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Official portrait of Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13]

Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13]

United States · Official source

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1,907 records where Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 322 (102nd)referred

Condemning the treatment of hostages William F. Buckley, Colonel William Higgins, USMC, and Peter Kilburn.

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992

Condemns the treatment of William F. Buckley, Colonel William Higgins, and Peter Kilburn by their captors in Lebanon and the disrespect shown to their remains. Urges the President to work with the nations of the Middle East to seek the extradition of the parties responsible for their torture and death and to bring such parties before an international tribunal for trial.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 293 (102nd)passed

Commending the people of Guam and Hawaii for the sacrifices and contributions they made during World War II.

United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991

Commends: (1) the people of Guam for their patriotism, bravery, loyalty to the United States, and many sacrifices during World War II, particularly during the invasion and occupation of the Guam territory; (2) the members of the Navy Insular Force and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for the efforts and sacrifices they made in defense of the U.S.; (3) the Hawaiians for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and (4) the Hawaii Territorial Guard members, Varsity Victory Volunteers, the civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and other Hawaiian military installations, 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during such attack.

Bill· HRH.R. 3816 (102nd)referred

Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991

Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act - Establishes the Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) review executive agency operations and existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Inspector General Reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste; and (3) submit to the President and the Congress a list of those recommendations with estimated savings that the Commission determines are most significant and recommendations for improving the budget process, management, and reducing waste and costs in the Government. Requires the Commission to identify, address, and to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Government that can be realized by executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and ought to be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; (6) specific areas in the Government where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (7) specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to the Government.

Bill· HRH.R. 3770 (102nd)referred

Entitled, "The Fair & Competitive Election Act".

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit candidates for the House of Representatives from accepting contributions from persons other than local individual residents totaling in excess of the total contributions accepted from local individual residents. Limits contributions to candidates for Federal office by nonparty multicandidate political committees to $1,000. Subjects to limitation and reporting requirements payments by a national committee of a political party or a State committee of a political party for a mixed political activity. Repeals the office facility exception (building fund) from the definition of contribution. Requires the deposit of excess funds of candidates for the House of Representatives into a separate account to be used for any lawful purpose other than for such candidate's election.

Bill· HRH.R. 3733 (102nd)referred

Campaign Spending Reform Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991

Campaign Spending Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit contributions to candidates for Federal office by nonparty multicandidate political committees to $1,000. Prohibits separate segregated funds established by national banks, corporations, or labor organizations from acting as intermediaries or conduits with respect to contributions to candidates for Federal office. Prohibits the transfer of funds among noncandidate, nonparty political committees. Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from establishing, maintaining, financing, or controlling a political committee (leadership committee), other than the principal campaign committee of the candidate. Prohibits such principal campaign committees from making contributions to other such committees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified political contributions. Limits such amount to $250 ($500 in the case of a joint return). Disallows the use of such credit by estates or trusts. Provides that the annual limitation on total individual contributions does not apply to contributions to national, State, and local committees of political parties. Declares that no limitation applies to contributions in a general election by a political committee of a political party or by a House of Representatives or Senate campaign committee of a political party. Allows independent local committees of political parties to make unlimited contributions and expenditures to congressional elections. Prohibits a candidate for the House of Representatives from accepting contributions from persons other than local individual residents totaling in excess of the total contributions accepted from local individual residents. Subjects to limitation and reporting requirements payments by a national committee of a political party or a State committee of a political party for a mixed political activity. Prohibits a labor organization from using dues or agency fees for political purposes, unless the payor of such dues or fees approves such use in writing. Allows an employee to revoke such approval at any time. Requires the labor organization to annually notify employees of the prohibition.

Law· HRH.R. 3654 (102nd)enacted

1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991

1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games Commemorative Coin Act - Provides for the minting and sale of commemorative gold and silver coins to support the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games and the programs of the United States Olympic Committee.

