United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1991
Comprehensive Recycling Act of 1991 - Establishes as national goals: (1) the recycling of municipal waste; and (2) the creation and strengthening of markets for recycled materials. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide technical assistance and guidance to States on recycling methods and opportunities. Directs States to develop and implement comprehensive multimaterial recycling programs. Requires such programs to be designed to provide at least 20 percent of a State's population with an opportunity to participate in such programs within two years of this Act's enactment. Provides that such programs must be available to an additional 20 percent of a State's population every two years, until the entire population is provided with such opportunity. Sets forth minimum program requirements. Deems a State or its municipalities to be in compliance with this Act if they have in place an alternative program that meets this Act's requirements. Requires States to include recycling programs in the regional solid waste plan required by the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Makes States with approved plans eligible for Federal assistance for recycling infrastructures. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to make grants to States for the development of programs to promote the use of recycling techniques by businesses, local governments, or regional waste management authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1991
Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration as an Independent Agency - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, governed by a Social Security Board, to administer the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income program under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Transfers to the Board all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) pertaining to such programs. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Makes conforming amendments to titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on its administration under the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary of HHS to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Sets forth rules of construction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Japan must live up to its commitment to defend its own air space and sea lanes out to 1,000 nautical miles, and must alter its defense plans to include the purchase of the requisite number of AWACS early warning aircraft and support tankers; and (2) the Department of State should enter into negotiations with Japan leading to the successful assumption by Japan of the 1,000-mile defense mission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1991
Grand Canyon Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) operate Glen Canyon Dam and take other reasonable mitigation measures to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the condition of the environmental, cultural, and recreational resources of Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; (2) promulgate interim operating procedures for Glen Canyon Dam in consultation with the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, specified State Governors, and Indian tribes and with the full participation of the general public, including the academic and scientific communities, environmental organizations, the recreation industry, and contractors for the purchase of Federal power produced at Glen Canyon Dam; (3) implement such procedures pending development of long-term operating procedures; and (4) establish and implement long-term monitoring requirements. Subjects such operating procedures to the water storage and delivery functions of Glen Canyon Dam pursuant to laws relating to allocation of the Colorado River. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to deviate from such interim operating procedures to: (1) comply with requirements under this Act; (2) respond to hydrologic extremes or power system operating emergencies; or (3) further reduce adverse impacts on resources downstream. Directs the Secretary, no later than December 31, 1993, to complete the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies and the final Glen Canyon Dam Impact Statement as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Comptroller General to review the costs and benefits to water and power users and to natural, recreational, and cultural resources resulting from management policies and dam operations identified in the Impact Statement and report the results of such audit to the Secretary and the Congress. Directs the Secretary to implement the long-term operating procedures for the Dam, based on the Studies and the Statement and audit, alone or in combination with other reasonable mitigation measures, and to submit the Studies and the Statement and the long-term operating procedures to the Congress. Prohibits such long-term operating procedures from interfering with the primary water storage and delivery functions of the Glen Canyon Dam pursuant to laws relating to allocation of the Colorado River. Amends the Colorado River Storage Project Act to prohibit the Secretary from operating the hydroelectric powerplant at the Dam in a manner which causes significant and avoidable adverse effects on resources of the Grand Canyon National Park or the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be interpreted as modifying or amending laws relating to environmental or natural resources protection, with regard to the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1991
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Enforcement Act of 1991 - Directs the President to prohibit the importation of any article manufactured by a foreign person that knowingly exports, transfers, or otherwise engages in the trade of nuclear materials and eqiupment or technology in violation of U.S. export control laws. Requires the President to annually determine those persons who violate the provisions of this Act. Authorizes such persons to appeal such determinations to the U.S. Court of International Trade. Provides for termination and waiver of sanctions imposed under this Act. Authorizes the President, upon request of a person, to issue an advisory opinion of whether a proposed activity would be subject to sanctions under this Act. Authorizes U.S. persons to petition the President requesting that an investigation be conducted to determine whether sanctions are warranted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1991
