United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Findings, Policy, and Purposes Title II: Missile Defense Title III: Revitalization of National Security Commission Title IV: Command of United States Forces Title V: United Nations Title VI: Revitalization and Expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Title VII: Budget Firewalls National Security Revitalization Act - Title I: Findings, Policy, and Purposes - Sets forth as purposes of this Act: (1) to establish a commission to reassess U.S. military needs and reverse the decline in defense spending; (2) to commit to acceleration of the development and deployment of theater and national ballistic missile defense capabilities; (3) to restrict deployment of U.S. forces to missions that are in the national interest; (4) to maintain U.S. command of U.S. forces participating in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations and to reduce the cost to the United States of such operations; and (5) to reemphasize the U.S. commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Title II: Missile Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to: (1) develop for deployment at the earliest possible date a cost- and operationally-effective antiballistic missile system to protect the United States against ballistic missile attacks; and (2) develop for expeditious deployment advanced theater missile defense systems. Requires a plan with respect to the deployment of such systems to be submitted to specified congressional committees within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Title III: Revitalization of National Security Commission - Establishes the Revitalization of National Security Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the long-term U.S. national security needs. Requires an interim and final report from the Commission to designated congressional committees on its assessments and recommendations. Provides funding. Title IV: Command of United States Forces - Prohibits funds made available to the Department of Defense (DOD) from being obligated or expended for activities of any element of the armed forces that after the date of enactment of this Act is placed under the command or operational control of a foreign national acting on behalf of the UN for international peacekeeping or peace enforcement purposes. Waives such prohibition if the President, at least 15 days in advance, certifies to the Congress that such command or control is necessary to protect U.S. national security interests. Allows the President, in emergency situations, to allow such foreign command or control without the advance notification, but requires congressional notification within 48 hours after such action. Outlines certification requirements. Waives all such requirements when less than 50 members of U.S. armed forces are involved. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a memorandum of legal points and authorities explaining why the foreign placement of U.S. military personnel does not violate the Constitution. Excepts ongoing operations in Macedonia from the above requirements. (Sec. 402) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (the Act) to require approval by the Congress, by law, of any presidential action taken which makes available to the UN Security Council, or a foreign national acting on behalf of the UN, U.S. armed forces for international peace and security activities. Provides exceptions: (l) in the case of presidential certifications, as above; and (2) when such action is authorized by law. Outlines certification requirements and provides an exception for: (1) actions requiring less than 50 U.S. military personnel; and (2) ongoing operations in Macedonia. Requires the President to submit to the Congress the same legal memorandum as required above. Title V: United Nations - Amends the Act to specifically limit the U.S. assessment for UN expenditures in support of international peacekeeping operations. Requires crediting for the United States by the UN for the costs of U.S. support for, or participation in, such activities. Directs the President to annually submit to designated congressional committees a report on the total amount of any fiscal year's national defense funds that are expended to support such activities. (Sec. 502) Codifies within the Act specified provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995, concerning the required notification to the Congress of proposed UN peacekeeping activities. Requires within such notification a description of any uncovered U.S. assistance to or support for such activities. Defines a new UN peacekeeping operation as one to be expanded by more than 25 percent during the period covered, or one to be authorized to operate in a country in which it was not previously authorized. (Sec. 503) Requires presidential notification to designated congressional committees within 15 days: (1) after receipt by the United States of a billing request from the UN for the U.S. contribution toward UN peacekeeping activities; or (2) before the U.S. obligates funds for such contributions (except for emergencies, in which case notification is required within 48 hours of such obligation). (Sec. 504) Requires, in a report required under the Act, a description of the anticipated budget for the next fiscal year for U.S. participation in UN peacekeeping activities. (Sec. 506) Authorizes the Secretary, in emergency circumstances, to waive the requirement for reimbursement to the United States for in-kind contributions to UN peacekeeping activities. Requires appropriate notification to the designated congressional committees. Directs the Secretary of State to ensure that U.S. goods provided by DOD on a reimbursable basis for UN peacekeeping activities are reimbursed at the appropriate value. Directs the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN to report to the designated congressional committees on all U.S. action taken to achieve such objectives. (Sec. 507) Prohibits appropriated funds from being used in any fiscal year to pay any U.S. assessed or voluntary contribution for UN peacekeeping activities until the Secretary certifies to the Congress that the UN has reimbursed DOD directly for all goods and services provided during the previous fiscal year for such activities. (Sec. 508) States that, beginning October 1, 1995, funds made available to DOD shall be available for UN peacekeeping activities or their related incremental costs only to the extent that the Congress has by law specifically made those funds available for such purpose. (Sec. 509) Codifies within the Act a specified provision which limits the use of funds authorized for Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for payment of the U.S. assessed contribution for a UN peacekeeping operation to 25 percent of the total amount of all assessed contributions for such operation. (Sec. 510) Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended for U.S. contributions to UN peacekeeping activities unless the Secretary of State determines and certifies to the designated congressional committees that U.S. manufacturers and suppliers are being given opportunities equal to foreign manufacturers and suppliers to provide equipment, material, and services for such activities. (Sec. 511) Withholds specified percentages of U.S. assessed and voluntary contributions toward UN peacekeeping activities until receipt by the Congress of a certification by the President that the UN, through its Office of Inspector General, has undertaken certain prescribed activities with respect to a financial and management accounting of UN peacekeeping activities. (Sec. 512) Authorizes the United States to provide intelligence to the UN only pursuant to a written agreement between the President and the UN's Secretary General specifying the types of and circumstances for such intelligence and the procedures to be observed by the UN with respect to access and disclosure of the intelligence. Requires advance notification (30 days) to the Congress before such an agreement will be considered effective. Provides exceptions. Title VI: Revitalization and Expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - NATO Revitalization and Expansion Act of 1995 - Declares that it should be U.S. policy: (1) to continue the commitment to an active leadership role in NATO; (2) to join with NATO allies to redefine the role of the alliance in the post-Cold War world, taking into account specified factors; (3) to affirm that NATO military planning should include joint military operations beyond the geographic bounds of the alliance under the North Atlantic Treaty when the shared interests of the United States and other member countries require such actions to defend vital interests; (4) that Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia should be permitted to join NATO by January 10, 1999, as long as each such country meets specified standards and undertakes certain commitments; (5) that the United States and other NATO member nations should furnish appropriate assistance to enable such countries to achieve membership by such date; and (6) that other European countries, particularly the Baltic states and Ukraine, may be in a position to achieve NATO membership at a future date. (Sec. 604) Directs the President to establish a program to assist the transition to full NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and any other European country emerging from communist domination that is designated by the President. Outlines types of assistance to be provided. Requires annual reports from the President to the appropriate congressional committees on the progress made in implementing this section. Title VII: Budget Firewalls - Expresses the sense of the Congress that so-called "budget firewalls" between defense and domestic discretionary spending should be established for each of FY 1996 through 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Capital Gains Reform Title II: Neutral Cost Recovery Title III: Risk Assessment and Cost/Benefit Analysis for New Regulations Subtitle A: Risk Assessment and Communication Subtitle B: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs Subtitle C: Peer Review Title IV: Establishment of Federal Regulatory Budget Cost Control Title V: Strengthening of Paperwork Reduction Act Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public Subtitle C: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork Subtitle D: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information Subtitle E: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility Subtitle F: Effective Dates Title VI: Strengthening Regulatory Flexibility Title VII: Regulatory Impact Analyses Title VIII: Protection Against Federal Regulatory Abuse Subtitle A: Citizens' Regulatory Bill of Rights Subtitle B: Private Sector Whistleblowers' Protection Title IX: Private Property Rights Protections and Compensation Title X: Establishment of Federal Mandate Budget Cost Control Title XI: Taxpayer Debt Buy-Down Title XII: Small Business Incentives Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act of 1995 - Tit: I: Capital Gains Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 50 percent income tax deduction for the net capital gain of both corporate and noncorporate taxpayers. (Sec. 1002) Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset or property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. (Sec. 1003) Allows an itemized deduction for losses arising from the sale or exchange of a principal residence. Title: : Neutral Cost Recovery - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1994. Title III: Risk Assessment and Cost/Benefit Analysis for New Regulations - Subtitle A: Risk Assessment and Communication - Risk Assessment and Communication Act of 1995 - Requires the head of each Federal agency to apply specified principles when preparing risk assessments in order to assure that such assessments and all of their components distinguish scientific findings from other considerations and are scientifically objective, unbiased, and inclusive of all relevant data. (Sec. 3105) Directs such agencies to comply with specified requirements (with respect to risk estimates, exposure scenarios, comparisons, and substitution risks) in characterizing risk in any risk assessment document, regulatory proposal or decision, report to the Congress, or other document which is made available to the public. (Sec. 3106) Requires the President to: (1) issue guidelines, subject to periodic review, consistent with such risk assessment and characterization principles; and (2) provide a format for summarizing risk assessment results. Requires each Federal agency to publish a plan (including procedures for receiving and considering new information and risk assessments from the public) to review and revise any risk assessment published before a certain date if significant new information or methodologies are available that could significantly alter the results of such risk assessment; and evaluate for the Congress certain categories of policy and value judgments. Subtitle B: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs - Directs the President to require each executive agency to prepare specified assessments for each major rule designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment it proposes or promulgates. (Sec. 3201) Requires for any proposed or promulgated rule: (1) assessments of incremental costs and incremental risk reduction or other benefits associated with each significant regulatory alternative (SRA) considered in connection with the rule; (2) comparisons to other selected risks of any human health, safety, or environmental risks addressed by an SRA; and (3) a statement of substitution risks and other human health risks potentially posed by the SRAs. Requires for each final rule: (1) an assessment of the costs and risk reduction or other benefits associated with it, plus a certification that this assessment is based on an objective and unbiased scientific and economic evaluation of all significant and relevant information provided by interested parties; and (2) certain other certifications, including one that no statute-allowed regulatory alternative would achieve an equivalent risk reduction. Requires the head of each agency, for each such major rule, to publish its assessment information in the Federal Register. Subtitle C: Peer Review - Requires: (1) the head of each Federal agency to develop a systematic program meeting specified requirements for peer review of risk and economic assessments used by the agency for regulatory programs addressing human health, safety, or the environment; (2) each Federal agency to provide for peer review of scientific and economic information used for, among other things, evaluating certain risk assessments; and (3) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to order that peer review be provided for any major risk or cost assessment that may have a significant impact on public policy decisions. (Sec. 3301) Requires: (1) each Federal agency head to write a response to all significant peer review comments; and (2) all peer review comments, conclusions, and agency responses to be available to the public and part of the administrative record for judicial review purposes. Directs the President to appoint National Peer Review Panels to review annually all agency risk and cost assessment practices for programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment. Title IV: Establishment of Federal Regulatory Budget Cost Control - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to jointly report to the President and the Congress on direct costs to the private sector of complying with Federal regulations. Requires such reports to be issued in five-year intervals. Provides for initial and subsequent annual reports to the President and the Congress on an aggregate regulatory baseline which is a project of the aggregate direct cost to the private sector of complying with Federal regulations for budget years and outyears. Requires a concurrent resolution on the budget to include reconciliation directives specifying changes: (1) in laws and regulations necessary to reduce, by specified percentages, such direct costs; and (2) in laws necessary to reduce, by specified percentages, personnel and administrative overhead and to achieve programmatic savings. Provides for the allocation of aggregate two-year regulatory authority among congressional committees. Requires the CBO to submit to the appropriate committees (except the Committees on Appropriations) an analysis of private sector regulatory costs for each public bill or resolution. (Sec. 4002) Requires the President's annual budget submissions to comply with reconciliation directives. (Sec. 4003) Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to prepare an analysis of the costs that will be incurred by small entities, other businesses, and individuals in complying with proposed agency rules. Title V: Strengthening of Paperwork Reduction Act - Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends Federal law to authorize increased appropriations to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Subtitle B: Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public - Amends Federal law to: (1) ensure coverage of all aspects of federally imposed paperwork burdens; and (2) revise provisions on assignment of tasks and deadlines, providing for Government-wide as well as individual agency goals of further reductions in such burdens by five percent increments each fiscal year for five fiscal years. Subtitle C: Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork - Amends Federal law with respect to the authority and functions of the OMB Director and public information collection activities, among other changes providing for: (1) procedures under which an agency must estimate the burden of compliance with any proposed collection of information; (2) expedited OMB review of proposed information collection requests; and (3) protection for whistleblowers of unauthorized paperwork burden. (Sec. 5306) Revises public participation requirements with regard to the review of information collections. (Sec. 5307) Provides that upon the request of an agency head, the Director shall approve a proposed change to an existing information collection request within 30 