Bill· HRH.R. 4285 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Repeals authority for consideration of spending bills prior to adoption of the budget resolution. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year- to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both Presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to establish a rainy day fund for natural disasters. Requires budget law to include a major functional category for natural disasters, under specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law relating to the contents of the President's annual budget submission to the Congress to require the President to submit: (1) a budget of the U.S. Government for the following fiscal period on a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in each major functional category, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences; and (2) a detailed budget for that fiscal period, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget for the following budget period is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill before being voted on by the Senate or the House. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Sets forth procedures for congressional introductions of line-item bills after the President transmits a special message to rescind an item of budget authority. Prohibits amendments to such bills. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires Executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals a CBA provision for an exemption in the House from pay-as- you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of Social Security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts.
Bill· HRH.R. 4149 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1996 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, or to compel any individual, institution, or government entity to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, any item, good, benefit, program, or service, the purpose of which is to cause, or to assist in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to incorporate a modified version of this prohibition. Adds a further prohibition, with regard to protection and advocacy systems, against certain assistance provided under such Federal laws for asserting or advocating a legal right to cause, or to assist in causing, or to receive assistance in causing, suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use or availability of appropriations under such Act to provide any item, or service, for the purposes of causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Prohibits Federal financial participation under title XIX (Medicaid), or Federal reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare), of the Social Security Act for assisted suicide or related services. Provides for the treatment of advance directives under both Medicare and Medicaid. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services Program) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the military and Federal employees health care systems, and as health care for Peace Corps volunteers and Federal prisoners. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to ban the use of Federal funds for assisted suicide and related services. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit the use of legal assistance for assisted suicide and related services, and for asserting or advocating a legal right to such services.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 534 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Recognizes the crew members of the U.S.S. Pittsburgh for their heroism in March 1945 rendering aid and assistance to the U.S.S. Franklin and its crew.
Bill· HRH.R. 4133 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Designates the U.S. courthouse to be constructed at the corner of Superior and Huron Roads, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse.
Bill· HRH.R. 4106 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1996
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund which shall finance qualified intercity passenger rail service expenses of: (1) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation; and (2) eligible States. Transfers to the Fund a specified percentage of the general revenue portion of the highway motor fuel taxes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3988 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Revises Federal criminal code provisions to set mandatory prison terms for possessing, brandishing, or discharging a firearm or destructive device during a Federal crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Establishes penalties for second or subsequent convictions. Bars the court from imposing probationary sentences or concurrent terms of imprisonment on persons convicted of such violations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3966 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions in the attack of San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War on July 1, 1898.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 510 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Provides for mandatory drug testing of Members of the House of Representatives. Makes House accounts available for payment of program expenses. Requires the Clerk of the House to contract with a private, nongovernmental entity for such testing services. Requires random testing of ten percent of the Members each month. Requires test results to be: (1) provided to each Member involved and to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for appropriate action; and (2) included in a biennial report of the Clerk and printed as a House document.
Bill· HRH.R. 4000 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 3923 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1996
Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), after an accident involving an aircraft that results in a significant loss of life of passengers, to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a family advocate to be a Government liaison between the air carrier and the families of the passengers; and (2) designate an independent nonprofit organization which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the care and support of the passengers' families. Declares that the NTSB shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the recovery and identification of passengers involved in an aircraft accident. Prohibits any person from impeding the ability of the NTSB, or the designated organization, from carrying out its responsibilities under this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Requires each air carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a plan for addressing the needs of the passengers' families. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an air carrier's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity unless it includes such plan in its application. Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop: (1) a model plan to assist air carriers in responding to aircraft accidents; and (2) recommendations to the Congress on methods to ensure that attorneys and the media do not intrude on the privacy of the passengers' families. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State bar association should adopt a rule providing in transportation accidents that no unsolicited communications should be made to the families concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death before the 30th day following the accident.
