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United States · Official source
3,577 records where Rep. Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1995 - Directs the President to terminate the U.S. arms embargo of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the date of receipt of a request from such government for assistance in exercising its right of self-defense under the United Nations Charter or on May 1, 1995, whichever comes first.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Balanced Budget Dividend Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the allowance of new income tax benefits for a fiscal year if there is a deficit reduction shortfall. Declares that there is a deficit reduction shortfall for any fiscal year if the projected deficit exceeds the target deficit. Requires such deficits to be specified in the first concurrent resolution on the budget.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 1995 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to include certain service in the organized military forces of the Philippines and service as Philippine Scouts within the definition of active U.S. military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits for former active-duty military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the route from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama (traveled by the march dramatizing the need for voting rights legislation), as a National Historic Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
Federal Election Law Reform Commission Act - Establishes the Federal Election Law Reform Commission to recommend Federal election law reform. Requires a Federal election bill to be introduced in the House and the Senate within a specified time of the Commission's submittal of draft legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Amends part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within Medicare coverage the use of blood-testing strips for individuals with Type I or II diabetes. Requires such strips to be included within a payment methodology covering inexpensive and routinely purchased equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth the conditions under which builders will be allowed to compute on the installment sales method income from the sale of newly constructed one-family residential real property.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1995
A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act - Declares that the Congress affirms the basic economic rights and responsibilities under the 1944 "Economic Bill of Rights," while updating and extending it to include that: (1) every adult American able and willing to earn a living through paid work has the right to a free choice among opportunities for useful and productive part- or full-time paid employment at decent real wages or for self-employment; (2) every adult American unable to work for pay or find employment has the right to an adequate standard of living that rises with increases in the wealth and productivity of the society; and (3) there are certain other rights relating to collective bargaining, a safe working environment, health services, information on trends in pollution sources and products and processes that impact on the well-being of workers throughout the world, voting and campaigning, and personal security. Recognizes specified personal responsibilities of persons benefitting from such rights. Makes it the responsibility of each Federal agency and commission, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to perform so as to help establish and maintain conditions under which all adult Americans may freely exercise the economic rights specified in 1944 and in this Act. Prohibits Federal agencies or commissions from directly or indirectly promoting recession, stagnation, or unemployment as a means of reducing wages and salaries or inflation. (Sec. 3) Directs the President to establish a program to implement such basic economic rights and responsibilities. Sets forth policies and projects to be included under such program. Includes such program in the annual submission of budget. (Sec. 4) Requires all budget messages transmitted from the President to the Congress to be based on policies and programs to reduce officially measured unemployment to the interim levels set forth in the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978 and to include specified impact analyses and other information. (Sec. 5) Provides for Joint Economic Committee oversight of, and annual reports on, actions taken or proposed to be taken under this Act. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to submit an annual Concurrent Resolution on Economic Policy setting forth both in aggregate terms and in detail its proposed goals for employment by type of employment, with special attention to hours, wages, and social benefits, and for reducing unemployment, underemployment, and poverty in urban, suburban and rural areas. Requires these goals to serve as the framework for any concurrent resolutions on the Federal budget. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1995 - Establishes in the U.S. Treasury the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies that any individual who submits to the Attorney General written medical documentation that the individual has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection shall receive $125,000 from amounts available in the Fund if the individual: (1) has a blood-clotting disorder and was treated with blood-clotting agents between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1987; (2) is the lawful spouse of such individual or the former lawful spouse and was the lawful spouse of the individual at any time after a date within such period on which the individual was treated; or (3) acquired the HIV infection through perinatal transmission from a parent who is such an individual. Requires that a claim for payment be filed with the Attorney General by or on behalf of such individual and that the Attorney General determine that the claim meets the requirements of this Act. Specifies that a claim under this Act shall not be assignable or