days after receiving it. Subtitle D: Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and Disseminating Public Information - Gives the Director additional specified functions related to agency dissemination and sharing of public information. (Sec. 5402) Delineates agency responsibilities for sharing and disseminating public information. (Sec. 5403) Abolishes the Federal Information Locator System, replacing it with systems for agency inventory of information dissemination products, available for public access by electronic means at no charge. Subtitle E: Additional Government Information Management Responsibility - Revises the statistical policy and coordination functions of the OMB Director. (Sec. 5503) Requires the Director's annual report to the Congress on Federal information policy coordination activities to include certain additional information, including listings of increases in paperwork burdens. (Sec. 5504) Includes as a new automatic data processing function of the Director developing and annually revising a five-year plan for meeting the automatic data processing equipment and other information technology needs of the Federal Government. Subtitle F: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this title. Title VI: Strengthening Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal civil service law to repeal the ban on judicial review of regulatory flexibility analyses and other specified applications of such law to agency actions. (Sec. 6002) Requires consideration of direct and indirect effects of rules, as well as transmittal of proposed rules and initial regulatory flexibility analysis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for possible reply in the form of a statement of opposition to the proposed rule. (Sec. 6004) Expresses the sense of the Congress that such official should be permitted to appear as amicus curiae in any action or case brought in a U.S. court for the purpose of reviewing a rule. Title VII: Regulatory Impact Analyses - Administrative Procedure Reform Act of 1995 - Amends Federal civil service law to: (1) provide for rulemaking notices for major rules, including a final Regulatory Impact Analysis; (2) add hearing requirements for proposed rules; (3) extend the comments period; and (4) require the head of an agency to publish in the Federal Register responses to comments received regarding the rule. (Sec. 7004) Provides for the general application of Executive Order 12291 (relating to Federal regulation requirements and regulatory impact analysis) to each agency, with each preliminary and final Regulatory Impact Analysis required for a rule under the Order containing specified information in lieu of the information currently required. (Sec. 7005) Prohibits an agency from adopting a major rule unless the final Regulatory Impact Analysis for the rule is approved by the OMB Director or by an individual designated by the Director for that purpose. (Sec. 7006) Prohibits, to the extent practicable, the head of an agency from publishing in the Federal Register any proposed major rule, summary of a proposed major rule, or Regulatory Impact Analysis unless the OMB Director certifies that, among other things, it: (1) is written in a reasonably simple and understandable manner and is easily readable; and (2) provides adequate notice of the content of the rule, summary, or Analysis to affected and interested persons that have some subject matter expertise. (Sec. 7007) Requires the OMB Director to report to the Congress analyses of rulemaking procedures of Federal agencies and their impact on the regulated public and regulatory process. Title VIII: Protection Against Federal Regulatory Abuse - Subtitle A: Citizens' Regulatory Bill of Rights - Grants certain regulatory rights, such as the right to have an attorney or accountant present, to any person who is the target of a Federal investigative or enforcement action upon the initiation of an inspection, investigation, or other official proceeding directed against that person, except in cases where to do so would substantially delay responding to an imminent danger to person or property or substantially or unreasonably impede a criminal investigation. Subtitle B: Private Sector Whistleblowers' Protection - Private Sector Whistleblowers' Protection Act of 1995 - Outlines protection against reprisal through specified prohibited regulatory practices for disclosure of information that any person subject to Federal or certain State regulation believes is indicative of waste, fraud, or abuse. (Sec. 8208) Provides that any person with reason to believe that an agency employee has engaged in a prohibited regulatory practice may request the Special Counsel to investigate. Title IX: Private Property Rights Protections and Compensation - Entitles a private property owner to receive compensation from the United States in accordance with specified guidelines for any agency infringement or deprivation of rights with regard to their property. Prescribes procedures for obtaining such compensation. Title X: Establishment of Federal Mandate Budget Cost Control - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set forth reporting requirements for OMB and CBO with respect to reducing the direct costs to States and local governments of complying with Federal mandates. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to provide for such reductions until such costs do not exceed three percent of the estimated gross domestic product for the same fiscal year as the costs will be incurred. Requires CBO to prepare an analysis of mandated costs for States and local governments for each public bill or resolution reported in the Congress (except those from Appropriations Committees). Requires a similar analysis in the President's annual budget submissions. (Sec. 10003) Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses for proposed rules that establish or implement new Federal mandates to contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs to be incurred by State and local governments. Requires Federal agencies to prepare a cost estimate and cost/benefit analysis of such mandates that would cost State and local governments at least $10 million for a fiscal year. Title XI: Taxpayer Debt Buy-Down - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow every individual with adjusted income tax liability to designate on their tax returns that a portion of such liability (not to exceed ten percent) be used to reduce the public debt. (Sec. 11002) Establishes a Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund for the deposit of designated amounts. Makes amounts in such Trust Fund available only to pay at maturity, or to redeem or buy before maturity, any obligation of the Federal Government included in the public debt. Prohibits the reissuance of any obligation which is paid, redeemed, or bought with amounts from the Trust Fund. (Sec. 11003) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for the sequestration of amounts designated to the Trust Fund. Specifies accounts exempt from such sequestration. Includes aggregated amounts designated to the Trust Fund and amounts sequestered to reduce the public debt in sequestration preview and final reports. Title XII: Small Business Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate tax and the unified credit against the gift tax and provide a cost-of-living adjustment for such credits. (Sec. 12002) Increases the dollar limitation on the election to expense certain depreciable business assets. (Sec. 12003) Provides qualifications for a home office as a principal place of business for purposes of the deductibility of expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Effective Death Penalty Subtitle A: Habeas Corpus Reform Subtitle B: Federal Death Penalty Procedures Reform Title II: Deterring Gun Crimes Title III: Mandatory Victim Restitution Title IV: Law Enforcement Block Grants Title V: Truth in Sentencing Grants Title VI: Exclusionary Rule Reform Title VII: Stopping Abusive Prisoner Lawsuits Title VIII: Further Streamlining Deportation of Criminal Aliens Title IX: Amendments to Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Taking Back Our Streets Act of 1995 - Title I: Effective Death Penalty - Subtitle A: Habeas Corpus Reform - Chapter 1: Post Conviction Petitions: General Habeas Corpus Reform - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. (Sec. 102) Vests authority to issue certificates of probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Prohibits an appeal from being taken to the court of appeals from the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding where the detention complained of arises out of process issued by a State court, or from the final order involving a prisoner in Federal custody, unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of probable cause. Authorizes the issuance of such certificate only if the petitioner has made a substantial showing of the denial of a Federal right and if the certificate indicates which specific issues satisfy this standard. (Sec. 104) Permits the denial of a habeas corpus petition on the merits notwithstanding the failure of the applicant to exhaust State court remedies. (Sec. 105) Imposes a two-year period of limitation for filing for collateral relief by Federal prisoners. Chapter 2: Special Procedures for Collateral Proceedings in Capital Cases - Sets forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases, including provisions regarding the appointment, and claims of ineffectiveness, of counsel. Specifies that, if a stay of execution has expired, no Federal court thereafter shall have the authority to enter a stay or grant relief in a capital case unless: (1) the basis for the stay and request for relief is a claim not previously presented in the State or Federal courts; (2) the failure to raise the claim is the result of State action in violation of the Constitution or U.S. law or the result of Supreme Court recognition of a new Federal right that is retroactively applicable or is based on a factual predicate that could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence in time to present the claim for State or Federal post-conviction review; and (3) the facts underlying the claim would be sufficient to establish by clear and convincing evidence that but for constitutional error no reasonable fact finder would have found the petitioner guilty of the underlying offense or eligible for the death penalty under State law. Denies any Federal district court or appellate judge the authority to enter a stay, issue injunctive relief, or grant any equitable or other relief in a capital case on any successive habeas petition unless the court first determines that the petition or other action does not constitute an abuse of the writ. Permits such determination to be made only by the district judge or appellate panel that adjudicated the merits of the original habeas petition, with an exception. Allows a stay to issue under this provision in the Federal courts of appeal only when a majority of the original panel or of the active judges determines the petition does not constitute an abuse of the writ. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) filing of habeas corpus petitions; (2) State unitary review procedures; and (3) limitation periods for determining petitions. Specifies that the adjudication of any petition for habeas corpus with respect to State prisoners and of any motion for habeas corpus regarding Federal prisoners by a person under sentence of death shall be given priority by the district court and by the court of appeals over all non-capital matters. Chapter 3: Funding for Litigation of Federal Habeas Corpus Petitions in Capital Cases - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide grants to the States to support litigation pertaining to Federal habeas corpus petitions in capital cases. Subtitle B: Federal Death Penalty Procedures Reform - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to provide that the jury (or if there is no jury, the court), in determining whether a sentence of death is justified, shall: (1) consider whether the aggravating factor or factors found to exist outweigh any mitigating factors; and (2) recommend a death sentence if it unanimously finds at least one aggravating factor and no mitigating factor or if it finds one or more aggravating factors which outweigh any mitigating factors. Directs that the jury be instructed that: (1) it must avoid any influence of sympathy, sentiment, passion, prejudice, or other arbitrary factors in its decision and should make such a recommendation as the information warrants; and (2) its recommendation is to be based on the aggravating factors and any mitigating factors which have been found, but that the final decision concerning the balance of aggravating and mitigating factors is a matter for the jury's judgment. Title II: Deterring Gun Crimes - Amends the Federal criminal code to set mandatory prison terms for carrying, using, or discharging a firearm or destructive device during a State crime that is a serious violent felony or a serious drug offense, except for the conduct of a person in defense of person or property during the course of a crime committed by another unless the person engaged or participated in criminal conduct that gave rise to the criminal conduct of such other individual. Sets forth mandatory penalties for carrying, using, or discharging: (1) a firearm, a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, a semiautomatic assault weapon, or a machine gun or destructive device or firearm equipped with a silencer in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime for which the person may be prosecuted in Federal court; and (2) a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime for which the person may be prosecuted in Federal court or a serious violent felony or serious drug offense for which the person may be prosecuted in State court, with respect to a person who has been previously convicted of certain firearms offenses. Prohibits the court from imposing a probationary sentence on any person convicted of a violation of this title or from making a term of imprisonment imposed under this title run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment including that imposed for the crime of violence or drug trafficking crime in which the firearm was used. Title III: Mandatory Victim Restitution - Amends the Federal criminal code to require (current law authorizes) the court to order restitution of the victim when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified offenses, including offenses under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Permits the court to order restitution of any person harmed physically, emotionally, or pecuniarily by unlawful conduct of the defendant during the criminal episode during which the offense occurred, or in the course of a scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of unlawful activity related to the offense. Directs the court to: (1) order restitution to a victim in the full amount of the victim's losses without consideration of the economic circumstances of the offender or the fact that a victim has received or is entitled to receive compensation with respect to a loss from insurance or any other source; and (2) specify in the restitution order, upon determination of the amount owed to each victim, the manner in which and the schedule according to which the restitution is to be paid. Specifies that a restitution order: (1) shall constitute a lien against all property of the offender and may be recorded in any Federal or State office for the recording of liens against real or personal property; and (2) may be enforced by the United States and by a victim named in the order in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action. Title IV: Law Enforcement Block Grants - Repeals the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 (title I of the VCCLEA), replacing it with a law enforcement block grant program. Requires the Director of BJA to pay to each unit of local government which qualifies for a payment an amount equal to the sum of any amounts allocated to such unit under such title for each payment period. Directs that sums paid to such units be used by such units for reducing crime and improving public safety, including: (1) hiring, training, and employing on a continuing basis new, additional law enforcement officers and necessary support personnel, paying overtime to presently employed officers and personnel, and procuring equipment, technology, and other material directly related to basic law enforcement functions; (2) enhancing school security measures; and (3) establishing crime prevention programs that are organized or supervised by, or involve substantial participation of, law enforcement officials and that are intended to discourage, disrupt, or interfere with the commission of criminal activity. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the timing of payments; (2) payment adjustments; (3) repayment of unexpended amounts; (4) qualification for payment; (5) review by governors; (6) sanctions for noncompliance; (7) allocation and distribution of funds; (8) utilization of the private sector; and (9) public participation. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Truth in Sentencing Grants - Repeals provisions of the VCCLEA regarding violent offender incarceration and truth-in-sentencing incentive grants. Sets forth provisions governing a truth-in-sentencing grant program. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to eligible States and to eligible States organized as regional compacts (States) to build, expand, and operate: (1) space in correctional facilities in order to increase the prison bed capacity for persons convicted of a serious violent felony; and (2) temporary or permanent correctional facilities, including facilities on military bases, for the confinement of convicted nonviolent offenders and criminal aliens for the purpose of freeing suitable existing prison space for persons convicted of a serious violent felony. Directs that 50 percent of the total amount of funds made available under this title for each of FY 1995 through 2000 be available for general eligibility grants and 50 percent for truth-in-sentencing incentive grants for each State that meets the following requirements: (1) for general grants, such State, since 1993, has increased the percentage of convicted violent offenders sentenced to prison and the average prison time and percentage of sentence actually to be served in prison by such offenders; and (2) for sentencing incentive grants, a State submits an application to the Attorney General providing assurances that it has enacted laws and regulations which include truth-in-sentencing laws that require persons convicted of a serious violent felony to serve not less than 85 percent of the sentence imposed or of the court-ordered maximum sentence for States that practice indeterminate sentencing, truth-in-sentencing laws which have been enacted but not yet implemented that require such State, within three years, to provide that persons convicted of such a felony serve not less than 85 percent of the sentence imposed (or of the court-ordered maximum sentence), and laws requiring that the sentencing or releasing authorities notify and allow the defendant's victims or the family of victims the opportunity to be heard regarding the issue of sentencing and any post-conviction release. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) special rules; (2) the formula for grants; and (3) accountability. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the use of funds for other purposes authorized by the VCCLEA in FY 1995 through 1999 unless the truth-in-sentencing programs are fully funded in such years. Title VI: Exclusionary Rule Reform - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit, in a proceeding in a court of the United States, the exclusion of evidence on the ground that: (1) the search or seizure was in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution if it was carried out in circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with the Fourth Amendment (makes the fact that evidence was obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant prima facie evidence of the existence of such circumstances); and (2) it was obtained in violation of a statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure unless exclusion is expressly authorized by statute or by rule prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Title VII: Stopping Abusive Prisoner Lawsuits - Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to prohibit an adult convicted of a crime who is confined in any correctional facility from bringing a civil action for deprivation of rights until such plain, speedy, and effective administrative remedies as are available are exhausted. (Sec. 702) Directs the court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, to dismiss specified actions brought by an adult convicted of a crime and confined in any correctional facility if the court is satisfied that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted or is frivolous or malicious. (Sec. 703) Repeals a provision of such Act requiring that the minimum standards provide for an advisory role for employees and inmates of a correctional facility in the formulation, implementation, and operation of the system for resolution of inmate grievances. (Sec. 704) Amends the Federal judicial code to require: (1) the court to dismiss a case in a forma pauperis proceeding if the allegation of poverty is untrue or if the action fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted or is frivolous or malicious, even if partial filing fees have been imposed by the court; (2) a prisoner in a correctional institution who files an affidavit to include a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses; and (3) the court to ask the correctional institution for information relating to the prisoner's assets and to require full or partial payment of filing fees according to the prisoner's ability to pay. Title VIII: Further Streamlining Deportation of Criminal Aliens - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand the definition of "aggravated felony" to include various offenses such as an offense relating to: (1) commercial bribery, counterfeiting, forgery, or trafficking in vehicles the identification numbers of which have been altered for which a sentence of five years' imprisonment or more may be imposed; (2) perjury or subornation of perjury for which a sentence of five years' imprisonment or more may be imposed; and (3) a failure to appear before a court pursuant to a court order to answer or dispose of a charge of a felony for which a sentence of two years' imprisonment or more may be imposed. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Attorney General to issue an order of deportation without an administrative hearing or administrative review for any alien who was not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or who had permanent resident status on a conditional basis and whom the Attorney General determines is deportable and has been convicted of an aggravated felony. Prohibits the Attorney General from executing such an order until 14 calendar days from the date the order was issued, unless waived by the alien, to give the alien the opportunity to apply for judicial review. Limits judicial review of such determinations. Provides that an alien convicted of an aggravated felony shall be conclusively presumed to be deportable. (Sec. 803) Restricts defenses to exclusion and deportation for certain aliens convicted of aggravated felonies. (Sec. 804) Limits collateral attacks on deportation orders. (Sec. 805) Directs the Commissioner to operate a criminal alien tracking center. (Sec. 806) Permits the Attorney General to authorize deportation hearings by electronic or telephonic media with the alien's consent or, where waived or agreed to by the parties, in the alien's absence. Title IX: Amendments to Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act - Repeals provisions of the VCCLEA regarding drug courts and crime prevention provisions concerning: (1) the Ounce of Prevention Council; (2) the local crime prevention block grant program; (3) model intensive grant programs; (4) the family and community endeavor schools grant program; (5) assistance for delinquent and at-risk youth; (6) police recruitment; (7) the Local Partnership Act; (8) the National Community Economic Partnership Act; (9) urban recreation and at-risk youth; (10) community-based justice grants for prosecutors; and (11) the Family Unity Demonstration Project Act. Repeals the Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth in Sentencing Incentive Grants program under the VCCLEA.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Line Item Veto Act - Grants the President legislative line item veto rescission authority. Authorizes the President to rescind all or part of any discretionary budget authority or veto any targeted tax benefit if the President determines that such rescission: (1) would help reduce the Federal budget deficit; (2) will not impair any essential Government functions; and (3) will not harm the national interest. Requires the President to notify the Congress of such a rescission or veto by special message after enactment of appropriations legislation providing such budget authority or a revenue Act containing a targeted tax benefit. Makes such a rescission effective unless the Congress enacts a rescission disapproval bill. Describes: (1) information to be included in the President's message; and (2) procedures to govern consideration of rescission disapproval legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform Title III: Legislative Accountability and Reform Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 - Prohibits this Act from applying to any provision in a Federal statute or proposed or final Federal regulation that: (1) enforces constitutional rights of individuals; (2) establishes or enforces any statutory rights that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, or handicapped or disability status; (3) requires compliance with accounting and auditing procedures with respect to grants or other money or property provided by the Federal Government; (4) provides for emergency assistance or relief at the request of any State, local, or tribal government; (5) is necessary for national security or ratification or implementation of international treaty obligations; or (6) is designated as emergency legislation. Title I: Review of Unfunded Federal Mandates - Establishes the Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates to investigate and review the role of unfunded Federal mandates in intergovernmental relations and their impact on State, local, tribal, and Federal government objectives and responsibilities. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the President and the Congress with regard to: (1) allowing flexibility where the terms of compliance are unnecessarily rigid or complex; (2) consolidating or simplifying unfunded Federal mandates in order to facilitate compliance; (3) terminating those mandates which are duplicative, obsolete, or lacking in practical utility; and (4) temporarily suspending those mandates which are not vital to public health and safety and which compound the fiscal difficulties of State, local, and tribal governments. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Regulatory Accountability and Reform - Requires each Federal agency, to the extent permitted under current law, to: (1) assess the effects of Federal regulations on States, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector (other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate requirements specifically set forth in legislation), including specifically the availability of resources to carry out any Federal mandates in those regulations; and (2) seek to minimize those burdens that uniquely or significantly affect such governmental entities or the private sector, consistent with achieving statutory and regulatory objectives. (Sec. 201) Directs each agency to develop an effective process to permit elected officials and other representatives of States and local and tribal governments to provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals containing significant Federal intergovernmental mandates. Requires each agency, before establishing regulatory requirements, to develop plans for: (1) notifying small governments of such requirements; (2) enabling their officials to provide appropriate input into the regulatory process; and (3) preparing estimates of the effect of Federal private sector mandates on the national economy. (Sec. 202) Requires each agency to prepare a written statement of specified estimates and analyses before promulgating any notice of proposed rulemaking or final rule including Federal mandates that may result in private or public sector expenditures of $100 million or more in any one year. (Sec. 203) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect such statements and forward copies to the CBO Director. (Sec. 204) Requires the OMB Director to establish pilot programs in at least two agencies to test innovative and more flexible regulatory approaches that: (1) reduce reporting and compliance burdens on small governments; and (2) meet overall statutory goals and objectives. Title III: Legislative Accountability and Reform - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to add provisions on Federal mandates, with applicability limited in the same manner as indicated before in title I. (Sec. 301) Provides that when a congressional authorization committee orders a public bill or joint resolution reported, the committee shall promptly provide the text of the legislation to the CBO Director, identifying any Federal mandate in it. Requires, when such a committee reports legislation including any Federal mandate, that the accompanying report contain certain information, including statements on whether the legislation is intended to preempt any State, local, or tribal law (and the reasons for such intention), as well as individual mandate descriptions, cost- benefit analyses, and statements regarding Federal financial assistance to State, local, and tribal governments for meeting mandate costs. Requires the CBO Director, for each piece of legislation, to prepare and submit to such committee certain statements estimating the direct costs of mandate compliance and the amount of new or increased Federal financial assistance needed to meet such costs, if the estimates indicate at least a $50 million per fiscal year direct cost of all intergovernmental mandates in the legislation, or a $100 million per fiscal year direct cost of private sector mandates. Provides that, at the request of any congressional committee, the CBO Director shall: (1) consult with and assist it in analyzing the budgetary or financial impact of any proposed legislation that may have a significant impact on the State, local, or tribal government involved or on the private sector; and (2) study any legislative proposal containing a Federal mandate. Requires the CBO Director to conduct continuing studies to enhance comparisons of budget outlays, credit authority, and tax expenditures. Requires any congressional committee that anticipates considering proposed legislation establishing, amending, or reauthorizing any Federal program likely to have a significant budgetary impact on the State, local, or tribal government involved, or to have a significant financial impact on the private sector, to include that information in its views and estimates on that proposal to the applicable budget committee. Authorizes appropriations to CBO to carry out such new requirements under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Makes it out of order for the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider: (1) any reported nonappropriations legislation unless it has a CBO Director report; or (2) any reported nonappropriations legislation containing a Federal intergovernmental mandate with direct costs exceeding the thresholds specified by this Act, unless it provides for new or increased budget, entitlement, or direct spending authority or makes other specified arrangements for each fiscal year to ensure that Federal funds equal or exceed the estimated direct costs of the mandate, or that State, local, and tribal programmatic and financial responsibilities are reduced so they do not exceed the amount of Federal funding. Requires the direct costs of a Federal mandate for a fiscal year to be determined based on estimates by congressional budget committees. Gives the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate final authority to determine whether a piece of legislation contains a Federal mandate. Provides that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider a rule or order waiving application of these provisions to a bill or joint resolution reported by an authorization committee. (Sec. 302) Amends House rules with regard to the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Rule: (1) to make it always in order in the former to strike from the portion of any bill open to amendment any Federal mandate whose direct costs exceed the prescribed threshold; and (2) to require the latter to include in its reports on waived points of order a separate item identifying all waivers of points or order relating to Federal mandates. (Sec. 305) Repeals the State and Local Government Cost Estimate Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the victims of the slaughter of Greek civilians in Kalavryta, Greece, during World War II should be honored and remembered and that the United States should renew its commitment to ending tyranny and bigotry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Prime Minister John Major and the Government of the United Kingdom should work with the Government of Ireland to commence all-party talks relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Title II: Designation of American Heritage Areas Title III: Studies Regarding Potential American Heritage Areas Title IV: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments Title V: Bramwell National Historic District Title VI: Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area Amendments American Heritage Areas Act of 1994 - Title I: American Heritage Areas Partnership Program - American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Act of 1994 - Establishes the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program within the Department of the Interior, consisting of such Areas designated by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) evaluate nominated Areas; (2) advise State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities as to suitable methods of recognizing and preserving thematically and geographically linked natural, historic, and cultural resources and recreational opportunities; and (3) consider any designated Heritage Area for nomination to the World Heritage List if the Area meets the nomination qualifications. Provides that an area may be designated as an American Heritage Area only by an Act of the Congress or by the means provided in title II. Conditions such designation on the Secretary of the Interior's approval of an Area feasibility study and compact. (Sec. 106) Sets forth provisions regarding compacts (relating to the objectives and management of Areas proposed for designation) and management plans (which shall present comprehensive recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, and development of such Areas). Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance for early actions that are important to the theme of an Area and that protect resources that would be in imminent danger of irreversible damage otherwise. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the management entities named in the compacts for American Heritage Areas to receive Federal funds in support of cooperative partnerships to prepare and implement the management plans and otherwise perform the functions contemplated in this title. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) withdrawal of the designation of an Area; (2) matching grants; (3) technical and other assistance; (4) spending Federal funds on non-federally owned property; (5) reporting requirements; (6) duties of Federal entities conducting Area activities; and (7) the lack of effect of this Act on other land use regulation. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations. Specifies funding limitations. Title II: Designation of American Heritage Areas - Designates the following areas, subject to specified requirements, as part of the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program: (1) American Coal Heritage Area, West Virginia and Virginia; (2) Augusta Canal American Heritage Area, Georgia; (3) Cane River American Heritage Area, Louisiana; (4) Essex American Heritage Area, Massachusetts; (5) Hudson River Valley American Heritage Area, New York; (6) Ohio & Erie Canal American Heritage Area, Ohio; (7) Shenandoah Valley Battlefields American Heritage Area, Virginia; (8) Steel Industry American Heritage Area, Pennsylvania; (9) Vancouver American Heritage Area, Washington; and (10) Wheeling American Heritage Area, West Virginia. Title III: Studies Regarding Potential American Heritage Areas - Directs the Secretary to complete a study on the suitability and feasibility of designating the following as American Heritage Areas: (1) Ohio River corridor, from its headwaters in Pennsylvania to its confluence with the Mississippi River; (2) Fox and Lower Wisconsin River corridors, Wisconsin; (3) a corridor formed by Oconee and other specified counties, South Carolina; and (4) Tryon County, in the Mohawk Valley of New York State, and the Country of the Six Nations (Iroquois Confederacy). Title IV: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments - Amends the Act establishing the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to make changes with respect to boundaries, membership and termination of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, and plan revision and implementation. Directs the Commission to revise the Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan and submit the revised plan to the Secretary and the Governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island for approval. Specifies that the revision shall address any change in the boundaries of the Corridor that occurs after submission of the plan and shall include a natural resource inventory of areas or features that should be protected, restored, or managed because of the natural and cultural significance of the areas or features. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds for projects in the Corridor that exhibit national significance or provide a wide spectrum of historic, recreational, environmental, educational, or interpretive opportunities, without regard to whether the projects are in public or private ownership. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application procedures; and (2) funding and funding limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Bramwell National Historic District - Designates the Bramwell National Historic District, West Virginia. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of West Virginia, or any political subdivision thereof, to further the purposes of the Historic District. Sets forth provisions regarding the ration of non-Federal funds and agreements regarding payments. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area Amendments - Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Amendments Act - Amends the Act establishing in the Department of the Interior the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission (the Act) to designate the Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area. Specifies that such Area shall not be considered an American Heritage Area for purposes of the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Act of 1994 or the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program. (Sec. 604) Directs the Commission to revise: (1) the management plan developed before the date of enactment of this title to provide for limited Federal involvement; and (2) the scope and cost document developed before such date to reflect the total cost of each project proposed for approval and the Federal portion of such cost. Specifies that both the management plan and the scope and cost document shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. Bars the Commission from making loans or grants involving Federal funds except as provided in this title. Limits specified funds available for the preservation or restoration of historic properties in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each project so assisted. Specifies that Federal funds available under the Act with respect to projects may be made available only for projects that are consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties promulgated by the Secretary. Sets forth additional funding limitations. (Sec. 606) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 607) Authorizes the Secretary to provide signs, interpretive materials, and other informational devices for a vehicular tour route known as the Path of Progress Heritage Route.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' Title VI: Truth-In-Sentencing Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished Title VIII: Improving Border Controls Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies Back-To-Basics Crime Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States to construct, expand, and improve prisons and jails. Authorizes specified sums to each State without conditions imposed by the Federal Government, except requirements to comply with this title and to use such funds exclusively for the construction of prisons and jails. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth formulas for the distribution of funds in FY 1995 and in FY 1996 through 1999 based on violent crimes reported by the States to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that 25 percent of total funds appropriated under this title shall be allocated to each eligible State according to a formula which takes into account the percentage change in the time to be served by persons convicted of violent crimes. Directs that States which have achieved a truth in sentencing standard of violent criminals serving 85 percent of prison time assessed receive the incentive funds, subject to specified requirements. Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants - Requires the Attorney General to make grants to States to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service. Authorizes specified funds, without conditions imposed by the Federal Government (except that the funds be used exclusively to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service). Requires States to allocate 80 percent of their grants to local government for use by local law enforcement, as nearly as possible in proportion to the populations served by such local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish guidelines for State programs to require a sexually violent predator to register a current address with a designated State LEA upon being released from prison or being placed on parole or supervised release; and (2) approve each State program that complies with the guidelines. Makes States that do not implement and maintain such programs ineligible to receive ten percent of the funds that would otherwise be allocated to the State in drug control and system improvement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires: (1) the determination that a person is, or is no longer, a sexually violent predator to be made by the sentencing court after receiving a report by a board of experts on sexual offenses; and (2) each State to establish a board composed of experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification regarding the duty of an offender to register and to provide any new address to a designated State LEA and of a State prison official to obtain specified information; (2) the transfer of information to the State LEA and to the FBI; (3) quarterly verification of the released offender's address; (4) penalties for failing to register and keep the registration current; (5) termination of the obligation to register; (6) community notification concerning a predator required to register; and (7) immunity for good faith conduct by LEAs, their employees, and State officials. Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for Federal prisoners filing for collateral relief. (Sec. 406) Sets forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases brought by prisoners in State custody who are subject to a capital sentence. Makes such procedures contingent upon: (1) a State establishing by rule of its court of last resort or by statute a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of competent counsel in State post convictions and sentences have been upheld on direct appeal to such court or have otherwise become final; and (2) such rule or statute providing standards of competency for the appointment of counsel. Provides for a mandatory stay of execution during the post-conviction review initiated pursuant to this title. Details conditions which will cause such stay to expire. Prohibits a Federal court from entering a stay of execution or granting relief in a capital case unless specified conditions are met. Sets forth lime limits for determining petitions. Authorizes the State or Government to enforce such time limits by applying to the court of appeals or the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus. Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure, in a proceeding in a court of the United States, on the grounds that the search or seizure was in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution if it was carried out in circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with such amendment. Makes the fact that evidence was obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant prima facie evidence of the existence of such circumstances. Prohibits the exclusion of evidence, in a proceeding in a U.S. court, on the ground that it was obtained in violation of a statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure unless exclusion is expressly authorized by statute or by a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Title VI: Truth in Sentencing - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit the Bureau of Prisons to add, in its discretion, additional time to a prisoner's sentence of up to 15 percent of the prisoner's term for unsatisfactory behavior. Prohibits a sentence from being reduced for satisfactory behavior to a term less than the original sentence nominally imposed. Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished - Directs the Attorney General to implement and enforce regulations which: (1) mandate prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions; and (2) prohibit the Government provision in inmates' cells of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or similar amenities. (Sec. 702) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit awards of Pell grants to prisoners in Federal or State penal institutions. Title VIII: Improving Border Controls - Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to use such funds to permit the commander of the Border Patrol to increase by at least 6,000 the number of border patrol agent positions above the number of such positions as July 1, 1994. (Sec. 802) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited deportation and exclusion of criminal aliens. Prohibits reentry of an alien into the United States during the minimum period of confinement to which the alien was sentenced. Authorizes the Attorney General to prescribe special regulations for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Expands the definitions of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 805) Sets forth deportation procedures for certain criminal aliens who are not permanent residents. Grants a U.S. district court jurisdiction to enter a judicial order of deportation at the time of sentencing against an alien whose criminal conviction causes such alien to be deportable under provisions relating to conviction of an aggravated felony if requested prior to sentencing by the U.S. Attorney. (Sec. 807) Restricts defenses to deportation for certain criminal aliens. Enhances penalties for failing to depart or reentering after a final order of deportation. (Sec. 810) Authorizes appropriations for a criminal alien information system. Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to enhance penalties imposed upon persons convicted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a felony. (Sec. 902) Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fugitive from justice, addict or unlawful user of a controlled substance, or transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm. (Sec. 903) Increases the general penalty for violation of Federal firearms laws. Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Establishes a Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury into which shall be transferred savings realized from implementation of provisions of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) transfers into, and appropriations from, the Fund; (2) annual reporting requirements on the status of the Fund; and (3) allocation of sums in the Fund. Extends authorizations of appropriations for fiscal years for which the full amount authorized is not appropriated. Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted in Federal court of a serious violent felony if: (1) the person has been convicted (and the conviction has become final) on separate prior occasions in a Federal or State court of two or more serious violent felonies, or one or more serious violent felonies and one or more serious drug offenses; and (2) each serious violent felony or serious drug offense used as a basis for sentencing under this title, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony or serious drug offense. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government; and (2) resentencing upon the overturning of a prior conviction. (Sec. 1102) Prohibits the court from reducing the sentence of a defendant unless specified conditions are met, including that defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years in prison for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is currently imprisoned, and a determination has been made by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons that the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1994
Urges the Secretary of State to: (1) apply consistent criteria in determining whether to restrict the use of U.S. passports in any country; and (2) in deciding whether to extend the ban on the use of such passports in Lebanon, give paramount consideration to the need to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens and full consideration to the improved security situation in Lebanon, the effect of the ban on opportunities for American businesses, to the impact of the ban on American interests in Lebanon and the Middle East, and to whether U.S. interests would be more effectively served by removing the ban and instituting a travel advisory for Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs Subtitle A: Block Grants to States Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit Title III: Repeal of Temporary Futa Surtax Employment Enhancement Reform Act - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Block Grants to States - Establishes a block grant program to prepare individuals for employment by increasing their occupational and educational skills. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make such grants, for up to five-year periods subject to annual approval and availability of appropriations, to States to provide employment assistance to eligible individuals. Reserves funds for grants to Indian tribes and migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations. (Sec. 103) Allocates such grants to States on the basis of relative numbers of: (1) unemployed in areas of substantial unemployment; (2) excess unemployed; and (3) economically disadvantaged adults. (Sec. 104) Sets forth requirements for applications, use of grants, and conduct of State programs. Requires State programs to provide employment assistance to the following types of eligible individuals: (1) economically disadvantaged and 14 years or older; (2) certain types of dislocated workers; (3) individuals with disabilities; (4) Armed Forces members being separated under other than adverse conditions; (5) unemployed veterans; and (6) displaced homemakers. Requires States to: (1) profile and evaluate individuals to determine the employment assistance services to be provided; (2) notify individuals of other sources of supportive services; (3) provide appropriate employment assistance, within specified limits; (4) monitor rates of individuals successfully obtaining employment after separation from the program, according to specified criteria; and (5) establish one-stop-shop centers throughout the State for program information and profiling and evaluation. Authorizes certain discretionary activities under State programs. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to make biennial determinations of State success in placing individuals in employment. Authorizes reduction or termination of payments when a State has not been successful, and reinstatement or increase of payments when a State implements appropriate modifications of its program. (Sec. 110) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Chapter 1: Consolidation of Programs - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to eliminate community mental health services demonstration projects for homeless individuals who are chronically mentally ill. (Sec. 112) Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to add requirements for State collaborative programs of supported employment services for individuals with the most severe disabilities, special recreation activities and services, and projects with industry. Repeals other provisions for special project grants for supported employment programs, special recreational programs, projects with industry, and supported employment services for individuals with severe disabilities. Chapter 2: Repeal of Programs - Repeals Higher Education Act of 1965 provisions for special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork. (Sec. 122) Repeals: (1) the disabled veterans outreach program and the local veterans employment representative program under Federal law relating to veterans; and (2) the homeless veterans reintegration project under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 123) Repeals: (1) the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act; (2) employment and training program provisions under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (but allowing college students who are parents responsible for care of a dependent child under age 6 to be eligible for the food stamp program); and (3) the older American community service employment program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 124) Repeals the Job Training Partnership Act, except those provisions relating to the Job Corps. Authorizes appropriations for the Job Corps. (Sec. 125) Repeals the Appalachian vocational and other educational facilities and operations program under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 126) Repeals certain provisions relating to rules for computing the targeted job credit under the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 127) Repeals the JOBS (job opportunities and basic skills training) program provisions for recipients of AFDC (aid to families with dependent children) under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 128) Repeals: (1) the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992; (2) the Adult Education Act; (3) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act; (4) the National Literacy Act of 1991; and (5) and the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. (Sec. 133) Repeals special programs relating to adult education for Indians, under the Indian Education Act of 1988. (Sec. 134) Repeals special Social Security Act provisions relating to Indian tribes and JOBS training programs. (Sec. 135) Repeals provisions for for the VISTA Literacy Corps under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 136) Repeals: (1) the Wagner-Peyser Act (employment agencies); (2) the adult education for the homeless grants program and the job training for the homeless demonstration grants program under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (3) the trade adjustment assistance for workers program under the Trade Act of 1974; (4) FY 1993 and 1994 authorizations of appropriations for certain grants, as well as certain technical assistance conditions, under the Homeownership and Opportunity through HOPE Act; and (5) the State legalization impact-assistance grants program under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Subtitle C: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates. Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit - Amends the Social Security Act and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require that notice of availability of the earned income tax credit be provided to applicants for and former recipients of AFDC, Medicaid, or food stamps. (Sec. 202) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to require printing of a notice of the availability of the earned income tax credit and the dependent care tax credit on W-4 forms for employee withholding exemptions. Title III: Repeal of Temporary FUTA Surtax - Repeals the temporary FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax Act) surtax under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Child Labor Deterrence Act of 1994 - Urges the President to seek agreement with governments that trade with the United States to secure an international ban on trade in products of child labor. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to identify foreign industries that: (1) do not comply with national laws prohibiting child labor; (2) utilize child labor in the export of products; and (3) have on a continuing basis exported such products to the United States. Authorizes any person to file a petition with the Secretary requesting that a particular foreign industry and its host country be identified. Requires the Secretary, before making such identification, to: (1) consult with the United States Trade Representative and the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and the Treasury; (2) hold at least one public hearing for public comment; and (3) publish notice in the Federal Register that such identification is being considered and the time and place for public comment. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the importation of products which have been produced by child labor. (Sec. 6) Sets forth civil and criminal penalties. (Sec. 9) Authorizes approriations for a U.S. contribution to: (1) the International Labor Organization for activities of the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor; and (2) the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for activities relating to bonded child labor that are carried out by the Subcommittee and Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that for purposes of issuing final guidelines under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to unlawful harassment in employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should exclude harassment based on religion.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Designates September 16, 1994, 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 30, 1994 (Memorial Day), September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1994 (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 System on September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Instructs the House Committees on Agriculture; Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Government Operations; the Judiciary; and Small Business to commence hearings on issues within their jurisdiction relating to Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan Association, Whitewater Development Corporation, Capital Management Services Inc., Ray E. Friedman and Company, Lasater and Company, and such appropriate related issues by August 15, 1994, and to submit written findings concerning such matter to the House by the sine die adjournment of the Congress. Directs the respective committees to work to accommodate the work of Special Counsel Robert B. Fiske, Jr., and to not grant immunity, under specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, over the objection of the Special Counsel to any witness called to testify at these hearings. Instructs the Speaker and the majority and minority leaders to meet to determine the appropriate timetable, procedures, and other relevant issues relating to congressional oversight.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1994
National Community Service Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate students who volunteer to perform community service. Mandates that all surcharges received from such coin sales be paid to the National Community Service Trust to fund innovative community service programs at American universities, including the service, research, and teaching activities of the faculty and students involved in such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Calls on: (1) the Republic of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh to cease all hostilities and begin peace negotiations under the framework established by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (2) the parties to the conflict to simultaneously lift all blockades in the region; and (3) the President to take an active role in promoting peace and in monitoring the human rights situation in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
Charitable Contributions Encouragement Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to deduct a portion of their charitable contributions. Excludes the deduction for charitable contributions from the overall limitation on itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
NATO Expansion Act of 1994 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Authorizes the President to establish a program to assist the transition to full NATO membership for Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated pursuant to this Act. Permits the President to provide specified security assistance to such countries, including excess defense articles, economic support fund assistance, international military education and training, and foreign military financing. Authorizes the President to provide additional assistance from the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund and Countries in Transition accounts. Permits the President to designate other European countries emerging from communist domination to receive assistance under this Act if he reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such countries: (1) have made significant progress toward establishing democratic institutions, free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law; and (2) are likely to be in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. Authorizes the President to confer, pursuant to agreement with any country eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace, rights with respect to the military and related civilian personnel and activities of that country in the United States comparable to those conferred by that country with respect to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Insurance Provisions Subtitle B: Promoting Development of Voluntary Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Subtitle C: Federal Preemption Subtitle D: Rules of Construction Regarding Abortion Services; Inseverability Title II: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Subtitle A: Limitations on Employer Deduction for Health Care Coverage for Employees and on Employee Exclusion for Employer-Provided Health Care Coverage Subtitle B: Credits for Contributions to Medical Savings Accounts, for Purchase of High Deductible Umbrella Insurance, and for Routine Preventive Care Subtitle C: Repeal of Medical Expense Deduction Subtitle D: Veterans Medical Benefits and Services Unaffected Title III: Savings In Medicare and Medicaid Programs Subtitle A: Medicare Program Subtitle B: Medicaid Program Title IV: Containing Health Care Costs Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liability Reform Subtitle B: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services Subtitle D: Limitation on Funding for Abortions Title VI: Administrative Cost Savings Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws Title VII: Anti-Fraud and Anti-Rationing Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities Subtitle C: Protection Against Rationing of Treatment Health Savings and Security Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Insurance Provisions - Part 1: Requirements for Tax-Favored Health Plans - Authorizes a State to establish or operate a managed health care plan. (Sec. 102) Requires such a plan to provide for all medically necessary acute medical care (including physician services; inpatient, outpatient, and emergency hospital services and appropriate alternatives to hospitalization; and inpatient and outpatient prescription drugs), to not exclude coverage for selected illnesses or selected treatments if consistent with medically accepted practices, and to meet applicable cost-sharing requirements of this Act. Requires that such plan, in the case of a high deductible umbrella insurance plan, provide a deductible amount for benefits provided in any plan year which is at least $1,500 (but not to exceed $3,000) for items and services furnished to a family (composed of one or more individuals) enrolled under the plan in a year. Specifies that a health insurance plan may not require the payment of any copayment or coinsurance for an item or service for which coverage is required after an individual or a family has incurred out-of-pocket expenses equal to a specified limit for a plan year. (Sec. 103) Requires that such a plan provide: (1) for a variation in premium rates only on the basis of age, sex, geography, and family enrollment, individual and group coverage, and in the case of group coverage, on the basis of the number of individuals covered within the group; (2) for a charge of the same premium rates to new applicants and existing policyholders with the same age, sex, geographic characteristics, and family enrollment; and (3) that the highest premium for the plan for a particular class of family enrollment and geographic characteristics may not exceed four times the lowest premium for such plan for the same enrollment and geographic characteristics. Permits incentive discounts of not more than ten percent for participating in an approved program to promote healthy behavior, prevent or delay the onset of illness, or provide for screening or early detection of illness. (Sec. 104) Requires that such plan: (1) provide guaranteed issue at standard rates to all applicants; and (2) not exclude from coverage, or limit coverage for, any preexisting condition, with exceptions. (Sec. 105) Requires that such plan provide the policyholder with a contractual right to renew the coverage which stipulates that the insurer cannot cancel or refuse to renew the coverage except for cases of nonpayment of premiums, or fraud or misrepresentation, by the policyholder. (Sec. 106) Sets forth restrictions on agent compensation and broker activities. Part 2: Certification of High Deductible Umbrella Insurance Plans and Managed Care Health Plans - Requires each State to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on steps the State is taking to implement and enforce a regulatory program with respect to high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care health plans by a specified deadline. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that a State has failed to submit a report by the deadline or that the State has not implemented and provided adequate enforcement of the regulatory program, to give the State 60 days to submit such report or implement and enforce such program. Sets forth procedures for Federal enforcement if such failure has not been corrected. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to develop State regulatory program standards, in the form of model Acts and model regulations, which include: (1) procedures for certifying that the requirements of part 1 of this subtitle have been met by a health insurance plan applying for certification as a high deductible umbrella insurance plan or a managed care health plan; (2) specified requirements regarding marketing practices and reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms with respect to such a plan; (3) requirements regarding solvency standards and guaranty funds for carriers of such plans; and (4) reporting requirements under which carriers report to the Internal Revenue Service regarding the acquisition and termination by individuals of coverage under such plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care health plans made available to individuals for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models to determine if they provide for an effective reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. Requires each State to establish one or more reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms consistent with such a model. Permits a State to establish and maintain such a mechanism jointly with other States. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism if a State has failed to establish or maintain such a mechanism. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the providing of any high deductible umbrella insurance plan or managed care health plan which covers any individual in a Federal reinsurance State. Directs that the tax imposed equal the applicable percentage of the amount received by the insurer for providing such plan in such Federal reinsurance State. Makes the insurer liable for payment of the tax. Subtitle B: Promoting Development of Voluntary Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Directs the Secretary to establish standards relating to the establishment of health plan purchasing cooperatives (HPPCs), qualifications for qualified health carriers, and the roles of States under this subtitle. Sets forth provisions regarding deadlines, revision of standards, application of standards through States, the Federal role, and implementation of the standards. (Sec. 122) Requires each State to establish boundaries for HPPC areas in the State. (Sec. 123) Authorizes the establishment of one or more State-chartered, nonprofit private corporations to serve as an HPPC for each HPPC area for the benefit of small employers and eligible individuals in the area. Specifies that a carrier may not form, underwrite, or possess a majority vote of an HPPC, but may administer an HPPC. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the establishment by each HPPC of bylaws; (2) the election of members of its board of directors; (3) limitation of liability for good faith actions taken by any member of the board, its employees, or agent in the performance of duties of HPPCs; (4) appointment of officers and an executive director; (5) reporting, recordkeeping, and audit requirements; and (6) general authorities and limits on the authority of HPPCs. (Sec. 124) Requires each HPPC to: (1) enter into contracts and hold policies with qualified health carriers which elect to offer HPPC plans to members; (2) provide for the enrollment of eligible employees of small employers and eligible individuals in HPPC plans of qualified health carriers offered by the HPPC; (3) provide to its members and eligible employees of small employer members comparison sheets with clear standardized information on each qualified health carrier and each HPPC plan offered by a qualified health carrier; (4) establish requirements for participation of small employers and eligible individuals as HPPC members consistent with any standards established by the Secretary and to maintain eligibility records; and (5) establish dispute resolution procedures to resolve disputes between the HPPC and its members or qualified health carriers. Sets forth requirements concerning: (1) contracts with members; (2) contracts with plans; (3) overhead allowance; (4) uniform administrative and accounting procedures; and (5) contracts for administrative services. (Sec. 125) Requires each State to establish a process whereby a carrier that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the State insurance commissioner that it has the capability to fulfill specified requirements (with regard to licensure, administrative capacity, access, grievance procedures, utilization management procedures, quality, information, and data elements) is designated as a qualified health carrier. Sets forth the functions of qualified health carriers. Requires that coverage under an HPPC plan offered by a qualified health carrier be available to any member of the HPPC at the anniversary date of each member's coverage under an HPPC plan, with exceptions and subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 126) Requires each: (1) HPPC to use efficient and standardized means to notify small employers of the availability of plans through the HPPC and to notify the State insurance commissioner of any marketing practices or materials that it finds contrary to the fair marketing of qualified health carriers and HPPC plans; and (2) State insurance commissioner to monitor compliance with marketing requirements. (Sec. 127) Requires: (1) each HPPC to submit specified data to the State on a quarterly basis; and (2) the Secretary to establish uniform standards for data that an HPPC collects from qualified health carriers and providers and disseminates. (Sec. 128) Requires each State to: (1) assure compliance of HPPCs, small employers, and eligible employees and individuals with the requirements of this subtitle and to conduct reviews at least annually on the performance of each HPPC in assuring access to health coverage to small employers and eligible individuals in the HPPC area; (2) receive, review, and act on appeals of unresolved disputes between an HPPC and a member; (3) analyze information collected from qualified health carriers and other sources and report findings that assist consumers, HPPCs, qualified health carriers, or health care providers in improving the delivery or purchase of cost-effective health care; (4) prepare and make available to HPPCs and employers located in the State (and to eligible individuals upon request) information, in comparative form, concerning the HPPC plans in the State and HPPCs operating in the State; (5) report to the Secretary annually on the impact of the reform under this subtitle in expanding the availability and affordability of health coverage to eligible employees and individuals; and (6) supervise HPPCs to ensure that actions that affect market competition accomplish the objectives of this title, so as to provide State and Federal protection to HPPCs and HPPC boards of directors against Federal and State antitrust laws. Subtitle C: Federal Preemption - Bars applicability of any provision of State or local law that: (1) in the case of a group health plan, requires the coverage of one or more specific benefits, services, or categories of health care, or services of any class or type of provider of health care; and (2) prohibits two or more employers from obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 143) Preempts and makes unenforceable specified State law restrictions with respect to reimbursement rates or selective contracting, differential financial incentives, and utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 144) Specifies that nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to invalidate any State law that has the effect of preventing the denial of lifesaving medical treatment pending transfer to another health care provider. Subtitle D: Rules of Construction Regarding Abortion Services; Inseverability - Specifies that: (1) nothing in this title or title II may be construed to require any health plan to include any abortion services or to condition tax deductibility on the inclusion of such services; and (2) if such provision is judicially determined to be invalid all the provisions of this title and title II shall be deemed to be invalid. Title II: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Subtitle A: Limitations on Employer Deduction for Health Care Coverage for Employees and on Employee Exclusion for Employer-Provided Health Care Coverage - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a deduction: (1) for health care coverage for employees under a high deductible umbrella insurance plan or a managed health care plan; (2) for contribution to a medical savings account for an employee; or (3) for payment of permitted coverage. Prohibits such deduction from exceeding the health care tax benefit limitation imposed on individuals receiving coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan. (Sec. 202) Excludes from the gross income of an employee only coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan, contributions to a medical savings account, or permitted coverage payments. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the provision of health benefits under cafeteria plans. Subtitle B: Credits for Contributions to Medical Savings Accounts, for Purchase of High Deduction Umbrella Insurance, and for Routine Preventive Care - Allows individuals a tax credit (with limitation) for a percentage of contributions to a medical savings account. Makes such account tax-exempt and excludes other employer payments from the individual's tax base. (Sec. 212) Allows individuals a tax credit for a percentage of the amount paid for coverage under a tax-qualified health care plan. Requires the establishment of a program to provide health insurance certificates for low-income individuals eligible for such credit. (Sec. 213) Allows certain individuals a tax credit for a percentage of the amount paid for routine preventive care for the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents. Subtitle C: Repeal of Medical Expense Deduction - Repeals the deduction for medical, dental, etc., expenses. Subtitle D: Veterans Medical Benefits and Services Unaffected - Declares that nothing in this title affects veterans' medical benefits and services. Title III: Savings in Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Subtitle A: Medicare Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an annual tax on the Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premiums of high-income and certain other individuals covered by such part. (Sec. 302) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) impose a co-payment for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) eliminate mandatory assignment for test payment and billing; and (3) provide for annual indexing of the part B deductible. Subtitle B: Medicaid Program - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) cap Federal payments for acute medical services; (2) discontinue reimbursement standards for inpatient hospital services; (3) provide for optional enrollment of low-income individuals under high deductible umbrella insurance plans and managed care plans (with reduced payment adjustments for States providing such enrollment); (4) allow States more flexibility in contracting for coordinated care services; and (5) prohibit Medicaid funding of abortions not necessary to prevent the death of the mother. Title IV: Containing Health Care Costs - Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liablity Reform - Part 1: General Provisions - Makes this subtitle applicable with respect to any medical malpractice liability claim and action brought in any State or Federal court, with exceptions (such as a claim or action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death). Sets forth provisions regarding preemption, effect on sovereign immunity and choice of law or venue, and Federal court jurisdiction. Part 2: Medical Malpractice and Product Liability Reform - Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action from being brought in any: (1) State court during a calendar year unless the medical malpractice liability claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under a State's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system certified for the year by the Secretary or under the alternative Federal system established by this Act; and (2) Federal court during a calendar year unless such claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under such ADR system in the State whose law applies. Directs the Attorney General to establish an ADR process for the resolution of medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States, which shall occur after the completion of the administrative claim process. Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action based on such a claim from being brought in any Federal court unless the claim has been initially resolved under the ADR process established by the Attorney General. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures for filing actions; and (2) the legal effect of uncontested ADR decisions. (Sec. 412) Sets a $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages that may be awarded to a claimant and the members of the claimant's family for losses resulting from the injury which is the subject of a medical malpractice liability action. Prohibits the award of punitive or exemplary damages in such an action: (1) unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the injury suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting a malicious, wanton, willful, or excessively reckless disregard of the safety of others; and (2) against the manufacturer of a medical product. Requires that: (1) any punitive or exemplary damages awarded in a medical malpractice liability action be paid to the State in which the action is brought or, in a case brought in Federal court, in the State in which the health care services that caused the injury that is the subject of the action were provided; and (2) such State use such amounts to carry out activities to assure the safety and quality of health care services provided in the State. Prohibits a defendant, in any medical malpractice liability action in which the damages awarded for future economic loss exceed $100,000, from being required to pay such damages in a single, lump-sum payment, but permits periodic payments based on when the damages are found likely to occur, as determined by the court. Authorizes a court to waive the application of such provision if it is not in the best interests of the plaintiff to receive periodic payments. (Sec. 413) Directs the court in a medical malpractice liability action to require the party that contested an ADR ruling with respect to the medical malpractice liability claim that is the subject of the action to: (1) pay attorney fees and other costs, with exceptions; and (2) post a performance bond, subject to waiver by the court upon determining that the posting of such a bond is not necessary to ensure that the party pay the costs incurred by the opposing party under the action. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) limits on attorney's fees paid; and (2) recordkeeping requirements. (Sec. 414) Allows a defendant to be held severally but not jointly liable in a medical malpractice action for noneconomic damages, and only for those damages directly attributable to the person's proportionate share of fault or responsibility for the injury. (Sec. 415) Establishes a seven-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice liability claims beginning on the date the alleged injury occurred. (Sec. 416) Prohibits a defendant in a medical malpractice liability action from being found to have acted negligently unless the defendant's conduct at the time of providing the health care services was not reasonable. (Sec. 417) Prohibits the trier of fact, in the case of a medical malpractice liability claim relating to services provided during labor or the delivery of a baby where the health care professional against whom the claim is brought did not previously treat the individual alleged to have been injured for the pregnancy, from finding that the defendant committed malpractice and assessing damages unless the malpractice is proven by clear and convincing evidence. Specifies that a health care professional shall be considered to have previously treated an individual for a pregnancy if the professional is a member of a group practice whose members previously treated the individual for the pregnancy or is providing services to the individual during labor or the delivery pursuant to an agreement with another health care professional. Part 3: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems - Sets requirements for a State's ADR system, including that the system: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims under the jurisdiction of the courts of that State; (2) require that a written opinion resolving the dispute be issued within six months of receipt of notice of the claim by each party against whom the claim is filed; (3) require that individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system meet specified qualifications; (4) be approved by the State or local governments; (5) with respect to a State system consisting of multiple dispute resolution procedures, permit the parties to a dispute to select the procedure to be used (and, if they do not agree, assign a particular procedure); (6) transmit to the State agency responsible for monitoring or disciplining health care professionals and providers any findings that such professional or provider committed malpractice, with exceptions; and (7) transmit to the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research information on disputes resolved in a manner that assures that the identity of the parties to a dispute shall not be revealed. Makes the provisions of part 2 (malpractice liability standards) applicable with respect to claims brought under a State or alternative Federal ADR system in the same manner as such provisions apply to medical malpractice liability actions brought in the State. (Sec. 422) Directs the Secretary to: (1) determine, by October 1 of each year (beginning with 1995), whether a State's ADR system meets the requirements of this part for the following calendar year, and certify such system if it does; and (2) establish an alternative Federal ADR system for the resolution of medical malpractice liability claims during a calendar year in States that do not have in effect an alternative ADR system certified for the year. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) requirements for the alternative Federal ADR system; and (2) the treatment of States with the alternative system in effect. (Sec. 423) Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report describing and evaluating State ADR systems operated pursuant to this part and the alternative Federal system. Part 4: Other Provisions Relating to Medical Malpractice Liability - Permits a State agency responsible for the conduct of disciplinary actions for a type of health care practitioner to enter into agreements to permit State or county professional societies to participate in the licensing of such practitioner and to review any health care malpractice action, claim, allegation, or other information concerning the practice patterns of any such practitioner. (Sec. 432) Requires the Secretary to conduct a study analyzing the existence and effectiveness of incentives adopted by State and local governments, insurers, medical societies, and other entities to encourage physicians (whether practicing or retired) to volunteer to provide health care services in medically underserved areas. (Sec. 433) Directs each State to require each: (1) health care professional and provider in the State to participate in a risk management program to prevent, and provide early warning of, practices which may injure or otherwise endanger a patient; and (2) entity which provides health care professional or provider liability insurance in the State to establish risk management programs based on available data or sanction such programs provided by other entities and to require each such professional or provider, as a condition of maintaining insurance, to participate in at least one such program every three years. (Sec. 434) Requires the Secretary to make grants: (1) for basic research in the prevention of, and compensation for, injuries resulting from health care professional or provider malpractice and for research of the outcomes of health care procedures; (2) to assist States in improving their ability to license and discipline health care professionals; and (3) to States and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and health professional schools for educating the public about the appropriate use of health care and realistic expectations of medical intervention and about the resources and role of health care professional licensing and disciplinary boards in investigating claims of incompetence or malpractice, and for developing programs of faculty training and curricula for educating health are professionals in quality assurance, risk management, and medical injury prevention. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Treatment of Certain Activities Under the Antitrust Laws - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities listed in, or designated by the Attorney General pursuant to, this subtitle. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney's fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 452) Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. (Sec. 453) Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors and to review and report on proposed safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 454) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth procedures regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding, such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 455) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 456) Directs the Attorney General to periodically review the safe harbors and certificates of review. (Sec. 458) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy. Title V: Special Assistance for Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Subtitle A: Frontier, Rural, and Urban Underserved Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish and administer a program to provide allotments to enable States to provide grants for the creation or enhancement of community-based primary health care entities that provide services to low-income or medically underserved populations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other entities and organizations for the purpose of providing access to services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently being served by an FQHC. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide for a study to examine the relationship and interaction between community health centers and hospitals in providing services to individuals residing in medically underserved areas, ensuring that the National Rural Research Centers participate in such study. (Sec. 502) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified primary health services provider (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who provides full time primary health services in a health professional shortage area, subject to specified requirements) a credit against tax for a period of 60 consecutive calendar months from the time the taxpayer becomes a qualified provider. Sets forth rules regarding the recapture of credit and the expensing of medical equipment. Excludes National Health Service Corps loan repayments from gross income. Provides a deduction for student loan payments by medical professionals practicing in rural areas. (Sec. 503) Amends the SSA to include rural emergency access care hospital services among the benefits provided under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Program for the Aged and Disabled. (Sec. 504) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to assist States in the creation or enhancement of air medical transport systems that provide victims of medical emergencies in rural areas with access to treatments. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a demonstration project under which public and private entities may apply for waivers of provisions of the SSA in order to operate rural health networks which improve the access of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to, and the quality and outcomes of, health care services; and (2) grant waivers to operate rural health networks under the demonstration project to a number of public and private entities. Directs the Secretary to award grants to public and private entities which have received a waiver for planning, developing, and operation of rural health networks. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Primary Care Provider Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to provide for the establishment of demonstration projects: (1) in up to seven States for the purpose of testing and evaluating mechanisms to increase the number and percentage of medical students entering primary care practice through the use of funds otherwise available for direct graduate medical education costs under the SSA; and (2) for up to seven health care training consortia for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to award grants to such consortia for developing and evaluating such projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 512) Amends the SSA to count residency training time in nonhospital-owned facilities in determining full-time equivalent residents for direct graduate medical education payments, and for certain indirect medical education payments, under Medicare. (Sec. 513) Amends the Public Health Service Act to increase: (1) National Health Service Corps funding; and (2) health professions funding for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable public and nonprofit private entities to meet the cost of providing traineeships for individuals in baccalaureate and advanced-degree programs to educate such individuals to serve in and prepare for practice as physician assistants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 516) Directs the Secretary to award grants to States or nonprofit entities to fund not less than ten demonstration projects to enable such States or entities to evaluate: (1) State mechanisms, including changes in the scope of practice laws, to enhance the delivery of primary care by nurse practitioners or physician assistants; (2) the feasibility of and most effective means of training subspecialists to deliver primary care as primary care providers; and (3) State mechanisms to increase the supply or improve the distribution of primary care providers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Programs Relating to Primary and Preventive Care Services - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable States to plan and implement coordinated, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive primary health care and social service programs targeted to pregnant women and infants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 522) Authorizes frontier States (including Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana) to: (1) implement proposals to offer preventive services, including mobile preventive health centers, which may be located on aircraft, watercraft, or other forms of transportation; and (2) participate in demonstration projects to improve recruitment, retention, and training of rural providers, including nurse partitioners and physician assistants. Subtitle D: Limitation on Funding for Abortions - Specifies that: (1) nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize funding for any abortion, except to prevent the death of the mother; and (2) the provision of abortion services by a State or other entity shall not be regarded as a condition for participation in any grant or benefit authorized in this title. Title VI: Administrative Cost Savings - Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to: (1) data elements for use in paper and electronic claims processing under health insurance plans, as well as for use in utilization review and management of care; (2) uniform claims forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. Directs the Secretary, in adopting such standards, to take into account the recommendations of current task forces, consult with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and seek to make the standards consistent with any uniform clinical data sets which have been adopted and are widely recognized. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) deadlines for promulgation; and (2) application of the standards. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to provide for the periodic review and revision of such standards. Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards - Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data, including confidentiality standards. Authorizes the Secretary to periodically revise the standards and to promulgate (and periodically revise) standards for providers that are not hospitals. (Sec. 612) Requires each hospital, as of January 1, 1996 to: (1) maintain clinical data included in the set of comprehensive data elements in electronic form on all inpatients; (2) upon request of the Secretary or a utilization and quality control peer review organization, transmit electronically the data set; and (3) upon request of the Secretary or a fiscal intermediary or carrier, transmit electronically any data with respect to a claim from such data set in accordance with specified standards. Grants the Secretary waiver authority under specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide that each hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall comply with requirements of this subtitle as if it were participating in the Medicare program. Grants such Secretary waiver authority under specified circumstances. (Sec. 613) Authorizes, effective January 1, 2000, a Federal agency to require a provider to transmit required data elements electronically in accordance with applicable presentation or transmission standards. (Sec. 614) Prohibits a health insurance plan, if standards for data elements are promulgated with respect to a class of provider, from requiring for the purpose of utilization review or as a condition of providing benefits under the plan that a provider in the class: (1) provide any data element not in the set of comprehensive data elements specified under such standards; or (2) transmit or present any such data element in a manner inconsistent with the applicable transmission or presentation standards. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil monetary penalty on any health insurance plan (with exceptions) that fails to comply with such provision. (Sec. 615) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission in collection and use of data and operation of data systems to monitor and advise the Secretary concerning the standards established under this subtitle and operational concerns about the implementation of such standards. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Directs the Secretary to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program (to assure the availability of comparative value information to purchasers of health care in each State) that meets specified criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to enable each State to plan the development of, and initiate the implementation of its health care value information program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 622) Directs the Secretary, if a State has failed to develop or implement such program, to implement a comparable program in the State. (Sec. 623) Requires the head of each Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to promptly develop and make available to States and to providers and consumers of health care services relevant to health care value information. Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws - Provides that, effective January 1, 1996, no effect shall be given to any State law provision that requires medical or health insurance records (including billing information) to be maintained in written rather than electronic form. Title VII: Anti-Fraud and Anti-Rationing - Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for health care fraud. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Attorney General, in special circumstances, to make payments of up to $10,000 to a person who furnishes information unknown to the Government relating to a possible prosecution for health care fraud, subject to specified limitations. Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities - Amends the SSA to apply Federal health anti-fraud and abuse sanctions to all fraud and abuse against any health insurance plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify opportunities for the satisfaction of community service obligations that a court may impose upon the conviction of a criminal ofense involving Medicare or State health care programs; and (2) make information concerning such opportunities available to Federal and State law enforcement officers and State and local health care officials. Subtitle C: Protection Against Rationing of Treatment - Prohibits a health care provider or health insurance plan from denying medical treatment or insurance coverage that a patient is otherwise qualified to receive against the wishes of a patient (or if the patient is incompetent, against the wishes of the patient's guardian) on the basis of the patient's present or predicted age, disability, degree of medical need, or quality of life. (Sec. 722) Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applicable to any person who is denied medical treatment or insurance coverage, or who has reasonable grounds for believing that such person is about to be subjected to such denial, in violation of this subtitle. Permits an individual subjected to such denial (or a person who would be entitled to bring a cause of action for the individual's wrongful death) to obtain damages.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act - Prohibits foreign assistance funds from being used to provide assistance to any country for any portion of a fiscal year during which the country prohibits or restricts the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance to any other country. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the President determines and notifies the Congress that providing assistance: (1) is in the national interest; or (2) will benefit directly non-military personnel who are in immediate danger resulting from a natural or manmade disaster (provided that such assistance is humanitarian assistance distributed directly to such personnel or through international relief organizations).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the United States Botanic Garden; and (2) pay all surcharges received from such coin sales to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
Deficit Reduction Lock Box Act of 1994 - Establishes the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund consisting of amounts contained in deficit reduction lock box provisions of appropriations Acts. Reduces discretionary spending limits by amounts transferred to the Fund. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that amounts resulting from reduced spending under general appropriations bills be placed in the Fund. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to score all general appropriations measures as passed by the House and Senate and to publish such scorecard in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business Subtitle C: Preemption Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law Title III: Malpractice Reform Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADE) Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants Health Reform Consensus Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families - Requires each employer to make available to each eligible employee a group health plan under which: (1) coverage of each eligible individual with respect to such employee may be elected on an annual basis; (2) coverage is provided for at least the required coverage specified; and (3) employees may elect to have premiums collected through payroll deduction. Does not require employer contributions to the cost of coverage under such a plan. Provides for the exclusion of: (1) employers who have been employers for less than two years or who have no more than two eligible employees or no more than two eligible employees not covered under any group health plan; and (2) family members under specified circumstances. Specifies that a group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this Act solely because a period of service by an eligible employee of not more than 60 days is required for coverage. Specifies that the required coverage is standard coverage, except that in the case of a small employer that has not contributed during the previous plan year to the cost of coverage for any eligible employee under any group health plan, the required coverage for the plan year is coverage under a standard plan and a catastrophic plan. Provides for a five-year transition for existing group health plans. (Sec. 1002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compliance with applicable requirements through multiple employer health arrangements; and (2) coverage options under a State medical health allowance program. (Sec. 1011) Prohibits a group health plan from imposing (and an insurer from requiring an employer from imposing through a waiting period for coverage under a plan or similar requirement) a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to treatment of a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition relates to a condition that was not diagnosed or treated within three months before the date of coverage under the plan; or (2) the limitation or exclusion extends over more than six month after the date of coverage, applies to an individual who, as of the date of birth, was covered under the plan, or relates to pregnancy. Specifies that, in the case of an individual who is eligible for coverage under a plan but for a waiting period imposed by the employer, the individual shall be treated as having been covered under the plan as of the earliest date of the beginning of the waiting period. (Sec. 1012) Requires each group health plan to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition for similar benefits with respect to an individual to the extent that the individual, prior to enrollment in such plan, was covered for the condition under any other health plan. (Sec. 1013) Prohibits: (1) a multiemployer plan and an exempted multiple employer health plan from canceling or denying renewal of coverage under such a plan for an employer other than for nonpayment of contributions, fraud or other misrepresentation, noncompliance with plan provisions, failure to maintain minimum participation rates (in the case of a small employer) misuse of a provider network provision, or because the plan is ceasing to provide any coverage in a geographic area; (2) an insurer from canceling a health insurance plan or denying renewal of coverage other than as prescribed above; and (3) an insurer who terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area from offering such a plan to any employer in the area until five years after the date of the termination. (Sec. 1021) Makes provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 applicable with respect to enforcement of this Act (by the Department of Labor). Imposes a civil penalty ($100 per day for each individual involved, subject to specified limitations) on the failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements of sections 1011 through 1013, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) determines that the State has in effect a regulatory enforcement mechanism that provides adequate sanctions. Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make available to each small employer in the State a standard plan and a catastrophic plan, with exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and if a State provides for guaranteed availability (rather than guaranteed issue). Requires each insurer that offers a standard or catastrophic plan to a small employer in a State to accept: (1) every small employer in the State that applies for coverage; and (2) every eligible individual who applies for enrollment on a timely basis. Sets forth provision regarding: (1) special rules for HMOs; (2) timely enrollment requirements; and (3) enrollment of spouses and dependents. Makes such requirements inapplicable in a State that has provided (in accordance with specified standards) a mechanism under which each insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer in the State must participate in a program for assigning high-risk small employer groups (or individuals within such a group) among some or all such insurers, if the insurers comply. (Sec. 1102) Defines "health plan" as a health insurance plan that: (1) is designed to provide standard coverage with substantial cost-sharing or only catastrophic coverage; (2) meets applicable requirements relating to guaranteed issue; (3) meets specified consumer protection standards; and (4) meets any participation requirements with respect to an applicable reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. States that standard coverage includes: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physicians' services; (3) diagnostic tests; (4) specified preventive services; and (5) specified inpatient hospital care for mental disorders. Sets forth coverage scope, including that there be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of items number one, two, and three in the preceding sentence. Sets forth exceptions. Sets forth limitations on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Defines a catastrophic benefits package. Provides for the determination of target actuarial values for standard and catastrophic coverage. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to request NAIC to develop model regulations that specify standards with respect to requirements: (1) that insurers make available health plans; (2) of guaranteed availability of health plans to small employers; (3) relating to limits on premiums and certain consumer protections; (4) relating to limitation of annual premium increases; and (5) for standard and catastrophic coverage. Requires the Secretary to review such standards and, if NAIC fails to specify standards meeting such requirements, to promulgate standards. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the application of health plan standards and consumer protection standards by the States; (2) the Federal role; and (3) consumer protection standards. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding limits on premiums and annual premium increases; and (2) requiring an insurer, at the time of offering a health insurance plan to a small employer, to fully disclose rating practices for health insurance plans, including rating practices for different populations and benefit designs. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) request NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for health insurance plans made available to small employers for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models or specify models. Sets forth provisions regarding implementation of reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms by the States and the Federal role. (Sec. 1108) Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Health Care Coverage. Requires the Office Director to submit to the Congress annual reports evaluating health care coverage reform. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes the Director to conduct: (1) research on the impact of this subtitle on the availability of affordable health coverage for employees and dependents in the small employers group health care coverage market and other specified topics; and (2) demonstration projects relating to such topics. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods for measuring the relative health risks of eligible individuals in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under health insurance plans and, in particular, health plans; (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among insurers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Preemption - Prohibits: (1) State benefit mandates for group health plans; and (2) State or local law prohibitions against two or more employers obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1203) Preempts State restrictions concerning: (1) reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) differential financial incentives; and (3) utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a limited exemption under preemption rules for multiple employer plans providing health benefits subject to certain Federal standards. Relieves exempted multiple employer plans providing medical care benefits of certain restrictions on preemption of State law. Treats such plans as employee welfare benefit plans. Allows commencement of new arrangements only if such exemption is in effect or an application is pending and the Secretary of Labor determines that provisional protection is appropriate. Sets forth exemption procedures, eligibility requirements, and additional requirements applicable to exempted arrangements. Requires certain disclosures to participating employers, maintenance of reserves, and corrective actions. Provides for expiration, suspension, and revocation of exemptions, and for review of actions by the Secretary. (Sec. 1213) Revises provisions relating to scope of preemption rules, and to treatment of single employer arrangements and of certain collectively bargained arrangements. (Sec. 1215) Establishes special rules for employee leasing healthcare arrangements. Treats such arrangements as multiple employer welfare arrangements except when they are multiple employer health plans. (Sec. 1216) Sets forth enforcement provisions relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements and employee leasing health care arrangements. (Sec. 1217) Sets forth filing requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1218) Provides for cooperation between Federal and State authorities in enforcing ERISA requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements with the limited exemption. (Sec. 1221) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the commonality of interest or geographic location requirement for tax exempt trust status for multiple employer health plans and insured multiple employer health plans if they meet certain requirements under ERISA and this Act. (Sec. 1231) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method providing for a single annual report with respect to all employers who are covered under the same insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1241) Provides for compliance with applicable coverage requirements through multiemployer plans and other multiple employer health arrangements. Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a permanent extension and increase in the health insurance tax deduction for self-employed individuals. Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse - Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control health care fraud and abuse; (2) conduct investigations, audits, and inspections relating to the delivery of payment for health care; and (3) facilitate enforcement of provisions of the Social Security and other Acts applicable to health care fraud and abuse. Authorizes additional appropriations as necessary. (Sec. 2003) Establishes the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Excludes from participation in Medicare and State health care programs any individual or entity convicted of: (1) fraud in connection the delivery of a health care item or service; or (2) a felony related to a controlled substance. (Sec. 2103) Subjects to a civil monetary penalty any individual or entity offering inducements to individuals to receive any service or supply from a particular provider. (Sec. 2104) Permits the imposition of intermediate sanctions in addition to the current option of termination, for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Requires each government agency and health care plan to report to the Secretary any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner. Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law - Establishes a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment for knowingly: (1) defrauding any health care plan; or (2) fraudulently obtaining money or property in connection with the delivery of health care items, benefits, or services. Permits a payment of up to $10,000 to any person furnishing information relating to any such crime. Title III: Malpractice Reform - Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions - Sets forth, for this title, findings, purposes, and definitions. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims - Makes this subtitle applicable to any medical malpractice liability action brought in a Federal or State court and to any medical malpractice claim subject to an alternative dispute resolution system. (Sec. 3102) Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice liability action in either a State or Federal court unless there has been an initial resolution of the action under an alternative dispute resolution system. Directs the Attorney General to establish an alternative dispute resolution process for medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States. (Sec. 3104) Sets limits on both noneconomic damages and punitive damages. (Sec. 3105) Provides for the periodic payment of future losses. (Sec. 3106) Limits attorney's fees. (Sec. 3108) Sets forth special provisions for certain obstetric services. Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution System (ADR) -Requires a State's alternative dispute resolution system, among other things to: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims within the jurisdiction of the State's courts; (2) issue a written opinion resolving the dispute within six months of a defendant receiving notice; (3) qualify individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system; and (4) notify the appropriate State agency if there is a finding of malpractice, unless the provider contests the ADR decision. (Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board in order to advise the Secretary regarding the establishment of State and Federal ADR systems. Provides for the certification of State ADR systems by the Board. Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification - Preempts State quill pen laws. (Sec. 4102) Provides for the confidentiality of electronic health care information. (Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary to establish national goals for the health care industry concerning: (1) standardization for the electronic receipt and transmission of health plan information; (2) use of uniform health claims forms and identification numbers; (3) priority of insurers when benefits are payable under two or more health plans; and (4) availability of information among health plans when benefits are payable under two more plans. Requires the Secretary to promulgate requirements if the industry does not meet the goals. Provides for monetary penalties on any health plan that does not meet the Secretary's requirements. Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care - Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to operate a program under which States establish projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of various innovative health care delivery approaches through the operation of community health authorities. Requires a community health authority to be a nonprofit entity that: (1) serves a geographic area that includes those designated by the Public Health Service Act as medically underserved or as being in a health professions shortage area; (2) enrolls the Medicaid eligible; and (3) provides for the provision of at least preventive services, primary care services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and other services. (Sec. 5002) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to migrant and community health centers for the development of health service networks to serve high impact areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1999. Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health - Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for the following: (1) immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis; (3) lead poisoning prevention; (4) preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers; (5) the Office of Minority Health Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and (6) the Office of Minority Health; and (7) the preventive health and health services block grant. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the development and publication of explicit guidelines on the application of antitrust laws to the activities of health plans; and (2) establish a review process under which the administrator or sponsor of a health plan may submit a request to the Attorney General to obtain a prompt opinion from the Department of Justice on the plan's conformity with Federal antitrust laws. (Sec. 6002) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of public advantage by the Attorney General to each eligible health care collaborative activity if there is a finding that the benefits that are likely to result from carrying out the activity outweigh any reduction in competition that is likely to result and such reduction is reasonably necessary. Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants - Requires certain executive branch agencies to prefund government health benefits contributors for their annuitants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Designates March 23, 1994, the 92d birthday of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement), as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) not have extended diplomatic recognition to the Skopje regime that insists on using the Greek name of Macedonia; and (2) reconsider this decision and withdraw diplomatic recognition until such time as such regime renounces its use of the name Macedonia, removes objectionable language in paragraph 49 of its constitution (calling for the unification of neighboring territories in Greece and Bulgaria with the Macedonian Republic), removes symbols which imply territorial expansion such as the Star of Vergina in its flag, ceases propaganda against Greece, and adheres fully to Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe norms and principles.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Prohibits the Department of Transportation or any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from requiring any State or political subdivision to convert highway signs to metric units.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Small Business Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual retirement account to be pledged as security for a qualified business loan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service should make such recommendation to the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Commercial Mortgage Capital Availability Act of 1993 - Sets forth a regulatory scheme under which qualified insured depository institutions meeting prescribed reserve and capital requirements may execute mortgage loan transfers with a recourse arrangement. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to modify the definition of "mortgage related security" to include notes directly secured by a first lien on real estate with commercial structures located upon it (thus bringing such securities within the purview of the Act). Directs the Secretary of Labor to exempt commercial mortgage related securities transactions from: (1) certain restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and (2) certain taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Mandates that securities relying on the provisions of this Act comply with all Federal securities laws relating to disclosure to investors, registrations, reporting and anti-fraud provisions. Requires insured depository institutions to maintain the minimum adequate capital prescribed by regulatory banking agencies when executing mortgage backed securities transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Federal Regulation Cost-Benefit Assessment Act of 1993 - Provides for the application of Executive Order 12291 of February 17, 1981, as in effect on that date, to each agency, with respect to the issuance and review of Federal regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Tobacco Education and Child Protection Act - Declares it to be unlawful to manufacture, package, distribute for sale, or advertise tobacco products without specified health warning labels. Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 one year after the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test Family, Investment, Retirement, Savings, and Tax Fairness Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Disallows the interest deduction for such property to ensure that equity financing receives the same treatment as debt financing. Provides special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax for 1994. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. Other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent. Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Truth in Voting Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for downward adjustments in Appropriations Committees allocations and suballocations when bills are passed that reduce appropriations and require rescissions. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide scorecards for such measures. Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Establishes conditions under which meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees may be closed to the public. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television or radio broadcast and still photography. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress as such Act applies to executive agencies. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule for the consideration of a measure commonly known as a "king of the hill" rule. Repeals rule XLIX (statutory limit on the public debt). Amends rule XXVIII to prohibit conference committee reports from funding any program or activity at a level higher than that contained in the bill or resolution as passed by the House or Senate or from funding any program not contained in such versions. Requires the President's annual budget to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report reported by a committee or considered on the floor. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that is not accompanied by such statement unless the point of order is waived by a two-thirds vote. Requires regulations and proposed regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to be accompanied by such statements as well.
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