United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Condemns: (1) the attacks on innocent children, women, and men in Armenian areas and communities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh; and (2) the indiscriminate use of force, including the shelling of civilian areas, on Armenia's eastern and southern borders. Calls for: (1) the end to the blockades and use of force and intimidation directed against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; (2) the withdrawal of Soviet forces newly deployed for the purpose of intimidation; (3) dialogue among all parties involved as the only acceptable route to achieving a lasting resolution of the conflict; and (4) an immediate end to deportations of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and the freedom for all refugees to return to their homes. Reconfirms the U.S. commitment to the success of democracy and self-determination in the Soviet Union and its republics by expressing its deep concern about any Soviet retribution, intimidation, or leverage against such republics.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the special rule for principal campaign committees on graduated tax rates to candidates for any Federal, State, or local elective public office. (Currently, such rule applies only to congressional candidates.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any person convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct relating to the development or approval, including the process for development or approval, of any abbreviated drug application (ADA) be debarred from submitting any ADA. Allows debarment, if there is reason to believe the person may undermine the regulatory process, of a person: (1) convicted of a Federal misdemeanor or a State felony in connection with an ADA; (2) convicted of bribery, fraud, or similar crimes; (3) convicted of obstruction of justice; (4) who materially participated in acts that were the basis for such convictions; or (5) who knowingly used the services of a debarred person. Provides for: (1) the term of debarment; (2) termination of debarment; and (3) publication of a list of debarred persons. Allows an ADA to be denied in certain circumstances, including: (1) involving a bribe or a pattern of false statements; or (2) if a significant question has been raised regarding the integrity of the approval process or the reliability of data. Requires, in the case of a bribe or a pattern of false statements, or if there are flagrant, repeated, and uncorrected violations of good manufacturing practice or good laboratory practice which may undermine the safety and efficacy of the drugs: (1) the suspension of distribution of all drugs the development or approval of which was related to such actions; or (2) the suspension of all drugs approved under ADAs of such person. Allows waiver of the suspension requirement if necessary to protect the public health. Provides for termination of suspensions. Adds a requirement that an ADA contain: (1) a certification that the applicant did not and will not use the services of a person debarred in connection with the application; and (2) a list of all convictions within the last five years of the applicant and affiliated persons responsible for the development or submission of ADAs. Prescribes civil penalties for certain actions in connection with ADAs, including: (1) false statements or bribes; (2) destruction, alteration, or secretion of evidence; (3) failure to disclose facts; (4) obstruction; (5) use of a debarred person; or (6) provision of services by a debarred person. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a monetary award for information leading to the imposition of a civil penalty. Declares the Secretary's decision on such an award not reviewable. Requires withdrawal of approval of an ADA facilitated, in whole or in part, through bribery, fraud, or false statement. Allows withdrawal if the applicant has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of ability to produce the drug with the formulations or manufacturing practice in the ADA and has introduced, or attempted to introduce, the adulterated or misbranded drug into commerce. Authorizes the Inspector General (IG) to investigate certain matters, including any allegation of: (1) misconduct by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees; (2) violation of existing provisions listing prohibited acts; (3) violation, or a class of violations, which the FDA Commissioner has requested the IG to investigate; and (4) violation, or a class of violations, for which the Secretary delegates authority to the IG or requests the IG to investigate. Mandates maintaining for public inspection, with regard to each ADA, the applicant's name, the name of the drug, and the persons and dates of assignment for chemistry and bioequivalence reviews. Repeals provisions requiring a hearing before the Secretary reports a violation to a U.S. attorney for institution of a criminal proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Forests and Families Protection Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishing Long Term Program - Provides for the establishment of a long-term Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (FS) program to protect old growth forest, the Northern Spotted Owl, and other old growth associated species on areas of ecologically-significant old growth forest on State and Federal lands in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California selected for the Old Growth Forest Reserve to be established by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior under this Act. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) submit the applicable land management plans for implementing such program for appropriate consultation required under the Endangered Species Act; and (2) review previously applied administrative constraints on resource uses on lands under their jurisdiction to minimize the impact on pre-existing land uses resulting from the establishment of the Reserve. Bars further acquisition of mineral and mining rights in the Reserve. Permits roads, structures, and motorized and nonmotorized recreation and access, and hunting and fishing in the Reserve where consistent with the requirements of this Act and other applicable law. Permits timber harvesting in certain limited circumstances and only if not proscribed for any Reserve area in the applicable forest plan. Title II: Ensuring the Effectiveness of Federal Land Planning - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to provide additional guidance on the implementation, amendment, and revision of plans for Federal lands necessary to ensure the effectiveness of Federal land planning and that the applicable forest plans under title I of this Act and the protections which they afford the Old Growth Forest Reserve and associated species are implemented effectively. Title III: Providing An Interim Program - Provides for an interim program until the Reserve is established and applicable forest plans are adopted under title I of this Act with the same purposes as the long-term program, and for the provision of an adequate supply of timber on FS and BLM lands. Directs the Secretaries to establish an Old Growth Research Program (OGRP) to better understand and manage old growth forest ecosystems. Restricts timber sales, road construction, and mineral leasing on certain FS and BLM lands, including those within a certain radius of a Northern Spotted Owl nest site. Requires environmental impact statements on, and appropriate consultation for, the timber harvested from FS and BLM lands to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Provides for judicial review of agency decisions or actions under this title. Directs the Secretaries to publish in the Federal Register timber harvesting guidelines for Reserve areas based on OGRP work. Title IV: Economic Adjustment - Establishes the Timber Economic Adjustment Commission to provide Federal economic adjustment grants and benefit payments to the communities economically dependent on the timber on FS and BLM lands and the dislocated workers adversely affected by enactment of this Act. Outlines assistance eligibility criteria. Requires the Secretaries to notify the Commission of any Federal action likely to have a substantial impact on employment. Requires a final Commission report to the Congress and applicable State governors on economic conditions and employment in affected areas. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that certain revenue received by tax-exempt organizations that conduct amateur athletic events shall not be treated as taxable unrelated business income.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five dollar gold coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the advancement of science; (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the American Fire Service. Sets forth sale and issuance guidelines, including a general waiver of procurement regulations and surcharge distributions. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to set forth a fire service bill of rights, including the right of responding fire services to: (1) know the kind of danger presented by hazardous materials they face in emergency responses; and (2) be fully informed of infectious diseases their members face during the course of life safety activities. Declares that the bill of rights does not create any private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
National Institute of Nursing Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to redesignate the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute of Nursing Research. Includes the Institute in the list of national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
ESOP Promotion and Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Extends the ESOP exception to the ten percent early withdrawal penalty tax to certain ESOP distributions to employees made at any time. Permits ESOP participants whose compensation does not exceed a certain amount to contribute up to 50 percent of it to the plan. Allows ESOP closely-held corporate sponsors to pay estate tax if an estate transferred the stock of the corporation to an ESOP. Provides that ESOPs and cash or deferred arrangement plans may be combined for the benefit of employees. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow employees additional time to bid for ownership of their employer if foreign interests are trying to buy such employer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Gold Bond Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Government obligations that: (1) total $100,000,000,000 or 250,000,000 ounces of gold, whichever is greater; (2) have an annual investment yield not exceeding 2.00 percent; (3) mature at the later of 40 years after issuance or October 1, 2032; (4) have principal and interest redeemable at maturity in one ounce gold (Eagle) coins; (5) shall be known as "Eagle bonds"; and (6) the enforcement of which, as to payment of both principal and interest in Eagle coins, is perpetually immune from any assertion of sovereign immunity from suit by the United States, any claimed privilege of the United States to refuse to pay out or deliver Eagle coins or gold in any form, or any claimed power of the United States to require any person to surrender, or to seize from any person, Eagle coins or gold in any form legally held by such person. Requires the Secretary to issue gold certificates: (1) that have values of one ounce, one-half ounce, and one-tenth of an ounce gold (Eagle) coins; (2) that are redeemable at face value on demand, (3) that shall be known as "Eagle certificates"; and (4) the enforcement of which, as to redeemability at face value on demand, shall be perpetually immune from any assertion of sovereign immunity from suit by the United States, any claimed privilege of the United States to refuse to pay out or deliver Eagle coins or gold in any form, any claimed power of the United States to require any person to surrender Eagle certificates, Eagle coins, or gold in any form, any claimed power of the United States to involuntarily acquire from any person Eagle certificates, Eagle coins, or gold in any form, and any claimed power of the United States to redeem Eagle certificates in any coin or currency other than Eagle coins. Prohibits the issuance of Government securities with maturities of less than one year after October 1, 1992. Prohibits Federal Reserve banks and commercial banks from owning Eagle bonds. Allows foreign central banks, foreign commercial banks, and private individuals in foreign countries to acquire Eagle bonds by depositing gold with any central bank which holds earmarked gold at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Authorizes the issuance of additional Eagle bonds to replace Treasury bills issued before October 1, 1992, as such Treasury bills mature. Specifies that such additional Eagle bonds may not be issued for maturity periods of less than 25 years. Requires the Secretary to maintain a sinking fund of gold coins the purpose of which is to keep the market value of Eagle bonds at or near par. Provides for the replenishment of such fund. Declares to be unconstitutional and repeals provisions prohibiting the Government from paying out or delivering any gold coin and withdrawing the consent to sue or make a claim on a gold clause public debt obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