Bill· HRH.R. 3884 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1996
Postal Service Due Process Act - Directs a U.S. district court to enter a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction directing the detention of a defendant's incoming mail by the postmaster pending conclusion of statutory proceedings concerning the defendant's use of the mail through false representation or lotteries to obtain or distribute money, or for obtaining real or personal property, only upon application therefor by the Postal Service and upon a showing that: (1) the Postal Service is likely to prevail in such proceedings; (2) the public would suffer irreparable harm if the application were not granted; (3) no adequate remedy at law exists; and (4) the harm that would be caused to the public by not granting the application exceeds the harm that would be caused to the defendant by granting it.
Bill· HRH.R. 3872 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996
White House Inspector General Act of 1996 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to: (1) establish an Office of Inspector General (IG) in the Executive Office of the President; (2) require the IG to serve under the President's authority, direction, and control with respect to matters concerning ongoing criminal investigations, policy making, and national security (unless the President notifies the IG that disclosure of pertinent information would interfere with the core functions of the President's constitutional responsibilities); and (3) require the IG to comply with the same semiannual reporting requirements that all other IGs are subject to and, at a minimum, supply additional specified information as well.
Bill· HRH.R. 3869 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996
Electronic Reporting Streamlining Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to establish the Electronic Data Management Advisory Committee to conduct negotiated rulemaking for the purpose of establishing electronic data reporting standards for the electronic interchange of certain data. Provides for the demonstration and thorough testing of the proposed standard included in the proposed rule.
Bill· HRH.R. 3863 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1996
Student Debt Reduction Act of 1996 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit lenders under the unsubsidized Federal Family Education Loan program to pay origination fees, up to three percent, on behalf of borrowers and charge them for such fees.
Law· HRH.R. 3864 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Accounting Office Management Reform Title II: Amendments to Laws Authorizing Auditing, Reporting, and Other Functions by General Accounting Office Title III: Conforming Amendments to Enact Transfers and Delegations of Functions Under Other Laws General Accounting Office Management Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: General Accounting Office Management Reform - Amends Federal law to establish a General Accounting Office Oversight Board to oversee the activities of the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the Comptroller General of the United States. (Sec. 102) Modifies requirements for the: (1) appointment of the Deputy Comptroller General; and (2) compensation of the Comptroller General and the Deputy Comptroller General. (Sec. 103) Revises provisions respecting the annuity of the Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General. (Sec. 104) Permits the Comptroller General to administer oaths to witnesses as necessary. (Currently, such authority to administer oaths to witnesses is limited to the auditing and settling of accounts.) (Sec. 105) Provides for the publication of the costs of projects carried out by GAO. (Sec. 106) Requires a congressional committee to reimburse the Comptroller General for the detail of a GAO officer or employee to the committee. (Sec. 107) Establishes an Office of Inspector General in the GAO to: (1) conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to GAO operations; (2) provide leadership; and (3) provide a means of keeping the Comptroller General and the Congress informed of the problems of GAO. Mandates certain reports. Transfers the GAO Office of Internal Evaluation to the Office of Inspector General. Title II: Amendments to Laws Authorizing Auditing, Reporting, and Other Functions by General Accounting Office - Specifies that in any case in which a provision of law authorizing the performance of a function by the Comptroller General of the United States or GAO is amended by this title to substitute another Federal officer, employee, or agency in that authorization the authority to perform that function is transferred to the other Federal officer, employee, or agency. Prohibits personnel transferred under this title from being separated or reduced in classification or compensation for one year after such transfer, except for cause. (Sec. 202) Amends specified Federal laws and the District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act to revise or repeal provisions regarding auditing, reporting, and other functions performed by the Comptroller General or GAO. Title III: Conforming Amendments to Enact Transfers and Delegations of Functions Under Other Laws - States that the purpose of this title is to amend provisions of law to reflect, update, and enact specified transfers and delegations of functions from GAO made under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996. Repeals such provisions and directs under such Act that personnel transferred prior to the effective date of this title not be separated or reduced in classification or compensation for one year after any such transfer, except for cause. Makes conforming amendments.
