United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
National Children's Advocacy Program Act of 1992 - Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in coordination with the Director of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to establish a national children's advocacy program of centers to provide information, services, and assistance so that communities can establish multidisciplinary programs that respond to child abuse. Provides for solicitation of proposals from applicants to operate such centers, proposal criteria, management plans, selection of proposals, funding of the centers, and program coordination. Requires regular monitoring and evaluation of each center's activities, annual reports, discontinuation of funding in cases of failure to implement program activities, and solicitation of new proposals upon discontinuation of funding for any center. Requires the two Directors to: (1) establish a children's advocacy advisory board to develop identified goals and program objectives; and (2) review annually the solicitation and selection process and program activities of each center. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to send to the Congress an annual, detailed review of the progress of such program activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992
National Child Protection Act of 1992 - Establishes a national criminal background check system (system) to which a designated agency in each State is required to report child abuse crime information, or index such information in the system, for purposes of background checks of child care providers. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) guidelines for the reporting of such information; and (2) timetables for each State to report such information to the System (with a three-year deadline for all States to be reporting at a specified level of currency). Requires State agencies to maintain close liaison for the exchange of technical assistance in cases of child abuse with the National Center: (1) on Child Abuse and Neglect; (2) for Missing and Exploited Children; and (3) for the Prosecution of Child Abuse. Directs the Attorney General to publish annually: (1) a statistical summary of the child abuse crime information reported under this Act; and (2) a summary of each State's progress in reporting child abuse crime information to the system. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to conduct a study to determine various factors relating to potential child abuse crimes and offenders, based on a statistically significant sample of convicted child abuse offenders and other relevant information. Requires a report on such study to be submitted to specified congressional committee officials. Authorizes a State to have in effect procedures to permit a qualified entity (i.e., a business or organization that provides child care or child care placement services, or that certifies others to provide such care or services) to contact a State agency to request a nationwide background check to determine if a child care provider is under indictment for, or has been convicted of, a background check crime. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) guidelines for State background check procedures, but permits the Attorney General to certify that a State procedure is equivalent to that under this Act under specified circumstances; and (2) criteria for such certifications. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) prescribe such other measures as may be required to carry out the purposes of this Act; and (2) encourage the use of the best technology available in conducting background checks. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) to provide for the use of drug control and system improvement grants for the improvement of State record systems and the sharing of records of child abuse crime information to implement this Act. Directs the Attorney General, subject to appropriations and with preference to States that have the lowest percent currency of case dispositions in computerized criminal history files, to make additional grants to each State to be used, for purposes of this Act: (1) for the computerization of criminal history files; (2) for the improvement of existing computerized criminal history files; (3) to improve accessibility to the system; and (4) to assist the State in the transmittal of criminal records to, or the indexing of criminal history records in, the system. Authorizes: (1) appropriations; and (2) the withholding of a portion of the allocation for a fiscal year under the Omnibus Act to a State that is not in compliance with the timetable established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
AmeRus Foundation for Research and Development Act of 1992 - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish the AmeRus Foundation for Research and Development as an endowed, nongovernmental, nonprofit foundation to: (1) promote and support joint research for peaceful purposes between scientists and engineers in the United States and former Soviet states; (2) establish joint nondefense industrial research and development through private sector linkages which may involve the academic sectors and shall include some contribution from industrial participants; and (3) ensure equal distribution of Foundation funding. Authorizes the Foundation to accept funding from governmental appropriations, private donations, debt conversions, and local foreign currencies generated by U.S. assistance programs as available. Requires a specified percentage of royalty revenues on patents resulting from Foundation projects to be returned to the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
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
