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

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge 
Establishment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
        (1) as the southernmost unleveed portion of the Mississippi 
    River, Cat Island, Louisiana, is one of the last remaining tracts 
    in the lower Mississippi Valley that is still influenced by the 
    natural dynamics of the river;
        (2) Cat Island supports one of the highest densities of virgin 
    bald cypress trees in the entire Mississippi River Valley, 
    including the Nation's champion cypress tree which is 17 feet wide 
    and has a circumference of 53 feet;
        (3) Cat Island is important habitat for several declining 
    species of forest songbirds and supports thousands of wintering 
    waterfowl;
        (4) Cat Island supports high populations of deer, turkey, and 
    furbearers, such as mink and bobcats;
        (5) conservation and enhancement of this area through inclusion 
    in the National Wildlife Refuge System would help meet the habitat 
    conservation goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan;
        (6) these forested wetlands represent one of the most valuable 
    and productive wildlife habitat types in the United States, and 
    have extremely high recreational value for hunters, anglers, 
    birdwatchers, nature photographers, and others; and
        (7) the Cat Island area is deserving of inclusion in the 
    National Wildlife Refuge System.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
        (1) the term ``Refuge'' means the Cat Island National Wildlife 
    Refuge; and
        (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

SEC. 4. PURPOSES.

    The purposes for which the Refuge is established and shall be 
managed are--
        (1) to conserve, restore, and manage habitats as necessary to 
    contribute to the migratory bird population goals and habitat 
    objective as established through the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint 
    Venture;
        (2) to conserve, restore, and manage the significant aquatic 
    resource values associated with the area's forested wetlands and to 
    achieve the habitat objectives of the ``Mississippi River Aquatic 
    Resources Management Plan'';
        (3) to conserve, enhance, and restore the historic native 
    bottomland community characteristics of the lower Mississippi 
    alluvial valley and its associated fish, wildlife, and plant 
    species;
        (4) to conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and 
    assist in the recovery of endangered, and threatened plants and 
    animals; and
        (5) to encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate 
    partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
    local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-
    Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of 
    the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System and public 
    participation in the conservation of those resources.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE.

    (a) Acquisition Boundary.--The Secretary is authorized to establish 
the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately 
36,500 acres of land and water, as depicted upon a map entitled ``Cat 
Island National Wildlife Refuge-Proposed'', dated February 8, 2000, and 
available for inspection in appropriate offices of the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
    (b) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such minor 
revisions of the boundary designated under this section as may be 
appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate 
the acquisition of property within the Refuge.
    (c) Acquisition.--The Secretary is authorized to acquire the lands 
and waters, or interests therein, within the acquisition boundary 
described in subsection (a) of this section.
    (d) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish the Refuge by 
publication of a notice to that effect in the Federal Register and 
publications of local circulation whenever sufficient property has been 
acquired to constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a 
National Wildlife Refuge.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters, 
and interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance with the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.). The Secretary may use such additional statutory authority as may 
be available for the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the 
provision of fish- and wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities as 
the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this 
Act.
    (b) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish- 
and wildlife-oriented recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with 
paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure 
that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses 
of the Refuge.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the 
Interior--
        (1) such funds as may be necessary for the acquisition of lands 
    and waters designated in section 5(c); and
        (2) such funds as may be necessary for the development, 
    operation, and maintenance of the Refuge.

SEC. 8. DESIGNATION OF HERBERT H. BATEMAN EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
              CENTER.

    (a) In General.--A building proposed to be located within the 
boundaries of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, on Assateague 
Island, Virginia, shall be known and designated as the ``Herbert H. 
Bateman Education and Administrative Center''.
    (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, 
paper, or other record of the United States to the building referred to 
in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Herbert H. 
Bateman Education and Administrative Center.