Bill· HRH.R. 3803 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
George Bush School of Government and Public Service Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a grant to assist in the establishment of the George Bush Fellowship Program, located at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service of the Texas A & M University. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3798 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a Small Business Regulatory Relief Council. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (participating agencies) to submit to the Council a five-year plan for the establishment and maintenance of a partnership with small business development centers (SBDCs) for a system of voluntary regulatory compliance (compliance). Outlines plan contents and requires such participating agencies to ensure the nonduplication of efforts in such regard. Requires the Council: (1) within 30 days after a participating agency submits a plan, to approve or modify such plan; (2) to establish guidelines for the implementation of each plan; and (3) to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the types of assistance provided by SBDCs to small businesses participating in the system of compliance, as well as outreach efforts to inform small businesses of such opportunity. Requires each SBDC to: (1) submit annually to the Council a work plan for SBDCs to carry out the system of compliance; (2) report semiannually to the Council on assistance provided to small businesses by SBDCs under this Act; and (3) report annually to the Council on recommendations for improving the regulation of small businesses. Directs the Council to: (1) evaluate annually the system of compliance; (2) determine whether SBDCs are performing in accordance with their compliance work plans; and (3) provide for an independent evaluation of such system after three years of operation. Requires the participating agencies to set aside specified percentages of their annual funding for FY 1997 through 2001 for compliance assistance under this Act. Provides for the deposit of such funds into the National Regulatory Relief Fund, and for appropriate Fund distributions.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 193 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, as part of balancing the budget and reevaluating the role of government, Federal, State, and local elected officials should carefully consider the cost of Government spending and regulatory programs in the year to come so that American families will be able to keep more of what they earn.
Bill· HRH.R. 3753 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies Title VIII: Antitrust Title IX: Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants over a three year period to eligible States for development of plans to increase access to health care services for residents of areas in the State that are designated as chronically underserved. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Directs the HHS Secretary to make funds available to provide technical assistance and advice for certain entities seeking to establish or enhance a community rural health network in an underserved rural area. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide financial assistance (development grants) to eligible entities for the development and implementation of community rural health networks, giving priority to eligible entities in States with developed plans to increase the access of residents of chronically underserved areas to health care services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 205) Ends Federal financing for the grant program for rural health transition under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 and a certain program for rural outreach grants. Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program, while continuing payment to designated EACHs. Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services. Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Provides for a new Medicare Rural Emergency Access Care Hospital program, detailing coverage and payment for services. Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the allocation of Corps members among shortage areas. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician. Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages. Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the HHS Secretary, in making grants in rural areas for new or expanded services for each fiscal year, to give priority to projects that would be located in a State, or county or region of a State, that is not already serviced by an existing community health center. Requires also the Secretary to give special consideration to projects which have entered into a collaborative agreement with a community hospital meeting certain requirements. Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a methodology for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services furnished on an emergency basis to rural residents. Title VIII: Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, give special consideration to antitrust guidelines affecting physician and hospital networks located in rural areas during its ongoing review of such guidelines; and (2) the completion of the Commission's review be expedited to provide relief and clarification to physicians and hospitals working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to all Americans, especially those living and working in rural areas. Title IX: Financing - Revises Medicare secondary payer requirements. Makes permanent the requirements for: (1) employer responses to fiscal intermediary or carrier inquiries about the coverage of an employee or employee's spouse under a group health plan of the employer; and (2) the prohibition against a large group health plan's taking into account that the employee or a dependent of the employee is entitled to Medicare or end stage renal disease benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 3724 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to improve the social security card for purposes of carrying out illegal alien employment provisions under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Amends Federal law to provide criminal penalties for fraud and related activities concerning work authorization documents.
