[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7972-S7983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

  The text of the bill (H.R. 2158) making appropriations for the 
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
for sundry independent agencies, commissions, corporations, and offices 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes, 
as passed by the Senate on July 22, 1997, is as follows:

[[Page S7973]]

       Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives 
     (H.R. 2158) entitled ``An Act making appropriations for the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and for sundry independent agencies, 
     commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes.'', do pass 
     with the following amendment:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
     That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Departments 
     of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     for sundry independent agencies, commissions, corporations, 
     and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, 
     and for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration


                       compensation and pensions

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of 
     veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as 
     authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 
     53, 55, and 61); pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans 
     as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 
     61; 92 Stat. 2508); and burial benefits, emergency and other 
     officers' retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and 
     certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial life 
     insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of Article 
     IV of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as 
     amended, and for other benefits as authorized by law (38 
     U.S.C. 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, 
     and 61; 50 U.S.C. App. 540-548; 43 Stat. 122, 123; 45 Stat. 
     735; 76 Stat. 1198); $19,932,997,000, to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $26,380,000 of 
     the amount appropriated shall be reimbursed to ``General 
     operating expenses'' and ``Medical care'' for necessary 
     expenses in implementing those provisions authorized in the 
     Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and in the 
     Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, 
     and 55), the funding source for which is specifically 
     provided as the ``Compensation and pensions'' appropriation: 
     Provided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 
     actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 
     ``Medical facilities revolving fund'' to augment the funding 
     of individual medical facilities for nursing home care 
     provided to pensioners as authorized by the Veterans' 
     Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapter 55).


                         readjustment benefits

       For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits 
     to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61, 
     $1,366,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That funds shall be available to pay any court order, court 
     award or any compromise settlement arising from litigation 
     involving the vocational training program authorized by 
     section 18 of Public Law 98-77, as amended.


                   veterans insurance and indemnities

       For military and naval insurance, national service life 
     insurance, servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled 
     veterans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as 
     authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat. 
     487, $51,360,000, to remain available until expended.


         veterans housing benefit program fund program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by 
     38 U.S.C. chapter 37, as amended: Provided, That such costs, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That during fiscal year 
     1998, within the resources available, not to exceed $300,000 
     in gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for 
     specially adapted housing loans.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct and guaranteed loan programs, $160,437,000, which may 
     be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


                  education loan fund program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. 3698, as amended: Provided, That such costs, including 
     the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in 
     section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as 
     amended: Provided further, That these funds are available to 
     subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of 
     direct loans not to exceed $3,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $200,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


            vocational rehabilitation loans program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $44,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 31, as amended: Provided, That such costs, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $2,278,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $388,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


          Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan 
     program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter V, as 
     amended, $515,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.

                     Veterans Health Administration


                              medical care

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities; for 
     furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient 
     care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, including care and treatment in facilities 
     not under the jurisdiction of the Department; and furnishing 
     recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; funeral, 
     burial, and other expenses incidental thereto for 
     beneficiaries receiving care in the Department; 
     administrative expenses in support of planning, design, 
     project management, real property acquisition and 
     disposition, construction and renovation of any facility 
     under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department; 
     oversight, engineering and architectural activities not 
     charged to project cost; repairing, altering, improving or 
     providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes under 
     the jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise provided 
     for, either by contract or by the hire of temporary employees 
     and purchase of materials; uniforms or allowances therefor, 
     as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; aid to State homes as 
     authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1741; administrative and legal 
     expenses of the Department for collecting and recovering 
     amounts owed the Department as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 
     chapter 17, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act, 42 
     U.S.C. 2651 et seq.; and not to exceed $8,000,000 to fund 
     cost comparison studies as referred to in 38 U.S.C. 
     8110(a)(5); $17,026,846,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, 
     That of the funds made available under this heading, 
     $550,000,000 is for the equipment and land and structures 
     object classifications only, which amount shall not become 
     available for obligation until August 1, 1998, and shall 
     remain available until September 30, 1999.
       In addition, contingent on enactment of legislation 
     establishing the Medical Collections Fund, such sums as may 
     be derived pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1729(g) shall be deposited 
     to such Fund and may be transferred to this account, to 
     remain available until expended for the purposes of this 
     account.


                    medical and prosthetic research

       For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical 
     and prosthetic research and development as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 73, to remain available until September 30, 
     1999, $267,000,000, plus reimbursements.


      medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses

       For necessary expenses in the administration of the 
     medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 
     supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; 
     administrative expenses in support of planning, design, 
     project management, architectural, engineering, real property 
     acquisition and disposition, construction and renovation of 
     any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, including site acquisition; 
     engineering and architectural activities not charged to 
     project cost; and research and development in building 
     construction technology; $60,160,000, plus reimbursements.

                   general post fund, national homes


                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $7,000, as authorized by 
     Public Law 102-54, section 8, which shall be transferred from 
     the ``General post fund'': Provided, That such costs, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $70,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan programs, $54,000, which shall be transferred 
     from the ``General post fund'', as authorized by Public Law 
     102-54, section 8.

                      Departmental Administration


                       general operating expenses

       For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 
     uniforms or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 
     Services Administration for security guard services, and the 
     Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail; 
     $786,385,000: Provided, That funds under this heading shall 
     be available to administer the Service Members Occupational 
     Conversion and Training Act.


                        national cemetery system

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     the National Cemetery System, not otherwise provided for, 
     including uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial 
     expenses as authorized by law; purchase of three passenger 
     motor vehicles for use in cemeterial operations; and hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, $84,183,000.


                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $31,013,000.

[[Page S7974]]

                      Construction, Major Projects

                    (including rescission of funds)

       For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes 
     set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 
     8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, 
     including planning, architectural and engineering services, 
     maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated 
     with equipment guarantees provided under the project, 
     services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm 
     drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, 
     where the estimated cost of a project is $4,000,000 or more 
     or where funds for a project were made available in a 
     previous major project appropriation, $92,800,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That the $32,100,000 
     provided under this heading in Public Law 104-204 for a 
     replacement hospital at Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, CA, 
     shall not be obligated for that purpose but shall be 
     available instead to implement the decisions reached as a 
     result of the capital facility recommendations contained in 
     the final report entitled ``Assessment of Veterans Health 
     Care Needs in Northern California,'' (Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Contract No. V101 (93)P-1444): Provided further, That 
     except for advance planning of projects funded through the 
     advance planning fund and the design of projects funded 
     through the design fund, none of these funds shall be used 
     for any project which has not been considered and approved by 
     the Congress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That 
     funds provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 1998, 
     for each approved project shall be obligated (1) by the 
     awarding of a construction documents contract by September 
     30, 1998, and (2) by the awarding of a construction contract 
     by September 30, 1999: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     shall promptly report in writing to the Comptroller General 
     and to the Committees on Appropriations any approved major 
     construction project in which obligations are not incurred 
     within the time limitations established above; and the 
     Comptroller General shall review the report in accordance 
     with the procedures established by section 1015 of the 
     Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (title X of Public Law 93-
     344): Provided further, That no funds from any other account 
     except the ``Parking revolving fund'', may be obligated for 
     constructing, altering, extending, or improving a project 
     which was approved in the budget process and funded in this 
     account until one year after substantial completion and 
     beneficial occupancy by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
     the project or any part thereof with respect to that part 
     only.


                      construction, minor projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning, 
     architectural and engineering services, maintenance or 
     guarantee period services costs associated with equipment 
     guarantees provided under the project, services of claims 
     analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system 
     construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of the 
     purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 
     8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States 
     Code, where the estimated cost of a project is less than 
     $4,000,000; $166,300,000, to remain available until expended, 
     along with unobligated balances of previous ``Construction, 
     minor projects'' appropriations which are hereby made 
     available for any project where the estimated cost is less 
     than $4,000,000: Provided, That funds in this account shall 
     be available for (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical 
     facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department which are necessary because of loss or damage 
     caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe, and (2) 
     temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 
     further loss by such causes.


                         parking revolving fund

       For the parking revolving fund as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     8109, income from fees collected, to remain available until 
     expended, which shall be available for all authorized 
     expenses except operations and maintenance costs, which will 
     be funded from ``Medical care''.


       grants for construction of state extended care facilities

       For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State 
     nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, 
     modify or alter existing hospital, nursing home and 
     domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing care to 
     veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8131-8137, $80,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended.


        grants for the construction of state veteran cemeteries

       For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or 
     improving State veteran cemeteries as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     2408, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                       administrative provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 101. Any appropriation for fiscal year 1998 for 
     ``Compensation and pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' may be transferred to 
     any other of the mentioned appropriations.
       Sec. 102. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1998 for salaries and 
     expenses shall be available for services authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 103. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs (except the appropriations for 
     ``Construction, major projects'', ``Construction, minor 
     projects'', and the ``Parking revolving fund'') shall be 
     available for the purchase of any site for or toward the 
     construction of any new hospital or home.
       Sec. 104. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or 
     examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled 
     under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, and 
     persons receiving such treatment under 5 U.S.C. 7901-7904 or 
     42 U.S.C. 5141-5204), unless reimbursement of cost is made to 
     the ``Medical care'' account at such rates as may be fixed by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 105. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1998 for ``Compensation and 
     pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and ``Veterans 
     insurance and indemnities'' shall be available for payment of 
     prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law 
     against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last 
     quarter of fiscal year 1997.
       Sec. 106. Appropriations accounts available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1998 shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from title X of 
     the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public Law 100-86, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.
       Sec. 107. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 1998, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance 
     Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
     expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, 
     That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus 
     earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 
     1998, that are available for dividends in that program after 
     claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves 
     have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
     administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of 
     surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement 
     shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall determine the cost 
     of administration for fiscal year 1998, which is properly 
     allocable to the provision of each insurance program and to 
     the provision of any total disability income insurance 
     included in such insurance program.
       Sec. 108. Section 214(l)(1)(D) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(l)(1)(D)) (as added by section 
     220 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections 
     Act of 1994 and redesignated as subsection (l) by section 
     671(a)(3)(A) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
     Responsibility Act of 1996) is amended by inserting before 
     the period at the end the following: ``, except that, in the 
     case of a request by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
     alien shall not be required to practice medicine in a 
     geographic area designated by the Secretary''.
       Sec. 109. None of the funds made available by title I of 
     this Act may be used to provide a locality payment 
     differential which would have the effect of causing a pay 
     increase to any employee that was removed as a Director of a 
     VA Hospital and transferred to another hospital as a result 
     of the Inspector General's conclusion that the employee 
     engaged in verbal sexual harassment and abusive behavior 
     toward female employees.