SEC. 9. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Effective on the day after the date of the enactment of the Act 
entitled, ``An Act to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation 
and Design Program Act of 1994'' (106th Congress), section 6 of the 
Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd note; Public Law 103-340), relating to an environmental 
education center and refuge, is redesignated as section 7.
    (b) Effective on the day after the date of the enactment of the 
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act (106th 
Congress), section 6 of that Act is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the Endangered Species Act 
    of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)'' and inserting ``the Endangered 
    Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)''; and
        (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``section 4(a)(3) and (4) of 
    the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
    U.S.C. 668ee(a)(3), (4))'' and inserting ``paragraphs (3) and (4) 
    of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System 
    Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a))''.
    (c) Effective on the day after the date of the enactment of the Red 
River National Wildlife Refuge Act (106th Congress), section 4(b)(2)(D) 
of that Act is amended by striking ``section 4(a)(3) and (4) of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
668ee(a)(3), (4))'' and inserting ``paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 
4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd(a))''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.
[EX A]: Directs the Secretary, in providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation on the Refuge, to ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge.
Authorizes appropriations.
Designates a building proposed to be located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia, as the Herbert H. Bateman Education And Administrative Center.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. INCREASE IN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS AND AMOUNTS AT WHICH PHASE 
              OUT OF DEDUCTION BEGINS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT 
              CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) Increase in Maximum Amount of Contribution to Individual 
Retirement Accounts.--
            (1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 219(b)(1) of 
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to maximum amount 
        of deduction) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting 
        ``the applicable amount''.
            (2) Applicable amount.--Subsection (b) of section 219 of 
        such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) Applicable amount.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
                the term `applicable amount' means--
                            ``(i) for any taxable year beginning in 
                        1997, $2,500,
                            ``(ii) for any taxable year beginning after 
                        1997 and before 2006, the applicable amount 
                        determined under this paragraph for the 
                        preceding taxable year, increased by $500, and
                            ``(iii) for any taxable year beginning 
                        after 2005, $7,000.
                    ``(B) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of a 
                taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2006, 
                the $7,000 amount contained in subparagraph (A)(iii) 
                shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under 
                        section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which 
                        the taxable year begins, determined by 
                        substituting `calendar year 2005' for `calendar 
                        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence 
                is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded 
                to the nearest multiple of $10.''
    (b) Increase of Amounts at Which Phase-Out Of Deduction For IRA 
Contributions Begins.--
            (1) In general.--Clauses (i) and (ii) of section 
        219(g)(3)(B) of such Code (relating to limitation on deduction 
        for active participants in certain pension plans) are amended 
        to read as follows:
                            ``(i) in the case of a taxpayer filing a 
                        joint return--
                                    ``(I) for taxable years beginning 
                                in 1997, $50,000,
                                    ``(II) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 1997 and before 2003, the 
                                applicable dollar amount determined 
                                under this subclause for the preceding 
                                taxable year, increased by $10,000, and
                                    ``(III) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 2002, $110,000.
                            ``(ii) in the case of any other taxpayer 
                        (other than a married individual filing a 
                        separate return)--
                                    ``(I) for taxable years beginning 
                                in 1997, $30,000,
                                    ``(II) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 1997 and before 2003, the 
                                applicable dollar amount determined 
                                under this subclause for the preceding 
                                taxable year, increased by $5,000, and
                                    ``(III) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 2002, $60,000, and''
            (2) Inflation adjustment.--Paragraph (3) of section 219(g) 
        of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of a 
                taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2003, 
                the $110,000 amount contained in subparagraph 
                (B)(i)(III) and the $60,000 amount contained in 
                subparagraph (B)(ii)(III) shall each be increased by an 
                amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under 
                        section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which 
                        the taxable year begins, determined by 
                        substituting `calendar year 2004' for `calendar 
                        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence 
                is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded 
                to the nearest multiple of $100.''
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (1) of section 408(a) of such Code is amended 
        by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``the applicable amount 
        (as in effect under section 219(b) for such taxable year)''.
            (2) Subparagraph (B) of section 408(b)(2) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``the applicable 
        amount in effect under section 219(b) for the taxable year of 
        such individual''.
            (3) Subsection (b) of section 408 of such Code is amended 
        in the last sentence by striking `$2,000'' and inserting ``the 
        applicable amount in effect under section 219(b) for such 
        taxable year''.
            (4) Subparagraph (A) of section 408(d)(5) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``dollar amount'' and inserting 
        ``applicable amount''.
            (5) Subsection (j) of section 408 of such Code is amended 
        by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``applicable''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996.

