Congress annually considers 13 regular appropriations bills providing funding for agency operations. If any of these bills are not enacted by the start of the fiscal year (October 1), the nonessential activities of the agencies funded in the outstanding bills must cease. In those years in which all 13 bills are not enacted by the deadline, Congress adopts measures continuing funding until the regular bills are enacted. This report discusses these measures, which are referred to as continuing resolutions.

Congressional interest in the Chinese military, or People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has increased as a result of the March 1996 tensions in the Taiwan Strait, continuing allegations of Chinese proliferation of technology useful in weapons of mass destruction, and reports that some Chinese defense-related corporations have circumvented U.S. export controls to acquire dual-use technology. The Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND), an important, high-level PLA organization, plays a role in China’s weapon programs, sales of civilian goods, acquisition of military technology, and arms sales and export controls. The purpose of this CRS Report is to examine the origins and command, roles, and influence of COSTIND.

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Senate and House committees in October reported legislation for new fast track authority enabling the Administration to negotiate trade agreements with foreign countries and to submit them to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Many agricultural and food industry interests are among the export-dependent enterprises that support new fast track authority, arguing that foreign trading partners will not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacks it. However, some agricultural groups argue that fast track provides them with inadequate opportunities for dealing with their issues, and that it ultimately will lead to new agreements that benefit foreign more than U.S. producers, at least in some commodity sectors. Neither bill was taken to the floor in 1997 because of insufficient votes for passage in the House. However, the President is expected to seek approval in 1998.

Current law governing financial activity of campaigns for federal office is based on two principal statutes: the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971, as amended in 1974, 1976, and 1979, and the Revenue Act of 1971. These laws were enacted to remedy widely perceived shortcomings of existing law, the Corrupt Practices Act of 1925, and in response to reports of campaign finance abuses over the years, culminating in the 1972-1974 Watergate scandal. This report provides a summary of major provisions of federal law and a chronology of key legislative and judicial actions.

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This report focuses on the R&D programs. DOE has divided its activities into four major business categories: Resource, Science and Technology, National Security, and Environmental Quality. Each has an R&D component, although the R&D funding is concentrated in the first three. Table 1 (on the next page) shows FY1997 R&D funding, the FY1998 request, and the FY1998 appropriation actions by those categories

The annual Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes funding for agencies and programs in four separate federal departments, as well as numerous smaller agencies and diverse programs. This report discusses the FY1998 appropriations authorized under this bill.

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This report discusses the November 25, 1997 summit held by leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The purpose of the summit was to further pursue the APEC agenda of endorsing a framework developed by APEC leaders' finance ministers to promote financial stability in the Asia-Pacific region and to supplement resources by the International Monetary Fund when necessary.

This report discusses the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which affected alien eligibility for federal, state, and local government assistance programs, both imposing and broadening restrictions on a number of immigration benefits and programs.

Report on the new immigration form issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, mostly consisting of a question and answer format.

Congress, federal agencies, and affected states are seeking to better understand Pfiesteriapiscicida (a recently identified species of dinoflagellate) and related species, whose blooms release toxins that can harm fish and possibly human health under certain conditions. Although menhaden, an industrial fish used primarily in fishmeal and oil production, is the dominant species observed to have been killed by these organisms, consumers have reduced their purchases of Chesapeake Bay seafood after extensive media coverage highlighted toxic events. Both the water and lipid-soluble toxins of Pfiesteria and related species have been blamed for adverse health effects in people who have come in contact with affected waters.

President Clinton requested $75.469 billion for R&D in FY1998, a 2.2% increase over FY1997. However, this request would have increased the actual conduct of R&D less than 2.2% due to a proposed 50% increase associated with upfront funding for major research facilities, mostly in DOE.

Quarterly publication of the Texas Comptroller's Office regarding sales and use tax in the state of Texas, including an analysis by county, analysis by industry, and related notes.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to the results of a limited program effectiveness audit of the Texas Workforce Commission's Communities in Schools program.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to identifying all funds in the possession of the Texas Turnpike Authority that belong to the Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining if the Integrated Statewide Administrative System (ISAS) will provide the required functionality for the agencies implementing the system; determining if ISAS includes sufficient controls to ensure the accuracy of data input, output, and processing; and evaluating key project management controls and project planning to help ensure the successful implementation of ISAS at the participating agencies.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to opportunities for the University of Houston (University) to improve aspects of its resource and policy management control systems to make them more efficient and effective.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to determining the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's compliance with the significant requirements contained in the resolution that provides for the issuance of taxable commercial paper.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) taking appropriate action to improve controls over the following statewide information systems: the Uniform Statewide Accounting System, the Uniform Statewide Payroll/Personnel System, the Human Resource Information System, and the Statewide Property Accounting System.

Report of the Texas State Auditor's Office related to assessing the State's efforts to comply with federal disclosure rules and regulations of municipal securities; determining whether state bond issuers are aware of federal disclosure rules and whether they have established policies and procedures for compliance; and identifying opportunities to share information regarding good disclosure practices recommended by industry organizations and used by state issuers.

The assessment of Smolt Condition for Travel Time Analysis Project (Bonneville Power Administration Project 87-401) monitored attributes of salmonid smolt physiology in the Columbia and Snake River basins from 1987 to 1997, under the Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program, in cooperation with the Smolt Monitoring Program of the Fish Passage Center. The primary goal of the project was to investigate the physiological development of juvenile salmonids related to migration rates. The assumption was made that the level of smolt development, interacting with environmental factos such as flow, would be reflected in travel times. The Fish Passage Center applied the physiological measurements of smolt condition to Water Budget management, to regulate flows so as to decrease travel time and increase survival.