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United States · Official source
3,894 records where Rep. Leach, James A. [R-IA-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1993
Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 1994 by the amount of rescissions under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1993
Designates May 1 through 7, 1994, as National Walking Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1993
Fair Trade in Financial Services Act of 1993 - Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to: (1) identify the extent to which a foreign country denies national treatment to U.S. banking and securities organizations; and (2) determine whether such denial has a significant adverse effect upon them. Authorizes the Secretary to publish the determinations of adverse effect in the Federal Register. Authorizes Federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), upon concurrence and/or recommendation of the Secretary, to deny applications filed by entities of such identified countries. Prohibits a financial services organization of such a country from commencing any line of business in the United States in which, as of the Secretary's publication date, it was not engaged, or conduct business from any location at which the organization did not conduct business as of that date. Requires securities organizations from those countries to notify the SEC and gain its approval before acquiring control of any registered domestic securities organization. Prescribes guidelines for the Secretary to initiate negotiations with foreign countries that deny national treatment for U.S. banking and securities organizations. Requires the Secretary to submit a biennial status report to the Congress. Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to direct the Secretary to investigate and report to the President and the Congress on: (1) the extent of the interdependence of U.S. financial services sectors and certain foreign countries; and (2) the economic and strategic consequences of that interdependence for the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1993
Amends Federal law with respect to the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems to provide that certain requirements relating to reemployed annuitants shall not apply with respect to postal retirees who are reemployed, on a temporary basis, as rural postmasters or rural letter carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1993
Designates October 29, 1993, as National Firefighters Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1993
Designates the week beginning October 25, 1993, as World Population Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1993
Provides that the Federal participation agreement for the Centennial Bridge, Rock Island, Illinois, shall be treated as if such agreement had been entered into before the effective date of title I of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and may be modified accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1993
General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to set forth a 15-year statute of limitations within which a person may bring a civil action against an aircraft manufacturer for damages for death or injury or damage to property arising from an aircraft accident.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1993
Designates September 14, 1994, as Francis Scott Key Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to revise provisions concerning limitations on cost of living adjustments for military retirees to set forth special rules concerning such adjustments for FY 1994 through 1996 (currently, special rules are set forth for FY 1994 through 1998).
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Designates November 21 through 27, 1993, and November 20 through 26, 1994, as National Adoption Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Comprehensive Cost Effective Relocation Act of 1993 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase from 50 to 75 percent of the total cost the Federal share of cost-effective hazards mitigation measures taken in an area affected by a major disaster; and (2) increase from ten to 15 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of major disaster grants made under the Act the total of contributions made for hazard mitigation measures. Authorizes the President, in providing hazard mitigation assistance under the Act for areas affected by flooding in the Midwest beginning on April 13, 1993, to contribute 90 percent of the cost of relocation projects which meet specified requirements. Provides relocation project funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Directs the Secretary of the Army to study and report to the Congress on the adequacy of current flood control measures on the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1993
Designates October 1993 as Crime Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1993
Encourages Federal, State, and local governments to recognize July 28, 1993, as Parents Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Designates March 1994 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Designates December 1993 as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1993
Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1993 - Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to make exceptions for a specified period of time to the Truth in Lending Act and to the Expedited Funds Availability Act with respect to transactions and depository institutions located within either a federally declared major disaster area or certain areas damaged by the 1993 flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries (disaster areas). Cites conditions under which: (1) an insured depository institution may subtract from its total assets a specified amount attributable to insurance proceeds when it is calculating compliance with prescribed leverage limits; and (2) a qualifying regulatory agency may deviate from certain statutory requirements with respect to regulated entities located in disaster areas. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the efficacy of certain disaster relief Acts with respect to facilitating recovery from major disasters. Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified Federal banking regulatory agencies should encourage depository institutions to meet the financial services needs of their communities and customers located in areas affected by the 1993 flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1993
Designates the week beginning October 17, 1993, as National Radon Action Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1993