SEC. 2. PENALTY-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT PLANS, 
              401(k) PLANS, ETC.

    (a) Distributions Related to First Homes, Education, or Adoption.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (2) of section 72(t) (relating 
        to exceptions to 10-percent additional tax on early 
        distributions from qualified retirement plans) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Certain distributions from individual 
                retirement plans, 401(k) plans, etc.--Distributions to 
                an individual from an individual retirement plan, or 
                from amounts attributable to employer contributions 
                made pursuant to elective deferrals described in 
                subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 402(g)(3) or section 
                501(c)(18)(D)(iii), to the extent such distributions do 
                not exceed the sum of--
                            ``(i) qualified first-time homebuyer 
                        distributions (as defined in paragraph (7)) 
                        made during the taxable year,
                            ``(ii) qualified education expenses (as 
                        defined in paragraph (8)) of the taxpayer for 
                        the taxable year, and
                            ``(iii) qualified adoption expenses (as 
                        defined in section 23(d), determined without 
                        regard to section 23(d)(2)(B)) paid or incurred 
                        by the taxpayer during the taxable year.''
            (2) Definitions.--Section 72(t) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(7) Qualified first-time homebuyer distributions.--For 
        purposes of paragraph (2)(E)(i)--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified first-time 
                homebuyer distribution' means any payment or 
                distribution received by an individual to the extent 
                such payment or distribution is used by the individual 
                before the close of the 60th day after the day on which 
                such payment or distribution is received to pay 
                qualified acquisition costs with respect to a principal 
                residence of a first-time homebuyer who is such 
                individual, the spouse of such individual, or any 
                child, grandchild, or ancestor of such individual or 
                the individual's spouse.
                    ``(B) Qualified acquisition costs.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term `qualified acquisition costs' 
                means the costs of acquiring, constructing, or 
                reconstructing a residence. Such term includes any 
                usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other 
                closing costs.
                    ``(C) First-time homebuyer; other definitions.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph--
                            ``(i) First-time homebuyer.--The term 
                        `first-time homebuyer' means any individual 
                        if--
                                    ``(I) such individual (and if 
                                married, such individual's spouse) had 
                                no present ownership interest in a 
                                principal residence during the 2-year 
                                period ending on the date of 
                                acquisition of the principal residence 
                                to which this paragraph applies, and
                                    ``(II) subsection (h) or (k) of 
                                section 1034 did not suspend the 
                                running of any period of time specified 
                                in section 1034 with respect to such 
                                individual on the day before the date 
                                the distribution is applied pursuant to 
                                subparagraph (A).
                            ``(ii) Principal residence.--The term 
                        `principal residence' has the same meaning as 
                        when used in section 1034.
                            ``(iii) Date of acquisition.--The term 
                        `date of acquisition' means the date--
                                    ``(I) on which a binding contract 
                                to acquire the principal residence to 
                                which subparagraph (A) applies is 
                                entered into, or
                                    ``(II) on which construction or 
                                reconstruction of such a principal 
                                residence is commenced.
                    ``(D) Special rule where delay in acquisition.--If 
                any distribution from any individual retirement plan 
                fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
                solely by reason of a delay or cancellation of the 
                purchase or construction of the residence, the amount 
                of the distribution may be contributed to an individual 
                retirement plan as provided in section 408(d)(3)(A)(i) 
                (determined by substituting `120 days' for `60 days' in 
                such section), except that--
                            ``(i) section 408(d)(3)(B) shall not be 
                        applied to such contribution, and
                            ``(ii) such amount shall not be taken into 
                        account in determining whether section 
                        408(d)(3)(A)(i) applies to any other amount.
            ``(8) Qualified education expenses.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (2)(E)(ii)--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified higher 
                education expenses' means tuition, fees, books, 
                supplies, and equipment required for the education of--
                            ``(i) the taxpayer,
                            ``(ii) the taxpayer's spouse, or
                            ``(iii) any child (as defined in section 
                        151(c)(3)), grandchild, or ancestor of the 
