a separate Environmental Restoration Account for each of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Currently, there is only a Defense Environmental Restoration Account, which continues.) Requires sums appropriated for environmental restoration in each military department to be deposited into such accounts. (Sec. 342) Requires the top 20 defense contractors (currently, 100) in terms of dollar volume to be included in an annual report from the Secretary to the Congress on payments made to defense contractors for the costs of environmental response actions. (Sec. 343) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to repeal certain redundant notification and certification requirements regarding remedial investigations and feasibility studies at certain installations to be closed under the base closure laws. (Sec. 344) Authorizes the Secretary to pay to the Hazardous Substance Superfund stipulated civil penalties assessed against various military facilities and installations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). (Sec. 345) Amends CERCLA to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to withhold the listing of a Federal facility on a national environmental cleanup priorities list if the head of such facility has arranged with the Administrator to respond appropriately to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance. Authorizes the Administrator or the governor of a State to transfer contaminated Federal property before the completion of required remedial actions under CERCLA if the Administrator or governor determines that the property is suitable for transfer and there are assurances that all remaining remedial actions will be taken after such transfer. (Sec. 348) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to allow military vessels to dispose in the ocean certain non-plastic, non-floating garbage if the Secretary of the Navy determines that such ship cannot fully comply with the non-dumping requirements of such Act due to technological infeasibility or impairment of the ship's operations or operational capability. Requires each ship which the Navy plans to decommission between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005, to comply to the greatest extent practicable with the ocean dumping limitations of the Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that it should be an objective of the Navy to fully comply with such dumping requirements and to develop ships that are environmentally sound. (Sec. 349) Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretaries of the military departments to enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, and appropriate public and private entities to provide for the preservation, management, maintenance, and rehabilitation of cultural resources on military installations. (Sec. 350) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a report that assesses the effects of the proposed withdrawal of public lands at El Centro Naval Air Facility, California, on the operational and training requirements of DOD at that facility. (Sec. 351) Amends the Act commonly known as the Sikes Act to allow hunting and fishing fees collected at closed military installations to be available for expenditure at any other military reservation for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife located there. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the contracting out for fire fighting and security guard functions at a private facility at which a Federal activity is located pursuant to a lease of such facility to the Federal Government. (Sec. 362) Authorizes DOD recruitment funds to be expended for small meals and refreshments provided to specified individuals during personnel recruiting functions. (Sec. 363) Prohibits the Secretary from using other-than- competitive procedures for the procurement of brand-name commercial items for resale in commissary stores unless such item is regularly sold outside such stores under the same brand name. (Sec. 364) Authorizes the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to administer a nonappropriated fund account for the midshipmen's store, specified shops, and the laundry and dairy. (Sec. 365) Increases the assistance authorized to be provided by the Secretary to the Inaugural Committee to include planning and assistance with respect to security and ceremonial activities, and any other appropriate assistance. (Currently, only the loan of equipment is authorized.) Includes a congressional joint committee as an authorized recipient of such assistance. (Sec. 366) Allows the Secretary to authorize the commander of a military installation or other DOD facility, or the commander of a specified or unified combatant command, to provide assistance for the World Cup Games, the Goodwill Games, the Olympics, and any other major civilian sporting event in support of essential security and safety at such event, but only under appropriate agreements with event sponsors. Excludes the Special Olympics or Paralympics from such authorized assistance. (Sec. 367) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer DOD funds to the Administrator of General Services for the renovation of Building One at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, for use as a Defense Finance and Accounting Service Center. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Provides the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1997. Increases from 0.5 to five the percentage of authorized temporary variation in such levels. (Sec. 403) Provides the authorized end strengths for commissioned officers in grades O-4 through O-6. (Sec. 404) Extends through FY 2000 the requirement for recommendations to the Secretary for appointments to joint 4-star officer positions. (Sec. 405) Increases from 68 to 80 the authorized number of active-duty general officers in the Marine Corps. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1997 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Extends through FY 1997 the authority for the temporary promotion of Navy lieutenants possessing critical skills. (Sec. 502) Provides an exception to the baccalaureate degree requirement for appointments above the Naval Reserve grade of O-2 in the case of appointments of officers to the Seaman to Admiral Program. (Sec. 503) Increases from three to eight years since graduation from an unaccredited educational institution the time period for such graduates to be considered educationally qualified for appointment as reserve officers in grade O-3. (Sec. 504) Reduces from three to two years the minimum time in grade before chief warrant officers on the active-duty list may be considered for promotion. Authorizes the selection of chief warrant officers from below their promotion zone. (Sec. 505) Reduces from semiannually to annually the required frequency of a periodic report on promotion rates of officers currently or formerly serving in joint duty assignments. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Amends the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act to allow a person who has completed at least six months of satisfactory service as an adjutant or assistant adjutant before completion of three years of such service to be retired in the higher grade of such position, notwithstanding that he or she had not completed three years of such service. Provides grade recognition, for retirement credit purposes, for other persons promoted to higher positions who did not serve in such positions, but instead served in other positions for which the promoted grade is the minimum authorized grade for the position in which the person actually served. (Sec. 513) Repeals the requirement for physical examinations of members of the National Guard called into Federal service. (Sec. 514) Authorizes reserve personnel within two years of retirement eligibility to waive the prohibition against the involuntary release of such members within such period. (Sec. 515) Provides for the retirement of reserve personnel disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated while remaining overnight between inactive duty training periods. (Sec. 516) Provides reserve duty credit for participation in the Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program if the person completes the course of study, completes the active duty obligation, and possesses a specialty designated as one critically needed in wartime. (Sec. 517) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the current and projected force structure of the National Guard and other reserve components. Subtitle C: Officer Education Programs - Increases the maximum age limit before appointment to: (1) the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, to less than 27 years of age; and (2) a military service academy, to less than 23 years of age. (Sec. 522) Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out, and report to the Congress in each of 1998 through 2001 on, a demonstration project assessing the feasibility and advisability of providing instruction and other support to units of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps through members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Terminates such authority four years after enactment of this Act. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Allows no more than 25 (currently, 15) formerly retired general or flag officers of an armed force to be serving on active duty concurrently pursuant to orders issued by the Secretary of such military department. Provides exceptions and limits to the periods of recalled service. (Sec. 533) Provides disability coverage for officers granted excess leave in order to participate in an educational program. Entitles such members to eligibility for: (1) placement on the temporary disability retirement list; and (2) separation from the armed forces. (Sec. 534) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations setting forth uniform policies and procedures regarding the retention of military personnel who are permanently nonworldwide assignable for medical reasons. (Sec. 535) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to extend the normal one-year authorized waiting period before entry under the delayed entry program for an additional 180 days if such Secretary determines the additional period to be in the best interests of that armed force. (Sec. 536) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to accept a reenlistment for: (1) a member who has less than ten years of service, for at least two but not more than six additional years; and (2) a member with at least ten years of service, for the above period or for an unspecified period. (Sec. 537) Repeals the applicability of military missing person provisions to DOD civilian and contractor employees who accompany an armed force into action. Increases from 48 hours to ten days after a unit commander concludes that a person should be in a missing status the time period permitted prior to a required preliminary report to the Secretary concerned on such person's status. Repeals the requirement that counsel represent a missing person during inquiries as to their status. Requires subsequent reviews concerning a person's declared status to be made upon receipt of information that may result in a change of such status (Currently, such reviews are required every three years.) Repeals: (1) statutory penalties for the wrongful withholding of information as to a person's status; (2) the right of judicial review of a missing or dead status determination; and (3) the inclusion of certain information upon a determination of death of a missing person. (Sec. 538) States that the three-year statute of limitations for filing claims for the correction of military records is not extended by reason of military service, but provides an exception in the interests of justice. (Sec. 539) Authorizes the President, notwithstanding specified time limitations, to award the Medal of Honor to certain named individuals for acts of heroism while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Subtitle E: Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service - Applies to an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) a current prohibition on crediting enlisted service performed as a cadet or midshipman as service as an officer in the armed forces. (Sec. 562) Amends the Public Health Service Act to except from PHS commissioned officer end strength limitations those officers who are assigned to duty in DOD. Subtitle F: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization - Makes permanent the current conditional authority to expand the DOD law enforcement personnel placement assistance program to include fire fighters. (Sec. 572) Requires (currently, authorizes) the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard, to establish a program providing assistance to separated military personnel to obtain certification and employment as teachers or teachers' aides. Reduces from five to two school years the period in which such former member must agree to be employed in such a position after receiving such assistance and certification. Reduces the amount required to be paid by the Secretary concerned to the local educational agency as part of the salary of such teachers or teachers' aides. Subtitle G: Armed Forces Retirement Home - Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to authorize the Chairman of the Retirement Home Board or the director of each individual establishment of the Armed Forces Retirement Home to accept voluntary services from any person, unless such services are disapproved by the Board. Provides voluntary service requirements and limitations, as well as the Federal employee status of such persons while performing such services. Allows such Chairman or director to reimburse such volunteers for incidental expenses incurred in providing such services. (Sec. 583) Authorizes the Retirement Home Board to sell or otherwise dispose of specified property under their control in Washington, D.C., under specified terms and conditions, including required notification to the defense committees of any such disposals. (Sec. 584) Provides for the terms of appointment for members of Retirement Home governing boards. Authorizes the Board to waive certain dual compensation prohibitions with respect to the director of an individual retirement home or one of its employees, allowing for the adjustment of such pay in consideration of the dual compensation. (Sec. 585) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to delay until the end of FY 1998 the implementation of a new fee structure for residents of the military retirement homes (delays similarly the end date of a series of three reports with respect to such fee implementation). Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on meeting the funding needs of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in a manner that is fair and equitable to its residents as well as to members of the armed forces who provide required monthly contributions for the Home. (Sec. 586) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for the operation of the Home. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1997 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 3.0 percent, effective on January 1, 1997, the rates of basic pay and basic allowance for subsistence. Increases by 4.0 percent, on the same date, the rate of basic allowance for quarters (BAQ). (Sec. 602) Repeals the requirement that the rate of monthly cadet and midshipman pay be adjusted in the same manner and time as the rates of monthly basic pay to military personnel. (Sec. 603) Authorizes senior noncommissioned officers who are hospitalized to continue to be entitled to their authorized basic pay for up to 180 days after commencement of such hospitalization. (Sec. 604) Authorizes a BAQ for certain members (single or married personnel of specified grades) assigned to sea duty. (Sec. 606) Authorizes a family separation allowance for a member who is separated from a spouse who is also a member of the armed forces if the member has no dependents and the two members were residing together immediately before such separation. (Sec. 607) Authorizes the Comptroller General to waive certain time limitations with respect to claims for military pay or allowances of $25,000 or less. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 1998 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1997 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 614) Increases the special pay for dental officers of the armed forces. (Sec. 615) Repeals the requirement limiting special pay for optometrists to optometrists in the armed forces (thereby qualifying PHS optometrists for such pay). (Sec. 616) Authorizes special pay as nonphysician health care providers for officers in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the PHS. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the payment of foreign language proficiency pay for officers of the PHS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Currently, such pay is limited to officers in the armed forces.) Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the payment of a travel expense for travel from a new duty station to the port of debarkation to pick up a privately owned vehicle. (Sec. 622) Allows a member authorized to have a vehicle shipped to a foreign country due to a change of duty station to store such vehicle at Government expense in lieu of such shipping when the government of such foreign country precludes the entry of such vehicle or requires extensive vehicle modification before such entry is permitted. (Sec. 623) Authorizes a member to defer travel leave permitted between consecutive tours of duty for up to one additional year due to participation in a contingency operation. (Sec. 624) Provides funding for the transportation of household effects of members of the Commissioned Corps of the PHS. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Repeals a provision providing a conditional effective date for the FY 1998 military retirement pay cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). (Sec. 632) Authorizes a member or former member, subject to specified conditions and restrictions, to transfer or assign such member's retired or retainer pay account when it becomes due and payable for the payment of any financial obligations. (Sec. 633) States that Survivor Benefit Plan COLAs shall become effective concurrently with the payment of related military retirement pay COLAs. (Sec. 634) Directs the Secretary concerned to pay an annuity to the qualified surviving spouse of each member of the armed forces who: (1) died before March 21, 1974, and was entitled to retired or retainer pay on such date; or (2) was a member of the reserves between September 21, 1972, and October 1, 1978, and at the time of death would have been entitled to retired pay but for the fact of being under 60 years of age. (Sec. 635) Increases the annual income limitation for purposes of eligibility for supplemental income for certain spouses of former military personnel. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes military personnel and members of the Coast Guard to be reimbursed for adoption expenses incurred through any adoption source (private source) if the adoption is supervised by a court under a State or local law. (Sec. 642) Authorizes the withholding for Federal income tax purposes of amounts from the separation pay received by involuntarily separated military personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Revises the implementation deadline with respect to the requirement for a Selected Reserve dental insurance plan. (Sec. 702) Provides a dental insurance plan for: (1) members and former members entitled to retired or retainer pay; (2) members of the Retired Reserve who would be eligible for such pay except for not having attained 60 years of age; and (3) eligible dependents of (1) and (2), above. Outlines provisions concerning premiums, benefits, and coverage. Provides for the continuation during the enrollment period of benefits to dependents upon the death of an enrollee. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to provide a uniform software package for use by providers of health care under the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) and by military treatment facilities for the computerized processing of information. (Sec. 704) Revises certain DOD authority with respect to the receipt of payments or reimbursement from third party health insurance providers for care provided to military personnel and their dependents at military treatment facilities under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). (Sec. 706) Provides for the crediting of amounts collected in the administration of CHAMPUS. (Sec. 707) Directs the Comptroller General to analyze the effectiveness of the medical research and clinical care programs of DOD that relate to Persian Gulf illnesses, including the use of experimental drugs, and to report study results to the Congress. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for DOD procurement technical assistance programs. (Sec. 802) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 1991 to extend through FY 1998 the Mentor-Protege pilot program; and (2) 1994 to modify and extend through FY 2001 the authority of DOD to carry out prototype projects directly relevant to proposed weapons or weapon systems. (Sec. 804) Repeals specified provisions relating to program requirements and administration of a national defense program for analysis of the defense technology and industrial base (base). Directs the Secretary to annually prepare selected assessments of the capability of such base to attain required national security objectives. Repeals the requirement of a periodic defense capability plan under such base. Directs the Secretary to prescribe departmental guidance for the attainment of specified national security objectives in connection with such base. Requires annual reports to the defense committees. Repeals superseded and inconsistent Federal provisions. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to require that the procurement of small arms parts and modifications be made only from firms listed in a specified plan prepared by an independent assessment panel of the Army Science Board. (Sec. 807) Treats a DOD cable television franchise agreement as a contract for telecommunications services under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (Sec. 808) Provides reinstatement and other remedies for employees against whom certain reprisal actions are taken for providing information as to possible violations of law (whistle blowers). (Sec. 809) Directs the Secretary to include in a currently-required report specified matters relating to information resources management by the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to ensure that all information technology acquired by DOD pursuant to contracts entered into after September 30, 1996, have certain capabilities relating to the fault-free processing of dates and date-related data. Requires a report to the Congress. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: General Matters - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal provisions requiring a reorganization of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. (Sec. 902) Codifies requirements provided under prior law with respect to: (1) the continued operation of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, as well as the required end strengths for University personnel; and (2) the requirements for a United States Army Reserve Command and the assignment of forces under such Command. (Sec. 904) Authorizes the President, through the Secretary of Defense (currently, the Secretary of the Army), to assume control over transportation systems in times of war. (Sec. 905) Directs the Secretary to perform oversight responsibilities within the executive branch with respect to clandestine activities of DOD human intelligence personnel. (Sec. 906) Designates the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency as the Director of Military Intelligence. Establishes within DOD a Military Intelligence Board as the principal forum for coordination of DOD intelligence programs and activities. (Sec. 907) Redesignates the: (1) Office of Naval Records and History Fund as the Naval Historical Center Fund; and (2) Office of Naval Records and History as the Naval Historical Center. Subtitle B: National Imagery and Mapping Agency - National Imagery and Mapping Agency Act of 1996 - Part I: Establishment - Establishes the National Imagery and Mapping Agency as a combat support agency of DOD, with a Director appointed by the President. Requires the Agency to: (1) provide timely, relevant, and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information in support of U.S. national security objectives; (2) improve the means of navigating vessels of the Navy and merchant marine; (3) prepare and distribute maps, charts, and related products; and (4) support the imagery requirements of the Department of State and other Federal departments and agencies outside of DOD. Authorizes the Agency Director to use appropriated funds to provide foreign countries with imagery intelligence and geospatial information support. Requires support of Agency activities by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), including administrative and contract services as well as the detail of appropriate personnel. Prohibits the CIA Inspector General from conducting any inspection, investigation, or audit of the Agency without the written consent of the DOD Inspector General. Provides for the protection of Agency identifications (acronyms) and organizational information. Empowers the Secretary with civilian personnel management authority over Agency employees, including the authority to hire personnel, fix the rates of pay and authorized allowances and COLAs, and terminate employees. Authorizes the Secretary to designate National Imagery and Mapping Senior Level positions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a National Imagery and Mapping Senior Executive Service for senior civilian personnel within the Agency, under specified requirements. Provides related authorities, including details and assignments outside the Agency as well as labor and management bargaining rights and obligations. Requires congressional oversight of the Agency as a combat support agency. Transfers specified missions and functions within DOD (the Defense Mapping Agency and the Central Imagery Office) and the CIA (the National Photographic Interpretation Center) to the Agency, including related personnel and other assets. (Sec. 923) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to direct the Secretary to perform various imagery functions through the Agency in furtherance of national security. Provides other personnel management authorities. (Sec. 925) Provides creditable civilian service for current Defense Mapping Agency employees who continue their service with the new Agency. Provides savings provisions. (Sec. 928) Authorizes appropriations for the Agency for FY 1997. Part II: Conforming Amendments and Effective Dates - Makes technical and conforming amendments necessitated by the creation of the Agency and the termination of the Defense Mapping Agency and the Central Imagery Office. Provides an effective date. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer amounts of authorizations made available to DOD in this Division for FY 1997 between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with a total transfer limit of $2 billion. Requires notification to the Congress of any such transfers. (Sec. 1002) Authorizes certain unauthorized FY 1996 defense appropriations to be obligated for DOD programs, projects, and activities in accordance with FY 1996 defense appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Adjusts the amounts authorized to DOD for FY 1996 by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorization were increased or decreased in the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996. (Sec. 1004) Allows FY 1997 DOD funds transferred to the Coast Guard to be used only for the performance of national security functions of the Coast Guard in support of DOD, requiring a certification of the proper use of such funds. (Sec. 1005) Authorizes the use of DOD funds for the military education and training of military and civilian personnel of foreign countries (under the military-to-military contacts program). (Sec. 1006) Authorizes the payment of certain personnel, equipment, services, and supplies expenses related to the provision by DOD of humanitarian and civic assistance. (Sec. 1007) Prohibits DOD funds appropriated for intelligence activities from being obligated or expended by an individual who is not an officer or employee of DOD. (Sec. 1008) Prohibits funds authorized under this Act or otherwise made available to the Navy for FY 1997 from being obligated or expended by the Office of Naval Intelligence for official representation or related activities. (Sec. 1009) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, whenever the President directs the Secretary to provide disaster assistance outside the United States, the President should direct the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to reimburse DOD for such costs. (Sec. 1010) Provides a Fisher House Trust Fund for the Navy, funds from which shall be used for the operation of Fisher houses (houses located near a military medical treatment facility and used for the temporary lodging of patients of such facility and their immediate family). (Sec. 1011) Provides for the designation and liability of Coast Guard disbursing and certifying officials. Places authority over such officials with the Department of Transportation when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy. (Sec. 1012) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to suspend an action by the Secretary to collect a claim against a deceased member of the Coast Guard when considered appropriate. (Sec. 1013) Authorizes a Federal disbursing official to undertake check cashing and other exchange transactions at a Federal credit union that is operating at DOD invitation in a foreign country where contractor-operated military banking facilities are not available. Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the governments of Egypt, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Taiwan, and Thailand specified naval vessels. Directs such Secretary to require that any required repair or refurbishment of such vessels take place at a U.S. shipyard, including a Navy shipyard. Terminates the transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer six obsolete Navy tugboats to the Northeast Wisconsin Railroad Transportation Commission. (Sec. 1023) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal the requirement of the continuous applicability of phased maintenance contracts for AE-class ships. (Sec. 1024) Reaffirms the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Navy should plan for and budget the acquisition of 19 large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off vessels rather than only 17 such vessels (as in the current contract). Subtitle C: Counter-Drug Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional counter-drug support to the Government of Mexico during FY 1997. Provides funding. (Sec. 1032) Prohibits DOD funds from this or any other Act from being obligated or expended for the National Drug Intelligence Center, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with an exception. Requires a joint investigation of the operations of such Center by various inspectors general and a report to the Congress on the results of such investigation. Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Foreign Countries - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the governments of U.S. allies and other friendly foreign countries for the exchange of military and civilian personnel of DOD with similar personnel of such foreign governments. (Sec. 1042) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the reciprocal exchange of personnel between the United States and foreign countries for attendance at flight training schools or programs. (Sec. 1043) Amends the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1998 the authority to support international nonproliferation activities. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements - Requires an annual report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to the defense committees on emerging operational concepts. (Sec. 1052) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense committees on a joint war fighting science and technology plan. (Sec. 1053) Directs the JCS Chairman to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the military readiness requirements of the armed forces. Requires such report to be prepared by the Chief of Staff (Commandant, for the Marines) of each armed force. Subtitle F: Other Matters - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to except from the competitive service appointments to certain nonattorney positions on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. (Sec. 1062) Prohibits DOD funds from being obligated or expended during FY 1997 for retiring or dismantling B-52H bomber aircraft, Trident ballistic missile submarines, Minuteman II ICBMs, or Peacekeeper ICBMs. Authorizes a waiver of such prohibition when determined necessary to implement the START II Treaty. (Sec. 1063) Corrects legal and statutory references with respect to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, Alabama. (Sec. 1064) Authorizes certain members of the reserves to act as a notary public or U.S. consul. (Sec. 1065) Authorizes military personnel to use non-Government facilities for training activities. (Sec. 1066) Provides that if a member of the armed forces is injured or contracts a disease under circumstances creating a tort liability upon a third person, and such member is unable to perform his or her duties as a result of such injury or disease, then the United States shall have a right of recovery against such third person for the value of pay that accrues to such member for the period in which they are incapacitated. (Sec. 1067) Prohibits DOD funds from being used to adopt or enforce any rule or other prohibition that discriminates against the display of the flag of a particular State, territory, or possession of the United States at an official ceremony at any installation or other facility of DOD at which the official flags of other U.S. States, territories, or possessions are being displayed. (Sec. 1068) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept gifts and donations from foreign governments and other individuals or entities within foreign countries in order to defray the costs of operation of the George C. Marshall European Center for Strategic Security Studies; (2) permit representatives of a foreign government to participate in a program at the Center when found to be in the U.S. national interest; and (3) waive certain financial disclosure requirements for a foreign member of the Board of Visitors of the Center serving without compensation. (Sec. 1069) Authorizes the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate to jointly present a bronze medal (previously awarded only to military personnel) to certain civilian participants in the defense of Pearl Harbor. Authorizes appropriations. Makes such authority effective as of November 5, 1990. (Sec. 1070) Redesignates the Nellis Federal Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Michael O'Callaghan Federal Hospital. (Sec. 1071) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should name Building A at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences as the David Packard Building. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel - Subtitle A: Personnel Management, Pay, and Allowances - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to direct the Secretary, by the end of FY 1996, to convert 3,000 military positions to civilian positions. (Sec. 1102) Authorizes the Secretary to retain civilian employee positions of DOD at a military installation which is to be closed and which is scheduled for transfer during FY 1997 to National Guard operation and control, in order to facilitate active and reserve component training at such installation. Limits the maximum number of positions retained to 20 percent of the Federal civilian work force employed at such installation as of September 8, 1995. (Sec. 1104) Authorizes the Secretary to provide DOD civilian employees (and their family members) abroad with benefits comparable to those provided by the Secretary of State to members of the Foreign Service serving abroad. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes an employee of a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of DOD or the Coast Guard who moves, without a break in service of more than three days, to a position in DOD or the Coast Guard to receive travel, transportation, and related expenses under the same conditions and to the same extent as regular DOD or Coast Guard employees. (Sec. 1106) Amends the Defense Department Overseas Pay and Personnel Practices Act to require the Secretary of the military department concerned (currently, the Secretary of Defense) to conduct the employment and salary practices applicable to teachers employed overseas in that department. (Sec. 1107) Authorizes the Secretary to employ appropriate teaching faculty at the English Language Center of the Defense Language Institute and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. (Sec. 1108) Authorizes the Secretary to provide reimbursement to DOD domestic dependent school board members for expenses incurred in the performance of school board duties. (Sec. 1109) Extends through FY 2001 the authority for civilian DOD employees to participate in voluntary DOD reductions-in-force. (Sec. 1110) Authorizes an agency head to grant employee compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay for time spent in irregular or overtime work. (Sec. 1111) Provides for the lump-sum payment of annual leave to a DOD employee for leave that remains unused upon the employee's transfer from an installation being closed or realigned under a base closure law. (Sec. 1112) Waives the requirement for the repayment of voluntary separation incentive pay by former DOD employees who are reemployed when such employment is without pay. (Sec. 1113) Provides Federal holiday observance procedures for DOD employees when a holiday occurs on that employee's regularly scheduled day off. (Sec. 1114) Repeals Federal provisions: (1) requiring a specified percentage of hotels in which Federal employees are booked to meet fire safety and control requirements of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974; and (2) prohibiting the payment of lodging expenses of DOD employees when adequate Government facilities are available. Subtitle B: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program under which Federal retirement benefits are provided to persons who convert from Federal employment in the Navy or Air Force to employment with a DOD contractor in connection with the privatization of the performance of functions at selected military installations being closed under the base closure and realignment process. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) eligible transferred employees; (2) applicable retirement benefits; (3) computation of average pay; (4) the payment by the military department concerned of the unfunded liability in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund caused by the addition of such benefits; (5) the termination 90 days after such transfer of Federal health benefits coverage; (6) a study and report from the Comptroller General to the Congress on each pilot program established under this section; and (7) required implementing regulations by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 1122) Directs (currently authorizes) the Secretary to establish a program providing assistance to terminated DOD employees and DOD contractor employees in obtaining certification and employment in the private sector as teachers and teachers' aides (known as the troops-to-teachers program). Reduces from five to two school years the period of obligated service after such assistance and certification. Title XII: Federal Charter for the Fleet Reserve Association - Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Fleet Reserve Association, a nonprofit organization formed to aid and maintain an adequate naval defense for the United States and assist in the recruitment and welfare of personnel in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Requires the Association to report annually to the Congress on its activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3467 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Treatment of Renewal Communities Title II: Additional Tax Provisions Title IV (sic): Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program Title III (sic): Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Title V (sic): CRA Credit for Investments in Community Development Organizations Located in Renewal Communities Saving Our Children: The American Community Renewal Act of 1996 - Title I: Designation and Treatment of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a new subchapter on renewal communities (RCs), authorizing designation of not more than 100 areas as RCs if: (1) the areas have pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress and meet other requirements; and (2) State and local governments agree to take actions such as tax reduction, crime reduction strategies, and reducing, repealing, or not enforcing within the area certain governmental requirements such as licensing, zoning, and permits. Sets forth special rules for empowerment zones and enterprise communities designated as RCs. Excludes from gross income the capital gain from an RC stock, business property, or partnership interest held more than five years. Allows a deduction for the purchase of RC stock. Allows a deduction to any qualified individual or other person for amounts paid in cash to a family development account for the individual's benefit. Allows family development account use for postsecondary education, first home purchase, business capitalization, medical expenses, and qualified rollovers. Excludes family development accounts from taxation. Requires that the individual resided in an RC and was allowed an earned income credit for the preceding taxable year. Authorizes designation of not more than 25 RCs as FDA matching demonstration areas. Mandates, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, depositing into each individual's account the amount deposited into that individual's family development account during the year. Sets the commercial revitalization credit (established below) at 20 to 50 percent of the revitalization expenditures regarding a revitalization building. Increases, for an RC business, the dollar limit on expensing certain depreciable business assets. (Sec. 105) Requires that any: (1) reduction in taxes regarding any RC be disregarded in determining the eligibility of a State or local government for, or the amount of, any assistance or benefits under any U.S. law other than the subchapter created by this title; and (2) RC be treated for all Federal law purposes as a labor surplus area. (Sec. 106) Allows a deduction for deposits to family development accounts and a credit for commercial revitalization expenditures. Title II: Additional Tax Provisions - Decreases the targeted jobs credit percentage and revises the list of targeted groups and related definitions. Renames the credit as the work opportunity credit. (Sec. 202) Allows an individual a credit for 75 percent of the contributions to an organization: (1) described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) (charitable, etc., organizations); (2) primarily assisting poor individuals; and (3) meeting other requirements, including limitations on political activity. (Sec. 203) Allows a charitable contribution deduction to an individual who does not itemize deductions. Title IV (sic): Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship Program - Low-Income Educational Opportunity Act of 1996 - Requires an RC to establish and operate a Low-Income Educational Opportunity Scholarship program to: (1) provide RC families a choice of schools; and (2) provide assistance for attending public and private elementary and secondary schools, including religious schools. (Sec. 408) Requires that children attending: (1) private schools receive assistance for tuition, fees, and transportation; and (2) alternative public schools receive assistance for transportation. (Sec. 409) Sets forth school eligibility requirements. (Sec. 410) Declares that a scholarship under this title is an award of aid to a family, not to a school or institution. Prohibits deeming scholarships as parental income for Federal income tax purposes or for determining eligibility for other Federal programs. Requires, if a State law or constitution does not allow the expenditure of State or local funds by religious organizations, that the RC segregate Federal funds from State or other public funds. (Sec. 415) Requires that any constitutional challenge to the program be tried immediately in U.S. District Court and provides for a right of immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Sec. 417) Authorizes appropriations. Title III (sic): Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to declare that these provisions apply to each program under the PHSA that makes Federal awards to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization (RO) to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes ROs eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization so long as activities are implemented consistent with the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and (2) requirements that an RO, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires an RO to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the RO. Allows an RO to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by ROs, that the RC segregate Federal funds from State or other public funds. Requires giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the RO has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary. Title V (sic): CRA Credit for Investments in Community Development Organizations Located in Renewal Communities - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to allow the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing the record of a financial institution, to consider the institution's ventures with any community development organization in an RC. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to waive certain human drug application or supplement fees for drugs developed in an RC.