                                TITLE II

              DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                       Public and Indian Housing


                        housing certificate fund

       For activities and assistance to prevent the involuntary 
     displacement of low-income families, the elderly and the 
     disabled because of the loss of affordable housing stock, 
     expiration of subsidy contracts (other than contracts for 
     which amounts are provided under another head) or expiration 
     of use restrictions, or other changes in housing assistance 
     arrangements, and for other purposes, $10,119,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total 
     amount provided under this heading, $8,666,000,000 shall be 
     for assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (42 U.S.C. 1437) for use in connection with expiring or 
     terminating section 8 subsidy contracts including, where 
     appropriate, congregate care services associated with the 
     expiring or terminating contracts: Provided further, That the 
     Secretary may determine not to apply section 8(o)(6)(B) of 
     the Act to housing vouchers during fiscal year 1998: Provided 
     further, That of the total amount provided under this 
     heading, $1,110,000,000 shall be for amendments to section 8 
     contracts other than contracts for projects developed under 
     section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959, as amended: Provided 
     further, That of the total amount provided under this 
     heading, $343,000,000 shall be for section 8 rental 
     assistance under the United States Housing Act including 
     assistance to relocate residents of properties (i) that are 
     owned by the Secretary and being disposed of or (ii) that are 
     discontinuing section 8 project-based assistance; for the 
     conversion of section 23 projects to assistance under section 
     8; for funds to carry out the family unification program; and 
     for the relocation of witnesses in connection with efforts to 
     combat crime in public and assisted housing pursuant to a 
     request from a law enforcement or prosecution agency: 
     Provided further, That of the total amount made available in 
     the preceding proviso, $40,000,000 shall be made available to 
     nonelderly disabled families affected by the designation of a 
     public housing development under section 7 of such Act or the 
     establishment of preferences in accordance with section 651 
     of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 
     U.S.C. 1361l).


                      public housing capital fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the Public Housing Capital Fund Program under the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937, as

[[Page S7975]]

     amended (42 U.S.C. 1437), $2,500,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended for modernization of existing public housing 
     projects as authorized under section 14 of such Act: 
     Provided, That of the total amount, $30,000,000 shall be for 
     carrying out activities under section 6(j) of such Act and 
     technical assistance for the inspection of public housing 
     units, contract expertise, and training and technical 
     assistance directly or indirectly, under grants, contracts, 
     or cooperative agreements, to assist in the oversight and 
     management of public housing (whether or not the housing is 
     being modernized with assistance under this proviso) or 
     tenant-based assistance, including, but not limited to, an 
     annual resident survey, data collection and analysis, 
     training and technical assistance by or to officials and 
     employees of the Department and of public housing agencies 
     and to residents in connection with the public housing 
     program and for lease adjustments to section 23 projects: 
     Provided further, That of the amount available under this 
     heading, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may 
     use up to $60,000,000 for a public and assisted housing self-
     sufficiency program of which up to $5,000,000 may be used for 
     the Moving to Work Demonstration and up to $5,000,000 may be 
     used for the Tenant Opportunity Program: Provided further, 
     That, for the self-sufficiency activities, the Secretary may 
     make grants to public housing agencies (including Indian 
     housing authorities), nonprofit corporations, and other 
     appropriate entities for a supportive services program to 
     assist residents of public and assisted housing, former 
     residents of such housing receiving tenant-based assistance 
     under section 8 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f), and other low-
     income families and individuals to become self-sufficient: 
     Provided, That the program shall provide supportive services, 
     principally for the benefit of public housing residents, to 
     the elderly and the disabled, and to families with children 
     where the head of household would benefit from the receipt of 
     supportive services and is working, seeking work, or is 
     preparing for work by participating in job training or 
     educational programs: Provided further, That the supportive 
     services may include congregate services for the elderly and 
     disabled, service coordinators, and coordinated educational, 
     training, and other supportive services, including academic 
     skills training, job search assistance, assistance related to 
     retaining employment, vocational and entrepreneurship 
     development and support programs, transportation, and child 
     care: Provided further, That the Secretary shall require 
     applications to demonstrate firm commitments of funding or 
     services from other sources: Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall select public and Indian housing agencies to 
     receive assistance under this head on a competitive basis, 
     taking into account the quality of the proposed program, 
     including any innovative approaches, the extent of the 
     proposed coordination of supportive services, the extent of 
     commitments of funding or services from other sources, the 
     extent to which the proposed program includes reasonably 
     achievable, quantifiable goals for measuring performance 
     under the program over a three-year period, the extent of 
     success an agency has had in carrying out other comparable 
     initiatives, and other appropriate criteria established by 
     the Secretary: Provided further, That all balances, as of 
     September 30, 1997, of funds heretofore provided (other than 
     for Indian families) for the development or acquisition costs 
     of public housing, for modernization of existing public 
     housing projects, for public housing amendments, for public 
     housing modernization and development technical assistance, 
     for lease adjustments under the section 23 program, and for 
     the Family Investment Centers program, shall be transferred 
     to and merged with amounts made available under this heading.


                     public housing operating fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For payments to public housing agencies for operating 
     subsidies for low-income housing projects as authorized by 
     section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, including 
     the costs associated with congregate care and supportive 
     services, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437g), $2,900,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended: Provided, That all balances 
     outstanding, as of September 30, 1997, of funds heretofore 
     provided (other than for Indian families) for payments to 
     public housing agencies for operating subsidies for low-
     income housing projects, shall be transferred to and merged 
     with amounts made available under this heading.


             drug elimination grants for low-income housing

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For grants to public and Indian housing agencies for use in 
     eliminating crime in public housing projects authorized by 42 
     U.S.C. 11901-11908, for grants for federally assisted low-
     income housing authorized by 42 U.S.C. 11909, and for drug 
     information clearinghouse services authorized by 42 U.S.C. 
     11921-11925, $290,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which $10,000,000 shall be for grants, technical 
     assistance, contracts and other assistance training, program 
     assessment, and execution for or on behalf of public housing 
     agencies, resident organizations, and Indian Tribes and their 
     Tribally designated housing entities (including the cost of 
     necessary travel for participants in such training); 
     $10,000,000 shall be used in connection with efforts to 
     combat violent crime in public and assisted housing under the 
     Operation Safe Home Program administered by the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; 
     and $5,000,000 shall be provided to the Office of Inspector 
     General for Operation Safe Home: Provided, That the term 
     ``drug-related crime'', as defined in 42 U.S.C. 11905(2), 
     shall also include other types of crime as determined by the 
     Secretary: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 
     5130(c) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 
     11909(c)), the Secretary may determine not to use any such 
     funds to provide public housing youth sports grants.


     revitalization of severely distressed public housing (hope vi)

       For grants to public housing agencies for assisting in the 
     demolition of obsolete public housing projects or portions 
     thereof, the revitalization (where appropriate) of sites 
     (including remaining public housing units) on which such 
     projects are located, replacement housing which will avoid or 
     lessen concentrations of very low-income families, and 
     tenant-based assistance in accordance with section 8 of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937; and for providing 
     replacement housing and assisting tenants to be displaced by 
     the demolition, $550,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which the Secretary may use up to $10,000,000 
     for technical assistance and contract expertise, to be 
     provided directly or indirectly by grants, contracts or 
     cooperative agreements, including training and cost of 
     necessary travel for participants in such training, by or to 
     officials and employees of the Department and of public 
     housing agencies and to residents: Provided, That of the 
     amount made available under this head, $50,000,000 shall be 
     made available, including up to $10,000,000 for Heritage 
     House in Kansas City, Missouri, for the demolition of 
     obsolete elderly public housing projects and the replacement, 
     where appropriate, and revitalization of the elderly public 
     housing as new communities for the elderly designed to meet 
     the special needs and physical requirements of the elderly: 
     Provided further, That no funds appropriated in this title 
     shall be used for any purpose that is not provided for 
     herein, in the Housing Act of 1937, in the Appropriations 
     Acts for Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and 
     Independent Agencies, for the fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, 
     and 1997, and the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and 
     Appropriations Act of 1996: Provided further, That none of 
     such funds shall be used directly or indirectly by granting 
     competitive advantage in awards to settle litigation or pay 
     judgments, unless expressly permitted herein.


                  native american housing block grants

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the Native American Housing Block Grants program, as 
     authorized under title I of the Native American Housing 
     Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (Public Law 
     104-330), $485,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
     of which $5,000,000 shall be used to support the inspection 
     of Indian housing units, contract expertise, training, and 
     technical assistance in the oversight and management of 
     Indian housing and tenant-based assistance, including up to 
     $200,000 for related travel: Provided, That of the amount 
     available under this head, $5,000,000 shall be made available 
     for the credit subsidy cost of guaranteed loans, including 
     the cost of modifying such loans, as authorized under section 
     601 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
     Determination Act: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available for the Secretary, in conjunction with Native 
     American groups, Indian tribes and their tribally designated 
     housing entities, for a demonstration on ways to enhance 
     economic growth, access to private capital, and encourage the 
     investment and participation of traditional financial 
     institutions in tribal and other Native American areas: 
     Provided, further: That all balances outstanding as of 
     September 30, 1997, previously appropriated under the 
     headings ``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'', 
     ``Development of Additional New Subsidized Housing'', 
     ``Preserving Existing Housing Development'', ``HOME 
     Investment Partnerships Program'', ``Emergency Shelter Grants 
     Program'', and ``Homeless Assistance Funds'', identified for 
     Indian Housing Authorities and other agencies primarily 
     serving Indians or Indian areas, shall be transferred to and 
     merged with amounts made under this heading.

           indian housing loan guarantee fund program account

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by section 
     184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (106 
     Stat. 3739) $6,000,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That such costs, including the costs of modifying 
     such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided 
     further, That these funds are available to subsidize total 
     loan principal, any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to 
     exceed $73,800,000.

