Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Bill· HRH.R. 1739 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
BWCAW Accessibility and Fairness Act of 1997 - Allows the use of motorboats on a specified portion of the Sea Gull Lake (currently, such use is restricted) within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota. Permits the operation of motorized vehicles and associated equipment to transport boats across the portage between the Moose Lake chain and Basswood Lake, between Fall Lake and Basswood Lake, and between Vermilion Lake and Trout Lake.
Bill· HRH.R. 1720 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title IX: Traffic Safety Title X: Hazardous Materials Reauthorization Title XI: Underground Damage Prevention Title XII: Sanitary Food Transportation Title XIII: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism Title XIV: Rail and Mass Transportation Safety Surface Transportation Safety Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary), as a means to encourage safety improvements, to make special or periodic awards to individuals and organizations in recognition of their contributions to transportation safety programs and activities. Title IX: (sic) Traffic Safety - Amends Federal highway safety law to authorize the Secretary to transfer specified percentages of funds apportioned to a State for the National Highway System, the surface transportation program, and the Interstate System to the State's apportionment of funds for highway safety programs if such State has not enacted and had in continuous effect a primary enforcement safety belt use law. Limits the use of such funds to occupant protection programs only. Requires the Secretary, if such funds are transferred, to allocate amounts to the State for Federal- aid highways and highway construction programs for carrying out only highway safety projects. (Sec. 9002) Amends Federal motor vehicle safety law to authorize the Secretary to engage in specified activities that improve worldwide motor vehicle safety, including: (1) promoting the adoption of international and national vehicle standards that are equivalent to, or compatible with, U.S. vehicle standards; and (2) providing technical assistance to other countries relating to their adoption of such vehicle standards. (Sec. 9006) Requires States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title from readily accessible records: (1) if the motor vehicle was previously issued a certificate of title or a nonrepairable motor vehicle certificate that contained a word or symbol signifying that it was "junk," "salvage," "rebuilt salvage," "nonrepairable," "flood," or any other word or symbol signifying damage; and (2) the State that first issued the certificate of title. Directs the Secretary to require, by regulation, the manner in which a State shall disclose on subsequent certificates of title, including a duplicate or replacement, such information, and the manner in which the information shall be retained by the State, to ensure an orderly transition to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. Requires an insurance carrier, when the ownership of a severely damaged passenger motor vehicle is transferred to it, and the damage requires titling either as a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle, to apply to the State in which the transfer takes place for a salvage title or a nonrepairable motor vehicle certificate. Requires certain actions on the part of the insurance carrier and the owner or the lessee and lessor of a motor vehicle with respect to such titling requirements. Prohibits a passenger motor vehicle for which a salvage title has been issued from being licensed for use in a State unless the State issues a rebuilt salvage title for it indicating certain information. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and procedures for the anti-theft inspection of rebuilt salvage passenger motor vehicles by State inspection systems, including the training of inspectors and equipment standards, to deter the use of stolen parts in the rebuilding and repair of salvage motor vehicles. Makes it unlawful for a person: (1) with intent to defraud, to alter a certificate of title, a duplicate or a replacement; (2) with intent to defraud, to make or cause to be made any false statement on an application for a certificate of title, a duplicate or a replacement; (3) to fail to apply, within the prescribed time and manner, for either a required salvage title or a required nonrepairable motor vehicle certificate; (4) to fail to provide any required written notification; (5) to fail to surrender a certificate of title or nonrepairable motor vehicle certificate when surrender is required; (6) to alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a certificate of inspection recording compliance with a State's inspection criteria for a rebuilt salvage passenger motor vehicle, or a State's permanent label, stating "Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicle - Inspections Passed"; (7) to falsify the results of, or provide false information in the course of, any required inspection; (8) to operate or introduce into commerce a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle as a rebuilt salvage passenger motor vehicle; or (9) to conspire to violate, or fail to comply with, the requirements of this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Title X: Hazardous Materials Reauthorization - Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to impose a fee on persons who are required to file a registration statement for the transport of hazardous materials in order to pay for the costs of processing such statements. (Sec. 10006) Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot program to evaluate the use of automated carrier assessment programs for carriers of certain hazardous materials. (Sec. 10009) Directs the Secretary (currently, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)) to monitor public sector emergency response planning and training for an accident involving hazardous material. Authorizes the Secretary to allow a State or Indian tribe receiving a planning and training grant to use up to 25 percent of the grant amount to assist small businesses in complying with regulations for the safe transportation hazardous material. (Sec. 10012) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with a person, U.S. agency, State or local government, Indian tribe, foreign government, educational institution, or other entity to further research, development, demonstration, risk assessment, emergency response planning and training activities with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials. (Sec. 10013) Authorizes officers, employees, or agents of the Secretary to: (1) inspect and examine packages in transport when they are marked as containing a hazardous material, or when there is a reasonable belief that such a package may contain such material; and (2) prevent, when there is a reasonable belief that an imminent hazard may exist, the further transportation of the hazardous material until the hazardous qualities of such material have been determined. (Sec. 10014) Revises penalties for violations of a regulation, order, special permit, or approval in connection with the transportation of a hazardous material to: (1) increase the maximum civil penalty to not more than $27,500 for each violation; and (2) provide for a fine, or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both for violations which lead to the release of a hazardous material (aggravated violations). (Sec. 10016) Authorizes a person with a substantial interest in a final enforcement order issued in connection with the transportation of a hazardous material to petition for review in the appropriate court. (Sec. 10017) Authorizes appropriations. Earmarks certain funds for: (1) training the public sector to respond to accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials; and (2) hazardous material emergency response planning and training grants to States and Indian tribes. Title XI: Underground Damage Prevention - Underground Damage Prevention Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary to consider the establishment of a nationwide toll-free telephone number system to be used in State one-call notification programs with respect to the safety of underground facilities. Requires each State program to: (1) provide for a one-call notification system that informs facility operators of any intended excavations that may be in the vicinity of their underground facilities; (2) inform excavators of State damage prevention procedures to be followed when excavating; (3) require facility operators to locate and mark their facilities at an excavation site; and (4) provide effective enforcement mechanisms. Declares that a State program need not require an excavator to contact the one-call system if the excavation is undertaken on behalf of an oil or gas mineral lessee who also operates all underground facilities on a property. (Sec. 11002) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States or to operators of one-call notification systems to establish State programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and make available to States a model State one-call notification program; (2) conduct workshops with facility operators, excavators, one-call notification system operators, and interested State and local governments to develop and promote the model program; and (3) to develop public service announcements and other educational materials and programs to educate the public about one-call notification systems. Title XII: Sanitary Food Transportation - Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem as adulterated any food transported under unsanitary conditions. (Sec. 12003) Directs the Secretary to establish by regulation sanitary transportation practices (subject to waiver) which shippers, carriers, receivers, and other persons engaged in the transportation of food shall follow to ensure that such food will not become adulterated during transportation. Authorizes the Secretary, by publication in the Federal Register, to establish a list of nonfood products that may become adulterated if shipped in a tank or bulk vehicle, or motor or rail vehicle. (Sec. 12004) Amends Federal transportation law to revise sanitary food transportation requirements to direct the Secretary to establish transportation safety inspection procedures to identify suspected incidents of contamination or adulteration of food, and to train Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel in the use of such procedures. Directs the Secretary to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture of any instances of potential food contamination or adulteration of food identified during such inspections. Title XIII: Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism - Transportation Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 - Amends Federal criminal law to revise provisions regarding the wrecking of trains to prohibit terrorist attacks against railroads, including: (1) bringing, carrying, or placing a destructive substance or device in, or near, any freight or passenger train with the intent to endanger the safety of any rail passenger or railroad employee, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life; (2) removing appurtenances from, or damage, any railroad signal system; (3) interfering with, or disabling, any locomotive engineer while operating a freight or passenger train with the intent to endanger the safety of any rail passenger or railroad employee, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life; (4) committing an act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a railroad employee or rail passenger; (5) causing the release of a hazardous material being transported by a rail freight car, with the intent to endanger the safety of any person, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life; (6) conveying false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt to do any prohibited act that would be a crime; or (7) attempting or conspiring to do any such acts. (Sec. 13003) Imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not less than 30 years or for life if such act involves a railroad train that carries high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel. Imposes penalties for anyone who: (1) knowingly possesses or causes to be present any firearm or other dangerous weapon on board a passenger train or in a passenger facility, especially with intent that it be used in the commission of a crime; (2) kills or attempts to kill a person in the course of the above violations; or (3) willfully or recklessly throws a rock, or piece of steel, or any dangerous object or destructive substance at any train, knowing or having reason to know such activity would likely cause personal injury. (Sec. 13004) Sets forth similar prohibitions and penalties for terrorist attacks against mass transportation. (Sec. 13005) Declares that the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall lead the investigation of all offenses committed under this title. Title XIV: Rail and Mass Transportation Safety - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Federal Transit Administrator to consult with the Federal Railroad Administrator concerning relevant safety issues when making mass transportation grants or loans to commuter railroads that are under the Secretary's railroad safety jurisdiction. (Sec. 14002) Revises provisions requiring railroad carriers to file accident reports with the Secretary to require that they be filed on a periodic basis as specified by the Secretary (currently, on a monthly basis). (Sec. 14003) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to extend through January 1, 2003, the temporary exemption from certain axle weight limitations to any intrastate public agency transit passenger bus using the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways.
