United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1992 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to such retailers. Directs retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to such consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold by such retailers or distributors. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by such distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements identical to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Makes States that fail to maintain such rate for a consecutive 12-month period subject to this Act's requirements. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to provide for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President has the authority to, and should, implement the indexation of the basis of assets for purposes of determining the amount of gain which is subject to taxation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1992
Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 1992 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a breastfeeding promotion program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1992
Provides an extension, at the election of the qualified taxpayer, of the time for payment of income tax on the nonexcluded portion of the combat pay of members of the armed forces serving in the Persian Gulf conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Creates the Congressional Office of Inspector General (Office), independent of the executive departments and under the control and direction of the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives. Sets forth the functions of the Office. Makes an Inspector General (Inspector), to be appointed by the Speaker and minority leader, head of the Office for a seven-year term, unless removed by the Speaker and minority leader for cause. Makes the Inspector ineligible for reappointment. Requires the Inspector to appoint: (1) an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing to supervise the auditing of the office procedures and operations of each Member or committee of the House and any other House office whose employees are paid by the Clerk; and (2) an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations to supervise investigations of such office procedures and operations. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Inspector. Requires each Inspector General to report annually to the Speaker and minority leader of the House. Authorizes the Inspector to receive and investigate complaints or information from a House employee concerning the possible existence of a violation of law or the Rules of the House, mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse or authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Prohibits the Inspector, upon receiving the complaint or information, from disclosing the complainant's identity without the employee's consent, unless such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation. Prohibits any employee who has authority to take, directs others to take, or recommends or approves any personnel action, from taking action against an employee as reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to an Inspector, unless the complaint was false and the complainant knew this or willfully disregarded truth or falsity.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Directs the Postmaster of the House of Representatives to take necessary measures (including the termination of any existing contract or agreement) to provide that postal services and operations relating to the House be carried out by employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) consideration of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should be a high priority; (2) LIHEAP funding for FY 1993 should be increased to a level greater than or equal to funding for FY 1992; and (3) the President should accept the LIHEAP funding level for FY 1993 as recommended by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Declares that: (1) businesses should offer monetary employee achievement awards to employees who offer ideas to improve efficiency, productivity, competitiveness, and products; and (2) the Congress should encourage such awards by enacting significant tax incentives for employees to contribute to business productivity and for businesses to reward such contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1992
Automotive Buyers Right to Know Act of 1992 - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to prohibit motor vehicle manufacturers from selling, introducing, or delivering in interstate commerce or importing into the United States any motor vehicle that does not have prominently displayed a label indicating: (1) the location where it was produced; and (2) the value (stated as a percentage of the total value of the motor vehicle) of all parts produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1992
Authorizes amounts for expenses of investigations and studies by the House Committee on Education and Labor for the second session of the 102d Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1992
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to proscribe fraudulent misrepresentations of campaign authority with respect to soliciting or accepting contributions. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a recorded vote upon final passage or adoption, as the case may be, of any bill or resolution making an appropriation or providing direct spending authority or new credit authority.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for personal interest on loans used to purchase new passenger motor vehicles and small trucks wholly assembled in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Educational Research, Development, and Dissemination Excellence Act - Title I: General Provisions Regarding Office of Educational Research and Improvement - Amends the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to revise certain provisions relating to the purpose, administration, functions, and structure of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). Eliminates provisions for the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary), acting through OERI, to carry out specified policies, in accordance with the policies and priorities established by the Board. Requires that OERI consist of programs and units in accordance with specified current GEPA provisions, as well as those added under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees data on OERI, including numbers of current personnel, broken down by sex, race, and civil service classification, current vacancies, and projections of future personnel needs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 for OERI programs and units (both current ones and ones added by this Act). Allocates specified portions of such funds for certain