United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1993
Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to designate a new title X as the Rent-To-Own Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from taking, receiving, or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction in excess of that which may be charged under State law which establishes in connection with a credit or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged; (2) the types and maximum amount of fees that a seller may charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) termination, recovery, and other fees; (2) the effect of termination; and (3) guarantees and warranties. Makes the following Federal laws applicable to rent-to-own transactions: (1) the Truth in Lending Act; (2) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and (4) the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires a seller to include the following information on each item in the seller's place of business that is available for purchase pursuant to a rent-to-own transaction: (1) the cash price; (2) an itemization of services offered and the price of each service; (3) the annual percentage rate; (4) any applicable periodic payment and the number of payments; (5) the total number of payments required to acquire ownership; and (6) whether the item is new or used. Requires a seller to provide such information to a consumer in writing at the time the parties enter into the contract. Prohibits a seller under a rent-to-own contract with a consumer from taking specified actions, such as using threats or coercion to collect amounts alleged due, or unreasonably disclosing information to third parties regarding amounts owed by the consumer. Makes compliance with the requirements of this Act enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission. Deems a violation of this Act to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Subjects sellers who violate the requirements of this Act to civil liability.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1993
Deems as adopted the amendment contained in this resolution for purposes of further consideration of H.R. 2750 (Department of Transportation and related agencies funding).
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1993
General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to set forth a 15-year statute of limitations within which a person may bring a civil action against an aircraft manufacturer for damages for death or injury or damage to property arising from an aircraft accident.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to set forth rules for filing returns with respect to domestic service employment taxes and requires such returns to be made on a calendar year basis. Subjects such taxes to estimated tax provisions. Makes filing requirements inapplicable to any employer liable for tax concerning remuneration for services other than domestic service in a private home. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with States to collect the State unemployment tax imposed on remuneration for domestic service and transfers such amounts to a State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Treats such taxes as domestic service employment taxes. Requires the Secretary to inform domestic service employers in private homes of their tax obligations. Adjusts the threshold (from $50 a calendar quarter to $800 a year) for paying and withholding social security taxes on wages paid for domestic service in a private home. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust such threshold amount in the same manner as adjustments to certain social security insurance amounts. Excludes domestic service in a private home by an individual 16 years and under from amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to revise provisions concerning limitations on cost of living adjustments for military retirees to set forth special rules concerning such adjustments for FY 1994 through 1996 (currently, special rules are set forth for FY 1994 through 1998).
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should terminate the policy of allowing resettlement of members of the Iraqi armed forces in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Extends the authorization of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to October 27, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Civilian Facilities Closure and Realignment Act of 1993 - Establishes the Civilian Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission. Requires the heads of executive agencies (except for the Secretary of Defense) to submit to the Commission recommendations for closing or realigning civilian facilities. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to submit to the Commission estimates of the administrative costs and savings that would result from the implementation of such recommendations. Requires the Commission to report its recommendations for closures and realignments of Federal facilities and proposed legislation to the President. Provides for presidential approval of the report. Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of the proposed legislation. Requires proceeds from the sale of any agency's assets resulting from closures or realignments to be applied to reduce the Federal deficit and deposited in the Treasury and treated as general receipts. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) in the fiscal year immediately following the submission of an agency's recommendation, there should be appropriated to each agency at least 25 percent of the amount of estimated administrative savings applicable to such agency in the three fiscal years following such submission; and (2) the appropriated amount should be in addition to funds which would otherwise be appropriated if not for this Act and made available for expenditure to improve the agency's management, efficiency, or productivity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to eligible historically black colleges and universities for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures on their campuses. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Declares that all activities that were performed by the White House Travel and Telegraph Office before the adoption of this resolution that can be performed by private business should be procured from the private sector and that Federal White House personnel should not perform any of those activities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1993
Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that any television with a screen of at least 13 inches which is manufactured, or imported for use, in the United States be equipped with circuitry designed to enable viewers to block the display of channels, programs, time slots, and all programs with a common rating. Prohibits shipping in interstate commerce, manufacturing, assembling, or importing any such television except pursuant to rules prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Requires such rules to provide performance and display standards for such blocking technology. Directs the FCC, as new video technology is developed, to ensure that blocking service continues to be available to consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1993
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to certain services for the treatment of spinal conditions that are conducted by State-licensed chiropractors legally authorized by the State to provide them.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1993
Natural Disaster Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop programs to carry out specified multihazard mitigation and emergency management initiatives, including the development of model building codes and other hazard mitigation measures for catastrophic natural disasters, training and research in such areas, hazard mitigation technology, and local emergency response operations. Allows local communities five years after the date of enactment of this Act to comply with multihazard building and safety codes outlined under this Act, after which public assistance funds will be withheld for noncompliance. Requires the Director to identify States which are prone to damages from hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding (natural disasters), and to designate each State appropriately as hurricane-, windstorm-, earthquake-, volcanic eruption-, or flood-prone. Requires each State so designated to either: (1) adopt the relevant natural disaster hazard mitigation portions of the newest building codes for such State for all new or substantially modified building construction in such State; or (2) certify that the local communities have adopted building codes which meet or exceed such requirements. Requires each State designated as disaster-prone to either: (1) develop a hazard mitigation plan with accompanying schedules for improving the State's ability to reduce the hazards of future natural disasters; or (2) designate an existing plan which meets such requirements. Requires a completed plan to be submitted to the Director within two years after designation. Outlines State compliance procedures, and imposes penalties for hazard mitigation plan noncompliance. Establishes the Self-Sustaining Mitigation Fund for Federal and State support of hazard mitigation and emergency management activities, with amounts provided by the Director to each disaster-prone State for appropriate purposes. Establishes the Natural Disaster Mitigation and Planning Advisory Committee as an independent advisory committee to advise the Director on hazard mitigation and disaster planning, and to review hazard mitigation regulations issued by the Director. Requires the Director to establish and carry out a national multihazard insurance program (the Primary Insurance Program) to provide insurance against real or personal property loss in any State resulting from an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Requires the Director to evaluate the feasibility of including flood as a covered peril under the Primary Insurance Program. Outlines specified procedures for increased participation in the Federal flood insurance program under the National Flood Insurance Act, with a required report. Outlines further provisions with respect to the Primary Insurance Program, including program scope (initially limited to residential housing), terms and limitations, covered hazards, and insurance actuarial rates. Establishes in the Treasury the Primary Insurance Program Fund to carry out such Program. Provides for Fund uses, investments, and disbursements, authorizing the Director, when necessary, to borrow from the Treasury for Fund purposes. Requires the Director, in carrying out the Program, to provide certain insurance mitigation incentives, including the charging of lower premiums for residential property located in disaster-prone States. Requires the Director to make available to eligible entities excess reinsurance coverage for any direct and indirect losses that arise from a hurricane, earthquake, volcanic eruption, or tsunami (tidal wave). Outlines provisions concerning eligible entities and reinsurance coverage terms, limitations, and obligations, including the covered lines of insurance. Requires the establishment of actuarially sound rates for such coverage. Establishes in the Treasury the Reinsurance Fund for implementation of such reinsurance coverage. Requires the Director to develop a plan of operation to ensure the fair, reasonable, and equitable administration of the Primary Insurance Program Fund, the Reinsurance Fund, and other activities outlined in this Act. Establishes the Federal Insurance and Reinsurance Advisory Committee as an independent committee and requires the plan to be submitted to such Committee for review and recommendations. Requires a Committee report.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Commission on the Airplane Crash at Gander, Newfoundland, Act - Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Commission on the Airplane Crash at Gander, Newfoundland. Directs the Commission to investigate, study, and report to the President and the Congress on the circumstances surrounding the crash of an Arrow Airlines airplane near Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, on December 12, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Condemns the Sudanese Government for its human rights abuses and calls upon such government to improve human rights conditions. Calls on the Sudanese People's Liberation Army to cease hostilities and resolve differences through peaceful means. Encourages the military government of Sudan to hand over political power to an elected civilian government as soon as possible. Recognizes the right of the people of southern Sudan to self-determination. Calls upon the President to: (1) appoint a special representative for mediation, reconciliation, peace, and humanitarian affairs in Sudan; (2) increase the levels of humanitarian assistance provided through nongovernmental organizations; (3) place Sudan on the list of states that support international terrorism; (4) oppose specified international financial institution assistance for Sudan; (5) explore other means necessary to force the Sudanese Government to halt its war should humanitarian conditions further deteriorate and such government continues to impede relief efforts; and (6) urge the United Nations to take certain steps to end the conflict in Sudan and to protect war and famine victims.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1993
Parents Television Empowerment Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a toll-free number for the collection of public comments, suggestions, and complaints concerning the transmission by broadcast stations or cable systems of programming containing depictions of violence. Requires the FCC to publicize such number and the FCC's functions under this Act. Requires the FCC to publish quarterly in the Federal Register a summary of the comments, suggestions, and complaints received during the preceding period. Requires the FCC to: (1) transcribe such comments, suggestions, and complaints; (2) transmit to each licensee any comments, suggestions, or complaints made concerning its station; (3) make them available for public inspection; (4) omit from any records transmitted or made available the name and address of any caller requesting confidentiality; and (5) include in an annual report to the Congress an analysis of such complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1993
Provides that service rendered before August 15, 1945, by any person who was part of the enlisted wartime personnel of the American Field Service ambulance corps and who reported for duty overseas during World War II shall be considered active duty for purposes of all laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1993
Authorizes the heads of designated Federal agencies to use up to 50 percent of unobligated funds for administrative expenses for bonuses to personnel, with the remainder to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used exclusively for deficit reduction. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to designate such agencies and to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in reducing the deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Federal Benefit Integrity Act - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) reduce the amount of AFDC currently being paid to families which do not include a U.S. citizen or national; and (2) prohibit AFDC from being paid to any family applying for AFDC which does not include such an individual. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplementary Security Income), the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make similar amendments with respect to the receipt of Federal benefits by illegal aliens, and, in certain cases, phase-out such benefits entirely.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1993
