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United States · Official source
1,895 records where Rep. Fields, Jack [R-TX-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates April 26 through May 2, 1992, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1992
Minor Crop Protection Assistance Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on a commercial agricultural crop or site where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is less than 300,000 acres; (2) the acreage expected to be treated as a result of that use is less than 300,000 acres annually or the agricultural crop represents production from less than 300,000 acres annually; (3) the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support initial or continuing registration; and (4) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not determined that the use presents an unreasonable adverse environmental effect. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if it is determined that the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the incremental risk presented by the minor use and that such risk would have an unreasonable adverse environmental effect. Prohibits data that relates solely to a minor use, without the permission of the original data submitter, from being considered by the Administrator to support a minor use application by another person for ten years following the submission of the data. Terminates the exclusive use of such data if the registration is voluntarily cancelled, or if the data are used to support a nonminor use. Provides for expedited review (within six months of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Grants registrants who make good faith requests for minor use waivers regarding required data, and whose requests are denied, a full time period for providing such data. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of data required solely to support a minor use pesticide up to four years if the registrant provides data to support other uses of the pesticide and a schedule to assure that the data production will be completed before the expiration of the extension. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Requires the Administrator to conditionally amend a registration to permit additional minor uses even if data is insufficient if the applicant has submitted satisfactory data pertaining to the proposed minor use and amending such registration would not increase environmental risks. Prohibits amendments if the pesticide meets or exceeds risk criteria associated with human dietary exposure and other specified conditions. Provides for extensions of minor use registration and data submission deadlines in cases where a registrant is not providing data to support a minor use but is providing data in a timely fashion to support other uses. Requires the Administrator, when a minor use registration application is filed no later than two years after another registrant voluntarily cancels registration for a similar use, to evaluate such application as if the voluntary cancellation had not yet taken place for purposes of data use, subject to environmental risk considerations. Directs EPA to assure coordination of minor use issues through the establishment of a minor use program within the Office of Pesticide Programs. Establishes and authorizes funding for a Department of Agriculture matching fund minor use program. Requires the program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals, including the data to support minor use pesticide registrations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1992
Title I: Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, and Certain Other Reforms - Subtitle A: Chief Financial Officer Amendments to the Rules of the House and Related Provisions - Amends rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives to eliminate the election of a Doorkeeper or Postmaster in the House. Requires the individual chosen for election as the Sergeant-at-Arms to be a nationally-respected law enforcement professional. Amends rules III and IV to revise the duties of the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-at-Arms. Amends rules V and VI to: (1) eliminate the positions of Doorkeeper and Postmaster; and (2) create a position of Chief Financial Officer. Sets forth qualifications for the elected Chief Financial Officer. Outlines his or her duties. Prohibits the Chief Financial Officer from disclosing the identity of a complaining employee without the employee's consent unless such disclosure is unavoidable. Makes any intimidation of, or reprisal against, an employee of the House by an employing authority because of a complaint made by the employee a violation of rule LI. Transfers the duties of the Postmaster of the House to the Chief Financial Officer. Amends rule XIV to eliminate the duties of the Doorkeeper with respect to decorum and debate in the House. Amends rule XI to require each committee, by March 1 of the first session of any Congress, to adopt an oversight plan for that Congress and to submit it to the Committee on House Administration. Prohibits the consideration in the House of a primary expense resolution for a committee unless and until such committee has adopted and submitted the plan. Requires the Committee on House Administration to report such plan to the House. Authorizes the Speaker to appoint ad hoc oversight committees for specific tasks from the membership of committees with shared legislative jurisdictions. Requires each committee to include an oversight section in its final activity report at the end of a Congress. Amends rule X to require one-half of the members of the Committee on House Administration to be from the majority party and one-half to be from the minority. Allows the chairman or ranking minority party member of the Committee on House Administration to authorize and issue subpoenas. Requires the membership of the Subcommittee on Legislative Appropriations of the Committee on Appropriations to be divided equally between the majority and minority parties. Divides the staff