H. R. 3603—16
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service
of the Department of Agriculture, $588,000.
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of
1949, as amended, to be available from funds in the rural housing
insurance fund, as follows: $3,300,000,000 for loans to section 502
borrowers, as determined by the Secretary, of which $2,300,000,000
shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; $35,000,000 for section
504 housing repair loans; $15,000,000 for section 514 farm labor
housing; $58,654,000 for section 515 rental housing; $600,000 for
section 524 site loans; $50,000,000 for credit sales of acquired
property; and $600,000 for section 523 self-help housing land devel-
opment loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the
cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 loans, $89,210,000,
of which $6,210,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans;
section 504 housing repair loans, $11,081,000; section 514 farm
labor housing, $6,885,000; section 515 rental housing, $28,987,000;
credit sales of acquired property, $4,050,000; and section 523 self-
help housing land development loans, $17,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $366,205,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Housing Service, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed
pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or agreements
entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or payments for eligible
households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing
Act of 1949, as amended, $493,870,000; and in addition such sums
as may be necessary, as authorized by section 521(c) of the Act,
to liquidate debt incurred prior to fiscal year 1992 to carry out
the rental assistance program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act:
Provided, That of this amount not more than $5,900,000 shall
be available for debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households
as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to exceed
$10,000 per project for advances to nonprofit organizations or public
agencies to cover direct costs (other than purchase price) incurred
in purchasing projects pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act:
Provided further, That agreements entered into or renewed during
fiscal year 1997 shall be funded for a five-year period, although
the life of any such agreement may be extended to fully utilize
amounts obligated.
H. R. 3603—17
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $26,000,000, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, agreements, and
grants, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 42 U.S.C. 1472, 1474,
1479, 1486, and 1490(a), except for sections 381E, 381H, 381N
of 
the 
Consolidated 
Farm 
and 
Rural 
Development 
Act,
$130,433,000, to remain available until expended, for direct loans
and loan guarantees for community facilities, community facilities
grant program, rental assistance associated with and direct loans
for new construction of section 515 rental housing, rural housing
for domestic farm labor grants, supervisory and technical assistance
grants, very low-income housing repair grants, rural community
fire protection grants, rural housing preservation grants, and com-
pensation for construction defects of the Rural Housing Service:
Provided, That the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, as amended: Provided further, That the amounts appropriated
shall be transferred to loan program and grant accounts as deter-
mined by the Secretary: Provided further, That of the funds made
available in this paragraph not more than $1,200,000 shall be
available for the multi-family rural housing loan guarantee program
as authorized by section 5 of Public Law 104–120: Provided further,
That if such funds are not obligated for multi-family rural housing
loan guarantees by June 30, 1997, they remain available for other
authorized purposes under this head: Provided further, That of
the total amount appropriated, not to exceed $1,200,000 shall be
available for the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants
to be made available for empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Provided further, That
if such funds are not obligated for empowerment zones and enter-
prise communities by June 30, 1997, they remain available for
other authorized purposes under this head.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Housing Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, as amended, title V of the Housing
Act of 1949, as amended, and cooperative agreements, $60,743,000:
Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for employment
pursuant to the second sentence of 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944, and not to exceed $520,000 may be used for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
H. R. 3603—18
RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, $17,270,000, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)): Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize
gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans of
$37,544,000: Provided further, That through June 30, 1997, of the
total amount appropriated $3,345,000 shall be available for the
cost of direct loans, for empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities, as authorized by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconcili-
ation Act of 1993, to subsidize gross obligations for the principal
amount of direct loans, $7,246,000.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized under
section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the purpose of
promoting rural economic development and job creation projects,
$12,865,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying
loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, $2,830,000. In addition, for administrative expenses nec-
essary to carry out the direct loan program, $654,000, which shall
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Salaries
and Expenses.’’.
ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION
REVOLVING FUND
For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative Agricultural
Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901–5908),
$7,000,000 is appropriated to the alternative agricultural research
and commercialization revolving fund.
