United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Melaleuca Control Act of 1991 - Treats melaleuca quinquenervia as a noxious weed for quarantine and control purposes under the Federal Noxious Weed Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to propose regulations to add melaleuca, the Brazilian pepper, and the Australian pine to the Federal Noxious Weed List. Directs the Secretary of the Army to construct a research and quarantine facility in Broward County, Florida, to deal with melaleuca and other exotic plants that threaten native Florida ecosystems. Authorizes FY 1993 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Congressional Accountability Act - Makes applicable to the Congress the following Federal laws, to the extent that they relate to the terms and conditions of employment, the health and safety of employees, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees: (1) Social Security Act; (2) National Labor Relations Act; (3) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (4) Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (6) Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (8) Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) Privacy Act of 1974; (10) Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (11) Ethics in Government Act of 1978; and (12) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Makes applicable also to the Congress specified provisions of Federal law: (1) commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) relating to independent counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Calls upon the President not to proceed toward the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam until the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs has reported its findings on the accounting of missing American servicemen in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Puppy Protection Act - Provides remedies for consumers who purchase unfit dogs from pet dealers if, within specified periods of the date of sale, a licensed veterinarian makes certain certifications to the consumer with respect to the dog's condition (or, if the dog dies, not as a result of accident or injury, concerning the cause of death). Sets forth: (1) limitations on recovery; and (2) deadlines for notification to, and provision of remedy by, the dealer. Authorizes any consumer who is damaged by the failure of a dealer to comply with any obligation of such dealer under this Act to initiate a civil action to recover specified remedies in State or Federal court, subject to specified limitations. Provides for recovery of attorney fees and costs of appeal by a prevailing consumer. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to enjoin any dealer from failing to comply with any obligation under this Act. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction over any such action brought by the Secretary. Requires each dealer: (1) at the time of the purchase of any dog by a consumer, to provide written notice of the consumer's rights and remedies and the dealer's obligations under this Act, to orally explain to the consumer the written notice, and to obtain from the consumer the consumer's address, a written acknowledgement that the consumer received and fully understands the written notice and oral explanation; (2) to conspicuously display at the dealer's business premises a written notice of the consumer's rights and remedies, the dealer's obligations, and the Secretary's authority under this Act; and (3) to conspicuously display at such premises, and in close proximity to any dog for sale, a written notice that identifies the State in which the dog was bred. Sets forth record-keeping requirements (to be maintained by the dealer and provided upon request of the Secretary). Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation against any dealer who commits specified violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and procedures governing the imposition of civil penalties (after opportunity for a hearing on the record by the dealer) under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Directs all Members of Congress to pay full market value for all medical services, medical tests, and medications provided by the Office of the Attending Physician. Establishes the Office of Attending Physician Revolving Fund in the Treasury (within the contingent fund of the Senate) for deposit of such payments and monies received from any other source.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1991
Urges the President to: (1) support and negotiate with the United Nations (UN) to earmark funds, in the range of 25 percent of the monies collected for the UN Commission Fund, towards the costs of oil spill cleanup and restoration in the Arabian Gulf and Kuwait, including the costs incurred by the U.S. Coast Guard; and (2) enhance U.S. cooperation and assistance in providing expertise to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in cleanup and restoration efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Amends Federal law to prohibit officers and employees of the Congress as well as Members of Congress from disclosing information maintained by an agency relating to an individual, except in specified circumstances. (Current law prohibits agencies from disclosing such information.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1991
Amends Federal bankruptcy law to establish a payment priority for retiree health benefit claims, with an aggregate limitation of $10,000 multiplied by the relevant number of former employees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1991
Establishes in the House of Representatives a Task Force of Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate and report to the House on: (1) any attempt by the 1980 presidential campaigns of then Governor Reagan or President Carter, associated persons, or the U.S. Government to affect the timing of the release of the American hostages in Iran; (2) any attempt by President Carter or his Administration to affect the timing of such release; and (3) any actions taken to keep any attempt from being revealed to the U.S. Government or the American people.