positions for the subcommittee in the same manner. Directs the Speaker to appoint a task force to: (1) recommend institutional reforms necessary to restore public confidence in the House; and (2) report on its recommendations to the House by the end of the 102d Congress. Requires the written approval of the Speaker and the minority leader of the House before funds may be reprogrammed or transferred between House appropriation accounts. Makes it out of order to consider any measure in the House, in the second session of the 102d Congress, containing an appropriation for any period after March 31, 1993. Directs the Speaker, upon the recommendation of the majority and minority leader, acting jointly, to appoint an Inspector General for the House. Subtitle B: Office of the General Counsel - Establishes the Office of the General Counsel (Office) in the House to: (1) be accountable to a specified Leadership Group; and (2) provide legal assistance to Members, officers, and employees of the House on matters directly related to their duties, with specified exceptions. Lists certain actions of the Office that must be approved either by a resolution of the House or the Leadership Group. Requires such Office, in the case of any matter that affects an area of responsibility committed to another office, officer, or employee under this Act, to consult the party involved and coordinate such action with them. Vests management, supervision, and administration of the Office in the General Counsel to be appointed by the Speaker, upon the recommendation of the majority and minority leaders of the House, acting jointly, without regard for political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position. Requires the General Counsel to serve at the pleasure of the Leadership Group. Authorizes the General Counsel to make appropriate expenditures for the functioning of the Office. Requires the attorneys and professional staff in the Office to maintain regular, written records of the time expended on legal matters, consistent with generally accepted practices in private law firms. Makes such time records reviewable by the Leadership Group. Prohibits public disclosure of them unless by direction of the Leadership Group or resolution of the House. Title II: Legislative Process Reforms - Amends rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Speaker to announce a specified legislative program at the beginning of each session of the Congress. Requires the Speaker to ensure that the minority leader is fully consulted in developing the legislative program for the House each week. Directs the Speaker to state the question on reconsideration of a bill, immediately after its return from the President, without an intervening motion. Requires the House to proceed to vote on the reconsideration of such measure. Amends rule X to require the Speaker to refer legislation initially to one committee as the committee of principal jurisdiction (currently, such legislation may initially be referred simultaneously to two or more committees for concurrent consideration). Requires a bill originating in the House to be presented to the President by the tenth calendar day after it has passed the House and the Senate in identical form. Requires the membership of each committee (except the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct), subcommittee, task force, or other subunit, to reflect the ratio of majority to minority party Members of the House at the beginning of the Congress. Exempts the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates to the House from the count in determining such party ratio. Requires the membership of each select committee, subcommittee, task force, subunit, or conference committee to reflect the ratio of the majority to minority party Members of the House at the time of its appointment. Prohibits any standing committee of the House (except the Committee on Appropriations) from establishing more than six subcommittees. Prevents any member from serving on more than four House subcommittees at any one time. Amends rule XI to repeal the general permission, subject to certain conditions, for proxy voting by a member of any committee or subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter. Allows committees and subcommittees to close their meetings in circumstances where disclosure of matters to be considered would: (1) endanger national security; (2) tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; (3) violate any law or rule of the House; or (4) involve committee personnel matters. Provides that a majority of the members of each committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, including the markup of legislation (currently, all committees but the Committees on Appropriations, Budget, and Ways and Means are permitted to fix the number establishing quorum). Requires the names of those Members voting for and against any motion to report a public bill or resolution to be included in the committee report of such measure (currently, only the number of votes cast for or against reporting such measure is included). Requires the names of those members of the committees actually present at the time the bill or resolution is ordered reported to be included in the committee report relating to each nonrecord vote on a motion to report such public bill or resolution. Requires that a committee or subcommittee print, document, or other material, except under certain circumstances, prepared for public distribution, shall either: (1) be approved by the committee or subcommittee prior to such public distribution, with opportunity afforded for the inclusion of supplemental, minority, or additional views; or (2) contain a specified disclaimer on its cover. Prohibits any such print, document, or other material not approved by the committee or subcommittee from including the names of its members, other than the name of the chairman releasing such document. Lists material excepted from such requirements. Prohibits a measure reported from the Committee on Rules from being considered on the same calendar day it is presented to the House, nor on the subsequent calendar day of the same legislative day, except in certain circumstances. (Currently it can not be considered on the same day.) Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule or order that would prevent a motion to recommit that has amendatory instructions (except in the case of a Senate measure for which the language of a House passed measure has been substituted). Prohibits the consideration of any rule providing for the consideration of a bill or resolution otherwise subject to amendment under House rules if such resolution limits the right of Members to offer germane amendments to such measure, unless the chairman of the Rules Committee has announced, within a specified period of time, that less than an open amendment process might be recommended by the Committee for the consideration of such measure. Makes it out of order to consider any order of business resolution which provides that, upon adoption, the House shall be considered to have automatically adopted a motion, amendment, or resolution, or to have passed a bill, joint resolution, or conference report, unless consideration of such resolution is agreed to by at least two-thirds of the Members voting. Requires any report accompanying a resolution for consideration of a budget waiver measure to include: (1) an explanation and justification for the waiver; (2) an estimated cost of the provisions to which the waiver applies; and (3) a summary or text of any written comments on the waiver received by the committee from the Committee on the Budget. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of such resolution. Prohibits the consideration of a resolution that waives all House rules, except by a two-thirds vote of the Members voting. Makes it out of order to consider any primary expense resolution unless the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing an overall ceiling for House committee staff personnel for that year. Makes such a resolution privileged. Establishes guidelines for developing and considering primary and supplemental expense resolutions. Provides that the overall ceiling for committee staff in a resolution reported by the committee or contained in any amendment for the 103d Congress shall not exceed 50 percent of the total committee staff personnel employed at the end of the 102d Congress. Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Commemorative Calendar comprised of unreported bills and resolutions respecting commemorative holidays and celebrations that have been: (1) referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service; and (2) requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of such committee to be placed on such calendar. Outlines procedures for the consideration of such measures. Amends rules XV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide for an automatic roll call vote when the Speaker puts the question upon final passage of: (1) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report making general appropriations, providing revenue, or adjusting the statutory congressional pay rate; or (2) any budgetary concurrent resolution or conference report that provides an increase in the statutory debt limit. Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to repeal the declaration that no amendment shall be in order during consideration of a general appropriation bill if it proposes a limitation not specifically contained or authorized in existing law for the period of such limitations. Defines a "general appropriation bill" to include any bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations in a fiscal year for a period in excess of 30 days. Describes the contents of such bill. Reserves all points of order against any general appropriation bill at the time it is reported. Prohibits the consideration of any bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a period of 30 days or less unless it only provides appropriations in the lesser amount and under the more restrictive authority of each pertinent appropriations measure: (1) as passed by the House; (2) as passed by the Senate; (3) as agreed to by a committee of conference; or (4) as enacted for the preceding fiscal year. Requires a report from the Committee on Appropriations accompanying any appropriation bill to list all appropriations contained in the bill for any expenditure not previously authorized by law. Requires a three-fifths vote of the Members of the whole House to consider any rule or order from the Rules Committee that waives certain rules governing consideration of any short- or long-term continuing appropriations measures. Amends rule XXI to establish certain guidelines for reporting and considering reconciliation measures in the House. Exempts Senate amendments and conference reports from such guidelines. Reserves all points of order against a reconciliation bill at the time it is reported. Prohibits the consideration in the House of any bill or joint resolution which directly or indirectly authorizes enactment of new budget authority for a fiscal year unless such measure is reported in the House on or before May 15 preceding the beginning of such fiscal year. Amends rule XXIV of the rules of the House of Representatives to revise the daily order of business for the House to include the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Amends rule XXVII to establish additional criteria for entertaining motions to suspend the rules and pass a measure in the House. Requires the Clerk of the House, after 100 Members have signed a motion to discharge a committee from the consideration of a measure, to: (1) cause the name of each Member who has signed or withdrawn a signature to such motion to be printed in the Congressional Record; and (2) publish an updated list in the Record at the end of each succeeding week the House is in session. Amends rule XXVIII to require inclusion of supplemental, minority, or additional views of a House conferee in the same published volume of the conference committee's report, if specified