In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 
2016''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection found that 
        Wells Fargo management implemented sales incentives, including 
        an incentive-compensation program, in part to increase the 
        number of banking products and services that its employees sold 
        to its customers.
            (2) The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection found that 
        Wells Fargo employees engaged in improper sales practices to 
        satisfy sales goals under Wells Fargo's incentive compensation 
        program, including opening as many as 1,534,280 checking 
        accounts and 565,443 credit card accounts using consumers' 
        information without their knowledge or consent between May 2011 
        and July 2015.
            (3) Wells Fargo successfully claimed in Jabbari v. Wells 
        Fargo that customers had signed away their rights to hold Wells 
        Fargo accountable in court for claims of fraud because those 
        customers were bound to a forced arbitration clause for their 
        legitimate accounts.
            (4) After Wells Fargo publicly entered a settlement with 
        Federal regulators for the opening of thousands of unauthorized 
        customer accounts, Wells Fargo claimed in Mitchell et. al. v. 
        Wells Fargo et. al. that customers' fraud claims must continue 
        to be forced into arbitration.
            (5) Several courts have determined that despite claims of 
        fraud over unauthorized accounts opened without customer 
        knowledge or consent, those customers are still bound by 
        contracts forcing those claims into arbitration based on the 
        courts' interpretation of the Federal Arbitration Act.
            (6) The Federal Arbitration Act (now codified as chapter 1 
        of title 9, United States Code) was intended to apply to 
        disputes between commercial entities of generally similar 
        sophistication and bargaining power, but a series of decisions 
        by the Supreme Court of the United States have interpreted the 
        Federal Arbitration Act as applicable to claims of fraud.
            (7) Consumers have no meaningful choice whether to submit 
        their claims to arbitration and are typically unaware that they 
        have given up their rights to file claims in court.

SEC. 3. ARBITRATION OF CONSUMER DISPUTES RELATED TO CREDIT CARD 
              ACCOUNTS.

    Chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following (and the table of contents 
for such chapter is conformed accordingly):
``Sec. 140B. Validity and enforceability
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `covered dispute' means a dispute that is 
        not subject to a final judgment by a court; and
            ``(2) the term `predispute arbitration agreement' means any 
        agreement between a person and a consumer providing for 
        arbitration of any future dispute between the parties.
    ``(b) Validity and Enforceability.--No predispute arbitration 
agreement shall be valid or enforceable in a covered dispute that is 
related to a credit card that was not issued in response to a request 
or application for that credit card account.
    ``(c) Applicability.--The applicability of this section to a 
predispute arbitration agreement shall be determined by a State or 
Federal court of competent jurisdiction.''.

SEC. 4. ARBITRATION OF CONSUMER DISPUTES RELATED TO COVERED ACCOUNTS.

    The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 920 (15 U.S.C. 1693o-2) the 
following:

``SEC. 920A. VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `covered account'--
                    ``(A) means a demand deposit, savings deposit, or 
                other asset account (other than an occasional or 
                incidental credit balance in an open end credit plan as 
                defined in section 103(i)), as described in regulations 
                of the Bureau, established primarily for personal, 
                family, or household purposes, including demand 
                accounts, time accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal 
                accounts, and share draft accounts; and
                    ``(B) does not include an account held by a 
                financial institution pursuant to a bona fide trust 
                agreement;
            ``(2) the term `covered dispute' means a dispute that is 
        not subject to a final judgment by a court; and
            ``(3) the term `predispute arbitration agreement' means any 
        agreement between a financial institution and a consumer 
        providing for arbitration of any future dispute between the 
        parties.
    ``(b) Validity and Enforceability.--No predispute arbitration 
agreement shall be valid or enforceable in a covered dispute that is 
related to a covered account that was not issued in response to a 
request or application for that covered account.
    ``(c) Applicability.--The applicability of this section to a 
predispute arbitration agreement shall be determined by a State or 
Federal court of competent jurisdiction.''.

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in the amendments made by this Act shall be construed--
            (1) to authorize the imposition of a requirement to submit 
        a dispute to arbitration; or
            (2) to restrict any court from ruling that a requirement to 
        submit a dispute to arbitration is invalid or unenforceable.
Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 2016 This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit predispute arbitration agreements with consumers (i.e., agreements to arbitrate any future disputes between parties instead of pursuing the claims in court) from being valid or enforceable in disputes related to credit card accounts or personal bank accounts that are not subject to a final judgment by a court if the credit card or bank account was not issued in response to a request or application for that account.  The bill excludes from this prohibition accounts held by a financial institution pursuant to a bona fide trust agreement.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Balancing the Rights Of Web Surfers 
Equally and Responsibly Act of 2017'' or the ``BROWSER Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICIES.

    (a) In General.--A provider of a covered service shall provide the 
users of the service with notice of the privacy policies of the 
provider with respect to the service. Such notice shall be clear and 
conspicuous.
    (b) Availability to Prospective Users.--The notice required by 
subsection (a) shall be made available to prospective users--
            (1) at the point of sale of, subscription to, or 
        establishment of an account for the covered service, prior to 
        such sale, subscription, or establishment, whether such point 
        of sale, subscription, or establishment is in person, online, 
        over the telephone, or through another means; or
            (2) if there is no such sale, subscription, or 
        establishment, before the user uses the service.
    (c) Persistent Availability.--The notice required by subsection (a) 
shall be made persistently available.
    (d) Material Changes.--A provider of a covered service shall 
provide users with advance notice of any material change to the privacy 
policies of the provider. The notice required by this subsection shall 
be clear and conspicuous.

SEC. 3. USER OPT-IN OR OPT-OUT APPROVAL RIGHTS BASED ON SENSITIVITY OF 
              INFORMATION.

    (a) Opt-In Approval Required for Sensitive User Information.--
Except as provided in subsection (c), a provider of a covered service 
shall obtain opt-in approval from a user to use, disclose, or permit 
access to the sensitive user information of the user.
    (b) Opt-Out Approval Required for Non-Sensitive User Information.--
Except as provided in subsection (c)--
            (1) a provider of a covered service shall obtain opt-out 
        approval from a user to use, disclose, or permit access to any 
        of the non-sensitive user information of the user; or
            (2) if the provider so chooses, the provider may comply 
        with the requirement of paragraph (1) by obtaining opt-in 
        approval from the user to use, disclose, or permit access to 
        any such non-sensitive user information.
    (c) Limitations and Exceptions.--A provider of a covered service 
may use, disclose, or permit access to user information without user 
approval for the following purposes:
            (1) In providing the covered service from which such 
        information is derived, or in providing services necessary to, 
        or used in, the provision of such service.
            (2) To initiate, render, bill, and collect for the covered 
        service.
            (3) To protect the rights or property of the provider, or 
        to protect users of the covered service and other service 
        providers from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of the 
        service.
            (4) To provide location information or non-sensitive user 
        information--
                    (A) to a public safety answering point, emergency 
                medical service provider or emergency dispatch 
                provider, public safety, fire service, or law 
                enforcement official, or hospital emergency or trauma 
                care facility, in order to respond to the request of 
                the user for emergency services;
                    (B) to inform the legal guardian of the user, or 
                members of the immediate family of the user, of the 
                location of the user in an emergency situation that 
                involves the risk of death or serious physical harm; or
                    (C) to providers of information or database 
                management services solely for purposes of assisting in 
                the delivery of emergency services in response to an 
                emergency.
            (5) As otherwise required or authorized by law.
    (d) Mechanism for Exercising User Approval.--
            (1) In general.--A provider of a covered service shall make 
        available a simple, easy-to-use mechanism for users to grant, 
        deny, or withdraw opt-in approval or opt-out approval at any 
        time.
            (2) Form and manner.--The mechanism required by paragraph 
        (1) shall be--
                    (A) clear and conspicuous; and
                    (B) made available--
                            (i) at no additional cost to the user; and
                            (ii) in a language other than English, if 
                        the provider transacts business with the user 
                        in such other language.
            (3) Effect.--The grant, denial, or withdrawal of opt-in 
        approval or opt-out approval by a user shall--
                    (A) be given effect promptly; and
                    (B) remain in effect until the user revokes or 
                limits such grant, denial, or withdrawal of approval.

SEC. 4. SERVICE OFFERS CONDITIONED ON WAIVERS OF PRIVACY RIGHTS.

    A provider of a covered service may not--
            (1) condition, or effectively condition, provision of such 
        service on agreement by a user to waive privacy rights 
        guaranteed by law or regulation, including this Act; or
            (2) terminate such service or otherwise refuse to provide 
        such service as a direct or indirect consequence of the refusal 
        of a user to waive any such privacy rights.

SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.

    (a) General Application.--The requirements of this Act apply, 
according to their terms, to--
            (1) those persons, partnerships, and corporations over 
        which the Commission has authority pursuant to section 5(a)(2) 
        of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(2)); and
            (2) providers of broadband internet access service, 
        notwithstanding the exception in such section for common 
        carriers subject to the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
        151 et seq.).
    (b) Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices.--A violation of this Act 
shall be treated as an unfair or deceptive act or practice in or 
affecting commerce for purposes of section 5(a)(2) of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(2)).
    (c) Powers of Commission.--Except as provided in subsection (a)(2) 
of this section--
            (1) the Commission shall enforce this Act in the same 
        manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, 
        powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and 
        provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et 
        seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act; and
            (2) any person who violates this Act shall be subject to 
        the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities 
        provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Broadband internet access service.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``broadband internet 
                access service'' means a mass-market retail service by 
                wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit 
                data to and receive data from all or substantially all 
                internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are 
                incidental to and enable the operation of the 
                communications service, but excluding dial-up internet 
                access service.
                    (B) Functional equivalent; evasion.--Such term also 
                includes any service that--
                            (i) the Commission finds to be providing a 
                        functional equivalent of the service described 
                        in subparagraph (A); or
                            (ii) is used to evade the protections set 
                        forth in this Act.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
        Trade Commission.
            (3) Covered service.--The term ``covered service'' means--
                    (A) broadband internet access service; or
                    (B) an edge service.
            (4) Edge service.--The term ``edge service''--
                    (A) means a service provided over the internet--
                            (i) for which the provider requires the 
                        user to subscribe or establish an account in 
                        order to use the service;
                            (ii) that the user purchases from the 
                        provider of the service without a subscription 
                        or account;
                            (iii) by which a program searches for and 
                        identifies items in a database that correspond 
                        to keywords or characters specified by the 
                        user, used especially for finding particular 
                        sites on the World Wide Web; or
                            (iv) by which the user divulges sensitive 
                        user information; and
                    (B) includes a service described in subparagraph 
                (A) that is provided through a software program, 
                including a mobile application.
            (5) Emergency services.--The term ``emergency services'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 222 of the 
        Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222).
            (6) Material.--The term ``material'' means, with respect to 
        a change in a privacy policy of a provider of a covered 
        service, any change in such policy that a user of the service, 
        acting reasonably under the circumstances, would consider 
        important to the decisions of the user regarding the privacy of 
        the user, including any change to information required to be 
        included in a privacy notice under section 2.
            (7) Mobile application.--The term ``mobile application'' 
        means a software program that runs on the operating system of a 
        mobile device.
            (8) Non-sensitive user information.--The term ``non-
        sensitive user information'' means any user information that is 
        not sensitive user information.
            (9) Opt-in approval.--The term ``opt-in approval'' means a 
        method for obtaining from a user of a covered service consent 
        to use, disclose, or permit access to sensitive user 
        information under which the provider of the service obtains 
        express consent allowing the requested usage, disclosure, or 
        access to the sensitive user information.
            (10) Opt-out approval.--The term ``opt-out approval'' means 
        a method for obtaining from a user of a covered service consent 
        to use, disclose, or permit access to non-sensitive user 
        information under which the user is deemed to have consented to 
        the use, disclosure, or access to the non-sensitive user 
        information if the user has failed to object to such use, 
        disclosure, or access.
            (11) Public safety answering point.--The term ``public 
        safety answering point'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222).
            (12) Sensitive user information.--The term ``sensitive user 
        information'' includes any of the following:
                    (A) Financial information.
                    (B) Health information.
                    (C) Information pertaining to children under the 
                age of 13.
                    (D) Social Security number.
                    (E) Precise geo-location information.
                    (F) Content of communications.
                    (G) Web browsing history, history of usage of a 
                software program (including a mobile application), and 
                the functional equivalents of either.
            (13) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United 
        States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any 
        other territory or possession of the United States, and each 
        federally recognized Indian Tribe.
            (14) User.--The term ``user'' means, with respect to a 
        covered service, a person who--
                    (A) is a current or former--
                            (i) subscriber to such service; or
                            (ii) holder of an account for such service;
                    (B) purchases such service without a subscription 
                or account;
                    (C) is an applicant for such service; or
                    (D) in the case of a service described in clause 
                (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (4)(A), uses the service.
            (15) User information.--The term ``user information'' means 
        any information that--
                    (A) a provider of a covered service acquires in 
                connection with the provision of such service; and
                    (B) is linked or reasonably linkable to an 
                individual.

SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.

    (a) Preemption of State Law.--No State or political subdivision of 
a State shall, with respect to a provider of a covered service subject 
to this Act, adopt, maintain, enforce, or impose or continue in effect 
any law, rule, regulation, duty, requirement, standard, or other 
provision having the force and effect of law relating to or with 
respect to the privacy of user information.
    (b) Other Federal Law.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        nothing in this Act shall be construed to supercede any other 
        Federal statute or regulation relating to information privacy.
            (2) Communications act of 1934.--Insofar as any provision 
        of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) or 
        any regulations promulgated under such Act apply to any person, 
        partnership, or corporation subject to this Act with respect to 
        privacy policies, terms of service, and practices covered by 
        this Act, such provision of the Communications Act of 1934 or 
        such regulations shall have no force or effect, unless such 
        regulations pertain to emergency services.
Balancing the Rights Of Web Surfers Equally and Responsibly Act of 2017 or the BROWSER Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to enforce information privacy protections that require broadband Internet access services and certain websites or mobile applications providing subscription, account, purchase, or search engine services to allow users to opt-in or opt-out of the use, disclosure, or access to their user information depending on the sensitivity of the information.  Opt-in approval through the user's express consent must be obtained for the use of sensitive information that is:   financial information, health information, about children under 13, Social Security numbers, precise geo-location information, content of communications, web browsing history, or  history of usage of a software program or mobile application.  Opt-out approval must be provided for the use of non-sensitive user information under a method in which users are deemed to have consented if they fail to object after being provided notice of privacy policies. The bill allows a service provider to use information without approval for specified purposes, including for services necessary for provision of the service and to initiate, render, bill, and collect for the service. Service providers must allow users to grant, deny, or withdraw approval at any time.  The bill prohibits providers from conditioning service on a user's agreement to waive privacy rights.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The ancient Silk Road, once the economic lifeline of 
        Central Asia and the South Caucasus, traversed much of the 
        territory now within the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, 
        Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and 
        Uzbekistan.
            (2) Economic interdependence spurred mutual cooperation 
        among the peoples along the Silk Road and restoration of the 
        historic relationships and economic ties between those peoples 
        is an important element of ensuring their sovereignty as well 
        as the success of democratic and market reforms.
            (3) The development of strong political and economic ties 
        between countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia and 
        the West will foster stability in the region.
            (4) The development of open market economies and open 
        democratic systems in the countries of the South Caucasus and 
        Central Asia will provide positive incentives for international 
        private investment, increased trade, and other forms of 
        commercial interactions with the rest of the world.
            (5) The Caspian Sea Basin, overlapping the territory of the 
        countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, contains 
        proven oil and gas reserves that may exceed $4,000,000,000,000 
        in value.
            (6) The region of the South Caucasus and Central Asia will 
        produce oil and gas in sufficient quantities to reduce the 
        dependence of the United States on energy from the volatile 
        Persian Gulf region.
            (7) United States foreign policy and international 
        assistance should be narrowly targeted to support the economic 
        and political independence of the countries of the South 
        Caucasus and Central Asia.

SEC. 3. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

    It shall be the policy of the United States in the countries of the 
South Caucasus and Central Asia--
            (1) to promote and strengthen independence, sovereignty, 
        and democratic government;
            (2) to assist actively in the resolution of regional 
        conflicts;
            (3) to promote friendly relations and economic cooperation;
            (4) to help promote market-oriented principles and 
        practices;
            (5) to assist in the development of the infrastructure 
        necessary for communications, transportation, and energy and 
        trade on an East-West axis in order to build strong 
        international relations and commerce between those countries 
        and the stable, democratic, and market-oriented countries of 
        the Euro-Atlantic Community; and
            (6) to support United States business interests and 
        investments in the region.

SEC. 4. UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN GEORGIA, 
              AZERBAIJAN, AND TAJIKISTAN.

    It is the sense of Congress that the President should use all 
diplomatic means practicable, including the engagement of senior United 
States Government officials, to press for an equitable, fair, and 
permanent resolution to the conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan and the 
civil war in Tajikistan.

SEC. 5. AMENDMENT OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961.

    Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

 ``Chapter 12--Support for the Economic and Political Independence of 
          the Countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia

``SEC. 499. UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE RECONCILIATION AND 
              RECOVERY FROM REGIONAL CONFLICTS.

    ``(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purposes of assistance under this 
section are--
            ``(1) to create the basis for reconciliation between 
        belligerents;
            ``(2) to promote economic development in areas of the 
        countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia impacted by 
        civil conflict and war; and
            ``(3) to encourage broad regional cooperation among 
        countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia that have been 
        destabilized by internal conflicts.
    ``(b) Authorization for Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--To carry out the purposes of subsection 
        (a), the President is authorized to provide humanitarian 
        assistance and economic reconstruction assistance under this 
        Act, and assistance under the Migration and Refugee Assistance 
        Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), to the countries of the 
South Caucasus and Central Asia to support the activities described in 
subsection (c).
            ``(2) Definition of humanitarian assistance.--In this 
        subsection, the term `humanitarian assistance' means assistance 
        to meet urgent humanitarian needs, in particular meeting needs 
        for food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and 
        clothing.
    ``(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by 
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to--
            ``(1) providing for the essential needs of victims of the 
        conflicts;
            ``(2) facilitating the return of refugees and internally 
        displaced persons to their homes; and
            ``(3) assisting in the reconstruction of residential and 
        economic infrastructure destroyed by war.
    ``(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
should, where appropriate, support the establishment of neutral, 
multinational peacekeeping forces to implement peace agreements reached 
between belligerents in the countries of the South Caucasus and Central 
Asia.

``SEC. 499A. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this 
section is to foster the conditions necessary for regional economic 
cooperation in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
    ``(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of 
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide technical 
assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to 
support the activities described in subsection (c).
    ``(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by 
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to the development of the 
structures and means necessary for the growth of private sector 
economies based upon market principles.
    ``(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
should--
            ``(1) assist the countries of the South Caucasus and 
        Central Asia to develop laws and regulations that would 
        facilitate the ability of those countries to join the World 
        Trade Organization;
            ``(2) provide permanent nondiscriminatory trade treatment 
        (MFN status) to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central 
        Asia; and
            ``(3) consider the establishment of zero-to-zero tariffs 
        between the United States and the countries of the South 
        Caucasus and Central Asia.

