United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Individual Training Account Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a deduction for amounts paid yearly into an individual training account for the benefit of such individual. Describes such account as one to pay the expenses of job training and job-related relocation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Political Relationship Title II: Applicability of Federal Law Title III: Foreign Affairs and Defense Title IV: Courts Title V: Trade Title VI: Taxation Title VII: Immigration Title VIII: Labor Title IX: Transportation and Telecommunications Title X: Land, Natural Resources and Utilities Title XI: United States Financial Assistance Title XII: Technical Amendments and Interpretation Guam Commonwealth Act - Title I: Political Relationship - Creates the Commonwealth of Guam. Grants the people of Guam the right of full self-government through adoption of a Constitution and within specified guidelines. (Sec. 102) Recognizes the right of self-determination of the people of Guam. Directs the U.S. Government to promote preservation of the Chamorro culture, enhanced economic, social, and educational opportunities for Chamorros, and training of Chamorros for employment. Directs Guam to establish a land trust for the benefit of the indigenous Chamorro people and to establish residency requirements under the Constitution of Guam for voting and holding elective office. (Sec. 103) Allows this Act to be modified only with the mutual consent of the Governments of the United States and Guam. Title II: Applicability of Federal Law - Makes specified provisions of, and amendments to, the U.S. Constitution applicable to Guam. (Sec. 202) Makes Federal laws, rules, or regulations passed after the date of this Act inapplicable unless mutually consented to by the Governments of the United States and Guam. (Sec. 203) Creates the Joint Commission on the Applicability of Federal Law. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the President to delegate to the Governor of Guam performance of functions now vested in Federal administrative agencies. Title III: Foreign Affairs and Defense - Grants the United States responsibility for authority with respect to matters relating to foreign affairs and defense that affect Guam. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the establishment of military security zones or the stationing of foreign military personnel on the Island of Guam without the approval of the Government of Guam except in time of declared war, or the establishment of military bases without consultation with the Governor. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the United States from using Guam or the water surrounding it for the dumping or storage of nuclear waste or hazardous chemicals. Provides for the cleanup by the United States of chemical dump sites used by the military. Requires the United States to compensate any person injured as a result of hazardous materials stored, used, or disposed of by the U.S. Government in Guam or its waters. Title IV: Courts - Specifies provisions governing the relations between U.S. courts and the local courts of Guam, the jurisdiction of the District Court of Guam, and the applicable district court rules. (Sec. 404) Provides for the appointment of a judge for the District Court of Guam, a U.S. attorney, and a U.S. marshal for Guam. Title V: Trade - Establishes a Guam-United States free trade area. (Sec. 501) Authorizes Guam to impose, increase, reduce, or eliminate duties and other restrictions on certain imports and exports. Title VI: Taxation - Makes U.S. income tax laws applicable to Guam. Deems such laws to impose a separate tax to be known as the Guam Commonwealth income tax. (Sec. 603) Allows the Government of Guam to provide for the rebate or reduction of taxes in order to assist new industries or economic development. (Sec. 604) Grants Guam the power to determine the nature and amount of taxes imposed upon the income and property of persons within its jurisdiction. Repeals applicable U.S. tax laws one year after Guam has enacted a replacement comprehensive local income tax. (Sec. 605) Exempts all bonds or other obligations issued by Guam from taxation by Federal, State, or local governments of the United States. Title VII: Immigration - Applies the Immigration and Nationality Act and pertinent Federal regulations to Guam for two years from enactment of this Act. Directs Guam to enact a comprehensive law on immigration to become effective at the end of the two-year period. (Sec. 702) Authorizes U.S. consular officials to issue visas for travel only to Guam for any alien seeking to enter Guam as a non-immigrant in order to encourage investors and tourists to come to Guam. Title VIII: Labor - Grants preference to qualified residents of Guam in all Federal civil service vacancies occurring in Guam. (Sec. 802) Grants Guam the authority to enact and enforce all laws regulating or affecting employment in Guam. Title IX: Transportation and Telecommunications - Precludes application of any U.S. law barring the U.S. registration and use of any foreign-built vessel within the waters around Guam for any purpose. (Sec. 901) Exempts from the coastwise laws of the United States any shipment of fish or fish products from Guam to any U.S. coastwise destination. Directs the Commission to examine the applicability of such laws and to recommend their termination upon determining that such laws constrain Guam's economic development. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the Governor of Guam to sponsor any qualified air service carrier to come to Guam, subject to presidential consultation concerning U.S. foreign policy and security interests. Exempts Guam from all bilateral treaties between the United States and foreign states with respect to scheduling and technical specifications of aircraft, other than safety requirements. (Sec. 903) Defines Guam as "domestic" for Federal Communications Commission rate setting purposes. Title X: Land, Natural Resources and Utilities - Grants the Government of Guam the power of eminent domain. (Sec. 1001) Sets limits on U.S. acquisition of real property on Guam. Exempts Guam from Federal regulations governing the transfer or sale of excess Federal real property. Provides for the transfer of all excess Federal property to Guam, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 1003) Provides for access and use by the residents of Guam of certain retained Federal property, subject to military security requirements. (Sec. 1004) Directs the United States to transfer ownership of island utilities to Guam. Title XI: United States Financial Assistance - Provides for the return of U.S. revenues from taxes and fees collected in Guam to the Government of Guam. Makes U.S. laws providing Federal benefits and financial assistance which are applicable to the States equally applicable to Guam. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Governor of Guam, in preparing an annual budget, to identify the costs and benefits to Guam brought about by its role as one of the principal U.S. military bastions in the Far East. (Sec. 1105) Provides for assistance to aid Guam's transition to a Commonwealth. Title XII: Technical Amendments and Interpretation - Makes technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 1204) Requires this Act to be submitted to the registered voters of Guam for ratification after being passed by the Congress. Repeals the Organic Act of Guam in specified phases.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
