In the Senate of the United States,
July 22, 1997.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 2158) entitled ‘‘An Act making appropriations for
the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and for sundry independent agencies, commis-
sions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 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, com-
missions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1998, and for other purposes, namely:
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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 be-
half of veterans and a pilot program for disability examina-
tions 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-serv-
ice 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: Pro-
vided, That not to exceed $26,380,000 of the amount appro-
priated shall be reimbursed to ‘‘General operating expenses’’
and ‘‘Medical care’’ for necessary expenses in implementing
those provisions authorized in the Omnibus Budget Rec-
onciliation Act of 1990, and in the Veterans’ Benefits Act
of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, and 55), the funding
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source for which is specifically provided as the ‘‘Compensa-
tion and pensions’’ appropriation: Provided further, That
such sums as may be earned on an actual qualifying pa-
tient basis, shall be reimbursed to ‘‘Medical facilities revolv-
ing 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 veter-
ans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as au-
thorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat.
487, $51,360,000, to remain available until expended.
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VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
MEDICAL CARE
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses for the maintenance and oper-
ation of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facili-
ties; for furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and
outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, including care and treatment
in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department;
and furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and equip-
ment; funeral, burial, and other expenses incidental thereto
for beneficiaries receiving care in the Department; adminis-
trative expenses in support of planning, design, project
management, real property acquisition and disposition,
construction and renovation of any facility under the juris-
diction or for the use of the Department; oversight, engineer-
ing 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 ma-
terials; 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
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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 
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 classi-
fications 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 es-
tablishing 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 ac-
count.
MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH
For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of
medical and prosthetic research and development as author-
ized 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; ad-
ministrative expenses in support of planning, design,
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project management, architectural, engineering, real prop-
erty acquisition and disposition, construction and renova-
tion of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including site acqui-
sition; 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 de-
fined 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 trans-
ferred from the ‘‘General post fund’’, as authorized by Pub-
lic 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 uni-
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forms or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for offi-
cial reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger
motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services
Administration for security guard services, and the Depart-
ment 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 Occu-
pational Conversion and Training Act.
NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM
For necessary expenses for the maintenance and oper-
ation of the National Cemetery System, not otherwise pro-
vided 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 Gen-
eral in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as
amended, $31,013,000.
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
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Code, including planning, architectural and engineering
services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs as-
sociated 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 pre-
vious 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 Veter-
ans Affairs Contract No. V101 (93)P–1444): Provided fur-
ther, 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 appropria-
tion for fiscal year 1998, for each approved project shall
be obligated (1) by the awarding of a construction docu-
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ments 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 Commit-
tees 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 pro-
cedures established by section 1015 of the Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 (title X of Public Law 93–344): Pro-
vided further, That no funds from any other account except
the ‘‘Parking revolving fund’’, may be obligated for con-
structing, altering, extending, or improving a project which
was approved in the budget process and funded in this ac-
count until one year after substantial completion and bene-
ficial 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 an-
alysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system construc-
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tion 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 re-
model, modify or alter existing hospital, nursing home and
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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 ex-
pended.
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 trans-
ferred to any other of the mentioned appropriations.
SEC. 102. Appropriations available to the Department
of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1998 for salaries and ex-
penses shall be available for services authorized by 5 U.S.C.
3109.
SEC. 103. No appropriations in this Act for the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs (except the appropriations for
‘‘Construction, major projects’’, ‘‘Construction, minor
projects’’, and the ‘‘Parking revolving fund’’) shall be avail-
able for the purchase of any site for or toward the construc-
tion of any new hospital or home.
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SEC. 104. No appropriations in this Act for the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hos-
pitalization or examination of any persons (except bene-
ficiaries 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 reim-
bursement 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 in-
surance and indemnities’’ shall be available for payment
of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded
by law against the corresponding prior year accounts with-
in the last quarter of fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 106. Appropriations accounts available to the De-
partment 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 ac-
counts they shall be payable from ‘‘Compensation and pen-
sions’’.