``SEC. 499B. DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

    ``(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purposes of assistance under this 
section are--
            ``(1) to develop the physical infrastructure necessary for 
        regional cooperation among the countries of the South Caucasus 
        and Central Asia; and
            ``(2) to encourage closer economic relations between those 
        countries and the United States and other developed nations.
    ``(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purposes of 
subsection (a), the following types of assistance to the countries of 
the South Caucasus and Central Asia are authorized to support the 
activities described in subsection (c):
            ``(1) Activities by the Export-Import Bank to complete the 
        review process for eligibility for financing under the Export-
        Import Bank Act of 1945.
            ``(2) The provision of insurance, reinsurance, financing, 
        or other assistance by the Overseas Private Investment 
        Corporation.
            ``(3) Assistance under section 661 of this Act (relating to 
        the Trade and Development Agency).
    ``(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by 
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to promoting actively the 
participation of United States companies and investors in the planning, 
financing, and construction of infrastructure for communications, 
transportation, and energy and trade including highways, railroads, 
port facilities, shipping, banking, insurance, telecommunications 
networks, and gas and oil pipelines.
    ``(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
representatives at the International Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development, the International Finance Corporation, and the European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development should encourage lending to the 
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to assist the 
development of the physical infrastructure necessary for regional 
economic cooperation.

``SEC. 499C. SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this 
section is to assist countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia 
to secure their borders and implement effective controls necessary to 
prevent the trafficking of illegal narcotics and the proliferation of 
technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruction (as 
defined in section 2332a(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code), and to 
contain and inhibit transnational organized criminal activities.
    ``(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of 
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide the following 
types of assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central 
Asia to support the activities described in subsection (c):
            ``(1) Assistance under chapter 5 of part II of this Act 
        (relating to international military education and training).
            ``(2) Assistance under chapter 8 of this part of this Act 
        (relating to international narcotics control assistance).
            ``(3) The transfer of excess defense articles under section 
        516 of this Act (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
    ``(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by 
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to assisting those 
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in developing 
capabilities to maintain national border guards, coast guard, and 
customs controls.
    ``(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
should encourage and assist the development of regional military 
cooperation among the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia 
through programs such as the Central Asian Battalion and the 
Partnership for Peace of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

``SEC. 499D. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY, TOLERANCE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF 
              CIVIL SOCIETY.

    ``(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this 
section is to promote institutions of democratic government and to 
create the conditions for the growth of pluralistic societies, 
including religious tolerance.
    ``(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of 
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide the following 
types of assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central 
Asia.
            ``(1) Technical assistance for democracy building.
            ``(2) Technical assistance for the development of 
        nongovernmental organizations.
            ``(3) Technical assistance for development of independent 
        media.
            ``(4) Technical assistance for the development of the rule 
        of law.
            ``(5) International exchanges and advanced professional 
        training programs in skill areas central to the development of 
        civil society.
    ``(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by 
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to activities that directly 
and specifically are designed to advance progress toward the 
development of democracy.
    ``(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the Voice of 
America and RFE/RL, Incorporated, should maintain high quality 
broadcasting for the maximum duration possible in the native languages 
of the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

``SEC. 499E. INELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), assistance 
may not be provided under this chapter for a country of the South 
Caucasus or Central Asia if the President determines and certifies to 
the appropriate congressional committees that the country--
            ``(1) is engaged in a consistent pattern of gross 
        violations of internationally recognized human rights;
            ``(2) has, on or after the date of enactment of this 
        chapter, knowingly transferred to another country--
                    ``(A) missiles or missile technology inconsistent 
                with the guidelines and parameters of the Missile 
                Technology Control Regime (as defined in section 11B(c) 
                of the Export Administration Act of 1979 950 U.S.C. 
                App. 2410b(c); or
                    ``(B) any material, equipment, or technology that 
                would contribute significantly to the ability of such 
                country to manufacture any weapon of mass destruction 
                (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons) 
                if the President determines that the material, 
                equipment, or technology was to be used by such country 
                in the manufacture of such weapons;
            ``(3) has supported acts of international terrorism;
            ``(4) is prohibited from receiving such assistance by 
        chapter 10 of the Arms Export Control Act or section 306(a)(1) 
        and 307 of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and 
        Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (22 U.S.C. 5604(a)(1), 5605); 
        or
            ``(5) has initiated an act of aggression against another 
        state in the region after the date of enactment of the Silk 
        Road Strategy Act of 1997.
    ``(b) Exception to Ineligibility.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
assistance may be provided under this chapter if the President 
determines and certifies in advance to the appropriate congressional 
committees that the provision of such assistance is important to the 
national interest of the United States.

