United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1994
Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a sheep and wool promotion, research, education, and information order. Includes in such order: (1) establishment of a National Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board; and (2) assessment of fees. Provides for approval referenda among producers, feeders, and importers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from determining a species as an endangered or threatened species, or from designating a critical habitat of a species, until such Act has been reauthorized.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1994
Farm, Ranch, and Homestead Protection Act of 1994 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit, until its reauthorization, the Secretary of the Interior from: (1) determining a species as an endangered or threatened species; or (2) designating a species habitat as a critical habitat. Requires the Secretary to compensate, upon request, persons and entities for the loss in market value of land that has been designated a critical habitat. Limits the current requirement that Federal agencies insure that any action (regardless of its expense) they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species determined to be critical, without an express exemption. Restricts such requirement to agency actions that result in expenditures of $500,000 or more.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' Title VI: Truth-In-Sentencing Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished Title VIII: Improving Border Controls Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies Back-To-Basics Crime Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States to construct, expand, and improve prisons and jails. Authorizes specified sums to each State without conditions imposed by the Federal Government, except requirements to comply with this title and to use such funds exclusively for the construction of prisons and jails. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth formulas for the distribution of funds in FY 1995 and in FY 1996 through 1999 based on violent crimes reported by the States to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that 25 percent of total funds appropriated under this title shall be allocated to each eligible State according to a formula which takes into account the percentage change in the time to be served by persons convicted of violent crimes. Directs that States which have achieved a truth in sentencing standard of violent criminals serving 85 percent of prison time assessed receive the incentive funds, subject to specified requirements. Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants - Requires the Attorney General to make grants to States to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service. Authorizes specified funds, without conditions imposed by the Federal Government (except that the funds be used exclusively to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service). Requires States to allocate 80 percent of their grants to local government for use by local law enforcement, as nearly as possible in proportion to the populations served by such local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish guidelines for State programs to require a sexually violent predator to register a current address with a designated State LEA upon being released from prison or being placed on parole or supervised release; and (2) approve each State program that complies with the guidelines. Makes States that do not implement and maintain such programs ineligible to receive ten percent of the funds that would otherwise be allocated to the State in drug control and system improvement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires: (1) the determination that a person is, or is no longer, a sexually violent predator to be made by the sentencing court after receiving a report by a board of experts on sexual offenses; and (2) each State to establish a board composed of experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification regarding the duty of an offender to register and to provide any new address to a designated State LEA and of a State prison official to obtain specified information; (2) the transfer of information to the State LEA and to the FBI; (3) quarterly verification of the released offender's address; (4) penalties for failing to register and keep the registration current; (5) termination of the obligation to register; (6) community notification concerning a predator required to register; and (7) immunity for good faith conduct by LEAs, their employees, and State officials. Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for Federal prisoners filing for collateral relief. (Sec. 406) Sets forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases brought by prisoners in State custody who are subject to a capital sentence. Makes such procedures contingent upon: (1) a State establishing by rule of its court of last resort or by statute a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of competent counsel in State post convictions and sentences have been upheld on direct appeal to such court or have otherwise become final; and (2) such rule or statute providing standards of competency for the appointment of counsel. Provides for a mandatory stay of execution during the post-conviction review initiated pursuant to this title. Details conditions which will cause such stay to expire. Prohibits a Federal court from entering a stay of execution or granting relief in a capital case unless specified conditions are met. Sets forth lime limits for determining petitions. Authorizes the State or Government to enforce such time limits by applying to the court of appeals or the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus. Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure, in a proceeding in a court of the United States, on the grounds that the search or seizure was in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution if it was carried out in circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with such amendment. Makes the fact that evidence was obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant prima facie evidence of the existence of such circumstances. Prohibits the exclusion of evidence, in a proceeding in a U.S. court, on the ground that it was obtained in violation of a statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure unless exclusion is expressly authorized by statute or by a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Title VI: Truth in Sentencing - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit the Bureau of Prisons to add, in its discretion, additional time to a prisoner's sentence of up to 15 percent of the prisoner's term for unsatisfactory behavior. Prohibits a sentence from being reduced for satisfactory behavior to a term less than the original sentence nominally imposed. Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished - Directs the Attorney General to implement and enforce regulations which: (1) mandate prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions; and (2) prohibit the Government provision in inmates' cells of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or similar amenities. (Sec. 702) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit awards of Pell grants to prisoners in Federal or State penal institutions. Title VIII: Improving Border Controls - Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to use such funds to permit the commander of the Border Patrol to increase by at least 6,000 the number of border patrol agent positions above the number of such positions as July 1, 1994. (Sec. 802) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited deportation and exclusion of criminal aliens. Prohibits reentry of an alien into the United States during the minimum period of confinement to which the alien was sentenced. Authorizes the Attorney General to prescribe special regulations for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Expands the definitions of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 805) Sets forth deportation procedures for certain criminal aliens who are not permanent residents. Grants a U.S. district court jurisdiction to enter a judicial order of deportation at the time of sentencing against an alien whose criminal conviction causes such alien to be deportable under provisions relating to conviction of an aggravated felony if requested prior to sentencing by the U.S. Attorney. (Sec. 807) Restricts defenses to deportation for certain criminal aliens. Enhances penalties for failing to depart or reentering after a final order of deportation. (Sec. 810) Authorizes appropriations for a criminal alien information system. Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to enhance penalties imposed upon persons convicted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a felony. (Sec. 902) Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fugitive from justice, addict or unlawful user of a controlled substance, or transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm. (Sec. 903) Increases the general penalty for violation of Federal firearms laws. Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Establishes a Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury into which shall be transferred savings realized from implementation of provisions of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) transfers into, and appropriations from, the Fund; (2) annual reporting requirements on the status of the Fund; and (3) allocation of sums in the Fund. Extends authorizations of appropriations for fiscal years for which the full amount authorized is not appropriated. Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted in Federal court of a serious violent felony if: (1) the person has been convicted (and the conviction has become final) on separate prior occasions in a Federal or State court of two or more serious violent felonies, or one or more serious violent felonies and one or more serious drug offenses; and (2) each serious violent felony or serious drug offense used as a basis for sentencing under this title, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony or serious drug offense. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government; and (2) resentencing upon the overturning of a prior conviction. (Sec. 1102) Prohibits the court from reducing the sentence of a defendant unless specified conditions are met, including that defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years in prison for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is currently imprisoned, and a determination has been made by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons that the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1994
Commends the U.S. rice industry for its decision to establish an industry organization. Recognizes the success such decision will have in promoting the interests of the rice industry and the rice-consuming public.
