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United States · Official source
1,065 records where Rep. Geren, Pete [D-TX-12] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1996
Designates the Federal building located at 300 East 8th Street in Austin, Texas, as the J.J. "Jake" Pickle Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Repeals authority for consideration of spending bills prior to adoption of the budget resolution. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year- to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both Presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to establish a rainy day fund for natural disasters. Requires budget law to include a major functional category for natural disasters, under specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law relating to the contents of the President's annual budget submission to the Congress to require the President to submit: (1) a budget of the U.S. Government for the following fiscal period on a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in each major functional category, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences; and (2) a detailed budget for that fiscal period, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget for the following budget period is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill before being voted on by the Senate or the House. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Sets forth procedures for congressional introductions of line-item bills after the President transmits a special message to rescind an item of budget authority. Prohibits amendments to such bills. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires Executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals a CBA provision for an exemption in the House from pay-as- you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of Social Security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996
Designates the U.S. Post Office building located at 251 West Lancaster Street in Fort Worth, Texas, as the Jim Wright Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Sportsmen's Bill of Rights Act of 1996 - Requires Federal land to be open to access and for use for fishing and hunting if: (1) the responsible State agency in which Federal land is located limits access to and use of the land as part of wildlife management by the State; or (2) the Federal agency responsible for Federal public land limits access and use for national security or for reasons related to specific statutory requirements regarding the management and use of the land if such requirements are clearly and directly incompatible with fishing or hunting. Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior of Puerto Rico (currently, Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico) in the conduct of wildlife-restoration projects. Prohibits the amount of funding made available to the Secretary for expenses in the administration and execution of wildlife-restoration projects and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act from being made available for use as a supplement to decreased funding for any other expense under the Secretary's authority. Amends the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act to prohibit the amount of funding made available to the Secretary for fish restoration and management projects from being used as a supplement to decreased funding for any other expense under the Secretary's authority. Prohibits a Federal agency's action that may significantly diminish opportunities or access to engage in fishing or hunting on Federal land from being effective until the agency prepares a detailed statement evaluating the effect of such action. Provides for judicial review of such action. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to exclude from the definition of "point source" any conveyance that serves the purposes of directly assisting individuals engaged in fishing, hunting, or recreational shooting. Provides that the discharge of dredged or filled material resulting from fishing, hunting, or recreational shooting shall not be prohibited by or otherwise subject to regulations under the Act, except for its effluent standards or prohibitions. Requires Federal agencies to seek to enhance existing programs and services that promote fishing and hunting and to establish new ones. Entitles a person interested in fishing or hunting to intervene as a matter of right in a civil action brought under any other Federal law relating to the use of Federal land, under specified conditions. Bars the court from granting the relief sought unless the plaintiff shows that the interest intended to be advanced by the other Federal law clearly outweighs the interest of protecting access to, and use of, Federal land for fishing and hunting. Allows an individual who is licensed by a State to engage in fishing or hunting or an organization representing such individual's interests to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court to seek declaratory or injunctive relief regarding the implementation of this Act, including a declaration that a civil action brought by another person may significantly disrupt or eliminate opportunities for fishing or hunting and an injunction against the prosecution of the civil action.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Declares that the end of slavery in the United States should be celebrated and recognized.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Authorizes the President to award the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Theodore Roosevelt for his actions in the attack of San Juan Heights, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War on July 1, 1898.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a postage stamp to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
Waives the time limitation relating to claims of agency personnel for personal property damage or loss with respect to a named individual of the U.S. Air Force of Fort Worth, Texas, for the loss of household goods which were stolen during transport from England to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996
