Rep. Gibbons, Sam [D-FL-11]

HAMDT 699

United States · United States Congress

An amendment granting authority to the President to restrict importation into the U.S. of any or all products of any foreign country that has not prohibited the importation of the products of Iraq or given satisfactory assurances to the President that such import sanctions will promptly be implemented.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to strike the language in the bill that specifies that upland cotton imported during the time a special quota specified in the bill is in effect shall enter the country duty free until the quota is filled.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to strike the provision allowing USDA to print "misbranded" on any carcass, meat, or meat food product that fails to indicate it country of origin on the package or label.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment in the nature of a substitute to reduce Medicare expenditures by $90 billion over seven years. The amendment would achieve savings by reducing hospital payment inflation rate adjustments by 1%; reducing rural hospital payment inflation rate adjustments by 1/2%; cutting hospital capital payments by 10%; imposing a two-year freeze on fee schedule updates for clinical labs, durable medical equipment and ambulatory surgery; eliminating overpayment for hospital outpatient services; and ending indirect medical education and add-on payments for outlier cases.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to the Hillis amendment to strike out all after the first word and add a new text. The amendment prohibits the purchases of motor vehicles by the Secretary of a military department unless it is awarded by competitive bidding without differential in favor of foreign manufactures. This does not apply to contracts of less than 50,000 dollars. The Gibbons amendment removes the requirement that one of the bidders be an American manufacturer.

United States · United States Congress

A Committee amendment striking the provision in the bill relating to export targeting.

United States · United States Congress

Rehabilitation and Return to Work Opportunity Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996

Rehabilitation and Return to Work Opportunity Act of 1996 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish under the Social Security Administration a Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Program for assessing the capability for vocational adjustment of individuals determined to be disabled under the OASDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Provides that the individual shall be determined capable of vocational adjustment upon determination of a reasonable possibility that the individual will be capable, upon the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, of performing substantial gainful activity. Places such program under the administrative authority of private sector regional administrators in each service region in which it is implemented. Requires such administrators to hire network coordinators for their particular service regions to: (1) ensure that adequate choices for vocational rehabilitation services are made available to service recipients; and (2) otherwise oversee specified requirements relating to service providers, including requirements that they develop jointly with each recipient, after an employment evaluation, an individual employment plan outlining employment preparation steps. Prescribes a specified milestone payment system for use under such program. Establishes the Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Commission in the Social Security Administration and charges it with specific program development responsibilities, including oversight of the program once it is fully implemented. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for a five-year period of Medicare continuation coverage for certain OASDI disability benefit recipients who return to work. Makes permanent Medicare secondary payer rules relating to disability. Repeals the mandate and authority for continuation hospital insurance benefit coverage for certain temporarily out-of-work individuals. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide employers a one-time tax credit equal to the first year of Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes paid for certain disabled individuals they hire.

Principal Residence Tax Exclusion Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996

Principal Residence Tax Exclusion Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the existing one-time exclusion of up to $125,000 of gain from the sale of a principal residence by a person at least 55 years old with an exclusion of gain of up to $250,000 ($500,000 for qualifying joint return) for a qualifying sale of a principal residence regardless of the person's age. Applies such exclusion to only one sale or exchange every two years. Repeals the provision providing for nonrecognition of gain on principal residence rollovers.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain employees without employer-provided health coverage a refundable credit for their health insurance costs.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1996

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a health insurance cost tax credit for certain employees without employer-provided coverage. Subjects such credit to employee compensation, adjusted gross income, and tax limits. Excludes long-term care insurance.

To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Mongolia.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996

Authorizes the President to: (1) determine that title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (denying nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of certain countries) should no longer apply to Mongolia; and (2) based upon such determination, extend nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to Mongolian products.

Revenue Restructuring Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Repeal of Individual and Corporate Income Taxes and Social Security and Medicare Taxes Title II: Value Added Tax Title III: Burden Adjustments Revenue Restructuring Act of 1996 - Title I: Repeal of Individual and Corporate Income Taxes and Social Security and Medicare Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the individual, corporate, social security and tier I railroad retirement, and Medicare taxes. Title II: Value Added Tax - Amends the Code to establish a 20 percent value added tax on business activity. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) tax computation; (2) administration and operating rules; (3) small business tax exemption; and (4) definitions. Title III: Burden Adjustments - Amends the Code to provide for value added tax burden adjustments consisting of specified rebates for low-income individuals and tax increases for high-income individuals.

Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the threat to the security of American citizens and the United States Government posed by armed militia and other paramilitary groups and organizations.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1996

Calls for aggressive prosecution by the Department of Justice of perpetrators of armed conspiracies against the Government and of the illegal possession of firearms, explosives, or any substances or devices of destruction.

To establish the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to make findings and issue recommendations on the future of the Medicare program.

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1996

Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to make findings and recommendations to the Congress concerning specified aspects of the Medicare program.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption from income taxation for qualified State tuition programs.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1996

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from taxation a qualified State tuition program. Defines such a program.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow penalty-free withdrawals from certain retirement plans during periods of unemployment.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1996

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the additional tax on early distribution from retirement plans distributions to individuals during periods of unemployment.