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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 deter-
mined reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That
if the cost of administration of an insurance program ex-
ceeds 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 Sec-
retary 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 sec-
tion 220 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical
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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 em-
ployee engaged in verbal sexual harassment and abusive be-
havior 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 involun-
tary 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 expira-
HR 2158 EAS
tion of use restrictions, or other changes in housing assist-
ance 
arrangements, 
and 
for 
other 
purposes,
$10,119,000,000, to remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That of the total amount provided under this head-
ing, $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 con-
tracts: Provided further, That the Secretary may determine
not to apply section 8(o)(6)(B) of the Act to housing vouch-
ers 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 relo-
cate residents of properties (i) that are owned by the Sec-
retary and being disposed of or (ii) that are discontinuing
section 8 project-based assistance; for the conversion of sec-
tion 23 projects to assistance under section 8; for funds to
carry out the family unification program; and for the relo-
cation of witnesses in connection with efforts to combat
HR 2158 EAS
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 pre-
ceding proviso, $40,000,000 shall be made available to non-
elderly 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 amended (42
U.S.C. 1437), $2,500,000,000, to remain available until ex-
pended 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 assist-
ance for the inspection of public housing units, contract ex-
pertise, and training and technical assistance directly or
indirectly, under grants, contracts, or cooperative agree-
ments, 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 assist-
ance, including, but not limited to, an annual resident sur-
vey, data collection and analysis, training and technical
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assistance by or to officials and employees of the Depart-
ment 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-suffi-
ciency 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: Pro-
vided further, That, for the self-sufficiency activities, the
Secretary may make grants to public housing agencies (in-
cluding Indian housing authorities), nonprofit corpora-
tions, and other appropriate entities for a supportive serv-
ices program to assist residents of public and assisted hous-
ing, 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 work-
ing, seeking work, or is preparing for work by participating
in job training or educational programs: Provided further,
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That the supportive services may include congregate services
for the elderly and disabled, service coordinators, and co-
ordinated educational, training, and other supportive serv-
ices, including academic skills training, job search assist-
ance, assistance related to retaining employment, voca-
tional and entrepreneurship development and support pro-
grams, transportation, and child care: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall require applications to dem-
onstrate 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 innova-
tive 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 pro-
posed 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 ap-
propriate 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
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public housing amendments, for public housing moderniza-
tion and development technical assistance, for lease adjust-
ments 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, includ-
ing 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 bal-
ances outstanding, as of September 30, 1997, of funds here-
tofore provided (other than for Indian families) for pay-
ments 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 author-
ized by 42 U.S.C. 11901–11908, for grants for federally as-
sisted 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 avail-
HR 2158 EAS
able 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 be-
half of public housing agencies, resident organizations, and
Indian Tribes and their Tribally designated housing enti-
ties (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 adminis-
tered by the Inspector General of the Department of Hous-
ing and Urban Development; and $5,000,000 shall be pro-
vided to the Office of Inspector General for Operation Safe
Home: Provided, That the term ‘‘drug-related crime’’, as de-
fined 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 hous-
ing 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 (in-
cluding remaining public housing units) on which such
projects are located, replacement housing which will avoid
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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 re-
placement housing and assisting tenants to be displaced by
the demolition, $550,000,000, to remain available until ex-
pended, of which the Secretary may use up to $10,000,000
for technical assistance and contract expertise, to be pro-
vided directly or indirectly by grants, contracts or coopera-
tive 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 el-
derly 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 spe-
cial needs and physical requirements of the elderly: Pro-
vided 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
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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 pro-
gram, 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 assist-
ance, 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 guar-
anteed 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 dem-
onstration on ways to enhance economic growth, access to
private capital, and encourage the investment and partici-
pation of traditional financial institutions in tribal and
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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 Devel-
opment’’, ‘‘HOME Investment Partnerships Program’’,
‘‘Emergency Shelter Grants Program’’, and ‘‘Homeless As-
sistance 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 sec-
tion 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.
HR 2158 EAS
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
For carrying out the Housing Opportunities for Per-
sons with AIDS program, as authorized by the AIDS Hous-
ing 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 Home-
ownership 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 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 nec-
essary: Provided further, That an owner of eligible low-in-
come housing may prepay the mortgage or request vol-
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untary 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 mar-
ket 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: Pro-
vided 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 vol-
untary 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
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be offered tenant-based assistance in accordance with sec-
tion 8 or any successor program, under which the family
shall pay no less for rent than it paid on such date: Pro-
vided further, That any family receiving tenant-based as-
sistance under the preceding proviso may elect (1) to re-
main 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 fur-
ther, 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 ex-
tensions shall be funded using a non-interest-bearing cap-
ital (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 eq-
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uity and under such other terms and conditions as the Sec-
retary 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 insur-
ance 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: Pro-
vided 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 re-
tain 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 govern-
ment 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 Devel-
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opment 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 Com-
munity 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 fund-
ing to be used in rural areas, including tribal areas: Pro-
vided 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 Hous-
ing 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 Manage-
ment Development’’ and ‘‘Administration’’ as defined in
regulations promulgated by the Department.
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Of the amount made available under this heading, not-
withstanding 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 non-
profit funding shall be given a priority for youthbuild fund-
ing.
Of the amount made available under this heading, not-
withstanding any other provision of law, $60,000,000 shall
be available for the lead-based paint hazard reduction pro-
gram 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 de-
velopments supported by nonprofit private sources; to reim-
burse local law enforcement entities for additional police
presence in and around such housing developments; to pro-
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vide or augment such security services by other entities or
employees of the recipient agency; to assist in the investiga-
tion 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 devel-
opments directly relating to the security of such develop-
ments: 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 con-
sultation 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 identi-
fied in the Senate committee report, that promote economic
revitalization that links people to jobs and supportive serv-
ices. 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
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Community Development Block Grant Program as author-
ized under title I of the Housing and Community Develop-
ment Act of 1974, as amended.
For the cost of guaranteed loans, $29,000,000, as au-
thorized by section 108 of the Housing and Community De-
velopment Act of 1974: Provided, That such costs, including
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in sec-
tion 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, notwithstand-
ing any aggregate limitation on outstanding obligations
guaranteed in section 108(k) of the Housing and Commu-
nity Development Act. In addition, for administrative ex-
penses 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
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Homeless Assistance Act, as amended); the supportive hous-
ing 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 indi-
viduals pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. McKinney
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 recap-
tures in, or which become available in the Emergency Shel-
ter 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, acquisi-
tion, 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 avail-
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able until expended: Provided, That of the total amount
provided under this heading, $645,000,000 shall be for cap-
ital advances, including amendments to capital advance
contracts, for housing for the elderly, as authorized by sec-
tion 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 rent-
al assistance, for amendments to contracts for project rental
assistance, and supportive services associated with the hous-
ing 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
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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 unob-
ligated balances remaining in either the ‘‘Annual Contribu-
tions 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 sec-
tion 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 re-
maining in either the ‘‘Annual Contributions for Assisted
Housing’’ account or the ‘‘Development of Additional New
Subsidized Housing’’ account for capital advances, includ-
ing 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 con-
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tracts 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 appropria-
tion 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 uncom-
mitted 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 author-
ized by section 236(g) of the National Housing Act, as
amended.
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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 Na-
tional 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 Na-
tional 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 connec-
tion with sales of single family real properties owned by
the Secretary and formerly insured under the Mutual Mort-
gage 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 guaran-
teed 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.
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FHA—GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by sec-
tions 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 prin-
cipal, 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 obliga-
tions 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 multi-
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family 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 govern-
mental entities in connection with the sale of single-family
real properties owned by the Secretary and formerly in-
sured 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 appro-
priation 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 ac-
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count, 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 pro-
grams 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 other-
wise 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 pursu-
ant 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.
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MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary administrative and non-administrative
expenses of the Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment, 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 Pro-
gram’’ account.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as
amended, $57,850,000, of which $16,283,000 shall be pro-
vided from the various funds of the Federal Housing Ad-
ministration 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.
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OFFICE OF FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Fi-
nancial 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 re-
ceipt 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 PUB-
LIC 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 ASSIST-
ANCE.—Section 203(d) of the Departments of Veterans Af-
fairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independ-
ent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 is amended by strik-
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ing ‘‘fiscal years 1996 and 1997’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal
years 1996, 1997, and 1998’’.
(c) 
SECTION
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 fol-
lowing 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
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(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 follow-
ing: ‘‘and October 1, 1998 for assistance made avail-
able 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 re-
captured from projects described in section 1012(a) of the
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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 Treas-
ury shall be used by State housing finance agencies or local
governments or local housing agencies with projects ap-
proved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment for which settlement occurred after January 1, 1992,
in accordance with such section. Notwithstanding the pre-
vious sentence, the Secretary may award up to 15 percent
of the budget authority or cash recaptured and not re-
scinded or remitted to the Treasury to provide project own-
ers with incentives to refinance their project at a lower in-
terest 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 adjust-
ment 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 imme-
diately foregoing sentence shall be effective only during fis-
cal year 1998.’’.
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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 law-
ful 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 main-
tain all current requirements under part 10 of the Depart-
ment 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, in-
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cluding 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 fa-
cility, 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 prac-
tice 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,’’.
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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 pe-
riod 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) in-
serting after ‘‘fiscal year 1997’’ the following: ‘‘and
not more than an additional 15,000 units during fis-
cal 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 Hous-
ing 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 Appro-
priations Bill, 1998.
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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 develop-
ments funded under the Notice of Funding Availability
shall be at the option of the New York City Housing Author-
ity 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 inde-
pendent 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 demoli-
tion.
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 allo-
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cated an amount of $500,000 or greater shall receive an
allocation’’ and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ‘‘ju-
risdictions 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-Deter-
mination Act of 1996 or any associated activity under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment, 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 asso-
ciated with these violations.
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
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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 Sec-
retary of the Commission may be reimbursed for expenses
as provided for civilian members of the Commission: Pro-
vided further, That the Commission shall reimburse other
Government agencies, including the Armed Forces, for sal-
ary, pay, and allowances of personnel assigned to it.
CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses in carrying out activities pur-
suant to section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act, including
hire of passenger vehicles, and for services authorized by
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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’ con-
tributions 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 Na-
tional 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 mat-
ter 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
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be available for administrative expenses authorized under
section 501(a)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12671(a)(4)): Pro-
vided further, That not more than $2,500 shall be for offi-
cial reception and representation expenses: Provided fur-
ther, 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 au-
thorized 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 includ-
ing the Americorps program), of which not more than
$40,000,000 may be used to administer, reimburse, or sup-
port 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 fur-
ther, 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
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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 commu-
nity-based service-learning programs authorized under sub-
title B of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.): Pro-
vided 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 per-
sonnel compensation and benefits, travel, or any other ad-
ministrative expense for the Board of Directors, the Office
of the Chief Executive Officer, the Office of the Managing
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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 Cor-
poration 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 pro-
vided 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 Gen-
eral 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 as-
sistance as described, and in accordance with the process
and reporting procedures set fourth, under this heading in
Public Law 102–229.
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL
CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for
maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home Na-
tional 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 de-
velopment activities, which shall include research and devel-
opment 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 re-
search and development; construction, alteration, repair, re-
habilitation, and renovation of facilities, not to exceed
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$75,000 per project, $600,000,000, which shall remain
available until September 30, 1999.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT
For environmental programs and management, in-
cluding 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; pur-
chase of reprints; library memberships in societies or asso-
ciations 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 re-
main available until September 30, 1999.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral 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.
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BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For construction, repair, improvement, extension, al-
teration, 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 renova-
tion of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; not to
exceed $1,400,000,000 (of which $100,000,000 shall not be-
come available under September 1, 1998), to remain avail-
able until expended, consisting of $1,150,000,000, as au-
thorized 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 Pub-
lic 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 fur-
ther, That $11,641,000 of the funds appropriated under this
heading shall be transferred to the ‘‘Office of Inspector Gen-
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eral’’ 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 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 pursu-
ant 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 under-
ground storage tank cleanup activities authorized by section
205 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
of 1986, and for construction, alteration, repair, rehabilita-
tion, 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.
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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 ex-
pended: 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 as-
sistance, 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, construc-
tion and related activities in connection with the construc-
tion 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
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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 accom-
panying this Act; and $725,000,000 for grants to States,
federally recognized tribes, and air pollution control agen-
cies 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 collec-
tion 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 Con-
trol Act, respectively, in the same portion as the funds are
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used as security for the bonds: Provided further, That, here-
after from funds appropriated under this heading, the Ad-
ministrator is authorized to make grants to federally recog-
nized 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 con-
trol agencies for multi-media or single media pollution pre-
vention, 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 Ad-
ministrator 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 pro-
viso. After the phrase, ‘‘to be available’’, insert ‘‘without fis-
cal year limitation’’.
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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 Na-
tional 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 En-
vironmental Quality pursuant to the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969, the Environmental Quality Im-
provement 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 appro-
priated under this heading, shall be used for or by the Coun-
cil on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental
Quality.
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FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral 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 Insur-
ance 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: Pro-
vided, 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 belong-
ing 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 simi-
lar facilities which generate any portion of their oper-
ational revenue through user fees, rents, admission charges,
or similar fees.
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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, in-
cluding 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, in-
cluding hire and purchase of motor vehicles as authorized
by 31 U.S.C. 1343; uniforms, or allowances therefor, as au-
thorized 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 prepared-
ness; 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 Depart-
ment under 10 U.S.C. 2632; and not to exceed $2,500 for
official 
reception 
and 
representation 
expenses,
$171,773,000.
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OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral 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 Reduc-
tion 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.), sec-
tions 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 govern-
ments.
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,
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$100,000,000: Provided, That total administrative costs
shall not exceed three and one-half percent of the total ap-
propriation.
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 ex-
ceed $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 Sep-
tember 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 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 col-
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lected beginning in fiscal year 1998 applicable to persons
subject to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ra-
diological emergency preparedness regulations. The aggre-
gate 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 Emer-
gency Management Agency to be obligated for its radiologi-
cal 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, pre-
paredness, response and associated services. Such fees shall
be assessed in a manner that reflects the use of agency re-
sources for classes of regulated persons and the administra-
tive 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
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for necessary expenses of Consumer Information Center ac-
tivities in the aggregate amount of $7,500,000. Appropria-
tions, 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 ac-
tivities; may expend those gifts for those purposes, in addi-
tion 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, op-
erations, and services; maintenance; construction of facili-
ties including repair, rehabilitation, and modification of
real and personal property, and acquisition or condemna-
tion of real property, as authorized by law; space flight,
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spacecraft control and communications activities including
operations, production, and services; and purchase, lease,
charter, maintenance and operation of mission and admin-
istrative aircraft, $5,326,500,000, to remain available until
September 30, 1999: Provided, That of the amount appro-
priated 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 tech-
nology research and development activities, including re-
search, development, operations, and services; maintenance;
construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation,
and modification of real and personal property, and acqui-
sition 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 re-
main available until September 30, 1999.
MISSION SUPPORT
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in
carrying out mission support for human space flight pro-
grams and science, aeronautical, and technology programs,
including research operations and support; space commu-
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nications 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 fa-
cilities, facility planning and design, environmental com-
pliance and restoration, and acquisition or condemnation
of real property, as authorized by law; program manage-
ment; 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 ex-
ceed $35,000 for official reception and representation ex-
penses; and purchase (not to exceed 33 for replacement only)
and hire of passenger motor vehicles; $2,503,200,000, to re-
main available until September 30, 1999.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral 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 activ-
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ity shall remain available until expended. This provision
does not apply to the amounts appropriated in ‘‘Mission
support’’ pursuant to the authorization for repair, rehabili-
tation and modification of facilities, minor construction of
new facilities and additions to existing facilities, and facil-
ity 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 construc-
tion 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 Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration shall remain
available until September 30, 1998 and may be used to
enter into contracts for training, investigations, costs asso-
ciated 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 in-
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terim report to be completed by June 1, 1998, that evalu-
ates, in terms of the potential impact on the Space Station’s
assembly schedule, budget, and capabilities, the engineering
challenges posed by extravehicular activity (EVA) require-
ments, 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 facil-
ity.
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
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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 reimburse-
ment 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 au-
thorized to be appropriated for included program activities,
all amounts, including floors and ceilings, specified in the
authorizing Act for those program activities or their sub-
activities 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 initia-
tive 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
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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 ex-
pended.
EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
For necessary expenses in carrying out science and en-
gineering education and human resources programs and ac-
tivities 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 con-
ference 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
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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 Colum-
bia; reimbursement of the 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 serv-
ices, to be provided during the next fiscal year.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral as authorized by the Inspector General Act of 1978,
as amended, $4,850,000, to remain available until Septem-
ber 30, 1999.
NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION
PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT
CORPORATION
For payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Cor-
poration 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 train-
ing for uniformed personnel assigned to the Selective Serv-
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ice System, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 4101–4118 for civil-
ian employees; and not to exceed $1,000 for official recep-
tion and representation expenses; $23,413,000: Provided,
That during the current fiscal year, the President may ex-
empt 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 ap-
propriations: 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 Vet-
erans Affairs; to travel performed in connection with major
disasters or emergencies declared or determined by the
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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 inter-
agency 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 esti-
mates initially submitted for such appropriations, the ex-
penditures for travel may correspondingly exceed the
amounts therefore set forth in the estimates in the same pro-
portion.
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 uni-
forms, 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 adminis-
trative expenses, for legal services on a contract or fee basis,
and for utilizing and making payment for services and fa-
cilities of Federal National Mortgage Association, Govern-
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ment 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 ex-
empt 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 trans-
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portation 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 recipi-
ents 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 reimburse-
ment 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 adjudica-
tory proceedings. Nothing herein affects the authority of the
Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to section
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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 ap-
propriation 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 con-
tracts 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 com-
pleted by such date. The list required by the preceding sen-
tence shall be updated quarterly and shall include a nar-
rative 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 regula-
tions promulgated thereunder, and (2) requires any report
prepared pursuant to such contract, including plans, eval-
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uations, 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 per-
sonal cook, chauffeur, or other personal servants to any offi-
cer 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.
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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 avail-
able 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.
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SEC. 419. Corporations and agencies of the Depart-
ment 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 ex-
pressly 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 Fed-
eral Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(g)), funds
made available pursuant to authorization under such sec-
tion for fiscal year 1998 and prior fiscal years may be used
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for implementing comprehensive conservation and manage-
ment plans.
SEC. 421. Such funds as may be necessary to carry
out the orderly termination of the Office of Consumer Af-
fairs 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 na-
tional 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 mean-
ings under section 148(b)(7) of the National and Commu-
nity 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 con-
tinue for several decades according to prominent sci-
entists;
(2) estimated damage to homes, buildings, and
other structures from catastrophic natural disasters
has totaled well over $100,000,000,000 during the last
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decade, not including the indirect costs of the disas-
ters such as lost productivity and economic decline;
(3) the lack of adequate planning for cata-
strophic natural disasters, coupled with inadequate
private insurance, has led to increasing reliance on
the Federal Government to provide disaster relief, in-
cluding the appropriation of $40,000,000,000 in sup-
plemental 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 Govern-
ment; and
(5) the Federal Government has failed to antici-
pate catastrophic natural disasters and take com-
prehensive action to reduce their impact.
(b) SENSE OF THE SENATE.—It is the sense of the Sen-
ate 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 enti-
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ties, should establish new mechanisms for the spread-
ing of the risk of catastrophes that minimize the in-
volvement and liability of the Federal Government.
(3) A partnership should be formed between the
private sector and government at all levels to encour-
age 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.
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(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 Appropria-
tions Committee an estimate of the cost of the provision con-
tained in subsection (a).
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Inde-
pendent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998’’.
Attest:
Secretary.
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