                   Community Planning and Development


              housing opportunities for persons with aIDS

       For carrying out the Housing Opportunities for Persons with 
     AIDS program, as authorized by the AIDS Housing Opportunity 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 12901), $204,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended.


           CAPITAL GRANTS/CAPITAL LOANS PRESERVATION ACCOUNT

       That of any amounts recaptured in excess of $250,000,000 
     from interest reduction payment contracts for section 236 
     contracts recaptured during fiscal year 1998, that excess 
     amount shall be available for use in conjunction with 
     properties that are eligible for assistance under the Low-
     Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 
     1990 (LIHPRHA) or the Emergency Low Income Housing 
     Preservation Act of 1987 (ELIHPA) for projects that are 
     currently eligible for funding, as provided under the VA/HUD 
     Fiscal Year 1997 Appropriations Act: Provided, That the queue 
     shall be reordered so that one project is funded per State 
     using the current order of the funding queue for reordering 
     the queue and 3 projects per HUD region with each project 
     reordered (1) on the basis of

[[Page S7976]]

     the lowest vacancy rates for the areas where each project is 
     located and, where necessary, (2) using the current order of 
     the funding queue for reordering the queue, where necessary: 
     Provided further, That an owner of eligible low-income 
     housing may prepay the mortgage or request voluntary 
     termination of a mortgage insurance contract, so long as said 
     owner agrees not to raise rents for sixty days after such 
     prepayment: Provided further, that all appraisals of each 
     property in the queue shall be revised to reflect the 
     existing value of the property: Provided further, That, to be 
     eligible, each development shall have been determined to have 
     preservation equity at least equal to the lesser of $5,000 
     per unit or $500,000 per project or the equivalent of four 
     times the most recently published monthly fair market rent 
     for the areas in which the project is located while 
     considering the appropriate unit size for all of the units in 
     the eligible project: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     may modify the regulatory agreement to permit owners and 
     priority purchasers to retain rental income in excess of the 
     basic rental charge for projects assisted under section 236 
     of the National Housing Act, for the purpose of preserving 
     the low- and moderate-income character of the housing: 
     Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, 
     each low-income family or moderate income family who is 
     elderly or disabled or is residing in a low-vacancy area, 
     residing in the housing on the date of prepayment or 
     voluntary termination, and whose rent, as a result of a rent 
     increase occurring no later than one year after the date of 
     the prepayment, exceeds 30 percent of adjusted income, shall 
     be offered tenant-based assistance in accordance with section 
     8 or any successor program, under which the family shall pay 
     no less for rent than it paid on such date: Provided further, 
     That any family receiving tenant-based assistance under the 
     preceding proviso may elect (1) to remain in the unit of the 
     housing and if the rent exceeds the fair market rent or 
     payment standard, if applicable, the rent shall be deemed to 
     be the applicable standard, so long as the administering 
     public housing agency finds that the rent is reasonable in 
     comparison with rents charged for comparable unassisted 
     housing units in the market or (2) to move from the housing 
     and the rent will be subject to the fair market or the 
     payment standard, as applicable, under existing program rules 
     and procedures: Provided further, That the tenant-based 
     assistance made available under the preceding two provisos 
     are in lieu of benefits provided under subsections 223 (b), 
     (c), and (d) of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and 
     Resident Homeownership Act of 1990: Provided further, That 
     any sales shall be funded using the capital grant available 
     under subsections 220(d)(3)(A) of LIHPRHA: Provided further, 
     That any extensions shall be funded using a non-interest-
     bearing capital (direct) loan by the Secretary not in excess 
     of the amount of the cost of rehabilitation approved in the 
     plan of action plus 65 percent of the property's preservation 
     equity and under such other terms and conditions as the 
     Secretary may prescribe: Provided further, That any capital 
     grant or capital loan, including rehabilitation costs, shall 
     be limited to four times the fair market rent for fiscal year 
     1998 for the area in which the project is located, using the 
     appropriate apartment sizes: Provided further, That section 
     241(f) of the National Housing Act is repealed and insurance 
     under such section shall not be offered as an incentive under 
     LIHPHRA and ELIPHA: Provided further, That notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, the Secretary shall, at the 
     request of an owner or a priority purchaser, approve a one-
     time rent increase of up to 10 percent: Provided further, 
     That notwithstanding any other provision of law, priority 
     purchasers may utilize assistance under the Community 
     Development Block Grant program, the HOME Investment 
     Partnerships Act or the Low Income Housing Tax Credit: 
     Provided further, That projects with approved plans of action 
     may submit revised plans of action which conform to these 
     requirements by March 15, 1998, and retain the new priority 
     for funding under these provisos.


                   community development block grants

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For grants to States and units of general local government 
     and for related expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out a community development grants program as 
     authorized by title I of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974, as amended (the ``Act'' herein) (42 
     U.S.C. 5301), $4,600,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2000: Provided, That $67,000,000 shall be for 
     grants to Indian tribes notwithstanding section 106(a)(1) of 
     the Act; $2,100,000 shall be available as a grant to the 
     Housing Assistance Council; $1,500,000 shall be available as 
     a grant to the National American Indian Housing Council; 
     $30,000,000 shall be for grants pursuant to section 107 of 
     such Act; $12,000,000 shall be for the Community Outreach 
     Partnership program; $30,000,000 shall be made available for 
     ``Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable 
     Housing,'' as authorized by section 4 of the HUD 
     Demonstration Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-120) with not less 
     than $10,000,000 of the funding to be used in rural areas, 
     including tribal areas: Provided further, That not to exceed 
     20 percent of any grant made with funds appropriated herein 
     (other than a grant made available under the preceding 
     proviso to the Housing Assistance Council or the National 
     American Indian Housing Council, or a grant using funds under 
     section 107(b)(3) of the Housing and Community Development 
     Act of 1974, as amended) shall be expended for ``Planning and 
     Management Development'' and ``Administration'' as defined in 
     regulations promulgated by the Department.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, $35,000,000 shall 
     be available for youthbuild program activities authorized by 
     subtitle D of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act, as amended, and such activities shall 
     be an eligible activity with respect to any funds made 
     available under this heading. Local youthbuild programs that 
     demonstrate an ability to leverage private and nonprofit 
     funding shall be given a priority for youthbuild funding.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, $60,000,000 shall 
     be available for the lead-based paint hazard reduction 
     program as authorized under sections 1011 and 1053 of the 
     Residential Lead-Based Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
       Of the amounts made available under this heading, 
     $30,000,000 shall be available for the New Approach Anti-Drug 
     program for competitive grants to entities managing or 
     operating public housing developments, federally assisted 
     multifamily housing developments, or other multifamily 
     housing development for low-income families supported by non-
     Federal Governmental entities or similar housing developments 
     supported by nonprofit private sources; to reimburse local 
     law enforcement entities for additional police presence in 
     and around such housing developments; to provide or augment 
     such security services by other entities or employees of the 
     recipient agency; to assist in the investigation and/or 
     prosecution of drug related criminal activity in and around 
     such developments; and to provide assistance for the 
     development of capital improvements at such developments 
     directly relating to the security of such developments: 
     Provided, That such grants be made on a competitive basis as 
     specified in section 102 of the HUD Reform Act.
       Of the amounts made available under this heading 
     $42,000,000 shall be available for the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to make 
     grants, not to exceed $7,000,000 each, for rural and tribal 
     areas, including at least one Native American area in Alaska, 
     to test out comprehensive approaches to developing a job base 
     through economic development, developing affordable low- and 
     moderate-income rental and homeownership housing, and the 
     investment of both private and nonprofit capital.
       Of the amounts made available under this heading, 
     $40,000,000 for the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) to 
     finance a variety of efforts, including those identified in 
     the Senate committee report, that promote economic 
     revitalization that links people to jobs and supportive 
     services. Failure to fund any project identified for EDI 
     funds in the Senate committee report shall result in all 
     funding under this paragraph to be allocated as funding under 
     the Community Development Block Grant Program as authorized 
     under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
     1974, as amended.
       For the cost of guaranteed loans, $29,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 108 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974: Provided, That such costs, including 
     the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in 
     section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as 
     amended: Provided further, That these funds are available to 
     subsidize total loan principal, any part of which is to be 
     guaranteed, not to exceed $1,261,000,000, notwithstanding any 
     aggregate limitation on outstanding obligations guaranteed in 
     section 108(k) of the Housing and Community Development Act. 
     In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     guaranteed loan program, $1,000,000, which shall be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     departmental salaries and expenses.


              empowerment zones and enterprise communities

       For grants to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities, 
     to be designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development, to continue efforts to stimulate economic 
     opportunity in America's distressed communities, $25,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended.


                  home investment partnerships program

       For the HOME investment partnerships program, as authorized 
     under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act (Public Law 101-625), as amended, $1,400,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That up to 
     $7,000,000 shall be available for the development and 
     operation of integrated community development management 
     information systems: Provided further, That $20,000,000 shall 
     be available for Housing Counseling under section 106 of the 
     Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968.


                       supportive housing program

                              (rescission)

       Of the funds made available under this heading in Public 
     Law 102-389 and prior laws for the Supportive Housing 
     Demonstration Program, as authorized by the Stewart B. 
     McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, $6,000,000 of funds 
     recaptured during fiscal year 1998 shall be rescinded.


                           shelter plus care

                              (RESCISSION)

       Of the funds made available under this heading in Public 
     Law 102-389 and prior laws for the Shelter Plus Care program, 
     as authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
     Act, $4,000,000 of funds recaptured during fiscal year 1998 
     shall be rescinded.


                       homeless assistance grants

       For the emergency shelter grants program (as authorized 
     under subtitle B of title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney 
     Homeless Assistance Act, as amended); the supportive housing 
     program (as authorized under subtitle C of title IV of such 
     Act); the section 8 moderate rehabilitation single room 
     occupancy program (as authorized under the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended) to assist homeless 
     individuals pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. 
     McKinney

[[Page S7977]]

     Homeless Assistance Act; and the shelter plus care program 
     (as authorized under subtitle F of title IV of such Act), 
     $823,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided 
     further, That any unobligated balances available or 
     recaptures in, or which become available in the Emergency 
     Shelter Grants Program account, Supportive Housing Program 
     account, Supplemental Assistance for Facilities to Assist the 
     Homeless account, Shelter Plus Care account, Innovative 
     Homeless Initiatives Demonstration Program account and 
     Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation (SRO) account, shall be 
     transferred to and merged with the amounts in this account 
     and shall be used for purposes under this account.

