United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1994
Farm Viability and Pest Management Improvement Act of 1994: A National Program for Pesticide Reduction - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a pesticide reduction council in each EPA region. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out specified activities with respect to assessing and approving integrated pest management systems and pesticide reduction plans and goals and implementing programs to assist farmers in adopting such systems. Requires the Administrator to reduce or restrict the use of pesticides that contribute significant health and environmental risks or to amend labels of such pesticides in regions where goals of this Act have not been met. Requires the Administrator to set quantitative goals for reducing or eliminating the use of nonagricultural pesticides and carry out plans to achieve such goals within six years. Directs Federal agencies to establish pesticide reduction goals and to implement integrated pest management systems. Requires the Secretary to determine the percentage of food purchases throughout the United States that are organically produced. Directs Federal agencies to develop procurement plans that ensure that the percentage of an agency's purchase of organically produced food meets or exceeds such percentage, and meets or exceeds twice such percentage, within three and six years of this Act's enactment, respectively. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish a national pesticide use recordkeeping and reporting system for agricultural and nonagricultural applications. Imposes penalties for violations of recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Repeals certain existing pesticide recordkeeping requirements. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the goal of: (1) all pest and weed management research and extension activities within the Agricultural Research Service and the Cooperative Extension Service is the development and transfer of technology related to integrated pest management systems that reduce pesticide use; and (2) pest management research by the National Research Initiative in the areas of plant systems and natural resources and environment is development of biological, cultural, and other nonchemical methods of pest control that reduce pesticide use. Requires the Secretary to adopt regulations establishing priorities and resource allocations for competitive grants research in integrated pest management systems. Allocates at least ten percent of Agricultural Conservation Program funding for the integrated crop management program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Title II: Designation of American Heritage Areas Title III: Studies Regarding Potential American Heritage Areas Title IV: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments Title V: Bramwell National Historic District Title VI: Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area Amendments American Heritage Areas Act of 1994 - Title I: American Heritage Areas Partnership Program - American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Act of 1994 - Establishes the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program within the Department of the Interior, consisting of such Areas designated by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) evaluate nominated Areas; (2) advise State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities as to suitable methods of recognizing and preserving thematically and geographically linked natural, historic, and cultural resources and recreational opportunities; and (3) consider any designated Heritage Area for nomination to the World Heritage List if the Area meets the nomination qualifications. Provides that an area may be designated as an American Heritage Area only by an Act of the Congress or by the means provided in title II. Conditions such designation on the Secretary of the Interior's approval of an Area feasibility study and compact. (Sec. 106) Sets forth provisions regarding compacts (relating to the objectives and management of Areas proposed for designation) and management plans (which shall present comprehensive recommendations for the conservation, funding, management, and development of such Areas). Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance for early actions that are important to the theme of an Area and that protect resources that would be in imminent danger of irreversible damage otherwise. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the management entities named in the compacts for American Heritage Areas to receive Federal funds in support of cooperative partnerships to prepare and implement the management plans and otherwise perform the functions contemplated in this title. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) withdrawal of the designation of an Area; (2) matching grants; (3) technical and other assistance; (4) spending Federal funds on non-federally owned property; (5) reporting requirements; (6) duties of Federal entities conducting Area activities; and (7) the lack of effect of this Act on other land use regulation. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations. Specifies funding limitations. Title II: Designation of American Heritage Areas - Designates the following areas, subject to specified requirements, as part of the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program: (1) American Coal Heritage Area, West Virginia and Virginia; (2) Augusta Canal American Heritage Area, Georgia; (3) Cane River American Heritage Area, Louisiana; (4) Essex American Heritage Area, Massachusetts; (5) Hudson River Valley American Heritage Area, New York; (6) Ohio & Erie Canal American Heritage Area, Ohio; (7) Shenandoah Valley Battlefields American Heritage Area, Virginia; (8) Steel Industry American Heritage Area, Pennsylvania; (9) Vancouver American Heritage Area, Washington; and (10) Wheeling American Heritage Area, West Virginia. Title III: Studies Regarding Potential American Heritage Areas - Directs the Secretary to complete a study on the suitability and feasibility of designating the following as American Heritage Areas: (1) Ohio River corridor, from its headwaters in Pennsylvania to its confluence with the Mississippi River; (2) Fox and Lower Wisconsin River corridors, Wisconsin; (3) a corridor formed by Oconee and other specified counties, South Carolina; and (4) Tryon County, in the Mohawk Valley of New York State, and the Country of the Six Nations (Iroquois Confederacy). Title IV: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments - Amends the Act establishing the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to make changes with respect to boundaries, membership and termination of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, and plan revision and implementation. Directs the Commission to revise the Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan and submit the revised plan to the Secretary and the Governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island for approval. Specifies that the revision shall address any change in the boundaries of the Corridor that occurs after submission of the plan and shall include a natural resource inventory of areas or features that should be protected, restored, or managed because of the natural and cultural significance of the areas or features. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds for projects in the Corridor that exhibit national significance or provide a wide spectrum of historic, recreational, environmental, educational, or interpretive opportunities, without regard to whether the projects are in public or private ownership. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application procedures; and (2) funding and funding limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Bramwell National Historic District - Designates the Bramwell National Historic District, West Virginia. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of West Virginia, or any political subdivision thereof, to further the purposes of the Historic District. Sets forth provisions regarding the ration of non-Federal funds and agreements regarding payments. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area Amendments - Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Amendments Act - Amends the Act establishing in the Department of the Interior the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission (the Act) to designate the Southwestern Pennsylvania American Heritage Area. Specifies that such Area shall not be considered an American Heritage Area for purposes of the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program Act of 1994 or the American Heritage Areas Partnership Program. (Sec. 604) Directs the Commission to revise: (1) the management plan developed before the date of enactment of this title to provide for limited Federal involvement; and (2) the scope and cost document developed before such date to reflect the total cost of each project proposed for approval and the Federal portion of such cost. Specifies that both the management plan and the scope and cost document shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. Bars the Commission from making loans or grants involving Federal funds except as provided in this title. Limits specified funds available for the preservation or restoration of historic properties in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each project so assisted. Specifies that Federal funds available under the Act with respect to projects may be made available only for projects that are consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties promulgated by the Secretary. Sets forth additional funding limitations. (Sec. 606) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 607) Authorizes the Secretary to provide signs, interpretive materials, and other informational devices for a vehicular tour route known as the Path of Progress Heritage Route.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1994
Family Business Preservation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of estate tax on certain family-owned businesses. Provides for a recapture of tax benefits if the business is not held for at least ten years by the heirs or the heirs do not materially participate during such ten years. Provides that the limitation on the four percent rate of interest on estate tax extended for estates consisting largely of a closely held business is not applicable to estate tax attributable to qualified family-owned business interests. Extends the alternate valuation date from six months to 40 months for estates consisting largely of qualified family-owned business interests. Increases the tax exclusion for gifts to ancestors or descendants. Increases the unified estate and gift tax credits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
Welfare-to-Work Incentives Act of 1994 - Authorizes any State or local welfare program administering entity to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a waiver of compliance with any Federal statutory or regulatory requirement to the extent necessary to enable the applicant in determining eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under the program to disregard private sector income in accordance with rules set forth in the application. Specifies contents of a waiver application. Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove an application within 90 days after receipt. Specifies approval procedures. Requires periodic evaluations by an entity with a waiver of the effects of plan implementation on benefit recipients, their communities, and the costs of administering the covered program. Provides for suspension or termination of a waiver.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative stamp should be issued in honor of Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, educator, civil and human rights nonviolent leader, and public theologian.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should award Benjamin Elijah Mays the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in honor of his distinguished career as an educator, civil and human rights nonviolent leader, and public theologian and his many contributions to the improvement of American society and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1994
F.B.I. Volunteer Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to: (1) solicit, utilize, and administer personal property acquired in the name of the United States and obtained by gift or otherwise for use at FBI tour and training facilities; (2) recruit, train, and accept the services of individuals or entities, without compensation, as volunteers for or in aid of such facilities; and (3) provide for incidental expenses incurred from such gifts or volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1994
Amends title IV (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) to specify procedures for establishing paternity for non-hospital birthing centers. Requires the responsible State agencies to include on birth certificates the name and social security account number (if available) of each parent. Requires development of an affidavit for the voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. Requires State procedures providing that such an affidavit shall create a legal finding of paternity without further action upon the expiration of a 30-day challenge period following acknowledgement or notification of the results of genetic testing. Declares that the Congress encourages States to develop procedures in public hospitals and clinics to facilitate the acknowledgement of paternity. Conditions the payment of AFDC benefits on recipient cooperation in paternity establishment. Increases from 50 percent to 90 percent the basic rate required for substantial compliance with paternity establishment requirements. Sets forth formulae for the calculation of new requirements in States with between 50 and 90 percent and States with less than 50 percent Requires State procedures for prenatal paternity establishment efforts by State officials who become aware of a pregnant, unmarried recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1994
Child Support Enforcement Act of 1994 - Amends title IV (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of the Social Security Act to require State laws to have in effect procedures for seizure of lottery winnings, settlements, and payouts and for the sale of forfeited property to pay child support arrearages. Requires State procedures prohibiting the issuance or renewal of certain professional, occupational, business, and driver's licenses to noncustodial parents who are: (1) delinquent in the payment of child support; or (2) the subject of an outstanding failure to appear warrant related to a child support proceeding on the State's crime information system. Provides for: (1) attachment of bank accounts to satisfy child support arrearages; and (2) the reporting of child support obligations to credit bureaus. Requires State procedures under which each parent of an individual is liable for the financial support of any child of that individual to the extent the individual is unable to provide such support.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President is: (1) required to obtain the prior approval of the Congress before U.S. armed forces may undertake offensive military action against the military leadership of Haiti in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 940; and (2) recognized as having the inherent authority to use such forces to protect or evacuate U.S. citizens from imminent danger or for humanitarian purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1994
Congressional Occupational Safety and Health Act - Requires each employing authority in the legislative branch to comply with employer duties and occupational safety and health standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Directs the Comptroller General to procure by contract the services of an expert consultant in identification and correction of workplace safety and health hazards. Requires biennial reports. Limits contract authority under this Act to the extent and amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1994
Establishes a United States Design Council as an advisory committee within the Department of Commerce to promote excellence and innovation in the design of U.S. products and systems in order to enhance U.S. competitiveness, trade, and economic opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1994
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, to: (1) make optional the requirement that a State seek adjustment or recovery from an individual's estate of any medical assistance correctly paid on that individual's behalf under the State plan; and (2) raise from 55 to 65 the minimum age of the individuals against whose estates the State is permitted to seek such adjustment or recovery.
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 · 26 May 1994
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3266 (providing for automatic downward adjustments in the discretionary spending limits for FY 1994).