RURAL BUSINESS—COOPERATIVE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1928, and 1932, except for 381E,
381H, 381N of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, $51,400,000, to remain available until expended, for direct
loans and loan guarantees for business and industry assistance,
rural business grants, rural cooperative development grants, and
rural business opportunity grants of the Rural Business—Coopera-
tive Service: Provided, That the cost of direct loans and loan guaran-
tees shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, as amended: Provided further, That $500,000 shall
be available for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations as
authorized under section 310B(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932): Provided further, That
H. R. 3603—19
the amounts appropriated shall be transferred to loan program
and grant accounts as determined by the Secretary: Provided fur-
ther, That, of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed
$3,000,000 shall be available for cooperative development: Provided
further, That, of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed
$148,000 shall be available for the cost of direct loans, loan guaran-
tees, and grants to be made available for business and industry
loans for empowerment zones and enterprise communities as
authorized by Public Law 103–66 and rural development loans
for empowerment zones and enterprise communities as authorized
by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993:
Provided further, That if such funds are not obligated for
empowerment zones and enterprise communities by June 30, 1997,
they remain available for other authorized purposes under this
head.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business—Cooperative
Service, including administering the programs authorized by the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended; section
1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing
Act of 1926; for activities relating to the marketing aspects of
cooperatives, including economic research findings, as authorized
by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for activities with
institutions concerning the development and operation of agricul-
tural cooperatives; and cooperative agreements; $25,680,000: Pro-
vided, That this appropriation shall be available for employment
pursuant to the second sentence of 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944, and not to exceed $260,000 may be used for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 935), shall
be made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans,
$125,000,000, 
percent 
rural 
telecommunications 
loans,
$75,000,000; cost of money rural telecommunications loans,
$300,000,000; municipal rate rural electric loans, $525,000,000; and
loans made pursuant to section 306 of that Act, rural electric,
$300,000,000, and rural telecommunications, $120,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
and guaranteed loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 935), as follows: cost of direct loans,
$4,818,000; cost of municipal rate loans, $28,245,000; cost of money
rural telecommunications loans, $60,000; cost of loans guaranteed
pursuant to section 306, $2,790,000: Provided, That notwithstanding
section 305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower
interest rates may exceed 7 percent per year.
H. R. 3603—20
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $29,982,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Salaries and Expenses.’’.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such corpora-
tion in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commit-
ments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by
section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as
amended, as may be necessary in carrying out its authorized pro-
grams for the current fiscal year. During fiscal year 1997 and
within the resources and authority available, gross obligations for
the principal amount of direct loans shall be $175,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,
as amended (7 U.S.C. 935), $2,328,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the loan programs, $3,500,000.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND MEDICAL LINK PROGRAM
For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., as amended, $9,000,000, to remain available
until expended, to be available for loans and grants for telemedicine
and distance learning services in rural areas: Provided, That the
costs of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
RURAL UTILITIES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1928, and 1932, except for 381E,
381H, 381N of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, $566,935,000, to remain available until expended, for direct
loans and loan guarantees and grants for rural water and waste
disposal, and solid waste management grants of the Rural Utilities
Service: Provided, That the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees
shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, as amended: Provided further, That the amounts appro-
priated shall be transferred to loan program and grant accounts
as determined by the Secretary: Provided further, That, through
June 30, 1997, of the total amount appropriated, $18,700,000 shall
be available for the costs of direct loans, loan guarantees, and
grants to be made available for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Provided further,
That, of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed $18,700,000
shall be for water and waste disposal systems to benefit the Colonias
along the United States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant
to section 306C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, as amended: Provided further, That, of the total amount appro-
priated, not to exceed $5,200,000 shall be available for contracting
with qualified national organizations for a circuit rider program