HIV Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to add certain requirements relating to prevention of the transmission of the HIV virus which State Medicaid plans must incorporate in order to receive Federal approval. Includes among such requirements: (1) mandatory confidential reporting of HIV positive results by the health professional or other entity performing HIV tests to the State public health officer; (2) informing of individuals who may have been exposed to HIV by the public health officer of the State; (3) mandatory HIV testing of alleged rapists for which victims and their attorneys are notified of the results; (4) subjection to mandatory HIV testing of prospective patients who are to undergo an invasive medical procedure that would place the health professionals involved at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with the health professionals notified of the results; and (5) notification of individuals who are to undergo an invasive medical procedure by any health professional who is to perform such procedure and knows that he or she has HIV disease. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) with respect to health professionals with HIV disease who perform invasive medical procedures on patients, the medical profession should develop guidelines to assist them in complying with the requirements of this Act; (2) the States should have in effect laws providing that, in the case of individuals who know they have HIV disease, it is a felony to engage in any behaviors that the individual knows will place others at risk of infection with the disease, regardless of whether the behaviors actually transmit such infection; and (3) strict confidentiality should be maintained in carrying out the requirements added by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1996
Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), after an accident involving an aircraft that results in a significant loss of life of passengers, to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a family advocate to be a Government liaison between the air carrier and the families of the passengers; and (2) designate an independent nonprofit organization which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the care and support of the passengers' families. Declares that the NTSB shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the recovery and identification of passengers involved in an aircraft accident. Prohibits any person from impeding the ability of the NTSB, or the designated organization, from carrying out its responsibilities under this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Requires each air carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a plan for addressing the needs of the passengers' families. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an air carrier's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity unless it includes such plan in its application. Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop: (1) a model plan to assist air carriers in responding to aircraft accidents; and (2) recommendations to the Congress on methods to ensure that attorneys and the media do not intrude on the privacy of the passengers' families. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State bar association should adopt a rule providing in transportation accidents that no unsolicited communications should be made to the families concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death before the 30th day following the accident.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996
George Bush School of Government and Public Service Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a grant to assist in the establishment of the George Bush Fellowship Program, located at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service of the Texas A & M University. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a Small Business Regulatory Relief Council. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (participating agencies) to submit to the Council a five-year plan for the establishment and maintenance of a partnership with small business development centers (SBDCs) for a system of voluntary regulatory compliance (compliance). Outlines plan contents and requires such participating agencies to ensure the nonduplication of efforts in such regard. Requires the Council: (1) within 30 days after a participating agency submits a plan, to approve or modify such plan; (2) to establish guidelines for the implementation of each plan; and (3) to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the types of assistance provided by SBDCs to small businesses participating in the system of compliance, as well as outreach efforts to inform small businesses of such opportunity. Requires each SBDC to: (1) submit annually to the Council a work plan for SBDCs to carry out the system of compliance; (2) report semiannually to the Council on assistance provided to small businesses by SBDCs under this Act; and (3) report annually to the Council on recommendations for improving the regulation of small businesses. Directs the Council to: (1) evaluate annually the system of compliance; (2) determine whether SBDCs are performing in accordance with their compliance work plans; and (3) provide for an independent evaluation of such system after three years of operation. Requires the participating agencies to set aside specified percentages of their annual funding for FY 1997 through 2001 for compliance assistance under this Act. Provides for the deposit of such funds into the National Regulatory Relief Fund, and for appropriate Fund distributions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1996
Prison Work and Victim Restitution Act of 1996 - Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require convicted inmates confined in Federal prisons, jails, and other detention facilities to engage in: (1) work for no fewer than 50 hours weekly; and (2) job-training and educational and life skills preparation study. Allows nonprofit entities to utilize the services of prisoners if opportunities otherwise provided by law for inmates to work are insufficient to meet such requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make prisoners available to for-profit American entities either located in a foreign country or considering moving to a foreign country because of high domestic labor costs, subject to specified requirements; and (2) provide incentives to such entities, such as the use of space and facilities in Federal prisons at a free or reduced rate. Directs the Attorney General to make rules governing the provision of services by inmates to such nonprofit and for-profit entities. Establishes in the Treasury a Fund into which shall be placed all proceeds and wages from prison labor. Directs that such Fund be used: (1) to offset the costs of prisoner incarceration (one third); (2) for victim restitution (one third); (3) for payment into the individual prisoner's account to be paid upon his or her release (one tenth); and (4) for payments to States with prison work requirements that are substantially the same as Federal requirements for programs to benefit the dependents of prisoners. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to exclude prisoners from the term "employee" for purposes of such Acts. Directs the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that Federal prisoners: (1) are subject to regular and random testing for drugs and illegal substances; (2) do not engage in specified activities, such as smoking, viewing pornographic materials, or sexual activity; and (3) do not possess microwave ovens, hot plates, toaster overs, televisions, or VCRs. Repeals the limitation on the number of non-Federal prison work pilot projects with respect to which penalties for transporting in interstate commerce or importing from any foreign country into the United States goods, wares, or merchandise manufactured, produced, or mined wholly or in part by convicts or prisoners are inapplicable.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1996
ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1998 through 2002 for: (1) the National Highway System (NHS); (2) the Surface Transportation Program (STP); and (3) the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP), including Indian reservation roads, public lands highways, and parkways and park highways. (Sec. 6) Modifies the definition of: (1) "Federal-aid system" to mean the NHS; and (2) NHS to mean the Federal-aid highway system established pursuant to Federal highway provisions. Defines: (1) "highest priority corridor" to mean (with exceptions) any NHS corridor that the Secretary determines has national and international significance, that directly accounts for at least 35 percent of the truck-borne traffic for Canadian and Mexican imports and exports, that has at least 20 percent truck traffic, that directly benefits impoverished areas, that provides multiple intermodal connections, and that connects to military bases; and (2) "highway funds" to mean the funds apportioned to a State for a fiscal year and the funds allocated to a State for the preceding fiscal year for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction (other than funds made available for the FLHP and for emergency relief). Modifies provisions regarding Federal-aid systems and the formula for apportionments of NHS funds. (Sec. 7) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) apportionments for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System (IS); and (2) the transfer of interstate construction apportionments, the transfer of funds for STP projects, and limits on new capacity. (Sec. 8) Modifies STP provisions regarding the location of projects and allocations of apportioned funds. Authorizes a State, in nonattainment areas for ozone or carbon monoxide, or for PM-10 resulting from transportation activities, or any combination thereof, to obligate STP funds for any congestion mitigation and air quality improvement project or program without regard to any Department of Transportation limitation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard such project or program addresses. (Sec. 9) Directs that, for purposes of STP and IS provisions, population shall be determined based on the most recent decennial census for which data are available. (Sec. 10) Repeals provisions regarding: (1) the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program; and (2) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program. (Sec. 12) Replaces provisions regarding minimum allocations to States with an apportionment adjustment program to provide that the Secretary shall allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that the ratio of the highway funds of the State to those of all States for the fiscal year is not less than certain listed percentages for the State. Repeals existing apportionment adjustment programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Crime Does Not Pay Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit community development block grants to a State or locality that permits recovery of damages for an injury suffered by a person committing a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates all environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
Bruce M. Bryan Police and Fire Chaplains Public Safety Officers' Benefit Act of 1996 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include a police or fire department chaplain within the definition of a public safety officer for purposes of death benefit provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Recognition of the Millennium Society Title II: Commemorative Coins Title III: Commemorative Postage Stamps Millennium Society Act of 1996 - Title I: Recognition of the Millennium Society - Recognizes the Millennium Society (a nonprofit U.S. corporation chartered and organized under the laws of the State of Illinois on November 21, 1983) and any other organization that is organized and operated by the corporation exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. (Sec. 105) Sets forth the goals and purposes of the Society, which include: (1) establishing national goals for commemoration and celebration of the millennium in the United States and U.S. participation in such international events; (2) exercising exclusive jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to U.S. participation in commemorations or celebrations of the millennium; (3) coordinating activities and holding forums and symposiums to promote educational and cross-cultural exchange; and (4) establishing, endowing, and administering the Millennium Scholars Program. (Sec. 114) Grants the Society the sole and exclusive right to the use of specified symbols, emblems, trademarks, and names to carry out its functions. Authorizes the Society to allow contributors and suppliers of goods and services to use the Society's trade name, trademarks, symbols, insignia, emblems, seals, descriptive or designating marks, and slogans in advertising under specified conditions. Subjects to a civil action by the Society for the remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946 any person who, without the Society's consent, uses its trademark, symbol, insignia, emblem, seal, descriptive or designating mark, or slogan: (1) for the purposes of trade; (2) to induce the sale of any goods or services; (3) or to promote any theatrical exhibition, performance, or competition. Exempts persons who lawfully used such a symbol or slogan before the enactment of this Act. Allows the individuals to continue such lawful use for the same purpose and for the same goods or services. Title II: Commemorative Coins - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the events of the second millennium and the advent of the third. (Sec. 204) Provides for the issuance of such coins beginning on July 1, 1999, and ending on January 1, 2001. (Sec. 207) Requires all surcharges received from coin sales to be promptly paid to the Society, under specified conditions, to be used only for the purpose of supporting the Millennium Scholars Program. Title III: Commemorative Postage Stamps - Urges the U.S. Postal Service to cooperate with the Secretary and the Society in the: (1) issuance of appropriate first day of issuance postage stamps commemorating the end of the second millennium and the advent of the third; and (2) production of a philatelic numismatic combination as a unique item to be made available to the public for such commemoration.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1996
