United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Freedom and Self-Determination for the Former Soviet Union Act - Prohibits foreign assistance from being obligated or expended for Russia for any fiscal year unless the President certifies to the Congress for such fiscal year that: (1) the President has received satisfactory assurances from the Government of Russia, which have been confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that Russia's intelligence activities in the United States are confined to routine, non-adversarial information gathering; (2) Russia is making progress toward the unconditional implementation of the Russian-Moldovan troop withdrawal agreement and that the Russian Government is not providing military assistance to any military forces in the Transdniestra region of Moldova; (3) Russian troops in the Kaliningrad region of Russia are respecting the sovereign territory of Lithuania and neighboring countries and are not offensively postured against any other countries; (4) the activities of Russia in the independent states of the former Soviet Union do not represent an attempt by Russia to diminish the sovereignty and independence of such states; (5) Russia is not providing military assistance to any Bosnian Serb military units or to the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; (6) the Russian Government has ceased the unilateral demarcation of the border between Russia and Estonia, is engaged in dialogue with Estonia to resolve the border dispute, and has demonstrated a willingness to submit this issue to international arbitration; (7) Russia is not providing any intelligence information to Cuba or assistance to Cuba with respect to the signal intelligence facility at Lourdes; (8) Russia is not providing goods or technology which could contribute to the acquisition of chemical, biological, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons to Iran, Iraq, Syria, or other countries whose governments have provided support for international terrorism; (9) Russia is in compliance with a specified convention regarding biological weapons and the Wyoming Memorandum of Understanding on chemical weapons; and (10) Russia is committed to reforming the Russian economy along free-market lines. Prohibits, with respect to FY 1995 and 1996, obligating or expending foreign assistance for Russia unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Russian Government has: (1) ceased its military offensive in Chechnya and is committed to resolving the status of Chechnya through negotiations; and (2) provided a full accounting of the espionage activities of Aldrich Ames and has reimbursed the United States for amounts paid to Rosario Ames since her arrest. Requires the President and the Comptroller General to report to the Congress for each fiscal year: (1) the amount of foreign assistance provided to Russia for the preceding fiscal year; (2) a detailed accounting of the amount of foreign assistance appropriated which has not been expended and its status; and (3) an estimate of the total amount of capital exported from Russia during the previous fiscal year and an analysis of reasons for such export. Directs the President to instruct the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to oppose assistance to Russia unless Russia is in compliance with this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to: (1) make permanent the Medicare select policy program; and (2) allow access to Medicare select policies in all States. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the Medicare select policy program and provide for a civil penalty for misrepresentations made in connection with a Medicare select policy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Northern Ireland Fair Employment Practices Act of 1995 - Prohibits an article from being imported into the United States from Northern Ireland unless documentation is presented at the time of entry indicating that the enterprise which manufactured or assembled such article complied at the time of manufacture with certain fair employment principles (such as freedom from religious discrimination). Bases such principles on the MacBride Principles, a nine-point set of guidelines for fair employment in Northern Ireland. Requires any U.S. person who has a branch or office in Northern Ireland or who controls an enterprise in Northern Ireland in which more than 20 people are employed to insure implementation of such employment principles and compliance with this Act. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the interest of national security.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Social Security Trust Funds Integrity Act of 1995 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restructure the Board of Trustees of the trust funds supporting the OASDI and Medicare programs, with each Board composed of members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on a bipartisan basis at the recommendation of House and Senate leadership and the five largest organizations representing senior citizens. Makes it the duty of the Managing Trustee chairing the Board to invest trust fund amounts according to an annual investment plan the Board is required to formulate and submit to the President and the Congress. Removes restrictions on investment and disinvestment of amounts in such trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Prohibition of Incentives for Relocation Act of 1995 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to prohibit the use of specified grant and loan assistance for employment relocation activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1995
Regulatory Transition Act of 1995 - Establishes a moratorium on Federal regulatory rulemaking actions from November 9, 1994, through June 30, 1995, with certain emergency exceptions for presidentially designated imminent threats to health or safety, or actions necessary for enforcement of criminal laws. Suspends until July 1, 1995, starting 30 days after enactment of this Act, the effectiveness of any such action taken or made effective after November 9, 1994, but before enactment of this Act. Extends for five months or until July 1, 1995, whichever is later, any statutory, regulatory, or judicial deadline for, relating to, or involving any action dependent upon, any regulatory rulemaking actions authorized or required to be taken before the end of the moratorium period. Requires the President to inventory and publish in the Federal Register a list of all covered regulatory rulemaking actions taken or made effective during the moratorium period but before the date of enactment of this Act. Excludes from the meaning of rule: (1) the approval or prescription, on a case-by-case or consolidated basis, for the future of rates, wages, corporation, or financial structures or reorganizations thereof, prices, facilities, appliances, services or allowances therefor, or of valuations costs, or accounting, or practices bearing on any of the foregoing; and (2) the granting of an application for a license, registration, or similar authority, the granting or recognition of an exception, the granting of a variance or petition for relief from a regulatory requirement, or other action relieving a restriction, or any action necessary to permit new or improved applications of technology. Authorizes civil actions by anyone adversely affected by any conduct of a Federal agency in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1995
