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Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 65 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that certain provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 relating to transportation of merchandise between U.S. points in other than domestically built or rebuilt and documented vessels and to incineration of hazardous waste at sea (those provisions popularly known as the Jones Act) and related statutes are critically important components of our Nation's economic and military security and should be fully and strongly supported.
Bill· SS. 625 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1997
Auto Choice Reform Act of 1997 - Affords a person the right to choose between: (1) a personal protection system (personal system) providing insurance for that person and any resident relative or dependent; and (2) a tort maintenance system (tort system) providing for the form of motor vehicle insurance otherwise required in the State in which the person is insured. Sets forth personal system minimum requirements, including regarding waiver of certain tort rights. Supersedes State laws inconsistent with this Act. Sets forth tort system minimum requirements, allowing State laws (not inconsistent with this Act) regarding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Provides for: (1) the effect of a person's choice on resident relatives and dependents; (2) underwriting rules to encourage choice uniformity within a household; and (3) the failure of a person to choose. Requires States to maintain a program to inform consumers (comparing the two systems) about costs, benefits, rights, and obligations. (Sec. 6) Requires that a person who chooses: (1) a tort system and is involved in an accident be subject to tort law for injury except that, based on fault, the person may claim against (and be claimed against by) a personal system person only for uncompensated economic loss; and (2) a personal system be compensated only for economic loss, without regard to fault. Provides for the handling of accidents involving: (1) persons with personal protection and unlawfully uninsured persons; and (2) motorists under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or engaging in intentional misconduct. (Sec. 8) Declares that this Act does not apply to a State if: (1) the State so elects; or (2) the State finds that average premiums will not be reduced by at least 30 percent for persons choosing the personal system.
Bill· SS. 616 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends Federal law to revise the criteria for designating metropolitan planning organizations for urbanized areas under the highway and mass transit programs. Declares it shall be the responsibility of the State to provide oversight in areas with multiple metropolitan planning organizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1402 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Commission on Probabilistic Methods Act - Directs the Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Commission on Probabilistic Methods. Requires the Commission to identify and assess the extent to which the use of probabilistic methods (techniques used to help reduce costs) can help DOT in administering its transportation programs.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 120 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Elects the following Members to the following House Committees: (1) Tim Holden and Nick Lampson to Transportation and Infrastructure; (2) Ellen O. Tauscher to Science; (3) Jim Davis to International Relations; (4) Ciro D. Rodriguez to National Security; (5) Lloyd Doggett to Resources; and (6) Harold E. Ford, Jr. to Government Reform and Oversight.
Bill· HRH.R. 1351 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Smoke-Free Transportation Facilities Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require, as a condition of Federal financial assistance, that the owner or operator of a transportation facility take the necessary action to prohibit smoking in any indoor portion of the facility accessible to the general public.
Bill· HRH.R. 1343 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Transportation for: (1) operations and training activities; and (2) the costs of guaranteed loans authorized by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as well as for administrative expenses related to loan guarantee commitments. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to end a requirement that an annual report be submitted to the Congress on the relative cost of construction or reconditioning of ocean vessels in shipyards in various U.S. coastal districts.
Bill· SS. 586 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
ISTEA Reauthorization Act of 1997 - 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; (2) the Interstate maintenance program; (3) the surface transportation program; (4) the bridge program; (5) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; (6) the minimum allocation program; (7) apportionment adjustments; (8) the Interstate System reimbursement program; (9) certain projects under the Federal lands highways program; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway safety programs; and (11) FHWA highway safety research and development. (Sec. 4) Amends Federal-aid highway law to revise the formula for determining the State apportionment of funds for the National Highway System 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 (4 R projects). (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of Transportation, not later than April 1, 2000, to report to specified congressional committees recommended adjustments to the formula used to apportion funds to States for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and to the amount apportioned for the program, to reflect changes since the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) in: (1) national ambient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act; and (2) the emission control requirements that result from such standards. Directs the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the apportionments if the recommendations are not enacted into law by October 1, 2000. Revises the formula for the apportionment of funds under the program. Adds transportation projects which will have air quality benefits, and consist of certain intercity rail passenger activities, to the eligible projects that a State may obligate congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program and surface transportation program funds. Limits a State's obligation for such projects to no more than 50 percent of the apportioned funds. (Sec. 6) 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. 7) 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 program. (Sec. 8) 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. (Sec. 10) Provides for the adjustment of funds apportioned to States for the surface transportation program. (Sec. 11) Extends through FY 2003: (1) the strategic highway research program; (2) the applied research and technology program; (3) intelligent transportation systems; (4) the scenic byways program; (5) construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities; and (6) the national recreational trails program. (Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a comprehensive initiative to carry out a comprehensive research program to investigate and understand the relationships between transportation, land use, and the environment; and (2) award transportation and land use planning and policy grants to State, regional, and local agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2003 for construction of the Appalachian development highway system.
Bill· SS. 556 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that, in each fiscal year, each State's percentage of the total apportionments to all States from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund is not less than 80 percent of the State's estimated tax payment attributable to highway users in the State paid into that Account in the most recent year for which data are available. Provides an exception for any State whose contribution to such Account in the applicable fiscal year is greater than or equal to $50 million.
Bill· HRH.R. 1268 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Surface Transportation Title II: Highway Safety Title III: Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety Title V: Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Title VI: Research Part A: Programs and Activities Part B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 Title VII: Revenue Title VIII: Rail Passenger Programs National Economic Crossroads Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997 - Title I: Surface Transportation - Surface Transportation Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Interstate Maintenance Program (IM); (3) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (4) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ); (5) the Bridge Program; (6) the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP); (7) infrastructure safety; (8) the Integrated Safety Fund; (9) the Recreational Trails Program; and (10) university transportation centers. (Sec. 1003) Includes among eligible NHS projects: (1) specified capital improvements to National Railroad Passenger Corporation or publicly owned intercity passenger rail lines; (2) natural habitat mitigation; and (3) infrastructure-based Intelligent Transportation Systems capital improvements. (Sec. 1004) Revises: (1) the formulas for the NHS, CMAQ, and STP apportionments; (2) the CMAQ formulas to provide apportionment of additional funding to States with carbon monoxide or particulate matter pollution; and (3) the minimum allocation provision. Authorizes: (1) funding for rehabilitation of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge and for costs related to construction of a new bridge; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to reimburse the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for conducting annual HTF audits. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1005) Establishes levels for annual apportionments such that each State is guaranteed to receive at least a certain percentage of total apportionments for each year for specified purposes or programs. (Sec. 1006) Amends provisions regarding Federal and State responsibilities for projects to: (1) repeal a 15 percent cost limitation on estimates for construction engineering; (2) combine the current two-step process for project approval and execution of a project agreement; (3) direct the Secretary to require a financial plan for any project with an estimated total cost of $1 billion or more; and (4) permit States to use phase construction to meet safety considerations. Extends Davis-Bacon Act wage protections applicable to highway construction projects to the same workers employed on any project eligible for funding under title 23 of the U.S. Code, with exceptions. (Sec. 1007) Amends provisions regarding: (1) real property acquisition and corridor preservation; (2) credit for donated lands; and (3) income from airspace rights-of-way. (Sec. 1009) Repeals: (1) requirements for the Secretary to issue Interstate maintenance guidelines and for States to annually certify that they have a maintenance program in place that meets such guidelines; and (2) the separate Interstate System (IS) preventive maintenance eligibility standard. Expands IM eligibility to include certain Interstate highway reconstruction and infrastructure-based capital improvements. (Sec. 1011) Reauthorizes the current Interstate 4R discretionary program. (Sec. 1012) Modifies provisions regarding emergency relief to: (1) reduce the Federal share payable on emergency relief projects; and (2) shorten the time period in which States receive a 100 percent Federal share. (Sec. 1013) Removes prohibitions against Federal participation in the initial construction of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel on the IS or in the reconstruction of a toll-free highway and its conversion to a toll facility. Eliminates a tolling pilot project. (Sec. 1014) Expands STP eligibility. Eliminates the safety set-aside from the STP program. Replaces the current quarterly, project-by-project State certification and notification requirements with an annual, program-wide approval. Extends the allocation of obligation authority to urbanized areas through the life of the reauthorization. Requires that each State and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) ensure the fair and equitable treatment of central cities of over 200,000 population. (Sec. 1015) Amends metropolitan planning provisions to direct that: (1) MPO transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas provide for integrated management of transportation systems and facilities; and (2) in designating MPOs, local governments represent 51 percent of the affected population. Permits redesignation under procedures established by State law. Directs that policy boards of MPOs include local officials, officials of certain public agencies, and appropriate State officials. Amends provisions regarding: (1) metropolitan planning area boundaries; and (2) the metropolitan transportation improvement program (TIP). Requires the creation of a congestion management system within transportation management areas (TMAs). Prohibits Federal funding for any highway project that will result in a significant increase in single-occupant vehicles (SOVs) for a TMA classified as nonattainment for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter, with exceptions. (Sec. 1016) Amends statewide planning provisions. Requires the State to: (1) develop a transportation plan, with a minimum 20-year forecast period, that provides for the development and implementation of the State's intermodal transportation System, in cooperation or consultation with MPOs and local elected transportation officials; and (2) identify transportation strategies. (Sec. 1017) Encourages States to: (1) reserve training slots on their Federal-aid contracts for welfare recipients; and (2) implement preferences for employment of welfare recipients and persons residing in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities. Declares that the Virgin Islands should implement a preference for employment of local workers. Authorizes the Secretary to develop, conduct, and administer technology training and to develop and fund Summer Transportation Institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish an assistance program to increase participation by certain minority institutions of higher education in grants and cooperative agreements awarded for research and planning. (Sec. 1018) Requires that: (1) at least ten percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated for specified programs under this Act be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (2) each State annually survey and compile a list of such concerns; and (3) the Secretary establish minimum uniform criteria for State government use in certifying whether a concern qualifies. (Sec. 1019) Modifies the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. Expands eligibility to include scour countermeasures. Reauthorizes the bridge discretionary program. (Sec. 1020) Expands CMAQ eligibility to include projects in nonattainment areas for particulate matter. Limits CMAQ eligibility to nonattainment and maintenance areas that were classified as such under the Clean Air Act. Excludes projects funded with CMAQ apportionments from the list of safety projects eligible for 100 percent Federal participation. (Sec. 1021) Reauthorizes provisions regarding IS reimbursement. Makes permanent the State Infrastructure Bank Pilot Program authorized for FY 1996 and 1997 in the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995. (Sec. 1023) Directs the Secretary to carry out a National Scenic Byways Program. (Sec. 1024) Sets forth: (1) eligible railway-highway crossing uses of apportioned funds; and (2) a new apportionment formula for railway-highway crossing funds. Requires States to report to DOT on completed railway-highway crossing projects. Expands the protective devices set-aside to include enforcement and education efforts. (Sec. 1025) Repeals: (1) a restriction which applies the Federal-non-Federal matching rate to each payment that a State receives; (2) a provision concerning the use of motor vehicle taxes to fund highway construction projects; and (3) a law relating to bridge commissions and Federal approval of their membership. Permits reimbursement of eligible indirect costs to State and local governments. (Sec. 1026) Amends planning and agency coordination provisions to direct the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land managing agency, to develop transportation planning procedures which are consistent with the metropolitan and Statewide planning processes. Establishes a national bridge program for replacing or rehabilitating deficient Indian reservation road bridges. (Sec. 1027) Includes the construction of pedestrian walkways as an eligible use of States' NHS apportionments under the same criteria by which bicycle transportation facilities are eligible. Removes a restriction against safely accommodating bicycles on highway bridges located on fully access-controlled highways. Amends planning provisions to require that: (1) consideration be given to bicyclists and pedestrians in the comprehensive statewide and metropolitan planning processes; and (2) the inclusion of bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways be considered in conjunction with all new construction and reconstruction of transportation facilities, with exceptions. (Sec. 1028) Incorporates the Recreational Trails Program (enacted into law as the National Recreational Trails Fund Act, Title I of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)), into the Federal-aid highway program, but repeals provisions regarding the National Recreational Trails Advisory Committee. Requires States to establish State trail advisory committees. Requires that: (1) at least 50 percent of the funds received annually by a State be used to facilitate the use of trails for diverse recreational purposes; and (2) States give priority to project proposals that provide for the redesign, reconstruction, nonroutine maintenance, or relocation of existing trails to benefit, or mitigate the impact on, the environment. Limits the Federal share payable for Recreational Trails Program projects to 50 percent, with exceptions. (Sec. 