United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1993
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge such Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1993
Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1993 - Establishes the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Fund as a wholly-owned Government corporation to provide financial and technical assistance and training to enable community development financial institutions to invest in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and Indian reservations. Prescribes program parameters. Requires the Fund to: (1) establish an information clearinghouse in coordination with certain Federal agencies; and (2) study and report on its practices and performance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Authorizes a State or political subdivision to require that municipal solid waste generated within its jurisdiction be processed, composted, disposed of, or otherwise managed at a facility designated for such purpose if the designated facility is in compliance with Federal and State environmental laws and regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Air Traffic Controller Incentive and Retention Act - Increases the premium pay differential for certain air traffic control system employees and other specified employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense from five to 15 percent of the applicable rate of basic pay. Entitles such employees to Sunday premium pay for work performed on Saturday.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from carrying out a missile test launch in any case in which an unavoidable or anticipated result would be the release of debris in an area outside a designated Department of Defense test range.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1993
Amateur Radio Volunteer Services Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that an individual licensee in the Amateur Radio Service who provides volunteer services to the Federal Communications Commission in programs benefiting the Service shall not incur personal financial responsibility for any alleged damage, loss, or injury from any act or omission of the volunteer from the provision of such services if such: (1) individual was acting in good faith and within the scope of such individual's official function and duties; and (2) damage was not caused by willful and wanton misconduct by such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Business, Commercial, and Community Development Secondary Market Development Act - Prescribes guidelines under which any person or governmental unit may be certified by the Secretary of the Treasury as a secondary market facilitating organization (organization) which raises capital for business, commercial, and community development by: (1) the placement of debt and equity securities; (2) the guarantee of timely payment of principal or interest on such securities; and (3) the sale or purchase of business, commercial, and community development debt and equity assets. Provides for: (1) Federal examination and oversight of such organizations; (2) mandatory submission to the Secretary of annual organization status reports; and (3) assessments and fees for examination and administrative costs. Declares that the obligations of the organizations are not backed by either the full faith and credit of the United States or any Federal guarantees. Directs the Financial Institutions Examination Council to establish uniform reporting standards for such debt and equity investments for bank examination purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Federal Facilities Clean Water Compliance Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to waive immunity of the United States with respect to Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative authorities, sanctions, and penalties concerning water pollution control. Absolves Federal employees of personal liability for civil penalties under water pollution control laws for acts or omissions within the scope of official duties. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under Federal or State water pollution control laws, but prohibits applying criminal sanctions to Federal agencies. Permits the imposition of civil penalties or the issuance of compliance orders against Federal agencies determined to be in violation of specified water pollution control or permit requirements. Authorizes the suspension or revocation of permits. Provides for the deposit of penalties into a fund to be used for water remediation and other restorative and preventive projects at Federal facilities. Includes Federal agencies within the definition of "person" for purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
California Ocean Protection Act of 1993 - Establishes a California Ocean Protection Zone consisting of: (1) the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone that are outside waters of California; and (2) that portion of the Outer Continental Shelf underlying the waters. Bars Federal agencies from issuing leases or permits for: (1) mineral exploration, development, or production in the Zone; and (2) ocean incineration or harmful ocean dumping or for any onshore facility that facilitates incineration or dumping within the Zone. Prohibits mineral exploration, development, or production activities after an existing lease or permit terminates or becomes inactive or operations associated with such activities under regulations implementing the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act are suspended.