Healthy Start Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996

Healthy Start Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Healthy Start), incorporating certain current SSA title XI peer review and fraud and abuse provisions. Establishes an entitlement program of health insurance for eligible children under age 13 and mothers-to-be who are not covered under a qualified health plan. Outlines the scope of benefits for such individuals, which generally consist of the same benefits that are available under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), including well child services and pre- and post-natal care provided to such children and women, respectively, without the application of deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. Entitles to benefits as both a child and a pregnant woman any individual entitled to program benefits as either the one or the other. Creates in the Treasury the Children Health Insurance Trust Fund. Makes necessary appropriations to it out of the premium tax imposed by this Act for use in financing the Healthy Start program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose: (1) a premium tax on certain individuals covered by the Healthy Start program, with exceptions for certain low-income families, in order to cover uninsured children and mothers-to-be; and (2) certain reporting requirements with regard to qualified health plans (and certain penalties to enforce them).

To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to apply the Act to a greater percentage of the United States workforce and to allow employees to take parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1996

Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite. Allows employees covered by such Act to take up to four hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities. Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same parental involvement leave allowance to Federal employees.

Standard Trade Relations Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1996

Standard Trade Relations Act - Declares that any duty or other import restriction or duty-free treatment proclaimed in any trade agreement shall apply to products of all countries, whether imported directly or indirectly. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the Trade Act of 1974 to replace the terms "most-favored-nation" and "reciprocal nondiscriminatory treatment" with the terms "standard trade relations" and "standard trade relations principle," respectively.