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating September 1993 as Classical Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Bank Enterprise Act Enhancements Title II: Bank Community Development Incentives Title III: Housing and Small Business Finance Title IV: Credit Union Amendments Title V: Consumer Education Title VI: Community Development Task Force Bank Enterprise Act Amendments of 1993 - Title I: Bank Enterprise Act Enhancements - Amends the Bank Enterprise Act (BEA) to establish the Community Development Fund, to be administered by the Community Enterprise Assessment Credit Board (created by this Act). Requires the Fund to establish a national information clearinghouse in coordination with designated Federal agencies. Earmarks the Fund for: (1) investments and assistance to enable community development financial institutions to target distressed communities; (2) financial and technical assistance to such institutions; and (3) the clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends the Bank Enterprise Act of 1991 (BEA 91) to make community development banks newly chartered under this Act eligible for community enterprise assessment credit. (Sec. 103) Authorizes any insured depository institution located in a qualified distressed community to sell property and casualty insurance to residents and/or individuals employed within such community. Amends Federal banking law and the Home Owners' Loan Act, respectively, to authorize a well-capitalized national bank or savings association located in a qualified distressed community to trade in securities issued by any small business located in that community. (Sec. 104) Amends the BEA 91 to direct the Community Enterprise Assessment Credit Board to: (1) establish independent criteria for distressed rural area eligibility as a qualified distressed community; and (2) grant priority to qualified distressed communities when it allocates funds. Provides for the establishment of nonprofit, private, community development corporations whose purpose is to sponsor enterprises providing employment, housing, and business development opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents of a qualified distressed community. Title II: Bank Community Development Incentives - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to direct the Financial Institutions Examination Council to: (1) establish performance rating standards to assess the record of a regulated financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods; (2) list those activities and investments which qualify as community reinvestment activities; (3) establish procedures under which a regulated financial institution can obtain a written opinion on the qualification of a proposed transaction as a community reinvestment activity; (4) establish criteria and procedures for delineating the service area of a regulated financial institution on the basis of existing market conditions and the local credit needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods; and (5) solicit community comments before making any final determination regarding the proposed treatment of a transaction as a qualified community reinvestment. (Sec. 204) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to set forth expedited procedures under which a bank holding company may gain ownership or control of a community development corporation. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal banking law and the Home Owners' Loan Act to authorize national banks and Federal savings associations, respectively, to deal in securities issued by companies located and primarily doing business in qualified distressed communities. (Sec. 206) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to cite circumstances under which a bank holding company may acquire enhanced passive investment interests in the shares of any company located and primarily doing business in a qualified distressed community. (Sec. 207) Directs the Financial Institutions Examination Council to give awards annually for outstanding efforts by insured depository institutions to meet community credit needs. (Sec. 208) Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to modify the guidelines under which shares of stock shall be treated as a qualified stock issuance. Title III: Housing and Small Business Finance - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize Federal home loan banks to establish programs and engage in activities designed to meet housing finance and community development needs in qualified distressed communities that are unmet by the private sector. (Sec. 302) Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish separate specific goals for: (1) low- and moderate-income housing; (2) special affordable housing; and (3) housing for underserved areas. Directs the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation to help community development organizations assist low- and moderate-income families with first-home purchases. (Sec. 303) Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to include among the qualified thrift investments of a savings association loans or extensions of credit for certain building projects and small businesses located within a qualified distressed community. (Sec. 304) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to establish a model program to determine the feasibility of developing a private secondary market for loans guaranteed under the microloan guarantee demonstration programs. Title IV: Credit Union Amendments - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to modify guidelines for community development credit unions to reflect this Act, including authority to invest in U.S. securities certain money in the Community Development Credit Union Revolving Loan Fund. Title V: Consumer Education - Directs the Federal banking regulatory agencies to encourage insured depository institutions to promote educational services regarding their financial products for consumers residing in qualified distressed communities located in the service area of such institutions. Title VI: Community Development Task Force - Directs the President to appoint a community development task force to report to the Congress on the progress made by Federal agencies and instrumentalities in implementing the policies and programs established by this Act and the BEA 91.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1993
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge such Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1993
Designates October 3 through 9, 1993, as National Customer Service Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to cite circumstances under which a Federal banking regulatory agency may waive regulatory requirements for insured depository institutions located in federally declared major disaster areas. Limits the waivers to a three-year period. Requires such agency to give notice of the waiver in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Educational Exchange Programs Title II: Other Training and Exchange Programs Freedom Exchange and Training Act - Title I: Educational Exchange Programs - Requires the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to establish an exchange program with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states, under which the Director shall award competitive grants to eligible organizations to finance exchanges of: (1) secondary school students; (2) secondary school teachers and administrators; (3) postsecondary students (both college and graduate); and (4) college and university educators (the "sister" university program). Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Other Training and Exchange Programs - Directs the President to establish technical assistance and exchange programs with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic States, which may be implemented by grants to eligible organizations or otherwise. Funds the following types of exchange, training, and technical assistance programs under this title: (1) public administration and governance; (2) modification or restructuring of laws and legal systems; (3) agriculture and agribusiness; (4) energy and environment; (5) health and medicine; (6) trade and investment; and (7) leaders training. Requires foreign participants to be sufficiently proficient in English to fulfill program purposes. Requires the Agency for International Development or another Government agency with appropriate experience and expertise to administer training and other exchange programs under this title. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Designates October 16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Designates September 17, 1993, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 31, 1993 (Memorial Day), September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1993 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service Commission (sic) on September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Municipal Securities Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission and the appropriate Federal banking agencies, respectively, to require persons and insured depository institutions (or affiliates) acting as underwriters, bond counsel, brokers, or dealers for the issuance of new municipal securities to file a disclosure of political contributions with the relevant regulatory agency before the sale of such securities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend preferential admissions treatment to certain children born in the Philippines and fathered by U.S. citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Designates the week beginning November 7, 1993, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Treaty of Rarotonga (which prohibits the testing, manufacture, acquisition, and stationing of nuclear weapons in the territory of parties to the Treaty and the dumping of radioactive wastes at sea) is consistent with U.S. security commitments in the South Pacific and satisfies the seven criteria established by the U.S. Government for judging the effectiveness of proposed nuclear weapon-free zones; (2) signature and ratification of the protocols to that Treaty would be in the U.S. national interest and would not prejudge U.S. policy with respect to proposals for such zones in other regions; and (3) the United States should sign and ratify the protocols to that Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Designates June 12 through 19, 1994, as National Men's Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Congratulates the Anti-Defamation League on its 80th anniversary and commends it for effectively pursuing the goal of promoting greater tolerance throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Bankruptcy Amendments of 1993 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to raise to $1 million the ceiling on debts for eligibility to file as a chapter 13 debtor (bankrupt consumer repayment of debt under court supervision). (Currently the ceiling is $100,000 for unsecured debts, or $350,000 for certain secured debts.) Modifies the guidelines for: (1) chapter 13 bankruptcies; (2) automatic stays; (3) exemptions; (4) discharges; and (5) preferences. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to compile and make available to the public statistical information regarding bankruptcy cases.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Designates the week beginning October 31, 1993, as National Health Information Management Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Designates October 1993 and October 1994 as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Declares that it is the Congress' intent that the Secretary of Transportation, in negotiating under the auspices of the Land Transportation Standards Committee established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), shall not weaken U.S. truck safety standards by increasing truck sizes and weights or by compromising such standards as truck driver hours of service, front brake and other safety equipment requirements, and the truck driver record system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Urges the President to: (1) develop a strategy to bring the United States back into active and full membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during 1993; (2) direct the Secretary of State to consult with government agencies and nongovernmental parties that had substantial involvement with the organization before the U.S. withdrawal in order to formulate goals the United States should seek at the organization as part of the strategy and to reexamine the legal frameworks for the participation of the American nongovernmental sector in UNESCO policy and activities; (3) direct the Secretary of State to reconstitute the United States National Commission for UNESCO; (4) consult with other governments on prospects for further reform of the organization's policy bodies and governance; and (5) report to the Congress before September 30, 1993, on the consultations and strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
Designates the weeks beginning November 14, 1993, and November 13, 1994, as Geography Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
Designates July 1, 1993, as National NYSP (National Youth Sports Program) Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations Act - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Duplicative and Noncompetitive Federal Regulations. Requires the Commission to: (1) survey the private sector to determine which Federal regulations are duplicative or impede competition; (2) conduct in-depth reviews of regulations promulgated by executive agencies; (3) review existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, and Inspector General reports and other governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing duplicative or noncompetitive Federal regulations, and, based on such review, periodically report to the President and the Congress on those recommendations, with estimated savings, that the Commission determines are most significant; and (4) submit to the President and the Congress recommendations for streamlining Federal regulations and reducing costs and unnecessary paperwork that result from such regulations for both the Federal Government and the private sector.