United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1995
Work and Family Integration Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the 40-hour maximum workweek provision to allow employees to work flexible work schedules of 160 hours in any combination over a four-week period before employers would have to pay overtime compensation. Allows employees to request, and employers to provide, compensatory time-and-a-half off in lieu of compensatory overtime pay. Requires that any flexible work arrangement be agreed upon by both the employee and the employer, without coercion. Provides that collective bargaining agreements would remain unaffected. Allows former employees a priority in rehiring if they take time off for up to five years in order to take care of their children or parents. Provides that such an employee's priority treatment may not be used as a basis for an action against the employer for violation of Federal equal protection laws. Revises the salaried employee overtime exemption to allow flexible work schedules under such exemption. Amends Federal civil service law to revise the definition of compressed schedule to conform with that under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to their conscience, nothing in the Constitution shall prohibit acknowledgement of the religious heritage, beliefs, or traditions of the people or prohibit student-sponsored prayer in public schools; and (2) neither the United States nor any State shall compose any official prayer, compel joining in prayer, or discriminate against religious expression or belief.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to provide that: (1) the special rule concerning annual cost-of-living adjustments to retired military pay for individuals who first became members of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986, shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998); and (2) the initial month that such increase is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the year following the effective date of such increase.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Billy and Ruth Graham in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of Congress the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received by the Secretary to carry out this Act and any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates exceeds the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Makes further continuing appropriations for FY 1996 for such amounts as may be necessary for the following activities: (1) necessary for the expenses of Medicare contractors under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act under the account heading "Program management" under the Health Care Financing Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services; (2) funded under the account heading "Limitation on administrative expenses" under the Social Security Administration; and (3) necessary to process and provide for veterans' compensation, pension payments, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payments, and to provide veterans' medical care under the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sets the amount of such funding. (Sec. 105) Provides that, unless otherwise provided for in this joint resolution or in the applicable appropriations Act, appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to this joint resolution shall be available until whichever of the following occurs first: (1) enactment into law of an appropriation for any project or activity provided for in this joint resolution; (2) the enactment of the applicable appropriations Act by both Houses without any provision for such project or activity; or (3) September 30, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing Appropriations Title II: (Unnamed) Title III: Commitment to a Seven-Year Balanced Budget Title I: Continuing Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Makes further continuing appropriations for FY 1996 for continuing projects and activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, conducted in 1995 and for which appropriations or other authority would be available in the following Acts: (1) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (2) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1996; (3) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1996; (4) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1996; (5) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (6) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (7) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996; (8) the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 1996; (9) the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1996; and (10) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. Sets the rates of such funding. Sets forth limitations on the use of such funds. (Sec. 106) Provides that, unless otherwise provided for in this joint resolution or in the applicable appropriations Act, appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to this joint resolution shall be available until: (1) enactment of an appropriation for any project or activity provided for in this joint resolution; (2) the enactment of the applicable appropriations Act by both Houses without any provision for such project or activity; or (3) December 5, 1995, whichever first occurs. (Sec. 111) Provides in specified circumstances, except for section 106, for the maintenance of a minimum level of funding for projects or activities under any Act listed in section 101. Defines minimum level. (Sec. 112) Requires, except for section 106 and under specified conditions, that whenever the rate for operations for any continuing project or activity would result in a furlough of Government employees, that rate for operations may be increased to a minimum level that would enable the furlough to be avoided. (Sec. 113) Requires, except for sections 106, 111, and 112, that for those programs that had high initial rates of operation or complete distribution of funding at the beginning of FY 1995 because of distributions of funding to States, foreign countries, grantees, or others, similar distributions of funds for FY 1996 shall not be made and no grants shall be awarded for such programs funded by this resolution that would impinge on final funding prerogatives. (Sec. 115) Provides that section 132 of the District of Columbia Appropriations Act of 1988 (which provides that amounts appropriated for the Federal Payment to the District of Columbia shall not be subject to apportionment) shall not apply for this joint resolution. Provides for including in the apportionment for the Federal Payment to the District of Columbia an additional $15 million for certain capital construction loan repayments. (Sec. 116) Requires, except for section 106, that the authority and conditions for the application of appropriations of the Office of Technology Assessment as contained in House Report 104-212, shall be followed when applying the funding made available by this joint resolution. (Sec. 119) Requires, except for section 106, the Securities and Exchange Commission's Salaries and Expenses amount to include, in addition to direct appropriations, the amount it collects under the fee rate and offsetting collection authority. (Sec. 120) Requires that funding be made available for the necessary expenses of the Bureau of Mines for: (1) continuing limited health and safety and related research, materials partnerships, and minerals information activities; (2) mineral assessments in Alaska; and (3) terminating all other activities of the Bureau of Mines. (Sec. 121) Requires, except for section 106, that funds for the Environmental Protection Agency shall be made available in the appropriation accounts which are provided in H.R. 2099 as reported on September 13, 1995. (Sec. 122) Sets forth a special formula for determining the rate of operations for projects and activities that would be funded under the heading "International Organizations and Conferences, Contributions to International Organizations" in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. (Sec. 123) Provides, except for section 106, that the rate for operations of the following projects or activities shall be only the minimum necessary to accomplish orderly termination: (1) Administrative Conference of the United States; (2) Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (with an exception); (3) Interstate Commerce Commission; (4) Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation; (5) Land and Water Conservation Fund, State Assistance; and (6) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Rural Abandoned Mine Program. Title II: - Waives parchment printing requirements of the enrollment of: (1) a continuing resolution; (2) a debt limit extension measure; and (3) a reconciliation bill. (Sec. 202) Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this joint resolution. Title III: Commitment to a Seven-Year Balanced Budget - States that the President and the Congress shall enact legislation in the 104th Congress to achieve a unified balanced budget not later than FY 2002 as scored by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. Requires such unified balanced budget to be based on the most current economic and technical assumptions of the Congressional Budget Office.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1995