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 1993 - Provides for coverage of acupuncturist services under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to modify the certification criteria for firms that file for adjustment assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Extends through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for the adjustment assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Nonpoint Source Management Programs Title II: Nonpoint Source Prevention on Federal Lands Title III: Water Quality Criteria; Standards; Antidegradation; New Sources Title IV: Citizen Watershed Monitoring Program Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Prevention Act of 1993 - Title I: Nonpoint Source Management Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require State Governors to revise nonpoint source management programs for purposes of achieving full restoration and protection of target watersheds. Directs State Governors to: (1) identify and prioritize target watersheds into five groups based on the severity of nonpoint source pollution problems; and (2) notify landowners and operators who conduct nonpoint source activities in first priority group watersheds that they will be required to implement site-level programs. Establishes requirements for site-level programs. Authorizes exemptions from requirements for site-level programs in cases of insignificant environmental degradation or severe economic hardship. Requires State watershed management programs to be approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and to achieve full restoration and protection of watersheds within eight years of implementation. Withholds nonpoint source pollution management grants from, and approval of specified discharge permits for, States that fail to comply with watershed management requirements. Requires additional management measures to be taken in watersheds that have not achieved the required goal by the end of the eight-year period. Makes water quality standards enforceable against nonpoint sources of pollution in target watersheds after the expiration of the eight-year period, with exceptions for individuals meeting requirements for an extended compliance period. Extends the authorization of appropriations for nonpoint source pollution management and groundwater quality grants through FY 1998. Title II: Nonpoint Source Prevention on Federal Lands - Requires the President to issue regulations for the prevention and control of nonpoint sources of pollution on Federal lands to provide for full restoration and protection of watersheds within eight years of issuance. Revises existing licenses or operational authorities to comply with regulations. Directs the President to prevent pollution resulting from federally assisted highway construction projects. Prohibits approval of specified highway projects unless they comply with pollution prevention measures promulgated by the President. Title III: Water Quality Criteria; Standards; Antidegradation; New Sources - Directs the Administrator to revise specified water quality criteria triennially and include numerical pollution concentration limits or biological monitoring and assessment methods. Requires States to provide specific numerical criteria for nonpoint source pollutants in water quality standards. Directs the Administrator to issue: (1) antidegradation regulations to apply to nonpoint source pollutants in the same manner that such policies extend to point sources; and (2) guidance for identifying new nonpoint sources. Title IV: Citizen Watershed Monitoring Program - Requires States to establish citizen watershed monitoring programs. Allocates funding for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1993
Amends the Export Administration of 1979 to authorize a person who suffers discrimination, or who loses a business opportunity because of a violation of the Act's anti-boycott provisions, to bring an action for damages in an appropriate U.S. district court.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rates of occupational taxes relating to the production or sale of distilled spirits, wines, and beer beginning July 1, 1994. Repeals such taxes effective July 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Designates September 17, 1993, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 31, 1993 (Memorial Day), September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1993 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service Commission (sic) on September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1993
Pollution Prevention and Incineration Alternatives Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the issuance of permits for construction or expansion of municipal solid waste incinerators until 1997. Prohibits Federal agencies, State or local governments, or other waste management jurisdictions from issuing permits to such incinerators after December 31, 1996, unless the applicant demonstrates that: (1) an annual waste composition analysis of the solid waste generated within the area to be served by the facility is conducted; (2) specified percentages of certain waste categories are diverted to waste management methods other than incineration; (3) the facility will not interfere with diversion rates; (4) it is not feasible to manage the remaining solid waste through source reduction, reuse, or recycling; (5) the facility will not adversely affect the environment, human health, or the local economy and is not situated in a nonattainment area identified under the Clean Air Act; (6) the full cost of the facility over its entire life will be less costly than reducing, recycling, or composting waste; (7) the waste management jurisdiction conducts a public participation process; (8) the proposed construction or expansion is approved by the affected unit of local government; (9) firms operating the facility are in compliance with environmental and public health statutes, have paid outstanding fines for violations of such statutes, and make disclosure statements available; (10) an approved environmental impact statement is completed; (11) the facility is not located within one and a half miles of specified sites, including schools or churches, or of a drinking water source; (12) certain incinerator capacity studies have been completed; and (13) the facility will not have a disproportionate impact on minority or low-income communities. Requires ash from municipal solid waste incinerators to be managed in a monofill that contains only such ash and meets specified design requirements. Prohibits the use of such ash for any purpose. Prohibits the incineration of household hazardous waste, batteries, chlorinated plastics, consumer electronics, and yard waste in such incinerators. Prohibits the issuance of permits or prior approval for the construction or expansion of hazardous waste incinerators unless requirements similar to those for municipal solid waste incinerators have been met. Directs hazardous waste management permit applicants to demonstrate that the State in which the incinerator is located, and each State in which generators of hazardous waste to be incinerated at the facility are located, are implementing toxics use reduction programs. Applies this Act to any facility that burns hazardous waste.