Bill· HRH.R. 4302 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Inspection and Labeling of Livestock, Poultry, Seafood, and Their Products Subtitle A: Inspection Requirements Subtitle B: Labeling Requirements Subtitle C: International Commerce Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Title II: Related Industries Title III: Federal and State Cooperation Title IV: Auxiliary Provisions Title V: Public Education Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VII: Repeal of Superseded Laws Title VIII: Effective Date Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Inspection Reform Act of 1996 - Transfers seafood inspection jurisdiction from the Food and Drug Administration to the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture (Department). Title I: Inspection and Labeling of Livestock, Poultry, Seafood, and Their Products - Subtitle A: Inspection Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to provide for: (1) slaughtering facility ante- and post- mortem inspection and verification of livestock, poultry, and seafood; and (2) inspection and verification of processing facility meat, poultry, and seafood products. Authorizes facility self-inspection. Provides for facility sanitation and night inspections. (Sec. 106) Sets forth prohibited and exempt activities (personal or custom slaughtering or processing). (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriate microbiological testing. Subtitle B: Labeling Requirements - Requires receptacle, carcass, and product labeling, including derivation labeling where appropriate. (Sec. 123) Sets forth prohibited acts of misbranding. Subtitle C: International Commerce - Subjects imported meat, poultry, and seafood to domestic inspection and verification requirements or their equivalents. Provides for enforcement through inspection and sampling, or certification by the Secretary of foreign standards. Provides exceptions for: (1) Canada and Mexico under specified conditions; and (2) personal use. (Sec. 132) Requires: (1) disease examination of all U.S. (live) export livestock, poultry, and seafood; and (2) review and certification of all U.S. exports of meat, poultry, and seafood carcasses and products. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous - Establishes in the Department the Safe Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Inspection Advisory Panel. (Sec. 145) Establishes criminal penalties for bribery or attempted bribery under this Act. (Sec. 147) Authorizes the Secretary to require (pre-slaughter) source identification of livestock, poultry, and seafood. (Sec. 148) Directs the Secretary to perform health-related monitoring of seafood growing areas and fishing grounds in certain Federal jurisdiction waters. Authorizes harvest restrictions or closure, including State waters, for public health reasons. Title II: Related Industries - Prohibits inspection as provided for under title I for meat, poultry, or seafood products not intended for human consumption. Requires denaturation or other identification of such products prior to commercial distribution. (Sec. 203) Provides for the registration and commercial regulation of persons who are involved in the trade of dead, dying, disabled, or diseased livestock, poultry, or seafood. Title III: Federal and State Cooperation - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) cooperate with State agencies to protect the public from adulterated and misbranded livestock, poultry, and seafood products; and (2) apply Federal inspection standards to a State that has not promulgated its own standards. Permits a State with a qualifying (State) inspection program to distribute products in interstate commerce. Title IV: Auxiliary Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) inspection services; (2) administrative detention of carcasses and meat, poultry, and seafood products; (3) seizure and condemnation; (4) Federal and State jurisdiction; and (5) criminal acts and violations. Title V: Public Education - Directs the Secretary to design and implement a national public education program on meat, poultry, and seafood products. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to conduct related research programs. (Sec. 603) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Title VII: Repeal of Superseded Laws - Repeals: (1) the Federal Meat Inspection Act; (2) the Poultry Products Inspection Act; and (3) specified provisions of other Federal law. Makes conforming amendments to: (1) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (2) the Consumer Product Safety Act; (3) the Toxic Substances Control Act; (4) the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (5) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (6) other Federal law. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for amendments made by this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4285 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Repeals authority for consideration of spending bills prior to adoption of the budget resolution. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year- to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both Presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to establish a rainy day fund for natural disasters. Requires budget law to include a major functional category for natural disasters, under specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law relating to the contents of the President's annual budget submission to the Congress to require the President to submit: (1) a budget of the U.S. Government for the following fiscal period on a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in each major functional category, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences; and (2) a detailed budget for that fiscal period, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget for the following budget period is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill before being voted on by the Senate or the House. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Sets forth procedures for congressional introductions of line-item bills after the President transmits a special message to rescind an item of budget authority. Prohibits amendments to such bills. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires Executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals a CBA provision for an exemption in the House from pay-as- you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of Social Security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts.
Bill· HRH.R. 4250 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit States the option of covering community-based attendant services.