Smithsonian Institution Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the scientific, educational, and cultural significance of the Smithsonian Institution. Mandates that: (1) all but a certain portion of surcharges received from coin sales be paid by the Secretary to the Smithsonian Institution for such purposes as its Board of Regents determines to be appropriate; and (2) a certain portion of such surcharges be dedicated to supporting the operation and activities of the National Numismatic Collection at the National Museum of American History.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish milk price support provisions for calendar years 1996 through 2002. Mandates establishment of a special milk marketing order to equalize returns on all milk used in the 48 contiguous States to produce Class IV final products (butter, nonfat dry milk, and dry whole milk) among all milk marketed by producers for commercial use in those States. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the termination date of the dairy products export incentive program (renaming it as the exporter bid program). Establishes a dairy products export incentive program (the price equalization program), requiring it to provide for payments by the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Administrator of the Class IV account established under the Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 1995. Mandates inviting proposals and conducting expedited hearings on consolidating and reforming Federal milk marketing orders issued under specified provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, including considering how all milk shall be regulated under Federal or State order, with manufacturing grade producers receiving pool proceeds from Class III and Class IV sales only. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that Federal milk marketing orders in operation under the Agricultural Adjustment Act should be consolidated to between 8 and 14 orders.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing Appropriations Title II: Waiver of Requirement for Parchment Printing Title III: Taxpayer Subsidized Political Advocacy Title IV: Medicare Title I: Continuing Appropriations - Makes further continuing appropriations for FY 1996. (Sec. 101) Provides for such amounts as may be necessary under the authority and provided in the applicable appropriations Act for the fiscal year 1995 for continuing projects or activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees (not otherwise specifically provided for in this joint resolution) which were conducted in the fiscal year 1995 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be available in the following appropriations Acts: (1) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (notwithstanding specified provisions of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, and the Arms Control and Disarmament Act); (2) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1996 (notwithstanding specified provisions of the National Security Act of 1947); (3) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1996; (4) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1996; (5) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1996 (notwithstanding specified provisions of certain Federal law and of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956); (6) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (7) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (8) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 (H.R. 2492); (9) the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 1996; (10) the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1996; and (11) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. (Sec. 102) Sets forth various conditions for and limitations on the use of funds provided under this Act. (Sec. 123) Provides that the rate for operations of the following projects or activities shall be only the minimum necessary to accomplish orderly termination: (1) Administrative Conference of the United States; (2) Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (except that activities to carry out the provisions of specified Federal law may continue); (3) Interstate Commerce Commission; (4) Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation; (5) Land and Water Conservation Fund, State Assistance; and (6) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Rural Abandoned Mine Program. Title II: Waiver of Requirement for Parchment Printing - Waives specified requirements with respect to the printing of the enrollment of any continuing resolution, debt limit extension measure, or reconciliation bill of the first session of this Congress presented to the President after the enactment of this joint resolution. Title III: Taxpayer Subsidized Political Advocacy - Prohibits subsidizing political advocacy with taxpayer funds. Sets forth prohibitions on taxpayer subsidized grantees' use of such funds to engage in political advocacy, as well as other limitations on, and duties with respect to, their use of such funds. (Sec. 302) Requires taxpayer subsidized grantees to disclose specified information in an annual report to each Federal entity that awarded or administered their grants. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to develop one standardized form for such report and a uniform procedure by which each such grantee is assigned one permanent and unique identification number. (Sec. 303) Requires each Federal entity awarding or administering such grants to report annually to the Bureau of the Census setting forth the information provided in such grantee reports, with the identification numbers of the grantees. Directs the Bureau of the Census to make this database available to the public through the Internet. (Sec. 304) Requires public availability of taxpayer subsidized grant documents. (Sec. 307) Provides for expedited consideration and appeal of any action challenging the constitutionality of this title. Title IV: Medicare - Revises the formula for the determination of Medicare Part B premiums during 1996 (to increase such premiums above the scheduled rate). (Sec. 402) Provides for Medicare coverage of certain anticancer drug treatments, including coverage of certain Federal Food and Drug Administration-approved self-administered oral drugs prescribed for use as an anticancer nonsteroidal antiestrogen or nonsteroidal antiandrogen agent for a given indication. Provides for uniform coverage of such anticancer drugs in all settings.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Prohibits any member of the armed forces from being required to wear any uniform item or insignia which indicates an allegiance to or affiliation with the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1995
Animal Drug Availability Act of 1995 - Amends Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provisions relating to new animal drugs to redefine "substantial evidence" to mean evidence from one or more scientifically sound studies including, as appropriate, in vitro studies, studies in laboratory animals, bioequivalence studies, and any studies voluntarily undertaken by or for the applicant that provide some assurance that the drug will have the intended effect. Excludes a claim for the use of a drug in a minor species or a minor use of a drug from disapproval, if there is an application filed for the drug which is approved prior to the submission of the claim. Allows consideration, when a new animal drug contains more than one active ingredient or its labeling suggests use of the drug in combination with another animal drug, only of whether any of the active ingredients or any of the drugs in the combination, at the longest withdrawal time of any of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination, exceeds its established tolerance or interferes with the methods of analysis for another of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination. Requires the Secretary to issue proposed regulations implementing the provisions of this section which: (1) further define "substantial evidence;" (2) take into account the proposals contained in the citizen petition submitted by the American Veterinary Association and the Animal Health Institute; and (3) provide for the opportunity for a conference to make a decision establishing a submission or an investigational requirement. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove the application within 90 (currently 180) days of receipt of the application. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) the Secretary to refer disputed issues received in writing from an applicant to an advisory committee or to a special Government employee; and (2) the committee or employee to submit a report containing recommendations regarding the matter. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to refuse approval of an application if information submitted with respect to the drug indicates that any use suggested in labeling proposed for that drug will result in a unsafe amount of residue. (Sec. 7) Permits the export of an unsafe (as defined in the Act) new animal drug, if it is not in conflict with the laws of the country to which it is exported. (Currently, such export is prohibited.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1995