Bill· HRH.R. 1725 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Regional Investments for National Growth Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a regional investments for national growth program (RING program) in order to identify and fund large multi-State and regional transportation projects that are essential to global U.S. competitiveness. Makes eligible for funding under the RING program any regional transportation infrastructure investments that include participation by two or more States or public authorities representing two or more States, or that improve access to international commerce centers such as ports, commercial aviation facilities, and major rail terminals, and meet specified requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1708 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters and Overseas Peacekeeping Chapter 1: Department of Defense - Military Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Chapter 5: Departments of Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Title II: Rescissions and Offsets Title III: General Provisions, This Act Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1997 - Makes interim emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1997 for the programs listed in this Act. Title I: Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery From Natural Disasters and Overseas Peacekeeping - Chapter 1: Department of Defense - Military - Provides additional funds for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund. Rescinds amounts for the following programs from funds provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1997: (1) operations and maintenance defense-wide and for the Army, Navy, and Air Force individually; and (2) aircraft procurement and military personnel for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Rescinds, from the following accounts, certain amounts provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts: (1) Army, Navy, and Air Force aircraft procurement; (2) Army and Navy weapons procurement; (3) Army missile, tracked combat vehicles, and other procurement; (4) Navy shipbuilding and conversion; (5) defense-wide procurement; and (6) Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies - Provides additional funds to the Farm Service Agency for the Emergency Conservation Program for expenses resulting from flooding and other natural disasters. Authorizes the use of a specified amount from proceeds earned from the sale of grain in the disaster reserve established in the Agricultural Act of 1970 to implement a livestock indemnity program for losses from certain natural disasters. Makes such authorization effective only for losses occurring in FY 1997 through this Act's enactment date. Limits the grain in the disaster reserve to 20 million bushels, beginning in FY 1998. Provides additional funds to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed and flood prevention operations to repair damages to waterways and watersheds resulting from flooding and other natural disasters, including those in prior years. Prohibits the use of such appropriations for the salmon memorandum of understanding. Provides additional funds to the Food and Consumer Service for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Makes additional amounts available for the Economic Development Administration for economic development assistance programs for emergency infrastructure expenses and the capitalization of revolving loan funds related to recent flooding and other natural disasters. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development - Provides additional funds to the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and coastal emergencies. Chapter 5: Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies - Makes additional funds available for the Community Development Block Grants Fund to remain available through FY 2000 for buyouts, relocation, long-term recovery, and mitigation in communities affected by the flooding in the upper Midwest and other disasters in FY 1997 and natural disasters designated 30 days prior to the start of FY 1997. Excludes activities reimbursable or for which funds are made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, or the Army Corps of Engineers. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive certain requirements that activities benefit persons of low- and moderate-income or that housing qualify as affordable housing under specified housing laws with respect to the use of funds under this chapter. Provides additional funds to FEMA for disaster relief. Title II: Rescissions and Offsets - Limits the amount of funds available for the Fund for Rural America and for salaries and expenses of Foreign Agricultural Service personnel carrying out certain export credit and enhancement programs. Rescinds, with exceptions, amounts recaptured under annual contributions for assisted housing. Directs the Secretary of HUD to recapture a specified amount in amounts previously made available to housing agencies for tenant-based assistance under the Section 8 existing housing certificate and voucher programs. Requires such recaptures to be from amounts in the annual contributions contract reserve accounts established by HUD. Title III: General Provisions, This Act - Prohibits any appropriation in this Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless otherwise provided.
Bill· HRH.R. 1706 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
Child Care Infrastructure Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer-provided child care credit for qualified expenses to build, rehabilitate, or expand a qualified child care facility, or subsidize or contract for such services, for an employer's employees. Terminates such credit by a specified date.
Bill· HRH.R. 1707 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters and Overseas Peacekeeping Chapter 1: Department of Defense - Military Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Chapter 5: Departments of Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Title II: Rescissions and Offsets Title III: General Provisions, This Act Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1997 - Makes interim emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1997 for the programs listed in this Act. Title I: Interim Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery From Natural Disasters and Overseas Peacekeeping - Chapter 1: Department of Defense - Military - Provides additional funds for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund. Rescinds amounts for the following programs from funds provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1997: (1) operations and maintenance defense-wide and for the Army, Navy, and Air Force individually; and (2) aircraft procurement and military personnel for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Rescinds, from the following accounts, certain amounts provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts: (1) Army, Navy, and Air Force aircraft procurement; (2) Army and Navy weapons procurement; (3) Army missile, tracked combat vehicles, and other procurement; (4) Navy shipbuilding and conversion; (5) defense-wide procurement; and (6) Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies - Provides additional funds to the Farm Service Agency for the Emergency Conservation Program for expenses resulting from flooding and other natural disasters. Authorizes the use of a specified amount from proceeds earned from the sale of grain in the disaster reserve established in the Agricultural Act of 1970 to implement a livestock indemnity program for losses from certain natural disasters. Makes such authorization effective only for losses occurring in FY 1997 through this Act's enactment date. Limits the grain in the disaster reserve to 20 million bushels, beginning in FY 1998. Provides additional funds to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed and flood prevention operations to repair damages to waterways and watersheds resulting from flooding and other natural disasters, including those in prior years. Prohibits the use of such appropriations for the salmon memorandum of understanding. Provides additional funds to the Food and Consumer Service for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Makes additional amounts available for the Economic Development Administration for economic development assistance programs for emergency infrastructure expenses and the capitalization of revolving loan funds related to recent flooding and other natural disasters. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development - Provides additional funds to the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and coastal emergencies. Chapter 5: Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies - Makes additional funds available for the Community Development Block Grants Fund to remain available through FY 2000 for buyouts, relocation, long-term recovery, and mitigation in communities affected by the flooding in the upper Midwest and other disasters in FY 1997 and natural disasters designated 30 days prior to the start of FY 1997. Excludes activities reimbursable or for which funds are made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, or the Army Corps of Engineers. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive certain requirements that activities benefit persons of low- and moderate-income or that housing qualify as affordable housing under specified housing laws with respect to the use of funds under this chapter. Provides additional funds to FEMA for disaster relief. Title II: Rescissions and Offsets - Limits the amount of funds available for the Fund for Rural America and for salaries and expenses of Foreign Agricultural Service personnel carrying out certain export credit and enhancement programs. Rescinds, with exceptions, amounts recaptured under annual contributions for assisted housing. Directs the Secretary of HUD to recapture a specified amount in amounts previously made available to housing agencies for tenant-based assistance under the Section 8 existing housing certificate and voucher programs. Requires such recaptures to be from amounts in the annual contributions contract reserve accounts established by HUD. Title III: General Provisions, This Act - Prohibits any appropriation in this Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless otherwise provided.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 90 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Levels and Amounts Title II: Reconciliation Instructions Title III: Sense of Congress Provisions Establishes the congressional budget for the Government for FY 1998 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY 1999 through 2002. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 1998 through 2002, for: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) the public debt; (6) direct loan obligations; and (7) primary loan guarantee commitments. Sets forth levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1998 through 2002 for specified major functional categories. Title II: Reconciliation Instructions - Establishes a deadline for the submission of specified House committee recommendations on changes in laws that provide direct spending to the House Budget Committee. Requires the House Budget Committee to report a reconciliation bill carrying out such recommendations without substantive revision to the House. Establishes outlay limits, for FY 1998 through 2002, for the following House committees: (1) Agriculture; (2) Banking and Financial Services; (3) Commerce; (4) Education and the Workforce; (5) Government Reform and Oversight; (6) Transportation and Infrastructure; (7) Veterans' Affairs; and (8) Ways and Means. Sets forth, for FY 1998 through 2002: (1) deficit reduction targets for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee; and (2) amounts by which revenues shall be decreased and increased, respectively, by the House Ways and Means Committee. Deems the House Committees on Commerce and Ways and Means to be in noncompliance with reconciliation instructions pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if such committees provide a children's health initiative that would increase the deficit by more than specified amounts for FY 1998 through 2002. Title III: Sense of Congress Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to: (1) legislation to provide middle-income tax relief, small business tax incentives and relief, and extensions to the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund; (2) offsets of tax cuts by revenue increases; (3) sufficient funding to insure all uninsured children in America through health care grants and expansion of Medicaid and for domestic discretionary funding for priority areas; (4) increased Medicaid coverage for low-income adults, seniors, and uninsured children; (5) increased annual limits on Pell Grants; (6) support for the President's school construction initiative; (7) increased funding for educational opportunities, crime intervention and prevention, and domestic violence programs; (8) transportation improvement funding; (9) sufficient funding for specified programs to meet the needs of infants and toddlers; (10) funding for the National Institutes of Health and veterans' cost-of-living allowances and housing benefits; (11) full funding for Federal research and development programs; (12) increased housing assistance; and (13) priorities in spending on defense readiness and personnel as opposed to expansions of large weapons systems.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 86 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Levels and Amounts Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking Title III: Sense of the House of Representatives Sets forth the congressional budget for the Government for FY 1998. Sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1999 through 2002. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 1998 through 2002, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; (6) new direct loan obligations; and (7) new primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 102) Sets forth for such fiscal years specified amounts of revenues and outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. (Sec. 103) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 104) Establishes reconciliation procedures for the Senate. Sets forth a deadline for submission of specified Senate committee recommendations to the Senate Committee on the Budget. Requires that Committee to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill without any substantive revision of such recommendations. Sets forth deficit reduction amounts for FY 1998 through 2002 for the Senate committees on: (1) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (2) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and (3) Governmental Affairs. Specifies outlay reductions, for FY 1998 through 2002, for the Senate committees on: (1) Energy and Natural Resources; (2) Finance; (3) Labor and Human Resources; and (4) Veterans' Affairs. Specifies increased outlays for the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Establishes a ceiling on the increase to the statutory limit on the public debt required to be reported by the Senate Committee on Finance. Directs the Senate Committee on Finance to report a reconciliation bill proposing changes in laws necessary to reduce revenues by up to specified amounts in FY 2002 and for the period of FY 1998 through 2002. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) treatment of congressional pay-as-you-go-requirements; and (2) deficit neutral adjustments and limited flexibility on adjustments. (Sec. 105) Sets forth deadlines for submission of specified House committee recommendations to the House Committee on the Budget, and for that Committee's report to the House of a reconciliation bill without any substantive revision of such recommendations, for the separate categories of entitlement reform and of tax relief and miscellaneous reforms. Specifies outlay limits, with respect to entitlement reform and to tax relief and miscellaneous reforms, for FY 1998 through 2002, for the House committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Banking and Financial Services; (3) Commerce; (4) Education and the Workforce; (5) Government Reform and Oversight; (6) Transportation and Infrastructure; (7) Veterans' Affairs; and (8) Ways and Means. Establishes deficit reduction amounts for the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight for FY 1998 through 2002 with respect to the two reform categories. Lists amounts of revenue increases and increases in the statutory limit on the public debt to be reported by the House Ways and Means Committee. Sets forth budgetary limits on a children's health initiative. Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking - Establishes certain discretionary spending limits in the Senate for each of FY 1998 through 2002 for defense, nondefense, and discretionary categories. Sets forth related provisions regarding points of order in the Senate, waivers, and appeals. Declares that the levels of new budget authority, outlays, new entitlement authority, revenues, and deficits for a fiscal year shall be determined on the basis of Senate Budget Committee estimates. (Sec. 202) Requires the chairmen of the House or Senate Budget Committees to increase the appropriate allocations, budgetary aggregates, and discretionary limits (in the Senate) specified in appropriations measures reported in the Senate in FY 1998 through 2002, and in the House in FY 1998, by the amount of budget authority in such a measure that is the dollar equivalent, in terms of Special Drawing Rights, of: (1) an increase in the U.S. quota as part of the International Monetary Fund Eleventh General Review of Quotas; or (2) any increase in the maximum amount available to the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to the Bretton Woods Agreement Act with respect to new arrangements to borrow. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the chairmen of the House or Senate Budget Committees to increase by up to a specified amount any allocation in a reported FY 1998 appropriations measure (or conference report) that includes an appropriation for the renewal of expiring contracts for Section 8 housing assistance. (Sec. 204) Permits the chairmen of the House or Senate Budget Committees to increase by up to specified amounts for FY 1998 and for the period of FY 1998 through 2002 the allocation for any legislation reported (including a conference report) by specified House or Senate committees to reform the Superfund program to facilitate the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. (Sec. 205) Authorizes limited increases in allocations for priority Federal land acquisitions and exchanges reported in appropriations measures in FY 1998. (Sec. 206) Directs the chairmen of the House or Senate Budget Committees to increase by up to specified amounts for FY 1998 through 2002 (FY 1998 in the House) the allocation for any reported appropriations measure (including a conference report) that includes an appropriation for arrearages for international organizations, international peacekeeping, and multilateral development banks. Permits increases in discretionary spending limits in the Senate for such purposes but limits the total amount of budget authority and outlays flowing from such adjustments. (Sec. 207) Authorizes, upon the enactment of specified legislation, the establishment of certain reserve funds, for FY 1998 through 2002, for: (1) intercity passenger rail transportation; (2) mass transit; (3) highways; and (4) surface transportation. (Sec. 211) Sets forth provisions regarding budgetary treatment of the sale of Government assets. Title III: Sense of the House of Representatives - Expresses the sense of the House regarding: (1) baselines; (2) repayment of the Federal debt; (3) creation of a commission on long-term budgetary problems; (4) corporate welfare; and (5) the desired absence of numerical limits on the States' grant of domestic violence good cause waivers with respect to certain welfare assistance requirements.
Bill· SS. 774 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Coeur d'Alene River Basin Environmental Restoration Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Treasury the Coeur d'Alene Trust Fund for transfer of funds to the Secretary of the Army for use by the State of Idaho for the Coeur d'Alene River Basin Commission (established by this Act) to develop an action plan to support and enhance natural recovery of the Coeur d'Alene River basin. Requires submission to the Secretary of a completed action plan by the Governor of Idaho within two years after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Coeur d'Alene River Basin Commission. Limits liability, with exceptions, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or the Solid Waste Disposal Act for damages attributable to activities in the Basin undertaken before enactment of this Act. Exempts: (1) the Governor, Commission, and State of Idaho from liability for any action taken in developing such action plan or for any environmental costs or response resulting from any release or threatened release of a hazardous substance due to mining activity in the Basin undertaken before the enactment of this Act; and (2) any current or former landowner within the Basin from environmental response or action costs or requirements with respect to a mining activity undertaken before the enactment of this Act if the person establishes that any such liability would arise solely on the basis of the transport of the hazardous substance by air, surface, or groundwater pathways from outside the boundaries of such person's property. Permits entrance by the Secretary into cooperative agreements with the Governor and the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1700 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Federal Lands Transportation Improvement Act - Establishes the Cooperative Federal Lands Transportation Program to provide funds for projects on State-owned or maintained highways that cross, are adjacent to, or lead to federally owned land or Indian reservations. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) project funds distribution; and (2) the transfer of project funds to a State to carry out projects on Federal lands highways within such State. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1701 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997 - Amends Federal highway provisions to direct the Secretary of Transportation, for FY 1998 and thereafter, to increase and set aside an additional amount of Federal highway funds for allocation (according to a specified formula) to States that: (1) have population densities of fewer than 25 individuals per square mile; and (2) comprise a land area of 10,000 square miles or more.
Bill· HRH.R. 1691 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1997
Coeur d'Alene River Basin Environmental Restoration Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Treasury the Coeur d'Alene Trust Fund for transfer of funds to the Secretary of the Army for use by the State of Idaho for the Coeur d'Alene River Basin Commission (established by this Act) to develop an action plan to support and enhance natural recovery of the Coeur d'Alene River Basin. Requires submission to the Secretary of a completed action plan by the Governor of Idaho within two years after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Coeur d'Alene River Basin Commission. Limits liability, with exceptions, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or the Solid Waste Disposal Act for damages attributable to activities in the basin undertaken before enactment of this Act. Exempts: (1) the Governor, Commission, and State of Idaho from liability for any action taken in developing such action plan or for any environmental costs or response resulting from any release or threatened release of a hazardous substance due to mining activity in the Basin undertaken before the enactment of this Act; and (2) any current or former landowner within the Basin from environmental response or action costs or requirements with respect to a mining activity undertaken before the enactment of this Act if the person establishes that any such liability would arise solely on the basis of the transport of the hazardous substance by air, surface, or groundwater pathways from outside the boundaries of such person's property. Permits the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the Governor and the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1664 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Safe Bridges Reconstruction and Restoration Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to set aside $800 million per fiscal year for obligation at the Secretary's discretion for the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1670 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Airline Passenger Safety Act of 1997 - Amends Federal aviation law to require each air carrier to establish procedures, including specified steps, to be followed in the event of an in-flight medical emergency. Requires each air carrier to provide, upon request, a copy of such procedures to each air passenger. (Sec. 2) Requires: (1) each aircraft to be equipped with certain life-saving equipment, including first-aid and medical kits; (2) each member of the flight crew to have access to such items; (3) each air carrier, with respect to cardiac emergencies, to train flight crew members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operation of an automated external defibrillator; (4) each air carrier to establish an in-flight emergency procedures manual, including cardiac medical emergency response procedures; (5) each aircraft to be equipped with such manual; (6) each air carrier to take certain actions in providing emergency medical care; (7) each air carrier to enter into a contract with a clinic, hospital, or other medical care provider to provide it with medical advice (including the solicitation of assistance of medically-qualified passengers) in the case of in-flight medical emergencies; and (8) the flight crew to check on any passenger who is inside an aircraft lavatory for more than ten minutes. Directs the Secretary to establish certain procedures to ensure that appropriate medical personnel, including a coroner in the event of a passenger's death, are present to meet an aircraft upon the notification of an air traffic controller of an in-flight medical emergency. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for in-flight medical emergencies requiring an emergency landing, including: (1) establishing a medical facility to be contacted after an in-flight medical emergency; and (2) designating an airport ground crew that will meet the plane, including medical personnel assigned to the airport. Prohibits an air carrier from purchasing or leasing an aircraft that is not equipped with an emergency call button in each aircraft lavatory. Requires specified reports on in-flight medical emergencies. Directs an air carrier to notify the family of a passenger as soon as practicable after an in-flight medical emergency involving such passenger. Directs the Secretary to appoint an individual within the Department of Transportation to serve as a liaison to family members of the passenger. Directs the Secretary to review: (1) the compliance of each air carrier with the requirements of this Act; and (2) the procedures established at each airport for meeting passengers with medical emergencies. Requires the Secretary to: (1) keep statistics on the number of in-flight medical emergencies that occur each year; and (2) study the feasibility of using satellite communications of Global Position Satellites as a method of improving communications between pilots, ground medical personnel, and air traffic controllers. Limits the liability of air carriers and individuals in providing medical assistance in the case of an in-flight medical emergency.