Work First and Personal Responsibility Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work-Based Assistance Subtitle A: Temporary Employment Assistance Subtitle B: Make Work Pay Subtitle C: Work First Subtitle D: Pregnancy and Family Stability Title II: Child Support Enforcement Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment Title III: Food Assistance Subtitle A: Food Stamps Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Title IV: Treatment of Aliens Title V: Supplemental Security Income Reforms Title VI: Social Services Block Grants Work First and Personal Responsibility Act of 1996 - Title I: Work-Based Assistance - Subtitle A: Temporary Employment Assistance - Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs under parts A and F, respectively, of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with the newly created Federal Temporary Employment Assistance (TEA) and Work First (WF) welfare programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 101) Outlines TEA and WF program components, providing for Federal payments to States with approved TEA and WF plans for establishing flexible statewide work-based assistance programs in the State for the following purposes. Provides under TEA for furnishing certain time-limited, conditional benefits based on work to certain eligible families with needy children (or, at the State's option, any expectant family) entering into a personal responsibility agreement with the State setting forth their particular obligations (such as cooperating with the State in the establishment of the paternity of any child born out-of-wedlock for whom assistance is claimed) in order to receive assistance and services under the TEA plan for caring for their children and securing, preferably, a full-time unsubsidized paid job in the private sector, or public sector or volunteer work if necessary, through the WF program. Grants exemptions from such time-limited benefit provision in certain hardship situations. Provides for certain sanctions for refusing to look for work, accept a bona fide offer of employment, or otherwise comply with the personal responsibility agreement. Provides under WF, among other things, for connecting appropriate TEA recipients with the private sector labor market and providing them with the education, training, and other services necessary for them to obtain private sector employment. Gives States the option of: (1) denying TEA to families having additional children while on TEA; and (2) requiring family members to undergo appropriate substance abuse treatment in order to receive TEA. Denies TEA for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators and for ten years for persons found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain assistance in two or more States. Provides for the exchange of certain TEA program information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions. Lists certain requirements for State TEA plans concerning other programs, including that the State plan require that the State have in effect: (1) a plan approved under SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) together with a child support program in substantial compliance with such plan; as well as (2) plans under SSA title IV parts B (Child-Welfare Services) and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) operating in substantial compliance with the requirements of such parts. Requires State TEA plans to: (1) describe the State efforts to promote family preservation and stability; and (2) require the State to have in effect a plan under its Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 1990 program. Sets forth rules for the provision of services to Native Americans and refugees. Outlines program audit, quality assurance, data collection, and reporting requirements, as well as certain study requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct research on alternative approaches to operating welfare programs and related issues, such as strategies for moving welfare recipients into the workforce quickly, reducing teen pregnancies and out-of-wedlock births, and providing adequate child care. Authorizes the Secretary to implement and evaluate a variety of innovative demonstrations related to child support and other children's issues with respect to TEA clients under State plans. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation as necessary to obtain such information as will enable interested persons to evaluate the impact of the changes made by this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State programs funded under this title and other appropriate low-income families. Provides funding for such study. Makes the HHS Assistant Secretary for Family Support the official responsible for administering these new programs. (Sec. 103) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for the collection of overpayments under the TEA program from Federal tax refunds. (Sec. 104) Amends SSA title XI to revise the limitations on Federal payments under SSA title IV part A and other specified SSA programs to the Virgin Islands and Guam, and provide for their annual adjustment for inflation according to the consumer price index. Subtitle B: Make Work Pay - Amends SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) and IV part A (TEA), as well as IRC and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, to make various specified changes with regard to certain program aspects, providing, among other changes, for: (1) a permanent extension of authority for transitional Medicaid benefits for former TEA recipients; and (2) notice of availability of the earned income tax credit to applicants and former recipients of TEA and Medicaid. (Sec. 113) Amends IRC to require participating residents to receive advanced earned income payments from a responsible State agency pursuant to a State Advance Payment Program in lieu of receiving earned income advance amounts from an employer. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to designate up to four State Advance Payment Demonstrations. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Work First - Amends SSA title IV to replace the current JOBS program under part F with a new WF program under which each State that operates a TEA program shall establish a WF program for getting TEA recipients off cash assistance through the use of private placement companies, microenterprise initiatives, and other specified means including subsidized jobs. Allows participating States to establish one of two types of WF programs, with one type similar to the GAIN (welfare reform) Program operated by Riverside County, California, and the other type similar to the JOBS Plus (welfare reform) Program operated by the State of Oregon. Adds a new part G (Workfare Program) (WP) under SSA title IV under which States establishing a WF program shall establish either a workfare program (with separate community service and subsidized job components) or a job placement voucher program under SSA title IV new part H (Job Placement Voucher Program) (JPVP) in order for TEA recipients eventually to secure full-time unsubsidized employment in the private sector. Requires States to provide program participants with the necessary case management services to ensure integrated benefits and services provided under such programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) States should target individuals who have not attained 25 years of age for participation in WF programs; and (2) the Congress intends for State activities under the JOBS Plus Program to emphasize the use of the funds that would otherwise be used to provide individuals with TEA to subsidize their wages