United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Canada should eliminate its tolls along the St. Lawrence Seaway and join with the United states in identifying ways to maximize the movement of goods and commerce through the Seaway.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1995
Establishes a Commission on Women's Art in the United States Capitol. Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on matters relating to the representation of women in history (including the current century) in the United States Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1995
Consumer Disclosure and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to create a new title on rental purchase agreements. Declares that the title does not apply to rental-purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or made with Government instrumentalities. Regulates: (1) the content and manner of disclosures by merchants in rental-purchase agreements; and (2) the contents of rental-purchase agreements. Imposes individual and class action civil liability for violations. Establishes merchant defenses and provides for the liability of merchant assignees. Mandates model disclosure forms and clauses. Preempts inconsistent State laws providing lesser consumer protection.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1995
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that: (1) in any case during FY 1996 in which appropriations are not otherwise available for programs, projects, and activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, payments of existing veterans' benefits and payments to contractors of the Veterans Health Administration for patient health and safety services are still made; and (2) in any case during FY 1996 in which certain Government functions are delayed, deferred, or canceled due to a limitation on the ability to borrow funds, payments of existing veterans' benefits are still made.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1995
Emergency Lumber Act of 1995 - Imposes a 25 percent ad valorem duty on imported Canadian wood and lumber products. Requires the administering authority to initiate a countervailing duty investigation with respect to such products. Declares that the President is authorized to negotiate with free trade area countries for the purpose of entering into an agreement to modify certain terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement to provide: (1) that the exclusive review by binational panels shall not apply to antidumping and countervailing duty determinations involving their merchandise; and (2) that such determinations shall be subject to judicial review in the same manner as determinations made with respect to non-free trade area countries. Declares further that: (1) such negotiations shall not affect the rights of the United States or a free trade area country to apply its domestic antidumping and countervailing duty laws to the imports of another country; and (2) if an agreement has been entered into pursuant to such negotiations, the President shall submit implementing legislation to the Congress. Extends "fast track" procedures to such legislation. Applies the requirements of this Act to goods from Canada or Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1995
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise the definition of "domestic industry" and "like or directly competitive article" with respect to investigations by the International Trade Commission (ITC) to determine whether perishable agricultural products are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause (or threat) of serious injury to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with such imported products. Authorizes the ITC, in the case of one or more domestic producers who produce a like or directly competitive perishable agricultural product during a particular growing season, to limit the domestic industry to those producers if they sell all or almost all of their production of the article in that growing season and the demand for the article is not supplied, to any substantial degree, by other domestic producers of the article who produce the article in a different growing season. Requires the ITC, with respect to perishable agricultural products, to limit provisional import relief to imported articles that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, during the same growing season as the like or directly competitive product. Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to require the Commissioner of Customs (currently, the ITC), with respect to expediting an investigation concerning provisional import relief, to monitor, until January 1, 2009, imports of fresh or chilled tomatoes and peppers (other than chili peppers) as if proper requests for such monitoring have been made. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, upon the request of the Commissioner of Customs (currently, the ITC), to provide to the Commissioner information relevant to such monitoring. Requires the Commissioner to make such information available to the public, but in no case more than seven calendar days after the Commissioner receives such information.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1995
Repeals specified provisions of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 which make tax-exempt organizations that engage in lobbying activities ineligible for the receipt of Federal awards, grants, contracts, loans, or any other form of Federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1995
Provides that any individual who performs Operation Joint Endeavor services (United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina) shall be entitled to the same tax benefits under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are provided to U.S. military personnel who perform service in an area designated by the President as a combat zone. Makes this Act effective for periods beginning on or after December 4, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1995