Bill· HRH.R. 4249 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1996
Animal Welfare Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to redefine: (1) the term "dealer"; and (2) dealer and exhibitor licensing provisions. Excludes operators of auctions from certain civil penalty provisions. Increases the temporary license suspension penalty, and includes a revocation provision. Revises injunction provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4000 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 3863 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1996
Student Debt Reduction Act of 1996 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit lenders under the unsubsidized Federal Family Education Loan program to pay origination fees, up to three percent, on behalf of borrowers and charge them for such fees.
Bill· HRH.R. 3849 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1996
Amends the Clean Air Act to delete from the glycol ether category in the list of hazardous air pollutants ethylene glycol monobutyl ether as used or emitted by metal or composite can manufacturing. Amends the toxic chemical release forms provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to delete from the lists of toxic chemicals and extremely hazardous substances employed under such Act any substance that has been deleted or removed from the hazardous air pollutants list unless the Administrator demonstrates on the basis of convincing evidence significant human health or environmental threats posed by the substance's storage, use, or release.
Bill· HRH.R. 3784 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1996
Workplace Fairness Act of 1996 - Prohibits employment discrimination on any basis other than job performance by covered entities, including an employing authority to which specified provisions of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 or the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 apply. Prohibits quotas. Declares that this Act does not apply to religious organizations (except in their for-profit activities). Provides for enforcement. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States liable for all remedies (except punitive damages) to the same extent as a private person. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants. Sets forth factors that pertain to job performance, including ability and willingness to comply with performance requirements (including attendance and procedures), any use of a drug or of alcohol that may adversely affect job performance, any conviction of an offense for which a term of imprisonment exceeding one year could have been imposed, and the ability to work well with others.
Bill· HRH.R. 3762 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Dairy Industry Security Reserve Fund Title II: Statutory Trust for Livestock Sellers Dairy and Livestock Producer Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Dairy Industry Security Reserve Fund - Establishes: (1) in the Department of Agriculture the Dairy Industry Security Reserve Fund; and (2) a Board of Trustees to administer such Fund. Finances the Fund through milk handler assessments (with exceptions for noncommercial handlers and handler-producers). Sets forth (Fund) submission and payment of claim provisions for milk producers unable to receive payment from bankrupt handlers. Title II: Statutory Trust for Livestock Sellers - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to establish a statutory trust for livestock sellers with respect to dealer or market agency purchasers.
Bill· HRH.R. 3753 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies Title VIII: Antitrust Title IX: Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I: Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. Title II: Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants over a three year period to eligible States for development of plans to increase access to health care services for residents of areas in the State that are designated as chronically underserved. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Directs the HHS Secretary to make funds available to provide technical assistance and advice for certain entities seeking to establish or enhance a community rural health network in an underserved rural area. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide financial assistance (development grants) to eligible entities for the development and implementation of community rural health networks, giving priority to eligible entities in States with developed plans to increase the access of residents of chronically underserved areas to health care services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 205) Ends Federal financing for the grant program for rural health transition under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 and a certain program for rural outreach grants. Title III: Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Subtitle A: Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program, while continuing payment to designated EACHs. Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services. Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Subtitle B: Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Provides for a new Medicare Rural Emergency Access Care Hospital program, detailing coverage and payment for services. Title IV: Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the allocation of Corps members among shortage areas. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B: Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician. Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V: Classification of Rural Referral Centers - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages. Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. Title VI: Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the HHS Secretary, in making grants in rural areas for new or expanded services for each fiscal year, to give priority to projects that would be located in a State, or county or region of a State, that is not already serviced by an existing community health center. Requires also the Secretary to give special consideration to projects which have entered into a collaborative agreement with a community hospital meeting certain requirements. Title VII: Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a methodology for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services furnished on an emergency basis to rural residents. Title VIII: Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, give special consideration to antitrust guidelines affecting physician and hospital networks located in rural areas during its ongoing review of such guidelines; and (2) the completion of the Commission's review be expedited to provide relief and clarification to physicians and hospitals working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to all Americans, especially those living and working in rural areas. Title IX: Financing - Revises Medicare secondary payer requirements. Makes permanent the requirements for: (1) employer responses to fiscal intermediary or carrier inquiries about the coverage of an employee or employee's spouse under a group health plan of the employer; and (2) the prohibition against a large group health plan's taking into account that the employee or a dependent of the employee is entitled to Medicare or end stage renal disease benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 3736 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Crime Does Not Pay Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit community development block grants to a State or locality that permits recovery of damages for an injury suffered by a person committing a felony.
