United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should attend the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992 as the leader of the U.S. delegation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) any verbal commitments by Japan to reduce its trade barriers to U.S. products or services should be reduced to a binding agreement; (2) the President should initiate negotiations with Japan to reduce such barriers, with the goal of protecting U.S. jobs; (3) in addition to the Structural Impediment Initiative talks, the President should pursue negotiations with respect to auto parts, automobiles, semiconductors, insurance, agriculture, aerospace, and other areas in which he considers Japan maintains a market barrier; and (4) U.S. citizens should purchase more U.S. goods and services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 to make permanent the transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account of income tax revenues attributable to the taxation of tier II railroad retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require Federal agencies that plan to terminate operations on real property owned by the United States to identify property on which no hazardous substance was stored for one year or more, released, or disposed. Requires the identification to be based on an investigation of the property to determine the presence of hazardous substances. Sets forth minimum requirements for the identification. Requires identifications to be made: (1) at least six months before the termination of operations on the property; and (2) with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or, in the case of property that is not part of a facility on the National Priorities List, with the concurrence of the appropriate State official. Requires deeds entered into for the sale or transfer of an identified property by the United States to any other person to contain: (1) a covenant warranting that any response action found to be necessary after the date of such sale or transfer shall be conducted by the United States; and (2) a clause granting the United States access to the property in any case in which a response action is necessary at the property or on adjoining property. Declares that, in the case of a covenant required in deeds for the transfer of U.S. property on which a hazardous substance was stored or released, remedial action has been taken if the construction and installation of an approved remedial design has been completed and the remedy is operating properly. Requires such covenants to contain a clause granting the United States access to the property in any case in which remedial action is found to be necessary after the date of such transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends: (1) the Consumer Credit Protection Act to require a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to include in any consumer report information provided by a State child support agency or verified by another government entity on the failure of the consumer to pay overdue child support; and (2) the Social Security Act (SSA) to require States to provide CRAs with information on overdue child support obligations of absent parents. Eliminates: (1) the requirement under the SSA that such information be made upon the request of the CRA; and (2) the authority of the State under the SSA to impose a fee upon the requesting CRA for the furnishing of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
United States Commercial Center Pilot Program Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, as a pilot program, a United States Commercial Center in one country each in the Baltics, including one of the former Soviet republics, Asia, and Latin America to provide additional resources for the promotion of exports of U.S. goods and services to such countries. Requires the Secretary to use the Market Development Cooperator Program to assist the Centers in providing such resources. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Recovery Plans - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary (either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as program responsibilities are vested) to: (1) develop and implement recovery plans by December 31, 1996, for listed endangered and threatened species for which such plans have not been developed as of December 31, 1992; and (2) do the same for such non-listed species as of December 31, 1992, within two years after the species is listed. Title II: Penalties and Enforcement - Waives the 60-day notice requirement with respect to the filing of a civil suit by an individual in the case of an action against any person respecting an emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of any listed species of fish or wildlife. Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations to carry out the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the resolutions of its parties as well as to enforce this Act. Title III: Habitat Conservation Plans - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with any State, municipality, county, or local government to assist in the development of a plan for the conservation of any threatened or endangered species. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans, under specified conditions, to any such entities: (1) in the development of such plans; (2) to carry out biological and other studies in connection with it; and (3) related tasks. Establishes the Habitat Conservation Planning Fund for the deposit of all appropriated sums to assist in the development of conservation plans. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Equal Remedies Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law relating to damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination to remove provisions limiting the dollar amount of damages awarded for pecuniary and nonpecuniary losses and punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should continue to support the full protection of the African elephant through the unqualified listing of all populations of the African elephant on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Title I: Additional Safeguards to Protect Taxpayers' Rights - Subtitle A: Taxpayers' Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayers' Advocate, headed by the Taxpayers' Advocate, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Office to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Taxpayers' Advocate to annually report to specified congressional committees on Office activities. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayers' Advocate. Authorizes the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking such actions). Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for installment agreements. Suspends the failure to pay penalty during any period an installment agreement is in effect. Subtitle C: Interest - Extends from ten days to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Provides for the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the error or delay of an IRS managerial act. Increases the interest rate for overpayment of tax from two percent to three percent (making such rate equal to the interest rate for underpayment of tax). Waives interest on all overpayments refunded within 45 days after a return is filed. Subtitle D: Joint Returns - Requires separate deficiency notices in the case of a joint income tax return if the most recent data available to the IRS shows that such spouses did not file a joint return with each other. Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Subtitle E: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the United States, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Subtitle E (sic): Erroneous and Fraudulent Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary to take reasonable steps to corroborate the accuracy of an information return when making a determination of a deficiency by a third party, when such return is disputed by the taxpayer. Subtitle F: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner, or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; and (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure. Requires the Secretary to disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty. Subtitle G: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Repeals the "substantially justified" test for determining whether a taxpayer may recover costs and fees incurred as part of an administrative or court proceeding. Provides for the awarding of reasonable litigation or administrative costs to a prevailing party who represents himself in an administrative or court proceeding. Makes IRS employees personally liable in certain cases. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Subtitle H: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Provides for the treatment of returns prepared for or executed by the Secretary for purposes of certain tax penalties. Provides protection for taxpayers who rely on certain guidance published by the IRS. Title II: Form Modifications, Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that taxpayers are aware of permission to pay tax in installments, extensions of time for payment of tax, and compromises of tax liability; (2) improve procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; (3) include in a specified publication a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals; (4) ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the Federal tax system and that the public is aware of penalties for failure to collect and pay over tax; and (5) notify taxpayers any payments that cannot be associated with any outstanding tax liability. Subtitle B: Studies - Requires the Secretary to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a pilot program for appeals of certain enforcement actions (including lien, levy, and seizure actions; (2) a study on ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with IRS laws; (3) the scope and content of the IRS taxpayer-rights education program for its officers and employees; and (4) cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees and the disposition of such complaints. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a study of notices of deficiency; (2) the accuracy and clarity of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications; and (3) a study of IRS employee-suggestion programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Calls upon the President, as part of the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) talks, to initiate negotiations to make GATT compatible with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other U.S. health, safety, labor, and environmental laws, including laws to protect the environment outside of the United States. Declares that the Congress will not approve legislation to implement any trade agreement (including the Uruguay Round of the GATT and the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement) that jeopardizes such laws, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Medicare Outpatient Diabetes Education Coverage Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of outpatient education services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) there is a need for the development of a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to encourage investment in human and material resources, to harness our inventive genius to the marketplace, to secure the education and training of a competitive citizenry and workforce, and to stimulate cooperative efforts between the private and public sectors at all levels of business, education, and government; and (2) such a strategy will help the United States achieve its goal of being the strongest Nation on Earth economically and militarily, so that it remains the greatest Nation in support of human dignity, freedom, and democratic ideals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
House of Representatives Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, Matching Funds, and Reduced Third-Class Mail Rate for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set forth limitations regarding House of Representatives election expenditures, contributions, and matching funds. Limits aggregate contributions received and expenditures made by an eligible House of Representatives candidate in an election cycle to $600,000, with specified additional limitations in general, special, and runoff elections. Establishes the Make Democracy Work Fund (the Fund) for payment of funds and initial expenditures incurred by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the administration of this Act. Outlines FEC examination, audit, and repayment procedures to determine candidate compliance with this Act. Subjects FEC actions to judicial review. Directs the FEC to report to the House of Representatives regarding: (1) candidate expenditures made and balances remaining in the Fund after each election; and (2) a detailed explanation and justification of rules, regulations, and forms it has issued under this Act. Precludes a House of Representatives candidate from receiving funds from the Make Democracy Work Fund without prior certification that any television commercial was prepared or distributed by the candidate in a manner that readily permits closed captioning of the commercial's oral content by way of specified broadcast technology. Amends Federal Postal Service law to provide reduced third-class mailing rates to eligible House of Representatives candidates during a general election period. Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor Contributions That May Be Accepted By House of Representatives Candidates; Miscellaneous Provisions Relating To Contributions Under The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 - Sets forth limitations on political committee and large donor contributions (and contributions by dependents not of voting age) that may be accepted by House of Representatives candidates. Mandates that contributions to candidates from State and local political party committees be aggregated. Increases the amount that multicandidate political committees may contribute to national political party committees. Deems corporate or labor union expenditures for candidate appearances, debates, or voter guides to be contributions if the corporate or labor organization expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or favors one candidate over another. Title III: Requirement of Budget Neutrality - Provides that the net costs of providing certain benefits under this Act must be fully offset by specified measures that either raise revenues or reduce spending by a specified deadline (thus achieving budget neutrality). Title IV: Independent Expenditures - Modifies definitions relating to independent expenditures. Sets forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. Title V: Bundling and Soft Money - Prohibits any person from acting as conduit or intermediary for any contribution to any candidate, except in specified circumstances. States that such persons are likewise prohibited from conducting or participating in joint fundraising activities with or on behalf of any candidate. Sets