Designating the week beginning October 18, 1992, as "National Radon Action Week".
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1992
Designates the week beginning October 18, 1992, as National Radon Action Week.
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United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1992
Designates the week beginning October 18, 1992, as National Radon Action Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1992
Authorizes the President to direct that any funds available for foreign assistance programs be used for emergency disaster assistance payments for expenses related to Hurricane Andrew or other natural disasters in the United States. Makes such funds available only to such extent or in such amount as provided in advance in an appropriation Act. Continues to consider such funds as funds within the international category for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1992
Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1992, for Disaster Assistance to Meet the Present Emergencies Arising from the Consequences of Hurricane Andrew and other Natural Disasters - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1992 for emergencies arising from natural disasters such as Hurricane Andrew and Typhoon Omar. Designates such amounts as emergency requirements for all purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Title I: Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies - Makes additional appropriations available to the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Agricultural Research Service for buildings and facilities; (2) the Commodity Credit Corporation for crop losses and the tree assistance program; (3) the Soil Conservation Service for watershed and flood prevention operations; (4) the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for the emergency conservation program; (5) the Farmers Home Administration for the agricultural credit insurance fund program account, the rural housing insurance fund program account, the rural development insurance fund program account, the rural development loan fund program account, rural water and waste disposal grants, very-low-income housing repair grants, rural housing for domestic farm labor, emergency community water assistance grants, and salaries and expenses; and (6) the Food and Nutrition Service for the food stamp program. Declares that funds provided by this title are available only to the extent funds are not provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Title II: Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to: (1) the Department of Commerce for the Economic Development Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (2) the Department of Justice for general administration, legal activities, the Federal Prison System, and the Office of Justice Programs; (3) the Department of State for the administration of foreign affairs; (4) the Judiciary for Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and other judicial services; and (5) the Small Business Administration for the disaster loans program account. Title III: Department of Defense - Military - Makes additional amounts available for incremental costs of military, reserve, and national guard personnel and for operation and maintenance of military forces. Title IV: Energy and Water Development Department of Defense - Civil - Makes additional funds available to the Army Corps of Engineers-Civil for general construction, flood control and coastal emergencies, operation and maintenance, and flood control for the Mississippi River and tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Title V: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies - Makes additional appropriations available to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (2) the National Park Service; (3) the United States Geological Survey; and (4) the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Title VI: Departments of Laobr, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services for the Public Health Emergency Fund; (2) the Department of Education for educational excellence, impact aid, student financial assistance, and departmental management. Title VII: Department of Defense - Military - Makes supplemental amounts available to cover incremental costs at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, for military construction and family housing. Title VIII: Department of Transportation and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to the Department of Transportation for: (1) the Coast Guard; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration; (3) the Federal Transit Administration; and (4) the Research and Special Programs Administration. Title IX: Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and Certain Independent Agencies - Makes supplemental funds available to: (1) the Department of the Treasury for the U.S. Customs Service and the Internal Revenue Service; and (2) the General Services Administration (GSA) for the Federal Buildings Fund and the Federal Supply Service. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury and the Administrator of GSA to hire temporary employees as necessary for government operations in areas affected by Hurricane Andrew and Typhoon Omar. Amends the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1992 to repeal restrictions on travel expenses on employees subject to such Act. Authorizes heads of Federal agencies to establish emergency administrative leave as necessary for employees affected by the Hurricane and the Typhoon. Title X: Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies - Makes additional amounts available to: (1) Department of Veterans Affairs for the Veterans Health Administration and departmental administration; (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing programs, housing counseling assistance, guaranteed housing loans, and management administration; and (3) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief, the disaster assistance direct loan program account, the community disaster loan program account, and salaries and expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry for maintaining information concerning the health status of veterans who served in the Persian Gulf area during the Persian Gulf War (War). Describes information to be included in the Registry, including the circumstances of each veteran's service during the War. Directs the Secretary, in establishing such Registry, to: (1) provide each War veteran with a complete mental and physical examination, as well as a follow-up consultation to explain examination results; and (2) obtain from the Secretary of Defense any information relevant to such service. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake outreach efforts to further Registry purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Women in the Armed Forces Commemorative Coins Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) mint and issue coins to commemorate the women who have served in the armed forces of the United States; and (2) transfer the surcharges received from coin sales to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation and endow and dedicate the Women in the Armed Forces Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Filipino Veterans' Equity Act of 1992 - Amends the Immigration Act of 1990 to extend the naturalization application deadline for certain Filipino veterans of World War II. States that military service records authenticated by the Government of the Philippines shall be accepted to certify qualifying military service. Permits the naturalization examination and oath to be given in the Philippines. Grants special immigrant status for spouses and sons and daughters of such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates February 4, 1993, and February 3, 1994, as National Women and Girls in Sports Day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates November 30 through December 6, 1992, as National Education First Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates the week beginning November 8, 1992, as Hire a Veteran Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretaries of the military departments should: (1) collect data on the number and disposition of sexual harassment and assault cases involving members of the armed forces; (2) ensure that crisis intervention and long-term counseling are available to the victims; (3) develop ongoing programs to educate members of the armed forces regarding the unacceptability and illegality of sexual harassment and assault and the sanctions imposed on violators; (4) implement an educational program for all members dealing with the prevention and risk reduction of sexual harassment and assault; (5) publicize their commitment against sexual harassment and assault by posting appropriate signs with phone numbers for victims to report incidents and obtain assistance; (6) reevaluate their existing methods of investigating and processing sexual harassment and assault complaints and consider alternative methods to provide effective enforcement; (7) reevaluate their existing sanctions to determine whether the sanctions serve as an effective deterrent; (8) determine whether adequate protections exist to ensure that members who report sexual harassment or assault do not experience retaliation and, if not, develop effective protections; and (9) protect members who report sexual harassment or assault against retaliation once a complaint is made and ensure that a subsequent investigation into the complainant's sexual orientation is not performed.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a U.S. guided missile cruiser should be named the USS Pearl Harbor.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by organizations which provide rescue or emergency medical services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that effective follow-up to achieve the goals of the agreements reached at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) will depend on the following actions by the President and the U.S. Government: (1) adoption of a national strategy for environmentally sustainable development, based on an extensive process of nationwide consultations with all interested organizations and individuals; (2) the Government encouraging and facilitating means for adopting individual Agenda 21 plans of action, including the establishment of local, county, State, business, and other boards and commissions for achieving sustainable development; (3) the President establishing an effective mechanism to plan, initiate, and coordinate U.S. policy for implementing Agenda 21; and (4) policies being formulated for foreign policy and assistance to help developing countries, and for domestic actions to assure appropriate action to implement Agenda 21. Supports: (1) pursuing the research and policy initiatives urged in Agenda 21, including research on sustainable consumption and production patterns, creation of a policy framework for sustainable consumption patterns, identification of a strategy to eliminate or reduce subsidies for unsustainable natural resource exploitation, and improving pricing policies; (2) the Congress adopting a plan to reallocate an appropriate amount of savings from reduced defense spending to achieve its goals of global environmental protection and sustainable development over the next decade; and (3) the effective establishment of a high-level United Nations (UN) Commission on Sustainable Development. Urges the United States to call for periodic international meetings to continue the process toward developing and advancing international agreement to facilitate sustainable economic development. Calls on the President to: (1) urge and actively participate in multilateral efforts aimed at creating a more favorable international economic climate for developing countries to practice sustainable development; (2) affirm strong U.S. commitment to the Commission by appointing a high-level representative to the Commission and by encouraging the UN Secretary General to appoint an Under Secretary General for Sustainable Development; (3) submit and encourage all UN members to submit a national report to the Commission on activities the United States has undertaken to implement Agenda 21 both domestically and internationally, on progress made toward fulfilling other commitments undertaken at UNCED, and on other relevant environmental and developmental issues; and (4) submit an annual report to the Congress on the steps taken by the United States to implement Agenda 21 and the recommendations made by this Act and make information regarding such steps available to Members of the Congress upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Amends the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau to provide that if termination should occur, specified provisions shall remain in full force until the 15th (currently, 50th) anniversary of the effective date of the Compact. Revises provisions concerning defense sites not specifically identified in an agreement regarding the military use and operating rights of the U.S. Government in Palau concluded pursuant to the Compact to authorize the U.S. Government to establish or use such sites if it enters into an agreement with Palau for the use of such sites. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct programs to provide the people of Palau with an objective public education regarding the terms of the Compact. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Veterans' Health Care Financing Reform Demonstration Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a demonstration program to test the feasibility and desirability of requiring that, whenever the Department of Veteran Affairs provides hospital care or medical services for a non-service-connected disability to an individual who is also entitled to such care or services from another Federal department or agency, such department or agency shall reimburse the Department for the provision of such care or services. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted at three Department medical centers selected by the Secretary. Outlines health care programs of the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs as covered programs under which such reimbursement shall take place. Allows the Department to recover the cost of care or services provided to an individual for a non-service-connected disability, reduced by any appropriate unpaid deductible, to the extent that the individual would be eligible to receive such care or services from another department or agency. Directs the Secretary to establish a central electronic billing system for such amounts. Subrogates the Secretary to any right or claim that the veteran may have against another department or agency. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to determine the amount to be recovered for such care or services, taking into account the geographic area involved. Directs the Secretary to establish mechanisms to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of the demonstration project and the satisfaction of the patients served. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress after one year of the project, describing the findings of the evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1992
Designates May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1992
