United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1994
Foreign Tax Compliance Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in the taxation of controlled foreign corporations income attributable to imported property. Requires the separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income. Expresses the sense of the Congress that deficit reduction should be achieved in part by eliminating enforcement breakdowns that enable foreign-controlled corporations operating in the United States, and foreign persons investing in the United States, to pay no taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Marine Aquaculture Enhancement Act of 1994 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to include a marine aquaculture research, development, and technology transfer program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants, enter into contracts, and engage in specified other activities under such program to further research, development, education, and technology transfer in marine aquaculture and accelerate the development, growth, and commercialization of the domestic marine aquaculture industry. Specifies that the Program shall include research, development, technology transfer, education, and marine advisory programs that address specified issues, such as the application of marine biotechnology to aquaculture. Directs the Secretary to maintain within the Marine Advisory Service the capability to transfer relevant technologies and information to such industry. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) administration; and (2) grants and contracts, including funding. Requires the Director to estalish advisory committees and review panels and provide them with copies of appropriate grant and contract application evaluations prepared by directors of sea grant colleges. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to include among authorized objectives of: (1) coastal resource improvement grants, the development of a coordinated process among State agencies to regulate and issue permits for aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone; and (2) coastal zone enhancement grants, the adoption of procedures and policies to evaluate and facilitate the siting of public and private aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone which will enable States to formulate, administer, and implement strategic plans for marine aquaculture. Prohibits owning, contructing, or operating an offshore marine aquaculture facility except as authorized by permit. Authorizes the Secretary to issue, amend, renew, or transfer permits. Sets the term of a permit at ten years. Sets forth provisions regarding permit prerequisites, public and agency notice and comment, certification of compliance, permit revocation, surrender, renewal, and transfer, fees, civil penalties, and related issues. Directs the Secretary to establish minimum environmental standards for offshore marine aquaculture facilities designed to minimize the potential for inadvertent impacts on the marine environment, including specified safeguards. Establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a marine aquaculture development program, the Nantucket Program, to expand coastal economic opportunities. Directs the Secretary to provide grants under such Program to eligible coastal communities to develop marine aquaculture training and support activities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to establish in southern New Jersey a Multispecies Aquaculture Center. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1994
Designates August 1, 1994, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Authorizes the President to reassert America's commitment to the Helsinki Accords and requests him to: (1) convey to all signatories of the Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a vital element of further progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (2) develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of such process to address the major problems that remain.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Act of 1994 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of specified prostate cancer screening services and certain drug treatments for such cancer. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish fee schedules for such services. Amends Federal law to cover such screening and treatment services for veterans as a preventive health service. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for certain public health programs related to prostate cancer research and education. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to: (1) conduct and support prostate cancer health services and screening and treatment procedures; and (2) provide for the development, periodic review, and updating of clinically relevant guidelines, standards of quality, performance measures, and medical review criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Self-Sufficency Program Title II: Other Provisions Title III: Related Amendments Title IV: Effective Date Self-Sufficiency Act of 1994 - Title I: Self-Sufficiency Program - Amends part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to grant States the option of establishing a self-sufficiency program in lieu of a job opportunities and basic skills (JOBS) training program. Requires any State that chooses such option to require increasing percentages of AFDC recipients to participate in the self-sufficiency program, reaching 100 percent participation by the end of ten years. Makes exceptions for recipients in specified circumstances. Sets forth reductions in AFDC payments to recipients who fail without good cause to participate in the self-sufficiency program. (Sec. 101) Sets forth general requirements for a State self-sufficiency plan. Requires a State to make an initial assessment of the educational, child care, and other supportive services needs as well as the skills, prior work experience, and employability of each program participant, including a review of the family circumstances and the needs of any child of the participant. Specifies the contents of a participant's self-sufficiency plan, including an employment goal. Requires the State to require the participant to negotiate and enter into an agreement on a specific self-sufficiency plan. Requires a State agency to inform AFDC applicants and recipients of education, employment, and training opportunities and support services (including child care and health coverage transition options). Requires establishment of procedures for resolution of disputes involving an individual's participation in the self-sufficiency program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop performance standards for the program. (Sec. 102) Requires the guarantee of child care to participants in State self-sufficiency programs. Increases the Federal matching rate by ten percentage points for child care provided by States with self-sufficiency programs. (Sec. 103) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to repeal the requirement that families in States with self-sufficiency programs must have received AFDC for a minimum period before becoming eligible for transitional Medicaid benefits or transitional child care benefits. (Sec. 105) Provides for transitional Medicaid benefits and transitional child care benefits in States with self-sufficiency programs without regard to type of income that would otherwise result in ineligibility for benefits. (Sec. 106) Eliminates certain exceptions from the requirement that minor parents and pregnant minors without children live with a responsible adult in