forth limitations upon the combined political activities of political committees of political parties. Prohibits incumbents and candidates for Federal office from soliciting contributions to certain organizations substantially engaged in voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns. Mandates that political committees established and maintained by a national political party shall report all receipts and disbursements during the reporting period, whether or not in connection with an election for Federal office. Title VI: Prohibitions Relating to Political Committees and Foreign Nationals - Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee other than a principal campaign committee, or certain authorized committees (thereby prohibiting the use of leadership committees). Allows such leadership committees to continue making contributions until one year after January 1, 1993, after which time all funds must be disbursed in one or more specified manners. Prohibits an unauthorized political committee from using the name of any candidate in any fundraising activity on its behalf in a context which suggests that the committee is the candidate's authorized committee. Prohibits a foreign national from controlling, influencing, or participating in election-related activities, including making contributions or expenditures relating to any political election or the administration of a political committee. Title VII: Campaign Surplus - Mandates that the funds exceeding $600,000 of incumbents who are House of Representatives candidates be deposited in a separate account subject to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Title VIII: Campaign Advertising - Prescribes guidelines for campaign advertising related to: (1) printed communication; and (2) broadcast or cablecast communication. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to entitle House of Representatives candidates to the lowest unit rate charged by a licensee for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time for the same period on the same date, during the 30 (currently 45) days prior to the primary election and the 45 (currently 60) days prior to the general election). Prohibits the licensee from pre-empting such a candidate's use of the station except in an emergency. Title IX: Contribution Solicitation - Proscribes the solicitation of contributions by false representation by any person as a candidate or as a representative of a candidate or of a political party or committee. Title X: Reporting Requirements - Requires certain reports to identify any person (other than a committee) who contributes more than $50 (currently, more than $200). Directs the FEC to: (1) require with respect to specified reports that operating expenditures be reported on an election cycle basis, by category, as specified by the FEC; and (2) maintain computerized indices of contributions of $50.00 or more. Title XI: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Enterprise Capital Formation Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for gain on investments in new small business stock (seed capital) held for at least five years. Establishes special rules for such investments. Provides for determining the maximum capital gains rate for small business net capital gain or seed capital gain. Treats capital gains on the sale of such stock as a preference item for purposes of the minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Commends the film industry for its commitment to making films more accessible to the hearing-impaired. Urges such industry to continue to make the development of open-captioning and other technology to aid the hearing-impaired an integral part of the film production and distribution process. Encourages: (1) filmmakers to produce and distribute versions of some films that are open-captioned or have advanced amplification systems; and (2) movie theatres to have at least some preannounced screenings of versions of featured films that are open-captioned.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1991
Designates December 4, 1991, as Federal Civilian Employee Remembrance Day to recognize contributions provided by Federal civilian employees during the attack on Pearl Harbor and during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1991
Market Opportunity and Reciprocal Enforcement Act of 1991 - Title I: Response to Priority Foreign Practices That Adversely Affect United States Sectoral Competitiveness - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the U.S. Trade Representative, in identifying market barriers and certain unfair trade actions, to: (1) identify, if for a calendar year the United States merchandise trade balance (excluding crude petroleum imports) was in deficit, each foreign country that accounted for not less than 15 percent of such deficit and had a global current account surplus for such year in an amount not less than such deficit; and (2) specify each act, policy, or practice that was implemented by a foreign country with respect to any goods sector or service sector that accounted for not less than ten percent of the merchandise trade deficit between the United States and such foreign country during such calendar year. Makes permanent the program know as "Super 301" which identifies trade liberalization priorities. Applies such program to sectoral priority practices. Requires the President, if the U.S. Trade Representative finds violations of trade practices, to: (1) direct the Trade Representative to take certain action to obtain the elimination of the foreign practice; or (2) submit to the Congress an alternative plan for eliminating such practice. Sets forth congressional procedure if the President submits such a plan. Requires the Trade Representative to initiate an investigation under "Super 301" whenever specified congressional committees adopt a resolution that states that it is the opinion of such committees that a foreign country is engaging in sectoral priority practices. Title II: Trade Agreements Compliance - Allows any person that has a significant economic interest that is being, or has been, adversely affected by the failure of a foreign country to comply materially with the terms of a trade agreement to request the Trade Representative to undertake a review to determine such foreign country's compliance. Sets forth provisions for such review and the actions to be taken by the Trade Representative under "Super 301" upon an affirmative determination.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1991