States that a prohibition on the concurrent award of veterans' disability compensation and military retired pay shall not apply to a person who has a service-connected disability if: (1) the person completed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; and (2) the disability was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and is rated at not less than 70 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1997 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total. Declares that, once the Federal budget deficit has been reduced, the Congress should reexamine and eliminate any offset of retired pay by a veteran's disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Medicare Diabetes Education and Supplies Amendments of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services and blood-testing strips for individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Medicare Patient Choice and Access Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans, among other things, to: (1) assure Medicare enrollees timely access to in-network primary and specialty health care providers and, under certain conditions, out-of-network providers as well; (2) establish a grievance process for resolving grievances between them and their enrollees; and (3) provide each enrollee with an explanation of the enrollee's rights and a copy of the most recent consumer report card for the organization. Prohibits provider incentive plans that fail to meet specified criteria. Bans interference with certain medical communications. Applies the same requirements to Medicare select policies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permanently extend the exclusion from gross income of employer-provided educational assistance; and (2) restore the exclusion for such assistance on the graduate level.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1997
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should pursue policies that: (1) encourage all residents of this country to become fully proficient in English by expanding educational opportunities and access to information technologies; (2) conserve and develop the Nation's linguistic resources by encouraging all residents to learn or maintain skills in a language other than English; (3) assist Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and other peoples indigenous to the United States in their efforts to prevent the extinction of their languages and cultures; (4) continue to provide services in languages other than English as needed to facilitate access to essential functions of government, promote public health and safety, ensure due process, promote equal educational opportunity, and protect fundamental rights; and (5) recognize the importance of multilingualism to vital national interests and individual rights, and oppose "English-only" measures and similar language restrictionist measures.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment of National Indian Bonding Pilot Authority Title II: Private Bonds Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions National Indian Bonding Authority Pilot Project Act of 1996 - Title I: Establishment of National Indian Bonding Pilot Authority - Establishes a commission to be known as the National Indian Bonding Pilot Project Authority to: (1) provide for the issuance of certificates of participation (revenue bonds of the Authority); and (2) promulgate regulations to carry out such issuance. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Private Bonds - Directs the Authority to, by regulation, establish a program to provide for the issuance of certificates of participation and other debt instruments pursuant to an agreement between the Authority and a private underwriter to provide funding for facility improvement, repair, and new construction of schools of the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Education Amendments Act of 1978. Provides for the transfer of funds for each fiscal year. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires: (1) the Authority to annually make a report to the Secretary of the Interior; and (2) the Secretary to review and make such recommendations deemed necessary to the Congress and Indian nations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1996
Residential Windstorm Insurance Plan Act of 1996 - Instructs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to study the advisability and feasibility of establishing a Residential Windstorm Insurance Program designed to provide windstorm insurance to residential property owners unable to obtain coverage in the private market. Delineates Program contents and considerations. Requires the Director to: (1) submit to specified congressional committees study conclusions and estimated Program costs; and (2) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a Federal earthquake insurance program modeled after the "Write Your Own" Program under the National Flood Insurance Program. Directs the Comptroller General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress the results of a joint study evaluating the public policy issues associated with conferring favorable Federal tax treatment to multiyear insurance reserves set aside by private insurers for future catastrophic natural disasters.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Labor Free Labeling Standards Title II: Child Labor Free Commission Title III: Recognition of Exemplary Corporate Efforts Title IV: Definitions Child Labor Free Consumer Information Act of 1996 - Title I: Child Labor Free Labeling Standards - Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations to ensure that a label using any term or symbol denying the use of child labor does not make a false statement or suggestion that the article or section of wearing apparel or sporting good was not made with child labor. Requires such standards to encourage the use of an easily identifiable symbol or term indicating that the article or section of wearing apparel or sporting good was not made with child labor. (Sec. 101) Requires a producer, importer, exporter, distributor, or other person intending to use any such label to notify the Child Labor Free Commission (CLFC, established under title II of this Act) within 60 days after the product bearing that label becomes available to the public for purchase. Requires the Commission to review the notification. Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee to cover the expenses of the CLFC in reviewing a notification. Makes it a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) for any producer, importer, exporter, distributor, or seller of any article of wearing apparel (or section of an article of wearing apparel) or sporting good that is exported from or offered for sale in the United States to: (1) falsely indicate on the label or the packaging of that item that the item was not made with child labor; or (2) otherwise falsely claim or suggest that the item was not made with child labor. Amends FTCA to prescribe civil penalties for such violations. Establishes in the Treasury the Free the Children Fund for receipt of such penalties. Authorizes annual appropriations of such amounts in the Fund for specified educational and other programs to eliminate child labor. (Sec. 102) Directs the CLFC to assist the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by reviewing petitions alleging violations of the labeling standards under this Act. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, upon discovering a violation of this Act in the course of an investigation, to report it to the Secretary of Labor, who will review such report and, as appropriate, refer the violation to the FTC for enforcement under FTCA. Title II: Child Labor Free Commission - Establishes the Child Labor Free Commission (CLFC). (Sec. 202) Directs the CLFC to: (1) assist the Secretary of Labor in developing child free labor labeling standards, and in developing and implementing a compliance system; and (2) commence developing an easily identifiable labeling standard that the Secretary of Labor shall issue to encourage the use of voluntary labels assuring consumers that an article of wearing apparel or sporting good was made without the use of sweatshop or exploited adult labor. Title III: Recognition of Exemplary Corporate Efforts - Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) issue annual reports concerning companies making exemplary progress in ensuring that products they make, sell, or distribute are not made with abusive and exploitative child labor; and (2) develop and implement, with the CLFC, other methods of recognizing such exemplary company programs. Title IV: Definitions - Defines child as an individual who has not attained the age of: (1) 15 years, as measured by the Julian calendar; or (2) 14 such years, for a resident of a country that, by law, so defines a child.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Freedom of the Highways Act of 1996 - Prohibits any law enforcement agency or officer, acting under color of authority, from stopping any person driving or riding in an automobile because of that person's race or color. Authorizes any person or class of persons aggrieved by such a violation, in a civil action, to obtain appropriate relief. Specifies that a showing that a pattern exists in a particular region of disparate stopping of persons on highways based on race or color is sufficient to constitute prima facie evidence of a violation in that region.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Amends the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to require written consent, if Native American remains are excavated or removed for purposes of study, from: (1) lineal descendants (if known); or (2) the appropriate Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. Sets forth the following requirements for inadvertent discoveries: (1) the appropriate Indian tribe or native Hawaiian organization be notified, with respect to tribal lands; and (2) any person or entity that disposes of or controls any such cultural item adhere to the applicable requirements for intentional excavation and removal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1996
Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - Requires the Northern Mariana Islands to be represented in the Congress by an elected nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives. Provides that the Resident Representative of the Islands shall be the Delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1996
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from certain naturalization requirements persons who: (1) have lived in the United States for at least 20 years; (2) are eligible for Social Security benefits; (3) are U.S. veterans; or (4) are at least 70 years old.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1996
Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Requires a group health plan that applies an aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for medical or surgical services, if the plan also provides a mental health benefit, to include mental health payments in that limit or establish a separate aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for mental health services, with the mental health limit not less than the medical or surgical limit. Prohibits a group health plan that does not apply a medical or surgical limit from applying a mental health limit. Exempts employers with fewer than 26 employees. Makes this Act ineffective after September 30, 2001. Exempts a purchaser from this Act if the Act's provisions result in a one percent or greater increase in the cost of a group health plan's premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1996
International Child Labor Elimination Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to annually identify foreign countries that do not prohibit child labor, or that have laws prohibiting child labor but do not enforce them, and those industries in such countries in which child labor is used. Prohibits U.S. and multilateral assistance to identified countries, with specified exceptions. Authorizes appropriations for a U.S. contribution to the International Labor Organization for the activities of the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions in the attack of San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War on July 1, 1898.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1996
Agent Orange Benefits Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide needed health care to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida, for any associated disability. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such health care directly or by contract or other arrangement with a health care provider. Includes within such care home, hospital, nursing home, outpatient, preventive, and rehabilitative care, case management, respite care, the training of family members in the provision of necessary home care, and necessary pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment. Authorizes the Secretary to provide vocational training to such a child if the Secretary determines that the achievement of a vocational goal by such child is reasonably feasible. Limits such training to 24 months, unless the Secretary determines that an extension is necessary (up to 24 additional months). Requires a child eligible for more than one assistance program through the Department of Veterans Affairs to elect one program for participation. Directs the Secretary to pay a monetary allowance to any such child for any disability resulting from spina bifida based on the degree of disability. Requires an increase in such disability benefit whenever there is an increase in benefits payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides veterans' disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for the additional disability or death of a veteran which was: (1) not the result of the veteran's own willful misconduct; (2) caused by care, treatment, or examination furnished to the veteran through the Department; and (3) incurred as a proximate result of such care, treatment, or examination.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996
Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - Requires the Northern Mariana Islands to be represented in the Congress by an elected nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives. Provides that the Resident Representative of the Islands shall be the Delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996
Sequoia Ecosystem and Recreation Preserve Act of 1996 - Designates specified California lands within the Sequoia National Forest and the Inyo National Forest as wilderness areas to be administered as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Giant Sequoia National Forest Preserve as a unit of the National Forest System for the: (1) protection and maintenance of giant sequoia groves, their supporting ecosystems, and associated forests; and (2) preservation of the natural state and processes that have created and maintained such forests. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a Scientific Advisory Team for the Preserve. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to publish a final management plan for the Preserve for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural, scientific, and recreational values. Provides for interim Preserve management by the Secretary. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary, as part of the management plan, to designate and map the ancient forest reserves within the Preserve. (Sec. 10) Requires the management plan to include a comprehensive transportation plan that protects natural Preserve features while ensuring visitor safety and that includes a trail plan identifying which trails will allow motorized access. (Sec. 11) Allows all current campgrounds within the Preserve to remain in place, subject to evaluation by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide new camping opportunities. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the continued use of Preserve areas for hunting and fishing, firewood collection, and grazing, but prohibits new patents from being issued under the mining or geothermal laws. (Sec. 16) Directs the Secretary to establish a Community Assistance Task Force to oversee the provision of assistance to communities and workers in political subdivisions whose boundaries include Federal lands in the Preserve or contain facilities that milled timber from lands in the Preserve during any portion of the five-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 17) Prohibits the Secretary, in preparing the Preserve budget proposal for each fiscal year, from targeting any of the budget to any commodity production in the Preserve. (Sec. 18) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1996
Urges the national broadcast television networks to renew their commitment to voluntarily reserving the first hour of prime-time broadcasting for programming suitable for American family members of all ages.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1996
Sweatshop Product Ban Act of 1996 - Prohibits the Defense Commissary Agency (DCA) or any nonappropriated fund instrumentality (NFI) which operates a military commissary or exchange store from purchasing for resale at such store any consumer item imported into the United States if the DCA or NFI has reason to believe that such item was not procured in conformity with minimum labor standards. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) develop the minimum labor standards to be applied; and (2) annually develop and submit to the Secretary of Defense a list of companies and manufacturers that are not in compliance with such standards. Requires the Secretary of Defense to annually certify to the Congress that the DCA and NFI have not purchased any consumer items from companies and manufacturers so listed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
Declares that certain rulings and administrative practices that were applied on June 30, 1996, to determine the origin of textile and apparel products of American Samoa for purposes of the customs laws and administration of quantitative restrictions shall apply on or after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Domestic Violence Legal Services Eligibility Act - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to require the Legal Services Corporation, in establishing income levels to determine if a client who is the victim of domestic violence is eligible for assistance, to prescribe that only that client's income will be considered in making such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Amends Federal aviation law to authorize a remote insular area (American Samoa), in lieu of submitting a proposal for enhanced essential air service based on compensation, to submit a request for such service, without subsidy, based on the award of exclusive authority to serve an eligible point located in the area.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Provides that when considering proposed welfare legislation the Congress should: (1) seriously evaluate whether it would exacerbate certain ramifications of domestic violence against women and children; (2) require that State-implemented or State-adopted welfare-to-work or education programs take domestic violence into account; (3) require the Comptroller General to study the incidence and effect of domestic violence on AFDC recipients; and (4) provide, in any such legislation, mechanisms identifying and aiding in specified ways recipients and their children victimized by or at risk of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Repeal the Requirement of Separate Ballots Title II: American Samoa Study Commission Act Title III: American Samoa Economic Development Act Title IV: Insular Areas Consolidation Act Title V: American Samoa Capital Infrastructure Fund Title VI: Guam Land Return Act Title VII: Amendments to the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands Title VIII: Commission on the Economic Future of the Virgin Islands Omnibus Territories Act of 1996 - Title I: Repeal the Requirement of Separate Ballots - Amends Federal law to repeal the requirement that the Delegates to the Congress from Guam and from the Virgin Islands be elected by a separate ballot (thus allowing election on the same ballot with the territorial legislature). Title II: American Samoa Study Commission Act - Establishes the American Samoa Study Commission to: (1) evaluate the history and nature of American Samoa's political relationship with the United States; (2) report on whether a single document is needed to express such relationship; (3) evaluate the relationship's economic and social effects on American Samoa; and (4) report on how the 1900 and 1904 Instruments of Cession are recognized under international law. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: American Samoa Economic Development Act of 1995 (sic) - American Samoa Economic Development Act of 1996 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the Government of American Samoa for FY 1998 through 2003, to be used for construction and repair of American Samoa capital assets. Title IV: Insular Areas Consolidation Act - Insular Areas Consolidation Act of 1996 - Declares that the Territory of American Samoa shall include Baker Island, Jarvis Island, and Howland Island. Subjects such islands, appurtenant reefs, and territorial waters to existing rights of use, ownership, and operation by the U.S. Government. Conditions such inclusion upon acceptance by the Territory of American Samoa. Title V: American Samoa Capital Infrastructure Fund - American Samoa Capital Infrastructure Fund Act - Amends Federal law to declare that certain Federal grant assistance to American Samoa shall be considered local revenues when used as the local share required to obtain Federal programs and services. Title VI: Guam Land Return Act - Guam Land Return Act - Amends the Organic Act of Guam to direct the Administrator of General Services to notify the Government of Guam of any excess U.S. real property in Guam and to transfer to Guam all right, title, and interest of the United States in such property, if Guam notifies the Administrator of its intention to acquire it. Amends other Federal law to repeal a specified condition on disposal by Guam of lands conveyed to it by the United States. Title VII: Amendments to the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands - Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, amended - Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide that: (1) the physical absence of the Governor from the territory while on official business shall not be construed as a "temporary absence" involving a surrender of authority and power; (2) Virgin Islands revenue bonds, instead of the current priority for payment, shall have a parity lien with every other subsequently issued obligation; and (3) specified advance refunding rules of the Internal Revenue Code shall not apply to advance refunding bonds issued by the Virgin Islands after specified dates. Title VIII: Commission on the Economic Future of the Virgin Islands - Establishes the Commission on the Economic Future of the Virgin Islands to make recommendations to the President and the Congress on policies and programs for a secure and self-sustaining future for the local economy of the Virgin Islands through 2020, as well as on the Federal role in providing for that future. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
Women Veterans Health Equity Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that each Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facility is able to provide timely and appropriate women's health services. Requires such services to be provided directly (rather than by contract or other agreement) when cost-effective. Requires the Secretary to ensure that each such facility is provided appropriate equipment, facilities, and staff for such services and that the quality of such care meets professional standards. (Sec. 4) Specifies the services to be included as women's health services in the Department. Allows such services provided on an ambulatory or outpatient basis to be procured by contract when Department facilities are not capable of furnishing economical hospital care or medical services because of geographical inaccessibility or are not capable of furnishing the care or services required. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to ensure that Department primary care physicians are trained and prepared to appropriately question a woman patient who may have experienced sexual assault or trauma while in active military service. Requires pregnancy care to be provided to any pregnant veteran who has a service-connected disability. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to ensure that homeless women veterans are included in homeless veterans' outreach programs, and that such programs include specified counseling and outreach assistance and follow-up and after-care treatment. (Sec. 7) Requires women veterans to receive safe Department psychiatric treatment which recognizes their privacy needs. Requires strict confidentiality concerning such treatment. Requires such services to include private counseling and a comprehensive medical examination and evaluation. Directs the Secretary to establish partnerships with nonprofit entities to provide temporary housing for homeless women veterans until their mental condition is stabilized. (Sec. 8) Prohibits a mammogram from being performed at a Department facility unless such facility is accredited for such purpose by a private nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to prescribe quality assurance standards for such mammograms as well as for mammogram equipment and facilities. Requires an annual inspection of such equipment and facilities. Requires contracted mammogram services to conform to such standards. Requires: (1) the standards to be prescribed within 120 days after the enactment of this Act; and (2) a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the implementation of this section. (Sec. 9) Amends the Women Veterans Health Programs Act of 1992 to require each coordinator of women's services established under such Act to serve in such capacity on a full-time basis. Directs the Secretary to ensure that sufficient resources are provided to coordinators to carry out their functions. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to conduct a survey of, and report to the veterans' committees in each of 1997 through 2000 on, each Department medical center to identify deficiencies relating to patient privacy afforded to women patients which may interfere with appropriate treatment. Requires the correction of any deficiencies discovered. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of advertising in mass media to inform women veterans of the health services available through the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1996
Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite. Allows employees covered by such Act to take up to four hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities. Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same parental involvement leave allowance to Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to declare unlawful, and to deny authority to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue a license for, the construction or operation of a permanent or interim nuclear waste storage facility at a place outside one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise certification standards for waiver of the requirement that the Secretary of the Treasury instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each multilateral development bank to vote against the provision of assistance to a major illicit drug producing or drug-transit country under the international narcotic control program. Allows waiver of such requirement if during the previous year such a country has taken substantial steps, but has been unable, to fully cooperate with the United States, or has taken substantial, but inadequate, steps on its own, to achieve full compliance with the objectives established by the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Requires the Secretary of State, in addition to other reporting requirements, to report annually to specified congressional committees on the list of objectives that such countries and the United States agree on for purposes of certification.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1996
Demands that Syria: (1) declare its commitment to completely withdraw its armed forces from Lebanon and to set a firm timetable for such withdrawal to be completed by December 31, 1997; and (2) prevent Hizbollah and other terrorist groups from launching attacks on Israel from Lebanese areas under its occupation. Recognizes the public Israeli commitment to withdraw its armed forces from the "security zone" in southern Lebanon once security conditions permit. Declares that the Congress will not accept Syria's continued hegemony over Lebanon and rejects linking the Syrian presence there to Israeli-Syrian negotiations or to an Israeli-Syrian peace agreement. Urges the President to withhold U.S. assistance to Syria and to direct U.S. executive directors of all international financial institutions to oppose loans or assistance to Syria until Syria withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon. Calls for Syria to cooperate with ongoing international efforts to curb terrorism and holds it responsible for all terrorist acts planned, trained for, financed, or initiated in Syrian or Lebanese territories under its occupation. Calls on Lebanon to: (1) initiate negotiations with Syria for the withdrawal of Syrian armed forces from Lebanon, the disarming of all remaining nongovernment paramilitary groups, and the redeployment of Lebanese armed forces to all Lebanese areas in order to assert the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over all of its territory; (2) enter into bilateral negotiations with Israel in order to agree on mutual security arrangements and realize a full and permanent peace; (3) prosecute all individuals responsible for crimes against U.S. or foreign diplomats and citizens; and (4) hold the parliamentary elections on time and take specified measures to ensure that such elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. Requires the Secretary of State to report to congressional committees on the results of the Lebanese elections and, every six months thereafter, on Syrian efforts to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1996
Recognizes and reaffirms the value of ties between the United States and the South Pacific region. Notes the need to continue to support the efforts of the countries of the region to enhance the sustainable development of the more fragile island economies and their integration into the regional economy, while helping to ensure the protection of the region's unique ecosystems. Commends the South Pacific Commission for managerial and organizational reform and recognizes the important role the U.S. financial contribution to, and participation in, the organization makes in assisting it to realize the gradual economic self-sufficiency of all of its members. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment as a member of the Commission and the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, and the post-forum dialogue partnership of the United States with the South Pacific Forum.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
California Indian Land Transfer Act - Transfers all right, title, and interest of the U.S. in and to specified lands to certain California Indian tribes to be held in trust by the U.S. for the benefit of such Indian tribes. Terminates grazing privileges on the lands two years after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
Just Say No Act - Prohibits the advertisement of distilled spirits on any medium of electronic communication subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
Declares, with regard to AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and substance abuse, the sense of the Congress concerning women, youth, families, extended family members, and other nonbiological relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Revenue Provisions Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification Subtitle B: Expanded Individual Retirement Accounts to Increase Coverage and Portability Subtitle C: Other Expansions of Pension Portability Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments Title II: ERISA Provisions Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification Subtitle B: Portability Subtitle C: Enhanced Security Title III: Additional Retirement Participation and Payment Options for Federal Employees Title IV: Conforming Railroad Retirement Benefits with Social Security Retirement Savings and Security Act - Title I: Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification - Chapter 1: The NEST and Other Coverage Expansion - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish national employee savings trusts (NESTS), 401 (k)-type plans, for employees of small employers. (Sec. 1102) Makes tax-exempt organizations and Indian governmental instrumentalities eligible section 401(k) pension plan employers. (Sec. 1103) Sets forth alternative methods for satisfying section 401(k) nondiscrimination tests. (Sec. 1104) Revises "highly compensated employee" provisions. (Sec. 1106) Repeals the limitation in the case of an employee with defined benefit and a defined contribution plans from the same employer. (Sec. 1107) Makes certain defined contribution plan provisions applicable to all permanently disabled employees. (Sec. 1108) Revises deferred payment provisions with respect to: (1) owner-employee contributions; (2) State and local plan trust requirements; and (3) certain disability payments to former police officers or fire fighters. Chapter 2: Simplification and Cost Savings - Sets forth a special compensation limitation rule with respect to governmental and multiemployer deferred payment plans. States that a governmental plan's eligibility shall not be affected by its excess benefit arrangement. (Sec. 1204) Provides special rules for treatment of governmental and tax-exempt organization deferred compensation plans. (Sec. 1206) Establishes a simplified method for annuity distribution taxation for certain employer plans. (Sec. 1207) Eliminates five-year income averaging for lump-sum distributions. (Sec. 1208) Reduces from 59.5 years old to 59 years old the age at which a recipient may receive certain retirement and annuity distributions penalty-free. (Sec. 1209) Provides a special rule for certain rural cooperative plan distributions. (Sec. 1211) Treats the social security retirement age as the uniform retirement age for purposes of pension plan non-discrimination requirements. (Sec. 1214) Eliminates partial termination rules with respect to multiemployer plans. (Sec. 1217) Increases the tax on prohibited transactions. Subtitle B: Expanded Individual Retirement Accounts to Increase Coverage and Portability - Chapter 1: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subchapter A: IRA Deduction - Increases individual retirement account (IRA) income limitations. Provides inflation adjustments for deductible amounts and income limitations. Subchapter B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Establishes nondeductible tax-free IRAs. Chapter 2: Distributions and Investments - Authorizes IRA distributions to be used without the additional ten-percent tax for first home purchases, higher education, financially devastating medical costs, and by the unemployed. (Sec. 1323) Sets forth provisions with