United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-57) (safflower research) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-72) (infrastructure improvements in Clinton, Tennessee) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-53) (mechanical tomato harvester) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-68) (economic development in Davenport, Iowa) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-49) (integrated orchard management) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-45) (fusarium resistant asparagus germplasm) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-64) (national agricultural library) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-41) (poultry facility in Arkansas) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-60) (swine research in Minnesota) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-37) (consolidation of Rhode Island coastal facilities) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-56) (oil from jojoba) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-52) (manure disposal) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-48) (eastern filbert blight research) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-44) (Appalachian hardwoods) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-40) (oilseed promotion facility) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Rescinds certain budget authority proposed to be rescinded (R92-36) (university research animal facilities) in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President on March 20, 1992, in accordance with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
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 · 20 March 1992
Condemns the March 17, 1992, bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Declares that the U.S. Government should fully cooperate with the Governments of Argentina and Israel in identifying and bringing to justice all of the individuals responsible.
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
Makes eligible for the award of the Purple Heart those persons wounded in action on or after December 7, 1941, by weapon fire while engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the origin of the weapon fire.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide a reduction in the monthly premium for individuals who buy into coverage under part A (Hospital Insurance) of Medicare for quarters of coverage credited to the individual under SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance). Places a limitation on combined premiums of spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, consistent with national sovereignty considerations, the position of the United States at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development should: (1) place the highest priority on the success of the Conference by participating actively, particularly through the personal participation of the President; (2) negotiate international agreements that effectively reduce the threat of climate change and biological diversity loss; (3) propose or support an initiative on financing global environmental cooperation efforts that takes into account the additional costs of international environmental protection and the basic development goals of developing countries and increases accountability for the use of funds provided for environmental purposes; (4) seek to advance the development of a stronger international legal framework and the creation of appropriate institutional mechanisms for protecting the global environment; (5) promote public participation in environmental and development decisions at all levels; and (6) support new programs and institutions to help developing countries become more energy efficient and otherwise increase their capacity for acquiring and using technology to make their economies more environmentally sustainable, global goals of slowing deforestation of primary forests, the creation of a global action plan to raise the status of women, the development of new agreements to eliminate land-based sources of marine pollution, a process of international consultations aimed at identifying ways that poverty can be alleviated and natural resources better conserved through reduction of developing country debt burdens, the development of a reformed system of national accounting that would reflect full economic costs of environmental and resource degradation and the benefits of the sustainable use of natural resources, and programs that provide maternal and child health care, education and training especially for women, and voluntary family planning.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Congratulates: (1) the people of Venezuela on their commitment to democracy; (2) the Accion Democratica and COPEI parties on their agreement to form a cabinet of national unity; and (3) President Carlos Andres Perez on his actions to address the need for constitutional and judicial reform. Pledges to Venezuela and its people the support of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Unemployment-Based Immigration Adjustment Act of 1992 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to adjust annual immigration levels in relation to U.S. unemployment levels.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 1992 - 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; (2) or 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 · 9 March 1992
Commends and congratulates: (1) all parties to the negotiations with respect to the war in El Salvador, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and the Salvadoran people for their persistence, commitment, and dedication to peace; and (2) the Governments of Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and Venezuela for their contributions in support of the negotiating process. Praises President Cristiani for his efforts. Encourages the Salvadoran people and all sectors of Salvadoran society to commit themselves to the process of consolidating peace, democracy, and economic and social development. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should commit itself to: (1) providing appropriate assistance to the Government and people of El Salvador that promotes reconstruction, reconciliation, and further strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions; (2) seeking and encouraging other members of the international community to contribute materially to such process; and (3) cooperating with UN efforts to monitor compliance with the peace agreements in El Salvador and other efforts pertaining to the UN role in post-war El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Trucking Regulatory Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to include as objectives of U.S. transportation policy in regulating transportation by motor carrier, the promotion of competitive and efficient transportation services in order to: (1) allow, to the maximum extent possible, competition and the demand for services to establish reasonable rates for transportation by motor carriers of property; and (2) minimize the need for Federal regulatory control over the motor carrier transportation system and require fair and expeditious regulatory decisions when regulation is required. Requires the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to exempt motor carriers providing transportation of non-household goods from its jurisdiction whenever it finds that: (1) its jurisdiction is not necessary to carry out U.S. transportation policy; and (2) either such transaction or service of the motor carrier is of limited scope, or ICC jurisdiction is not needed to protect shippers from the abuse of market power. Authorizes the ICC to exempt transportation provided by such motor carriers as a part of a continuous intermodal movement. Declares that the fact that a rate, classification, rule, or practice relating to motor common carriers was included in a tariff duly filed with the ICC shall not relieve such carriers from liability or any remedy under the antitrust laws in instances where the conditions of an agreement between such carriers regarding such rate, classification, rule, or practice are not met, unless the ICC has determined its reasonableness. Prohibits agreements approved by the ICC from providing for docketing of the independent actions of carriers of non-household goods, or for discussion of or voting upon such actions. Excepts from the general reasonableness standard: (1) independently determined rates or rates determined by the independent action of motor carriers providing transportation of property of non-household goods; and (2) the establishment of through routes by such carriers. Excludes divisions of joint rates by such carriers from the general requirement that they be made without unreasonable discrimination against a participating carrier, and that they must be reasonable. Requires the ICC to prescribe only the maximum rate of the classification, rule, or practice to be followed in the case of a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods which establishes rates collectively in an organization established or continued under an approved agreement or by certain independent action. Declares that the ICC is not authorized to begin immediately on its own initiative or on application of an interested party a proceeding to determine the lawfulness of proposed rates, classifications, rules, and practices that are independently determined, or established by independent action, by motor common carriers providing transportation of non-household goods. Authorizes the ICC to make such a determination when a new rate, classification, rule, or practice established by independent action or collectively by an approved agreement is filed with the ICC by or on behalf of a motor common carrier or two or more interlining motor common carriers of non-household goods. Prohibits the ICC from investigating, suspending, revising, or revoking any rate proposed by a motor common carrier providing transportation of household goods on the grounds that such rate is unreasonable because too high or too low if specified requirements are met. Allows the ICC to take such action with respect to rates proposed by motor carriers providing transportation of non-household goods. Subjects the docketing of rates by independent actions by motor common carriers of property other than household goods to the U.S. antitrust laws. Bars construction as a violation of such antitrust laws the docketing of independent actions by motor carriers providing transportation of non-household goods. Prohibits the ICC from investigating, suspending, revising, or revoking any rate proposed by a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods on the grounds that such a rate is unreasonable because too high, unless the proposed rate is established by independent action or established collectively under an agreement approved by the ICC. Declares that certain limitations on the establishment of rates, classifications, and rules by freight forwarders shall not apply if they are independently determined, or established by independent action, by a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods. Authorizes such a motor common carrier to establish any transportation rate if it is independently determined or established by independnent action. Authorizes the ICC to grant relief, if consistent with the public interest and U.S. transportation policy, from any requirement that a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods have in effect a rate for transportation service which does not limit its liability. Prohibits the ICC from prescribing the maximum reasonable charge or allowance that may be paid for certain shipper-furnished transportation services or facilities by motor common carriers providing transportation of non-household goods under rates that are independently determined or established by independent action. Prescribes alternative ways to satisfy a claim made by a motor carrier of non-household goods or by a non-household goods freight forwarder regarding the collection of rates in addition to those originally billed and collected. Provides for settlement of any dispute about such claims. Sets forth a statute of limitations for civil actions for the recovery of motor carrier charges and overcharges. Authorizes motor carriers and shippers to resolve overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Requires a specified report to the Congress. Excepts motor contract carriers of property from the general requirement that contract carriers establish, and file with the ICC, rates for transportation and rules and practices related to such rates. Excepts a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods under independently determined rates or rates established by independent action from the general requirement that carriers providing transportation or service include the rate for such transportation or service in a tariff. Declares any such rate, determined collectively by an agreement approved by the ICC or by independent action, to be considered a maximum rate. Excepts a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods under independently determined rates or rates established by independent action from general tariff requirements. Declares that a motor contract carrier of property is not required to publish or file with the ICC actual or minimum rates. Excepts a motor contract carrier of property or of passengers from the requirement that contract carriers publish, file, and keep open for public inspection a notice of any proposed new or reduced rates. Declares that a published or filed rate shall be conclusive proof against a motor common carrier providing transportation of non-household goods that such rate is the maximum legal rate for the transportation or service with respect to civil actions involving transportation rebates and rate, discrimination, and tariff violations. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) and the ICC to determine jointly by rule, after notice and opportunity for comment, the proper use of safety ratings (especially conditional and unsatisfactory ratings) in determining whether a motor carrier owner or operator or an applicant for an operating certificate meets certain safety fitness requirements. Amends the conditions for issuing a certificate or permit authorizing a person to provide transportation as a motor common or contract carrier of property or a motor contract carrier. Requires such an issuance if the person is able to comply with existing ICC regulations as well as: (1) certain safety fitness requirements established by the Secretary; and (2) certain minimum financial responsibility requirements. Requires the ICC in making such a finding to consider any evidence that the applicant is unable to comply with such requirements. Authorizes a person to protest an application on the basis that the applicant fails or will fail to comply with such requirements. Requires the ICC to find an applicant unfit if the applicant does not meet the safety fitness requirements. Subjects to certain commercial motor vehicle safety regulations motor carriers providing transportation of shipments weighing 100 pounds or less transported in a motor vehicle in which no one package exceeds 100 pounds and operating one or more commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more. Authorizes one or more motor contract carriers of property providing transportation subject to ICC jurisdiction to enter into a contract with one or more purchasers of motor carrier services to provide specified services under specified rates and conditions to the extent permitted by the common law of contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code. Authorizes the ICC to suspend a certificate or permit of a motor carrier for failure to comply with certain safety fitness and minimum financial responsibility requirements. Authorizes States to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over intrastate motor carrier transportation of non-household goods. Requires the ICC to establish guidelines for determining whether the standards and procedures that a State authority will use in exercising jurisdiction over such transportation are in accordance with the standards and procedures applicable to regulation of motor carriers by the ICC. Sets forth specified State requirements. Authorizes any motor carrier providing transportation of non-household goods, and any party to an administrative proceeding of any State authority in which the lawfulness of intrastate motor carrier transportation of non-household goods is decided, to petition the ICC to review such decision. Grants the ICC authority to issue a certificate and permit authorizing a motor carrier providing transportation of non-household goods to provide such transportation of household goods to provide such transportation intrastate. Grants the ICC exclusive authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for such transportation when specified conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Prohibits a State, political subdivision, or agency or organization of two or more States (entities) from enacting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard relating to interstate or intrastate rates, routes, or services: (1) of a corporate compensated carrier not operating under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC); (2) involving transportation by a motor vehicle and driver leased by a shipper from a single source when certain conditions exist; and (3) of any transportation of property provided by motor vehicles leased, with or without drivers, from a motor private carrier, to the extent that such law, rule, regulation, or standard is in addition to, or more stringent than, the requirements for such operations established by the ICC. Prohibits such entities from enacting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard that: (1) prohibits or limits the ability of a person providing transportation to obtain a motor common carrier certificate or motor contract carrier permit to provide intrastate transportation of property, whether under the same corporate structure as the nontransportation primary business or as a separate transportation subsidiary, by virtue of the person's status as a nontransportation primary business, or that subjects such person to criteria that are not applied to a transportation business seeking the same authority to operate as a motor common or contract carrier; or (2) prohibits, limits, or places requirements on transportation services other than requirements for the safety of operations and minimum financial responsibility. Defines "dedicated contract driver" to mean a motor contract carrier that assigns vehicles management personnel drivers, and other related workers for the exclusive use of a contracting shipper.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Emergency Benefits Flexibility Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA) to revise the eligibility requirements applicable both to extended unemployment compensation benefits under FSEUCA and to emergency unemployment compensation benefits under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164). Allows the State the flexibility of choosing more than one Federal wage eligibility standard in determining an individual's eligibility for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1992
