PTO user fees to be devoted solely to agency after FY 1998 under budget agreement.

PTO USER FEE SURCHARGE TO END AFTER FY 1998 UNDER BUDGET AGREEMENT reached between Congressional Republicans and the White House, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Hatch (R-Utah) reported at a May 7 hearing on Hatch's Omnibus Patent Act of 1997 (S 507). "I have been working with the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Domenici [R-N.M.] to make certain that the surcharge is not extended," Hatch said. "I am happy to say that the budget agreement announced last week envisions an end to the surcharge after fiscal year 1998 and I will continue to be vigilant to ensure that does not change."