Vietnam and Korea POW-MIA Rescue Act - Directs the Attorney General to grant asylum to: (1) nationals of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Burma who assist in the return of living Vietnam POW/MIAs; and (2) nationals of North Korea, South Korea, or China who assist in the return of living Korean POW/MIAs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act that revise Federal patent law to provide that a patent term shall be the later of 17 years from the date the patent is granted or 20 years from the date the application was filed in the United States. Provides that if the application contains a reference to an earlier application, the term shall be 20 years from the date the earliest application was filed. Removes provisions that provide for extensions of patent terms under certain conditions. Provides for public disclosure and inspection of original and continuing patent applications in cases where a continuing patent application is filed that claims the benefit of the filing date of a prior application that was filed more than 60 months earlier. Requires the term of a patent that is in force or results from an application filed within six months after the Uruguay Round Agreements Act enactment date to be the term provided in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) increase the allowable deduction from 25 percent to 100 percent; and (2) make the deduction permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Repeals the National Endowment for Democracy Act. Prohibits Federal agencies from expending funds for assistance for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Directs the Comptroller General to audit funds granted to NED by the U.S. Government that have not been audited previously. Provides that a specified provision of the National Endowment for Democracy Act requiring compliance by NED with the Freedom of Information Act shall continue to apply with respect to funds received by NED on or before this Act's enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Individual Investment Account Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts contributed to individual investment accounts. Allows tax-free distributions, limited to $15,000 for all taxable years, from such accounts for use in the purchase of a principal residence by a first-time homebuyer. Makes such accounts tax-exempt unless the individual engages in prohibited transactions. Adjusts dollar limitations under this Act for inflation. Allows such deduction in determining adjusted gross income. Exempts such accounts from estate tax. Excludes from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of property if, during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange, such property has been owned and used by the taxpayer as a principal residence for periods aggregating three years or more. Limits such exclusion to the amount paid to an individual investment account during the one-year period beginning on the date of the sale or exchange. Provides for adjusting the basis of a residence acquired through the use of an individual investment account.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Regulatory Relief and Reform Act - Amends Federal law to require approval by law of final agency rules and regulations effective after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Language of Government Act of 1995 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
1995 Community Protection Initiative - Amends the Federal criminal code to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers carrying appropriate written identification of such status from State and local laws prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Provides that the effective date for discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation and veterans' pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies (currently the last day of the month preceding death) in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse. Requires payments of such compensation to be made to the surviving spouse. Provides that the effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation for which application is received within one year from the date of the veteran's death shall be the day following the date of death in the case of a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to exclude the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the Federal and congressional budgets, and exempt it from any general budget limitation imposed by statute on U.S. budget outlays and from certain orders issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Military Recruiter Campus Access Act - Prohibits Federal funds from being made available by grant or contract to any educational institution that has a policy of denying, or that effectively prevents, the Secretary of Defense from obtaining for military recruitment purposes: (1) entry or access to any campus or its students equal to that of other employers; or (2) access to directory information pertaining to such students. Provides certain public notice requirements for educational institutions which release student directory information. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations containing procedures for determining if and when an institution has denied access to students or to student information.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Small Business and Private Economic Sector Impact Act - Directs the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report before it may be reported or otherwise considered on the floor of either House of Congress. Requires such statement to: (1) state the extent to which enactment of such legislation would result in increased costs to the private sector, individuals, or State and local governments; and (2) include a detailed assessment of the annual impact of such legislation on consumer and business costs, employment, the Gross Domestic Product, and other specified criteria. Provides that such statement may consist of a brief summary assessment if preliminary analysis indicates that the aggregate effect of the legislation is less than $100 million or 10,000 jobs in national employment. Authorizes the Congress to waive the requirements at any time in which a declaration of war is in effect or in response to a national security emergency at the request of the President. Provides that it shall not be in order in either House of Congress to consider any legislation that does not include such a statement. Allows such point of order to be waived. Requires each regulation and proposed regulation promulgated by an executive department or agency to be accompanied by such a statement and published with such statement in the Federal Register. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this paragraph at any time in which a declaration of war is in effect or in response to a national security emergency. Amends rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to repeal provisions concerning congressional committee reports accompanying bills and resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
American Dream Restoration Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit based on: (1) taxpayer adjusted gross incomes over $200,000; and (2) social security tax payments. Provides an inflation adjustment for such credit and the taxpayer adjusted gross income amount. Allows a tax credit for qualified married couples equal to a dollar amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce revenues by $2 billion. Describes such couples as those who would be required to pay more in income taxes because they are married than they would be required to pay if they were not married. Establishes individual retirement plans which can be designated as American Dream Savings Accounts. Disallows a tax deduction for amounts contributed to such accounts. Limits contributions to such accounts to the lesser of $2,000, or compensation includible in an individual's gross income for a taxable year ($4,000 in the case of certain married individuals). Provides an inflation adjustment on such amounts. Permits contributions to be made after age 70.5. Excludes distributions from such accounts from gross income and makes the penalty on early distributions inapplicable. Designates qualified distributions as those: (1) made after the individual attains age 59.5; (2) made to a beneficiary on or after the death of the individual; (3) attributable to the individual being disabled; and (4) qualified as special purpose distributions. Prohibits qualified distributions from being made within the five-year period since the account began. Describes special purpose distributions as those for: (1) qualified first-time homebuyers; (2) qualified higher education expenses; and (3) qualified medical expenses, including long-term care insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Civil Justice Reform Title II: Reform of Private Securities Litigation Common Sense Legal Reforms Act of 1995 - Title I: Civil Justice Reform - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide for the award of attorney's fees to the prevailing party in Federal civil diversity litigation. Grants the district court discretion to reduce the amount of such award under special circumstances. (Sec. 102) Amends Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to make inadmissible: (l) testimony by a witness in the form of an opinion that is based on scientific knowledge unless the court determines that such opinion is based on scientifically valid reasoning and is sufficiently reliable so that its probative value outweighs specified dangers; and (2) testimony by a witness who is qualified if such witness is entitled to receive any compensation contingent on the legal disposition of any claim with respect to which such testimony is offered. (Sec. 103) Sets forth rules governing any product liability action brought in State or Federal court against a manufacturer or seller of a product on any theory for harm caused by the product which shall supersede State law only to the extent that State law applies to an issue covered by this section. Specifies that any issue not covered by this section shall be governed by otherwise applicable State or Federal law. Makes a product seller liable to a claimant for harm only if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of was sold by the product seller, the product seller failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product, and such failure to exercise reasonable care was a proximate cause of the claimant's harm; (2) the seller made an express warranty applicable to the product which allegedly caused such harm, independent of any express warranty made by the manufacturer as to the same product, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and the failure of the product to conform caused the claimant's harm; or (3) the seller engaged in intentional wrongdoing as determined under applicable State law and such intentional wrongdoing was a proximate cause of the harm. Makes an exception where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process under the laws of the State in which the claimant brings the action; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Permits the award of punitive damages against a manufacturer or product seller, to the extent permitted by applicable State law, if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting actual malice. Limits the amount of such damages to three times the amount awarded to the claimant for the economic injury on which such claim is based or $250,000, whichever is greater. Specifies that the liability of each manufacturer or seller of the product involved in the action shall be several only and not joint for non-economic damages. Makes the manufacturer or seller liable only for the amount of non-economic damages allocated in direct proportion to such manufacturer's or seller's percentage of responsibility as determined by the trier of fact. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should require each attorney admitted to practice law in such State to disclose in writing to any client with whom such attorney has entered into a contingency fee agreement: (1) the actual services performed for such client in connection with such agreement; and (2) the precise number of hours actually expended by such attorney in the performance of such services. Amends Rule 11(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require (currently, allow) the court to impose an appropriate sanction upon an attorney, law firm, or party that has made specified representations to the court (e.g., a representation intended to harass, cause unnecessary delay, increase the cost of litigation, or present frivolous arguments) to compensate the parties injured by the conduct. (Sec. 105) Amends the Federal judicial code to require a district court to dismiss a civil action, without prejudice, if: (1) not later than 60 days after such action is commenced, the defendant files a motion to dismiss on the basis that the plaintiff failed to transmit a written statement specifying the particular claims alleged and the amount of damages claimed to the defendant at least 30 days before commencing such action; and (2) the plaintiff fails to establish that before commencing such action the plaintiff complied with such requirement. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exceptions (e.g., any civil action to seize or forfeit assets subject to forfeiture and actions where the defendant is likely to flee); and (2) the statute of limitations. (Sec. 106) Revises rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each committee report on a bill or joint resolution (bill) of a public character to include: (1) whether that bill preempts the law of any State; (2) the retroactive applicability, if any, of that bill; (3) whether that bill creates a private cause of action and, if so, a description of the relief and the terms and conditions for awarding any attorney fees; and (4) the applicability, if any, of that bill to the Federal Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. (Sec. 107) Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to prohibit any person from bringing an action under such Act for damages based on injury to that person's business or property if the racketeering activity involves conduct actionable as fraud in the purchase or sale of securities. Title II: Reform of Private Securities Litigation - Securities Litigation Reform Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to class actions, to require a court-appointed class action steering committee (composed of class members), or, in the absence of such a committee, a guardian ad litem, to direct counsel for the plaintiff class. (Sec. 202) Sets forth disclosure guidelines for any proposed settlement agreement that is disseminated to the plaintiff class, including: (1) a statement about agreement or disagreement on the amount of damages and the likelihood of the plaintiff's prevailing; (2) the amount of legal costs and fees sought as part of the settlement; and (3) the identification of lawyers' representatives who will be available to answer questions from class members. Prohibits the use of disgorgement funds resulting from actions brought by the Securities Exchange Commission (the Commission) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. (Sec. 203) Declares that the portion of any final judgment or settlement awarded to class plaintiffs serving as the representative parties shall be equal (on a per share basis) to the portion of the final judgment awarded to all other members of the class. Revises the guidelines for private class action suits to: (1) require named plaintiffs to own, in the aggregate, at least $10,000 (market value) in the class of securities concerned, or one percent of that class, whichever is lesser; (2) restrict to five the number of class actions filed by a named plaintiff during any three-year period; (3) subject a losing party litigant to liability for the prevailing party's legal fees; (4) require the court to make a conflict of interest determination with respect to a plaintiff's counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (5) discharge from all claims for contribution by nonsettling persons a defendant who settles before verdict or judgment; (6) provide for recovery of contribution by a person who becomes liable for damages from certain non-parties who would have been liable for the same damages, if joined in the original suit; and (7) grant defendants the right to special verdicts establishing scienter (state of mind). Prohibits brokers or dealers from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any private action. (Sec. 204) Delineates the requirements for securities fraud actions, including: (1) explicit pleading and proof of scienter; (2) plaintiff's reliance on a material misstatement or omission that proximately caused the plaintiff's loss; and (3) limitations on damages. (Sec. 205) Directs the Commission to: (1) re-examine the regulatory and judicial framework with respect to predictive statements concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities ("forward-looking statements"); (2) create clear and objective criteria ("safe harbor" rules), sufficient to protect investors, by which forward-looking statements will be deemed not to violate such Act; and (3) prescribe procedures for timely court dismissal of claims against securities issuers based on such statements. (Sec. 206) Prescribes procedural guidelines for alternative dispute resolution of private actions, especially class actions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Health Insurance Equity Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent, and to increase to 100 percent, the deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Provides that any amount remaining in an official allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives at the end of the session of Congress or other period for which the allowance is made available shall be returned to the Treasury to be used for deficit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Title II: Redesignation of Attainment Areas Title I: Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance - Provides that States shall not be required to implement enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs under provisions of the Clean Air Act pertaining to Serious, Extreme, and Severe ozone nonattainment areas and ozone transport regions before two years after this Act's enactment date. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately rescind regulations relating to the operation of such programs on a centralized basis and issue new regulations to allow the operation of such programs on a centralized or decentralized basis at the option of each State. Prohibits, until the Administrator carries out such requirements, the imposition of sanctions for failures by States to implement such programs or specified adverse actions against States by the Administrator or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Requires the Administrator to consider the operation of programs on a decentralized basis as equivalent to operation on a centralized basis if the State demonstrates that such equivalency is reasonable. Title II: Redesignation of Attainment Areas - Amends the Clean Air Act to provide that if a State Governor submits a redesignation of an area from nonattainment to attainment and such designation is based upon attainment of the relevant national ambient air quality standard for three consecutive years, such redesignation shall become effective immediately upon receipt by the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude from coverage any fire fighters or rescue squad members during the period in which they volunteer their services at a location where they are not employed. Waives overtime compensation requirements when fire fighters or rescue squad members volunteer their services to their employer and sign a legally binding waiver. Prohibits employer coercion of such volunteering.