National Dam Safety Program Act of 1996 - Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State dam safety agencies, and the National Dam Safety Review Board (established by this Act) to establish and maintain a coordinated national dam safety program. Sets forth the duties of the Director, including: (1) developing and implementing the program; (2) establishing goals, priorities, and target dates for such implementation; and (3) providing a method for cooperation and coordination with, and (as feasible) providing assistance to, interested governmental entities in all States. Establishes program objectives, including: (1) ensuring that new and existing dams are safe through the development of technologically and economically feasible programs and procedures for national dam safety hazard reduction; (2) encouraging acceptable engineering policies and procedures used for dam site investigation, design, construction, operation and maintenance, and emergency preparedness and establishment and implementation of effective dam safety programs in each participating State based on State standards; and (3) developing public awareness projects, technical assistance materials, and mechanisms with which to provide technical assistance for dam safety to the non-Federal sector. Sets forth provisions regarding program components, including Federal and non-Federal elements, and three functional activities (leadership, technical assistance, and public awareness). Requires the Director to: (1) develop an implementation plan which shall demonstrate dam safety improvements through FY 2001 and recommend appropriate roles for Federal agencies, State and local governments, individuals, and private organizations; and (2) submit a biennial report to the Congress describing the status of the program and the progress achieved by the Federal agencies during the previous two years in implementing the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety. Authorizes establishment of the Board, which shall be responsible for monitoring participating State implementation of the requirements of the assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth an apportionment formula. Requires the Director to: (1) provide, at the request of any State that has or intends to develop a dam safety program, training for State dam safety staff and inspectors; and (2) undertake a program of technical and archival research. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to maintain and periodically publish updated information on the inventory of dams.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1996
Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1996 - Requires the Bureau of the Census, in conducting the 2000 decennial census, to: (1) attempt to contact every household directly, whether by mail or in person (and allows the use of sampling as a substitute for direct contact in a particular census tract only after direct contact has been made with at least 90 percent of the households in such tract); and (2) seek to make more effective use of State and local government offices and appropriate local groups to reduce the undercount and include in a specified report a description of the measures it intends to carry out such requirement. Modifies Federal law regarding exemptions for reemployed annuitants and former uniformed service members to make such law: (1) applicable to service in any temporary position within the Bureau established for purposes relating to the 2000 decennial census; and (2) inapplicable to any service performed after December 31, 2000. Prohibits taking into account compensation for services performed by an individual appointed to a temporary position in or under the Bureau for purposes relating to the 2000 decennial census (if the position is so designated by the Bureau, in writing, at the time of such individual's appointment) for purposes of: (1) State programs for aid and services to needy families with children and for child- welfare services, and for certain medical assistance, under the Social Security Act; (2) the Food Stamp program; (3) certain programs for housing assistance; (4) specified assistance under the school breakfast and lunch programs, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and the Job Training Partnership Act; (5) any Head Start program; and (6) assistance pursuant to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 1627 (pesticide regulation and food safety).
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1996
Temporary Emergency Livestock Drought Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to provide temporary assistance for certain drought-affected livestock producers. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to obligate specified funds for 1996 livestock feed emergencies. Requires a report on the use of certain commodity reserves for livestock assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
Minimum Wage for Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the heading of the section allowing a tax credit popularly known as the "earned income tax credit" to read "Working Families Support Credit" (WFSC). (The current section heading reads "Earned income.") Conditions eligibility for the WFSC on individuals: (1) including their social security numbers on their tax returns; and (2) having a qualifying child. Removes provisions defining a qualifying child as including a student under the age of 24. Includes in the definition of "disqualified income" income from passive activities. Modifies how adjusted gross income is determined for the WFSC, including regarding certain: (1) child support payments; (2) non-taxable income; (3) income not included in gross income; (4) amounts relating to capital losses, trade or business losses, and estate and trust losses. Changes phaseout percentages and other percentages and amounts used in the calculation of the WFSC. Mandates monthly payment of the WFSC portion of any refund unless the WFSC is under $600. Increases penalties on: (1) tax preparers for understatement of tax liability and other actions; and (2) any person who aids and abets an understatement. Mandates reports to the Congress on: (1) ways to encourage WFSC recipients to obtain advance payments, reduce advance payment fraud, and reduce advance payment burdens on small businesses; and (2) the feasibility and effects of converting food stamps into cash payments and making those payments in the same payments as WFSC monthly payments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