Debt Collection Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends Federal law to require the head of an executive or legislative agency (who, currently, is merely authorized) to: (1) contract with a collection service to recover indebtedness owed to the United States; (2) collect such indebtedness from Federal employees in installment deductions; (3) disclose certain information to a consumer reporting agency when trying to collect a claim; and (4) collect such a claim by administrative offset. Requires the head of a Federal agency to report promptly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) any debt that has been paid in full. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the IRS to disclose address information in accordance with any law granting a Federal claim against a taxpayer. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress after annual audits of each Federal agency on: (1) the amount of debt owed to the agency; (2) the amount that is delinquent; and (3) action taken by the agency to recover such debt. Repeals the termination date of the pilot debt collection project of the Department of Justice. Requires the Attorney General to include in the annual report to the Congress on activities to recover indebtedness the total cost of the pilot project and the total amount of debt recovered under it. Requires that recovered funds be used to reduce the Federal deficit. Prohibits the head of a Federal agency from making a loan until the loan applicant has been prescreened to determine creditworthiness. Requires the IRS to disclose address information to a Federal agency for use in collecting a claim. Prohibits the head of a Federal agency from making a loan to a loan applicant who owes a delinquent debt to the Federal Government, including the IRS. Allows the use of administrative charges by the Secretary of the Treasury for improving credit management techniques.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporate taxpayers with unused alternative minimum tax credits from prior years to use such credits against current-year alternative minimum tax liability. Establishes an ordering rule for applying such credit. Eliminates intangible drilling costs and percentage depletion as tax preference items for independent producers of oil and gas properties, with limitations. Declares that depreciation adjustments do not apply to environmental improvement assets.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Department of Defense Civilian Employee Management Reform Act of 1992 - Revises guidelines for reductions of civilian personnel within the Department of Defense (DOD). Requires the Secretary of Defense (currently, each agency or component of DOD that employs persons who are or may be furloughed) to include annually in budget materials submitted to the Congress a master plan (currently, a five-year master plan) for DOD as a whole, and for each military department, defense agency, or other employing component of DOD. Requires each master plan to include civilian DOD employment information with respect to the previous two, the current, and the upcoming two fiscal years. Outlines information to be provided in each master plan, including a profile of civilian employment levels sufficient to establish and maintain a baseline for tracking annual accessions and losses of DOD civilian personnel and to provide for the analysis of trends in civilian employment levels within DOD as a whole and within its related departments, agencies, and components. Requires annual trends in employment workloads for industrial- and commercial-type activities of DOD that are funded through the Defense Business Operating Fund to also be included in each such master plan. Permits deviation from the guidelines in the master plans when critical to the national security of the United States, requiring congressional notification of such determination by the Secretary, together with the reasons therefor. Prohibits a DOD military department, defense agency, or component from implementing any involuntary reductions or furloughs of civilian DOD personnel until 45 days after notification to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the veterans' health care system administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs should be maintained within that Department uniquely for providing health care for veterans; and (2) eligibility for health care services provided by such health care system should not be expanded to non-veterans other than to provide care for veterans' dependents or to enter into sharing arrangements with other health-care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Medicare Geographic Data Accuracy Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with State medical societies in revising the geographic adjustment factors used to determine reimbursements for physician services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare. Requires the Secretary to base geographic-cost-of-practice indices under Medicare upon the most recent available data.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
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 · 19 February 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to waive the Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) late enrollment penalty for certain current and former uniformed service members aged 65 or older and dependents residing within 100 miles of a treatment facility on a military base slated for closure who enroll under part B during a special 90-day enrollment period established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1992
Declares that the Congress: (1) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1992; (2) salutes the vision and dedication of those Americans who planned and participated in this heroic battle; (3) reveres the memory, bravery, and spirit of those who fought and perished in it; and (4) honors the sacrifices and devotions of those gallant men who fought in such battle and who, in a single master stroke, reversed the tide of war in the Pacific.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit aggregate payment reductions to urban hospitals in FY 1993 that are attributable to geographical reclassifications in an effort to maintain budget neutrality. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in a report to the Congress, to make recommendations for: (1) modifications to the methodology used to determine the initial geographic areas in which hospitals are located for purposes of adjusting payments to hospitals under part A (Hospital Insurance) of Medicare for differences in area wage levels; (2) appropriate bases for determining the geographic classification of hospitals under Medicare that recognize the unique labor market conditions affecting hospitals; and (3) modifications to the payment adjustments required under Medicare to offset increases in aggregate payments resulting from changes in geographic classification. Requires the Prospective Payment Commission to submit comments to the Congress on such report. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide that, to the extent that budget neutrality is not achieved under such limitation above, payment of any increase in aggregate hospital payments attributable to such reclassifications will be made through reductions in discretionary defense spending. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide that disproportionate share payment adjustments to hospitals that are geographically reclassified shall be computed as if such hospitals had not been so reclassified.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1992