1029) Amends provisions regarding the international highway transportation outreach program to authorize: (1) the Secretary to engage in activities to promote U.S. highway transportation goods and services internationally and to gather and disseminate information on foreign transportation markets and industries; and (2) the use of certain funds to reimburse the Federal Highway Administration for employee salaries and benefits. (Sec. 1030) Directs the Secretary, subject to specified limitations, to: (1) make incentive grants to States and MPOs that share a common border with Canada or Mexico; and (2) make grants to States for the purpose of performing planning for the efficient movement of goods along and within international and interstate trade corridors. Authorizes multistate agreements for trade corridor planning. Establishes a border gateway pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1031) Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize appropriations and to limit eligibility for such funds to the development highway system authorized as of September 30, 1996; (2) provide for reallocation of funds not expended by a State within four years; (3) raise the Federal share payable regarding any pre-financed development highway project; and (4) authorize the deduction of up to 3.75 percent of funds authorized for Appalachian Regional Commission expenses in administering such funds. (Sec. 1032) Amends ISTEA to: (1) increase the number of value (formerly, congestion) pricing pilot programs eligible for funding and the Federal share payable on any project funded under the program; (2) require the Secretary to fund pre-implementation costs; (3) make the three-year funding limitation inapplicable to the pre-implementation stage; (4) authorize the use of toll revenues generated by pilot projects for any surface transportation purpose; (5) remove the three-program cap on the number of value pricing programs on which the Secretary shall allow the use of tolls on the IS; (6) require any value pricing pilot program to fully consider the potential effects of such projects on drivers of all income levels and develop mitigation measures to deal with potential adverse effects on low income drivers; and (7) eliminate requirements for the Secretary to annually report to the Congress on motor fuel tax enforcement activities and the expenditure of funds regarding highway use tax evasion projects and on increased enforcement activities to be financed with funds allocated by the Secretary to the Internal Revenue Service. Title II: Highway Safety - Highway Safety Act of 1997 - Amends highway safety program provisions to: (1) raise the minimum annual apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) allow program grants to be made to Indian tribes in Indian country; and (3) authorize the Secretary to periodically conduct a rulemaking process to identify highway safety programs that are highly effective and direct the States to consider such programs when developing their programs. Modifies safety incentive grant provisions. Establishes a drunk and impaired driving incentive program (which replaces a similar program when its terms expire at the end of FY 1997). Sets forth provisions regarding basic and supplemental grants. Establishes incentive programs to: (1) increase safety belt and child safety seat use; and (2) improve data systems and identify priorities for State and local highway and traffic safety programs and State drugged driving laws and related programs. (Sec. 2003) Adds provisions to the National Driver Register (NDR) statute to: (1) authorize the Secretary to decide whether to enter into an agreement with an organization representing State interests to manage, administer, and operate NDR's computer timeshare and user assistance functions; (2) extend participation to specified other Federal departments or agencies, such as the State Department; and (3) allow Federal agencies authorized to receive NDR information to make their requests and receive the information directly from NDR. (Sec. 2004) Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF for: (1) consolidated State highway safety programs; (2) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operations and research; and (3) NDR. Title III: Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 - Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 - Amends Federal mass transportation law to redefine the term "capital project" to include as eligible project costs for Federal mass transportation project grant assistance: (1) pre-revenue startup costs and environmental mitigation associated with the acquisition or construction of mass transportation facilities; (2) Intelligent Transportation Systems; (3) preventive maintenance; (4) leasing of equipment and facilities; (5) joint mass transportation development projects; (6) mass transportation projects that meet the special needs of the elderly and disabled individuals; (7) new and extended fixed guideway systems, as well as the development of corridors to support them; (8) vehicles and facilities that are used to provide intercity passenger service by bus or rail; (9) access for bicycles to mass transportation facilities; (10) the repayment of the principal and interest of bonds used for capital projects; (11) crime prevention and security; and (12) acquiring non-fixed route paratransit transportation service to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Sec. 3004) Requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to develop, in a fair and equitable manner, transportation plans and programs for State urbanized areas that provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the metropolitan area, the State, and the United States. Reduces the threshold for designating an MPO for an urbanized area with a population of over 50,000, by requiring that representatives of local governments with only 51 percent (currently, 75 percent) of the affected area must support such designation. (Sec. 3006) Requires the transfer of certain highway and mass transportation funds to the Secretary of Transportation. (Sec. 3007) Makes changes to certain State transportation planning requirements to conform to this Act. Excludes the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands from such requirements. (Sec. 3008) Authorizes the Secretary to make urbanized area formula grants (formerly block grants) for: (1) capital projects; (2) planning; (3) financing operating costs of equipment and facilities used in mass transportation in urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000; (4) the transportation cooperative research program; (5) university transportation centers; (6) training; (7) research; and (8) technology transfer. (Sec. 3009) Repeals the mass transit account block grant program. (Sec. 3010) Authorizes the Secretary to make major capital investment grants (formerly discretionary grants and loans) to assist State and local governmental authorities in financing capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing systems. Terminates: (1) other discretionary capital transportation projects, including the bus program; and (2) the Secretary's authority to make loans for such projects. (Sec. 3011) Converts the grant and loan program for the special needs of elderly individuals and disabled individuals into a program of formula grants for such purposes to a State's chief executive officer for allocation to private nonprofit entities and governmental authorities. Terminates the Secretary's current authority to make loans for such projects. (Sec. 3012) Declares that four percent of rural formula program funds shall be available for the Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) (thereby moving RTAP from the Transit Planning and Research Program to the formula program for other than urbanized areas). Authorizes States to use certain earmarked rural formula funds for the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) and for training. Includes intercity rail as an eligible activity for rural formula program funds. Terminates the intercity bus services set-aside program. (Sec. 3013) Terminates the Industry Technical Panel. (Sec. 3014) Revises the composition of the governing board of the TCRP to include one member from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). (Sec. 3015) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with consortia (public or private organizations which provide mass transportation service to the public) to promote the early deployment of innovation in mass transportation technology, services, management, or operational practices. Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities to: (1) inform the U.S. mass transportation community about technological innovations available in the international marketplace; and (2) afford domestic businesses the opportunity to become globally competitive in the export of mass transportation products and services. (Sec. 3016) Changes the name of the National Mass Transportation Institute to the National Transit Institute (an institute established by Rutgers University). Revises the course instruction provided by the Institute to Federal, State, and local transportation employees. (Sec. 3021) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, local governmental authorities, and private non-profit organizations to finance transportation services to transport economically disadvantaged persons to jobs and employment-related activities. (Sec. 3024) Makes surplus U.S. real property available for a transit purpose or as a source of materials for the construction of transit facilities. (Sec. 3025) Requires financial assistance under this Act to be obtained on a competitive basis. (Sec. 3027) Increases the amount of capital project funds that can be used for project oversight activities. (Sec. 3032) Authorizes the Secretary, among other things, to: (1) charge amounts to cover the costs of training or conferences sponsored by the FTA to promote mass transportation; and (2) perform by contract engineering or other services in connection with capital projects for States, local governmental authorities, recipients of Federal funding, or cooperating foreign countries. (Sec. 3034) Apportions a specified amount of formula grant funds for the access to jobs and training program. Earmarks specified percentages of funds for: (1) urbanized area formula grants; (2) formula grants for special needs of elderly and disabled individuals; (3) the formula program for other than urbanized areas; and (4) fixed guideway systems modernization. (Sec. 3036) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the formula grant program; (2) major capital investments; (3) metropolitan planning; (4) Statewide planning; (5) national transit research; (6) university transportation centers; and (7) administrative expenses. (Sec. 3037) Amends the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969, as added by the National Capital Transportation Amendments of 1990, to decrease the authorization of appropriations for grants to complete the Adopted Regional System. Authorizes appropriations from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1998 and 1999 for such project (effectively repealing the FY 1998 and 1999 general fund authorization of appropriations). Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety - Amends Federal commercial motor vehicle safety law to revise the current program. Declares as the primary objective of this title is to help States improve commercial motor vehicle (including hazardous materials transportation safety) and driver safety through enforcement activities and the use of performance-based grants. (Sec. 4001) Revises requirements for the Commercial Vehicle Information System. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program which focuses on improving commercial motor vehicle safety. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Infrastructure Credit Enhancement - Transportation Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to one or more Project Sponsors to capitalize Revenue Stabilization Funds for nationally significant surface transportation facility projects which cannot obtain financing from other sources. (Sec. 5007) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Research - Part A: Programs and Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) a national strategic planning process which encompasses Federal, State, and local planning activities for intermodal, multimodal, and modal transportation research and technology; and (2) the Intermodal Transportation Research and Development Program. (Sec. 6001) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish one university transportation center (thereby combining the existing university research institute and transportation centers programs) in each of the ten U.S. Government regions that compose the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System to conduct transportation research and education and training to qualified graduate and undergraduate students, with special attention to women and minorities. (Sec. 6002) Revises the duties of the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics with respect to long term data collection program to require, among other things, that it be coordinated with efforts to measure outputs and outcomes of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the nation's transportation systems under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into cooperative contracts with, public and nonprofit entities to conduct research and development in support of the Bureau's activities, including the Transportation Statistics Annual Report, data collection, the National Transportation Library, and the National Transportation Atlas Data Base. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6003) Revises Federal highway law to direct the Secretary to develop programs to facilitate application of the products of research and technical innovations that will improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the highway system. (Sec. 6004) Directs the Secretary to develop a National Technology Deployment Initiatives program, and access domestic and international technology to achieve certain deployment goals which will expand the adoption of innovative technologies by the surface transportation community. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6005) Directs the Secretary to carry out a transportation assistance program that will provide access to modern highway technology to: (1) highway and transportation agencies and tribal governments in urbanized as well as rural areas; and (2) contractors doing work for such agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Increases the set-aside of Federal highway funds for the surface transportation program for the State transportation agencies' payment of the cost of their employees' education and training expenses. Requires that the education and training of Federal, State, and local transportation employees be provided: (1) by the Secretary at no cost if it is in the best interests of the United States (currently, for those subject areas which are a Federal program responsibility); or (2) in any case in which it is to be paid by the State through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, individuals, and the National Highway Institute, except that international or foreign entities shall pay full cost of such education and training unless a lower cost is determined to be in the best interest of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program; and (2) the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). (Sec. 6006) Requires the Secretary to continue to completion the Long Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP) initiated under the SHRP and advanced by ISTEA through the mid-point of its 20-year schedule. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish, through grants and contracts, an advanced research program that addresses longer-term, higher-risk research that shows benefits for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, and safety of highway and intermodal transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 - Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 (ITS Act) - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and advance the deployment of such systems as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems (in effect, extending the expiring ITS Act of 1991). (Sec. 6053) Defines "intelligent transportation systems" as the application of electronics, communications, or information processing to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. (Sec. 6055) Directs the Secretary to update the National ITS Program Plan as necessary. (Sec. 6056) Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) planning and technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement ITS technologies and services; and (2) funding to Federal agencies and make grants to non-Federal entities (including State and local governments, universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other persons) for ITS research. (Sec. 6057) Directs the Secretary to conduct an intelligent transportation infrastructure deployment incentives program (ITI) to promote deployment of integrated, multimodal transportation systems throughout the Nation (thereby replacing the IVHS Corridors Program). (Sec. 6058) Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Revenue - Surface Transportation Revenue Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend HTF fuel taxes at current rates, as well as existing refunds and exemptions. Terminates the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund. Extends and makes permanent the authority for the transfer of HTF motorboat fuel taxes to the Boat Safety Account to carry out the State Recreational Boating Safety grant program. (Sec. 7003) Revises eligibility requirements for the exclusion of qualified transportation fringe benefits (employer payment of employee parking and commercial vanpool services) from an employee's gross income. (Sec. 7004) Extends the Mass Transit Account. (Sec. 7005) Authorizes expenditures from the HTF for certain motor vehicle safety and cost savings programs. (Sec. 7006) Directs the Secretary to transfer amounts from the HTF to the general fund of the Treasury for specified transportation-related programs. Title VIII: Rail Passenger Programs - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations from the HTF to make grants to AMTRAK for: (1) operating expenses; (2) capital programs; and (3) certain supplemental capital investments.