United States · United States Congress · 17 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to its recognition of El Salvador's President Cristiani for his contributions to the cause of peace and democracy in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1994
Congressional Accountability Act - Applies, by a specified conditional date, provisions of the following laws to the legislative branch: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) provisions relating to Federal labor management relations; (8) the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988; (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (11) the Freedom of Information Act; and (12) the Privacy Act. (Sec. 4) Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the application of such laws to the legislative branch; (2) an examination of the procedures used by the instrumentalities to enforce the application of such laws; and (3) a determination as to whether such procedures may be used in lieu of those specified in this Act. Requires the Office's Director to issue regulations governing such applicability which shall be subject to congressional approval. Makes applicable to the legislative branch any provision of Federal law to the extent that it relates to: (1) the terms and conditions of employment; (2) protection from discrimination in personnel actions; and (3) health and safety of employees. Directs the Office, on an ongoing basis, to: (1) determine which of such laws should apply to the legislative branch; (2) study the application to the legislative branch of laws enacted after enactment of this Act; and (3) issue regulations to apply such laws to the legislative branch subject to congressional approval. (Sec. 5) Sets forth House and Senate procedures for bills to implement such regulations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Office to carry out: (1) an education program for Members of Congress and other employing authorities of the legislative branch respecting the laws made applicable to them; and (2) a program to inform individuals of their rights under such laws and this Act. (Sec. 7) Sets forth procedures for consideration of alleged violations of such laws consisting of the following steps: (1) counseling through the Office; (2) mediation with the office; (3) formal complaint and hearing by a hearing board; and (4) judicial review if a congressional employee is aggrieved by a dismissal, final decision, or an order by the hearing board or if a Member of Congress is aggrieved by a final decision or would be subject to an order issued by such board. (Sec. 13) Declares that any intimidation of, or reprisal against, any employee because of the exercise of a right under this Act constitutes an unlawful employment practice that may be remedied in the same manner under this Act as is a violation of law made applicable to the legislative branch. (Sec. 14) Permits the records and decisions of hearing boards to be made public if required for judicial review. Authorizes the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to have access to the hearings, deliberations, and decisions of the hearing board only after the board has made a decision with respect to the matter. (Sec. 16) Limits a congressional employee to the judicial proceeding provided by this Act to redress prohibited practices.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that neither the President nor any other entity in the executive branch should attempt to impose a racially based quota system to challenge death penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1994
Forest Fire and Pest Emergency Act - Declares that the reduction of natural fuels, on Federal lands within California that have been identified as extreme fire risk, constitutes an emergency action to prevent or to reduce risk to public health or safety or to serious resource loss for the duration of the drought there. Directs Federal agencies to work with State agencies to identify areas of extreme fire risk and take action to reduce natural fuels. Authorizes the use of emergency fire suppression funds to reduce natural fuels in such areas, provided reductions in the Sierra forests are consistent with the fuels management guidelines of the California Spotted Owl EA or subsequent EIS. Directs the Forest Service to prepare a budget request declaring an emergency in areas identified as requiring additional treatments due to drought or pest infestation on National forest lands. Directs Federal agencies to prepare, and submit to the Congress, a strategic fire plan and annual budget.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Prohibits any political jurisdiction from intentionally creating any electoral district in order to prevent or assure a majority in such district of people of a particular race, color, national origin, or who speak a particular language.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to coordinate the development of an improved meat and poultry inspection program. Obligates funding for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that for purposes of issuing final guidelines under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to unlawful harassment in employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should exclude harassment based on religion.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
Requires the head of any Federal agency to differentiate between fats, oils, and greases of animal, marine, or vegetable origin, and other oils and greases in issuing certain regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Veterans' Persian Gulf War Benefits Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and expeditiously implement a uniform case assessment protocol that will ensure thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from illnesses attributed to service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; (2) expedite efforts to develop case definitions or diagnoses for illnesses associated with such service; and (3) develop and implement a comprehensive outreach program to inform such veterans and their families of health-care services, including comprehensive medical evaluations, that may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Directs the Secretary to pay compensation to Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness that became manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within one year after completion of active duty in the Gulf War, with exceptions. Terminates compensation payments three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) FY 1995 through 1997 for conducting research of the health risk and effects of service during the Gulf War and the treatment of such effects; and (2) FY 1995 for a survey of Persian Gulf veterans as to the incidence and nature of health problems occurring in such veterans and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