At-Birth Abandoned Baby Act of 1991 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to place babies abandoned at birth with preadoptive parents within 30 days of obtaining custody of such babies and to find new preadoptive parents for such babies if the initial preadoptive parents do not petition the courts of the State within 90 days of receiving such babies for an expedited hearing to become their permanent adoptive parents. Treats such babies as children with special needs, thus qualifying their adoptive parents for adoption assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Economic Resurgence and Jobs for America Act - Title I: Investment Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate a five-percent investment tax credit for property placed in service after December 31, 1991. Repeals provisions of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 concerning the elimination of expired or obsolete investment tax credit provisions. Title II: Capital Gains Tax Reduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, 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) 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 indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays (except those for repayment of debt principal) do not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing), unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Limits the rate of increase in receipts in the statement to that of the increase in national income in the previous calendar year, unless law is enacted solely to approve specific additional receipts. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Authorizes waiver of these provisions in time of war. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Common Sense Budget Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to require both the President and the Congress to draft a budget based on estimates of current fiscal year spending, proposing increases or decreases based on this level (rather than on an estimated baseline). Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to use such a current fiscal year baseline in its report to the congressional budget committees, projecting growth for entitlement and discretionary spending based on current fiscal year spending.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Social Security Improvements Act of 1991 - Title I: Reduction in Social Security Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce social security taxes. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require Board of Trustee reports to the Congress on the projected balances of the OASDI trust funds over the next ten fiscal years. Prohibits either House of Congress from adjourning in any fiscal year if any such report projects that the OASDI trust funds, individually or collectively, will not be in close actuarial balance. Defines "close actuarial balance" to mean that the projected fund income for the year is at least 90 percent but not more than 110 percent of projected fund disbursements for such year. Modifies restrictions in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 on revising OASDI taxes and benefits. Requires Advisory Council on Social Security reports on OASDI trust fund status after FY 2015. Title II: Repeal of Provisions Relating to Deductions on Account of Work - Amends the OASDI program to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits. Title III: Inflation Adjustment of Thresholds For Taxing Social Security Benefits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an inflation adjustment after 1991 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Tibet is an occupied country under established principles of international law and that its true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Electric Power Fair Access Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (on its own motion or upon application by certain State entities or other persons generating electric energy for wholesale) to direct a transmitting utility to: (1) provide wholesale transmission service and necessary associated services; and (2) increase transmission capacity if necessary to provide such services. Limits such authority to action on a case-by-case basis. Revises FERC authority with respect to interconnections. Declares that if FERC issues an order permitting a transmitting utility (or affiliate) to make a covered sale of electric energy on a non-cost-of-service basis (including a reasonable rate of return), or if it issues an order permitting a transmitting utility (or affiliate) to merge or consolidate with another public utility, then FERC shall also order such transmitting utility to file a general tariff providing rates, terms and conditions for transmission services for wholesale transactions. Subjects transmission orders and transmissions tariffs to specified standards. Prohibits retail wheeling of electricity under this Act. Requires any transmitting utility denying a request for wholesale transmission services to provide a written explanation, covering certain points, to the requester. Provides for encouragement of regional transmission planning.