United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Relief for Families Title II: Family Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Increase in Income Limitations for Deductible IRA Contributions; Increase in IRA Contribution Limits; Penalty-Free Withdrawals for Home Ownership, Education, and Medical Expenses Subtitle B: Exclusion for Employer-Provided Educational Assistance to Include Educational Assistance for Spouse and Dependents of Employee Title III: Medical Care Savings Accounts; Health Care Cost Controls; Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals Title IV: Educational Choice Programs Title V: Grants to Encourage Employers to Adopt Flexible Work and Family Policies Title VI: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates, Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets, and Excluding Gain from Sales of Principal Residences Title VII: Enterprise Zones Subtitle A: Designation of Enterprise Zones Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones Family and Economic Recovery Act - Title I: Tax Relief for Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit for each child who has not attained the age of 19. Allows a credit for qualified adoption expenses. Disallows the use of such credits together with other credits or deductions. Title II: Family Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Increase in Income Limitations for Deductible IRA Contributions; Increase in IRA Contribution Limits; Penalty-Free Withdrawals for Home Ownership, Education, and Medical Expenses - Increases the income limitations on retirement savings deductions and provides a cost-of-living adjustment after 1994 for such limitations. Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for deductible retirement amounts after 1993. Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses, and assist certain unemployed individuals. Treats certain disaster victims as first-time homebuyers. Subtitle B: Exclusion for Employer-Provided Educational Assistance to Include Educational Assistance for Spouse and Dependents of Employee - Excludes from gross income employer-provided educational assistance to spouses and dependents of employees. Makes such exclusion permanent. Title III: Medical Care Savings Accounts; Health Care Cost Controls; Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals - Excludes from gross income medical care savings benefits. Describes such benefits as a health plan which provides that all or part of the premium differential realized by instituting a qualified higher deductible health plan is credited to participating employees to pay for medical care for a plan year. Requires amounts remaining at the end of such plan year to be deposited into a tax exempt medical care savings account (subject to rules similar to those for retirement plans) for use by the participant for medical expenses. Increases the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to 100 percent (50 percent for 1995 and 1996) and makes such deduction permanent. Preempts State laws: (1) requiring the offering of health plans providing certain services; and (2) prohibiting employer groups from purchasing health insurance. Title IV: Educational Choice Programs - Educational Choice Programs Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 2000 for grants and scholarship awards to parents of elementary or secondary school children that may be redeemed at a variety of public and private schools, including religious schools. Sets forth administrative details for such program. Title V: Grants to Encourage Employers to Adopt Flexible Work and Family Policies - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 to provide start-up grants to businesses to explore, initiate, or expand flexible work policies in an effort to ease work and family demands on employees. Includes as examples flexitime, part-time, job sharing, telecommuting, flexiplace, or compressed work weeks. Title VI: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates, Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets, and Excluding Gain from Sales of Principal Residences - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation of capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Excludes from gross income the sale or exchange of property that has been owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's principal residence. Terminates provisions relating to the rollover of gain on the sale of a principal residence. Title VII: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any qualified wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit as total wages increase over $20,000. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economical revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis, and to expedite the processing of, applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Provides that any amount remaining in an official allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives at the end of the session of Congress or other period for which the allowance is made available shall be returned to the Treasury to be used for deficit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service to recommend to the Postmaster General that a postage stamp be issued honoring Americans held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Buddy System Computer Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award a competitive grant to each of three States to create a computer-based education project for children in grades six through eight. Gives preference to applications: (1) from States with demonstrated ability or commitment to computer-based technology education; and (2) describing projects serving school districts serving a large number or percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Requires such projects to: (1) be provided in a continuous four-year form to consecutive groups of students at the applicable grade levels; (2) be conducted in not more than seven public schools within the State; and (3) ensure each student in such classes participates and has access to a computer at school during the school year and at home during the school year and summer. Requires the use of grant funds to provide: (1) hardware and software components to all sites; and (2) training for classroom teachers as well as parents, administrators, and technical personnel. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Infrastructure Protection Act of 1993 - Prohibits the receipts and disbursements of the Highway Trust Fund (for both the Federal aid highway program and the Mass Transit Account), the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund which are allocable to the transportation-related operations of such Funds from being included in either the Federal budget as submitted by the President or in the congressional budget. Exempts such Trust Funds from any general statutory budget limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Airport and Airway Trust Fund Integrity Act of 1993 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund allocable to transportation-related operations shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of: (1) the budget of the United States as presented by the President; (2) the congressional budget; or (3) the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Exempts the fund from sequestration orders. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to prohibit the Senate or the House of Representatives from considering any concurrent resolution on the budget or reconciliation bill that would treat the Airport and Airway Trust Fund as part of the Federal budget.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Social Security Notch Adjustment Act of 1993 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish a new alternative formula for computing the primary insurance amount (used in calculating the amount of OASDI benefits to which an individual is entitled) of workers born after 1916 and before 1927.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993
Family Education Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child or certain other relatives at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for each account. Disallows the deduction for contributions to an account maintained for any individual aged 19 or older. Requires any account balance to be distributed after the beneficiary attains age 30. Permits an exclusion from the gross income of the contributor or the beneficiary of account distributions used to pay educational expenses of the latter. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless a contributor or the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions in connection with it. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions not used for educational purposes. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary concerning the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to report. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions to deduct for contributions to an education savings account. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Recreational Hunting Safety and Preservation Act of 1993 - Makes it unlawful to intentionally obstruct a lawful hunt (as defined by this Act) on Federal lands. Establishes: (1) civil penalties for such violations; (2) procedures for individual and government agent complaints; and (3) permitted uses of collected penalty money. Authorizes injunctive relief. Permits an affected individual or sportsman's organization to bring a civil action to recover actual and punitive damages and attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Declares that the President should exercise the temporary waiver authority granted in the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 so that the $1,600,000,000 in bilateral assistance to Russia, referred to as the Vancouver Package, may be effected without endangering the stability of the Government or economy of Russia and without adding to the U.S. budget deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) define the term "dietary supplement"; and (2) exclude a dietary supplement from the definition of "food additive." Deems a dietary supplement adulterated if it: (1) contains an unsafe dietary ingredient which presents a substantial and unreasonable risk of illness or injury; or (2) contains a dietary ingredient that has not been adequately substantiated for safety. Prohibits the establishment of maximum limits on the potency of any dietary supplement, except in the case of a supplement represented to be for the use of individuals with specific diseases or disorders. Allows a dietary supplement's label to characterize the relationship between the supplement and a disease under specified conditions. Deems food misbranded unless the label lists the daily value of specified nutrients which shall reflect the daily intake of each nutrient that will promote optimal health. Prohibits such value from being less than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance. Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
Independence Hall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar coins emblematic of the shrines of liberty, showing the Liberty Bell on one side and the Independence Hall on the other. Mandates that surcharges from the sale of coins be distributed equally between the Treasury and the Independence Hall Preservation Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Cancellation and Suspension Title II: Data Collection Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Food Quality Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Cancellation and Suspension - Amends provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) relating to cancellations, changes in classifications, or other terms of registration with respect to the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires that a rulemaking under such provisions be based on a validated test or other significant evidence raising prudent concerns of unreasonable adverse effects to man or to the environment. Denies registration applications that are not in compliance with this Act. Title II: Data Collection - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to collect pesticide use data of statewide or regional significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance. Mandates research, development, and dissemination of integrated pest management techniques and other pest control methods that enable producers to reduce or eliminate application of pesticides which pose a greater than negligible dietary risk to humans. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to define, subject to exception, "pesticide chemical" as it is defined in FIFRA. Deems a food adulterated if it bears or contains: (1) a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe; or (2) a new animal drug or conversion product that is unsafe. Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance higher than a level the Administrator determines is adequate to protect the public health. Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food, and the adverse effects from the reduction would outweigh the risk posed by the residue. Allows the Administrator to issue an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance only if a tolerance is not needed to protect the public health, in view of the levels of dietary exposure that could reasonably be expected to occur. Prohibits a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, if the Administrator takes certain actions with respect to the registration of a pesticide, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of the chemical or chemical residue. Requires the suspension of any tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of an associated registered pesticide. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of application. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State from enforcing a residue limit which was lawful at the time of application. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Vegetable Ink Printing Act of 1993 - Requires all Federal lithographic printing to be performed using the maximum amount of vegetable-based ink that is technologically feasible and commercially cost-competitive with printing using petroleum-based inks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Congressional Exemptions Title II: Congressional Perks Title III: Miscellaneous Citizen Representative Reform Act Stop Special Treatment Provision - Title I: Congressional Exemptions - Makes applicable to the Congress the following Federal laws, to the extent that they relate to the terms and conditions of employment, the health and safety of employees, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees: (1) Social Security Act; (2) National Labor Relations Act; (3) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (4) Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (6) Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (8) Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) Privacy Act of 1974; (10) Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (11) Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and (12) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Makes applicable to the Congress the Freedom of Information Act and specified provisions of Federal law relating to the independent counsel. Title II: Congressional Perks - Directs all Members of Congress to pay full market value for all medical services, medical tests, and medications provided by the Office of the Attending Physician. Establishes the Office of Attending Physician Revolving Fund in the Treasury (within the contingent fund of the House of Representatives) for deposit of such payments and monies received from any other source. Orders the closing of all beauty and barber shops on the premises of any property belonging to the House of Representatives. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Members of Congress should be charged rates comparable to those in other parking facilities at Washington National Airport; and (2) records of such expenses should be made accessible to the public. Directs all Members of the House to pay full market value for the use of the health facilities on the premises of the Capitol or any House office building. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government shall not bear any of the cost of health insurance for its Members. Directs the General Accounting Office to: (1) identify and report to the Congress on all benefits that accrue to Members of the House; and (2) determine the market value or a close approximation of each of those benefits and to what extent tax dollars are used to pay for them. Title III: Miscellaneous - Requires the House and the Senate to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring the use of child safety restraint systems on commercial aircraft. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization should seek an international standard to require that airline passengers be restrained on takeoff and landing and when directed by the captain of such aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from refusing to issue or renew an airman's certificate, or requiring an air carrier to terminate the employment of an airman, solely by reason of the airman's age if such person is under the age of 65.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ensuring the Integrity of the Listing, Critical Habitat Designation, and Consultation Processes Title II: Providing Significance to the Recovery Planning Process Title III: Ensuring that the Compliance Procedures and Standards for Non-Federal Persons are not more Burdensome than those Applicable to Federal Agencies Title IV: Providing for Habitat Conservation Incentive Programs Title V: Reauthorization and Other Amendments Endangered Species Act Procedural Reform Amendments of 1993 - Title I: Ensuring the Integrity of the Listing, Critical Habitat Designation, and Consultation Processes - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a peer review (upon request) requirement with respect to a determination of endangered or threatened species status. Establishes discretionary priorities for determining and conserving endangered or threatened species. Requires that the economic impact be considered in making a critical habitat determination. Revises consultation and related provisions, including establishing procedures with respect to private actions. Title II: Providing Significance to the Recovery Planning Process - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop and implement a recovery plan for each endangered or threatened species, unless the Secretary determines such plan to be unnecessary. Gives priority to multispecies plans. Title III: Ensuring that the Compliance Procedures and Standards for Non-Federal Persons Are Not More Burdensome than Those Applicable to Federal Agencies - Exempts non-Federal persons under specified circumstances from prohibitions against the taking of an endangered species. Provides for compensation of property owners adversely affected by specified determinations pursuant to such Act. Title IV: Providing for Habitat Conservation Incentive Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into an agreement (Cooperative Management Agreement) with any affected non-Federal person (currently, only with a State) for the management of a species' habitat; and (2) provide grants to any non-Federal person for preservation of habitat for endangered or threatened species. Title V: Reauthorization and Other Amendments - Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) experimental population release; (2) captive propagation, including grants; and (3) citizen suits. Authorizes appropriations for activities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the energy excise tax proposed by the President will seriously harm middle income citizens, rural residents, and the economy and should not be approved.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate tax and the unified credit against the gift tax and provide a cost-of-living adjustment for such credits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1993