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 1995 - Declares that a person not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Capital Formation and Jobs Creation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 50 percent income tax deduction for the net capital gain of both corporate and noncorporate taxpayers. Requires indexing, based on the gross domestic product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset or property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Allows an itemized deduction for losses arising from the sale or exchange of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
COLA Equity Act - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to: (1) provide that the initial month for which a cost of living increase in military retired pay that becomes effective on December 1 of 1993, 1994, or 1995 is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the following year for persons who first became a member of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986; and (2) provide that such special rule shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1995 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total. Declares that, once the Federal budget deficit has been reduced, the Congress should reexamine and eliminate any offset of retired pay by a veteran's disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Older Workers' Earnings Protection Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn during 1997 through 2001 without incurring a reduction in benefits. Repeals such income limitation in the year 2002. Accelerates the effective dates of increases in the delayed retirement credit rate for individuals who work beyond retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Subsidy Termination for Overdue Payments Act of 1995 - Prohibits a Federal agency or instrumentality from providing financial assistance, with specified exceptions, without certification that the applicant is: (1) not more than 60 days delinquent in the payment of a child support payment order; or (2) in compliance, if so delinquent, with an agreement regarding support collection with the person to whom payment is to be made or a State providing collection services to that person.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 1995 - Requires Federal agencies to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of their authorized functions by procurement from private sources, unless: (1) the goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed, respectively, by the agency; or (2) the head of the agency determines and certifies to the Congress that Government production, manufacture, or provision of a good or service is necessary for national defense, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by a Government employee, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to the Congress on: (1) agency activities which are inconsistent with such requirements; and (2) a schedule for transferring such activities to the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Notch Baby Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to alter the formula for computing the primary insurance amount for individuals who attain age 65 in or after 1982 and are subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Seniors Tax Equity Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement that tax-exempt interest be taken into account when determining the amount of social security and railroad retirement benefits subject to tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the unified credit against the estate tax of citizens or residents; (2) the unified credit against the estate tax of nonresidents who are not citizens; and (3) the unified credit against the gift tax. Requires an estate tax return in cases where the gross estate exceeds $1.2 million (currently $600,000). Revises the formula for the phaseout of graduated rates and the unified credit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals permanent. Increases such 25 percent deduction to 100 percent for years after December 31, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act. Mandates a processing fee for any benefit application for such qualified service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses if a portion of a dwelling unit is used as the sole fixed location of business for a taxpayer who has no other fixed location of business, regardless of: (1) the amount of time or type of work performed in such location; or (2) the proportion of the total income from the business attributable to such location.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays do not exceed total receipts, unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Prohibits a bill to increase receipts from becoming law unless approved by a three-fifths majority in each House. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses become law. Requires roll call votes in the House and Senate under this amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reducing Illegitimacy Title II: Requiring Work Title III: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Title IV: Restricting Welfare for Aliens Title V: Consolidating Food Assistance Programs Title VI: Expanding Statutory Flexibility of States Title VII: Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Title VIII: Effective Date Personal Responsibility Act of 1995 - Title I: Reducing Illegitimacy - Expresses the sense of the Congress with regard to the importance of marriage as a social institution and the negative consequences of out-of-wedlock births, declaring that the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 101) Amends parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC), D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity), and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to generally deny AFDC to families on whose behalf an AFDC application is made after the effective date of this title for a dependent child whose paternity has not been established, unless the child was conceived through rape or incest, or efforts to establish paternity would result in physical danger to the child or relative claiming such aid. Allows AFDC payments if such relative