Congratulates Fidel Ramos on his election to the Presidency of the Philippines. Commends the people of the Philippines for institutionalizing democratic government in their country by supporting peaceful and constitutional elections. Urges the President of the United States to support continued economic and political reform by the new Philippine Government.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) identify the ten foreign airports which serve as departure points for the greatest number of improperly documented aliens seeking U.S. entry; (2) establish preinspection stations at airports in such group; (3) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding departure point airports, including the number and nationality of such aliens; and (4) establish an expedited inspection process for U.S. citizens returning by air from abroad. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the pilot visa waiver program permanent. Authorizes arriving vessels or aircraft to submit electronic passenger manifests to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Reduces the required length of time for the provision of immigration inspection and preinspection services. Changes the reporting date for the annual immigration user fee account report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Birth Defects Prevention Act of 1992 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish birth defects prevention and research programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to award grants to, enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash to, States, State health authorities, or health agencies of political subdivisions of a State for collection, analysis, and reporting of birth defects statistics from birth certificates, infant death certificates, hospital records, or other sources and to collect and disaggregate such statistics by gender and racial and ethnic group. Directs the Secretary to establish at least five regional birth defects monitoring and research programs to collect and analyze information on the number, incidence, correlation, and causes of birth defects, to include information regarding gender and different racial and ethnic groups, including Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to award grants or enter into cooperative agreements with specified entities to serve as Centers of Excellence for Birth Defects Prevention Research. Requires one of the Centers to focus on birth defects among ethnic minorities. Requires the CDC to establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data and generated from birth defects monitoring programs developed under this Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to award grants to or enter into cooperative agreements with State departments of health, universities, or other private, or nonprofit entities to develop, evaluate, and implement prevention strategies designed to reduce the incidence and effects or (sic) birth defects. Directs the Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee for Birth Defects Prevention to provide advice and recommendations on prevention and amelioration of birth defects to the Secretary and the Director of the CDC. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources regarding the incidence of birth defects, the contribution of birth defects to infant mortality, the outcome of implementation of prevention strategies, and identified needs for research and policy development to include information regarding the various racial and ethnic groups, including Hispanic, non-Hispanic whites, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
National Commitment to Quality Award Act of 1992 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish the National Commitment to Quality Award Program involving the awarding of a medal and at least three monetary competitive awards to institutions of higher education that have substantially benefited the economic and social well-being of the United States through adopting Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to govern their operations, emphasizing the importance of manufacturing process technology. Allows a recipient institution which agrees to help other institutions of higher education improve their TQM curriculum to publicize its receipt of the award. Requires the award to be used to teach TQM and process manufacturing technology using TQM principles and to apply TQM to institution operations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Designates October 1992 as Country Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1992
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Marlin, Texas, as the Thomas T. Connally Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
World University Games Commemorative Coin Act - Authorizes the minting and issuance of five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins (at no net cost to the Government) to commemorate American participation in the World University Games. Requires that all surcharges from the sale of such coins be paid to the Greater Buffalo Athletic Corporation to support amateur athletic programs, erect facilities for the use of such athletes, and to underwrite the cost of sponsoring the World University Games.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Amends the Small Business Act to permit extended participation by disadvantaged small business concerns in business development programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1992
Prohibits voluntary contributions by the United States to the United Nations Development Program, for any year after 1992, from exceeding 90 percent of the amount of such contribution for 1992. Prohibits the use of such contributions for projects in China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Vietnam, and Laos.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1992
Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase: (1) the maximum amount of Federal medical assistance available to American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands under the Medicaid program (SSA title XIX); and (2) to 75 percent the Federal medical assistance percentage for such insular areas.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Comprehensive Service Programs for Homeless Veterans Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and operate, through September 30, 1995, a pilot program to expand and improve the benefits and services to homeless veterans. Includes within such program: (1) the establishment of up to four additional demonstration programs to be centers for such veterans; and (2) the placement of veterans benefits counselors at a specified number of sites at which the Secretary furnishes services to homeless mentally ill veterans and domiciliary care to homeless veterans and at centers which provide readjustment counseling. Requires the Secretary to make grants to assist eligible entities in establishing new programs to furnish outreach, rehabilitative services, vocational counseling and training, and transitional housing assistance to homeless veterans. Sets forth grant award and application criteria. Prohibits grants from being used to support operational costs of a grantee, except as provided by this Act. Prohibits the making of a grant unless the applicant agrees to: (1) provide services for which the grant is furnished at locations accessible to homeless veterans; (2) maintain referral networks for, and aid such veterans in, establishing eligibility for assistance and obtaining services under available entitlement and assistance programs; (3) ensure the confidentiality of records maintained on homeless veterans receiving services under the grant; (4) establish procedures for accounting with respect to the grant; and (5) with respect to service centers, meet specified requirements concerning service hours, space for Federal agencies and other organizations, and necessary services. Requires the Secretary to provide per diem payments to a grant recipient for services furnished to any homeless veteran: (1) whom the Secretary has referred to the recipient; or (2) for whom the Secretary, within three working days, has authorized the provision of services. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of per diem payments, to provide a recipient with in-kind assistance. Permits the Secretary to inspect the facilities of any entity eligible for payments. Directs the Secretary to require the director of each medical center and regional benefits office of the Department of Veterans Affairs to: (1) assess the needs of homeless veterans living within the area served by the center or regional office; and (2) catalogue programs of the Department, agencies of the Federal, State, and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations which provide services to homeless persons in such area. Requires the Secretary to compile assessment information for use in program planning and to carry out laws relating to assistance to homeless veterans. Directs the Secretary to assign employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration to conduct outreach programs and services for homeless veterans. Amends the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 to extend community-based residential care for homeless chronically mentally ill veterans through September 30, 1995. Extends through December 31, 1995, the authority of the Secretary to enter into agreements to make real properties acquired as a result of loan defaults available for housing assistance for homeless veterans. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
National Biological Resources Research and Development Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a National Center for Biological Resources (Research and Development) to facilitate the collection, synthesis, and dissemination of information relating to the sustainable use, research, development, and conservation of biological resources. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 23, 1992, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Defense Workers Economic Reinvestment Act - Title I: Economic Reinvestment Council - Establishes the Economic Reinvestment Council to: (1) administer the National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation program and the Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grant program, both established under this Act; and (2) be empowered to examine and approve or disapprove all other project and program selections made under this Act and funding decisions under this Act exceeding $500,000. Requires reviews of funding requests to be completed within 60 days. Directs the Council to advise the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other Federal agencies on the progress and success of the economic reinvestment programs established under this Act and under the Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Act of 1990 in alleviating the adverse economic and social effects of reductions in defense spending. Requires the Council to consult on a regular basis with Governors of States involved in reinvestment activities. Directs the Council: (1) upon receiving notification of the annual defense budget proposal of the Secretary, to commence a preliminary study of the potential adverse economic effects the proposal may have on qualified defense contractors and communities; and (2) to prepare and distribute an economic reinvestment progress report on an annual basis. Requires the latter report to be distributed to State governors, the heads of Federal departments and agencies, and any other interested persons. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation - Directs the President, in order to exploit the potential of critical technologies that would benefit national infrastructure and create export opportunities, to develop and carry out a program to assist advanced technology projects. Includes the following areas within appropriate investments in advanced technology projects which are in the national interest: space exploration, transportation, environmental restoration, telecommunications, energy efficiency, health care, education, and ocean technology. Directs the Council to solicit, review, prioritize, and select advanced technology projects to benefit the national technology infrastructure. Requires the Council to prepare and disseminate guidelines for qualifying project proposals. Requires specified Federal department and agency heads to submit to the Council proposals for such projects. Allows other Federal departments and agencies to submit proposals. Provides that, once a project is selected, the Council shall review project plans and schedules, provide funds to the project through the Department of Defense (DOD), and oversee implementation of the project. Encourages joint ventures in such projects with combinations of industry, academic, and State and Federal Government partners. Authorizes appropriations to fund such project for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Council to coordinate and oversee the creation of one consortium matched to each project, focusing on the basic and applied research for such project. Requires at least 50 percent of the funding for a consortium to derive from non-Federal sources. Limits Federal funding for a consortium to $5,000,000 annually for a period of four years. Requires small business to receive a minimum of 20 percent of the consortium research funding. Requires the Council to solicit and evaluate other proposals for critical technology consortia and to select at least three proposals annually. Places identical limits on the length and amounts of Federal funding for such consortia. Requires activities conducted by such a consortium to include a significant defense component. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Secretary to reexamine existing procurement contracts to determine whether overly restrictive specifications on systems, supplies, and services that are also available commercially have been made. Directs the Secretary, for contracts exceeding $100,000 where DOD specifications preclude the purchase of commercial sector products, to justify the necessity for developing a different specification and the unsuitability of commercial specifications. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress detailing such justifications for each contract. Requires each defense contract solicitation to include provisions which encourage the use of commercially available systems, supplies, and services. Title III: Relieving Labor Shortages in Selected Civilian Applications - Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Training Oversight and Administration to coordinate and oversee retraining, placement, and other transition assistance activities for full-time employees of at least three years of a qualified defense contractor (a contractor deriving 30 percent of its annual income from, or using 30 percent of its work force on, defense contracts) who: (1) are directly involved with a DOD funded project which is canceled or which receives at least a 25 percent reduction in Federal funds; and (2) are terminated or likely to be terminated within one year as the result of such cancellation or reduction. Directs the Office to disseminate information concerning such retraining and placement assistance to all qualified contractors and eligible DOD employees. Directs the Office to maintain statistics on the effectiveness of the transition assistance program in order to aid the Council in required activities. Authorizes the Office, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to enter into agreements for the provision to eligible DOD employees of such transition assistance in skills identified to be in short supply in the area in which the retraining program operates. Authorizes the Office to award one- and two-year scholarships to educational institutions, giving a priority in such scholarships to eligible employees who seek vocational training and for scholarships in certain critical occupations as determined by the Office. Limits the Federal contribution to a training program to 50 percent of its costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995. Requires a qualified defense contractor to make a good faith effort to identify as early as possible employees who meet the eligibility requirements of the program, to advise them on options, and to allow them to participate in retraining and other transition assistance programs. Allows certain employees previously terminated under similar conditions within one year before the enactment of this Act to be eligible for such program. Title IV: Commercialization Opportunities - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to establish a program to assist U.S. businesses in creating and applying the generic technology and research results necessary to commercialize significant new discoveries and technologies. Requires the program selection board to be modeled after the Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Directs the Secretary to inform the Council of the status of funded projects and on new selections for the Council's approval as required under title I. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with U.S. businesses for commercialization projects to demonstrate the feasibility of a particular technology or process up to the prototype stage, limiting the Federal funds to 33 percent of the project's costs, and limiting a single project to $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 993 through 1996. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to U.S. businesses of up to $3,000,000 for any one commercialization project. Prohibits more than three loans from being made to any single company or joint venture. Provides loan conditions and criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) encourage the creation of industrial parks or technology incubator centers to transfer and spin off technology from qualified defense contractors to small businesses; (2) use royalties earned from the licensing of certain patents to assist local technology transfer activities; and (3) create and administer an awards program (modeled after an awards program under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980) to foster and encourage innovation and redirection efforts by qualified defense contractors in the area of commercialization. Title V: Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants - States as the purpose of this title to provide Federal assistance directly to States for defense reinvestment programs. Directs the Secretary to allocate amounts authorized for appropriation under this title under a specified funding formula as technological competitiveness grants to States whose defense reinvestment programs meet certain requirements. Directs the Council to develop and disseminate guidelines on State eligibility for such grants. Requires a State, prior to receiving such a grant, to provide the Council information about its defense reinvestment program. Directs each State to report annually to the Council on progress under its reinvestment program, as well as any other data analysis required by the Council for its duties. Directs the Secretary to withhold grant funds from a State if the Council concludes that such State's reinvestment program or its progress is unsatisfactory relative to the published guidelines. Allows a 90-day appeal period during which the State shall be permitted to submit a revised program for Council review. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Used Oil Recycling Act of 1992 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the listing or identification of used oil destined for recycling, used oil to be burned for energy recovery, recycled oil, or affiliated material as hazardous wastes. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate regulations for the management of used oil and to encourage recycling of such oil; and (2) take into account the effect of such regulatons on small businesses. Exempts from such regulations used oil generated, collected, or stored by an individual who removes oil from the engine of a motor vehicle, aircraft, household appliance, or item of domestic equipment if owned by such individual and used only for personal purposes. Sets forth regulation requirements for used oil generators, including to: (1) prohibit the storage of used oil in an underground tank unless it meets specified requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) prohibit the storage of used oil for more than 12 months; (3) make used oil in above ground tanks subject to the Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Control Plan requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (4) require owners or operators of such tanks or other used oil containers to notify the Administrator of releases of used oil in excess of 25 gallons and to clean up such releases and comply with closure or disposal requirements. Authorizes the transfer of used oil by generators only to: (1) a permitted used oil recycling facility or a burner of used oil for energy recovery that complies with specifed regulations; (2) a permitted hazardous waste management facility; or (3) a used oil transporter obligated by contract to deliver used oil to another such transporter or to one of the aforementioned facilities. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for generators, transporters, and recyclers and requires records to be maintained for at least three years. Applies used oil storage and transfer requirements for generators to transporters, except permits transporters to store such oil for only 60 days before transferring it to another transporter or authorized facility. Requires transporters to: (1) comply with all requirements of the Secretary of Transportation for the shipping of used oil; (2) comply with financial responsibility requirements of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; and (3) have identification numbers provided by the Administrator. Sets forth regulation requirements for recyclers of used oil. Exempts from regulations used oil generated by: (1) petroleum refining or exploration, production or transportation facilities, or bulk terminals which is to be refined or processed along with normal process streams at a refining facility; and (2) a manufacturer or processor or by an electric or gas utility that is processed, reclaimed, or refined by such generator or its parent, subsidiary, or corporate affiliate, provided that the oil is reused by such entities and such activities meet certain storage, shipping, financial responsibility, contingency, and release detection requirements under this Act. Applies storage requirements similar to those for generators and transporters to recyclers, as well as requiring: (1) aboveground storage tanks and containers of used oil recyclers to comply with hazardous waste storage standards; (2) recyclers to maintain contingency plans to minimize unanticipated damage from used oil; (3) recyclers to comply with requirements for maintenance and operation of used oil recycling facilities and training of personnel; (4) detection of releases of used oil at recycling facilities and cleanup; (5) testing by recyclers, prior to processing, of all used oil received for levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, halogens, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other materials, as appropriate, and for the testing of fuel for such materials before it leaves the facility; (6) the separate storage of used oil contaminated with any hazardous waste for a specified time period; (7) financial responsibility equivalent to that required for hazardous waste facilities; and (8) class permits for recycling facilities. Requires the Administrator to conduct annual inspections of used oil recycling facilities to determine compliance with permit requirements. Makes a facility ineligible to apply for a permit if: (1) the facility has utilized any pit, pond, lagoon, or other surface impoundment for containing used oil; and (2) there has been a release from such impoundments which requires corrective action or is otherwise subject to post closure care requirements. Permits States to be authorized by the Administrator to carry out permit programs. Prohibits: (1) the placement of used oil in such impoundments or in any uncovered tank; (2) the mixing of used oil with a hazardous waste unless the mixture is managed as a hazardous waste; and (3) the use of used oil as a dust suppressant. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the closure of such impoundments and tanks containing used oil, to include requirements for: (1) corrective action or postclosure care; (2) allowable fuel specification levels for lead and halogens for the burning of used oil for energy recovery; and (3) lead levels for the burning of industrial specification used oil. Requires oil fuels failing to meet lead limitations to be burned in specified facilities. Directs the Administrator to implement education activities to inform the public about the hazards associated with the improper handling and disposal of used oil and the benefits derived from legitimate used oil recycling. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to publish guidelines to assist State and local governments and other public service organizations in the development of used oil collection programs. Makes used oil generators who comply with this Act eligible for an exclusion from cost recovery authorities of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Directs the Administrator to propose regulations establishing guidelines for the procurement of used oil by Federal agencies and other governmental entities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Designates July 2, 1992, as National Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Designates the week beginning November 8, 1992, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Withdraws most favored nation status from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Authorizes the President to restore such status after he certifies to the Congress that: (1) such treatment would promote compliance with the provisions of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (2) Yugoslavia has ceased its armed conflict with the other ethnic peoples of the region, and has agreed to respect the borders of the six republics, that formerly comprised the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Justice in India Act - Terminates all development assistance for India under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (except assistance for specified health projects) if the President reports to the Congress that India has not repealed certain special and preventive detention laws. Provides for the resumption of such assistance if India repeals such laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of American POWs/MIAs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Amends the veterans' educational assistance program to allow an individual who was on active duty on August 2, 1990, and who completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) before 12 months after the enactment of this Act to be considered to have completed such requirements within his or her initial obligated period of active duty, thus qualifying for such educational assistance after release or discharge from active duty. (Current law requires completion of school diploma requirements during the initial active duty period.) Provides a similar extension of such diploma completion requirements in the case of members of the Selected Reserve, except for requiring completion of such requirements within 11 months after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of each military department to notify individuals who have not met the diploma requirements of the extension of such periods under this Act. Credits an individual who becomes eligible for educational assistance subsequent to his or her initial period of service with the amount of basic pay reduced for participation in such educational assistance program. Applies such credit to an individual whose initial period of active duty began after June 30, 1985, and ended less than one year later with release without a bar to reenlistment. Makes such provision applicable to former members of the Selected Reserve, reducing such educational entitlement by any amount used in the earlier period of service. Bars the provision of armed forces educational assistance to individuals enrolled in education or training under the Government Employees Training Act. (Currently, such assistance is barred only if such individual is receiving such education or training and being paid full salary.) Requires apprenticeship or on-job training establishments to certify the hours completed by an individual under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program for members of the Selected Reserve. Prohibits approval of a nonaccredited course of education pursued in whole or in part by independent study for participation in the veterans' educational assistance program. Disapproves for participation: (1) any bartending or personality development course; (2) sales or sales management courses which do not provide specialized training within a specific field; (3) any type of course found to be avocational or recreational in character unless justification is shown by the veteran; or (4) any independent study program other than an accredited program leading to a standard college degree. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from approving the enrollment of any eligible veteran in any course: (1) of flight training other than one given by a higher education institution and leading toward a standard college degree; (2) to be pursued by radio or open circuit television, with an exception; and (3) for any period in which the Secretary finds that more than 85 percent of the students so enrolled are having all or part of their tuition and fees paid by the educational institution or the Department under the veterans' or armed forces' educational assistance programs, unless the Secretary determines such a course to be in the best interest of the eligible veteran and the Government. Provides other exceptions to such prohibitions. Applies a savings provision to persons currently enrolled in a nonaccredited course of independent study. Reduces, for purposes of eligibility in the veterans' or survivors' and dependents' educational assistance programs, the number of clock hours of attendance required for institutional trade or technical courses not leading to a standard college degree to be considered a full-time course, and therefore eligible for participation in the programs. Provides that a course not leading to a standard college degree from an educational institution on a quarter- or semester-hour basis and offered by an entity that is not an institution of higher learning shall not be considered to be full-time if it requires less than the weekly minimum hours of full-time attendance required for institutional trade or technical courses measured on a clock hour basis. Repeals provisions providing for the computation of the monthly educational assistance allowance to be paid on behalf of an eligible individual pursuing: (1) an independent study program which leads to a standard college degree; and (2) a course in part by open circuit television. Provides a death benefit to the survivor of an individual entitled to basic education assistance who dies within one year after discharge or release from active duty (currently, who dies while on active duty) in the amount of unused educational assistance. Provides basic veterans' educational assistance