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Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 5, 1997
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to direct Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth (referred hereafter as the Program). Requires that the Program shall include grant making and tracking, technical assistance and training, data collection and dissemination on state-of-the-art practices which have proven effective in reducing substance abuse, and general administration. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth specified criteria a coalition shall meet to be eligible to receive a grant. Prescribes limitations concerning: (1) grant amounts; (2) coalition awards; and (3) rural coalition grants. Requires the Administrator of the Program to: (1) have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, and records that are pertinent to any grant or grant renewal request and may periodically request information from a grantee to ensure that the criteria set forth are being met; (2) issue rules and regulations regarding the application process, grant renewal, and suspension or withholding of any renewal grant awards; and (3) make every effort, consistent with existing law, to minimize reporting requirements by a grantee and to expedite any grant renewal requests. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) collect data from national substance abuse organizations working with coalitions, community anti-drug coalitions, departments or agencies of Federal, State and local or tribal governments and any other entity or organization whose activities relate to the purposes of the Program, and evaluate the utility of specific initiatives, engage in research and development activities related to the Program, and disseminate such information to eligible coalitions, any other substance abuse organization, or the public; and (2) offer technical assistance and training, enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, coordinate programs with any grantee or other organization, and train any representatives designated by a grantee in coalition building, task force development, mediation and facilitation, direct service, assessment and evaluation or any other activity related to the purposes of the Program. Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities (Advisory Commission) to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Administrator concerning matters related to the activities carried out under the Program. Sets forth the duties of the Advisory Commission. Requires that if the Administrator rejects recommendations of the Advisory Commission, the Administrator shall notify the Advisory Commission and the Director in writing of the reasons for so doing not later than 15 days after receiving such recommendations. Terminates the Advisory Commission five years after enactment of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Portman, Rob [R-OH-2] · R–OH
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 105-20.
Became Public Law No: 105-20.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5945-5947)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5945-5947)
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 65.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 1 (Roll no. 153).
House roll call 153 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 1 (Roll no. 153).
House roll call 153 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - Mr. Portman asked unanimous consent to extend the time for debate by 20 additional minutes equally divided and controlled. Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3176-3187, H3190-3191)
Mr. Portman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
Committee on Commerce discharged.
Committee on Commerce discharged.
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 20, 1997.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 105-105, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 105-105, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice.
Referred to House Commerce
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Government Reform
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E375-376)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H729)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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