Bill· HRH.R. 1666 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1997
Amends Federal transportation law to repeal specified authorities with respect to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), eliminating intercity rail passenger transportation (while retaining Amtrak commuter services). Repeals a provision which provides for the judicial review of the discontinuance of a route, a train, or transportation, or the reduction in the frequency of transportation by Amtrak. Authorizes appropriations in decreasing amounts over four fiscal years. Repeals specified laws that apply to Amtrak operations, abolishing the Board of Directors. Declares that the United States relinquishes all rights held in any stock, note of indebtedness, or mortgage issued by or entered into with Amtrak. Repeals: (1) certain provisions which require Amtrak to make an agreement to avoid duplicating employee functions; (2) all authority for operation of the Amtrak route system; and (3) all authority for the Northeast Corridor improvement program. Prohibits a rail carrier employee whose employment is terminated as a result of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service from receiving any wage continuation or severance benefit in excess of six months pay. Authorizes a rail carrier to require an employee whose position is eliminated as a result of such discontinuance to transfer to any vacant position for which he or she can be made qualified on any part of the rail carrier's system. (Sec. 8) Amends the Federal Employers' Liability Act (or Employers' Liability Act) to declare that it shall not apply to common carriers to the extent they provide rail passenger transportation.
Bill· SS. 764 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1997
Mass Transit Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to add to the general purposes of mass transportation programs: (1) providing financial assistance to State and local governments to help carry out national goals related to mobility for individuals seeking employment or job training in order to end their reliance on public assistance programs; and (2) achieving demonstrable reductions in energy consumption and air pollution through increased reliance on mass transportation. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States, local governments, and private nonprofit organizations to provide access, through the use of vans, buses, or train routes, to suburban employment and job training opportunities to residents of distressed urban and rural areas. Defines "distressed urban area" as any urban area with a population over 50,000 that meets certain Housing and Urban Development criteria. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Requires metropolitan planning organizations in developing transportation plans and programs to consider, among other things, the transportation requirements of a strategy to revitalize the Nation's inner cities by creating new employment, job training, housing, mobility, and other economic opportunities in urban areas. (Sec. 6) Makes mass transportation block grants for capital projects and related equipment and facilities available for maintaining capital assets. (Sec. 7) Authorizes urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000 and rural areas to use capital project block grants for either operating or capital needs. (Sec. 8) Extends for an additional four-year period discretionary grants and loans: (1) for fixed guideway modernization and capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing systems; and (2) to replace, rehabilitate, and buy buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. (Sec. 9) Declares that the Secretary may authorize a recipient who no longer needs an asset acquired with mass transportation block grant assistance to sell (currently, transfer) such asset and retain the proceeds of the sale if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) certain apportionments to urbanized areas for fixed guideway modernization (nondiscretionary); (2) specified mass transportation programs; (3) the national mass transportation institute; (4) university research institutes; and (5) transportation centers (including set-asides). (Sec. 11) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary, for apportionment adjustment purposes, to estimate quarterly the net highway receipts of the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the 24-month period (currently, 12-month period) beginning at the close of the next fiscal year. (Sec. 12) Establishes in the HTF the Intercity Passenger Rail Account. Transfers to the Account certain portions of the amounts attributable to taxes for gasoline, diesel fuel, special motor fuels, compressed natural gas, methanol and ethanol fuel, and nongasoline noncommercial aviation fuels. Makes amounts in the Account available to finance qualified expenses of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and each non-Amtrak State. (Redistributes to the Intercity Passenger Rail Account and the Mass Transit Account the 4.3 cents per gallon gasoline tax which is currently going to deficit reduction.) Increases the rate of transfer to the Mass Transit Account. Extends until October 1, 2002, the availability of Mass Transit Account funds for authorized expenditures. Increases the HTF financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 84 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Levels and Amounts Title II: Reconciliation Instructions Title III: Budget Enforcement Title IV: Sense of Congress Provisions Establishes the congressional budget for the Government for FY 1998. Sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1999 through 2002. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 1998 through 2002, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; (6) new direct loan obligations; and (7) new primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. Title II: Reconciliation Instructions - Establishes reconciliation procedures. Provides instructions for two separate reconciliation bills, one for entitlement reforms and the other for tax relief and miscellaneous reforms. Permits the consideration of one omnibus reconciliation bill, in the event Senate procedures preclude the consideration of two separate bills. Sets forth deadlines for submission of specified House committee recommendations to the House Committee on the Budget, and for that Committee's report to House of a reconciliation bill without any substantive revision of such recommendations, for the separate categories of entitlement reform and of tax relief and miscellaneous reforms. Specifies outlay reductions, with respect to entitlement reform and to tax relief and miscellaneous reforms, for each of FY 1998 through 2002, for the House committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Banking and Financial Services; (3) Commerce; (4) Education and the Workforce; (5) Government Reform and Oversight; (6) Transportation and Infrastructure; (7) Veterans' Affairs; and (8) Ways and Means. Sets forth budgetary limits on a children's health initiative. Title III: Budget Enforcement - Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) a deficit-neutral reserve fund for surface transportation; (2) sale of government assets; and (3) congressional treatment of budget allocations for legislation concerning an environmental reserve fund and land acquisitions and exchanges. Title IV: Sense of Congress Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding: (1) baselines; (2) repayment of the Federal debt; (3) creation of a commission on long-term budgetary problems; (4) corporate welfare; and (5) the desired absence of numerical limits on the States' grant of domestic violence good cause waivers in cases where individual compliance with certain welfare assistance requirements would make it more difficult for individuals to escape domestic violence. Declares that individuals granted such waivers should be excluded rom a State's 20 percent hardship exemption.
Bill· HRH.R. 1657 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1997
Highway Restoration Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal aid highway program to: (1) increase to $800 million per fiscal year the amount to be set aside for 4R projects (projects for highway resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction); (2) include additions to the Interstate System within such 4R projects; and (3) repeal set-aside amounts for FY 1992 through 1994 for improvements on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, Illinois.
Bill· SS. 752 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that a State's share of fiscal year apportionments and prior fiscal year allocations from the Highway Trust Fund is not less than the estimated tax payments into the Fund attributable to highway users in the State for the fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 1630 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Ferry Intermodal Transportation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study, and submit a report on the results to specified congressional committees, ferry transportation in the United States and its possessions in order to identify: (1) existing ferry operations; and (2) potential U.S. ferry routes in the United States and its possessions and to develop certain information on them. Directs the Secretary to meet with State metropolitan planning organizations to discuss the results of the study and the availability of both Federal and State resources for providing ferry services. Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to make amounts available, out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities. Amends Federal shipping law, with regard to the issuance of a certificate of documentation for a small passenger vessel, passenger vessel, or a ferry, to declare that the members of an association, trust, joint venture, or other entity that owns a vessel that is not registered under the laws of a foreign country or titled in a State do not all have to be U.S. citizens provided the vessel is subject to a charter to a U.S. citizen. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee loans for ferry operations in the transportation of passengers or passengers and vehicles in the United States and its possessions. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1639 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Block Grants and Grant Requirements Title II: Allocation of Grant Amounts Title III: Federal Guarantees for Financing Education Development Block Grant Act of 1997 - Title I: Block Grants and Grant Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to local bond authorities to repair their school infrastructures. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Allocation of Grant Amounts - Directs the Secretary to allocate any amounts made available for assistance under this Act in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Title III: Federal Guarantees for Financing - Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee and make commitments to guarantee the notes or other obligations issued by local bond authorities (local education agencies or local governments with authority to issue area bonds) to finance school infrastructure repairs, if there is a lack of financing from other sources. Prohibits such guarantees or commitments if the total outstanding notes or obligations of the issuer guaranteed under this title (excluding any amount deceased under the repayment contract) would exceed five times the amount of the grant approval for the issuer (thus allowing a local bond authority to borrow up to five times the grant amount to make school infrastructure repairs). (Sec. 302) Sets forth security and repayment requirements. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to or on behalf of a local bond authority to cover up to 30 percent of the net interest cost of such obligations; and (2) assist the issuer of a guaranteed note or other obligation, in circumstances of extreme hardship, in the payment of principal and interest due. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to carry out training and information activities with respect to this guarantee program. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent approved or provided in appropriations Acts, to enter into commitments to guarantee notes and obligations under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to monitor the use of such guarantees by local bond authorities and, if necessary, limit the amount.
Bill· HRH.R. 1619 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Declares that any final rule that prohibits States from granting exceptions for not-for-hire intrastate transportation by farmers and farm-related service industries shall not take effect before October 1, 1999, or until authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1998 to carry out chapter 51 of title 49, United States Code (relating to transportation of hazardous materials), whichever comes later.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 82 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1997
Establishes the congressional budget for the Government for FY 1998. Sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1999 through 2002. (Sec. 2) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 1998 through 2002, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; (6) new direct loan obligations; and (7) new primary loan guarantee commitments. (Sec. 3) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 4) Sets forth appropriate levels of new budget authority and budget outlays for Federal investments for each of specified major functional categories for FY 1998 through 2002. (Sec. 5) Establishes reconciliation procedures. Specifies outlay reductions for the House Committee on Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means for each of FY 1998 through 2002. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means to report changes in laws within its jurisdiction: (1) such that the total level of revenues for that committee is increased by specified amounts in each of such fiscal years; and (2) that provide for the establishment of an Investment Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury, into which shall be transferred revenues realized by the acution of spectrum allocations by the Federal Communications Commission. Requires that amounts in that fund be used exclusively for programs assumed under Federal investments provisions of this resolution. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding budget trends. Declares that the increasing portion of the Federal budget absorbed by interest payments and consumption programs, particularly health spending, has led to a declining level of domestically financed investment and may adversely impact the ability of the economy to grow at the levels needed to provide for future generations. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the need to maintain Federal investments. Declares that a balanced program to improve the economy should be based on the concurrent goals of eliminating the deficit and maintaining Federal investment in programs that enhance long-term productivity such as research and development, education and training, and physical infrastructure improvements. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the treatment of Federal investments within the budget. Declares that: (1) the current budget structure focuses primarily on short-term spending and does not highlight for decision making purposes the differences between Federal spending for long-term investment and that for current consumption; and (2) in order to restructure the Federal budget to make such a distinction, it is necessary to identify an investment component in the Federal budget and establish specific budgetary targets for such investments.