``SEC. 499F. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.

    ``(a) Assistance Through Governments and Nongovernmental 
Organizations.--Assistance under this chapter may be provided to 
governments or through nongovernmental organizations.
    ``(b) Use of Economic Support Funds.--Except as otherwise provided, 
any funds that have been allocated under chapter 4 of part II for 
assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union may be 
used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
    ``(c) Terms and Conditions.--Assistance under this chapter shall be 
provided on such terms and conditions as the President may determine.
    ``(d) Superseding Existing Law.--The authority to provide 
assistance under this chapter supersedes any other provision of law, 
except for--
            ``(1) this chapter;
            ``(2) section 634A of this Act and comparable notification 
        requirements contained in sections of the annual foreign 
        operations, export financing, and related programs Act;
            ``(3) section 907 of the Freedom for Russia and Emerging 
        Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 (22 
        U.S.C. 5812 note; relating to restriction on assistance to 
        Azerbaijan), except such section shall not apply with respect 
        to--
                    ``(A) activities to provide humanitarian assistance 
                under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 
                (22 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);
                    ``(B) activities to support democratic reforms and 
                democratic governance;
                    ``(C) assistance for the control of narcotic and 
                psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances, or 
                for other anticrime purposes, under section 481(a)(4) 
                of this Act (22 U.S.C. 2291(a)(4));
                    ``(D) assistance under programs carried out under 
                section 1424 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
                for Fiscal Year 1997 (50 U.S.C. 2333);
                    ``(E) assistance provided by the Trade and 
                Development Agency under section 661 of this Act (22 
                U.S.C. 2421) ; and
                    ``(F) activities carried out by the United States 
                and Foreign Commercial Service; and
            ``(4) section 1341 of title 31, United States Code 
        (commonly referred to as the ``Anti-Deficiency Act''), the 
        Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the 
        Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and 
        the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.

``SEC. 499G. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        `appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on 
        Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
        International Relations of the House of Representatives.
            ``(2) Countries of the south caucasus and central asia.--
        The term `countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia' 
        means Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgystan, 
        Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.''.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Beginning one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
annually thereafter, the President shall submit a report to the 
appropriate congressional committees--
            (1) identifying the progress of United States foreign 
        policy to accomplish the policy identified in section 3;
            (2) evaluating the degree to which the assistance 
        authorized by chapter 12 of part I of the Foreign Assistance 
        Act of 1961, as added by section 5 of this Act, was able to 
        accomplish the purposes identified in those sections; and
            (3) recommending any additional initiatives that should be 
        undertaken by the United States to implement the policy and 
        purposes contained in this Act.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on 
        Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
        International Relations of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Countries of the south caucasus and central asia.--The 
        term ``countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia'' means 
        Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, 
        Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize specified assistance, including humanitarian, economic, migration and refugee, development, security, and technical assistance to the South Caucasus and Central Asia countries to:  (1) promote sovereignty and independence with democratic government; (2) assist in the resolution of regional conflicts; (3) promote economic cooperation and market-oriented principles; (4) assist in the development of infrastructure necessary for communications, transportation, and energy and trade on an East-West axis in order to build strong relations and commerce between those countries and the democratic, market-oriented countries of the Euro-Atlantic community; and (5) support U.S. business interests and investments in the region. 
Prohibits assistance to such countries (unless it is important to the U.S. national interest) if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that they:  (1) are engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) have knowingly transferred controlled missiles or missile technology to another country, or any equipment or technology that would contribute to the ability of such country to manufacture weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons); (3) have supported acts of international terrorism; (4) are prohibited from receiving such assistance by specified Acts; or (5) have initiated an act of aggression against another state in the region. 
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should use all diplomatic means to press for an equitable, fair, and permanent resolution to the conflicts in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and the civil war in Tajikistan.