alleges that any of up to three named individuals may have fathered the child, provides their addresses, and the State has not disproved the allegation. States that denial of AFDC benefits shall have no effect on the family's eligibility for Medicaid and foster care and adoption assistance. (Sec. 102) Requires unwed mothers under age 19 to live at home or in another adult-supervised living arrangement in order to receive AFDC. (Sec. 103) Requires State officers or employees, as soon as they become aware, in the performance of official duties, of a pregnant, unmarried individual, to warn the individual of ineligibility for State aid unless she informs the State of the prospective father's identity and cooperates in establishing the child's paternity. Calls for States to: (1) develop procedures in public hospitals and clinics to facilitate the acknowledgement of paternity; and (2) establish legal procedures that permit the establishment of paternity as quickly and easily as possible. (Sec. 104) Increases the State paternity establishment percentage. (Sec. 105) Denies, generally, AFDC to a child born out-of-wedlock on or after the effective date of this title to an individual under age 18 unless afterwards such individual marries the biological father, or the biological parent with legal custody of the child marries an individual who legally adopts the child. Preserves the family's eligibility for Medicaid and foster care and adoption assistance despite reduction or denial of AFDC. (Sec. 106) Denies AFDC with respect to additional children born on or after the effective date of this title to an AFDC recipient or to an individual who received AFDC at any time during the ten-month period ending with the birth of the child, unless the recipient or individual was pregnant with the child when applying for AFDC. Preserves the family's eligibility for Medicaid and foster care and adoption assistance despite reduction or denial of AFDC. (Sec. 107) Gives States the option of denying AFDC (but without effect on eligibility for Medicaid and foster care and adoption assistance) to individuals aged 18, 19, or 20 who have a child out-of- wedlock after the effective date of this title, as well as to an out- of-wedlock child of such an individual, unless, after the child's birth, such individual marries the biological father, the biological parent with legal custody of the child marries an individual who legally adopts the child, or the individual is the biological and custodial parent of another child not born out-of-wedlock. Allows States the option of denying housing benefits to the same individuals unless the same conditions are met, or Federal housing assistance eligibility is based on any household member's disability or handicap of a household member. (Sec. 108) Adds under SSA title IV a new part C (Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-of-Wedlock) for giving qualified States the flexibility and resources necessary to provide appropriate non-abortion related services and activities to discourage out-of- wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock through such initiatives as promoting adoption and establishing and operating group homes and orphanages. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on whether illegitimacy rates have changed as a result of this Act, and on State efforts under such new grant program. (Sec. 109) Prohibits any agency or entity that receives Federal assistance, and is involved in adoption or foster care placements, from: (1) denying to any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of the person, or of the child, involved; and (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminating in making a placement decision on such basis. Title II: Requiring Work - Amends SSA title IV part A to require State AFDC plans to require AFDC recipients to participate for a certain number of hours per week in a work supplementation or community work experience program under SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program), or in any other work program established by the State and, under certain circumstances, in job search activities in order to move adult welfare recipients from welfare dependency to paid employment as quickly as possible. (Sec. 202) Provides for a reduction in AFDC in cases of noncompliance with work requirements, and for eventual termination of AFDC for repeated noncompliance. Terminates AFDC to any adult recipient after five years. Grants States the option of terminating AFDC after two years. Makes various specified changes relating to unemployed parents, with the option to limit the AFDC-UP program extended to all States. Eliminates certain JOBS program rules. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State that operates an AFDC program is encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring families that include older preschool or school-age children to participate in a work program. (Sec. 203) Revises work supplementation program provisions, among other changes, giving States the authority to use sums that would otherwise be expended for food stamp benefits to provide subsidized jobs for participants. (Sec. 204) Provides for payments to States for certain individuals receiving State food assistance who perform work on behalf of the State or a political subdivision through a work program. Title III: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Limits the total amount of Federal spending for AFDC, supplemental security income (SSI), housing aid, and other specified welfare programs beginning in FY 1996 to the total amount of Federal spending for the preceding fiscal year on those programs, adjusted for inflation and change of the poverty population. (Sec. 301) Requires: (1) the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on a budget resolution to include allocations to each committee based on such spending cap; and (2) reconciliation directives to specify reductions for each committee necessary to comply with such caps. (Sec. 302) Terminates all entitlements of individuals to benefits, and of States to payments, under SSA's AFDC, child support enforcement, and SSI programs effective October 1, 1995. (Sec. 303) Requires all savings from welfare spending limits to be used for deficit reduction. Title IV: Restricting Welfare for Aliens - Makes aliens (with exceptions for refugees, elderly lawful residents, and current eligible residents) ineligible for specified public assistance programs, except for emergency medical services. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title IV part A to require State AFDC agencies to provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with information on illegal aliens. Title V: Consolidating Food Assistance Programs - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, the National School Lunch Act, the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987, and other specified Federal laws and replaces them with a: (1) State food assistance block grant program to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families; and (2) new food coupon program. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary and the Commodity Credit Corporation to sell surplus commodities and foodstuffs to the States to provide food assistance to eligible populations. Title VI: Expanding Statutory Flexibility of States - Amends SSA title IV part A to grant States the option of: (1) converting their AFDC payments into a fixed annual block grant; (2) treating new residents under the rules of the former State; (3) reducing AFDC payments for parents under age 21 who have not completed high school or earned their high school equivalency; (4) providing for a married couple transition benefit under certain conditions; (5) disregarding income and resources designated for education, training, and employability, or related to self-employment; and (6) requiring attendance at parenting and money management classes, and prior approval of any action that would result in a change of school for a dependent child. Title VII: Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients - Amends SSA title IV part A to require AFDC recipients to undergo necessary substance abuse treatment as a condition of receiving AFDC. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Social Security Earnings Test Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities Senior Citizens' Equity Act - Title I: Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the monthly exempt amount, under the earnings test, for individuals who have attained retirement age. Sets forth a schedule of monthly adjustments increasing from $1,250 for taxable year 1996 to $2,500 for taxable year 2000 (amounting, by the year 2000, to an annual exempt amount of $30,000 such individuals may earn before being subject to benefit reductions). Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to schedule from 1996 through 2000 a reduction from 85 percent to 50 percent the amount of Social Security benefits on which beneficiaries earning more than $34,000 annually ($44,000 for couples) are liable for income tax. Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a long-term care insurance contract as an accident or health insurance contract. (Sec. 301) Restricts the meaning of long-term care insurance contract to a guaranteed renewable contract without cash surrender value: (1) covering only qualified long-term care services and benefits incidental to such coverage; (2) excluding expenses for services or items reimbursable under Medicare (except where Medicare is a secondary payor); and (3) applying all premium refunds and all policyholder dividends or similar amounts to reduce future premiums or increase future benefits. Limits qualified long-term care services to necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, as well as maintenance or personal care services prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner for a chronically ill individual in a qualified facility who is unable to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least two activities of daily living (including walking or wheeling, dressing, toileting and bathing, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and eating). Makes an individual's home a qualified facility if a licensed health care practitioner certifies that without home care the individual would have to be cared for in a State-licensed or Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing, rehabilitative, hospice, or adult day care facility. Treats as a separate contract subject to this Act, unless the Secretary provides otherwise in regulations, any rider on a life insurance contract that covers long-term care insurance. Includes in gross income the aggregate amount of benefits received under a long-term care insurance contract that exceeds $200 for any day (adjusted for inflation). Prescribes a one-year full preliminary term method as the method, in the case of any long-term care insurance contract, for computing reserves for the purposes of determining the taxable income of life insurance companies. Declares that a health care plan shall not be subjected to an excise tax for failure to satisfy continuation coverage requirements solely by reason of failing to provide coverage under any long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 302) Excludes from gross income any benefits (not in excess of $200 per day) received under a long-term care insurance contract, including employer-provided coverage under such a contract. (Sec. 303) Allows an income tax deduction for qualified long-term care services, subject to specified limits. (Sec. 304) Treats as a nontaxable exchange the exchange of a contract of life insurance or an endowment or annuity contract for a long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 305) Reduces any amounts includible in gross income by reason of distributions from individual retirement plans or 401(k) plans by the aggregate premiums paid by an individual for any long- term care insurance contract for the benefit of such individual or his or her spouse. (Sec. 306) Excludes from gross income accelerated death benefits paid from life insurance policies for individuals who are terminally ill or permanently confined to a nursing home. (Sec. 307) Provides for: (1) continuation of long-term care insurance policies existing before January 1, 1996, which meet State insurance requirements; and (2) nonrecognition of gain or loss in the exchange, before January 1, 1996, of existing policies for policies under this Act, except to the extent of any money or property received in addition to a long-term care insurance contract. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress on the Department of the Treasury's interpretation of the tax treatment of contracts which provide long-term care services but which are not long-term care insurance contracts under this Act. Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities - Amends the Fair Housing Act with respect to the exemption for housing for older persons from the prohibition against discrimination based on familial status. Revises the definition of housing for older persons to repeal the requirement that such housing possess significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons. (Sec. 402) Declares that an individual who engages in conduct with a reasonable good faith reliance on the existence of such exemption is not personally liable for money damages for a violation of such Act that the exemption would have vitiated. Presumes such good faith reliance of a person engaged in the business of residential real estate transactions if: (1) he or she has no actual knowledge that the facility or community is or will be ineligible for such exemption; and (2) the facility or community gives him or her a written certification stating its compliance with the requirements for such exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Denies enforceability against any State or local government of: (1) any obligation imposed upon such government by or pursuant to a Federal law that becomes effective after the ratification of this amendment unless the Federal Government provides the funds needed to pay compliance costs; and (2) any condition similarly imposed upon the receipt of Federal assistance by such a government unless it is directly and substantially related to the specific subject matter of the assistance. Allows waiver of such denial by a two-thirds recorded roll call vote of each House of Congress only if such obligations or conditions are specifically identified and imposed by a single, specified Act of Congress containing no other matter. Provides for judicial review, but disallows as a judicial remedy any order or ruling that the Federal Government provide a State or local government with the funds needed to pay its compliance costs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no person who has been elected to the Senate two times shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Senate. Provides that no person who has been elected to the House of Representatives six times shall be eligible for election to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits any person from serving in Congress for more than two full terms as a Senator or for more than three full terms as a Representative. (Excludes service before this article takes effect.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for staggered four-year terms for Members of the House of Representatives. Prohibits persons from being elected to the House more than four times or more than three times to four-year terms. Prohibits persons from being elected to the Senate more than twice.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Adoption Assistance Title II: Eldercare Assistance Title III: Child Protection Title IV: Family Privacy Protection Title V: Child Support Enforcement Family Reinforcement Act - Title I: Adoption Assistance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for up to $5,000 of qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Sets forth a formula for reduction of such credit for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $60,000. Denies such a credit for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowable under another Code provision. (Sec. 101) Defines "qualified adoption expenses" as reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney's fees, and other lawful expenses directly related to legal adoption of a child, but not any expenses paid from any funds received under a Federal, State, or local program. Disqualifies for such a credit any expenses in connection with the adoption of a child of the taxpayer's spouse. Title II: Eldercare Assistance - Allows an individual taxpayer an income tax credit of $500 for each member of the household maintained by the taxpayer who: (1) is the taxpayer's, or taxpayer's spouse's, parent or stepparent; (2) is certified by a physician as unable to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least two activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and eating), or has a similar level of disability due to cognitive impairment; and (3) has the taxpayer's home as his or her principal place of abode for more than half the taxable year. Title III: Child Protection - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines with respect to the sexual exploitation and abuse of children to increase the offense level by two levels if a computer was used in the transportation or shipment of a visual depiction of the child. (Sec. 302) Establishes a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for transporting an individual under 18 years of age for prostitution purposes. (Sec. 303) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines with respect to the transporting of an individual under 18 years of age for prostitution purposes. Requires such guidelines to assure that an increase in the age of the child who is the victim of the offense does not result in a lighter punishment. (Sec. 304) Requires: (1) a minimum three-year imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor; and (2) a minimum three-year to maximum 15- year imprisonment for sexual abuse of a ward. Title IV: Family Privacy Protection - Declares that no program or activity funded wholly or partially by any Federal department or agency shall require a minor to submit without written parental or guardian consent (or, if the minor is emancipated, without the minor's own prior consent) to a survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning: (1) parental political affiliations; (2) potentially embarrassing mental or psychological problems; (3) sexual behavior or attitudes; (4) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (5) appraisals of other individuals with whom the minor has a familial relationship; (6) relationships legally recognized as privileged, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and clergy; (7) the minor's household income (except as required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receipt of program financial assistance); or (8) religious beliefs. Exempts from this prohibition tests intended to measure academic performance, except as they would require information listed in (1) through (6). Prescribes agency notice requirements. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Federal judicial code to require the appropriate authorities of every State to enforce child support orders of another State without modification. (Sec. 502) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a specified designee of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop, in conjunction with State executive and judicial organizations, a uniform abstract of a child support order, for use by all State courts to record specified terms in each child support order. (Sec. 503) Directs States to enact procedures subjecting noncustodial parents with certain child support arrearages with respect to a child receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) to civil penalties and job search and work program participation requirements until such arrearages are reduced by a specified percentage.
![Official portrait of Rep. Forbes, Michael P. [D-NY-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000257_200.jpg)