                            Housing Programs


                    housing for special populations

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For assistance for the purchase, construction, acquisition, 
     or development of additional public and subsidized housing 
     units for low income families under the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437), not otherwise 
     provided for, $839,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of the total amount provided under 
     this heading, $645,000,000 shall be for capital advances, 
     including amendments to capital advance contracts, for 
     housing for the elderly, as authorized by section 202 of the 
     Housing Act of 1959, as amended, and for project rental 
     assistance, and amendments to contracts for project rental 
     assistance, for the elderly under section 202(c)(2) of the 
     Housing Act of 1959, and for supportive services associated 
     with the housing; and $194,000,000 shall be for capital 
     advances, including amendments to capital advance contracts, 
     for supportive housing for persons with disabilities, as 
     authorized by section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act, for project rental assistance, for 
     amendments to contracts for project rental assistance, and 
     supportive services associated with the housing for persons 
     with disabilities as authorized by section 811 of such Act: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary may designate up to 25 
     percent of the amounts earmarked under this paragraph for 
     section 811 of such Act for tenant-based assistance, as 
     authorized under that section, including such authority as 
     may be waived under the next proviso, which assistance is 
     five years in duration: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     may waive any provision of section 202 of the Housing Act of 
     1959 and section 811 of the National Affordable Housing Act 
     (including the provisions governing the terms and conditions 
     of project rental assistance and tenant-based assistance) 
     that the Secretary determines is not necessary to achieve the 
     objectives of these programs, or that otherwise impedes the 
     ability to develop, operate or administer projects assisted 
     under these programs, and may make provision for alternative 
     conditions or terms where appropriate: Provided further, That 
     all obligated and unobligated balances remaining in either 
     the ``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'' account or 
     the ``Development of Additional New Subsidized Housing'' 
     account for capital advances, including amendments to capital 
     advances, for housing for the elderly, as authorized by 
     section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959, as amended, and for 
     project rental assistance, and amendments to contracts for 
     project rental assistance, for supportive housing for the 
     elderly, under section 202(c)(2) of such Act, shall be 
     transferred to and merged with the amounts for those purposes 
     under this heading; and, all obligated and unobligated 
     balances remaining in either the ``Annual Contributions for 
     Assisted Housing'' account or the ``Development of Additional 
     New Subsidized Housing'' account for capital advances, 
     including amendments to capital advances, for supportive 
     housing for persons with disabilities, as authorized by 
     section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable 
     Housing Act, and for project rental assistance, and 
     amendments to contracts for project rental assistance, for 
     supportive housing for persons with disabilities, as 
     authorized under section 811 of such Act, shall be 
     transferred to and merged with the amounts for those purposes 
     under this heading.


                    other assisted housing programs

                       rental housing assistance

                              (Rescission)

       The limitation otherwise applicable to the maximum payments 
     that may be required in any fiscal year by all contracts 
     entered into under section 236 of the National Housing Act 
     (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1) is reduced in fiscal year 1998 by not 
     more than $7,350,000 in uncommitted balances of 
     authorizations provided for this purpose in appropriation 
     Acts: Provided, That up to $125,000,000 of recaptured budget 
     authority shall be canceled.


                         Flexible Subsidy Fund

                          (transfer of funds)

       From the Rental Housing Assistance Fund, all uncommitted 
     balances of excess rental charges as of September 30, 1997, 
     and any collections made during fiscal year 1998, shall be 
     transferred to the Flexible Subsidy Fund, as authorized by 
     section 236(g) of the National Housing Act, as amended.


                     federal housing administration

             fha--mutual mortgage insurance program account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       During fiscal year 1998, commitments to guarantee loans to 
     carry out the purposes of section 203(b) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed a loan principal of 
     $110,000,000,000.
       During fiscal year 1998, obligations to make direct loans 
     to carry out the purposes of section 204(g) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed $200,000,000: 
     Provided, That the foregoing amount shall be for loans to 
     nonprofit and governmental entities in connection with sales 
     of single family real properties owned by the Secretary and 
     formerly insured under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed and direct loan program, $333,421,000, to be 
     derived from the FHA-mutual mortgage insurance guaranteed 
     loans receipt account, of which not to exceed $326,309,000 
     shall be transferred to the appropriation for departmental 
     salaries and expenses; and of which not to exceed $12,112,000 
     shall be transferred to the appropriation for the Office of 
     Inspector General.


             fha--general and special risk program account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by sections 
     238 and 519 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-3 
     and 1735c), including the cost of loan guarantee 
     modifications (as that term is defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended), $81,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That these 
     funds are available to subsidize total loan principal, any 
     part of which is to be guaranteed, of up to $17,400,000,000: 
     Provided further, That any amounts made available in any 
     prior appropriations Act for the cost (as such term is 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974) of guaranteed loans that are obligations of the funds 
     established under section 238 or 519 of the National Housing 
     Act that have not been obligated or that are deobligated 
     shall be available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development in connection with the making of such guarantees 
     and shall remain available until expended, notwithstanding 
     the expiration of any period of availability otherwise 
     applicable to such amounts.
       Gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, 
     as authorized by sections 204(g), 207(l), 238(a), and 519(a) 
     of the National Housing Act, shall not exceed $120,000,000; 
     of which not to exceed $100,000,000 shall be for bridge 
     financing in connection with the sale of multifamily real 
     properties owned by the Secretary and formerly insured under 
     such Act; and of which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for 
     loans to nonprofit and governmental entities in connection 
     with the sale of single-family real properties owned by the 
     Secretary and formerly insured under such Act.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the guaranteed and direct loan programs, $222,305,000, of 
     which $218,134,000, including $25,000,000 for the enforcement 
     of housing standards on FHA-insured multifamily projects, 
     shall be transferred to the appropriation for departmental 
     salaries and expenses; and of which $4,171,000 shall be 
     transferred to the appropriation for the Office of Inspector 
     General.


                government national mortgage association

guarantees of mortgage-backed securities loan guarantee program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       During fiscal year 1998, new commitments to issue 
     guarantees to carry out the purposes of section 306 of the 
     National Housing Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)), shall 
     not exceed $130,000,000,000.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed mortgage-backed securities program, $9,383,000, to 
     be derived from the Ginnie Mae-guarantees of mortgage-backed 
     securities guaranteed loan receipt account, of which not to 
     exceed $9,383,000 shall be transferred to the appropriation 
     for salaries and expenses.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        research and technology

       For contracts, grants, and necessary expenses of programs 
     of research and studies relating to housing and urban 
     problems, not otherwise provided for, as authorized by title 
     V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, as 
     amended (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 et seq.), including carrying out 
     the functions of the Secretary under section 1(a)(1)(i) of 
     Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1968, $34,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 1999.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        fair housing activities

       For contracts, grants, and other assistance, not otherwise 
     provided for, as authorized by title VIII of the Civil Rights 
     Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 
     1988, and section 561 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1987, as amended, $30,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 1999, of which $10,000,000 
     shall be to carry out activities pursuant to such section 
     561. No funds made available under this heading shall be used 
     to lobby the executive or legislative branches of the Federal 
     Government in connection with a specific contract, grant or 
     loan.

                     Management and Administration


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary administrative and non-administrative 
     expenses of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
     not otherwise provided for, including not to exceed $7,000 
     for official reception and representation expenses, 
     $954,826,000, of which $544,443,000 shall be provided from 
     the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration, 
     $9,383,000 shall be provided from funds of the Government 
     National Mortgage Association, and $1,000,000 shall be 
     provided from the ``Community Development Grants Program'' 
     account.

                      office of inspector general


                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector

[[Page S7978]]

     General Act of 1978, as amended, $57,850,000, of which 
     $16,283,000 shall be provided from the various funds of the 
     Federal Housing Administration and $5,000,000 shall be 
     provided from the amount earmarked for Operation Safe Home in 
     the ``Drug Elimination Grants for Low Income Housing'' 
     account.

             Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial 
     Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, $15,500,000, to remain 
     available until expended, to be derived from the Federal 
     Housing Enterprise Oversight Fund: Provided, That not to 
     exceed such amount shall be available from the General Fund 
     of the Treasury to the extent necessary to incur obligations 
     and make expenditures pending the receipt of collections to 
     the Fund: Provided further, That the General Fund amount 
     shall be reduced as collections are received during the 
     fiscal year so as to result in a final appropriation from the 
     General Fund estimated at not more than $0.


                       administrative provisions

                               Extenders

       Sec. 201. (a) One-for-One Replacement of Public and Indian 
     Housing.--Section 1002(d) of Public Law 104-19 is amended by 
     striking ``1997'' and inserting ``1998''.
       (b) Streamlining Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance.--
     Section 203(d) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1996 is amended by striking ``fiscal 
     years 1996 and 1997'' and inserting ``fiscal years 1996, 
     1997, and 1998''.
       (c) Section 8 Rent Adjustments.--Section 8(c)(2)(A) of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937 is amended--
       (1) in the third sentence, by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' 
     and inserting ``fiscal years 1997 and 1998'';
       (2) in the last sentence, by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' 
     and inserting ``fiscal years 1997 and 1998''.
       (3) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``For'' and 
     inserting ``Except for assistance under the certificate 
     program, for'';
       (4) after the fourth sentence, by inserting the following 
     new sentence: ``In the case of assistance under the 
     certificate program, 0.01 shall be subtracted from the amount 
     of the annual adjustment factor (except that the factor shall 
     not be reduced to less than 1.0), and the adjusted rent shall 
     not exceed the rent for a comparable unassisted unit of 
     similar quality, type, and age in the market area.''; and
       (5) in the last sentence, by--
       (A) striking ``sentence'' and inserting ``two sentences''; 
     and
       (B) inserting ``, fiscal year 1996 prior to April 26, 1996, 
     and fiscal year 1997'' after ``1995''.
       (d) Public and Assisted Housing Rents, Income Adjustments 
     and Preferences.--
       (1) Section 402(a) of The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, 
     I is amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and insert in 
     lieu thereof ``fiscal year 1998''.
       (2) Section 402(f) of The Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, 
     I is amended by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``fiscal years 1997 and 1998''.


             delay reissuance of vouchers and certificates

       Sec. 202. Section 403(c) of The Balanced Budget Downpayment 
     Act, I is amended--
       (1) by striking ``fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998''; and
       (2) by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and 
     October 1, 1998 for assistance made available during fiscal 
     year 1998''.