Bill· HRH.R. 1270 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 2000; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Requires intermodal transfer (rail-to-heavy-haul-truck) of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste pending direct rail access to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Subjects the Secretary's movement of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by heavy-haul transport route to the exclusive regulatory purview of the Secretary of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Prescribes transportation planning, package certification, technical assistance, interim storage facility, permanent disposal, land withdrawal, and private storage facility requirements to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 31, 2000, and transport it to mainline transportation facilities. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances to Nye County. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person holding title to or generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, and possession, transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Requires the Secretary to determine the level of an annual fee for electricity generated and sold by each civilian nuclear power reactor. Permits the Secretary to make expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund in the event of a shortfall. Delineates budget priorities in the event of such shortfall. Requires the NRC to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay the currently required one-time fee on spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste derived from it, and used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor before April 7, 1983. Provides that payment of the one-time fee relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization.
Law· HRH.R. 1271 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000 for specified aviation programs. Earmarks the research and development appropriations authorized for the support of all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development activities falling within the categories of basic and applied research and development, including the design and development of prototypes in accordance with specified classifications. Mandates that: (1) the President's annual FAA budget request include all research and development activities within a single budget category; and (2) all FAA activities within the categories of basic and applied research and development be placed within such category. Requires the FAA Administrator's national aviation research plan to highlight the research and development technology transfer activities that promote technology sharing among government, industry, and academia through the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. Directs the Administrator to establish a program for awarding grants to researchers at primarily undergraduate institutions who involve undergraduate students in their research on subjects of relevance to the FAA. Sets forth criteria for the award of such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Bars the use of funds under this Act for the Next Generation Internet. Prohibits the use of funds for any lobbying activities before the Congress, except for legislation or appropriations necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business. Directs the Administrator to exclude from consideration for a FAA grant any person who received grant funds from a Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award procedure. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the FAA should: (1) give priority to correcting all two-digit date-related problems in its computer systems to ensure its continued operation in the year 2000 and beyond; and (2) develop contingency plans for FAA systems it is unable to correct in time.
Bill· SS. 532 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Level and Distribution of Funds Title II: Program Streamlining Title III: Reduction of Regulation Title IV: Effective Date; Transition Rules Surface Transportation Authorization and Regulatory Streamlining Act - Title I: Level and Distribution of Funds - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 out of the Highway Trust Fund other than the Mass Transit Account (Highway Fund) for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (3) the Federal Lands Highways Program (including Indian reservation roads, public lands highways, and parkways and park roads); (4) the Cooperative Federal Lands Transportation Program; and (5) U.S. territories. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary), beginning in FY 1999, to publish in the Federal Register specified information concerning the use of, and methods of apportionment for, the additional highway account revenues authorized under this Act. Requires 60 percent of such amounts to be apportioned for the NHS, and 40 percent for the STP. (Sec. 103) Provides further apportionment of authorized funds within programs under the NHS and STP. Requires population determinations for apportionment purposes to be based on the most recent estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce. (Sec. 104) Provides an apportionment adjustment program under which: (1) Puerto Rico is provided specified additional highway funds; and (2) additional apportionments are made, according to specified apportionment percentages, to low-population-density States (20 individuals or less per square mile) and small States (population of 1.5 million or fewer in a land area of 10,000 square miles or less). Provides five calculation levels for the determination of appropriated amounts to such States. Authorizes appropriations for such additional apportionments out of the Highway Fund for FY 1998 and thereafter. Repeals certain prior apportionment adjustment programs. (Sec. 105) Decreases from three and three-fourths to two the percentage of apportionment funds to be spent on administrative expenses and appropriate highway and transportation research. Requires such expense deduction to be made only after the completion of all other aspects of calculating the apportionment. Requires one percent of NHS and STP funds annually to be set aside for metropolitan planning activities. Directs the Secretary to undertake an enhanced level of research to determine methods of reducing the long- and short-term costs of constructing and maintaining asphalt pavement in areas with severe or frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Requires the Secretary, in selecting research topics, allocating funds, and promoting and developing transportation systems, to give careful consideration to the national interest in transportation issues, infrastructure, and modern transportation technology related to rural areas. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 from the Highway Fund to carry out the recreational trails program under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Provides a State apportionment formula and a deduction of up to three percent for administrative expenses. Limits the Federal share to 80 percent of the cost of a recreational trails project. Provides for matching funds from Federal grant programs. (Sec. 107) States that nothing in this Act establishes a limitation on the total of all obligations for any fiscal year for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs. Provides specific rules for any such limitations, including: (1) a distribution formula for FY 1998 and thereafter; (2) the redistribution of unused obligation authority; (3) the authority to obligate up to an additional five percent of all funds apportioned to a State for such programs; and (4) the maintenance of overall program balance. Title II: Program Streamlining - Requires each State, beginning with FY 1998, to certify to the Secretary that: (1) it has reserved an amount for bridge expenditures that is not less than the amount apportioned to such State for such purpose for FY 1997; or (2) the amount the State will reserve to carry out bridge projects between FY 1998 and 2003 will be no less than six times the amount appropriated to the State for such purpose for FY 1997. Directs the Secretary, beginning with FY 1998, to set aside specified amounts for discretionary bridge projects. Repeals provisions: (1) requiring an inventory of highway bridges on public roads and park and Indian reservation bridges; (2) concerning the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges and apportionment of funds for such purpose; (3) concerning bridge inventory reports; and (4) providing for an off-system bridge program as well as a historic bridge program. (Sec. 201) Provides a specified set-aside from the STP for highway safety programs and related activities for FY 1998 through 2003. Allows such funds to be used for the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. Provides further set-asides for such fiscal years for: (1) transportation enhancement activities; and (2) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement activities. (Sec. 202) Repeals NHS provisions which require the Secretary to remove from designation as a part of the Interstate System (IS) each segment for which that State has not notified the Secretary that it intends to construct such segment and which the Secretary finds is not essential to the completion of a unified and connected IS. (Sec. 203) Repeals provisions concerning: (1) the transfer to the apportionments of a State of amounts not used for IS segment construction costs, resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating; and (2) the placing of funding limitations on IS highway or bridge expansion which does not involve high-occupancy-vehicle lanes or auxiliary lanes. (Sec. 204) Makes eligible under the STP an area of a State that is a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide, for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to ten micrometers resulting from transportation activities, or for any combination thereof, for congestion mitigation and air quality improvement projects without regard to any Department of Transportation (DOT) limitation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard addressed by such project. Makes eligible under the STP the placement of funds in a State infrastructure bank approved by the Secretary. Removes a limitation concerning STP projects undertaken on roads classified as local or rural minor collectors. Revises provisions regarding: (1) the determination by a State of its allocation formula used for the apportionment of STP funds for division between urbanized areas of over 200,000 population for FY 1998 and thereafter; and (2) State certification procedures. Extends through FY 2003 the STP obligation authority with respect to such urbanized areas. (Sec. 205) Increases from $300,000 to $500,000 the funds required to be expended by the Secretary to carry out a public information program aimed at preventing and reducing motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and improving driver performance, at railway-highway crossings. Repeals current set-asides for IS and NHS discretionary programs. (Sec. 206) 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. Title III: Reduction of Regulation - Directs the Secretary to carry out a periodic review of all significant DOT rules to determine which should be amended, rescinded, or continued without change. Requires publication of a plan for such review. (Sec. 302) States that any decision by the Secretary concerning a State transportation plan or program shall not be considered a Federal action subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 303) Removes the requirement that, after September 30, 2000, a State must use or plan to use metric system designations as part of a Federal-aid highway project. Title IV: Effective Date; Transition Rules - Makes this Act effective on the date of enactment and applicable only to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after September 30, 1997, except as otherwise specified. Provides for State transfers of unobligated funds apportioned to the State before October 1, 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 1264 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 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.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 58 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 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 affect 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.
Bill· SS. 483 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Full Funding Act - Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge Authority Act of 1995 to include construction of an interchange as an authorized project. Amends Federal highway law to authorize appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1998 through 2004 for construction of such bridge.
Bill· HRH.R. 1148 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Amendments to Panama Canal Act of 1979 Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 - Authorizes the Panama Canal Commission to make expenditures as necessary for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and administration of the Panama Canal for FY 1998. Makes funds available for the purchase, and transportation to Panama, of passenger motor vehicles (limiting the per vehicle purchase price to $22,000). Subtitle B: Amendments to Panama Canal Act of 1979 - Panama Canal Act Amendments of 1979 (sic) - Amends the Panama Canal Act of 1979 to: (1) empower the Commission to appoint U.S. citizens as notaries public, and to conduct and promote commercial activities related to the management, operation, or maintenance of the Canal; (2) exempt Commission officers and employees from Federal post-employment restrictions following termination of their employment on December 31, 1999; (3) repeal certain Commission employee pay, travel and transportation provisions; (4) authorize the Administrator of the Commission to pay a bonus to a newly recruited employee or an employee who must relocate to accept a position (requires the employee to contract to complete a period of employment established by the Commission) and to pay a retention bonus to other employees under specified circumstances; (5) authorize the Commission (currently, the President) to regulate the Panama Canal Board of Appeals; (6) authorize use of the Panama Canal Revolving Fund to pay severance pay to Commission employees; (7) direct an executive agency (currently, the Commission) to enter into supplies and materials contracts and other transactions with the Republic of Panama; (8) provide a time limitation with respect to the filing of admiralty claims with the Commission; (9) authorize the Commission to establish toll rates for yachts using the Canal; (10) revise generally Federal provisions concerning retirement eligibility for Commission employees; and (11) authorize reserve and retired military personnel to accept employment with the Panama Canal Authority (the successor to the Commission).
Bill· HRH.R. 1189 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans Title II: Expansion of Grant Authority to Include Technical Assistance for Rural Health Networks Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas Title V: Classification as Rural Referral Centers; Geographic Reclassification for Disproportionate Share Payment Adjustment Title VI: Medicare Payment Methodologies Title VII: Antitrust Title VIII: Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1997 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of the Congress that HMOs or CMPs in rural areas receiving additional payments as a result of this title should allocate those payments to provide increased health care services to Medicare beneficiaries or to pay for health care service infrastructure needs. Title II: Expansion of Grant Authority to Include Technical Assistance for Rural Health Networks - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide technical assistance, directly or through grants or contracts, for the planning, development, and operation of any program or service carried out pursuant to a rural health network under that Act. Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program while continuing payment to designated EACHs, rural primary care hospitals, and certain other medical assistance facilities operated as limited service rural hospitals under a specified demonstration program. Permits agreements between rural primary care hospitals and the Secretary for the use of up to 25 beds for extended care services. Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services. Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on the study being conducted on the criteria for designation of health professional shortage areas and medically underserved areas under the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician. Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers; Geographic Reclassification for Disproportionate Share Payment Adjustment - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages. Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. (Sec. 502) Permits Medicare hospital geographic reclassification for purposes of disproportionate share payment adjustments. Title VI: Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to implement a methodology based on a specified proposal for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services. Title VII: Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) physician and hospital networks in rural areas are working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to Americans living and working in rural areas; and (2) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Justice Department, should, when implementing antitrust guidelines with respect to physician and hospital networks in rural areas, give special consideration to and provide appropriate relief for such networks. Title VIII: Financing - Extends certain Medicare secondary payer requirements with respect to end stage renal disease.