Middle-Income Family Higher Education Savings Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,000 per year per child. Phases out such deduction based on adjusted income. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary. Permits a deduction with respect to only one account in cases of multiple accounts for the same beneficiary. Disallows the deduction for contributions made to an account after the beneficiary either attains age 25 or graduates from an eligible educational institution. Permits the exclusion from the gross income of the recipient beneficiary of payments and distributions from an education savings account as long as such amounts: (1) are used for the educational expenses of that individual; or (2) are rolled over into an education savings account established for a sibling of that individual. Exempts the education savings accounts themselves from taxation unless they cease to be proper education savings accounts because either the contributor taxpayer or the beneficiary engages in prohibited transactions or the beneficiary pledges the account as security. Establishes penalties in the form of additional tax when account funds or distributions are improperly used. Requires that the trustee of an education savings account report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's benefactor on the maintenance of the account. Identifies the criteria and requirements applicable to an education savings account. Provides that contributions to an education savings account shall not be subject to gift tax. Establishes: (1) a five percent excise tax on amounts connected with any prohibited transaction with respect to an education savings account; (2) a penalty for failure to file required reports concerning the education savings account; and (3) a tax on excess contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Natural Gas Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Natural Gas Act to extend the time within which the Federal Power Commission must take final action with respect to applications for rehearing of Commission orders. Permits applicants who are required to prepare environmental impact statements with respect to the construction or extension of facilities for the transportation of natural gas to elect a contractor, consultant, or other person designated by the Commission to prepare such statement at the applicant's expense. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Commission to utilize rulemaking procedures with respect to the establishment of rates and charges, or the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, including abandonment of natural gas facilities and services, and the establishment of physical connections under the Natural Gas Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to declare that the replacement or repair of natural gas facilities for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued shall not be considered the construction or extension of such facilities unless such replaced or repaired facility has substantially more or less delivery capacity than the original certificated facility, or such replacement or repair results in a reduction or abandonment of service provided by the original certificated facility. Requires the Commission to file notice in the Federal Register of proposed certificates of public convenience and necessity as soon as all required information has been received by it. Deems such certificates to have been issued if no protest or objection has been filed in response to such notice within 60 days after publication of such notice. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize the Commission to approve any intrastate pipeline to transport natural gas and to construct and operate natural gas facilities of any size or capacity to be used solely for the transportation of natural gas. Requires rates and charges of interstate natural gas pipelines to be just and reasonable. Amends the Natural Gas Act to authorize the President to designate as a priority project the construction or expansion of natural gas facilities over a specific route, or from a specific gas producing area, or into a specific gas consuming market if it is in the national interest. Requires the Commission to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction or expansion of such facilities if the President designates such facilities as a priority project. Declares that a certificate shall not be required for the construction or extension of natural gas facilities if such construction begins after enactment of this Act. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such construction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Extends the immediate retirement provisions applicable to Federal law enforcement officers to: (1) revenue officers for the Internal Revenue Service; (2) customs inspectors for the U.S. Customs Service; (3) customs canine enforcement officers for the U.S. Customs Service; and (4) inspectors for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1991); and (2) phase in an increase in the allowable deduction, reaching 100 percent for taxable years beginning in 1994 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1991
Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Leasing Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain Study Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for such promulgation and that no further studies or assessments shall be required. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1991
National Literacy Act of 1991 - Title I: Literacy: Strategic Planning, Research, and Coordination - Establishes an Interagency Task Force on Literacy. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to direct the Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education to coordinate literacy-related programs. Establishes the National Institute for Literacy and the National Institute Board. Authorizes the Institute to award Literacy Leader Fellowships. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make grants to establish a network of State or regional adult literacy resource centers. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Workforce Literacy - Establishes in the Department of Labor a National Workforce Literacy Assistance Collaborative. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to revise provisions for national workforce literacy strategies grants to business, industry, labor, and education partnerships for workplace literacy. Requires the Secretary of Education (the Secretary), in awarding grants for exemplary demonstration partnerships for workplace literacy, to: (1) give priority to partnerships which include small businesses; and (2) limit such grant awards to not more than three years. Directs the Secretary to reserve a specified amount, whenever appropriations for workforce literacy partnership grants exceed a certain level, to establish a program of grants for large-scale national workforce literacy strategies. Authorizes appropriations for AEA workforce literacy programs. Title III: Investment in Literacy - Extends through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for programs under the Adult Education Act (AEA). Revises the use of funds under the AEA basic State grants program. Requires that basic grants to States also be used for competitive two-year Gateway Grants to public housing authorities for literacy programs and related activities. Requires biennial evaluations and reports on such Gateway Grants. Revises AEA to give State advisory councils, plans, and evaluations literacy-related responsibilities. Requires States to report biennially to the Interagency Task Force on meeting literacy goals, coordinating workplace literacy services, and building a high quality delivery system for adult literacy programs. Provides for training educators to recognize and serve illiterate individuals more effectively. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise targeted assistance programs under ESEA to include training programs to enhance the ability of teachers and school counselors to identify, particularly in the early grades, students with reading and related problems which place them at risk for adult illiteracy. Renames the Even Start program under ESEA as the Even Start Family Literacy Program. Revises the program to expand eligibility to include community-based organizations or other nonprofit organizations of demonstrated quality applying in collaboration with a local educational agency (LEA) (as well as LEAs and LEA consortia). Sets minimum grant amounts. Makes individual children eligible from birth through age seven (currently from age one through age seven). Provides for continuation of eligibility for certain participants until the parents become ineligible due to educational achievement or until all children in the family attain age eight. Gives priority to applicants demonstrating that the area to be served has a high percentage or a large number of children and adults in need of program services. Authorizes appropriations for the Even Start Family Literacy Program. Establishes a Family Literacy Public Broadcasting Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, subject to availability of appropriations, to contract with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for production and dissemination of family literacy programming and accompanying materials to assist parents in improving family literacy skills and languages development. Requires CPB to: (1) cooperate with local public broadcasting stations; (2) arrange for distribution of audio and video instructional media materials for use, and distribution on loan, to families at sites chosen from among State and local libraries with literacy programs and nonprofit entities serving hard-to-serve populations; and (3) report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for the Family Literacy Public Broadcasting Program. Title IV: Business Leadership for Employment Skills - Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to provide for education programs for commercial drivers. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive matching grants for adult education programs which increase the literacy skills of eligible commercial drivers so that they may successfully complete the knowledge test requirements under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. Requires grantees to refer individuals identified as having literacy skill problems to appropriate adult education programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Books for Families - Revises the ESEA inexpensive book distribution program to require that priority be given in selection of additional local programs to those which serve children and students with special needs. Requires the program contractor (Reading is Fundamental) to report to the Secretary of Education annually on such additional programs. Amends the Library Services and Construction Act to direct the Secretary of Education, in awarding grants for library literacy programs and services, to give priority to those that: (1) will be delivered in areas of greatest need with highest concentrations of adults without secondary education or its equivalent, and which either have few community or financial resources or have low per capita income, unemployment, or underemployment; and (2) coordinate with literacy organizations and community-based organizations providing literacy services. Title VI: Students for Literacy - Amends HEA to authorize appropriations for Student Literacy Corps programs. Requires individual students in such programs, as a condition of course credit, to perform at least 60 hours of voluntary, uncompensated service as tutors in a public community agency's educational or literacy program. Title VII: Volunteers for Literacy - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to establish a Literacy Challenge Grants program. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to award such grants to eligible public and private entities to pay the Federal share of costs of establishing, operating, or expanding community or employee literacy programs that include the use of full- or part-time volunteers. Authorizes appropriations for Literacy Challenge Grants, but only if there are specified levels of funding for the VISTA Program and the VISTA Literacy Corps. Title VIII: Literacy for Incarcerated Individuals - Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to establish requirements for mandatory functional literacy programs for incarcerated adults in State correctional systems and local jails or detention centers. Requires such a program to be in effect in at least one major correctional facility, for each State correctional system and each local jail or detention center with an inmate population, within two years after enactment of this Act. Requires, if adequate funds are available, each State correctional system and each local jail or detention center with over 150 inmates to have such a program in effect within five years after enactment of this Act. Sets forth required components of such programs, including inmate mandatory participation any individual who is serving a life sentence without parole, or terminally ill, or under a sentence of death. Requires annual reports. Encourages: (1) parole agencies to make educational recommendations for those being released who do not have a marketable job skill or a high school diploma; and (2) jails with less than 150 inmates to develop such mandatory functional literacy programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Judicial Taxation Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny to inferior Federal courts jurisdiction to issue any remedy, order, writ, or other judicial decree requiring the Federal Government or any State or local government to impose any new tax or to increase any existing tax or tax rate.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
United Nations Sanctions Enforcement Act - Directs the President to prohibit the importation of a product from a foreign person that has been determinined to have knowingly assisted in the export or transfer of any item to a country that would have been prohibited under U.S. law implementing a United Nations Security Council resolution. Sets forth provisions with respect to the judicial review and waiver of such sanctions. Authorizes the Secretary of State, upon request, to issue advisory opinions on whether a proposed activity would subject the requester to sanctions under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Line-Item Rescission Act of 1989 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to allow the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, one or more special messages proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted on the same calendar day the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by a draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal. Requires the item of budget authority proposed to be rescinded to be made available for obligation unless both Houses adopt the bill rescinding such item within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Declares that: (1) Saddam Hussein should be held legally and morally responsible for the brutal treatment by Iraq of American and other allied prisoners of war and should be tried by an international tribunal for his crimes against such prisoners of war; and (2) under no circumstances should the nations allied against Iraq agree to an arrangement whereby Hussein would resign as president of Iraq in exchange for his not being prosecuted for such crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1991