in temporary jobs. (Sec. 124) Provides for certain increases in WF, WP, and JPVP funding amounts under specified circumstances. Subtitle D: Pregnancy and Family Stability - Amends SSA title IV part A with respect to teenage pregnancy and promoting family stability to require generally certain adult supervised living arrangements for any individual under age 18 who has never married and who has a needy child in his or her care (or is pregnant and is eligible for TEA) in order for such individual to receive such assistance (where possible, from his or her parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative on such individual's behalf). Requires completion of high school or other educational training for certain teenage parents required to participate in WF. Gives States the option to provide additional specified incentives and penalties to encourage teen parents to complete high school and participate in parenting activities. (Sec. 132) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to direct the HHS Secretary to establish a National Clearinghouse on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs for the collection and provision of programmatic information and technical assistance that relates to adolescent pregnancy prevention programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 134) Allows States to use available Federal funds for the establishment, operation, and support of second chance group homes for custodial parents under age 18 (or age 19, at the option of the State) and their children. Requires that the HHS Secretary, after appropriate consultations, submit recommendations to the Congress with regard to which Federal surplus properties may be used for the establishment of such second chance homes. Title II: Child Support Enforcement - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive TEA. (Sec. 202) Revises payment distribution guidelines for families receiving TEA and other assistance through State agencies. (Sec. 203) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification to applicants or recipients of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 212) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 213) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires established under this title. (Sec. 214) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 215) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 216) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 217) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased persons (on death records). Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 223) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 233) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding - Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 242) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 244) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 245) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 252) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 253) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 262) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 264) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 265) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of a non-custodial parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 270) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 271) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of Health and Human Services as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 272) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each absent parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 273) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 274) Amends Federal bankruptcy law and the Social Security Act to declare a debt for child support nondischargeable in bankruptcy. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 277) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate absent parents' access to their children. Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates and conforming amendments. Title III: Food Assistance - Subtitle A: Food Stamps - Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to repeal the current exclusion and include in an eligible household children under age 22 who are themselves parents living with their children or married and living with their spouses. (Sec. 312) Revises the formula for annual adjustment of the cost of the diet in the thrifty food plan. (Sec. 313) Lowers from 21 to 18 the age of a child whose income is excluded from calculation of household income. (Sec. 314) Replaces the current exclusion from household income of governmental energy assistance payments (thus including them in such income) with exclusion of a one-time payment or allowance for weatherization or emergency repair or replacement of an unsafe or inoperative furnace or other heating or cooling device. (Sec. 315) Revises the standard deduction from household income, applying it to all households, but in different specified amounts for the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Sec. 316) Allows a State agency to make a standard utility allowance mandatory for all households with qualifying utility costs if it develops certain cost standards which will not result in increased program costs. (Sec. 317) Revises the indexation of the vehicle asset limitation. (Sec. 318) Terminates the exclusion from household income (thus including) third-party vendor payments for transitional housing. (Sec. 319) Revises eligibility disqualification penalties for noncompliance with work requirements. (Sec. 320) Authorizes States to require cooperation with child support enforcement agencies as a criterion for food stamp eligibility. (Sec. 321) Mandates a ten-year ineligibility for any individual found to have made a fraudulent statement or representation as to identity or place of residence in order to receive multiple food stamp benefits simultaneously. (Sec. 322) Specifies additional work requirements for able-bodied food stamp recipients. (Sec. 323) Authorizes State food stamp disqualification of a household member also disqualified from another means-tested public assistance program for failure to perform an action required for such program under Federal, State, or local law. (Sec. 324) Repeals annual minimum benefit adjustments and, with respect to the prorating of benefits for the first month after a period of nonparticipation following the end of a previous certification, the limitation to such periods of more than one month. (Sec. 326) Prohibits an increased food stamp allotment for any period for which a household's benefits are reduced under a Federal, State, or local law relating to a welfare or public assistance program because of a penalty or for failure to perform an action required under the law or program. (Sec. 327) Declares that State agencies, in determining household eligibility, shall not be required to use certain income and eligibility or immigration status verification systems established under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 328) Revises requirements for the collection of overissuances of food stamp coupons. (Sec. 329) Authorizes a State to elect to carry out (statewide or in a political subdivision) a Simplified Food Stamp Program, meeting specified requirements, for families receiving assistance under a State TEA program. (Sec. 330) Reauthorizes appropriations for the food stamp program through FY 2002. (Sec. 341) Treats electronic benefit transfer cards and personal identification (PIN) numbers as coupons. (Sec. 344) Increases penalties for specified program violations. (Sec. 345) Allows State agencies the option, with respect to the