                        taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse,
                whether or not such education takes place at an 
                eligible educational institution (as defined in section 
                135(c)(3)).
                    ``(B) Coordination with savings bond provisions.--
                The amount of qualified education expenses for any 
                taxable year shall be reduced by any amount excludable 
                from gross income under section 135.''
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (B) of section 
        72(t)(2) is amended by striking ``or (D)'' and inserting ``, 
        (D), or (E)''.
    (b) Penalty-Free Distributions for Certain Unemployed Individuals 
Not Limited to Health Insurance Costs and Allowed From 401(k) Plans, 
Etc.--Subparagraph (D) of section 72(t)(2) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by inserting ``, or from amounts 
        attributable to employer contributions made pursuant to 
        elective deferrals described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of 
        section 402(g)(3) or section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii),'' after 
        ``individual retirement plan'',
            (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``and'' at the end of 
        subclause (I), by striking ``, and'' at the end of subclause 
        (II) and inserting a period, and by striking subclause (III), 
        and
            (3) by striking ``for health insurance premiums'' in the 
        heading.
    (c) Unlimited Penalty-Free Distributions for Medical Care and 
Expanded Definition of Dependents for Purposes of Such Distributions.--
Subparagraph (B) of section 72(t)(2) is amended by striking ``medical 
care'' and all that follows and inserting ``medical care, determined--
                            ``(i) without regard to whether the 
                        employee itemizes deductions for such taxable 
                        year, and
                            ``(ii) in the case of a distribution from 
                        an individual retirement plan, or from amounts 
                        attributable to employer contributions made 
                        pursuant to elective deferrals described in 
                        subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 402(g)(3) or 
                        section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii)--
                                    ``(I) without regard to whether or 
                                not such expenses exceed 7.5 percent of 
                                adjusted gross income, and
                                    ``(II) by treating an individual's 
                                dependents as including all children 
                                and grandchildren of the individual (or 
                                of such individual's spouse), and all 
                                ancestors of the individual (or of such 
                                individual's spouse).''
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to payments and distributions in taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1996.
[EX A]: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the:  (1) maximum deduction for individual retirement account contributions; and (2) income amount at which phase-out of that deduction begins. 
Exempts from the early distribution penalty:  (1) distributions from certain types of retirement plans for first-time home buyer, education, or adoption expenses; and (2) for unemployed individuals (currently, for unemployed individuals for health insurance premiums).  Modifies requirements regarding penalties for medical care early distributions.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Voter Opportunity To Inform 
Congress Effectively on a Flat Tax and a Cap on Tax Increases Act of 
1997 (National VOICE on a Flat Tax and Cap on Tax Increases Act of 
1997)''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) the right of citizens of the United States to vote is a 
        fundamental right;
            (2) the right of citizens of the United States to have an 
        effective voice in the decisionmaking processes of the Congress 
        is grounded in the right to petition and is a fundamental part 
        of American democracy, and Congress should provide an 
        opportunity for citizens to express their views on important 
        public issues; and
            (3) there is an increasing public sentiment and demand for 
        less taxation and a simplified tax code.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to give the citizens of every State the opportunity to 
        have a voice on whether or not Congress should adopt a flat 
        income tax system and amend the Constitution to require a 
        majority vote of the American people to raise taxes; and
            (2) to conduct a national nonbinding referendum on a flat 
        tax on income and requiring a national vote on tax increases at 
        the 1998 general election, thereby having an opportunity to 
        study the feasibility of conducting national nonbinding 
        referenda on other important issues in the future.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act--
            (1) the term ``nonbinding referendum'' means the placing on 
        the general election ballot in every congressional district and 
        delegate or resident commissioner district in 1998 the advisory 
        questions defined below, the results of which shall be properly 
        tabulated and certified as described herein, but which results 
        shall not be legally binding on any person or institution;
            (2) the term ``advisory questions'' means the National 
        Advisory Referendum on a flat tax on income and requiring a 
        national vote on tax increases, the language of which is 
        contained in section 4(b) of this Act;
            (3) the term ``general election'' means the election at 
        which Federal officers are elected in 1998; and
            (4) the term ``State election agency'' means the official 
        agency of each State and territory charged with the legal 
        responsibility for conducting general elections within that 
        jurisdiction.