Health Care Choice and Access Improvement Act of 1992 - Title I: Family Health and Wellness Savings Plan - 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 one who: (1) is not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) is covered by a qualified employer-provided catastrophic coverage health plan but not by any other health plan. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Includes any non-medical distributions from such an account in gross income and assesses an additional tax. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical, dental, etc., expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans. Title II: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance and Plans - Subtitle A: Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance - Provides for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of taxation of life insurance companies. Allows employers to offer employees qualified long-term care insurance as a tax-free fringe benefit. Excludes from gross income amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts or qualified pension plans with cash or deferred arrangements for purposes of purchasing long-term care insurance. Permits the non-taxable exchange of life insurance policies for long-term care insurance in the case of an individual who has attained age 59 1/2. Subtitle B: Employer Funding of Medical Benefits - Revises provisions governing medical benefits for retired employees and their spouses and dependents. Provides a tax deduction for employer contributions to health benefits accounts. Defines funded reserve accounts and vesting requirements to qualify for such tax deduction. Establishes a 50-percent tax penalty on early distributions of medical benefits and a 100-percent excise tax on allocated assets that are not used to provide retiree health benefits. Subtitle C: Reverse Mortgage Insurance for Older Americans - Amends the National Housing Act to limit the total number of mortgages to be insured and the amount of such insurance (up to 95 percent of the value of median housing values) under the demonstration program of insurance of home equity conversion mortgages for elderly homeowners. Subtitle D: Income Tax Credits - Allows a $2,000 per qualified person tax credit for taxpayers who maintain a household which includes a parent, grandparent, dependent, or spouse who requires specified custodial care. Allows a tax credit for 25 percent of the long-term care expenses of certain independent persons (not in excess of $2,000 per qualified person per taxable year). Subtitle E: Treatment of Accelerated Death Benefits - Allows: (1) gross income-excludable payment of accelerated death benefits from a life insurance policy to an individual who is terminally ill or confined to a nursing home; and (2) insurance companies to treat qualified accelerated death benefits as life insurance. Subtitle F: Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the incorporation of the Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation (Corporation), which shall not be an agency or establishment of the U.S. Government. Requires the Corporation to confine its activities to reinsuring insurance companies for extraordinary loss in the issuance or payment of qualified long-term care insurance benefits. Title III: Malpractice Liability Reform - Declares that a State meets the requirements of these provisions if it has enacted laws or regulations: (1) regarding health care liability actions, allowing several but not joint liability for noneconomic damages, limiting the dollar amount of noneconomic damages, mandating offsets for collateral source payments, regulating the treatment of payments for future economic losses, limiting attorney's fees, and providing special rules for certain obstetric services; (2) implementing at least one mediation or pretrial screening panel; and (3) taking specified steps regarding quality assurance reform. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to reduce by a specified percentage certain payments to hospitals (with regard to Medicare) and States (with regard to Medicaid) in States not in compliance and makes additional payments to hospitals in States in compliance. Amends Federal law relating to tort claims against the United States to set forth special rules applicable to health care liability actions, including allowing several but not joint liability for noneconomic damages, limiting the dollar amount of noneconomic damages, mandating offsets for collateral source payments, and regulating the treatment of payments for future economic losses. Amends the Public Health Service Act to include entities receiving Federal funds under provisions relating to migrant health centers, community health centers, or health services for the homeless, and officers, employees, or contractors of such entities who are licensed health care practitioners, in the coverage of provisions regulating civil actions for injury resulting from medical or related functions against commissioned officers or employees of the Public Health Service. Subrogates to the United States any insurance claim such an entity or person has. Prohibits grants under provisions relating to migrant or community health centers or health services for the homeless unless the applicant has: (1) implemented policies and procedures to assure against malpractice; (2) reviewed the professional credentials, claims history, and other information regarding its licensed health care practitioners; and (3) no history of claims against it under such provisions relating to officers and employees of the Public Health Service, or has cooperated with the Attorney General in defending against such claims and has taken corrective action. Empowers the Attorney General, if certain conditions are met, to determine that an individual practitioner shall not be deemed a Public Health Service employee for purposes of these provisions. Prohibits hospitals from denying admitting privileges to an otherwise qualified health care provider who is an officer, employee, or contractor of such an entity. Title IV: Working Americans Access to Health Care - Subtitle A: Increase in Small Employer Access to Affordable Health Insurance - Provides for the development by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) of model standards regarding certain requirements of this title. Allows more stringent State standards. Preempts State law concerning a small employer health benefit plan that meets portions of those standards relating to initial writing, premium increases, and market reentry. Requires each small employer carrier to offer a MedEquity plan, defined as: (1) providing only basic benefits; (2) being guaranteed issue; (3) meeting initial writing, premium increase, and market reentry standards; and (4) providing for cost containment. Sets forth special rules for health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Requires each MedEquity plan to: (1) accept every small employer that applies; and (2) enroll every full time employee that applies and their spouse and dependents. Sets forth special rules for HMOs. Provides for development by NAIC of models for cost containment features in MedEquity plans, including a managed care plan. Requires each State to specify the model that will be applied to MedEquity plans in the State. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) initial writing of policies (including regarding pre-existing conditions, premiums, disclosures of rating practices, actuarial certification, requirements to register with the State, and minimum participation); and (2) renewal (including renewability, premium increases, and market reentry). Provides for development by NAIC of models for reinsurance mechanisms for individuals and small employers. Requires establishment in each State of one or more mechanisms. Allows each State insurance commissioner to require each employer health benefit plan to be registered with that official. Defines "small employer" as having three to 49 employees. Considers an association to be a qualified small employer purchasing group if certain requirements are met, including that: (1) its membership consist solely of employers with not more than 100 employees; and (2) the association have not fewer than 100 employers. Preempts, with regard to such groups and their employer members: (1) State mandates regarding health plan offerings; (2) State or local taxes on premiums received from the employers; and (3) certain provisions of State law relating to managed care. Subtitle B: Equalization of Tax Benefits for Self-employed Persons Under Certain Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 25 percent to 100 percent the business expense deduction of health insurance costs for self-employed individuals participating in small employer purchasing groups. Makes such deduction permanent law. Subtitle C: Managed Care Rights - Preempts State law relating to reimbursement rates, selective contracting, differential financial incentives, and utilization review methods. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the benefits and cost effectiveness of managed care. Subtitle D: Study and Report - Mandates a report to the Congress on the impact of this title on access to health care, the number of employees of small employers without health coverage, small employer health plan costs, and MedEquity plan effectiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1992
Trauma Care Center Alien Compensation Act of 1992 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an allotment each year for each eligible trauma center to compensate, partially or fully, for unreimbursed costs of care to undocumented aliens. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant (but not permanent resident) status for the spouse and minor children of a lawful permanent resident alien. Prohibits such spouse from working in the United States. Terminates such status upon termination of the marriage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Emergency Medical Services Amendments of 1992 - Amends title XII (Trauma Care) of the Public Health Service Act to apply the title to emergency medical services (including trauma care) and to modify the duties of the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the title. Establishes the Office of Emergency Medical Services. Authorizes grants to States to improve the availability and quality of emergency medical services through the operation of State offices of emergency medical services. Requires projects under existing provisions to include demonstration projects to establish telecommunications between rural medical facilities and medical facilities that have expertise or equipment useful to the rural facilities through telecommunications. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out specified provisions of the title.
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 · 4 February 1992
Access to Justice Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that, in determining whether a matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $50,000 for purposes of Federal diversity of citizenship jurisdiction, the amount of damages for pain and suffering or mental anguish, punitive or exemplary damages, and attorney fees or costs shall not be included. Provides that on February 1 of each year the threshold amount for diversity jurisdiction (currently, $50,000) shall be adjusted to the nearest thousand dollars to reflect change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Entitles the prevailing party in a diversity action to attorney fees only to the extent that such party prevails on any position or claim advanced during the action. Specifies that such fees shall be paid by the nonprevailing party up to the amount of such fees of the nonprevailing party or, if the nonprevailing party receives services under a contingent fee agreement, the reasonable value of such services. Requires the counsel of record in any such action, in order to receive attorney fees, to maintain accurate, complete records of hours worked on the matter regardless of the fee arrangement. Authorizes the court to limit fees recovered to the extent that it finds special circumstances that make payment of such fees unjust. Makes provisions of this Act (with respect to attorney fees in diversity cases) inapplicable to actions removed from State court or in which the United States, any State, or any agency, officer, or employee thereof is a party. Amends the Equal Access to Justice Act to bar the award of attorney fees in excess of $75 per hour unless the court determines that an increase in the cost of living, as reflected by the change in the CPI-U (currently, unless the court determines that such an increase, or a special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceedings involved) justifies a higher fee. Sets forth provisions for the calculation of such cost of living adjustment. Amends the Federal judicial code to require the potential plaintiff, at least 30 days before filing suit in a civil action brought in a U.S. district court, to transmit written notice to the intended defendant at an address reasonably calculated to provide actual notice of the specific claims involved, including the amount of actual damages and expenses. Directs such plaintiff, at the commencement of the action, to file in such court a a certificate of service evidencing compliance with such provision. Provides for a 30-day extension of any applicable statute of limitations that would expire during the period of such notice. Makes the requirements of this provision inapplicable under specified circumstances, such as in bankruptcy proceedings and where a defendant or assets are subject to flight. Specifies that in the event that the district court finds that such notice requirements have not been met by the plaintiff and such defect is asserted by the defendant within 60 days after service of the summons or complaint, the claim shall be dismissed without prejudice and the costs of such action, including attorney fees, shall be be imposed upon the plaintiff. Permits the plaintiff, under such circumstances, to refile such claim within 60 days after dismissal regardless of any statutory limitations period if, during the 60 days after dismissal, notice is transmitted as provided by this Act and the original action was timely filed. Authorizes the United States, except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, to enter into an agreement which provides that attorney fees may be awarded against the United States or any other party to the action or proceeding: (1) in any civil action commenced by the United States; (2) in civil proceedings involving disputes pursuant to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978; or (3) in a case in which the United States and another party have agreed to use outcome-determinative mediation, subject to specified requirements. Sets forth further requirements with respect to the award of attorney fees, including the handling of such awards received by Federal agencies. Directs: (1) the chief judge of each judicial circuit (other than the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit) to designate one district court to be a pilot Multi-Door Courthouse (MDC); and (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to designate the U.S. Claims Court to be a pilot MDC. Terminates such designation and the program after three years. Requires every court which has been designated as an MDC to establish an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) plan providing for: (1) procedures for limited discovery; (2) confidentiality of proceedings as to possible subsequent pretrial and trial actions; (3) the selection, use, and payment of nonjudicial personnel who may be selected to conduct ADR proceedings as neutrals, mediators, or arbitrators; and (4) standards for determining which cases are appropriate for ADR, considering such factors as whether factual issues predominate over legal issues and whether the case involves complex or novel legal issues requiring judicial action. Requires that each plan: (1) provide that each assigned judge or magistrate judge conduct a conference with counsel within 120 days after the complaint is filed to review nonbinding, voluntary ADR procedures that may be used in lieu of litigation to resolve the claims in controversy; and (2) authorize the parties, if they agree, to use nonbinding ADR procedures (such as early evaluation by a neutral party, mediation, minitrials, summary jury trial, and arbitration) in lieu of litigation to resolve the claims in controversy. Authorizes the district courts to: (1) use the volunteer services of nonjudicial personnel to conduct ADR proceedings as neutrals, mediators, and arbitrators; and (2) establish their compensation, subject to limits established by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Authorizes the Chief Justice of the United States to designate and assign temporarily a district judge of one circuit for service in another circuit, either in a district court or court of appeals, whenever the business of that court so requires (under current law, upon presentation of a certificate of necessity by the chief judge or circuit justice of the circuit wherein the need arises). Makes it the duty of the Director of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts to secure information and report annually to the Chief Justice, the chief judges of the circuits, the Congress, and the Attorney General on the courts' need for temporary judicial resources to ease overcrowded dockets (including information on delays being encountered in the maintenance of civil suits). Provides that: (1) a State judicial officer shall not be held liable for any costs, including attorney fees, in any proceeding in vindication of civil rights brought against such officer for an act or omission of such officer while acting in an official capacity (act); and (2) in any civil action for deprivation of rights brought against a judicial officer for such an act, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree in the action was violated by such officer or declaratory relief was unavailable. Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to provide that, in actions brought by any adult convicted of a crime and confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility, the court shall continue such case for a period not to exceed 180 days in order to require exhaustion of remedies. (Current law calls for a 90-day extension if the court believes it would be appropriate and in the interests of justice.) Requires the Attorney General, upon request of a State or local corrections agency, to provide such agency with technical advice and assistance in establishing plain, speedy, and effective administrative remedies for inmate grievances. Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the court, with regard to proceedings in forma pauperis, to dismiss the case if satisfied that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Directs the Board of the Federal Judicial Center to study and include in the annual report of the activities of the Center determinations regarding ways in which case and docket management (including ADR) techniques may be applied to improve the cost-effectiveness of litigation and to eliminate unjustified expense and delay. Provides that a court in banc shall consist of all circuit judges in regular service, with exceptions. Repeals a provision authorizing any court of appeals having more than 15 active judges to perform its en banc function by such number of members of its en banc courts as may be prescribed by rule of the court of appeals.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000021_200.jpg)