PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 104-194.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Jul 23, 1996
District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1997 - Makes appropriations for the District of Columbia Government for FY 1997, including funds for: (1) the Federal payment ($660 million); (2) the Federal contribution to the Police Officers' and Fire Fighters', Teachers', and Judges' Retirement Funds ($52.07 million); and (3) expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities ($5.702 million). Appropriates specified sums out of the general fund of the District of Columbia for the current fiscal year for: (1) governmental direction and support; (2) economic development and regulation; (3) public safety and justice; (4) the public education system (including public charter schools); (5) human support services; (6) public works; (7) repayment of specified loans and interests; (8) repayment of the general fund recovery debt; (9) repayment of interest on short-term borrowing; (10) necessary expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities; (11) lease payments involving the land site underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (12) human resources development; (13) construction projects (including rescissions); (14) the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund; (15) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (16) the Cable Television Enterprise Fund; (17) the Starplex Fund; (18) D.C. General Hospital; (19) the D.C. Retirement Board; (20) the Correctional Industries Fund; (21) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund (from local funds and by transfer from the general fund); and (22) the D.C. Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Authority). Prohibits the use of revenues from Federal sources to support the Statehood Commission and Statehood Compact Commission. Requires the District to operate a free, 24-hour telephone information service where residents of the area surrounding Lorton prison can obtain information about all prison disturbances. Requires the Chief Financial Officer of the District, on behalf of the Mayor and under the direction of the Authority, to make specified cost reductions in: (1) real estate initiatives; (2) management information systems; (3) energy cost initiatives; (4) purchasing and procurement initiatives; and (5) the workforce, including a reduction of 2,411 full-time positions. (Sec. 101) Sets forth certain uses of and restrictions on the expenditure of appropriations made by this Act. (Sec. 122) Directs the Mayor to submit to the D.C. Council, within 30 days after the end of the first quarter of FY 1997, the FY 1997 revenue estimates. (Sec. 128) Prohibits the use of any Federal funds made available pursuant to this Act: (1) for salaries, expenses, or other costs associated with the offices of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative under the District of Columbia Statehood Constitutional Convention Initiatives of 1979; (2) for any abortion except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or (3) to implement or enforce the District Domestic Partner Act (also called the District of Columbia Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992) or any system of registration of unmarried, cohabitating couples whether they are homosexual, lesbian, or heterosexual, including registration for the extension of employment, health, or governmental benefits to such couples on the same basis that such benefits are extended to legally married couples. (Sec. 132) Specifies reporting requirements for the Board of Education and the University of the District of Columbia. (Sec. 140) Modifies D.C. reductions-in-force procedures to allow a personnel authority to establish lesser competitive areas within an agency on the basis of all or a clearly identifiable segment of an agency's mission or a division or major subdivision of an agency. Authorizes each agency head to identify positions for abolishment. Outlines procedures for abolishment of such positions for FY 1997. (Sec. 141) Allows the Mayor to accept, obligate and expend Federal, private, and other grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the amounts appropriated in this Act. (Sec. 142) Provides that the heads and personnel of the District's Office of the Treasurer, Controller, Office of the Budget, Office of Financial Information Services, and Department of Finance and Revenue, together with all accounting, budget and financial management personnel (except legislative and judicial personnel), shall be appointed by, serve at the pleasure of, and act under the direction of the District's Chief Financial Officer during any control period in effect under the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995. (Sec. 145) Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to prohibit a public charter school, with respect to any student other than a nonresident student, from charging tuition, imposing fees, or otherwise requiring payment for participation in any program, educational offering, or activity (except for adult education, field trips, and similar activities) that: (1) enrolls students in any grade from kindergarten through grade 12; or (2) is funded in whole or part through annual local appropriations. (Sec. 146) Sets forth Buy-American requirements with respect to funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 147) Provides that the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency shall not be required to repay moneys advanced by the District government pursuant to congressional appropriations for FY 1980 through 1992. (Sec. 148) Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to provide that the waiver of fees and contract requirements with respect to any contractor, subcontractor, and any other group, entity, or individual who donates materials and services for the repair or improvement of a District public school facility for 24 months after enactment of such date shall not apply with respect to requirements of Executive Order 11246. (Sec. 149) Requires the Director of the District of Columbia Office of Energy to: (1) develop a comprehensive plan to identify and accomplish energy conservation measures to achieve maximum cost-effective energy and water savings; (2) enter into innovative financing and contractual mechanisms such as utility demand-side management programs and energy savings and water conservation performance contracts that do not exceed 25 years; and (3) permit and encourage each District instrumentality to participate in programs conducted by any gas, electric, or water utility of the management of electricity or gas demand or for energy or water conservation.
