United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Uniform Services Treatment Facilities Provider Clarification Act of 1991 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking any action to recover amounts that were paid under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to uniformed services treatment facilities in Boston, Massachusetts, Baltimore, Maryland, and Seattle, Washington, for services provided between October 1, 1986, and December 31, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1991
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to ensure that the annual cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress, Federal judges and justices, and certain senior officials in the executive branch do not exceed the cost of living adjustments for General Schedule employees. Amends the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 to make the cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress, Federal judges and justices, and certain Senior officials in the executive branch reflective of the change in the employment cost index for the same time period used for General Schedule employees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
Earthquake Hazard Reduction Amendments Act - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to mandate identification of earthquake-prone States. Establishes the Earthquake Loss Mitigation Advisory Committee. Requires development of comprehensive earthquake loss-reduction criteria for State and local land use and management ordinances, building codes, and other measures. Requires that a percentage of the annual earthquake insurance premiums collected under the Primary Insurance program enacted by this Act be deposited in the Self-Sustaining Mitigation Fund to support specified hazard reduction activities. Requires the Director to support public education programs. Provides for assistance, to the extent provided for in appropriations Acts, to States which are in compliance with the loss-reduction criteria of this Act to support development and implementation of mitigation plans. Prohibits making, increasing, extending, or renewing any federally-related mortgage loan secured by: (1) residential property in an earthquake-prone State unless the property is covered by earthquake insurance coverage under this Act or equivalent private insurance; or (2) improved real estate or a mobile home located in an earthquake-prone State if the State is not in compliance with the loss-reduction criteria of this Act and the property does not meet minimum mitigation criteria. Establishes the Primary Insurance Program against loss from any earthquake. Requires the Director to arrange for participation, on other than a risk-sharing basis, by private insurers, insurance agents and brokers, insurance adjustment organizations, and others. Mandates development of a plan of operation for the Insurance Fund and the Reinsurance Fund. Limits Program coverage to residential property in earthquake-prone States. Establishes an independent advisory committee in the executive branch to be known as the Earthquake Insurance and Reinsurance Advisory Committee. Establishes in the Treasury the Residential Property Insurance Fund to carry out the Primary Insurance Program. Credits to the Insurance Fund premiums received by the Program. Requires, if gross reimbursements to private insurers exceeds amounts in the Insurance Fund, loans from the industry for ten percent of the additional losses, with the remaining amounts borrowed from the Treasury and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Requires the Director to make reinsurance and excess reinsurance available to private insurers participating in the Program and their reinsurers. Provides for the excess reinsurance liability of the insurance industry and the Federal Government. Specifies the lines of insurance for which reinsurance coverage must be provided. Establishes in the Treasury the Reinsurance Fund to carry out the excess loss reinsurance program. Credits to the Fund any reinsurance premiums received under the excess loss reinsurance program and amounts borrowed from the Treasury under this Act. Requires the Director, to the extent that the Reinsurance Fund is insufficient to pay claims and expenses, to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury obligations to cover the insufficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991 - Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding liability for general aviation accidents. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 20 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions that exceed $50,000 for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Amends the management strategy for land identified as suitable for timber production in the Olympic, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests in Washington (State) to require that it: (1) establish timber harvest rotations between 150 and 200 years; (2) use shelterwood and seed trees regeneration cuts systems whenever practical; and (3) use thinning and intermediate cut prescriptions established to enhance habitats for species dependent on old growth forests while maintaining as high level of timber production as possible given the constraints of other multiple uses. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to revise the land and resource management plans for such National Forests to conform to the management strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a law devoted solely to that subject. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect. Makes this article effective beginning with FY 1995 or with the second fiscal year after its ratification, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Older Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) repeal the limit on payment amounts for screening mammography under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program; and (2) permit payment under such part to the physician who supervises such procedure but does not interpret its results.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Employee Benefits Simplification Act of 1991 - Title I: Nondiscrimination Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to employee benefit plans. Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plans, etc. purposes. Makes such an employee one who is a five-percent owner or who has compensation from the employer in excess of $50,000. Provides a special rule where no employees are treated as highly compensated. Allows employers to use prior year compensation in determining highly compensated employees. Provides that the cost-of-living adjustment with respect to any calendar year is based on the increase in the applicable index as of the close of the calendar quarter ending September 30 of the preceding calendar year over such index as of the close of the calendar quarter starting October 1, 1986. Requires the rounding of such amounts to the nearest $1,000, except that elective deferrals and elective contributions to simplified employee pensions are rounded to the nearest $100. Provides that the minimum participation requirements rule applies only to defined benefit pension plans. Requires such plans to benefit not less than 25 employees, or the greater of 40 percent of all employees or two employees (or if there is only one employee, such employee). Provides that a plan satisfies participation requirements on each day of a plan year if it satisfies such requirements on a single plan day of such year, but only if such day is reasonably representative of the employer's workforce and the plan's coverage. Sets forth alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements for cash or deferred arrangements, including specified contribution and notice requirements. Sets forth alternative methods of satisfying the nondiscrimination test for matching contributions. Revises the method of distributing excess contributions to highly compensated employees. Provides for determining the actual deferral percentage of highly compensated employees by using the prior plan year of highly compensated employees. Title II: Distributions - Allows distributions from qualified pension plans to an employee's spouse, as well as to an employee, to be rolled over tax-free to a retirement plan. Repeals special rules for partial distribution rollovers, payments from certain pension plan termination trusts, and treatment of potential future vesting. Eliminates five-year averaging for lump-sum distributions from qualified plans after 1996. Allows distributions to be made from qualified plans by April 1 of the calendar year following calendar year in which the employee retires, if he or she retires after reaching age 70 1/2. (Present law restricts such distributions to April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70 1/2.) Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Revises the definition of a leased employee to mean a service-providing non-employee if the recipient of services exercises primary control over the manner in which the services are performed. (Currently the standard is that the services in question are historically performed by employees.) Eliminates the special aggregation rules that apply to plans maintained by owner-employees that do not apply to other qualified plans. Revises the 150 percent current liability limitation on the deduction allowed for employer contributions to qualified pension plans to eliminate the fair market value of assets from the limitation formula for multiemployer plans. Repeals the present law annual valuation requirement for such plans and applies the prior law requirement that valuations be performed at least every three years. Sets forth affiliation requirements for employers jointly maintaining a voluntary employees' beneficiary association. Provides that compensation, in the case of a governmental plan, includes any amount which is contributed by the employer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which is not includible in the gross income of an employee under cafeteria plans, cash or deferred arrangements, tax-exempt organization or public school annuities, State or local government plans, or deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Makes the following limitations inapplicable to plans maintained by State and local governments and certain tax-exempt organizations: (1) excess benefit limitations; (2) certain compensation limitations on benefits; and (3) limitations on disability and survivor benefits. Allows government plan employers to revoke the grandfather election on the limitation to equal accrued benefits. Modifies provisions relating to simplified employee pensions. Increases the number of allowable participants for salary reduction arrangements from 25 to 100. Allows participation after one year of service (currently, three years of service is required). Repeals the requirement that at least 50 percent of eligible employees participate in a salary reduction arrangement. Eliminates certain requirements regarding contributions on behalf of disabled employees. Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants after attainment of age 59 1/2. Includes reports of pension and annuity payments in information returns and payee statements. Provides a $10 reporting threshold for designated distributions. Provides for the disaggregation of union benefit plans by allowing for consideration in reckoning the average benefit percentage test of a plan a unit of employees who benefit under the plan on the same terms even though they would otherwise be disregarded for specified reasons. Requires social security supplements to be considered a retirement-type subsidy in determining whether a plan is discriminatory in favor of highly compensated employees. Disregards such supplements in determining permitted disparity in plan contributions or benefits. Provides for treating the social security retirement age, in lieu of age 65, as the uniform retirement age for pension plans. Includes the use of an employee's basic or regular rate of compensation as an alternative method of determining compensation. Provides that a plan shall not be considered discriminatory in favor of highly compensated employees merely because it provides that the benefit of employees who transfer between members of the controlled group of employers which includes the plan sponsor, or between different employee groups within the employer, is based on all years of service and is offset by the benefit accrued under any other plans of the employer. Establishes a special grandfather rule for integrated plans. Revises the method of determining interest on employee contributions. Limits the accrued benefit to be derived from such contributions. Declares a plan to be nondiscriminatory if the average rate of accrual for highly compensated employees is not greater than the average rate of accrual for all other employees. Repeals the requirement that a plan be nondiscriminatory to qualify for line of business exception to minimum coverage requirements. Provides for the treatment of headquarters personnel as a separate line of business for employers with other separate lines of business. Declares that rules governing deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations do not apply to nonelective deferred compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Minerals Policy Review Commission Act of 1991 - Establishes the Minerals Policy Review Commission to report to the President and the Congress the results of its review of mineral production legislation governing the location, disposition, and production of minerals on public lands, including: (1) a review of Federal administrative practices; (2) a compilation of data necessary to ascertain future demands on public lands that are related to location and disposition of minerals; and (3) a consideration of the critical impact of domestic minerals sources on the economic and strategic welfare of the country. Expresses the sense of the Congress that no amendment be made to legislation regarding location and disposition of minerals on public lands until the Commission has reported its findings and recommendations. Mandates that Federal entities cooperate with Commission requests and that those entities having an interest in or responsibility with respect to public lands appoint a liaison officer to work closely with the commission. Provides for termination of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1991