Bill· HRH.R. 1210 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amtrak Route Closure and Realignment Act of 1997 - Establishes as an independent commission the Total Realignment of Amtrak Commission. Directs the Commission to: (1) identify Amtrak passenger rail routes which are candidates for closure or realignment based on system-wide economic performance rankings and other specified principles and factors; (2) examine ridership forecasts and other assumptions supporting continued service on the Northeast Corridor, particularly with respect to the continuation of the electrification of the Northeast Corridor between New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston, Massachusetts; and (3) examine optional uses for abandoned rail lines. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress and the President on its activities, including recommendations for the closure and realignment of routes in Amtrak's passenger rail system. Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of Commission recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1141 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring the use of federally-approved child safety restraint systems (including weight or age limits) on commercial aircraft. Prohibits an air carrier from charging a price for a child under age three that exceeds the lowest price charged to any other paying passenger on such commercial flight with the same destination. Expresses the sense of the Congress that air carriers should not charge for transportation of children under age three.
Bill· HRH.R. 1131 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Makes roads functionally classified as local or rural minor collectors eligible for surface transportation program funds under the special account for areas under 5,000 population pursuant to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Revises the formula for the allocation of apportioned funds for rural areas. Requires States to consider local or rural minor collectors and unclassified rural roads in the statewide planning process.
Bill· HRH.R. 1126 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1997
Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army or Naval Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act. Mandates a processing fee for any benefit application of a member possessing such qualified service.
Bill· SS. 468 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Surface Transportation Title II: Highway Safety Title III: Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety Title V: Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Title VI: Research Part A: Programs and Activities Part B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 Title VII: Revenue Title VIII: Rail Passenger Programs National Economic Crossroads Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997 - Title I: Surface Transportation - Surface Transportation Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Interstate Maintenance Program (IM); (3) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); (4) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ); (5) the Bridge Program; (6) the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP); (7) infrastructure safety; (8) the Integrated Safety Fund; (9) the Recreational Trails Program; and (10) university transportation centers. (Sec. 1003) Includes among eligible NHS projects: (1) specified capital improvements to National Railroad Passenger Corporation or publicly owned intercity passenger rail lines; (2) natural habitat mitigation; and (3) infrastructure-based Intelligent Transportation Systems capital improvements. (Sec. 1004) Revises: (1) the formulas for the NHS, CMAQ, and STP apportionments; (2) the CMAQ formulas to provide apportionment of additional funding to States with carbon monoxide or particulate matter pollution; and (3) the minimum allocation provision. Authorizes: (1) funding for rehabilitation of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge and for costs related to construction of a new bridge; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to reimburse the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for conducting annual HTF audits. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1005) Establishes levels for annual apportionments such that each State is guaranteed to receive at least a certain percentage of total apportionments for each year for specified purposes or programs. (Sec. 1006) Amends provisions regarding Federal and State responsibilities for projects to: (1) repeal a 15 percent cost limitation on estimates for construction engineering; (2) combine the current two-step process for project approval and execution of a project agreement; (3) direct the Secretary to require a financial plan for any project with an estimated total cost of $1 billion or more; and (4) permit States to use phase construction to meet safety considerations. Extends Davis-Bacon Act wage protections applicable to highway construction projects to the same workers employed on any project eligible for funding under title 23 of the U.S. Code, with exceptions. (Sec. 1007) Amends provisions regarding: (1) real property acquisition and corridor preservation; (2) credit for donated lands; and (3) income from airspace rights-of-way. (Sec. 1009) Repeals: (1) requirements for the Secretary to issue Interstate maintenance guidelines and for States to annually certify that they have a maintenance program in place that meets such guidelines; and (2) the separate Interstate System (IS) preventive maintenance eligibility standard. Expands IM eligibility to include certain Interstate highway reconstruction and infrastructure-based capital improvements. (Sec. 1011) Reauthorizes the current Interstate 4R discretionary program. (Sec. 1012) Modifies provisions regarding emergency relief to: (1) reduce the Federal share payable on emergency relief projects; and (2) shorten the time period in which States receive a 100 percent Federal share. (Sec. 1013) Removes prohibitions against Federal participation in the initial construction of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel on the IS or in the reconstruction of a toll-free highway and its conversion to a toll facility. Eliminates a tolling pilot project. (Sec. 1014) Expands STP eligibility. Eliminates the safety set-aside from the STP program. Replaces the current quarterly, project-by-project State certification and notification requirements with an annual, program-wide approval. Extends the allocation of obligation authority to urbanized areas through the life of the reauthorization. Requires that each State and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) ensure the fair and equitable treatment of central cities of over 200,000 population. (Sec. 1015) Amends metropolitan planning provisions to direct that: (1) MPO transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas provide for integrated management of transportation systems and facilities; and (2) in designating MPOs, local governments represent 51 percent of the affected population. Permits redesignation under procedures established by State law. Directs that policy boards of MPOs include local officials, officials of certain public agencies, and appropriate State officials. Amends provisions regarding: (1) metropolitan planning area boundaries; and (2) the metropolitan transportation improvement program (TIP). Requires the creation of a congestion management system within transportation management areas (TMAs). Prohibits Federal funding for any highway project that will result in a significant increase in single-occupant vehicles (SOVs) for a TMA classified as nonattainment for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter, with exceptions. (Sec. 1016) Amends statewide planning provisions. Requires the State to: (1) develop a transportation plan, with a minimum 20-year forecast period, that provides for the development and implementation of the State's intermodal transportation System, in cooperation or consultation with MPOs and local elected transportation officials; and (2) identify transportation strategies. (Sec. 1017) Encourages States to: (1) reserve training slots on their Federal-aid contracts for welfare recipients; and (2) implement preferences for employment of welfare recipients and persons residing in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities. Declares that the Virgin Islands should implement a preference for employment of local workers. Authorizes the Secretary to develop, conduct, and administer technology training and to develop and fund Summer Transportation Institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish an assistance program to increase participation by certain minority institutions of higher education in grants and cooperative agreements awarded for research and planning. (Sec. 1018) Requires that: (1) at least ten percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated for specified programs under this Act be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (2) each State annually survey and compile a list of such concerns; and (3) the Secretary establish minimum uniform criteria for State government use in certifying whether a concern qualifies. (Sec. 1019) Modifies the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. Expands eligibility to include scour countermeasures. Reauthorizes the bridge discretionary program. (Sec. 1020) Expands CMAQ eligibility to include projects in nonattainment areas for particulate matter. Limits CMAQ eligibility to nonattainment and maintenance areas that were classified as such under the Clean Air Act. Excludes projects funded with CMAQ apportionments from the list of safety projects eligible for 100 percent Federal participation. (Sec. 1021) Reauthorizes provisions regarding IS reimbursement. Makes permanent the State Infrastructure Bank Pilot Program authorized for FY 1996 and 1997 in the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995. (Sec. 1023) Directs the Secretary to carry out a National Scenic Byways Program. (Sec. 1024) Sets forth: (1) eligible railway-highway crossing uses of apportioned funds; and (2) a new apportionment formula for railway-highway crossing funds. Requires States to report to DOT on completed railway-highway crossing projects. Expands the protective devices set-aside to include enforcement and education efforts. (Sec. 1025) Repeals: (1) a restriction which applies the Federal-non-Federal matching rate to each payment that a State receives; (2) a provision concerning the use of motor vehicle taxes to fund highway construction projects; and (3) a law relating to bridge commissions and Federal approval of their membership. Permits reimbursement of eligible indirect costs to State and local governments. (Sec. 1026) Amends planning and agency coordination provisions to direct the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land managing agency, to develop transportation planning procedures which are consistent with the metropolitan and Statewide planning processes. Establishes a national bridge program for replacing or rehabilitating deficient Indian reservation road bridges. (Sec. 1027) Includes the construction of pedestrian walkways as an eligible use of States' NHS apportionments under the same criteria by which bicycle transportation facilities are eligible. Removes a restriction against safely accommodating bicycles on highway bridges located on fully access-controlled highways. Amends planning provisions to require that: (1) consideration be given to bicyclists and pedestrians in the comprehensive statewide and metropolitan planning processes; and (2) the inclusion of bicycle transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways be considered in conjunction with all new construction and reconstruction of transportation facilities, with exceptions. (Sec. 1028) Incorporates the Recreational Trails Program (enacted into law as the National Recreational Trails Fund Act, Title I of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)), into the Federal-aid highway program, but repeals provisions regarding the National Recreational Trails Advisory Committee. Requires States to establish State trail advisory committees. Requires that: (1) at least 50 percent of the funds received annually by a State be used to facilitate the use of trails for diverse recreational purposes; and (2) States give priority to project proposals that provide for the redesign, reconstruction, nonroutine maintenance, or relocation of existing trails to benefit, or mitigate the impact on, the environment. Limits the Federal share payable for Recreational Trails Program projects to 50 percent, with exceptions. (Sec. 1029) Amends provisions regarding the international highway transportation outreach program to authorize: (1) the Secretary to engage in activities to promote U.S. highway transportation goods and services internationally and to gather and disseminate information on foreign transportation markets and industries; and (2) the use of certain funds to reimburse the Federal Highway Administration for employee salaries and benefits. (Sec. 1030) Directs the Secretary, subject to specified limitations, to: (1) make incentive grants to States and MPOs that share a common border with Canada or Mexico; and (2) make grants to States for the purpose of performing planning for the efficient movement of goods along and within international and interstate trade corridors. Authorizes multistate agreements for trade corridor planning. Establishes a border gateway pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1031) Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize appropriations and to limit eligibility for such funds to the development highway system authorized as of September 30, 1996; (2) provide for reallocation of funds not expended by a State within four years; (3) raise the Federal share payable regarding any pre-financed development highway project; and (4) authorize the deduction of up to 3.75 percent of funds authorized for Appalachian Regional Commission expenses in administering such funds. (Sec. 1032) Amends ISTEA to: (1) increase the number of value (formerly, congestion) pricing pilot programs eligible for funding and the Federal share payable on any project funded under the program; (2) require the Secretary to fund pre-implementation costs; (3) make the three-year funding limitation inapplicable to the pre-implementation stage; (4) authorize the use of toll revenues generated by pilot projects for any surface transportation purpose; (5) remove the three-program cap on the number of value pricing programs on which the Secretary shall allow the use of tolls on the IS; (6) require any value pricing pilot program to fully consider the potential effects of such projects on drivers of all income levels and develop mitigation measures to deal with potential adverse effects on low income drivers; and (7) eliminate requirements for the Secretary to annually report to the Congress on motor fuel tax enforcement activities and the expenditure of funds regarding highway use tax evasion projects and on increased enforcement activities to be financed with funds allocated by the Secretary to the Internal Revenue Service. Title II: Highway Safety - Highway Safety Act of 1997 - Amends highway safety program provisions to: (1) raise the minimum annual apportionment to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) allow program grants to be made to Indian tribes in Indian country; and (3) authorize the Secretary to periodically conduct a rulemaking process to identify highway safety programs that are highly effective and direct the States to consider such programs when developing their programs. Modifies safety incentive grant provisions. Establishes a drunk and impaired driving incentive program (which replaces a similar program when its terms expire at the end of FY 1997). Sets forth provisions regarding basic and supplemental grants. Establishes incentive programs to: (1) increase safety belt and child safety seat use; and (2) improve data systems and identify priorities for State and local highway and traffic safety programs and State drugged driving laws and related programs. (Sec. 2003) Adds provisions to the National Driver Register (NDR) statute to: (1) authorize the Secretary to decide whether to enter into an agreement with an organization representing State interests to manage, administer, and operate NDR's computer timeshare and user assistance functions; (2) extend participation to specified other Federal departments or agencies, such as the State Department; and (3) allow Federal agencies authorized to receive NDR information to make their requests and receive the information directly from NDR. (Sec. 2004) Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF for: (1) consolidated State highway safety programs; (2) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operations and research; and (3) NDR. Title III: Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 - Federal Mass Transportation Amendments of 1997 - Amends Federal mass transportation law to redefine the term "capital project" to include as eligible project costs for Federal mass transportation project grant assistance: (1) pre-revenue startup costs and environmental mitigation associated with the acquisition or