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1993
Leave Equity for Adoptive Families Act of 1993 - Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against an employee regarding any term or condition of any leave benefit because a child of an employee is not his or her biological child. Authorizes civil actions to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1993
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Abatement Trust Fund Act of 1993 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to establish a program of formula allotments to eligible public entities for lead-based paint hazard reduction. Sets forth matching requirements and authorized uses of grants. Prohibits States from providing grants to public entities or other units of general local government unless such entities or units have local lead-based paint laws in effect. Permits the expenditure of grant amounts only in accordance with an approved plan that sets priorities for lead risk assessment and abatement in rental housing and in owner-occupied housing occupied by children and pregnant women. Requires the certification of personnel conducting assessment and abatement activities. Bars the use of more than 20 percent of a grant for emergency measures. Limits assistance to small nonprofit organizations and businesses for performing such activities to one percent of the grant amount. Provides for the continued use of eligible residential units at which lead abatement activities are carried out as affordable housing. Permits grant amounts to be expended for abatement activities for an eligible unit only if the eligible public entity has entered into an agreement with the unit owner that: (1) provides for the abatement activities to be carried out; (2) establishes a lien (held by the public entity) on the unit to ensure compliance with affordable housing requirements; and (3) provides penalties for the breach of the agreement. Sets forth elements of plans required to be submitted by public entities as a condition of receiving grants. Establishes formulas for the determination of allotments. Authorizes appropriations from the Lead Abatement Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax of 45 cents per pound on: (1) lead removed from any U.S. smelter; and (2) lead and lead in any taxable lead product entered into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing. Provides a credit or refund for tax paid on lead or lead products that were exported. Establishes the Lead Abatement Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
International Population Stabilization and Reproductive Health Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to set forth population assistance authorities and requirements. Makes such assistance available to a country that: (1) accounts for a significant portion of the world's annual population increment; (2) has significant unmet needs for methods of contraception, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, and obstetric and gynecological care and requires foreign assistance to sustain quality reproductive health services; or (3) demonstrates a strong commitment to population stabilization and reproductive health strategies. Prohibits nongovernmental and multilateral organizations from being subjected to requirements which are more restrictive than those applicable to foreign governments for such assistance. Makes funds available for: (1) the United Nations Population Fund if it agrees to prohibit the use of funds for coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization; and (2) the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training to further international cooperation in the development of contraceptive technology. Authorizes appropriations. Makes development assistance available on a priority basis for countries which have agreed to address specific education, literacy, and health issues. Authorizes the President to establish a grant program, to be known as the Safe Motherhood Initiative, to improve the access of girls and women to reproductive health care services. Earmarks amounts of development and economic assistance for programs in support of equalizing male and female levels of primary and secondary school enrollment. Authorizes appropriations for the Child Survival Fund, the Safe Motherhood Initiative, and for research on, and treatment and control of, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in developing countries. Requires the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to report anually to the Congress on allocations to population activities and, if such allocations total less than $1 million, to set forth actions to encourage increased allocations. Establishes the Commission on World Population Stabilization and Reproductive Health to coordinate U.S. participation in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for certain actions to support the United Nations Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