Bill· HRH.R. 3717 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Organization Title II: General Authority Title III: Presidential Postal Employee-Management Commission Title IV: Finance Title V: Budget and Appropriations Process Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Postal Rates, Classes, and Services Title VII: Provisions Relating to the Transportation, Carriage, or Delivery of Mail Title VIII: Direct Appeal of Decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board Title IX: Law Enforcement Subtitle A: Amendments to Title 39, United States Code Subtitle B: Other Provisions Title X: New System Relating to Postal Rates, Classes, and Services Postal Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Organization - Amends Federal law regarding the United States Postal Service to redesignate: (1) Governors and the Board of Governors as Directors and the Board of Directors; and (2) the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General as the Chief and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Service. (Sec. 103) Sets the salary of Directors at $30,000 a year. (Currently, Governors are paid $10,000 a year.) (Sec. 104) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an Office of Inspector General within the Service. Requires: (1) the first Inspector General of the Service to prepare a strategic plan addressing staffing requirements, general goals and objectives for major Office functions and operations and how such goals and objectives are to be achieved; and (2) the Chief Postal Inspector to prepare a similar strategic plan regarding the Office of Inspector General. Directs that each plan be included with the annual budget. Sets forth provisions regarding compensation and benefits. Title II: General Authority - Authorizes the Service to employ guards for all buildings and areas owned or occupied by, or under the charge and control of, the Service. Specifies that such guards shall have, with respect to such property, the powers of special police officers. Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to take specified actions with respect to such property. (Sec. 202) Treats the date of postmark as the date of appeal in connection with the closing or consolidation of post offices. Title III: Presidential Postal Employee-Management Commission - Revises postal provisions to replace provisions regarding the Postal Service Advisory Council with those establishing a Presidential Postal Employee-Management Commission, which shall study and make recommendations on how employee-management relations within the Service might be improved. Sets forth administrative and reporting requirements. Title IV: Finance - Modifies postal provisions regarding sums in the Postal Service Fund to authorize the Service to provide: (1) that amounts which would otherwise be deposited in the Fund be directly deposited in a Federal Reserve bank or a depository for public funds selected by the Service (current law requires the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury); and (2) for transfers of funds between or among Federal Reserve banks, depositories for public funds, and the Fund. Directs the Service to: (1) prepare a master plan for the exercise of its authority with respect to the Fund; and (2) submit such plan and any revision to the President, the Secretary, and each House of Congress at least 30 days before the proposed implementation date. (Sec. 402) Modifies postal provisions to authorize: (1) the Service, upon determining that moneys in the Fund are in excess of current needs, to invest such amounts as it considers appropriate in obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Government; and (2) the Secretary to purchase Service obligations in such sums as the Secretary and the Service may agree. (Sec. 403) Specifies that obligations issued by the Service shall not be eligible for purchase by, commitment to purchase by, or sale or issuance to, the Federal Financing Bank. (Sec. 404) Repeals provisions regarding the Secretary's preemption of borrowing by the Service. Title V: Budget and Appropriations Process - Repeals postal provisions regarding transitional appropriations. Specifies that liabilities of the former Post Office Department to the Employees' Compensation Fund shall remain liabilities of the Service payable out of the Fund. (Sec. 502) Amends the Postal Reorganization Act to require the Service, regarding anyone receiving benefits as a former Post Office Department officer or employee, to have the same authorities and responsibilities as it has with respect to a Service officer or employee receiving such benefits. (Sec. 503) Repeals authorizations of appropriations to the Service for public service costs, revenue forgone, and certain compensatory appropriations. (Sec. 504) Modifies postal provisions to replace references to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service with references to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Postal Rates, Classes, and Services - Specifies that, upon termination of an agency relationship between an addressee and a commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA) (i.e., a private business that acts as the mail receiving agent for specific clients): (1) the addressee, or the CMRA if so authorized, may file a change-of-address order with the Service regarding such addressee; (2) a change-of-address order so filed shall, to the extent practicable, be given full force and effect; and (3) any mail for the addressee that is delivered to the CMRA after the filing of an appropriate order shall, if marked for forwarding and remailed by the CMRA, be forwarded by the Service in the same manner, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as mail forwarded directly by the Service to the addressee. (Sec. 602) Defines "institution of higher education," for purposes of reduced postage rates, to include a nonprofit organization that coordinates a network of college-level courses that is sponsored primarily by nonprofit educational institutions for an older adult constituency. (Sec. 603) Authorizes: (1) any Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission, administrative law judge appointed by the Commission, and employee of the Commission so designated to administer oaths, examine witnesses, take depositions, and receive evidence; (2) the Chairman of the Commission and any administrative law judge to issue subpoenas and order the taking of depositions and responses to written interrogatories, subject to specified requirements; and (3) the U.S. district court for the district in which the person to whom the subpoena is addressed resides or is served, in the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena, upon application of the Commission, to issue an order requiring such person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce evidence, with failure to obey punishable by the court as contempt. Sets forth provisions regarding safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of information furnished by the Service to the Commission. (Sec. 604) Permits the Service to offer volume discounts, subject to specified requirements. Directs the Service to conduct a demonstration project to determine the feasibility and desirability of affording volume discounts to mailers on a negotiated basis. Title VII: Provisions Relating to Transportation, Carriage, or Delivery of Mail - Repeals postal provisions regarding: (1) transportation of mail by surface carrier; and (2) restrictions on the length of contracts for mail transportation. (Sec. 702) Modifies postal provisions to: (1) expand the contracting authority of the Service; and (2) allow a letter to be carried out of the mails when the amount paid for private carriage of the letter is at least two dollars. (Sec. 704) Directs the Service to: (1) develop a plan for the conduct of a demonstration project to determine the feasibility and desirability of allowing non-postage bearing matter to be deposited in private letter boxes; and (2) commence implementation of such plan within 18 months. Sets forth provisions regarding procedures, factors to be taken into account in selecting areas for inclusion in the project, written determinations, and evaluation. Title VIII: Direct Appeal of Decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board - Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer, with respect to any employee of or applicant for employment with the Service, to obtain review of any final order or decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board by filing a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upon determining that the Board erred in interpreting a civil service law, rule, or regulation affecting personnel management and that the Board's decision will have a substantial impact on a civil service law, rule, regulation, or policy directive as applied to the Service, subject to specified requirements. Specifies that the granting of the petition shall be at the discretion of the Court of Appeals. Title IX: Law Enforcement - Subtitle A: Amendments to Title 39, United States Code - Makes Federal assault statutes applicable to postal contract employees. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the court, upon finding that a sexually oriented advertisement has been mailed in violation of postal provisions, to assess a civil penalty. Specifies that each piece of mail sent in violation of such provisions constitutes a separate violation, and any penalty assessed shall be paid to the Service for deposit into the Fund. Repeals a prohibition of pandering advertisements. (Sec. 903) Provides for the deposit in the Fund of amounts(including proceeds from the sale of forfeited items) from any civil forfeiture conducted by the Service and from any forfeiture resulting from an investigation in which the Service has primary responsibility, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 904) Sets civil penalties for prohibited mailing and deficient packaging of hazardous matter. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) stalking Federal and postal officers and employees; and (2) mailing controlled substances, unless in accordance with rules and regulations authorized by the Service. (Sec. 913) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend its sentencing guidelines to: (1) enhance penalties for stealing or destroying a quantity of undelivered U.S. mail; and (2) establish that the intended loss in a theft of an access device shall be based on the greater of the credit line of such device or the actual unauthorized charges. (Sec. 914) Modifies the Federal criminal code to: (1) set penalties for breaking into a post office box or postal products vending machine and for receiving, possessing, concealing, or disposing of any mail matter, money, or other U.S. property in violation of post office larceny provisions; (2) increase penalties for assaulting with intent to rob persons having lawful custody of mail, money, or other U.S. property (provides for the death penalty under specified circumstances); and (3) prohibit attempting to use or sell forged or counterfeited postage stamps or meter stamps, stamped envelopes, or postal cards, dies, plates, or engraving, and attempting to loan, use, pledge, hypothecate, or convert to personal use postal funds. Title X: New System Relating to Postal Rates, Classes, and Services - Requires the Service to request the Commission to submit a recommended decision on appropriate changes in rates of postage and fees for postal services. Sets forth requirements regarding establishment of baseline rates and fees. Requires that: (1) the maximum rate allowable for a noncompetitive product in any year be computed by multiplying the change in the Gross Domestic Product Chain-Type Price Index, adjusted by the adjustment factor, for such year, by the maximum rate allowable for such product in the preceding year; (2) the Directors establish rates for products in the noncompetitive and competitive categories of mail in accordance with specified procedures. Authorizes the Service to conduct market tests of experimental products, subject to specified requirements. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) adjustment factors, appellate review of Commission procedures, transfers of products from the noncompetitive category, and applicability of the antitrust laws to the Service; (2) reporting and auditing requirements; (3) confidentiality and identification of protected information; and (4) use of profits by the Service. (Sec. 1002) Modifies postal provisions regarding authority to fix rates and classes, including repealing provisions regarding revenues, total estimate costs, and rates and fees. Provides for the continued applicability of current provisions for computing alternative rate limitations for noncompetitive products. Revises provisions regarding recommended decisions of the Commission, action of the Governors, temporary rates, rate and service complaints, and mail classification. Bars the reclassification of a product from the competitive to the noncompetitive category of mail.
Bill· HRH.R. 3645 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates all environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3602 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1996
National Dam Safety Program Act of 1996 - Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State dam safety agencies, and the National Dam Safety Review Board (established by this Act) to establish and maintain a coordinated national dam safety program. Sets forth the duties of the Director, including: (1) developing and implementing the program; (2) establishing goals, priorities, and target dates for such implementation; and (3) providing a method for cooperation and coordination with, and (as feasible) providing assistance to, interested governmental entities in all States. Establishes program objectives, including: (1) ensuring that new and existing dams are safe through the development of technologically and economically feasible programs and procedures for national dam safety hazard reduction; (2) encouraging acceptable engineering policies and procedures used for dam site investigation, design, construction, operation and maintenance, and emergency preparedness and establishment and implementation of effective dam safety programs in each participating State based on State standards; and (3) developing public awareness projects, technical assistance materials, and mechanisms with which to provide technical assistance for dam safety to the non-Federal sector. Sets forth provisions regarding program components, including Federal and non-Federal elements, and three functional activities (leadership, technical assistance, and public awareness). Requires the Director to: (1) develop an implementation plan which shall demonstrate dam safety improvements through FY 2001 and recommend appropriate roles for Federal agencies, State and local governments, individuals, and private organizations; and (2) submit a biennial report to the Congress describing the status of the program and the progress achieved by the Federal agencies during the previous two years in implementing the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety. Authorizes establishment of the Board, which shall be responsible for monitoring participating State implementation of the requirements of the assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth an apportionment formula. Requires the Director to: (1) provide, at the request of any State that has or intends to develop a dam safety program, training for State dam safety staff and inspectors; and (2) undertake a program of technical and archival research. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to maintain and periodically publish updated information on the inventory of dams.
Bill· HRH.R. 3596 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1996
Oil Region National Heritage Area Act - Designates the Oil Region National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania if, within 180 days, the Oil Heritage Region Corporation submits, and the Secretary of the Interior approves, a Compact for the Area (signed by the Governor of Pennsylvania) that defines the Area, describes anticipated programs, and includes information about the objectives and management of the Area. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Oil Region National Heritage Advisory Commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the Oil Heritage Region, Inc., the locally based private, nonprofit management Corporation which will oversee the development of the Oil Region National Heritage Park. (Sec. 8) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) withdrawal of such designation; and (2) criteria for retention of such designation, including the presence of a cohesive assemblage of natural, historic, or cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of American heritage worthy of conservation and that are best managed through public-private partnerships. (Sec. 10) Prohibits assistance or funding from being provided under this Act two years after the date of the Area's designation unless the Corporation submits a Management Plan to the Governor and the Secretary along with a certification of endorsement or disapproval by the Commission. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to Pennsylvania, its political subdivisions, or the Corporation regarding Plan revisions and implementation. Makes the Area eligible for technical and grant assistance available to other National Heritage Areas under any National Heritage Areas Program or similar program established by the Congress. (Sec. 12) Sets forth provisions regarding limitations on inclusion of and access to private property with respect to such Area. (Sec. 13) Prohibits the Secretary, as a condition of approving the Compact or the determination of eligibility for technical assistance under this Act, from requiring: (1) enactment or modification of land use restrictions; or (2) limitations on fishing, hunting, or trapping. Provides that neither the Secretary nor other Federal agencies may condition the receipt of other forms of assistance in connection with the National Heritage Area status of the Area on such limitations.
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