construction of mass transportation facilities; (2) Intelligent Transportation Systems; (3) preventive maintenance; (4) leasing of equipment and facilities; (5) joint mass transportation development projects; (6) mass transportation projects that meet the special needs of the elderly and disabled individuals; (7) new and extended fixed guideway systems, as well as the development of corridors to support them; (8) vehicles and facilities that are used to provide intercity passenger service by bus or rail; (9) access for bicycles to mass transportation facilities; (10) the repayment of the principal and interest of bonds used for capital projects; (11) crime prevention and security; and (12) acquiring non-fixed route paratransit transportation service to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Sec. 3004) Requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to develop, in a fair and equitable manner, transportation plans and programs for State urbanized areas that provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the metropolitan area, the State, and the United States. Reduces the threshold for designating an MPO for an urbanized area with a population of over 50,000, by requiring that representatives of local governments with only 51 percent (currently, 75 percent) of the affected area must support such designation. (Sec. 3006) Requires the transfer of certain highway and mass transportation funds to the Secretary of Transportation. (Sec. 3007) Makes changes to certain State transportation planning requirements to conform to this Act. Excludes the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands from such requirements. (Sec. 3008) Authorizes the Secretary to make urbanized area formula grants (formerly block grants) for: (1) capital projects; (2) planning; (3) financing operating costs of equipment and facilities used in mass transportation in urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000; (4) the transportation cooperative research program; (5) university transportation centers; (6) training; (7) research; and (8) technology transfer. (Sec. 3009) Repeals the mass transit account block grant program. (Sec. 3010) Authorizes the Secretary to make major capital investment grants (formerly discretionary grants and loans) to assist State and local governmental authorities in financing capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing systems. Terminates: (1) other discretionary capital transportation projects, including the bus program; and (2) the Secretary's authority to make loans for such projects. (Sec. 3011) Converts the grant and loan program for the special needs of elderly individuals and disabled individuals into a program of formula grants for such purposes to a State's chief executive officer for allocation to private nonprofit entities and governmental authorities. Terminates the Secretary's current authority to make loans for such projects. (Sec. 3012) Declares that four percent of rural formula program funds shall be available for the Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) (thereby moving RTAP from the Transit Planning and Research Program to the formula program for other than urbanized areas). Authorizes States to use certain earmarked rural formula funds for the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) and for training. Includes intercity rail as an eligible activity for rural formula program funds. Terminates the intercity bus services set-aside program. (Sec. 3013) Terminates the Industry Technical Panel. (Sec. 3014) Revises the composition of the governing board of the TCRP to include one member from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). (Sec. 3015) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with consortia (public or private organizations which provide mass transportation service to the public) to promote the early deployment of innovation in mass transportation technology, services, management, or operational practices. Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities to: (1) inform the U.S. mass transportation community about technological innovations available in the international marketplace; and (2) afford domestic businesses the opportunity to become globally competitive in the export of mass transportation products and services. (Sec. 3016) Changes the name of the National Mass Transportation Institute to the National Transit Institute (an institute established by Rutgers University). Revises the course instruction provided by the Institute to Federal, State, and local transportation employees. (Sec. 3021) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, local governmental authorities, and private non-profit organizations to finance transportation services to transport economically disadvantaged persons to jobs and employment-related activities. (Sec. 3024) Makes surplus U.S. real property available for a transit purpose or as a source of materials for the construction of transit facilities. (Sec. 3025) Requires financial assistance under this Act to be obtained on a competitive basis. (Sec. 3027) Increases the amount of capital project funds that can be used for project oversight activities. (Sec. 3032) Authorizes the Secretary, among other things, to: (1) charge amounts to cover the costs of training or conferences sponsored by the FTA to promote mass transportation; and (2) perform by contract engineering or other services in connection with capital projects for States, local governmental authorities, recipients of Federal funding, or cooperating foreign countries. (Sec. 3034) Apportions a specified amount of formula grant funds for the access to jobs and training program. Earmarks specified percentages of funds for: (1) urbanized area formula grants; (2) formula grants for special needs of elderly and disabled individuals; (3) the formula program for other than urbanized areas; and (4) fixed guideway systems modernization. (Sec. 3036) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the formula grant program; (2) major capital investments; (3) metropolitan planning; (4) Statewide planning; (5) national transit research; (6) university transportation centers; and (7) administrative expenses. (Sec. 3037) Amends the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969, as added by the National Capital Transportation Amendments of 1990, to decrease the authorization of appropriations for grants to complete the Adopted Regional System. Authorizes appropriations from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1998 and 1999 for such project (effectively repealing the FY 1998 and 1999 general fund authorization of appropriations). Title IV: Motor Carrier Safety - Amends Federal commercial motor vehicle safety law to revise the current program. Declares as the primary objective of this title is to help States improve commercial motor vehicle (including hazardous materials transportation safety) and driver safety through enforcement activities and the use of performance-based grants. (Sec. 4001) Revises requirements for the Commercial Vehicle Information System. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program which focuses on improving commercial motor vehicle safety. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Infrastructure Credit Enhancement - Transportation Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to one or more Project Sponsors to capitalize Revenue Stabilization Funds for nationally significant surface transportation facility projects which cannot obtain financing from other sources. (Sec. 5007) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Research - Part A: Programs and Activities - Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) a national strategic planning process which encompasses Federal, State, and local planning activities for intermodal, multimodal, and modal transportation research and technology; and (2) the Intermodal Transportation Research and Development Program. (Sec. 6001) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish one university transportation center (thereby combining the existing university research institute and transportation centers programs) in each of the ten U.S. Government regions that compose the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System to conduct transportation research and education and training to qualified graduate and undergraduate students, with special attention to women and minorities. (Sec. 6002) Revises the duties of the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics with respect to long term data collection program to require, among other things, that it be coordinated with efforts to measure outputs and outcomes of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the nation's transportation systems under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into cooperative contracts with, public and nonprofit entities to conduct research and development in support of the Bureau's activities, including the Transportation Statistics Annual Report, data collection, the National Transportation Library, and the National Transportation Atlas Data Base. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6003) Revises Federal highway law to direct the Secretary to develop programs to facilitate application of the products of research and technical innovations that will improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the highway system. (Sec. 6004) Directs the Secretary to develop a National Technology Deployment Initiatives program, and access domestic and international technology to achieve certain deployment goals which will expand the adoption of innovative technologies by the surface transportation community. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6005) Directs the Secretary to carry out a transportation assistance program that will provide access to modern highway technology to: (1) highway and transportation agencies and tribal governments in urbanized as well as rural areas; and (2) contractors doing work for such agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Increases the set-aside of Federal highway funds for the surface transportation program for the State transportation agencies' payment of the cost of their employees' education and training expenses. Requires that the education and training of Federal, State, and local transportation employees be provided: (1) by the Secretary at no cost if it is in the best interests of the United States (currently, for those subject areas which are a Federal program responsibility); or (2) in any case in which it is to be paid by the State through grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, individuals, and the National Highway Institute, except that international or foreign entities shall pay full cost of such education and training unless a lower cost is determined to be in the best interest of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program; and (2) the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). (Sec. 6006) Requires the Secretary to continue to completion the Long Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP) initiated under the SHRP and advanced by ISTEA through the mid-point of its 20-year schedule. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish, through grants and contracts, an advanced research program that addresses longer-term, higher-risk research that shows benefits for improving the durability, efficiency, environmental impact, and safety of highway and intermodal transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 - Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1997 (ITS Act) - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and advance the deployment of such systems as a component of the Nation's surface transportation systems (in effect, extending the expiring ITS Act of 1991). (Sec. 6053) Defines "intelligent transportation systems" as the application of electronics, communications, or information processing to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. (Sec. 6055) Directs the Secretary to update the National ITS Program Plan as necessary. (Sec. 6056) Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) planning and technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement ITS technologies and services; and (2) funding to Federal agencies and make grants to non-Federal entities (including State and local governments, universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other persons) for ITS research. (Sec. 6057) Directs the Secretary to conduct an intelligent transportation infrastructure deployment incentives program (ITI) to promote deployment of integrated, multimodal transportation systems throughout the Nation (thereby replacing the IVHS Corridors Program). (Sec. 6058) Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Revenue - Surface Transportation Revenue Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend HTF fuel taxes at current rates, as well as existing refunds and exemptions. Terminates the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund. Extends and makes permanent the authority for the transfer of HTF motorboat fuel taxes to the Boat Safety Account to carry out the State Recreational Boating Safety grant program. (Sec. 7003) Revises eligibility requirements for the exclusion of qualified transportation fringe benefits (employer payment of employee parking and commercial vanpool services) from an employee's gross income. (Sec. 7004) Extends the Mass Transit Account. (Sec. 7005) Authorizes expenditures from the HTF for certain motor vehicle safety and cost savings programs. (Sec. 7006) Directs the Secretary to transfer amounts from the HTF to the general fund of the Treasury for specified transportation-related programs. Title VIII: Rail Passenger Programs - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations from the HTF to make grants to AMTRAK for: (1) operating expenses; (2) capital programs; and (3) certain supplemental capital investments.
Law· HRH.R. 1086 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1997
Codifies (in title 49 of the United States Code) existing laws related to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the lease of metropolitan Washington airports, with technical and conforming changes. Makes conforming amendments, including repeals, to other specified Federal law.
Bill· HRH.R. 1022 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Amends Federal motor vehicle safety law to provide an exception to requirements prohibiting a motor vehicle manufacturer, dealer, or repair business from knowingly making inoperative any motor vehicle safety device. Authorizes such persons to install a device which may be used by a driver to deactivate an air bag in a car, truck, bus, or multipurpose passenger vehicle, as long as the device causes the air bag to activate when the vehicle engine is turned off.
Bill· HRH.R. 1024 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Prohibits States from authorizing the sale of automobile insurance unless it is subject to cancellation in accordance with the cancellation requirements of this Act. Allows cancellation only if: (1) written cancellation notice is given at least 180 days before the cancellation; (2) the named insured's driver's license was suspended or revoked; or (3) the named insured has been convicted of, or forfeited bail for, any action connected with operating a motor vehicle that is grounds for license suspension or revocation. Mandates notice of nonrenewal at least 180 days before the expiration of the policy. Provides for enforcement.
Bill· HRH.R. 1011 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) carry out a comprehensive program to assist States in adopting a nationwide emergency telephone number for cellular telephone users; and (2) ensure that Department of Transportation activities do not adversely affect existing emergency response and communications systems.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 91 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 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) Government Reform and Oversight; (7) House Oversight; (8) Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (9) International Relations; (10) Judiciary; (11) National Security; (12) Resources; (13) Rules; (14) Science; (15) Small Business; (16) Standards of Official Conduct; (17) Transportation and Infrastructure; (18) Veterans' Affairs; and (19) Ways and Means. Sets forth first and second session limitations on such amounts. Establishes a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of committees for the 105th Congress to be paid to them pursuant to allocations approved by the Committee on House Oversight.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 43 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 should be preserved and not radically overhauled; (2) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and the Bridge Program are important national programs that should not be substantially changed; (3) mass transportation programs should remain a national priority supported by Federal funds; (4) a dedicated source of funding for Amtrak, and legislation to reform it, should be included in any law to reauthorize the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act of 1991; and (5) transportation safety programs should not be diminished.