Repeals provisions of: (1) the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 concerning debt forgiveness on payments due to the Commodity Credit Corporation and debt reduction under the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative; (2) the International Narcotics Control Act of 1989 concerning debt-for-drugs exchanges; (3) the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1989 concerning debt relief; and (4) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991 concerning adjustment of Poland's and Egypt's debt. Prohibits the President, for purposes of providing debt relief to a foreign government, from using the authority of any law to relieve such government of liability on account of loans or credits provided under any program for which budget authority is provided by the annual Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Unremunerated Work Act of 1991 - Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to: (1) conduct time use surveys of unremunerated work performed in the United States (including household, agricultural, and volunteer work and work related to child care and other care services, food production, and family businesses); and (2) calculate the monetary value of such unremunerated work, separately for men and women, and include such value in statistics used to determine the gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Nuclear Testing Moratorium Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from conducting any explosive nuclear weapons test during the one-year period following the enactment of this Act unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union has conducted such a test during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to appropriations, to acquire lands identified as the Dennig Tract to become part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Requires the Secretary to manage the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic Corridor pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Establishes the Greer Spring Special Management Area. Directs the Secretary to restrict timber harvesting, permit hunting and fishing, restrict vehicular access on, and withdraw from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and from the operation of the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, lands within such area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) condemn the use of force in Yugoslavia; (2) recognize the independence of the Republics of Croatia and Slovenia; and (3) work for the cessation of hostilities leading to a negotiated settlement and peace in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1991
Medicaid Moratorium Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenues Act of 1988 to: (1) delay until September 30, 1992, the issuance of regulations changing the treatment under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes; and (2) maintain current regulations that allow intergovernmental transfers as a source of a State's expenditures for which Federal matching funds are available under the Medicaid program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to specified congressional committees a report on: (1) regulations to limit the use of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes to obtain Federal financial participation; (2) specific types of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes that may be used as sources of State expenditures for which Federal financial participation is available; and (3) any legislation that the Secretary believes is appropriate. Sets forth budget compliance provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1991
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), acting through the Office of Research and Development, to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the environmental research basis for wetlands delineation. Requires the Academy to report the findings of the study to the Congress, along with recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the EPA should not adopt proposed revisions to the Federal Manual for Delineating Wetlands until six months after the Academy submits such report.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1991
Foreign Aid Reporting Reform Act of 1991 - Directs the President, in conjunction with the submission of annual requests for enactment of authorizations and appropriations for foreign assistance programs, to submit to the Congress a single report containing: (1) an integrated justification for all foreign assistance programs proposed for the coming fiscal year; and (2) an assessment of when the objectives of those programs will be achieved so that the assistance can be terminated. Requires the President to include in such report general information regarding the foreign assistance program, as well as information concerning specific assistance recipients and centrally-funded programs. Directs congressional committees reporting legislation authorizing the enactment of or providing new budget authority for foreign assistance programs to include in reports accompanying such legislation an explanation for any change proposed in: (1) the total amount of new budget authority authorized or provided for any program as compared to the amount proposed by the President; or (2) the amount of assistance for any specific recipient or for any centrally-funded program as compared to the amount proposed by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1991
Provides that the period for which expenses of the former Speakers of the House of Representatives may be paid shall end three years after the expiration date of such term of office, except that in the case of a former Speaker who is receiving such expenses on the date of the enactment of this Act, the period shall end three years after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
Women's Business Procurement Assistance Act of 1991 - Amends the Small Business Act to require the President and the head of each Federal agency to include small business concerns owned and controlled by women within the Federal procurement contracts process. Declares that it is the policy of the United States that such business concerns have the maximum opportunity to participate in the Federal procurement contract process. Requires the Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization section in each Federal agency to designate a "women-in-business" specialist responsible for the execution of programs designed to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Establishes in the Small Business Administration the Office of Women's Business Ownership.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Employment Opportunities - Subtitle A: Nontraditional Employment for Women Act - Nontraditional Employment for Women Act - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to modify requirements regarding women in nontraditional employment (defined as occupations or fields where women comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals) relating to: (1) job training plans and coordination and special services plans; (2) the duties of the State job training coordinating council; and (3) the use of certain funds. Requires States to develop demonstration programs to train and place women in nontraditional employment. Subtitle B: Worker Retraining Act of 1991 - Worker Retraining Act of 1991 - Mandates grants to not more than ten States to plan, establish, and operate worker retraining initiatives to allow employed low-income individuals to advance from low skill to higher skill positions. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Women in Apprenticeship Occupations and Nontraditional Occupations Act - Women in Apprenticeship Occupations and Nontraditional Occupations Act - Requires the Department of Labor to promote an outreach program to employers to inform employers of the availability of technical assistance in preparing the work place to employ women in apprenticeable occupations and other nontraditional occupations. Mandates a report to the Congress on the participation of women in apprenticeable and other nontraditional occupations. Subtitle D: Glass Ceiling Act of 1991 - Glass Ceiling Act of 1991 - Establishes a Glass Ceiling Commission to study and report to the President and appropriate committees of the Congress concerning: (1) eliminating artificial barriers to the advancement of women and minorities; and (2) increasing the opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities to foster advancement to management and decision making positions in business. Establishes the National Award for Diversity and Excellence in American Executive Management. Allows a recipient business to publicize the receipt of the award and use the award in its advertising, if the business agrees to help other U.S. businesses improve with respect to the promotion of opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities to foster the advancement of women and minorities to management and decision making positions. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission and the authority to make awards four years after enactment of this Act. Subtitle E: Women and Minorities in Science and Mathematics Act of 1991 - Women and Minorities in Science and Mathematics Act of 1991 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with regard to women and minorities who are underrepresented in science and mathematics to mandate grants and contracts for education programs. Modifies existing provisions regarding: (1) off-campus programs; (2) adult and continuing education staff development; (3) research and research application in adult and continuing education; (4) the "talent search" and "upward bound" programs; (5) midcareer teacher retraining; (6) school, college, and university partnerships; (7) professional development resource centers; (8) congressional teacher scholarships; (9) model and cooperative education; (10) graduate education programs; (11) Harris fellowships; (12) graduate assistance in areas of national need; (13) the Minority Science Improvement Program; and (14) science and engineering access programs. Subtitle F: Commission on the Advancement of Women in the Science and Engineering Work Forces Act - Commission on the Advancement of Women in the Science and Engineering Work Forces Act - Establishes the Commission on the Advancement of Women in the Science and Engineering Work Forces. Title II: Women in Business - Subtitle A: Act for Microenterprise - Act for Microenterprise - Amends the Social Security Act to exclude business assets from consideration in determining: (1) eligibility for aid and services to needy families with children (AFDC); and (2) income and resources in connection with provisions relating to supplemental security income (SSI). Excludes income from a business with five or fewer employees, during the first year of the business, from consideration in determining the amount of aid under AFDC and SSI. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to require approval of any State law making unemployment compensation payable to individuals starting microenterprises. Requires State law to entitle an individual performing services in a microenterprise to receive regular or extended unemployment compensation. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to allow assistance under certain provisions of the Act to be used for: (1) loans to commercial enterprises with five or fewer employees, one or more of whom own the enterprise; and (2) counseling, technical assistance, educational programs, planning, and training to facilitate such commercial enterprises. Amends the Small Business Act to set forth Congressional findings regarding microenterprises and implementation of loan programs under specified provisions of the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to add references to microenterprise loans to provisions defining "qualified thrift investments." Requires each Federal banking agency to establish a division to be known as the Microenterprise Technical and Operations Office to offer technical assistance, training, outreach, and other support. Subtitle B: Microlend for the Future Act - Microlend for the Future Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make loans and grants to community based organizations for the startup and expansion of microenterprises, with the organizations using the loans to make loans and the grants to provide technical assistance to microenterprises. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Women's Business Procurement Assistance Act of 1991 - Women's Business Procurement Assistance Act of 1991 - Amends the Small Business Act to add references to small businesses owned and controlled by women to provisions concerning: (1) Government-wide goals for participation of small businesses in procurement; (2) U.S. policy on small business participation in Federal procurement and on timely payment by prime contractors to small business subcontractors; and (3) a clause required to be included in Federal agency contracts. Requires that each Federal agency having procurement powers: (1) designate a specialist responsible for programs to assist small businesses owned and controlled by women; and (2) engage in affirmative efforts to identify and solicit offers from such businesses. Establishes in the Small Business Administration the Office of Women's Business Ownership. Subtitle D: Equal Surety Bond Opportunity Act - Equal Surety Bond Opportunity Act - Prohibits discrimination by a surety in any aspect of a surety bond transaction: (1) on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age; (2) because the applicant has exercised any right under this title; or (3) because the applicant previously obtained a bond through certain means. Specifies activities not constituting discrimination. Provides for civil and equitable relief and prohibits a company from being approved as a surety by the Secretary of the Treasury unless the company is in full compliance with the requirements of this subtitle. Amends Federal Law to require surety companies to be in compliance with this subtitle. Subtitle E: Small Business Access to Surety Bonding Survey Act of 1991 - Small Business Access to Surety Bonding Survey Act of 1991 - Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a survey and report to specified congressional committees on the experiences of businesses, especially small businesses, in obtaining surety bonds from corporate surety firms. Title III: Economic Justice - Subtitle A: Pay Equity Technical Assistance Act - Pay Equity Technical Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to carry out a continuing program regarding reducing or eliminating, conducting research on, and providing technical assistance concerning wage disparities based on sex, race, or national origin. Subtitle B: Legislative Pay Equity Study - Declares that it is congressional policy that persons employed in the legislative branch shall receive equal pay for comparable work. Establishes the Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Subtitle C: Part-Time and Temporary Workers Protection Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to set forth special participation, vesting, and accrual rules applicable to part-time and temporary employees. Allows limited reductions in employer-provided group health plan premiums for part-time employees. Modifies, for provisions relating to protection of employee benefit rights, the definition of "employee" to include persons who have performed at least 500 hours of service per year. Subtitle D: Child Support Enforcement Improvements Act of 1991 - Child Support Enforcement Improvements Act of 1991 - Shields a depository institution from liability under Federal or State law for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency attempting to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation. Prohibits the recipient enforcement agency from improperly disclosing the information and provides for civil damages. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to allow a consumer reporting agency to furnish a consumer report to such an enforcement agency that is making such an attempt. Amends the Social Security Act to require that a State plan for child and spousal support include certain procedures relating to the provision by an absent parent of medical insurance coverage for one or more children of a custodial parent. Increases the incentive payment to States for successful enforcement of court orders for the coverage. Modifies requirements concerning: (1) regulation of the interception of refunds from the internal revenue service; and (2) employer withholding of support payments. Provides for a national network to build on the statewide child support enforcement systems States are developing. Subtitle E: Dependent Care Tax Credit Refundability - Amends the IRC to allow as a limited refundable credit a portion of: (1) expenses for household services and for the care of a qualifying individual; and (2) respite care expenses. Subtitle F: Pell Grant Eligibility Expansion Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove provisions prohibiting, in certain circumstances, basic educational opportunity grants (BEOGs) to less than half-time students. Subtitle G: Federal Council on Women Act - Federal Council on Women Act - Establishes in the legislative branch the Federal Council on Women to make recommendations on a wide range of issues and concerns relating to women. Title IV: Retirement Equity - Subtitle A: Pension Reform Act of 1991 - Pension Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to modify requirements relating to the effective date of the application of nondiscrimination rules to integrated plans. Amends the IRC to repeal provisions relating to nondiscrimination requirements and permitted disparity with regard to contributions to pension plans, including simplified pension plans. Modifies minimum coverage requirements for qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans with regard to whether an employer operates separate lines or a single line of business. Amends the IRC and ERISA to modify minimum vesting standards to remove provisions relating to multiemployer plans. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees on alternative: (1) methods of requiring employee pension benefit plans to provide cost-of-living and other adjustments to benefits; and (2) pension portability mechanisms for preserving and enhancing the real value of deferred vested pension benefits. Allows a domestic relations court order entered after enactment of this Act and amending an order originally entered before 1985 to be considered a qualified domestic relations order for purposes of certain provisions of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984. Subtitle B: Spousal Pension Equity Act - Spousal Pension Equity Act - Amends provisions of the IRC relating to limitations on the amount of annual compensation taken into account to prohibit aggregation of spousal incomes when both spouses are licensed to perform services in the same professional field and perform the services for the employer. Subtitle C: Social Security Care Provider Act of 1991 - Social Security Care Provider Act of 1991 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to change the formula for determining the number of an individual's benefit computation years. Subtitle D: Social Security Modernization Act of 1991 - Social Security Modernization Act of 1991 - Amends OASDI to require, provided this method increases benefits, that the combined earnings of an individual and his or her spouse, during their marriage, be divided equally for determining OASDI benefits. Terminates the amendment made by this subtitle after the year 2015. Mandates studies every five years by the appropriate congressional committees to determine the effect of the termination on beneficiaries. Subtitle E: Former Military Spouses - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to apply amendments relating to retired pay to any divorces, dissolutions of marriage, annulments, and legal separations (currently, to any such events that occur more than 90 days after enactment of the Act). Subtitle F: Federal Employees Former Spouses - Amends the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984 to modify requirements for entitlement of a former spouse of a Federal employee or Member of Congress to a survivor annuity. Allows any former spouse who becomes eligible, because of this subtitle, for a survivor annuity, to enroll in a health benefits plan under specified provisions of Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
American Industrial Quality and Training Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, through the Technology Administration, to make competitive matching grants to establish and operate American workforce quality partnership programs for workforce training consortia of industry and higher education institutions. Requires such programs to establish partnerships between one or more technology-based or manufacturing sector firms and a local community or technical college to train and educate a significant portion of the industrial partners' employees at all organizational levels through workplace and classroom training programs. Requires each partnership to establish an advisory board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, in the Technology Administration, the American Industrial Quality Foundation to further the ability of U.S. industry to compete internationally. Sets forth the Foundation's functions, including identifying and disseminating information on best practices. Sets forth provisions for a Director and staff, an advisory committee, and user fees. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make competitive grants to develop and operate youth technical apprenticeship programs. Gives special consideration to applications providing for non-Federal contributions. Provides planning grants for such programs. Requires each grant recipient to establish an advisory board. Directs the Secretary of Labor, together with other appropriate entities, to establish and maintain a clearinghouse of youth apprenticeship programs in the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive matching grants to States for statewide technical education and training networks to develop plans or strategies to establish statewide systems to provide technical, technician, or technological skills and education by building upon Federal, State, and local programs through various methods. Requires State Governors to submit evaluation reports within three years of award of such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration and other relevant agencies, to compile information and statistics on the total annual expenditure of U.S. industry on formal worker training programs, quantity of training, and other relevant worker training information, by firm size, sector, industry, job classification, and purpose of training (as well as any other available and appropriate data such as international comparative data). Requires a biennial report to the Congress on such information in a useful format. Requires making such information available to U.S. industry. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Education, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, to report to the Congress on the feasibility of adopting principles of total quality management, as embodied in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, to improve the quality and relevance of secondary and postsecondary education.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1991