Commends the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for reaching their agreement on Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area. Encourages all parties to the Middle East peace process to resume bilateral negotiations and work vigorously in the pursuit of peace. Urges: (1) the Administration to more actively engage the United States as a full partner in the negotiating process and, in cooperation with the world community through relevant international financial institutions, to provide aid to facilitate the establishment of Palestinian self-government in the Gaza Strip and Jericho area; and (2) Israel and the PLO to move quickly to implement the provisions of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements to get to final status issues and issues of common interest according to the timetable stipulated in such Declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1994
Provides for taking from the Speaker's table H.R. 821 (extending eligibility for burial in national cemeteries to persons who have 20 years of service creditable for retired pay as members of a reserve component of the armed forces) and agreeing to the Senate amendment thereto with amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
Low-Income Housing Incentive Act - Requires a General Accounting Office study regarding public housing demolition and disposition and the need for larger public housing dwelling units. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a five-year demonstration assistance program to State housing agencies for development of affordable rental housing. Requires participating housing agencies to carry out qualifying affordable housing incentive loan programs. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) merge the section 8 certificate and voucher programs into a new low-income housing program; and (2) temporarily exclude from eligibility determinations income increases resulting from employment of previously unemployed family members.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 27th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to issue an unequivocal statement in support of the principle that Jerusalem must remain an undivided city and the capital of Israel in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1994
Elderly Housing Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit for an individual who maintains a household which includes a qualified elderly relative.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the United States Botanic Garden; and (2) pay all surcharges received from such coin sales to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
Social Security Disability and Rehabilitation Act of 1994 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require individuals on drugs or alcohol to: (1) undergo, or be scheduled for, appropriate treatment for substance abuse if it is reasonably available; (2) comply with the terms of such treatment; and (3) have a qualified governmental representative payee in order to receive disability benefits under the social security disability insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs. Sets up a monitoring and testing program under each such title for ensuring such compliance, with benefits terminated or suspended in cases of noncompliance, and with all disability benefits related to substance abuse terminated after three years. Requires the proceeds derived from criminal activities to support substance abuse to be considered substantial gainful activity. Revises penalty provisions, with changes providing for the exclusion of SSDI and SSI program defrauders from such programs and other Federal health and social services programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assure that every individual on drugs or alcohol who is receiving SSDI or SSI disability benefits be given high priority for treatment through entities supported by State substance abuse block grants; and (2) provide for the establishment of referral and monitoring agencies for each State for carrying out treatment requirements under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to extend the compliance date for certain provisions of the worker protection standard relating to pesticide safety requirements to October 23, 1995. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) develop and distribute pesticide safety training materials that convey, at a minimum, specified information set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations; and (2) assist the appropriate State, Federal, and tribal agencies in implementing pesticide safety training programs. Extends the compliance date for meeting a requirement for worker protection labeling statements on certain pesticide products from April 21, 1994, to October 23, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Tax Fairness for Agriculture Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit agricultural or horticultural organizations from treating member dues (limited to a specified amount) as unrelated business taxable income.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1994
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to provide that, for purposes of determining whether an individual is under a disability, engagement in an illegal drug-related enterprise demonstrates ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1994
Repeals the substantiation requirement for the deduction of certain charitable contributions as added to the Internal Revenue Code by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993).
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Designates the Federal building located at 100 East Houston Street in Marshall, Texas, as the Sam B. Hall, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1994
National Voter Opportunity To Inform Congress Effectively (V.O.I.C.E.) on Term Limits Act of 1994 - Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to certify to the appropriate State election agencies for inclusion on the 1994 general election ballot in every congressional district a national advisory referendum that poses the question of whether the Congress should approve a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress can serve in office. Requires tabulation and certification of the election results under customary procedures. Makes the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate responsible for transmitting such results to each Member. Requires the results to be taken under advisement by the House and the Senate Judiciary Committees, with recommendations for response reported back to the Congress within six months of the general election. Requires the State election agencies to forward to the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate their comments or suggestions regarding changes or improvements in procedures for conducting national nonbinding referenda in future general elections.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1994