Law· SS. 414 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Shipping Act of 1984 Title II: Transfer of Functions of the Federal Maritime Commission to the Intermodal Transportation Board Title III: Amendments to Other Shipping and Maritime Laws Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Amendments to the Shipping Act of 1984 - Amends the Shipping Act of 1984 (the Act) to include as one of its purposes to promote the growth and development of U.S. exports through competitive and efficient ocean transportation and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace. (Sec. 102) Redefines the term "deferred rebate" with respect to common carriers and shippers to make its payment conditional upon the shipper's agreeing to make a further shipment with that or any other common carrier. Includes "deferred rebate arrangements" within the scope of "loyalty contracts". Redefines "ocean freight forwarder", "service contract", and "shipper". (Sec. 103) Revises the scope of the Act, with respect to certain agreements by or among ocean common carriers, to: (1) exclude from coverage agreements among ocean common carriers to engage in exclusive, preferential, or cooperative working arrangements with non-vessel-operating common carriers; and (2) cover agreements to discuss and agree upon any matter related to service contracts. Repeals coverage of ocean common carrier agreements to regulate or prohibit the use of service contracts. (Sec. 104) Reduces from ten days to five days the deadline for a member of a shipping conference to give notice of independent action on a rate or service item. Requires shipping conference agreements to prohibit the conference from restricting members from negotiating individual service contracts, and from requiring disclosure of confidential individual service contracts. Permits a conference to issue voluntary guidelines for the terms and procedures of such contracts, but not mandate rules. (Sec. 105) Declares that the Act does not extend antitrust immunity to loyalty contracts (a contract with an ocean common carrier or conference, other than a service contract or contract based upon time-volume rates, in which a shipper obtains lower rates by committing all or a fixed portion of its cargo to that carrier or conference). (Sec. 106) Repeals the requirement that a common carrier or conference file tariffs with the Intermodal Transportation Board (ITB) (currently FMC) and changed by title II of this Act), replacing it with a requirement that it keep tariffs open to public inspection in an automated tariff system. Excludes new assembled motor vehicles, among other currently specified items, from this requirement. Mandates that tariffs be made available electronically to the public for inspection, for a reasonable charge but without time, quantity, or other limitation. Revises provisions regarding: (1) service contracts between individual ocean common carriers or among several ocean common carriers and one or more shippers (stating that they are not required to be filed with the ITB); (2) publication of tariff rates and marine terminal operator schedules; and (3) automated tariff systems. (Sec. 107) Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act to repeal its automated tariff filing and information system requirements. (Sec. 108) Amends the Act to revise requirements for ITB determination of the unjustness and unreasonableness of controlled carrier rates. Changes the ITB's authority to disapprove unjust and unreasonable rates to authority to prohibit them. (Sec. 109) Revises the enumeration of prohibited acts by common carriers with respect to the provision of ocean transportation services. Repeals prohibitions against: (1) charging compensation for transportation service different from that shown in published tariffs or service contracts; (2) rebating portions of rates except in accordance with tariffs or service contracts; and (3) extending or denying privileges, concessions, equipment, or facilities except in accordance with tariffs or service contracts; and (4) using a loyalty contract, except in conformity with antitrust laws. Prohibits providing service in the liner trade that is not in accordance with rates contained in a published tariff or service contract, or that is under a suspended tariff or service contract. Substitutes "ocean freight forwarder" for "non-vessel-operating common carrier" with respect to the prohibition against common carriers' knowingly accepting or transporting cargo that does not have a tariff and a bond. (Sec. 111) Amends the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 to substitute "ocean freight forwarder" for "non-vessel-operating common carrier" with respect to the scope of such Act. (Sec. 112) Amends the Act to authorize the ITB to subpoena individual service contracts regarding transportation services in ITB investigations and adjudicatory proceedings. (Sec. 113) States that the penalty imposed on a common carrier for violations of the Act shall constitute a lien upon the carrier's vessels. Authorizes the ITB to request the Secretary of the Treasury to refuse or revoke any clearance required for a common carrier vessel if such carrier fails to supply certain information in a FMC investigation or adjudicatory proceeding. (Sec. 116) Repeals a provision of the Act: (1) requiring the ITB to report to the Congress and specified Federal agencies with respect to the impact of the Act on the international ocean shipping industry; and (2) establishing the Advisory Commission on Conferences in Ocean Shipping. (Sec. 117) Revises certain license and bond requirements with respect to ocean freight forwarders. Title II: Transfer of Functions of the Federal Maritime Commission to the Intermodal Transportation Board - Amends the ICC Termination Act of 1995 to change the name of the Surface Transportation Board to the Intermodal Transportation Board. (Sec. 201) Transfers all functions, powers, and duties vested in the FMC. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Amendments to Other Shipping and Maritime Laws - Amends specified Federal maritime laws to make technical and conforming changes consistent with this Act.
Bill· SS. 412 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1997
Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1997 - 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 considers as intoxicated an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2001 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (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· HRH.R. 969 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Border Infrastructure Safety and Congestion Relief Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) for certain transportation projects necessary to: (1) relieve congestion due to increased traffic resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); or (2) improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws. Limits the Federal share of the costs of such projects to 80 percent. Establishes the Border Transportation Infrastructure Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, at the Attorney General's request, to transfer up to $10 million of amounts from the Fund to the Attorney General for construction of transportation infrastructure necessary for law enforcement in border States. Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to authorize appropriations for making lines of credit available to: (1) border States that have established infrastructure banks to advance transportation infrastructure projects supporting international trade and commerce in the region; and (2) the New Mexico Border Authority. Authorizes appropriations to provide assistance for freight rail projects in border States that benefit international trade and relieve highways of increased traffic resulting from NAFTA. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the programs authorized under this Act should be fully financed in a budget neutral manner by offsetting receipts derived from customs duties and fees.
Bill· HRH.R. 970 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Emission Reduction Credits Title III: Tax Incentives Title IV: Revision of Purchase Mandates Title V: Federal Transit Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VI: Government Contract Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VII: Research, Development, and Demonstration Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles Title VIII: Minimum Distance Natural Gas Vehicle Incentives Act of 1997 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the findings of Congress with respect to increased use of domestic natural gas as a transportation fuel. Title II: Emission Reduction Credits - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an emission reduction credit program for natural gas vehicles, Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV)-certified alternative fuel vehicles, and fueling infrastructure. Title III: Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish natural gas vehicle property credits for any of the following property placed in service during the taxable year: (1) natural gas vehicles (50 percent of the cost); (2) fueling stations (the lesser of $25,000 or ten percent of the cost); and (3) transportation fuel (25 cents per gallon of liquefied natural gas plus 25 cents per gasoline gallon equivalent of compressed natural gas). (Sec. 302) Imposes an excise tax of 3.54 cents per gallon on liquefied natural gas sold for use or used as motor vehicle or motorboat fuel unless there was a taxable sale of such gas. (Sec. 303) Provides for shorter depreciation recovery periods for natural gas vehicles (three years) and refueling property (seven years). Title IV: Revision of Purchase Mandates - Declares U.S. policy to be that the low emission vehicle market should be based on voluntary, economically sound decisions, not Federal mandates. (Sec. 402) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to repeal private fleet mandates. Sets forth sunset provisions to end the fuel provider mandate and the State fleet mandate. Title V: Federal Transit Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Amends Federal transportation law to require metropolitan mass transportation planning organizations, in developing plans, to consider opportunities to stimulate the use of natural gas vehicles and ULEV-certified alternative fueled vehicles and the installation of a fueling infrastructure to support such vehicles. (Sec. 504) Declares that research and investigations for which non-profit institutions of higher learning may receive Department of Transportation grants include the relationship between environmental policy and transportation policy, particularly the potential applications for natural gas vehicles and ULEV-certified alternative fueled vehicles in urban settings. (Sec. 505) Requires any Federal grant for a mass transportation project that involves acquiring buses powered by natural gas, or any ULEV-certified alternative fueled bus, and all related fueling property or equipment, to cover at least 90 percent of the project cost. Title VI: Government Contract Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Amends Federal law for Armed Services acquisitions and the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Defense and Federal civilian agencies, respectively, to give a preference in procurement contracts to contractors and subcontractors using motor vehicles that: (1) operate on natural gas; or (2) operate on alternative fuel and meet the ULEV standard. Title VII: Research, Development, and Demonstration Incentives for Natural Gas Vehicles - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a five-year program of natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration projects, including specified activities. Title VIII: Minimum Distance - Amends Federal transportation law to mandate that the minimum driving range for dual fueled automobiles capable of operating on natural gas shall be 100 miles.
Bill· HRH.R. 981 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Safe and Sober Streets Act of 1997 - 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 considers as intoxicated an individual who has an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in such State. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2001 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (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· HRH.R. 982 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Deadly Driver Reduction and Burton H. Greene 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 the following minimum sentences for operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol: (1) revocation of driver's license for six months, in the case of a first conviction; (2) revocation for one year, in the case of a second conviction; and (3) permanent revocation, in the case of a third or subsequent conviction. Allows funds withheld from a State during FY 2001 to be available for up to three fiscal years after such date (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.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 84 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1997
Elects Earl Blumenauer to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Dennis J. Kucinich to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Jim McDermott to the Committee on the Budget.
Bill· SS. 408 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Border Infrastructure Safety and Congestion Relief Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) for certain transportation projects necessary to: (1) relieve congestion due to increased traffic resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); or (2) improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws. Limits the Federal share of the costs of such projects to 80 percent. Establishes the Border Transportation Infrastructure Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, at the Attorney General's request, to transfer up to $10 million of amounts from the Fund to the Attorney General for construction of transportation infrastructure necessary for law enforcement in border States. Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to authorize appropriations for making lines of credit available to: (1) border States that have established infrastructure banks to advance transportation infrastructure projects supporting international trade and commerce in the region; and (2) the New Mexico Border Authority. Authorizes appropriations to provide assistance for freight rail projects in border States that benefit international trade and relieve highways of increased traffic resulting from NAFTA. Expresses the sense of a specified Senate committee that the programs authorized under this Act should be fully financed in a budget neutral manner by offsetting receipts derived from customs duties and fees.
Bill· SS. 398 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring the use of federally-approved child safety restraint systems (including weight and age limits) on commercial aircraft. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization should seek an international standard to require that passengers on civil aviation aircraft be restrained: (1) on takeoff and landing; and (2) when directed by the aircraft captain.