Paperwork Reduction in Health Care Act of 1991 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) identify, inventory, and assess the Federal paperwork burden associated with health care services; and (2) establish a goal for reducing such burden in each of FY 1992 through 1997 by at least five percent of the preceding fiscal year's paperwork burden.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1991
Authorizes the Go for Broke National Veterans Association to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Japanese American Veterans. Prohibits any Federal funds from being used to pay any expense of the establishment of the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Targeted Dislocated Worker Assistance Act of 1991 - Title I: Expanded Unemployment and Training Benefits - Allows any State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) that the State agency which administers the State's unemployment compensation law will make payments to qualified displaced workers for certain program benefits for up to 26 weeks after the last week for which they received regular unemployment compensation. Specifies such program benefits as: (1) additional unemployment compensation in the same weekly amount as their now-exhausted regular unemployment compensation; (2) a monthly housing allowance for 50 percent of the lesser of a specified fair market rent or their own rent or mortgage payment; (3) reimbursement of all direct costs of an approved educational or training program; and (4) a relocation allowance, if necessary. Bases eligibility for such benefits on the individual's: (1) exhaustion of all other unemployment compensation rights; (2) having no prospect for work in the same region and industry where previously employed; (3) having a family income 70 percent or less of the lower living standard, and with no more than certain specified assets; (4) not having a two-year college degree or equivalent; and (5) being enrolled in an approved educational or training program before the 13th week for which he or she received regular compensation during the benefit year for which such rights were exhausted. Provides for payment to each State for 100 percent of the amount of the benefits paid to individuals under the agreement, with special conditions for treatment of benefits reimbursable under other Federal laws. Provides for estimation and certification of such payments. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth penalties for fraud and provisions relating to overpayments. Title II: Expansion of Job Training Partnership Act - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to authorize additional appropriations to provide programs under title III of JTPA to individuals who are eligible displaced workers under title I of this Act. Waives a certain support services and payments limitation with respect to such funds; but limits to not more than 50 percent the portion which may be expended by any substate grantee for needs-related payments and supportive services. Expands the supportive services category to include mortgage, rent, and insurance payment assistance. Title III: Unemployment Benefits to Certain Individuals Not Otherwise Eligible - Allows a State to apply to the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) for a grant to help meet the costs of providing benefits under an expanded unemployment benefits program to individuals affected by a severe contraction in a specific industry in such State. Authorizes the Secretary to make such a grant if the contraction meets severity and duration requirements prescribed by the Secretary. Limits administrative expenses to not more than 15 percent of such grant. Requires that such an expanded unemployed benefits program provide unemployment compensation to individuals who: (1) would be eligible for it under the State law if services performed as a self-employed individual were covered; and (2) ceased to have such self-employment by reason of a severe contraction in a specific industry. Requires the program to provide such compensation also to individuals who would be eligible for it under State law but for a reduction in hours of employment during the applicable base period by reason of such severe contraction. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Medicare Preventive Benefits Act of 1991 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of fecal-occult blood tests (FOBTs) and screening flexible sigmoidoscopies for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Covers FOBTs on an annual basis for individuals aged 50 or over. Covers screening sigmoidoscopies provided every five years for individuals aged 50 or over. Provides payment for FOBTs under the laboratory fee schedule, subject to a five dollar limit in 1992. Provides payment for screening sigmoidoscopies under the relative value scale in 1992. Permits the Secretary to modify the frequency criteria after 1994. Provides for Medicare coverage of annual influenza vaccinations and for tetanus-diptheria vaccinations administered every ten years. Provides for Medicare coverage up to age seven according to a frequency schedule to be established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in consultation with appropriate entities. Provides for Medicare coverage of annual screening mammography for the early detection of breast cancer for women over age 64. (Currently, such women are covered for such screening performed every other year.) Requires HHS demonstration projects for the coverage of additional specified preventive care services and reports to specified congressional committees on such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes an Office of Technology Assessment study and report to the Congress on the development of a process evaluating possible Medicare coverage of other preventive care services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the American public should observe the 100th anniversary of filmmaking; and (2) the American Film Institute has a leadership role in preserving the art of film.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Forests and Families Protection Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishing Long Term Program - Provides for the establishment of a long-term Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (FS) program to protect old growth forest, the Northern Spotted Owl, and other old growth associated species on areas of ecologically-significant old growth forest on State and Federal lands in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California selected for the Old Growth Forest Reserve to be established by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior under this Act. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) submit the applicable land management plans for implementing such program for appropriate consultation required under the Endangered Species Act; and (2) review previously applied administrative constraints on resource uses on lands under their jurisdiction to minimize the impact on pre-existing land uses resulting from the establishment of the Reserve. Bars further acquisition of mineral and mining rights in the Reserve. Permits roads, structures, and motorized and nonmotorized recreation and access, and hunting and fishing in the Reserve where consistent with the requirements of this Act and other applicable law. Permits timber harvesting in certain limited circumstances and only if not proscribed for any Reserve area in the applicable forest plan. Title II: Ensuring the Effectiveness of Federal Land Planning - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to provide additional guidance on the implementation, amendment, and revision of plans for Federal lands necessary to ensure the effectiveness of Federal land planning and that the applicable forest plans under title I of this Act and the protections which they afford the Old Growth Forest Reserve and associated species are implemented effectively. Title III: Providing An Interim Program - Provides for an interim program until the Reserve is established and applicable forest plans are adopted under title I of this Act with the same purposes as the long-term program, and for the provision of an adequate supply of timber on FS and BLM lands. Directs the Secretaries to establish an Old Growth Research Program (OGRP) to better understand and manage old growth forest ecosystems. Restricts timber sales, road construction, and mineral leasing on certain FS and BLM lands, including those within a certain radius of a Northern Spotted Owl nest site. Requires environmental impact statements on, and appropriate consultation for, the timber harvested from FS and BLM lands to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Provides for judicial review of agency decisions or actions under this title. Directs the Secretaries to publish in the Federal Register timber harvesting guidelines for Reserve areas based on OGRP work. Title IV: Economic Adjustment - Establishes the Timber Economic Adjustment Commission to provide Federal economic adjustment grants and benefit payments to the communities economically dependent on the timber on FS and BLM lands and the dislocated workers adversely affected by enactment of this Act. Outlines assistance eligibility criteria. Requires the Secretaries to notify the Commission of any Federal action likely to have a substantial impact on employment. Requires a final Commission report to the Congress and applicable State governors on economic conditions and employment in affected areas. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Small Employer Health Insurance Incentive Act of 1991 - Exempts small employer purchasing groups organized for the purpose of obtaining health insurance for employer members from State insurance mandates, State taxes on premiums, and State laws relating to managed care. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals participating in small employer purchasing groups an itemized deduction of 100 percent for health insurance costs (25 percent for nonparticipants). Makes such deduction permanent law.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that certain revenue received by tax-exempt organizations that conduct amateur athletic events shall not be treated as taxable unrelated business income.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five dollar gold coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the advancement of science; (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the American Fire Service. Sets forth sale and issuance guidelines, including a general waiver of procurement regulations and surcharge distributions. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to set forth a fire service bill of rights, including the right of responding fire services to: (1) know the kind of danger presented by hazardous materials they face in emergency responses; and (2) be fully informed of infectious diseases their members face during the course of life safety activities. Declares that the bill of rights does not create any private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
National Institute of Nursing Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to redesignate the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute of Nursing Research. Includes the Institute in the list of national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
ESOP Promotion and Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Extends the ESOP exception to the ten percent early withdrawal penalty tax to certain ESOP distributions to employees made at any time. Permits ESOP participants whose compensation does not exceed a certain amount to contribute up to 50 percent of it to the plan. Allows ESOP closely-held corporate sponsors to pay estate tax if an estate transferred the stock of the corporation to an ESOP. Provides that ESOPs and cash or deferred arrangement plans may be combined for the benefit of employees. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow employees additional time to bid for ownership of their employer if foreign interests are trying to buy such employer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements to which Iran is a party. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant element in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1991
Pledge of Allegiance Commemorative Coin Act - Establishes the Pledge of Allegiance Commemorative Coin Advisory Board to: (1) consult with the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) regarding coin design; (2) oversee the expenditure of funds provided to the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for assisting its educational programs and providing non-operating improvements to the Capitol; and (3) establish rules and operating procedures to implement this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins emblematic of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Declares a general waiver of public contract procurement regulations governing coin mintage under this Act. Mandates that surcharges be distributed equally between the Treasury and the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Provides for audits by the Comptroller General. Requires that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of coins be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the Secretary take actions to ensure that coin mintage and issuance under this Act will not result in any net cost to the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require each eligible institution participating in any program under HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to include a statement of policy regarding the rights of victims of sexual assault, that complies with specified requirements, in its disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics. Requires each institution of higher education to establish and implement a written policy establishing a campus sexual assault victims' bill of rights which provides that specified rights shall be accorded to such victims by all campus officers, administrators, and employees of such institution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