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment Improvement and Protection Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to include in the annual mailing to Medicare beneficiaries: (1) a clear and simple explanation of the availability of and the requirements to qualify for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) payment of their premiums, deductibles, and copayments under Medicare; (2) the toll-free telephone number to be established by the Secretary for information on such assistance; and (3) an initial application for such assistance. Directs the Secretary to develop a poster containing the information listed above and distribute it to service providers in order to publicize the availability of such assistance. Amends the Medicaid program to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish a process for using local Social Security Administration offices for the distribution and receipt of applications for such assistance; (2) transmit such applications to the appropriate State agency; (3) develop a form to be available at such offices which individuals may use to request additional information on or an application for such assistance; and (4) distribute such form to entities receiving grants for programs to provide services to older individuals. Requires States to provide for a process for receiving, distributing, and processing applications for such assistance and for responding to requests for information on or applications for such assistance. Allows individuals who qualified during a certain period for Medicaid payment of Medicare costs to temporarily apply for retroactive payment of any medical costs incurred but not paid under a State plan required to provide for making Medicaid payment of Medicare costs available to Medicare beneficiaries. Allows States, in determining the income level for individuals who seek to qualify for Medicaid payment of Medicare costs, to exclude expenses for medical care incurred by the individual that are not reimbursed under a public program of the State or political subdivision thereof, a health plan, or Medicare. Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program to provide outreach services to enable individuals who are entitled to receive Medicaid payment of Medicare costs to receive such assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Breast Cancer Screening Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certification in order for a facility to perform or interpret mammograms, inspect equipment, perform needle localizations or other procedures using mammography equipment, or conduct quality assurances oversight related to mammography. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and renew certificates for up to two years. Allows the Secretary to approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body which meets certain requirements, including inspecting facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish standards for facilities to assure the safety and accuracy of mammography; (2) specify organizations eligible to certify individuals to perform radiological procedures; (3) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to interpret screening mammograms; (4) establish standards regarding the qualifications for individuals to interpret screening mammograms; and (5) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to inspect screening mammography equipment and oversee quality assurance practices. Directs the Secretary to conduct annual announced and unannounced inspections of certified facilities. Provides for: (1) intermediate sanctions for certain violations; (2) suspension, revocation, and limitation of certificates; and (3) injunctions. Requires fees for certificate issuance and renewal, and for inspections, sufficient to cover costs. Requires annual publication of a list of facilities convicted of fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks, facilities that have had certificates revoked, suspended, or limited, and facilities that have been the subject of a sanction or other similar matters. Allows the Secretary to exempt facilities in a State with more stringent requirements from compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants for research on new methods of establishing a Mammography Registry; and (2) based on the research, establish the Registry. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that screening mammographies paid for under Medicare be performed by a facility: (1) certified under this Act; and (2) in compliance with specified provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1991
Defense Manufacturing and Critical Technologies Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program providing for the establishment of cooperative arrangements (partnerships) between the Department of Defense (DOD) and certain entities in order to encourage and provide for R&D of dual-use critical technologies (technologies having both military and nonmilitary commercial applications). Allows such entities (at least two participating jointly with DOD) to include one or more Federal laboratories, institutions of higher education, State governmental agencies, and other appropriate participants, as determined by the Secretary. Requires the joint participants to have a lead institution other than DOD to direct the activities of the partnership. Requires the non-DOD participants to contribute at least 50 percent of the total cost of the partnership activities. Provides for the protection of information disclosed concerning the R&D activities of the participants. Requires the Secretary to evaluate proposals for partnerships on a merit basis using a competitive selection process. Outlines selection criteria. Directs the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, to conduct a program to provide assistance for the activities of eligible regional critical technology application centers (centers) in the United States. Outlines provisions concerning eligible centers, program participants, and assistance authorized, including financial and technical assistance for authorized center activities. Limits such assistance period to six years. Requires: (1) the sponsoring agency of a center to pay at least 30 percent of the total costs incurred for center activities; and (2) the eligible firms participating in a center to pay at least 40 percent of such costs. Requires a center to operate under a management plan that requires participating firms to have the primary responsibility for directing the activities of the center and to exercise such responsibility through majority voting membership of such firms on the board of directors of the center. Outlines provisions concerning program administration as well as selection criteria for centers receiving such assistance. Establishes within the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering the Clearinghouse of Foreign Defense Technology Monitoring and Assessment (Clearinghouse) to: (1) maintain within DOD a central library for the compilation and dissemination of information and assessments regarding significant foreign activities in the R&D and applications of defense critical technologies; (2) establish and maintain data bases on such information and assessments; (3) perform certain liaison activities; (4) provide for public availability of such information and assessments; and (5) cooperate with the Department of Commerce in the dissemination of information and assessments regarding defense critical technologies having potential commercial uses. Directs the Secretary to establish a foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment grant program for the awarding of grants to participating organizations for the establishment of foreign critical technology monitoring and assessment offices in Europe, Pacific Ocean border foreign countries, and other countries as considered appropriate by the Secretary. Makes eligible for such grants any nonprofit industrial or professional organization that has economic and scientific interests in R&D and applications of commercial critical technologies. Requires each grantee to collect, evaluate, and disseminate to its organization and to the Departments of Defense and Commerce assessments of significant activities in R&D and applications of critical technologies that are conducted in the geographic area in which the office is located. Provides funding for FY 1992 and 1993 for critical technology programs and activities. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress at least biennially a multiyear strategic road map for each critical technology. Requires each road map to: (1) cover at least four fiscal years; (2) provide an assessment of current strengths and weaknesses in the national capability to develop and apply the technologies covered in the road map, and the sources of such strengths and weaknesses which enhance or hinder the development and application of such technologies; (3) ensure that results of federally-funded and conducted R&D of national critical technologies covered by the road map are appropriately disseminated to U.S. industry; and (4) include a discussion of the achievements of the activities conducted pursuant to the road map. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish one or more national critical technologies advisory committees. Directs the President to establish a schedule for the submission of such road maps at regular intervals between the enactment of this Act and October 1, 1996. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative arrangements (partnerships) with certain entities to encourage and provide for R&D of advanced manufacturing technologies with the potential for having a broad range of applications. Requires each partnership to be composed of participants from two or more eligible firms. Allows the inclusion of one or more Federal laboratories, institutions of higher education, State entities, and other participants as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Outlines provisions concerning program administration and participant selection criteria. Requires the Secretary to establish three or more partnerships within one year after the enactment of this Act. Provides FY 1992 and 1993 funding for such partnerships. Directs the Secretary to establish a program: (1) to support manufacturing extension programs of States, local governments, and private, non-profit organizations; (2) to promote the development of a broad range of such extension programs, including programs that provide for productivity and quality improvement activities; and (3) to increase the involvement of appropriate segments of the private sector in such programs. Establishes a Council on Manufacturing Extension to: (1) prescribe policies and procedures for the implementation of the program; (2) serve as a means for coordinating such program with related programs conducted by various Federal departments and agencies; and (3) develop a long-range strategic plan for the manufacturing extension activities of the Federal Government. Outlines application procedures for persons wishing to receive financial assistance for participation in the program, as well as criteria for choosing program participants. Limits the amount of financial assistance awarded to 50 percent of the cost of the program for the period in which the assistance is provided. Provides such assistance for at least five years, unless it is terminated earlier for good cause as determined by the Secretary. Allows a program participant to reapply after a terminated period of assistance. Provides FY 1992 and 1993 funding for such program. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Directors of the National Science Foundation (NSC) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to establish a program for making grants to institutions of higher education to support the: (1) enhancement of existing programs in manufacturing engineering education that are conducted by grantee institutions and meet specified requirements; and (2) establishment of new programs in manufacturing engineering education that meet such requirements. Requires at least one-third of the grants to be awarded for the latter purpose. Directs the Secretary to avoid geographical concentration of such awards. Directs the Secretary and the Director of NSC to enter into an agreement for carrying out the grant program. Outlines grant program requirements. Directs the Secretary to solicit from institutions of higher education proposals for grants to be awarded for the support of programs of manufacturing engineering education. Requires applications to be evaluated on a merit basis under competitive procedures. Outlines grantee selection criteria. Limits the Federal contribution of such assistance to 50 percent of the estimated cost of the activities involved. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to conduct a program to support specified activities of one or more manufacturing managers and experts at the institution of higher education involved. Outlines provisions concerning program administration and applicant selection criteria. Limits the Federal support of such program to 50 percent of the costs of activities to be supported by such assistance. Requires the Secretary to award at least ten such grants within one year after enactment of this Act. Provides FY 1992 and 1993 funding. Allows the Secretary to authorize the Secretaries of the military departments to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions for advanced research projects. (Currently, only the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is authorized to enter into such agreements or transactions.) Makes permanent (currently expires September 30, 1991) the authority to enter into such agreements. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees a plan for collecting and assessing information on the extent to which the defense industrial base of the United States: (1) procures weapons systems, subsystems, and components of such systems from foreign sources; and (2) is dependent upon such foreign sources for such procurement. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees a plan for the removal of barriers to the effective integration of the commercial and defense sectors of the U.S. industrial base. Requires the Secretary to designate an official within his Office to develop the plan. Requires annual development and submission to the Congress by the Secretary of a National Defense Manufacturing Technology Plan. Places FY 1992 and 1993 funding limitations on manufacturing technology-related R&D not specifically included in such annual Plan. Directs the Secretary to conduct a program for the development and use of advanced flexible computer integrated manufacturing capabilities in each of the military departments and the U.S. defense industrial base. Requires the continued development of Rapid Acquisition of Manufactured Parts technologies and applications as part of such program. Provides FY 1992 and 1993 funding for such program, with a specified capabilities-duplication prohibition within the military departments. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, to establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to U.S. institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations for the conduct of programs for U.S. scientists, engineers, and managers to learn Japanese language and culture.