States with self-sufficiency programs. Title II: Other Provisions - Provides for disregard, in the determination of AFDC payments, of persons who become family members after the initial receipt of AFDC in a State with a self-sufficiency program. (Sec. 202) Provides for enhanced AFDC payments for participants in a self-sufficiency program. (Sec. 203) Requires a State to make a lump-sum diversion payment, equal to three times the appropriate monthly AFDC payment, to any eligible family not yet receiving AFDC if the caretaker relative will be employed by the end of the three-month period that begins with the date the family will become an AFDC recipient. Requires reduction of any subsequent payments to such family to recover such diversion payment. Provides for three months of child care for a family receiving a diversion payment. (Sec. 205) Requires a State plan to make two-parent families ineligible for AFDC until 30 days after either parent's loss of employment. (Sec. 206) Increases the earned income disregard in States with a self-sufficiency program. Eliminates the time limitation on such disregard. Increases from $1,000 to $2,000 the asset limitations in such a State. (Sec. 208) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to conform with this Act. Title III: Related Amendments - Denies welfare benefits to illegal aliens. Grants States the option to deny welfare benefits to aliens who are lawfully present in the United States. (Sec. 302) Requires provision to consumer reporting agencies of information on overdue child support obligations of absent parents. (Sec. 303) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for quarterly payments of the earned income credit. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1994
Congratulates: (1) the people of Germany on the unification of the nation and the city of Berlin; and (2) the U.S. armed forces, civilian administrators, and American people for five decades of sacrifice and support for Berlin. Recognizes and salutes the contribution of British and French allies in the defense of Berlin. Reaffirms the North Atlantic Treaty Organization obligations of the United States and America's continued support for a free, democratic, and united Germany. Welcomes the further enrichment of the relationship between the United States and Berlin based on fostering new traditions in economic and cultural links.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a need for a national campaign to heighten awareness about domestic battery and to end the silence that surrounds this type of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1994
Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1994 - Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to authorize the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate attesting to the adequacy of garbage reception facilities at a port or terminal only if an onsite inspection has been conducted prior to the issuance of a certificate. Makes such certificates valid for a period of five years unless there is a change of operator. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations that require the operators of ports or terminals subject to MARPOL Protocol (the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973) requirements relating to reception facilities to post placards stating that users should report facility inadequacies to the Secretary. Requires all vessels to display placards and conduct briefings that notify the crew and passengers of requirements of Annex V of the Convention. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to refuse or revoke certain permits to proceed or depart of foreign vessels in violation of MARPOL requirements. Provides for a toll-free telephone number for reporting MARPOL violations. Amends the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 to express the sense of the Congress that certain shipper insurance policies should not provide for the payment of penalties under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Requires persons in charge of vessels to include information on the disposal of onboard waste in the notice of arrival to the port. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Marine Debris Coordinating Committee. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to extend authorized appropriations for regional marine research programs from FY 1996 through FY 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1994 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities, including employing authorities of the House of Representatives, employing offices of the Senate, and instrumentalities of the Congress. Declares that: (1) this Act does not apply to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's partner; and (2) a disparate impact does not establish a prima facie violation of this Act. Prohibits quotas and preferential treatment. Declares that this Act does not apply to: (1) religious organizations (except in their for-profit activities); (2) the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Provides for enforcement. Disallows State and Federal immunity. Allows recovery of attorney's fees. Prohibits retaliation and coercion. Requires posting notices for employees and applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
Patent and Trademark Office Authorization Act of 1994 - Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for FY 1995. Prohibits a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees in the Office during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 1994, unless: (1) a law is enacted that specifically requires reductions in personnel or positions in such Office; or (2) the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks determines that such reduction is in the best interests of the Office and the public. Exempts the Office, during such five-year period, from any law imposing a restriction on hiring by the executive agencies or reductions in force by executive agencies to achieve reductions in the Federal work force.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
Multiple Sclerosis Home Treatment Equity Act of 1994 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide coverage and payment for self-administered betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) for patients with multiple sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) June 21, 1994, is designated as Freedom Summer Remembrance Day; and (2) it reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1994
Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize a State in which all or part of a Severe ozone nonattainment area is located to submit a plan revision requiring employers in such area to implement programs to reduce work-related vehicle trips and miles by employees. (Current law requires such States to submit such revision within two years of the enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990). Authorizes such revision to require employers in such areas to increase average passenger occupancy per vehicle in commuting trips between home and workplace during peak travel periods. (Current law requires specified increases in average passenger occupancy.) Authorizes (currently, requires) the revision to require employers subject to a vehicle occupancy requirement to submit a compliance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1994