Law· SS. 738 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reforms Subtitle A: Operational Reforms Subtitle B: Procurement Subtitle C: Employee Protection Reforms Subtitle D: Use of Railroad Facilities Title II: Fiscal Accountability Title III: Authorization of Appropriations Title IV: Miscellaneous Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 - Title I: Reforms - Subtitle A: Operational Reforms - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to operate as a national rail passenger transportation system which provides access to all areas of the country and ties together existing and emergent regional rail passenger corridors and other intermodal passenger service. Repeals the condition that Amtrak provide intercity rail passenger transportation within the basic system unless it is provided by: (1) rail carriers without a contract with Amtrak; or (2) regional transportation authorities under contract with Amtrak. (Sec. 101) Repeals Amtrak's mandate to continue to carry out a specified plan to improve rail passenger transportation. Increases from 90 days to 180 days before a discontinuance the deadline for notice that Amtrak must give of its intention to discontinue rail service over a route to States, regional or local authorities, or other persons. Repeals Amtrak's mandates for: (1) annual cost and performance reviews of Amtrak routes in the basic system; and (2) provision of special commuter transportation. (Sec. 102) Repeals: (1) Amtrak's mandate to take action to increase its mail and express transportation revenues; (2) the authority of others besides Amtrak to provide auto-ferry transportation over any route; (3) the requirement of congressional review of amendments to route and service criteria with respect to route discontinuances and additions; (4) the mandate for Amtrak to provide rail passenger transportation over certain additional qualifying routes; and (5) authority for the Amtrak Commuter (thus abolishing it as an Amtrak subsidiary). (Sec. 106) Exempts certain commuter authorities from paying a tax or fee to the same extent that Amtrak is exempt. Declares that such exemption is without prejudice to Amtrak's retention of trackage rights over property owned or leased by commuter authorities. (Sec. 107) Authorizes Amtrak, with a specified exception, to contract with a motor carrier of passengers for the intercity transportation of passengers by motor carrier over regular routes only if certain conditions are met. Urges Amtrak and motor common carriers of passengers to use specified authority to provide improved service to the public and economy of operation. (Sec. 108) Authorizes Amtrak and motor carriers of passengers, subject to Surface Transportation Board review, to: (1) combine their respective services and facilities to the public as a means of increasing revenue; and (2) coordinate schedules, routes, rates, reservations, and ticketing to provide for enhanced intermodal surface transportation. (Sec. 109) Authorizes Federal employees to travel on Amtrak for official business where total travel cost from office to office is competitive on a total trip or time basis. Subtitle B: Procurement - Repeals the prohibition against contracting out work normally performed by bargaining unit employees covered by a contract between a labor organization and Amtrak, if the contracting out results in the layoff of a bargaining unit employee. (Sec. 121) Provides that notices to Amtrak employees regarding all issues relating to contracting out shall be deemed served and effective 45 days after enactment of this Act. Declares that such notice shall not be required in situations involving: (1) the scope or classification of work performed by an Amtrak employee; (2) the contracting out of work involving food and beverage services provided on Amtrak trains; or (3) the contracting out of work not resulting in the layoff of Amtrak employees. Requires the National Mediation Board to complete all efforts with respect to the contracting out dispute not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes parties to such dispute to agree to submit it to arbitration under the Railway Labor Act. Declares that nothing in this subtitle shall be precedent for the resolution of any dispute between a freight railroad and any labor organization representing that railroad's employees. Subtitle C: Employee Protection Reforms - Provides that notices to Amtrak employees regarding employee protective arrangements and severance benefits, including all provisions of Appendix C-2 to the National Railroad Passenger Agreement, signed July 5, 1973, shall be deemed served and effective 45 days after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 141) Requires the National Mediation Board to complete all efforts with respect to the dispute over such arrangements and benefits not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes parties to such dispute to agree to submit it to arbitration under the Railway Labor Act. (Sec. 142) Repeals certain requirements for fair and equitable employee protective arrangements in the event of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service (effectively eliminating such contracts). Subtitle D: Use of Railroad Facilities - Makes enforceable any contracts between Amtrak and its passengers, the Alaska Railroad and its passengers, or private railroad car operators and their passengers regarding claims for personal injury, death, or damage to property in connection with the provision of rail transportation, if: (1) punitive or exemplary damages, where permitted, are not limited to less than two times compensatory damages awarded to any claimant, or $250,000, whichever is greater; and (2) passengers are provided adequate notice of any contractual limitation or waiver or choice of forum. (Sec. 161) Declares that any obligation of a party, however arising, to indemnify against damages or liability for personal injury, death, or damage to property, shall be enforceable, notwithstanding any other statutory or common law or public policy, or the nature of the conduct giving rise to such damages or liability. Title II: Fiscal Accountability - Directs Amtrak to prepare a financial plan to operate within specified funding levels, including budgetary goals for FY 1998 through 2002. Requires Amtrak within five years after enactment of this Act to operate without the need for Federal operating grant funds. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity to conduct an independent assessment of the financial requirements of Amtrak through FY 2002. (Sec. 203) Establishes as a independent commission the Amtrak Reform Council to: (1) evaluate Amtrak's performance; and (2) make recommendations for achieving further cost containment and productivity improvements, and financial reforms. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Directs the Council to notify the President and specified congressional committees if it finds that: (1) Amtrak's business performance will prevent it from meeting its financial goals; or (2) Amtrak will require operating grant funds five years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Council, after making such a finding, to develop and submit to the Congress an action plan for: (1) a restructured and rationalized intercity rail passenger system; and (2) the complete liquidation of Amtrak. (Sec. 207) Exempts Amtrak (and Amtrak subsidiary) passengers and customers from any fee, head charge, or other charge imposed by a State or local taxing authority on any persons traveling in intercity rail passenger transportation or mail or express transportation provided by Amtrak (or a subsidiary), or on the carriage of such persons, mail, or express, or on the sale of any such transportation, or on the gross receipts derived from such activities. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak for capital expenditures, operating expenses, and certain mandatory payments. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Extends from October 15, 1996, to October 15, 2001, the deadline for retrofitting certain intercity rail passenger cars with human waste disposal systems that provide for waste discharge at a servicing facility only. (Sec. 403) Repeals the authority or mandate for: (1) assistance for upgrading rail facilities that pose a hazard; (2) a plan for demonstrating new technology in rail passenger equipment; and (3) a program master plan for a Boston-New York main line. (Sec. 406) Declares that Amtrak shall be responsible for its share, if any, of the costs of accessibility improvements at any station jointly used by Amtrak and a commuter authority. Declares that Amtrak shall not be subject to certain requirements under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 until January 1, 1998. (Sec. 408) Amends the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 to repeal the mandate for determination of a costing methodology with respect to certain Northeast Corridor cost disputes. (Sec. 410) Grants congressional consent to States with an interest in a specific form, route, or corridor of intercity passenger rail service, including high speed rail service, to enter into interstate compacts to promote such service. (Sec. 411) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the number and composition of the board of directors of Amtrak.
Bill· HRH.R. 1609 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Highway Programs Title II: Transit Programs ISTEA Reauthorization Act of 1997 - Title I: Highway Programs - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the surface transportation program; (3) the bridge program; (4) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (5) the minimum allocation program; (6) apportionment adjustments; (7) the Interstate System reimbursement program; (8) level of effort bonus; (9) certain projects under the Federal lands highways program; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs; (11) FHWA highway safety research and development; and (12) the Appalachian development highway program. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal-aid highway law to revise the formula for determining the State apportionment of funds for the NHS and the surface transportation program. Extends through FY 2003 the set aside of Federal highway funds for discretionary projects for the resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing of routes on the Interstate System. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct, and submit to specified congressional committees, a study of the impact of the movement of goods on transportation infrastructure as a measure of need for apportioning funds for the NHS. (Sec. 104) Earmarks 50 percent of NHS funds apportioned to States for Interstate maintenance projects. Repeals the State apportionment of Federal highway funds (nondiscretionary) for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. (Sec.105) Revises the formula for the apportionment of funds to States under the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. Authorizes States that are apportioned more than 15 percent of the total amount of such apportioned funds to transfer, with the approval of the metropolitan planning organization, all or a portion of the amount that exceeds such percentage to the State's apportionment of funds under the surface transportation program. Prohibits the use of transferred funds for a project which will result in the construction of new capacity available to single occupant vehicles unless the project consists of a high occupancy vehicle facility available to single occupant vehicles only at other than peak travel times. . (Sec. 106) Extends for an additional six-fiscal year period the obligation of a State to allocate surface transportation program funds for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. (Sec.107) Increases the minimum amount of apportioned highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program funds that a State shall receive in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the discretionary bridge and off-system bridges programs. Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for the highway timber bridge research and demonstration program. (Sec.108) Revises for FY 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter the formula for determining the amount of highway funds that would be required to ensure a State's percentage of the total apportionments in each fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year for specified transportation programs is not less than 90 percent of the percentage that the population of the State is of the population of the United States (as determined by the Secretary based on the most recent revised estimate of State populations prepared by the Bureau of Census). (Sec. 110) Provides for the adjustment of funds apportioned to States for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to allocate Federal highway funds to eligible States in a ratio that the financial level of effort of each State exceeds the financial level of effort of all States in a fiscal year, except that no State may receive more than ten percent of the total amount made available for such fiscal year. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds to certain States that have a high level of effort as measured by equivalent motor fuel taxes collected. Directs the Secretary to transfer amounts allocated to a State under this section to the State's apportionment of funds for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 112) Extends through FY 2003: (1) the strategic highway research program; (2) the applied research and technology program; (3) the seismic research program; (4) intelligent transportation systems; (5) the scenic byways program; and (6) construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities (discretionary). (Sec. 115) Amends Federal-aid highway law to authorize the Secretary to make grants to Mexican and Canadian border States that demonstrate the need due to increased traffic resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Act for assistance in carrying out transportation projects that are necessary to relieve traffic congestion in the border region, in particular to connect the NHS with Federal border crossing facilities, or to improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws there. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 116) Sets forth highway transportation program streamlining provisions including: (1) authorizing States to give priority for high priority segments of corridors of national significance for inclusion in transportation improvement projects; (2) Federal and State environmental reviews for surface transportation projects; (3) State credit for non-Federal share of the cost of projects for toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build or improve highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve interstate commerce; (4) encouragement of alternative transportation purposes, including bikeway and walkway projects, of historic bridges; and (5) simplifying the administration of enhancement projects and congestion mitigation and air quality projects with costs of less than $500,000. Title II: Transit Programs - Federal Transit Act of 1997 - Amends Federal mass transportation law to authorize urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000 to use block grant mass transportation assistance for either operating or capital purposes. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for discretionary grants and loans for: (1) fixed guideway modernization; (2) capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing fixed guideway systems; and (3) replacement of buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for certain apportionments to urbanized areas for fixed guideway modernization (nondiscretionary). Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for specified mass transportation programs. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the national mass transportation institute; and (2) university research institutes. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2003 for transportation centers (including set-asides). (Sec. 208) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a certain limitation on the transfer of amounts from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 1605 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1997
Prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, or importation of school buses that are not equipped with seat belts. Sets forth civil penalties.
Bill· HRH.R. 1587 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1997
Airline Passenger Safety Act of 1997 - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit chemical oxygen generators from being transported as cargo on any passenger or cargo aircraft, regardless of whether the generator has been discharged. Sets forth smoke or fire detector system and fire extinguishing system requirements for air cargo compartment transportation of oxidizers and oxidizing materials (other than chemical oxygen generators). Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to modify existing regulations for aircraft airworthiness standards to require that each Class D cargo or baggage compartment be equipped with a separately approved smoke or fire detector and a separately approved built-in fire extinguishing system meeting certain criteria. Requires the Administrator to: (1) evaluate the practices of, and training provided by, all air carriers for accepting passenger baggage and freight shipments and for identifying undeclared or unauthorized hazardous materials; and (2) require all air carriers to revise, as necessary, their practices and training on the basis of such evaluation.
Bill· SS. 733 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1997
Acid Deposition and Ozone Control Act of 1997 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to add to the single ozone transport region (comprised of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area including the District of Columbia) any State that contributed at least four parts per billion to ozone via aerial transport to the ozone level of any noncompliant area in the region for any one of the second through tenth worst ozone days that occurred during the previous ten years. Applies to any State so added, not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act, any control measure adopted under the ozone transport regions provisions. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in any State added under this Act to one-third of 1990 levels by the year 2003.
Bill· HRH.R. 1561 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1997
Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and Federal highway provisions to allow the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the State infrastructure bank program and to use surface transportation program funds for construction of certain access and development roads.
Bill· HRH.R. 1551 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1997
Local Officials Transportation Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal highway provisions to require each State, in cooperation with local officials in areas of less than 50,000 population (excluding projects undertaken on the National Highway System (NHS) and pursuant to the Interstate maintenance program), to establish selection procedures for projects undertaken in such areas. Requires: (1) the State, on or before September 30, 1998, to submit such procedures to the Secretary of Transportation for approval; (2) local officials in such areas to be permitted to participate equally with the State in project selection; (3) the State, in cooperation with such local officials, to review the procedures established on a biennial basis, make such modifications as necessary, and resubmit the procedures as modified to the Secretary for approval; (4) the Secretary to approve or disapprove the procedures in accordance with specified requirements; and (5) the Secretary or the Secretary's designee, upon request of such local officials, to serve as an arbitrator to resolve any disputes that may arise in establishing or modifying the procedures. Amends Federal highway provisions to require that: (1) the State obligate specified surface transportation program funds earmarked for areas of less than 5,000 population for eligible projects not on the NHS; and (2) not less than 30 percent of certain amounts apportioned to each State under the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program for FY 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter be expended for specified projects on public roads other than those on a Federal-aid system.
Bill· SS. 708 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Deadly Driver Reduction and Matthew P. Hammell Memorial Act - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the funds authorized for Federal aid highway programs for FY 2001, and ten percent of such amounts for subsequent fiscal years, from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that provides a minimum penalty of revocation of a driver's license for at least 180 days in the case of a first offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, revocation for at least one year in the case of a second offense of any alcohol-related offense while operating a motor vehicle, and permanent revocation in the case of a third or subsequent such offense. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2001 to be available for up to the three subsequent fiscal years (to allow a State to meet such requirement within such period), but allows no grace period with respect to funds withheld during the subsequent fiscal years.
Bill· SS. 707 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
Concealed Weapons Prohibition Act of 1997 - Prohibits a person from carrying a handgun on his or her person in public. Sets forth exceptions where a person is authorized to carry a handgun: (1) under Federal law; (2) under a State law that grants an exemption based on an individualized determination and a review of credible evidence that the person should be allowed to carry a handgun because of compelling circumstances; or (3) under a State law that provides an exemption for any person who is a law enforcement or retired law enforcement official, a duly authorized private security officer, a person whose employment involves the transport of substantial amounts of cash or other valuables, or anyone the Attorney General determines should be allowed to carry a handgun because of compelling circumstances warranting an exception, pursuant to regulations that the Attorney General may promulgate.
Bill· HRH.R. 1533 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1997
National Initiative on Surface Transportation and the Environment Act - Amends Federal highway provisions to expand eligibility for projects under the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a system for ranking projects and programs that are likely to have long-term sustainable air quality benefits and for providing funding for projects and programs that are ranked the highest under such system. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the authorization of appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for the National Highway System and the surface transportation program (STP) shall be reduced in the aggregate by $400 million for each of FY 1998 through 2003. (Sec. 3) Requires that participation in assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites relating to specified projects provide a substantive and demonstrable benefit to transportation on such system, including reduction of congestion, increased use of mass transit, and improved access to a transportation facility. Permits contributions toward such efforts to occur in advance of project construction only if such efforts are consistent with Federal requirements and State transportation planning processes. Increases the percentage of funds apportioned to a State for the STP that must be obligated to urbanized areas with population of over 200,000 and other areas of the State in proportion to their relative share of the State's population. Makes Federal transit block grants, discretionary grants and loans, and financial assistance for other than urban areas available for assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites relating to specified projects if such development will provide a substantive and demonstrable benefit to mass transportation. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a wetlands restoration program under which the Secretary may make grants to States for projects to mitigate losses of wetlands that have occurred as a result of Federal-aid highway construction projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Makes one percent of STP funds apportioned to a State for a fiscal year available for monitoring, mitigating, and cleaning up water pollution due to highway runoff. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to assess the benefits of using porous paving materials for highways and parking lots as a method of mitigating such pollution. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to up to ten metropolitan planning organizations designated for implementing alternative transportation strategies to achieve reductions in motor vehicle emissions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, on or before December 31, 2003, to award a grant to each of the ten States that the Secretary determines have achieved the greatest per capita reduction in fuel consumption between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 2003. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1521 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1997
Public Services Aviation Act of 1997 - Amends Federal aviation safety law to consider a government-owned aircraft to be a public aircraft if it is: (1) operated in the performance of a governmental function by a unit of government on behalf of another unit of government pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement; or (2) transporting (for non-commercial purposes) crewmembers whose presence is associated with the administration or support (or, as currently, performance) of a governmental function such as, but not limited to, public safety, among other functions specified by current law.
Bill· SS. 668 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Authorizes passenger transportation in foreign-flag cruise vessel: (1) between Alaska ports; and (2) between Alaska ports and those on the west coast of the contiguous States. Prescribes procedural guidelines under which the Secretary of Transportation shall notify the owner or charterer of one or more foreign-flag vessels that the Secretary shall terminate the authorization for the foreign-flag vessel to provide passenger transportation upon a showing by the owner or charterer of a U.S. cruise vessel that the U.S. vessel is offering such passenger service pursuant to a Certificate of Financial Responsibility for Indemnification of Passengers for Nonperformance of Transportation. States that coastwise privileges granted a foreign-flag cruise vessel under this Act shall expire on the 365th day following receipt of the Secretary's termination notification.
Bill· SS. 667 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, public lands highways, parkways and park roads, highway safety programs, and highway safety research and development, through FY 2002. Amends provisions regarding transferability of funds to authorize a State, upon determining that excess funds have been made available to the State for a purpose, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the State. Specifies that if the Secretary determines that a State has transferred funds to a purpose that is not a surface transportation purpose, the amount of the improperly transferred funds shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from HTF for the next fiscal year. Repeals provisions regarding the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System and sets forth provisions regarding the apportionment of funds to the States for interstate maintenance. Authorizes appropriations for motor carrier safety grants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend until October 1, 2002, the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a core programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to States for transportation purposes. Terminates transfers to HTF's Mass Transit Account on and after October 1, 1997. (Sec. 6) Grants congressional consent to States to enter into interstate compacts to: (1) promote the continuity, quality, and safety of the Interstate System; (2) develop programs to promote and fund surface transportation safety initiatives and establish surface transportation safety standards; (3) conduct long-term planning for surface transportation infrastructure in, and develop design and construction standards for such infrastructure to be used by, participating States; and (4) establish surface transportation infrastructure banks. Sets forth provisions regarding financing and authority of infrastructure banks. (Sec. 7) Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist State and local governments in efforts to privatize the transportation infrastructure assets of the State and local governments; and (2) approve requests from State and local governments to privatize transportation infrastructure assets and waive or modify any condition relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding criteria for approval of requests, the lack of a State or local obligation to repay Federal grant funds for assets that are privatized, the use of proceeds from the privatization of a transportation infrastructure asset, and cost recovery. (Sec. 8) Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and special fuels funding HTF. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress describing necessary technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 11) Makes this Act contingent upon certification by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that this Act is deficit neutral and meets specified requirements regarding discretionary spending limits.
Bill· HRH.R. 1501 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Railroad and Transit Sabotage Prevention Act of 1997 - Prohibits and sets penalties for: (1) interference with railroad signal systems; (2) hazardous materials transportation sabotage (providing for the death penalty in certain cases); and (3) carrying or possessing a firearm or any explosive (with certain exceptions) aboard a passenger train or in a rail passenger terminal facility without previously obtaining the permission of the owner of such train or facility. Revises the Federal criminal code with respect to railroad sabotage to: (1) cover sabotage of any mass transit operation; and (2) subject perpetrators to the death penalty.
Bill· HRH.R. 1499 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1997
Federal Railroad Administration Performance, Personnel, and Enforcement Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law with respect to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Specifies general qualifications for the FRA Administrator. Makes administratively final any decision of the Administrator made in carrying out specified duties or powers and involving notice and hearing. Deems to be a final agency action any failure by the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator, or by any person acting on behalf of one or the other to comply with a statutory deadline for regulatory action. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the FRA's rulemaking process. Repeals hours of service requirements, converting them to administrative regulations subject to modification by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to approve pilot projects to demonstrate the possible benefits of implementing alternatives to the strict application of such hours of service requirements and any subsequent regulations, including maximum and minimum off-duty period requirements. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the application of: (1) train control systems to commuter rail corridors; and (2) advanced train control to the National Rail Freight System. Directs the Secretary to adopt performance-based rail safety standards, and report to the Congress on progress in implementing them.
Bill· HRH.R. 1469 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters Title II: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Peacekeeping Title III: General Provisions -- This Act 1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts, Including Those in Bosnia - Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1997 to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) Farm Service Agency emergency conservation, conservation reserve, and tree assistance programs; (2) Natural Resources Conservation Service watershed and flood prevention operations; (3) the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Rural Housing Insurance Fund program (RHS grant and loan eligibility for the College Station area of Pulaski County, Arkansas); and (4) the Food and Consumer Service's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Chapter 2 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Commerce for: (1) the Economic Development Administration's economic development assistance programs for emergency infrastructure expenses; (2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for new grants for industrial technology services under the Advanced Technology Program; and (3) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for emergency construction expenses resulting from flooding and other natural disasters. Chapter 3 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Defense--Civil, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for emergency expenses due to flooding and other natural disasters, including flood control on the Mississippi River and tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Makes such appropriations to the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation for repair of damage caused by floods and other natural disasters. (Sec. 301) Makes the U.S. members and the alternate members, appointed under the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact, officers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who hold Presidential appointments as Regular Army officers with Senate confirmation, and serve without additional compensation, and at the President's pleasure. (Sec. 303) Declares that a specified policy issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act (currently applicable to certain California counties declared Federal disaster areas) shall also apply for a certain period of time to: (1) all counties nationwide declared Federal disaster areas at any time during 1997; and (2) repair activities on flood control facilities in response to an imminent threat to human lives and property. Chapter 4 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) Bureau of Land Management flood damage repair and other activities for Oregon and California Grant Lands; (2) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resource management; (3) National Park Service emergency expenses and construction; (4) the U.S. Geological Survey; and (5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Makes such appropriations for emergency expenses of the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. (Sec. 401) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (part of the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996) to revise the formula for distribution of amounts collected under the recreational fee demonstration program. Chapter 5 - Makes such appropriations to the Department of Transportation for: (1) the Coast Guard, retired pay; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration; (3) the Federal Highway Administration, Federal-Aid Highway emergency relief program; and (4) the Federal Railroad Administration, to repair and rebuild freight rail lines of regional and short line railroads damaged as a result of the floods in the northern plains States in the spring of 1997. Makes such appropriations to the National Transportation Safety Board for: (1) emergency expenses resulting from the crashes of TWA Flight 800 and ValuJet 592; and (2) assistance to families of victims of aviation accidents. (Sec. 503) Authorizes additional appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1997 for grants to States for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. (Sec. 504) Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for the National Driver Register. Chapter 6 - Makes such appropriations to: (1) the U.S. Postal Service, for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail; (2) the Federal Election Commission, for internal automated data processing systems to carry out the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971; and (3) the U.S. Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, for the Automated Targeting System with respect to counter-terrorism and drug law enforcement. (Sec. 601) Permits Federal contracting for procurement of distinctive currency paper with any corporation or other entity created under Federal or State law, more than 50 percent of which is held by U.S. citizens. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to induce an appropriate level of competition among those desiring to provide such paper to the United States. Chapter 7 - Makes such appropriations to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration; (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for preserving the existing housing investment and for drug elimination grants for low-income housing; and (3) the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for disaster relief as well as salaries and expenses. Reduces from 30 days to 15 days the waiting period before the effective date of new contracts for flood insurance coverage (and any coverage modifications for existing contracts) under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 entered into between January 1 and June 30, 1997. Chapter 8 - Sets forth various offset conditions for certain Department of Agriculture funds with respect to: (1) the Office of the Secretary, the Fund for Rural America and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); (2) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wetlands Reserve Program; (3) the Food and Consumer Service, the Emergency Food Assistance Program; and (4) the Foreign Agricultural Service, for the export credit and export enhancement programs. Rescinds specified funds available for: (1) the Department of Justice; (2) the Department of Commerce; (3) the Federal Communications Commission; (4) the Department of Energy; (5) the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Federal Transit Administration; (6) the General Services Administration; and (7) the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Title II: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Peacekeeping - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense--Military, for: (1) Military Personnel, of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; (2) operation and maintenance, Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (3) OPLAN 34A-35 P.O.W. payments to individuals; and (4) the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund. (Sec. 2102) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer up to a specified amount from certain accounts to the Marine Corps for repair of damage caused by hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters during 1996 and 1997 to Marine Corps facilities (including Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, North Carolina, and the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California). (Sec. 2103) Appropriates additional amounts for direct patient care at military treatment facilities and for force protection and counter-terrorism initiatives. (Sec. 2105) Requires prior and specific written approval from the Appropriations Committees of the Congress for the use of any funds appropriated for any fiscal year to compensate certain military personnel or civilian employees employed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) on or after May 1, 1997, or in the organization of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Resources, Warfare Requirements, and Assessments) for budgeting or financial management. Chapter 2 - Rescinds specified funds provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1997 to reflect savings from revised economic assumptions and revised foreign currency exchange rates. (Sec. 2203) Rescinds from funds provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts specified amounts associated with unobligated balances expected to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. (Sec. 2204) Rescinds specified amounts from funds provided in previous Department of Defense Appropriations Acts or appropriated in the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1996. Chapter 3 - Rescinds a specified amount of the funds appropriated for Military Construction, Navy, under specified Federal law. Makes appropriations in an additional amount (equal to the preceding rescission) for Family Housing, Navy and Marine Corps, to cover the incremental operation and maintenance costs arising from hurricane damage to family housing units at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Title III: General Provisions: This Act - Authorizes the President to waive any earmarks for Ukraine under Assistance for the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union in the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 upon determining, and reporting to the congressional committees on Appropriations, that the Government of Ukraine: (1) is not making significant progress toward economic reform and the elimination of corruption; (2) is not permitting American firms and individuals to operate in Ukraine according to generally accepted business principles; or (3) is not effectively assisting American firms and individuals in their efforts to enforce commercial contracts and resist extortion and other corrupt demands.
Bill· HRH.R. 1483 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Single Standard of Aviation Safety Act - Amends Federal aviation law to subject to Federal Aviation Administration safety regulation both nonmilitary government aircraft and military aircraft transporting civilians (including persons who operate such aircraft).