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 · 21 October 1991
Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include entities receiving Federal funds under provisions relating to migrant health centers, community health centers, or health services for the homeless, and officers, employees, or contractors of such entities who are licensed health care practitioners, in the coverage of provisions regulating civil actions for injury resulting from medical or related functions against commissioned officers or employees of the Public Health Service. Subrogates to the United States any insurance claim such an entity or person has. Prohibits grants under provisions relating to migrant or community health centers or health services for the homeless unless the applicant has: (1) implemented policies and procedures to assure against malpractice; (2) reviewed the professional credentials, claims history, and other information regarding its licensed health care practitioners; and (3) no history of claims against it under such provisions relating to officers and employees of the Public Health Service, or has cooperated with the Attorney General in defending against such claims and has taken corrective action. Empowers the Attorney General, if certain conditions are met, to determine that an individual practitioner shall not be deemed a Public Health Service employee for purposes of these provisions. Prohibits hospitals from denying admitting privileges to an otherwise qualified health care provider who is an officer, employee, or contractor of such an entity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1991
Provides that the period for which expenses of the former Speakers of the House of Representatives may be paid shall end three years after the expiration date of such term of office, except that in the case of a former Speaker who is receiving such expenses on the date of the enactment of this Act, the period shall end three years after such date.
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 · 10 October 1991
Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives to ensure that letterhead stationery used in the House is made from recycled paper that contains at least 50 percent recycled material.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1991
Provides that the Freedom of Information Act shall apply to the Congress. Exempts from disclosure under such Act information related to casework or constituent correspondence of Senators or Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that if the President and the Congress determine that the Budget Summit Agreement should be reopened and defense spending reduced below its established level then: (1) reductions in defense spending below the amount set by the Agreement should be used to reduce the Federal budget deficit and provide economic growth measures, not to fund new Government spending; and (2) the modified agreement should include measures to control the growth of entitlement spending.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program to examine marine mammal health and effectively coordinate responses to strandings and unusual mortality events. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) as part of the Program, a stranding response program; and (2) an emergency response group (ERG) of marine science and conservation experts which the Secretary shall utilize to respond to marine emergencies or unusual mortality events (emergencies). Requires the ERG to: (1) assist the Secretary in determining when an emergency is occurring; (2) develop contingency plans for responding to such emergencies; (3) assist the Secretary in formulating a response plan for particular emergencies; and (4) identify individuals or organizations at a regional or local level who could, in times of such emergencies, assist the Secretary in implementing a coordinated and effective response. Directs the ERG to develop, and the Secretary to issue, contingency plans for responding to such emergencies. Establishes in the Treasury the Marine Mammal Emergency Response Contingency Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to accept, solicit, and use the services of volunteers, and accept and use gifts, devises, and bequests to carry out the stranding response and emergency response programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate facilities for the storage, preparation, examination, and archiving of marine mammal tissues, to be known as the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank; (2) establish criteria for access to such tissues; (3) issue guidance for marine mammal tissue collection, preparation, and archiving, tissue analysis, and quality assurance protocols to ensure uniformity in techniques and data reporting for such analysis; (4) monitor and determine the levels, and if possible the effects, of potentially harmful contaminants present in representative species and populations of marine mammals in U.S. coastal waters, using the most effective and advanced diagnostic technologies and tools practicable; and (5) develop and maintain a central data base for tracking and assessing data on marine mammals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child or certain other relatives at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $150,000 for all taxable years (adjusted for inflation) for each account. Disallows the deduction for contributions to an account maintained for any individual aged 19 or older. Requires any account balance to be distributed after the beneficiary attains age 30. Permits an exclusion from the gross income of the contributor or the beneficiary of account distributions: (1) used to pay educational expenses of the beneficiary; or (2) contributed to the individual retirement plan (IRA) of the contributor. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless a contributor or the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions in connection with it. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions not used for educational purposes. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary concerning the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to report. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions to deduct for contributions to an education savings account. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account. Exempts from annual contribution limitations any distributions from education savings accounts into IRA's. Excludes from gross income any distributions from IRA's into education savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should make clear that the United States supports the restoration of the democratically elected government of President Aristide in Haiti; (2) all U.S. assistance to the Haitian Government should remain suspended until democratic government is restored; (3) the Haitian military should respect the human rights of the Haitian people; (4) the Organization of American States should be commended for condemning the coup and for its Santiago commitment creating a new automatic mechanism to respond to the interruption of legitimate elected government; and (5) the international community should take all appropriate action to restore democratic government in Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Cancer Screening Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for expenditures (not paid by insurance or otherwise) incurred by the taxpayer for qualified cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers the targeted jobs credit for hiring unemployment compensation recipients (if such recipients work for at least six months). Describes such individuals as those who: (1) have received unemployment compensation for a period of not less than 90 days ending during the 180-day period ending on the hiring date; (2) would have received such compensation for such period but for exhausting benefits; or (3) on application, would have been eligible to receive such compensation for such period.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1991
Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 - Declares it is U.S. policy to: (1) seek multilaterally coordinated efforts with other countries to control the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons; and (2) strengthen efforts to control chemical agents, precursors, and equipment. Requires the President to use the U.S. export control laws to control the export of defense articles, defense services, goods, and technologies that he determines would assist a country in acquiring the capability to produce or use such weapons. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a list of goods and technology that would assist a foreign government or group in acquiring chemical or biological weapons. Requires a validated export license for the export of such items to certain countries of concern. Requires the President to impose certain sanctions against foreign persons if he determines that they knowingly contributed to the efforts of a country to acquire, use, or stockpile chemical or biological weapons. Declares such sanctions to include: (1) denial of U.S. procurement contracts for goods or services from such foreign persons; and (2) prohibition against importation of products from such persons. Authorizes the President to waive imposition of such sanctions if he determines that is in the national security interests of the United States. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to set forth similar provisions. Requires the President to make a determination with respect to whether a country has used chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law or has used lethal chemical or biological weapons against its own nationals. Authorizes specified congressional committees to request the President to make such determination with respect to the use of such weapons. Requires the President to impose the following sanctions against foreign countries that have been found to have used such weapons: (1) termination of assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (except humanitarian assistance and agricultural commodities); (2) termination of arms sales and arms sales financing; (3) denial of U.S. credit; and (4) prohibition of the export of certain goods and technology. Directs the President to impose at least three of the following additional sanctions unless such countries cease the use of such weapons and provide assurances that they will not use, and will allow inspections with respect to, such weapons: (1) opposition to the extension of multilateral development bank assistance; (2) prohibition of U.S. bank loans (except loans for food or agricultural commodities); (3) further export prohibitions (4) import restrictions; (5) suspension of diplomatic relations; and (6) termination of air carrier landing rights. Provides for the removal and waiver of such sanctions. Requires the President to submit to the Congress annual reports on the efforts of countries to acquire chemical or biological weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1991
Congratulates the Government and people of Greece, and the municipal government and people of Athens, on the 2500th anniversary of the establishment of democracy in the city of Athens.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1991
Congressional Pay For Performance Act - Provides that if the Congress has not passed all general appropriation bills before the beginning of a fiscal year, then the permanent appropriation for the compensation of Members of Congress shall not be effective for such fiscal year. Prohibits the House of Representatives or the Senate from considering the legislative branch appropriation bill for any fiscal year until other general appropriation bills for such fiscal year have been presented to the President.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1991
Drug Supply Reduction Act of 1991 - Title I: Interdiction Systems Improvements - Order To Land and To Bring To Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for a pilot or operator (pilot) of any aircraft which has crossed the border of the United States, or any aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction operating outside the United States, to refuse to obey the order of an authorized Federal law enforcement officer to land (in enforcing controlled substances or money laundering provisions). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Transportation to: (1) prescribe regulations governing the means by which an order to land may be communicated to a pilot by Federal law enforcement officers; and (2) delegate Federal law enforcement seizure and forfeiture responsibilities under this title to other law enforcement officers. Makes it unlawful for any master, operator, or person in charge (master) of a U.S. vessel or vessel under U.S. jurisdiction to fail to stop and land upon being ordered to do so by a Federal law enforcement officer authorized to issue such an order. Specifies that consent or waiver of objection by a foreign nation to the enforcement of U.S. law by the United States under this Act may be obtained by radio, telephone, or similar oral or electronic means and may be proved by certification of the Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of any aircraft that is used in violation of this Act. Provides for the immediate revocation of the registration of an aircraft upon the failure of the operator to follow the order of a Federal law enforcement officer to land the aircraft. Directs the Administrator to: (1) notify the owner of the aircraft that such person no longer holds U.S. registration for such aircraft; and (2) establish procedures for the owner of the aircraft to show cause why the registration was not revoked as a matter of law by operation of such provision, or why circumstances existed pursuant to which the Administrator should determine that it would be in the public interest to issue a new certificate of registration to the owner, effective concurrent with the revocation. Authorizes the Coast Guard to issue orders, make inquiries, searches, seizures, and arrests, and take other lawful action relating to violations of U.S. laws occurring aboard any aircraft over the high seas or waters over which the U.S. has jurisdiction. Establishes a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any master of a vessel or pilot or operator of an aircraft who intentionally fails to comply with an order of a Coast Guard commissioned officer, warrant officer, or petty officer to stop or land, as well as in rem liability with respect to the aircraft. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to establish analogous civil penalties with respect to intentional failures to obey an order to land. Title II: New Coast Guard Authorities - Coast Guard Assistance Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Coast Guard: (1) to exchange information with international organizations (currently limited to foreign governments); (2) to suggest to the Secretary of State international collaboration and conferences on all matters dealing with maritime law enforcement and maritime environmental protection (currently limited to safety of life and property at sea); and (3) when so requested by the Secretary, to utilize its personnel and facilities to assist any foreign government or international organization to perform any activity for which such personnel and facilities are especially qualified. Authorizes the President, upon application from foreign governments or international organizations (current law excludes the latter) to utilize officers and enlisted members (under current law, to detail members) of the Coast Guard to assist such governments or organizations in matters concerning which the Coast Guard may be of assistance. Amends the Mansfield Amendment to permit maritime law enforcement operations in archipelagic waters of foreign countries. Title III: Financial Enforcement - Financial Enforcement Act of 1991 - Prohibits structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements with respect to identification, verification, and recordkeeping required to purchase certain monetary instruments. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations requiring that financial institutions report suspicious transactions relevant to possible violation of law or regulation. Bars such an institution from notifying any person involved in the transaction that such transaction has been reported. Makes provisions of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA) applicable with respect to protection from liability for notification by financial institutions to a Government authority of the existence of information in records relevant to a possible violation of statute or regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe: (1) regulations requiring financial institutions to have anti-money laundering programs; and (2) minimum standards for such programs. Bars any financial institution, or officer, director, employee, or agent of such institution (financial institution), from disclosing the existence or terms of an order requiring a domestic financial institution or group of institutions in a geographic area to report with respect to records of domestic coin and currency transactions. Amends the RFPA to: (1) shield from liability financial institutions for refusal to do business with any person before or after disclosure of a possible violation of law or regulation to a Government authority; and (2) authorize the transfer of financial records originally obtained by an agency in accordance with such Act to the Secretary for analysis and use by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for criminal law enforcement purposes without customer notice. Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to transfer control of the Drug Pollution Fund from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of Agriculture. Title IV: Drug Testing - Amends the Federal criminal code to require: (1) the Director of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts to establish a program of drug testing of Federal offenders on postconviction release, including such standards and guidelines as deemed necessary to ensure the reliability and accuracy of such programs; and (2) the chief probation officer, in each district where it is feasible, to arrange for the drug testing of defendants on postconviction release pursuant to a conviction for a felony or other specified offenses. Requires the court to provide, as an explicit condition of a sentence of probation for a felony, an offense involving a firearm, a drug or narcotic offense, or a crime of violence, that the defendant refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance and submit to periodic drug tests. Specifies that: (1) this latter condition may be suspended or ameliorated upon request of the Director or the Director's designee; and (2) a defendant who tests positive may be detained pending verification of a drug test result. Sets forth similar requirements with respect to the supervised release and parole of persons convicted of such offenses. Provides for the revocation of probation, supervised release, and parole for unlawfully using a controlled substance or refusing to cooperate in drug testing. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) to condition eligibility for drug control and system improvement grants on a State's implementation of a drug testing program for targeted classes of persons subject to charges, confinement, or supervision by the State (but does not require the State to expend an amount for drug testing in excess of ten percent of the minimum amount which such State is eligible to receive under such Act). Directs the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to implement such provision and to ensure the reliability and accuracy of drug testing programs. Title V: Other Law Enforcement System Improvements - Drug Law Enforcement System Improvements Act of 1991 - Provides for enhanced penalties for drug trafficking in prisons. Amends the Anti-Smuggling Act of 1935 to provide that prima facie evidence that a vessel, vehicle, or other conveyance is being, has been, or is attempted to be employed in smuggling or to defraud the revenue of the United States shall be the fact that a vessel fails to display lights under specified circumstances and, in the case of a vehicle or other conveyance, that it has a compartment or equipment that is built or fitted for smuggling and is not part of the normal vehicle configuration. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make the penalty for failure to declare a controlled substance 1,000 percent of the value of the article (as under current law) or $500, whichever is greater. Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act to make amendments with respect to certain Internal Revenue Service undercover operations effective upon the date of the enactment of this Act. Amends the CSA to authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil action against any person who violates drug paraphernalia provisions of such Act and to assess a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and grant other appropriate (including injunctive) relief. Specifies that if a defendant is found by the court to be in possession of a controlled substance, thereby violating such defendant's probation, the court shall resentence such person to a sentence that includes a term of imprisonment (under current law, to not less than one-third of the original sentence). Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA): (1) and the CSA to make penalties applicable to offenses involving less than 50 kilograms of marihuana applicable with respect to less than 50 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana; and (2) to reduce from 100 to 50 the number of marihuana plants needed to qualify for specified penalties. Adds drug conspiracies and attempts and serious crack possession offenses by juveniles as warranting adult prosecution. Makes serious drug offenses by juveniles predicates to punishment under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Adds certain drug offenses as requiring fingerprinting and records for recidivist juveniles under the CSA and CSIEA. Amends the CSA and CSIEA to require that persons violating specified CSA provisions after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment without release and be fined under such Act. Increases penalties for a second offense of distributing drugs to a minor. Amends the Omnibus Act to authorize States to request a waiver of the four-year limitation for effective Bureau of Justice Assistance projects, subject to specified limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1991
Extends nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to remove their products from the column two duty rate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1991
Veterans Bill of Rights Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take all necessary action to ensure that all rights and benefits provided under Federal law to qualified veterans are: (1) made available to veterans to the same extent in every State or geographic location; and (2) not denied on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, or geographic location.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to publish and update clearly defined arrival and departure routes leading to and from airports located within and in close proximity to terminal control areas and airport radar service areas for the optional use of pilots operating under visual flight rules.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Intermodal Carriers Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Prohibits a State, political subdivision, or interstate agency of two or more States from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard relating to interstate or intrastate rates, routes, services, or terms of service of any national intermodal carrier with respect to the provision of surface transportation of property in the State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
United States Flag Cruise Ship Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law (commonly referred to as the Johnson Act) relating to transportation of gambling devices to exclude from the definition of interstate commerce, transportation from a State to the same State through a place outside that State when such commerce may only be conducted through points not in that State. Repeals all of a specified Federal law (commonly referred to as the Gambling Ship Act) except provisions relating to the transmission of wagering information. Makes unlawful certain actions in connection with a vessel which has any gaming establishment aboard unless in compliance with certain regulations, including registration with the Attorney General and licensing by a State. Provides for certification by the Attorney General of State procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Foreign Capital and Securities Markets Study Act of 1991 -Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the Congress on the capital and securities markets of Japan and their implications for and economic effects on the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Semiconductor Investment Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify the depreciable life for semiconductor manufacturing equipment as three-year property.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Rescinds appropriations made available by the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 for: (1) Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts, to develop and stimulate sales of Native Hawaiian handicrafts; (2) planning and construction of certain Federal and non-Federal projects at America's Industrial Heritage Park, Pennsylvania; (3) construction of a museum at the Cordell Hull residence in Tennessee; (4) restoration of the Keith Albee Theatre, Huntington, West Virginia; and (5) rehabilitation of locomotive artifacts at Steamtown, Pennsylvania. Rescinds appropriations made available by the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991, for: (1) a bicycle transportation project in Macomb County, Michigan; and (2) Biscayne Boulevard renovation in Miami, Florida. Rescinds appropriations made available by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 for a performing arts and cultural center in North Miami Beach, Florida. Rescinds appropriations made by the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 for: (1) the International Fund for Ireland; and (2) the retirement of debt owed by the University of Central America to the Inter-American Development Bank. Rescinds appropriations made by the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 for: (1) the layout of fitness facilities for House office buildings; (2) the upgrade of the Senate subway system; and (3) modular furniture for Senate office buildings. Rescinds appropriations made by the Rural Development, Agriculture, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 for a fish farming station in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Rescinds appropriations made by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1991 for the design and construction of a parliament building in the Solomon Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Member of the House from serving on any particular committee for more than 12 years. Disregards service performed on such committee for less than a full session of Congress and service performed prior to the beginning of the 103d Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1991 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on: (1) age; (2) length of service; or (3) both. Reduces the amount of retirement pay, in the case of individuals receiving both types of pay, by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, once the Federal budget deficit has been reduced, the Congress should reexamine and eliminate any offset of retired pay by a veteran's disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that at least three of the remaining 15 States should ratify the proposed second amendment to the Constitution which would delay the effect of any law which varies the compensation of Members of Congress until the next election of Representatives (these States are Alabama, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington).