transferable. Sets limits regarding the number of claims per victim. Prohibits the Attorney General from paying claims filed under this Act unless filed within three years after this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise and rename it the Integrated Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Act of 1995. (Sec. 1) Instructs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by not later than January 31, 1998. Entitles contract holders to specified remedies for the Secretary's failure to meet service contract obligations, or to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste as mandated under this Act. States that the Nuclear Waste Fund shall fund the execution of service contract and implementation of the Secretary's responsibilities, including the acceptance of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at contract holder sites and transporting such fuel or waste to a private storage facility. Establishes an integrated spent nuclear fuel management system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, including its storage, transportation, and disposal. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the use of: (1) railroads; (2) transportation planning and requirements; (3) multi-purpose canister systems; (4) interim storage facilities; (5) permanent disposal; (6) land withdrawal; and (7) private storage facilities. Prescribes consultation and assistance guidelines between the Secretary and the State of Nevada. Prescribes budget priorities for purposes of annual requests for appropriations from the Waste Fund. Prescribes a fee schedule for electricity and nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor. Sets forth advance contract prerequisites for utilization or production facility license renewals. Reestablishes the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish by rule the appropriate portion of the costs of managing high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Subjects the Secretary to all Federal, State, and local environmental or land use laws and regulations, with specified exceptions. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Provides that upon a contract holder's request, the Secretary shall take title to or possession of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste without removing it from the contract holder's designated storage site if the Secretary cannot accept such items within the contract's acceptance schedule. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Reestablishes the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take action as necessary to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. States that the program is not subject to civil service regulations. Abolishes the Interim Storage Fund, the Monitored Retrievable Storage Commission, the Office of Subseabed Disposal Research, and the Office of Nuclear Waste Negotiator. Repeals all references to the Yucca Mountain site. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress whether particular milestones have been reached with respect to: (1) multi-purpose canister systems; (2) land withdrawals; (3) interim storage facilities; and (4) acceptance of spent nuclear fuel from contract holders. Directs the Secretary to: (1) create a value engineering function within the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and (2) employ on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization. (Sec. 2) Sets forth transition provisions for the continuation of: (1) contracts; (2) Nuclear Waste Fund; (3) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and (4) Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. (Sec. 3) Mandates that amounts in the Nuclear Waste Fund be appropriated exclusively for certain authorized purposes cited in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Precludes such appropriations from being taken into account for any budget enforcement procedures under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Amends such Act to provide that appropriations to the Nuclear Waste Fund are not subject to its discretionary spending limits or to a certain allocation of the Energy and Waster Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. Reduces specified discretionary spending limits under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the business meal expense deduction to 80 percent (currently 50 percent) for individuals subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1995
Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act of 1995 - Designates specified lands in Alaska as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility which provides water or sewage disposal services that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction; (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as service charges for starting or stopping services. Determines the depreciation deduction for such property by using the straight line method and provides for a 25-year recovery period.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Missing Service Personnel Act of 1995 - Requires the military commander of the unit, facility, or area to which the following persons are assigned to conduct an investigation as to their whereabouts after receiving factual information that their status is uncertain: (1) military personnel who disappear during a period of war, national emergency, or hostilities; and (2) any civilian Federal employee (including an employee of a Federal contractor) who serves with or accompanies an armed force in the field during such a period. Requires such persons to be placed in a missing status and requires notification of such status to either the officer having general court-martial authority over the person (for military personnel) or the Secretary of the military department employing such person (for civilian and contractor employees). Requires such officials to be kept informed (specifies deadlines) as to all information and inquiries concerning efforts to locate such missing personnel. Requires such officials to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into the whereabouts and status of such persons. Provides for: (1) board composition, activities, and access