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Antiterrorism Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define the term "international terrorism" to include activities that: (1) involve violent acts that are a violation of Federal or State laws, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State; (2) appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping; and (3) occur primarily outside U.S. territorial jurisdiction or transcend national boundaries. Authorizes any U.S. national injured in his person, property, or business by reason of an act of international terrorism to bring a civil action in U.S. district court and recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including attorney's fees. Specifies that a final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United States in certain classes of criminal proceedings (such as those involving the murder of a foreign official, kidnapping, hostage taking, killing of a U.S. national, or an aircraft piracy-related offense) or in favor of any foreign state in a criminal proceeding to the extent that such judgment or decree may be accorded full faith and credit under U.S. law shall estop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in a subsequent civil proceeding under this Act. Sets forth provisions with respect to jurisdiction and venue for, and limitation of, such civil actions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Title I: Preconditions for the Receipt by China of Nondiscriminatory Treatment - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1992 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless a specified report is submitted to the Congress stating that China has accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989 and made progress in: (1) preventing gross violations of human rights (including in Tibet); (2) ending religious persecution and releasing members of religious groups who were detained for their religious beliefs; (3) removing restrictions there and in Tibet on freedom of the press and on broadcasts by Voice of America; (4) terminating harassment of Chinese citizens in the United States, including the return and renewal of passports confiscated for prodemocracy activities; (5) ensuring access of international human rights monitoring groups to prisoners; (6) ensuring freedom from torture and from inhumane prison conditions; (7) terminating prohibitions on peaceful assembly and demonstration imposed after June 3, 1989; and (8) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to include in a specified document to be submitted to the Congress a report on China's progress in implementing the above-mentioned measures.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1991
Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act Fairness Amendments of 1991 - Prohibits payments from the disposable retired pay of a member of the armed forces to a former spouse (as part of a court-ordered property settlement agreement) after the remarriage of such former spouse. Prohibits payments so terminated from being reinstated on account of the subsequent termination of the former spouse's remarriage. Directs the Secretary of Defense to promulgate regulations for ascertaining the current marital status of former spouses receiving such payments. Provides that, in the case of a member whose final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation is issued before such member begins to receive retired pay, the disposable retired pay of such member shall be based on the pay grade and length of service of such member while married up to the date of the final decree. Provides for recomputation of amounts currently provided in accordance with amendments made by this Act. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to state that changes made in the determination of retired pay as property for property settlement purposes under such Act shall not take effect in the case of property settlement payments due before the end of the one-year period (currently two-year) after the effective date of such Act. Provides that if a court, as part of a final divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation decree, does not treat or reserve jurisdiction to treat the disposable retired pay of a member as either his property or his and his former spouse's property, then, in any subsequent judicial proceeding, the jurisdiction of the court to address such question shall be separately established at such time. Allows a former spouse to make application to a court for division of retired pay as joint property within two years of such a final decree. Provides that a member's disability pay payable as part of his or her retired pay shall not be included by a court as joint property of the member and former spouse subject to division as part of a court-ordered property settlement. Prohibit a court from: (1) ordering a member to make a property settlement payment out of the member's active duty income earned after the date the member first becomes eligible to retire; or (2) making a member pay a pre-retirement payment equivalent to a payment which would otherwise be made had the member retired and commenced receiving retired pay. Outlines provisions for the determination of a pre-retirement payment. Prohibits a court from ordering a member recalled to active duty to commence or continue payments to a former spouse resulting from the treatment of retired pay as joint property for the entire period such member continues on such active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Just Compensation Act of 1991 - Requires the head of any Federal agency who takes an action under the Endangered Species Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, or under specified provisions of the National Trails System Act or of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act relating to wetlands to compensate the owner of private property for any diminution in value caused by the action. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall prohibit the inclusion of voluntary prayer in any public school program or activity. Provides that neither the United States nor any State shall prescribe the content of any such prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1991
Amends rules XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a three-fifths majority vote on the passage of any bill, amendment, or conference report that increases revenues. Amends rule XI to prohibit the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule or order to waive such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1991
Expands the definition of "child," for purposes of eligibility for military health care as dependents of members or former members of the armed forces, to include a person who is under the legal custody of the member or former member and who otherwise satisfies the definition of a military dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Authorizes additional appropriations for increased border patrol personnel. Makes amounts from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund available for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Adoption Amendments of 1991 - Replaces Public Health Service Act provisions authorizing appropriations for adolescent family life demonstration projects with provisions requiring set-aside, for such projects, of a specified amount appropriated for the Health Resources and Services Administration. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for a limited amount of adoption expenses. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 to extend to October 1, 1993, the termination date of a test program for reimbursement of adoption expenses of members of the armed forces. Amends Part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Program) of title IV of the Social Security Act to prohibit payments to a State under provisions relating to foster care and adoption assistance if any public agency responsible for adoption placement has failed to fully disclose to prospective adoptive parents all information regarding the child's health. Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate grants to two States to establish demonstration programs to provide maternal health certificates to low-income pregnant females residing or awaiting residence in a maternity home. Requires eligible maternity homes to provide specified services, including room and board, medical care, and counseling and services concerning health, adoption, education, vocation, or employment. Requires that such homes accept the certificates as full payment. Directs the Secretary of Education to develop a model curriculum for educating individuals on issues of adoption that are relevant to the field of social work. Requires the curriculum to be appropriate for secondary, postsecondary, and continuing education settings. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Designates September 20, 1991, as National POW/MIA recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag: (1) at all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1991 (Memorial Day), September 20, 1991 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1991 (Veteran's Day); and (2) on, or on the grounds of, the White House, and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, and the Director of the Selective Service Commission on September 20, 1991 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Congress, after consulting the Resolution Trust Corporation, should establish a performance method of asset sales before approving any additional loss funds for the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) decrease the rate of the tax imposed on the income of any Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund; and (2) remove restrictions on permitted investments of Fund monies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to promoting the traditional family and traditional family values by public laws, policy, and education.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1991
Forest Biodiversity and Clearcutting Prohibition Act of 1991 - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act, and Federal law to provide for the conservation of native biodiversity in each national forest community. Revises land management guidelines for such forests to prohibit any even-age logging or even-age management after one year of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, on each site already under such management, to: (1) prescribe a shift to selection management within one year; or (2) cease managing for timber purposes and actively restore the native biodiversity, or permit each site to regain its native biodiversity.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1991
Directs the Secretary of State to appoint a cultural representative to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to expand U.S.-Baltic cultural contacts and exchange programs with such countries. Requires the Director of the Foreign Commercial Service to appoint a permanent cultural representative to each of the Baltic States to expand U.S.-Baltic commercial relations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should appoint a special envoy to encourage Baltic-Soviet negotiations leading to independence for each of the Baltic States; and (2) the United States should raise the question of Baltic independence during the September 1991 session of the United Nations General Assembly. Makes each Baltic State eligible for assistance established under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 and the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1991
Limits the total numbers of civilian employees in each branch of the Government on September 30th of 1994 and each year thereafter, to the number in such branch on September 30, 1990. Suspends such limitation during a war or a national emergency. Prohibits attaining compliance with such mandate through any involuntary separations. Exempts from such mandate employees within the executive branch who are law enforcement officers or who are involved in the delivery of health care services and employees of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, or the National Security Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1991
Vietnam POW/MIA Rescue Act - Directs the Attorney General to grant asylum to certain nationals of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Burma who assist in the return to the United States of living Vietnam POW/MIAs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1991