Bill· HRH.R. 3479 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising Title V: Alcohol Advertising Title VI: Health Warnings Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996 - Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention - College Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise drug and alcohol abuse prevention program certification requirements (which must be met in order for a higher education institution to receive any Federal financial assistance) to require the programs to limit alcoholic beverage advertisements in the institution's newspapers and other publications to price and product identification. Prohibits: (1) distribution of promotional material encouraging alcohol consumption; (2) distribution of free alcohol; and (3) sponsorship or public support of any on-campus athletic, musical, cultural, or social program, event, or competition by any alcoholic beverage company or by any group of companies. Requires that identification, referral, or treatment of students and employees under such programs not jeopardize the their matriculation status or employment. Authorizes grants to institutions or consortia, and contracts with such institutions and other organizations, for programs of prevention and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and associated violence. Allows using the contracts for a higher education center for alcohol and drug abuse prevention to provide training, technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination, and associated services and assistance to the higher education community and higher education institutions. Mandates ten National Recognition Awards annually to institutions that have developed and implemented effective alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion - Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage. Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages - End Taxpayer Promotion of Alcohol Overseas Act - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of funds for overseas promotion of alcoholic beverages. Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising - Children's Protection from Alcohol Advertising Act of 1996 - Prohibits advertising or promoting alcoholic beverages on any audio tape, audio disc, videotape, video arcade game, computer game, or film. Prohibits outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of any school, playground, or other public facility where individuals under 21 are reasonably expected to convene. Restricts alcohol print advertising in publications with an under-21 readership of 15 percent or more than two million to text only in black and white print. Limits alcohol television broadcast advertising between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a picture of the beverage with factual, objective audio information. Mandates criminal fines and allows injunctions. Requires that alcohol manufacturers sponsoring events be identified in the corporate (not brand) name. Prohibits manufacturing or distributing non-beverage products with an identifiable brand of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer (but allows the corporate name). Title V: Alcohol Advertising - Alcohol Advertising Accountability Act of 1996 - Mandates: (1) an annual report to the Congress on alcohol advertising, its profile, and its effects, along with recommendations for legislation; and (2) establishment of a panel to assist in gathering information for the report. Title IV: Health Warnings - Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act - Declares it to be an unlawful or deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act to advertise any alcoholic beverage through magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional displays, radio, television (including cable, paid per view, or subscription), or other electronic means, unless the advertising includes one of specified health warnings. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain toll free numbers referred to in some of the warnings. Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a malt beverage, wine, or distilled spirit mislabeled unless it bears a label disclosing: (1) the alcoholic content; (2) the number of drinks (defining "drink" as .6 ounces of alcohol); (3) its ingredients and calories; (4) the common name of each ingredient, including additives; and (5) a toll-free number for help with a drinking problem. Authorizes appropriations for the toll-free number.
Bill· HRH.R. 3469 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Infrastructure Reinvestment and Economic Revitalization Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to pay from time to time from the Highway Trust Fund into the Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund amounts equivalent to 4.3 cents per gallon of the taxes imposed on diesel and special motor fuels and on the removal, entry, or sale of gasoline between September 30, 1996, and October 1, 2026. Establishes the Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund. Makes the Fund off-budget. Authorizes appropriations from such Fund for surface transportation programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3478 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 437 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3259 (intelligence and intelligence-related activities authorization).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 436 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3415 (motor fuels excise tax rates).
Bill· HRH.R. 3463 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996
Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act - Requires any employer under a Federal contract or subcontract of $10,000 or more to pay each employee working on or hired in conjunction with such contract or subcontract the greater of: (1) $7.50 an hour; or (2) an hourly wage necessary for such employee to earn, while working 40 hours a week on a full-time basis, the amount of the Federal poverty level for a family of four. Exempts employers that are: (1) small business concerns; or (2) nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, if the ratio of the total compensation of the chief executive officer to that of the full-time equivalent of their lowest-paid employee is not greater than 25 to 1. Makes ineligible for such required living wage level any employee participating in: (1) an apprenticeship program; or (2) any other training program, which is not longer than six months and is offered to an employee while employed in productive work, that provides training, technical and other related skills, and personal skills essential to full and adequate job performance. Prohibits employers from avoiding paying the required living wage by laying off or otherwise terminating an employee with the intention of replacing that employee with one not eligible for such wage because of participation in an apprenticeship or training program. Requires all Federal contracts and subcontracts to require such living wage payment. Requires Federal contract and subcontract suspension and a five-year ineligibility period for employers who violate such requirement, as well as making them liable for unpaid wages and an equal amount of liquidated damages. Directs the Secretary of Labor to pay the employees who were not paid such living wage the amount recovered from such employers.
Bill· HRH.R. 3457 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce, from the date of enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997, the rates of tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used on inland waterways, special motor fuels, and certain methanol or ethanol fuels. Prohibits the imposition of tax on compressed natural gas during that period. Reduces, for taxes imposed during that period, the rates regarding: (1) certain aviation fuel; (2) gasoline used in trains and certain buses and diesel fuel used in trains; and (3) alcohol fuels in provisions defining the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Provides for the reimposition of the tax if the reduction is not passed on to the consumer. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) cancel budget authority in current defense procurement accounts as necessary to achieve a reduction of $2.9 billion in Department of Defense outlays; and (2) report to the Congress on the programs, projects, and activities from which cancellations are made.
Bill· HRH.R. 3461 (104th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to authorize appropriations for the Federal Election Commission.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 435 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H. Con. Res. 178 (congressional budget).
Law· HRH.R. 3448 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Small Business and Other Tax Provisions Subtitle A: Expensing; Etc. Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Expiring Provisions Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to S Corporations Subtitle D: Pension Simplification Subtitle E: Foreign Simplification Subtitle F: Revenue Offsets Subtitle G: Technical Corrections Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Small Business and Other Tax Provisions - States that no addition to any underpayment of a tax installment required to be paid before enactment shall be made to the extent such underpayment was created by this title. Subtitle A: Expensing; Etc. - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to incrementally increase to $25,000 by the year 2003 the amount which a small business may expense. Revises provisions concerning employee tips. Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Expiring Provisions - Decreases from 40 to 35 percent the work opportunity credit. Extends and makes other revisions to such credit, including redefining members of targeted groups. Extends: (1) employer provided educational assistance programs; and (2) permanently, the Federal Unemployment Tax exemption for alien agricultural workers. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to S Corporations - Increases from 35 to 75 the number of S corporation shareholders permitted. Permits an electing small business trust as a shareholder. Permits financial institutions to hold safe harbor debt. Revises S corporation provisions concerning: (1) the post-death qualification period; (2) the rules relating to inadvertent terminations and invalid elections; (3) an agreement to terminate the taxable year; (4) the post-termination transition period; and (5) the treatment of distributions during loss years. Provides: (1) subject to exception, for the application of Subchapter C rules to an S corporation and its shareholders; (2) for the elimination certain earnings and profits; (3) for the carryover of disallowed losses and deductions under at-risk rules; and (4) adjustments to the basis of inherited S stock to reflect certain items of income. Makes applicable to S corporations the rules applicable to individuals with respect to real property subdivided for sale. Subtitle D: Pension Simplification - Repeals: (1) five-year income averaging for lump sum distributions; and (2) the $5,000 exclusion of employees' death benefits. (Sec. 1403) Revises provisions concerning: (1) taxing annuity distributions under certain employer plans; and (2) the present requirement of beginning distributions on April 1 of the calendar year following a participant's attainment of the age 70 and one-half. (Sec. 1421) Establishes a simple retirement account matching plan for employees of businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Permits a simple plan under a 401(k) plan. (Sec. 1426) Permits 401(k) plans for tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 1431) Revises the definition of a highly compensated employee. Repeals the family aggregation rules. Modifies additional participation requirements. Provides alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements. (Sec. 1442) Provides for the applicability of the special vesting rules for multiemployer plans to other qualified plans. (Sec. 1443) Provides for the treatment of: (1) distributions under rural cooperative plans; and (2) qualified governmental excess benefit arrangements. (Sec. 1445) Provides: (1) for the treatment of the social security retirement age as a uniform retirement age; and (2) that subsidized early retirement benefits and joint and survivor annuities shall not be treated as being unavailable to employees on the same terms merely because such benefits are based on an employees social security retirement age. (Sec. 1446) Provides for the treatment of: (1) contributions on behalf of disabled employees; (2) deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 1448) Requires governmental plans to hold deferred amounts in trusts. Revises provisions concerning the treatment of Indian tribal government annuities. (Sec. 1450) Permits multiple salary reduction agreements. (Sec. 1452) Repeals the limitation in the case of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan for the same employee. (Sec. 1453) Increases the five percent tax on prohibited transactions to ten percent. (Sec. 1454) Revises the definition of a leased employee. (Sec. 1455) Applies failure to file information report penalties to pension payments. (Sec. 1456) Exempts the retirement benefits of ministers, including the rental value of a parsonage, received under a church plan from the tax on net earnings from self-employment. Subtitle E: Foreign Simplification - Repeals the inclusion in gross income of certain earnings invested in excess passive assets. Subtitle F: Revenue Offsets - Terminates, subject to exception, the Puerto Rico and possessions tax credit after December 31, 1995. Adds a Puerto Rican economic activity credit. (Sec. 1602) Repeals the exclusion for interest on loans used to acquire employer securities. (Sec. 1603) Provides for the treatment of certain amounts derived from foreign corporations as unrelated business taxable income. (Sec. 1604) Revises provisions concerning depreciation under the income forecast method. (Sec. 1605) Revises provisions concerning the exclusion of damages received because of personal injuries or sickness. (Sec. 1606) Repeals the advance repayment of the diesel fuel tax to original purchasers of diesel-powered automobiles and light trucks. Subtitle G: Technical Corrections - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and other legislation to make technical corrections.