Calls for: (1) the Government of Japan to pay reparations and express formal regret to U.S. military and civilian prisoners of war held by the Japanese during World War II; and (2) relevant U.S. departments and agencies to declassify and release to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to the doctors of individuals who were subjected to experimentation by the Japanese all requested U.S. and Japanese records and documents relating to medical or bacteriological experimentation on such prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Defense of Marriage Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that no State, territory, or possession of the United States or Indian tribe shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other such jurisdiction or to any right or claim arising from such relationship. Establishes a Federal definition of: (1) "marriage" as only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife; and (2) "spouse" as only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Incentives for Oil and Gas Production Subtitle A: Production Credit Subtitle B: Modifications to Percentage Depletion Title II: Percentage Depletion Rate for Marginal Production Title III: Other Provisions Title IV: 6-Year Period of Limitation for Collection of Oil and Gas Royalties Energy Independence Act of 1996 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Production Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for producing crude oil and natural gas from new wells and marginal wells. Provides: (1) a formula for reducing such credit in years in which oil and gas prices increase; and (2) an inflation adjustment for such formula. Allows such credit against the regular and minimum tax. Subtitle B: Modifications to Percentage Depletion - Repeals the net income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and gas properties. (Sec. 112) Makes all marginal production of domestic crude oil or domestic natural gas eligible for percentage depletion. Title II: Percentage Depletion Rate for Marginal Production - Revises the percentage depletion rate for such marginal production. Title III: Other Provisions - Allows the election to treat geological and geophysical expenses incurred in connection with the exploration for, or development of, domestic oil or gas as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. (Sec. 302) Makes the enhanced oil recovery credit applicable to secondary recovery methods. Allows such credit against the minimum tax. Title IV: 6-Year Period of Limitation for Collection of Oil and Gas Royalties - Establishes a six-year statute of limitations on actions commenced by the United States for recovery of royalties due under an oil and gas lease on Federal lands unless a lessee has made a false or fraudulent statement with the intent to evade the royalties due.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Drive Away from Ethanol Welfare Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the credit for alcohol used to produce any ether. Limits other tax incentives to produce alcohol for use as fuel. Reduces the credit for any alcohol which is ethanol.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Regulatory Fair Warning Act - Amends Federal Government operations law to limit the sanctions which may be imposed by courts and agencies for rule violations: (1) involving agency rules which failed to give the defendant fair warning of the conduct that the rule prohibits or requires; (2) where the defendant reasonably and in good faith determined prior to the violation that he or she was in compliance with, exempt from, or otherwise not subject to, the rule requirements based upon his or her understanding of the rule text and published guidances and policies related to the rule; or (3) committed in reasonable reliance upon a written statement by a Federal or State official authorized to implement or ensure compliance with the rule, made after disclosure by the defendant of all material facts, that the defendant was in compliance with, exempt from, or otherwise not subject to the rule requirements. Prohibits the court or agency in an action brought to impose a civil or criminal sanction for an alleged rule violation from giving deference to any interpretation of such rule relied upon by the promulgating agency that was not published in the Federal Register or was not available to the defendant before the alleged violation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
National Oceanographic Partnership Act - Establishes the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. Sets forth the purposes of the program. Establishes the: (1) National Ocean Research Leadership Council; (2) Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group; and (3) Ocean Research Advisory Panel under the program. Sets forth the composition of membership and specified duties of each. Mandates certain annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program for FY 1997 and requires that a certain amount be available for the operations of the partnership program office for such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to exempt from the Act any child custody proceeding involving a child who does not reside or is not domiciled within a reservation unless at least one of the child's biological parents: (1) is of Indian descent; and (2) maintains significant social, cultural, or political affiliation with their Indian tribe. Permits an individual who is 18 years old before becoming a member of an Indian tribe to become a member only upon such individual's written consent. Provides that for the purposes of any child custody proceeding involving an Indian child, membership in an Indian tribe shall be effective from the actual date of admission to membership in the tribe and shall not be given retroactive effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Regulatory Accountability Act of 1996 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 with regard to Federal mandates to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any new or reauthorized measure (controlled private regulatory legislation) imposing costs on the private sector of $100 million or more (controlled Federal private sector mandate) unless it specifies a regulatory cost authorization for each such mandate of the dollar amount of private sector costs authorized to result from implementing or enforcing regulations. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the costs of mandate compliance for each measure reported by an authorization committee. Prohibits the total amount of private sector compliance costs from exceeding the regulatory cost authorization for a covered law. Prohibits a proposed covered regulation from taking effect unless the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has certified in the Federal Register that its implementation will not violate the first prohibition. Exempts from such prohibitions any regulation which the President finds is necessary because of an emergency. Requires such estimates to be publicly available for each covered law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Medical Device Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission. (Sec. 3) Allows device approval applicants to declare a review impasse and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 4) Revises requirements regarding: (1) investigational devise exemptions; (2) premarket approval requirements (mandating a device review priority); (3) humanitarian device exceptions; (4) safety and effectiveness performance