United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1991
Rewards for Results Act of 1991 - Title I: Ready to Start School - Entitles all eligible States to receive payments from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a reward for meeting certain criteria in achieving the national educational goal of readiness to start school. Provides for such payments for any of the first six fiscal years beginning after enactment of this Act. Provides for two types of such payments: (1) those relating to eligible children one year old; and (2) those relating to eligible children who register for first grade. Requires States, in order to be eligible, to submit applications containing: (1) certifications of numbers of eligible children, by particular family income category, and their receipt of health care prior to age one or first grade registration, as applicable (and receipt of parental care or early childhood education prior to first grade); and (2) assurances that such payments will be used in addition to other Federal and State funds for, respectively, health care for eligible children less than one year old, and early childhood education and health care to eligible children less than seven years old. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such payments, according to numbers of children certified in specified categories of family income. Title II: Excellence in Student Performance - Entitles eligible States, upon application, to receive payments from the Secretary of Education as a reward for meeting certain criteria in achieving the national educational goal of excellence in student performance. Provides for such payments for any of the first six fiscal years beginning after enactment of this Act. Requires a State, in order to be eligible to receive such payments, to establish a baseline figure for each local educational agency (LEA) each year that represents the most recent available figures for the number of graduating high school seniors whose average scores in mathematics and science on an international test equal or surpass the highest average scores of another nation. Requires an LEA, to qualify to receive payments under this title, to demonstrate an increase in the baseline figure above the previous year's figure. Requires students, to receive scholarship funds under this title, to have an average mathematics and science score on the international test that equals or surpasses the highest average score of another nation. Requires the National Education Goals Panel, established by the President, to select the international test. Directs the Secretary to annually adjust the test results to allow the variation in types of students tested in other nations. Requires State applications to provide specified information, an affidavit regarding accuracy of test results, and assure use of funds to supplement not supplant all other funds. Bases payments to States on a formula involving per student reward amount and the number of eligible students with test scores meeting the criteria. Sets forth formulas for determining per student reward amount, with exceptions for payments to States with LEAs with very high or very low percentages of students meeting the criteria. Requires State educational agencies to submit plans for distribution of such payments, with at least 80 percent of funds received under this title to be distributed to LEAs. Requires LEAs to distribute such funds equitably to all secondary schools within their jurisdiction. Requires qualifying students who desire such scholarship funds to submit applications to the Secretary of Education with their certified test results, within three years after notification of test results. Sets scholarship amounts as follows: (1) $5,000 for a qualified eligible student; and (2) $2,500 who are not eligible to be counted under specified provisions for education of disadvantaged children under chapter 1 title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Directs the Secretary of Education to pay such funds to the institution of higher education of the qualifying student's choice where they are enrolled for a recognized course of study. Directs the National Education Goals Panel to report to the Congress, within two years after enactment of this Act, on the feasibility of testing in other academic subjects and grade levels. Title III: Increase in Rate of Corporate Income Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the rate of tax on corporations applicable to taxable years 1992 through 1997. Title IV: General Provisions- - Directs the appropriate Secretary (of HHS for title I, of Education for title II) to: (1) conduct random annual audits of at least ten percent of States receiving payments under this Act; and (2) impose specified sanctions for noncompliance. Provides for contingent advance payments for the second year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the people of the United States should recognize: (1) the tenth anniversary of "An Artistic Discovery" (the Congressional High School Art Competition); and (2) its success in encouraging the creative endeavors of our Nation's young artists and forging strong working relationships among the Congress, businesses, and the arts community towards the ultimate goal of providing opportunities for high school students to express their artistic talents.