Bill· HRH.R. 3451 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit requiring persons who pay election officials and workers to furnish the officials and workers with an annual statement of amounts paid and withheld unless the pay is subject to tax under provisions relating to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 178 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1996
Establishes the budget for FY 1997 and sets forth appropriate budget levels for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 2) Sets forth recommended budgetary levels for Federal revenues, total new budget authority, total budget outlays, deficits, public debt, direct loan obligations, and primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 3) Sets the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1997 through 2002 for each major functional category. (Sec. 4) Requires the House Committee on Ways and Means to report to the House of Representatives its recommendations for changes to law within its jurisdiction which would increase revenues by specified amounts for FY 1997 through 2002. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) no welfare reform provision be enacted unless Congress considers its affect on domestic violence; (2) any welfare reform legislation enacted require that certain programs implemented by the States address the impact of domestic violence on welfare recipients; and (3) no legislation be enacted which would increase the number of children who are hungry, homeless, poor, or medically uninsured.
Bill· SS. 1745 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Army Programs Subtitle C: Navy Programs Subtitle D: Air Force Programs Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense Subtitle D: Other Matters Subtitle E: National Oceanographic Partnership Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Depot-Level Activities Subtitle D: Environmental Provisions Subtitle E: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components Subtitle C: Officer Education Programs Subtitle D: Other Matters Subtitle E: Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service Subtitle F: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Subtitle G: Armed Forces Retirement Home Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Subtitle A: General Matters Subtitle B: National Imagery and Mapping Agency Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards Subtitle C: Counter-Drug Activities Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Foreign Countries Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements Subtitle F: Other Matters Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Subtitle A: Personnel Management, Pay, and Allowances Subtitle B: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Title XII: Federal Charter for the Fleet Reserve Association Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Subtitle C: Land Conveyances Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Title XXXIII: National Defense Stockpile Title XXXIV: Naval Petroleum Reserves Title XXXV: Panama Canal Commission National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for procurement to the armed forces for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and for other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) reserve procurements; (3) the Defense Inspector General; (4) the chemical demilitarization program; and (5) the Defense Health Program. (Sec. 109) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Defense Nuclear Agency. Subtitle B: Army Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for the Javelin missile system. (Sec. 112) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to replace the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Logistics, and Environment) with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development and Acquisition) on State chemical demilitarization citizens' advisory commissions. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - Requires certain certifications by the Secretary of the Navy before funds may be obligated for the EA-6B aircraft reactive jammer program. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, with a cost limitation, to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for up to 106 Penguin missiles. (Sec. 123) Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for one remaining Seawolf attack submarine and a New Attack submarine, under specified contract and construction requirements and limitations. (Sec. 124) Makes funds available for construction of a third Arleigh Burke class destroyer under authority provided in a prior defense authorization Act, with funding limitations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to construct 12 such destroyers in accordance with specified contracting and construction requirements during FY 1998 through 2001 (allowing three destroyers to be constructed in each fiscal year). Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into one or more multiyear procurement contracts for the C-17 aircraft program. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). Earmarks funds so authorized for: (1) basic research and exploratory development; and (2) the Defense Nuclear Agency. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Earmarks funds, with limitations, for the space launch modernization program. (Sec. 212) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to include the kinetic energy tactical antisatellite program of the Department of Defense (DOD) as an element of the space control architecture being developed by the DOD Space Architect. Provides funding limitations with respect to such program. (Sec. 213) Makes funds available for the Space-Based Infrared System program for specified purposes. Provides for the conditional transfer of management oversight of the program. (Sec. 214) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision earmarking funds for advanced submarine technology activities. (Sec. 215) Earmarks funds, with limitations, for the Clementine 2 micro-satellite near-Earth asteroid interception mission. (Sec. 216) Prohibits any DOD official from contracting for the procurement of a higher number of Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicles than necessary to complete procurement of a total of three of such vehicles until flight testing has been completed. (Sec. 217) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress comparing the Predator and Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicle programs. (Sec. 218) Requires a program review and report to the congressional defense and appropriations committees with respect to the F-22 aircraft. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on event-based decision making for such program for that fiscal year. (Sec. 220) Earmarks funds for joint service RDT&E of nonlethal weapons and technologies, with specified elements and limitations. (Sec. 221) Earmarks funds for the Counterproliferation Support Program, further earmarking some of such funds for a tactical antisatellite technologies program. Provides authority to transfer additional funds for such programs, with limitations. (Sec. 222) Allows funds authorized to DOD for FY 1997 to be obligated to procure work from a federally funded research and development center or a university-affiliated research center only if the Secretary names such center in a report to the defense committees and only in an amount not in excess of the proposed funding level for such center. Provides funding limits, authorizing the Secretary to waive such limits after notification to the defense committees. Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense - Provides that, unless a missile defense system, upgrade, or component is ABM-qualifying flight tested, it has not been tested in an ABM mode and therefore is not subject to any application, limitation, or obligation under the ABM Treaty. (Sec. 232) Prohibits FY 1997 DOD funds from being used to implement any agreement or understanding, with respect to the ABM Treaty between the United States and the former Soviet Union, concerning limitations on the performance, operations, or deployment of U.S. theater missile defense systems. (Sec. 233) Prohibits the United States during FY 1997 from being bound by any international agreement that would convert the ABM Treaty to a multilateral treaty. (Sec. 234) Earmarks funds for specified upper tier theater missile defense systems, with a certification limitation. (Sec. 235) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to eliminate the requirement that certain items be included in an annual report concerning the ballistic missile defense program. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes alternative testing in lieu of live-fire survivability testing for the F-22 and V-22 aircraft. Provides funding for such programs. Subtitle E: National Oceanographic Partnership - National Oceanographic Partnership Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish the National Oceanographic Partnership Program to promote national security, advance economic development, protect the quality of life, and strengthen science education and communication through increased knowledge of the ocean. Establishes a National Ocean Research Council to report annually to the Congress on activities and achievements under the Program. Directs the Council to establish an Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group and an Ocean Research Advisory Panel to perform appropriate responsibilities as assigned by the Council. Directs the Council to select the Partnership projects eligible for support under the Program. Provides funding. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 to DOD for working capital and revolving funds. Earmarks funds so authorized for the Defense Nuclear Agency. (Sec. 304) Authorizes up to $150 million to be transferred from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund for DOD O&M for FY 1997, to be evenly divided between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Sec. 305) Earmarks funds for: (1) the Civil Air Patrol; (2) search and rescue costs; and (3) the SR-71 contingency reconnaissance force. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Authorizes funds from the National Defense Sealift Fund to be used for the purchase and conversion, or construction, of up to three ships to enhance Marine Corps prepositioning ship squadrons. Eliminates the requirement that vessels constructed using Fund amounts be built in the United States. Allows up to ten (currently, five) vessels to be purchased from foreign shipyards. (Sec. 313) Earmarks funds for the procurement of nonlethal weapons capabilities. (Sec. 314) States that no funds are authorized by this Act to be appropriated to DOD for the Coast Guard within budget subfunction 054. Subtitle C: Depot-Level Activities - Directs the Secretary to maintain within DOD currently-required logistics activities and capabilities. Requires core-logistics functions to be performed in Government-owned and operated facilities of DOD by DOD personnel using DOD equipment. (Sec. 322) Increases from 40 to 50 the percentage of all DOD depot-level maintenance and repair workloads that may be contracted out for performance by non-Federal personnel. Maintains such level at 40 percent until submission to the defense committees of a strategic plan for the performance of such maintenance and repair (such plan being required later under this Subtitle). Revises a current reporting requirement with respect to such workloads. Defines "depot- level maintenance and repair workload" for purposes of such contracting limitations. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees a strategic plan for the performance of depot-level maintenance and repair for DOD for fiscal years 1998 through 2007. Requires the Comptroller General to review such strategic plan and report review results to such committees. (Sec. 326) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the defense committees describing the competitive procedures used for contracting for the performance of depot-level maintenance and repair workload activities. (Sec. 327) Directs the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit annually to the Secretary a report on the privatization of the performance of the various DOD depot-level maintenance workloads. Requires the Secretary to report in turn to the Congress on such matters. (Sec. 328) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 1997 the authority for naval shipyards and aviation depots to engage in defense-related production and services. (Sec. 329) Limits the expenditure of funds for F-18 aircraft depot maintenance until the Secretary reports to the defense and appropriations committees on aviation depot maintenance. (Sec. 330) Prohibits the Secretary, until taking specified action and reporting to the Congress, from contracting for the performance by a private source of any of the depot maintenance currently performed at the Sacramento or San Antonio Air Logistics Centers. Subtitle D: Environmental Provisions - Establishes in DOD a separate Environmental Restoration Account for each of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Currently, there is only a Defense Environmental Account, which continues.) Requires sums appropriated for environmental restoration in each military department to be deposited into such accounts. (Sec. 342) Requires the top 20 defense contractors (currently, 100) in terms of dollar volume to be included in an annual report from the Secretary to the Congress on payments made to defense contractors for the costs of environmental response actions. (Sec. 343) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to repeal certain redundant notification and certification requirements regarding remedial investigations and feasibility studies at certain installations to be closed under the base closure laws. (Sec. 344) Authorizes the Secretary to pay to the Hazardous Substance Superfund stipulated civil penalties assessed against various military facilities and installations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). (Sec. 345) Amends CERCLA to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to withhold the listing of a Federal facility on a national environmental cleanup priorities list if the head of such facility has arranged with the Administrator to respond appropriately to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance. Authorizes the Administrator or the governor of a State to transfer contaminated Federal property before the completion of required remedial actions under CERCLA if the Administrator or governor determines that the property is suitable for transfer and there are assurances that all remaining remedial actions will be taken after such transfer. (Sec. 348) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to allow military vessels to dispose in the ocean certain non-plastic, non- floating garbage if the Secretary of the Navy determines that such ship cannot fully comply with the non-dumping requirements of such Act due to technological infeasibility or impairment of the ship's operations or operational capability. Requires each ship which the Navy plans to decommission between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005, to comply to the greatest extent practicable with the ocean dumping limitations of the Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that it should be an objective of the Navy to fully comply with such dumping requirements and to develop ships that are environmentally sound. (Sec. 349) Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretaries of the military departments to enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, and appropriate public and private entities to provide for the preservation, management, maintenance, and rehabilitation of cultural resources on military installations. (Sec. 350) Directs the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a report that assesses the effects of the proposed withdrawal of public lands at El Centro Naval Air Facility, California, on the operational and training requirements of DOD at that facility. (Sec. 351) Amends the Act commonly known as the Sikes Act to allow hunting and fishing fees collected at closed military installations to be available for expenditure at any other military reservation for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife located there. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the contracting out for fire fighting and security guard functions at a private facility at which a Federal activity is located pursuant to a lease of such facility to the Federal Government. (Sec. 362) Authorizes DOD recruitment funds to be expended for small meals and refreshments provided to specified individuals during personnel recruiting functions. (Sec. 363) Prohibits the Secretary from using other-than- competitive procedures for the procurement of brand-name commercial items for resale in commissary stores unless such item is regularly sold outside such stores under the same brand name. (Sec. 364) Authorizes the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to administer a nonappropriated fund account for the midshipmen's store, specified shops, and the laundry and dairy. (Sec. 365) Increases the assistance authorized to be provided by the Secretary to the Inaugural Committee to include planning and assistance with respect to security and ceremonial activities, and any other appropriate assistance. (Currently, only the loan of equipment is authorized.) Includes a congressional joint committee as an authorized recipient of such assistance. (Sec. 366) Allows the Secretary to authorize the commander of a military installation or other DOD facility, or the commander of a specified or unified combatant command, to provide assistance for the World Cup Games, the Goodwill Games, the Olympics, and any other major civilian sporting event in support of essential security and safety at such event, but only under appropriate agreements with event sponsors. Excludes the Special Olympics or Paralympics from such authorized assistance. (Sec. 367) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer DOD funds to the Administrator of General Services for the renovation of Building One at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, for use as a Defense Finance and Accounting Service Center. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Provides the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1997. Increases from 0.5 to five the percentage of temporary variation in such levels. (Sec. 403) Provides the authorized end strengths for commissioned officers in grades O-4 through O-6. (Sec. 404) Extends through FY 2000 the requirement for recommendations to the Secretary for appointments to joint 4-star officer positions. (Sec. 405) Increases from 68 to 80 the authorized number of active-duty general officers in the Marine Corps. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1997 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Extends through FY 1997 the authority for the temporary promotion of Navy lieutenants possessing critical skills. (Sec. 502) Provides an exception to the baccalaureate degree requirement for appointments above the Naval Reserve grade of O-2 in the case of appointments of officers to the Seaman to Admiral Program. (Sec. 503) Increases from three to eight years since graduation from an unaccredited educational institution the time period for such graduates to be considered educationally qualified for appointment as reserve officers in grade O-3. (Sec. 504) Reduces from three to two years the minimum time in grade before chief warrant officers on the active-duty list may be considered for promotion. Authorizes the selection of chief warrant officers from below their promotion zone. (Sec. 505) Reduces from semiannually to annually the required frequency of a periodic report on promotion rates of officers currently or formerly serving in joint duty assignments. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Amends the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act to allow a person who has completed at least six months of satisfactory service as an adjutant or assistant adjutant general but was terminated under State law before completion of three years of such service to be retired in the higher grade of such position, notwithstanding that he or she had not completed three years of such service. Provides grade recognition, for retirement credit purposes, for other persons promoted to higher positions who did not serve in such positions, but instead served in other positions for which the promoted grade is the minimum authorized grade for the position in which the person actually served. (Sec. 513) Repeals the requirement for physical examinations of members of the National Guard called into Federal service. (Sec. 514) Authorizes reserve personnel within two years of retirement eligibility to waive the prohibition against the involuntary release of such members within such period. (Sec. 515) Provides for the retirement of reserve personnel disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated while remaining overnight between inactive duty training periods. (Sec. 516) Provides reserve duty credit for participation in the Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program if the person completes the course of study, completes the active duty obligation, and possesses a specialty designated as one critically needed in wartime. (Sec. 517) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the current and projected force structure of the National Guard and other reserve components. Subtitle C: Officer Education Programs - Increases the maximum age limit before appointment to: (1) the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, to less than 27 years of age; and (2) a military service academy, to less than 23 years of age. (Sec. 522) Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out, and report to the Congress in each of 1998 through 2001 on, a demonstration project assessing the feasibility and advisability of providing instruction and other support to units of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps through members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Terminates such authority four years after enactment of this Act. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Allows not more than 25 (currently, 15) formerly retired general or flag officers of an armed force to be serving on active duty concurrently pursuant to orders issued by the Secretary of such military department. Provides exceptions and limits to the periods of recalled service. (Sec. 533) Provides disability coverage for officers granted excess leave in order to participate in an educational program. Entitles such members to eligibility for: (1) placement on the temporary disability retirement list; and (2) separation from the armed forces. (Sec. 534) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations setting forth uniform policies and procedures regarding the retention of military personnel who are permanently nonworldwide assignable for medical reasons. (Sec. 535) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to extend the normal one-year authorized waiting period before entry under the delayed entry program for an additional 180 days if such Secretary determines the additional period to be in the best interests of that armed force. (Sec. 536) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to accept a reenlistment for: (1) a member who has less than ten years of service, for at least two but not more than six additional years; and (2) a member with at least ten years of service, for the above period or for an unspecified period. (Sec. 537) Repeals the applicability of military missing person provisions to DOD civilian and contractor employees who accompany an armed force into action. Increases from 48 hours to ten days after a unit commander concludes that a person should be in a missing status the time period permitted prior to a required preliminary report to the Secretary concerned on such person's status. Repeals the requirement that counsel represent a missing persons during inquiries as to their status. Requires subsequent reviews concerning a person's declared status to be made upon receipt of information that may result in a change of such status (Currently, such reviews are required every three years.) Repeals: (1) statutory penalties for the wrongful withholding of information as to a person's status; (2) the right of judicial review of a missing or dead status determination; and (3) the inclusion of certain information upon a determination of death of a missing person. (Sec. 538) States that the three-year statute of limitations for filing claims for the correction of military records is not extended by reason of military service, but provides an exception in the interests of justice. (Sec. 539) Authorizes the President, notwithstanding specified time limitations, to award the Medal of Honor to certain named individuals for acts of heroism while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Subtitle E: Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service - Applies to an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service a current prohibition on crediting enlisted service performed as a cadet or midshipman as service as an officer in the armed forces. (Sec. 562) Amends the Public Health Service Act to except from Public Health Service commissioned officer end strength limitations those officers who are assigned to duty in DOD. Subtitle F: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization - Makes permanent the current conditional authority to expand the DOD law enforcement personnel placement assistance program to include fire fighters. (Sec. 572) Requires (currently, authorizes) the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard, to establish a program providing assistance to separated military personnel to obtain certification and employment as teachers or teachers' aides. Reduces from five to two school years the period in which such former member must agree to be employed in such a position after receiving such assistance. Reduces the amount required to be paid by the Secretary concerned to the local educational agency as part of the salary of such teachers or teachers' aides. Subtitle G: Armed Forces Retirement Home - Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to authorize the Chairman of the Retirement Home Board or the director of each individual establishment of the Armed Forces Retirement Home to accept voluntary services from any person, unless such services are disapproved by the Board. Provides voluntary service requirements and limitations, as well as the Federal employee status of such persons while performing such services. Allows such Chairman or director to reimburse such volunteers for incidental expenses incurred in providing such services. (Sec. 583) Authorizes the Retirement Home Board to sell or otherwise dispose of specified property under their control in Washington, D.C., under specified terms and conditions, including a required notification to the defense committees of any such disposals. (Sec. 584) Provides for the terms of appointment for members of Retirement Home governing boards. Authorizes the Board to waive certain dual compensation prohibitions with respect to the director of an individual retirement home or one of its employees, allowing for the adjustment of such pay in consideration of the dual compensation. (Sec. 585) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to delay until the end of FY 1998 the implementation of a new fee structure for residents of the military retirement homes (delays similarly the end date of a series of three reports with respect to such fee implementation). Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on meeting the funding needs of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in a manner that is fair and equitable to its residents as well as to members of the armed forces who provide required monthly contributions for the Home. (Sec. 586) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for the operation of the Home. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1997 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 3.0 percent, effective on January 1, 1997, the rates of basic pay and basic allowance for subsistence. Increases by 4.0 percent, on the same date, the rate of basic allowance for quarters (BAQ). (Sec. 602) Repeals the requirement that the rate of monthly cadet and midshipman pay be adjusted in the same manner and time as the rates of monthly basic pay to military personnel. (Sec. 603) Authorizes senior noncommissioned officers who are hospitalized to continue to be entitled to the basic pay authorized for such members for up to 180 days after commencement of such hospitalization. (Sec. 604) Authorizes a BAQ for certain members (single or married personnel of specified grades) assigned to sea duty. (Sec. 606) Authorizes a family separation allowance for a member who is separated from a spouse who is also a member of the armed forces if the member has no dependents and the two members were residing together immediately before such separation. (Sec. 607) Authorizes the Comptroller General to waive certain time limitations with respect to claims for military pay or allowances of $25,000 or less. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 1998 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1997 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 614) Increases the special pay for dental officers of armed forces. (Sec. 615) Repeals the requirement limiting special pay for optometrists to optometrists in the armed forces (thereby qualifying Public Health Service optometrists for such pay). (Sec. 616) Authorizes special pay as nonphysician health care providers for officers in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the payment of foreign language proficiency pay for officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Currently, such pay is limited to officers in the armed forces.) Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the payment of a travel expense for travel from a new duty station to the port of debarkation to pick up a privately owned vehicle. (Sec. 622) Allows a member authorized to have a vehicle shipped to a foreign country due to a change of duty station to store such vehicle at Government expense in lieu of such shipping when the government of such foreign country precludes the entry of such vehicle or requires extensive vehicle modification before such entry is permitted. (Sec. 623) Authorizes a member to defer travel leave permitted between consecutive tours of duty for up to one additional year due to participation in a contingency operation. (Sec. 624) Provides funding for the transportation of household effects of members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Repeals a provision providing a conditional effective date for the FY 1998 military retirement pay cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). (Sec. 632) Authorizes a member or former member, subject to specified conditions and restrictions, to transfer or assign such member's retired or retainer pay account when it becomes due and payable for the payment of any financial obligations. (Sec. 633) States that Survivor Benefit Plan COLAs shall become effective concurrently with the payment of related military retirement pay COLAs. (Sec. 634) Directs the Secretary concerned to pay an annuity to the qualified surviving spouse of each member of the armed forces who: (1) died before March 21, 1974, and was entitled to retired or retainer pay on such date; or (2) was a member of the reserves between September 21, 1972, and October 1, 1978, and at the time of death would have been entitled to retired pay but for the fact of being under 60 years of age. (Sec. 635) Increases the annual income limitation for purposes of eligibility for supplemental income for certain spouses of former military personnel. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes military personnel and members of the Coast Guard to be reimbursed for adoption expenses incurred through any adoption source (private source) if the adoption is supervised by a court under a State or local law. (Sec. 642) Authorizes the withholding for Federal income tax purposes of amounts from the separation pay received by involuntarily separated military personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Revises the implementation deadline with respect to the requirement for a Selected Reserve dental insurance plan. (Sec. 702) Provides a dental insurance plan for: (1) members and former members entitled to retired or retainer pay; (2) members of the Retired Reserve who would be eligible for such pay except for not having attained 60 years of age; and (3) eligible dependents of (1) and (2), above. Outlines provisions concerning premiums, benefits, and coverage. Provides for the continuation during the enrollment period of benefits to dependents upon the death of an enrollee. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to provide a uniform software package for use by providers of health care under the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) and by military treatment facilities for the computerized processing of information. (Sec. 704) Revises certain DOD authority with respect to the receipt of payments or reimbursement from third party health insurance providers for care provided to military personnel and their dependents at military treatment facilities under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). (Sec. 706) Provides for the crediting of amounts collected in the administration of CHAMPUS. (Sec. 707) Directs the Comptroller General to analyze the effectiveness of the medical research and clinical care programs of DOD that relate to Persian Gulf illnesses, including the use of experimental drugs, and to report study results to the Congress. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for DOD procurement technical assistance programs. (Sec. 802) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 1991 to extend through FY 1998 the Mentor-Protege pilot program; and (2) 1994 to modify and extend through FY 2001 the authority of DOD to carry out prototype projects directly relevant to proposed weapons or weapon systems. (Sec. 804) Repeals specified provisions relating to program requirements and administration of a national defense program for analysis of the defense technology and industrial base (base). Directs the Secretary to annually prepare selected assessments of the capability of such base to attain required national security objectives. Repeals the requirement of a periodic defense capability plan under such base. Directs the Secretary to prescribe departmental guidance for the attainment of specified national security objectives in connection with such base. Requires annual reports to the defense committees. Repeals superseded and inconsistent Federal provisions. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to require that the procurement of small arms parts and modifications be made only from firms listed in a specified plan prepared by an independent assessment panel of the Army Science Board. (Sec. 807) Treats a DOD cable television franchise agreement as a contract for telecommunications services under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (Sec. 808) Provides reinstatement and other remedies for employees against whom certain reprisal actions are taken for providing information as to possible violations of law (whistle blowers). (Sec. 809) Directs the Secretary to include in a currently- required report specified matters relating to information resources management by the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to ensure that all information technology acquired by DOD pursuant to contracts entered into after September 30, 1996, have certain capabilities relating to the fault-free processing of dates and date-related data. Requires a report to the Congress. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: General Matters - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal provisions requiring a reorganization of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. (Sec. 902) Codifies requirements provided under prior law with respect to: (1) the continued operation of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, as well as the required end strengths for University personnel; and (2) the requirements for a United States Army Reserve Command and the assignment of forces under such Command. (Sec. 904) Authorizes the President, through the Secretary of Defense (currently, the Secretary of the Army) to assume control over transportation systems in times of war. (Sec. 905) Directs the Secretary to perform oversight responsibilities within the executive branch with respect to clandestine activities of DOD human intelligence personnel. (Sec. 906) Designates the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency as the Director of Military Intelligence. Establishes within DOD a Military Intelligence Board as the principal forum for coordination of DOD intelligence programs and activities. (Sec. 907) Redesignates the: (1) Office of Naval Records and History Fund as the Naval Historical Center Fund; and (2) Office of Naval Records and History as the Naval Historical Center. Subtitle B: National Imagery and Mapping Agency - National Imagery and Mapping Agency Act of 1996 - Part I: Establishment - Establishes the National Imagery and Mapping Agency as a combat support agency of DOD, with a Director appointed by the President. Requires the Agency to: (1) provide timely, relevant, and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information in support of U.S. national security objectives; (2) improve the means of navigating vessels of the Navy and merchant marine; (3) prepare and distribute maps, charts, and related products; and (4) support the imagery requirements of the Department of State and other Federal departments and agencies outside of DOD. Authorizes the Agency Director to use appropriated funds to provide foreign countries with imagery intelligence and geospatial information support. Requires support of Agency activities by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), including administrative and contract services as well as the detail of appropriate personnel. Prohibits the CIA Inspector General from conducting any inspection, investigation, or audit of the Agency without the written consent of the DOD Inspector General. Provides for the protection of Agency identifications (acronyms) and organizational information. Empowers the Secretary with civilian personnel management authority with respect to Agency employees, including the authority to hire personnel, fix the rates of pay and authorized allowances and COLAs, and to terminate employees. Authorizes the Secretary to designate National Imagery and Mapping Senior Level positions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a National Imagery and Mapping Senior Executive Service for senior civilian personnel within the Agency, under specified requirements. Provides related authorities, including details and assignments outside the Agency as well as labor and management bargaining rights and obligations. Requires congressional oversight of the Agency as a combat support agency. Transfers specified missions and functions within DOD (the Defense Mapping Agency and the Central Imagery Office) and the CIA (the National Photographic Interpretation Center) to the Agency, including related personnel and other assets. (Sec. 923) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to direct the Secretary to perform various imagery functions through the Agency in furtherance of national security. Provides other personnel management authorities. (Sec. 925) Provides creditable civilian service for current Defense Mapping Agency employees who continue their service with the new Agency. Provides savings provisions. (Sec. 928) Authorizes appropriations for the Agency for FY 1997. Part II: Conforming Amendments and Effective Dates - Makes technical and conforming amendments necessitated by the creation of the Agency and the termination of the Defense Mapping Agency and the Central Imagery Office. Provides an effective date. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer amounts of authorizations made available to DOD in this Division for FY 1997 between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with a total transfer limit of $2 billion. Requires notification to the Congress of any such transfers. (Sec. 1002) Authorizes certain unauthorized FY 1996 defense appropriations to be obligated for DOD programs, projects, and activities in accordance with FY 1996 defense appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Adjusts the amounts authorized to DOD for FY 1996 by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorization were increased or decreased in the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996. (Sec. 1004) Allows FY 1997 DOD funds transferred to the Coast Guard to be used only for the performance of national security functions of the Coast Guard in support of DOD, requiring a certification of the proper use of such funds. (Sec. 1005) Authorizes the use of DOD funds for the military education and training of military and civilian personnel of foreign countries (under the military-to-military contacts program). (Sec. 1006) Authorizes the payment of certain personnel, equipment, services, and supplies expenses related to the provision by DOD of humanitarian and civic assistance. (Sec. 1007) Prohibits DOD funds appropriated for intelligence activities from being obligated or expended by an individual who is not an officer or employee of DOD. (Sec. 1008) Prohibits funds authorized under this Act or otherwise made available to the Navy for FY 1997 from being obligated or expended by the Office of Naval Intelligence for official representation activities or related activities. (Sec. 1009) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, whenever the President directs the Secretary to provide disaster assistance outside the United States, the President should direct the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to reimburse DOD for such costs. (Sec. 1010) Provides a Fisher House Trust Fund for the Navy, funds from which shall be used for the operation of Fisher houses (houses located near a military medical treatment facility and used for the temporary lodging of patients of such facility and their immediate family). (Sec. 1011) Provides for the designation and liability of Coast Guard disbursing and certifying officials. Places authority over such officials with the Department of Transportation when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy. (Sec. 1012) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to suspend an action by the Secretary to collect a claim against a deceased member of the Coast Guard when considered appropriate. (Sec. 1013) Authorizes a Federal disbursing official to undertake check cashing and other exchange transactions at a Federal credit union that is operating at DOD invitation in a foreign country where contractor-operated military banking facilities are not available. Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the governments of Egypt, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Taiwan, and Thailand specified naval vessels. Directs such Secretary to require that any required repair or refurbishment of such vessels take place at a U.S. shipyard, including a Navy shipyard. Terminates the transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer six obsolete Navy tugboats to the Northeast Wisconsin Railroad Transportation Commission. (Sec. 1023) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal the requirement of the continuous applicability of phased maintenance contracts for AE-class ships. (Sec. 1024) Reaffirms the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Navy should plan for and budget to provide for the acquisition of 19 large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off vessels rather than only 17 such vessels (as in the current contract). Subtitle C: Counter-Drug Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional counter-drug support to the Government of Mexico during FY 1997. Provides funding. (Sec. 1032) Prohibits DOD funds from this or any other Act from being obligated or expended for the National Drug Intelligence Center, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with an exception. Requires a joint investigation of the operations of such Center by various inspectors general and a report to the Congress on the results of such investigation. Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Foreign Countries - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the governments of U.S. allies and other friendly foreign countries for the exchange of military and civilian personnel of DOD with similar personnel of such foreign governments. (Sec. 1042) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the reciprocal exchange of personnel between the United States and foreign countries for attendance at flight training schools or programs. (Sec. 1043) Amends the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1998 the authority to support international nonproliferation activities. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements - Requires an annual report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to the defense committees on emerging operational concepts. (Sec. 1052) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense committees on a joint war fighting science and technology plan. (Sec. 1053) Directs the JCS Chairman to report to the defense and appropriations committees on the military readiness requirements of the armed forces. Requires such report to be prepared by the Chief of Staff (Commandant, for the Marines) of each armed force. Subtitle F: Other Matters - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to except from the competitive service appointments to certain nonattorney positions on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. (Sec. 1062) Prohibits DOD funds from being obligated or expended during FY 1997 for retiring or dismantling B-52H bomber aircraft, Trident ballistic missile submarines, Minuteman II ICBMs, or Peacekeeper ICBMs. Authorizes a waiver of such prohibition when determined necessary to implement the START II Treaty. (Sec. 1063) Corrects legal and statutory references with respect to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, Alabama. (Sec. 1064) Authorizes certain members of the reserves to act as a notary public or U.S. consul. (Sec. 1065) Authorizes military personnel to use non-Government facilities for training activities. (Sec. 1066) Provides that if a member of the armed forces is injured or contracts a disease under circumstances creating a tort liability upon a third person, and such member is unable to perform his or her duties as a result of such injury or disease, then the United States shall have a right of recovery against such third person for the value of pay that accrues to such member for the period in which they are incapacitated. (Sec. 1067) Prohibits DOD funds from being used to adopt or enforce any rule or other prohibition that discriminates against the display of the flag of a particular State, territory, or possession of the United States at an official ceremony at any installation or other facility of DOD at which the official flags of other U.S. States, territories, or possessions are being displayed. (Sec. 1068) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept gifts and donations from foreign governments and other individuals or entities within foreign countries in order to defray the costs of operation of the George C. Marshall European Center for Strategic Security Studies; (2) permit representatives of a foreign government to participate in a program at the Center when found to be in the U.S. national interest; and (3) waive certain financial disclosure requirements for a foreign member of the Board of Visitors of the Center serving without compensation. (Sec. 1069) Authorizes the Speaker of the House and President pro temp of the Senate to jointly present a bronze medal (previously awarded only to military personnel) to certain civilian participants in the defense of Pearl Harbor. Authorizes appropriations. Makes such authority effective as of November 5, 1990. (Sec. 1070) Redesignates the Nellis Federal Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Michael O'Callaghan Federal Hospital. (Sec. 1071) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should name Building A at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences as the David Packard Building. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel - Subtitle A: Personnel Management, Pay, and Allowances - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to direct the Secretary, by the end of FY 1996, to convert 3,000 military positions to civilian positions. (Sec. 1102) Authorizes the Secretary to retain civilian employee positions of DOD at a military installation which is to be closed and which is scheduled for transfer during FY 1997 to National Guard operation and control, in order to facilitate active and reserve component training at such installation. Limits the maximum number of positions retained to 20 percent of the Federal civilian work force employed at such installation as of September 8, 1995. (Sec. 1104) Authorizes the Secretary to provide DOD civilian employees (and their family members) abroad with benefits comparable to those provided by the Secretary of State to members of the Foreign Service serving abroad. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes an employee of a nonappropriated fund instrumentality of DOD or the Coast Guard who moves, without a break in service of more than three days, to a position in DOD or the Coast Guard to receive travel, transportation, and related expenses under the same conditions and to the same extent as regular DOD or Coast Guard employees. (Sec. 1106) Amends the Defense Department Overseas Pay and Personnel Practices Act to require the Secretary of the military department concerned (currently, the Secretary of Defense) to conduct the employment and salary practices applicable to teachers employed overseas in that department. (Sec. 1107) Authorizes the Secretary to employ appropriate teaching faculty at the English Language Center of the Defense Language Institute and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. (Sec. 1108) Authorizes the Secretary to provide reimbursement to DOD domestic dependent school board members for expenses incurred in the performance of school board duties. (Sec. 1109) Extends through FY 2001 the authority for civilian DOD employees to participate in voluntary DOD reductions-in-force. (Sec. 1110) Authorizes an agency head to grant employee compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay for time spent in irregular or overtime work. (Sec. 1111) Provides for the lump-sum payment of annual leave to a DOD employee for leave that remains unused upon the employee's transfer from an installation being closed or realigned under a base closure law. (Sec. 1112) Waives the requirement for the repayment of voluntary separation incentive pay by former DOD employees who are reemployed when such employment is without pay. (Sec. 1113) Provides Federal holiday observance procedures for DOD employees when a holiday occurs on that employee's regularly scheduled day off. (Sec. 1114) Repeals Federal provisions: (1) requiring a specified percentage of hotels in which Federal employees are booked to meet fire safety and control requirements of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974; and (2) prohibiting the payment of lodging expenses of DOD employees when adequate Government facilities are available. Subtitle B: Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program under which Federal retirement benefits are provided to persons who convert from Federal employment in the Navy or Air Force to employment with a DOD contractor in connection with the privatization of the performance of functions at selected military installations being closed under the base closure and realignment process. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) eligible transferred employees; (2) applicable retirement benefits; (3) computation of average pay; (4) the payment by the military department concerned of the unfunded liability in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund caused by the addition of such benefits; (5) the termination 90 days after such transfer of Federal health benefits coverage; (6) a study and report from the Comptroller General to the Congress on each pilot program established under; and (7) required implementing regulations by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 1122) Directs (currently authorizes) the Secretary to establish a program providing assistance to terminated DOD employees and DOD contractor employees in obtaining certification and employment in the private sector as teachers and teachers' aides (known as the troops-to-teachers program). Reduces from five to two school years the period of obligated service after such assistance and certification. Title XII: Federal Charter for the Fleet Reserve Association - Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Fleet Reserve Association, a nonprofit organization formed to aid and maintain an adequate naval defense for the United States and assist in the recruitment and welfare of personnel in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Requires the Association to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2204) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to make advances to the Secretary of Transportation for the construction of defense access roads. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 2404) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund and the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund, for appropriate uses. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2406) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for such contributions. (Sec. 2503) Redesignates the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Infrastructure Program as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 1999, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2000, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Increases threshold amounts for unspecified minor military construction projects. (Sec. 2802) Authorizes day-to-day maintenance and repair of military family housing. Includes under authorized military family housing activities the building of drives into such facilities. (Sec. 2803) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to grant easements for rights-of-way for electric poles and lines and for communications lines and facilities. Subtitle B: Defense Base Closure and Realignment - Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act to authorize the Secretary to transfer real property or facilities at military installations closed or realigned under a base closure law to a military department or other entity within DOD or the Coast Guard. (Sec. 2812) Amends the above Act and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (together, the base closure laws) to: (1) provide for the deposit of proceeds from the disposal of commissary stores and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities at installations closed or realigned under a base closure law; (2) authorize the Secretary to use such amounts for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of such stores and instrumentalities; and (3) authorize the Secretary to enter into agreements for services at such installations after their closure or realignment. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and the Army to undertake a specified land exchange within the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (Sec. 2822) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the United States Institute for Peace administrative jurisdiction over the Potomac Annex in Washington, D.C. (Sec. 2823) Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to convey to Montpelier, Vermont, the Army Reserve Center in Montpelier; (2) Navy to convey to Delaware the former Naval Reserve Facility in Lewes, Delaware; (3) Air Force to convey to the Belle Fourche School District, South Dakota, the Air Force radar bomb scoring site in Belle Fourche; (4) Air Force to convey to an appropriate entity the primate research complex at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and (5) Air Force to carry out a demonstration project for the installation and operation by private entities of an electric power distribution system at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Youngstown, Ohio. Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1997 for operating expenses, plant projects, and capital equipment necessary in carrying out the following activities for national security programs: (1) weapons activities; (2) environmental restoration and waste management; (3) other defense activities; and (4) nuclear waste disposal. Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this title for: (1) the cost of a program exceeding 110 percent of the program authorization or $1 million more than the amount authorized, whichever is the lesser; or (2) programs which have not been presented to, or requested of, the Congress, unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a full statement of the action proposed and 30 days have since expired. (Sec. 3122) Places certain funding limits (requiring congressional reports when amounts exceed such limits) for general plant and construction projects of DOE. Provides fund transfer authority (requiring congressional notification of any such transfer). (Sec. 3125) Directs the Secretary, before submitting a funding request for a construction project in support of a DOE national security program, to complete a conceptual design for such project. Requires a separate funding request for such designs for which the estimated costs exceed $3 million. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out construction design services in connection with any proposed construction project if the total estimated cost for the design does not exceed $600,000. Requires specific authorization by law for designs that exceed such amount. (Sec. 3126) Authorizes the use of DOE funds for planning, design, and construction activities for any DOE national security program that must proceed expeditiously in order to protect public health and safety, meet the needs of national defense, or protect property. Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees when funds are so used. Makes funds for management and support activities and for general plant projects under this Subtitle available for all DOE national security programs. Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - Requires the Secretary to make a final decision during FY 1997 on the technologies to be utilized, and the accelerated schedule to be adopted, for tritium production in order to meet the requirements of a certain Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum. Requires a report to the Congress. Earmarks funds authorized under this title for such activities. (Sec. 3132) Directs the Secretary to carry out activities to modernize and consolidate the tritium recycling facilities at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Provides funding. (Sec. 3133) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to add a specified purpose and capability of the general requirements for the DOE nuclear weapons stockpile program. Requires a plan and report with respect to such program. Provides funding. (Sec. 3134) Prohibits FY 1997 DOE funds from being used for certain research and development or technology transfer purposes unless such activities support the DOE national security mission. Requires an annual report. (Sec. 3135) Directs the Secretary to accelerate the schedule for the isolation of high-level nuclear waste in glass canisters at the Defense Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site if the Secretary determines that such acceleration will achieve cost savings and the removal and isolation of such waste from the long-term storage tanks there. (Sec. 3136) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the processing of high-level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel rods. Requires the updating of an implementation plan concerning such waste under a prior defense authorization Act. (Sec. 3137) Earmarks funds for conducting the fellowship program for the development of skills critical to the ongoing mission of the DOE nuclear weapons complex as required under prior law. Requires 21 days' advance notification to the Congress before funds may be obligated or expended for such program. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to annually prepare, and submit to the defense and appropriations committees, a five-year budget for DOE national security programs. (Sec. 3152) Sets forth specified requirements for DOE weapons activities budgets for fiscal years after 1997. (Sec. 3153) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 which requires a report from the President to the defense and appropriations committees on issues associated with purchasing tritium from foreign suppliers. (Sec. 3154) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress a plan for the near-term processing of spent nuclear fuel rods in two facilities of the Savannah River Site. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a multiyear plan for the cleanup of nuclear waste at the Site. (Sec. 3155) Requires reports concerning: (1) nuclear test readiness postures; and (2) critical difficulties encountered at nuclear weapons laboratories and production plants. (Sec. 3157) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend through December 31, 1997, a requirement concerning notification to the Congress and a subsequent waiting period before undertaking a proposed defense cooperation agreement. (Sec. 3158) Redesignates the Defense Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program as the Defense Nuclear Waste Management Program. Redesignates the Assistant Secretary in charge of such Program as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Defense Nuclear Waste Management. Redesignates a related Account. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on such redesignations. (Sec. 3159) Establishes the Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise to develop and report to the Congress a plan for recruiting and retaining within the DOE nuclear weapons complex the appropriate scientific, engineering, and technical personnel necessary to permit DOE to maintain a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile without engaging in underground testing. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its report. Provides Commission funding. (Sec. 3160) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President: (1) should consult closely with the Congress concerning U.S. policy and practices for ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile; and (2) if he determines that a safety or reliability problem cannot be corrected within the stockpile stewardship program, to notify the Congress of such problem, together with a plan for corrective action. Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Title XXXIII: National Defense Stockpile - Authorizes the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Manager, during FY 1997, to obligate up to $60 million of the funds in the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund (Fund) for authorized Fund uses. Authorizes the NDS Manager to obligate amounts excess to such amount 45 days after notifying the Congress that extraordinary or emergency conditions necessitate the additional obligations. (Sec. 3302) Directs the President to dispose of NDS materials, with specified disposal limits. Provides for the deposit of receipts from such disposals. Title XXXIV: Naval Petroleum Reserves - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for activities relating to the naval petroleum reserves. Title XXXV: Panama Canal Commission - Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Authorizes the Panama Canal Commission to make such expenditures as necessary for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and administration of the Panama Canal for FY 1997, with specified limitations. Requires such funds to be made available for the purchase and transportation to the Republic of Panama of passenger motor vehicles built in the United States. Requires expenditures authorized under this title to be in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977 and any law implementing those treaties.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 57 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Levels and Amounts Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking Title III: Sense of the Congress, House of Representatives, and Senate Establishes the congressional budget for FY 1997 and sets forth appropriate budget levels for FY 1998 through 2002. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Sets forth recommended budgetary levels for Federal revenues, total new budget authority, total budget outlays, deficits, public debt, direct loan obligations, and primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 102) Sets forth amounts of the increase in the public debt for each such fiscal year. (Sec. 103) Sets forth the amounts of Social Security revenues and outlays for each such fiscal year with respect to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. (Sec. 104) Sets the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1997 through 2002 for each major functional category. (Sec. 105) Provides for first and final reconciliations of spending reductions. Directs the Senate Committee on the Budget to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill carrying out all recommendations of specified Senate committees without any substantive revision. Provides for reconciliation of revenue reductions. Directs the Senate Committee on Finance to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill proposing changes in laws within its jurisdiction necessary to reduce, for specified fiscal years and periods: (1) revenues by not more than specified amounts; and (2) outlays by specified amounts. Provides for treatment of reconciliation bills for prior surplus. Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking - Sets forth discretionary spending limits for FY 1997 through 2002. (Sec. 202) Authorizes reductions of revenue and spending aggregates and revisions of allocations in the Senate for legislation that reduces revenues by providing family tax relief, fuel tax relief, and incentives to stimulate savings, investment, job creation, and economic growth, if such legislation will not increase the deficit for: (1) FY 1997; (2) FY 1997 through 2001; or (3) FY 2002 through 2006. (Sec. 203) Provides for a Superfund reserve fund in the Senate. (Sec. 204) Provides for scoring of emergency legislation according to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Title III: Sense of the Congress, House of Representatives, and Senate - Expresses the sense of the Congress on: (1) sale of government assets; (2) tax reductions benefitting working families; (3) establishment of a bipartisan commission on the solvency of Medicare; and (4) Medicare transfers. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of the Senate on: (1) considering a change in the minimum wage; (2) long-term projections in budget estimates; (3) immediate repeal of the gas tax; and (4) the delay of issuance of the 1996 Medicare Trustees Report.