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 · 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 · 17 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Elimination of Baseline Budgeting Title II: Changes in Discretionary Spending Limits Title III: Expedited Rescissions and Targeted Tax Benefits Title IV: Treatment of Emergency Spending Common Cents Budget Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Elimination of Baseline Budgeting - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) with respect to the baseline to remove requirements for inflation adjustments, except for purposes of adjusting discretionary spending limits. Removes the requirement that adjustments made for expiring housing contracts be sequential and cumulative. Requires the President's budget to include: (1) estimated expenditures and appropriations for the current year; (2) new budget authority in budget outlay comparisons; and (3) a certain comparison of levels of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations that includes the proposed increase or decrease in spending in percentage terms. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make conforming changes to the development of the concurrent resolution on the budget. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to include in reports to budget committees certain current year comparisons and a table on sources of spending growth under current law in total mandatory spending for the budget year and the ensuing four fiscal years. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report annually to the Congress on all programs and activities with permanent or indefinite spending authority or those programs for which budget authority is not provided for in advance by appropriation Acts. Title II: Changes in Discretionary Spending Limits - Reduces discretionary spending limits for new budget authority for any fiscal year by the amount in the Deficit Reduction Account. Requires each appropriation or rescission bill to contain a Deficit Reduction Account containing amounts resulting from reduced spending. Title III: Expedited Rescissions and Targeted Tax Benefits - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of proposed rescissions of budget authority or repeals of targeted tax benefits. Title IV: Treatment of Emergency Spending - Limits emergency appropriations and legislation to the matter of emergency. Allows such a statute to contain other offsetting provisions that reduce spending or non-emergency appropriations for the designated emergency. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution containing an emergency designation, if the legislation provides an appropriation for any other item or matter.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Time-Limited Transitional Assistance Title II: Make Work Pay Subtitle A: Health Care Subtitle B: Earned Income Tax Credit Subtitle C: Child Care Subtitle D: AFDC Work Disregards Subtitle E: AFDC Asset Limitations Title III: The Work First Program Subtitle A: AFDC Subtitle B: Targeted Jobs Tax Credit Title IV: Family Responsibility and Improved Child Support Enforcement Subtitle A: Enhancement of Ability to Identify and Locate Noncustodial Parents Subtitle B: Paternity Establishment Subtitle C: Improvement of Child Support Order Establishment Process Subtitle D: Child Support Enforcement Title V: Teen Pregnancy and Family Stability Subtitle A: Federal Role Subtitle B: State Role Title VI: Program Simplification Subtitle A: Increased State Flexibility Subtitle B: Coordination of AFDC and Food Stamp Programs Subtitle C: Fraud Reduction Title VII: Financing Subtitle A: Ineligibility of certain Aliens for certain Social Services Subtitle B: Other Provisions Relating to Aliens Subtitle C: Limitation on Emergency Assistance Expenditures Subtitle D: Family Day Care Homes Program Improvements Subtitle E: Collection of Certain State and Local Taxes on Out-of-State Sales Title VIII: Effective Date Independence for Families Act of 1994 - Title I: Time-Limited Transitional Assistance - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require States opting below to have work first programs to make ineligible for AFDC any family with a member who has participated in such work program for two years; (2) condition eligibility for AFDC on participation in job search activities except during unsubsidized full-time private sector employment; (3) provide transitional child care for families cut off AFDC after two years; and (4) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Service (Secretary) to establish a database of work first and community service programs participants for use by States opting to have work first programs. Title II: Make Work Pay - Amends SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) and IV part A (AFDC), as well as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and other specified Federal law, to make various specified changes with regard to, among others, extended Medicaid enrollment for former AFDC recipients, increased AFDC earned income disregards, limited AFDC income and resource disregards of savings for education, first time home or automobile purchase, microenterprise initiatives, increased child care funding and transitional benefits for two parent families, and refundable tax credits for dependent care and other expenses connected with gaining employment in order to enable AFDC recipients to become self-sufficient. (Sec. 229) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Child Care Development and Block Grant Act should be reauthorized to allow States greater flexibility to use their funds to strengthen child care; and (2) States should institute a child care voucher system to enable families on AFDC to purchase child care services, create Consumer Information Centers for providing information on eligible child care providers, and loosen their regulations to allow for reimbursement of certain provider costs. Title III: The Work First Program - Amends SSA title IV to: (1) replace the current Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program under part F with a new Work First Program that allows participating States to establish work programs similar to those operated by Riverside County, California and the State of Oregon; (2) add a new part G (Community Service Program); (3) include a work supplementation component under each such program that provides for subsidized private sector or State or local government jobs; (4) give States the option of having such programs; and (5) require States exercising such option to provide participants with the necessary case management services to ensure integrated benefits and services provided under such programs. (Sec. 311) Amends IRC to provide for an increase in the minimum period of employment required to receive a targeted jobs tax credit. Title IV: Family Responsibility And Improved Child Support Enforcement - Amends SSA title IV parts A and D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to make specified changes with regard to AFDC recipient cooperation in establishing paternity of illegitimate children, locate services for enforcing child support orders, parenting services for new fathers, and distribution of child support proceeds. (Sec. 411) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) certain actions pursuant to a child support order, such as the denial of visitation rights, should be treated as irrelevant in actions brought to enforce other provisions of the order; (2) the Secretary should investigate accessing certain Federal data banks not linked to the Parent Locator Service; (3) the national network established under this title for handling locate requests should be used to access State records only through the agency administering the State part D plan; (4) social services should be provided in hospitals to women whose pregnancy results from rape or incest; and (5) States should implement methods for verifying locate information and develop programs like the State of Wisconsin's program for noncustodial parents unable to meet support obligations. (Sec. 421) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission to: (1) study and develop a national child support guideline if one proves advisable; and (2) submit a report on the study's results to the President and the Congress. (Sec. 431) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for enabling child support information to be obtained at the workplace via W-4 form reporting by employees. Amends IRC to require employers to: (1) deduct and withhold child support obligations from employee wages; (2) pay withholdings to the appropriate payee; and (3) include withheld obligations on the employee's W-2 form. Makes various other specified changes to SSA title IV part D involving: (1) State procedures for comparing information in the national registry of child support orders (NR) established under this title with information obtained above from W-4 form reporting, and for imposing monetary penalties on employees who fail to report support obligations; (2) development of uniform withholding orders; (3) garnishment of certain Federal benefits and seizure of lottery winnings and other payouts to satisfy support arrearages; (4) State reporting of support obligations to credit bureaus; and (5) liability of grandparents for financial support of children of their minor children. Title V: Teen Pregnancy and Family Stability - Amends SSA title IV part A (AFDC) with respect to Federal and State roles in reducing teenage pregnancy and promoting family stability; by: (1) requiring States to deny AFDC for additional children (except those born as a result of rape or incest) of AFDC families unless the State plan explicitly provides for such additional children; and (2) providing for unmarried minors who are pregnant or who have children to live under adult supervision in order to receive AFDC. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a task force to reduce teenage pregnancy. (Sec. 511) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) children should be educated about the risks of early parenthood; (2) reproductive family planning and education should be made available to potential parents; and (3) States should use SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) funds to provide comprehensive services to high-risk youth and work with schools for early identification and referral of such children. Title VI: Program Simplification - Amends SSA titles IV part A and XI, as well as the Food Stamp Act of 1977, to give States increased flexibility in providing AFDC benefits (including restoring those wrongfully terminated) through, among other means, use of electronic benefit transfers, quicker action on waiver requests, and coordination with food stamp rules. (Sec. 631) Expresses the support of the Congress for certain efforts by the Social Security Administration to reduce fraud and abuse in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program under SSA title XVI. (Sec. 632) Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of issuing a single counterfeit-resistant ID card to replace the current social security card and any health security card issued under health reform legislation. Title VII: Financing - Amends the SSA, the IRC, and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make certain aliens ineligible for AFDC, SSI, Medicaid, food stamps, and the earned income tax credit. (Sec. 711) Sets forth special rules concerning aliens and general public assistance. (Sec. 714) Authorizes appropriations for financial assistance to States for assistance to resident aliens. Specifies the annual allocation of such Federal financial assistance for each State and the District of Columbia through FY 1988. (Sec. 721) Amends SSA title IV part A (AFDC) to revise: (1) the definition of "emergency assistance to needy families with children"; and (2) the limitation on State expenditures for such assistance. (Sec. 731) Amends the National School Lunch Act to: (1) modify family and group day care home reimbursement provisions under the child and adult care food program; and (2) provide grants to States for making grants to family and day care homes. Tax Fairness for Main Street Business Act of 1994 - States that the Congress: (1) recognizes that some States will be adversely affected by provisions of this Act which deny immigrants certain public assistance; (2) pledges to help those States offset the potential cost shift; and (3) encourages States, in authorizing them below to require out-of-State companies to collect sales taxes on certain purchases, to use increased revenues resulting from such collections to offset such cost shift and design assistance programs addressing special needs of immigrants. (Sec. 744) Authorizes a State or local jurisdiction to require certain out-of-State businesses to collect sales taxes on tangible personal property sold to residents of the State or local jurisdiction. (Sec. 745) Provides an in-lieu fee rate where local taxes are not uniform. (Sec. 746) Prohibits a State from requiring out-of-State businesses to file reporting returns more than once every calendar quarter. (Sec. 749) Requires a State to establish toll-free information services to provide such businesses with necessary forms and instructions. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Veterans' Persian Gulf War Benefits Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and expeditiously implement a uniform case assessment protocol that will ensure thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from illnesses attributed to service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; (2) expedite efforts to develop case definitions or diagnoses for illnesses associated with such service; and (3) develop and implement a comprehensive outreach program to inform such veterans and their families of health-care services, including comprehensive medical evaluations, that may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Directs the Secretary to pay compensation to Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness that became manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within one year after completion of active duty in the Gulf War, with exceptions. Terminates compensation payments three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) FY 1995 through 1997 for conducting research of the health risk and effects of service during the Gulf War and the treatment of such effects; and (2) FY 1995 for a survey of Persian Gulf veterans as to the incidence and nature of health problems occurring in such veterans and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of Congress should have the opportunity to offer, debate, and vote on an amendment striking any employer mandate in any legislation to reform our health care system.
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 · 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).
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
National Security Budgeting and Deficit Control Act of 1994 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings) to extend the caps on defense and nondefense discretionary spending through FY 1998. Requires the special budget authority adjustment required in the final sequestration report for FY 1995 under such Act to be equally divided between the defense and nondefense categories for each applicable fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Credit for Rural Business Enterprises Title II: Credit for Rural Infrastructure Title III: Credit for Rural Housing Rural Credit and Development Act of 1994 - Title I: Credit for Rural Business Enterprises - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to permit farm credit banks and production credit associations to purchase loans and loan interests from non-Farm Credit System institutions. Enlarges the scope of farm-related business for credit availability purposes. Authorizes banks for cooperatives to provide loans and other financial services to entities providing certain farm-related services or products under specified conditions. Title II: Credit for Rural Infrastructure - Authorizes Farm Credit banks to make community facility loans. Authorizes banks for cooperatives to finance utility-related services. Title III: Credit for Rural Housing - Enlarges rural housing credit availability by: (1) increasing eligible population areas; (2) increasing farm credit bank and production credit association loan portfolios for non-farmer rural housing loans; and (3) authorizing loans to rural residents for personal, family, or household needs other than housing finance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
Deficit Reduction Lock Box Act of 1994 - Establishes the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund consisting of amounts contained in deficit reduction lock box provisions of appropriations Acts. Reduces discretionary spending limits by amounts transferred to the Fund. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that amounts resulting from reduced spending under general appropriations bills be placed in the Fund. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to score all general appropriations measures as passed by the House and Senate and to publish such scorecard in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Retired Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent Self-Defense Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize a qualified former agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to carry a concealed firearm if the former agent is carrying a document, issued to such individual by the FBI within the last three years, which certifies that the former agent is qualified to operate a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to extend the compliance date for certain provisions of the worker protection standard relating to pesticide safety requirements to October 23, 1995. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) develop and distribute pesticide safety training materials that convey, at a minimum, specified information set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations; and (2) assist the appropriate State, Federal, and tribal agencies in implementing pesticide safety training programs. Extends the compliance date for meeting a requirement for worker protection labeling statements on certain pesticide products from April 21, 1994, to October 23, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business Subtitle C: Preemption Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law Title III: Malpractice Reform Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADE) Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants Health Reform Consensus Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families - Requires each employer to make available to each eligible employee a group health plan under which: (1) coverage of each eligible individual with respect to such employee may be elected on an annual basis; (2) coverage is provided for at least the required coverage specified; and (3) employees may elect to have premiums collected through payroll deduction. Does not require employer contributions to the cost of coverage under such a plan. Provides for the exclusion of: (1) employers who have been employers for less than two years or who have no more than two eligible employees or no more than two eligible employees not covered under any group health plan; and (2) family members under specified circumstances. Specifies that a group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this Act solely because a period of service by an eligible employee of not more than 60 days is required for coverage. Specifies that the required coverage is standard coverage, except that in the case of a small employer that has not contributed during the previous plan year to the cost of coverage for any eligible employee under any group health plan, the required coverage for the plan year is coverage under a standard plan and a catastrophic plan. Provides for a five-year transition for existing group health plans. (Sec. 1002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compliance with applicable requirements through multiple employer health arrangements; and (2) coverage options under a State medical health allowance program. (Sec. 1011) Prohibits a group health plan from imposing (and an insurer from requiring an employer from imposing through a waiting period for coverage under a plan or similar requirement) a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to treatment of a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition relates to a condition that was not diagnosed or treated within three months before the date of coverage under the plan; or (2) the limitation or exclusion extends over more than six month after the date of coverage, applies to an individual who, as of the date of birth, was covered under the plan, or relates to pregnancy. Specifies that, in the case of an individual who is eligible for coverage under a plan but for a waiting period imposed by the employer, the individual shall be treated as having been covered under the plan as of the earliest date of the beginning of the waiting period. (Sec. 1012) Requires each group health plan to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition for similar benefits with respect to an individual to the extent that the individual, prior to enrollment in such plan, was covered for the condition under any other health plan. (Sec. 1013) Prohibits: (1) a multiemployer plan and an exempted multiple employer health plan from canceling or denying renewal of coverage under such a plan for an employer other than for nonpayment of contributions, fraud or other misrepresentation, noncompliance with plan provisions, failure to maintain minimum participation rates (in the case of a small employer) misuse of a provider network provision, or because the plan is ceasing to provide any coverage in a geographic area; (2) an insurer from canceling a health insurance plan or denying renewal of coverage other than as prescribed above; and (3) an insurer who terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area from offering such a plan to any employer in the area until five years after the date of the termination. (Sec. 1021) Makes provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 applicable with respect to enforcement of this Act (by the Department of Labor). Imposes a civil penalty ($100 per day for each individual involved, subject to specified limitations) on the failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements of sections 1011 through 1013, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) determines that the State has in effect a regulatory enforcement mechanism that provides adequate sanctions. Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make available to each small employer in the State a standard plan and a catastrophic plan, with exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and if a State provides for guaranteed availability (rather than guaranteed issue). Requires each insurer that offers a standard or catastrophic plan to a small employer in a State to accept: (1) every small employer in the State that applies for coverage; and (2) every eligible individual who applies for enrollment on a timely basis. Sets forth provision regarding: (1) special rules for HMOs; (2) timely enrollment requirements; and (3) enrollment of spouses and dependents. Makes such requirements inapplicable in a State that has provided (in accordance with specified standards) a mechanism under which each insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer in the State must participate in a program for assigning high-risk small employer groups (or individuals within such a group) among some or all such insurers, if the insurers comply. (Sec. 1102) Defines "health plan" as a health insurance plan that: (1) is designed to provide standard coverage with substantial cost-sharing or only catastrophic coverage; (2) meets applicable requirements relating to guaranteed issue; (3) meets specified consumer protection standards; and (4) meets any participation requirements with respect to an applicable reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. States that standard coverage includes: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physicians' services; (3) diagnostic tests; (4) specified preventive services; and (5) specified inpatient hospital care for mental disorders. Sets forth coverage scope, including that there be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of items number one, two, and three in the preceding sentence. Sets forth exceptions. Sets forth limitations on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Defines a catastrophic benefits package. Provides for the determination of target actuarial values for standard and catastrophic coverage. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to request NAIC to develop model regulations that specify standards with respect to requirements: (1) that insurers make available health plans; (2) of guaranteed availability of health plans to small employers; (3) relating to limits on premiums and certain consumer protections; (4) relating to limitation of annual premium increases; and (5) for standard and catastrophic coverage. Requires the Secretary to review such standards and, if NAIC fails to specify standards meeting such requirements, to promulgate standards. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the application of health plan standards and consumer protection standards by the States; (2) the Federal role; and (3) consumer protection standards. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding limits on premiums and annual premium increases; and (2) requiring an insurer, at the time of offering a health insurance plan to a small employer, to fully disclose rating practices for health insurance plans, including rating practices for different populations and benefit designs. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) request NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for health insurance plans made available to small employers for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models or specify models. Sets forth provisions regarding implementation of reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms by the States and the Federal role. (Sec. 1108) Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Health Care Coverage. Requires the Office Director to submit to the Congress annual reports evaluating health care coverage reform. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes the Director to conduct: (1) research on the impact of this subtitle on the availability of affordable health coverage for employees and dependents in the small employers group health care coverage market and other specified topics; and (2) demonstration projects relating to such topics. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods for measuring the relative health risks of eligible individuals in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under health insurance plans and, in particular, health plans; (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among insurers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Preemption - Prohibits: (1) State benefit mandates for group health plans; and (2) State or local law prohibitions against two or more employers obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1203) Preempts State restrictions concerning: (1) reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) differential financial incentives; and (3) utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a limited exemption under preemption rules for multiple employer plans providing health benefits subject to certain Federal standards. Relieves exempted multiple employer plans providing medical care benefits of certain restrictions on preemption of State law. Treats such plans as employee welfare benefit plans. Allows commencement of new arrangements only if such exemption is in effect or an application is pending and the Secretary of Labor determines that provisional protection is appropriate. Sets forth exemption procedures, eligibility requirements, and additional requirements applicable to exempted arrangements. Requires certain disclosures to participating employers, maintenance of reserves, and corrective actions. Provides for