Bill· HRH.R. 3562 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Provides that upon presentation by the State of Wisconsin of their plan for the "Wisconsin Works" (welfare reform) demonstration project to the appropriate Federal official for any Federal entitlement program specified in the plan: (1) such official is deemed to have waived compliance with the requirements of Federal law with respect to such program, to the extent and for the period necessary to enable the State to carry out the demonstration project; and (2) the costs of carrying it out which would not otherwise be included as program expenditures shall be regarded as program expenditures, except to the extent that the sum of such costs and the expenditures of the State under all such programs during any testing period exceeds the total amount that would be expended under such programs during such testing period in the absence of the demonstration project. Provides for the recapture of excess amounts under certain conditions. States that this Act shall not have any effect on certain other waivers granted to Wisconsin before enactment of this Act, and that the current waivers are considered a precondition and can be subsumed as part of the Wisconsin Works demonstration. Provides that if, after enactment of this Act, any Federal law is enacted which modifies the terms of, or the amounts of expenditures permitted under, any program to which this Act applies, Wisconsin may elect to participate in such program as so modified.
Bill· HRH.R. 3508 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1996
Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit specified activities relating to personal information about a child (defined as a person under age 16), including knowingly: (1) selling such information (by a list broker) without the written consent of a parent of that child; (2) using prison inmate labor for data processing of personal information about children; and (3) distributing or receiving any such information, knowing or having reason to believe that the information will be used to abuse or physically harm the child. Authorizes civil actions by children with respect to whom a violation of this Act occurs. Directs the court to award a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as a part of the costs.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 439 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1996
House Chamber Conduct Resolution - Amends rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Member, officer, or employee of the House from soliciting, distributing, or accepting campaign contributions in the Hall of the House, in rooms leading thereto, or in the cloakrooms.
Bill· HRH.R. 3268 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions IDEA Improvement Act of 1996 - Revises the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and extends its authorization of appropriations through FY 2001. Title I: Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Revises IDEA to allow States to extend use of the developmental delay category of eligibility for children up to age nine. (Sec. 101) Eliminates certain provisions for: (1) acquisition of equipment and construction; (2) employment of individuals with disabilities; and (4) removal of architectural barriers. Revises the program of assistance for education of all children with disabilities. Revises the funding formula for allotments to States. Bases the new formula on a State's: (1) child population; and (2) child poverty. Requires States to use at least 90 percent of their allotments to make subgrants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs). Sets forth requirements for least restrictive environment in placement of students. Requires States to use methods of distributing IDEA funds that ensure compliance with such requirements. Allows a public agency to reduce or deny reimbursement to parents of a child placed in a private school without the public agency's consent or referral if: (1) the parents (with specified exceptions) did not notify the agency of the intended placement, with a written statement of their concerns, at least ten days prior to the child's removal from public school; (2) the parents did not make the child available for an LEA initial assessment and evaluation before the child's removal from public school and enrollment in private school; or (3) it is so ruled at the judge's discretion. Allows an LEA to reduce its level of special education expenditures under specified limited circumstances. Repeals provisions for a comprehensive system of personnel development. Allows commingling of Federal and State special education funds under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to modify certain LEA requirements for ten designated LEAs or groups of LEAs which endeavor to achieve innovative delivery of services. Revises provisions for evaluations, reevaluations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and educational placements. Grants parents a right to refuse an initial evaluation of a referred child's need for special education services. Authorizes the LEA, in such a circumstance, to utilize certain mediation and due process procedures to resolve the dispute. Prohibits construing the parents' consent for a child's evaluation as consent for placement for receipt of special education and related services. Requires, in the cases of children whose behavior impedes their own or others' learning, the IEP Team to consider strategies, including behavioral management plans, to address that behavior. Revises procedural safeguards. Includes the following categories of behavior, at school or a school function, among those for which school personnel may order removal of a child with a disability from the classroom, and placement in an alternative educational setting, for an additional 45 days over the regular ten day limit for such a removal: (1) carrying any weapons (current law only covers firearms); (2) having, using, soliciting sale of, or selling medications or illegal drugs; and (3) committing an assault and battery. Authorizes a hearing officer to order such a change of placement for up to 45 days if there is substantial evidence that maintenance of the current placement is substantially likely to result in injury to the child or to others. Requires an IEP Team to review whether the child's inappropriate action was a manifestation of the disability, including review of the technical soundness of the behavior management plan. Allows change of placement, with the parents' agreement, if the behavior is a result of the disability. Provides for an immediate appeal to the hearing officer if the parents disagree with the determination or the changed educational placement. Allows application to children with disabilities of the same relevant disciplinary procedures applicable to children without disabilities, if the behavior is determined to be not a