respect to the use of IRA funds to purchase qualifying State prepaid tuition instruments. Chapter 3: Termination of Certain Provisions - Sets forth IRA-related termination provisions with respect to: (1) inflation adjustments; (2) contributions to special IRA accounts; (3) early withdrawal tax; and (4) increases in specified limitations. Subtitle C: Other Expansions of Pension Portability - Establishes alternative nondiscrimination rules for certain plans that provide for early participation. (Sec. 1402) Establishes special rules for certain veterans' reemployment rights, including provisions regarding: (1) contributions; (2) elective deferrals; (3) retroactive adjustments; (4) loan repayment suspensions; and (5) compensation. (Sec. 1403) Eliminates the special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments - Makes specified conforming amendments. Title II: ERISA Provisions - Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish reporting and fiduciary requirements relating to NESTs designed to ensure participation by low- and moderate-wage workers, who will be able to save up to $5,000 per year tax-deferred, plus receive employer contributions toward retirement). (Sec. 2002) Eliminates specified ERISA requirements relating to employee benefit plan descriptions and filing of summary plan descriptions and descriptions of material modifications to a plan. Requires filing of annual plan reports by plan administrators. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to request any documents relating to such plans. (Sec. 2003) Includes under ERISA purchases of qualified State prepaid tuition program instruments to which specified IRC provisions apply. Subtitle B: Portability - Directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to prescribe specified types of payment rules relating to missing participants for terminated multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2011) Allows the administrator of a plan not otherwise subject to ERISA plan termination insurance provisions to elect to transfer a missing participant's benefits to the PBGC upon plan termination. Requires such administrator to provide the PBGC with specified information. Directs the PBGC, if such a missing participant's benefits are transferred to it, to pay the appropriate amount to the participant or beneficiary. (Sec. 2012) Eliminates a special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2013) Provides for treatment of certain loans during military service. Subtitle C: Enhanced Security - Increases the amounts of guarantees for multiemployer plan benefits. (Sec. 2022) Directs the Secretary of Labor, as chairman of the PBGC board, to transmit to the President and the Congress an annual reversion report providing information on plans from which residual assets were distributed to employers. (Sec. 2023) Sets forth a full funding limitation for multiemployer plans. Requires a valuation every three years in the case of multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2024) Increases the maximum civil penalty for certain prohibited transactions. (Sec. 2025) Revises provisions relating to substantial owner benefits to modify: (1) a phase-in of guarantee; and (2) allocation of assets. Pension Audit Improvement Act of 1996 - Amends ERISA to repeal certain provisions for limited scope audits. (Sec. 2033) Requires certain notifications by plan administrators and accountants regarding: (1) irregularities that may have occurred with respect to plans; and (2) termination of an accountant's engagement for auditing services. Sets forth civil penalties for failures to provide the Secretary of Labor with such notifications. (Sec. 2034) Prescribes additional requirements for qualified public accountants. (Sec. 2035) Revises certain fiduciary penalties. Modifies a prohibition of assignment or alienation. Changes from mandatory to discretionary: (1) the imposition and the amount of civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility; and (2) certain provisions relating to an applicable recovery amount. Title III: Additional Retirement Participation and Payment Options for Federal Employees - Requires the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to prescribe regulations to allow Federal employees to be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make an election to make contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan on the date of commencing service or beginning on the earliest date thereafter that such an election becomes administratively feasible. (Sec. 3002) Provides for a deferred annuity for a surviving former spouse of a deceased former Federal employee who separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity if such individuals were married to one another prior to the date of separation. Provides for a surviving spouse to elect to receive a certain deferred annuity if a former employee dies after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity but before having established a valid claim for annuity. (Sec. 3003) Provides for the payment of a lump-sum credit for a former spouse of a Federal employee. Title IV: Conforming Railroad Retirement Benefits with Social Security - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (RRA) with respect to eligibility for and amount of a child's annuity. (Sec. 4002) Provides for entitlement to spousal annuities despite certain age requirements. Repeals the age requirement for divorced spouses, and provides for entitlement of the divorced spouse where the worker's annuity is not payable. (Sec. 4003) Provides for RRA benefits equivalent to those under the Social Security Act, with respect to: (1) amounts of continued payment to survivors of waived lump sum benefits; (2) lump sum death benefits; and (3) benefits with respect to service for which certain railroad retirement annuities are not payable.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
National Marine Sanctuaries Preservation Act - Amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act. Mandates a long-range, comprehensive plan for the management, stabilization, preservation, and recovery of artifacts and materials of the U.S. ship Monitor. Modifies national marine sanctuary advisory committee meeting notice requirements. Authorizes adoption of a symbol for the national marine sanctuary program (NMSP) or any individual sanctuary and the related designation of official sponsors, the collection of symbol use fees, and the selling of products to promote the NMSP. Makes it unlawful for a sponsor to try to influence any national marine sanctuary decision. Establishes the National Marine Sanctuaries Program Account and authorizes the use of Account funds, without further appropriations, for the NMSP or specific sanctuaries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising Title V: Alcohol Advertising Title VI: Health Warnings Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996 - Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention - College Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise drug and alcohol abuse prevention program certification requirements (which must be met in order for a higher education institution to receive any Federal financial assistance) to require the programs to