caretaker exemption from work requirements, to lower the age of the dependent involved from six years to one year if adequate child care is not available. (Sec. 346) Revises requirements for employment and training programs. (Sec. 347) Disqualifies fleeing felons and probation or parole violators from food stamp program participation. (Sec. 348) Requires State agencies to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 349) Requires State agencies to make certain information available, upon request, to Federal, State, or local law enforcement officers with respect to fleeing felons or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 350) Increases from five days to seven the deadline for delivery of coupons after the date of household application. Repeals five-day delivery mandates with respect to homeless households and specified others. (Sec. 361) Sets a 12-month maximum certification period, unless all adult household members are elderly or disabled, in which case it shall be 24 months. Requires State agency contact with each certified household at least once every 12 months. (Sec. 362) Allows a State agency to combine allotments for expedited service households. (Sec. 363) Revises: (1) the provision of allotments for households residing in drug or alcoholic treatment centers; and (2) requirements for the operation of food stamp offices. (Sec. 365) Repeals the requirement for State employee training. (Sec. 366) Permits household oral withdrawals of fair hearing requests. (Sec. 371) Revises requirements for approval of retail food stores and wholesale food concerns to: (1) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specific authorization periods for coupon or electronic benefit redemption; and (2) permit regulations to require such stores and concerns to authorize the Secretary to verify all relevant tax filings and obtain corroborating documentation from other sources. (Sec. 373) Establishes a minimum six-month waiting period before disqualified stores and food concerns may reapply for program participation. (Sec. 374) Requires HHS regulations providing for disqualification of retailers who: (1) intentionally submit falsified applications; or (2) are disqualified under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC). (Sec. 376) Makes the permanent disqualification of a store or concern effective as of receipt of the notice of disqualification. Shields the Secretary from liability for the value of any sales lost during the disqualification period should the disqualification be reversed through administrative or judicial review. (Sec. 377) Provides for civil and criminal forfeitures for violations of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. (Sec. 378) Amends the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the sharing of information provided by stores and concerns with State law enforcement and investigative officers and employees as well as with State WIC agencies. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition - Amends the National School Lunch Act to set forth separate formulae for the reimbursement rates for two specified tiers of family or group day care homes. Provides for grants to States for such homes and State and Federal data sharing with their sponsoring organizations. (Sec. 392) Revises requirements for annual adjustment of reimbursement rates. (Sec. 393) Repeals the mandate and authority for grants for start-up and expansions costs. (Sec. 394) Authorizes appropriations under the National School Lunch Act for FY 1997 through 2002. (Sec. 395) Reduces from 12 percent to eight percent the minimum amount of food assistance that shall be in the form of commodity assistance, including cash in lieu of commodities and procurement administrative costs. Title IV: Treatment of Aliens - Amends the Social Security Act, as amended by this Act, to restrict TEA, supplemental security income (SSI), and Medicaid eligibility to U.S. citizens or nationals and legal immigrants (qualified aliens). (Sec. 402) Deems the income of a sponsor to be available to a qualified alien, with specified exceptions, until naturalization. (Sec. 403) Continues the liability of a qualified alien and sponsor for overissuances of TEA, SSI, and food stamp assistance beyond naturalization. (Sec. 404) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant the Attorney General discretionary authority to admit an excludable alien who has received a guarantee of financial responsibility (affidavit of support) from a sponsor according to specified requirements. Title V: Supplemental Security Income Reforms - Revises the disabled child eligibility rules under the SSA title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to require marked and severe functional limitations in an eligible individual. (Sec. 501) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to discontinue the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Requires the Commissioner to redetermine the eligibility of any individual under age 18 who is eligible for SSI benefits based on a disability as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and whose eligibility for such benefits may terminate by reason of this title. (Sec. 502) Requires the Commissioner to review, at least once every three years, the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained 18 years of age and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which may improve (or, which is unlikely to improve, at the Commissioner's option). Requires a parent or guardian of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present evidence demonstrating that the recipient has been receiving treatment, to the extent considered medically necessary and available, of the condition which was the basis for providing SSI benefits. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Outlines specific requirements governing: (1) continuing disability reviews for low birth weight babies; and (2) benefit payments through representative payees to dedicated savings accounts for specified purposes with respect to a child or an individual for whom such an account was established prior to his or her attainment of age 18. (Sec. 504) Amends the SSI program to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics; (2) deny SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States; (3) deny SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; (6) provide for exchange of certain SSI information with law enforcement agencies under specified conditions; (7) set forth rules governing the installment payment of large past-due SSI benefits; and (8) provide for a reduction in cash SSI benefits payable to institutionalized individuals whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. Provides certain supplemental funding to specified State and Tribal programs funded under the Public Health Service Act for alcohol and substance abuse treatment. (Sec. 507) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for an allowance under the discretionary spending limits for increased expenditures for continuing disability reviews and disability eligibility redeterminations, and for administrative expenses to implement the changes to the SSI program by this Act. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for similar adjustments with respect to such reviews and eligibility redeterminations. (Sec. 508) Provides for installment payment of large past-due SSI benefits. (Sec. 509) Amends SSA title XI to provide for the recovery of SSI overpayments from social security benefits. Title VI: Social Services Block Grants - Amends SSA title XX to provide for a reduction in funding under such title for block grants to States for social services.

Retirement Savings and Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Revenue Provisions Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification Subtitle B: Expanded Individual Retirement Accounts to Increase Coverage and Portability Subtitle C: Other Expansions of Pension Portability Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments Title II: ERISA Provisions Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification Subtitle B: Portability Subtitle C: Enhanced Security Title III: Additional Retirement Participation and Payment Options for Federal Employees Title IV: Conforming Railroad Retirement Benefits with Social Security Retirement Savings and Security Act - Title I: Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification - Chapter 1: The NEST and Other Coverage Expansion - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish national employee savings trusts (NESTS), 401 (k)-type plans, for employees of small employers. (Sec. 1102) Makes tax-exempt organizations and Indian governmental instrumentalities eligible section 401(k) pension plan employers. (Sec. 1103) Sets forth alternative methods for satisfying section 401(k) nondiscrimination tests. (Sec. 1104) Revises "highly compensated employee" provisions. (Sec. 1106) Repeals the limitation in the case of an employee with defined benefit and a defined contribution plans from the same employer. (Sec. 1107) Makes certain defined contribution plan provisions applicable to all permanently disabled employees. (Sec. 1108) Revises deferred payment provisions with respect to: (1) owner-employee contributions; (2) State and local plan trust requirements; and (3) certain disability payments to former police officers or fire fighters. Chapter 2: Simplification and Cost Savings - Sets forth a special compensation limitation rule with respect to governmental and multiemployer deferred payment plans. States that a governmental plan's eligibility shall not be affected by its excess benefit arrangement. (Sec. 1204) Provides special rules for treatment of governmental and tax-exempt organization deferred compensation plans. (Sec. 1206) Establishes a simplified method for annuity distribution taxation for certain employer plans. (Sec. 1207) Eliminates five-year income averaging for lump-sum distributions. (Sec. 1208) Reduces from 59.5 years old to 59 years old the age at which a recipient may receive certain retirement and annuity distributions penalty-free. (Sec. 1209) Provides a special rule for certain rural cooperative plan distributions. (Sec. 1211) Treats the social security retirement age as the uniform retirement age for purposes of pension plan non-discrimination requirements. (Sec. 1214) Eliminates partial termination rules with respect to multiemployer plans. (Sec. 1217) Increases the tax on prohibited transactions. Subtitle B: Expanded Individual Retirement Accounts to Increase Coverage and Portability - Chapter 1: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subchapter A: IRA Deduction - Increases individual retirement account (IRA) income limitations. Provides inflation adjustments for deductible amounts and income limitations. Subchapter B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Establishes nondeductible tax-free IRAs. Chapter 2: Distributions and Investments - Authorizes IRA distributions to be used without the additional ten-percent tax for first home purchases, higher education, financially devastating medical costs, and by the unemployed. (Sec. 1323) Sets forth provisions with respect to the use of IRA funds to purchase qualifying State prepaid tuition instruments. Chapter 3: Termination of Certain Provisions - Sets forth IRA-related termination provisions with respect to: (1) inflation adjustments; (2) contributions to special IRA accounts; (3) early withdrawal tax; and (4) increases in specified limitations. Subtitle C: Other Expansions of Pension Portability - Establishes alternative nondiscrimination rules for certain plans that provide for early participation. (Sec. 1402) Establishes special rules for certain veterans' reemployment rights, including provisions regarding: (1) contributions; (2) elective deferrals; (3) retroactive adjustments; (4) loan repayment suspensions; and (5) compensation. (Sec. 1403) Eliminates the special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments - Makes specified conforming amendments. Title II: ERISA Provisions - Subtitle A: Expanded Pension Coverage and Simplification - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish reporting and fiduciary requirements relating to NESTs designed to ensure participation by low- and moderate-wage workers, who will be able to save up to $5,000 per year tax-deferred, plus receive employer contributions toward retirement). (Sec. 2002) Eliminates specified ERISA requirements relating to employee benefit plan descriptions and filing of summary plan descriptions and descriptions of material modifications to a plan. Requires filing of annual plan reports by plan administrators. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to request any documents relating to such plans. (Sec. 2003) Includes under ERISA purchases of qualified State prepaid tuition program instruments to which specified IRC provisions apply. Subtitle B: Portability - Directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to prescribe specified types of payment rules relating to missing participants for terminated multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2011) Allows the administrator of a plan not otherwise subject to ERISA plan termination insurance provisions to elect to transfer a missing participant's benefits to the PBGC upon plan termination. Requires such administrator to provide the PBGC with specified information. Directs the PBGC, if such a missing participant's benefits are transferred to it, to pay the appropriate amount to the participant or beneficiary. (Sec. 2012) Eliminates a special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2013) Provides for treatment of certain loans during military service. Subtitle C: Enhanced Security - Increases the amounts of guarantees for multiemployer plan benefits. (Sec. 2022) Directs the Secretary of Labor, as chairman of the PBGC board, to transmit to the President and the Congress an annual reversion report providing information on plans from which residual assets were distributed to employers. (Sec. 2023) Sets forth a full funding limitation for multiemployer plans. Requires a valuation every three years in the case of multiemployer plans. (Sec. 2024) Increases the maximum civil penalty for certain prohibited transactions. (Sec. 2025) Revises provisions relating to substantial owner benefits to modify: (1) a phase-in of guarantee; and (2) allocation of assets. Pension Audit Improvement Act of 1996 - Amends ERISA to repeal certain provisions for limited scope audits. (Sec. 2033) Requires certain notifications by plan administrators and accountants regarding: (1) irregularities that may have occurred with respect to plans; and (2) termination of an accountant's engagement for auditing services. Sets forth civil penalties for failures to provide the Secretary of Labor with such notifications. (Sec. 2034) Prescribes additional requirements for qualified public accountants. (Sec. 2035) Revises certain fiduciary penalties. Modifies a prohibition of assignment or alienation. Changes from mandatory to discretionary: (1) the imposition and the amount of civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility; and (2) certain provisions relating to an applicable recovery amount. Title III: Additional Retirement Participation and Payment Options for Federal Employees - Requires the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to prescribe regulations to allow Federal employees to be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make an election to make contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan on the date of commencing service or beginning on the earliest date thereafter that such an election becomes administratively feasible. (Sec. 3002) Provides for a deferred annuity for a surviving former spouse of a deceased former Federal employee who separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity if such individuals were married to one another prior to the date of separation. Provides for a surviving spouse to elect to receive a certain deferred annuity if a former employee dies after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity but before having established a valid claim for annuity. (Sec. 3003) Provides for the payment of a lump-sum credit for a former spouse of a Federal employee. Title IV: Conforming Railroad Retirement Benefits with Social Security - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (RRA) with respect to eligibility for and amount of a child's annuity. (Sec. 4002) Provides for entitlement to spousal annuities despite certain age requirements. Repeals the age requirement for divorced spouses, and provides for entitlement of the divorced spouse where the worker's annuity is not payable. (Sec. 4003) Provides for RRA benefits equivalent to those under the Social Security Act, with respect to: (1) amounts of continued payment to survivors of waived lump sum benefits; (2) lump sum death benefits; and (3) benefits with respect to service for which certain railroad retirement annuities are not payable.

American Political Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits Subtitle A: Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions to House of Representatives Candidates Subtitle C: Related Provisions Subtitle D: Tax on Excess Political Expenditures of Certain Congressional Campaign Funds Title II: Independent Expenditures Title III: Contributions and Expenditures by Political Party Committees Title IV: Contributions Title V: Reporting Requirements Title VI: Broadcast Rates and Campaign Advertising Title VII: Miscellaneous Title VIII: Effective Dates; Authorizations American Political Reform Act - Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Subtitle A: Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit the amount of aggregate expenditures an eligible House of Representatives candidate may make in an election cycle, runoff election, special election, and closely contested primary. Excludes from the limitation cases involving: (1) certain non-participating opponents; and (2) certain independent expenditures made during the election cycle against an eligible House candidate. Prohibits an eligible House candidate from making contributions or loans from personal funds to the candidate's own campaign totaling more than $50,000 and conditions that such contributions may not qualify for certification for voter benefits. Exempts an eligible House candidate from the preceding limitation if any other general election candidate for that office (1) makes personal contributions to the candidate's own campaign totaling more than $50,000; or (2) with respect to any contribution or loan used for certain exempted costs. Requires that any contribution or loan to a candidate's campaign by a member of the candidate's immediate family shall be treated as made by the candidate. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to examine and audit the campaign accounts of five percent of the eligible House candidates after each general election. Provides for civil penalties for low, medium, and large amounts of excess expenditures with respect to an election cycle, runoff election, and special election. Authorizes the Commission to assess a specified civil penalty against a candidate determined to have misused benefits and limits the notification period to no more than three years after an election. Prohibits the receipt of benefits unless such candidate certifies to the Commission that any television commercials of the candidate contain closed captioning. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions to House of Representatives Candidates - Limits the aggregate amount of contributions a House candidate may accept from multicandidate political committees with respect to an election for Federal office or to an election cycle (not including a runoff election). Requires that any political committee which is established or financed or maintained or controlled by any candidate or Federal officeholder shall be deemed to be the candidate's or Federal officeholder's authorized committee. (Sec. 122) Places limitations on contributions from political committees (PACs) and individual large donors to candidates for the office of Representative in, or Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to the Congress with respect to an election cycle, contested primaries, and runoff elections. Subtitle C: Related Provisions - Revises certain requirements of reporting by a House candidate, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner with respect to certain excess contributions of personal funds and certain expenditures. Requires: (1) a candidate to report to the Commission that the threshold has been reached no later than 48 hours after reaching the threshold; and (2) the Commission to transmit a copy to each other candidate for election to the same office within 48 hours of receipt. (Sec. 132) Provides for registration as an eligible House candidate. Subtitle D: Tax on Excess Political Expenditures of Certain Congressional Campaign Funds - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on excess political expenditures of any applicable campaign fund for any election cycle. Title II: Independent Expenditures - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to redefine the term "independent expenditures." (Sec. 202) Sets forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures, including for a reservation of broadcast time. Title III: Contributions and Expenditures by Political Party Committees - Revises certain contribution and expenditure exception definitions with respect to contributions and expenditures made by a political party committee in connection with activities conducted solely by volunteers. (Sec. 302) Limits the amount of contributions and expenditures made by an individual or a multicandidate political committee in any calendar year to a State Party Grassroots Fund or any other State political committee. Sets forth an overall limit on individual contributions made during any election cycle. Applies the limitation on expenditures to presidential committee transfers to the candidate's national political party for distribution to State Party Grassroots Funds. Authorizes the Commission to require reporting of the transfers, conduct an examination and audit of any such transfer, and require the return of the transferred amounts to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund if not used for the appropriate purpose. (Sec. 303) Increases the amount that multicandidate political committees may contribute to national political party committees. (Sec. 304) Sets forth provisions regarding amounts received by any political committee as a commission or royalty on: (1) the sale of goods or services; or (2) the issuance of credit cards from a corporation, including a State-chartered or national bank. (Sec. 305) Prohibits a national political party committee and the congressional campaign committees of a political party from soliciting or accepting soft money contributions or transfers. Limits disbursements a State political party committee may make from its State Party Grassroots Fund. Prohibits certain transfers of funds by a State political party committee from its State Grassroots Fund. Adds definitions respecting contributions and expenditure exceptions. Requires the applicable congressional campaign committee of a political party to make certain expenditures authorized by a State or national committee in connection with a general election campaign for candidates for Federal office unless the State or national committee allocates all or a portion of such expenditures to either or both of such committees. Allows a national or State committee to match independent expenditures made on the opponent's behalf during the campaign. (Sec. 306) Limits the fund raising activities of Federal candidates and office holders and certain political committees. Prohibits an individual who is a candidate for, or holds, Federal office during any period, from soliciting contributions to or on behalf of any tax-exempt organization under specified circumstances. (Sec. 307) Sets forth requirements of reporting by political committees. Provides that exclusion of any gift, subscription, loan, etc. shall not apply for the purposes of any requirement to report contributions and requires that exempt contributions aggregating in excess of $200 (and disbursements therefrom) be reported. Authorizes the Commission to allow a State political party committee to file with the Commission a report under State law if the Commission determines such reports contain substantially the same information. Title IV: Contributions - Sets forth restrictions on the bundling of contributions. (Sec. 403) Prohibits a candidate or the candidate's authorized committee from accepting a cash contribution from any one person aggregating more than $100. (Sec. 404) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting any contribution from a State or local committee of a political party, including any subordinate committee of such committee, if such contribution when aggregated exceeds the contribution limit. (Sec. 406) Revises the definition of "contribution" to provide for a limited exclusion of any advance voluntarily made by a campaign worker on behalf of the candidate's authorized committee. (Sec. 407) Makes amendments with respect to payments made by corporations or labor organizations for candidate debates, voter guides, or voting records directed to the general public. (Sec. 408) Prohibits a foreign national from directly or indirectly participating in any individual's election-related activities. Title V: Reporting Requirements - Changes certain reporting from a calendar year basis to an election cycle basis. (Sec. 502) Requires that a political committee report expenditures made by a candidate or the candidate's authorized committees for personal and consulting services by certain individuals other than employees and prescribes that such individuals maintain records of such services and report the information to the political committee. (Sec. 505) Revises the date for filing quarterly reports. Authorizes the treasurer of a political committee to file monthly reports. Requires filing of monthly reports if at any time during the election year a committee receives contributions or makes disbursements in excess of $100,000 ($10,000 in the case of a multicandidate political committee). Modifies requirements concerning best efforts by the treasurer of a political committee to obtain, maintain, and report contributor information. (Sec. 506) Permits the candidate's principal campaign committee to register on the date of its designation. (Sec. 507) Revises reporting requirements with respect to certain communications made by corporations and labor organizations. Title VI: Broadcast Rates and Campaign Advertising - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to revise provisions relating to broadcast rates and preemption of the use of a broadcast station by a legally qualified candidate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) broadcast and cable independent expenditure communications made by any individual against an eligible House of Representatives candidate; (2) a licensee that endorses a candidate for Federal office in an editorial; and (3) revocation of a license for failure to permit access to a broadcasting station or cable system under the same terms, conditions, and business practices as apply to its most favored advertiser. (Sec. 603) Amends Federal law to extend eligibility for nonprofit third-class bulk rates of postage to a qualified campaign committee. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise requirements respecting the prohibition of political committees that supports or has supported more than one candidate from being designated as an authorized committee. Prohibits a candidate for Federal office or any individual holding Federal office from establishing leadership committees. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Commission to appear on its own behalf in any action relating to the exercise of its statutory duties in any court as either a party or as amicus curiae. (Sec. 703) Prohibits solicitation or acceptance of campaign contributions by House Members in the Halls of the House of Representatives, rooms leading thereto, or the cloakrooms. Title VIII: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) effective date; (2) severability; and (3) Supreme Court review of constitutional issues.