African Conflict Resolution Act - Authorizes the President to provide assistance to: (1) strengthen the conflict resolution capabilities of the Organization of African Unity and subregional organizations established by countries in Subsaharan Africa; (2) provide for demobilizations of armed forces in Subsaharan African countries and for the retraining for civilian occupations of demobilized military personnel; and (3) nongovernmental organizations engaged in mediation and reconciliation efforts in Africa. Earmarks funds for such purposes from foreign assistance funds allocated for Subsaharan Africa. Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide education and training in conflict resolution and peacekeeping for civilian and military personnel of countries in Subsaharan Africa. Makes foreign assistance funds for military education and training available for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1994
Persian Gulf War Veterans' Compensation Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and implement a uniform case assessment protocol to ensure thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all Persian Gulf War (War) veterans suffering from illnesses the origins of which are currently unkown but which may be attributable to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during such War; (2) develop case definitions or diagnoses for such illnesses; and (3) implement a comprehensive outreach program, including a newsletter and a toll-free telephone number, to inform War veterans and their families of the medical care and other benefits that may be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of service in such War. Directs the Secretary to pay compensation to a War veteran suffering from a disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness if such disability becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within three years of separation from active military service. Provides exceptions to the payment of such compensation (i.e., when there is a preponderance of evidence to show that the disability was not incurred during such service or occurred after such service). Allows the Secretary to cease such payments after providing specified congressional committees with a scientific report showing that such disabilities are not connected to service in the War. Directs the Secretary to enter into: (1) an agreement with the Secretary of Defense for access to all clinical data on War veterans who remain on active duty, and to continually compile such data (with a required annual report); and (2) a contract for the conduct of an epidemiological study designed to assess the short- and long-term health consequences of service in such War (with appropriate oversight, a status report, and annual and final reports). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 2000 for such study. Authorizes appropriations to the Department for FY 1995 through 1998 for the conduct of research to advance the understanding of health risks and effects of service in the Gulf during such War and the means of treating such health effects.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act Title II: Mercury Containing Battery Management Act Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide information on the proper handling and disposal of used regulated batteries and rechargeable consumer products with nonremovable batteries. Defines a "regulated battery" as a rechargeable battery that contains a cadmium or lead electrode or other electrode chemistries as determined by the Administrator. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements and establishes inspection and access authorities for the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations. Title I: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act - Prohibits any person from selling to an end user for use in the United States a regulated battery or rechargeable consumer product manufactured on or after 12 months after this Act's enactment date unless: (1) the battery is easily removable from the product, is contained in a battery pack that is easily removable, or is sold separately; and (2) the rechargeable consumer product and the battery are labeled in accordance with this Act. Sets forth labeling requirements, including that the label contain a statement that the battery must be recycled or disposed of properly. Requires retail establishments that sell such batteries or products to post notices informing consumers that regulated batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly. Authorizes the Administrator, upon determining that other rechargeable batteries having electrode chemistries different from regulated batteries are toxic and may cause substantial harm if discarded for land disposal or incineration, to promulgate: (1) labeling requirements for such batteries and related products; and (2) easily-removable design requirements for rechargeable consumer products designed to contain such batteries or battery packs. Provides for exemptions from this Act's requirements under certain conditions. Title II: Mercury Containing Battery Management Act - Mercury-Containing Battery Management Act - Prohibits the sale or offering for sale or promotional purposes of: (1) alkaline-manganese batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1996, with a mercury content that was intentionally introduced (limits the content in alkaline-manganese button cells to 25 milligrams of mercury per button cell); (2) zinc carbon batteries manufactured on or after January 1, 1995, that contain mercury that was intentionally introduced; (3) button cell mercuric-oxide batteries on or after January 1, 1995; and (4) any mercuric-oxide battery on or after January 1, 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Newborn Infant HIV Notification Act - Requires a State, if it requires that the results of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of an infant be reported to it (or if the State conducts an HIV test of the infant), to disclose such results to: (1) the biological mother of the infant if the mother is the legal guardian; or (2) specified State agencies if the State is the legal guardian of the infant. Directs the State, in disclosing such results (other than to State agencies), to ensure that appropriate counseling on HIV is provided to the individual.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Patent Term Amendment Act of 1994 - Revises Federal patent law to establish a 20-year patent term from the date of filing. Provides that, where the issuance of an original patent is delayed because of a proceeding regarding situations where a patent application would interfere with a pending application or with an unexpired patent, the term of the patent shall be extended for the period of delay up to five years. Sets forth provisions with respect to the filing of a provisional application for a patent. Specifies that a provisional application shall not be entitled to the right of priority of any other application or the benefit of an earlier filing date in the United States. Directs the Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office to charge a $150 filing fee on each provisional application for an original patent.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1994
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, to the Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a gold medal in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity. States that no appropriations are authorized to implement this Act. Declares that the medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
National Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Act of 1994 - Declares that it is U.S. policy that: (1) Federal, State, and local agencies should plan and implement aquatic ecosystem restoration projects resulting in achievement of the interim goals of a net restoration of ten million acres of wetlands, 400,000 miles of streams and rivers, and one million acres of lakes (excluding the Great Lakes) by the year 2010, and long-term goals published by the National Aquatic Restoration Council (established by this Act); and (2) the Federal Government should provide leadership and technical and financial assistance to State and local governments, tribal organizations, other management entities, and private citizens to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate aquatic ecosystem restoration. Directs the Council to: (1) monitor achievement of the interim goals; and (2) upon determining that such goals have been achieved, establish and publish long-term goals in the Federal Register. Requires: (1) the President to establish an Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to develop a National Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Strategy; and (2) the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to seek to implement the Strategy. Sets forth the contents of the Strategy. Directs the Task Force, in developing the Strategy, to consider the national policy and recommendations contained in the National Research Council's 1992 report on Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems and the 1994 National Science Foundation's Freshwater Initiative. Directs the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, subject to the availability of amounts deposited into the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Fund (established by this Act), to provide financial assistance to a management entity to carry out each aquatic restoration project approved by the Council. Sets forth requirements regarding applications for assistance and review and approval of proposed projects. Requires the Task Force to submit to the President and publish in the Federal Register recommendations for sources of amounts for deposit into the Fund, consisting of fees imposed for use or degradation of water resources. Sets forth provisions regarding presidential and congressional review of the recommendations. Directs that amounts received by the United States pursuant to such recommendations be deposited into the Fund. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Designates September 16, 1994, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1994 (Memorial Day), September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1994 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service System on September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1994
National Community Service Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate students who volunteer to perform community service. Mandates that all surcharges received from such coin sales be paid to the National Community Service Trust to fund innovative community service programs at American universities, including the service, research, and teaching activities of the faculty and students involved in such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1994
Health Care Reform Assessment Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (or another nonprofit, nongovernmental organization or consortium of institutions) to study and report on the impact of health care reform legislation at the national, regional, and State levels. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the purpose of the study (to develop a detailed framework to assess the impact of health care reforms on national goals, such as assuring security of coverage, promoting simplicity of administration, achieving health care savings, encouraging individual responsibility, improving quality of care, promoting choice, and improving health status); and (2) reporting requirements (including recommendations regarding appropriate indicators of national progress towards meeting such goals, appropriate study designs, data elements and public and private sources of information for measuring such indicators, the nature, scope, and frequency of reports that would best serve in evaluating health reform efforts, overall cost estimates associated with obtaining and evaluating this information, and ways that health care reform assessment findings could be used by various groups). Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to seek to enter into such agreement to develop and report on baseline information to measure access to, and quality and cost of, health care and the individual and public health status of permanent residents of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1994
Permanent Housing for Homeless Families Act - Amends part A of title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of the Social Security Act to deem as emergency assistance to needy families with children any qualified State expenditures for construction, rehabilitation, purchase, or rental by State or local government or a nonprofit organization of permanent rental housing for homeless AFDC families. Requires a State to provide assurances that the average amount the State intends to expend per family for such emergency assistance for the fiscal year would not exceed such average amount for the immediately preceding fiscal year. Encourages the States to combine funds available for such purposes under the AFDC program with funds available under other Federal, State, or local programs, including the Community Development Block Grant program, the Home Investment Partnership program, and the programs under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1994
Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that the original jurisdiction of the district courts may not be invoked based on diversity of citizenship if all plaintiffs joined in the complaint are citizens of the State in which the district court in which the suit is filed is located. Deems: (1) the District of Wyoming to be located solely within the State of Wyoming; and (2) the portions of Yellowstone National Park situated in Montana or Idaho to be located in the District of Montana or the District of Idaho, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
Postal Inspection Service and Inspector General Act - Prohibits the Postal Service from retaining the services of a paid confidential informant for purposes of investigations concerning the possible violation of laws relating to controlled substances unless the unlawful use of the mails is involved. Directs the Postal Service to render a semiannual report to the Congress concerning any investigation: (1) in which the Postal Service retains the services of a paid confidential informant; and (2) which results in the arrest of one or more individuals for violating any law relating to controlled substances. Creates a Chief Postal Inspector within the Postal Service. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to transfer internal audit and program review functions of the Postal Inspection Service to the Office of the Inspector General. Confers oversight responsibility for all activities of the Postal Inspection Service on the Inspector General of the Postal Service. Requires the Chief Postal Inspector to report significant activities being carried out by the Postal Inspection Service to the Inspector General. Applies all provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978 to the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Grant's Tomb National Memorial Act of 1994 - Redesignates General Grant National Memorial, located at Riverside Drive and West 122d Street, New York, New York, as Grant's Tomb National Memorial. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) design and construct a visitors center at the Memorial to aid in its interpretation and to maintain its historical significance; and (2) acquire from the city of New York non-Federal lands located within the boundaries of the Memorial. Authorizes the Secretary to lease such lands or enter into a cooperative agreement for the management of them. Requires the Secretary to establish a study commission to review security and maintenance at the Memorial as well as plan for interpretive programs and for the complete restoration of it and to submit a written report regarding such study to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a final plan for such projects consistent with such report to the Congress; and (2) in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Secretary of the Army, to provide at least three military guards to protect the Memorial and the Site on a 24-hour basis every day in perpetuity. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Incentives Regarding Rural Health Care Title II: Public Health Service Programs Regarding Rural Health Care Subtitle A: National Health Service Corps Subtitle B: Other Programs Regarding Rural Health Care Title III: Provisions Relating to the Medicare Program Title IV: Treatment of Student Loans for Health Professionals Rural Health Professional Shortage Act of 1994 - Title I: Tax Incentives Regarding Rural Health Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any payment made on behalf of a taxpayer by the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Permits a deduction for medical education loan interest incurred by health professionals serving in medically underserved rural areas. Provides a credit for a qualified primary health services provider providing primary health services full time to individuals residing in a rural health professional shortage area and who: (1) is not receiving a National Health Service Corps Scholarship or a loan repayment under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program; (2) is not fulfilling service obligations under such Programs; and (3) has not defaulted on such obligations. Provides for an increase in the amount which may be expensed as depreciable business assets in the case of rural health care property. Title II: Public Health Service Programs Regarding Rural Health Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add additional criteria for use in determining health professional shortage areas by including in the criteria the number of individuals paying for health services through Medicare or Medicaid and the number of individuals who have no health insurance, as well as the number of physicians who will accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. (Sec. 202) Requires that at least five percent of appropriations for the National Health Service Corps be used for special loans for former Corps members to enter private practice in health professional shortage areas. (Sec. 211) Provides increased funding for the Scholarship Program and the Loan Repayment Program. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give priority in making scholarships to individuals from rural backgrounds who are likely, after their service, to serve in a rural health professional shortage area. (Sec. 221) Establishes in the Treasury the Rural Primary Health Care Funds for the purpose of making loans to assist individuals with the costs of attending professions schools if the individuals agree to provide primary health services in an underserved rural area. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 231) Requires a State, in order for the State to receive a grant for an Office of Rural Health, to undertake activities to recruit and train physicians to serve in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations for such Offices. (Sec. 232) Authorizes and increases appropriations through FY 1997 for area health education center programs. Title III: Provisions Relating to the Medicare Program - Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the geographic adjustment factor, beginning in 1999, with respect to payment amounts for physicians' services; (2) exempt rural hospitals from anti-kickback penalties for certain incentives provided to a physician, if the incentives are contingent upon the physician practicing in the area; and (3) extend the incentive payment for physicians' services furnished in a shortage area to certain nonphysician providers. Title IV: Treatment of Student Loans for Health Professionals - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to defer certain student loan repayments for a borrower who is serving in an internship or residency program in a health facility located in a rural area.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Courts Study Committee Recommendations Title II: Judicial Financial Administration Title III: Judicial Process Improvements Title IV: Judiciary Personnel Administration, Benefits, and Protections Title V: Criminal Law Title VI: Criminal Justice Act Amendments Title VII: Places of Holding Court Title VIII: Bankruptcy Title IX: Miscellaneous Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1994 - Title I: Federal Courts Study Committee Recommendations - Amends the Federal judicial code to increase the threshold amount in controversy (from $50,000 to $75,000) to qualify for diversity of citizenship jurisdiction. Provides for annual increases in that amount based on the percent change in the Consumer Price Index, effective January 1, 2000. (Sec. 102) Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to increase the period ( from 90 to 120 days) during which the court may continue a case in a civil action for deprivation of rights in order to require exhaustion of administrative remedies. Permits: (1) requiring exhaustion of remedies if the Attorney General has certified or the court has determined that such administrative remedies are fair and effective; (2) certification of grievance resolution systems for adults confined in correctional or pretrial detention facilities if such systems are fair and effective; and (3) the Attorney General to suspend or withdraw such certification at any time he has reasonable cause to believe the grievance procedure is no longer fair and effective. (Sec. 103) Amends the Federal judicial code to revise provisions regarding a bankruptcy judge's hearing of a proceeding related to a case under title 11. Specifies that if a party: (1) files a timely objection, the bankruptcy judge shall submit the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the district court, and any final order or judgment shall be entered by the district judge after considering the bankruptcy judge's proposed findings and conclusions and after reviewing de novo those matters to which any party has timely and specifically objected; and (2) does not file a timely objection, the party shall be deemed to consent to the findings and conclusions proposed by the bankruptcy judge, which shall become final, and the bankruptcy judge shall enter an appropriate order thereon. (Sec. 104) Amends the National Labor Relations Act to authorize the National Labor Relations Board, if any person violates a final order issued by the Board with respect to an unfair labor practice, to petition any U.S. district court in which the practice occurred, or in which such person resides or transacts business, for imposition of a monetary penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each day such person violates the order. Grants the district courts jurisdiction to impose such penalty. (Sec. 105) Amends the Federal judicial code to require the chief judge of the Court of International Trade to be the judge of the court in regular active service