                      Financing Adjustment Factors

       Sec. 203. Fifty per centum of the amounts of budget 
     authority, or in lieu thereof 50 per centum of the cash 
     amounts associated with such budget authority, that are 
     recaptured from projects described in section 1012(a) of the 
     Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 
     1988 (Public Law 100-628, 102 Stat. 3224, 3268) shall be 
     rescinded, or in the case of cash, shall be remitted to the 
     Treasury, and such amounts of budget authority or cash 
     recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the Treasury 
     shall be used by State housing finance agencies or local 
     governments or local housing agencies with projects approved 
     by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for which 
     settlement occurred after January 1, 1992, in accordance with 
     such section. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the 
     Secretary may award up to 15 percent of the budget authority 
     or cash recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the 
     Treasury to provide project owners with incentives to 
     refinance their project at a lower interest rate.


                       Annual Adjustment Factors

       Sec. 204. Section 8(c)(2)(A) of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 is amended by inserting the following new 
     sentences at the end: ``In establishing annual adjustment 
     factors for units in new construction and substantial 
     rehabilitation projects, the Secretary shall take into 
     account the fact that debt service is a fixed expense. The 
     immediately foregoing sentence shall be effective only during 
     fiscal year 1998.''.


                   COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

       Sec. 205. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     $7,100,000 appropriated for an industrial park at 18th Street 
     and Indiana Avenue shall be made available by the Secretary 
     instead to 18th and Vine for rehabilitation and 
     infrastructure development associated with the ``Negro 
     Leagues Baseball Museum'' and the Jazz Museum.


                      FAIR HOUSING AND FREE SPEECH

       Sec. 206. None of the amounts made available under this Act 
     may be used during fiscal year 1998 to investigate or 
     prosecute under the Fair Housing Act any otherwise lawful 
     activity engaged in by one or more persons, including the 
     filing or maintaining of a nonfrivolous legal action, that is 
     engaged in solely for the purpose of achieving or preventing 
     action by a government official or entity, or a court of 
     competent jurisdiction.


  REQUIREMENT FOR HUD TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT RULEMAKING

       Sec. 207. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for 
     fiscal year 1998 and for all fiscal years thereafter, the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall maintain all 
     current requirements under part 10 of the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development's regulations (24 CRS part 10) 
     with respect to the Department's policies and procedures for 
     the promulgation and issuance of rules, including the use of 
     public participation in the rulemaking process.


                 BROWNFIELDS AS ELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITY

       Sec. 208. States and entitlement communities may use funds 
     allocated under the community development block grant program 
     under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
     1974 for remediation and development activities related to 
     brownfields projects in conjunction with the appropriate 
     environmental regulatory agencies.


          PARTIAL PAYMENT OF CLAIMS ON HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

       Sec. 209. Section 541(a) of the National Housing Act is 
     amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by adding ``and health care 
     facilities'' at the end; and
       (2) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``or a health care facility (including a 
     nursing home, intermediate care facility, or board and care 
     home (as those terms are defined in section 232), a hospital 
     (as that term is defined in section 242), or a group practice 
     facility (as that term is defined in section 1106)'' after 
     ``1978''; and
       (B) by inserting ``or for keeping the health care facility 
     operational to serve community needs,'' after ``character of 
     the project,''.


             FHA MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE CREDIT DEMONSTRATIONS

       Sec. 210. Section 542 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1992 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(5) by adding before the period at the 
     end of the first sentence ``, and not more than an additional 
     15,000 units over fiscal year 1998''; and
       (2) in the first sentence of subsection (c)(4) inserting 
     after ``fiscal year 1997'' the following: ``and not more than 
     an additional 15,000 units during fiscal year 1998.''.


                       CALCULATION OF DOWNPAYMENT

       Sec. 211. Section 203(b) of the National Housing Act is 
     amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' in paragraph (10)(A) 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``fiscal year 1997 and 
     thereafter''.


          SECTION 8 MARK-TO-MARKET MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REFORM

       Sec. 212. Subtitle B, the Multifamily Assisted Housing 
     Reform and Affordability Act of 1997'', of title II of S. 
     947, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, as passed by the Senate 
     on June 25, 1997, is incorporated by reference in this bill, 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill, 
     1998.


                              HOPE VI NOFA

       Sec. 213. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     including the July 22, 1996 Notice of Funding Availability 
     (61 Fed. Reg. 38024), the demolition of units at developments 
     funded under the Notice of Funding Availability shall be at 
     the option of the New York City Housing Authority and the 
     assistance awarded shall be allocated by the public housing 
     agency among other eligible activities under the HOPE VI 
     program and without the development costs limitations of the 
     Notice, provided that the public housing agency shall not 
     exceed the total cost limitations for the public housing 
     agency, as provided by the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development.


                     ENHANCED DISPOSITION AUTHORITY

       Sec. 214. Section 204 of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     and Housing and Urban Development, and independent Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1997 is amended by inserting after 
     ``owned by the Secretary'' the following: ``, including, for 
     fiscal year 1998, the provision of grants and loans from the 
     General Insurance Fund (12 U.S.C. 1735c) for the necessary 
     costs of rehabilitation or demolition.


                          home program formula

       Sec. 215. The first sentence of section 217(b)(3) of the 
     Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act is amended 
     by striking ``only those jurisdictions that are allocated an 
     amount of $500,000 or greater shall receive an allocation'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ``jurisdictions 
     that are allocated an amount of $500,000 or more, and 
     participating jurisdictions (other than consortia that fail 
     to renew the membership of all of their member jurisdictions) 
     that are allocated an amount less than $500,000, shall 
     receive an allocation''.


                         Indian Housing Reform

       Sec. 216. Upon a finding by the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development that any person has substantially, 
     significantly, or materially violated the requirements of any 
     activity under the Native American Housing Block Grants 
     Program under title I of the Native American Self-
     Determination Act of 1996 or any associated activity under 
     the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development, the Secretary shall bar that person from any 
     such participation in programs under that title thereafter 
     and shall require reimbursement for any losses or costs 
     associated with these violations.

[[Page S7979]]

                    TITLE III--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  American Battle Monuments Commission


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the 
     American Battle Monuments Commission, including the 
     acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; 
     purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national 
     cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its 
     territories and possessions; rent of office and garage space 
     in foreign countries; purchase (one for replacement only) and 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; and insurance of official 
     motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of 
     such countries; $23,897,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That where station allowance has been 
     authorized by the Department of the Army for officers of the 
     Army serving the Army at certain foreign stations, the same 
     allowance shall be authorized for officers of the Armed 
     Forces assigned to the Commission while serving at the same 
     foreign stations, and this appropriation is hereby made 
     available for the payment of such allowance: Provided 
     further, That when traveling on business of the Commission, 
     officers of the Armed Forces serving as members or as 
     Secretary of the Commission may be reimbursed for expenses as 
     provided for civilian members of the Commission: Provided 
     further, That the Commission shall reimburse other Government 
     agencies, including the Armed Forces, for salary, pay, and 
     allowances of personnel assigned to it.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses in carrying out activities pursuant 
     to section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act, including hire of 
     passenger vehicles, and for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem 
     equivalent to the maximum rate payable for senior level 
     positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376, $4,000,000.

                   Consumer Product Safety Commission


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Product Safety 
     Commission, including hire of passenger motor vehicles, 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for 
     individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the 
     maximum rate payable under 5 U.S.C. 5376, purchase of nominal 
     awards to recognize non-Federal officials' contributions to 
     Commission activities, and not to exceed $500 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $45,000,000.

             Corporation for National and Community Service


       national and community service programs operating expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Corporation'') in carrying out programs, 
     activities, and initiatives under the National and Community 
     Service Act of 1990 (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Act'') (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.), 
     $420,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 1999: 
     Provided, That not more than $25,000,000 shall be available 
     for administrative expenses authorized under section 
     501(a)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12671(a)(4)): Provided 
     further, That not more than $2,500 shall be for official 
     reception and representation expenses: Provided further, That 
     not more than $59,000,000, to remain available without fiscal 
     year limitation, shall be transferred to the National Service 
     Trust account for educational awards authorized under 
     subtitle D of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.): 
     Provided further, That not more than $215,000,000 of the 
     amount provided under this heading shall be available for 
     grants under the National Service Trust program authorized 
     under subtitle C of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12571 et 
     seq.) (relating to activities including the Americorps 
     program), of which not more than $40,000,000 may be used to 
     administer, reimburse, or support any national service 
     program authorized under section 121(d)(2) of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12581(d)(2)): Provided further, That not more than 
     $5,500,000 of the funds made available under this heading 
     shall be made available for the Points of Light Foundation 
     for activities authorized under title III of the Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12661 et seq.): Provided further, That no funds shall 
     be available for national service programs run by Federal 
     agencies authorized under section 121(b) of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12571(b)): Provided further, That to the maximum 
     extent feasible, funds appropriated under subtitle C of title 
     I of the Act shall be provided in a manner that is consistent 
     with the recommendations of peer review panels in order to 
     ensure that priority is given to programs that demonstrate 
     quality, innovation, replicability, and sustainability: 
     Provided further, That not more than $18,000,000 of the funds 
     made available under this heading shall be available for the 
     Civilian Community Corps authorized under subtitle E of title 
     I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.): Provided further, 
     That not more than $43,000,000 shall be available for school-
     based and community-based service-learning programs 
     authorized under subtitle B of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
     12521 et seq.): Provided further, That not more than 
     $30,000,000 shall be available for quality and innovation 
     activities authorized under subtitle H of title I of the Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 12853 et seq.): Provided further, That $20,000,000 
     shall be available for the America Reads Initiative: Provided 
     further, That not more than $5,000,000 shall be available for 
     audits and other evaluations authorized under section 179 of 
     the Act (42 U.S.C. 12639): Provided further, That no funds 
     from any other appropriation, or from funds otherwise made 
     available to the Corporation, shall be used to pay for 
     personnel compensation and benefits, travel, or any other 
     administrative expense for the Board of Directors, the Office 
     of the Chief Executive Officer, the Office of the Managing 
     Director, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the 
     Office of National and Community Service Programs, the 
     Civilian Community Corps, or any field office or staff of the 
     Corporation working on the National and Community Service or 
     Civilian Community Corps programs: Provided further, That to 
     the maximum extent practicable, the Corporation shall 
     increase significantly the level of matching funds and in-
     kind contributions provided by the private sector, shall 
     expand significantly the number of educational awards 
     provided under subtitle D of title I, and shall reduce the 
     total Federal costs per participant in all programs.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $3,000,000.