expiration, suspension, and revocation of exemptions, and for review of actions by the Secretary. (Sec. 1213) Revises provisions relating to scope of preemption rules, and to treatment of single employer arrangements and of certain collectively bargained arrangements. (Sec. 1215) Establishes special rules for employee leasing healthcare arrangements. Treats such arrangements as multiple employer welfare arrangements except when they are multiple employer health plans. (Sec. 1216) Sets forth enforcement provisions relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements and employee leasing health care arrangements. (Sec. 1217) Sets forth filing requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1218) Provides for cooperation between Federal and State authorities in enforcing ERISA requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements with the limited exemption. (Sec. 1221) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the commonality of interest or geographic location requirement for tax exempt trust status for multiple employer health plans and insured multiple employer health plans if they meet certain requirements under ERISA and this Act. (Sec. 1231) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method providing for a single annual report with respect to all employers who are covered under the same insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1241) Provides for compliance with applicable coverage requirements through multiemployer plans and other multiple employer health arrangements. Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a permanent extension and increase in the health insurance tax deduction for self-employed individuals. Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse - Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control health care fraud and abuse; (2) conduct investigations, audits, and inspections relating to the delivery of payment for health care; and (3) facilitate enforcement of provisions of the Social Security and other Acts applicable to health care fraud and abuse. Authorizes additional appropriations as necessary. (Sec. 2003) Establishes the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Excludes from participation in Medicare and State health care programs any individual or entity convicted of: (1) fraud in connection the delivery of a health care item or service; or (2) a felony related to a controlled substance. (Sec. 2103) Subjects to a civil monetary penalty any individual or entity offering inducements to individuals to receive any service or supply from a particular provider. (Sec. 2104) Permits the imposition of intermediate sanctions in addition to the current option of termination, for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Requires each government agency and health care plan to report to the Secretary any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner. Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law - Establishes a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment for knowingly: (1) defrauding any health care plan; or (2) fraudulently obtaining money or property in connection with the delivery of health care items, benefits, or services. Permits a payment of up to $10,000 to any person furnishing information relating to any such crime. Title III: Malpractice Reform - Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions - Sets forth, for this title, findings, purposes, and definitions. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims - Makes this subtitle applicable to any medical malpractice liability action brought in a Federal or State court and to any medical malpractice claim subject to an alternative dispute resolution system. (Sec. 3102) Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice liability action in either a State or Federal court unless there has been an initial resolution of the action under an alternative dispute resolution system. Directs the Attorney General to establish an alternative dispute resolution process for medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States. (Sec. 3104) Sets limits on both noneconomic damages and punitive damages. (Sec. 3105) Provides for the periodic payment of future losses. (Sec. 3106) Limits attorney's fees. (Sec. 3108) Sets forth special provisions for certain obstetric services. Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution System (ADR) -Requires a State's alternative dispute resolution system, among other things to: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims within the jurisdiction of the State's courts; (2) issue a written opinion resolving the dispute within six months of a defendant receiving notice; (3) qualify individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system; and (4) notify the appropriate State agency if there is a finding of malpractice, unless the provider contests the ADR decision. (Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board in order to advise the Secretary regarding the establishment of State and Federal ADR systems. Provides for the certification of State ADR systems by the Board. Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification - Preempts State quill pen laws. (Sec. 4102) Provides for the confidentiality of electronic health care information. (Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary to establish national goals for the health care industry concerning: (1) standardization for the electronic receipt and transmission of health plan information; (2) use of uniform health claims forms and identification numbers; (3) priority of insurers when benefits are payable under two or more health plans; and (4) availability of information among health plans when benefits are payable under two more plans. Requires the Secretary to promulgate requirements if the industry does not meet the goals. Provides for monetary penalties on any health plan that does not meet the Secretary's requirements. Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care - Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to operate a program under which States establish projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of various innovative health care delivery approaches through the operation of community health authorities. Requires a community health authority to be a nonprofit entity that: (1) serves a geographic area that includes those designated by the Public Health Service Act as medically underserved or as being in a health professions shortage area; (2) enrolls the Medicaid eligible; and (3) provides for the provision of at least preventive services, primary care services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and other services. (Sec. 5002) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to migrant and community health centers for the development of health service networks to serve high impact areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1999. Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health - Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for the following: (1) immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis; (3) lead poisoning prevention; (4) preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers; (5) the Office of Minority Health Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and (6) the Office of Minority Health; and (7) the preventive health and health services block grant. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the development and publication of explicit guidelines on the application of antitrust laws to the activities of health plans; and (2) establish a review process under which the administrator or sponsor of a health plan may submit a request to the Attorney General to obtain a prompt opinion from the Department of Justice on the plan's conformity with Federal antitrust laws. (Sec. 6002) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of public advantage by the Attorney General to each eligible health care collaborative activity if there is a finding that the benefits that are likely to result from carrying out the activity outweigh any reduction in competition that is likely to result and such reduction is reasonably necessary. Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants - Requires certain executive branch agencies to prefund government health benefits contributors for their annuitants.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
1995 Special Olympics World Games Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. Mandates that the surcharges collected from the sale of such coins be paid to the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Policy Coordination and Technology Programs Subtitle A: Policy Coordination and Program Planning Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Innovation Initiative Subtitle C: Other Research Activities Title III: Performance Measurements Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations Title I: General Provisions - Environmental Technologies Act of 1994 - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes. Title II: Policy Coordination and Technology Programs - Subtitle A: Policy Coordination and Program Planning - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) ensure the coordinated, interagency promotion of the research, development, integration, and deployment of environmental technologies; and (2) develop priorities for Federal environmental technology efforts. (Sec. 202) Requires the Director to coordinate Federal activities and resources that are applied to life-cycle assessment in order to maximize the contribution of such assessments to the efficient design, development, and use of such technologies and to sustainable economic development. (Sec. 203) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to include goals for sustainable economic development within technology innovation programs. Includes such goals in other existing programs under specified Acts. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Innovation Initiative - Establishes an Environmental Innovation Initiative, to be administered by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to promote the research, development, integration, and deployment of technologies that will contribute to sustainable economic development. Includes programs established under this Act in the Initiative. Provides assistance to eligible entities. (Sec. 211) Requires the Administrator to encourage the participation of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and entities located in economically depressed areas in carrying out the Initiative. (Sec. 212) Directs the Administrator to conduct an interagency innovative environmental technology program to develop or demonstrate advanced precommercial environmental technologies. Makes U.S. companies and partnerships eligible for financial assistance for projects subject to certain conditions. (Sec. 213) Establishes the President's Total Environmental Quality Award to be awarded periodically to companies and other organizations which have benefited the United States through environmental technologies. Establishes a National Environmentally Sound Technology Award for individuals who have pioneered the development and use of a highly innovative environmental technology. (Sec. 214) Directs the Administrator to use existing information network capabilities to provide access to data on environmental technologies developed, tested, or verified by programs under this Act and by other appropriate sources. (Sec. 215) Requires the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate the performance of environmental technologies at Federal laboratories and facilities. (Sec. 216) Directs the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to study the influences on technological innovation in environmental technologies of economic, governmental, and other incentives and barriers. Subtitle C: Other Research Activities - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research activities that will advance the integration of engineering practices and environmental protection in the development of advanced technologies. (Sec. 222) Directs the Administrator to submit a strategic plan for interagency coordination of Federal programs related to innovative environmental control and remediation technologies. Title III: Performance Measurements - Requires the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish a program that provides for performance measurements for environmental technology products. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Administrator to designate entities to perform environmental technology verification. (Sec. 303) Requires the President to establish a program for evaluating and approving the purchase by the Federal Government of environmental technology products. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Title I: Immigration Moratorium - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict U.S. immigration levels to specified numbers of family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, and refugees. Title II: Prohibition of Federal Benefits for Certain Aliens - Prohibits direct Federal financial assistance and unemployment benefits to aliens who are not lawful permanent residents. Title III: Asylum Reform - Amends the Act to revise and expedite asylum procedures. Title IV: Citizenship - Restricts the basis for automatic U.S. citizenship for certain persons born in the United States to a mother who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident. Title V: Border Security - Increases the number of Border Patrol personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
Condemns: (1) the speech given by Khalid Abdul Muhammad as outrageous hate mongering of the most vicious and vile kind; and (2) all manifestations and expressions of racism, anti-Catholicism, anti-Semitism, and ethnic or religious intolerance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Superfund Liability Reform Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to provide that with respect to any National Priority List (NPL) site, each liable party who accepts or sucessfully appeals the results of the allocation of responsibility process (established by this Act) shall be liable only for its assigned share of the costs for: (1) removal or remedial action incurred by the United States, a State, or an Indian tribe; (2) response incurred by any other person; and (3) any health assessment or health effects study. (Sec. 3) Requires the orphan share of a NPL site to be paid out of the Hazardous Substance Superfund or by a liable party who unsuccessfully appeals a final binding allocation of responsibility decision. (Sec. 4) Makes potentially responsible parties (PRPs) and liable parties who fail to perform response actions at an NPL site subject to civil action and liable for all action costs. Requires PRPs who perform and pay for a response action at such a site to be reimbursed by Superfund. Authorizes liable parties who perform and pay for such actions to recover costs as a creditor party in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 5) Provides that certain recycling transactions in which a material is being used or sold to make a new product and that meet other specification grade conditions shall not be considered as actions subject to liability for response actions. Excludes transactions that lead to the burning of material or the use of material in a manner that constitutes a disposal as determined by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator to appoint panels of administrative law judges to perform expedited administrative proceedings, to be known as "binding allocations of responsibility (BARs)," for purposes of determining the liability of PRPs at NPL sites. Provides that BARs shall not address or affect liability concerning damages to natural resources. Provides for the initiation of a BAR by the filing of a petition with the EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges by the Administrator or a State where the site is located. Authorizes de micromis parties (PRPs that contributed only a miniscule amount of hazardous substances to the site) to resolve liability by paying $1,000 to the Superfund. Requires final BARs to be issued within 18 months of the publication of a notice of petition (or 24 months for cases of exceptional complexity). Bases the assigned share of liability on specified allocation factors. Requires the Administrator to make firm offers of settlement to all de minimis parties (parties that contributed only one percent or less of the total quantity of hazardous substances present at the site). Makes a BAR decision binding as to all past, present, and future liability for response costs and for contributions in civil proceedings. Permits judicial review of final BAR decisions. Sets forth procedures for recovery by creditor parties. Provides for stays of certain pending enforcement actions and private party litigation until a BAR is issued. Authorizes any group of PRPs to submit a private allocation for the NPL site, to be known as a "voluntary binding allocation of responsibility," to the allocation panel. Provides that a BAR shall constitute a permanent determination of the assigned share of a liable party and of the orphan share and, except for specified additions to the orphan share and judicially mandated changes, shall not be subject to any change for at least five years after the date of final decision. Permits a new BAR only if the request demonstrates that due to new information not reasonably available during the first BAR, a 35 percent or greater increase in total waste-in volume has been discovered.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should negotiate with the signatories of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees to establish uniform international procedures limiting asylum requests to the first nation a refugee passes through that is a signatory to the Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title I: General Provisions Title II: Policy Coordination and Technology Programs Subtitle A: Policy Coordination and Program Planning Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Title III: Education Title IV: Standards Title V: International Programs Title VI: Financial and Regulatory Incentives Title VII: Authorization of Appropriations Title I: General Provisions - Environmental Technologies Act of 1993 - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes. Title II: Policy Coordination and Technology Programs - Subtitle A: Policy Coordination and Program Planning - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) ensure the coordinated, interagency promotion of the research, development, and adoption of environmental technologies; and (2) develop priorities for Federal environmental technology research, development, and adoption efforts. (Sec. 202) Requires the Director to coordinate Federal activities and resources that are applied to life-cycle assessment in order to maximize the contribution of such assessments to sustainable economic development. (Sec. 203) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to include goals for sustainable economic development within technology innovation programs. Includes such goals in other existing programs under specified Acts. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology - Establishes an Environmental Technologies Development and Integration Program, to be administered by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to promote the research, development, and integration of technologies that will contribute to sustainable economic development. Makes eligible for assistance projects that: (1) develop advanced, precommercial environmental technologies, with emphasis on technologies that will contribute to sustainable economic development; and (2) develop the integration of multiple steps in the conversion of materials that are involved in the manufacture, reuse, or recycling of a product, the recycling of process wastes, or the provision of a service. (Sec. 211) Prohibits intellectual property owned and developed by a business receiving financial assistance from being disclosed by the Federal Government except in accordance with an agreement. Provides that title to such property arising from assistance shall vest in a company incorporated in the United States or an institution of higher education in the United States. (Sec. 212) Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of Energy and Defense to submit a strategic plan for interagency coordination of programs for the development, demonstration, and deployment of innovative environmental control and remediation technologies. (Sec. 213) Establishes the President's Total Environmental Quality Award to be awarded periodically to companies and other organizations which have benefited the United States through the development and deployment of environmental technologies. Establishes a National Environmentally Sound Technology Award for individuals who have pioneered the development and use of a highly innovative environmental technology. (Sec. 214) Directs the Administrator, acting through the EPA Office of Research and Development, to use existing information network capabilities to provide access to data on environmental technologies developed, tested, or verified by programs under this Act and by other appropriate sources. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into partnership agreements ("alliances") with State or local government agencies and other specified entities to: (1) facilitate access to information incorporated in the networks; and (2) transfer to such entities other information that would enhance the development and adoption of environmental technologies. Encourages alliances to disseminate information, and provide technical assistance, to U.S. companies on opportunities for the more efficient use of materials and energy and for waste minimization, materials conversion, and recycling. Authorizes the Administrator to provide financial assistance to alliances under certain conditions. (Sec. 215) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate the performance of environmental technologies at Federal laboratories and other Federal facilities. Makes U.S. companies and small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education eligible to carry out demonstration projects. (Sec. 216) Directs the Administrator to establish a three-year pilot program to promote research on, and development of, environmentally efficient building materials through use of such materials in new and existing Federal facilities and buildings. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for Federal agencies on minimizing the creation of solid waste and maximizing the use of environmentally efficient building materials. Title III: Education - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to support undergraduate and graduate activities in the development of coursework materials and curricula in all scientific, engineering, and technical disciplines to incorporate environmental soundness and total cost accounting into the corresponding curricula. (Sec. 302) Requires the Director of the EPA Office of Research and Development to develop and support programs to improve understanding of the relationships between technology and the environment. Title IV: Standards - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish: (1) a program to support the clarification of standards of performance for environmental technologies to clarify quality, performance, and substitutability for conventional products; and (2) a mechanism for recognizing non-Federal organizations engaged in environmental standards setting and associated product performance verification activities for purposes of ensuring quality and enhancing consumer confidence and international recognition. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into joint agreements with State and local governments and private sector representatives to support Environmental Technology Verification Centers that verify, evaluate, and disseminate information on the performance and cost of environmental technologies. Authorizes financial assistance to such Centers. Authorizes the Administrator to engage directly with private sector organizations through verification partnerships if the Centers cannot verify the performance of technologies because of scale or complexity. (Sec. 403) Directs the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) conduct a study of scientific and technological information needed for the fair evaluation of commercial performance claims regarding environmental technologies; and (2) develop a plan for collaboration with Federal agencies that have expertise in such technologies to ensure the use of the best available scientific and technological information in evaluating such claims. Title V: International Programs - Encourages the Administrator to support programs in other nations for purposes of enhancing U.S. exports of environmental technologies and promoting the contribution of such technologies to international sustainable economic development. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to support activities to promote the export of U.S. environmental technologies. (Sec. 504) Establishes the Environmental Technologies Export Revolving Fund for purposes of providing financial assistance for the adaption and demonstration of U.S. environmental technologies to enhance exports to major international markets. Authorizes the Secretary to use the Fund for financial assistance to U.S. companies, research centers, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate organizations. Sets forth priority projects and conditions for financial assistance. Title VI: Financial and Regulatory Incentives - Directs the President to establish a program for evaluating and approving Federal purchases of environmental technology products. (Sec. 602) Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on current environmental regulations and their effect upon innovation in environmental technologies and the introduction of new environmental products. (Sec. 603) Requires the President to study the potential for efficiently encouraging the development and use of environmental technologies through tax incentives. Title VII: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1993
Truth in Sentencing Act of 1993 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide grants to States to build, expand, or operate space in correctional facilities in order to implement specified "truth in sentencing" requirements. Requires a State, to be eligible for funding under this Act, to have in effect throughout the State such requirements, including provisions which: (1) restrict parole, good-time credit release, or other forms of early release to require that criminals convicted of crimes of violence serve at least 85 percent of the sentence imposed by a judge or jury; (2) require the sentencing authority to allow the defendant's victim or the victim's family the opportunity to be heard regarding the issue of sentencing; (3) allow as a sentencing option a "life sentence" without the possibility of parole; and (4) provide that the victim and the victim's family shall be notified whenever such defendant is to be released. Makes exceptions that: (1) allow the State to provide that the Governor may permit the release of a prisoner after a public hearing in which representatives of the public and the prisoner's victims have an opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed release; and (2) make a State eligible for funding under this Act when that State has enacted legislation that provides for the State to be in compliance with this Act within three years of the enactment of such legislation. Sets forth provisions regarding the distribution of, and limitations on, funds. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for a reduction of full-time equivalent positions in all Federal agencies. Sets forth requirements regarding monitoring and notification of the President and the Congress as to whether such reductions are taking place (and, if they are not being met in a given agency, prohibits hiring for any position in such agency until the Office of Management and Budget notifies the President that the agency is in compliance).
![Official portrait of Rep. Johnson, Don [D-GA-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000120_200.jpg)