At-Birth Abandoned Baby Act of 1991 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to place babies abandoned at birth with preadoptive parents within 30 days of obtaining custody of such babies and to find new preadoptive parents for such babies if the initial preadoptive parents do not petition the courts of the State within 90 days of receiving such babies for an expedited hearing to become their permanent adoptive parents. Treats such babies as children with special needs, thus qualifying their adoptive parents for adoption assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
PRIME Retirement Account Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a simplified retirement plan for small business to be known as PRIME accounts (private retirement incentives matched by employers). Allows an income tax deduction to employees who make pre-tax contributions of up to $3,000 annually to a PRIME account and requires an employer to match such contributions up to three percent of the employee's compensation. Declares that such accounts are not to be treated as pension plans. Excludes such accounts from limitation on the maximum amount allowed for retirement savings deductions. Specifies the pension plan rules that are applicable to PRIME accounts. Establishes a 25-percent penalty on withdrawals made from such accounts during the first three years. Sets forth penalties to be imposed upon: (1) account trustees for failure to provide requirement information to employers; and (2) employers for failure to make required notifications to employees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Expresses the gratitude of the Congress to this Nation's Federal civilian employees for their contributions to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Commends and congratulates them on a job superbly done.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Higher Education Savings Plan Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt distributions from a higher education expenses annuity contract from the ten-percent penalty on premature distributions from annuity contracts. Excludes the premium to purchase such a contract from gift tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Expedited Consideration of Proposed Rescissions Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require a special message, in the case of budget authority proposed to be rescinded or reserved, to include language amending the law authorizing such programs to allow them to continue to function at the proposed new level of budget authority. Allows the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, one or more special messages proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted not later than three days after the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by a draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Just Compensation Act of 1991 - Requires the head of any Federal agency who takes an action under the Endangered Species Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, or under specified provisions of the National Trails System Act or of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to wetlands to compensate the owner of private property for any diminution in value caused by the action. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1991
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to certify to the President each nation that is failing to comply with a specified United Nations General Assembly resolution on large-scale driftnet fishing.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1991
Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1991 to extend the phase-in period for State licensed appraisals. Prohibits the Appraisal Subcommittee from establishing a minimum experience requirement in excess of 500 hours as a licensing standard or qualification for State licensed appraisers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Designates May 22, 1991, as National Desert Storm Reservists Day to commemorate the accomplishments of the men and women of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces who proudly served the United States during Operation Desert Storm.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
National Traffic Fatality and Injury Reduction Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for traffic safety programs to States which require any person riding a motorcycle to wear a helmet and any driver or front seat passenger of a passenger car to have seat belts properly fastened. Authorizes appropriations. Requires States receiving grants to agree to maintain at least their average levels of expenditures for traffic safety programs over the preceding two fiscal years. Prohibits a State from receiving such a grant in more than three fiscal years. Specifies the Federal share of grants and the aggregate amount of such grants to each State. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) States' eligibility for grants; and (2) measurement of compliance with State safety laws. Eliminates a provision prohibiting a highway safety program approved by the Secretary from requiring that motorcycle operators or passengers 18 years or older wear a safety helmet. Requires any State where it is lawful to operate or ride a motorcycle without wearing a motorcycle helmet or to occupy a front seating position in a passenger car without using a safety belt or child restraint system to expend a specified percentage of its apportioned Federal aid highway funds for highway safety programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) with respect to the social security exemption for election officials and election workers employed by State and local governments to increase the allowed remuneration paid to such workers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Fair Credit Reporting Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require consumer reporting agencies to disclose promptly to a consumer any adverse information the agency receives. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe regulations defining "adverse information."
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
861-R&D Permanent Resolution Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the rules on the allocation of research and experimental expenditures. (Currently, such rules expire on August 1, 1991.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should coordinate Federal, State, and private efforts to secure a moratorium on large-scale driftnet fishing, as called for in a specified United Nations (U.N.) resolution, and work to achieve a U.S. policy of a permanent ban on such fishing; and (2) the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce should submit recommendations to the Congress on U.S. steps to implement the U.N. resolution and to secure a ban on large-scale pelagic driftnets.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Authorizes the Thomas Paine National Historical Association U.S.A. Memorial Foundation to construct in the District of Columbia or its environs an appropriate monument honoring the American patriot, Thomas Paine. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for the establishment of the memorial.
![Official portrait of Rep. Chandler, Rod D. [R-WA-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000293_200.jpg)