who is senior in commission of those judges who: (1) are 64 years of age or under; (2) have served for one year or more as a judge of the court; and (3) have not served previously as chief judge. Sets forth provisions regarding the precedence of judges in acting as chief judge. (Sec. 106) Repeals provisions prohibiting increasing the salary of any Federal judge or Justice of the Supreme Court except as specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Title II: Judicial Financial Administration - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that in FY 1993 and each fiscal year thereafter a specified amount shall be transferred annually to the judiciary into a special fund of the Treasury (special fund) for expenses incurred in: (1) adjudication of civil and criminal forfeiture proceedings that result in deposits into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund (except the expense of salaries of judges); (2) representation of offenders whose assets have been seized in forfeiture proceedings to the extent that such expenses of representation could have been recovered through an order for payment or reimbursement of the Defender Services appropriation; and (3) supervision by U.S. probation officers of offenders under home detention or other forms of confinement outside of Bureau of Prisons facilities. Requires the amount transferred to be: (1) a portion of the total amount to be transferred from the combined fiscal year deposits into both the Fund and the Department of Treasury Asset Forfeiture Fund, which total shall not exceed the statement of costs incurred by the judiciary in providing such services, subject to specified requirements; and (2) paid from revenues deposited into the Fund during the fiscal year in which the expenses were incurred and are not required to be specified in appropriations Acts. (Sec. 202) Makes moneys in the Judiciary Automation Fund available to the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts without fiscal year limitation for the procurement of automatic data processing equipment for program activities included in the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services accounts of the judicial branch. Permits: (1) the use of such Fund for support personnel in the courts and in the Administrative Office; and (2) all agencies of the judiciary to make deposits into such Fund to meet their automatic data processing needs. Terminates such Fund and authorities related to such Fund on September 30, 1999 (currently, 1994). Directs that all unobligated amounts remaining in such Fund on that date be deposited into the special fund (currently, the Judicial Services Account). (Sec. 203) Increases: (1) the fee for filing a civil action; and (2) the amount taken from such fees, or as part of a judgment for costs, to be deposited into the special fund. (Sec. 204) Provides that: (1) for FY 1994 and thereafter, of each fee collected for admission of an attorney to practice, $30 of that portion of the fee exceeding $20 shall be deposited into the special fund; and (2) any portion exceeding five dollars of the fee for a duplicate certificate of admission or certificate of good standing shall be deposited into the special fund. (Sec. 205) Directs that, upon an election by a bankruptcy judge or magistrate judge, all of the accrued employer contributions and accrued interest on those contributions made on behalf of the bankruptcy judge or magistrate judge to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund shall be transferred to the special fund, with exceptions. (Sec. 206) Provides that in every case in which the right to withdraw money deposited in court in pending and adjudicated cases has been adjudicated or is not in dispute and such money has remained so deposited and unclaimed for at least 90 days, the court shall cause such money to be transferred to the Director. Requires: (1) the Director to assume all fiduciary duties and responsibilities for such transferred money; (2) interest earned by such money while under the authorized control of the Director to be treated as interest earned on funds deposited in a court's registry; and (3) any charges collected by the judiciary for administering the funds to be deposited into the Registry Administration Account in the Treasury. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the Director, if necessary to develop and administer criterion referenced performance examinations for purposes of certification or other examinations for the selection of otherwise qualified interpreters, to prescribe for each examination a uniform fee. Requires the Director, in determining the fee, to consider the fees charged by other organizations for similar examinations. Grants the Director retroactive authority to include in any contract for the development or administration of examinations for interpreters a provision which permits the contractor to collect and retain fees in payment for contractual services. Title III: Judicial Process Improvements - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize all judicial districts to elect to utilize arbitration programs. Repeals certain limitations on the authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 302) Expands the duties of a magistrate judge on an emergency assignment. (Sec. 303) Authorizes only a person charged with a misdemeanor that is not a petty offense to elect to be tried before a judge of the district court for the district in which the offense was committed. Prohibits a magistrate judge from proceeding to try a case unless, after explaining to the defendant that he has a right to trial, judgment, and sentencing by a district court judge and that he may have a right to jury trial before a district judge or magistrate, the defendant expressly consents to be tried before the magistrate judge and expressly and specifically waives trial, judgment, and sentencing by a judge of the district court (and such consent and waiver shall be made in writing or orally on the record). Authorizes the magistrate judge, in a petty offense case involving a juvenile, to exercise powers granted to the district court. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a civil action in a State court from being removed to U.S. district court solely on the basis of concurrent jurisdiction over a claim under specified provisions of the Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the original jurisdiction of the district courts from being invoked if any plaintiff joined in the complaint is a citizen of the State in which is located the district court in which the suit is filed. Title IV: Judiciary Personnel Administration, Benefits, and Protections - Amends Federal judicial retirement provisions to list age and service requirements for retaining office but retiring from regular active service for persons age 60 through 64. Authorizes: (1) retroactive credit for resumption of a significant workload by a judge under specified circumstances; and (2) aggregation by a justice or judge for partial years worked. (Sec. 403) Revises provisions regarding: (1) the contribution rate for senior judges under the judicial survivors' annuities system; (2) the refund of contributions for deceased deferred annuitants under the judicial survivors' annuities system; and (3) disability retirement and cost-of-living adjustments of annuities for territorial judges. Specifies that any judge of the District Courts of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands who has served at least five years and who retires or is removed upon the sole ground of mental or physical disability, shall be entitled to receive during the remainder of such judge's life an annuity equal to 40 percent of the salary received when the judge left office or, in the case of a judge who has served at least ten years, an annuity equal to that proportion of such salary which the aggregate number of such judge's years of judicial service bears to 15. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the Director of the Federal Judicial Center to fix the compensation of no more than five percent of the positions of the Center at a level not to exceed the annual rate of basic pay of level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 407) Includes a congressional employee in the capacity of primary administrative assistant to a Member of Congress, or staff director or chief counsel for the majority or minority of a committee or subcommittee of the Senate or House of Representatives, among officials subject to creditable service for purposes of retirement upon completion of five years of service. Title V: Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize probation and pretrial services officers, if approved by the district court, to carry firearms under such rules as the Director of the Administrative Office may prescribe. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the court to direct the U.S. marshal to arrange or furnish: (1) transportation expenses to enable a defendant who is financially unable to provide transportation to consult with his or her attorney or to return to the place of his or her arrest or bona fide residence; and (2) lodging expenses during the defendant's travel to his or her destination during any proceedings at which his or her appearance is required or during the time he or she is consulting with counsel. (Sec. 503) Amends the Contract Services for Drug Dependent Federal Offenders Treatment Act of 1978 to reauthorize appropriations. Title VI: Criminal Justice Act Amendments - Amends the Federal criminal code to require that a Federal defender organization be established for any district or part of a district or combination of districts where the Judicial Conference determines that: (1) such an organization would be cost effective; or (2) the interests of effective representation otherwise require establishment of such an organization. Authorizes two adjacent districts or parts of districts to establish a defender organization to serve both areas. (Sec. 602) Permits the plan for any district which has not established a Federal defender organization to provide for the establishment of a panel attorney support office to assist the court in managing the panel of attorneys who provide representation pursuant to such plan. Requires such office to provide advice to appointed counsel, maintain a list of members of the panel, review vouchers for compensation prior to submission to judicial officers for approval, coordinate training of members of the panel, and perform any other duties in administering the plan for the district which the court may delegate. Requires the district court to appoint an administrator to direct such office. Specifies that: (1) the Administrator may be employed on a part-time or full-time basis and may appoint such number of employees as may be approved by the Director of the Administrative Office; and (2) such employees shall be subject to removal by the Administrator. (Sec. 603) Provides for the Judicial Conference to determine: (1) compensation for attorneys appointed by the court; and (2) maximum amounts of compensation for services other than counsel. (Sec. 605) Specifies that the services of paralegals and qualified law students shall be compensated or reimbursed at hourly rates established by the Judicial Conference. (Sec. 606) Amends the Federal judicial code to make provisions of the Tort Claims Act applicable to any claim for money damages for injury, loss of liberty, loss of property, or personal injury or death arising from malpractice or negligence of an officer or employee of a Federal Public Defender Organization in furnishing representational services. Title VII: Places of Holding Court - Amends the Federal judicial code to rename the Hammond Division in Indiana as the Western Division and to direct that court for such division be held at Lafayette and at a suitable site in Lake or Porter Counties. (Sec. 702) Directs that court for the: (1) Southern District of New York be held at New York and White Plains (as under current law) and in the Middletown-Wallkill area of Orange County, or such nearby location as may be deemed appropriate; and (2) Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas be held at Sherman (as under current law) and Plano. Title VIII: Bankruptcy - Authorizes a bankruptcy administrator or the bankruptcy administrator's designee to: (1) preside at a meeting of creditors and of equity security holders; and (2) examine the debtor at a meeting of creditors and administer the oath. (Sec. 803) Authorizes an entity injured by a willful violation of an automatic stay under a title 11 proceeding to recover actual damages, including costs and attorney fees, and (where appropriate) punitive damages. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the Director of the Administrative Office to pay a claim by a person summoned to serve or serving as a grand juror or petit juror for loss of, or damage to, personal property that occurs incident to that person's performance of duties in response to the summons or at the direction of an officer of the court. Grants the Director authority granted to the head of an agency for the consideration of employees' personal property claims. Requires the Director to prescribe guidelines for the consideration of claims. (Sec. 902) Expands workers' compensation coverage for jurors to cover traveling to or from the courthouse pursuant to a jury summons or sequestration order, or as otherwise necessitated by order of the court. (Sec. 903) Repeals a provision barring from jury service members of fire and police departments and public officers actively engaged in the performance of official duties. (Sec. 904) Considers a court reporter to be a full-time employee during any pay period for which the reporter receives a salary at the annual salary rate fixed for a full-time reporter. (Sec. 909) Provides that: (1) when the office of clerk of court is vacant, the deputy clerks shall perform the duties of the clerk in the name of the last person who held that office; and (2) when the clerk is incapacitated, absent, or otherwise unavailable to perform official duties, the deputy clerks shall perform the duties of the clerk in the name of the clerk. Authorizes the court to designate a deputy clerk to act temporarily as clerk of the court in his or her own name. (Sec. 910) Specifies that a judgment in an action for the recovery of money or property entered in any court of appeals, bankruptcy court, or in the Court of International Trade, as well as any district court, may be registered by filing a certified copy of the judgment, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 911) Authorizes magistrate judge positions in the district courts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 912) Repeals a provision authorizing any civil action, not of a local nature, against defendants residing in different districts in the same State to be brought in any of such districts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a minority graduate mentor program under which a small business concern that is a graduate of the small business and capital ownership development program (graduate concern) may serve as a mentor to small business concerns that are in the developmental stage of such program (developmental stage concern). Makes a participating graduate concern eligible to receive certain contracts upon agreeing to subcontract between 20 and 49 percent of the value of the contract to one or more developmental stage concerns. Requires program regulations to contain, at a minimum: (1) application requirements; (2) selection criteria; (3) procedures for establishing partnerships between graduate concerns and developmental stage concerns; (4) a description of the types of assistance that a graduate concern will provide to a developmental stage concern; (5) monitoring methods to be used by the Administrator to prevent abuse, including a requirement that all participants submit a financial capability statement at least every two years; and (6) procedures to permit a graduate concern and a developmental stage concern to terminate their partnership upon the completion of a contract.