World War II Peace Accords Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 50th anniversary of the signing of the World War II peace accords on the U.S.S. Missouri should not go unrecognized at the national level; and (2) the United States should recognize such anniversary by minting and issuing a commemorative coin. Sets forth specifications for half dollar clad coins. Mandates that the surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation for the purpose of preserving the Pacific War heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service should make such recommendation to the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Truth in Voting Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for downward adjustments in Appropriations Committees allocations and suballocations when bills are passed that reduce appropriations and require rescissions. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide scorecards for such measures. Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Establishes conditions under which meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees may be closed to the public. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television or radio broadcast and still photography. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress as such Act applies to executive agencies. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule for the consideration of a measure commonly known as a "king of the hill" rule. Repeals rule XLIX (statutory limit on the public debt). Amends rule XXVIII to prohibit conference committee reports from funding any program or activity at a level higher than that contained in the bill or resolution as passed by the House or Senate or from funding any program not contained in such versions. Requires the President's annual budget to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report reported by a committee or considered on the floor. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that is not accompanied by such statement unless the point of order is waived by a two-thirds vote. Requires regulations and proposed regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to be accompanied by such statements as well.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Propane Education and Research Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to conduct a referendum among producers and retail marketers to authorize the creation of the Propane Education and Research Council and the levying of an assessment on odorized propane. Makes it the Council's mission to develop programs and enter into contracts for: (1) propane research and development; (2) consumer education; (3) propane market development; and (4) payment for program costs with funds collected under this Act. Prescribes guidelines under which the Council shall set annual assessments to cover program costs. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to coordinate Council operations with any State propane education and research council. Proscribes the use of Council funds for lobbying activities. Directs the Secretary to issue implementation regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 1993 - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities listed in, or designated by the Attorney General pursuant to, this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney's fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth procedures regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding, such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. Directs the Attorney General to periodically review the safe harbors and certificates of review. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program Title II: Paternity Establishment Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility Title V: Child Support Enforcement Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance Title IX: Miscellaneous Responsibility and Empowerment Support Program Providing Employment, Child Care, and Training Act - Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program - Amends part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give the JOBS program the new purpose of assuring that needy families with children obtain not only the education and training needed to prepare them for a life without welfare, but the work experience as well. (Sec. 101) Requires State JOBS programs to include a transition component and a work supplementation component that: (1) are each allowed to include any State work experience program approved by the Secretary; and (2) with respect to the first component, must include the State's job search program, and, with respect to the second component, may include the State's work supplementation or community work experience program. Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV to revise State AFDC plan participation requirements to incorporate participation in the two JOBS program components above under specified guidelines as a requirement for qualified individuals to receive AFDC. Imposes sanctions for a qualified individual's failure to participate in the JOBS program as required under such guidelines, which include a reduction in AFDC benefits and eventual benefit termination for repeated failures. Revises the exemptions from JOBS program participation requirements. Extends to all States the option to limit AFDC-UP. Increases State JOBS program and work program participation rates with regard to, respectively, AFDC-eligible individuals and unemployed parents. Provides for additional payments to States for JOBS programs. (Sec. 102) Amends community work experience and work supplementation program provisions. Title II: Paternity Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part A to: (1) provide for denial or reduction of AFDC for children whose paternity is not established; and (2) require unmarried individuals under 19 who are eligible for AFDC and are pregnant or with dependent children under their care to reside at home in order to receive AFDC. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to require earlier specified paternity establishment efforts by States. Expresses the encouragement of the Congress for States to develop procedures in public hospitals and clinics to facilitate the acknowledgment of paternity. (Sec. 204) Increases the paternity establishment percentage. Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States - Amends SSA title IV part A to give States the option to: (1) convert AFDC into a block grant program; (2) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC where either parent is a minor; (3) treat families moving interstate who apply for AFDC in their new State of residence (where they have resided for less than on year) under the AFDC rules of their former State of residence; (4) reduce AFDC for parents under 21 who have dropped out of school and dependent children who, without good cause, do not maintain minimum school attendance; (5) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC for additional children; (6) modify certain AFDC income disregard rules; (7) provide for a married couple transitional benefit in cases where an AFDC recipient marries an individual who is not a parent of the recipient's child, and the resulting family would become ineligible for AFDC by reason of the marriage; (8) disregard certain savings and income of a family on AFDC designated for education, training, employability, home purchase, or residence change in determining eligibility for AFDC; and (9) condition the receipt of AFDC on the recipient's attendance at parenting and money management classes and prior approval of any action requiring a change in the educational institution attended by the recipient's dependent child. Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility -Establishes an Interagency Waiver Request Board in order to provide a focal point within the Federal Government for the development and coordination of waiver requests to improve opportunities for low-income individuals and families. (Sec. 402) Prescribes contents of applications to implement Federal assistance plans, as well as the review, approval, implementation, and evaluation processes. (Sec. 405) Requires any entity applying for plan approval to establish a Public Private Partnership Committee to advise it on plan development and implementation. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Provides for a national system for employee reporting of any child support owed, the obligee involved, and other specified related information on W-4 forms for employer withholding and distribution of support owed, and reporting of related information to the State involved for availability to other States through the Interstate Locate Network established under this title. (Sec. 502) Makes various changes with regard to State child support order registries, the Parent Locater Service, regulations for sharing child support information, withholding orders, and noncustodial parents with child support arrearages who are receiving certain public welfare assistance. Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens - Makes aliens (except refugees, permanent residents, and certain current residents) ineligible for various specified types of public welfare assistance, including non-emergency related assistance under Medicaid, food stamps, and job training assistance. (Sec. 602) Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State AFDC agencies to provide information on illegal aliens to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), and other Federal law to establish various specified measures for controlling welfare costs, including Federal spending caps. Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977, National School Lunch Act, Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987, and other specified Federal laws and replaces them with a: (1) State food assistance block grant program to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families (eligible populations); and (2) new food coupon program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commodity Credit Corporation the authority to sell surplus commodities and foodstuffs to the States to provide food assistance to eligible populations. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Amends SSA title IV part A to require AFDC applicants and recipients to undergo any necessary substance abuse treatment as a condition of receiving AFDC. (Sec. 902) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) make ineligible for SSI benefits individuals receiving SSI on the basis of a disability resulting from illegal drug addiction who continue to use illegal drugs or refuse to be tested for them; and (2) make representative payee changes. (Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct research projects to evaluate the impact of education and training programs on the ability of individuals to end participation in the AFDC program; (2) conduct demonstration projects and report to the Congress on whether providing benefits based on need through the use of electronic cards and automatic teller machines would reduce administrative costs and fraud; and (3) establish a commission to determine the cost and feasibility of creating an interstate system to compare the social security numbers of all AFDC recipients in order to identify those recipients receiving AFDC from multiple States. (Sec. 904) Amends SSA to require State AFDC applicants to participate in job search activities while the application is pending, unless a State by law exempts itself from this requirement. (Sec. 906) Public Housing Rent Reform and Empowerment Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with regard to the determination of income and rent charges. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allow, upon request, under certain circumstances, a public housing agency or resident management corporation to carry out a demonstration program to determine the feasibility and desirability of providing such entities with the authority to establish policies for agency-administered public housing projects, without regard to the public housing requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 907) Amends SSA title IV part A to deny AFDC for certain children who have not received appropriate medical examinations and immunizations. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act with regard to childhood immunizations. Requires the Surgeon General to issue and periodically revise recommendations for the immunization of children under age six.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1993
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to redefine "retail food store" for purposes of food stamp program (program) eligibility as a store that sells food for home preparation and consumption and: (1) has 50 percent of its total sales volume in staple foods (as defined by this Act); or (2) offers on a continuous basis food in each of four staple food categories, including sales of perishable foods in at least two of such categories. Permits the use of program application information by Federal or State enforcement authorities and establishes fine and imprisonment penalties for information misuse. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use specified funds for demonstration projects aimed at coupon trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1993
Federal Mandate Reduction, Reform, and Budget Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set forth reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) with respect to reducing the direct costs to States and local governments of complying with Federal mandates. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to provide for such reductions until such costs do not exceed three percent of the estimated gross national product for the same fiscal year as the costs will be incurred. Requires CBO to prepare an analysis of mandated costs for States and local governments for each public bill or resolution reported in the Congress (except those from Appropriations Committees). Requires a similar analysis in the President's annual budget submissions. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses for proposed rules that establish or implement new Federal mandates to contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs to be incurred by State and local governments. Requires Federal agencies to prepare a cost estimate and cost benefit analysis of such mandates that would cost State and local governments at least $10 million for a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the legislative branch. Establishes the Disclosure Review Board in the legislative branch to decide complaints relating to disclosure of information withheld by a legislative agency. Requires Board members to be appointed by the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives and the minority and majority leaders of the Senate from among Federal retired administrative law judges. Authorizes a Board member to assess reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs incurred in any case in which the complainant substantially prevails under this Act against the United States. Requires the Board to designate one of its members to serve a one-year term as the Complaint Referral Officer. Requires such officer to appoint individuals to serve as Investigation Counsels to investigate and determine unresolved complaints received alleging failure by the legislative agency to make material available as required by this Act and to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that any such complaint is true. Requires the Investigation Counsel to meet U.S. magistrate qualifications.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in the case of specified contaminants listed in the Federal Register for which national primary drinking water regulations have not been promulgated, to: (1) publish maximum contaminant level goals and promulgate such regulations for those contaminants that occur in drinking water and are of public health concern; and (2) eliminate monitoring, compliance, and enforcement requirements for those contaminants that do not occur in drinking water at levels of public health concern. (Current law requires the promulgation of such goals and regulations for specified numbers of such contaminants by certain dates.) Directs the Administrator to promulgate such goals and regulations for new contaminants every five years. Requires the Administrator to establish in each national primary drinking water regulation best technology treatment techniques for public water systems serving fewer than 1,000, between 1,000 and 10,000, and more than 10,000 people, respectively. Directs the Administrator to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for radionuclides, disinfection and corrosion byproducts, and sulfate. Revises provisions concerning variances from national drinking water regulations to permit the issuance of a variance by a State only if the water system cannot afford to install the best available technology to meet the maximum contaminant level and it is not feasible for the system to connect with another source of water that will meet the standards. Requires variances to be reviewed by the State at least every three years. Repeals provisions that authorize States to exempt public water systems from requirements respecting maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Prohibits treated drinking water from being removed from a public water system or routed through any device or pipes outside the system and returned to the system. Includes such action in the definition of "tampering," a violation for which criminal penalties are imposed. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to pipes and devices totally within the control of one or more public water systems or to connections between water mains. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator to conduct research relating to diseases and other impairments resulting from contaminants in drinking water or to the provision of a safe supply of drinking water. Authorizes appropriations. Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for State public water system supervision programs. Requires the Administrator to promulgate revised regulations every five years that list up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. Directs the Administrator to assemble a national drinking water occurrence data base to include information on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated contaminants.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or a State, in issuing permits for discharges from municipal storm sewers, to consider the ability of the applicant to pay to meet permit requirements and the environmental impact of the issuance of the permit at the site of the discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Declares that the generally applicable Federal employment and civil rights laws should apply to the Congress. Requires the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives to report legislation providing for coverage of the Congress by the following laws, together with any related or similar laws: (1) the Social Security Act; (2) the National Labor Relations Act; (3) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (4) the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (8) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (10) the Ethics in Government Act of 1978; (11) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (12) the Freedom of Information Act; and (13) the Privacy Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Justice should repudiate its reinterpretation of Federal child pornography laws, defend the conviction won in lower courts in Knox v. United States, and vigorously prosecute sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1993
Prohibits the imposition of additional charges or fees for attendance at the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine Academies, unless such charge or fee is specifically authorized by law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bonilla, Henry [R-TX-23]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000617_200.jpg)