conditions are met. Amends rule XLVIII to require a specified oath to be administered to: (1) a newly appointed Member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (2) each committee's employee; and (3) any person engaged by contract or to perform services for or at the request of the committee who is required to subscribe to the agreement in writing. Requires the Clerk of the House to provide for the printing of such oaths for: (1) filing in the records of the House; and (2) recording in the House Journal and in the Congressional Record. Directs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate and report to the House on any violation of such oath. Authorizes the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to refer cases of unauthorized disclosure and violations of the required oaths to such committee for investigation. Authorizes the committee by a majority vote to deny a member access to classified information if he or she is subject to a pending investigation. Directs the House Committees on Rules and on Government Operations by a certain date to report legislation granting the President enhanced rescission authority with respect to any budget authority not authorized by law. Sets forth procedures for considering such legislation if it is not reported out of such committees by the stated deadline. Directs the Committee on Rules to study and report to the House on the feasibility of converting to a biennial budget-appropriations process and corresponding multiyear authorizations. Declares that it is the policy of the House of Representatives that the following Federal laws should be amended to apply them to the House in the same or similar manner as they apply to the Executive Branch: (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (3) the Equal Pay Act of 1963; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) the Freedom of Information Act; (6) the Privacy Act of 1974; (7) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and (8) specified provisions of the Federal judicial code relating to an independent counsel. Directs the standing committees of the House with subject jurisdiction over such Federal laws to report legislation to the House to implement such policy. Provides for consideration of such legislation. Requires the ratio of majority party to minority party staff positions, consultants, details, and funding for House committees to be the same ratio as that of Members of the House. Eliminates the following Select Committees in the House: (1) Aging; (2) Hunger; (3) Children, Youth, and Families; and (4) Narcotics Abuse and Control. Transfers the records, files, and materials of such select committees to the Clerk of the House. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress. Exempts information related to casework or constituent correspondence from such Act with respect to Members of the Congress. Provides that the period for which expenses of the former Speakers of the House may be paid shall end three years after the expiration date of such term of office, except that in the case of a former Speaker who is receiving such expenses on the date of the enactment of this Act, the period shall end three years after such date. Amends Federal law to prohibit a Member of the House from sending any franked mass mailing outside the Member's congressional district. Authorizes a Member of Congress to mail franked mail with a simplified form of address for delivery within his or her congressional district or State only. (Current law permits such mailings in areas proposed to become a part of such Member's congressional district by legislative or judicial proceedings but not in effect.) Prohibits the Committee on House Administration from approving any payment for, and a Member from making any expenditure from, any allowance of the House or any other official funds if any portion is for any cost related to a mass mailing by a Member of the House outside his or her congressional district. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make it out of order to consider any bill or resolution that would adjust, or have the effect of adjusting, the salaries of Members of Congress if such measure contains any item which does not relate to adjusting Members' salaries. Prohibits consideration of any measure in the House appropriating amounts for the legislative branch of the Government if it permits such amount to remain available for obligation beyond the end of the fiscal year for which the amount is appropriated. Requires at least one attorney in the Office of the Parliamentarian in the House to be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader. Permits the chairman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to serve for the first session of a Congress only. Requires the House to elect a member of such committee to serve as chairman from nominations submitted by the minority party caucus or conference, at the beginning of a second session of a Congress. Provides that in adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives in the 103d Congress and any subsequent Congress, each rule shall be agreed to by separate resolution of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Urges the Government of Romania to uphold all existing human rights treaties and decrees to ensure the safety of the minorities who reside in Romania. Requests the President and Secretary of State to discuss the human cultural and self-determination rights of the Hungarians of Transylvania with the Government of Romania and other appropriate governments.