National Biological Diversity Conservation and Environmental Research Act - States that the conservation of biological diversity is a national priority. Requires Federal actions to be consistent with such goal. Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to: (1) issue regulations to require agencies to assess the impacts of Federal actions on biological diversity in preparing environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and (2) identify those biotic communities, species, and populations that appear to be in decline, in imminent danger of loss of viability, or otherwise of special concern. Requires Federal agencies to review their programs for consistency with the conservation of biological diversity pursuant to this Act and to report the results of such reviews to the President, the Council, and the Congress. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in reviewing environmental impact statements, to take into account the impacts of proposed actions on biological diversity. Establishes an Interagency Working Committee on Biological Diversity to be responsible for developing a coordinated Federal strategy for conservation of biological diversity. Dissolves the Committee after the submission to the Congress of the strategy. Sets forth the required contents of such strategy and reporting requirements. Establishes a National Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation Research within the Smithsonian Institution to: (1) set research priorities; and (2) coordinate the understanding and promotion of knowledge of the biota and make such knowledge accessible to the public. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Council to retain the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice and counsel in the preparation of the Federal strategy; and (2) provide a general reference and scientific and technical advisory source for the Nation in matters relating to the conservation of biological diversity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs credit permanently. Increases the maximum age requirement for economically disadvantaged youth from 23 to 25.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1991
Cable Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize States, when cable companies have no effective competition and upon certification by the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) in areas not subject to State regulation, to ensure that rates for all cable services (including all fees, charges, and deposits) are reasonable. Defines "effective competition" to mean that: (1) fewer than 30 percent of the households in the cable community subscribe to the cable service of such cable system; or (2) the cable community is served by at least two unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributors each of which makes available comparable video programming to at least 80 percent of the households in such community, and the number of households subscribing to programming services offered by multichannel video programming distributors other than the largest multichannel video programming distributor exceeds 30 percent of such households. Sets forth criteria for the FCC or a State to consider in determining whether the rate for a cable service offered by a cable operator is reasonable, such as the number of signals included, direct costs paid by the cable operator to provide such signals, revenues received by the cable operator from a supplier of programming or advertising carried as a part of the service, the profitability of the cable service, whether the cable operator has substantially complied with the terms of the franchise agreement, the rates charged by the cable operator for other cable services in the franchise area, and local conditions that may affect the reasonableness of a rate. Sets forth procedures under which a cable operator or other interested party may file a petition challenging the regulation of cable service rates by a State. Prohibits any cable operator from unreasonably discriminating among subscribers or potential subscribers of cable service in connection with the services offered or the rates charged for such services. Requires the FCC to: (1) require cable operators to file, at least annually, such financial information as may be needed to administer and enforce this Act; and (2) establish minimum technical standards relating to cable systems' technical operation and signal quality, including testing procedures and protocols used to measure compliance with such standards. Authorizes States and franchising authorities to impose higher standards than the Federal Government for customer service. Directs the FCC to establish (and regularly review) customer service standards that ensure that all subscribers are fairly served, including: (1) requirements governing cable system office hours and customer service representative availability; (2) installations, outages, service calls, and response time; (3) billing and collection practices; (4) disclosure of all available services, tiers, prices, rates, and rights available to customers; and (5) subscriber complaint resolution procedures. Prohibits a video programmer in which a cable operator has an attributable interest and who licenses video programming for distribution from: (1) unreasonably refusing to deal with any multichannel video programming distributor; or (2) discriminating in the price, terms, and conditions in the sale of the video programmer's programming among cable systems, cable operators, or other multichannel video programming distributors if such action would have the effect of impeding retail competition. Limits the liability of a franchising authority to injunctive and declaratory relief, with exceptions. Sets forth provisions with respect to franchise renewal and grounds for denial of the renewal of a franchise. Establishes "must-carry" requirements under which a cable operator would be required to carry small, local independent and public stations as a condition of keeping its broadcast television programming license under the Federal Copyright Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should develop a plan for nations allied with the United States in the Persian Gulf crisis to bear a more equitable share of the costs of Operation Desert Shield on the basis of such countries' relative economic capability, military commitment, and security interests in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1991
Christopher Columbus Coin and Fellowship Act - Title I: Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins - Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the quincentenary of the discovery of America. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of such coins after June 30, 1993. Requires the Secretary to deposit surcharges from the sale of such coins in the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund for use by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Declares that no law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to the procurement of goods and services necessary for carrying out this Act, except that this provision shall not relieve any person from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity. Mandates that all amounts received from coin sales be deposited in the coinage profit fund. Title II: Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation - Christopher Columbus Fellowship Act - Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation to award fellowships to outstanding individuals to encourage new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind. Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund. Directs the Foundation to report to the President and to the Congress annually on its operations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1991