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that an employer is not required to allow access to its business property to employees or nonemployees for purposes of union organizing, solicitation, distribution, picketing, or other union advocacy or activities, even if the employer allows such access to organizations for charitable, civic, or religious purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1995
Defend America Act of 1995 - Directs the President to give notice to the Russian Federation of the U.S. intention to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, as permitted under Treaty articles. Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct at least one of the following: (1) a test of an anti-ballistic missile interceptor that is based in space; (2) a test of a sensor in space capable of providing data directly to an anti-ballistic missile interceptor; or (3) a test of an existing air defense system, theater missile defense system, or early warning system to demonstrate its capability to counter strategic ballistic missiles or their elements in flight trajectory. Provides test funding from funds currently available to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1995
Designates the Federal Triangle Project under construction at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, in the District of Columbia, as the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1995
Prisoner Lawsuit Efficiency Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any action from being brought by a prisoner in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons concerning any aspect of such prisoner's incarceration until any administrative remedy procedures available are exhausted, regardless of the nominal party defendant. Specifies that the fact that the administrative remedies do not include all the possible procedures and forms of recovery that are available in the civil action does not render such remedies inadequate or excuse the failure to exhaust them.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Definitions; General Provisions Title II: Certification of Health Plans Title III: Enforcement Family Health Care Fairness Act of 1995 - Title I: Definitions; General Provisions - Defines terms for purposes of this Act. Mandates a process under which a health plan may apply to be certified under this Act. Provides for certification review, termination, and nonrenewal. Conditions certification on meeting the requirements of this Act. Title II: Certification of Health Plans - Sets forth requirements plans must meet for certification, including regarding: (1) access to care (including emergency and urgent care and specialized services); (2) choice of health professionals, a point-of-service option, and continuity of care; (3) nondiscrimination against individuals or providers on the basis of race and other factors, including the individual's (or the providers' patients') health status and anticipated need for services; (4) mechanisms used in development of plan policies; (5) certain procedures relating to utilization review and appeals processes; (6) certain due process rights for providers; (7) marketing materials and information provided by plans to enrollees and prospective enrollees; (8) confidentiality; (9) plan financial reserves and solvency; and (10) a quality assurance program and case review. (Sec. 210) Mandates a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility and desirability of voluntary health plan participation in a system that: (1) uses a risk adjustment mechanism for enhanced premium payments to plans serving high risk or underserved populations; and (2) requires part of such premiums to be passed through to providers serving such populations. Title III: Enforcement - Mandates regulations to enforce this Act. (Sec. 302) Prohibits plans from inappropriately limiting or denying care through any utilization review or cost containment technique. Allows any individual alleging injury caused by a clinically or medically inappropriate decision resulting from the design or application of utilization review or cost containment to commence a civil action against the plan in State or Federal court. Prohibits plans from requiring any provider to indemnify the plan for recovery in such an action. Prohibits States from limiting plan liability under such an action.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1995
Makes continuing appropriations for FY 1996 for continuing projects and activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, conducted in 1995 and for which appropriations or other authority would have been available in the following Acts: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1966; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (3) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1996; (4) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1996; (5) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1996; (6) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1996; (7) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (8) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996; (9) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996; (10) the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1996; (11) the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 1996; (12) the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act, 1996; and (13) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. Sets the rates of such funding. Sets forth limitations on the use of such funds. (Sec. 112) Requires that whenever the rate for operations for any continuing project or activity provided for which there is a budget request would result in a furlough of Government employees, that rate for operations may be increased to a level that would enable the furlough to be avoided. (Sec. 113) Requires, with exceptions, that for those programs that had high initial rates of operation or complete distribution of funding at the beginning of FY 1995 because of distributions of funding to States, foreign countries, grantees, or others, similar distributions of funds for FY 1996 shall not be made and no grants shall be awarded for such programs funded by this resolution that would impinge on final funding prerogatives. (Sec. 115) Requires that the rate of operations for any continuing project or activity that have not been increased shall be reduced by five percent but shall not be reduced below the minimum level defined or below the level that would result in a furlough. (Sec. 116) Provides that section 132 of the District of Columbia Appropriations Act of 1988 (which provides that amounts appropriated for the Federal Payment to the District of Columbia shall not be subject to apportionment) shall not apply for this joint resolution. Provides for including in the apportionment for the Federal Payment to the District of Columbia an additional $217 million. (Sec. 117) Requires that the authority and conditions for the application of appropriations of the Office of Technology Assessment, as contained in House Report 104-212, shall be followed when applying the funding made available by this joint resolution. (Sec. 120) Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission's Salaries and Expenses account to include, in addition to direct appropriations, the amount it collects under the fee rate and offsetting collection authority. (Sec. 121) Requires that funding be made available for the necessary expenses of the Bureau of Mines for: (1) continuing limited health and safety and related research, materials partnerships, and minerals information activities; (2) mineral assessments in Alaska; and (3) terminating all other activities of the Bureau of Mines. (Sec. 122) Requires, with certain exceptions, that funds for the Environmental Protection Agency shall be made available in the appropriation accounts which are provided in H.R. 2099 as reported on September 13, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1995