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 - Authorizes expenditures by the Panama Canal Commission for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Panama Canal. Authorizes use of a limited amount from the Panama Canal Revolving Fund for administrative expenses, limiting reception and representation expenses of the Board, Secretary, and Administrator of the Commission. Authorizes the purchase of passenger motor vehicles. Modifies requirements regarding the use of Commission funds for health care services for certain individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Designates January 16, 1993, as Religious Freedom Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Amends Federal law relating to Coast Guard user fees to prohibit any fee for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, or merchant mariner's documents under specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Amends the Federal judicial code to include Members of Congress among the Government officials with respect to whom independent counsel provisions apply.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Deficit Accountability Act of 1992 - Amends Federal law to prohibit: (1) an increase in the salary of a Member of Congress from going into effect if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director) has determined that there was a deficit for the preceding fiscal year; or (2) such an increase in salary from going into effect between enactment of this Act and the Director's initial such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992
Fair Market Standards Act - Prohibits a Member or employee of Congress from receiving from any office, officer, employee, or other entity in the Congress or in a U.S. department or agency any service or other benefit, at Government expense, that is not equally available to all other persons, with specified exceptions. Requires the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to survey and report to specified congressional committees on all the services and benefits available to Members and employees that are not equally available to all other persons, and the manner in which each service or benefit contributes to the performance of their duties. Requires each Committee to introduce a resolution that describes: (1) each service and benefit that may properly be made available to Members and employees for specified reasons; (2) each service and benefit that should not properly be made available to them; and (3) each service and benefit that may not properly be made available to them but may be made available in or near the Senate or House buildings, at the expense of Members and employees, and provided by employees of the Government or by private contractors. Directs the appropriate officers of the Senate and House to make arrangements for the necessary services and other benefits at fair market value. Mandates that all payments received from Members and employees of Congress for unnecessary services and benefits provided by Government employees, all rent, or other payments received from private contractors that provide such services and benefits be deposited into the deficit reduction account of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Federal Travel Discosure Act of 1992 - Prohibits: (1) the obligation or expenditure of Federal funds for Government travel other than from amounts specifically appropriated by law for such purpose; and (2) any Federal entity from expending funds for the travel expenses of any individual employed by another Federal entity without being reimbursed by the individual or the travel account of the individual's employer. Directs the head of each executive department to designate a travel supervisor. Specifies the travel supervisors for the legislative and judicial branches. Requires all Government travel to be: (1) approved in advance by the appropriate travel supervisor; (2) accomplished by the most economical means conveniently possible; and (3) accomplished by U.S. commercial carrier wherever possible, unless the travel supervisor determines that an alternative means is more economical or necessary to achieve the goal of the mission. Requires all legislative branch foreign travel to be approved in advance by recorded vote of the committee (in the case of travel by a committee member or committee staff) or by the appropriate travel supervisor. Provides that advance approval shall not be required for travel which either does not require an individual to spend the night away from his or her principal residence or place of employment or which is undertaken under emergency circumstances as defined in written guidelines established by the appropriate travel supervisor. Requires each travel supervisor to establish written guidelines for Government travel and to submit quarterly reports with respect to such travel to the Administrator of General Services (for executive branch or independent agency travel), the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate (for legislative branch travel), and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (for judicial branch travel). Requires that such reports be made available for public inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit consideration of any measure appropriating amounts for the Office Mail Allowance of the House unless it: (1) prohibits availability of any such amount for obligation after the end of the fiscal year for which the amount is appropriated; and (2) requires any amount not obligated before the end of the fiscal year to revert to the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Nuclear Reactor Licensing Act of 1992 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prescribe guidelines for: (1) issuance by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of nuclear reactor combined construction and operating licenses; and (2) post-construction hearings on such licenses. Provides for judicial review of final Commission orders affecting such licenses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Amends Federal law to require that, when an inspection or examination of a documented or foreign vessel (currently, of a documented vessel) is conducted under part B (currently, under chapter 33) at a foreign place at the request of the owner or operator of the vessel, the owner or operator reimburse the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating for the travel and subsistence of the personnel involved. (Chapter 33 (Inspection Generally) is one of the chapters in Part B (Inspection and Regulation of Vessels).)