Criminal Aliens Incarceration Act of 1993 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to permit the deportation of an alien in Federal or State detention prior to sentence completion. Amends Federal law to require a court to issue a deportation order as part of the sentencing order for an alien convicted of an aggravated felony. Amends the Act to provide for such deportations. Provides for Federal incarceration, upon State request, of undocumented criminal aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
National Partnership System of Heritage Areas Act - Establishes the National Partnership Heritage Area Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary of the Interior in the creation and administration of the National Partnership System of Heritage Areas, including matters relating to partnership studies, recommendations for national designation by the Congress, and mechanisms for coordinating Federal activities which affect National Heritage Areas or Parks and for coordinating Federal, State, local, and private interests in each such area or park. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist in studies that identify and plan for heritage areas or State systems or programs for such areas. Requires that such studies provide a means for evaluating candidate areas and systems for further Federal involvement upon congressional authorization. Limits such a grant to 50 percent of the cost of conducting the study. Sets forth provisions regarding application procedures, review criteria, study content, technical assistance, and recommendations for national designation. Establishes the National Partnership System of Heritage Areas. Designates as components thereof: (1) National Heritage Areas or Parks; (2) National Heritage Corridors established by law; and (3) the New York State Urban Cultural Park System. Requires the Secretary to request the Governor of the State in which the designated area or system is located to submit a management plan to the Secretary for review and approval. Permits the Secretary, upon request of a Governor, to provide technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of the plan. Sets forth provisions regarding the role and contents, approval, and implementation of the plans, as well as reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special rules for gifts or qualified appreciated stock to certain tax-exempt private foundations for purposes of the itemized deduction of charitable contributions. Includes grants to certain foreign organizations as qualified distributions by private foundations for purposes of the tax on failure to distribute income.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to exclude from the customs and tax exemption under tort claims procedures any claim based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods or merchandise (including real property) while in the possession of any customs or other law enforcement officer. Extends the period for filing claims in certain in rem proceedings. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that: (1) in all suits or actions brought for the forfeiture of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under the provisions of any law relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, with exceptions, and for the recovery of the value of any forfeited property because of violation of any such law, the burden of proof is on the Government to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the property was subject to forfeiture; (2) any person claiming such property may at any time within 60 days from the date of the first publication of the notice of seizure file a claim with the appropriate customs officer, who shall transmit such claim to the U.S. attorney for the district in which seizure was made; and (3) if the person filing such claim (or a claim regarding seized property under any other provision of law that incorporates by reference the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation procedures of the customs laws) is financially unable to obtain representation, the court may appoint counsel, subject to specified requirements. Specifies that a claimant is entitled to immediate release of seized property if continued possession by the Government would cause the claimant substantial hardship. Sets forth procedures regarding the request for release, return of property, and time for decision by the court on a complaint for such return. Makes sums in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund available for the payment of court-awarded compensation for representation of claimants under the Tariff Act, with respect to seizure claims by individuals financially unable to obtain representation of counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1993
Breeder Reactor Termination Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate the advanced liquid metal reactor program, including: (1) the program's promotion of the use of liquid metal reactors for high-level radioactive waste disposal; and (2) departmental support for regulatory applications to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for design certification for advanced liquid metal reactors or related licensed facilities. Directs the Secretary to reassign personnel displaced as a result of such termination to other departmental activities. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that savings realized from such termination should be used to reduce the Federal budget deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