entitlement for regular and Selected Reserve members who were on active duty at any time during the period between October 19, 1984, and July 1, 1985 (currently, continuous service within such period is required) and who meet certain other requirements after June 30, 1985. Makes such entitlement revision applicable as of October 28, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Amends specified Federal law relating to impact aid to require that appropriations and expenditures under such law for payments to local educational agencies on behalf of children who are dependents of a parent or parents on active duty in the armed forces be considered national defense functions for budget purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Veterans In Transition Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide post-service training vouchers to eligible members of the armed forces who apply in order to finance employment retraining provided through programs established under the Job Training Partnership Act. Requires such vouchers to be provided to such members within 60 days of their separation from active duty. Defines as eligible those members serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty on September 30, 1990, who were either involuntarily separated or separated under one of the military separation incentive programs, and who were not entitled to retired or retainer pay incident to such separation. Requires such a member to certify to the Secretary that the member is unemployed and does not have a firm commitment for employment upon separation. Directs the Secretary to provide such vouchers to certain unemployed members who did not receive such vouchers due to lack of the required certification. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such vouchers to other members discharged or released from active duty if they would benefit from the training provided. Directs the Secretary to provide appropriate notification to members eligible for such vouchers. Provides for the determination of voucher amounts, requiring such amounts to be generally equal to the cost of providing the training required to achieve the employment objective chosen by the member. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist the Secretary in determining voucher amounts. Authorizes any member receiving such a voucher to exchange it for employment and training services provided under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to the same extent as other individuals eligible to receive such services. Requires such vouchers to be used within a two-year period after discharge, release, or separation. Directs the Secretary, after receiving a voucher, to reimburse the training provider for the actual cost of providing such training, not to exceed the face value of the voucher. Prohibits more than ten percent of the funds provided under this Act from being used for administrative costs. Prohibits the training providers, in accepting vouchers in exchange for employment and training services under the JTPA, from: (1) reducing the number of individuals who receive such services in the absence of the voucher program; or (2) denying such services to veterans who are eligible for such services but do not have a voucher. Directs the Secretary to notify the State agency administering the JTPA in which the member intends to reside and take up training. Amends the JTPA to include such separated members in the defense conversion adjustment program provided under such Act. Requires preseparation counseling of members about to be discharged or released from active duty to occur as soon as possible, but not later than 90 days before the date of discharge (currently, upon discharge). Includes as part of such counseling the creation of a transition plan for the member and spouse to achieve educational, training, and employment objectives. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Veterans Affairs and the Economic Adjustment Committee to improve the coordination of, and eliminate duplication between, specified job training and placement programs available to members who are discharged or released from active duty. Directs the Secretary to use ten percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated under this Act for the financing of specified coordination efforts. Directs the Secretary, as part of the preseparation counseling provided to discharged or released members, to insure that information is provided to interested members with respect to the establishment and operation of small businesses. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a member eligible for a training voucher to assist such member in establishing a small business after such discharge or release. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a business owned or operated by a veteran to assist the business to employ members eligible for training vouchers. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the head of a Federal agency under which the agency makes grants to States and local governments and nonprofit organizations to establish internships or other training programs for members eligible for training vouchers. Provides that all such grants will be made in lieu of providing the member with a training voucher. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to assist discharged or released members and their spouses in locating civilian employment, to conduct marketing and employer outreach activities to promote the creation of employment opportunities for such members and spouses. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Designates November 13, 1992, as Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1992
Designates September 18, 1992, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown on a flagstaff of the White House, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service Commission, each national cemetery, and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on such day. Requires the flag to be flown on a flagstaff of each national cemetery and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1992 (Memorial Day), and on November 11, 1992 (Veterans Day). States that the flag shall be displayed as a symbol of national concern and commitment to resolving the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing, and unaccounted for.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Reform Act of 1992 - Title I: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Reform - Revises the formula for the computation of the payment to surviving spouses of veterans of dependency and indemnity compensation to make such payment a flat monthly amount of $700, increased by $50 monthly in the case of: (1) the death of a veteran while performing active duty; or (2) the death of a veteran due to a service-connected disability if such disability was rated total either for the five years immediately preceding death or from the date of the veteran's discharge. Provides that, for the payment of such compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who died before October 1, 1992, the monthly rate shall be the higher amount between the current and revised formula. Increases the additional rate paid to a surviving spouse for each child of the deceased veteran under the age of 18. Title II: Life Insurance Programs - Increases the maximum amount of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance authorized to be carried by a veteran from $100,000 to $200,000 in additional increments of $10,000. Increases to $200,000 the authorized amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance and makes it renewable on a five-year basis (currently, nonrenewable). Provides additional optional coverage of $10,000 in supplemental service disabled veterans' insurance (SSDI) for veterans currently carrying National Service Life Insurance who qualify for a waiver of premiums due to total disability. Outlines SSDI application requirements. Requires premiums to be paid for SSDI coverage. Increases the authorized amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance to the lesser of either $90,000 (currently, $40,000) or the amount of the loan outstanding on the home.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Prisoner-of-War Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar coins emblematic of the experience of American prisoners of war. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $5 per coin. Requires specified proceeds from such surcharges to be paid to the: (1) Secretary of the Interior for construction of the Andersonville Prisoner-of-War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia; (2) endowment fund established by this Act for the maintenance of such Museum; and (3) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992
Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea by: (1) paying tribute to the U.S.-Australian relationship; (2) reaffirming the importance of U.S.-Australian security cooperation; and (3) expressing support for continued U.S.-Australian cooperation on economic and security issues in Asia and the Pacific.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) an appropriate commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Mariana Islands campaign of World War II should be planned; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior should take steps to ensure by June 15, 1994, the completion of a visitor center at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam (Park), and one at the American Memorial Park, Saipan, for the interpretation of the campaign. Authorizes the Secretary to refurbish and take steps to preserve the Japanese two-person midget submarine, as well as the various World War II vintage weapons and fortifications which exist within the boundaries of the Park. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an appraisal of all privately held property located within the boundaries of the Park that had not been appraised during the 12-month period preceding the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) establish at such Park a War in the Pacific National Historical Park Management Intern Program to provide Guam residents with the skills needed to manage territorial parks. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) Program participants; and (2) allocation of funds. Increases the authorization of appropriations for both such parks.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Servicemembers Education Conversion Act of 1992 - Title I: Enhanced Voluntary Separation Programs - Directs the Secretary of Defense, in administering the special separation benefits program and the voluntary separation program and in order to provide an incentive for members of the armed forces to become elementary and secondary school teachers, to modify those programs in accordance with this Act. Entitles such modifications as the teacher training enhancement program. Authorizes a member of the armed forces who is offered participation in either of the separation programs to apply to the Secretary for the training program. Allows the Secretary to accept applications only in the case of a member who could become certified as a teacher after pursuit of a program of one year or less. Prohibits the acceptance of any applications after September 30, 1997. Modifies the separation programs to: (1) continue to provide for 12 months after separation from service the full amount of the member's basic pay paid before such separation; and (2) pay such benefit or incentive as computed by using half the member's years of service (currently, all) payable at the end of the 12-month period in which the member received full basic pay. Directs the Secretary to provide information about the training program to all members of the armed forces on active duty before they enter preseparation counseling as required under Federal law. Title II: Elements of Teacher Training Enhancement Program - Requires a former member of the armed forces who is accepted into the training program to enter into a written agreement with the Secretary to: (1) accept modification of the separation programs; (2) obtain teacher certification within one year after separation; and (3) teach, within seven years from receiving certification, for at least five years in a public or private nonprofit elementary or secondary school in the United States. Requires an individual who fails to comply fully with the agreement requirements to reimburse the United States on a pro rata basis for the benefits provided under the training program. Allows an individual to make any required reimbursement through a reduction in the amount of voluntary separation incentive payments due to such individual for his or her period of service. Provides instances in which such repayment or teaching obligations shall be waived. Title III: Role of Department of Education in Teacher Training Enhancement Program - Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) collect information regarding States and local educational agencies that have a shortage of elementary and secondary school teachers and the applicable teacher certification requirements; and (2) provide such information to the Secretary of Defense for dissemination to members of the armed forces as part of their information package. Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) assist individuals selected for the program in selecting an appropriate teacher certification to pursue and in obtaining appropriate employment after certification; (2) provide information to States, local educational agencies, and accredited private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools regarding the existence of the program and the availability of program participants as teachers; (3) assist States and local educational agencies in developing alternative certification procedures for former members of the armed forces; and (4) submit an annual report on program effectiveness to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
National Police and Peace Officer Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to prohibit any State or local government from being eligible to receive justice system improvement grant funds under such Act unless such government allows active or retired law enforcement officers from any jurisdiction within the United States to carry concealed firearms. Directs the Attorney General to determine procedures for certification of such officers and to issue certification cards to assist States in identifying such officers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates April 26 through May 2, 1992, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Condemns the extraconstitutional and anti-democratic actions of President Fujimori in Peru. Commends President Bush for his condemnation of such actions and suspension of U.S. assistance. Calls on: (1) President Fujimori to immediately restore the democratically-elected Congress, the judiciary, civil liberties, and a free and independent news media, to release political detainees, and to ensure respect for human rights; (2) the President to continue the suspension of U.S. assistance and seek to delay approval of any international loans for Peru until civilian democratic government is restored and to consider further actions to encourage such restoration; and (3) the Organization of American States to adopt measures that will help restore democracy in Peru.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Provides that a veteran who is a former prisoner of war detained or interned for at least 90 days shall be deemed to have a service-connected disability rated at no less than 50 percent for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits.