United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Great Lakes Federal Effectiveness Act - Establishes a Great Lakes Research Council to: (1) advise and promote the coordination of Federal research activities and ensure greater effectiveness in achieving ecosystem protection of the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; (2) prepare and provide to interested parties a document which includes an assessment of research activities needed to fulfill the goals of the Agreement and of existing Federal expertise in such activities and recommendations for research priorities; (3) identify topics for and participate in workshops and conferences on Great Lakes research issues; (4) make recommendations for the uniform collection of data for enhancing research and management protocols relating to the Great Lakes ecosystem; (5) advise and cooperate in the establishment of a multi-media data base for such ecosystem; and (6) ensure that findings and information regarding such research is disseminated in a timely manner.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Great Lakes Regional Marine Center Act - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to include the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes in the definition of "marine and coastal waters." Adds the Great Lakes region, comprised of such Great Lakes waters, to the list of regions for which a Regional Marine Research Board must be established. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to modify the required contents of an annual report to the Congress on Great Lakes water quality. Requires the Great Lakes Research Council (currently, the Great Lakes National Program Office and the Great Lakes Research Office jointly) to prepare a research plan for all Federal Great Lakes environmental research activities. Removes provisions establishing the Great Lakes Research Office.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Improvements Act - Establishes in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a Great Lakes Office in the District of Columbia area to promote and coordinate Administration research, monitoring, and assessment work in the Great Lakes region consistent with Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement goals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 23, 1992, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Environmental Justice Act of 1992 - Title I: Identification of Environmental High Impact Areas - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a list, in rank order, of the total weight of toxic chemicals present in each county in the most recent five-year period for which data are available. Designates the 100 counties with the highest total weight as Environmental High Impact Areas. Requires the Administrator to: (1) publish the methods to be used to calculate the total weight of toxic chemicals in waste, process, or other materials for public comment; and (2) revise and republish the list at least every five years. Title II: Enforcement Initiatives - Directs the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct compliance inspections or reviews of all toxic chemical facilities in such Areas at least every two years. Title III: Community Participation - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to individuals who may be affected by a release from any toxic chemical facility in an Environmental High Impact Area. Requires grants to be: (1) designed to facilitate access by representatives of such Areas to the public participation provisions of this and other Acts; and (2) used to obtain technical assistance relating to inspections, reviews, and studies. Limits the amount of grants and sets forth cost-sharing requirements. Directs the Administrator to establish a system of user fees or assessments on toxic chemical facilities in such Areas to substitute for appropriations as the funding mechanism for the grant program. Title IV: Identification and Prevention of Health Impacts - Requires the Secretary to issue for public comment a report identifying the nature and extent of acute and chronic impacts on human health in such Areas as compared to other counties. Requires the President, if the report identifies significant adverse impacts of environmental pollution on human health in such Areas as a group, to report proposed legislation to the Congress to remedy and prevent such impacts. Includes within such legislation: (1) expansion of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to include additional facilities or chemicals or reduced quantities of chemicals triggering reporting obligations; (2) a means to redress regulatory loopholes (such as wastes exempt from or subject to lessened regulatory requirements); and (3) taxes on emissions or restrictions on releases within such Areas to induce source reduction. Establishes a moratorium on the siting or permitting of any toxic chemical facility in such Areas that may emit toxic chemicals in quantities that cause adverse health impacts if the report identifies adverse health impacts of environmental pollution. Authorizes the siting or permitting of such a facility during this period only if: (1) the need for the activity is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Secretary; and (2) the facility demonstrates that it will minimize uncontrolled releases into the environment. Continues the moratorium until certain health-based levels have been attained in the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
United States - China Act of 1992 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1993 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless a specified report is submitted to the Congress stating that China has accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square and in other parts of China on June 3 and 4, 1989, and made progress in: (1) preventing gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including workers' rights, in China and Tibet; (2) preventing exports of products made by prison labor, and allowing U.S. officials and international organizations to inspect such places of detention; (3) terminating religious persecution in China and Tibet and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (4) removing restrictions in China and Tibet on freedom of the press and on broadcasts by the Voice of America; (5) terminating harassment of Chinese citizens in the United States (including refusal to return or renew passports as retribution for prodemocracy activities); (6) ensuring access to prisoners of international human rights monitoring groups; (7) ensuring freedom from torture and in humane prison conditions; (8) terminating prohibitions on peaceful assembly imposed after June 3, 1989; (9) committing to engage in high-level discussions on human rights issues; (10) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (11) providing adequate protection of U.S. patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, and implementing the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America on the Protection of Intellectual Property; (12) providing U.S. exporters access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (13) ceasing unfair trade practices which burden or restrict U.S. Commerce; (14) adopting a national policy which adheres to the Missile Technology Control Regime and the controls of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group on chemical and biological arms proliferation; and (15) assuring that it is not assisting any nonnuclear weapons state in acquiring nuclear explosive devices. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to include in a specified document submitted to the Congress a report on China's progress in meeting the above-mentioned objectives. Requires such report also to include, but not be limited to, progress made by China and Tibet with regard to specified human rights. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products of nonstate-owned enterprises in China.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to propose to the Congress a budget in which total expenditures do not exceed total receipts, unless that budget is accompanied by a Presidential Declaration of National Urgency. Prohibits the Congress from approving total expenditures in excess of total receipts unless it has approved by majority rollcall vote in each House a Presidential Declaration of National Urgency. Prohibits the Congress from approving a budget which is estimated to result in a higher amount of total expenditures than those recommended by the President. Declares that total expenditures do not include debt redemption and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or any successor funds. Declares that total receipts do not include net borrowing and receipts of such trust funds or successor funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Rural Electrification Administration Improvement Act of 1992 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide that if a borrower of a loan made or guaranteed by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) applies for an electric or telephone service loan from a private lender, REA shall grant the private lender a lien accommodation on the total assets securing the unpaid balance on an equal and pro rata basis with the Government lien, except if such private loan will adversely affect the borrower's ability to repay the Government. Subordinates the REA lien to a lien made by a private lender on a non-electric or non-telephone rural development loan if the borrower's revenues will be sufficient to meet all loan obligations. Revises discounted loan prepayment provisions to permit prepayment or sale of a loan that was advanced before a certain date or has been fully advanced for not less than two years. Limits future loan eligibility for prepaying borrowers. Repeals provisions regarding: (1) borrower net worth; and (2) the prepayment privatization demonstration program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Balanced Budget Implementation Act of 1992 - Title I: Repeal of Budget Agreement Enforcement Provisions - Repeals the budget agreement