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Amends Federal law relating to Coast Guard user fees to prohibit any fee for inspection of a sailing school vessel under provisions relating to inspection and regulation of vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1992
Commends the New York Stock Exchange on the occasion of its bicentennial on May 17, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Black Bear Protection Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce under the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of American black bear viscera. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress on the American black bear viscera trade. Requires the United States Trade Representative to discuss issues involving such trade with countries that are the leading importers of such products.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Medicare Geographic Data Accuracy Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with State medical societies in revising the geographic adjustment factors used to determine reimbursements for physician services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare. Requires the Secretary to base geographic-cost-of-practice indices under Medicare upon the most recent available data.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Designates the week of May 3 through 9, 1992, as Be Kind to Animals and National Pet Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Designates March 17, 1992, as Irish Brigade Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1992
Higher Education Finance Improvement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred: (1) to pay the higher educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or child; and (2) pursuant to a Federal or State loan guarantee or insurance program. (Under current law, such a loan must be secured by an interest in real property.) Allows penalty-free withdrawals from qualified retirement plans for the payment of qualified higher education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1992
Designates May 10, 1992, as Infant Mortality Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992
Designates May 1992 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a partial exclusion of dividends or interest received by an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Directs the Postmaster of the House of Representatives to take necessary measures (including the termination of any existing contract or agreement) to provide that postal services and operations relating to the House be carried out by employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1992
Comprehensive Congressional Reform Act of 1992 - Prohibits: (1) the official mail allowance of the House of Representatives for FY 1993 from exceeding 50 percent of such amount for FY 1992, plus any amount necessary as a result of increased postage rates; and (2) the operational expenses of the House of FY 1993 from exceeding 90 percent of that for FY 1992. Delays the effective date of any pay increase for a Member of the House until the beginning of the Congress after the one in which the law authorizing the increase is enacted. Requires the committees of the House having jurisdiction over specified labor, health, and safety laws to report measures to the House that subject it to the coverage of such laws. Provides that, to the extent that the House is already subject to such laws, the committees shall review their scope, enforcement procedures, and remedies, to ensure that these are as similar as constitutionally permissible to those applied to the private and noncongressional public sector. Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to limit the length of time a Member may serve on a standing committee to six years. Amends rule XI to prohibit the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule or order which would waive specified requirements with respect to a conference report or a Senate amendment in disagreement unless determined by a minimum two-thirds vote of the Members voting. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any money returned to the Treasury as a result of this Act should be deposited in the general fund to be applied against expenses associated with servicing the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1992
Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal the market promotion program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1992
Designates April 14, 1992, as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., the birthday and the start of the 91st year of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt passenger vessels of 100 gross tons or less from the tax on transportation of persons by water.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Secured Credit Availability Amendments of 1992 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to preclude a debtor from avoiding a lien on certain property that would otherwise be exempt if: (1) the lien is a nonpossessory, nonpurchase-money security interest in specified trade-related property; and (2) State law prohibits the debtor from avoiding a lien on such otherwise exempt property.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Designates May 1992 as National Huntington's Disease Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Designates June 11, 1992, as National Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1992