manifestation of the disability. Allows a due process hearing if the parents disagree with such application of discipline. Requires States and LEAs receiving IDEA assistance to offer parents voluntary mediation procedures for disputes over provision of free appropriate public education to children with disabilities. Prohibits attorneys from attending or otherwise participating in the mediation process, or attorney's fees and related costs from being paid to any individual in connection with such process. Requires all parties in a dispute to disclose, for review, to all other parties evaluations and recommendations intended for use at the hearing. Revises the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, repealing a requirement that all State policies and assurances pertaining to programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities be filed with every application to the Department of Education. Provides for national activities to improve education of children with disabilities, replacing current provisions for training personnel for the education of individuals with disabilities, and consolidating as discretionary programs certain current programs, authorizing: (1) the Secretary to carry out various national research and improvement activities; (2) States to apply for improvement grants upon certification that a collaborative process with specified types of participants has been used in developing the State improvement plan for special education and early intervention systems; and (3) the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with parent organizations to support parent training and information centers, as well as provide technical assistance for such centers' programs. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for coordination of schoolwide programs with those under IDEA. (Sec. 203) Repeals specified parts of IDEA superseded by this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3234 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to require each OSHA standard promulgated by the Secretary of Labor to be based upon a cost-benefit assessment and a determination that the standard's benefits justify the costs it imposes. Directs the Secretary, in the case of any employer of 250 or fewer employees cited for a violation of specified requirements, standards, or rules, which is a significant threat to an employee's health or safety, but where the employer has made a good faith correction effort, to waive up to 100 percent of the penalty otherwise proposed for such violation: (1) if the employer corrects the violation within the time set for abatement; or (2), if the employer does not correct the violation within such time, to the extent that the employer uses the amount which would have been paid as the penalty for correction of the violation. Prohibits issuance of a citation for any posting requirement and any requirement to prepare and maintain injury and illness records or written plan or verification, unless: (1) the employer has willfully or repeatedly violated the requirement; or (2) the failure to meet such requirement has resulted in employee exposure to a hazard. Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for consultation to employers concerning the provision of safe and healthful working conditions. Requires the Secretary to reimburse States that enter into such agreements for 90 percent of costs and 100 percent of State staff training and specified out-of-State travel expenses. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing any performance measures for any subordinate within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (including any regional director, area director, supervisor, or inspector) with respect to the number of inspections conducted, citations issued, or penalties assessed.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 160 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Congratulates the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone for holding their first democratic multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in nearly 30 years. Encourages them to continue to negotiate an end to the civil war and to work together. Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to helping nations move toward freedom and democracy and to encouraging peace, democracy, and economic development on the African continent.
Bill· HRH.R. 3195 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1996
Revises specified provisions regarding minimum allocations of Federal aid highway funds and provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to direct the Secretary of Transportation, in FY 1998 and thereafter, to ensure that each State's percentage of the total apportionments in each such fiscal year and allocations for the prior fiscal year from funds made available out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is not less than the percentage of estimated tax payments to the HTF by highway users in the State in the latest fiscal year for which data are available. Repeals ISTEA provisions specifying the percentage of total apportioned and allocated funds to be allocated to each State for the surface transportation program.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 154 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1996
Congratulates the people of Taiwan on holding the first democratic presidential election in Chinese history. Declares that the United States is committed to: (1) moving nations toward freedom and democracy; and (2) encouraging and protecting its democratic friends on Taiwan, within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3114 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1996
ERISA Clarification Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue guidance on the application of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to insurance company general accounts. Requires such guidance to: (1) be for purposes of determining, in cases where an insurer issues one or more policies to or for the benefit of an employee benefit plan, which assets of the insurer (other than plan assets held in its separate accounts) constitute assets of the plan for purposes of specified provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) provide that assets not treated as plan assets under certain provisions not be treated as plan assets under other provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude any assets of the insurer with respect to its operations, products, or services from treatment as plan assets.