H. R. 3603—21
to provide technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided
further, That an amount not less than that available in fiscal
year 1996 be set aside and made available for ongoing technical
assistance under sections 306(a)(14) (7 U.S.C. 1926) and 310(B)(b)
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932): Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated,
not to exceed $8,750,000 shall be for water and waste disposal
systems pursuant to section 757 of Public Law 104–127: Provided
further, That notwithstanding section 306(a)(7) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(7)), the town
of Berlin, New Hampshire, shall be eligible during fiscal year 1997
for a grant under the rural utilities assistance program.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Utilities Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, as amended, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended, and cooperative agreements,
$33,195,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available
for employment pursuant to the second sentence of 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944, and not to exceed $105,000 may be used
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD, NUTRITION AND
CONSUMER SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Consumer
Service, $454,000.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751–1769b), except section 21, and the Child Nutri-
tion Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772–1785, and 1789); except sections
17 and 19; $8,653,297,000, to remain available through September
30, 1998, of which $3,219,544,000 is hereby appropriated and
$5,433,753,000 shall be derived by transfer from funds available
under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c):
Provided, That not to exceed $1,000,000 of the funds made available
under this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations: Pro-
vided further, That up to $4,031,000 shall be available for independ-
ent verification of school food service claims.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS,
AND CHILDREN (WIC)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special supplemental
nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $3,729,807,000, to remain available
through September 30, 1998: Provided, That none of the funds
H. R. 3603—22
made available under this heading may be used to begin more
than two studies and evaluations: Provided further, That up to
$6,750,000 may be used to carry out the farmers’ market nutrition
program from any funds not needed to maintain current caseload
levels: Provided further, That once the amount for fiscal year 1996
carryover funds has been determined by the Secretary, any funds
in excess of $100,000,000 may be transferred by the Secretary
of Agriculture to the Rural Utilities Assistance Program and/or
to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund for the cost of direct section
502 loans, including the cost of modifying loans, as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided
further, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available
to pay administrative expenses of WIC clinics except those that
have an announced policy of prohibiting smoking within the space
used to carry out the program: Provided further, That none of
the funds provided in this account shall be available for the pur-
chase of infant formula except in accordance with the cost contain-
ment and competitive bidding requirements specified in section
17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786): Provided
further, That State agencies required to procure infant formula
using a competitive bidding system may use funds appropriated
by this Act to purchase infant formula under a cost containment
contract entered into after September 30, 1996 only if the contract
was awarded to the bidder offering the lowest net price, as defined
by section 17(b)(20) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, unless
the State agency demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary
that the weighted average retail price for different brands of infant
formula in the State does not vary by more than five percent.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $27,618,029,000: Provided, That funds provided
herein shall remain available through September 30, 1997, in
accordance with section 18(a) of the Food Stamp Act: Provided
further, That $100,000,000 of the foregoing amount shall be placed
in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as
may become necessary to carry out program operations: Provided
further, That not to exceed $3,000,000 of the funds made available
under this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations: Pro-
vided further, That funds provided herein shall be expended in
accordance with section 16 of the Food Stamp Act: Provided further,
That this appropriation shall be subject to any work registration
or workfare requirements as may be required by law: Provided
further, That $1,174,000,000 of the foregoing amount shall be avail-
able for nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 2028.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity supple-
mental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture
and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c (note)), the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, as amended, and section
110 of the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, $166,000,000, to remain
available through September 30, 1998: Provided, That none of these
funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration for commodities donated to the program.
H. R. 3603—23
FOOD DONATIONS PROGRAMS FOR SELECTED GROUPS
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the Agri-
culture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c (note)),
and section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 3030a), $141,250,000, to remain available through
September 30, 1998.
FOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic food
programs funded under this Act, $106,128,000, of which $5,000,000
shall be available only for simplifying procedures, reducing overhead
costs, tightening regulations, improving food stamp coupon
handling, and assistance in the prevention, identification, and
prosecution of fraud and other violations of law: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $150,000 shall be available
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE AND GENERAL SALES MANAGER
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954,
as amended (7 U.S.C. 1761–1768), market development activities
abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate
activities of the Department in connection with foreign agricultural
work, including not to exceed $128,000 for representation allow-
ances and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved
August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $135,561,000, of which $3,231,000
may be transferred from the Export Loan Program account in
this Act, and $1,035,000 may be transferred from the Public Law
480 program account in this Act: Provided, That the Service may
utilize advances of funds, or reimburse this appropriation for
expenditures made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and private
organizations and institutions under agreements executed pursuant
to the agricultural food production assistance programs (7 U.S.C.
1736) and the foreign assistance programs of the International
Development Cooperation Administration (22 U.S.C. 2392).
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available
to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products.
PUBLIC LAW 480 PROGRAM AND GRANT ACCOUNTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, including interest
thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701–1715, 1721–1726,
1727–1727f, 1731–1736g), as follows: (1) $226,900,000 for Public
Law 480 title I credit, including Food for Progress programs; (2)
H. R. 3603—24
$13,905,000 is hereby appropriated for ocean freight differential
costs for the shipment of agricultural commodities pursuant to
title I of said Act and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, as
amended; (3) $837,000,000 is hereby appropriated for commodities
supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to title
II of said Act; and (4) $29,500,000 is hereby appropriated for
commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursu-
ant to title III of said Act: Provided, That not to exceed 15 percent
of the funds made available to carry out any title of said Act
may be used to carry out any other title of said Act: Provided
further, That such sums shall remain available until expended
(7 U.S.C. 2209b).
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements as authorized by
the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954,
as amended, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, as amended,
including the cost of modifying credit agreements under said Act,
$185,589,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the Public
Law 480 title I credit program, and the Food for Progress Act
of 1985, as amended, to the extent funds appropriated for Public
Law 480 are utilized, $1,780,000.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit
Corporation’s export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103,
$3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by
section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and
in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which
not to exceed $3,231,000 may be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the Foreign
Agricultural Service, and of which not to exceed $589,000 may
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for the salaries
and expenses of the Farm Service Agency.
EXPORT CREDIT
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not
less than $5,500,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export credit
guarantee program extended to finance the export sales of United
States agricultural commodities and the products thereof, as author-
ized by section 202 (a) and (b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of
1978 (7 U.S.C. 5641).
H. R. 3603—25
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration,
including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for rental
of special purpose space in the District of Columbia or elsewhere;
and for miscellaneous and emergency expenses of enforcement
activities, authorized and approved by the Secretary and to be
accounted for solely on the Secretary’s certificate, not to exceed
$25,000; $907,499,000, of which not to exceed $87,528,000 in fees
pursuant to section 736 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act may be credited to this appropriation and remain available
until expended: Provided, That fees derived from applications
received during fiscal year 1997 shall be subject to the fiscal year
1997 limitation: Provided further, That none of these funds shall
be used to develop, establish, or operate any program of user
fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 354 of the Public Health
Service Act may be credited to this account, to remain available
until expended.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 801 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 601. EFFECTIVE MEDICATION GUIDES.—
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health
and Human Services shall request that national organizations rep-
resenting health care professionals, consumer organizations, vol-
untary health agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, drug whole-
salers, patient drug information database companies, and other
relevant parties collaborate to develop a long-range comprehensive
action plan to achieve goals consistent with the goals of the proposed
rule of the Food and Drug Administration on ‘‘Prescription Drug
Product Labeling: Medication Guide Requirements’’ (60 Fed. Reg.
44182; relating to the provision of oral and written prescription
information to consumers).
(b) GOALS.—Goals consistent with the proposed rule described
in subsection (a) are the distribution of useful written information
to 75 percent of individuals receiving new precriptions by the year
2000 and to 95 percent by the year 2006.