to information; (2) inquiry proceedings (requiring the appointment of counsel, with specified duties, to represent the missing person); (3) a board recommendation as to the official status of a person following such an inquiry; (4) board reports to the officials involved as to board conclusions (prohibiting public availability of such reports for a one-year period); (5) report review by the official; (6) a report from such official to interested persons; and (7) an additional investigation and inquiry by an additional board upon receipt of new information within one year after the date of the first official notice of a person's disappearance. Allows interested persons (family members, dependents, next of kin) to participate at the proceedings of the board during such additional inquiry. Provides for the availability of appropriate information to board personnel conducting investigations and inquiries. Provides similar procedures for the second board with respect to meetings (open to the public, with exceptions), recommendations, reports, review by the Secretary of the military department concerned, and reports to interested persons. Directs the Secretary concerned: (1) if information becomes available on the whereabouts or status of a missing person within three years after the first official notice of the person's disappearance, to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry into such information; and (2) to appoint a board to conduct an inquiry as to the status of any missing person on or about three years after the first official notice of the disappearance of such person and not later than every three years thereafter until a total of 12 years after the first official notice. Allows certain interested persons to request the Secretary to appoint a board to review the status of a person declared dead before five years after the enactment of this Act. Limits the review subjects to those whose deaths were declared to have occurred on or after December 7, 1941. Provides for the conditions under which an appointed board may recommend that a person be declared dead. Requires the Secretary concerned to ensure that the personnel file of each person covered contains all information in possession of the Government relating to the disappearance and whereabouts or status of such person. Provides for judicial review of a person's declared status under this Act. Requires a person in a missing status or previously declared dead who is subsequently found alive to be paid for the full time of their absence. Requires the Secretary concerned, upon the enlistment of a person in an armed force, to require such person to specify in writing the individual(s) to whom information on their whereabouts or status shall be provided in the event of an investigation under this Act. Allows for revision of such choice by the enlisting individual.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
Older Women's Breast Cancer Detection Act of 1995 - Amends part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the breast cancer screening benefit to cover on an annual (currently, biennial) basis routine breast cancer screening for women age 65 and older (thus covering them on the same basis as those age 49 through 64).
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Low-Income Housing Preservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a 15-year recovery period for the depreciation deduction for new investments to rehabilitate qualified low-income housing projects. Exempts $50,000 ($25,000 in the case of a separate return by a married individual) of such rehabilitation costs from the passive loss limitations. Provides a special rule for computing the depreciation deduction for such housing projects.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits funds for foreign assistance from being made available for any country whose government prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. Waives such prohibition if the President notifies the Congress that providing such assistance is in the national security interest. Provides for a resumption of assistance when the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that such country is no longer prohibiting or restricting such transports or deliveries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for knowingly circumcising, excising, or infibulating any part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of another person who has not attained age 18, except where: (1) necessary to the health of the person on whom it is performed by a person licensed as a medical practitioner; or (2) performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth if performed for medical purposes connected with such labor or birth by a person licensed as a medical practitioner, midwife, or person in training. Prohibits and sets penalties for knowingly denying or otherwise discriminating against a person in the provision of medical care or services because that person has: (1) undergone female circumcision, excision, or infibulation; or (2) requested that such procedure be performed on any person. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) compile data on the number of females living in the United States who have been subjected to female genital mutilation (whether in the United States or in their countries of origin), including a specification of the number of such females under age 18; (2) identify U.S. communities that practice female genital mutilation and design and carry out outreach activities to educate individuals in the communities on the physical and psychological health effects of such practice; and (3) develop recommendations for the education of students of schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine regarding female genital mutilation and complications.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1995