Bill· HRH.R. 3537 (102nd)referred

Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1991

Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish in the Department of Transportation a Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee to evaluate and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing civil tiltrotor aircraft and a national system of infrastructure to support the incorporation of tiltrotor aircraft technology into the national transportation system.

Bill· HRH.R. 3519 (102nd)open

To authorize the establishment of the Steamtown National Historic Site.

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991

Establishes the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania to preserve the resources associated with steam-operated trains during the period of 1850-1950. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) provide a variety of steam train excursions within the boundaries of the Site and to destinations outside of it; and (2) enter into leases for the use of any excessive buildings within the Site. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 3417 (102nd)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a 50 percent-of-occupancy rule with respect to the valuation of seats on corporate aircraft on legitimate business flight when those seats would have otherwise gone unoccupied.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1991

Provides, in applying certain Treasury regulations for taxable years after December 31, 1991, for determining the value of a flight by an individual who is not flying primarily for an employer's business on the basis of the percentage of seats occupied by individuals (other than crew) whose flights are primarily for the employer's business rather than the percentage of seating capacity.

Bill· HRH.R. 3361 (102nd)referred

Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1991

Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a program requiring air carriers and foreign air carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, recurring, and post-accident testing of airmen, crewmembers, airport security screening contract personnel, and other air carrier employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Administrator to establish the same program for FAA employees. Sets forth guidelines for such program. Prohibits such employees from serving in safety-sensitive functions unless they have completed a rehabilitation program established under FAA auspices. Prohibits such individuals from performing air transportation-related duties if they: (1) engaged in such use while on duty; (2) prior to such use had undertaken or completed a rehabilitation program; (3) refuse to undertake such rehabilitation program; or (4) fail such rehabilitation program. Requires air carriers and foreign air carriers to maintain a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of their employees who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain such a rehabilitation program for FAA employees whose duties include responsibility for safety-sensitive functions and who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Outlines the requirements of such program. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to issue regulations that establish a program which requires railroads to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, recurring, and post-accident testing of railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Outlines the requirements for such testing program. Requires each railroad to maintain a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of their employees who need assistance in resolving substance abuse problems. Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to direct the Secretary to establish a program requiring motor carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident testing of commercial motor vehicle operators for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Mandates that such program include post-accident testing of a commercial motor vehicle operator in any accident involving loss of human life, serious bodily injury, or significant property damage. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth the requirements for a rehabilitation program for the identification and treatment of commercial motor vehicle operators who are determined to have used alcohol or a controlled substance. Sets forth the requirements of the testing procedures. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine appropriate sanctions against operators who are determined, as a result of such tests, to have used alcohol or a controlled substances without lawful authorization (but who are not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance); (2) design and implement a pilot test program for the random testing of commercial motor vehicle operators to determine the use without lawful authorization of alcohol or a controlled substance; (3) solicit (and select) State participation in such a program; and (4) submit a comprehensive report to the Congress setting forth the pilot program results. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for such pilot testing program. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that establish a program which requires mass transportation operations which receive mass transportation assistance under the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post-accident testing of mass transportation employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth requirements for rehabilitation programs which provide for the identification and treatment of mass transportation employees who are determined to have used alcohol or a controlled substance. Outlines the requirements for such program. Requires the disqualification for a period of time or dismissal of mass transportation employees who have been determined to have used alcohol while on duty or a controlled substance, whether on duty or not on duty. Prohibits a person from receiving mass transportation assistance if such person is required to establish an alcohol and controlled substances testing program and fails to establish such a program.

Bill· HRH.R. 3326 (102nd)referred

Drug Supply Reduction Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1991

Drug Supply Reduction Act of 1991 - Title I: Interdiction Systems Improvements - Order To Land and To Bring To Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for a pilot or operator (pilot) of any aircraft which has crossed the border of the United States, or any aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction operating outside the United States, to refuse to obey the order of an authorized Federal law enforcement officer to land (in enforcing controlled substances or money laundering provisions). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Transportation to: (1) prescribe regulations governing the means by which an order to land may be communicated to a pilot by Federal law enforcement officers; and (2) delegate Federal law enforcement seizure and forfeiture responsibilities under this title to other law enforcement officers. Makes it unlawful for any master, operator, or person in charge (master) of a U.S. vessel or vessel under U.S. jurisdiction to fail to stop and land upon being ordered to do so by a Federal law enforcement officer authorized to issue such an order. Specifies that consent or waiver of objection by a foreign nation to the enforcement of U.S. law by the United States under this Act may be obtained by radio, telephone, or similar oral or electronic means and may be proved by certification of the Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of any aircraft that is used in violation of this Act. Provides for the immediate revocation of the registration of an aircraft upon the failure of the operator to follow the order of a Federal law enforcement officer to land the aircraft. Directs the Administrator to: (1) notify the owner of the aircraft that such person no longer holds U.S. registration for such aircraft; and (2) establish procedures for the owner of the aircraft to show cause why the registration was not revoked as a matter of law by operation of such provision, or why circumstances existed pursuant to which the Administrator should determine that it would be in the public interest to issue a new certificate of registration to the owner, effective concurrent with the revocation. Authorizes the Coast Guard to issue orders, make inquiries, searches, seizures, and arrests, and take other lawful action relating to violations of U.S. laws occurring aboard any aircraft over the high seas or waters over which the U.S. has jurisdiction. Establishes a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any master of a vessel or pilot or operator of an aircraft who intentionally fails to comply with an order of a Coast Guard commissioned officer, warrant officer, or petty officer to stop or land, as well as in rem liability with respect to the aircraft. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish analogous civil penalties with respect to intentional failures to obey an order to land. Title II: New Coast Guard Authorities - Coast Guard Assistance Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Coast Guard: (1) to exchange information with international organizations (currently limited to foreign governments); (2) to suggest to the Secretary of State international collaboration and conferences on all matters dealing with maritime law enforcement and maritime environmental protection (currently limited to safety of life and property at sea); and (3) when so requested by the Secretary, to utilize its personnel and facilities to assist any foreign government or international organization to perform any activity for which such personnel and facilities are especially qualified. Authorizes the President, upon application from foreign governments or international organizations (current law excludes the latter) to utilize officers and enlisted members (under current law, to detail members) of the Coast Guard to assist such governments or organizations in matters concerning which the Coast Guard may be of assistance. Amends the Mansfield Amendment to permit maritime law enforcement operations in archipelagic waters of foreign countries. Title III: Financial Enforcement - Financial Enforcement Act of 1991 - Prohibits structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements with respect to identification, verification, and recordkeeping required to purchase certain monetary instruments. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations requiring that financial institutions report suspicious transactions relevant to possible violation of law or regulation. Bars such an institution from notifying any person involved in the transaction that such transaction has been reported. Makes provisions of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA) applicable with respect to protection from liability for notification by financial institutions to a Government authority of the existence of information in records relevant to a possible violation of statute or regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe: (1) regulations requiring financial institutions to have anti-money laundering programs; and (2) minimum standards for such programs. Bars any financial institution, or officer, director, employee, or agent of such institution (financial institution), from disclosing the existence or terms of an order requiring a domestic financial institution or group of institutions in a geographic area to report with respect to records of domestic coin and currency transactions. Amends the RFPA to: (1) shield from liability financial institutions for refusal to do business with any person before or after disclosure of a possible violation of law or regulation to a Government authority; and (2) authorize the transfer of financial records originally obtained by an agency in accordance with such Act to the Secretary for analysis and use by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for criminal law enforcement purposes without customer notice. Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to transfer control of the Drug Pollution Fund from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of Agriculture. Title IV: Drug Testing - Amends the Federal criminal code to require: (1) the Director of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts to establish a program of drug testing of Federal offenders on postconviction release, including such standards and guidelines as deemed necessary to ensure the reliability and accuracy of such programs; and (2) the chief probation officer, in each district where it is feasible, to arrange for the drug testing of defendants on postconviction release pursuant to a conviction for a felony or other specified offenses. Requires the court to provide, as an explicit condition of a sentence of probation for a felony, an offense involving a firearm, a drug or narcotic offense, or a crime of violence, that the defendant refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance and submit to periodic drug tests. Specifies that: (1) this latter condition may be suspended or ameliorated upon request of the Director or the Director's designee; and (2) a defendant who tests positive may be detained pending verification of a drug test result. Sets forth similar requirements with respect to the supervised release and parole of persons convicted of such offenses. Provides for the revocation of probation, supervised release, and parole for unlawfully using a controlled substance or refusing to cooperate in drug testing. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) to condition eligibility for drug control and system improvement grants on a State's implementation of a drug testing program for targeted classes of persons subject to charges, confinement, or supervision by the State (but does not require the State to expend an amount for drug testing in excess of ten percent of the minimum amount which such State is eligible to receive under such Act). Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to implement such provision and to ensure the reliability and accuracy of drug testing programs. Title V: Other Law Enforcement System Improvements - Drug Law Enforcement System Improvements Act of 1991 - Provides for enhanced penalties for drug trafficking in prisons. Amends the Anti-Smuggling Act of 1935 to provide that prima facie evidence that a vessel, vehicle, or other conveyance is being, has been, or is attempted to be employed in smuggling or to defraud the revenue of the United States shall be the fact that a vessel fails to display lights under specified circumstances and, in the case of a vehicle or other conveyance, that it has a compartment or equipment that is built or fitted for smuggling and is not part of the normal vehicle configuration. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make the penalty for failure to declare a controlled substance 1,000 percent of the value of the article (as under current law) or $500, whichever is greater. Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act to make amendments with respect to certain Internal Revenue Service undercover operations effective upon the date of the enactment of this Act. Amends the CSA to authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil action against any person who violates drug paraphernalia provisions of such Act and to assess a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and grant other appropriate (including injunctive) relief. Specifies that if a defendant is found by the court to be in possession of a controlled substance, thereby violating such defendant's probation, the court shall resentence such person to a sentence that includes a term of imprisonment (under current law, to not less than one-third of the original sentence). Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA): (1) and the CSA to make penalties applicable to offenses involving less than 50 kilograms of marihuana applicable with respect to less than 50 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana; and (2) to reduce from 100 to 50 the number of marihuana plants needed to qualify for specified penalties. Adds drug conspiracies and attempts and serious crack possession offenses by juveniles as warranting adult prosecution. Makes serious drug offenses by juveniles predicates to punishment under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Adds certain drug offenses as requiring fingerprinting and records for recidivist juveniles under the CSA and CSIEA. Amends the CSA and CSIEA to require that persons violating specified CSA provisions after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment without release and be fined under such Act. Increases penalties for a second offense of distributing drugs to a minor. Amends the Omnibus Act to authorize States to request a waiver of the four-year limitation for effective Bureau of Justice Assistance projects, subject to specified limitations.