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require that the Medicaid program be treated as payer of last resort by private insurers and employee welfare benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Economic Growth Act of 1991 - Title I: Investment and Job Creation Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for individuals for assets held from one to three years. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interest in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Inflation Adjustment for Investments - Requires indexing, based on the consumer price index, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business after April 15, 1991) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for the inflation adjustment treatment of: (1) short sales; (2) regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; and (3) partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds. Prohibits gain from the sale or other disposition of an indexed asset from being taken into account under the limitation on investment interest. Subtitle C: Enterprise Zones - Part I: Designation - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Subtitle D: Research and Experimentation Credit Made Permanent - Makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities and the tax credit for clinical testing expenses. Title II: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Allows existing individual retirement accounts (IRA) to be rolled over into individual retirement plus accounts with payment of tax on the amount rolled over for which a deduction was once allowable, but no tax when withdrawn. Title III: Homeownership Incentives - Subtitle A: First-Time Homebuyers - Allows a tax credit for the first-time purchase of a principal residence by individuals with incomes of $31,000 or less (phased-out to incomes of up to $41,000). Limits such credit to $1,000. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free IRA Plus Withdrawal for Home Purchase, Higher Education, and Health Costs - Allows penalty-free distributions from IRA Plus accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for: (1) first-time homebuyers; (2) medical expenses; and (3) higher education expenses. Title IV: Work Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Social Security Penalty on Working Elderly - Amends title II of the Social Security Act (Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) to raise the earnings limit for retirees. Appropriates to each payor fund amounts equivalent to the aggregate increase in social security benefits payable from such fund which is attributable to such amendment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study during 1997 whether further amendments relating to deductions on account of work and the exempt amount under the earnings limit are necessary or appropriate. Subtitle B: Economic Growth Dividend - Requires any economic growth dividend (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) to be used to increase the personal exemption amount. Requires, after 1995, all revenues resulting from real growth in the gross national product greater than three percent to fund an increased personal exemption. Requires, for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1992, and before October 1, 1995, that 50 percent of such dividend be used to increase the personal exemption amount and the other 50 percent be used to make a downward adjustment in the maximum deficit amount.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Marine Mammal Public Display Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit issuance of a permit for the taking of any marine mammal in the waters of a State for public display if: (1) issuance of the permit would be inconsistent with State law; and (2) the Governor of such State submits to the Secretary of the department in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is operating and the Secretary of the Interior notice of disapproval of the issuance of such permit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Department of the Environment Act of 1991 - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency as the Department of the Environment, an executive agency to be administered by a Secretary of the Environment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Tax Fairness and Accountability Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require any legislation that increases the tax rate, the tax base, or the amount of income subject to tax, or decreases a deduction, exclusion, or credit to be approved in the House of Representatives and the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its Members.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
All-Americans Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals a deduction for capital gains based on the period the asset is held (up to three years). Excludes collectibles from such assets. Makes such deduction an item of tax preferences. Excludes from gross income interest received during a taxable year up to $350 ($700 in the case of a joint return). Provides a phaseout of such exclusion for incomes over $50,000. Makes such exclusion applicable to distributions from regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts. Makes certain nonresident aliens ineligible for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Establishes a Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress to: (1) make a full and complete study of the organization and operation of the Congress; and (2) recommend improvements in such organization and operation with a view toward strengthening its effectiveness, simplifying its operations, improving its relationships with other branches of the Government, and improving the orderly consideration of legislation. Requires a report to the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than the adjournment sine die of the 102d Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. Goss, Porter J. [R-FL-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000336_200.jpg)