Bill· HRH.R. 3444 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to: (1) repeal a requirement prohibiting the Secretary of Defense from paying restructuring costs associated with a business combination (merger or acquisition) undertaken by a defense contractor until a review or certification with respect to possible cost savings achieved by such business combination is completed by the Department of Defense (DOD); (2) eliminate a 1997 reporting requirement concerning such possible savings; (3) include new information for determining such savings; (4) require the Comptroller Generally to report quarterly (currently, periodically) on the implementation of DOD policy regarding defense industry restructuring; and (5) require the final report of the Comptroller General on December 1, 1996 (currently, 1997).
Bill· HRH.R. 3446 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments of the Clean Air Act Title II: Environmental Self-Audits Title III: Regulation of Chlorine Compound Production Title IV: Amendment of the Solid Waste Disposal Act Title V: Amendment of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Regulatory Relief and Job Preservation Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments of the Clean Air Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require enhanced monitoring and submission of compliance certifications. (Sec. 102) Prohibits the Administrator from specifying a minimum oxygen content for reformulated gasoline and invalidates any such regulation previously promulgated. (Sec. 103) Approves the use of a State Operating Permits Program in lieu of EPA programs even if a final decision on approval of the State program is not yet received. (Sec. 104) Exempts commercial fire suppression equipment from prohibitions on the sale or distribution of products containing class II ozone-depleting substances. Repeals certain requirements for labeling of products containing or manufactured with ozone-depleting substances. (Sec. 105) Requires the Administrator, with respect to each emissions standard for hazardous air pollutants, to provide a cost-benefit analysis and prohibits establishment of any standard at a level at which incremental compliance costs exceed incremental benefits. (Sec. 106) Revises State enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance program standards for serious ozone nonattainment areas. Requires rescission of EPA regulations and reissuance of rules to conform with this Act. (Sec. 107) Delays the primary standard attainment date for moderate ozone nonattainment areas. (Sec. 108) Provides standards for interpretation of ozone monitor readings used in determining excessive ozone amounts. (Sec. 109) Provides a formula for establishment of a baseline trend to be used in redesignation of areas as attainment or nonattainment. Title II: Environmental Self-Audits - Provides rules making privileged, and excluding for evidentiary purposes, information from voluntary environmental self-audits. Title III: Regulation of Chlorine Compound Production - Precludes the Administrator from prohibiting the manufacture, use, or distribution of chlorine compounds absent specific authorization by Congress after submission of a proposed regulation. Title IV: Amendment of the Solid Waste Disposal Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to exclude feedstock used in a manufacturing process from the definition of hazardous waste, with exceptions. Title V: Amendment of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply provisions allowing the deduction of intangible oil and gas drilling and development costs to certain geological and geophysical costs. (Sec. 502) Revises marginal production standards, for purposes of the oil and gas percentage depletion limitations, to increase the barrel ceiling on production from stripper wells that produce water at a specified rate. Establishes a tax credit for production from marginal oil and gas wells (as defined in this Act). (Sec. 504) Replaces the annually increasing base tax amount used in calculating the excise tax on ozone-depleting chemicals with one set amount. (Sec. 505) Reduces the rate of tax on certain reformulated gasoline. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide a specified credit or refund of tax on gasoline used to produce such reformulated gasoline.
Bill· HRH.R. 3441 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
Minimum Wage for Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the heading of the section allowing a tax credit popularly known as the "earned income tax credit" to read "Working Families Support Credit" (WFSC). (The current section heading reads "Earned income.") Conditions eligibility for the WFSC on individuals: (1) including their social security numbers on their tax returns; and (2) having a qualifying child. Removes provisions defining a qualifying child as including a student under the age of 24. Includes in the definition of "disqualified income" income from passive activities. Modifies how adjusted gross income is determined for the WFSC, including regarding certain: (1) child support payments; (2) non-taxable income; (3) income not included in gross income; (4) amounts relating to capital losses, trade or business losses, and estate and trust losses. Changes phaseout percentages and other percentages and amounts used in the calculation of the WFSC. Mandates monthly payment of the WFSC portion of any refund unless the WFSC is under $600. Increases penalties on: (1) tax preparers for understatement of tax liability and other actions; and (2) any person who aids and abets an understatement. Mandates reports to the Congress on: (1) ways to encourage WFSC recipients to obtain advance payments, reduce advance payment fraud, and reduce advance payment burdens on small businesses; and (2) the feasibility and effects of converting food stamps into cash payments and making those payments in the same payments as WFSC monthly payments.
Bill· SS. 1741 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Working Americans Wage Restoration Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) (title II of the Social Security Act) employee taxes. Prohibits the deduction if the individual claimed the earned income credit for the year. Allows a deduction for all (currently, one-half) of OASDI self-employment taxes. Allows only the one-half deduction if the individual claimed the earned income credit for the year.
Bill· HRH.R. 3425 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on an insurer, health maintenance organization (HMO), or group health plan sponsor that (if it provides any inpatient childbirth benefits for a mother or newborn) fails to provide: (1) inpatient benefits for a minimum period after delivery; and (2) if the mother or newborn are discharged before the end of that period, certain post-delivery follow-up care. Prohibits an insurer, HMO, or plan from using certain types of penalties or inducements regarding mothers or providers. Declares that the provisions of this Act do not preempt provisions of State law that provide protections that are not less than the protections under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3427 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Working Americans Wage Restoration Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) (title II of the Social Security Act) employee taxes. Prohibits the deduction if the individual claimed the earned income credit for the year. Allows a deduction for all (currently, one-half) of OASDI self-employment taxes. Allows only the one-half deduction if the individual claimed the earned income credit for the year.
Bill· HRH.R. 3430 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement that States pay unemployment compensation on the basis of services performed by election officials or workers if remuneration for a calendar year is expected to be less than $1,000.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 430 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3230 (national defense authorization).
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 174 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Establishes the budget for FY 1997 and sets forth appropriate budget levels for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 2) Sets forth recommended budgetary levels for Federal revenues, total new budget authority, total budget outlays, deficits, public debt, direct loan obligations, and primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 3) Sets the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1996 through 2002 for each major functional category. (Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to social security, debt repayment, the consumer price index, the budget process, Government shutdowns and funding lapses, and congressional pensions.
Bill· SS. 1739 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce by 4.3 cents per gallon the tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used by commercial waterway transportation vessels, special motor fuels, and methanol or ethanol fuels. Makes the reduction effective from seven days after enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Expresses the sense of the Congress that consumers immediately receive the benefits. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on whether there has been a passthrough to consumers. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete actions necessary to permit the competitive bidding of licenses for the use of described frequency bands. Prohibits the FCC from treating enactment of this Act as an expression of the intent of the Congress regarding the award of initial licenses of construction permits for Advanced Television Services.
Bill· HRH.R. 3415 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce by 4.3 cents per gallon the tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used by commercial waterway transportation vessels, special motor fuels, and methanol or ethanol fuels. Makes the reduction effective from seven days after enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Expresses the sense of the Congress that consumers immediately receive the benefits. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on whether there has been a passthrough to consumers. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete actions necessary to permit the competitive bidding of licenses for the use of described frequency bands. Prohibits the FCC from treating enactment of this Act as an expression of the intent of the Congress regarding the award of initial licenses of construction permits for Advanced Television Services.
Bill· HRH.R. 3420 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce, from the date of enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997, the rates of tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used on inland waterways, special motor fuels, and certain methanol or ethanol fuels. Prohibits the imposition of tax on compressed natural gas during that period. Reduces, for taxes imposed during that period, the rates regarding: (1) certain aviation fuel; (2) gasoline used in trains and certain buses and diesel fuel used in trains; and (3) alcohol fuels in provisions defining the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) cancel budget authority in current defense procurement accounts as necessary to achieve a reduction of $2.9 billion in Department of Defense outlays; and (2) report to the Congress on the programs, projects, and activities from which cancellations are made.
Bill· HRH.R. 3416 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, between December 31, 1995, and January 1, 2001, the tax on any ozone-depleting chemical (or any product made using any ozone-depleting chemical) used as a propellant in any metered-dose inhaler.
Bill· HRH.R. 3414 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1996
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require: (1) a sequestration of five percent of the OMB (Office of Management and Budget) baseline for that fiscal year; and (2) the President to immediately fully implement the sequestration. Exempts benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, retirement benefits for members of the uniformed services or U.S. officers or employees, and payments for net interest.
Bill· HRH.R. 3399 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: International Development Association Title II: African Development Bank Title III: Interest Subsidy Account of the Successor (ESAF II) to the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility of the International Monetary Fund Title IV: Middle East Development Bank Title I: International Development Association - Amends the International Development Association Act to authorize specified appropriations, without fiscal year limitation, for the U.S. contribution to the tenth replenishment of the resources of the International Development Association. Title II: African Development Bank - Amends the African Development Bank Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the African Development Bank to subscribe on behalf of the United States to unspecified additional shares of the capital stock of the Bank. Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation. Title III: Interest Subsidy Account of the Successor (ESAF II) to the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility of the International Monetary Fund - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to contribute on behalf of the United States a specified amount to the Interest Subsidy Account of the Successor (ESAF II) to the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility of the IMF. Authorizes specified appropriations without fiscal year limitation. Title IV: Middle East Development Bank - Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa Act - Authorizes the President to accept membership for the United States in the Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and North Africa provided for in the establishing agreement. Provides for appointment of U.S. Governor and Alternate Governor, and for the applicability of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act. Allows Federal Reserve Banks to act as depositories or fiscal agents for such Bank. Authorizes U.S. subscription and appropriations. Exempts certain Bank securities from specified Federal securities laws, subject to suspension of such exemption by the Securities and Exchange Commission at any time.