Congressional Pay for Performance Act - Sets forth a formula by which the rate of basic pay for each Member of Congress will be reduced effective as of the first applicable pay period of the first calendar year beginning after the end of a fiscal year from FY 1996 through 2001 for which the Federal deficit exceeds the deficit target by more than $1 billion. Reduces such rate to zero if the Federal deficit for FY 2002 is $1 billion or greater, effective as of the first day of the first applicable pay period in calendar year 2003. Provides that if the Federal deficit for any of FY 1996 through 2001, inclusive, is less than $1 billion, each Member's salary shall be restored to the rate in effect as of December 31, 1995, and this Act shall cease to be effective. Requires, for purposes of this Act, the size of the Federal deficit for any fiscal year to be determined by the Congressional Budget Office (in writing): (1) on the basis of the Final Monthly Treasury Statement of Receipts and Outlays of the Federal Government, published by the Department of the Treasury; and (2) excluding any increase in tax revenues, attributable to the fiscal year involved, which occurs by reason of any provision of law enacted after this Act's enactment. Provides that an individual's salary for the duration of his or her first term of office as a Member of Congress shall be determined as if this Act had never been enacted. Provides for suspension of this Act in time of war. Repeals provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 which provide for automatic annual pay adjustments for Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1995
Designates the nursing care center at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, as the H. John Heinz, III Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Care Center.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
Makes available to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency a specified fraction of amounts in the Hazardous Substance Superfund for each fiscal year for a program of grants to States to be used for decontamination and remediation of brownfield sites to make such sites available for proposed new uses. Defines a "brownfield site" as a parcel of land that was previously used for industrial purposes but is contaminated with hazardous or toxic waste and not currently used for any purpose. Prohibits, with respect to a site at which decontamination or remediation is being carried out under an approved State brownfield cleanup program, any action for: (1) decontamination or remediation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) or the Solid Waste Disposal Act; and (2) recovery of costs or damages arising from a hazardous substance release or threatened release under CERCLA against a person who is engaging or has engaged in the cleanup of such a site under a State program approved under this Act. Imposes reporting requirements upon participating States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1995
Congressional Responsibility Act of 1995 - Prohibits a regulation from taking effect before the enactment of a bill comprised solely of the text of the regulation. Requires an agency, whenever it promulgates a regulation, to submit to each House of the Congress a report containing its text and an explanation. Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for consideration of agency regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Tax Incentives Title II: Regulatory Flexibility Title III: Resident Management and Homeownership Incentives Enhanced Enterprise Zones Act of 1995 - Title I: Federal Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a qualified zone asset held for more than five years. Includes as a zone asset: (1) stock in an enterprise zone business; (2) business property used in an empowerment zone or enterprise community; or (3) a partnership interest in an enterprize zone business. Allows a taxpayer to elect to deduct the amount paid for the purchase of enterprise zone stock. (Sec. 102) Allows a credit for a portion of qualified rehabilitation expenditures for buildings meeting certain requirements, including being in an empowerment zone or enterprise community. Title II: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law relating to Government organization and employees to modify the definition of "small entity" (for purposes of provisions concerning the analysis of regulatory functions) with regard to enterprise zone businesses, governmental units that nominate areas as empowerment zones or enterprise communities, and certain not-for-profit enterprises operating in such zones or communities. (Sec. 202) Authorizes an agency to waive or modify rules as the rules pertain to activities in such zones or communities. Title III: Resident Management and Homeownership Incentives - Amends Federal law to authorize grants to nonprofit organizations for: (1) enterprise zone homeownership opportunity programs to promote homeownership in enterprise zones; and (2) the development of resident management corporations in enterprise zones. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1995
Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide, through adjustments in the monthly exempt amount, for increases in the amounts of allowable earnings under the Social Security earnings limit for individuals who have attained retirement age. Retains the current limit on substantial gainful activity earnings applicable to individuals under age 65 who are eligible for disability benefits based on blindness. (Sec. 3) Establishes a Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account for OASDI disability benefits in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to estimate annually the present value of savings to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund which will accrue for all years as a result of cessation of benefit payments resulting from continuing disability reviews carried out pursuant to specified requirements during the fiscal year. Directs the Managing Trustee to: (1) transfer to the Account from amounts otherwise in the Trust Fund an amount equal to the estimated savings certified by the Chief