standards (allowing consensus standards recognition); (5) effectiveness determinations (as used in classifying devices); (6) premarket notification; (7) classification panels; and (8) premarket approval application review (allowing review by accredited persons). (Sec. 12) Mandates procedures for accrediting parties that review premarket approval applications and conduct good manufacturing practice inspections. (Sec. 13) Mandates reclassification of certain devices. (Sec. 14) Modifies requirements regarding: (1) device tracking; (2) postmarket surveillance; and (3) good manufacturing practice regulations (including foreign harmonization) and inspections (including adding references to accredited entities and post-inspection procedural requirements). (Sec. 18) Regulates the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, displays at trade shows, and other material. (Sec. 19) Removes distributors from record keeping and reporting requirements. Declares that the failure of a device to perform as labeled or in an acceptable manner does not constitute a malfunction when caused by improper servicing. Repeals user reporting requirements. (Sec. 20) Prohibits subjecting a person to penalties if the person acted in good faith and had no reason to believe the acts violated the law. (Sec. 21) Allows using monetary penalties for violation correction. Entitles violators to reasonable discovery. (Sec. 22) Mandates an information system to track the status of each submission requesting FDA action. (Sec. 23) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the FDCA from requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement or assessment. (Sec. 24) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on any statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 25) Mandates training programs for FDA employees regarding FDCA regulations and policies. Allows the FDA to conduct or contract for scientific research only if directly related to FDCA implementation. (Sec. 26) Regulates communications to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of related investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Drug and Biological Products Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and mandate an annual report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 3) Modifies new drug requirements regarding: (1) clinical investigation commencement; (2) application contents and review; (3) effectiveness determinations; (4) the use of scientific advisory panels; and (5) marketing approval application review by accredited persons. (Sec. 8) Provides for the accreditation of persons to: (1) review applications for new drugs or for certification of insulin-containing drugs; and (2) conduct good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections. (Sec. 9) Allows applicants to declare an impasse in a review or a submission for an investigational use exemption and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 10) Adds references to accredited persons to provisions relating to GMP inspections. Imposes post-inspection requirements. Deems certain chemistry, manufacturing, and controls to comply with current GMP and prohibits actions to delay or prevent the manufacture or marketing of a drug for failure to conform to GMP, subject to exception. (Sec. 12) Allows a new drug manufactured in a small facility to be used to show safety and effectiveness. (Sec. 13) Regulates changes in the manufacture of a new drug, biological product, new animal drug, blood, or blood component. (Sec. 14) Repeals provisions relating to the certification of drugs containing insulin or antibiotics. (Sec. 15) Requires that applications or petitions requesting conversion from prescription to nonprescription status and all matters relating to nonprescription drugs be reviewed by a single office in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Allows a single scientific advisory panel to provide recommendations. (Sec. 16) Mandates an applicant-accessible information system to track applications and submissions to the FDA. (Sec. 17) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from requiring an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. (Sec. 18) Regulates drugs compounded by a licensed pharmacist on the order of a licensed physician. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to meet with foreign countries to discuss harmonization of regulatory requirements. (Sec. 20) Controls the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, and other material. (Sec. 21) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 22) Mandates training for FDA employees on regulations and policies under the FDCA. (Sec. 23) Regulates: (1) the delegation of authority under the FDCA; (2) judicial review of decisions regarding investigational new drugs and new drugs; and (3) communication to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of an investigation. (Sec. 26) Defines "biological product" and "human tissue." Declares that blood, a blood component, an organ, milk, or human tissue is not a drug. Prohibits subjecting computer software developed or modified by, or used in, a human tissue establishment to any premarket clearance requirement. Requires such software to be validated to demonstrate that it achieves its intended purpose before use and subjects it to the GMP requirements of the FDCA. Requires licenses to introduce biological products, blood, and blood components into interstate commerce. Regulates licensing. Allows regulation of human tissue only if the Secretary demonstrates that voluntary regulation is inadequate to protect the public health. Provides for such regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Food Amendments Title II: Animal Drugs Food Amendments and the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 - Title I: Food Amendments - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to state the mission of the Food and Drug Administration. (Sec. 102) Modifies requirements regarding label claims of a relationship between a nutritional ingredient and a health-related condition. (Sec. 104) Prohibits construing FDCA provisions relating to misbranding or food additives to require a separate disclosure of a method of production or an ingredient other than in the statement of ingredients, unless necessary to protect the public health. (Sec. 105) Allows certain labeling and additive (including color additive) petitions to be submitted to an accredited person and deems the person's recommendation to be a decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services unless the Secretary makes certain findings. Provides for accreditation. (Sec. 107) Allows an additive in feed for food-producing animals, and allows approval of a new animal drug, if the additive or drug presents a small risk (currently, if the additive will not adversely affect the animals and if no residue will be found in food from the animal). (Sec. 108) Prohibits States and subdivisions from having any requirement for a human food, a drug or biological product, or a cosmetic of the type authorized or required under the adulteration, misbranding, or new drug provisions of the FDCA, subject to exception and waiver. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to regularly meet with other countries regarding reducing regulation and seeking reciprocal arrangements. (Sec. 110) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements that have not been promulgated in accordance with Federal rulemaking requirements to require any action to be taken to satisfy an FDCA requirement. (Sec. 111) Amends the FDCA and the Federal Trade Commission Act to remove or repeal provisions regulating the sale, public eating place serving, and advertising of colored oleomargarine or colored margarine. Repeals related definitions. Title II: Animal Drugs - Amends the FDCA to revise the definition (for new animal drug provisions) of "substantial evidence." Modifies requirements regarding approval of supplemental applications. Exempts use in a minor species and the minor use of a drug from provisions prohibiting approval if there is a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have its purported effect. Revises requirements regarding combination drugs. (Sec. 202) Reduces the period for approval of new animal drug applications. (Sec. 203) Empowers applicants to declare that a review impasse exists. Sets forth a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 204) Revises requirements regarding drug residues and tolerances. (Sec. 205) Regulates animal feed drugs that are limited by approved applications to use under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (veterinary feed directive drugs) (VFDDs). Deems animal feed with a new animal drug unsafe unless its labeling, distribution, holding, and use (currently, its labeling and use) conform to specified FDCA requirements. Allows withdrawal of approval for certain VFDD recordkeeping violations. Adds to the prohibited acts list the refusal to permit record access as required by VFDD provisions and the failure to maintain records or make reports as required by VFDD provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1996
Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to apply prohibitions and penalties for aggravated sexual abuse of a person under age 12 and for sexual abuse of a person between the ages of 12 and 16 to any person who: (1) crosses a State line with intent to engage in a sexual act with such minor; or (2) knowingly engages, or attempts to engage, in such an act in interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes imposition of the death penalty if the defendant kills the victim. Directs that a defendant previously convicted of another Federal offense of sexual abuse or aggravated sexual abuse of a minor or of a State offense that would have been such an offense had it occurred in a Federal prison be sentenced to life imprisonment, unless the death penalty is imposed. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to provide that, in order not to reduce the funds available under the drug control and system improvement grant program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by ten percent, a State shall have in effect a law which requires a court to sentence a defendant in a State prosecution who is convicted of an offense that would have been aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse of a minor if it occurred in a Federal prison, and who has previously been convicted for such an offense, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Revises VCCLEA provisions under subtitle A of title XVII (the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act) to: (1) provide for the transfer of information from the State law enforcement agency to the Federal Bureau of Information (FBI); (2) require the information collected under a State registration program to be transmitted to the FBI and to be released to law enforcement agencies and government agencies conducting background checks under specified circumstances; and (3) direct the FBI to maintain a separate data base for information submitted to it under this Act, to make such data base accessible to appropriate State law enforcement officials, and to inform appropriate local law enforcement officials on each occasion that a person registered changes registration to that locality.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1996
Revises specified provisions regarding minimum allocations of Federal aid highway funds and provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in FY 1998 and thereafter, to ensure that each State's percentage of the total apportionments in each such fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year from funds made available out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is not less than the percentage of estimated tax payments to the HTF by highway users in the State in the latest fiscal year for which data are available. Repeals ISTEA provisions specifying the percentage of total apportioned and allocated funds to be allocated to each State for the surface transportation program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Requires, in either House, the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present for final adoption of any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws unless that bill, resolution, or measure is determined at the time of adoption, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. Allows the Congress to waive that requirement during war or certain military conflict. Requires all votes under this Amendment to be by yeas and nays and the names of persons voting for and against to be entered in the Journal of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1996
Voluntary Adoption Protection Act - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to exempt voluntary child custody proceedings from coverage under that Act. States that upon written consent by a parent or legal guardian of an Indian child to voluntarily terminate parental rights such Act is inapplicable with respect to any child custody proceeding involving such child.