Working Wage Increase Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage per hour to: (1) $4.70 during the year beginning July 4, 1995; and (2) $5.15 after July 3, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Volunteer Protection Act of 1995 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions and conditions that a State may impose on the granting of such immunity. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Directs the Secretary of State to establish guidelines which U.S. nationals should use in conducting business operations in any foreign country. Requires such guidelines to be based on principles contained in guidelines or standards of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Labor Organization, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as well as on the MacBride, Sullivan, Minnesota or Caux, and Slepak Principles. Directs U.S. nationals conducting business operations in any foreign country to submit a statement to the Secretary indicating whether they are complying with such guidelines and to register with the Secretary. Authorizes Federal agencies to intercede with foreign governments or nationals regarding export marketing activities on behalf of a U.S. national only if such national is in compliance with the guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Forest Stewardship Tax Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the determination of material participation in timber activities for purposes of passive loss limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1995
Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act - Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1995
Free Trade With Cuba Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the embargo on trade with Cuba. (Sec. 3) Prohibits the exercise by the President with respect to Cuba of certain authorities conferred by the Trading With the Enemy Act and exercised on July 1, 1977, as a result of a specified national emergency. Declares that any prohibition on exports to Cuba under the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall cease to be effective. Authorizes the President to impose export controls with respect to Cuba and exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act only on account of an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security that did not exist before enactment of this Act. Repeals the Cuban Democracy Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the denial of foreign tax credit with respect to Cuba. (Sec. 4) Authorizes common carriers to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications equipment and facilities in Cuba, and otherwise provide telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. (Sec. 5) Prohibits regulation or banning of travel to and from Cuba by U.S. citizens or residents, or of any transactions incident to travel. (Sec. 6) Directs the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. (Sec. 7) Urges the President to take all necessary steps to conduct negotiations with the Government of Cuba to: (1) settle claims of U.S. nationals against Cuba for the taking of property; and (2) secure protection of internationally recognized human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1995
Child Care Availability Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit (as part of the general business credit) for employers who provide qualified day care centers for the use of their employees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Firefighters Pay Fairness Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law to provide that, for Federal fire fighters, the annual rate of basic pay shall be calculated on the basis of 26 administrative biweekly work periods of up to 106 hours each. Prescribes a formula for computing the basic biweekly pay of Federal employees who are not fire fighters but perform fire fighting duties. Extends existing biweekly pay period and pay computation requirements to Federal fire fighters and employees in and under the judicial branch. Removes employees of the District of Columbia government from coverage by such requirements. Repeals the current exception from such requirements for employees on the Isthmus of Panama in the service of the Panama Canal Commission. Requires compensation at time-and-a-half per hour for any hours worked in excess of 106 during a biweekly pay period by fire fighters subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Prescribes basic rates of pay for fire fighters: (1) promoted to a supervisory position; and (2) selected and assigned for training. Adds certain pay retention rights for Federal firefighters subject to a reduction or termination of a rate of pay established under this Act. Authorizes a Federal agency to pay cash awards of up to five percent of basic pay to fire fighters or other employees performing fire fighting duties who make substantial use of: (1) special skills, such as handling hazardous materials; or (2) a certification or license, such as certification as an emergency medical technician. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress with respect to transition and funding increase plans and regulatory or legislative modifications necessary to prevent diminution in retirement benefits under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to add providers of assistance to families or individuals with annual incomes below the poverty line to the list of organizations eligible to receive surplus personal property allocated by the Administrator of the General Services Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1995