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Petroleum Marketing Competition Enhancement Act - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit a refiner from: (1) selling motor fuel to a customer for resale (customer) at a price higher than the refiner's adjusted retail price for the same or a similar grade or quality of motor fuel sold from a direct operated outlet in the same geographic area (sale of fuel at higher prices); and (2) entering into a scheme or agreement to set, change, or maintain maximum retail prices of motor fuel, except with respect to a refiner's retail sales at its direct operated outlets. Requires that: (1) in comparing a refiner's adjusted retail price to a refiner's price to other customers, adjustments be made to account for differences in freight, taxes, and inspection fees, whether or not the items are separately listed as part of the price; and (2) if a refiner includes consumer credit as part of its price, an adjustment for the cost of such credit be made in comparing the prices. Sets forth enforcement provisions, including: (1) proceedings by the Attorney General (establishes fines ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for each violation, and authorizes civil actions and equitable relief); (2) private civil actions, including class actions, (and establishes a right to jury trial); and (3) proceedings by State attorneys general. Allows a person bringing an action to enforce provisions concerning the sale of fuel at higher prices to establish a prima facie case by showing that the refiner has sold motor fuel to a customer at a price that is higher than: (1) 94 percent of its consumer retail price per gallon (or, in the event of a sale to a branded wholesaler, 90 percent); or (2) the refiner's consumer retail price per gallon less the most recently available average retail operating expenses per gallon (and, in the event of a sale by a refiner to a branded wholesaler, also less the most recently available average wholesale operating expenses per gallon for the State in which the consumer retail price was charged). Specifies that: (1) in the event that the relevant State has not conducted an annual survey (pursuant to this Act) to determine the average retail or average wholesale operating expenses, the average operating expenses for the retail and wholesale petroleum industry, as determined by the Secretary of Energy, shall be used; and (2) such prima facie case may be overcome by a preponderance of evidence that the refiner's actual retail and average wholesale operating expenses, if applicable, are less than the evidence presented by the plaintiff to establish such prima facie case. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual survey to determine the average retail and average wholesale operating expenses per gallon for the petroleum industry. Permits a State or State agency to authorize an annual State survey to reflect local conditions with respect to motor fuels sold to the public in that State. Directs that any such survey regarding: (1) retail operating expenses and actual wholesale operating expenses be based upon all direct and indirect expenses attributable to the sale of a gallon of motor fuel to the public by direct and nondirect operated outlets; and (2) wholesale operating expenses be based on all direct and indirect expenses attributable to the wholesale sale of a gallon of motor fuel by a refiner or a branded wholesaler to a branded dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Abatement Act - Title I: Abatement of Lead-Based Paint Hazards - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of formula allotments to States and city and urban entities for abatement of lead-based paint hazards. Sets requirements for annually increasing matching funds. Describes grant purposes, including inspection of residential and child day-care structures for lead hazards, removal of hazards, housing for displaced occupants, and counseling on lead poisoning. Allows grant abatement expenditures only if the income of a residential structure's occupants is 80 percent or less of the median income of the geographic area; or, for other eligible structures, only if a public health service agency has determined the structure is a significant-hazard structure. Prescribes rulemaking procedures for the issuance of program standards, requiring the use of specified regulations of the State of Massachusetts if a final rule is not issued within one year. Requires the establishment of an advisory council to supply advice on the administration of the program. Sets forth additional standards regarding authorized grant activities, planning requirements, annual reports, and allotment reallocations. Title II: Lead Abatement Trust Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on lead removed from any U.S. smelter and imported lead and lead products of 75 cents per pound for primary lead and 37 cents per pound for secondary lead. Terminates the tax after ten years. Establishes the Lead Abatement Trust Fund in the Treasury. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth the effective dates for the formula grants and the imposition of the excise tax.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC) program, to encourage institutions of higher education to offer educational programs and financial assistance to enable paraprofessionals working in shortage area schools serving disadvantaged students to become certified teachers. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to allocate TOC program grant funds to States according to the same formula under which States receive chapter 1 funding (i.e. funding for education of disadvantaged children under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Sets forth a minimum State allotment. Requires TOC grant program agreements to include provisions for administration and recordkeeping by the State education or higher education agency. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to support TOC programs at institutions of higher education. Sets forth State grant application requirements and general criteria for State grants, including: (1) involvement of institutions of higher education and shortage area schools or school districts; (2) full credit of education program courses to a baccalaureate program leading to teacher certification; and (3) a program evaluation system. Requires any paraprofessional who receives student financial assistance under the TOC program to agree to act as a paraprofessional in a shortage area school for at least one year for each year of such assistance, within ten years after completing the postsecondary education. Requires repayment of all or part of such such assistance, plus interest and reasonable collection costs, if the recipient fails to comply with such service requirement, except under specified circumstances. Requires that such student financial assistance supplement, but not supplant, other Federal or State assistance for which the student would otherwise qualify. Requires TOC program grants to be for a term of