                       Court of Veterans Appeals


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses for the operation of the United 
     States Court of Veterans Appeals as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     sections 7251-7298, $9,320,000, of which $790,000, shall be 
     available for the purpose of providing financial assistance 
     as described, and in accordance with the process and 
     reporting procedures set fourth, under this heading in Public 
     Law 102-229.

                      Department of Defense--Civil

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 
     maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National 
     Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, 
     including the purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for 
     replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $11,815,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                    Environmental Protection Agency


                         Science and Technology

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For science and technology, including research and 
     development activities, which shall include research and 
     development activities under the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 
     as amended; necessary expenses for personnel and related 
     costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or allowances 
     therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not 
     to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the rate for GS-18; 
     procurement of laboratory equipment and supplies; other 
     operating expenses in support of research and development; 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $600,000,000, which shall remain available until September 
     30, 1999.


                 environmental programs and management

       For environmental programs and management, including 
     necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, for personnel 
     and related costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or 
     allowances therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for 
     individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the 
     rate for GS-18; hire of passenger motor vehicles; hire, 
     maintenance, and operation of aircraft; purchase of reprints; 
     library memberships in societies or associations which issue 
     publications to members only or at a price to members lower 
     than to subscribers who are not members; construction, 
     alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of 
     facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; and not to 
     exceed $6,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses, $1,801,000,000, which shall remain available until 
     September 30, 1999.


                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, and for construction, alteration, 
     repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities, not to 
     exceed $75,000 per project, $28,500,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 1999.


                        buildings and facilities

       For construction, repair, improvement, extension, 
     alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of, 
     or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
     $19,420,000, to remain available until expended.


                     hazardous substance superfund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (CERCLA), as amended, including sections 111 (c)(3), 
     (c)(5), (c)(6), and (e)(4) (42 U.S.C. 9611), and for 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; 
     not to exceed $1,400,000,000 (of which $100,000,000 shall not 
     become available under September 1, 1998), to remain 
     available until expended, consisting of $1,150,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 517(a) of the Superfund Amendments and 
     Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), as amended by Public Law 
     101-508, and $250,000,000 as a payment from general revenues 
     to the Hazardous Substance Superfund as authorized by section 
     517(b) of SARA, as amended by Public Law 101-508: Provided, 
     That funds appropriated under this heading may be allocated 
     to other Federal agencies in accordance with section 111(a) 
     of CERCLA: Provided further, That $11,641,000 of the funds 
     appropriated under this heading shall be transferred to the 
     ``Office of Inspector General'' appropriation to remain 
     available until September 30, 1999: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 111(m) of CERCLA or any other 
     provision of law, $68,000,000 of the funds appropriated under

[[Page S7980]]

     this heading shall be available to the Agency for Toxic 
     Substances and Disease Registry to carry out activities 
     described in sections 104(i), 111(c)(4), and 111(c)(14) of 
     CERCLA and section 118(f) of SARA: Provided further, That 
     $35,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be transferred to the ``Science and Technology'' 
     appropriation to remain available until September 30, 1999: 
     Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated under 
     this heading shall be available for the Agency for Toxic 
     Substances and Disease Registry to issue in excess of 40 
     toxicological profiles pursuant to section 104(i) of CERCLA 
     during fiscal year 1998.

                leaking underground storage tank program

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out leaking underground 
     storage tank cleanup activities authorized by section 205 of 
     the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and 
     for construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $65,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That no more than $7,500,000 shall be available for 
     administrative expenses.


                           oil spill response

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental 
     Protection Agency's responsibilities under the Oil Pollution 
     Act of 1990, $15,000,000, to be derived from the Oil Spill 
     Liability trust fund, and to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That not more than $8,500,000 of these funds shall 
     be available for administrative expenses.


                   state and tribal assistance grants

       For environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, 
     including capitalization grants for State revolving funds and 
     performance partnership grants, $3,047,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which $1,350,000,000 shall be 
     for making capitalization grants for the Clean Water State 
     Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act, as amended, and $725,000,000 shall be for 
     capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving 
     Funds under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as 
     amended; $100,000,000 for architectural, engineering, 
     planning, design, construction and related activities in 
     connection with the construction of high priority water and 
     wastewater facilities in the area of the United States-Mexico 
     Border, after consultation with the appropriate border 
     commission; $50,000,000 for grants to the State of Texas for 
     the purpose of improving wastewater treatment for colonias; 
     $15,000,000 for grants to the State of Alaska to address 
     drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs of rural 
     and Alaska Native Villages as provided by section 303 of 
     Public Law 104-182; $82,000,000 for making grants for the 
     construction of wastewater and water treatment facilities and 
     groundwater protection infrastructure in accordance with the 
     terms and conditions specified for such grants in the report 
     accompanying this Act; and $725,000,000 for grants to States, 
     federally recognized tribes, and air pollution control 
     agencies for multi-media or single media pollution 
     prevention, control and abatement and related activities 
     pursuant to the provisions set forth under this heading in 
     Public Law 104-134, including grants under section 103 of the 
     Clean Air Act for particulate matter monitoring and data 
     collection activities: Provided, That notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, hereafter, States may combine the 
     assets of State Revolving Funds (SRFs) established under 
     section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, and 
     title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as 
     amended, as security for bond issues to enhance the lending 
     capacity of one or both SRFs, but not to acquire the State 
     match for either SRF program provided that revenues from the 
     bonds are allocated for the purposes of the Safe Drinking 
     Water Act and title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
     Act, respectively, in the same portion as the funds are used 
     as security for the bonds: Provided further, That, hereafter 
     from funds appropriated under this heading, the Administrator 
     is authorized to make grants to federally recognized Indian 
     governments for the development of multi-media environmental 
     programs: Provided further, That, hereafter, the funds 
     available under this heading for grants to States, federally 
     recognized tribes, and air pollution control agencies for 
     multi-media or single media pollution prevention, control and 
     abatement and related activities may also be used for the 
     direct implementation by the Federal Government of a program 
     required by law in the absence of an acceptable State or 
     tribal program: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, the Administrator is authorized to 
     make a grant of $4,326,000 under title II of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, from funds 
     appropriated in prior years under section 205 of the Act for 
     the State of Florida and available due to deobligation, to 
     the appropriate instrumentality for wastewater treatment 
     works in Monroe County, Florida.


                          working capital fund

       Under this heading in Public Law 104-204, delete the 
     following: the phrases, ``franchise fund pilot to be known as 
     the''; ``as authorized by section 403 of Public Law 103-
     356,''; and ``as provided in such section''; and the final 
     proviso. After the phrase, ``to be available'', insert 
     ``without fiscal year limitation''.

                   Executive Office of the President


                office of science and technology policy

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, in carrying out the purposes of the 
     National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
     Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 and 6671), hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, and services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, not to exceed $2,500 for official reception and 
     representation expenses, and rental of conference rooms in 
     the District of Columbia, $4,932,000.


  council on environmental quality and office of environmental quality

       For necessary expenses to continue functions assigned to 
     the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
     Environmental Quality pursuant to the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act 
     of 1970, and Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, $2,436,000: 
     Provided, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     no funds other than those appropriated under this heading, 
     shall be used for or by the Council on Environmental Quality 
     and Office of Environmental Quality.

                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation


                      office of inspector general

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, $34,265,000, to be derived from the Bank 
     Insurance Fund, the Savings Association Insurance Fund, and 
     the FSLIC Resolution Fund.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                            disaster relief

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $320,000,000, and, notwithstanding 42 
     U.S.C. 5203, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That none of the funds appropriated for the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency may be used to perform repair, replacement, 
     reconstruction, or restoration activities with respect to (1) 
     trees and other natural features belonging to State and local 
     governments that are located within parks and recreational 
     facilities, as well as on the grounds of other publicly-owned 
     property; or (2) parks, recreational areas, marinas, golf 
     courses, stadiums, arenas or other similar facilities which 
     generate any portion of their operational revenue through 
     user fees, rents, admission charges, or similar fees.


            disaster assistance direct loan program account

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,495,000, as authorized by 
     section 319 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act: Provided, That such costs, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $25,000,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan program, $341,000.