Design Innovation and Technology Act of 1991 - Amends the copyright law to provide for the protection of industrial designs of useful articles (including typefonts), except designs that are: (1) not original; (2) staple or commonplace; (3) different from commonplace or staple designs in insignificant ways; (4) determined solely by a utilitarian function; (5) embodied in a useful article that was made public by the designer or owner in the United States or a foreign country more than one year before the date of application for registration; (6) composed of three-dimensional features of shape and surface in wearing apparel; (7) a semiconductor chip product already protected under another provision; (8) embodying a process or idea or system; or (9) for motor vehicle glass. States that protection for a design shall be available for subject matter usually excluded if the design is a substantial revision, adaptation, or rearrangement of such subject matter. Sets the term of protection at ten years. Requires the design to be marked with a design notice when it is made public. States that omission of such notice shall not cause loss of protection or prevent recovery for infringement against any person who receives written notice of the protection. Grants the owner of a protected design the exclusive right to make, import, or distribute for sale or use in trade any useful article embodying such design. Specifies the criteria for determination of infringement of a protected design. Provides that protection of a design shall be lost if application for registration is not made within one year after the date on which the design is first made public. Provides procedures for application for the protection of a design through a certificate of registration. Sets fees for services relating to the administration of this Act. Specifies the ownership and transfer rights of designs subject to protection. Provides remedies for infringement of a registered design, including injunctive relief and damages. Allows judicial review of a final refusal of the Register of the Copyright Office to register a design. Prescribes penalties for fraudulent registration, false marking, and false representation of any design. Requires the Secretary of Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to issue regulations for the enforcement of rights concerning importation of useful articles. Provides that this Act shall take effect one year after the date of enactment. States that no design made public prior to the effective date shall be protected.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1991
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned knows that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Declares that the Congress finds that both Czechoslovakia and Hungary have: (1) recognized fundamental human rights with respect to their citizens; (2) introduced economic reforms based on market-oriented principles; and (3) demonstrated a desire to build a friendly relationship with the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of both countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Upper Sacramento River Fishery Resources Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a ten-year program to restore natural salmon and steelhead trout populations of the Sacramento River (and its California tributaries and its drainage basin above the confluence with the Feather River) to the optimum carrying capacity of the habitat in a restored condition and to provide sufficient hatchery-produced fish to meet fishery restoration and mitigation requirements. Requires memoranda of agreement with Federal, State, and local agencies having jurisdiction over certain necessary activities. Establishes the Upper Sacramento River Fisheries Task Force to assist the Secretary and coordinate activities with governmental and private anadromous fish restoration projects within the basin. Authorizes appropriations for formulation, establishment, implementation, and maintenance of the program. Requires cost-sharing from California and the electric utilities, water districts, and other direct purchasers of water and power from the Central Valley Project. Prohibits appropriations under these provisions from being used to protect fisheries from chronic or acute toxicity caused by heavy metals or acid mine drainage.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Davis-Bacon Repeal Act of 1991 - Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (an Act which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
First-Time Home Buyer's Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to spread over a ten-year period the taxation of up to $5,000 of individual retirement plan distributions used by a first-time homebuyer within 90 days to purchase, construct, or reconstruct a dwelling that will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence for at least three years.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Requires that the Secretary of Transportation's apportioned allocation to a State for the Federal-aid highway program be not less than 90 percent (currently 85 percent) of the percentage of the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in that State paid into the Highway Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) support democratization within the Soviet Union and support self-determination and independence for all Soviet republics which seek such status; (2) support restoration of independence for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (3) shape foreign assistance and other programs to support republics whose governments are democratically elected; and (4) support peaceful resolution of conflicts within the Soviet Union and between the central Soviet Government and the Baltic States and Soviet republics, condemn the use of force to suppress democracy and self-determination, and view the use of force for such purposes as an obstacle to fully normalized U.S.-Soviet relations. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the Congress on actual and threatened uses of force against the Baltic States, the Soviet republics, and autonomous regions within the Soviet Union. Requires such report to be included in the Department of State's annual country reports on human rights practices.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dannemeyer, William E. [R-CA-39]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000044_200.jpg)