Bill· SS. 401 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a tax equal to 15 percent of the gross income received from the lease of any taxable outdoor advertising display; and (2) establish in the Treasury the Outdoor Advertising Program Trust Fund into which the revenues collected from the imposition of such tax shall be deposited. 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. Requires funds for the control of outdoor advertising to be appropriated from the Fund. (Currently, such funds are authorized to be appropriated from the Treasury.) 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. 950 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Commerce Grants Title II: Public Works and Job Restoration Subtitle A: Jobs 2000 Subtitle B: Employment in Support of Community Renewal Subtitle C: Employment Activities; Repair and Renovation of Educational Facilities Title III: General Provisions Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1997 - Title I: Department of Commerce Grants - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any State or local government for construction, renovation, repair, restoration, or other improvement of local public works projects, including those for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under other titles or Acts. Limits the Federal share to not more than 90 percent of project cost. Prohibits any new grants after the expiration of any three-month period during which the national unemployment rate remains below five percent for each such month, or after September 30, 2001, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 103) Provides for allocation of funds and for preferences. Gives priority to State or local governments with unemployment rates higher than the national average. Requires State and local prioritization of applications. Allows localization of unemployment determinations. (Sec. 105) Sets forth general limitations, including Buy American and minority participation requirements and applicability of laws regarding individuals with disabilities. Requires public authorities, as part of the process of competitive bidding for contract awards under this Act, to: (1) seek to obtain Project Agreements with Building Trades Councils, including the establishment of Project Committees; and (2) assign to each project an enforcement official to enforce standards under this Act and Project Committee orders. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations and deems them to be emergency spending. Title II: Public Works and Job Restoration - Subtitle A: Jobs 2000 - Jobs 2000 Act of 1997 - Provides for jobs for the unemployed and underemployed, especially youth, through payments for labor and related costs for: (1) construction, repair, or rehabilitation of community and educational facilities; (2) reclamation and conservation of public lands; and (3) creation, repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of public safety, public transportation, health, social services, and recreation facilities and other activities necessary to the public welfare. (Sec. 203) Sets forth participant eligibility and certification requirements, duration and extent of subsidized employment, participation priorities, special considerations for welfare recipients and veterans, and equal employment opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups. (Sec. 204) Requires that at least 75 percent of funds made available to any recipient under subtitles B and C be used for wages and related employment benefits for work which the recipient certifies has been performed in authorized activities. Sets forth other limitations on use of funds, except training costs in specified circumstances. Subtitle B: Employment in Support of Community Renewal - Part A: Community Improvement Projects - Requires participants to be employed in community improvement projects in various specified activities under the categories of: (1) repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of public facilities; (2) conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or improvement of public lands; and (3) public safety, health, social service, and other activities necessary to public welfare. (Sec. 210) Provides for joint programs, public lands projects limitations, eligibility and qualification of administrative entities, allotment of funds, requirements for receipt of funds, reports, and project design priorities and coordination. Requires, in the case of projects or activities that involve construction, reconstruction, repair, or renovation of physical structures, that: (1) each project for which a grant is made under this title be performed by contract on the basis of competitive bidding, unless the Secretary finds that an alternative method is in the public interest under circumstances related to the project; and (2) public authorities awarding such contracts seek Project Agreements with Building Trades Councils, including establishing Project Committees, and assign project enforcement officers. Part B: Community Improvement and Renewal Activities for Youth Trainees - Authorizes use of funds for wages and benefits for eligible youth for part-time employment up to 32 hours per week in authorized youth trainee activities at a work site of a public or private nonprofit or for-profit employer, in a manner which requires and is consistent with enrollment in high school, an equivalency program, or a program of basic skills, skills training, or employability development for at least eight hours per week. (Sec. 221) Provides for joint programs, youth eligibility requirements, exemption from unemployment duration requirements, priority for the economically disadvantaged, and equitable service for school dropouts. Part C: State Job Programs - Reserves five percent of State allotments for: (1) authorized State-administered programs and activities; (2) special assistance for areas with sudden or severe economic dislocations; (3) State-directed emergency aid to cope with natural disasters; and (4) special assistance to seasonal farmworkers and small farmers in areas with severe economic disruption. (Sec. 231) Sets forth requirements for program and activity selection and design. Subtitle C: Employment Activities; Repair and Renovation of Educational Facilities - Part A: Elementary and Secondary School Facility Improvement Jobs - Requires making funds under this part available to any eligible local education agency in an eligible jurisdiction to provide employment to eligible participants in repair, renovation, restoration, or rehabilitation of public school facilities. (Sec. 241) Provides for use of quick-start projects, permitted uses of funds, tribal school projects, allotment of funds, and receipt requirements. Part B: Higher Education Facility Improvement Projects - Requires funds under this part to be made available to higher education institutions in eligible jurisdictions to provide employment to eligible participants in work on repair, restoration, renovation, or rehabilitation of academic facilities. (Sec. 251) Provides for use of quick-start projects, permitted uses of funds, selection of projects, allotment of funds, and receipt requirements. Part C: Special Definitions for Subtitle C - Sets forth special definitions for subtitle C. Part D: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth general requirements, including wage rates, labor standards, fiscal controls and sanctions, and judicial review procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 942 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Interstate Waste Title II: Flow Control Title III: Ground Water Monitoring Title IV: State or Regional Solid Waste Plans Title V: General Provisions Title I: Interstate Waste - Interstate Transportation of Municipal Solid Waste Act of 1997 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize State Governors, if requested by an affected local government, to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste in landfills or incinerators subject to their jurisdiction. Permits Governors to limit the quantity of out-of-State waste received at landfills and incinerators excepted from such prohibition to an annual amount equal to or greater than the quantity received during 1993. Authorizes States that imported more than 750,000 tons of out-of-State municipal solid waste in 1993 to limit the amount of such waste received for disposal at landfills and incinerators in the importing State as follows: (1) in 1998, 95 percent of the amount exported to the State in 1993; (2) in 1999 through 2004, 95 percent of the amount exported to the State in the previous year; and (3) in 2005 and each succeeding year, 65 percent of the amount exported in 1993. Establishes limitations on waste exports to landfills or incinerators not covered by host community agreements or permits authorizing receipt of out-of-State municipal solid waste. Prohibits Governors from exercising authorities under this Act: (1) if such action would result in the violation of a host community agreement or a permit issued from the State to receive out-of-State municipal solid waste; or (2) except as otherwise provided, in a manner that would require landfills or incinerators covered by the exception to reduce the amount of out-of-State municipal solid waste received from any State to an annual quantity less than that received during 1993. Makes the authority to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste inapplicable to landfills and incinerators that: (1) received documented shipments of such waste during 1993; (2) in the case of landfills, are in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations relating to operation, design and location, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and corrective action; or (3) in the case of incinerators, are in compliance with applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act and State laws and regulations relating to facility design and operations. Permits disposal of such waste at facilities that are not in compliance with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations unless disposal of waste that is generated within the State is also prohibited. Lists conditions under which host community agreements are prohibited. Authorizes States that imposed a special fee on the processing or disposal of out-of-State municipal waste on or before April 3, 1994, to continue to impose cost recovery surcharges for such activities subject to certain conditions. States conditions relating to demonstration of local or regional need under which a Governor may accept, deny, or modify an application for a municipal solid waste management facility permit. Title II: Flow Control - Municipal Solid Waste Flow Control Act of 1997 - Authorizes States and political subdivisions to exercise flow control authority for municipal solid waste and recyclable materials voluntarily relinquished by the owner or generator (recyclables), directing such waste and materials to particular waste management or recyclables facilities designated as of May 16, 1994, if: (1) the waste and recyclables are generated within the jurisdictional boundaries of the State or subdivision, determined as of May 16, 1994; (2) such authority is imposed through the adoption or execution of a law, regulation, or other legally binding provision or official act that was in effect on May 16, 1994, or was in effect prior to the issuance of an injunction or other court order based on a ruling that the law or provision violated the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, or was in effect immediately prior to suspension of the law by legislative or administrative action expressly because of such a court order; and (3) the State or political subdivision has for one or more such designated facilities, on or before May 16, 1994, presented eligible bonds for sale or executed a legally binding contract or agreement for delivery of, and payment for, a minimum quantity of waste or recyclables. Imposes identification and volume restrictions on the exercise of flow control authority to the classes or categories of materials to which such authority was applicable on May 16, 1994, or immediately before the effective date of an order described in (2), above. Sets dates for expiration of such authority. Prohibits a State or political subdivision from requiring any generator or transporter to transport, or deliver for transportation, such waste or materials to any site listed on the National Priorities List established under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, unless the generator or transporter has been indemnified by the government or the owner-operator against all liability under that Act with respect to such materials. Disqualifies facilities for exercise of flow control authority pursuant to an ordinance on the basis of specified declarations of unconstitutionality, location characteristics, and environmental regulation compliance. Imposes limitations on the use of revenues derived by a State or political subdivision from the exercise of flow control authority. Provides for the enforceability under State law of certain legally binding interim contracts. Allows a State to exercise flow control authority over solid waste if, on or before January 1, 1984, the State: (1) adopted regulations under a State law that required or directed the transportation, management, or disposal of such waste from residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial sources to specifically identified waste management facilities and applied those regulations to every political subdivision; and (2) subjected the facilities to the jurisdiction of a State public utilities commission. Allows a State or political subdivision of the State meeting the requirements of the above paragraph to exercise flow control authority over all classes and categories of solid waste that were subject to flow control by the State or subdivision on May 16, 1994, by directing it from any existing waste management facility that was designated as of such date, or any proposed facility to any other such facility, existing or proposed. Sets dates for expiration of such authority. Requires application of flow control authority to the public sector as well as the private sector. Urges that anyone engaged in recycling activities should strive to meet standards for reuse of recyclable materials. Title III: Ground Water Monitoring - Makes certain groundwater monitoring requirements inapplicable to new or existing municipal solid waste landfill units or lateral expansions of such units that dispose of fewer than 20 tons of municipal solid waste daily, based on an annual average, if: (1) there is no evidence of groundwater contamination from such units or expansions; and (2) the units or expansions serve a community that experiences an annual interruption of at least three consecutive months of surface transportation that prevents access to a regional waste management facility or that has no practicable waste management alternative and such units are located in an area that annually receives 25 inches of precipitation or less. Permits States to require monitoring of units that would otherwise be exempt if necessary to protect groundwater resources and ensure compliance with a State groundwater protection plan. Allows the State of Alaska to exempt units of Alaska Native villages or in or near small, remote Alaska villages from some or all of such requirements if such requirements would be infeasible, would not be cost-effective, or would be inappropriate because of the unit's remote location. Applies this exemption only to landfills that dispose of less than 20 tons of municipal solid waste daily. Allows the suspension of groundwater monitoring requirements if a landfill operator demonstrates that there is no potential for migration of hazardous constituents from the unit to the uppermost aquifer during the active life of the unit and the post-closure care period. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate revisions allowing States to promulgate alternate design, operating, landfill gas monitor, financial assurance, and closure requirements for landfills which receive no more than 20 tons of municipal solid waste daily, provided such requirements are sufficient to protect human health and the environment. Declares that it is the intent of this title to reinstate Environmental Protection Agency rules promulgated on October 9, 1991, regarding groundwater monitoring at municipal solid waste landfill units. Title IV: State or Regional Solid Waste Plans - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to state the finding that the Nation's improved standard of living has resulted in an increase in the amount of solid waste generated per capita, and the Nation has not given adequate consideration to solid waste reduction strategies. States as an objective of the Act (and the State and regional solid waste planning provisions in particular) the promotion of local and regional planning for effective solid waste collection and disposal and reduction of the amount generated per capita through the use of waste reduction strategies. Includes expeditious reduction and elimination of solid waste generation as a national policy. Allows a State to include in its plan provisions for establishment of a State per capita solid waste reduction goal and a program that ensures that local and regional plans are consistent with State plans developed for landfills, dumps, and regional solid waste management. Title V: General Provisions - Authorizes the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on: (1) solid waste management issues associated with increased border use resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement; and (2) the effect on the U.S.-Canada border region of solid waste border traffic resulting from implementation of the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the quantities of hazardous waste and sludge (including sewage sludge) being transported across State lines and the ultimate disposition of such waste and sludge.
Bill· HRH.R. 936 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
No Hands Bridge Restoration Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for the stabilization and repair of damages to the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge (commonly known as No Hands Bridge) caused by heavy rains and flooding in California in December 1996 and January 1997. Declares that nothing in this Act or any future use or designation of such bridge shall preclude the future development of the Auburn Dam Project.