SS United States Preservation Act of 1992 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to provide temporary assistance to efforts by private and governmental entities to convert the SS United States (the vessel) to a maritime museum, requiring all Federal agencies to assist in implementing the policy. Prohibits the foreign sale or documentation of the vessel. Provides for anchorage and maintenance at Federal expense if there is a substantial likelihood that, during the five years after enactment of this Act, the vessel will be purchased and used as a maritime museum.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Health Care Savings Plan Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Defines an eligible individual as: (1) one who is not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) one who is covered by such a plan which is a qualified catastrophic coverage health plan and is not covered by any other health plan. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from such accounts to the extent that amounts in such accounts exceed $15,000. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical and dental expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Temporary Investment Tax Credit Restoration Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for manufacturing and other productive equipment for the period after December 31, 1991, and before January 1, 1994. Provides for determining such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Designates the month of May 1992 as National Foster Care Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Coastal Communities Impact Assistance Act of 1992 - Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Communities Impact Assistance Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends Federal law to require certain procedures for the imposition of a fee for a service or thing of value provided by an agency for a vessel used for the carriage of goods or passengers for hire.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Directs all Members of Congress to pay full market value for all medical services or products (including medical tests and medications) provided by the Office of the Attending Physician.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Local Government Interstate Waste Control Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit owners or operators of landfills, incinerators, or other waste disposal facilities in a State from receiving municipal solid waste generated outside of the State for disposal or incineration unless they obtain authorization from the affected local government. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) owners or operators of landfills that on November 26, 1991, met all State regulations relating to design standards, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and post-closure care and corrective action and before such date accepted municipal solid waste generated outside the State or obtained authorization to accept such waste from the affected local government; (2) persons who are planning to own or operate a landfill, incinerator, or other waste disposal facility and before such date obtained authorization from the affected local government to accept such waste; and (3) owners or operators of incinerators or other waste disposal facilities that before such date accepted such waste or obtained authorization to accept such waste from the affected local government. Terminates such waivers for landfills that fail to comply with State standards. Considers expansions of landfills, incinerators, or waste disposal facilities to be separate facilities requiring authorization. Exempts owners or operators of such facilities from the requirement to obtain additional authorizations if: (1) at the time they obtained authorization, they owned or possessed an option to purchase the land on which the expansion is proposed to occur; and (2) the area of expansion was indicated in documents filed with the affected local government before obtaining authorization. Prohibits the receipt of municipal solid waste generated in another State if such State does not have an approved solid waste management plan. Authorizes the receipt of municipal solid waste generated in another State without the authorization of the affected local government if the State in which the recipient facility is located does not have an approved plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add a new rule LII that requires, before consideration, each reported bill or amendment that establishes or increases any tax, assessment, duty, tariff, user fee, or other charge imposed upon specified cargo, persons, or vessels to be accompanied by a report setting forth: (1) the economic impact on such persons and vessels; (2) the effect on international trade; (3) the amount of revenue that will be raised; and (4) an identification of the entities that will benefit from the revenue raised and those who will be adversely affected for the first five fiscal years that the bill applies. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to compile and report to the chairman and ranking minority member of certain standing committees an itemized list of all Federal taxes, assessments, duties, tariffs, user fees, and other charges currently imposed upon such cargo, persons, and vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Government Securities Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to extend Federal securities rulemaking authority. Amends provisions with respect to: (1) market surveillance; (2) large trader reporting; (3) exempted securities regulation; (4) broker-dealer supervision; (5) sales practices; and (6) market information. Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the regulatory effectiveness of government securities brokers and dealers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Three-Time Loser Violence Reduction Act of 1991 - Mandates life imprisonment without release for a third conviction for a felony drug offense, crime of violence, or any combination thereof. (Current law provides such penalty for a third conviction for a felony drug offense.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Title I: Additional Safeguards to Protect Taxpayers' Rights - Subtitle A: Taxpayers' Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayers' Advocate, headed by the Taxpayers' Advocate, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Office to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Taxpayers' Advocate to annually report to specified congressional committees on Office activities. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayers' Advocate. Authorizes the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking such actions). Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for installment agreements. Suspends the failure to pay penalty during any period an installment agreement is in effect. Subtitle C: Interest - Extends from ten days to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Provides for the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the error or delay of an IRS managerial act. Increases the interest rate for overpayment of tax from two percent to three percent (making such rate equal to the interest rate for underpayment of tax). Waives interest on all overpayments refunded within 45 days after a return is filed. Subtitle D: Joint Returns - Requires separate deficiency notices in the case of a joint income tax return if the most recent data available to the IRS shows that such spouses did not file a joint return with each other. Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Subtitle E: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the United States, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Subtitle E (sic): Erroneous and Fraudulent Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary to take reasonable steps to corroborate the accuracy of an information return when making a determination of a deficiency by a third party, when such return is disputed by the taxpayer. Subtitle F: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner, or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; and (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure. Requires the Secretary to disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty. Subtitle G: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Repeals the "substantially justified" test for determining whether a taxpayer may recover costs and fees incurred as part of an administrative or court proceeding. Provides for the awarding of reasonable litigation or administrative costs to a prevailing party who represents himself in an administrative or court proceeding. Makes IRS employees personally liable in certain cases. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Subtitle H: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Provides for the treatment of returns prepared for or executed by the Secretary for purposes of certain tax penalties. Provides protection for taxpayers who rely on certain guidance published by the IRS. Title II: Form Modifications, Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that taxpayers are aware of permission to pay tax in installments, extensions of time for payment of tax, and compromises of tax liability; (2) improve procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; (3) include in a specified publication a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals; (4) ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the Federal tax system and that the public is aware of penalties for failure to collect and pay over tax; and (5) notify taxpayers any payments that cannot be associated with any outstanding tax liability. Subtitle B: Studies - Requires the Secretary to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a pilot program for appeals of certain enforcement actions (including lien, levy, and seizure actions; (2) a study on ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with IRS laws; (3) the scope and content of the IRS taxpayer-rights education program for its officers and employees; and (4) cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees and the disposition of such complaints. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a study of notices of deficiency; (2) the accuracy and clarity of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications; and (3) a study of IRS employee-suggestion programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Federal-State Pesticide Regulation Partnership Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to remove the authority of political subdivisions to inspect records of persons selling or delivering pesticides for purposes of enforcing such Act. Prohibits local governments from imposing or continuing any requirement regarding pesticides or devices.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act - Establishes the Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) review executive agency operations and existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Inspector General Reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste; and (3) submit to the President and the Congress a list of those recommendations with estimated savings that the Commission determines are most significant and recommendations for improving the budget process, management, and reducing waste and costs in the Government. Requires the Commission to identify, address, and to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Government that can be realized by executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and ought to be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; (6) specific areas in the Government where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (7) specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limitation on the one-time exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence by an individual who has attained age 55 and provide a cost-of-living adjustment for such amount. Increases the unified credit against the estate tax and the unified credit against the gift tax and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for such credits. Reduces the capital gains tax for a taxpayer other than a corporation by allowing deduction of 50 percent of the net capital gain. Provides for computing such deduction for estates and trusts. Disallows such deduction against the minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Congressional Accountability Act - Makes applicable to the Congress the following Federal laws, to the extent that they relate to the terms and conditions of employment, the health and safety of employees, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees: (1) Social Security Act; (2) National Labor Relations Act; (3) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (4) Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (6) Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (8) Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) Privacy Act of 1974; (10) Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (11) Ethics in Government Act of 1978; and (12) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Makes applicable also to the Congress specified provisions of Federal law: (1) commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) relating to independent counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Designates May 31, 1992, through June 6, 1992, as a Week for the National Observance of the 50th Anniversary of World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Designates December 21, 1991, as Basketball Centennial Day.