Actuary; and (2) make available to the Commissioner of Social Security from funds in the Account an amount certified by the Chief Actuary as currently required to meet expenditures necessary to provide for required continuing disability reviews (including expenditures for the cost of staffing, training, purchase of medical and other evidence, and processing related to appeals and overpayments and related indirect costs). Includes under required information in a specified annual report a final accounting of amounts transferred to the Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the year, the amount made available from such Account during such year pursuant to certifications made by the Chief Actuary of the SSA and expenditures made by the Commissioner of Social Security for the specified purposes during the year, including a comparison of the number of continuing disability reviews conducted during the year with the estimated number of continuing disability reviews upon which the estimate of such expenditures was made. Terminates the Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account at the end of FY 2002, and provides that any balance in such Account shall revert to funds otherwise available in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Provides for appointment by the Commissioner of a Chief Actuary in the SSA. (Sec. 4) Bases entitlement of stepchildren to child's insurance benefits solely on their actual dependency on stepparent support. Repeals the requirement that the stepchild actually be living with the stepparent. Requires termination of any child's insurance benefits based on the wages and self-employment income of the stepparent six months after the Commissioner is formally notified of the natural parent's divorce from the stepparent. (Sec. 5) Extends the length of time required for recomputation of benefits after normal retirement age. (Sec. 6) Eliminates the role of the SSA in processing attorney's fees. Prohibits any person, agent, or attorney from charging in excess of $4,000 (or, if the Commissioner approves, a higher fee) for services performed in connection with any claim before the Commissioner. Directs a court, in determining a reasonable fee, to take into consideration the amount of the fee, if any, that an attorney may charge the claimant for services (eliminating the current limitation of such fee to 25 percent of the total past-due benefits to which a judgment entitles the claimant). (Sec. 7) Provides that an individual shall not be considered to be disabled for OASDI purposes, or for supplemental security income (SSI) purposes under title XVI of the Act (thus denying them benefits), if alcoholism or drug addiction would be a contributing factor material to the determination of disability. (Continues disability benefits based on a separate disabling condition to individuals also disabled by drug addiction or alcoholism.) Requires the payment of OASDI or SSI benefits based on disability to a representative payee if such payment would serve the interest of an individual who also has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that prevents the individual from managing such benefits. Requires the Commissioner to refer such individual to the appropriate State agency administering the approved State plan for substance abuse treatment services. Appropriates additional specified amounts to supplement State and Tribal alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs funded under the Public Health Service Act. Requires State or Tribal governments receiving such an allotment to consider as priorities activities relating to the treatment of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. (Sec. 8) Permits members of the clergy to file to revoke their exemption from social security tax coverage under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1995
Prohibits the disbursement of basic pay to the President or to a Member of Congress during any period in which: (1) there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution; or (2) the Government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1995
Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide, through adjustments in the monthly exempt amount, for increases in the amounts of allowable earnings under the Social Security earnings limit for individuals who have attained retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act of 1995 - Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to award: (1) grants of up to $500,000 each for community response teams to help prevent domestic violence; and (2) award a contract to an eligible entity to serve as a technical assistance center. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations. Reduces appropriations authorized for the Energy Information Administration. Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to the Congress whether it would be practicable for the Administration to provide for some or all its funding by imposing a charge for services or materials that it provides to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to provide that: (1) the special rule concerning annual cost-of-living adjustments to retired military pay for individuals who first became members of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986, shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998); and (2) the initial month that such increase is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the year following the effective date of such increase.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Billy and Ruth Graham in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of Congress the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received by the Secretary to carry out this Act and any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates exceeds the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize an additional assessment on raw cane sugar and sugarcane molasses produced in the Everglades Agricultural Area of Florida. Establishes an Everglades Agricultural Area Account. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use Account funds to make grants to the South Florida Water Management District or other appropriate public entity to purchase and make water storage improvements to agricultural lands in the Area for use in Everglades restoration.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the credit for large producers of ethanol used as a fuel after 1997. Disallows the credit for alcohol used to produce any ether. Exempts from tax liquids sold for use or used in an off-highway business use. Repeals the reduced rate on ethanol fuel produced from natural gas. Provides for the tax treatment of fuel alcohol in the same manner as other motor fuels. Repeals the reduced rates on alcohol fuels. Exempts partially, in the case of methanol or ethanol, the rate of tax determined under the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Imposes a floor stock tax on fuel alcohol held by any individual on a specified date and makes such individual liable for such tax. Exempts fuel alcohol held by any individual for any use to the extent a credit or refund of the tax imposed under current law is allowed. Prohibits the imposition of tax on fuel alcohol held in the tank of a motor vehicle or motorboat and for certain amounts of fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, the Vice President, and Members of Congress should not be paid during any period during which Federal employees are not paid due to a Government shutdown.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1995
Smithsonian Institution Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the scientific, educational, and cultural significance of the Smithsonian Institution. Mandates that: (1) all but a certain portion of surcharges received from coin sales be paid by the Secretary to the Smithsonian Institution for such purposes as its Board of Regents determines to be appropriate; and (2) a certain portion of such surcharges be dedicated to supporting the operation and activities of the National Numismatic Collection at the National Museum of American History.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1995
Fair Elections Act - Establishes the Fair Elections Commission to study and recommend reforms in the laws relating to elections for Congress. Sets forth as the primary objectives of the Commission: (1) encouraging fair and open congressional elections that provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and issues; (2) eliminating the disproportionate influence of special interest financing of congressional elections; and (3) creating a system in which incumbent Members of Congress do not possess an inherent advantage over challengers. Sets forth fast-track procedures for consideration of such reform legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt any qualified small issue bond from the restrictions on the deduction by financial institutions for interest. Disregards $10 million of capital expenditures in applying the $10 million limitation on the face amount of qualified small issue bonds. Excludes any qualified small issue bond from the limitation on use for land acquisition. Repeals the percentage limitation on directly related and ancillary facilities which may be financed by qualified small issue bonds. Repeals the de minimis limitation applicable to financing of office space by qualified small issue bonds and specifies that an office shall not be treated as manufacturing property unless: (1) the office is located on the premises of a manufacturing facility; and (2) not more than a de minimis amount of the functions performed at such office is not directly related to the day-to-day operations at such facility.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Veterans' Memorials Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties for individuals who willfully injure or commit any degradation against any structure on public property commemorating the service of U.S. military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless funds for such deployment have been specifically appropriated by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1995
Powder-Crack Cocaine Penalty Equalization Act of 1995 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to make prohibitions and penalties for the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, importation, or exportation of crack cocaine applicable to the same amounts of powdered cocaine.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish milk price support provisions for calendar years 1996 through 2002. Mandates establishment of a special milk marketing order to equalize returns on all milk used in the 48 contiguous States to produce Class IV final products (butter, nonfat dry milk, and dry whole milk) among all milk marketed by producers for commercial use in those States. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the termination date of the dairy products export incentive program (renaming it as the exporter bid program). Establishes a dairy products export incentive program (the price equalization program), requiring it to provide for payments by the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Administrator of the Class IV account established under the Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 1995. Mandates inviting proposals and conducting expedited hearings on consolidating and reforming Federal milk marketing orders issued under specified provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, including considering how all milk shall be regulated under Federal or State order, with manufacturing grade producers receiving pool proceeds from Class III and Class IV sales only. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that Federal milk marketing orders in operation under the Agricultural Adjustment Act should be consolidated to between 8 and 14 orders.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1995
Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1995 - Establishes the National Tourism Board to develop a national travel and tourism strategy for increasing U.S. travel and tourism. Establishes the National Tourism Organization as a non-Federal non-profit organization to implement the national travel and tourism strategy. Directs the Secretary of State and the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) to: (1) place priority on implementing recommendations by the National Tourism Board; and (2) cooperate with the National Tourism Organization. Authorizes the President to transfer up to 25 staff members of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration to the Foreign Service or the Commercial Service for two years to assist the Organization in its start-up activities. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's (TPCC) Federal trade promotion plan to reflect, among other things, recommendations by the National Tourism Board. Makes the President of the National Tourism Organization a member of the TPCC.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1995
Ratepayer Protection Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to declare its provisions governing cogeneration and small power production inapplicable to any facility placed in service after enactment of this Act, except with respect to power purchase contracts entered into pursuant to such provisions which were in effect on the repeal date. Declares that after such repeal date no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase or sell electric energy pursuant to the repealed provisions. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to promulgate and enforce regulations to assure that no utility shall be required to absorb the costs associated with purchases from a qualifying facility pursuant to the repealed provisions. Provides that such regulations shall be treated as a rule enforceable under the Federal Power Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual to designate a specified portion (but not less than $1) of any income tax overpayment and any cash contributions to be used for the benefit of units of the National Park System. Establishes a National Parks Trust Fund into which appropriated or credited amounts are received. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay, not less often than quarterly, specified expenditures from the Trust Fund to the Director of the National Park Service. Requires that expenditures from such Fund be used only for operations, maintenance, and construction within the units of the National Park System. Prohibits the use of such expenditures for the purposes of land acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless the deployment is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1995
Davis-Bacon Act Reform Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) to provide for wage determinations based on the locality where the work is performed. Requires contractors and subcontractors covered by DBA to pay laborers and mechanics: (1) unconditionally; (2) at least weekly; and (3) without subsequent deduction or rebate. Applies DBA requirements to laborers and mechanics employed by the contractor or subcontractor to: (1) work directly upon the site of the work, including work at fabrication plants, batch plants, tool yards, or similar facilities not on the project site but dedicated exclusively, or nearly so, to project construction (except previously established facilities whose location and continuance in operation are determined wholly without regard to the contract work); or (2) transport materials, supplies, and equipment to or from the worksite. Increases the minimum threshold (currently $2,000) for DBA coverage of contracts for public buildings and works to: (1) $100,000 for new construction, complete rehabilitation, or reconstruction; and (2) $25,000 for repairs or alterations. Sets conditions for coverage of leased property. Provides for periodic adjustments of such thresholds. Prohibits splitting contracts. Sets forth wage requirements in cases of contract option provisions. Sets preemption conditions. Sets forth provisions relating to apprentices, trainees, and helpers. Sets forth requirements relating to wages. Revises DBA enforcement provisions, including: (1) administrative procedures, including the Secretary of Labor's authority with respect to payment of workers, debarment of contractors, and coordination of enforcement; (2) review procedures, including court review of coverage determinations; and (3) creation of an administrative petition procedure for workers for wages, benefits, and damages. (Sec. 3) Amends the Copeland Act to: (1) eliminate weekly payroll data submission for contracts of $100,000 or less; and (2) change such weekly requirement to a monthly one for contracts of more than $100,000, with provisions for waivers for contractors or subcontractors who have demonstrated compliance with DBA and other labor standards. Revises enforcement provisions to: (1) require contractors and subcontractors to maintain payroll and related records for three years after completion of contract work and make them available upon request of the contracting officer or the Secretary; (2) grant the Secretary subpoena and debarment authority with respect to records; and (3) establish penalties for false records. Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act to provide that: (1) the Secretary, rather than the Comptroller General, shall initiate debarment action for violations; and (2) the General Services Administration (GSA) shall include the names of those debarred on a government-wide list.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1995
Iran Foreign Oil Sanctions Act of 1995 - Directs the President to impose certain twelve-month economic sanctions against foreign persons who, with requisite knowledge, export goods or technology that would contribute to Iran's ability to extract, refine, produce, store, or transport petroleum or natural gas products. Waives the requirements of this Act if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that Iran has: (1) substantially improved its adherence to internationally recognized standards of human rights; (2) ceased its efforts to develop or acquire a nuclear explosive device, chemical or biological weapons, or missiles or related delivery systems; and (3) ceased support for acts of international terrorism. Sets forth additional criteria for such a waiver. Directs the President to establish a List of Petroleum and Natural Gas-Related Goods and Technology which shall be subject to the export control restrictions of this Act. Requires the President to report periodically to the appropriate congressional committees on Iran's: (1) nuclear and other military capabilities; and (2) support, if any, for acts of international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1995