Bill· HRH.R. 3410 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Incentives for Oil and Gas Production Subtitle A: Production Credit Subtitle B: Modifications to Percentage Depletion Title II: Percentage Depletion Rate for Marginal Production Title III: Other Provisions Title IV: 6-Year Period of Limitation for Collection of Oil and Gas Royalties Energy Independence Act of 1996 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Production Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for producing crude oil and natural gas from new wells and marginal wells. Provides: (1) a formula for reducing such credit in years in which oil and gas prices increase; and (2) an inflation adjustment for such formula. Allows such credit against the regular and minimum tax. Subtitle B: Modifications to Percentage Depletion - Repeals the net income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and gas properties. (Sec. 112) Makes all marginal production of domestic crude oil or domestic natural gas eligible for percentage depletion. Title II: Percentage Depletion Rate for Marginal Production - Revises the percentage depletion rate for such marginal production. Title III: Other Provisions - Allows the election to treat geological and geophysical expenses incurred in connection with the exploration for, or development of, domestic oil or gas as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. (Sec. 302) Makes the enhanced oil recovery credit applicable to secondary recovery methods. Allows such credit against the minimum tax. Title IV: 6-Year Period of Limitation for Collection of Oil and Gas Royalties - Establishes a six-year statute of limitations on actions commenced by the United States for recovery of royalties due under an oil and gas lease on Federal lands unless a lessee has made a false or fraudulent statement with the intent to evade the royalties due.
Bill· HRH.R. 3395 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce, from the date of enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997, the rate of tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, special motor fuels, certain alcohol fuels, and compressed natural gas. Modifies, for taxes paid during that period: (1) refund rates for gasoline used in trains and certain buses and diesel fuel used in trains; and (2) rates regarding alcohol fuels in provisions defining the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Provides for the treatment of gasoline or diesel fuel floor stocks. Repeals provisions allowing a credit for alcohol fuels. Removes provisions relating to: (1) taxable fuels mixed with alcohol; (2) a reduced rate of tax for aviation fuel mixed with alcohol; and (3) fuels containing alcohol and certain alcohol fuels.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 427 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3322 (Federal civilian science activities authorization).
Bill· HRH.R. 3392 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1996
Intelligence Budget Accountability Act of 1996 - Directs the President to include in the annual budget submitted to the Congress a separate, unclassified statement of the appropriations and proposed appropriations for the current fiscal year, and the amount of appropriations requested for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, for national and tactical intelligence activities.
Bill· SS. 1725 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
National Discovery Trails Act of 1996 - Amends the National Trails System Act to provide that national discovery trails established under the Act shall be components of the National Trails System. Provides that such trails shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Designates the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail (established by this Act) as a national discovery trail. Provides that the Trail shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Exempts the Trail from comprehensive national scenic trail plan requirements under the Act, but requires the responsible nonprofit organization for the Trail to consult certain entities and submit to specified congressional committees, within three fiscal years after this Act's enactment, a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Trail. Provides that the Secretary charged with the overall administration of National Scenic and National Historic Trails shall administer a National Discovery Trail in cooperation with a nonprofit organization.
Bill· SS. 1727 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Repeal of 1993 Tax Rate Increase on Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and Special Motor Fuels Title II: Revenue Offsets Subtitle A: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle B: Communications and Spectrum Allocation Provisions Gas Tax Rollback Act of 1996 - Title I: Repeal of 1993 Tax Rate Increase on Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and Special Motor Fuels - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the tax rate on gasoline and diesel fuel. Title II: Revenue Offsets - Subtitle A: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens - Chapter 1: Eligibility for Federal Benefits - Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to exceptions, an alien who is: (1) not a qualified alien (as defined in chapter 3 of this title) is not eligible for any Federal public benefit; (2) a qualified alien is not eligible for the supplemental security income program (title XVI of the Social Security Act) or the food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; (3) a qualified alien and enters the United States on or after enactment of this Act is not eligible for any Federal means-tested public benefit for five years after entry. Chapter 2: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Deems, notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to exceptions, an alien's income and resources (for determining eligibility for and benefits of any means-tested public benefit program) to include the income and resources of: (1) any person who executed an affidavit of support of the alien; and (2) the alien's spouse. (Sec. 222) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose requirements regarding sponsors' affidavits of support. (Sec. 223) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make lawful permanent resident aliens ineligible for a loan under student assistance provisions of the Act unless the loan is endorsed and cosigned by the alien's sponsor. Chapter 3: General Provisions - Defines "qualified alien" to mean an alien: (1) who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence; (2) who is granted asylum; (3) who is a refugee admitted to the United States; (4) who is paroled into the United States for at least one year; (5) whose deportation is being withheld; or (6) who is granted conditional entry. (Sec. 232) Regulates reapplication and notice regarding an individual who is receiving supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the Social Security Act and whose eligibility would terminate because of this Act. (Sec. 233) Declares that this subtitle does not apply to programs or benefits provided under any program of foreign assistance. Subtitle B: Communications and Spectrum Allocation Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to modify license application competitive bidding requirements. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to complete all actions necessary to permit the assignment of licenses for the use of specified frequency bands. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to modify requirements regarding reallocation of frequency bands for use other than by Federal stations.
Bill· SS. 1722 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Minimum Wage Guarantee Title II: Income Equity Title III: Worker Protection in Labor Disputes Title IV: Workforce of the Future Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Streamlining and Consolidation Subtitle C: Market Building Activities Subtitle D: One-Stop Career Centers Title V: Corporate Accountability Title VI: Health Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability Subtitle B: Application and Enforcement of Standards Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VII: Pensions Title VIII: North American Trade Fairness Act Title IX: Commission on Retirement Income Policy Working Families Economic Security Act of 1996 - Title I: Minimum Wage Guarantee - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage to: (1) $4.70 an hour during FY 1997; and (2) $5.15 an hour during FY 1998. Provides for indexation of the minimum wage in FY 2000, and biennially thereafter, according to a formula based on a portion of an average hourly wage nationwide. Title II: Income Equity - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny employers a deduction for payments of excessive compensation (more than 25 times the lowest compensation paid any other employee). Title III: Worker Protection in Labor Disputes - Amends the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to promise, threaten, or take other action to hire a permanent replacement for an employee who: (1) at the beginning of a labor dispute was in a bargaining unit in which a labor organization either was the certified or recognized exclusive representative, or was seeking to be so certified or recognized, on the basis of written authorizations by a majority of unit employees; and (2) in connection with that dispute has engaged in concerted activities for collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection through that labor organization. (Sec. 301) Makes it also an unfair labor practice for an employer to withhold or deny any other employment right or privilege to such an employee who is working for or has unconditionally offered to return to work for the employer, out of preference for any other individual based on that individual's having performed, or indicated a willingness to perform, bargaining unit work for the employer during the dispute. (Sec. 302) Amends the Railway Labor Act to conform it to such NLRA prohibition. (Sec. 303) Amends the NLRA to require mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes. Title IV: Workforce of the Future - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Workforce of the Future Development Act - Consolidates and revises Federal job training programs to create a workforce development system. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Streamlining and Consolidation - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) any budget savings realized through elimination or consolidation of programs under this title should be reinvested in the national job training (or workforce development) system; and (2) elimination or merging of programs should be done without reducing the Federal commitment or level of effort to improve education, employment, and earnings of all workers, particularly hard-to-serve individuals. (Sec. 412) Repeals the authority for specified employment training programs under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Federal Transit Act, Displaced Homemaker Self-Sufficiency Assistance Act, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), and Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 413) Repeals authority for specified for certain adult job training and employment programs under the JTPA, Wagner-Peyser Act, Trade Act of 1974, Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, and Older Americans Act of 1965. Requires any State receiving an implementation grant (to develop an integrated workforce development system) to include the components of these repealed programs and activities in such system, and allows additional programs, under certain conditions. (Sec. 414) Directs the National Workforce Development Board (established under title II) to advise on consolidation of workforce development programs and draft a joint resolution for a streamlined, integrated, federally supported workforce development system. (Sec. 415) Directs the President to establish an expedited process to consider and act on requests by States for waivers of laws and regulations for specified programs. Subtitle C: Market Building Activities - Establishes the National Workforce Development Board (the Board) to prepare annual Nation's Workforce Development Report Cards (National Report Card) assessing the U.S. workforce development system performance and evaluating all workforce development programs that receive Federal funding. Amends the JTPA to repeal the establishment of the National Commission for Employment Policy. (Sec. 423) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to applicant States: (1) to develop strategic plans for development of comprehensive statewide integrated workforce development systems; and (2) if they are leading edge States, to implement them. Requires the Board to determine whether any proposed Federal job training legislation complies with specified requirements of this Act. Makes it out of order for the Senate or House of Representatives to consider any bill or resolution concerning workforce development that would not comply with the national workforce development system, as determined by the Board. (Sec. 424) Establishes a quality assurance system. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, of Education, and of Health and Human Services to jointly develop a quality assurance system, including a placement accountability system for all federally funded workforce development programs, using program performance standards recommended by the Board and adopted by the Congress. (Sec. 431) Requires each State desiring to participate in development of an integrated and accountable workforce development system to establish an advisory State Workforce Development Council (State Council) (or use a similar existing entity that includes representatives of employers and workers). Requires the State Council to: (1) assist the Governor in preparing a biennial State Workforce Development Policy Blueprint and an annual State Workforce Development Report Card, and in certifying each local workforce development board; and (2) develop a quality assurance system. (Sec. 437) Requires States receiving implementation grants to: (1) establish unified service delivery areas (SDAs), according to State Council recommendations, to provide community-wide workforce development assistance in one-stop career centers; (2) design a unified financial and management information system, which all programs in the integrated system shall use; and (3) develop a strategy of specified services to enhance the capacity of institutions, organizations, and staff involved in State and local workforce development activities. (Sec. 441) Requires the local elected officials of each unified SDA to establish a workforce development board (local board) to administer the workforce development assistance provided by all programs in the integrated workforce development system in such area. (Sec. 444) Requires each local board to identify capacity building actions to be taken for its workforce development system with State Council funds. Subtitle D: One-Stop Career Centers - Requires each local board to develop a network of one-stop career centers to provide jobseekers, workers, and businesses universal access to a comprehensive array of quality employment, education, and training services. Title V: Corporate Accountability - Corporate Accountability Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any entity entering into a contract with the Federal Government for goods or services should abide by a specified corporate code of conduct. Prescribes compliance requirements. Title VI: Health Insurance Reform - Health Insurance Reform Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage, with guaranteed renewability, to a group purchaser. (Sec. 613) Restricts the circumstances in which a plan may impose a benefit limitation or exclusion because of a preexisting condition. Mandates the crediting of previous qualifying coverage, and special enrollment periods for individuals with certain types of changes in family composition or employment status. (Sec. 620) Prohibits an insurer (for an individual in a period of previous qualifying coverage) from declining to offer coverage or denying enrollment based on health status, medical condition, or similar factors. Mandates coverage renewability for individuals. (Sec. 631) Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to modify continuation coverage requirements. (Sec. 641) Requires a State to certify health plan purchasing cooperatives meeting specified requirements. Subtitle B: Application and Enforcement of Standards - Prescribes general requirements for enforcement of standards, mandating Federal enforcement in the event of State failure. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends PHSA to allow a health maintenance organization, at a member's request, to reduce the member's basic health services payment by requiring payment of a deductible, if the member has established a medical savings account. (Sec. 661) Declares that it is the sense: (1) of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee that the establishment of medical savings accounts should be encouraged as part of any health insurance reform legislation passed; and (2) of the Senate that the Congress should take steps to further the purposes of this title. (Sec. 662) Amends ERISA to set forth rules governing litigation involving retiree health benefits. (Sec. 663) Directs the Secretary to study and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) mechanisms to ensure the availability of reasonably priced health coverage to employers purchasing group and individuals purchasing non-group coverage; and (2) whether standards limiting premium variation will further the purposes of this Act. (Sec. 664) Expresses the sense of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee that the Senate should take measures necessary to: (1) reform the Medicare program; (2) provide increased choice for seniors; and (3) respond to certain findings of the Public Trustees of Medicare by protecting the short-term solvency and long-term sustainability of the Medicare program. (Sec. 665) Mandates parity of treatment limitations and financial requirements for mental health services. Title VII: Pensions - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the tax on reversion of qualified pension plan assets to employers should not be repealed or modified; and (2) the provisions allowing transfer of excess pension assets to retiree health accounts should not be expanded. Title VIII: North American Trade Fairness Act - North American Trade Fairness Act - Requires assessment of the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), further negotiation of certain NAFTA provisions, and withdrawal from NAFTA unless specified conditions are met and certified to. (Sec. 802) Sets forth conditions for continuing U.S. participation in NAFTA, to be met before the end of 1997. Requires the President to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA to correct trade deficits, currency distortions, and agricultural distortions, and to raise labor, health, and environmental standards, in specified ways. Requires certifications by certain U.S. officials of specified NAFTA-related economic, environmental, and political matters. Sets forth congressional consultation requirements. (Sec. 804) Expresses the sense of the Congress that until the conditions set by this title are met: (1) the President should not engage in negotiations to expand NAFTA to include other countries; and (2) fast-track authority should not be renewed with respect to the approval of any such NAFTA expansion. Title IX: Commission on Retirement Income Policy - Establishes the Commission on Retirement Income Policy to study and report to the President and the Congress on: (1) U.S. trends in retirement savings; (2) existing Federal incentives and programs to encourage and protect them; and (3) new Federal incentives and programs needed for such purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3391 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (4) State and local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Makes inapplicable to owner or operator recipients of Trust Fund amounts under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 424 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H. Con. Res. 66 (congressional budget).