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to impose criminal penalties upon any person who buys or sells the social security account number of another without the owner's written consent.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1994
Risk Assessment Improvement Act of 1994 - Establishes a Risk Assessment Program in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires the Director of the Program to: (1) develop a process to conduct scientific peer review of all risk assessment guidelines developed by EPA; and (2) provide recommendations to the EPA Administrator on risk assessment, research needs, and development of guidelines. Directs the Director to regularly develop, issue, and, not less than every three years for each guideline, review the need to update guidelines that establish methods for conducting scientifically sound risk assessment. Sets forth contents of such guidelines. Requires the Director to oversee the use of risk assessment guidelines by EPA Program and Regional Offices and ensure consistency in the use of such guidelines as is appropriate in application to various environmental media or hazards. Permits departures from guidelines under specified conditions. Requires the Director to regularly develop, issue, and update guidance within EPA for any risk characterizations that may be conducted by EPA. Sets forth contents of such guidance. Requires the Director to: (1) promote open dialogue to improve the use of risk assessments by decisionmakers and to accurately and clearly communicate risk characterizations; and (2) regularly evaluate risk assessment research and training needs of EPA and develop a strategy and schedule for carrying out such research and training. Provides for, as part of the Program, a two-year pilot project using comparative risk analysis to rank dissimilar environmental risks and provide a common basis for evaluating strategies for reducing or preventing such risks. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) periodically survey the manner in which Federal agencies are conducting risk assessment; (2) provide recommendations to the President based on such surveys; and (3) establish interagency mechanisms to promote coordination of Federal risk assessment and mechanisms between Federal and State agencies to communicate state-of-the-art risk assessment practices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1994
Considers as nonobvious a process using or resulting in a product that is novel and nonobvious under provisions of Federal patent law if: (1) claims to the process and the product are contained in either the same patent application or in separate application having the same effective filing date; and (2) the product, and the process at the time it was invented, were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person. Requires a patent issued on such process to: (1) contain the claims to the product used in or made by that process; or (2) if such product is claimed in another patent, be set to expire on the same date as such other patent.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1994
Waterways Restoration Act of 1994 - Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to delete the requirement that each watershed improvement under such Act must contain benefits directly related to agriculture that account for at least 20 percent of the total project benefits. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and implement a Waterways Restoration Program which provides technical assistance and grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities for carrying out waterway restoration projects. Requires such projects to achieve ecological restoration or protection and one or more of the following objectives: (1) flood damage reduction; (2) erosion control; (3) stormwater management; or (4) water quality enhancement. Provides project descriptions and priorities, including the location of projects in low-income or economically depressed areas adversely impacted by poor watershed management. Outlines other project requirements, including a cost-benefit analysis. Requires the Secretary to designate Program administrators for each participating State (including a State agency if approved by the Secretary). Requires program grants to be awarded on an annual basis. Provides project application and selection requirements, including the establishment in each participating State of an interdisciplinary team of specialists to assist in reviewing project applications under the Program. Outlines conditions for receiving assistance under the Program, with sponsor and cosponsor requirements. Requires a non-Federal share of 25 percent of project costs, with a waiver for economically depressed communities. Limits the administrative and technical assistance costs of the Program. Requires the governor of each participating State to establish a citizens oversight committee to evaluate management of the Program in that State. Requires program administrators to issue annual reports summarizing the Program evaluations of the oversight committees. Provides funding.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1994
Radiation Experimentation Victims Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) report to the Congress on certain federally funded or conducted experiments that exposed individuals to radiation; (2) develop a plan to study the subsequent long-term health effects upon such individuals and their natural children; and (3) make recommendations to the Congress whether compensation is appropriate where the causal relationship between the contracting of a disease and participation in such experiments cannot be established.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
Health Research Act of 1994 - Establishes in the Treasury the National Fund for Health Research. Requires regional and corporate health alliances formed under a comprehensive health care reform program to set aside and transfer specified amounts each calendar year into the Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize individuals (other than nonresident aliens) to designate for payment into the Fund at least $1 of a cash contribution or of any tax overpayment made. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to distribute specified amounts from the Fund for various health research activities of the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Research Resources. Excludes Fund amounts from any budget enforcement procedures under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or the Balanced Budget Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
![Official portrait of Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/aafbff3191bce82c01bd1d2405611c07_200.jpg)