Unemployment Tax Repeal Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement to include unemployment compensation in gross income and the provision concerning the voluntary withholding on unemployment benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the burden of proof on the taxpayer in the case of any administrative proceeding and on the Secretary in the case of any court proceeding. Requires a 30-day notice before lien. Prohibits the Secretary from collecting any tax (or other sum) by levy without judicial consent. Requires a 30-day notice before seizure. Increases the limit on the recovery of civil damages for certain unauthorized collection actions to $1 million and excludes such damages from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1995
Prohibits any funds available to the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for the deployment or participation of U.S. armed forces in any peacekeeping operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina that is not specifically authorized by a law enacted after enactment of this Act. Specifies that this Act shall not apply t: (1) operations of the nature and extent conducted by U.S. armed forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina during FY 1995; (2) emergency air rescue operations; (3) the airborne delivery of humanitarian supplies; or (4) the planning and execution of OPLAN 40104 or a similar operation to extract UNPROFOR personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1995
Congressional Award Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Congressional Award Act to extend through 1997 the requirement that the Comptroller General determine that the Director of the Congressional Award Program has ensured that appropriate procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting are established for the financial operations of the Program and that such operations are administered by personnel with expertise in accounting and financial management. Extends the Congressional Award Board until October 1, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1995
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to: (1) repeal certain oversight functions of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; (2) provide for an approved State program for surface coal mining and reclamation operations which shall apply in that State in lieu of the Act; (3) declare the Act inapplicable to surface coal mining and reclamation operations within a State with an approved State program until such program has been amended, and the permittee has been provided reasonable time to conform operations to the amended program; and (4) declare that operations in compliance with a permit issued under the Act shall be deemed to be in compliance with its environmental protection standards and those of an approved State or Federal program pursuant to the Act. Amends enforcement guidelines to grant a State regulatory authority sole enforcement responsibility for the Act and relevant State law, subject only to State administrative and judicial review. Confers enforcement responsibility for Federal water quality laws (including State law enacted pursuant thereto) upon the regulatory authority approved by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Revises judicial review guidelines to: (1) repeal the provision that availability of judicial review of a State regulatory authority does not limit the operation of rights with respect to citizens' suits to compel compliance with Federal law; and (2) declare that an action by the Secretary of the Interior regarding inadequate State enforcement is subject to judicial review by the U.S. district court for the district which includes the capital of the State whose program is at issue. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for an enforcement proceeding under this Act. Excludes public roads from the regulatory purview of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1995
Congressional Pay Accountability Act of 1995 - Repeals provisions of Federal law which appropriate funds for compensation of Members of Congress at levels authorized by law and recommended by the President for Federal employees for a fiscal year (thus subjecting congressional pay to annual appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
FEHBP-Medical Savings Account Promotion Act of 1995 - Amends Federal civil service law to permit Federal employees and annuitants enrolled in a catastrophic plan to elect to receive Government contributions into medical savings accounts provided for by this Act under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to cover qualified medical expenses: (1) to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise; or (2) for long-term care insurance for the individual, spouse, or dependent. Prohibits the use of account funds to pay for coverage under any kind of health plan except a catastrophic or long-term care insurance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