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 1995 - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier-Continental Divide Ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon-Selway Ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk Ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; (6) Rattlesnake Wilderness; and (7) Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. Adds specified lands to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors (Corridors) to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Exempts specified roads and highways from the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to study the feasibility of: (1) creating a Hells Canyon-Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve; (2) creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve; and (3) designating such areas as units of the National Park System (NPS). Requires the national park and preserve study areas to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System. Specifies component recovery areas. Authorizes appropriations to establish the National Wildland Recovery Corps (a special unit of the U.S. Forest Service) to carry out land recovery responsibilities. Requires the Corps to develop a wildland recovery plan for each area of the Recovery System, requiring each plan to take into account the specific conditions of the area. Provides that when recovery is achieved for a component of the Recovery System, the Forest Service shall evaluate and make recommendations to the Congress on its suitability for inclusion within the System. Designates certain lands within the Lewis and Clark National Forest known as Badger-Two Medicine Area as the Blackfeet Wilderness Area. Declares that the Congress recognizes that the Blackfeet Nation retains treaty rights in this area as provided in the 1896 treaty with the Federal Government. Requires a review and other considerations with respect to such area. Withdraws the Badger-Two Medicine Wilderness Area from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the mining laws and disposition under the geothermal and mineral leasing laws. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to: (1) report to the Congress on implementation of this Act; (2) establish an interagency team to monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations to ensure long-term results required by this Act and to develop a geographic information system for monitoring the Northern Rockies Bioregion; and (3) establish a governmental review board to make recommendations to the Congress on legally restating and unifying the natural resource management mandates of Federal agencies. Requires the Secretaries to assure nonexclusive access to Wilderness areas, National Park and Preserve Study areas, Wildland Recovery areas, and Biological Corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Requires the Forest Service to enter into cooperative management agreements with the appropriate Indian tribes to assure protection of religious, burial, and gathering sites, and to work cooperatively on the management of all uses in the protected areas that affect Indian lands and people. Requires the Secretaries to give particular emphasis to the preservation and protection of cultural resources located within the areas. Reserves, with respect to each wilderness area designated by this Act, a sufficient quantity of water to fulfill the area's designated purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the current link should be maintained between: (1) the levels of earnings allowed for blind individuals entitled to disability insurance benefits; and (2) the exempt amounts allowed for purposes of the social security earnings test for individuals who have attained retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Higher Education Accumulation Program Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid to a Higher Education Accumulation Program (HEAP) account established to accumulate funds to pay the educational expenses of a child of the taxpayer. Declares such accounts exempt from tax. Allows the deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Imposes an excise tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions. Imposes a penalty for failure to meet reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
National African American Museum Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution the National African American Museum to be operated as a center for scholarship and a location for museum training, public education, exhibits, and collection and study of items and materials relating to the life, art, history, and culture of African Americans. Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, reconstruct, and renovate the Arts and Industries Building to house the Museum. Establishes a Board of Trustees of the Museum in the Smithsonian Institution. Directs the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to appoint a Director to manage the Museum. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Act of 1995 - Prohibits U.S. military assistance and arms transfers to a foreign government unless the President certifies to the Congress that the government: (1) meets specified conditions regarding democracy, including that it was chosen by free and fair elections and promotes civilian control of the military, the rule of law, and respect for individual rights; (2) does not engage in human rights violations, investigates and prosecutes those responsible for human rights violations, permits access to political prisoners by international organizations, and provides access to such organizations in situations of conflict or famine; (3) is not engaged in acts of armed aggression in violation of international law; and (4) is participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Authorizes an exemption from such prohibition for a fiscal year if: (1) the President requests an exemption from the Congress stating that it is in the national security interest to provide military assistance and arms transfers to a government; and (2) the Congress enacts a law approving such request. Requires the President to submit initial certifications and requests for exemptions in conjunction with the submission of the annual request for enactment of authorizations and appropriations for foreign assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the House International Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on controversial certifications and all requests for exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1995
Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to allow employers to establish, assist, maintain, or participate in an organization or entity in which employees participate to address matters of mutual interest (including issues of quality, productivity, and efficiency) if such organizations or entities cannot negotiate, enter into, or amend collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey to Seaside, California, all rights and interest to a portion of the former Fort Ord Military Complex. Requires the fair market value of such property to be paid by Seaside. Directs the Secretary to deposit part of the amount so paid into the Army's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund and the remaining part into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1995
