H. R. 2400—244
‘‘(I) the number of vehicles in the bus fleet
of the eligible project of the designated recipient,
weighted by severity of nonattainment for the area
in which the eligible project is located, as provided
in paragraph (2); and
‘‘(II) the total number of vehicles in the bus
fleets of all eligible projects in areas with a popu-
lation of less than 1,000,000 funded under this
section, weighted by severity of nonattainment for
all areas in which those eligible projects are
located, as provided in paragraph (2); and
‘‘(ii) 50 percent shall be apportioned, such that
each such designated recipient receives a grant in an
amount equal to the ratio between—
‘‘(I) the number of bus passenger miles (as
that term is defined in section 5336(c)) of the
eligible 
project 
of 
the 
designated 
recipient,
weighted by severity of nonattainment of the area
in which the eligible project is located, as provided
in paragraph (2); and
‘‘(II) the total number of bus passenger miles
of all eligible projects in areas with a population
of less than 1,000,000 funded under this section,
weighted by severity of nonattainment of all areas
in which those eligible projects are located, as
provided in paragraph (2).
‘‘(2) WEIGHTING OF SEVERITY OF NONATTAINMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of paragraph (1), sub-
ject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the number
of clean fuel vehicles in the fleet, or the number of pas-
senger miles, shall be multiplied by a factor of—
‘‘(i) 1.0 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is a maintenance area (as that term is defined
in section 101 of title 23) for ozone or carbon monoxide;
‘‘(ii) 1.1 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is classified as—
‘‘(I) a marginal ozone nonattainment area
under subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean
Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.); or
‘‘(II) a marginal carbon monoxide nonattain-
ment area under subpart 3 of part D of title I
of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.);
‘‘(iii) 1.2 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is classified as—
‘‘(I) a moderate ozone nonattainment area
under subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean
Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.); or
‘‘(II) a moderate carbon monoxide nonattain-
ment area under subpart 3 of part D of title I
of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.);
‘‘(iv) 1.3 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is classified as—
‘‘(I) a serious ozone nonattainment area under
subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean Air
Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.); or
H. R. 2400—245
‘‘(II) a serious carbon monoxide nonattainment
area under subpart 3 of part D of title I of the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.);
‘‘(v) 1.4 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is classified as—
‘‘(I) a severe ozone nonattainment area under
subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean Air
Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.); or
‘‘(II) a severe carbon monoxide nonattainment
area under subpart 3 of part D of title I of the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.); or
‘‘(vi) 1.5 if, at the time of the apportionment, the
area is classified as—
‘‘(I) an extreme ozone nonattainment area
under subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean
Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.); or
‘‘(II) an extreme carbon monoxide nonattain-
ment area under subpart 3 of part D of title I
of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.).
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENT FOR CARBON MONOXIDE
AREAS.—If, in addition to being classified as a nonattain-
ment or maintenance area (as that term is defined in
section 101 of title 23) for ozone under subpart 2 of part
D of title I of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.),
the area was also classified under subpart 3 of part D
of title I of that Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.) as a nonattain-
ment area for carbon monoxide, the weighted nonattain-
ment or maintenance area fleet and passenger miles for
the eligible project, as calculated under subparagraph (A),
shall be further multiplied by a factor of 1.2.
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a grant made to
a designated recipient under this section shall not exceed
the lesser of—
‘‘(i) for an eligible project in an area—
‘‘(I) with a population of less than 1,000,000,
$15,000,000; and
‘‘(II) with a population of at least 1,000,000,
$25,000,000; or
‘‘(ii) 80 percent of the total cost of the eligible
project.
‘‘(B) REAPPORTIONMENT.—Any amounts that would
otherwise be apportioned to a designated recipient under
this subsection that exceed the amount described in
subparagraph (A) shall be reapportioned among other des-
ignated recipients in accordance with paragraph (1).
‘‘(e) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) LIMITATION ON USES.—Not less than 5 percent of the
amount made available by or appropriated under section 5338
in each fiscal year to carry out this section shall be available
for any eligible projects for which an application is received
from a designated recipient, for—
‘‘(A) the purchase or construction of hybrid electric
or battery-powered buses; or
‘‘(B) facilities specifically designed to service those
buses.