enforcement provisions of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Title II: Emergency Powers to Eliminate Deficits in Excess of Maximum Deficit Amount - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for enforcement of deficit reduction to balance the Federal budget by the end of FY 1997. Requires enforcement to be implemented through sequestration and revenue surtax (current provisions only require budget enforcement through sequestration). Repeals provisions which govern enforcement of discretionary spending limits and pay-as-you-go through FY 1995. Revises provisions concerning enforcing deficit targets. Requires the President, within 15 calendar days after the Congress adjourns to end a session, to take action to eliminate the excess deficit, in any. Sets forth the maximum deficit amounts allowed for FY 1993 through 1997. Reduces such amounts to zero by FY 1997 plus any amount designated to meet a condition of national economic urgency. Requires 60 percent of the excess deficit in a budget year to be eliminated through across-the-board outlay reductions and 40 percent through a revenue surtax. Provides rules for such sequestration process. Revises the timetable and requirements for deficit reduction reports and presidential orders. Requires within-session deficit reduction reports. Revises the list of exempt programs and activities. Removes the special exemption for social security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, certain veterans programs, payments made for the earned income tax credit, and certain low-income programs. Removes the special exceptions, limitations, and rules with respect to sequestration for: (1) certain automatic spending increases; (2) the guaranteed student loan program; (3) foster care and adoption assistance programs; (4) the Medicare program; (5) community and migrant health centers, Indian health services and facilities, and veterans' medical care; (6) the child support enforcement program; (7) payments and advances for unemployment compensation; (8) the Commodity Credit Corporation; and (9) the jobs portion of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Repeals the provision that requires permanent cancellation of budgetary resources sequestered from any account other than a trust or special fund account. Adds a special rule if the President exempts military personnel from sequestration with respect to further reductions in the appropriate subfunctional category. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) suspension of deficit reduction in the event of low economic growth; (2) the President's flexibility in making deficit reductions among defense programs, projects, and activities; and (3) the special reconciliation process. Sets forth congressional procedures to make available excess budgetary resources whenever the President transmits to the Congress a declaration of national economic urgency. Title III: Tax Surcharge to Reduce Deficit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax surcharge on the income of every taxpayer if the Office of Management and Budget reports to the Congress and the President that a revenue increase is required. Establishes procedures for determining and administering such surcharge. Repeals such surcharge if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that it is not needed. Title IV: Budget Submitted by the President - Requires the President's budget to ensure that the deficit for such fiscal year does not exceed the maximum deficit amount. Requires the submission of a balanced budget for FY 1997 and subsequent fiscal years. Makes such requirements inapplicable during a declaration of national economic urgency or a declaration of war. Title V: Total of President's Budget Shall Represent Spending Ceiling - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to prohibit the Congress from passing legislation which provides budgetary resources in excess of those proposed in the President's budget. Title VI: Fiscal Year 1993 Deficit Reduction Actions - Requires the President to submit to the Congress a revised budget for FY 1993 to achieve the deficit targets set forth under this Act. Requires the Congress, after receipt of the President's budget, to report revised concurrent budget resolutions for FY 1993 to achieve such deficit targets.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Designates February 21 through 27, 1993, as American Wine Appreciation Week. Commends the winegrape and fruit growers and vintners of the United States for the production of high quality agricultural products.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for that year in which total expenditures (except those for repayment of debt principal) do not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing). Provides that if the President transmits to the Congress a declaration of National Economic Urgency for that fiscal year and if such declaration identifies the amount of excess expenditures required to meet national needs, budgetary resources equivalent to the amount of excess expenditures shall become eligible for appropriation only if Congress approves such declaration by a majority rollcall vote in each House. Prohibits the Congress from approving a budget for any fiscal year which is estimated to result in a higher amount of total expenditures than those recommended by the President for that fiscal year. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Civil War Battlefield Commemorative Coin Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Civil War battlefield preservation. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires that all sales include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for the one-dollar coins, and $1 per coin for the half-dollar coins. Requires that all surcharges be paid to the Civil War Battlefield Foundation for the preservation of historically significant Civil War battlefields.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Trade Expansion Act of 1992 - Title I: Market Access Provisions - Subtitle A: Enforcement of United States Rights Under Trade Agreements and Response to Certain Foreign Trade Practices - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through calendar year 1997 the requirement that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) identify U.S. trade liberalization priorities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that foreign countries that have substantial trade surpluses with the United States, and maintain acts, policies, or practices that are major barriers to, or distortions of, potential U.S. export trade, should be identified (for purposes of "Super 301" under the Trade Act of 1974) as priority foreign countries, and such acts, policies, or practices identified as priority practices. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize any interested person to request the USTR to review to determine whether a foreign country is in material compliance with the terms of a trade agreement. Defines an "interested person" as any person with a significant economic interest that is being or has been adversely affected by a foreign country's failure to comply materially with terms of a trade agreement. Requires the USTR to determine what action to take if a foreign country is found not in material compliance with such agreement. Directs the USTR to initiate an investigation of all acts, policies, and practices of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan that affect the access of U.S. rice to their markets. Requires the USTR to negotiate the elimination of such acts, policies, and practices, and report to the Congress on the progress of such negotiations. Subtitle B: International Trade in Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts - Directs the USTR to initiate an investigation of all acts, policies, and practices of Japan that affect the access of U.S. motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts to its market, including but not limited to: (1) acts, policies, and practices utilized in the Japanese automotive distribution system; (2) toleration of anticompetitive activities by private Japanese firms (including "Keiretsu"); (3) exclusionary business practices; and (4) testing requirements and other government regulations. Requires the USTR to negotiate with Japan for a trade agreement that: (1) eliminates such acts, policies, and practices; (2) provides enforcement of Japan's commitments under the Structural Impediments Initiative, the Market -Oriented Sector Specific agreements, and the Action Plan announced at the Tokyo Summit in January 1992 with respect to trade in, and purchase of, motor vehicles and motor vehicles parts; (3) establishes long term goals for the purchase by Japanese motor vehicle manufacturers of high value-added motor vehicle parts and accessories; and (4) establishes procedures for the exchange of information between the United States and Japan that will permit the accurate assessment of the bilateral trade in motor vehicle parts. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress if such negotiations prove unsuccessful. Directs the President to negotiate with Japan for a voluntary restraint agreement that will provide for the imposition of limitations on the aggregate number of Japanese passenger automobiles and light trucks that may be exported to the United States between 1992 and 2000. Authorizes the President to enforce such agreements. Requires specified reports with respect to such negotiations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the USTR should refer to the U.S. Government all information pertaining to Japanese acts, policies, and practices that adversely affect access to the purchasing by Japanese motor vehicle manufacturers in the United States of U.S. motor vehicle parts by Japanese-owned or-controlled producers. Requires the Board established by the Foreign-Trade Zones Act to: (1) review the operations of U.S. and foreign motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts producers to determine any positive economic effect on the United States of such Act; and (2) take appropriate action, including revocation or modification of a foreign-trade zone or subzone grant, with respect to any producer whose operations in such zone are determined not to have a net positive effect on the U.S. economy. Title II: Customs Modernization - Customs Modernization and Informed Compliance Act - Subtitle A: Improvements in Customs Enforcement - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise customs procedures with respect to: (1) electronic transmission of forged, altered, or false data to the United States Customs Service with regard to the entry of imported merchandise; (2) penalties for failure to declare imported controlled substances; (3) examination and detention of imported merchandise; (4) certain recordkeeping requirements; (5) examination of books and witnesses; (6) review of protests by the Customs Service; (7) a repeal of a provision relating to the reliquidation on account of fraud; (8) penalties relating to manifests, false drawback or refund claims, and for fraud, gross negligence, and negligence; (9) unlawful unlading or transshipment; (10) public access to Customs Service interpretative rulings and decisions; and (11) seizure of imported merchandise. Subtitle B: National Customs Automation Program - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to establish the National Customs Automation Program which shall be an automated and electronic system for the processing of commercial imports. Provides for electronic data transmission relating to: (1) remote location filing; (2) effective date of rates of duty on imported merchandise; (3) merchandise manifests; (4) imported merchandise invoices; (5) entry and release of imported merchandise; (6) admissibility in administrative and judicial proceedings of electronically transmitted information; (7) appraisement and liquidations of imported merchandise; (8) the payment of duties; (9) abandonment and damage to imported merchandise; (10) protests of Customs Service decisions; (11) refunds and errors; (12) bonds and other security; and (13) customs house brokers. Requires a refund (drawback) of duties (less one per cent of such duties) on articles produced in the United States with imported merchandise that have been destroyed under Customs Service supervision, provided such articles have not been used prior to such destruction. Sets forth provisions with respect to customs officer's immunity in regard to the appraisement of or collection of duties on imported merchandise. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Amendments to the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary to disregard the difference, but not less than $20 (currently ten dollars), between the total estimated duties deposited with respect to imported merchandise and the total amount actually due on such merchandise. Authorizes the Secretary to admit duty-free: (1) gifts from persons in foreign countries to persons in the United States whose value does not exceed $100 (currently, $50), or $200 (currently, $100) in the case of gifts from persons in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; (2) articles accompanying persons for personal or household use whose value does not exceed $200 (currently, $25); or (3) articles whose value does not exceed $200 (currently, five dollars) in other cases. Authorizes the Secretary to waive collection of duties due on merchandise that are worth less than $20, or such greater amount as prescribed by him or her. Requires masters of vessels that have visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise while outside the U.S. territorial sea to report their arrival to the nearest customs facility. Provides for the electronic transmission of vessel documentation to the Customs Service. Requires the following vessels to report to the nearest Customs Service facility within 24 hours (or other period of time) as provided after arrival to a U.S. port: (1) vessels from a foreign port; (2) foreign vessels from a domestic port; (3) U.S. vessels having bonded or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or (4) vessels which visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the U.S. territorial sea. Authorizes the Secretary to permit masters of vessels to make preliminary entry of their vessel with the Customs Service in lieu of or before formal entry is made. Requires U.S. and foreign vessels to obtain clearance from the Customs Service before proceeding from a U.S. port for: (1) a foreign port; (2) another U.S. port (for foreign vessels only), or (for U.S. vessels only) another U.S. port if the vessel has bonded or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or (3) outside the U.S. territorial sea to visit a hovering vessel or to receive merchandise. Exempts from entry and clearance requirements certain passenger vessels on excursion from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands and returning, U.S. documented vessels with recreational endorsement, or (as under current law) undocumented U.S. pleasure vessels not engaged in trade, except such vessels must comply upon arrival with specified customs reporting requirements and navigation laws and must not have visited any hovering vessel. Prohibits merchandise, passengers, or baggage from being unladen from any vessel required to make entry or vehicle required to report its arrival until such entry or report of arrival is made and a permit for unlading has been issued by the Customs Service. Authorizes the issuance of such permits through electronic data transmission. Requires every importer of record of merchandise to make and file electronically or otherwise a declaration stating whether such merchandise is imported pursuant to a purchase or purchase agreement and that all other required documents are true and correct. Requires persons who gained any benefit from, or met any obligation to the United States as the result of the prior exportation of merchandise that has returned as undeliverable to inform the Customs Service of the return of such merchandise within a reasonable time. Provides for electronic data transmission of entry information to complete any incomplete entry of imported merchandise. Declares entered or unentered merchandise that remains in customs custody for six months, with an extension at the importer's request of up to a year (currently, for merchandise that remains in custody for one year), and in which duties, taxes, fees, storage, and other charges have not been paid, to be unclaimed merchandise which shall be appraised and sold by the Customs Service at public auction. Authorizes the sale of imported gunpowder and other explosive merchandise that if permitted to remain in a bonded warehouse for six months (currently, one year) would depreciate in value to the extent that its sale would be insufficient to pay such duties, taxes, fees, storage, and other charges. Authorizes the Customs Service, in lieu of sale, to provide notice to interested parties that, unless, within 30 days of such notice, the subject merchandise is entered or withdrawn for consumption and payment made of all duties, taxes, and fees, transfer and storage charges and other expenses that title to such merchandise shall be deemed to vest in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to pay to a party that has lost a substantial interest in merchandise by virtue of title vesting in the United States, and can establish that it did not receive a vesting notice, an amount from the Customs Forfeiture Fund equal to what such party would have received if such merchandise had been sold and a proper claim filed. Requires any surplus of the proceeds from the sale of such merchandise to be deposited into the Fund if a claim for such surplus is not filed with the Customs Service. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the declaration and entry of merchandise whose value does not exceed a certain amount, not more than $2,500 (currently not greater than $1,250), and/or when different commercial facilitation and risk considerations that may vary for different classes or kinds of merchandise or different classes of transactions may dictate. Requires the Secretary upon seizure and forfeiture of imported merchandise bearing a counterfeit mark to dispose of such merchandise more than 90 days (currently, one year) after such forfeiture. Authorizes withdrawal of imported merchandise from a warehouse for transfer to a foreign trade zone. Authorizes the Customs Service to order the destruction or other appropriate disposition of vessels, vehicles, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage that has been seized under the customs laws if it determines that the expense of keeping such items is disportionate to their value (currently applies only to items of less than $1,000 in value). Authorizes the use of funds from the Customs Forfeiture Fund for the payment of: (1) certain transfer and storage charges and expenses; and (2) claims against Customs Service employees. Requires actions for fraud, gross negligence, and negligence, false drawback or refund claims, and restoration of lawful duties with respect to imported merchandise to be instituted within five years after the alleged violation or discovery of such fraud. Requires the Customs Service to be reimbursed the administrative cost and expense incurred in collecting fees on behalf of other Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to settle, for no more than $50,000 in each case, claims for personal injury, death, or damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer of the Customs Service. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with persons for collection services to recover indebtedness arising under the customs laws, provided the Customs Service has exhausted all administrative efforts to collect such indebtedness. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions and Consequential and Conforming Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to exempt from such Schedule articles which are returned within 45 days after being exported from the United States as undeliverable and which have not left the custody of the carrier or foreign customs service. Prohibits such exportations from satisfying any requirement for exportation in order to receive a benefit from, or meet an obligation, to the United States as a result of such exportation. Declares that certain railway locomotives and railway freight cars on which no duty is owed are not subject to the entry or release requirements for imported merchandise under the Tariff Act of 1930. Exempts instruments of international trade, such as containers, lift vans, rail cars and locomotives, truck cabs and trailers, etc., from formal entry procedures. Requires them to be accounted for however, when imported to and exported from the United States through the manifesting procedures required for international carriers by the U.S. Customs Service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code and other specified Federal law with respect to: (1) certain expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; and (2) coastwise trade vessels and U.S. vessels visiting foreign ports. Amends Federal law to grant the Court of International Trade exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action for review decisions of the Customs Service that deny, suspend, or revoke accreditation of private customs laboratories. Bars the commencement of such actions unless brought before such Court within 60 days of such decisions. Repeals specified provisions of Federal law. Requires the Commissioner of Customs to report to the Congress each fiscal year after FY 1992 on the collection of duties imposed under the antidumping and countervailing duty laws. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to authorize the Commissioner of Customs to obtain from the operators of centralized cargo examination stations information on fees paid for the provision of services at such stations. Requires the Commissioner to report to specified congressional committees on the payment of such fees. Amends the Customs and Trade Act of 1990 to require the Commissioner of Customs to: (1) devise a methodology for estimating the level of compliance with the U.S. customs laws; and (2) evaluate the extent to which such compliance was obtained during the 12-month period preceeding the 60th day before each fiscal year 1993 through 1995. Directs the Commissioner to initiate, and submit to the Congress, a compliance review of certain carrier services. Title III: Customs and Trade Agency Authorizations for Fiscal Years 1993 and 1994 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize appropriations to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) for FY 1993 and 1994. Earmarks a specified amount for reception and entertainment expenses. Prohibits use of such funds for any special study, investigation, or report requested by an agency of the executive branch unless such agency reimburses the ITC for its costs. Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations to the United States Customs Service for FY 1993 and 1994 for: (1) noncommercial operations; (2) commercial operations; and (3) the air interdiction program. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriaitons to the Office of the United States Trade Representative for FY 1993 and 1994. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize apropriations for FY 1993 and 1994 for certain expenditures from the Customs Forfeiture Fund relating to purchases by the Customs Service of evidence of smuggling of controlled substances. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to eliminate the East-West Trade Statistics Monitoring System. Title IV: Miscellaneous Trade Provisions - Subtitle A: Nontariff Provisions - Directs the President to negotiate trade agreements that eliminate the adverse effects of anticompetitive practices on international trade. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the status of such negotiations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, with respect to ensuring the effectiveness of the U.S. embargo of Cuba, should seek negotiations with countries that trade with Cuba to seek their agreement to restrict trade relations with it. Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce (currently, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury): (1) to take necessary action to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the machine tool decision of the President on May 20, 1986, and on December 27, 1991; and (2) to enforce any imported machine tool quantitative limitations, restrictions, or other terms contained in related bilateral arrangements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce the quantitative limitations and other provisions of bilateral arrangements negotiated with Taiwan on December 31, 1991, pursuant to the President's machine tool decision of May 20, 1986, until bilateral agreements are negotiated with such country pursuant to the President's December 27, 1991, decision. Directs the ITC to report to the Congress propsals for consolidating and simplifying U.S. international trade laws. Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service to make recommendations to the Congress about establishment of a special unit that would: (1) integrate the resources of the Service, the ITC, and other appropriate agencies; and (2) serve as a central and objective source of information for the Congress on data and trends in trade between the United States and foreign countries. Subtitle B: Foreign Subsidies and Countervailing and Antidumping Duty Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require completion of reviews by the administering authority of the amount of duty with respect to countervailing and antidumping duty orders by the 270th day after the day on which a request for review was received. (Currently, there is no such deadline for completion of such a review.) Requires the ITC to consider contracts with long lead time as a factor when making material injury determinations with respect to an affected domestic industry in countervailing and antidumping duty investigations. Declares that the presence or absence of any factor the ITC is required to consider shall not give decisive guidance with respect to any threat of material injury determinations. Provides that, with respect to the determination of foreign market value of imported merchandise under investigation, no allowance shall be made to account for differences in input costs that are based on whether the end product made from the input is sold in the home market or exported. Requires the United States Customs Service to report annually to the administering authority on the amount of duties collected during each year under each countervailing and antidumping duty order. Requires the administering authority to make such data available to interested parties. Requires the administering authority, when determining whether imported parts or components are circumventing an antidumping or countervailing duty order or finding, and whether to include such parts or components in such order or finding, to consider: (1) the pattern of trade; (2) the value and sources of supply of parts or components historically used in completion or assembly of the merchandise subject to such order; (3) whether the manufacturer or exporter of such parts or components is related to the person who assembles or completes the merchandise sold in the United States from the parts or components produced in the foreign country with respect to which the order or finding applies; and (4) whether imports into the United States of the parts or components produced in such foreign country have increased after the issuance of such order or finding. Authorizes the administering authority to include within the scope of such order or finding imported parts or components that are used in the completion or assembly of certain merchandise sold in the United States and subject to such order or finding, provided: (1) such merchandise is completed or assembled in the United States from parts or components supplied by the exporter or producer with respect to which such order or finding applies, from suppliers that have historically supplied the parts or components to that exporter or producer, or from any party in the exporting country supplying parts or components on behalf of such exporter or producer; (2) the value of such imported parts and components is significant in relation to the total value of all parts and components used in the assembly or completion operation, excluding packing, of the imported merchandise covered by such order or finding; or (3) consideration of specified factors establishes a pattern of circumvention of a countervailing and antidumping duty order or finding. Enables the administering authority to base such a decision on any of such factors by itself, rather than on all of them together. Sets forth similar provisions for merchandise completed or assembled in other foreign countries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the ITC to study and report to the Congress on modification of standards applicable to the initiation of countervailing and antidumping duty actions in order to make petitioning for such initiations less costly and more accessible for domestic petitioners. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress on the operation of the Agreement Concerning the Application of the GATT Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft between the United States and the European Community. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should not enter into any international trade agreement on antidumping requiring changes in U.S. antidumping laws that would reduce the effectiveness of such laws as a remedy against injurious dumped imports. Urges the President to review antidumping provisions contained in the Draft Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations dated December 21, 1991 and seek changes to strengthen the effectiveness of U.S. antidumping laws, including, but not limited to, changes in provisions dealing with cumulation of injury and dispute settlement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should not condone the use by foreign governments of trade distorting subsidies, including development subsidies, that cause material injury to U.S. industries. Subtitle C: Other Tariff Provisions - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to remove the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from the list of countries ineligible for designation as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to create a new tariff classification to cover imports of motor fuel blending stocks. Imposes a duty on such stocks. Revises the classification of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates and linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids. Revises a specified subheading relating to nonalloy iron and steel pipes and tubes to include non-galvanized forms of such products. Increases the duty on certain other iron and steel pipes and tubes. Imposes a duty on galvanized nonalloy iron and steel pipes and tubes having a specified thickness. Increases the duty on certain stainless steel pipes and tubes. Authorizes the USTR to negotiate compensation for claims made pursuant to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, as a result of the amendments made by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to producers of watches in the insular possessions of the United States who are wage certificate holders, to pay to such a holder, at the holder's election, the face value of such certificates less the value of: (1) any duty refunds claimed by the holder under the certificate; and (2) any duty refunds under such certificate that are sold by such holder. Grants duty-free treatment of articles (not over $600 in value) acquired in Bermuda. Grants duty-free treatment to sweaters in which the number of U.S. citizens, nationals, or resident aliens who perform the assembly operations (in Guam) comprise at least 50 percent of the total number of assembly production workers. Sets forth specified exceptions. Provides that stuffed dolls and doll skins that are imported into the United States on or after December 31, 1985, and before October 1, 1988, shall be liquidated as duty free as of October 1, 1988. Declares that a specified production incentive certificate shall be deemed to have been reissued on the 15th day after the enactment of this Act, and shall expire one year after such day. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt semiconductors from the country of origin marking requirements under such Act. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to extend until December 31, 1994, the exclusion of bicycle component parts from the exemption from customs laws provided by such Act. Treats certain entries of fabric wholly of polyamide as having been exported from the United States in accordance with and in satisfaction of the temporary importation bond and obligations of The Umbrellas: Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A. Corporation if specified conditions are met. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to authorize the extension of time (not to exceed five years) for the exportation of articles to be repaired, altered, or processed, including processes which result in articles manufactured or produced in the United States, that are imported duty-free under bond, provided that any extension beyond the third year must be accompanied by the importer's certification that such articles are to be incorporated into a communications satellite. Subjects to liquidated damages any such articles imported after January 1, 1983, and before the effective date of this Act, that are certified by the importer as having been dedicated for incorporation into a communications satellite, and as not having been exported within the time required because of launch schedule delays. Limits such liquidated damages to a maximum one percent of the liquidated damages established under the bond.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Prohibits U.S. assistance to Serbia and Montenegro or any successor entity and requires the President to block all assets of the former Yugoslavian Government until he certifies to the Congress that: (1) Serbia and Montenegro have withdrawn their forces from Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina; and (2) the government of Serbia and Montenegro or any successor entity is democratically-elected and recognizes the territorial integrity of neighboring states and the political rights of Kosovo. Urges President Bush to withdraw U.S. recognition of Yugoslavia and to refuse to recognize Serbian and Montenegrin claims as a successor state. Supports withholding formal recognition of Serbia and Montenegro until all Serbian military, paramilitary, and irregular units are withdrawn from Bosnia-Hercegovina, Slovenia, and Croatia and until Serbia and Montenegro respect the territorial integrity of neighboring nations. Calls upon the administration to impose an "air cap" to provide protection to Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, as is being afforded to the Kurds in Iraq. Supports the immediate provision of humanitarian and refugee assistance for the victims of war in Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia. Urges President Bush to call for a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution calling on member countries to: (1) suspend aid to Serbia and Montenegro; (2) block Serbian assets; (3) participate in an international trade embargo of Yugoslavia; (4) withdraw recognition of the Yugoslavian Government; and (5) terminate Yugoslavia's membership in international and multilateral organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
DeLauro-Lowey Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the State water pollution control revolving fund program through FY 1999. Requires a specified percentage (increasing with each succeeding fiscal year) of such appropriations to be used by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make capitalization grants for estuary plans to qualified States. Requires States to submit estimates of the need for assistance for implementing and monitoring such plans. Prohibits the submission of such estimates unless the estimates are approved by the appropriate management conference under the National Estuary Program. Makes States that fail to submit approved estimates ineligible for assistance. Directs States to establish separate Estuary Accounts in their water pollution control revolving funds, to be used for implementing approved estuary plans. Permits loans made with amounts in such Accounts to be for terms of up to 40 years or for the useful life of a facility constructed with the loan, whichever is less, if the borrower demonstrates financial hardship. Allows States to use interest earned on amounts in such Accounts to subsidize up to 90 percent of the principal portion of debt service of certain entities that are financially unable to carry out a necessary project for an estuary plan. Establishes a State matching requirement for deposits into Accounts. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for the implementation of estuary conservation and management plans. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the total cost of implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Permits certain grants under the National Estuary Program to be used for interim actions adopted by management conferences to protect the water and sediment quality of estuaries. Extends the authorization of appropriations for management conferences, grants, conservation and management plans, and research under the National Estuary Program through FY 1999. Revises provisions concerning the purposes of management conferences. Directs the Administrator to issue a guidance document that establishes requirements for: (1) management conferences to follow in developing, implementing, and monitoring conservation and management plans; and (2) approving and implementing interim actions to protect water quality of estuaries for which plans are developed. Requires management conferences to be convened for periods of at least five years (currently, up to five years). Permits the extension of a conference for an additional five years if the affected Governors concur in the extension and the extension is necessary to meet requirements. Revises approval and implementation procedures for estuary conservation and management plans and establishes such procedures for interim actions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1992
Military Conscientious Objector Act of 1992 - Establishes procedures for the determination of whether members of the armed forces should be discharged from military service or reassigned to other duties as conscientious objectors. Makes this Act applicable to all members of the armed forces, including members in a retired status and those not on active duty. Provides that, upon application, a member of the armed forces who, on the basis of sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs is conscientiously opposed to: (1) any participation in war in any form or to any participation in a particular conflict, is entitled to be discharged from the armed forces; and (2) the performance of certain duties in the armed forces, is entitled to be reassigned to other duties that are identified by that member as not inconsistent with such beliefs. Specifies that, upon submission of an application stating the applicant's conscientious objection and requesting a discharge or reassignment: (1) the burden of proof that the applicant does not have have a sincerely held conscientious objection shall lie with the armed forces; and (2) the application may not be rejected unless the Secretary concerned demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant does not have such a sincerely held conscientious objection. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) the availability of of information regarding application procedures and rights, protections, and obligations afforded to members applying for conscientious objector status; (2) the filing of a notice of intent to file a claim for such status; (3) the right to legal counsel; (4) the filing of the application; (5) appointment of an investigating officer; (6) the convening of an adjudication panel; and (7) judicial review of the panel's decision. Specifies that, in the case of a member who files such application and with respect to whom court martial proceedings are pending arising out of the member's objection to participation in war: (1) the member shall have the right to elect that all such court martial proceedings be held in abeyance pending final determination of the application; (2) if the application is approved, such charges shall be dismissed in conjunction with the discharge of the member; and (3) if the application is denied, the stay of the court martial proceedings shall be lifted. Prohibits: (1) a discharge under this Act from being made with a characterization of service other than that which the member would have received without reference to the conscientious objection claim; and (2) the separation document issued to the member from including any notation that would provide the basis for discrimination or which would otherwise differentiate that person from members discharged under other provisions of law. Specifies that the reenlistment code for such person shall be R-2 unless a lesser designation is warranted by the character of the member's service without regard to the conscientious objection application.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Defense Workers Bill of Rights Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide each person determined to be a displaced defense worker (a defense facility employee laid off or terminated due to the reduction or elimination of defense contracts) with written certification of such displaced status. Prohibits an eviction or distress from being made with respect to the premises of a displaced defense worker for which the rent does not exceed $1,200 per month for a period of one year after termination or layoff, or the date on which the displaced worker returns to that or comparable employment, except upon leave of court granted in an action affecting the right of possession. Provides for an automatic stay of such proceedings for up to three months, unless the court determines that the availability of the defense worker to pay the rent is not materially affected by being displaced. Provides penalties for violation of the eviction and distress prohibitions. Provides that, in the case of a displaced defense worker who has paid a deposit or an installment under a contract or lease, no person shall exercise any right or option to rescind or terminate the contract or resume possession of the property for nonpayment by the displaced defense worker, except by action of a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides penalties for violations and judicial remedies for breach of such installment contracts, including repayment of installment payments or a stay of proceedings. Provides that, in the case of an existing mortgage or trust deed for real or personal property owned by a displaced defense worker on the date of his or her termination or layoff, a court, in an action to enforce payment obligations, may stay the proceedings or make such other disposition of the case as may be equitable to conserve the interests of all parties. Provides penalties for violations and judicial remedies in such actions, including payment to the displaced defense worker of his or her equitable interest in the property before foreclosure. Prohibits an appropriate Federal banking agency from taking any action, or maintaining or enforcing any regulation, which causes an insured depository institution to: (1) violate provisions of the foreclosure protection requirements of this Act; or (2) enforce an obligation for which the displaced defense worker is entitled to protection. Provides that no sale of real or personal property and property owned for dwelling, business, or agricultural purposes shall be made until: (1) one year after the worker's termination or layoff; or (2) the date on which the displaced worker returns to his or her original or comparable employment, unless the court determines that the ability of the defense worker to pay such taxes or assessments is not materially affected by being displaced. Allows the court to stay a proceeding for the sale of property for collection of taxes or assessments for up to six months after the end of the required waiting period. Provides that when, by law, such property may be sold or forfeited for collection purposes, the displaced defense worker shall have the right to redeem such property for up to six months after the waiting period. Provides an interest limit of six percent on taxes or assessment allowed to remain unpaid during the required waiting period.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Prisoner-of-War Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar coins emblematic of the experience of American prisoners of war. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $5 per coin. Requires specified proceeds from such surcharges to be paid to the: (1) Secretary of the Interior for construction of the Andersonville Prisoner-of-War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia; (2) endowment fund established by this Act for the maintenance of such Museum; and (3) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Commission on the Airplane Crash at Gander, Newfoundland, Act - Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Commission on the Airplane Crash at Gander, Newfoundland. Directs the Commission to investigate and study the circumstances surrounding the crash of an Arrow Airlines airplane near Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, on December 12, 1985. Requires a report to the President and the Congress on findings and conclusions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Federal Facilities Toxics Release Act - Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act to require Federal facilities that are subject to safety or chemical inventory reporting requirements under such Act or that manufacture or use a toxic chemical listed under such Act in excess of threshold amounts to comply with all Federal, State, and local requirements respecting emergency planning, notification, and reporting on substances covered by such Act. Waives sovereign immunity and the immunity of Federal employees for purposes of enforcement and injunctive relief. Authorizes the President to exempt a facility from requirements for one year if it is in the U.S. interest. Prohibits such an exemption due to lack of appropriations unless the President has specifically requested the appropriation as part of the budgetary process and the Congress failed to make it available. Authorizes additional exemptions for periods of up to one year. Permits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to commence administrative enforcement actions against Federal agencies pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on making chemicals used by Federal facilities subject to toxic chemical release form requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Every Fifth Child Act - Makes appropriations for FY 1993, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in specified amounts to begin a phase-in toward full funding of: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (2) Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; and (3) the Job Corps program under the Job Training Partnership Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such programs should receive specified minimum levels of funding to allow: (1) the WIC program to be fully funded through FY 1996; (2) Head Start programs to be fully funded through FY 1998; and (3) the Job Corps to establish at least 50 additional centers and serve at least 50 percent more of low-income disadvantaged youth by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates October 24 through November 1, 1992, as National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug Free America. Recognize the hard work and dedication of those involved in combatting substance abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1992
Entitles the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover the reasonable cost of care or services provided to a veteran for a non-service-connected disability from another Federal department or agency to the extent that such veteran would have been eligible to receive payment for such care or services from such department or agency. Requires the amount recovered to be reduced by any required deductible or copayment. Subrogates the Department to any right or claim that the veteran may have against another department or agency in the receipt of such payment. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to determine the reasonable cost of care and services so provided. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on comments and recommendations with respect to such regulations. Provides that a veteran eligible through the Department for such care or services may not be denied such care or services or be required to make any copayment or deductible in order to receive such care. Directs that amounts recovered shall be credited to the current operating account of the Department facility that provided such care or services. Prohibits any amounts so credited from being offset by reductions in amounts otherwise available to such facility or in the total amount of funds made available to the Department for health care and medical services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for enrollment under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act at any time (without regard to special enrollment periods) in the case of any veteran over age 65 who is entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Defense Industrial Diversification and Community Assistance Act of 1992 - Title I: Industrial Diversification Study - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to study the extent to which diversification of defense industries to non-defense production can be effectuated. Requires a report from the Secretary of Commerce on the study's results. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Presidential Council on Economic Diversification and Adjustment - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Council on Economic Diversification and Adjustment, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor, and the Office of Economic Diversification and Adjustment. Outlines Council duties, including the identification of defense-related impact problems of States, metropolitan areas, or communities requiring assistance, the dissemination of aid and assistance information, and the development of strategies and plans for Federal, State, and local economic adjustment efforts necessitated as the result of the termination or reduction of a defense contract or the closure or realignment of a defense facility which substantially adversely affects the local community involved. Requires the Council to prepare and distribute an economic diversification and adjustment handbook containing explanations, outlines, information, and directories concerning the economic diversification required for workers in a community as the result of curtailment of defense production. Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify the Council at least one year in advance of a pending or proposed change in defense spending that would affect local employment in the defense industry. Requires the Council to submit an annual report to the Congress on the required economic diversification and adjustment for the previous year. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Industrial Diversification Accounts; Alternative Defense Investment Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow any qualified defense facility to establish an industrial diversification account for the purpose of providing qualified plant and equipment in the United States or the retraining of employees in order to diversify qualified defense facilities from predominately relying on defense contracts to nondefense lines of business. Restricts deposits to such accounts to the average of the sum of: (1) depreciation allowances with respect to eligible plant and equipment; (2) net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such plant and equipment, or insurance or indemnity attributable to such plant and equipment; and (3) receipts from investment of amounts in such accounts. Allows deposits to such accounts during the five-year period after its establishment. Restricts deposits after the fifth taxable year to receipts from investments. Provides for the nontaxability of earnings deposited into such accounts. Allows withdrawals over a ten-year period for: (1) acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of qualified plant and equipment; (2) the payment of principal on indebtedness incurred in connection with plant and equipment acquisition, construction, or reconstruction; or (3) the retraining or continued education of employees. Provides for taxation of nonqualified withdrawals. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Secretary of Defense annually on such accounts. Provides for computing the alternative minimum tax on earnings deposited in such accounts. Allows an eligible corporation which does not have an industrial diversification account an industrial diversification credit as an alternative investment tax credit. Declares the industrial diversification credit to be equal to 20 percent of the amount paid or incurred for a purpose for which a qualified withdrawal would be permitted from an industrial diversification account if the corporation had such an account. Title IV: Small Business Diversification - Establishes in the SBA a Committee on Defense and Economic Diversification and an Office of Economic Diversification. Directs the Committee to: (1) carry out programs under title V of this Act; (2) identify defense-related problems of small businesses that require assistance; (3) disseminate information useful to small business concerns; (4) prepare a plan for coordinating the efforts of the SBA and the Administration's programs for assisting firms adversely affected by defense cutbacks; and (5) work with and coordinate efforts with the President's Office of Economic Diversification and Adjustment to assist small businesses in finding alternative procurement opportunities with Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Small Business Assistance - Empowers the Administrator of the SBA to make either loans or grants to a qualified small manufacturing firm to assist such firm to diversify from defense-related to nondefense-related business. Outlines loan and grant limits, conditions, and specific purposes. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations to carry out this title. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Economic Adjustment Assistance for Employees - Requires all displacements of workers employed by a defense agency, or of civilian workers employed by the armed services, to be reported by the management of the defense facility to the Office of Economic Diversification and Adjustment and to the State employment security agency acting as the agent of the Secretary of Labor for the administration of the program under this title. Requires the Office to certify eligibility of displaced workers under this title for benefits. Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to decrease from 80 to 75 percent the portion of funds available under such Act for job training and retraining that are to be divided among the States. Increases from 20 to 25 percent of such amount the funds that are to be set aside for special grants to substates for special employment problems (intending displaced worker assistance under this Act to qualify as one such special problem). Directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Council, to develop statistical data on the permanent dislocation of defense workers due to reductions in defense expenditures, termination or reduction of defense contracts, or the closure or realignment of defense facilities. Requires the Secretary to publish a report after compilation of such data. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from individual retirement accounts early withdrawal penalties any withdrawals made by dislocated workers and used for either mortgage payments on a primary residence or rent payments for one year following the worker's layoff. Title VII: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Requires the Secretary of Defense, upon release of the President's budget or any announcement of the realignment or closure of a qualified defense facility, to promptly notify any State or local government affected by the realignment, closure, or contract slowdown or termination which is being proposed or will likely result. Makes eligible for economic adjustment planning assistance any community which: (1) is likely to be substantially and seriously affected by the realignment or closure of a defense facility, or the slowdown, termination, or cancellation of any defense contract; and (2) prepares an analysis and forecast of the effect of any such action on the local economy and workforce as well as a proposal for an economic adjustment plan to reduce the adverse effect of any such action. Requires the Council to review the analyses, forecasts, and proposals submitted. Requires the Council to: (1) publish a list annually of the communities eligible for economic adjustment planning assistance after review of such documentation; and (2) allow a community which failed in such termination to petition the Council for review of such determination for inclusion on such list. Provides that any community found eligible for such assistance by the Council shall be eligible for community planning assistance offered by the Secretary of Defense under specified Federal armed forces provisions. Provides that any substantially and seriously affected community shall also be eligible for economic adjustment assistance authorized under title IX of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Title VIII: Commercial and Defense Production Integration - Establishes within DOD the Office of Commercial and Defense Production Integration to develop and implement policies, practices, and procedures designed to achieve an effective integration of commercial production processes and defense procurement practices. Attempts to accomplish such integration by increasing the use of commercial products in defense procurement, lowering unit costs in defense production through streamlining acquisition procedures, encouraging integrated processes for manufacturing civilian and defense products, and encouraging research and development of products having both civilian and military applications. Calls for the elimination of unique military specifications in the procurement of defense products and the identification of commercial suppliers that have exhibited high standards of product quality and reliability in commercial or defense production. Requires the Office to assist the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition in the acquisition and increased usage of nondevelopmental items in defense procurement (items that are generally available in the commercial marketplace). Directs the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Office, to conduct not less than three projects to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving effective integration of commercial production processes and military procurement practices. Requires the Secretary to notify the Congress at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of each such project, and requires project reports. Title IX: Commission on Military Budget Reform - Establishes the Commission on Military Budget Reform to conduct a study of the desirability and feasibility of the Congress instituting a three-year budget cycle program for DOD. Requires the Commission, in carrying out such study, to consider: (1) the advantages and disadvantages of the three-year budget program; (2) the likely savings from the program; (3) the effects of the program on other activities and programs of DOD, on short- and long-range national security planning, and on foreign military sales; (4) the favorable and adverse effects that multiyear defense budgets have had on the defense budget processes of foreign nations that have adopted such programs; and (5) alternative means of carrying out such a program. Requires a findings report from the Commission to the Secretary and the Congress. Provides powers of the Commission as well as other administrative provisions. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) to extend the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program. Changes the EUC program termination date (currently July 4, 1992) to the earliest of: (1) April 1, 1993; (2) the first day of the third month after the first month (after June 1992) for which the applicable unemployment rate is less than six and one-half percent; or (3) the first day of the first month (after June 1992) for which the applicable unemployment rate is less than six percent. Makes the applicable unemployment rate for any month, for such purposes, the average rate (seasonally adjusted) of total unemployment in all States for the most recent three calendar months for which data are published before the beginning of such month. Provides for reduction of benefits during periods after December 31, 1992. Modifies EUC eligibility requirements to: (1) make a 20-week work requirement inapplicable; (2) provide that an individual is not ineligible by reason of subsequent entitlement to regular benefits; and (3) provide certain transition rules, including a waiver of recovery of certain overpayments and an option to defer rights to certain regular benefits. Title II: Modifications to Extended Benefits Program - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to modify trigger provisions for the extended benefits (EB) program. Provides for an EB State "on" indicator for a month if the average rate of total unemployment (seasonally adjusted) for the most recent three months for which data are published before the close of such month is: (1) six percent or more; and (2) 110 percent or more of such average rate for either (or both) of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years. (Current law uses the State insured unemployment rate, rather than the State total unemployment rate, in the trigger formula.) Provides for additional weeks of EB program benefits during high unemployment periods (when the trigger period average rate of total unemployment is eight percent or more). Repeals certain special eligibility requirements under the EB program. Increases the amount of Federal reimbursement under the EB program. Makes these amendments to the EB program effective on October 1, 1993, with certain exceptions. Title III: Modifications to Federal Unemployment Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the Federal unemployment tax rate. Allows elective withholding of Federal, State, or local income taxes from unemployment compensation (under the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act). Title IV: Reemployment Assistance Programs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional credit against the Federal unemployment tax for taxpayers in States with reemployment assistance programs. Title V: Modification to Regular State Unemployment Compensation Programs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the base period under regular State unemployment compensation programs. Provides for treatment of short-time compensation programs which provide partial unemployment benefits to individuals whose workweeks have been reduced by at least ten percent. Allows State laws to provide for unemployment compensation funds to be withdrawn for the payment of such short-time compensation under a plan approved by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist States in establishing and implementing short-time compensation programs by: (1) developing model legislative language and proposing appropriate revisions; and (2) providing technical assistance and guidance. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on implementation of these short-time compensation program provisions. Prohibits State laws from denying unemployment compensation to any individual by reason of the circumstances under which such individual separated from employment by any employer unless it was the individual's most recent separation from employment. Requires each employer covered under a State unemployment compensation law to: (1) post statements (prescribed by the State agency) regarding benefit rights and other matters in places readily accessible to employees; and (2) furnish to each terminated employee written statements (provided by the State agency) regarding claims for compensation. Title VI: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend by two years, through December 31, 1997, the following income tax provisions affecting high income taxpayers: (1) an overall limitation on itemized deductions; and (2) a phaseout of personal exemptions. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for transfer of revenues from income taxes on unemployment benefits to the Unemployment Trust Fund. Bases such transfers on estimates of benefit payments. Sets forth a transition rule requiring the Secretary of the Treasury, by the end of FY 1992, to transfer from the general fund of the Treasury to the Unemployment Trust Fund, for credit to the extended unemployment compensation account, an amount equal to that which would have been appropriated to the Unemployment Trust Fund for months beginning on or before enactment of this Act if such transfer amendments had been in effect for all months after December 31, 1990. Revises provisions for Federal unemployment accounts. Modifies provisions for the extended unemployment compensation account with respect to transfers, and increases the ceiling on such account. Reduces the ceiling on the Federal unemployment account. Provides for borrowing among the employment security administration account, the Federal unemployment account, and the extended unemployment compensation account. Amends specified Federal law relating to civil service employment to provide that if any Federal agency does not deposit a required amount in the Federal Employees Compensation Account for unemployment benefits within 30 days after notification by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of such failure and that Secretary shall transfer such amount to such Account from amounts otherwise appropriated to such Federal agency. Title VII: Budgetary Treatment - Amends the Social Security Act to exclude the Unemployment Trust Fund (the Fund) from the unified budget, thus giving the Fund "off-budget" status (except amounts required to be deposited in the Federal Employees Compensation Account). Reduces certain discretionary spending limits for FY 1993 through 1995. Modifies certain maximum deficit amounts to provide for a decrease in FY 1993 and an increase in FY 1994 and 1995. Makes conforming amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA) (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides that any amount of new budget authority, outlays, or receipts resulting from this Act shall not be considered for any purpose under BBEDCA.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1992
Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to carry out the High-Year Tenure program of the Air Force Reserve so as not to require the removal before age 60 of an Air Reserve technician from active status as a reservist in the case of any such technician who has not less than 33 years of active and reserve military service before January 1, 1992, and who is otherwise qualified for retention as an Air Reserve technician.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1992
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that any legislation passed by the Congress to address American health care needs must include coverage for mental disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Buddy System Computer Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award a grant to each of three States to create a computer-based education project for children in grades six through eight. Requires such awards to be on an competitive basis. Gives preference to applications: (1) from States with demonstrated ability or commitment to computer-based technology education; and (2) describing projects serving school districts serving a large number or percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Requires site selection and project implementation within nine months after funds are appropriated. Requires such projects to: (1) be provided in a continuous three-year form to two consecutive groups of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders; (2) be conducted in not more than seven public schools within the State; and (3) ensure each student in such classes participates and has access to a computer at school during the school year and at home during the school year and summer. Sets forth application requirements. Requires the use of grant funds to provide: (1) hardware and software components to all sites; and (2) training for classroom teachers as well as parents, administrators, and technical personnel. Requires the Secretary to evaluate such demonstration program and report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Makes eligible for the award of the Purple Heart those persons wounded in action on or after December 7, 1941, by weapon fire while engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the origin of the weapon fire.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Paper Recycling Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of four percent on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any designated paper product that does not meet applicable minimum recycled content standards. Provides a higher tax on products which fail to satisfy the applicable standard and one or more levels below such standard. Allows a business-related tax credit for the production of high recycled content paper. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish minimum recycled content standards for paper products for 1993 through 2004 and thereafter.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000619_200.jpg)