Distilled Spirits Tax Payment Simplification Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify or impose requirements regarding: (1) the transfer of distilled spirits between bonded premises and between importation and bonded premises; (2) operations as a bonded dealer conducted on the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant; (3) establishment and operation of such a plant by a bonded dealer; (4) election to be treated as a bonded dealer; (5) the time at which the tax on distilled spirits is determined; (6) distilled spirits lost or destroyed in bond or returned to bonded premises; (7) the time for tax payment and payment by electronic transfer; and (8) application to a plant used by a bonded dealer of provisions relating to sales by proprietors of controlled premises.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1995 - Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement - Requires the Inspectors General of specified Federal agencies to conduct audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations regarding the prevention, detection, and control of health care fraud and abuse. Requires the Inspector General and the Attorney General to establish a health care fraud and abuse program that takes into account the activities of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, Federal and State health care provider licensing and certification agencies, and certain State agencies. (Sec. 102) Mandates State designation of State agencies that conduct, supervise, and coordinate such audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations. Allows State designation of a State agency to act as a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit for purposes of this title. Sets forth Unit requirements. Requires annual payments to States. (Sec. 104) Establishes in the Treasury the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account containing: (1) fines, penalties, damages, and the proceeds of seizures and forfeitures relating to the provision of health care items and services; and (2) gifts, bequests, and devises. Makes amounts available to the Inspector General and the Attorney General for expenses under specified provisions of this Act and reimbursements to other Inspectors General and Federal, State, and local agencies. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the acceptance, use, and disposal of gifts, bequests, or devises. (Sec. 106) Requires reimbursement: (1) to Federal agencies for the expenses of carrying out provisions of this title; and (2) subject to availability of funds, to State or local law enforcement agencies that participated directly in any activity that led to Account deposits. (Sec. 107) Establishes the Account Payments Advisory Board to make recommendations regarding the equitable allocation of amounts from the Account. (Sec. 108) Mandates establishment of a data base for the reporting of final adverse actions taken by a Government agency against health care providers, suppliers, practitioners, or benefit programs. Requires each Government agency to report such actions. Makes the information in the data base available to the public, Federal and State agencies, and benefit programs. Allows disclosure fees. Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "Federal health care offense" to include violation of, or conspiracy or attempt to violate, specified provisions of: (1) that code; (2) the Social Security Act; (3) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); (4) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); or (5) the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986. (Sec. 202) Mandates fines or imprisonment for (in connection with a health care benefit program) defrauding or attempting to defraud, theft or embezzlement, knowing and willful false statements, bribery, certain remunerations (including kickbacks and rebates), and obstruction of a criminal investigation of a health care offense. Authorizes civil actions, civil penalties, and injunctive relief for health care offenses. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue summonses. (Sec. 211) Authorizes disclosure of grand jury information for use in a civil investigation or proceeding related to a health care offense. (Sec. 212) Includes Federal health care offenses in: (1) the definition of "specified unlawful activity" for provisions relating to money laundering; and (2) provisions allowing additional penalties for telemarketing that victimizes or targets persons over the age of 55. Authorizes the interception of wire or oral communications in cases where the interception may provide evidence of health care bribery, illegal remunerations, or fraud. Adds references to health care bribery, theft, embezzlement, and fraud to the definition of "racketeering activity" for provisions relating to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO). Mandates forfeiture of any property constituting or derived from a Federal health care offense. Allows a reward for information on a Federal health care offense. Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the SSA) of an individual who has an ownership or control interest in, or who is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee of, an entity: (1) convicted of any offense under specified SSA mandatory or permissive exclusion provisions; (2) against which a civil penalty has been assessed under specified SSA provisions; or (3) that has been excluded from Medicare or Medicaid. Imposes civil fines on a person for presenting a claim for an item or service provided by the person's excluded employee or agent. Requires funds received as civil fines and assessments under certain SSA provisions and remaining after other dispositions (required by current law) to be deposited in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account established under this Act (currently, to be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury). (Sec. 302) Provides for the modification of existing and the establishment of new safe harbors. (Sec. 303) Requires implementation of an initiative of December 1994 to expedite Medicare payment inherent reasonableness adjustments. (Sec. 304) Requires inclusion of information on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare information distributed under specified provisions. (Sec. 305) Mandates a system providing for a unique identifier for each individual or entity (currently, for each physician) who furnishes items or services for which Medicare payment may be made. (Sec. 306) Requires reimbursement from agencies or organizations that facilitate payment to Medicare providers, and from carriers used for the administration of Medicare benefits, for any amounts paid for a service while the provider is excluded from Medicare participation. Replaces provisions allowing payment to individuals eligible for benefits for services provided by excluded individuals or entities in certain circumstances with provisions prohibiting providers from billing or collecting for items or services provided while the provider is excluded. Makes the recipient not liable for payment of any bill submitted in violation and allows certain sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1995