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 
     including hire and purchase of motor vehicles as authorized 
     by 31 U.S.C. 1343; uniforms, or allowances therefor, as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the 
     per diem rate equivalent to the rate for GS-18; expenses of 
     attendance of cooperating officials and individuals at 
     meetings concerned with the work of emergency preparedness; 
     transportation in connection with the continuity of 
     Government programs to the same extent and in the same manner 
     as permitted the Secretary of a Military Department under 10 
     U.S.C. 2632; and not to exceed $2,500 for official reception 
     and representation expenses, $171,773,000.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $4,803,000.


              emergency management planning and assistance

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out activities under the National Flood Insurance Act 
     of 1968, as amended, and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
     1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
     1977, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended (15 U.S.C. 
     2201 et seq.), the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended 
     (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), sections 107 and 303 of the 
     National Security Act of 1947, as amended (50 U.S.C. 404-
     405), and Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, $207,146,000: 
     Provided, That for purposes of pre-disaster mitigation 
     pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5131 (b) and (c) and 42 U.S.C. 5196 (e) 
     and (i), $5,000,000 of the funds made available under this 
     heading shall be available until expended for project grants 
     for State and local governments.


                   emergency food and shelter program

       To carry out an emergency food and shelter program pursuant 
     to title III of Public Law 100-77, as amended, $100,000,000: 
     Provided, That total administrative costs shall not exceed 
     three and one-half percent of the total appropriation.


                     national flood insurance fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For activities under the National Flood Insurance Act of 
     1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and the 
     National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, not to exceed 
     $21,610,000 for salaries and expenses associated with flood 
     mitigation and flood insurance operations, and not to exceed 
     $78,464,000 for flood mitigation, including up to $20,000,000 
     for expenses under section 1366 of the National Flood 
     Insurance Act, which amount shall be available for transfer 
     to the National Flood Mitigation Fund until September 30, 
     1999. In fiscal year 1998, no funds in excess of (1) 
     $47,000,000 for operating expenses, (2) $375,165,000 for 
     agents' commissions and

[[Page S7981]]

     taxes, and (3) $50,000,000 for interest on Treasury 
     borrowings shall be available from the National Flood 
     Insurance Fund without prior notice to the Committees on 
     Appropriations. For fiscal year 1998, flood insurance rates 
     shall not exceed the level authorized by the National Flood 
     Insurance Reform Act of 1994.


                        administrative provision

       The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     shall promulgate through rulemaking a methodology for 
     assessment and collection of fees to be assessed and 
     collected beginning in fiscal year 1998 applicable to persons 
     subject to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 
     radiological emergency preparedness regulations. The 
     aggregate charges assessed pursuant to this section during 
     fiscal year 1998 shall approximate, but not be less than, 100 
     per centum of the amounts anticipated by the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency to be obligated for its 
     radiological emergency preparedness program for such fiscal 
     year. The methodology for assessment and collection of fees 
     shall be fair and equitable, and shall reflect the full 
     amount of costs of providing radiological emergency planning, 
     preparedness, response and associated services. Such fees 
     shall be assessed in a manner that reflects the use of agency 
     resources for classes of regulated persons and the 
     administrative costs of collecting such fees. Fees received 
     pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the general 
     fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts. Assessment and 
     collection of such fees are only authorized during fiscal 
     year 1998.

                    General Services Administration


                    consumer information center fund

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Information Center, 
     including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $2,419,000, 
     to be deposited into the Consumer Information Center Fund: 
     Provided, That the appropriations, revenues and collections 
     deposited into the fund shall be available for necessary 
     expenses of Consumer Information Center activities in the 
     aggregate amount of $7,500,000. Appropriations, revenues, and 
     collections accruing to this fund during fiscal year 1998 in 
     excess of $7,500,000 shall remain in the fund and shall not 
     be available for expenditure except as authorized in 
     appropriations Acts: Provided further, That notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, the Consumer Information Center 
     may accept and deposit to this account, during fiscal year 
     1998 and hereafter, gifts for the purpose of defraying its 
     costs of printing, publishing, and distributing consumer 
     information and educational materials and undertaking other 
     consumer information activities; may expend those gifts for 
     those purposes, in addition to amounts appropriated or 
     otherwise made available; and the balance shall remain 
     available for expenditure for such purpose.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration


                           human space flight

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of human space flight research and 
     development activities, including research, development, 
     operations, and services; maintenance; construction of 
     facilities including repair, rehabilitation, and modification 
     of real and personal property, and acquisition or 
     condemnation of real property, as authorized by law; space 
     flight, spacecraft control and communications activities 
     including operations, production, and services; and purchase, 
     lease, charter, maintenance and operation of mission and 
     administrative aircraft, $5,326,500,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 1999: Provided, That of the amount 
     appropriated or otherwise made available by this heading, 
     $1,000,000 may be available for the Neutral Buoyancy 
     Simulator program.


                  science, aeronautics and technology

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of science, aeronautics and technology 
     research and development activities, including research, 
     development, operations, and services; maintenance; 
     construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation, 
     and modification of real and personal property, and 
     acquisition or condemnation of real property, as authorized 
     by law; space flight, spacecraft control and communications 
     activities including operations, production, and services; 
     and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance and operation of 
     mission and administrative aircraft, $5,642,000,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 1999.


                            mission support

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in 
     carrying out mission support for human space flight programs 
     and science, aeronautical, and technology programs, including 
     research operations and support; space communications 
     activities including operations, production and services; 
     maintenance; construction of facilities including repair, 
     rehabilitation, and modification of facilities, minor 
     construction of new facilities and additions to existing 
     facilities, facility planning and design, environmental 
     compliance and restoration, and acquisition or condemnation 
     of real property, as authorized by law; program management; 
     personnel and related costs, including uniforms or allowances 
     therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; travel 
     expenses; purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft; not to 
     exceed $35,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses; and purchase (not to exceed 33 for replacement 
     only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; $2,503,200,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 1999.


                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $18,300,000.


                       administrative provisions

       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations Act, when any activity has been initiated by 
     the incurrence of obligations for construction of facilities 
     as authorized by law, such amount available for such activity 
     shall remain available until expended. This provision does 
     not apply to the amounts appropriated in ``Mission support'' 
     pursuant to the authorization for repair, rehabilitation and 
     modification of facilities, minor construction of new 
     facilities and additions to existing facilities, and facility 
     planning and design.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations Act, the amounts appropriated for construction 
     of facilities shall remain available until September 30, 
     2000.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Mission support'' and ``Office of 
     Inspector General'', amounts made available by this Act for 
     personnel and related costs and travel expenses of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall remain 
     available until September 30, 1998 and may be used to enter 
     into contracts for training, investigations, costs associated 
     with personnel relocation, and for other services, to be 
     provided during the next fiscal year.
       Of the funds provided to the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration in this Act, the Administrator shall by 
     November 1, 1998, make available no less than $400,000 for a 
     study by the National Research Council, with an interim 
     report to be completed by June 1, 1998, that evaluates, in 
     terms of the potential impact on the Space Station's assembly 
     schedule, budget, and capabilities, the engineering 
     challenges posed by extravehicular activity (EVA) 
     requirements, United States and non-United States space 
     launch requirements, the potential need to upgrade or replace 
     equipment and components after assembly complete, and the 
     requirement to decommission and disassemble the facility.

                  National Credit Union Administration


                       central liquidity facility

       During fiscal year 1998, gross obligations of the Central 
     Liquidity Facility for the principal amount of new direct 
     loans to member credit unions, as authorized by the National 
     Credit Union Central Liquidity Facility Act (12 U.S.C. 1795), 
     shall not exceed $600,000,000: Provided, That administrative 
     expenses of the Central Liquidity Facility in fiscal year 
     1998 shall not exceed $203,000.

                      National Science Foundation


                    research and related activities

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), and 
     the Act to establish a National Medal of Science (42 U.S.C. 
     1880-1881); services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; 
     maintenance and operation of aircraft and purchase of flight 
     services for research support; acquisition of aircraft; 
     $2,524,700,000, of which not to exceed $228,530,000 shall 
     remain available until expended for Polar research and 
     operations support, and for reimbursement to other Federal 
     agencies for operational and science support and logistical 
     and other related activities for the United States Antarctic 
     program; the balance to remain available until September 30, 
     1999: Provided, That receipts for scientific support services 
     and materials furnished by the National Research Centers and 
     other National Science Foundation supported research 
     facilities may be credited to this appropriation: Provided 
     further, That to the extent that the amount appropriated is 
     less than the total amount authorized to be appropriated for 
     included program activities, all amounts, including floors 
     and ceilings, specified in the authorizing Act for those 
     program activities or their subactivities shall be reduced 
     proportionally: Provided further, That $40,000,000 of the 
     funds available under this heading shall be made available 
     for a comprehensive research initiative on plant genomes, 
     including the corn genome: Provided further, That 
     $359,000,000 of the funds available under this heading shall 
     not be made available for initiatives in Knowledge and 
     Distributed Intelligence and Life and Earth's Environment 
     until the agency submits appropriate milestones to be 
     achieved by the initiatives in fiscal year 1998.


                        major research equipment

       For necessary expenses of major construction projects 
     pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as 
     amended, $85,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                     education and human resources

       For necessary expenses in carrying out science and 
     engineering education and human resources programs and 
     activities pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), including services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and rental of conference rooms in 
     the District of Columbia, $625,500,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 1999: Provided, That to the extent that 
     the amount of this appropriation is less than the total 
     amount authorized to be appropriated for included program 
     activities, all amounts, including floors and ceilings, 
     specified in the authorizing Act for those program activities 
     or their subactivities shall be reduced proportionally.


                         salaries and expenses

       For salaries and expenses necessary in carrying out the 
     National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 
     U.S.C. 1861-1875); services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire 
     of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $9,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; uniforms or 
     allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia; 
     reimbursement of the

[[Page S7982]]

     General Services Administration for security guard services 
     and headquarters relocation; $136,950,000: Provided, That 
     contracts may be entered into under ``Salaries and expenses'' 
     in fiscal year 1998 for maintenance and operation of 
     facilities, and for other services, to be provided during the 
     next fiscal year.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     as authorized by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $4,850,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     1999.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          Payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

       For payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation 
     for use in neighborhood reinvestment activities, as 
     authorized by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 8101-8107), $50,000,000.