Bill· HRH.R. 3221 (102nd)open

Intermodal Carriers Competitiveness Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991

Intermodal Carriers Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Prohibits a State, political subdivision, or interstate agency of two or more States from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard relating to interstate or intrastate rates, routes, services, or terms of service of any national intermodal carrier with respect to the provision of surface transportation of property in the State.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 215 (102nd)referred

Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to limit the number of years a Member may serve on a particular committee.

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991

Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Member of the House from serving on any particular committee for more than 12 years. Disregards service performed on such committee for less than a full session of Congress and service performed prior to the beginning of the 103d Congress.

Bill· HRH.R. 3166 (102nd)referred

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the exclusion from gross income for combat pay received by a commissioned officer to $2,000 per month.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the exclusion from gross income for combat pay of commissioned officers (from $500 to $2,000 monthly). Requires the transfer from the Defense Cooperation Account to the general fund of the Treasury such amounts as determined necessary to offset the revenue loss caused by this amendment during the period of the Persian Gulf conflict.

Bill· HRH.R. 3130 (102nd)referred

Economic Growth Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991

Economic Growth Act of 1991 - Title I: Investment and Job Creation Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for individuals for assets held from one to three years. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interest in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Inflation Adjustment for Investments - Requires indexing, based on the consumer price index, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business after April 15, 1991) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for the inflation adjustment treatment of: (1) short sales; (2) regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; and (3) partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds. Prohibits gain from the sale or other disposition of an indexed asset from being taken into account under the limitation on investment interest. Subtitle C: Enterprise Zones - Part I: Designation - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Subtitle D: Research and Experimentation Credit Made Permanent - Makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities and the tax credit for clinical testing expenses. Title II: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Allows existing individual retirement accounts (IRA) to be rolled over into individual retirement plus accounts with payment of tax on the amount rolled over for which a deduction was once allowable, but no tax when withdrawn. Title III: Homeownership Incentives - Subtitle A: First-Time Homebuyers - Allows a tax credit for the first-time purchase of a principal residence by individuals with incomes of $31,000 or less (phased-out to incomes of up to $41,000). Limits such credit to $1,000. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free IRA Plus Withdrawal for Home Purchase, Higher Education, and Health Costs - Allows penalty-free distributions from IRA Plus accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for: (1) first-time homebuyers; (2) medical expenses; and (3) higher education expenses. Title IV: Work Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Social Security Penalty on Working Elderly - Amends title II of the Social Security Act (Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) to raise the earnings limit for retirees. Appropriates to each payor fund amounts equivalent to the aggregate increase in social security benefits payable from such fund which is attributable to such amendment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study during 1997 whether further amendments relating to deductions on account of work and the exempt amount under the earnings limit are necessary or appropriate. Subtitle B: Economic Growth Dividend - Requires any economic growth dividend (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) to be used to increase the personal exemption amount. Requires, after 1995, all revenues resulting from real growth in the gross national product greater than three percent to fund an increased personal exemption. Requires, for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1992, and before October 1, 1995, that 50 percent of such dividend be used to increase the personal exemption amount and the other 50 percent be used to make a downward adjustment in the maximum deficit amount.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 192 (102nd)open

To establish a Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991

Establishes a Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress to: (1) make a full and complete study of the organization and operation of the Congress; and (2) recommend improvements in such organization and operation with a view toward strengthening its effectiveness, simplifying its operations, improving its relationships with other branches of the Government, and improving the orderly consideration of legislation. Requires a report to the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than the adjournment sine die of the 102d Congress.

Bill· HRH.R. 3070 (102nd)referred

Medicare Physician Payment Reform Amendments of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991

Medicare Physician Payment Reform Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the transition rules for phasing in the resource-based relative value scale (RB RVS) method of payment for physician services to prohibit adjustments for asymmetry in the transition and for behavioral responses. Declares spending under this Act to be an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and exempt from sequestration.

Bill· HRH.R. 3037 (102nd)referred

Health Care Liability Reform and Quality of Care Improvement Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991