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to provide for payments to State and local prisons for monthly reports on the identities of inmates ineligible for benefits, especially those erroneously paid such a benefit. Denies SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained such benefits while in prison.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1995
Life Extending and Life Saving Device Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to declare that the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with regard to drugs, biological products, and devices, is to promote and protect the health of the American people. (Sec. 4) Requires harmonization of FDCA requirements with similar foreign laws through the International Conference on Harmonization. (Sec. 5) Modifies provisions relating to reporting before introducing a device into interstate commerce. (Sec. 6) Requires, for specified provisions, that the safety and effectiveness of a device be determined (among other factors) with respect to the persons for whose use the device is represented or intended by the person legally responsible for labeling the device. (Sec. 7) Regulates the circumstances in which well-controlled clinical investigations of device effectiveness are required. Excludes certain measures from the determination of effectiveness. (Sec. 8) Revises premarket approval application requirements and procedures. (Sec. 9) Amends provisions relating to investigational use to mandate updating of the regulations regarding the procedures and conditions under which devices intended for human use may be granted exemptions from FDCA requirements. (Sec. 10) Regulates the classification of in vitro diagnostic test systems and special purpose reagents. (Sec. 12) Allows accredited organizations and individuals to conduct good manufacturing practice inspections. Modifies other inspection-related requirements and procedures. Provides for accreditation. (Sec. 14) Requires that FDA research activities relating to drugs, devices, and biological products and authorized under specified Public Health Service Act provisions relate to the review and approval of drugs, devices, and biological products. Allows FDA collaboration in such activities with various entities, including the drug and device industry. Amends the FDA mission statement to require that research conducted by or for the FDA be: (1) solely related directly to the regulatory mission or professional staff development related to that mission; and (2) limited to the minimum necessary. (Sec. 15) Mandates recognition of nationally or internationally recognized consensus standards in determining safety or effectiveness or compliance with FDCA requirements. Revises other performance and compliance requirements. (Sec. 16) Revises requirements regarding a food, drug, device, or cosmetic intended for export, including regarding new drugs and biological products. Repeals provisions relating to exports of certain unapproved products. (Sec. 17) Mandates publication of a proposed regulation reclassifying certain class III devices as class II. (Sec. 18) Modifies device tracking and postmarket surveillance requirements. (Sec. 20) Allows, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), dissemination to individuals and entities involved in health care (including practitioners, managed care organizations, insurers, and governmental agencies) written information (or an oral or written summary thereof) concerning: (1) a treatment use for an investigational new drug or an investigational biological product approved for that use; or (2) a use (whether or not the use is contained in the official labeling) of a new drug or a biological product for which a new drug application, an abbreviated new drug application, a certification of an antibiotic drug, or a product license issued under the PHSA has been approved. Sets forth restrictions and requirements. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, dissemination to individuals and entities involved in health care (including practitioners, managed care organizations, insurers, and governmental agencies) written or oral information relating to a use (whether or not described in the official labeling) of a device registered under specified FDCA provisions. Sets forth restrictions and requirements. Declares that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the dissemination shall not be construed as evidence of a new intended use or considered as labeling, adulteration, or misbranding of the device. Sets forth recordkeeping, reporting, and device tracking requirements. Mandates deletion of all regulations in a specified part requiring distributors, other than importers, to report deaths, serious injuries or illnesses, and malfunctions related to devices. Exempts a person from penalties for violation of specified FDCA provisions if the person acted in good faith, had no reason to believe that the person's acts violated the law, and had no prior notice that the acts constituted FDCA violations. Mandates deletion of all regulations in a specified part of the Code of Federal Regulations requiring reporting of device malfunctions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1995
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend for two years the deadline by which States are required to have in effect an automated data processing and information retrieval system for use in the administration of State plans for child and spousal support.
![Official portrait of Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000187_200.jpg)