Bill· HRH.R. 943 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1997
Municipal Solid Waste Flow Control Act of 1997 - Authorizes States and political subdivisions to exercise flow control authority for municipal solid waste and recyclable materials voluntarily relinquished by the owner or generator (recyclables), directing such waste and materials to particular waste management or recyclables facilities designated as of May 16, 1994, if: (1) the waste and recyclables are generated within the jurisdictional boundaries of the State or subdivision, determined as of May 16, 1994; (2) such authority is imposed through the adoption or execution of a law, regulation, or other legally binding provision or official act that was in effect on May 16, 1994, or was in effect prior to the issuance of an injunction or other court order based on a ruling that the law or provision violated the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, or was in effect immediately prior to suspension of the law by legislative or administrative action expressly because of such a court order; and (3) the State or political subdivision has for one or more such designated facilities, on or before May 16, 1994, presented eligible bonds for sale or executed a legally binding contract or agreement for delivery of, and payment for, a minimum quantity of waste or recyclables. Imposes identification and volume restrictions on the exercise of flow control authority to the classes or categories of materials to which such authority was applicable on May 16, 1994, or immediately before the effective date of an order described in (2), above. Sets dates for expiration of such authority. Prohibits a State or political subdivision from requiring any generator or transporter to transport, or deliver for transportation, such waste or materials to any site listed on the National Priorities List established under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, unless the generator or transporter has been indemnified by the government or the owner- operator against all liability under that Act with respect to such materials. Disqualifies facilities for exercise of flow control authority pursuant to an ordinance on the basis of specified declarations of unconstitutionality, location characteristics, and environmental regulation compliance. Imposes limitations on the use of revenues derived by a State or political subdivision from the exercise of flow control authority. Provides for the enforceability under State law of certain legally binding interim contracts. Allows a State to exercise flow control authority over solid waste if, on or before January 1, 1984, the State: (1) adopted regulations under a State law that required or directed the transportation, management, or disposal of such waste from residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial sources to specifically identified waste management facilities and applied those regulations to every political subdivision; and (2) subjected the facilities to the jurisdiction of a State public utilities commission. Allows a State or political subdivision of the State meeting the requirements of the above paragraph to exercise flow control authority over all classes and categories of solid waste that were subject to flow control by the State or subdivision on May 16, 1994, by directing it from any existing waste management facility that was designated as of such date, or any proposed facility to any other such facility, existing or proposed. Sets dates for expiration of such authority. Requires application of flow control authority to the public sector as well as the private sector. Urges that anyone engaged in recycling activities should strive to meet standards for reuse of recyclable materials.
Bill· HRH.R. 915 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Aviation Safety Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to air safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to air safety. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Provides for award of attorney's fees of up to $5,000 to a prevailing employer for any such complaint found frivolous or brought in bad faith. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 918 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Infrastructure Improvement Act of 1997 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission to conduct competitive bidding for licenses and permits for portions of the public electromagnetic spectrum allocated for commercial use that become available for licenses and construction during FY 1998 through 2002 and that result in specified proceeds. Requires such proceeds to be deposited into the Infrastructure Improvement Trust Fund established by this Act. Makes such funds available to the Secretary of Transportation to be apportioned among the States during FY 1998 through 2002 based on the percentage of estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in a State paid into the Highway Trust Fund for the latest fiscal year. Permits such funds to be used only for the construction and maintenance of State highways. Allows a State to be eligible for such funds only if it submits annually to the Secretary a plan describing its use of such funds. Requires a Federal share of 80 percent of the total cost of a project or activity conducted using funds apportioned under this Act.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 32 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the transport of nuclear waste to and its storage on any U.S. territory or possession, including Wake Island and Palmyra Atoll, should continue to be prohibited.
Bill· SS. 386 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promoting Competition, Quality, and Beneficiary Choice in Medicare Title II: Increasing Medicare Coverage Options Subtitle A: Risk Plan Improvements Subtitle B: Maintaining Fee-for-Service Program Title III: Promotion of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and of Social Health Maintenance Organizations (SHMOS) Title IV: Other Medicare Changes Title V: Prospective Payment for Home Health Services Title VI: Prospective Payment System for Nursing Facilities Title VII: Telemedicine Medicare Modernization and Patient Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Promoting Competition, Quality, and Beneficiary Choice in Medicare - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Office of Plan Improvement and Competition within the Health Care Financing Administration to: (1) collect and distribute certain data, including research on improvement in health care quality and best-practice information; (2) monitor and supervise Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) policy advertising; and (3) publish and distribute certain quality and comparative reports. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects in applicable areas for the purpose of establishing competitive pricing for eligible organizations with risk-sharing contracts. (Sec. 103) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) guarantee the issue of Medigap policies regardless of preexisting health conditions to certain eligible individuals who seek to enroll under the policy within a certain period of time after their current organization enrollment or policy coverage is terminated; (2) prohibit exclusion from coverage due to pre-existing health conditions during the initial open enrollment period; (3) revise non-discrimination requirements for initial enrollment periods; and (4) extend the six-month initial enrollment period to nonelderly Medicare beneficiaries. Title II: Increasing Medicare Coverage Options - Subtitle A: Risk Plan Improvements - Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) with respect to Medicare managed care arrangements. Revises the formulae for determining the annual reimbursement rates for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans. Requires the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), beginning FY 1998, to pay no less than 80 percent of the national average for payments to all plans in 1997, with annual payment increases according to a specified formula. (Sec. 201) Provides for additional enrollee protections involving provision of emergency services and renal dialysis. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study for a report to the Congress on increased portability of items and services under organization plans. Provides for intermediate sanctions against plans for program violations, short of termination. Requires an HMO to meet quality standards the Secretary establishes in consultation with private quality accreditation entities. Requires coordinated enrollment and disenrollment periods. Requires an HMO's service area to include an entire metropolitan area if it includes any part of such area. Authorizes certain additional (outlier) payments for 50 percent of imputed reasonable costs in certain circumstances. Directs the Secretary to develop a model of the agreement that an eligible organization must enter into with an entity providing peer review services. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the costs incurred by eligible organizations in complying with the requirement that any agreement it makes with an entity providing peer review services be in writing. Eliminates organization "gag clauses" on health care providers which have prohibited them from openly communicating within the scope of their license with any of their patients. (Sec. 202) Provides for quality report cards on eligible organizations and comparative reports on their plans in order to assist Medicare beneficiaries' decisionmaking regarding health care and treatment. (Sec. 203) Preempts certain State laws mandating benefits and restricting managed care. (Sec. 204) Amends SSA title XVIII to require eligible organizations to: (1) designate an independent ombudsman to assist members enrolled with such organization in exercising their right to file grievances and appeals; and (2) provide to enrollees a clear and understandable statement regarding such right. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations intended to expedite determinations and appeals regarding covered items and services for individuals entitled to them under Medicare parts A and B. (Sec. 205) Requires the Secretary to coordinate an annual enrollment fair in each Medicare payment area in order for eligible organizations to inform eligible individuals about their plans. Requires such organizations to participate in such fairs in each Medicare payment area in which the organization offers a plan. Subtitle B: Maintaining Fee-for-Service Program - Requires adjustment in applicable payment rates or payments for items and services in each excess spending sector of Medicare services for a fiscal year if the fee-for-service expenditures for all sectors for the fiscal year will exceed the sum of their allotments ("failsafe budget mechanism"). Specifies the sectors of Medicare services, as well as the formula for determining each sector's fiscal year allotment. (Sec. 212) Provides for maintenance of the part B Medicare premium at the current percentage of part B program costs. Title III: Promotion of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and of Social Health Maintenance Organizations (SHMOS) - Directs the Secretary to establish PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) provider status for public and nonprofit community-based organizations to enable them to provide comprehensive health care services of proper quality on a cost-effective, capitated basis to at-risk frail elderly patients under the Medicare or Medicaid programs or under any other applicable SSA program. (Sec. 302) Requires the terms and conditions of PACE provider status to include those of the On Lok waiver under the Social Security Amendments of 1983, and those under the PACE Protocol, as published by On Lok, Inc. (Sec. 303) Applies Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules to individuals receiving services from any organization that is a PACE provider under this Act. (Sec. 304) Declares that there shall be no limitations on how many Social Health Maintenance Organizations (SHMOS) demonstration projects the Secretary may approve, how many individuals may participate in any such project, or on the period of applicable waivers. Title IV: Other Medicare Changes - Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) provide for a competitive acquisition process for awarding contracts for specified items and services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Services), including durable medical equipment and related supplies; (2) provide for new procedures for inherent reasonableness determinations; (3) revise requirements for the promotion of advance directives, especially in individual medical charts; (4) extend the benefit period for hospice care to an unlimited number of 60-day periods, and allow contracting with independent physicians and physician groups for such services; and (5) specify the entitlement structure for up to 32 hours of respite services per year. (Sec. 404) Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for Medicare fraud, including forfeiture of real or personal property derived from such fraud. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility and desirability of establishing a standardized Medicare claims administration process, implementing other measures to improve recordkeeping, and taking other appropriate steps to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in making Medicare payments. Directs the Vice President's Commission on Reinventing Government to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of current Federal Government efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program and on whether they would be enhanced by establishment of a coordinated, all-payer, multijurisdiction antifraud program. (Sec. 406) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on providing pharmacy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Title V: Prospective Payment for Home Health Service - Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to: (1) require reimbursement for specified home health services under a prospective payment system (PPS), with a specified national per visit payment rate for each type of service, and per patient and per episode limits; and (2) implement a medical review process for such PPS providing an assessment of the pattern of home health service care furnished to individuals to ensure such services are appropriate. Directs the Medicare Prospective Payment Review Commission to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of the payment methodology. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a method of payments for home health services in accordance with an episodic PPS; (2) initiate development of a data base upon which a fair and accurate case mix adjustor can be developed and implemented. Grants home health agencies receiving prospective payments the right to obtain a hearing by the Provider Reimbursement Review Board with respect to such payment. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title XI to provide for: (1) utilization and quality control peer review organization (PRO) review of the level of care and quality of services provided to individuals receiving home health services; and (2) hearing and judicial review rights for affected parties with respect to PRO determinations concerning home health services with which they are dissatisfied. Amends SSA title XVIII to eliminate certain fiscal intermediary responsibilities with regard to denied claims for home health services. Title VI: Prospective Payment System for Nursing Facilities - Establishes a PPS for nursing facilities reflecting specified payment objectives (and specifically exempting skilled nursing facilities under Medicare). Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a resident classification system modelled after the updated RUG-II system, grouping residents into classes according to similarity of assessed condition and required services; and (2) determine payment rates for nursing facilities using specified cost- service groupings, adjusted at mid-year. (Sec. 607) Requires nursing facilities, in order to be eligible to receive payments under such system, to perform a resident assessment within 14 days after admission of the resident and at such other times as required. (Sec. 608) Establishes per diem reimbursement systems with respect to: (1) enrolled residents; (2) facility administrative and general costs, subject to geographic ceilings the Secretary shall formulate; and (3) property costs. (Sec. 610) Requires the Secretary to: (1) pay for ancillary services on a prospective fee-for-service basis; but (2) reimburse for selected ancillary services on a retrospective basis as pass-through costs. (Sec. 614) Provides payment rate exceptions for new and low volume nursing facilities. (Sec. 615) Establishes a process for appealing decisions by the Secretary regarding payments in the amount of $10,000 or more. Title VII: Telemedicine - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to adopt rules requiring telecommunications carriers to provide access (including requisite infrastructure and bandwidth) to the Internet or other interactive computer service necessary for the provision of health care services in rural areas at certain rates. (Sec. 702) Establishes the Commission on Telemedicine to study, develop recommendations, and report to the President and the Congress on all matters relating to which telemedicine services should be covered under Medicare. Authorizes funds to the Commission.
Bill· HRH.R. 907 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1997
Revises specified provisions regarding minimum allocations of Federal aid highway funds and provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in FY 1998 and thereafter, to ensure that each State's percentage of the total apportionments in each such fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year from funds made available out of the Highway Trust Fund is not less than the percentage of estimated tax payments to the Fund by highway users in the State in the latest fiscal year for which data are available. Repeals ISTEA provisions specifying the percentage of total apportioned and allocated funds to be allocated to each State for the surface transportation program.
Bill· HRH.R. 880 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Continues existing average fuel economy standards for passenger and non-passenger automobiles until such standards are specifically amended or changed by law.
Bill· HRH.R. 860 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1997
Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for surface transportation research, development, and technology activities, including: (1) motor carrier transportation and highway planning and development activities; and (2) intelligent transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 to: (1) award competitive grants to universities to operate centers for transportation and development and transportation research and development (R&D) institutes; and (2) carry out the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program to attract qualified students to the field of transportation research, development, and engineering. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to undertake, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative R&D with non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, foreign governments, colleges and universities, corporations, institutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and trade associations. Intends such R&D to encourage innovative solutions to highway problems and stimulate new technology marketing by private industry. Makes 50 percent the maximum Federal share of costs under a cooperative research and development agreement. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003.