First-time Homebuyer Affordability Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax on prohibited transactions inapplicable to a qualified home equity participation arrangement. Describes such arrangement as one in which the eligible participant in an individual retirement plan directs the plan trustee to acquire an ownership interest in all or part of any dwelling unit which within a reasonable period of time is to be used as the principal residence for a first-time homebuyer. Requires such ownership interest to be a fee interest which requires full repayment. Describes the first-time homebuyer as an eligible participant or a qualified family member (child, parent, grandparent, or spouse) who had no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the 36-month period before the date of the arrangement. Allows the use of amounts in an individual retirement plan to make loans to purchase a home for a first-time homebuyer on behalf of an eligible participant or a qualified family member. Requires the repayment of first-time homebuyer loans within 15 years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Revenue from Mining Claims Title III: Helium Title IV: Use of Disposal of Federal Natural Resources Title V: National Park Concessions Public Resources Deficit Reduction Act of 1995 - Title I: General Provisions - Prohibits any timber, minerals, forage, or other natural resources owned by the United States, any federally owned water, or hydroelectric energy of a Federal facility from being sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of by any Federal entity for less than fair market value. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to establish and collect user fees as necessary to reimburse the United States for expenses incurred in administering programs. (Sec. 103) Requires the revenues from the sale, lease, and transfer of Federal assets to be included in the President's budget submission to Congress. Title II: Revenue from Mining Claims - Requires the holders of mining claims to pay an annual claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim per calendar year. Allows the waiver of such fee for holders of more than ten claims. (Sec. 203) Requires claimholders to pay a royalty of eight percent of gross income for production of locatable minerals on Federal lands. (Sec. 204) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on gross income resulting from the severance of any locatable mineral, or mineral concentrates or products, from a mine or other natural deposit. Makes such tax inapplicable to gross income to which a royalty is imposed. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Abandoned Locatable Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past mineral activities on Federal lands. Credits the royalties and excise tax under this title to such Fund. (Sec. 206) Prohibits the issuance of a patent for any mining claim unless the Secretary of the Interior determines that, for the claim concerned: (1) a patent application was filed before January 27, 1995; and (2) all requirements are met under the Revised Statutes for vein or lode claims and for placer claims. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary to adjust all dollar amounts under this title for changes in purchasing power every ten years, employing the Consumer Price Index as the basis for adjustment. Title III: Helium - Amends the Helium Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) enter into agreements with private parties for the recovery and disposal of helium on Federal lands; (2) grant leasehold rights to such helium; (3) store and transport crude helium; and (4) maintain and operate existing crude helium storage at the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field. Directs the Secretary to: (1) cease producing, refining, and marketing refined helium; and (2) dispose of all facilities, equipment, and Federal property interests relating to refined helium activities. Requires the Secretary to impose fees for helium storage, withdrawal, or transportation services. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the purchase of helium by Federal agencies from certain private persons; and (2) the sale of crude helium by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from making crude helium sales in amounts that will disrupt the crude helium market price. Mandates that proceeds from helium sales be paid to the Treasury. Instructs the Secretary to eliminate helium stockpiles by a prescribed deadline. Repeals the Secretary's authority to borrow under the Helium Act. Title IV: Use or Disposal of Federal Natural Resources - Amends the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest lands in the 16 contiguous Western States, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public domain lands, where domestic livestock grazing is permitted under applicable law, to establish and implement an annual domestic livestock grazing fee equal to fair market value, based on a specified formula. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) abolition of grazing advisory boards; and (2) the U.S. share of receipts. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to prohibit below-cost timber sales from National Forest System Lands. (Sec. 403) Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Agriculture in revising land management plans to take into account the economic suitability of lands for timber production. (Sec. 404) Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to require that irrigation water from the Bureau of Reclamation used to grow surplus crops be paid for at the full cost for delivery. (Sec. 405) Amends the Food Security Act of 1995 and the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide for the reduction of payment limitations for persons who receive Federal irrigation water for agricultural purposes. (Sec. 408) Amends the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 to repeal the livestock feed assistance program. (Sec. 409) Requires that permits for the use of communications sites on public lands be established at fair market value. (Sec. 410) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require that oil and gas rental prices for leases on public lands be established at fair market value. Title V: National Park Concessions - Repeals the Concessions Policy Act of 1965. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award concession contracts that authorize private persons, corporations, or other entities to provide services to park visitors and to utilize facilities if it is determined that such award is appropriate. (Sec. 505) Requires a concession contract to be awarded to the person submitting the best proposal through a competitive selection process to be established by the Secretary. Allows waiver of such procedures and award of a temporary contract to avoid interruption of services. Requires the Secretary to publish a notice of availability for a prospectus soliciting proposals for contracts for concessions at a Park specifying minimum contract requirements and contract terms and conditions. Requires congressional notification of any proposed contract with anticipated gross receipts exceeding $1 million or of a duration of ten or more years. Prohibits the Secretary from granting a preferential right to a concessioner to renew concession contracts under this Act, with exceptions. Allows such preferential rights to be granted for certain outfitting and guide contracts and certain contracts with annual gross receipts of under $500,000. (Sec. 506) Sets forth criteria for determining franchise fees, including fees for multiple franchise contracts within a park. (Sec. 507) Requires all fees to be: (1) covered into a special Treasury account established for reallocation to NPS units for resource management and protection, maintenance activities, interpretation, and research; or (2) deposited into a Park Improvement Fund established by the concessioner (as directed by the Secretary) from which expenditures shall be made for park activities and projects. Requires: (1) an annual statement from the concessioner to the Secretary reflecting total activity in the Fund for the preceding fiscal year; and (2) an annual report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees concerning Fund expenditures. (Sec. 508) Establishes a maximum: (1) ten-year duration for a concessions contract, provided that the Secretary may award a contract for up to 20 years if determined necessary; and (2) two-year duration for a temporary contract. (Sec. 509) Requires the approval of the Secretary and congressional notification before a concession contract can be transferred, assigned, sold, or conveyed and sets forth conditions that preclude such conveyance. (Sec. 510) Grants possessory interest to: (1) concessioners who have commenced acquisition or construction of any structure on Federal land within a park before the enactment of this Act; and (2) concessioners who construct or acquire an improvement on U.S. land within a Park after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 511) Places limitations on a concessioner's rates and charges to the public. (Sec. 512) Directs the Secretary to: (1) periodically evaluate the performance of each concessioner under contract; (2) terminate a contract if a concessioner fails, within the prescribed time, to meet minimum requirements identified in a notice of unsatisfactory performance; and (3) notify specified congressional committees of each unsatisfactory rating and each contract terminated. (Sec. 513) Provides that the Comptroller General of the United States shall, until the expiration of five calendar years after the close of the business year for each concessioner, have access to and the right to examine any pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the concessioner related to the contracts. (Sec. 514) Exempts contracts awarded by the Secretary under this Act from certain provisions of Federal law with respect to the leasing of U.S. buildings and properties. (Sec. 516) Requires the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to submit biannual reports to specified congressional committees on the implementation of this Act and its effect on facilities operated pursuant to concession contracts and on visitor services. (Sec. 517) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Bartlett-Mfume Health Insurance Deduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the 25-percent deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals for the taxable year 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Standby Guardianship Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to have laws that permit a parent who is chronically ill or near death to designate a standby guardian for a minor child without surrendering parental rights.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Free Market Grazing Fees Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to establish livestock grazing fees at fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1995
Amends the Federal criminal code to permit a Federal firearms licensee to conduct firearms business with another licensee at a gun show or event without regard to whether the gun show or event is located in the State which is specified on the license.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