at least five years, subject to availability of appropriations. Allows States to use TOC program funds for: (1) student financial assistance to paraprofessionals to pay part or all of costs of attendance (including child care) in postsecondary education programs required for teacher certification; and (2) supportive services for such paraprofessionals during participation in such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997 for the TOC program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Technical Education and Training Act of 1991 - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out an advanced technical education and training program under which accredited associate-degree-granting colleges, using matching non-Federal funds, provide training in technical competencies in strategic fields, with emphasis on collaborative programs with local employers and on attracting nontraditional students seeking to upgrade skills, recent high school graduates, and high school dropouts. Sets forth program elements, including: (1) model instructional programs in state-of-the-art competencies in advanced-technology occupations; (2) faculty development in laser technology, robotics, fiber optics, electronics, and other advanced technologies; and (3) private sector participation and provision of work experience opportunities. Requires the Director to: (1) award competitive grants to associate-degree-granting colleges; and (2) establish an inventory of advanced technical education and training programs. Requires the appointment of a National Advisory Council on Advanced Technical Education and Training to ensure the program is consistent with the needs of industries and provide other advice and evaluations. Requires an annual report from the Council to the NSF and the Congress. Requires the program to give emphasis to training to accommodate working people, parents, and the handicapped. Requires the designation of ten centers of excellence among associate-degree-granting colleges to serve as national and regional clearinghouses for educational institutions striving to upgrade their technical education programs and mathematics and science courses. Requires the Director to make: (1) no fewer than 20 grants annually to associate-degree-granting colleges to develop partnerships in mathematics and science education with secondary schools in the community; and (2) grants for partnerships with four-year academic institutions to enable students to achieve bachelor degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, or technology.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Consumer Protection Against Credit Card Fraud Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for knowingly and with intent to defraud: (1) effecting transactions with one or more access devices (ADs) issued to another person to receive payment or any other thing of value during any one-year period the aggregate value of which is equal to or greater than $1,000; (2) without the authorization of the issuer of the AD, soliciting a person for the purpose of offering, or selling information regarding or an application to obtain, an AD; or (3) without the authorization of the credit card system member or its agent, causing or arranging for another person to present to the member or its agent for payment evidence or records of transactions made by an AD.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1991
Small Business Economic Opportunity Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a five-year microloan demonstration program to: (1) make direct loans to intermediaries (such as community development corporations) for short-term loans to eligible small businesses; and (2) make grants to intermediaries for marketing, management, and technical assistance to small business borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1991
American Jobs and Manufacturing Preservation Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include imported property income of a controlled foreign corporation or related person as foreign base company income. Defines imported property income as that from: (1) manufacturing, producing, growing, or extracting imported property; (2) the sale, exchange, or other disposition of imported property; or (3) the lease, rental, or licensing of imported property. Requires the separate application of the limitation on the foreign tax credit on imported property income. Applies the look-thru rules in the case of controlled foreign corporations to such income.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1991
National Plastics Recycling Research and Development Act of 1991 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) establish three National Plastics Recycling Research and Development Centers at institutions of higher education; and (2) make grants to such Centers in the amount of 50 percent of the funds required to conduct assigned activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish the National Clearinghouse on Plastics Recycling, to be located at one of the Centers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Access to Life-Saving Therapies Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug Administration, to approve, at the request of the sponsor and on an expedited basis, a drug or biologic needed to treat or prevent a life threatening disease or seriously debilitating illness if the drug or biologic meets certain conditions, including some indications of effectiveness and safety and a lack of alternative satisfactory therapy. Deems an application under the amendments made by this Act approved unless other action is taken within 120 days. Prohibits any health insurance policy or plan from distinguishing, for the purpose of determining whether a drug is eligible for coverage or reimbursement, between a drug approved under the amendments made by this Act and one approved under specified other provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Mandates suspension of approval under the amendments made by this Act if at least two subsequent studies fail to confirm the initial safety and efficacy conclusions. Requires written informed consent for administration of a drug approved under amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue code to exempt from income tax withholding the wages of agricultural workers for services that are not described as exempt from minimum wage and maximum hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Social Security Trust Fund Integrity and Benefits Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Benefit Improvements - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits; (2) increase survivors' benefits for those widows and widowers whose spouses died before they reached age 65; (3) repeal provisions which require that a widow or widower must have become disabled within seven years of their spouse's death or within seven years of the end of their eligibility for benefits as the surviving parent of a young child in order to be eligible for disability benefits; (4) raise the social security payroll tax exemption for State election officials and workers, and index the exempt amount beginning in 1993; and (5) increase the OASDI contribution and benefit base on a graduated basis beginning in 1992. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the disability determination process and the appeals process applicable to disability determinations under the OASDI program and title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act. Title II: Clarification of Budgetary Provisions - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exclude the appropriations for the administration of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund from Federal budget deficit calculations and to exempt such appropriations from sequestration under such Act. Title III: Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish the Social Security Administration as an independent executive agency. Transfers to the Administration all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pertaining to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
National Alternative Fuels and Motor Vehicles Act of 1991 - Title I: Alternative Transportation Fuels - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), in consultation with the Administrator of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures proposed by any municipal, county, or regional transit authority in an urban area with a population over 100,000 to demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gas or other alternative fuels for mass transit. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992, 1993, and 1994. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation, to establish and carry out a program to provide financial assistance to encourage the development and commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuels for use in fleets. Requires such program to provide for the purchase or construction of alternative fuel vehicles and associated refueling equipment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992, 1993, and 1994. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and carry out a training and certification program for technicians who are responsible for vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles to alternative fuel vehicles, and for the maintenance of such converted vehicles. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992, 1993, and 1994. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration on techniques related to improving natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicle technology. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992, 1993, and 1994. Directs the Secretary, within six months of enactment of this Act, to: (1) institute a program to educate consumers of the costs of alternative fuels; (2) report to the Congress on the purchasing policies of the Federal Government which inhibit or prevent the purchase by the Government of alternative fuel vehicles; and (3) report to the Congress on Federal, State, and local traffic control measures and policies and how the use of alternative fuel vehicles could be promoted by granting such vehicles exemptions or preferential treatment. Amends the Natural Gas Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act, and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to provide for Federal regulation of the sale of vehicular natural gas. Allows the Secretary to assist State governments in establishing an office of alternative fuels. Requires funds to be available for funding alternative fuel programs established by such offices. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992, 1993, and 1994. Title II: Alternative Fuel Fleet Requirements - Requires any person who owns, operates, leases, or otherwise controls a covered fleet to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire alternative fuel vehicles from 1995 to 2000. Sets forth the percentages for such years from ten percent to 90 percent, respectively. Sets forth exceptions to such requirement and civil penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1991
Irwin Rutman Retired Safety Officers Benefits Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide: (1) death benefits to the families of retired public safety officers who die as the direct result of a personal injury sustained while responding to a fire, rescue, or police emergency; and (2) benefits to such officers who become permanently and totally disabled as the direct result of a catastrophic injury sustained while responding to such an emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct ten demonstration projects to examine the feasibility of broader use of arrangements for the sharing of health-care resources with other Federal health-care providers. Requires the Secretary to enter into agreements for such demonstration projects with the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services with respect to facilities, providers, and beneficiaries of health care. Requires each demonstration project to be carried out through a sharing agreement between the Secretary and one of the other named Secretaries with respect to care and services provided by a particular Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. Requires medical centers selected for the demonstration projects to be located in rural and urban areas in different regions of the country. Provides for the reciprocal provision of health-care services by medical centers participating in the project, as well as for reciprocal reimbursement for services provided. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the demonstration projects on an ongoing basis and to submit two annual reports on such evaluation to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1991