American Jobs Protection Act - Requires employers to provide specified notice and employee benefits (including severance pay, continuation of health care benefits, reimbursement for retraining, training incentive payments, and accelerated eligibility for early retirement) to employees who are subject to a plant closing or mass layoff because their work is transferred to (or similar products are imported from) another country which has specified levels of lower wages or less effective employment standards for overtime compensation, child labor, and employee safety. Prohibits employers who do not provide such notice and benefits from entering into a contract with the United States for provision of products or services involved in the work transfer or substantially similar to such products or services. Provides for enforcement of this Act by: (1) investigative and administrative actions and actions for injunctions by the Secretary of Labor; and (2) civil actions by employees, local governments, States, and the Secretary. Requires employers to post notice concerning this Act and the filing of a charge. Authorizes civil fines for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Congratulates the Anti-Defamation League on its 80th anniversary and commends it for effectively pursuing the goal of promoting greater tolerance throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Bankruptcy Amendments of 1993 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to raise to $1 million the ceiling on debts for eligibility to file as a chapter 13 debtor (bankrupt consumer repayment of debt under court supervision). (Currently the ceiling is $100,000 for unsecured debts, or $350,000 for certain secured debts.) Modifies the guidelines for: (1) chapter 13 bankruptcies; (2) automatic stays; (3) exemptions; (4) discharges; and (5) preferences. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to compile and make available to the public statistical information regarding bankruptcy cases.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Declares that it is the Congress' intent that the Secretary of Transportation, in negotiating under the auspices of the Land Transportation Standards Committee established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), shall not weaken U.S. truck safety standards by increasing truck sizes and weights or by compromising such standards as truck driver hours of service, front brake and other safety equipment requirements, and the truck driver record system.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Executive Composting Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Governor of each State should consider: (1) carrying out on-site composting of organic materials generated at their residences and grounds; and (2) distributing the resulting compost to visitors and local residents for use in gardens and for other appropriate purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
School Repair and Rehabilitation Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to States and Indian tribes for programs that provide payments for labor and related costs for repair and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school facilities. Gives priority to those States having the most facilities in need of repair and located in high unemployment areas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Community Development Administration Title II: Certification Programs Title III: Assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions Subtitle A: Assistance to Existing Community Development Financial Institutions Subtitle B: Assistance to Establish Community Development Financial Institutions Title IV: Assistance for Community Development Secondary Market Institutions Title V: Community Development Individual Investment Certificates Community Development Financial Institutions Act of 1993 - Title I: National Community Development Administration - Establishes the National Community Development Administration (Administration) to: (1) assist financial institutions in providing credit and promoting comprehensive community development in low-income communities; (2) assist secondary market institutions to purchase and securitize loans, increase investment liquidity, and improve the distribution of investment capital for community development financing; and (3) promote the use of community Development Individual Investment Certificates (authorized by this Act). Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Certification Programs - Requires the Administration to implement a certification program for: (1) community development financial institutions; and (2) technical assistance providers to community development financial and secondary market institutions. Title III: Assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions - Subtitle A: Assistance to Existing Community Development Financial Institutions - Directs the Administration to assist existing community development financial institutions in implementing financing initiatives and obtaining technical assistance for broad-based, long-range community development in target communities. Identifies: (1) activities eligible for such assistance; and (2) criteria for financial initiatives. Requires community development financial institutions to contribute matching funds from non-Federal sources. Subtitle B: Assistance to Establish Community Development Financial Institutions - Directs the Administration to assist nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish community development financial institutions whose purpose shall be to finance specified community development activities. Title IV: Assistance for Community Development Secondary Market Institutions - Directs the Administration to assist secondary market institutions to: (1) establish a secondary market for community development loans; (2) increase the liquidity of community development investments; and (3) improve the distribution of investment capital available for community development financing. Prescribes eligible use of such assistance. Requires such secondary market institutions to contribute matching funds from non-Federal sources. Authorizes the Administration to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance such secondary market institutions. Title V: Community Development Individual Investment Certificates - Prescribes guidelines for the issuance by any community development bank or credit union of certificates of indebtedness to be known as Community Development Individual Investment Certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds Title II: Excise Taxes on