Staff Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include members of staffs of Federal officials (whether paid or unpaid) within the scope of protections regarding influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a Federal official by threatening or injuring a family member.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1 Dollar Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to redesign the one-dollar coin to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Provides that, upon timely election by the applicant for patent to proceed, a "biotechnological process" using or resulting in a composition of matter that is novel and nonobvious shall be considered nonobvious if: (1) claims to the process and the composition of matter are contained in either the same application for patent or in separate applications having the same effective filing date; and (2) the composition of matter and the process at the time it was invented were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person. Specifies that a patent issued on such a process shall: (1) contain the claims to the composition of matter used in or made by that process; or (2) if such composition of matter is claimed in another patent, be set to expire on the same date as such other patent. Provides that, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under this Act, the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendment to Title 31, United States Code Title II: Amendment to Congressional Budget Act of 1974 Title III: Effective Date Title I: Amendment to Title 31, United States Code - Amends Federal law to require that any budget submitted by the President not be in deficit. Provides that if the President determines that a balanced budget is not feasible, and submits written reasons in support of such determination, then the President may submit two budgets, one in compliance and one in deficit. Title II: Amendment to Congressional Budget Act of 1974 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that any budget submitted by the congressional Budget Committees not be in deficit. Provides that if either committee determines that it is infeasible to submit a balanced budget, then such committee may submit two budgets, one of which is in deficit, together with written reasons for such determination. Requires each concurrent resolution on the budget to contain reconciliation directives necessary to implement the resolution. Sets forth requirements for the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives, if it reports any rule or order providing for the consideration of any concurrent resolution on the budget. Makes it always in order in the Senate to consider a budget resolution consisting of the text of a budget submitted by the President. Title III: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective for the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Omnibus Foster Care Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to administer qualifying examinations to all State employees with new authority to make decisions regarding child welfare services. (Sec. 3) Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from making a payment of such assistance to a State unless the State has in effect procedures requiring the State agency, at the time a child is removed from a home and placed in foster care under State supervision, to locate any parent of the child who is not living at the home and evaluate that parent's ability to provide a suitable home for the child. (Sec. 4) Gives States the option of deeming as adoption the placement of a child who was under State-supervised foster care with a blood relative given legal custody of the child. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary, after a five-year interim period, from making a payment of such assistance to a State unless the State requires a State agency to give preference to applications of a foster parent or caretaker relative of the child in considering applications to adopt certain foster children.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Relationship of NAFTA Implementation to the Operation of the Caribbean Basin Initiative Title II: Related Provisions Caribbean Basin Trade Security Act - Title I: Relationship of NAFTA Implementation to the Operation of the Caribbean Basin Initiative - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (the Act) to accord certain textile and apparel articles and certain other articles (including canned tuna and petroleum) from Caribbean beneficiary countries, for a specified transition period, the same tariff and quota treatment (lower tariffs or duty-free treatment) accorded any such articles imported from Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 102) Directs the President to: (1) monitor the effects, if any, that implementation of NAFTA has on the access of beneficiary countries to U.S. markets for sugars, syrups, and molasses; and (2) take or propose any actions necessary to ameliorate any adverse effects such implementation may have on them. (Sec. 103) Grants duty-free treatment of Canadian liqueurs and spirituous beverages made from Caribbean rum. Title II: Related Provisions - Requires the President to meet with trade ministers of beneficiary countries in order to negotiate for their accession to the NAFTA, or to enter into free trade agreements with the United States that contain comparable provisions with those in the NAFTA and that would make progress in achieving certain trade negotiating objectives under the NAFTA. (Sec. 202) Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to make an assessment of the economic development efforts and market oriented reforms in each beneficiary country, including each country's ability to undertake the obligations of the NAFTA. Requires the USTR, if such countries accede to the NAFTA or the United States negotiates a comparable free trade agreement with them, to provide to specified congressional committees a report on the economic impact of the new trade relationship on beneficiary countries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1995
Menopause Outreach, Research, and Education Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute on Aging to provide for the expansion of at least five centers for research on: (1) menopause; and (2) conditions arising from the diminishing or cessation of the functioning of the ovaries, whether occurring naturally or otherwise. Outlines research activities to be performed at each center. Requires the Director to establish a program to develop protocols for the prevention and treatment of menopausal health conditions and other conditions regarding women's midlife health. Requires the Director to provide for an equitable geographical distribution of such centers. Requires each center to be supported for at least five years, with possible renewal after review and recommendation by an appropriate technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director.