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a three-fifths vote to adopt any rule or order reported by the Committee on Rules providing for the consideration of legislation that limits the rights of Members to offer germane amendments filed with the Committee at least three calendar days before consideration of the legislation that would otherwise be subject to amendment under House rules.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any legislation enacted to reform the health care delivery system of the United States should: (1) ensure that the unique needs of rural residents are addressed and solved, that people who live in rural areas receive the same quality health care as others, and that rural health care services are coordinated effectively with existing systems and programs of medical, income, residential, and social support at the Federal, State, and local levels; (2) increase funding for programs that train health care professionals for rural practice and provide incentives for them to practice in rural areas, increase coordination among transportation programs, and increase funding to rural transit programs and to emergency medical services; and (3) encourage telecommunications consortia and other measures to ensure rural access to emerging medical technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the extra-label use of drugs in animals if such use is upon the order of licensed veterinarian, is in compliance with appropriate regulations, and is in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Prohibits such use if it results in unacceptable residues of a drug in food.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the luxury excise tax parts for accessories installed for use on passenger vehicles by disabled individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit, unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of the Army: (1) the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters; or (2) the draining, channelization, or excavation of wetlands. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving permit applications, to: (1) classify as Type A wetlands wetlands that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of an ecosystem; (2) classify as Type B wetlands wetlands that provide habitat for a significant population of wildlife or provide other significant wetlands functions; and (3) classify as Type C wetlands wetlands that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation of activities is not necessary to conserve wetlands values and functions, or are lands that do not serve significant wetlands functions. Permits owners of interests in Type A wetlands to seek compensation for the fair market value of such lands. Provides that title for such lands shall pass to the United States upon acceptance of an offer for compensation. Requires the Secretary to deny a permit authorizing activities in Type A wetlands unless: (1) such activities can be undertaken with minimal alteration or disturbance; (2) there are public interest concerns that require use of the lands for purposes other than conservation; or (3) the proposed use of the land will result in overall environmental benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit for activities in Type B wetlands subject to conditions that ensure that the wetland ecosystem does not suffer loss or degradation. Imposes requirements for mitigation when such activities result in permanent wetland loss or degradation. Directs the Secretary to establish a mitigation banking program in each State to ensure compensation for loss and degradation of wetlands. Requires the primary objective of such programs to be to provide for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of ecologically significant wetlands on an ecosystem basis. Exempts specified activities from this Act's requirements. Prohibits more than 20 percent of any county, parish, or borough from being classified as Type A wetlands. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake a project to identify and classify U.S. wetlands. Authorizes civil actions and prescribes penalties for permit violations. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for activities covered by this Act, subject to the Secretary's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
United States One Dollar Coin Act of 1993 - Amends Federal currency law to prescribe the color and content of one-dollar coins. Mandates that the reverse side of the one-dollar coin have a design recognizing America's veterans. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cease regular production of one-dollar Federal Reserve notes by a specified date (except for such quantities as are required to meet collectors' needs).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 - Prohibits any agency, department, or official of the United States or any State (the government) from burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that the government may burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person: (1) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. Sets forth provisions pertaining to judicial relief, attorney's fees, and applicability.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Higher Education Finance Improvement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred: (1) to pay the higher educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or child; and (2) pursuant to a Federal or State loan guarantee or insurance program. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from qualified retirement plans for the payment of qualified higher education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Legislative Reform Title II: Federal Intergovernmental Relations Fiscal Accountability and Intergovernmental Reform Act (FAIR Act) - Title I: Legislative Reform - Provides that, with certain exceptions, whenever a committee of either House reports a bill or resolution of a public character to its House mandating unfunded requirements upon State or local governments or the private sector, the report accompanying that bill or resolution shall analyze the effect of the new requirements on: (1) State and local government expenditures necessary to comply with Federal mandates; (2) private businesses; and (3) economic growth and competitiveness. Title II: Federal Intergovernmental Relations - Requires, to the fullest extent practicable, that: (1) the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with this Act; (2) all Federal agencies, consistent with attainment of the requirements of Federal law, minimize the adverse effects of rules affecting the economy; and (3) Federal agencies take certain actions in promulgating new rules, reviewing existing rules, developing legislative proposals, or initiating any other major Federal action affecting the economy whenever an agency identifies two or more alternatives which will satisfy the agency's statutory obligations. Provides that, whenever an agency publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking, promulgates a final rule, or before initiating or implementing any other major Federal action affecting the economy, the agency shall prepare and make available for public comment an Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Assessment. Specifies the contents of such an assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence. Declares that such Committee has exclusive legislative jurisdiction with respect to any intelligence activity of the Federal Government and authorizations of appropriations for specified intelligence agencies and intelligence-related activities. Directs the Joint Committee to review