Designates April 14, 1992, as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., the birthday and the start of the 91st year of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, as the Edward P. Boland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Anti-Recession Infrastructure Jobs Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, to make grants to State and local governments for infrastructure projects in distressed areas. Provides for direct grants for construction and improvement and for completion of planning. Provides for supplemental grants for other Federal grant programs and for State and local programs. Prohibits the use of grants to acquire real property or to cover maintenance costs. Requires assurance that on-site labor can begin within 90 days of project approval. Requires: (1) contracting out construction or improvement work on grant projects; (2) competitive bidding; (3) acceptance of the lowest responsive bid; (4) advertised specifications covering all requirements or obligations preceding contract award; (5) Buy American conditions; (6) minority participation; and (7) applicability of specified Federal laws regarding individuals with disabilities. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out this Act, to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures that assure adequate consideration is given to the relative needs of various sections of the country, including consideration of these factors in proposed project areas: (1) severity and duration of unemployment; (2) income levels and extent of underemployment; (3) extent of proposed project contribution to reducing unemployment; and (4) amount of unemployment or underemployment in the construction and construction-related industries. Requires a final determination on each grant application within 60 days after the Secretary receives it (or else the grant will be deemed approved). Sets forth formulas for allocation of funds. Sets aside two and one-half percent for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. Sets minimum and maximum allocation limits for any one State and for specified U.S. territories. Requires the Secretary, in making such grants, to give priority and preference to public works: (1) projects of local governments; (2) projects requested by a State or special purpose unit of local government and endorsed by a general purpose local government; and (3) projects requested by school districts. Requires the Secretary, if the average national unemployment rate is six percent or above for the most recent 12 consecutive months, to: (1) expedite and give priority to applications from State or local governments with rates for that period above the national rate; and (2) give priority thereafter to those from any State or local governments having rates for that period above six percent but below the national rate. Requires State and local prioritization of applications. Requires (if the applicant so requests) that the local government's unemployment rate be based on the rate of any community or neighborhood within such local government's jurisdiction. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Secured Credit Availability Amendments of 1992 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to preclude a debtor from avoiding a lien on certain property that would otherwise be exempt if: (1) the lien is a nonpossessory, nonpurchase-money security interest in specified trade-related property; and (2) State law prohibits the debtor from avoiding a lien on such otherwise exempt property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 to make permanent the transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account of income tax revenues attributable to the taxation of tier II railroad retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Equalization in Education Act of 1992 - Title I: Equalization of State Spending for Public Education - Prohibits any State from receiving Federal educational assistance for distribution to its public elementary and secondary schools, after August 1, 1996, unless it: (1) employs an equitable method for financing such schools, as determined by the Secretary of Education (the Secretary); or (2) has in effect a State equalization plan approved by the Secretary. Exempts from such prohibition Federal assistance received under provisions for educationally disadvantaged children under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA chapter 1). Requires direct distribution to the local education agencies within the State of any Federal funds denied to a State under this Act, so that funding purposes may be carried out and equalized financing standards met. Directs the Secretary to provide requested technical assistance to any State to assist in complying with this Act. Directs the Secretary to review annually each State's school financing methods to determine compliance with standards for equalized financing established by the Secretary under this Act. Requires such standards to: (1) incorporate a specified wealth neutrality test incuding at least 95 percent of revenues within the State; and (2) provide for consideration, with respect to each local educational agency, of specified factors relating to numbers of poor or disadvantaged children and to the local tax base for school financing. Requires any State that is notified by the Secretary that its school financing method is inequitable to submit a State equalization plan to the Secretary within one year after such notification. Requires such a plan to provide for achieving an equitable school financing method within five years after plan approval by the Secretary. Requires Federal funds allocated to a State prohibited from receiving them to be distributed to local education agencies within the State so that funding purposes may be carried out and equalized financing standards met. Title II: Grants to States with Equitable Financing - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States that are in compliance with the requirement of substanial equity (by employing an equitable method or having an equalization plan in effect) in school financing. Requires such grant funds to be used to further the goal of providing equalized funding to all public elementary and secondary schools in the State. Sets forth allocation formulas for such grants. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Biomedical Research in Space Act of 1991 - Mandates establishment of: (1) a working group to coordinate space-based biomedical research; (2) microgravity biomedical research grants; and (3) graduate research fellowships. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a plan for joint biomedical research with the Soviet Union or its constituent republics. Provides for a national electronic data archive for space-based biomedical research data. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates an international telemedicine satellite consultation capability to support emergency medical services in disaster areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Title I: Additional Safeguards to Protect Taxpayers' Rights - Subtitle A: Taxpayers' Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayers' Advocate, headed by the Taxpayers' Advocate, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Office to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Taxpayers' Advocate to annually report to specified congressional committees on Office activities. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayers' Advocate. Authorizes the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking such actions). Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for installment agreements. Suspends the failure to pay penalty during any period an installment agreement is in effect. Subtitle C: Interest - Extends from ten days to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Provides for the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the error or delay of an IRS managerial act. Increases the interest rate for overpayment of tax from two percent to three percent (making such rate equal to the interest rate for underpayment of tax). Waives interest on all overpayments refunded within 45 days after a return is filed. Subtitle D: Joint Returns - Requires separate deficiency notices in the case of a joint income tax return if the most recent data available to the IRS shows that such spouses did not file a joint return with each other. Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Subtitle E: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the United States, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Subtitle E (sic): Erroneous and Fraudulent Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary to take reasonable steps to corroborate the accuracy of an information return when making a determination of a deficiency by a third party, when such return is disputed by the taxpayer. Subtitle F: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner, or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; and (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure. Requires the Secretary to disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty. Subtitle G: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Repeals the "substantially justified" test for determining whether a taxpayer may recover costs and fees incurred as part of an administrative or court proceeding. Provides for the awarding of reasonable litigation or administrative costs to a prevailing party who represents himself in an administrative or court proceeding. Makes IRS employees personally liable in certain cases. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Subtitle H: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Provides for the treatment of returns prepared for or executed by the Secretary for purposes of certain tax penalties. Provides protection for taxpayers who rely on certain guidance published by the IRS. Title II: Form Modifications, Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that taxpayers are aware of permission to pay tax in installments, extensions of time for payment of tax, and compromises of tax liability; (2) improve procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; (3) include in a specified publication a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals; (4) ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the Federal tax system and that the public is aware of penalties for failure to collect and pay over tax; and (5) notify taxpayers any payments that cannot be associated with any outstanding tax liability. Subtitle B: Studies - Requires the Secretary to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a pilot program for appeals of certain enforcement actions (including lien, levy, and seizure actions; (2) a study on ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with IRS laws; (3) the scope and content of the IRS taxpayer-rights education program for its officers and employees; and (4) cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees and the disposition of such complaints. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a study of notices of deficiency; (2) the accuracy and clarity of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications; and (3) a study of IRS employee-suggestion programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Commercial Space Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth findings and definitions for this Act. Title II: Space Transportation - Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to extend certain provisions relating to payment by the United States against a licensee under the Act. Amends the Launch Services Purchase Act of 1990 to include suborbital payloads in the requirement to purchase launch services from commercial providers. Modifies requirements regarding use of non-commercial providers. Mandates a report on use of commercial services for suborbital launch programs. Establishes a demonstration program to award vouchers to researchers for the payment of commercial launch services and payload integration services for small scientific payloads. Authorizes grants for projects relating to the development or improvement of space transportation infrastructure. Establishes in the Treasury the Commercial Space Transportation Trust Fund, to consist of revenues from any fees assessed by the Department of Transportation for the licensing of commercial launch activities and to be used for projects that directly benefit the U.S. space transportation industry. Requires that projects be selected by an Industry Selection Committee representing fee payors. Requires an inventory to identify federally-owned launch support facilities: (1) not needed for public use; or (2) which could be made available for non-Federal use on a reimbursable basis without interfering with Federal activities. Title III: Use of Missile Assets for Space Launch - Allows Federal agencies to make use of missile systems or components thereof decommissioned from the military arsenal (missile assets) only when such use is more cost effective than commercial launch services. Requires an agency, when missile assets are used, to make the assets available as Government-furnished equipment and purchase commercial launch services from the private sector. Regulates the decision on whether to use missile assets and, if so, their use. Allows Federal agencies, in certain circumstances, to provide for acquisition by the private sector of missile assets. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to allow, for purposes of provisions relating to acquisition and payment by the private sector of launch property or services, an agency providing launch property to define "fair market value" as the most beneficial price offered to the Government at auction. Requires an agency, to promote fair and open competition, to make certain data available to bidders. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the release of missile assets by foreign governments or the offer of launch services by foreign entities using such assets should be addressed in fair trade negotiations. Requires Federal agencies to consider such release or offer in decisions regarding the sale of U.S. missile assets. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to enter into contracts in which the Government agrees to procure sufficient quantities of a commercial space product or service needed to meet Government mission requirements so that a commercial venture is made viable (anchor tenancy contracts) in order to increase the viability of a commercial space venture. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to authorize NASA to: (1) make contracts in excess of available funds; and (2) provide for liability payments from certain sources in the event the Government terminates such contracts. Authorizes Federal agencies to allow non-Federal entities to use their space-related facilities on a reimbursable basis. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to mandate protection of information developed under specified provisions of the Act from dissemination. Establishes a Commercial Space Achievement Award, consisting of a medal and, if funding is available, a cash prize, to individuals, corporations, corporate divisions, or corporate subsidiaries meeting certain criteria. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to accept gifts from public and private sources for the cash prize.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for up to $4,000 of cash contributions to a housing savings account established for the benefit of the taxpayer for the exclusive purpose of purchasing the taxpayer's first principal residence. Limits total deductions to $15,000. Prohibits an individual from being a beneficiary of more than one account. Requires contributions to be made for five consecutive taxable years. Excludes account distributions from gross income if they are used exclusively for the purchase of a first principal residence. Imposes penalties in the form of additional taxes on excess contributions to an account or when account funds or distributions are used for other than the legitimate purposes for which the account was established. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file required reports. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions in connection with it.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act - Establishes the Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) review executive agency operations and existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Inspector General Reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste; and (3) submit to the President and the Congress a list of those recommendations with estimated savings that the Commission determines are most significant and recommendations for improving the budget process, management, and reducing waste and costs in the Government. Requires the Commission to identify, address, and to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Government that can be realized by executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and ought to be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; (6) specific areas in the Government where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (7) specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act - Establishes the National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation. Declares that the Foundation is: (1) a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be organized under the laws of the State of Maryland; and (2) not an agency or establishment of the United States. Provides that the Foundation is to: (1) primarily encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial and its annual memorial service; (2) provide financial assistance to the families of firefighers who die in the line of duty; and (3) assist in the recognition of such firefighters. Sets forth provisions for establishment and membership of a Board of Directors of the Foundation. Makes the Administator of the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board, who shall appoint Directors of the Board. Sets forth rights and obligations of the Foundation, including having its principal offices in the State of Maryland. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide, and accept reimbursements for, personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the Foundation; and (2) accept the services of the Foundation, the Board, and the Board's officers and employees as volunteers in performing functions authorized under this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to audits and annual reports. Provides for relief for certain Foundation acts or failures to act. Provides that the United States is not liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) there is a need for the development of a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to encourage investment in human and material resources, to harness our inventive genius to the marketplace, to secure the education and training of a competitive citizenry and workforce, and to stimulate cooperative efforts between the private and public sectors at all levels of business, education, and government; and (2) such a strategy will help the United States achieve its goal of being the strongest Nation on Earth economically and militarily, so that it remains the greatest Nation in support of human dignity, freedom, and democratic ideals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Requires that of the amounts appropriated for FY 1992 for travel expenses for officers and employees of the Federal Government, not more than 75 percent be obligated or spent for such expenses and 25 percent be returned to the Treasury to reduce the Federal budget deficit.
![Official portrait of Rep. Geren, Pete [D-TX-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000134_200.jpg)