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Official portrait of Rep. Kolter, Joseph P. [D-PA-4]

Rep. Kolter, Joseph P. [D-PA-4]

United States · Official source

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3,007 records where Rep. Kolter, Joseph P. [D-PA-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 4535 (99th)open

A bill to amend section 19 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2149).

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986

Amends the Animal Welfare Act to permit citizen suits to compel enforcement of such Act. Authorizes the court in such suits to award litigation expenses, including attorney fees to: (1) a prevailing plantiff; or (2) a prevailing defendant if such action is found to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 589 (99th)passed

A joint resolution prohibiting the proposed sales of certain missiles to Saudi Arabia.

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986

Prohibits the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to specified proposed sales of Sidewinder, Stinger, and Harpoon missiles and services to Saudi Arabia, as described in the April 8, 1986, certifications from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 407 (99th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture should investigate identification procedures to be used in lieu of the hot-iron branding of animals' cheeks.

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture should take immediate steps to investigate alternative animal identification procedures in lieu of hot-iron cheek branding.

Bill· HRH.R. 4506 (99th)referred

Risk Retention Expansion Amendments of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Risk Retention Expansion Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981 to exempt risk retention groups and purchasing groups (businesses which organize to purchase personal risk and liability insurance on a group basis) from State laws which prohibit, regulate, or otherwise discriminate against such groups. Revises the definition of "organization" eligible to form risk retention and purchasing groups to include businesses, professional groups, hospitals, schools, churches, or other institutions, and State and local governmental entities. Retitles such Act the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986. Excludes from the coverage of this Act product liability risk retention groups formed on or after January 1, 1985, under the laws of Bermuda or the Cayman Islands. Subjects such groups to State no-fault automobile insurance requirements. Limits the authority to provide insurance under such Act to liability insurance.

Bill· HRH.R. 4499 (99th)referred

Federal Insurance Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Federal Insurance Commission Act - Subtitle A: Federal Insurance Commission Act. Subtitle B: Establishment of Federal Insurance Commission - Creates the Federal Insurance Commission. Requires the Commission to submit annual reports to the Congress and the President. Requires the principal office of the Commission to be located in or near the District of Columbia. Specifies the general powers of the Commission. Subtitle C: Supervision and Regulation by Federal Insurance Commission - Imposes on the Commission the duty to supervise and regulate all activities of any insurer affecting commerce to ensure that such insurer is solvent, charges reasonable premiums, and otherwise acts in the public interest. Allows the Commission to require the filing of certain reports, documentation, and information as it may deem appropriate. Subtitle D: Unfair Insurance Practices - Declares unfair insurance practices in commerce to be unlawful. Empowers and directs the Commission to prevent persons from engaging in such practices. Sets forth the procedures to be employed by the Commission in any proceeding against a person believed to be using unfair insurance practices in commerce. Empowers the Commission to issue cease and desist orders to persons involved in such practices. Sets forth the procedures for obtaining review of such orders in a U.S. court of appeals. Sets forth the conditions under which such an order becomes final, is modified, or is set aside. Sets penalties for violations of such orders. Subtitle E: Federal Insurance Administration - Transfers to and vests in the Federal Insurance Commission all the functions, powers, and duties of the Federal Insurance Administration of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Subtitle F: Definitions and Miscellaneous - Defines terms. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 4505 (99th)referred

Uniform Product Liability Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Uniform Product Liability Act - Sets forth uniform national standards for product liability actions. Preempts all existing law governing matters within its coverage, except for the recovery of direct or consequential economic losses under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar laws. Allows a claim to be brought even though the claimant did not buy the product from, or enter into any contractual relationship with, the product seller. Sets forth basic standards of responsibility for manufacturers and product sellers. Subjects a product manufacturer to liability for a claimant's harm which is proximately caused by a product which was unreasonably unsafe: (1) in construction; (2) in design; (3) because adequate warnings or instructions were not provided; or (4) because it did not conform to the product seller's express warranty. Specifies the requisite findings which must be made by the trier of fact in order for such a determination to be made. Subjects a product seller, other than a manufacturer, to liability for a claimant's harm which is proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable care with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that a product seller shall not be liable for harm caused by an unavoidably dangerous aspect of a product, with certain exceptions. Sets forth certain rules of evidence in product liability cases with respect to: (1) industry custom; (2) compliance or noncompliance with a nongovernmental safety or performance standard; (3) practical technological feasibility; (4) legislative or administrative regulatory standards; and (5) mandatory government contract specifications. Requires an attorney who anticipates filing a product liability claim to notify all product sellers against whom the claim is likely to be brought. Specifies procedures with respect to such notice. Sets forth provisions governing the length of time product sellers are subject to liability. Provides for a ten-year statute of repose, with certain exceptions, and a three-year statute of limitations. States that all claims under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including: (1) the failure to discover a defective condition; (2) the use of a product with a known defective condition; (3) the misuse of a product; and (4) the alteration or modification of a product. States that a right of contribution exists between or among two or more persons who are jointly and severally liable (whether or not judgment has been recovered against all or any of them). Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by any amount received as worker compensation benefits. Allows a party to seek reimbursement for reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs where the opposing party has pursued a frivolous claim or defense. Allows any party to institute a pretrial arbitration proceeding in any claim brought under this Act if the court determines that: (1) the amount in dispute is less than $50,000; and (2) any nonmonetary claims are insubstantial. Sets forth procedural rules for such proceedings. Sets forth provisions regarding court-appointed expert witnesses. Allows the trier of fact to determine the amount of nonpecuniary damages when sufficient evidence has been introduced, subject to review by the court for excessiveness. Provides that a claimant's recovery shall be reduced by any compensation from a public source which the claimant will receive for the same damages. Allows punitive damages to be awarded if the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was a result of the product seller's reckless disregard for safety. Lists factors to be considered by the court when determining the amount of such damages.

Bill· HRH.R. 4500 (99th)referred

A bill to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Repeals the McCarran-Ferguson Act (relating to the regulation of the insurance business).

Bill· HRH.R. 4503 (99th)referred

A bill to repeal the current broad antitrust immunity granted by the McCarran-Ferguson Act, and substitute in lieu thereof a grant of rulemaking authority to the Federal Trade Commission to affirm the legality under the antitrust laws of certain essential collective activities by the insurance industry.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act to terminate the suspension of the applicability of Federal antitrust laws to the insurance industry on March 1, 1987. Provides that the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, and Federal Trade Commission Act shall apply to any agreement or act to boycott, coerce, or intimidate. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to propose for public comment and adopt by March 1, 1987, antitrust exemptions for essential collective activities of the insurance industry.

Bill· HRH.R. 4504 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the McCarran-Ferguson Act to define the business of insurance.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act to restrict the "business of insurance" subject to State regulation or taxation to only those matters directly affecting the solvency and reliability of insurers, and those activities directly related to the underwriting of any risk. Excludes from the purview of State regulation any other matter, including the advertising of any insurance product or service.

Bill· HRH.R. 4512 (99th)referred

Elderly Veterans Care Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1986

Elderly Veterans Care Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for elderly care expenses paid for the care of a qualifying veteran. Sets the amount of such credit at 30 percent of such expenses reduced by one percent for each $2,000 by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $10,000. Disallows such credit for a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or more. Limits the amount of elderly care expenses which may be taken into account for such credit to an aggregate of $7,000 and not more than $3,500 for any one qualifying veteran. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments by the taxpayer for home health agency services, homemaker services, adult day care, respite care, or health care equipment and supplies which are provided to the veteran by an organization or individual not related to the taxpayer or the veteran and which are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. Defines a "qualifying veteran" as an individual who is a veteran related to the taxpayer and who is at least 65 years of age and has a family income of $15,000 or less for the taxable year. Requires reports to the Congress on the use of such tax credit.

Bill· HRH.R. 4485 (99th)referred

Nursing Home Resident Protection Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1986

Nursing Home Resident Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Medicare and Medicaid Programs - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require intermediate care facilities (other than mental health institutions) to meet skilled nursing facility requirements established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act. Makes changes in the conditions placed upon skilled nursing facilities' Medicare participation relating to: (1) the quality and fairness of care; (2) patient participation in facility decision-making; and (3) the extent to which care approximates a patient's particular needs. Substantiates such objectives by providing a nonexclusive list of patients' rights at such facilities. Prohibits State agencies which have agreed to survey nursing facilities' compliance with Medicare participation conditions from providing such facilities with consultation services regarding such conditions. Requires that nursing facility survey results be posted in a place accessible to patients. Requires that nursing facility surveys be: (1) unannounced; (2) conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals trained and tested for their duties; (3) focused on the quality of care provided to patients; and (4) performed for each facility on a regular basis, the frequency of such surveys depending upon the facility's record. Directs State agencies to provide for the investigation of complaints against nursing facilities and to use specialized survey teams to survey and carry out enforcement action against chronically substandard facilities and other facilities threatening patients' well-being. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish criteria and procedures for evaluating an institution's plans for the correction of its violations of nursing facility standards. Directs the Secretary to conduct a random annual sample of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities in order to validate State determinations regarding provider compliance with Medicaid requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement intermediate sanctions applicable to Medicare nursing or Medicaid intermediate care facilities which do not substantially satisfy the requirements placed on such facilities, but which do not immediately jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of their patients. Gives such facilities the right to a hearing after the determination regarding such deficiencies is made. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to give an individual entitled to inpatient hospital services in a nursing or intermediate care facility the right to bring an action in an appropriate Federal district court when such facility's failure to meet the requirements of the Act adversely affects such individual. Title II: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the ombudsman program of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize an ombudsman to designate a representative to perform ombudsman functions; (2) increase the minimum which must be allotted to the program from grants to States for the provision of social services for the aged; (3) immunize ombudsmen and their representatives from liability under State and Federal law in the performance of their duties, so long as such duties are performed with due care; and (4) provide technical assistance and training for ombudsmen and their representatives. Establishes the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Advisory Council in the Department of Health and Human Services to advise the Secretary regarding the development and operation of the ombudsman program. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding data collected on complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities.

Bill· HRH.R. 4469 (99th)open

Extended Unemployment Insurance Reform Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1986

Extended Unemployment Insurance Reform Act of 1986 - Title I: Improved Program of Extended Unemployment Compensation - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to limit the amount of extended compensation payable to an individual to the amount established in an individual's extended compensation account. Increases the limit on the amount established in an individual's extended compensation account. Sets forth the formula for determining the new limit. Limits an individual's eligibility period for extended compensation to the number of weeks equal to the applicable limit for an individual's compensation account. Requires the amount and duration of extended compensation payable under the interstate benefit payment plan to be the same as if the individual were filing the claim in the State which establishes the individual's extended compensation account. Requires that each unemployment benefit duration period shall be a three-month period beginning on the first Sunday of January of each year and the first Sunday of every third month thereafter. Sets forth formulas, based upon each State's insured unemployment rate, for determining whether a benefit duration period shall be an eight-percent, seven-percent, six-percent, five-percent, or four-percent period. Requires that a benefit duration period shall be a "low-unemployment period" if the State's adjusted insured unemployment rate for the first week of such benefit duration period and the immediately preceding 12 weeks was less than four percent. Sets forth an alternative method of determining a benefit duration period based upon the total rate of unemployment. Requires that each State be paid an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the sum of the sharable extended compensation and the sharable regular compensation paid to individuals under State law. Sets forth the applicable percentage for eight-percent, seven-percent, six-percent, five-percent, and four-percent periods. Defines sharable regular compensation. Amends title IX (Employment Security) of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations into the extended unemployment compensation account. Sets forth transition provisions. Title II: Demonstration Projects - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to enter into a demonstration program agreement with at least three States whereby extended unemployment compensation under the Act would be available for certain substate areas with specified levels of unemployment. Directs the Secretary to enter into a demonstration program agreement with at least five States for promotion of training programs for unemployment compensation recipients. Directs the Secretary to provide model criteria, technical assistance, and specified information for such State training programs. Directs State Governors to designate State agencies to approve training programs and participants. Directs the Secretary to transmit a study of such demonstration program to the Congress by October 1, 1988. Provides, under the Social Security Act, for interest credits to a State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund on the basis of State payments of unemployment compensation to individuals in approved training. Sets forth State reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to report annually, beginning not later than October 31, 1986, on the implementation of such training program provisions and on State regulations and procedures to comply with specified Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to unemployment compensation. Provides that the training program provisions under this title shall not be taken into consideration in determining whether there has been a net decrease in the solvency of any State unemployment compensation system. Title III: Procurement Targeting in Labor Surplus Areas - Directs the head of each Federal agency which procured supplies and equipment at a rate in excess of $1,000,000,000 in FY 1985 to set targets, for FY 1987 and each fiscal year thereafter, for such procurement within labor surplus areas, as defined by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report annually to specified congressional committees on: (1) the number, amount, and percentage of contracts awarded by each Federal agency in labor surplus areas; (2) the impact of such contracts on the area unemployment rate and on the Federal costs under the extended unemployment compensation program; and (3) whether such contracts could be increased without adverse impact on Federal procurement. Title IV: Report - Directs the Secretary of Labor, within six months of the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under the Job Training Partnership Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 4439 (99th)referred

Telephone Decency Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1986

Telephone Decency Act of 1986 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any obscene or indecent telephone communication for commercial purposes to any person in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communication. (Current law prohibits such communication to any person without his or her consent or to any person under 18 years of age.)

Bill· HRH.R. 4300 (99th)reported

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1986

Parental and Medical Leave Act of 1986 - Title I: General Requirements for Parental and Medical Leave - Entitles employees to parental leave for specified periods in cases involving the birth, adoption, or serious health condition of a child. Entitles employees to temporary medical leave for specified periods in cases involving inability to work because of a serious health condition. Sets forth conditions for certification for such types of leave. Provides that such leave may be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave to cover part of such leave period. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to such leave. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for injunctive relief, monetary relief, and attorneys' fees. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Title II: Parental Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to parental leave and temporary medical leave for specified periods. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Sets forth protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Paid Parental and Medical Leave - Establishes the Commission on Paid Parental and Medical Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of paid parental and medical leave to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its final report. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out title I of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 4273 (99th)open

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Department of Defense to exclude from consideration for contracts those firms in which a hostile foreign government or a covered foreign national owns or controls a significant interest.

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986

Amends Federal law relating to competition requirements in defense contracts to direct the head of a defense agency to require any firm that submits a bid or proposal in response to a solicitation to disclose in such bid or proposal any significant interest in that firm that is owned or controlled by a foreign government or a foreign national. Requires the head of an agency to exclude from consideration for a contract exceeding $100,000 a firm in which a hostile foreign government or covered foreign national owns or controls a significant interest. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations listing hostile foreign governments. Makes this Act inapplicable to the Coast Guard or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Bill· HRH.R. 4282 (99th)referred

Native American Diabetes Prevention and Control Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986

Native American Diabetes Prevention and Control Act of 1986 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine: (1) the incidence of diabetes among Native Americans; (2) activities the Indian Health Service should take to reduce such incidence, to provide guidance in the prevention, treatment, and control of diabetes, to provide early diagnosis, and to ensure proper health care to those Native Americans who are diagnosed as diabetic; and (3) the fiscal impact to the Federal Government of treating diabetes among such people. Requires the Secretary to prepare an inventory of all health care programs and resources within the United States that are available for the treatment, prevention, or control of diabetes among Native Americans. Requires the Secretary to transmit to the President and the Congress a report containing his determinations and research activities among Native Americans. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement a program to strengthen and expand the diabetes program of the Indian Health Service; (2) enable the Service to treat such disease effectively; and (3) conduct, for Federal, tribal, and other Native American health care providers, training programs with respect to the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) maintain specified model diabetes clinics; and (2) establish such clinics at additional locations. Requires the Secretary to develop specified programs with respect to data collection and analysis and research relating to diabetes among Native Americans.

Bill· HRH.R. 4253 (99th)open

Tax Gap Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986

Tax Gap Act of 1986 - Title I: Internal Revenue Service Publicity Campaign and Public Relations Program - Establishes a publicity campaign and public relations program to be conducted by the Secretary of the Treasury to inform the taxpaying public regarding tax reform, tax evasion, and other tax matters aimed at increasing compliance with the tax laws. Provides for a variety of publicity techniques to be used to institute the publicity campaign and public relations program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Increased Taxpayer Compliance Through Improved Enforcement Activities and Strengthened Penalties and Information Reporting Requirements - Part I: Increased Audits - Directs the Secretary to initiate a highly publicized audit program targeted at: (1) the unreported legal source income for the period between 1981 and 1986; and (2) any other sector the Secretary determines to be growing in noncompliance. Authorizes additional appropriations to increase by 2,500 the number of audit examiners so as to double the number of returns audited each taxable year. Part II: Public Disclosure of Certain Taxpayers - Permits the public disclosure of the identity of taxpayers where delinquent taxes are in excess of $10,000 or the delinquent taxpayer has become subject to enforcement actions. Part III: Revision of Certain Penalties, Etc. - Provides penalties for: (1) failure to file certain information returns; (2) failure to furnish certain payee statements; and (3) failure to include certain information on certain returns and statements. Establishes certain waiver provisions, definitions, and special rules relating to the filing of information returns and statements. Increases the penalty for failure to pay tax in certain cases from 0.5 percent per month to one percent per month. Modifies the provisions relating to the tax penalty in instances involving negligence and fraud. Increases the tax penalty for substantial underpayment of tax liability from ten percent to 20 percent. Part IV: Information Reporting Provisions - Requires real estate brokers to report certain real estate transactions to the Internal Revenue Service. Requires the head of every Federal executive agency which enters into any contract to report to the Internal Revenue Service certain information relating to the person with whom such agency contracts. Requires the information reporting of State and local government income tax refunds and real and personal property taxes. Requires any tax-exempt interest received for the taxable year to be shown on the tax return for such year. Part V: Additional Authorizations - Authorizes additional appropriations for the Internal Revenue Service to increase the level of return processing and taxpayer service activities, to increase tax fraud and collection activities, and to increase litigation activities. Title III: Tax Amnesty - Provides for a one-time amnesty from criminal and civil tax penalties for a taxpayer who: (1) files a written statement with specified information concerning any underpayment of tax; (2) pays the amount of such underpayment when filing the statement; and (3) within 30 days of notification of the amount of interest payable on any tax delinquent amount, pays the amount of such interest or delinquency. Permits installment payments in certain cases. Provides that where there is a dispute with regard to an amount of the delinquent tax and it is resolved in favor of the taxpayer, the Secretary shall refund such amount with interest at the six-month Treasury bill rate. Defines the amnesty period as a six-month period with a beginning date during calendar year 1987 which is selected by the Secretary. Disallows such amnesty where: (1) there has been an underpayment assessed and a notice of deficiency with respect to the underpayment was mailed, or the taxpayer was put on notice of a substantive question of the taxpayer's tax liability; (2) there was fraud in seeking amnesty; or (3) a criminal investigation is pending. Provides that the amnesty provisions apply only to underpayments of Federal tax for taxable periods ending before January 1, 1986. Authorizes appropriations to inform the general public about the operation of the amnesty provisions.

Bill· HRH.R. 4258 (99th)referred

A bill to provide for a study relating to the development of high speed rail systems within the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986

Directs the Federal Railway Administration and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to: (1) conduct a joint study to determine the most effective means by which the Federal Government can encourage the development of high speed rail systems; and (2) report jointly to the Congress the results of such study together with their recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.