Allows payments under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for certain health care expenses incurred by members and former members of the uniformed services (and their dependents) who are entitled to retired or retainer pay and who are otherwise ineligible for such payments by reason of their entitlement to benefits under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act because of a disability.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
National Dividend Act of 1991 - Establishes a program for the distribution of certain corporate tax revenues to the registered voters of each State in the form of dividend payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the chief financial officer of each State, in accordance with a prescribed schedule, an amount equal to the National Dividend Payment, as computed under this Act, multiplied by the number of registered voters in the State. Sets forth criteria and procedures to govern: (1) the chief financial officer's selection of an incorporated bank to act as the State's disbursing agent; and (2) payments to qualified voters. Establishes in the Treasury the National Dividend Payment Trust Fund. Authorizes payment into the Fund of specified amounts from revenue received from: (1) the corporate income tax; (2) the tax on the unrelated business income of certain tax-exempt organizations; (3) the capital gains tax; (4) the tax on insurance company income; and (5) the alternative minimum tax on corporations. Establishes a National Dividend Review Board to review the manner in which payments are made from the Fund and to make investments of Fund amounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, all dividend income received by a taxpayer from domestic corporations, including dividends received under this Act. Increases the corporate income tax deduction for dividends received by a corporation on the preferred stock of a public utility. Prohibits corporate income tax rates from exceeding 34 percent. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to declare it out of order in either the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider budget resolutions for fiscal years 1993 and thereafter that would increase the level of total budget outlays beyond those budgeted for FY 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Sport Hunting Safety and Preservation Act of 1991 - Prescribes civil penalties for knowingly interfering with the conduct of a lawful hunt in a national forest or on other Federal lands. Authorizes injunctive relief, the recovery of actual and punitive damages, and the awarding of attorney's fees. Grants hunting and sportsman's organizations standing to sue under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Desert Shield Burden-Sharing Act of 1991 - Directs the President to determine whether each foreign country that receives trade benefits from the United States is making a commensurate contribution to the multinational military mobilization carried out in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Requires the President to impose an additional duty to dutiable products and a duty to duty-free products of countries that are found not to be contributing to the mobilization. Provides for the termination of such duties. Establishes the Desert Shield Reimbursement Fund to receive duties collected under this Act. Makes the Fund available solely to reimburse appropriations made to support U.S. participation in the mobilization.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
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 a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Revises the definition of "former prisoner of war," for purposes of eligibility for veterans' health benefits, to include veterans who evaded enemy capture while behind enemy lines for not less than 30 days during a period of war.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Enterprise Zone Jobs-Creation Act of 1991 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every four years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Title V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit the deferral of payments on student loans during professional internships of any duration (by removing a two-year limitation).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Language of Government Act of 1991 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because they communicate in English. Prohibits a Government entity from making or enforcing an official act requiring the use of a language other than English. Deems anyone discriminated against for communicating to the Government in English to have been discriminated against on the basis of national origin. Makes available to a person so discriminated against all lawful remedies available under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
National Commemorative Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Commemoratives to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed national observance be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national observances submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1991 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using, attempting to use, or permitting the use of any official information, unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent be reduced by the amount such individual receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 100 percent tax on income from frozen Iraqi assets. Authorizes the President to modify such tax if the armed forces of Iraq withdraw from Kuwait within the time and in the manner determined by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that limit the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement plans by active participants in employer-maintained retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1990
Designates the room numbered H-235 in the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol as the Lindy Claiborne Boggs Congressional Women's Reading Room.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1990
Jena Band of Choctaw Recognition Act - Extends Federal recognition and associated services and benefits to the Jena Band of Choctaw of Louisiana. Directs that the Tribe be governed by an Interim Council until the Secretary of the Interior conducts elections to adopt a constitution for the Tribe and to elect tribal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1990
Iraq Embargo Enforcement Act - Requires the President to prohibit the importation of products from a foreign person that exports to Iraq items whose export would not be permitted from the United States.
![Official portrait of Rep. Huckaby, Thomas J. (Jerry) [D-LA-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000901_200.jpg)