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Many Neighbors, One Earth Resolution - Urges the President to develop and implement a coordinated economic and development policy and program of action designed to promote broadbased, sustainable development that will reduce global hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways. Specifies that such policy and program should have as its principal objectives: (1) expanding economic opportunities; (2) meeting basic human needs; (3) promoting environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources; and (4) promoting pluralism, democratic participation, and human rights. Specifies that such policy and program should involve all relevant international activities of the U.S. Government. Urges the President to take specific actions, including: (1) proposing the enactment of legislation providing for a post-Cold War foreign assistance program to promote sustainable development, especially the reduction of hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways; (2) developing and implementing development cooperation programs and projects in pursuit of such objectives; (3) ensuring that development cooperation programs take into account relevant local perspectives of the rural and urban poor during the design, planning, and implementation process for project and program assistance; and (4) encouraging and supporting the efforts of countries to reduce their level of military spending when such spending is disproportionate to security needs and to spending on health, education, and environmental protection.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993
Farm Program Payment Limitations Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise specified farm program limitations, including repeal of the three-entity rule. Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to reduce annual wool or mohair payment limitations. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the General Accounting Office to review the implementation of the payment revisions made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1993
Designates the week beginning September 19, 1993, as National Historically Black Colleges Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Programs and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Programs Subtitle B: Related Provisions Title II: Organization Title III: Reauthorization Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments National Service Trust Act of 1993 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to reauthorize, revise, and reorganize national and community service and domestic volunteer programs, establish a Corporation for National Service and a National Service Trust program of Federal investment in support of national service, and provide expanded opportunities for national service and educational awards for participants. Title I: Programs and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act) to establish the National Service Trust program, replacing the current American Conservation and Youth Service Corps. Authorizes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) to make matching grants to State and local governments, Indian tribes, public and private nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions for: (1) full- or part-time national service programs, including summer programs; and (2) subgrants for national service programs of other entities. Authorizes CNS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to support their national service programs. Directs CNS to approve national service educational awards for participants serving in CNS-assisted national service programs. Describes types of eligible national service programs addressing unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs, including community corps, youth corps, service-learning, special skills or specialized training, individualized placement, campus-based, preprofessional training, professional corps, disadvantaged youth community service, national service entrepreneur, intergenerational, or other programs. Directs CNS to establish qualification criteria. Authorizes CNS to provide the following types of program assistance: planning, operational, replication, subgrantee, training, technical, and other special assistance (including support for State commissions and challenge grants for national service programs). Requires CNS to ensure that participants in VISTA or the Civilian Community Corps receive national service educational awards, except in specified circumstances. Sets forth application and program requirements. Requires an assurance that the program assisted will not perform service that provides a direct benefit to any: (1) for-profit business; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; or (4) organization engaged in religious activities (unless such service does not involve use of assistance or participants to give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any form of proselytization). Sets a minimum age for national service participants of 17, except for certain youth programs where the beginning of service may be between age 16 and 25. Sets rules for selection of participants, including selection and training of a national leadership pool. Sets a term of service at a minimum of 1,700 hours during: (1) a full-time period of nine months to one year; or (2) a part-time period of one to two years. Establishes requirements for participant living allowances. Limits the Federal share to not more than 85 percent of the VISTA volunteer allowance. Makes those who serve in approved national service positions eligible for national service educational awards. (Sec. 102) Establishes the National Service Trust in the Treasury to provide for the payment of national service educational awards. Sets forth eligibility standards for national service educational awards. Bases such awards on only the first and second terms of service. Requires that the award be used within five years after completion of the term of service. Sets the award's value at $5,000 for each term of service (up to two terms). Allows the use of such awards to: (1) repay outstanding student loans; (2) pay current educational expenses; (3) enable participation in approved school-to-work programs; and (4) pay interest during forbearance on loan repayment. Provides that awards shall not be considered: (1) in a means-test for Federal or federally-assisted benefits; or (2) as taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes conforming amendments to student loan provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Makes Stafford loan forgiveness available. (Sec. 103) Establishes School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs to replace current Programs for Students and Out-of-School Youth. Revises the Serve-America program (currently named Service-America) to include: (1) school-based programs for students; (2) community-based service programs for school-age youth; and (3) a service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes CNS to make planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with respect to service-learning coordinators participating in an assisted national service program or receive a national service educational award. Authorizes grants for school-based service-learning programs and community-based service programs. Directs CNS to provide financial assistance to eligible public and private nonprofit organizations to establish a service-learning clearinghouse. Adds priority criteria for the making of grants for Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service. (Sec. 104) Establishes an Investment for Quality and Innovation program to carry out specified innovation and quality improvement activities. Directs CNS to provide assistance to appropriate entities to establish one or more clearinghouses, including the service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes the President, acting through CNS, to make Presidential awards for service to individuals providing significant service, and to outstanding service programs. Provides that Civilian Community Corps members may receive educational awards (or suitable alternative benefits if ineligible for such awards). Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend the authority to conduct the Civilian Community Corps Demonstration Program. Subtitle B: Related Provisions - (Sec. 111-121) Makes conforming amendments and repealers to specified Federal law. Title II: Organization - (Sec. 201) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the establishment of State commissions on national service as a condition for receiving certain grants or allotments or a distribution of approved national service positions. Sets commission membership standards, and duties, including planning. (Sec. 202) Establishes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) as a Government corporation to administer programs under the Act. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency to report directly to the CNS Chairperson (under interim authorities). Directs the Chairperson to establish (or request the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide) job search and related assistance to employees of the ACTION Agency who are not transferred to CNS. (Sec. 202 & 203) Transfers to CNS functions of: (1) the Commission on National and Community Service (under interim authorities); and (2) the ACTION Agency (under final authorities). Title III: Reauthorization - Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1978 (DVSA) to reauthorize, reorganize, and revise its programs. Chapter I: VISTA and Other Anti-Poverty Programs - (Sec. 321) Adds to VISTA program objectives generating private sector resource commitment, encouraging local level volunteer service, and strengthening local agencies and organizations to carry out the program. (Sec. 322) Revises procedures and other requirements for selection and assignment of VISTA volunteers. Allows a sponsoring organization to recruit VISTA volunteers, subject to final approval of the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director). (Sec. 323) Revises provisions for terms and periods of service. Authorizes a VISTA summer associates program. (Sec. 324) Revises postservice stipends. (Sec. 325) Requires encouragement of participation of both younger (18 through 27) and older (55 and older) VISTA volunteers. (Sec. 328) Repeals authority for student community service programs grants and contracts. (Sec. 329) Renames the University Year for ACTION the University Year for VISTA program. Shortens the minimum period of participation to an academic semester or equivalent. Allows volunteers to receive a living allowance or such other support the Director deems appropriate. (Sec. 330) Revises authority to establish and operate special volunteer and demonstration programs. Requires a competitive process for any grant or contract exceeding $100,000. (Sec. 331) Permits the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to employers and other private organizations that use or desire to use volunteers. (Sec. 332) Repeals a separate authority for drug abuse education and prevention programs under special volunteer programs. Chapter 2: National Senior Volunteer Corps - (Sec. 342) Renames the retired senior volunteer program the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). (Sec. 343) Expands RSVP eligibility to include older working persons and those over 55 (currently 60). (Sec. 345) Requires certain adjustments and minimums for stipends for low-income volunteers. (Sec. 346) Allows non-low-income persons to participate in the Foster Grandparent and the Senior Companion programs, without any financial support except reimbursement for related expenses. (Sec. 347) Repeals certain conditions for grants and contracts under those two programs, including a requirement that volunteers no longer be in the regular work force. (Sec. 348) Eliminates one type of evaluation of the Senior Companion Program. (Sec. 349) Encourages agreements with other Federal agencies involving retired, senior, intergenerational, and conservation volunteer programs. (Sec. 352) Authorizes grants and contracts for demonstration programs of innovative activities involving older volunteers. Prohibits reducing other older volunteer programs to support such demonstrations. Chapter 3: Administration - (Sec. 365) Bases disability or death benefits for VISTA volunteers on a grade GS-5 (rather than GS-7) Federal employee entrance salary. (Sec. 370) Grants copyright protection for the programs of the ACTION Agency. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Director to establish a Center for Research and Training on Volunteerism. (Sec. 372) Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees to make retirement credit for time served as a VISTA volunteer available to all who become Federal employees subsequent to such volunteer service, upon their paying a deposit based on their post-service stipend. Chapter 4: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Amendments - (Sec. 381-383) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 385) Repeals Youthbuild Projects authority. Chapter 5: General Provisions - (Sec. 391) Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 401-405) Sets forth various changes of definitions and references in specified Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
United States Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the United States Peace Tax Fund to receive payments designated on the tax returns of qualified individuals to be used for nonmilitary purposes. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on amounts transferred into the Fund. Requires the information to be printed in the Congressional Record. Permits conscientious objectors to designate on their income tax returns that any tax liability be paid into the Fund. Makes this designation procedure available to any individual who has demonstrated himself or herself, by reason of religious training and belief, to be opposed to participation in war in any form. Requires every taxpayer who makes such a designation for any taxable year to file a questionnaire return for the purpose of determining whether the taxpayer is an eligible individual. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to 1994 if the taxpayer pays the tax due (with interest) and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that the nonpayment was due to religious beliefs. Authorizes corresponding procedures in connection with estate and gift tax payments, under conditions prescribed by the Secretary. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding year for military purposes. Requires publication of this information in the Congressional Record. Authorizes appropriations.