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 149 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Condemns the terror attacks in Jerusalem, Ashkelon, and Tel Aviv. Extends condolences to the victims' families and to the Government and people of Israel. Reaffirms full support for Israel in its efforts to combat terrorism as it attempts to pursue peace with its neighbors in the region. Calls upon the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian Council, and Chairman Arafat to: (1) apprehend and punish the perpetrators of terror attacks, prevent such acts in the future, confiscate all unauthorized weapons, and avoid and condemn all statements and gestures which signal tolerance for such acts and their perpetrators; (2) eliminate the terrorist structure and terrorist activities of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and all other terror groups; and (3) adopt legislative and executive measures to ban the existence and operations of all terrorist organizations resident in the Palestinian autonomous areas. Insists that Chairman Arafat ensure the timely inauguration of the Council so that the Palestinian National Covenant will be amended of vile references to Israel within 60 days thereafter. Reaffirms that the Covenant must be amended in order for the peace process to succeed. Calls upon the Palestinian people to support the deletion of anti-Israel language from the Covenant, to express their revulsion for terrorism against Israel, and to condemn and isolate those elements of Palestinian society that employ and support such terrorist acts. Urges: (1) all parties to the peace process to bring to justice the perpetrators of acts of terrorism and to cease harboring, financing, and arming terror groups; and (2) the Clinton Administration to act against those who continue to harbor, arm, or finance terror groups seeking to undermine the peace process. Calls upon: (1) those Arab states that have failed to condemn these acts of terrorism to do so immediately and to support all efforts in the region to combat terrorism; and (2) the international community to cooperate with the United States in isolating states which engage in international terrorism. Insists that Iran and Syria cease all support for all terrorist groups operating in areas under their control and refrain from all activities in opposition to the Middle East peace process. Expresses the intent to reconsider U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority in light of the steps that must be taken by the Authority against terrorist infrastructures and operations. Praises efforts to provide Israel with all appropriate antiterrorism resources to eliminate the tide of terrorist incidents against Israel.
Bill· HRH.R. 3043 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Working Families Health Access Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on a health insurance policy issuer (or, in the case of a self-insured plan, the sponsor) equal to a specified percentage of premiums received (or, in the case of a self-insured plan, of expenditures) under the policy or plan during the calendar year for failure to meet the standards specified in this Act. Prohibits the establishment or imposition by group health plans or carriers offering health insurance coverage in connection with a plan, or for individuals with qualifying previous coverage, of eligibility, continuation, enrollment, or contribution requirements based on factors directly related to health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, disability, or evidence of insurability. Requires the use of preexisting condition limitations or exclusions to be limited to a three-month period before the date of enrollment during which the condition was diagnosed or treated. Limits the period of limitation or exclusion relating to treatment of the condition to no more than six months and credits periods of qualifying previous coverage to reduce that period. Makes exceptions to the limitation or exclusion period for treatment related to pregnancy, newborns, and adopted children. Permits an individual to waive the three-month limitation or six-month exclusion period. Prohibits a carrier from refusing to renew health insurance coverage except for specified reasons, including premium nonpayment or fraud by the insured. Details allowable nondiscriminatory conditions for discontinuation of coverage, geographic limitations, and minimum participation requirements. Allows States to establish, implement, or continue in effect health insurance coverage standards that are at least as stringent as those established by this Act. Directs that nothing shall be construed to preempt State laws that: (1) impose a shorter look-back period; (2) impose a limitation or exclusion of benefits for the treatment of a preexisting condition for a shorter period; or (3) allow certain individuals to be considered to be previously covered. Treats, with certain exceptions, divorce (or annulment) or separation of a covered employee from the employee's spouse, if the employee disenrolls a qualified beneficiary within the 12-month period preceding the date of such divorce or separation, as a qualifying event (allowing the election of continuation coverage) and the loss of coverage a result (and by reason) of such event. Permits the termination of COBRA continuation coverage in the case of an individual eligible for coverage as an employee for group health coverage which does not impose a preexisting condition exclusion or limitation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3004 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1996
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend from 15 months to 36 months the maximum period permitted between standard surveys of home health agencies. Revises the statewide average interval between surveys from 12 months to whatever the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish consistent with the 36-month maximum interval and the need to assure the delivery of quality home health services. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to deem a hospital to have met certain conditions or requirements if the Secretary finds that accreditation by a national accreditation body provides reasonable assurance that such conditions or requirements have been met. Repeals certain other requirements to justify such a "deeming status." Requires the Secretary to treat a Medicare provider (whether hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, or other qualified health services facility) as meeting applicable requirements or standards if the entity has been determined to meet them by a national accreditation body that determines compliance in a manner comparable to that in which a State agency would otherwise determine compliance.
Bill· HRH.R. 3002 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1996
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exempt from certain annual compliance audit requirements of the guaranteed student loan program those lenders with guaranteed student loan portfolios that do not exceed $10 million.
Showing the 24 most recent records of 2,547. Browse the full list
![Official portrait of Rep. Gunderson, Steve [R-WI-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000524_200.jpg)