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Uniformed Services Medicare Subvention Demonstration Project Act - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly establish a demonstration project (project) to provide the Department of Defense (DOD) with reimbursement, under provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for health services provided through DOD to certain Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries. Requires the project to be conducted in one or more regions in which the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) has been implemented. Allows such project to be conducted for up to two years. Requires such Secretaries to jointly submit to the Congress a first annual report and a final report containing specified information concerning project participants and such project's effects on military medical care access, readiness, and training. Directs the HHS Secretary to make monthly payments to DOD from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (HHS trust funds) representing appropriate reimbursement amounts. Provides for the determination of such amounts. Directs such Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a base level of TRICARE coverage required in a geographic region for eligibility under the project; (2) determine baseline costs of such care and coverage; and (3) establish upper reimbursement limits. Directs the Secretary of Defense to waive the enrollment fee for individuals enrolled in a TRICARE program participating in the project. Establishes in the Treasury the Medicare Subvention Fund (Fund) for providing payments to the HHS Secretary for reimbursement of the HHS trust funds and for the payment of all expenses related to the participation of Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries in excess of the base level established under this Act, as well as administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 and 1998 for deposit into the Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Limits the term of a judge of a court ordained and established by the Congress to eight years. Counts any time (but not more than six years) served as a judge before the ratification of this amendment towards the first term of that judge.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1996
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) endorses efforts by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to upgrade the currency for security reasons; and (2) strongly encourages the Secretary of the Treasury and the Bureau to incorporate cost-effective, tactile features into the design changes, thereby including the blind and visually impaired in independent currency usage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Commission on Retirement Income Policy Act of 1996 - Establishes the Commission on Retirement Income Policy to study and report to the President and Congress on: (1) trends in retirement savings in the United States; (2) existing Federal incentives and programs to encourage and protect such savings; and (3) new Federal incentives and programs needed for such purpose. Requires the Commission to address specified issues and to include in its recommendation measures addressing specified needs of future retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1996
Children's Right to Know Act of 1996 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to direct that the report accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget include an analysis, prepared after consultation with the Congressional Budget Office Director, of the generational accounting consequences of the concurrent resolution. Amends Federal law to require the President's annual budget to include an analysis of the generational accounting consequences of the budget.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the People's Republic of China should: (1) reaffirm its commitment to conduct relations with Taiwan by peaceful means; (2) engage in diplomatic negotiations to discuss any disagreement with Taiwan without any threat of military or economic coercion against Taiwan; and (3) immediately live up to its commitment to work for a peaceful resolution of any disagreements with Taiwan and desist from military actions designed to intimidate Taiwan. Calls on Taiwan to adhere to its commitment to negotiate its future relations with the mainland by mutual, not unilateral, decision. Calls for the United States: (1) to maintain its commitment to resist any resort to force or use other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan, consistent with its undertakings in the Taiwan Relations Act; (2) to maintain a naval presence sufficient to keep open the sea lanes in and near the Taiwan Straits; (3) in the face of the several overt military threats by the People's Republic of China against Taiwan, and consistent with the commitment of the United States under the Taiwan Relations Act, to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons systems; and (4) to assist in defending the people of Taiwan against invasion, missile attack, or blockade by the People's Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Amends Federal provisions concerning the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under which covered CHAMPUS beneficiaries who are also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be permitted to enroll in a health benefits plan offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program in lieu of receiving care under CHAMPUS or the TRICARE program. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) required contributions for such coverage; and (2) the management of participants in the plan. Requires the Secretary and the OPM Director to report annually to the Congress describing the provision of health care services to covered beneficiaries under the plan during the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Requires advertisements by States to encourage participation in their lotteries to: (1) in the case of written and television advertisements, appear in conspicuous and prominent type; (2) in the case of broadcast radio and television advertisements, be clearly audible; (3) state the statistical probability of winning; and (4) be subject to the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission respecting unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a two-thirds vote of each House of the Congress in order to pass any bill levying a new tax or increasing the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive that requirement during war or certain military conflict. Requires all votes under this Amendment to be by yeas and nays and the names of persons voting for and against to be entered in the Journal of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, not later than March 15, 1996, the Congress should appropriate for FY 1996 for each continuing program or activity of the Department of Education not less than the amount appropriated for FY 1995 for such program or activity.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-Theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a word or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Authorizes States to use Federal highway safety funds to defray the costs of establishing new procedures to comply with such requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of the above acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit customs officers from allowing the export of self-propelled vehicles from the United States by transport (current law permits the export of used self-propelled vehicles provided ownership information is given), unless the exporter presents proof of ownership to such officer. Sets forth a civil penalty for violations of this requirement.