Rural Schools of America (RSA) Act of 1991 - Title I: Rural School Improvement - Authorizes appropriations for this title. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to reserve five percent of specified funds for competitive grant awards to exemplary school programs. Directs the Secretary to allot, from remaining amounts, to each eligible local educational agency (LEA) with an approved application an amount based on that LEA's relative allocation under certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for education of disadvantaged children (ESEA title I chapter 1). Provides for annual payments to eligible LEAs with approved applications if they comply with certain data collection requirements to monitor progress toward meeting national education goals, and demonstrate such progress. Requires each such LEA to reserve up to five percent of its allotment to make as many grants as practicable, for authorized activities, to community-based organizations or nonprofit partnerships between the LEA and an area-wide collaborative of private sector businesses. Sets limits on the time and the amount of funds to be used for planning purposes. Requires LEAs to use funds under this title to meet national education goals through programs designed to: (1) increase the academic achievement of rural school children to at least the national average; (2) prepare all rural children for school; (3) increase the graduation rates of rural students to at least the national average; (4) prepare rural school graduates to enter higher education, pursue careers, and exercise their responsibilities as citizens; (5) recruit and retain qualified teachers; and (6) decrease the use of drugs and alcohol by rural students, and enhance their physical and emotional health. Sets forth program accountability requirements: (1) in general, for initial grants, renewal grants, and renewal of school participation; (2) for achievement, including demonstration of improvement; and (3) for data collection certification and to monitor progress in achieving national education goals. Authorizes the Secretary to make, from reserved funds, competitive incentive awards to individual schools participating in projects assisted under this title that demonstrate exemplary progress in meeting specified program requirements. Directs the Secretary, by January 1, 1993, to report on the impact of Federal regulations, guidelines, and policies on rural public schools. Requires LEAs desiring to receive an allotment under this Act to establish a local advisory group to: (1) advise on design and conduct of a needs assessment for participating schools; (2) assist in planning for community-wide collaboration in service delivery for youths in participating schools; (3) advise the LEA and the community on how they can work together to use multiple service providers; and (4) advise and assist program implementation and review program evaluation; (5) review and approve community-based organizations' applications; (6) advise on strategies for increasing parental involvement and the number of school volunteers and role models; and (7) review community-based programs' progress or national education goals. Allows use of a comparable existing local advisory group to comply with such requirement. Sets forth special rules relating to ranking of schools to determine relative need, in general, on the basis of achievement, poverty, and racial isolation. Requires each LEA receiving a grant to serve between ten and 20 percent of its schools. Requires eligible LEAs to have flexibility to serve homeless children, desegregating students, immigrants, migrants, or other highly mobile populations, within the program assisted under this title. Deems any approved program for any school served under certain ESEA title I chapter 1 provisions to be sufficient to meet the application and program accountability requirements of this title. Title II: School Building Repair and Renovation - Authorizes appropriations to assist eligible LEAs in repairing and renovating instructional facilities in rural schools. Directs the Secretary to make allotments to State educational agencies based on relative allocations to LEAs under ESEA title I chapter 1. Directs each SEA after after being allowed to reserve one percent of such funds for administrative expenses, to allot the remainder to eligible LEAs, which shall use half of such allotment for programs for school building repair and renovation, and half for programs for school environmental concerns and safety improvements. (Authorizes the SEA to waive such 50 percent division in certain cases.) Directs the SEA to allocate such funds on the basis of the number of: (1) children from families below the poverty line; (2) school buildings used for instructional purposes; and (3) school buildings more than 25 years old used for instructional purposes. Limits the period covered by a grant application to three years, and requires annual review. Lists types of programs eligible LEAs must conduct with their allotments for: (1) repair and renovation of school buildings; and (2) improvements related to environmental concerns and safety. Title III: Evaluation of Results - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Assistant Secretary for Rural Education in the Department of Education. Subtitle B: Rural School Research and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Directs the Secretary to establish for each region a National Rural Regional Education Research Center (Center), to be operated by the appropriate regional educational laboratory. Requires each Center to: (1) conduct independent research in rural education and distance learning technologies; (2) evaluate progress toward the national education goals of rural schools receivng funds under title I of this