Health Care Liability Reform and Quality of Care Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Sets forth: (1) findings regarding this Act and (2) the purpose of this Act. Title II: Health Care Liability Reforms - Requires, in order to be eligible to participate in the incentive program provided for in this title, that States have in effect the health care liability reforms set forth in this title. Requires, in any health care liability action, the liability of each defendant for non-economic damages to be several and not joint, with each defendant liable only for the proportion of that defendant's fault and a separate judgment against that defendant in that amount. Prohibits awarding non-economic damages over a certain dollar amount in any health care liability action, subject to waiver. Reduces the total damages received by a plaintiff by the amount of any collateral source benefits. Allows: (1) future economic damage awards to be paid periodically based on when the damages are likely to occur or at the time the damages accrue; and (2) in certain circumstances, the court to require the health care provider to purchase an annuity or fund a reversionary trust to make such periodic payments. Prohibits reopening a judgment awarding periodic payments to contest, amend, or modify the schedule or amount in the absence of fraud or any ground permitting relief after entry of a final judgment. Declares it U.S. policy to encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Requires a State to establish at least one ADR mechanism. Requires a State to: (1) cooperate with Federal research efforts regarding patient outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and clinical practice guidelines; (2) collect, analyze, and supply the Secretary of Health and Human Services with information regarding the performance of State medical boards; and (3) impose continuing education requirements on a disciplined physician. Allows alternatives to these requirements regarding medical boards and continuing education if the Secretary finds the alternatives at least as effective in reducing the incidence of negligence as compliance with the requirements. Allows States three years from the adoption of this Act to enact, adopt, or otherwise comply with the requirements of this title. Requires withholding two percent of payments to States computed under specified provisions of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and one percent of payments to hospitals computed under specified provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and redistribution of the withheld funds to those States and hospitals which have complied with the provisions of this title. Allows waiver of the requirements of this title for any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project which is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of this Act. Title III: Federal Implementation of Health Care Liability Reforms - Amends Federal law to prohibit, in a health care liability action, finding the United States jointly and severally liable for non-economic damages. Allows liability only for those non-economic damages directly attributable to its pro rata share of fault. Reduces damages paid by the United States by the amount of any collateral source benefits. Prohibits awarding non-economic damages, in an action against the United States, over a certain dollar amount. Requires, at the request of the United States when future economic damages are awarded in excess of a specified amount, an order that such damages be paid by periodic payments based on when the damages are likely to occur. Allows the United States, in such cases, to pay the judgment periodically, purchase an annuity, or fund a reversionary trust. Prohibits reopening the judgment to contest, amend, or modify the schedule or amount in the absence of fraud or any ground permitting relief after entry of a final judgment. Title IV: Construction of Provisions - Provides for construction of this Act, severability, and the effective date of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 3030 (102nd)open

Fairness in Product Liability Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991

Fairness in Product Liability Act of 1991 - Governs any product liability action brought in either State or Federal court against a manufacturer or product seller on any theory for harm caused by a product, superseding State law in specified ways and degrees. Makes a product seller liable only if the seller: (1) failed to exercise reasonable care regarding the product, and the failure was the proximate cause of the harm; (2) made an express warranty, independent of any express warranty by the manufacturer, the product failed to conform to the warranty and the failure caused the harm; or (3) engaged in international wrongdoing which was a proximate cause of the harm. Makes a product seller liable as if the seller were the manufacturer if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process under State laws; or (2) a court determines the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Allows, in certain circumstances, a complete defense of alcohol or controlled substance use. Reduces damages by the percentage of harm attributable to misuse or alteration of a product by any person, subject to exception involving misuse or alteration by the claimant's employer or coemployees. Allows punitive damages against a manufacturer or seller for conscious, flagrant indifference to user safety. Prohibits, in certain circumstances, punitive damages regarding a drug or device, as defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, unless packaging of a drug is substantially out of compliance with tamper-resistant packaging regulations. Declares manufacturer or seller liability to be several and not joint for noneconomic damages. Requires a product liability action to be brought within two years after the harm and its cause is, or with reasonable diligence should have been, discovered. Sets the time limit at 25 years for products which are capital goods. Requires offset of workers' compensation benefits. Sets forth rules regarding subrogation, contribution, indemnity, and liens. Provides for tort actions against employers. Prohibits U.S. district courts from having jurisdiction under specified provisions of Federal law over any civil action arising under this Act.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 188 (102nd)open

Concerning freedom of emigration and travel for Syrian Jews.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991

Condemns Syria's denial of Syrian Jews' right to travel freely and calls upon the Syrian Government to: (1) immediately grant Syrian Jews the right to travel freely without imposing a fee; and (2) release all Jewish prisoners who were charged or suspected of traveling illegally. Urges the President to encourage U.S. allies and trading partners to make similar pleas to the Syrian Government. Calls upon the United Nations to send an official delegation to Syria to investigate the present condition of Syrian Jews.