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising Title V: Alcohol Advertising Title VI: Health Warnings Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996 - Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention - College Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise drug and alcohol abuse prevention program certification requirements (which must be met in order for a higher education institution to receive any Federal financial assistance) to require the programs to limit alcoholic beverage advertisements in the institution's newspapers and other publications to price and product identification. Prohibits: (1) distribution of promotional material encouraging alcohol consumption; (2) distribution of free alcohol; and (3) sponsorship or public support of any on-campus athletic, musical, cultural, or social program, event, or competition by any alcoholic beverage company or by any group of companies. Requires that identification, referral, or treatment of students and employees under such programs not jeopardize the their matriculation status or employment. Authorizes grants to institutions or consortia, and contracts with such institutions and other organizations, for programs of prevention and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and associated violence. Allows using the contracts for a higher education center for alcohol and drug abuse prevention to provide training, technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination, and associated services and assistance to the higher education community and higher education institutions. Mandates ten National Recognition Awards annually to institutions that have developed and implemented effective alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion - Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage. Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages - End Taxpayer Promotion of Alcohol Overseas Act - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of funds for overseas promotion of alcoholic beverages. Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising - Children's Protection from Alcohol Advertising Act of 1996 - Prohibits advertising or promoting alcoholic beverages on any audio tape, audio disc, videotape, video arcade game, computer game, or film. Prohibits outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of any school, playground, or other public facility where individuals under 21 are reasonably expected to convene. Restricts alcohol print advertising in publications with an under-21 readership of 15 percent or more than two million to text only in black and white print. Limits alcohol television broadcast advertising between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a picture of the beverage with factual, objective audio information. Mandates criminal fines and allows injunctions. Requires that alcohol manufacturers sponsoring events be identified in the corporate (not brand) name. Prohibits manufacturing or distributing non-beverage products with an identifiable brand of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer (but allows the corporate name). Title V: Alcohol Advertising - Alcohol Advertising Accountability Act of 1996 - Mandates: (1) an annual report to the Congress on alcohol advertising, its profile, and its effects, along with recommendations for legislation; and (2) establishment of a panel to assist in gathering information for the report. Title IV: Health Warnings - Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act - Declares it to be an unlawful or deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act to advertise any alcoholic beverage through magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional displays, radio, television (including cable, paid per view, or subscription), or other electronic means, unless the advertising includes one of specified health warnings. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain toll free numbers referred to in some of the warnings. Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a malt beverage, wine, or distilled spirit mislabeled unless it bears a label disclosing: (1) the alcoholic content; (2) the number of drinks (defining "drink" as .6 ounces of alcohol); (3) its ingredients and calories; (4) the common name of each ingredient, including additives; and (5) a toll-free number for help with a drinking problem. Authorizes appropriations for the toll-free number.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the 4.3-cent general revenue portion of the fuel excise taxes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce, from the date of enactment of this Act until January 1, 1997, the rates of tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, fuel used on inland waterways, special motor fuels, and certain methanol or ethanol fuels. Prohibits the imposition of tax on compressed natural gas during that period. Reduces, for taxes imposed during that period, the rates regarding: (1) certain aviation fuel; (2) gasoline used in trains and certain buses and diesel fuel used in trains; and (3) alcohol fuels in provisions defining the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks. Provides for the reimposition of the tax if the reduction is not passed on to the consumer. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) cancel budget authority in current defense procurement accounts as necessary to achieve a reduction of $2.9 billion in Department of Defense outlays; and (2) report to the Congress on the programs, projects, and activities from which cancellations are made.