Act; (3) be rural education clearinghouses for research findings, policies, and practices; (4) develop measurements of rural schools' progress; (5) disseminate evaluation and research results to other centers and rural school districts and parents; (6) arrange collaboration and consortia among rural schools in the region for joint research and evaluation; (7) replicate successful models and program approaches; (8) provide technical assistance and outreach services for schools; (9) provide staff training; and (10) develop curricula to assist rural schools in moving toward meeting the national education goals. Requires each Center to reserve 25 percent of funds received under this subtitle for direct grants to rural eligible LEAs within its region, which are participating in a program assisted under title I of this Act, to conduct local school district research and evaluation of efforts toward meeting the national education goals. Title IV: General Provisions - Establishes the Interagency Council on Rural Schools to: (1) review Federal programs to determine effects on and rural schools' ability to meet national education goals; (2) track school progress toward and such goals; (3) solicit advice and information for rural education experts and rural school representatives on improvement of Federal programs; (4) review Federal regulations for duplication or contradiction; (5) report annually to the Congress and the President on rural school progress; (6) review and recommend improvement for streamlining of Federal data collection in rural schools; and (7) conduct research to help rural school practitioners improve school performance. Directs the President to conduct a White House Conference on Rural Education before October 30, 1994. Requires the Conference to: (1) develop recommendations and strategies for improving rural education; (2) marshal the forces of the private sector, governmental agencies at all levels, parents, teachers, communities, and education officials to assist rural schools in meeting national goals; and (3) conduct initial planning for a permanent national advisory commission on rural education. Requires reports to the President. Authorizes appropriations for such Conference. Establishes the Carl D. Perkins National Commission on Rural Education (the Commission). Directs the Commission to: (1) study specified issues relating to rural schools; and (2) report, and recommend changes in Federal legislation, to the President and appropriate congressional committees. Terminates the Commission three years after its first meeting. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission. Requires eligible LEAs to use Federal funds received under this Act only to supplement but not supplant non-Federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to include the costs of securing and maintaining a hearing dog trained to assist a deaf or hard-of-hearing individual as allowable medical expenses for the purpose of income-related calculations to determine eligibility for the food stamp program. Amends Federal law to: (1) include as a benefit to certain veterans the provision of hearing dogs trained to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals; (2) permit hearing dogs trained to assist a deaf or hard-of-hearing individual to be admitted to public buildings and other properties owned by the United States; and (3) permit certain common carriers to continue to establish a special rate for transportation of a hearing-impaired individual when accompanied by a dog trained to assist the individual. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a commission regarding measures that should be taken to provide rights regarding the use of guide dogs by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a law devoted solely to that subject. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect. Makes this article effective beginning with FY 1995 or with the second fiscal year after its ratification, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Anti-Forced Labor Act of 1991 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the importation, or the transportation in interstate commerce, of products manufactured by forced labor. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to products vital to U.S. national security. Prohibits U.S. nationals from investing in, or making loans to, a foreign joint venture involving the use of forced labor. Sets forth civil penalties for violating such prohibitions. Provides for the administrative review of orders imposing such penalties. Authorizes private persons to: (1) bring civil actions to enforce such prohibitions in an appropriate U.S. district court; and (2) sue for treble damages business competitors which violate such prohibitions if the plaintiff is injured as a result of such violation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Toxic Pollution Responsibility Act of 1991 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to absolve municipalities or persons that generate or transport municipal solid waste from liability under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to restrict the export of nuclear weapon items to a non-nuclear weapon state, unless: (1) such state maintains International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all its peaceful nuclear activities; and (2) the the export, retransfer, or activity is under the terms of an agreement for cooperation. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from issuing any license for the export of highly enriched uranium. Directs the President to undertake negotiations with foreign nations which participate in the Nuclear Suppliers Group to establish specified multilateral nuclear non-proliferation controls. Sets forth sanctions for violations of this Act. Amends the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 to require the United States to enter into negotiations with other nations and groups of nations to improve the effectiveness of the safeguards of the IAEA.