H. R. 2400—263
‘‘(ii) $619,600,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $669,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $718,400,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $767,800,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(C) ALLOCATION
OF
FUNDS.—Of the aggregate of
amounts made available by and appropriated under this
paragraph for a fiscal year—
‘‘(i) $4,849,950 shall be available to the Alaska
Railroad for improvements to its passenger operations
under section 5307;
‘‘(ii) $50,000,000 shall be available to carry out
section 5308; and
‘‘(iii) of the remaining amount—
‘‘(I) 2.4 percent shall be available to provide
transportation services to elderly individuals and
individuals with disabilities under section 5310;
‘‘(II) 6.37 percent shall be available to provide
financial assistance for other than urbanized areas
under section 5311; and
‘‘(III) 91.23 percent shall be available to pro-
vide financial assistance for urbanized areas under
section 5307.
‘‘(b) CAPITAL PROGRAM GRANTS AND LOANS.—
‘‘(1) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—There shall be available from the
Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to carry
out section 5309, $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘(2) FISCAL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2003.—
‘‘(A) FROM THE TRUST FUND.—There shall be available
from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund
to carry out section 5309—
‘‘(i) $1,805,600,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $1,960,800,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $2,116,800,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $2,272,800,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $2,428,800,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(B) FROM THE GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), there are author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out section 5309—
‘‘(i) $451,400,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $490,200,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $529,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $568,200,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $607,200,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(c) PLANNING.—
‘‘(1) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out sections 5303, 5304, 5305, and 5313(b),
$47,750,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘(2) FISCAL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2003.—
‘‘(A) FROM THE TRUST FUND.—There shall be available
from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund
to carry out sections 5303, 5304, 5305, and 5313(b)—
‘‘(i) $43,200,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $46,400,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $51,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $52,800,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $57,600,000 for fiscal year 2003.
H. R. 2400—264
‘‘(B) FROM THE GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), there are author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out sections 5303, 5304,
5305, and 5313(b)—
‘‘(i) $10,800,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $11,600,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $12,800,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $13,200,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $14,400,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(C) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—Of the funds made avail-
able by or appropriated under this paragraph for a fiscal
year—
‘‘(i) 82.72 percent shall be available for metropoli-
tan planning under sections 5303, 5304, and 5305;
and
‘‘(ii) 17.28 percent shall be available for State plan-
ning under section 5313(b).
‘‘(d) RESEARCH.—
‘‘(1) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out sections 5311(b)(2), 5312, 5313(a), 5314,
5315, and 5322, $44,250,000 for fiscal year 1998.
‘‘(2) FISCAL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2003.—
‘‘(A) FROM THE TRUST FUND.—There shall be available
from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund
to carry out sections 5311(b)(2), 5312, 5313(a), 5314, 5315,
and 5322—
‘‘(i) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $37,600,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $37,600,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $39,200,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $39,200,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(B) FROM THE GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), there are author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out sections 5311(b)(2),
5312, 5313(a), 5314, 5315, and 5322—
‘‘(i) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(C) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—Of the funds made avail-
able by or appropriated under this paragraph for a fiscal
year—
‘‘(i) not less than $5,250,000 shall be available
for providing rural transportation assistance under sec-
tion 5311(b)(2);
‘‘(ii) not less than $8,250,000 shall be available
for carrying out transit cooperative research programs
under section 5313(a);
‘‘(iii) not less than $4,000,000 shall be available
to carry out programs under the National Transit
Institute under section 5315; and
‘‘(iv) the remainder shall be available for carrying
out national planning and research programs under
sections 5311(b)(2), 5312, 5313(a), 5314, and 5322.
‘‘(e) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH.—
H. R. 2400—265
‘‘(1) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out section 5317(b) $6,000,000 for fiscal year
1998.
‘‘(2) FISCAL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2003.—
‘‘(A) FROM THE TRUST FUND.—There shall be available
from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund
to carry out section 5317(b), $4,800,000 for each of fiscal
years 1999 through 2003.
‘‘(B) FROM THE GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), there are author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out section 5317(b),
$1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003.
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.—
‘‘(1) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out section 5334, $45,738,000 for fiscal year
1998.
‘‘(2) FISCAL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2003.—
‘‘(A) FROM THE TRUST FUND.—There shall be available
from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund
to carry out section 5334—
‘‘(i) $43,200,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $51,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $53,600,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $58,400,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(B) FROM THE GENERAL FUND.—In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), there are author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out section 5334—
‘‘(i) $10,800,000 for fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(ii) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(iii) $12,800,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(iv) $13,400,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(v) $14,600,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(g) GRANTS AS CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.—
‘‘(1) GRANTS FINANCED FROM THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND.—
A grant or contract approved by the Secretary, that is financed
with amounts made available under subsection (a)(1)(A),
(a)(2)(A), (b)(1), (b)(2)(A), (c)(2)(A), (d)(2)(A), (e)(2)(A), or (f)(2)(A)
is a contractual obligation of the United States Government
to pay the Government’s share of the cost of the project.