Bill· HRH.R. 1470 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, public lands highways, parkways and park roads, highway safety programs, and highway safety research and development, through FY 2002. Amends provisions regarding transferability of funds to authorize a State, upon determining that excess funds have been made available to the State for a purpose, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the State. Specifies that if the Secretary determines that a State has transferred funds to a purpose that is not a surface transportation purpose, the amount of the improperly transferred funds shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from HTF for the next fiscal year. Repeals provisions regarding the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System and sets forth provisions regarding the apportionment of funds to the States for interstate maintenance. Authorizes appropriations for motor carrier safety grants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend until October 1, 2002, the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a core programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to States for transportation purposes. Terminates transfers to HTF's Mass Transit Account on and after October 1, 1997. (Sec. 6) Grants congressional consent to States to enter into interstate compacts to: (1) promote the continuity, quality, and safety of the Interstate System; (2) develop programs to promote and fund surface transportation safety initiatives and establish surface transportation safety standards; (3) conduct long-term planning for surface transportation infrastructure in, and develop design and construction standards for such infrastructure to be used by, participating States; and (4) establish surface transportation infrastructure banks. Sets forth provisions regarding financing and authority of infrastructure banks. (Sec. 7) Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist State and local governments in efforts to privatize the transportation infrastructure assets of the State and local governments; and (2) approve requests from State and local governments to privatize transportation infrastructure assets and waive or modify any condition relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding criteria for approval of requests, the lack of a State or local obligation to repay Federal grant funds for assets that are privatized, the use of proceeds from the privatization of a transportation infrastructure asset, and cost recovery. (Sec. 8) Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and special fuels funding HTF. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress describing necessary technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 11) Makes this Act contingent upon certification by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that this Act is deficit neutral and meets specified requirements regarding discretionary spending limits.
Bill· HRH.R. 1471 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1997
Auto Theft Deterrent Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study the feasibility and advisability of prescribing standards for the placement of bar codes on passenger motor vehicles (except exports), and the placement of devices for reading such codes at toll gates, in order to trace stolen vehicles (including abandoned stolen vehicles).
Bill· SS. 661 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1997
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a certificate of documentation (waiver) with appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise trade as a passenger vessel, a small passenger vessel, or an uninspected passenger vessel for an eligible vessel that carries no more than 12 passengers for hire if the Secretary determines that such vessel's employment will not adversely affect: (1) U.S. vessel builders; or (2) the coastwise trade business of any person who employees vessels built in the United States in that business.
Bill· SS. 658 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1997
Gun Kingpin Penalty Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person who does not have a Federal firearms license from shipping or transporting, or conspiring to ship or transport, five or more firearms from a State into another State during any period of 12 consecutive months, with intent to transfer all of such firearms to another unlicensed person. Subjects persons who violate this Act to a fine and imprisonment for at least: (1) three years for a first violation; (2) five years for a second or subsequent violation; (3) 15 years if the violation involves more than 50 firearms; (4) ten years if an illegally transported firearm is subsequently used by the recipient, or by any person within three years, in an offense in which a person is killed or suffers serious bodily injury; and (5) 25 years if the violation involves more than 50 firearms and one of the firearms is subsequently used in such an offense. Prohibits the court from imposing a probationary sentence or suspending the sentence of a person convicted of a violation of this Act, or from making any term of imprisonment imposed for a violation run concurrently with any other term imposed on such person by a U.S. court. Makes specified firearms-related offenses predicate offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to hire and employ 200 personnel to enforce the amendments made by this Act.
Bill· SS. 642 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Explosives Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the sale, delivery, or transfer of explosive materials to, and the shipment, transport, possession, or receipt of explosives by, certain individuals not allowed to engage in such activities with respect to firearms. Sets forth exceptions and waivers for certain aliens and other individuals lawfully admitted to the United States pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa.
Bill· HRH.R. 1429 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to repeal a requirement that public investments made in the Appalachian region under the Act be concentrated in areas with a significant potential for future growth and where the expected return on public dollars invested will be the greatest. Modifies the Act's purpose to include: (1) assisting Appalachia to become a region with an educated and trained work force, healthy people, a sound physical infrastructure, a dynamic economic base, and the capacity to be economically self-sustaining; and (2) directing the Appalachian Regional Commission to be an advocate for and partner with the Appalachian people and to seek to achieve a viable, self- sustaining economy for the region. (Sec. 3) Requires the Commission to conduct at least one meeting each year with the Federal Co-Chairman and at least a majority of the State members present. Authorizes the Commission to conduct additional meetings by electronic means. Prohibits decisions involving the criteria for the designation of counties as distressed or economically strong from being made without a quorum of State members. (Sec. 4) Reauthorizes appropriations for: (1) administrative expenses; and (2) the Appalachian development highway system (and increases the Federal cost share). (Sec. 5) Revises provisions regarding: (1) compensation to authorize the Commission to appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director and other specified personnel at a rate not to exceed the maximum for the Senior Executive Service, including any applicable locality-based comparability payment that may be authorized (and extends the Commission's authorization to lease office space); and (2) supplements to Federal grant-in-aid programs to authorize the Federal Co-Chairman to use sums available to carry out the Act (current law authorizes the President to provide funds to the Co-Chairman to be used to carry out the Act) and to revise the definition of "Federal grant-in-aid programs" to remove the provision limitating such programs to those authorized on or before December 31, 1980. (Sec. 9) Adds specified criteria and measurements to be considered when determining programs and projects to be given assistance. (Sec. 10) Directs the Commission to: (1) designate as distressed counties those that are the most severely and persistently distressed and underdeveloped and two categories of economically strong counties (competitive counties are those approaching, and attainment counties are those having attained or exceeded, economic parity with the rest of the country); and (2) give special consideration to the needs of distressed counties. Limits or prohibits funds for projects in a competitive or attainment county, with exceptions and waivers. (Sec. 11) Empowers the Commission (currently, the President) to make grants for administrative expenses and research and development projects. (Sec. 12) Extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations and termination date under the Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1454 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Community Flight Safety Act of 1997 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from closing a flight service station that: (1) is located in the contiguous United States within 50 miles of the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or one of the Great Lakes; (2) on an average of 180 days or more in a year provides services to aircraft operating under instrument flight rules; or (3) meets both requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 1448 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Visual Pollution Reduction Act - Amends Federal aid highway law to repeal a provision which allows outdoor advertising to be placed within a certain distance of unzoned commercial or industrial areas on or near the Interstate and primary highway systems. Prohibits: (1) any new sign, display, or device from being erected after the enactment of this Act in specified areas adjacent to such systems; and (2) compensation from being paid for the removal of such signs and related advertising, with exceptions. Provides that a State shall not be considered to have made provision for effective control of the erection and maintenance of signs along the Interstate and primary systems: (1) unless it maintains and annually submits to the Secretary of Transportation an inventory of all State signs for which such control is required; and (2) if it carries out or permits the removal of vegetation in, or alteration of, certain rights-of-way in order to improve the visibility of any sign located outside a right-of-way. Requires such State inventory to identify each sign that is located along a system highway designated as a scenic byway.
Bill· HRH.R. 1431 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
European Security Act of 1997 - Directs the President to designate additional emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe which meet specified criteria and that have not been designated as eligible to receive assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective NATO members; and (2) upon their complete satisfaction of all relevant criteria should be invited to become full NATO members at the earliest possible date. Makes funds under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 available to support the implementation of the Regional Airspace Initiative and the Partnership for Peace Information Management System. Extends through FY 1999 the Department of Defense's authority to transfer excess defense articles to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace and eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the President to approve on behalf of the United States the Document Agreed Among States Parties to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe dated November 19, 1990, signed in Vienna, Austria, on May 31, 1996, concerning the resolution of issues related to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty flank zone. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any revisions to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe can enter into force only if specifically approved in a manner described under the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Prohibits approval of any Treaty revisions that jeopardize U.S. security interests in Europe, or the effectiveness and flexibility of NATO as a defensive alliance, by: (1) extending rights or imposing responsibilities on new NATO members different from those applicable to current NATO members, including with respect to nuclear weapons deployment and the stationing of other NATO troops and equipment; (2) limiting NATO's ability to defend the territory of new NATO members by restricting defense infrastructure construction or limiting NATO's ability to deploy necessary reinforcements; (3) providing any international organization or any non-NATO country with authority to review, delay, veto, or otherwise impede deliberations and decisions of the North Atlantic Council or their implementation, including with respect to NATO force deployment or the admission of additional members to NATO; or (4) impeding the development of enhanced relations between NATO and other non-NATO European countries by, for example, recognizing spheres of influence in Europe. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of cooperative ballistic missile defense-related projects with the Russian Federation. Urges the President to establish with the Russian Federation a joint working group to examine the potential for mutual accommodation of outstanding issues between the two nations on matters relating to ballistic missile defense and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, including the possibility of developing a strategic relationship not based on mutual nuclear threats. (Sec. 6) Declares that an ABM-TMD (anti-ballistic missile-theater missile defense) demarcation agreement shall not be binding on the United States unless it is specifically approved in a manner described under the Arms Control and Disarmament Act.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 129 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1997
Makes amounts available for expenses, including expenses of staff salaries, of the following committees of the House of Representatives in the 105th Congress: (1) Agriculture; (2) Banking and Financial Services; (3) Budget; (4) Commerce; (5) Education and the Workforce; (6) House Oversight; (7) Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (8) International Relations; (9) Judiciary; (10) National Security; (11) Resources; (12) Rules; (13) Science; (14) Small Business; (15) Standards of Official Conduct; (16) Transportation and Infrastructure; (17) Veterans' Affairs; and (18) Ways and Means. Sets forth first and second session limitations on such amounts. Grants the Committee on House Oversight the authority to make adjustments in such amounts if necessary to comply with a presidential sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) or to conform to any reduction in appropriations. Provides that any net increase in the aggregate amount of committees expenses for the 105th Congress over the aggregate amount of funds appropriated for such expenses for the 104th Congress shall be offset by reductions in expenses for other legislative branch activities.