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Office of Federal Management Act of 1991 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Federal Management to coordinate, audit, oversee, and improve management practices within the Government. Places the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy within the Office of Federal Management. Establishes within the Office of Federal Management the Office of Federal Financial Management to oversee the financial management activities of the Government. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Management, the principal advisor to the President on matters concerning the management of the Government, to: (1) submit an annual management report to the Congress along with appropriate recommendations at the same time the President submits his budget; and (2) develop all presidential directives except those relating to budgetary matters. Redesignates the Office of Management and Budget as the Office of Federal Budget with responsibility over the budget functions of the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require taxpayers who determine depreciation under the income forecast method to pay interest under the look-back method for any recomputation year. Establishes a formula for such recomputations to recapture foregone tax revenues. Provides for taxing certain rents and royalties paid to foreign subsidiaries as foreign personal holding company income.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1991
Water Pollution Penalty Fund Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a Water Pollution Penalty Fund to be used to carry out projects to restore and recover U.S. waters from damages resulting from violations of such Act. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in selecting such projects, to give priority to projects if an enforcement action for such project resulted in amounts being deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1991
Medicare Physician Regulatory Relief Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) prohibit the denial of physician claims because of patient failure to complete Medicare secondary payer questionnaires; (2) prohibit carriers from using extrapolation to recover the amounts they reimbursed physicians for claims for which Medicare disallows payment, if the physician requests that each such claim be individually identified; (3) prohibit the imposition of specified user fees on physicians; (4) require consideration of physician comments in annual carrier performance reviews; (5) allow individuals (including physicians) to file administrative appeals when they have suffered damages as a result of the failure of a carrier to carry out Medicare policies; and (6) require review of medical necessity denials by physicians in the same medical specialty as the physician providing the service. Amends the Medicare and Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) programs to permit the reimbursement of a patient's regular physician for services provided by another physician who covers for the regular physician under contractual arrangements. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to repeal the peer review requirement for certain surgical procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Residential Treatment Grants Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for purposes of providing specified alcohol and drug abuse residential treatment services to: (1) pregnant women and their minor children; (2) women who have given birth within 12 months of requesting treatment services and their minor children; and (3) other parents with whom a dependent child lives and their minor children, at the option of the applicant (except that such parents shall not be given priority in admission over the other eligible individuals). Authorizes grant applicants to restrict the age and number of children (but not to less than one unless all children are over age 13) that each parent may bring to the facility. Requires the Director to give priority to applicants that assure that they will give priority to providing services to pregnant women, mothers, and children eligible for Medicaid or who are low-income and do not have insurance covering such services. Describes the residential treatment services. Prohibits the awarding of a grant unless the applicant agrees that: (1) services will be provided to an individual for such period as is therapeutically required, except that such services may be limited to 12 months; and (2) services will be provided free of charge to individuals eligible for Medicaid and their minor children. Prohibits the awarding of a grant unless the facility: (1) is certified to provide such services and meets all applicable State licensure or certification requirements; and (2) has a certain amount of beds. Prohibits the awarding of a grant unless the applicant submits an application and reports regarding services and agrees that the grant will be used to supplement non-Federal funds for such services. Provides for evaluations of such services. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Social Security Act to make medical assistance grants under title XIX of such Act (Medicaid) available for individuals receiving services under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
C02 Offsets Policy Efficiency Act of 1991 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit new major sources of carbon dioxide from operating without a permit issued under this Act. Provides that such permits shall require source owners or operators to: (1) demonstrate possession of certified carbon dioxide credits equal to the carbon dioxide emissions expected to occur between the commencement of operations and December 31 of the year in which operations begin; and (2) make annual deposits of sufficient carbon dioxide credits into the National Carbon Dioxide Offset Bank to compensate for annual carbon dioxide emissions. Exempts from credit requirements new major sources that use as a fuel trees that are replaced through replanting and that have not been grown as carbon dioxide offsets. Makes owners or operators of sources emitting excess carbon dioxide liable for an excess emissions penalty. Requires such sources to offset the excess emissions by an equal tonnage amount in the following calendar year. Provides for annual adjustments of the penalty, based on the Consumer Price Index. Makes it unlawful to fail to pay the penalty or to offset emissions. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations concerning the certification of carbon dioxide offset credits. Lists as eligible ways to obtain credits, and directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for: (1) the certification of carbon dioxide emissions reductions by sources subject to title IV of the Clean Air Act to the extent that such reductions occur from switching to less carbon intensive fuels; (2) regional average annual per acre carbon dioxide fixation rates by tree species over a 100-year period (sets forth eligibility requirements for offset credits for new forests, improved forest management, and old growth forests); (3) the certification of carbon dioxide credits from new vehicle fleet fuel efficiency improvements; (4) the certification of carbon dioxide credits from appliance efficiency improvements; (5) the certification of carbon dioxide credits for energy conservation investments; (6) the certification of carbon dioxide equivalent credits from the capture and use of methane from coalbeds, municipal landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, and sewage sludge facilities; (7) the certification of carbon dioxide credits created by the construction and operation of cogeneration facilities that replace existing industrial boilers or other thermal power not produced by cogeneration; (8) the certification of carbon dioxide equivalent credits for the capture and destruction of chlorofluorocarbons in the United States and other nations; (9) carbon dioxide credits for manufacturers of alternative fuel vehicles that use less carbon intensive fuels than gasoline; (10) the certification of carbon dioxide credits for utility sources that achieve more efficient heat rates through the repowering or replacement of an existing unit; and (11) the certification of carbon dioxide credits for renewable energy sources that replace existing utility sources that emit carbon dioxide. Requires the Administrator to establish a baseline for sources subject to certification, to be set according to actual performances of such sources during a specified baseline year. Prohibits certification from being granted for a utility shutdown for purposes of repowering or refurbishing an existing facility. Authorizes the Administrator to provide for expedited certification carbon dioxide credits. Authorizes reductions in air pollutants that contribute to global warming to be certified as carbon dioxide offset credits if such reductions meet regulation criteria, except that the amounts of such credits may be reduced or increased based on radiative differences and atmospheric lifetime to reflect the global warming potential of such air pollutants. Requires the Administrator to establish the minimum elements of a permit program to be administered by any air pollution control agency. Requires State Governors to submit permit programs to the Administrator for approval. Directs the Administrator to enforce programs for States failing to make such submission. Requires permits to set forth inspection, entry, monitoring, compliance certification, and reporting requirements. Directs the Administrator to create a National Carbon Dioxide Offset Bank to ensure adequate supplies of carbon dioxide offsets and to create procedures for the tracking and retirement of used credits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
James Madison-Bill of Rights Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins emblematic of the Bill of Rights, and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of James Madison. Sets forth guidelines for their sale and issuance, and for financial assurances. Mandates that the surcharges received by the Secretary shall be transmitted to the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. Authorizes audits by the Comptroller General. Provides a general waiver of procurement regulations when implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
Maternal and Early Childhood Health Care Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the use of certain funds appropriated for migrant health centers (MHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and programs for health services for the homeless for: (1) the development and operation of Comprehensive Perinatal and Early Childhood Health Programs (CPECHPs); and (2) expanding services for pregnant women and children where MHCs and CHCs are already operating Comprehensive Perinatal Care Programs. Provides for grants to MHCs, CHCs, and homeless health service programs for the CPECHPs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide vaccines to the health department of each State or large city operating an immunization project. Amends the Vaccine and Immunization Amendments of 1990 to direct the Secretary, through the CDC, to: (1) make grants to States (currently, to public and nonprofit private entities) for demonstration projects to provide, without administrative charge (currently, without charge), immunizations to children not over two years old; and (2) provide immunizations related to certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (3) maintain private physician participation in immunization services and to encourage private physicians to provide such services to infants and children enrolled under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any payment the holder of an annuity, endowment, or life insurance contract receives from a State to indemnify such holder for any loss because of the insolvency of the insurance company, if the holder uses such payment to purchase a similar contract. Provides for reducing the basis of such contract by any amount not included in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ask the United Nations (UN) to release through UNICEF a portion of Iraq's frozen assets to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, particularly children, with release of the funds contingent on Iraqi Government acceptance of UN oversight and control.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lancaster, H. Martin [D-NC-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000045_200.jpg)