Substances Contributing to Water Pollution, Etc. Polluter Pays Clean Water Funding Act - Title I: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to add to the list of projects eligible for State water pollution control revolving fund assistance: (1) coastal nonpoint pollution control programs; (2) wetlands protection, remediation, and restoration; (3) watershed planning and management; (4) public water conservation and reuse; and (5) low-income water and sewer assurance programs. Establishes conditions on a State's authority to make grants from such funds. Makes eligible for grant assistance projects: (1) to be carried out in political subdivisions with 5,000 people or fewer or in communities where water and sewer bills exceed a specified percent of median family income; (2) for control of nonpoint source pollution; and (3) to establish a low-income water and sewer assurance program. Revises allotment provisions concerning State revolving funds to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish an allotment formula based on State populations. Directs the Administrator to establish minimum standards for low-income water and sewer assurance programs eligible for assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Excise Taxes on Substances Contributing to Water Pollution, Etc. - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the discharge of any taxable chemical pollutant to water or any publicly owned treatment works. Exempts from such tax discharges of chemical pollutants used exclusively for any residential or farming use or any use by any Federal, State, or local agency. Imposes a tax on any fertilizer, pesticide, or animal feed which is: (1) manufactured or produced in the United States or entered into the United States for consumption use or warehousing; and (2) sold or used by the manufacturer, producer, or importer. Exempts articles which are to be exported or sold for export from such tax. Imposes a tax of 1.95 cents on each thousand gallons of water sold for use or used by the ultimate consumer in a taxable use. Makes persons using the water liable for the tax. Establishes the Clean Water Trust Fund to make expenditures to carry out State water pollution control revolving fund activities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Giant Sequoia Preservation Act of 1993 - Designate certain federally owned lands within the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests, California, as the Giant Sequoia National Forest Preserve. Prohibits activities within the Preserve that are inconsistent with the following: (1) resource protection and restoration; (2) protection of the Giant Sequoia groves and contiguous forests and restoration of the forest ecosystem to a natural state; (3) providing the optimum habitat for all naturally occurring species; (4) providing opportunities for recreation, interpretation, and scientific study; and (5) providing optimum water, air, and scenic quality. Establishes the Giant Sequoia Scientific Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) administer the Preserve as a separate unit within the National Forest System; (2) make yearly recommendations on other areas to be designated National Forest Preserves; and (3) publish a comprehensive management plan for the Preserve. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) recreation and interpretation; (2) regeneration of cut-over giant Sequoia Groves; (3) scientific study and research; (4) fire management; (5) hunting and fishing; (6) timber cutting; (7) mineral and geothermal leasing; (8) water rights; (9) grazing rights; and (10) public safety. Directs the Secretary to make annual payments in lieu of taxes to the local government of each political subdivision within the boundaries of which are lands indicated under this Act for inclusion in the Preserve. Requires the Secretary to establish a community assistance task force. Permits any local community in the region that is affected by loss of Federal timber sales and any worker who is displaced from a job in the timber industry as a result of this Act to request assistance from the task force. Directs the task force to encourage and develop employment opportunities in forest ecosystem restoration, recreation, and other forms of employment compatible with the purposes and provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Maritime Security and Competitiveness Act of 1993 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to modify the Act's purposes, including ensuring the existence of a U.S.-documented fleet of the best-equipped, safest, and most modern vessels (currently, the best-equipped, safest, and most suitable type of vessels, constructed in the United States). Establishes the Maritime Security Fleet of active commercial vessels to enhance sea lift capabilities and maintain a presence in international commercial shipping of U.S.-documented vessels. Conditions Fleet enrollment on the vessel owner or operator having an operating agreement with the Secretary of Transportation. Regulates agreements with regard to vessels covered by an operating differential subsidy (ODS) contract. Regulates terms, including requiring annual payments by the Secretary to each contractor and that the vessel be made available in time of war or national emergency or as needed for national security, to be compensated at commercial rates. Restricts noncontiguous trade. Authorizes appropriations. Makes amounts available but unneeded for ODSs available for operating agreement payments. Prohibits new ODS contracts. Exempts bulk cargo vessels for which construction-differential subsidies (CDSs) have been paid from certain CDS operating restrictions when ODS contracts terminate. Relieves a contractor, under specified circumstances, from the application of provisions relating to: (1) ODS operating restrictions; (2) operation of competing foreign-flag vessels; (3) practices regarding coastwise service, salaries, officers, and employees; and (4) ODS essential service requirements. Prohibits formal orders continuing ODS payments for vessels over 25 years old. Revises definitions of: (1) "foreign commerce," "foreign trade," and "citizen of the United States" as they apply to the Act; and (2) "privately owned United States-flag commercial vessel" as it applies to provisions regarding transportation in American vessels of Government personnel and certain cargoes. Removes restrictions regarding: (1) mortgagees from provisions setting forth requirements for a vessel mortgage to qualify as a preferred mortgage; and (2) parties serving as trustees of mortgaged vessel interests. Amends the Shipping Act, 1916 to remove restrictions on mortgaging of a documented vessel to a non-U.S. citizen. Requires allowing a documented vessel to be placed under foreign registry if its owner documents at least one replacement vessel. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to declare that the collective bargaining representative for officers or crew is an interested party in, and has standing to challenge, any proposed or final order, action, or rule of the Secretary under the Act. Mandates a study on the international competitiveness of U.S.-documented vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Merchant Marine Investment Act of 1993 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (MMA) to restrict capital construction fund (CCF) agreements to vessels documented for operation in the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States (currently, for operation in the United States foreign, Great Lakes, or noncontiguous domestic trade) or in the fisheries of the United States. Amends the MMA and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for the income tax treatment of CCF earnings, including regarding capital gains and tax rates. Modifies the ceiling on CCF deposits. Prohibits taking into account amounts included in taxable earnings of the fund for provisions regulating the consistency of the CCF ordinary income account. Allows: (1) payments that reduce the principal amount of a qualified lease to be considered qualified withdrawals and includes the payments in provisions relating to reductions in basis; and (2) CCF deposits exceeding the ceiling for prior years because of an audit adjustment. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the content of CCF capital gains and ordinary income accounts; (2) the tax rate and interest on nonqualified withdrawals; and (3) investment of CCF amounts. Amends the IRC to require that terms defined in the provisions of the MMA amended by this Act have the same meaning for the provisions of the IRC amended by this Act as the definitional provisions of the MMA that were in effect on the date of the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (currently, on the date of the enactment of the IRC provisions amended by this Act). Removes provisions providing for the treatment of CCFs regarding the alternative minimum taxable income of a corporation. Classifies vessels (other than fishing vessels) that are eligible vessels under CCF provisions as three-year property for IRC provisions regarding accelerated cost recovery. Sets forth a special rule for determining the amount of depreciation or amortization allowable in connection with adjustments based on adjusted current earnings for provisions relating to adjustments in computing alternative minimum taxable income.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of tax-exempt obligations excepted from the pro rata allocation of interest expense of financial institutions to tax-exempt interest for qualified small issuers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Public Pension Simplification Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow deferred compensation to be included in governmental retirement plans. Removes the special rule for governmental plans which limits benefits to 100 percent of the average compensation for the highest three years. Removes excess benefit arrangements and survivor and disability benefits from limitations on governmental plans. Provides a mechanism to pay benefits above limitations to certain employees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Constitutional Amendment - States that the rights of a citizen to vote in a presidential election shall not be denied or abridged on account of residency in a U.S. territory.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Many Neighbors, One Earth Resolution - Urges the President to develop and implement a coordinated economic and development policy and program of action designed to promote broadbased, sustainable development that will reduce global hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways. Specifies that such policy and program should have as its principal objectives: (1) expanding economic opportunities; (2) meeting basic human needs; (3) promoting environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources; and (4) promoting pluralism, democratic participation, and human rights. Specifies that such policy and program should involve all relevant international activities of the U.S. Government. Urges the President to take specific actions, including: (1) proposing the enactment of legislation providing for a post-Cold War foreign assistance program to promote sustainable development, especially the reduction of hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways; (2) developing and implementing development cooperation programs and projects in pursuit of such objectives; (3) ensuring that development cooperation programs take into account relevant local perspectives of the rural and urban poor during the design, planning, and implementation process for project and program assistance; and (4) encouraging and supporting the efforts of countries to reduce their level of military spending when such spending is disproportionate to security needs and to spending on health, education, and environmental protection.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000627_200.jpg)