purposes. Title II: National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board - Amends GEPA to establish within OERI a National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board (the Board). Makes the Board, acting through the Assistant Secretary, responsible for: (1) determining priorities to guide OERI's work and congressional oversight of it; (2) establishing standards for conduct and evaluation of all research, development, and dissemination carried out under auspices of the Department of Education (the Department); (3) making periodic recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the Secretary on administrative and statutory changes both to improve coordination of education research, development, and dissemination carried out by the Federal Government and to develop a comprehensive and integrated system for dissemination of results of education research and developments; and (4) regularly review and evaluate implementation of its recommended priorities and policies by the Department and the Congress. Directs the Board to develop a research priorities program. Requires the Board to survey and assess the state of knowledge in education research and development to identify disciplines and areas of inquiry where knowledge is insufficient and which warrant further investigation, taking into account the views of both education researchers and practicing educators. Requires the Board to consult with the National Goals Panel and other authorities on education to identify national priorities for the improvement of education. Requires that such research priorities program recommend priorities for investment of OERI resources over the next five-, ten-, and 15-year periods. Requires including as priorities those areas of inquiry in which further research and development: (1) is necessary to attain the identified goals for improvement of education; (2) promises to yield the greatest practical benefits to teachers and other educators in improving education; and (3) will not be undertaken in sufficient scope or intensity by other Federal and non-Federal entities engaged in education research and development. Sets forth required contents of such program, including goals for OERI expenditures within recommended priority areas, specific objectives expected to be achieved by such expenditures, and recommendations as to relative distribution of resources within each priority area among the various entities engaged in such education research and development. Requires the Secretary to publish a biennial report, and submit such report and any public comment and suggestions to the President and the Congress, on the Board's proposed research priorities. Directs the Board to establish and maintain an ongoing program to improve coordination of education research, development, and dissemination activities within the Department and the Federal Government generally. Requires specified inventories and reports in connection with such coordination program. Directs the Board to develop (after soliciting and giving due consideration to public comments) standards for the conduct and evaluation of all OERI research, development, and dissemination activities, to assure that such activities meet the highest standards of professional excellence. Requires such standards to include ones for peer review, evaluation of applications for, and periodic review and evaluation of, all grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements by OERI. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations implementing such standards within 60 days of their transmittal by the Board. Authorizes the Board to establish subcommittees, convene workshops and conferences, and collect data. Sets forth Board powers and membership qualifications, in general. Requires that the 20 Board voting members be appointed by the Secretary, with specified numbers representing educational researchers, classroom teachers, State and local school officials, librarians, parents, nonprofit foundations, business and industry, and State Governors. Designates specified Federal officials as ex-officio, nonvoting members. Requires that the Board be chaired by the Chair of the National Goals Panel. Sets forth provisions for terms of office and meetings. Title III: National Research Institutes - Amends GEPA to establish the following National Research Institutes within OERI: (1) the National Institute for Education of At-Risk Students; (2) the National Institute for Innovation in Educational Governance and Management; (3) the National Institute for Early Childhood Development and Education; and (4) the National Institute on Student Achievement. Sets forth provisions relating to such Institute's: (1) Directors; (2) authorities and duties; (3) targeting historically underrepresented researchers and institution; (4) appointment of scientific and professional employees; (5) advisory councils; (6) coordination of research on cross-cutting issues; and (7) transition within OERI. Sets forth separate provisions relating to the role of each such Institute. Title IV: National Education Dissemination System - Amends GEPA to establish within OERI an Office of Dissemination and School Improvement (Dissemination Office), through which the Secretary shall carry out a national education dissemination system for school improvement to identify, validate, and disseminate to educators, parents, and policymakers those educational programs that have been shown to improve educational opportunities for all students. Sets forth provisions relating to Dissemination Office functions and duties, including: (1) identification, designation, and dissemination of exemplary and promising programs; (2) 16 education resources information clearinghouses; (3) an America On-Line interactive electronic network to link all Department entities to share information and resources, be extended to libraries, schools, universities, colleges, and homes, and be linked to any electronic online dissemination system operated by the Government Printing Office; (4) a system of regional educational laboratories; and (5) an America 2000 communities special assistance program, with grants for Learning Grant Institutions and District Education Agents within eligible communities, development of a comprehensive America 2000 plan for assuring educational success for all students in the community, and implementation of a community-wide plan for educational improvement. Title V: National Education Research Library - Amends GEPA to establish within OERI a National Education Research Library (the Library), to be maintained as a governmental activity, to: (1) provide a central location within the Federal Government for information about education; (2) provide comprehensive reference services on education-related matters; and (3) promote greater cooperation and resource-sharing among education