                        Selective Service System


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Selective Service System, 
     including expenses of attendance at meetings and of training 
     for uniformed personnel assigned to the Selective Service 
     System, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 4101-4118 for civilian 
     employees; and not to exceed $1,000 for official reception 
     and representation expenses; $23,413,000: Provided, That 
     during the current fiscal year, the President may exempt this 
     appropriation from the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1341, whenever 
     he deems such action to be necessary in the interest of 
     national defense: Provided further, That none of the funds 
     appropriated by this Act may be expended for or in connection 
     with the induction of any person into the Armed Forces of the 
     United States.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 401. Where appropriations in titles I, II, and III of 
     this Act are expendable for travel expenses and no specific 
     limitation has been placed thereon, the expenditures for such 
     travel expenses may not exceed the amounts set forth 
     therefore in the budget estimates submitted for the 
     appropriations: Provided, That this provision does not apply 
     to accounts that do not contain an object classification for 
     travel: Provided further, That this section shall not apply 
     to travel performed by uncompensated officials of local 
     boards and appeal boards of the Selective Service System; to 
     travel performed directly in connection with care and 
     treatment of medical beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; to travel performed in connection with 
     major disasters or emergencies declared or determined by the 
     President under the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; to travel 
     performed by the Offices of Inspector General in connection 
     with audits and investigations; or to payments to interagency 
     motor pools where separately set forth in the budget 
     schedules: Provided further, That if appropriations in titles 
     I, II, and III exceed the amounts set forth in budget 
     estimates initially submitted for such appropriations, the 
     expenditures for travel may correspondingly exceed the 
     amounts therefore set forth in the estimates in the same 
     proportion.
       Sec. 402. Appropriations and funds available for the 
     administrative expenses of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development and the Selective Service System shall be 
     available in the current fiscal year for purchase of 
     uniforms, or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     5901-5902; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 403. Funds of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development subject to the Government Corporation Control Act 
     or section 402 of the Housing Act of 1950 shall be available, 
     without regard to the limitations on administrative expenses, 
     for legal services on a contract or fee basis, and for 
     utilizing and making payment for services and facilities of 
     Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National 
     Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 
     Federal Financing Bank, Federal Reserve banks or any member 
     thereof, Federal Home Loan banks, and any insured bank within 
     the meaning of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 
     as amended (12 U.S.C. 1811-1831).
       Sec. 404. No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 405. No funds appropriated by this Act may be 
     expended--
       (1) pursuant to a certification of an officer or employee 
     of the United States unless--
       (A) such certification is accompanied by, or is part of, a 
     voucher or abstract which describes the payee or payees and 
     the items or services for which such expenditure is being 
     made, or
       (B) the expenditure of funds pursuant to such 
     certification, and without such a voucher or abstract, is 
     specifically authorized by law; and
       (2) unless such expenditure is subject to audit by the 
     General Accounting Office or is specifically exempt by law 
     from such audit.
       Sec. 406. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency may be expended for the transportation 
     of any officer or employee of such department or agency 
     between his domicile and his place of employment, with the 
     exception of any officer or employee authorized such 
     transportation under 31 U.S.C. 1344 or 5 U.S.C. 7905.
       Sec. 407. None of the funds provided in this Act may be 
     used for payment, through grants or contracts, to recipients 
     that do not share in the cost of conducting research 
     resulting from proposals not specifically solicited by the 
     Government: Provided, That the extent of cost sharing by the 
     recipient shall reflect the mutuality of interest of the 
     grantee or contractor and the Government in the research.
       Sec. 408. None of the funds in this Act may be used, 
     directly or through grants, to pay or to provide 
     reimbursement for payment of the salary of a consultant 
     (whether retained by the Federal Government or a grantee) at 
     more than the daily equivalent of the rate paid for level IV 
     of the Executive Schedule, unless specifically authorized by 
     law.
       Sec. 409. None of the funds provided in this Act shall be 
     used to pay the expenses of, or otherwise compensate, non-
     Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
     proceedings. Nothing herein affects the authority of the 
     Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to section 7 of 
     the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2056 et seq.).
       Sec. 410. Except as otherwise provided under existing law 
     or under an existing Executive Order issued pursuant to an 
     existing law, the obligation or expenditure of any 
     appropriation under this Act for contracts for any consulting 
     service shall be limited to contracts which are (1) a matter 
     of public record and available for public inspection, and (2) 
     thereafter included in a publicly available list of all 
     contracts entered into within twenty-four months prior to the 
     date on which the list is made available to the public and of 
     all contracts on which performance has not been completed by 
     such date. The list required by the preceding sentence shall 
     be updated quarterly and shall include a narrative 
     description of the work to be performed under each such 
     contract.
       Sec. 411. Except as otherwise provided by law, no part of 
     any appropriation contained in this Act shall be obligated or 
     expended by any executive agency, as referred to in the 
     Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 401 et 
     seq.), for a contract for services unless such executive 
     agency (1) has awarded and entered into such contract in full 
     compliance with such Act and the regulations promulgated 
     thereunder, and (2) requires any report prepared pursuant to 
     such contract, including plans, evaluations, studies, 
     analyses and manuals, and any report prepared by the agency 
     which is substantially derived from or substantially includes 
     any report prepared pursuant to such contract, to contain 
     information concerning (A) the contract pursuant to which the 
     report was prepared, and (B) the contractor who prepared the 
     report pursuant to such contract.
       Sec. 412. Except as otherwise provided in section 406, none 
     of the funds provided in this Act to any department or agency 
     shall be obligated or expended to provide a personal cook, 
     chauffeur, or other personal servants to any officer or 
     employee of such department or agency.
       Sec. 413. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency shall be obligated or expended to 
     procure passenger automobiles as defined in 15 U.S.C. 2001 
     with an EPA estimated miles per gallon average of less than 
     22 miles per gallon.
       Sec. 414. None of the funds appropriated in title I of this 
     Act shall be used to enter into any new lease of real 
     property if the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 
     unless the Secretary submits, in writing, a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the Congress and a period of 
     30 days has expired following the date on which the report is 
     received by the Committees on Appropriations.
       Sec. 415. (a) It is the sense of the Congress that, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products 
     purchased with funds made available in this Act should be 
     American-made.
       (b) In providing financial assistance to, or entering into 
     any contract with, any entity using funds made available in 
     this Act, the head of each Federal agency, to the greatest 
     extent practicable, shall provide to such entity a notice 
     describing the statement made in subsection (a) by the 
     Congress.
       Sec. 416. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be 
     used to implement any cap on reimbursements to grantees for 
     indirect costs, except as published in Office of Management 
     and Budget Circular A-21.
       Sec. 417. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     1998 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be 
     absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act.
       Sec. 418. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used for any program, project, or activity, when it is 
     made known to the Federal entity or official to which the 
     funds are made available that the program, project, or 
     activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating 
     to risk assessment, the protection of private property 
     rights, or unfunded mandates.
       Sec. 419. Corporations and agencies of the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development which are subject to the 
     Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, are hereby 
     authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of 
     funds and borrowing authority available to each such 
     corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make 
     such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year 
     limitations as provided by section 104 of the Act as may be 
     necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the 
     budget for 1998 for such corporation or agency except as 
     hereinafter provided: Provided, That collections of these 
     corporations and agencies may be used for new loan or 
     mortgage purchase commitments only to the extent expressly 
     provided for in this Act (unless such loans are in support of 
     other forms of assistance provided for in this or prior 
     appropriations Acts), except that this proviso shall not 
     apply to the mortgage insurance or guaranty operations of 
     these corporations, or where loans or mortgage purchases are 
     necessary to protect the financial interest of the United 
     States Government.
       Sec. 420. Notwithstanding section 320(g) of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(g)), funds made 
     available pursuant to authorization under such section for 
     fiscal year 1998 and prior fiscal years may be used for 
     implementing comprehensive conservation and management plans.

[[Page S7983]]

       Sec. 421. Such funds as may be necessary to carry out the 
     orderly termination of the Office of Consumer Affairs shall 
     be made available from funds appropriated to the Department 
     of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 1998.


                   AMERICORPS STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

       Sec. 422. Not withstanding any other provision of law, the 
     term ``qualified student loan'' with respect to national 
     service education awards shall mean any loan made directly to 
     a student and certified through an institution of higher 
     education as necessary to assist the student in paying the 
     cost of attendance, in addition to other meanings under 
     section 148(b)(7) of the National and Community Service Act.


     SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING CATASTROPHIC NATURAL DISASTERS

       Sec. 423. (a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
       (1) catastrophic natural disasters are occurring with great 
     frequency, a trend that is likely to continue for several 
     decades according to prominent scientists;
       (2) estimated damage to homes, buildings, and other 
     structures from catastrophic natural disasters has totaled 
     well over $100,000,000,000 during the last decade, not 
     including the indirect costs of the disasters such as lost 
     productivity and economic decline;
       (3) the lack of adequate planning for catastrophic natural 
     disasters, coupled with inadequate private insurance, has led 
     to increasing reliance on the Federal Government to provide 
     disaster relief, including the appropriation of 
     $40,000,000,000 in supplemental funding since 1989;
       (4) in the foreseeable future, a strong likelihood exists 
     that the United States will experience a megacatastrophe, the 
     impact of which would cause widespread economic disruption 
     for homeowners and businesses and enormous cost to the 
     Federal Government; and
       (5) the Federal Government has failed to anticipate 
     catastrophic natural disasters and take comprehensive action 
     to reduce their impact.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that Congress should consider legislation that embodies the 
     following principles:
       (1) Persons who live in areas at risk of natural disaster 
     should assume a practical level of personal responsibility 
     for the risks through private insurance.
       (2) The insurance industry, in partnership with the Federal 
     Government and other private sector entities, should 
     establish new mechanisms for the spreading of the risk of 
     catastrophes that minimize the involvement and liability of 
     the Federal Government.
       (3) A partnership should be formed between the private 
     sector and government at all levels to encourage better 
     disaster preparation and respond quickly to the physical and 
     financial impacts of catastrophic natural disasters.
       Sec. 424. It is the sense of the Senate that Congress 
     should appropriate for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
     discretionary activities in each of fiscal years 1999 through 
     2002 an amount equal to the amount required by the Department 
     in such fiscal year for such activities.
       Sec. 425. (a) Not later than 60 days after enactment of 
     this Act, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs shall 
     hold one or more hearings to consider legislation which would 
     add the following diseases at the end of section 1112(c)(2) 
     of title 38, United States Code:
       (1) Lung cancer.
       (2) Bone cancer.
       (3) Skin cancer.
       (4) Colon cancer.
       (5) Kidney cancer.
       (6) Posterior subcapsular cataracts.
       (7) Non-malignant thyroid nodular disease.
       (8) Ovarian cancer.
       (9) Parathyroid adenoma.
       (10) Tumors of the brain and central nervous system.
       (11) Rectal cancer.
       (b) Not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Congressional Budget Office shall provide to the Senate 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Senate Appropriations 
     Committee an estimate of the cost of the provision contained 
     in subsection (a).
       This Act may be cited as the ``Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998''.

                          ____________________