National Historic Ball Park Act - Designates Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, and Yankee Stadium in New York, New York, as National Historic Ball Parks. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to seek to enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of any of the Parks for the protection and preservation of the Park. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept and expend donations of funds, property, or services to provide services and facilities consistent with this Act; (2) construct interpretive facilities on non-Federal property; and (3) maintain and operate appropriate programs in connection with such facilities. Requires an owner of a Park to notify the Secretary of an intent to transfer or otherwise dispose of the Park. Sets forth provisions relating to the exercise of the Secretary's right of first refusal to acquire such Park. Authorizes the Secretary, under specified conditions, to acquire land, interests in land, and improvements within the boundaries of a Park by donation or purchase with donated or appropriated funds. Requires such Park to be added to and administered as a unit of the National Park System. Establishes a National Historic Ball Park Acquisition Advisory Commission to make recommendations concerning methods of financing the acquisition of a Park. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Reorganization of the Federal Administrative Judiciary Act - Establishes an administrative Law Judge Corps to be comprised of all current administrative law judges. States that the chief administrative law judge shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes the chief judge responsible for developing programs and practices which foster economy and efficiency in the processing of cases heard by administrative law judges. Establishes eight divisions within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Identifies the divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. Specifies qualifications required for division chief judges. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to: (1) assign judges to divisions and to transfer or reassign judges from one division to another; (2) appoint persons as administrative law judges; (3) file charges against an administrative law judge; (4) prescribe certain rules of practice and procedure for proceedings before the Corps; (5) issue rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the Corps; and (6) perform other administrative functions. Directs the Council to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Directs the Council to issue regulations for assigning such cases. Authorizes agencies and courts to refer cases to the Corps, subject to specified requirements. Requires guidelines for the removal and discipline of administrative law judges. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Details the membership of such Board and the procedures to be followed. Declares Board proceedings and the contents of complaints to be privileged and confidential. Exempts: (1) documents and reports considered by the Board from the disclosure and publication requirements of the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) the Board from compliance with the public meeting requirements of specified Federal law. Directs the Corps' chief judge to study the various types of agency review to which decisions of administrative law judges are subject. Sets guidelines for such studies and directs the Council to report the findings of such studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1993
Firefighters and Police Retirement Security Act of 1993 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986 to repeal a provision which would have terminated an exemption for certain bona fide hiring and retirement plans applicable to State and local fire fighters and law enforcement officers. (This Act thereby preserves such exemption beyond 1993.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Declares that each of the four major television broadcast networks and their affiliates, independent television stations, the Public Broadcasting System, and cable programmers and operators should: (1) not telecast programming containing dramatized violence; (2) superimpose explicit viewer advisories throughout programming containing dramatized or documentary violence; (3) provide explicit audio and on-screen viewer advisories immediately prior to transmittal of such programming; (4) not transmit programming promotions or advertisements that contain violence; (5) develop a standard scheme for classifying programming on the basis of the amount and type of dramatized violence it contains; and (6) educate and inform viewers about the harmful effects of exposure to television violence.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses if a portion of a dwelling unit is used as the sole fixed location of business for a taxpayer who has no other fixed location of business, regardless of: (1) the amount of time or type of work performed in such location; or (2) the proportion of the total income from the business attributable to such location.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
Criminal Aliens Incarceration Act of 1993 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to permit the deportation of an alien in Federal or State detention prior to sentence completion. Amends Federal law to require a court to issue a deportation order as part of the sentencing order for an alien convicted of an aggravated felony. Amends the Act to provide for such deportations. Provides for Federal incarceration, upon State request, of undocumented criminal aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
Designates the Federal building at 400 Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida (or any building built to replace it), as the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to exclude from the customs and tax exemption under tort claims procedures any claim based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods or merchandise (including real property) while in the possession of any customs or other law enforcement officer. Extends the period for filing claims in certain in rem proceedings. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that: (1) in all suits or actions brought for the forfeiture of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under the provisions of any law relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, with exceptions, and for the recovery of the value of any forfeited property because of violation of any such law, the burden of proof is on the Government to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the property was subject to forfeiture; (2) any person claiming such property may at any time within 60 days from the date of the first publication of the notice of seizure file a claim with the appropriate customs officer, who shall transmit such claim to the U.S. attorney for the district in which seizure was made; and (3) if the person filing such claim (or a claim regarding seized property under any other provision of law that incorporates by reference the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation procedures of the customs laws) is financially unable to obtain representation, the court may appoint counsel, subject to specified requirements. Specifies that a claimant is entitled to immediate release of seized property if continued possession by the Government would cause the claimant substantial hardship. Sets forth procedures regarding the request for release, return of property, and time for decision by the court on a complaint for such return. Makes sums in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund available for the payment of court-awarded compensation for representation of claimants under the Tariff Act, with respect to seizure claims by individuals financially unable to obtain representation of counsel.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000309_200.jpg)