SEC. 4. PROCEDURES FOR NATIONAL VOTER OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM CONGRESS 
              EFFECTIVELY ON A FLAT TAX AND REQUIRING A NATIONAL VOTE 
              ON TAX INCREASES NONBINDING REFERENDUM.

    (a) In General.--This Act shall have the effect of placing on the 
1998 general election ballot in every congressional district, and 
delegate and/or resident commissioner district, in the United States, 
the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States, the 
advisory questions under subsection (b).
    (b) Advisory Questions; Ballot Title and Language.--Not later than 
June 30, 1998, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives 
and the Secretary of the United States Senate shall jointly certify to 
the appropriate State election agencies for inclusion on the 1998 
general election ballot in each congressional district, the following 
ballot title and questions:

``national advisory referendum on a flat tax on income and requiring a 
                     national vote on tax increases

    ``Question #1: Should Congress adopt a simple flat tax rate on 
income?
          ``Yes                No.
    ``Question #2: Should Congress approve a constitutional amendment 
to require a majority vote of the American people to raise taxes?
          ``Yes                No''.
    (c) Preparation of Ballots.--
            (1) Procedures.--The procedures for printing and 
        preparation of the ballots containing the advisory questions 
        shall be the same as provided in each State and territory for 
        conducting the elections of the Members of the United States 
        House of Representatives and Senators, and Delegates or 
        Resident Commissioners.
            (2) Advisory questions.--In each congressional and delegate 
        district, every general election ballot shall include the 
        advisory questions contained in subsection (b). Should there be 
        no general election scheduled to be held in any particular 
        congressional or delegate district, a ballot shall nonetheless 
        be prepared for the voters of said district to be able to 
        participate in the nonbinding referendum in the same manner as 
        all other districts where a general election is being held. 
        States shall be reimbursed at 4 cents per voter, or an 
        estimated $5,000,000 for the costs incurred in placing the 
        questions in subsection (b) on the ballots in November 1998. 
        Therefore, this bill authorizes $5,000,000 for these purposes. 
        All reimbursements to State election agencies for the costs of 
        conducting the nonbinding referendum shall be made from the 
        franking accounts of the Congress, with equal amounts drawn 
        from the franking accounts of the House of Representatives and 
        the Senate in proportion to the total funds appropriated to 
        each House for franking, to reimburse the States for such 
        expenses. The Clerk of the United States House of 
        Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate 
        shall be responsible for ensuring the proper application for 
        and reimbursement of said expenses.
    (d) Tabulation and Certification of Voting Results.--The State 
election agencies shall tabulate the results of the voting on the 
advisory questions in the same manner as is customary for tabulating 
the results of elections of the Members of the United States House of 
Representatives and Senators. Said results shall be officially 
certified pursuant to the customary laws and procedures of each 
jurisdiction.
    (e) Transmission of Certified Results to the Congress, All Members, 
and Committees on the Judiciary.--The official, certified election 
results of each jurisdiction's nonbinding referenda on the advisory 
questions shall be certified by the State election agency to the Clerk 
of the United States House of Representatives and the Secretary of the 
United States Senate in the same manner and at the same time of the 
certification of election of Members of the House of Representatives 
and Senate at the 1998 general election, said results to be certified 
by county, congressional district and statewide totals. The Clerk and 
the Secretary shall be responsible for transmitting to each Member of 
the respective House of Congress the results of the nonbinding 
referenda from all jurisdictions. The results shall also be taken under 
advisement by the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, with 
recommendations for response reported back to the full House and Senate 
within 6 months of the general election.
    (f) Comments Regarding Procedures for Future Nonbinding 
Referenda.--Within 90 days of the date of the general election, the 
State election agencies shall forward to the Clerk of the United States 
House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate 
their comments or suggestions regarding changes or improvements in 
procedures for conducting national nonbinding referenda in future 
general elections. All such comments shall be referred to the 
respective committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
and Senate.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
[EX A]:
National Voter Opportunity To Inform Congress Effectively on a Flat Tax and a Cap on Tax Increases Act of 1997 (National VOICE on a Flat Tax and Cap on Tax Increases Act of 1997) - Places on the 1998 general election ballot in each congressional district the advisory questions of whether the Congress should:  (1) adopt a simple flat tax rate on income; and (2) approve a constitutional amendment to require a majority vote of the American people to raise taxes.  Provides for cost reimbursement to the States from the franking accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate.