United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends rule XLVII (regarding limitations on outside employment and earned income) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to include within the definition of "honorarium" copyright royalties, advances, or other forms of compensation (other than payments for actual expenses incurred for writing or editing) for the writing, editing, or creation of books, records, movies, other publications, or works of art during an individual's service as a House Member, officer, or employee. Prohibits such individuals from entering into contracts which would provide deferred compensation or royalties for works written or edited during such service. Repeals provisions which exclude copyright royalties received from established publishers pursuant to usual and customary contractual terms from the definition of "outside earned income."
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1994
National Policies Toward Gambling Review Act of 1994 - Establishes a Commission on the Review of National Policies Toward Gambling to conduct a comprehensive legal and factual study of: (1) gambling activities in the United States; (2) their social and economic impact; and (3) existing Federal, State, and local policy and practices with respect to legal prohibition and taxation of such activities, particularly the relationship between the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and State and local laws.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1994
One Dollar Coin and Community Development Act of 1994 - Amends Federal monetary law to prescribe specifications for and design of dollar coins, including a golden color. Proscribes any issuance of one dollar notes after the date that dollar coins are first placed in circulation. Prescribes guidelines for the redemption of one dollar notes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish: (1) a coinage metal fund; and (2) a circulating coinage reserve fund. Authorizes the Secretary to lend excess amounts in the circulating coinage reserve fund to the Community Development Institutions Fund to enable it to provide financial assistance. Mandates that earnings on investments of the circulating coinage reserve fund be paid into the general fund of the Treasury. Abolishes the coinage profit fund. Transfers the balance of its account to the circulating coinage reserve fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1994
George Washington Boyhood Home Commemorative Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of a profile of George Washington and a depiction of his xboyhood home. Declares that all surcharges received from coin sales shall be paid to the George Washington Boyhood Home Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1994
Financial Services Competitiveness Act - Sets as a prerequisite for the establishment of a diversified financial services holding company (DFSHC) compliance with the notice and procedural requirements prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) pursuant to this Act. States that a noncomplying company shall cease to be a DFSHC as of its date of noncompliance. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Banking Act of 1933 to exclude from their purview financial services institution holding companies (and their affiliates) that have filed notice with the Board pursuant to this Act. Subjects a DFSHC to the acquisition and capitalization requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Prescribes capitalization guidelines for an undercapitalized insured depository institution subsidiary of a DFSHC (including conservatorship and divestiture orders). Prohibits any Federal banking agency from imposing capital requirements upon a DFSHC. Subjects a DFSHC to the: (1) insider lending restrictions of the Federal Reserve Act; and (2) tying restrictions of the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970. Prescribes guidelines for regulatory oversight by the appropriate Federal banking agencies, including criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1994
Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 - Exempts from copyright infringement the communication of a performance or work by television or radio sets located in a business establishment, or the performance of a nondramatic musical work by a choral group of a nonprofit educational institution choral group, unless persons are charged to see or hear the performance. Provides that in any civil action for copyright infringement involving a nondramatic musical work that is licensed by a performing rights society or other organization authorized to license public performances of such works, if the defendant admits liability but contests the amount of the license fee charged by such society or organization, the dispute may, if requested by either party, be submitted to arbitration under the Federal judicial code. Requires such societies or organizations to make available, free of charge, to licensees or those negotiating licenses, on-line computer access to their entire repertoire, including information regarding the title of the work, the name, address, and telephone number of the author and the copyright owner (if different), and the names of any artists known to have performed the work.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. Government should maintain a commitment to mobilize, in concert with its allies and the United Nations, to provide necessary aid to relieve the human suffering resulting from the Rwandan crisis and to take active steps to ensure that the United States possesses the military assets needed for such undertaking.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Extends the condolences of the House of Representatives to the families and friends who lost loved ones in the bombings of the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations on July 18, 1994, and the Panamanian commuter plane on July 20, 1994. Condemns such attacks on innocent people and calls for worldwide cooperation in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Condemns anti-Semitism, neo-Nazi activities, and terrorism wherever they occur and urges all members of the world community to do the same. Expresses support for the Jewish communities in Argentina, Panama, and the United Kingdom for their efforts to attain safety and security in their own countries. Urges the Governments and people of Argentina and Panama to continue to work to stamp out anti-Semitism and neo-Nazism.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1994
Integrated Child Health Care Network Act of 1994 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from granting a waiver under the Medicaid program to permit a State to require children enrolled in the program to receive medical assistance through managed care plans, unless such assistance is provided through an integrated child health care network. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities over a three-year period for the establishment and operation of such networks using different payment models, including grants to demonstrate the operation of networks (including State-initiated networks) applying a separate capitated payment rate with respect to children enrolled with the network.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Financial Assistance Programs Title III: Size Standards and Bond Guarantees Title IV: Management Assistance Title V: Relief from FFB Debenture Prepayment Penalties Title VI: Development of Women-Owned Businesses Title VII: Miscellaneous Amendments Small Business Reauthorization and Amendment Act of 1994 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs under such Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Title II: Financial Assistance Programs - Revises provisions regarding the microloan program to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), during FY 1995 through 1997 and in lieu of making direct loans to intermediaries, to participate on a deferred basis of up to 100 percent on loans made to intermediaries by for-profit or non-profit entities. Limits financing on a deferred basis to ten intermediaries in urban and rural areas, respectively, per year. Limits loans to ten-year terms. (Sec. 202) Repeals specified State limitations with respect to the microloan demonstration program. (Sec. 203) Increases to 240 the number of microloan demonstration programs authorized to be funded by the SBA. (Sec. 206) Removes a limitation on the term of financing provided to enable small businesses to develop foreign markets. (Sec. 209) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the SBA to establish an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State and local development companies that: (1) have been active participants in the development company program for at least the last 12 months; (2) have qualified personnel who are knowledgeable in SBA's lending policies and procedures for such program; (3) have the ability to process, close, and service financing for plant and equipment; (4) have a loss rate on their debentures that is acceptable to the SBA; (5) have a history of submitting complete and accurate debenture guarantee application packages; and (6) have demonstrated the ability to serve small business credit needs for financing plant and equipment. Requires the SBA to expedite the processing of loan applications or servicing actions submitted by a qualified State or local development company that has been designated as an accredited lender. Suspends or revokes such designations for failures to meet the eligibility criteria or for violations of SBA regulations. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the SBA to establish a Premier Lenders Program for certified development companies which meet requirements of this section. Authorizes the SBA to designate a participant in the accredited lenders program as a premier lender if such company: (1) has been an active participant in the accredited lenders program for at least the last 12 months (authorizes a waiver of such requirement prior to January 1, 1996, if the applicant is qualified to participate in the program); (2) has a history of submitting adequately analyzed debenture guarantee application packages to the SBA; and (3) agrees to assume and reimburse the SBA for five percent of any loss substained on account of default by the company in the payment on a debenture issued by the company and guaranteed by the SBA. Authorizes the SBA, upon designation of a company as a premier lender, to permit a lender to approve loans to be funded with the proceeds of and to authorize the guarantee of a debenture issued by such company. Suspends or revokes designations of State or local development companies as premier lenders for failures to meet this section's requirements or SBA regulations. (Sec. 211) Directs the SBA Administrator to appoint an Investment Advisory Council for the Specialized Small Business Investment Company Program. Requires the Council to report on the venture capital needs of socially or economically disadvantaged small business concerns and needed Federal incentives to assist the private sector in meeting such needs. (Sec. 212) Reserves 50 percent of the annual program level of participating securities for funding small business investment companies (SBICs) with private capital of less than $20 million. (Sec. 213) Directs the SBA to report on the status and disposition of SBICs and provide a complete accounting of their assets, loss rates, and valuation of the SBIC program investments. Title III: Size Standards and Bond Guarantees - Revises size standard criteria for purposes of determining whether a business is a small business concern. (Sec. 303) Extends the SBA's authority to authorize sureties to issue, monitor, and service bonds subject to SBA's guarantee until September 30, 1997. (Sec. 304) Requires the SBA to carry out a pilot program to provide procurement opportunities to very small business concerns. Title IV: Management Assistance - Authorizes Small Business Development Centers to enter into contracts with Federal agencies to provide specific assistance to small business concerns if the contract is approved in advance by the Deputy Associate Administrator of the Small Business Development Center program. (Sec. 404) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Central European enterprise development program. (Sec. 405) Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a mobile resource pilot program to use vehicles to provide technical assistance and other services to traditionally underserved populations. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Relief from FFB Debenture Prepayment Penalties - Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1994 - Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer and the concurrence of the borrower, to transfer to the Federal Financing Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a certified development company. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. Permits debentures authorized under provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 regarding private debenture sales and pooling to be used to refinance debentures issued by State or local development companies if the amount of the new financing is limited to amounts necessary to repay the existing debenture, including any prepayment penalty imposed by the Bank. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to transfer to the Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a SBIC under title III of such Act. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to modify the interest rate on a debenture issued by an SBIC financing disadvantaged small business concerns. (Sec. 505) Requires the SBA, upon enactment of an appropriations Act providing funds to carry out this Act, to evaluate the outstanding portfolio of debentures which are eligible for interest rate relief under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Development of Women-Owned Businesses - Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to establish an Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise. (Sec. 606) Extends the SBA's authority to provide financial assistance to women's small business demonstration projects. (Sec. 607) Establishes an Office of Women's Business Ownership within the SBA. (Sec. 609) Authorizes appropriations for the development of women's business enterprises. Title VII: Miscellaneous Amendments - Permits small business contracts awarded to the handicapped to be extended for up to two additional years. (Sec. 705) Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a manufacturing modernization pilot program for promoting the award of Federal procurement contracts to small business concerns that participate in certified manufacturing application and education centers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 706) Denies small business assistance to individuals who are not lawfully within the United States. (Sec. 708) Directs the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA to study and report to the Congress on the impact of Federal regulatory paperwork and tax requirements on small business.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1994
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a calling party from being charged for a call to, or information provided by, an 800 number by means of a charge included on, or transmitted with, a bill for telephone exchange service or telephone toll service.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1994 - Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon the request of the issuer and the concurrence of the borrower, to transfer to the Federal Financing Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a certified development company. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. Permits debentures authorized under provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) regarding private debenture sales and pooling to be used to refinance debentures issued by State or local development companies if the amount of the new financing is limited to amounts necessary to repay the existing debentures, including any prepayment penalty imposed by the Bank. Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to transfer to the Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a small business investment company under title III of the Act. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to modify the interest rate on a debenture issued by a small business investment company financing disadvantaged small business concerns. Requires the SBA, upon enactment of an appropriations Act providing funds to carry out this Act, to evaluate the outstanding portfolio of debentures which are eligible for interest rate relief under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Premier Lenders Program Authorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a Premier Lenders Program for certified development companies which meet requirements under this Act. Authorizes the SBA to designate a participant in an accelerated lenders program as a premier lender if such company: (1) has been an active participant in the accelerated lenders program for at least the last 12 months (waives such requirement if, prior to January 1, 1996, the applicant is qualified to participate in the program); (2) has a history of submitting adequately analyzed debenture guaranty application packages to the SBA; and (3) agrees to assume and reimburse the SBA for five percent of any loss sustained on account of default by the company in the payment on a debenture issued by the company and guaranteed by the SBA. Requires certified development companies, upon approval of an applicant as a premier lender, to establish a loss reserve in an amount equal to the anticipated losses to the company based on the historic loss rate on debentures or three percent of the aggregate principal amount of debentures issued by the company, whichever is greater. Authorizes the SBA, upon designation of a company as a premier lender, to permit a lender to approve loans to be funded with the proceeds of and to authorize the guaranty of a debenture issued by such company. Suspends or revokes designations of State or local development companies as premier lenders for failures to meet this Act's requirements or SBA regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1994
Commends the United States Labor Attache Corps for its historic role during the past 50 years in nurturing freedom and assisting in the development of democratic values and processes throughout the world. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor to jointly: (1) review the mission of the United States Labor Attache Corps, and determine what reforms are necessary to redesign and assure continued relevance of the Corps in the post-cold war era and to implement them; (2) implement an interagency recruitment and training program to assure sufficient qualified personnel for the Corps, and to enhance the professional development of existing personnel, consistent with the continuing need for monitoring and reporting on the needs, interests, and aspirations of working people in foreign countries; (3) develop a plan to assure that a labor counselor, attache, or reporting officer is assigned to every United States Embassy abroad by January 1, 1997, and determine what additional resources are necessary to achieve this goal; and (4) report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations on the outcome of the review and the steps taken herein.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: JOBS Title II: WORK Title III: Child Care Title IV: Provisions with Multi-Program Applicability Title V: Prevention of Dependency Title VI: Child Support Enforcement Title VII: Improving Government Assistance and Preventing Fraud Title VIII: Self Employment/Microenterprise Demonstrations Title IX: Financing Title X: Effective Dates Work and Responsibility Act of 1994 - Title I: JOBS - Amends parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) and F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the Federal welfare system for the purpose of making AFDC a transitional program with the goal of enabling participants to achieve maximum economic independence and self-sufficiency by, among other changes, imposing time-limited AFDC benefits and requiring participation in modified and new State-administered job training and subsidized employment programs that have been designed to eventually move them into the permanent work force and prepare them for a life without welfare by enabling them to get work experience and by requiring them to perform job searches for suitable nonsubsidized employment. (Sec. 101) Modifies current AFDC and JOBS participation requirements. Requires all AFDC recipients (including minor custodial parents not attending school full time) who are able to participate in the JOBS program to so participate, starting in FY 1996 or 1997 on a phased-in basis with custodial parents (including such minor parents) born in 1972 or later, and continuing thereafter with any such additional classes of parents of dependent children or other AFDC applicants or recipients. Requires a recipient unable to participate in the JOBS program because of a third trimester pregnancy, temporary incapacity, or other specified reason, to participate in related preparatory activities the State in appropriate cases may require pursuant to the recipient's employability plan, in order to prepare the recipient for full JOBS participation. Requires suspension for up to six months of the AFDC benefits of a family with a member who is required to participate in JOBS but refuses without good cause to accept the required number of weekly hours of employment offered by a public or private sector employer under the program. Grants States the option of continuing AFDC to the dependent children of any family with a parent who is required to participate in JOBS but fails without good cause to do so and is cut off AFDC for the period specified under current law, while preserving their eligibility under SSA title XIX (Medicaid). Directs the applicable State agency to provide appropriate counseling and other supportive services to assist the parent in addressing such failure. Requires custodial parents below age 20 who do not have a high school diploma (or its equivalent), and are required to participate in JOBS, to participate in an educational activity, regardless of State resource availability as currently conditioned under law. Allows States to apply AFDC sanctions to any individual required to get substance abuse treatment as a condition of JOBS participation who fails to get such treatment. (Sec. 102) Requires the States to implement statewide within two years of initial implementation in FY 1996 or 1997 modified JOBS programs that, with respect to the AFDC recipients required to participate in JOBS, provide for an assessment of such recipient's literacy skills and for expanded education, optional free substance abuse treatment, mandatory job search, and self-employment (including microenterprise) preparation services, in addition to the currently authorized child care and other supportive services. Requires such State JOBS programs to provide any other appropriate services or activities detailed in the recipient's individualized employability plan which the State agrees to provide and the recipient agrees to participate in by signing a personal responsibility agreement, in order to prepare the recipient for either permanent unsubsidized employment or temporary subsidized employment through the new WORK program. Requires such JOBS programs to address participant training for child care providers and nontraditional employment positions. Requires such JOBS programs to require employability plans to: (1) indicate the overall time for achieving their employment goals; and (2) be extended whenever the 24 month limit on AFDC benefits is extended. Subjects them to periodic review and revision to reflect the recipient's progress towards meeting such goals. (Continues with further modifications in the JOBS program as provided below under title II of this Act.) (Sec. 103) Revises JOBS program provisions on dispute resolution and service provision, with changes in the latter provisions: (1) extending their applicability (although modified, and along with additional specified wage, benefit, and working condition requirements) to the WORK program; (2) specifying the components of grievance procedures for resolving regular employee complaints alleging violations of worker displacement prohibitions or other specified work-related requirements; (3) requiring written notification of labor organizations when JOBS program participants are assigned to regular employment positions; (4) establishing an alternative expedited grievance procedure for complaints involving such an assignment; and (5) providing for binding arbitration for adverse grievance decisions. Changes earned income disregards and the limit on Federal reimbursement for State expenditures under work supplementation program provisions. (Sec. 104) Requires the States to generally limit AFDC benefits to 24 months, subject to extension for certain educational purposes, unless they have opted to participate in a limited number of demonstrations using alternative limits. (Sec. 105) Places administrative jurisdiction of the WORK program under the Assistant Secretary for Family Support in the Department of Health and Human Services. Title II: WORK - Adds to SSA title IV part G the WORK program. Requires States to have new programs requiring former JOBS participants who have been cut off AFDC after 24 months without receiving an extension or finding suitable employment to: (1) register with the applicable State agency for an approprate Work assignment of up to one year in the local area, involving placement in a temporary position in a subsidized private or public sector job (including ones as community service and child care providers) that gives them the experience for eventually finding a nonsubsidized job; and (2) conduct job searches for suitable nonsubsidized employment after completing an assignment while awaiting assignment to the next WORK job. (Sec. 201) Allows registrants to receive supplemental AFDC benefits in addition to their WORK earnings, as well as have their Medicaid-eligibility preserved while participating in WORK. Prohibits the upward adjustment of the amount of such supplemental benefits because of any failure to work the required hours for each assignment. Requires the aplicable State agency to conduct a comprehensive assessment at periodic intervals and either reassign the WORK participant to JOBS for additional training or to another assignment if he or she cannot find unsubsidized employment. Details other program provisions, chief among them provisions for: (1) local WORK advisory boards for advising administering agencies; (2) child care and other supportive services; (3) sanctions, hearings, and evaluations following WORK violations; and (4) optional joint JOBS and WORK administration and provision of program services through one-stop career centers. (Sec. 202) Revises current JOBS funding provisions, among other changes: (1) increasing the capped JOBS entitlement beginning in FY 1996, with the level of such entitlement specified for FY 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter adjusted for inflation; (2) limiting entitlement payments under JOBS to a State according to the average monthly number of adult recipients in the State for the preceding fiscal year relative to the number in all States (no longer factoring in the amount allotted to the State for FY 1987); (3) including enhanced Federal matching in the formulae for determining Federal payment with respect to a State's JOBS, WORK, and associated child care support expenditures; (4) establishing similar separate funding for the WORK program and specified set-asides under both programs for Indian tribes and Alaska Native organizations; and (5) earmarking specified funds for use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to provide to States requesting additional funding for JOBS or WORK in the following fiscal year beyond that which was originally allocated and subsequently reallocated. (Sec. 204) Requires the States to implement modified JOBS programs as described above that, additionally, provide: (1) at the State's option, for a separate program for job training and employment opportunities for non-custodial parents without requiring their participation in JOBS or WORK in order to participate in the separate program; (2) for revised components for Indian tribes and Alaska Native organizations, among other changes, making such components applicable to such entities applying to conduct WORK programs, and to provide funding for Indian and Alaska Native child care under the AFDC, JOBS, and WORK programs; and (3) for special rules for territories regarding applicability of the 24 month limit on AFDC benefits and the WORK program. (Sec. 205) Amends SSA title XI to remove WORK and "at-risk" family child care from the territorial cap. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to exempt earnings from WORK employment from being: (1) subject to Federal income and unemployment taxes; and (2) treated as earned income or qualified wages for purposes of the earned income and targeted jobs tax credits. Title III: Child Care - Makes various specified changes with regard to AFDC's child care support programs, including those largely conforming to the provisions of this Act concerning child care support for JOBS and WORK participants. Provides, in addition, for transitional child care for individuals leaving the WORK program. Provides also, with respect to AFDC recipients, JOBS and WORK participants, transitional child care recipients, and "at-risk" families, for parental rights and child care health and safety standards consistent with those under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (Child Care Block Grant Act), including requirements for proper child immunizations and protection against toxic substances and weapons at sites where child care is provided. (Sec. 302) Provides for: (1) family cost-sharing for transitional and "at-risk" family child care consistent with the methodology used under the Child Care Block Grant Act; (2) "at-risk" family child care only in cases where the family involved is not eligible for other SSA title IV part A child care support programs, and regardless of whether they need child care in order to work; and (3) modified State payment and Federal reimbursement rules, among other changes making State licensing and monitoring activities with respect to child care providers reimbursable as an administrative cost. (Sec. 304) Provides for: (1) optional administration of AFDC's child care support programs by the lead State agency designated under the Child Care Block Grant Act; (2) establishment of a set-aside in the "at-risk" family child care support program for improving the quality and increasing the supply of appropriate child care for low-income communities; (3) increased Federal funding for the "at-risk" family child care support program as well as a new enhanced Federal match for that program consistent with that for other SSA title IV part A services; and (4) reallotment of unused "at-risk" funds to States with expenditures exceeding applicable limits. (Sec. 307) Provides for offering working AFDC families a supplement if certain earned income disregard provisions are applied in order to guarantee child care. Title IV: Provisions with Multi-Program Applicability - Revises current JOBS performance standards and AFDC quality control and management information system provisions. Provides for: (1) an outcome-based performance standards system for measuring the extent to which JOBS and WORK help participants and their families move towards self-sufficiency and economic well-being and away from welfare; and (2) an expanded quality control system, as well as new State automated systems, for use in assessing the State's performance in administering its AFDC, JOBS, WORK and child care support programs, by applying such standards and in assisting the States in monitoring participants, processing payments, providing services, managing information, and performing the other operations involved in administering such programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Amends AFDC to require the Secretary to establish and maintain an automated National Welfare Receipt Registry of information on current and past AFDC and WORK participants for assisting States in administering their AFDC, JOBS, and WORK plans. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Earmarks funding out of the capped JOBS and WORK entitlements above for specified demonstration projects, studies, and other activities related to the programs created and modified by this Act and involving, for instance: (1) JOBS placements in positions with significant retention rates; (2) WORK programs conducted outside the State's AFDC program; (3) State Work Support Agencies for assisting former AFDC recipients in retaining unsubsidized employment; and (4) parenting skills for noncustodial parents. (Sec. 405) Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, beginning in FY 1998, to make certain certifications over a six-year period regarding the use of the component databases of the National Welfare Reform Information Clearinghouse (established under title VI of this Act) by State and Federal agencies. Requires the Director to determine whether Federal agencies have used such databases for reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in their programs in order to achieve the mandatory spending reductions assumed in the cost estimates accompanying this Act. Specifies required reductions in mandatory spending for the succeeding fiscal year if the Director certifies before the close of the current fiscal year that despite the full use of such databases mandatory spending was not reduced by the projected amount. Title V: Prevention of Dependency - Amends AFDC and JOBS to make various specified changes designed to prevent welfare dependency, including changes relating to: (1) supervised living arrangements for unmarried minor parents with dependent children and pregnant women; (2) State options to limit AFDC benefit increases for families on AFDC who have additional children, and to conduct a program of montary incentives and penalties to encourage teen custodial parents and pregnant women to complete high school and participate in parenting activities; and (3) case management for teen custodial parents on AFDC. (Sec. 505) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for: (1) grants for development of school-based programs in high risk areas for promoting adolescent personal responsibility and character development with emphasis on drug use and pregnancy prevention; (2) grants for carrying out similar demonstration projects providing comprehensive services for promoting educational advancement, improving community stability, and developing employment opportunities in addition to focusing on personal responsibility and drug use and pregnancy prevention; and (3) establishment by appropriate Federal officials of the National Clearinghouse on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs for disseminating information on and performing other specified functions, including sponsoring training institutes, with regard to adolescent pregnancy prevention programs. Title VI: Child Support Enforcement - Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to revise the Federal child support and paternity establishment system and related IRC and other provisions to mandate among other things: (1) centralized collection and disbursement (including interstate collection and disbursement) of child support payments through a new single statewide automated system linked to a central registry of all child support orders established or modified in the State involved subject to wage withholding; and (2) a National Welfare Reform Information Clearinghouse composed of specified automated registries and directories (including an expanded Federal Parent Locator Service) containing employment, locate, and other specified types of information for assisting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in verifying employment and States in administering their AFDC, JOBS, WORK, and child support and paternity establishment programs, verifying the income and eligibility of Medicaid, food stamp, and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSA title XVI) program participants, and ruling on unemployment and worker compensation claims. (Sec. 601) Mandates: (1) outreach for voluntarily establishing paternity and facilitating access to child support enforcement services; (2) annual State reviews of and reports on child support and paternity establishment programs for use by Federal auditors in assessing program performance using new Government standards; and (3) increased Federal matching payments for such programs. Includes among such changes new State plan requirements regarding: (1) AFDC recipient cooperation in State efforts to establish paternity and secure support; (2) distribution of support payments; (3) due process rights; (4) privacy safeguards; and (5) State and local agency program staff and contractor training. (Sec. 612) Revises provisions on: (1) State incentive payments, providing for performance-based incentive adjustments to the Federal matching rate for payments to a particular State; and (2) reductions in State AFDC payments for certain failures, adding specific failures to achieve appropriate levels of performance in paternity establishment and child support enforcement or to submit complete or reliable data, and conditioning the effectiveness of such reductions on the State's failure to take sufficient corrective action in the succeeding fiscal year to achieve compliance. (Sec. 615) Requires the Secretary to conduct staffing studies for a report to the Congress. (Sec. 616) Earmarks specified funding for Federal technical assistance, training, research, demonstrations, and other activities assisting State child support and paternity establishment programs. (Sec. 617) Makes specified changes with regard to: (1) annual congressional reports on all SSA title IV part D activities; and (2) data collection and reporting. (Sec. 623) Revises State law requirements regarding: (1) income withholding; (2) locate networks; (3) labor union cooperation in such State efforts; (4) use of social security numbers on child support and paternity orders and other specified party records; (5) modification of child support orders (including uniform interstate enforcement and modification of such orders); (6) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity (including before the child is born) and establishing, modifying, and enforcing support obligations; (7) imposition of motor vehicle title liens and other specified actions for support arrearages (including mandatory credit bureau reporting of all arrearages); (8) arrearage statute of limitations and interest and penalties; and (9) visitation rights. (Sec. 625) Directs the Secretary to establish a National Welfare Reform Information Clearinghouse and an automated National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 627) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies on: (1) (and make grants to States for demonstrations involving) certain locate activities; and (2) the use of tax return information for modifying child support orders. (Sec. 642) Provides for: (1) a reduction in State AFDC payments for failure to establish paternity promptly; and (2) State options to provide for incentive payments to families to encourage paternity establishment. Directs the Secretary to authorize certain State demonstrations involving financial incentives for paternity establishment. (Sec. 651) Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) a revolving loan fund for program improvements to increase child support collections; and (2) the National Commission on Child Support Guidelines to determine whether a national child support guideline is advisable and develop one for congressional consideration if it is. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 662) Amends IRC to make specified changes with regard to the IRS tax refund offset program and collection of arrearages, among other changes: (1) eliminating the disparities between AFDC and non-AFDC cases; and (2) prohibiting additional fees for updating open case arrearages. (Sec. 664) Consolidates and revises provisions for collecting support from Federal employees and members of the armed forces. (Sec. 672) Modifies support obligation treatment under the Federal bankruptcy code. (Sec. 673) Provides for passport denial in cases involving child support arrearages exceeding $5,000. (Sec. 681) Directs the Secretary to make grants for State demonstrations to determine the effectiveness of programs to provide assured levels of child support to custodial parents of children whose paternity and support obligations have been established. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 691) Authorizes appropriations for State absent parent access and visitation programs. Title VII: Improving Government Assistance and Preventing Fraud - Amends AFDC, the Family Support Act of 1988, the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (Food Stamp Act), SSA title XI, and the IRC to make various specified changes in income disregard, resource exclusion, and other provisions under the Federal welfare system that are designed to: (1) simplify administration, for example, by changing the policy of obtaining citizenship declarations from each family member in cases where a single family is applying for AFDC, and by conforming program rules between AFDC and the food stamp program on the treatment of educational assistance; and (2) prevent fraud by allowing State agencies to use the IRS to collect AFDC overpayments from Federal tax refunds. (Sec. 731) Individual Development Account Demonstration Act of 1994 - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) eliminate barriers that prevent AFDC recipients from becoming self-sufficient through self-employment and asset accumulation; (2) identify and implement cost-effective strategies to encourage saving and entrepreneurship among low-income families that have the potential to reduce Federal spending on transfers and services to them; (3) enhance private-sector opportunities for such families by enabling them to use their own resources through expanded business investment, job creation, home ownership, and human capital investment; and (4) expand the capacity of local organizations to provide asset-related services, such as savings mechanisms and loan funds, that help people to help themselves. (Sec. 732) Provides for the establishment of State and local demonstration projects designed to determine: (1) the social, psychological, and economic effects of providing low-income individuals with the opportunity to accumulate assets and develop and use entrepreneurial skills; and (2) the extent to which an asset-based assistance policy may be used to enable such individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 734) Amends the IRC to allow the establishment of individual development accounts (IDAs) by or on behalf of an eligible individual for the purpose of accumulating funds to pay his or her qualified expenses. Establishes an annual limit on such contributions (except contributions to IDAs established under the demonstration projects above), and a limit on total contributions for all years of $10,000. Defines qualified expenses as those for: (1) post-secondary education expenses; (2) a first-home purchase; and (3) business capitalization. Declares that contributions to IDAs are not subject to the gift tax or the tax on prohibited transactions. (Sec. 741) Provides for State demonstrations under which participating residents will receive advanced earned income payments from a responsible State agency in lieu of receiving them from an employer. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Self-Employment/Microenterprise Demonstrations - Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, subject to available funding, to jointly develop a self-employment/microenterprise demonstration program for welfare recipients and low-income individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Financing - Caps AFDC's emergency assistance program. (Sec. 902) Establishes uniform eligibility criteria under AFDC, SSI, and Medicaid for all categories of aliens, including those lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (Sec. 903) Makes the current five-year period of sponsor responsibility permanent law under SSI and increases sponsor periods under AFDC and food stamps to five years, among other changes in AFDC, SSI, and food stamp alien eligibility rules, which include changes disqualifying after five years certain aliens with sponsors having income in excess of applicable limits. (Sec. 904) Amends the National School Lunch Act, among other things, to: (1) establish a two-tiered reimbursement structure for family or group day care homes; (2) provide family or group day care home sponsoring organizations with additional funding for administrative expenses for each home located in a low-income area; and (3) require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide State assistance grants. (Sec. 905) Amends the Food Stamp Act to extend expiring provisions reducing the percentage of recovered food stamp overpayments retainable by State agencies. (Sec. 906) Make persons receiving in excess of $100,000 in off-farm adjusted gross income ineligible for Commodity Credit Corporation crop subsidies. (Sec. 907) Amends the IRC to: (1)extend the expiring corporate environmental income tax used to finance the Hazardous Substance Superfund; (2) extend the earned income tax credit to military personnel on extended active duty abroad; and (3) deny such credit for non-resident aliens. (Sec. 908) Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to extend railroad safety inspection fees permanently. (Sec. 911) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend certain customs fees. Title X: Effective Dates - Specifies the effective dates of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
Multiple Sclerosis Home Treatment Equity Act of 1994 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide coverage and payment for self-administered betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) for patients with multiple sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1994
GSP Renewal and Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise provisions for the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). (Sec. 2) Grants the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the authority to extend preferences. (This authority currently belongs to the President.) (Sec. 3) Requires the USTR to certify that a country meets requirements for beneficiary developing country status before the President may make such a designation. Bars countries with free trade agreements with the United States from such designation. Includes compliance with internationally recognized worker rights and enforcement of environmental protection standards as conditions for such designation. (Sec. 4) Requires the USTR (rather than the President) to list articles to be considered for designation. Makes an article ineligible if it has been made under conditions that violate specified internationally recognized worker rights. (Sec. 5) Revises limitations on preferential treatment. Requires the USTR to withdraw or suspend duty-free treatment for any article that no longer meets specified requirements. Provides for petitions by any interested person alleging article or country noncompliance, USTR investigations, and judicial review of removal of articles or withdrawal of designations as beneficiary developing countries. Sets forth competitive need limitations. (Sec. 6) Extends to July 4, 2003, the termination date for GSP duty-free treatment. (Sec. 7) Requires general reports on GSP by the USTR, annual reports by the Secretary of Labor on the status of internationally recognized worker rights within each beneficiary developing country, and a special joint report by the USTR, the Secretaries of Commerce and of Labor, and the Comptroller General. (Sec. 8) Requires training on international labor standards for Labor Reporting Offices for U.S. Embassies and for members of certain special committees created by the USTR. (Sec. 9) Adds a fourth Deputy USTR. Establishes a Bureau of Trade-Related Standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1994
Persian Gulf War Veterans' Compensation Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and implement a uniform case assessment protocol to ensure thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all Persian Gulf War (War) veterans suffering from illnesses the origins of which are currently unkown but which may be attributable to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during such War; (2) develop case definitions or diagnoses for such illnesses; and (3) implement a comprehensive outreach program, including a newsletter and a toll-free telephone number, to inform War veterans and their families of the medical care and other benefits that may be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of service in such War. Directs the Secretary to pay compensation to a War veteran suffering from a disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness if such disability becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within three years of separation from active military service. Provides exceptions to the payment of such compensation (i.e., when there is a preponderance of evidence to show that the disability was not incurred during such service or occurred after such service). Allows the Secretary to cease such payments after providing specified congressional committees with a scientific report showing that such disabilities are not connected to service in the War. Directs the Secretary to enter into: (1) an agreement with the Secretary of Defense for access to all clinical data on War veterans who remain on active duty, and to continually compile such data (with a required annual report); and (2) a contract for the conduct of an epidemiological study designed to assess the short- and long-term health consequences of service in such War (with appropriate oversight, a status report, and annual and final reports). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 2000 for such study. Authorizes appropriations to the Department for FY 1995 through 1998 for the conduct of research to advance the understanding of health risks and effects of service in the Gulf during such War and the means of treating such health effects.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that for purposes of issuing final guidelines under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to unlawful harassment in employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should exclude harassment based on religion.
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 · 25 May 1994
Airliner Cabin Air Quality Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit smoking on all scheduled airline flight segments (currently, just on certain airline flight segments) in air transportation or intrastate air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1994
Supports the efforts of the Government of Mexico and the major political parties and concerned members of civic society in Mexico (Government, parties, and members) to reform that country's political and electoral processes and to ensure free and fair elections. Urges the Government, parties, and members to implement fully, in advance of the August 1994 elections, the reforms enumerated in the Agreement for Peace, Democracy and Justice of January 1994, including: (1) establishment of impartial and autonomous electoral authorities; (2) guaranteed egalitarian access to the media; (3) assuring the reliability of the electoral register and voter identification lists; and (4) prohibition of the use of public resources for the benefit of any political party or electoral campaign. Endorses the invitation extended by the Government, parties, and members to representatives of the United Nations (UN) to provide technical assistance to domestic Mexican election observers. Supports the expansion of that invitation to include full scale international observation of the upcoming elections. Encourages UN representatives to work closely and directly with domestic Mexican observers during that process.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
Timber Fair Trade and Forest Conservation Act of 1994- Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), in order to determine whether a critical shortage exists of unprocessed timber, or of any species or grade of unprocessed timber, for domestic manufacturing, to monitor: (1) exports of, and contracts to export, unprocessed timber; and (2) domestic supplies of such unprocessed timber for domestic manufacturing purposes. Requires the Secretary to impose quantitative restrictions on the export of unprocessed timber in any State or region where a critical shortage exists. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress specified quarterly reports. Requires the Secretary, whenever such export restrictions are imposed, to give preference in the allocation of export licenses to persons who own or have ownership interests in fewer than 3,000 acres of forest land. Authorizes the President to suspend such export restrictions if a ruling is issued under the formal dispute resolution procedures of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) finding that they violate GATT Article XI prohibitions on export restrictions and are not allowable under such Article's exceptions. Directs the Secretary to impose quantitative restrictions on exports of unprocessed timber from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Montana.
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 · 4 May 1994
Restricted Explosives Control Act of 1994 - Prohibits the distribution or receipt of restricted explosives without a Federal permit. Defines "restricted explosives" to mean high explosives, blasting agents, detonators, and more than 50 pounds of black powder. Requires applications for such permits to include the applicant's photograph and fingerprints, which shall be taken and transmitted to the Secretary of the Treasury by the chief law enforcement officer of the applicant's place of residence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1994
Amends the Small Business Act to increase from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion the authorization of appropriations for the development company program administered through the Small Business Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1994
Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit a qualified State or local development company that issues a debenture purchased by the Federal Financing Bank and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, at the election of the small business borrower whose loan secures such debenture and with the Administration's approval, to repay the debenture by payment to the Bank of the unpaid principal balance, accrued interest, and repurchase premium amount (as determined under this Act). Prohibits any fees or penalties from being imposed against the issuer, borrower, or the Administration as a condition of prepayment under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1994
Small Business Administration Amendments of 1994 - Title I: Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to: (1) allow the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), under the microloan demonstration program, to make up to 100 percent deferred participation loans to ten small business intermediaries located in urban areas and ten intermediaries located in rural areas; (2) revise the authorized number of microloan programs for fiscal years after 1992; (3) increase from $1.5 to $5 million the annual microloan limits to a State; (4) increase from $1.25 to $1.75 million the total outstanding loan limit authorized for each intermediary; and (5) revise microloan repayment requirements. Title II: Revises provisions concerning the participatory amount of the SBA in small business loans provided on a deferred basis. Increases from $250,000 to $750,000 the authorized outstanding loan amounts for small businesses engaged in or adversely affected by international trade. Title III: Allows the SBA Administrator to inventory the productive facilities and capacities of business (currently, only small businesses) as part of a business loan process. Title IV: Establishes within the SBA an Office of Women's Business Ownership to administer the women's demonstration projects (projects providing financial assistance to businesses owned and controlled by women) created under the Act. Title V: Amends the Act and the Small Business Investment Act to provide that the authority of the SBA to make loans under such Acts shall remain available until expressly repealed. (Sec. 503) Removes a six-month limitation on the payment of transportation expenses of SBA employees in connection with any disaster loan assistance. (Sec. 505) Establishes in the Treasury one Loan Liquidation Fund, replacing various revolving funds, a disaster loan fund, and a business and investment loan fund under the Act. Provides for repayment of all such loans to the Fund. Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to specified congressional committees concerning Fund activities. (Sec. 507) Authorizes the SBA Administrator to specify detailed definitions or standards by which a business shall be recognized as a small business for purposes of the Act, with certain requirements such as an opportunity for public hearing. (Sec. 508) Empowers the SBA Administrator to impose reasonable fees in connection with assistance provided and information compiled and disseminated under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act. Title VI: Authorizes specified program funding levels for FY 1995 through 1997 for loans and other programs, as well as salaries and expenses, as provided or required under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1994
Radiation Experimentation Victims Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) report to the Congress on certain federally funded or conducted experiments that exposed individuals to radiation; (2) develop a plan to study the subsequent long-term health effects upon such individuals and their natural children; and (3) make recommendations to the Congress whether compensation is appropriate where the causal relationship between the contracting of a disease and participation in such experiments cannot be established.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1994
Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Studies Act of 1994 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of tobacco advertising and promotion targeted at women and certain ethnic groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
Small Business and Minority Small Business Procurement Opportunities Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) develop plans to coordinate and promote the use of the Federal Acquisition Computer Network by small businesses that incorporate outreach efforts by various agencies and organizations; and (2) inform and provide consistent and comprehensive training on the Network for small businesses. Requires each Federal contract for the procurement of goods and services not in excess of $100,000 to be reserved exclusively for small businesses unless the contracting officer is unable to obtain competitive offers from two or more small businesses. Requires the contracting officer to provide for fast payment terms for such small businesses whenever possible. Directs the President to annually establish Government-wide goals for procurement contracts awarded to small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (small and minority businesses). Requires the goal for small businesses to be at least 20 percent of the total value of all prime contracts awarded in a fiscal year. Requires the goal for minority businesses to be at least five percent of the total value of such prime contract and subcontract awards for each fiscal year. Requires the head of each Federal agency to establish a specific goal within such five percent goal for awarding contracts and subcontracts to historically Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions (including Hispanic-serving institutions). Outlines administrative procedures with respect to the attainment of such goals, including the provision of appropriate technical and infrastructure assistance when necessary. Authorizes the use of advance payments and less than full and open competitive procedures when determined appropriate and in furtherance of the attainment of the contract goals. Requires appropriate regulations by the SBA. Provides civil and criminal penalties for the misrepresentation of a business as a minority business. Requires an agency head, upon request, to determine whether the use of small disadvantaged business set asides by a contracting activity of such agency has caused a particular industry category to bear a disproportionate share of the contracts awarded to attain the goal established for such contracting activity. Requires appropriate corrective action upon a positive finding. Requires the SBA to annually report to the Congress on the progress of each executive agency toward attaining the small and minority business contracting goals. Makes such contracting goal provisions applicable for FY 1994 through 2000. Allows certain procurement solicitation notice requirements of the Act to be waived by the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy after consultation with the SBA Administrator in conducting innovative and alternative procurement test programs under the Federal Acquisition Improvement Act of 1994.
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
Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reenact such Act as the Economic Development Financing Act of 1994 (the Act). Prohibits any more than 15 percent of the total appropriations made for grants to States for public works and development facilities from being expended in any one State unless the Secretary of Commerce determines such expenditure is necessary due to the occurence of a major natural disaster. Authorizes appropriations for public works and development facilities grants for FY 1994 and 1995. Allows for the use of funds for: (1) projects constructed under projected costs; and (2) projects for which the purpose or scope is changed after the grants are made if approved by the Secretary. Allows the Secretary to make public works and development facility loans to States, Indian tribes, or any private or public nonprofit organization or association if, among other conditions, the area for the proposed loan has an approved investment strategy (currently, an approved economic development program) for the funds provided. Allows the Secretary to assist in financing and industrial or commercial activity (currently, only those in a redevelopment area). Allows the Economic Development Revolving Fund established prior to this Act to continue to be available to the Secretary in connection with financial assistance extended under this Act before October 1, 1991. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Strategic Economic Development Planning and Policy to support research, evaluation, and demonstration projects, to provide and coordinate policy development, and to disseminate information with respect to economic development planning and policy. Directs the Secretary to establish and conduct a continuing program of study, training, and research into causes of long-term economic deterioration and to make such research available to interested parties. Requires an annual report. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and report to the Congress concerning a computerized geographic analysis tool to be used by all Federal departments and agencies and grant recipients to evaluate the success of the continuing programs; (2) establish an independent advisory committee to advise and make recommendations to the Office; and (3) establish a Federal Coordinating Council to provide assistance in the development of a government-wide strategic plan for economic development. Allows for grants and contracts for appropriate demonstration projects. Directs the Secretary to establish the Office of Economic Development Information to serve as a central information clearinghouse on matters relating to economic development and adjustment, industrial retention, disaster recovery, and defense conversion programs and activities of Federal and State governments. Requires the development of information data bases to be used by Federal, state and local agencies, public and private entities, and individuals in applying for assistance under such programs. Requires the establishment of mechanisms for easy access to information compiled and appropriate outreach services. Requires the Secretary to develop and report to the Congress on the use of a general, simplified application form for grant assistance provided under this Act to be used by all Federal departments and agencies. Removes the authority of the Secretary to provide technical assistance to alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment in redevelopment areas. Directs the Secretary, with funds made available under this Act, to conduct during FY 1994 through 1996 a project to demonstrate methods of assisting isolated small businesses to access services provided by Federal, State, and local governments. Requires, as part of such project, the establishment of three business outreach centers. Authorizes appropriations. Requires applicants, in order to be eligible for assistance provided under the Act, to make certain certifications for the area in which the economic development project would be located with respect to unemployment, low incomes, sudden job loss, and related factors. Makes ineffective the designation of a redevelopment area made before the date of enactment of the Act. Requires the applicant to submit an investment strategy which identifies the economic development problems to be addressed using such assistance. Provides for the appointment of an Administrator for Economic Development. Directs the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development to publish and submit to specified congressional committees guidelines for the expeditious processing of applications for assistance under the Act. Requires, at least biennially, evaluations of each university center and economic development district receiving grant assistance under the Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to ensure that Regional Counsels of the Economic Development Administration report directly to their Regional Director. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations and procedures for determining priorities in the awarding of grants for special economic development and adjustment assistance to State and local areas having special needs arising from severe unemployment due to economic dislocation. Authorizes the Secretary to make such assistance available to military bases which are closed or realigned and the communities affected by such closures or realignments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1994 and 1995 for such projects, with a specific amount set aside for defense conversion activities and for any natural disaster. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee loans made to private borrowers by private institutions and other lenders for the development of land and facilities for industrial or commercial usage or for the provision of working capital. Directs the Secretary, in order to study the possibility of equity financing, to establish a five-year pilot program under which the Secretary provides grants to eligible entities to purchase nonvoting instruments of private U.S. businesses or nonprofit organizations and associations for the purpose of providing capital for any project relating to industrial or commercial development or working capital for such projects. Establishes the Equity Investment Revolving Fund for grant purposes. Outlines conditions concerning the use of payments. Authorizes appropriations. Requires certain public review and comment with respect to revolving loan fund guidelines. Allows for the sale of financial instruments in the Fund, with proceeds to be used for Fund purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish a multiyear demonstration project under which grants are provided to selected recipients on a matching basis for the purpose of establishing substantially leveraged financing for business development and other innovative economic development efforts. Requires the recipient to establish an investment fund for such purposes. Outlines eligibility requirements (low per capita income, high unemployment rate, and related factors). Outlines grant and demonstration project requirements and limitations. Requires evaluations and reports. Authorizes FY 1995 appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain an integrated, comprehensive data base describing all patents, licenses, technologies, processes, and other proprietary rights owned or held by the Federal Government or which originated in the course of federally funded research in which the Government has an interest. Requires the standardization and accessibility of such information. Requires access to the data base by the public (with restrictions such as national security interests) and by the Business Development and Technology Commercialization Corporation (created under this part). Directs the Secretary to review and report to the Congress on current Federal technology transfer efforts and commercialization activities. Establishes the Business Development and Technology Commercialization Corporation to facilitate the transfer and commercialization of Federal patents, licenses, technologies, processes, and other proprietary rights to qualified concerns. Requires such outreach to include the use of a cable television network devoted to marketing efforts for the commercialization of Federal technologies and processes, with promotional fees paid to the Corporation by the Secretary. Directs the Corporation to: (1) provide technical assistance and services upon request; (2) provide specific outreach services to qualified concerns located in areas of chronically depressed economies or high unemployment; and (3) act as an agent of the Government in facilitating the transfers of Federal technologies and processes. Outlines provisions with respect to the rights of the Government and qualified concerns receiving such technologies and processes, the financing of the Corporation, Corporation consultation with regard to their activities, Comptroller General audits, and jurisdiction when the Corporation is a party to a civil action. Directs the Corporation to act as a one-step clearinghouse for information to assist qualified concerns to identify sources of business development and technology commercialization financing available through the Federal Government, State and local governments, and private sources. Allows the Corporation to charge fees for technical assistance and services.
![Official portrait of Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000556_200.jpg)