information providers and repositories in the United States. Requires the Library to establish and maintain a one-stop central information and referral service to respond to inquiries from the public concerning: (1) Department of Education (Department) programs and activities; (2) Department and other Federal agency education-related publications; (3) OERI services and resources available to the public, including the ERIC Clearinghouses, the National Research and Development Centers, and the Regional Laboratories; (4) statistics and other information produced by the National Center for Education Statistics; and (5) referrals to additional sources of information and expertise about educational issues. Directs the Library to maintain and publicize a toll-free telephone number for public inquiries. Directs the Library to deliver comprehensive reference services of various types on education-related subjects to Department employees, other Federal employees, and members of the general public, with first priority to Department employees' requests. Directs the Library to promote greater cooperation and resource-sharing among libraries and archives with significant collections in the area of education, through various means. Requires the Library to be administered by an Executive Director appointed by the Secretary from among persons with significant training or experience in library and information science. Transfers to the Library all functions of the Department's: (1) Research Library; (2) Reference Section; (3) Information Branch; and (4) Information Technology Branch (except those relating to automatic data processing and other electronic equipment used for Department internal administrative purposes). Directs the Library, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to promulgate a comprehensive collection development policy to govern its operations, acquisitions, and services to users. Sets forth required components of such policy. Directs the Executive Director, on the basis of such policy, to develop a multiyear plan for elimination of cataloging arrearages and for response to preservation needs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
United States Commercial Center Pilot Program Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, as a pilot program, a United States Commercial Center in one country each in the Baltics, including one of the former Soviet republics, Asia, and Latin America to provide additional resources for the promotion of exports of U.S. goods and services to such countries. Requires the Secretary to use the Market Development Cooperator Program to assist the Centers in providing such resources. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Steel Trade Liberalization Program Extension Act - Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to express the sense of the Congress with respect to the quantity of steel products imported into, or exported to, the United States from April 1, 1992, through September 30, 1994, under the steel trade liberalization program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate the ten-percent investment tax credit with respect to property placed in service after December 31, 1991, and make the at-risk rules inapplicable to such property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Family Living Wage Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the earned income tax credit to: (1) increase from $5,714 to $8,000 the amount of earned income subject to the credit; (2) establish the basic credit at 20 percent; and (3) permit an additional credit (to apply to not more than four children) of five percent for each dependent school age child between age six and age 16 and ten percent for each preschool age child. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $50,000. Indexes amounts relating to the credit beginning in 1995. Disallows application of the nonrefundable dependent care income tax credit with respect to a taxpayer's dependents under age 13, unless the child is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Permits the credit with respect to handicapped children under age 16 only if the taxpayer elects not to include the child within the framework of the earned income credit. Repeals provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988 that revise the way in which the earned income credit is treated in the context of needs analysis for purposes of State plans for aid and services to needy families with children under title IV of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Real Estate Recovery Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on passive activity losses and credits. Decreases the applicable recovery period for depreciation of residential rental property and nonresidential real property under the accelerated cost recovery system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Child Care Public-Private Partnership Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a business-incentive grant program to provide child care through public-private partnerships. Provides program grants to cover not more than one-third of the costs for: (1) businesses or consortia (two or more businesses acting jointly, which may also include a nonprofit private organization) to start-up, or provide additional, employee child care services; and (2) nonprofit business organizations to provide technical information and assistance to enable businesses to provide employee child care services. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements, including: (1) provision of such services equitably and affordably to low- and moderate-income employees; and (2) compliance with State and local licensing requirements. Gives priority in grant selection to businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees and to business and consortia applications. Requires equitable geographic distribution. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Commends: (1) the people of Guam for their patriotism, bravery, loyalty to the United States, and many sacrifices during World War II, particularly during the invasion and occupation of the Guam territory; (2) the members of the Navy Insular Force and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for the efforts and sacrifices they made in defense of the U.S.; (3) the Hawaiians for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and (4) the Hawaii Territorial Guard members, Varsity Victory Volunteers, the civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and other Hawaiian military installations, 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during such attack.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Urges the President to renew the voluntary restraint agreements with Taiwan and Japan for an additional five years in order to protect national security and ensure U.S. industrial competitiveness.
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
Pension Protection in Bankruptcy Act of 1991 - Title I: Employer Liability, Lien, and Portability - Subtitle A: Amendments to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends title IV (Plan Termination Insurance) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise limitations on employer liability liens and priority amounts. Provides that, in the case of plan terminations initiated on or after January 1, 1992, the lien of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for employer liability shall be determined according to a specified formula. Makes similar revisions relating to the amount of liability to the PBGC which is entitled to priority treatment in insolvency and bankruptcy cases. Amends the Pension Protection Act with respect to bankruptcy and insolvency claims. Provides that specified amendments under this Act shall be effective as if included under the Single-Employer Pension Plan Amendments of 1986 and the Pension Protection Act. Amends ERISA to provide for liability upon liquidation of a contributing sponsor of a single-employer plan. Makes such sponsor liable as though the plan had terminated in a distress termination, even if the sponsor's controlled group remains a contributing sponsor of the plan or is liable for payment of specified contributions or installments. Directs the PBGC to transfer such liability payments to the ongoing plans. Subtitle B: Amendments to Title 11, United States Code - Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to permit the PBGC to be a member of an unsecured creditors' committee. Revises priority payment provisions with respect to unpaid contributions to pension plans under ERISA. (Classifies these priorities as expenses arising before, or administrative expenses arising after, the commencement of the case, depending on whether such unpaid contributions are attributable, or such plan termination occurs, before or after the filing of the petition for bankruptcy.) Amends one specified Bankruptcy Rules to require the bankruptcy court to give the PBGC notice of a bankruptcy petition filed (and all other notices required to be served on creditors and interested parties), in any case in which the debtor or an affiliate maintains a pension plan to which title IV of ERISA applies. Title II: Miscellaneous ERISA Title IV Amendments - Amends ERISA title IV to revise provisions relating to: (1) enforcement of minimum funding requirements; (2) definition of contributing sponsor; (3) recovery ratio payable under PBGC guaranty; (4) distress termination criteria for banking institutions; and (5) variable rate premium exemption. Eliminates a specified seventh revolving fund and transfers its assets and liabilities to the first revolving fund (i.e. the single-employer basic benefits guaranty fund).
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Federal-State Pesticide Regulation Partnership Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to remove the authority of political subdivisions to inspect records of persons selling or delivering pesticides for purposes of enforcing such Act. Prohibits local governments from imposing or continuing any requirement regarding pesticides or devices.
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 · 14 November 1991
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit candidates for the House of Representatives from accepting contributions from persons other than local individual residents totaling in excess of the total contributions accepted from local individual residents. Limits contributions to candidates for Federal office by nonparty multicandidate political committees to $1,000. Subjects to limitation and reporting requirements payments by a national committee of a political party or a State committee of a political party for a mixed political activity. Repeals the office facility exception (building fund) from the definition of contribution. Requires the deposit of excess funds of candidates for the House of Representatives into a separate account to be used for any lawful purpose other than for such candidate's election.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1991
Provides veterans' preference eligibility with respect to individuals who served on active duty in the armed forces during the Persian Gulf War. Subjects benefits afforded to preference eligibles under civil service laws to the minimum active-duty service requirements under veterans' benefits laws.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Civil Rights Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal Civil Rights Remedies - Amends Federal law to declare that: (1) for purposes of provisions relating to equal rights under the law, the right to make and enforce contracts includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contractual relationship; and (2) the rights protected by the amended provisions are protected against impairment by nongovernmental discrimination and impairment under color of State law. Allows limited compensatory and punitive damages in certain cases of intentional employment discrimination. Allows the awarding of attorney's fees in connection with an action or proceeding to enforce these provisions. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide for the burdens of proof which must be met by the various parties when an allegation of an unlawful employment practice is based on an assertion that a particular employment practice or particular employment practices result in disparate impact. Declares it an unlawful employment practice for a respondent, in connection with employment or promotion selection or referral, to adjust the scores of, use different cutoff scores for, or otherwise alter the results of, employment related tests on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Declares that an unlawful employment practice is established when it is shown that a discriminatory basis was a motivating factor, even though other factors also motivated the practice. Allows, when such mixed motives have been proven and the respondent shows it would have taken the same action in the absence of the impermissible motivating factor, declaratory relief, limited types of injunctive relief, and attorney's fees and costs demonstrated to be directly attributable only to the pursuit of a claim under the enforcement provisions of title VII. Prohibits, in such cases, awarding damages or issuing certain types of orders. Provides for the finality of litigated or consent judgments or orders resolving an employment discrimination claim, barring actions (challenging an order) by persons who had certain types of notice and opportunity. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to include U.S. citizens employed in a foreign country in the definition of "employee." Provides for the application of employment discrimination provisions to foreign situations. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to establish the Technical Assistance Training Institute to provide technical assistance and training regarding the laws and regulations enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Authorizes appropriations. Requires the EEOC, with regard the rights and obligations under title VII or other laws, to carry out educational and outreach activities, including in languages other than English, targeted to: (1) individuals who have historically been victims of employment discrimination and who have not been equitably served by the EEOC; and (2) individuals on whose behalf the EEOC has authority to enforce any other law. Declares that an unlawful employment practice occurs, with respect to a seniority system that has been adopted for an intentionally discriminatory purpose, whether or not that purpose is apparent on the face of the system, when the system is adopted, when an individual becomes subject to the system, or when a person is injured by the application of the system. Amends Federal law to allow expert fees to be included in attorney's fees awarded to the prevailing party in an action to enforce provisions of Federal law relating to: (1) equal rights under the law and making and enforcing contracts; and (2) damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow expert fees to be included in attorney's fees awarded to the prevailing party in an employment discrimination case. Extends the time limit for an aggrieved employee or employment applicant to file a civil action after notice of final action by a department, agency, or unit of the Federal Government. Requires the same interest to compensate for delay in payment by the Government as in cases involving non-public parties. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) to replace provisions providing for tolling of the statute of limitations for actions under the ADEA with provisions requiring the EEOC to give certain notice if it dismisses a charge or otherwise terminates proceedings. Allows a person to bring a civil action within a specified time limit. Prohibits construing certain amendments made by this Act to affect court-ordered remedies, affirmative action, or conciliation agreements that are in accordance with the law. Declares that: (1) the rights and protections under title VII (Equal Employment Opportunities) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall apply with respect to any employee in an employment position in the House of Representatives and any employing authority of the House, with remedies and procedures as described in a specified House Resolution, as incorporated into the Rules of the House of Representatives; and (2) the provisions of this Act relating to such Resolution and Rules are enacted as an exercise in the rulemaking power of the House and may be changed as any other rule of the House. Provides for judicial review. Expresses the sense of the House that House Rules should address payments on behalf of Members who violate the nondiscrimination requirements of the Resolution. Declares that the rights and protections under this Act and title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall apply with respect to the conduct of each instrumentality of the Congress, with the chief official of each instrumentality establishing the remedies and procedures to be used. Makes such remedies and procedures exclusive, except for employees who are defined as Senate employees. Defines instrumentalities of the Congress to include the Architect of the Capitol, the Congressional Budget Office, the General Accounting Office, the Government Printing Office, the Office of Technology Assessment, and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Encourages the use of alternative means of dispute resolution to resolve disputes arising under the Acts and provisions of Federal law amended by this Act. Title II: Glass Ceiling - Glass Ceiling Act of 1991 - Establishes the Glass Ceiling Commission to conduct a study and prepare recommendations concerning: (1) eliminating artificial barriers to the advancement of women and minorities; and (2) increasing opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities to management and decision making positions in business. Establishes the National Award for Diversity and Excellence in American Executive Management for a business which makes substantial effort to promote the opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities to foster advancement to management and decisionmaking positions. Allows an award recipient to publicize the receipt of the award and use the award in its advertising if the business agrees to help other U.S. businesses to improve opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission and authority to make the award four years after enactment of this Act. Title III: Government Employee Rights - Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 - Requires all personnel actions affecting Senate employees to be made free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or disability. Establishes as an office of the Senate the Office of Senate Fair Employment Practices to implement provisions of this title and programs for the Senate to heighten awareness of employee rights in order to prevent violations. Sets forth a procedure for consideration