limit alcoholic beverage advertisements in the institution's newspapers and other publications to price and product identification. Prohibits: (1) distribution of promotional material encouraging alcohol consumption; (2) distribution of free alcohol; and (3) sponsorship or public support of any on-campus athletic, musical, cultural, or social program, event, or competition by any alcoholic beverage company or by any group of companies. Requires that identification, referral, or treatment of students and employees under such programs not jeopardize the their matriculation status or employment. Authorizes grants to institutions or consortia, and contracts with such institutions and other organizations, for programs of prevention and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and associated violence. Allows using the contracts for a higher education center for alcohol and drug abuse prevention to provide training, technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination, and associated services and assistance to the higher education community and higher education institutions. Mandates ten National Recognition Awards annually to institutions that have developed and implemented effective alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion - Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage. Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages - End Taxpayer Promotion of Alcohol Overseas Act - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of funds for overseas promotion of alcoholic beverages. Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising - Children's Protection from Alcohol Advertising Act of 1996 - Prohibits advertising or promoting alcoholic beverages on any audio tape, audio disc, videotape, video arcade game, computer game, or film. Prohibits outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of any school, playground, or other public facility where individuals under 21 are reasonably expected to convene. Restricts alcohol print advertising in publications with an under-21 readership of 15 percent or more than two million to text only in black and white print. Limits alcohol television broadcast advertising between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a picture of the beverage with factual, objective audio information. Mandates criminal fines and allows injunctions. Requires that alcohol manufacturers sponsoring events be identified in the corporate (not brand) name. Prohibits manufacturing or distributing non-beverage products with an identifiable brand of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer (but allows the corporate name). Title V: Alcohol Advertising - Alcohol Advertising Accountability Act of 1996 - Mandates: (1) an annual report to the Congress on alcohol advertising, its profile, and its effects, along with recommendations for legislation; and (2) establishment of a panel to assist in gathering information for the report. Title IV: Health Warnings - Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act - Declares it to be an unlawful or deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act to advertise any alcoholic beverage through magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional displays, radio, television (including cable, paid per view, or subscription), or other electronic means, unless the advertising includes one of specified health warnings. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain toll free numbers referred to in some of the warnings. Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a malt beverage, wine, or distilled spirit mislabeled unless it bears a label disclosing: (1) the alcoholic content; (2) the number of drinks (defining "drink" as .6 ounces of alcohol); (3) its ingredients and calories; (4) the common name of each ingredient, including additives; and (5) a toll-free number for help with a drinking problem. Authorizes appropriations for the toll-free number.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
College Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise drug and alcohol abuse prevention program certification requirements (which must be met in order for a higher education institution (institution) to receive any Federal financial assistance) to require such programs to limit alcoholic beverage advertisements in the institution's newspapers and other publications to price and product identification. Prohibits: (1) distribution of any promotional material that encourages the consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus; (2) distribution of free alcoholic beverages for promotional purposes on campus; and (3) sponsorship or public support of any on-campus athletic, musical, cultural, or social program, event, or competition by any alcoholic beverage company or by any group of such companies. Requires that identification, referral, or treatment of students and employees under such programs not jeopardize their matriculation status or employment. Requires specified items under such programs to be developed and adopted with student and employee participation. Directs the Secretary of Education to waive certain sanctions relating to such programs for up to one year in the case of any institution in the process of developing and implementing a required plan. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions or consortia of them, and contracts with such institutions and other organizations, for programs of prevention, and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and associated violence. Allows such contracts also to be used for a higher education center for alcohol and drug abuse prevention which will provide training, technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination, and associated services and assistance to the higher education community and institutions of higher education. Make a conforming repeal to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Directs the Secretary to make ten National Recognition Awards annually to institutions that have developed and implemented effective alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
Children's Protection from Alcohol Advertising Act of 1996 - Prohibits advertising or promoting alcoholic beverages on any audio tape, audio disc, videotape, video arcade game, computer game, or film. Prohibits outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of any school, playground, or other public facility where individuals under 21 are reasonably expected to convene. Restricts alcohol print advertising in publications with an under-21 readership of 15 percent or more than two million to text only in black and white print. Limits alcohol television broadcast advertising between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a picture of the beverage with factual, objective audio information. Mandates criminal fines and allows injunctions. Requires that alcohol manufacturers sponsoring events be identified in the corporate (not brand) name. Prohibits manufacturing or distributing non-beverage products with an identifiable brand of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer (but allows the corporate name).
![Official portrait of Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000010_200.jpg)