(c) PLAN.—The plan described in subsection (a) shall—
(1) identify the plan goals;
(2) assess the effectiveness of the current private-sector
approaches used to provide oral and written prescription
information to consumers;
H. R. 3603—26
(3) develop guidelines for providing effective oral and writ-
ten prescription information consistent with the findings of
any such assessment;
(4) contain elements necessary to ensure the transmittal
of useful information to the consuming public, including being
scientifically accurate, non-promotional in tone and content,
sufficiently specific and comprehensive as to adequately inform
consumers about the use of the product, and in an understand-
able, legible format that is readily comprehensible and not
confusing to consumers expected to use the product.
(5) develop a mechanism to assess periodically the quality
of the oral and written prescription information and the fre-
quency with which the information is provided to consumers;
and
(6) provide for compliance with relevant State board regula-
tions.
(d) LIMITATION ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY.—The
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall
have no authority to implement the proposed rule described in
subsection (a), or to develop any similar regulation, policy state-
ment, or other guideline specifying a uniform content or format
for written information voluntarily provided to consumers about
prescription drugs if, (1) not later than 120 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the national organizations described in
subsection (a) develop and submit to the Secretary for Health and
Human Services a comprehensive, long-range action plan (as
described in subsection (a)) which shall be acceptable to the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services; (2) the aforementioned plan
is submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for
review and acceptance: Provided, That the Secretary shall give
due consideration to the submitted plan and that any such accept-
ance shall not be arbitrarily withheld; and (3) the implementation
of (a) a plan accepted by the Secretary commences within 30 days
of the Secretary’s acceptance of such plan, or (b) the plan submitted
to the Secretary commences within 60 days of the submission of
such plan if the Secretary fails to take any action on the plan
within 30 days of the submission of the plan. The Secretary shall
accept, reject or suggest modifications to the plan submitted within
30 days of its submission. The Secretary may confer with and
assist private parties in the development of the plan described
in subsections (a) and (b).
(e) SECRETARY REVIEW.—Not later than January 1, 2001, the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall
review the status of private-sector initiatives designed to achieve
the goals of the plan described in subsection (a), and if such goals
are not achieved, the limitation in subsection (d) shall not apply,
and the Secretary shall seek public comment on other initiatives
that may be carried out to meet such goals.
SEC. 602. Section 3 of the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act
(21 U.S.C 348 note) is amended by striking out ‘‘May 1, 1997’’
and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘May 1, 2002’’.
SEC. 603. AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND
COSMETIC ACT.—
(a) IMPORTS
FOR EXPORT.—Section 801(d)(3) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended—
H. R. 3603—27
(1) by striking ‘‘accessory of a device which is ready’’ and
inserting ‘‘accessory of a device, or other article of device requir-
ing further processing, which is ready’’;
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘is intended to be’’
and inserting ‘‘is intended to be further processed by the initial
owner or consignee, or’’; and
(3) in subparagraph (C)—
(A) by striking ‘‘part,’’ and inserting ‘‘part, article,’’;
and
(B) by striking ‘‘incorporated’’ and inserting ‘‘incor-
porated or further processed’’.
(b) LABELING OF EXPORTED DRUGS.—Section 801(f) of the Fed-
eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘If a drug’’ and inserting
‘‘If a drug (other than insulin, an antibiotic drug, an animal
drug, or a drug exported under section 802)’’; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ‘‘A drug exported under section 802 is exempt
from this section.’’.
(c) EXPORT OF CERTAIN UNAPPROVED DRUGS AND DEVICES.—
Section 802(f)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is
amended by striking ‘‘if the drug or device is not labeled’’ and
inserting ‘‘if the labeling of the drug or device is not’’.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alter-
ation, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used
by the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise pro-
vided, $21,350,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b).
RENTAL PAYMENTS (FDA)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92–313 for programs and activities of the Food and
Drug Administration which are included in this Act, $46,294,000:
Provided, That in the event the Food and Drug Administration
should require modification of space needs, a share of the salaries
and expenses appropriation may be transferred to this appropria-
tion, or a share of this appropriation may be transferred to the
salaries and expenses appropriation, but such transfers shall not
exceed 5 percent of the funds made available for rental payments
(FDA) to or from this account.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
PAYMENTS TO THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
CORPORATION
For necessary payments to the Farm Credit System Financial
Assistance Corporation by the Secretary of the Treasury, as author-
ized by section 6.28(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended,
for reimbursement of interest expenses incurred by the Financial
H. R. 3603—28
Assistance Corporation on obligations issued through 1994, as
authorized $10,290,000.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including
the purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; the rental of
space (to include multiple year leases) in the District of Columbia
and elsewhere; and not to exceed $25,000 for employment under
5 U.S.C. 3109; $55,101,000, including not to exceed $1,000 for
official reception and representation expenses: Provided, That the
Commission is authorized to charge reasonable fees to attendees
of Commission sponsored educational events and symposia to cover
the Commission’s costs of providing those events and symposia,
and notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, said fees shall be credited
to this account, to be available without further appropriation.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $37,478,000 (from assessments collected from
farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for
administrative expenses as authorized under 12 U.S.C. 2249: Pro-
vided, That this limitation shall not apply to expenses associated
with receiverships.
TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law, appropria-
tions and authorizations made for the Department of Agriculture
for the fiscal year 1997 under this Act shall be available for the
purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of not to
exceed 667 passenger motor vehicles, of which 643 shall be for
replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.
SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of
Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances therefore
as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations of
the Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and service
work authorized by the Acts of August 14, 1946, and July 28,
1954 (7 U.S.C. 427, 1621–1629), and by chapter 63 of title 31,
United States Code, shall be available for contracting in accordance
with said Acts and chapter.
SEC. 704. The cumulative total of transfers to the Working
Capital Fund for the purpose of accumulating growth capital for
data services and National Finance Center operations shall not
exceed $2,000,000: Provided, That no funds in this Act appropriated
to an agency of the Department shall be transferred to the Working
Capital Fund without the approval of the agency administrator.
SEC. 705. New obligational authority provided for the following
appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency conditions, fruit
H. R. 3603—29
fly program, and integrated systems acquisition project; Farm Serv-
ice Agency, salaries and expenses funds made available to county
committees; and Foreign Agricultural Service, middle-income coun-
try training program.
New obligational authority for the boll weevil program; up
to 10 percent of the screwworm program of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service; Food Safety and Inspection Service, field
automation and information management project; funds appro-
priated for rental payments; funds for the Native American institu-
tions endowment fund in the Cooperative State Research, Edu-
cation, and Extension Service, and funds for the competitive
research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), shall remain available until
expended.
SEC. 706. 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. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations available
to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be available
to provide appropriate orientation and language training pursuant
to Public Law 94–449.
SEC. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department
of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent
of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of
such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual
interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate
payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institu-
tions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis
for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
SEC. 709. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
commodities acquired by the Department in connection with
Commodity Credit Corporation and section 32 price support oper-
ations may be used, as authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 714c and
7 U.S.C. 612c), to provide commodities to individuals in cases of
hardship as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to reimburse the General Services Administration for payment of
space rental and related costs in excess of the amounts specified
in this Act; nor shall this or any other provision of law require
a reduction in the level of rental space or services below that
of fiscal year 1996 or prohibit an expansion of rental space or
services with the use of funds otherwise appropriated in this Act.
Further, no agency of the Department of Agriculture, from funds
otherwise available, shall reimburse the General Services Adminis-
tration for payment of space rental and related costs provided
to such agency at a percentage rate which is greater than is avail-
able in the case of funds appropriated in this Act.
SEC. 711. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation to
lease space for its own use or to lease space on behalf of other
agencies of the Department of Agriculture when such space will
be jointly occupied.
SEC. 712. With the exception of grants awarded under the
Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, Public Law
97–219, as amended (15 U.S.C. 638), none of the funds in this
Act shall be available to pay indirect costs on research grants