of alleged violations, including a hearing by a board of independent hearing officers. Provides for remedies as under specified provisions of: (1) the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) other specified Federal law relating to equal rights under the law and compensatory damages for intentional discrimination; or (3) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. Allows review by the Select Committee on Ethics. Allows and regulates subsequent judicial review. Prohibits intimidation and reprisal. Declares that: (1) subject to exception, provisions of this title are enacted by the Senate as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and may be changed as any other rule of the Senate; and (2) except for provisions governing judicial review, enforcement is in the exclusive jurisdiction of the Senate. Declares that it is not a violation to consider a Senate employee's or applicant's party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility with the employing office. Prohibits actions to redress discriminatory practices under this title title except as provided in this title. Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that legislation should be enacted to provide the rights under this title to employees of congressional instrumentalities not provided with those rights. Declares that: (1) the Senate reaffirms its commitment to a Standing Rule of the Senate regarding employment discrimination within the Senate; and (2) notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Select Committee on Ethics shall retain full power with respect to disciplinary action. Applies certain rights of this title (prohibiting discrimination and providing for certain remedies) to employment of: (1) presidential appointees; and (2) individuals by an elected official of a State or political subdivision. Provides for enforcement by administrative action and for judicial review. Provides, notwithstanding title IV of this Act, for the severability of judicial review provisions of this title. Requires, as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and retaining the power to change the provision as any other Senate rule, that each Senate committee report on a public bill or joint resolution (except the Appropriations and Budget Committees) to note and evaluate provisions which apply to the Congress. Allows any Member of the Senate to intervene as a matter of right in any proceeding regarding judicial review under certain provisions of this title to determine the constitutionality of the provision. Allows appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court and requires that Court to accept jurisdiction and expedite the appeal. Title IV: General Provisions - Provides for severability of the provisions and the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1991
WIC Supplemental Benefits Act of 1991 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 1995 for the special supplemental food (WIC) farmers' market program. Makes funds available for additional State participation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) condemn the use of force in Yugoslavia; (2) recognize the independence of the Republics of Croatia and Slovenia; and (3) work for the cessation of hostilities leading to a negotiated settlement and peace in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1991
Declares that Members of Congress are no longer exempted from Federal laws, including the: (1) Americans with Disabilities Act; (2) title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; (3) Equal Opportunity Act; (4) Occupational Safety and Health Act; (5) Fair Labor Standards Act; and (6) Freedom of Information Act. Makes it illegal to furnish any Member of the Congress, at the expenses of the Federal Government, free or at reduced costs: (1) medicine; (2) hospital care; (3) ambulance services; (4) meals; (5) flowers or plants; (6) pictures or picture frames; (7) haircuts; or (8) other items, services, or privileges, except official office expenses such as supplies and stationery.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the ambulance currently maintained at the Capitol solely for Members of Congress should be made available to aid any individual who experiences a serious or life threatening medical condition while on the Capitol grounds.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1991
Condemns any further use of force in Yugoslavia. Urges all parties to the dispute to strictly comply with the most recent ceasefire agreement. Supports the ongoing European Community-sponsored peace effort. Urges the Administration to actively seek a just resolution of the crisis. Encourages religious leaders throughout Yugoslavia to work together for peace.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
Establishes the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania to preserve the resources associated with steam-operated trains during the period of 1850-1950. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) provide a variety of steam train excursions within the boundaries of the Site and to destinations outside of it; and (2) enter into leases for the use of any excessive buildings within the Site. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1991
Directs the Secretary of Education to report within six months to the Congress on the use of Pell Grants (as student assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965) by prisoners, including specified types of information, analyses, and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
1992 White House Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one dollar silver coins emblematic of the White House. Mandates that the total surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be promptly paid to the White House Endowment Fund to assist its efforts to raise an endowment as a permanent source of support for the White House Collection of fine art and historic furnishings, and for the maintenance of the historic public rooms of the White House.
![Official portrait of Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000291_200.jpg)