and study on a continuing basis any intelligence activity conducted by any Federal agency or department. Prohibits any Member of Congress or committee from disclosing information received from the Joint Committee except in a closed session of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Requires a Federal agency or department which conducts any intelligence activity to keep the Joint Committee fully and currently informed and, if requested, to furnish any periodic reports relating to such activities. Directs the Joint Committee to: (1) classify its information and records according to standards used generally by the executive branch; and (2) establish guidelines under which such information and records may be maintained, used by the Joint Committee's staff, and made available to any Member of Congress. Authorizes public disclosure of information possessed by the Joint Committee if it is determined that such disclosure would serve the public interest. Sets forth procedures relating to public disclosure of classified security information received from the executive branch. Directs the Joint Committee to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information in its possession. Repeals rule XLVIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to the establishment of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives against the enactment of any reduction or delay in cost-of-living adjustments for beneficiaries under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Declares that the sacrifice and dedication of the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is a cornerstone of our system of justice and cause for both sorrow and pride.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the extra-label use of drugs in animals if such use is upon the order of a licensed veterinarian, is in compliance with appropriate regulations, and is in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Prohibits such use if it results in unacceptable residues of a drug in food.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Farmer Retirement Security Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farm property to the extent that the proceeds are paid into an individual retirement account. Establishes limitations on such rollover amounts per individual and per family. Denies an itemized deduction for such rollover amounts and exempts such amounts from limitations on contributions to individual retirement accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the portion of employer social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Voluntary Standards and Assessment Title II: National Education Reform and Excellence Title III: Freedom to Improve Educational Achievement Educational Excellence for All Students Act of 1993 - Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding attainment by the year 2000 of certain national educational goals relating to readiness for school, high school completion, student achievement and citizenship, science and mathematics, adult literacy and lifelong learning, and safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Title I: Voluntary Standards and Assessment - Part A: National Educational Goals Panel - Establishes a National Education Goals Panel. Directs the Panel to issue: (1) an annual national report card on progress toward achieving such goals; and (2) certification of content and student performance standards and the criteria for world-class assessments. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Voluntary National Education Standards and Assessments - Establishes a National Education Standards and Assessments Council. Directs the Council to: (1) coordinate establishment of voluntary national education content and student performance standards, and of a voluntary system of assessments for individual students consistent with such standards; (2) develop criteria and establish guidelines for such standards and assessments; (3) issue approval of such standards, and transmit approved standards and criteria to the Panel for certification; and (4) report annually on progress and obstacles to State and local adoption of such standards. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the Council's work. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: National Commission on Early Childhood Assessment - Establishes a National Commission on Early Childhood Assessment. Directs the Commission to: (1) advise the panel and establish a framework for understanding and assessing school readiness; (2) coordinate research and oversee development of such assessment; (3) monitor field testing and evaluate the assessments and their use; and (4) report annually. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Education Reform and Excellence - National Education Reform and Excellence Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for State and local educational reform and improvement. Sets forth requirements for development and approval of State and local plans for and uses of such grants and subgrants. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth State allotment formulas, based on the chapter 1 formula for aid to disadvantaged students (under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Reserves a portion for education of Indian students. Provides for availability of information and training under this title for private schools and their teachers and administrators. Requires annual State progress reports. Requires the Secretary to: (1) evaluate State and local reform efforts; (2) disseminate information on approaches and materials developed; and (3) report annually to the Congress. Title III: Freedom to Improve Educational Achievement - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive certain Federal statutory and regulatory requirements, with specified exceptions, for States, and local educational agencies, and schools as part of systemic educational reform and efforts to meet the national education goals for all children. Allows additional waivers for specified related programs, with the approval of the appropriate Federal agency. Sets forth requirements for waiver applications, restrictions, evaluations, and reports (annually by States and local agencies or schools; biennially by the Secretary to the Congress).
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
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 · 24 February 1993
Small Business Regulatory Cost Relief Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the small business tax credit for expenditures to provide access to disabled individuals with the small business tax credit for regulatory costs. Makes such credit 50 percent of qualified regulatory costs for a taxable year as exceed $250. Declares that such costs include eligible access expenditures for the disabled.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lightfoot, Jim [R-IA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000305_200.jpg)