People & committees
Rep. Walsh, James T. [R-NY-25] · R–NY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 104-194.
Became Public Law No: 104-194.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay. 83-15. Record Vote No: 270. (consideration: CR S9874)
Senate roll call 270 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay. 83-15. Record Vote No: 270.(consideration: CR S9874)
Senate roll call 270 · Individual votesConference report considered in Senate.
Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement and message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 330 - 91 (Roll no. 395). (consideration: CR H9810)
House roll call 395 · Individual votesMotions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 330 - 91 (Roll no. 395).(consideration: CR H9810)
House roll call 395 · Individual votesThe House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 104-740 as unfinished business.
Further proceedings were postponed.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Walsh brought up conference report H. Rept. 104-740 by previously agreed to special order.
Conference report H. Rept. 104-740 filed. (text of conference report: CR H9670-9679)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-740 filed.(text of conference report: CR H9670-9679)
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Walsh, Bonilla, Kingston, Frelinghuysen, Neumann, Parker, Livingston, Dixon, Serrano, Kaptur, and Obey.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H8573)
Mr. Walsh asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendments asks for a conference, appoints conferees Jeffords; Campbell; Hatfield; Kohl; Inouye. (consideration: CR S8829)
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8821-8829)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8821-8829)
Committee on Appropriations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 509.
Committee on Appropriations. Reported to Senate by Senator Jeffords with amendments. With written report No. 104-328.
Committee on Appropriations. Reported to Senate by Senator Jeffords with amendments. With written report No. 104-328.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 332 - 68 (Roll no. 334).
House roll call 334 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 332 - 68 (Roll no. 334).
House roll call 334 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3845.
The Chair announced the unfinished to be further consideration of those amendments on which recorded votes were requested and postponed in the following order: The amendment by Ms. Norton, and the amendment by Mr. Gutknecht.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Gutknecht amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Gutknecht demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the unanimous consent agreement of July 18, 1996, further action was postponed.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Gutknecht amendment.
LIMITATION ON DEBATE - Mr. Walsh asked unanimous consent that the time for debate on the Gutknecht amendment be limited to 20 minutes, equally divided. Agreed to without objection.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8053-8073)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3845 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Walsh moved that the Committee rise.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Norton amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Ms. Norton demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the unanimous consent agreement of July 18, 1996, further action was postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a unanimous consent agreement, debate on the Norton amendment proceeded for not to exceed forty minutes, equally divided and controlled.
GENERAL DEBATE - Pursuant to the order of the House of July 18, 1996, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of General Debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Richard 'Doc' Hastings to act as Chairman of the Committee.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union previous order of the House.
Considered by previous order of the House.
Consideration initiated by previous order of the House.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 357.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 104-689, by Mr. Walsh.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 104-689, by Mr. Walsh.
Mr. Livingston asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time for the Speaker, as though pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule XXII, to declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the bill; that the first reading of the bill be dispensed with; that all points of order against the bill and against its consideration be waived; that general debate be confined to the bill and limited to one hour, equally divided; that after general debate the bill be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule; that the Chairman of the Committee be authorized to postpone requests for recorded votes; that after reading the final lines of the bill, a motion to rise and report the bill, if offered by the Majority Leader, have precedence over a motion to amend; that at the conclusion of consideration, the Committee shall rise and report the bill back to the House; and move directly
All points of order against the bill and against its consideration were reserved.
Ordered to be Reported.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Introduced in House
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Final Day of Subcommittee Mark-up.
First Day of Subcommittee Mark-up.
Final Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
First Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
Referred to the Subcommittee on District of Columbia.
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Primary sources
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AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.3845 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3845 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3845 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3845 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.