‘‘(2) GRANTS
FINANCED
FROM
GENERAL
FUNDS.—A grant
or contract, approved by the Secretary, that is financed with
amounts made available under subsection (a)(1)(B), (a)(2)(B),
(b)(2)(B), (c)(2)(B), (d)(2)(B), (e)(2)(B), (f)(2)(B), or (h) is a
contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Govern-
ment’s share of the cost of the project only to the extent that
amounts are provided in advance in an appropriations Act.
‘‘(h) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.—In addition to amounts made avail-
able by or appropriated under subsections (a) through (f), there
are authorized to be appropriated—
‘‘(1) to carry out sections 5303, 5304, 5305, and 5313(b)—
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 1999, $32,000,000;
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2000, $33,000,000;
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2001, $34,000,000;
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2002, $35,000,000; and
‘‘(E) for fiscal year 2003, $36,000,000;
H. R. 2400—266
‘‘(2) to carry out section 5307, $150,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 1999 through 2003;
‘‘(3) to carry out section 5308, $100,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 1999 through 2003;
‘‘(4) to carry out section 5309(m)(1)(A), $100,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003;
‘‘(5) to carry out section 5309(m)(1)(B)—
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 1999, $600,000,000;
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2000, $610,000,000;
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2001, $620,000,000;
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2002, $630,000,000; and
‘‘(E) for fiscal year 2003, $630,000,000;
‘‘(6) to carry out section 5309(m)(1)(C), $100,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003;
‘‘(7) to carry out sections 5311(b)(2), 5312, 5313(a), 5314,
5315, and 5322—
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 1999, $31,000,000;
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2000, $31,000,000;
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2001, $33,000,000;
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2002, $33,000,000; and
‘‘(E) for fiscal year 2003, $34,000,000; and
‘‘(8) to carry out section 5334—
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 1999, $13,000,000;
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2000, $14,000,000;
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2001, $16,000,000;
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2002, $17,000,000; and
‘‘(E) for fiscal year 2003, $18,000,000.
‘‘(i) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.—Amounts made available by
or appropriated under subsections (a) through (e), and paragraphs
(1) through (7) of subsection (h), shall remain available until
expended.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 53 is amended as
follows:
(1) In sections 5303(h)(1), 5303(h)(2)(A), and 5303(h)(3)(A),
by striking ‘‘section 5338(g)(1)’’ each place it appears and insert-
ing ‘‘subsection (c) or (h)(1) of section 5338’’.
(2) In section 5303(h)(1) by striking ‘‘–5306’’ and inserting
‘‘and 5305’’.
(3) In section 5303(h)(4) by striking ‘‘section 5338(g)’’ and
inserting ‘‘subsection (c) or (h)(1) of section 5338’’.
(4) In section 5313(a)(1) by striking ‘‘Fifty percent of the
amounts made available under section 5338(g)(3)’’ and inserting
‘‘The amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and
(2)(C)(ii) of section 5338(d)’’.
(5) In section 5313(b)(1) by striking ‘‘Fifty percent of the
amounts made available under section 5338(g)(3)’’ and inserting
‘‘The amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and
(2)(C)(ii) of section 5338(c)’’.
(6) In section 5314(a)(1) by striking ‘‘section 5338(g)(4)’’
and inserting ‘‘subsections (d) and (h)(7) of section 5338’’.
(7) In section 5317(e)(5)(C) by striking ‘‘5338(e)(2)’’ and
inserting ‘‘5338(e)’’.
(8) In section 5318(d) by striking ‘‘5338(j)(5)’’ and inserting
‘‘5309(m)(1)(C)’’.
(9) In section 5333(b) by striking ‘‘5338(j)(5)’’ each place
it appears and inserting ‘‘5338(b)’’.
H. R. 2400—304
‘‘§ 508. Safety performance history of new drivers; limitation
on liability
‘‘(a) LIMITATION
ON LIABILITY.—No action or proceeding for
defamation, invasion of privacy, or interference with a contract
that is based on the furnishing or use of safety performance records
in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary may be
brought against—
‘‘(1) a motor carrier requesting the safety performance
records of an individual under consideration for employment
as a commercial motor vehicle driver as required by and in
accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary;
‘‘(2) a person who has complied with such a request; or
‘‘(3) the agents or insurers of a person described in para-
graph (1) or (2).
‘‘(b) RESTRICTIONS ON APPLICABILITY.—
‘‘(1) MOTOR CARRIER REQUESTING.—Subsection (a) does not
apply to a motor carrier requesting safety performance records
unless—
‘‘(A) the motor carrier and any agents of the motor
carrier have complied with the regulations issued by the
Secretary in using the records, including the requirement
that the individual who is the subject of the records be
afforded a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
on the records;
‘‘(B) the motor carrier and any agents and insurers
of the motor carrier have taken all precautions reasonably
necessary to protect the records from disclosure to any
person, except for such an insurer, not directly involved
in deciding whether to hire that individual; and
‘‘(C) the motor carrier has used those records only
to assess the safety performance of the individual who
is the subject of those records in deciding whether to hire
that individual.
‘‘(2) PERSON COMPLYING WITH REQUESTS.—Subsection (a)
does not apply to a person complying with a request for safety
performance records unless—
‘‘(A) the complying person and any agents of the
complying person have taken all precautions reasonably
necessary to ensure the accuracy of the records and have
complied with the regulations issued by the Secretary in
furnishing the records, including the requirement that the
individual who is the subject of the records be afforded
a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the
records; and
‘‘(B) the complying person and any agents and insurers
of the complying person have taken all precautions reason-
ably necessary to protect the records from disclosure to
any person, except for such an insurer, not directly involved
in forwarding the records.
‘‘(3) PERSONS
KNOWINGLY
FURNISHING
FALSE
INFORMA-
TION.—Subsection (a) does not apply to persons who knowingly
furnish false information.
‘‘(c) PREEMPTION OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW.—No State or politi-
cal subdivision thereof may enact, prescribe, issue, continue in
effect, or enforce any law (including any regulation, standard, or
other provision having the force and effect of law) that prohibits,
H. R. 2400—341
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to the
University of California at San Diego to upgrade earthquake
simulation facilities at the University.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(1) of this Act, $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1999 through 2002 shall be available to carry out this sub-
section.
(b) GLOBAL CLIMATE RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT
HUNTSVILLE.—
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to the
University of Alabama at Huntsville for global climate research.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(1) of this Act, $200,000 for each of fiscal years
1999 through 2003 shall be available to carry out this sub-
section.
(c) ASPHALT RESEARCH, AUBURN UNIVERSITY.—
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to Auburn
University for asphalt research.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(1) of this Act, $250,000 for each of fiscal years
1999 and 2000 shall be available to carry out this subsection.
(d) ADVANCED VEHICLE RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
AT TUSCALOOSA.—
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to the
University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa for advanced vehicle
research, including the study of fuel cell and electric vehicle
technology.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $400,000 for each of fiscal years
1999 through 2003 shall be available to carry out this sub-
section.
(e) GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SMART BRIDGE PROGRAM, OKLA-
HOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.—
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to Oklahoma
State University for the purposes of research, development,
and field testing of the Geothermal Heat Pump Smart Bridge
Program.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1999,
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, and $500,000 for fiscal year
2001 shall be available to carry out this subsection.
(f) INTELLIGENT STIFFENER
FOR BRIDGE STRESS REDUCTION,
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.—
(1) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to the
University of Oklahoma, College of Engineering, Center for
Structural Control, for the purposes of research, development,
and field testing of the Intelligent Stiffener for Bridge Stress
Reduction.
(2) FUNDING.—Of the amounts made available under sec-
tion 5001(a)(2) of this Act, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1999,
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2001,
and $500,000 for fiscal year 2002 shall be available to carry
out this subsection.
(g) STUDY OF ADVANCED TRAUMA CARE, UNIVERSITY OF ALA-
BAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.—
H. R. 2400—391
rate in the Federal Register as soon as practicable after the
date of determination.’’.
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 428B(d)(4) (20
U.S.C. 1078–2(d)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘section 427A(c)’’
and inserting ‘‘section 427A for loans made under this section’’.
(b) SPECIAL ALLOWANCES.—
(1) AMENDMENT.—Section 438(b)(2) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–1(b)(2)) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(G) LOANS DISBURSED BETWEEN JULY 1, 1998, AND OCTOBER
1, 1998.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (4) and clauses
(ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subparagraph, and except as pro-
vided in subparagraph (B), the special allowance paid
pursuant to this subsection on loans for which the first
disbursement is made on or after July 1, 1998, and before
October 1, 1998, shall be computed—
‘‘(I) by determining the average of the bond equiva-
lent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for such
3-month period;
‘‘(II) by subtracting the applicable interest rates
on such loans from such average bond equivalent rate;
‘‘(III) by adding 2.8 percent to the resultant per-
cent; and
‘‘(IV) by dividing the resultant percent by 4.
‘‘(ii) IN SCHOOL AND GRACE PERIOD.—In the case of
any loan for which the first disbursement is made on
or after July 1, 1998, and before October 1, 1998, and
for which the applicable rate of interest is described in
section 427A(j)(2), clause (i)(III) of this subparagraph shall
be applied by substituting ‘2.2 percent’ for ‘2.8 percent’.
‘‘(iii) PLUS LOANS.—In the case of any loan for which
the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 1998,
and before October 1, 1998, and for which the applicable
rate of interest is described in section 427A(j)(3), clause
(i)(III) of this subparagraph shall be applied by substituting
‘3.1 percent’ for ‘2.8 percent’, subject to clause (v) of this
subparagraph.
‘‘(iv) CONSOLIDATION LOANS.—This subparagraph shall
not apply in the case of any consolidation loan.
‘‘(v) LIMITATION ON SPECIAL ALLOWANCES FOR PLUS
LOANS.—In the case of PLUS loans made under section
428B and disbursed on or after July 1, 1998, and before
October 1, 1998, for which the interest rate is determined
under 427A(j)(3), a special allowance shall not be paid
for such loan for such unless the rate determined under
subparagraph (A) of such section (without regard to
subparagraph (B) of such section) exceeds 9.0 percent.’’.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 438(b)(2) of such
Act is further amended—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘(E), and (F)’’
and inserting ‘‘(E), (F), and (G)’’;
(B) in subparagraph (B)(iv), by striking ‘‘(E), or (F)’’
and inserting ‘‘(E), (F), or (G)’’; and
(C) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking ‘‘In the case’’
and inserting ‘‘Subject to subparagraph (G), in the case’’.
H. R. 2400—392
(c) DIRECT LOAN INTEREST RATES.—Section 455(b) (20 U.S.C.
1087e(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(5) TEMPORARY INTEREST RATE PROVISION.—
‘‘(A) RATES FOR FDSL AND FDUSL.—Notwithstanding the
preceding paragraphs of this subsection, for Federal Direct
Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loans for which the first disbursement is made on or
after July 1, 1998, and before October 1, 1998, the
applicable rate of interest shall, during any 12-month
period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be
determined on the preceding June 1 and be equal to—
‘‘(i) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury
bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such
June 1; plus
‘‘(ii) 2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
‘‘(B) IN SCHOOL AND GRACE PERIOD RULES.—Notwith-
standing the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, with
respect to any Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for which the first
disbursement is made on or after July 1, 1998, and before
October 1, 1998, the applicable rate of interest for interest
which accrues—
‘‘(i) prior to the beginning of the repayment period
of the loan; or
‘‘(ii) during the period in which principal need
not be paid (whether or not such principal is in fact
paid) by reason of a provision described in section
428(b)(1)(M) or 427(a)(2)(C),
shall be determined under subparagraph (A) by substitut-
ing ‘1.7 percent’ for ‘2.3 percent’.
‘‘(C) PLUS LOANS.—Notwithstanding the preceding
paragraphs of this subsection, with respect to Federal
Direct PLUS Loan for which the first disbursement is
made on or after July 1, 1998, and before October 1, 1998,
the applicable rate of interest shall be determined under
subparagraph (A)—
‘‘(i) by substituting ‘3.1 percent’ for ‘2.3 percent’;
and
‘‘(ii) by substituting ‘9.0 percent’ for ‘8.25 percent’.’’.
Subtitle D—Block Grants for Social
Services
SEC. 8401. BLOCK GRANTS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
(a) REDUCTION OF GRANTS.—Section 2003(c) of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1397b(c)) is amended by striking paragraphs
(7) and (8) and inserting the following:
‘‘(7) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1997;
‘‘(8) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1998;
‘‘(9) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1999;
‘‘(10) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 2000; and
H. R. 2400—403
SEC. 9012. IDENTIFICATION OF LIMITED TAX BENEFITS SUBJECT TO
LINE ITEM VETO.
For purposes of part C of title X of the Congressional Budget
and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (relating to line item veto),
the Joint Committee on Taxation has determined that this title
does not contain any limited tax benefit (as defined in such part).
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.