Declares that a named individual shall be treated as a Federal employee for civil service retirement purposes for a specified period of employment as a foreign national.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a certificate of documentation for a named vessel for employment in the coastwise trade and fisheries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to exclude from the definition of "solid waste" any solid or dissolved materials contained, collected, and reused in an on-site production process that prevents releases to the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Extension of Certain Commodity Programs Title II: Modification of Commodity Program Operations Title III: General Commodity Provisions Title IV: Repeal of Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Program Title V: Federal Crop Insurance Title VI: Miscellaneous Programs Title VII: Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture Agricultural Competitiveness Act of 1995 - Title I: Extension of Certain Commodity Programs - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 (Act) to extend loan, payment, and acreage reduction programs for wheat (including the food security wheat reserve), feed grains, cotton (including cottonseed and cottonseed oil), and rice. Extends loan and payment programs for oilseeds. Title II: Modification of Commodity Program Operations - Amends the Act to revise specified wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice deficiency payment provisions (flex acres and 0-50 and 0-85 programs). (Sec. 203) Permits: (1) alternate crops to be planted on 100 percent (currently 25 percent) of crop acreage base without penalty; and (2) planting of crops on up to 25 percent of historical soybean acreage without loss of agricultural program eligibility. (Sec. 204) Establishes an alternative marketing loan repayment provision for wheat and feed grains. (Sec. 205) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to revise and extend peanut poundage quota and acreage allotment provisions. Repeals the special poundage allocation for Texas. Revises poundage quota provisions. Extends: (1) marketing penalty and disposition of additional peanut provisions; and (2) experimental and research programs. Amends the Act to revise and extend peanut price supports. Limits: (1) support rate decreases to not more than five percent; and (2) entry into New Mexico area marketing association pools to New Mexico-produced peanuts. Requires imported and exported peanuts to comply with U.S. quality standards. Extends assessment provisions. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend specified peanut program provisions. (Sec. 206) Amends the Act to extend and set forth sugar price support provisions. Establishes the sugarcane target price at 18 cents per pound. Provides for recourse (rather than nonrecourse) loan assistance unless tariff rates exceed specified levels. Title III: General Commodity Provisions - Amends the Act to extend authority for: (1) supplemental set-asides and acreage limitations; (2) deficiency and land diversion payments; (3) established price and price support adjustments; (4) optional price support participation; and (5) acreage base and payment fields. (Sec. 308) Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to extend normally planted acreage provisions. (Sec. 309) Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 to extend the National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board. (Sec. 310) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend payment limitation provisions. (Sec. 313) Amends the Options Pilot Program Act of 1990 to extend the options pilot program. Title IV: Repeal of Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Program - Amends the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 to repeal the emergency livestock feed assistance program. Title V: Federal Crop Insurance - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to permit a producer to decline catastrophic risk protection and maintain agricultural program eligibility if such producer waives eligibility for emergency crop loss assistance. Title VI: Miscellaneous Programs - Amends the Trade Act of 1978 to extend the export enhancement program at reduced funding levels. (Sec. 602) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the conservation reserve program at reduced spending levels. Title VII: Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture - Establishes the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture to assess the current and future condition of U.S. production agriculture, including the appropriate agricultural role of the Government. Terminates the Commission upon submission of a required report.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
FEHBP-Medical Savings Account Promotion Act of 1995 - Amends Federal civil service law to permit Federal employees and annuitants enrolled in a catastrophic plan to elect to receive Government contributions into medical savings accounts provided for by this Act under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to cover qualified medical expenses: (1) to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise; or (2) for long-term care insurance for the individual, spouse, or dependent. Prohibits the use of account funds to pay for coverage under any kind of health plan except a catastrophic or long-term care insurance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
Natural Gas Competitiveness Act of 1995 - Permits independent natural gas producers to act together in associations to collectively produce, gather, transport, process, store, handle, and market natural gas in both domestic and foreign commerce. Requires the Attorney General to file an antitrust complaint against any such association which monopolizes or restrains trade to such an extent that the price of natural gas or natural gas liquid is unduly enhanced. Sets forth procedural guidelines for the filing of such a complaint. Provides for antitrust and market and price-discrimination actions against an association under the Sherman and the Clayton Acts, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1995
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to provide for payments to State and local prisons for monthly reports on the identities of inmates ineligible for benefits, especially those erroneously paid such a benefit. Denies SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained such benefits while in prison.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Property Rights and Voluntary Incentives for Private Property Owners Title II: Improving Ability to Comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 Title III: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures Title IV: Recognizing Other Federal Action, Laws, and Missions Title V: Better Management and Conservation of Listed Species Title VI: Habitat Protections Title VII: State Authority to Protect Endangered and Threatened Species Title VIII: Funding of Conservation Measures Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions Endangered Species Conservation and Management Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the Act) to revise: (1) the findings and purposes of the Act to include consideration of economic impacts and property owners' rights while encouraging practices that protect species; and (2) the policy of the Act to prohibit the Federal Government from using or limiting the use of privately owned property when such action diminishes the value of such property without payment of fair market value to the owner of private property. Title I: Private Property Rights and Voluntary Incentives for Private Property Owners - Amends the Act to prohibit the Government from taking an agency action affecting privately or non-federally owned property under the Act which results in diminishment of value of any portion of that property by 20 percent or more unless compensation is offered in accordance with this title. Requires the Federal agency that takes an action that exceeds that amount to compensate the private property owner for the otherwise lawful use or limitation on such use in the amount of the diminution in value of the portion of that property resulting from such use or limitation. Specifies that, if the diminution in value of a portion of that property is greater than 50 percent, at the option of the owner, the agency shall buy that portion and pay fair market value based on the value of the property before the use or limitation was imposed. Directs that compensation paid reflect the duration of the use or limitation necessary to achieve the purposes of the Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures for written requests for compensation by the owner; (2) agency negotiations with that owner to reach agreement; (3) choice of remedies; (4) arbitration; (5) civil actions (an owner who prevails in a civil action against the agency shall be entitled to the amount of compensation awarded plus reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs); (6) source of payments; (7) availability of appropriations (any U.S. obligation to make such a payment shall be subject to the availability of appropriations); and (8) duty of notice to owners of agency actions limiting the use of private property and of procedures for obtaining compensation. (Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), in carrying out the program authorized by the Act, to cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the States and other non-Federal persons, including consultation before acquiring any land or water, or interest therein, for the purpose of conserving any endangered or threatened species. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative management agreement with any State or local government or non-Federal person for the management of a species listed as endangered or threatened, to be listed, or which is a candidate for listing, or for the management or acquisition of an area which provides habitat for a species, subject to specified limitations. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) environmental assessments; (2) the effect of listing a species; and (3) violations of such agreements. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to certain non-Federal persons for the purpose of conserving, preserving, or improving habitat for any species that is determined to be an endangered or threatened species upon determining that: (1) the property for which the grant is provided contains habitat that significantly contributes to the protection of the population of the species and has been managed for species protection for a sufficient period of time to significantly contribute to the protection of the species population; and (2) the management of the habitat advances the interest of species protection. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to initiate a program to provide technical advice and assistance to non-Federal persons who wish to participate in achieving the conservation objective for a species for which a conservation goal has been adopted. (Sec. 105) Specifies that nothing in the Act shall be construed to supersede, abrogate, or otherwise impair any right or authority of a State to allocate or administer quantities of water. Title II: Improving Ability to Comply With the Endangered Species Act of 1973 - Amends the Act to provide that an activity of a non-Federal person is not a taking of a species if the activity: (1) is consistent with the provisions of a final conservation plan or conservation objective; (2) complies with the terms and conditions of an incidental take permit or a cooperative management agreement; (3) addresses a critical, imminent threat to public health or safety or a catastrophic natural event, or is mandated by any Federal, State, or local government agency for public health or safety purposes; or (4) is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity that occurs in an area of the territorial sea or exclusive economic zone that is not designated as critical habitat and the affected species is not a species of fish. Makes enforcement provisions and provisions regarding rewards and incidental expenses paid by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury applicable specifically to endangered or threatened species of fish and wildlife (current law doesn't specify endangered or threatened species). Specifies that no interpretation, policy, guideline, finding, or other informal determination may be relied upon by the Secretary in the implementation and enforcement of the Act unless such determination has been the subject of a proposed rule, subject to specified requirements. Places the burden on the Secretary to show that a specimen belongs to a species which is determined to be an endangered or threatened species. Authorizes civil suits by persons who have suffered or are threatened with economic or other injury resulting from actions by Federal officials with respect to enforcement of the Act under specified circumstances. (Sec. 202) Defines, for purposes of the Act: (1) "take" to mean to harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in that conduct; and (2) "harm" to mean to take a direct action against any member of an endangered species of fish or wildlife that actually injures or kills a member of the species. (Sec. 203) Authorizes non-Federal persons to initiate consultation with the Secretary on any prospective activity: (1) to determine if the activity is consistent with a conservation plan or objective; or (2) if the person determines that the activity is inconsistent, to determine whether the activity is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or to destroy or adversely modify the designated critical habitat of the species in a manner that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species. (Sec. 204) Sets forth or revises provisions regarding: (1) incidental take permit requirements; (2) general, research, and educational permits; (3) maintenance of aquatic habitats for listed species; (4) compliance with international requirements and treaties; and (5) incentives for protection of marine species. Title III: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures - Revises provisions of the Act regarding determinations that a species is endangered or threatened to direct the Secretary to make such determinations based on specified factors, including: (1) the present or threatened loss of its habitat; and (2) the inadequacy of existing Federal, State, and local government regulatory mechanisms. Requires the Secretary to make such determinations solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available after conducting a review of the status of the species and after soliciting and fully considering the best scientific and commercial data available concerning the status of a species from any affected State or any interested non-Federal person, taking into account other specified factors. Sets forth or revises provisions regarding: (1) consideration of State recommendations; (2) listing of foreign species; (3) soliciting scientific information; (4) emergency listings; (5) use of the best scientific and commercial data; (6) identifying data used for decisions; (7) judicial review; (8) peer review; (9) making data public; (10) improving the petition and designation processes; (11) greater State involvement; (12) monitoring the status of species; and (13) petitions to delist species. Title IV: Recognizing Other Federal Action, Laws, and Missions - Amends the Act to direct: (1) the Secretary to review other programs administered by the Secretary and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of the Act; and (2) each Federal agency to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or destroy or adversely modify any habitat that is designated by the Secretary as critical habitat of the species in a manner that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) involvement of applicants for Federal approvals; (2) conferring on candidate species; (3) limitations on modifications to land management; (4) resolving conflicts between Federal agencies; (5) procedures for consultation; and (6) activities prior to completion of consultation. (Sec. 402) Sets forth provisions regarding exemptions from consultation and conferencing requirements. Specifies that an agency action shall not constitute a taking of a species prohibited by the Act or any regulation thereunder if the action is consistent with those provided for in a final conservation plan or a conservation objective under this Act, or a cooperative management agreement or an incidental take permit. (Sec. 403) Eliminates the Endangered Species Committee and related provisions. Title V: Better Management and Conservation of Listed Species - Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to publish a conservation objective and a conservation plan for each species determined to be an endangered or threatened species. Requires the Secretary: (1) within 30 days after the listing determination, to appoint an assessment and planning team (which shall report to the Secretary within 180 days the assessment of specified biological, economic, and intergovernmental factors with respect to the listed species); and (2) within 210 days, to review the report to establish a conservation objective for the species and publish in the Federal Register the conservation objective, along with a statement of findings on which the objective was established. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary, in the development and implementation of a conservation plan, to accord specified priorities, including to: (1) the development of an integrated plan for two or more endangered or threatened species that are likely to benefit from an integrated conservation plan; and (2) nonregulatory, incentive-based conservation measures and commercial activities that provide a net benefit to the conservation of the species. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) publication of a draft plans; (2) contents of such plan; (3) plan preparation procedures; (4) publication of a final plan; (5) participation by other persons; (6) plan revision or amendment; and (7) lack of further procedures or requirements for actions consistent with the conservation plan. (Sec. 503) Delineates procedures regarding: (1) management prior to publication of a conservation plan; (2) emergency rulemaking protections; (3) suspension of conservation plans or objectives; (4) non-delegation of duties; and (5) review of conservation plans. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate critical habitat of a species determined to be an endangered or threatened species that meets specified requirements utilizing the National Biodiversity Reserve (see Title VI) as a first priority; and (2) revise a critical habitat designation on determining that such habitat does not meet such requirements. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) deadlines for designation; (2) basis for designation (directs the Secretary to exclude any area from critical habitat which does not meet the definition as set forth in this Act, which is not necessary to achieve the conservation objective for the affected species, for which the Secretary determines that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation (with exceptions), and in the case of property owned by a non-Federal person, where the owner has not given written consent to the designation or has not been compensated); (3) procedure for designation; and (4) judicial review of the critical habitat designation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the standard for judicial review of decisions regarding conservation objectives or plans; (2) conservation plans for foreign species; and (3) the definition of critical habitat. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) utilize captive propagation as a means of protecting or conserving an endangered or threatened species; and (2) provide annual grants to non-Federal persons to fund captive propagation programs if the Secretary determines that such a program contributes to enhancement of the population of such a species. (Sec. 506) Revises provisions regarding experimental populations to require the Secretary, before authorizing the release of a population of endangered or threatened species outside the current range of such species, to identify the precise boundaries of the geographic area for the release and determine whether the release is in the public interest. Provides that: (1) any member of an experimental population found outside the geographic area in which the population is released shall not be treated as a threatened species if the member poses a threat to the welfare of the public; and (2) critical habitat shall not be designated under the Act for any experimental population determined to be not essential to the continued existence of a species. Sets forth requirements for releases of such populations, including that the Secretary require that: (1) to the maximum extent practicable, the release occurs only in a unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System; (2) the regulations authorizing the release identify precisely the geographic area for the release; and (3) a release on non-Federal land occurs only with the written consent of the owner of the land. (Sec. 507) Revises provisions regarding regulations to protect threatened species to direct the Secretary to issue, concurrently with the regulation that provides for the listing of the species, such regulations as the Secretary deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of such species. Specifies that prohibitions applied to the threatened species shall address the specific circumstances of such species and may not be as restrictive as such prohibition for endangered species. Requires conservation guidelines to include a system for developing and implementing, on a priority basis, conservation objectives and conservation plans. Directs the Secretary to provide to the public notice of, and opportunity to submit written comments on, any guideline proposed to be established. Title VI: Habitat Protections - Establishes a National Biological Diversity Reserve, composed of units of Federal and State lands designated and managed in accordance with this title. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to designate to the Reserve by regulation those units of the national conservation systems which are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned and which the Secretary determines would contribute to the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of biological diversity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate to the Reserve a unit of State-owned lands if such unit is nominated for designation by the Governor of the State and is managed under State law in accordance with this title; (2) designate to the Reserve privately owned land that is nominated for designation by the owner of the land, and remove such land from the Reserve if the owner requests removal; (3) remove from the Reserve a unit designated which the Secretary finds is not managed under State law in accordance with this title; and (4) remove from the Reserve any State-owned lands at the request of the Governor of that State. Requires: (1) each unit of the Reserve to have as an objective for the management thereof the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of biological diversity; and (2) within one year of the designation of a unit to the Reserve, the manager of such unit to complete, and the Secretary concerned to make available to the public by notice in the Federal Register, an inventory of the species composing the biological diversity within such unit. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary, and the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the National Forest System, to establish and implement a program to conserve fish, wildlife, and plants, including those which are determined to be endangered or threatened species. Provides that, to carry out such program, the appropriate Secretary: (1) shall utilize the land acquisition and other authority under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, as appropriate; and (2) is authorized to acquire lands, waters, or interests therein (lands). (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage exchanges of lands within the jurisdiction of each Secretary (other than units of the National Park System and the National Wilderness Preservation System) for lands that are not in Federal ownership and that are affected by this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding the timing of exchanges, environmental assessment, expeditious exchange decisions, applicable law, and valuation of lands acquired. Title VII: State Authority to Protect Endangered and Threatened Species - Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to a State which establishes and maintains an adequate program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species the authority contained in this Act with respect to species of fish, wildlife, and plants that are residents in the State. Requires the Secretary, within 120 days after receiving a certified copy of a proposed State program, to determine whether such program will be adequate to provide protections to endangered and threatened species in such State, based on specified guidelines. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) Federal financial assistance to a State which has received such delegation; (2) contents of a delegation agreement; (3) State compliance with this Act; (4) review of State programs; and (5) conflicts between Federal and State laws. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary, in any instance in which a State has a program for management of a native species which is the subject of a request for an export permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to act in accordance with the recommendation of the State unless the Secretary makes a finding and publishes a notice in the Federal Register that scientific evidence justifies a conclusion contrary to the advice of the State. Authorizes the State which is subject to such a finding, or any person in that State directly affected because of inability to obtain a permit, to appeal the finding to an administrative law judge or a court. Places the burden on the Secretary to show that the evidence supports a finding contrary to the recommendation of the State. Title VIII: Funding of Conservation Measures - Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture through FY 2001 to carry out the Act, including for cooperative management agreements, Convention implementation, non-Federal conservation planning, and habitat conservation grants. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary, for any non-Federal person or Federal power marketing administration, to pay half of any direct costs that result from the compliance by the person or administration mandated by a conservation plan or measure that provides protection to a listed species under a plan developed under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act, including a plan that provides protection to a larger population unit of the same listed species. Sets forth provisions regarding consultation requirements, incidental take permits, cooperative management agreements, method of cost-sharing, existing cost-sharing agreements, and adjustments to the cost-sharing percentage. (Sec. 803) Establishes in the Treasury an Endangered Species and Threatened Species Conservation Trust Fund. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines or redefines the terms: (1) "non-Federal person"; and (2) "commercial activity." (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify those species which are listed under the Act as a result of being determined to be a population segment; and (2) review and determine whether or not it is in the national interest to continue to list each such segment. Requires those segments which the Secretary recommends for continued listing to be submitted to the Congress for approval, and that any segment not determined to be in the national interest to be delisted. (Sec. 903) Requires the Secretary to publish a list of all species that were determined to be endangered or threatened species for which no final recovery plans were issued, divided equally into three tiers of priority for preparation of conservation objectives and plans (with any species listed as an endangered or threatened species in more than one State being placed in the first tier of priority). Directs the Secretary to publish a conservation objective, draft conservation plan, and final conservation plan for each species within each tier of priority according to a specified timetable. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) priority for revision of existing plans (for listed species with recovery plans); (2) a schedule for revision of plans; (3) species for which no conservation plan is required; (4) a prohibition on additional requirements; and (5) existing biological opinions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement, Pilot Programs, and Interior Enforcement Subtitle A: Improved Enforcement at Border Subtitle B: Pilot Programs Subtitle C: Interior Enforcement Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States Subtitle D: Additional Provisions Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits Subtitle B: Changes in Preference System Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions Subtitle D: General Effective Date; Transition Provisions Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Immigration in the National Interest Act of 1995 - Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement, Pilot Programs, and Interior Enforcement - Subtitle A: Improved Border Enforcement - Increases: (1) the Border Patrol; and (2) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) border enforcement and related personnel. (Sec. 102) Provides for barrier and road improvements at U.S. border areas of high illegal entry, including San Diego, California. Authorizes appropriations for San Diego area improvements. (Sec. 103) Provides for improved border equipment and technology. (Sec. 104) Provides for biometric identifiers to be included in border crossing identification cards. (Sec. 105) Establishes civil penalties for illegal U.S. entry. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations for detention and prosecution of aliens who have unlawfully entered the United States at least twice. (Sec. 107) Provides for inservice Border Patrol training. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Pilot Programs - Establishes pilot programs for: (1) deterrence of multiple unauthorized U.S. entries, which may include interior or third party repatriation; (2) use of closed military bases as INS detention centers; and (3) collection of alien departure records. Subtitle C: Interior Enforcement - Provides for increased INS interior investigative and enforcement personnel. Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud - Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling - Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) authorize wiretaps in alien smuggling investigations; and (2) include alien smuggling within racketeering offenses. (Sec. 203) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to revise and increase criminal penalties for alien smuggling. (Sec. 204) Increases the number of Assistant United States Attorneys and provides for their assignment to criminal matters involving illegal aliens. (Sec. 205) Authorizes and provides for INS undercover investigations. Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud - Amends Federal criminal law and the Act to increase and establish criminal and civil penalties for specified immigration related document fraud offenses, including false citizenship claims. Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses - Amends Federal criminal law to provide for asset forfeiture for passport and visa offenses. Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens - Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens - Amends the Act to revise alien removal and penalty provisions. (Sec. 309) Sets forth transition provisions with respect to: (1) the Attorney General's option to apply current or revised procedures; (2) judicial review; (3) suspension of deportation; and (4) certain family unity aliens. Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists - Part 1: Removal Procedures for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to establish a special removal procedure for alien terrorists, including establishment of a special removal court and a panel of special attorneys with access to classified information. (Sec. 322) Authorizes additional appropriations for INS detention and removal of alien terrorists. Part 2: Inadmissibility and Denial of Relief for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to make membership in a terrorist organization grounds for U.S. exclusion. (Sec. 332) Denies alien terrorists status adjustment and deportation relief. Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States - Amends the Act with regard to vessel and aircraft transportation of illegal aliens into the United States. Subtitle D: Additional Provisions - Authorizes Federal retirees to be used in the Institutional Hearing Program. (Sec. 358) Authorizes additional appropriations to the Attorney General for removing inadmissible or deportable aliens. (Sec. 359) Establishes in the Treasury an Immigration Enforcement Account. (Sec. 360) Declares that Congress advises the President to negotiate prisoner transfer treaties, which may include compensation provisions. (Sec. 361) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct INS to operate a criminal alien identification system. (Sec 363) Authorizes special registration of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment - Increases full-time employee positions in: (1) the Investigations Division of INS; and (2) the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor. (Sec. 403) Amends the Act to revise the employer sanctions program. Provides for an employment eligibility confirmation mechanism. Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System - Amends the Act to restructure current legal immigration categories and levels into the following: (1) family-sponsored immigrants; (2) employment-based immigrants; and (3) humanitarian immigrants. Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits - Amends the Act to establish fiscal year worldwide limits for such immigrant categories. (Sec. 504) Requires periodic congressional review and reauthorization of worldwide immigration levels. Subtitle B: Changes in Preference System - Amends the Act to limit immediate relatives to spouses and children of U.S. citizens. (Sec. 512) Limits preference allocation for family-sponsored immigrants to: (1) spouses and children of lawful permanent resident aliens; and (2) qualifying parents of U.S. citizens. Requires parents to have adequate health coverage. (Sec. 513) Revises preference allocations for employment-based immigrants. Establishes: (1) a pilot program for smaller alien job creation investors; and (2) conditional permanent resident status for certain foreign language teachers. (Sec. 515) Revises special immigrant status provisions, including: (1) inclusion of certain NATO civilian employees; and (2) extension of status for religious workers. (Sec. 517) Makes specified family and employment-based amendments. Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions - Amends the Act to limit annual refugee admissions to 75,000 in FY 1997 or 50,000 in succeeding years unless the Congress provides for additional entries. (Sec. 523) Authorizes the temporary employment of certain retirees to help reduce asylum application backlogs. (Sec. 524) Limits parole entry to a case-by-case basis for humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons. (Sec. 525) Provides for the admission of humanitarian immigrants. (Sec. 526) Revises asylum provisions. Subtitle D: General Effective Date; Transition Provisions - Sets forth transition provisions for specified classification status petitions. Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits - Part 1: Public Benefits Generally - Makes illegal aliens ineligible for unemployment benefits and Federal and State assistance, contracts, and licenses, with exceptions for emergency medical services, public health immunizations, and short-term emergency disaster relief. Requires proof of identify for Federal contracts, grants, loans, licenses, and specified public assistance programs. Authorizes States to establish similar requirements. (Sec. 605) Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report on the disqualification of illegal aliens from housing assistance programs. Part 2: Earned Income Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to individuals not authorized to work in the United States. Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge - Amends the Act to revise public charge grounds for inadmissibility and deportability. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Attributes a sponsor's income and resources to a family-sponsored immigrant for purposes of eligibility for Federal means-tested public benefits programs. (Sec. 632) Amends the Act to set forth sponsor affidavit of support requirements. Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry - Provides for: (1) increased numbers of land border inspectors; and (2) border infrastructure improvements. (Sec. 703) Amends the Act to provide for: (1) preinspection at specified foreign airports; and (2) training of airline personnel in fraudulent document detection. Establishes a carrier consultant program. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Act, as amended by the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to revise the definition of "aggravated felony." Amends the Act with regard to: (1) definitions of "child" and "parent"; (2) visa processing procedure; (3) waiver authority concerning notice of visa application denial; (4) Canadian landed immigrants; (5) H-1B nonimmigrants; (6) visa extensions; (7) status adjustment; (8) access to certain confidential INS files; (9) nonimmigrant status for spouses and children of members of the armed forces; (10) fraudulent birth certificates; (11) visa "shopping"; and (12) specified miscellaneous and technical provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Housing and Urban Development and Disposition of Functions Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Housing and Urban Development Subtitle B: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Housing and Urban Development Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions Title II: Tenant-Based Vouchers for Rental and Homeownership Assistance Subtitle A: Block Grants for State Housing Voucher Assistance Subtitle B: Federal Housing Voucher Assistance Program Subtitle C: Determination of State Allocations and Election of Federal or State Voucher Program Subtitle D: Office of Federal Housing Voucher Assistance in Department of Health and Human Services Subtitle E: General Provisions Title III: Transition Provisions Relating to Replacement of Public Housing and Assisted Housing Programs Subtitle A: Replacement of Assisted Housing Programs Subtitle B: Interim Program for Public Housing Block Grants and Deregulation Subtitle C: General Provisions Title IV: Block Grants for Housing and Community Development Opportunities Subtitle A: Block Grants Program Subtitle B: Block Grants for Housing for Special Populations and Indian Housing Subtitle C: General Provisions Relating to Block Grants Subtitle D: Housing and Community Opportunities Agency Subtitle E: Effective Date Title V: Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance Subtitle A: Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Program Subtitle B: Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund Administration Subtitle C: Transition Provisions Subtitle D: General and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Office of Federalism in Office of Management and Budget Housing Opportunities and Empowerment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Housing and Urban Development and Disposition of Functions - Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Housing and Urban Development - Reestablishes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the Housing and Urban Development Programs Resolution Agency (Agency) which shall be an independent Executive agency headed by the Resolution Administrator. Terminates the Agency as of September 30, 2000. (Sec. 106) Directs the General Accounting Office to report on the most efficient manner of abolishing HUD and transferring its functions. Subtitle B: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Housing and Urban Development - Sets forth specified transfers of HUD functions. (Sec. 122) Reestablishes the (HUD) Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight as an office in the Department of the Treasury. (Sec. 123) Amends the National Housing Act to terminate the Government National Mortgage Association. Requires the Resolution Administrator to develop a phase-out plan. (Sec. 124) Abolishes the (HUD) Office of Public Affairs. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth transfer provisions, including authorizing the Office of Management and Budget to make any necessary transfer determinations. Title II: Tenant-Based Vouchers for Rental and Homeownership Assistance - Subtitle A: Block Grants for State Housing Voucher Assistance - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Housing Voucher Agency (established by this Act) to make State block grants for (low-income) housing voucher assistance. Sets forth program provisions, including waiver of voucher program requirements and alternate State grant uses. Subtitle B: Federal Housing Voucher Assistance Program - Establishes a Federal housing voucher assistance program of monthly payments on behalf of renting or first-time owning low-income families. Limits assistance to five years. Provides assistance portability within the same State or metropolitan area. Sets forth program provisions. Subtitle C: Determination of State Allocations and Election of Federal or State Voucher Program - Directs the Administrator (Voucher Administrator) of the Office of Federal Housing Voucher Assistance (established by this Act) to establish: (1) a State housing assistance need formula; and (2) a limit on assisted families per State and a maximum State allocation. (Sec. 252) Authorizes a State to elect State block grant voucher assistance (subtitle A) rather than Federal voucher assistance (subtitle B). Subtitle D: Office of Federal Voucher Assistance in Department of Health and Human Services - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the Office of Federal Housing Voucher Assistance (to be headed by the Voucher Administrator) which shall carry out the housing assistance programs under this title and certain other transferred housing authorities. Subtitle E: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for specified provisions of this title. Title III: Transition Provisions Relating to Replacement of Public Housing and Assisted Programs - Subtitle A: Replacement of Assisted Housing - Replaces the following housing programs with a five-year interim public housing block grant program: (1) tenant-based section 8 assistance; (2) project-based section 8 assistance; (3) tenant-based rental assistance for disabled families; (4) rental assistance for persons with AIDS; (5) shelter plus care rental assistance for homeless persons; (6) tenant opportunity program; (7) flexible subsidies; (8) preservation programs; (9) service coordinators for assisted projects; and (10) Indian public housing, childhood development, and rental assistance. (Sec. 312) Provides for the transition of housing assistance from the interim block grant program to the voucher assistance programs. (Sec. 313) Provides for: (1) the transfer of specified remaining HUD authority to the Voucher Administrator; and (2) benefits to families assisted under terminated programs. Subtitle B: Interim Program for Public Housing Block Grants and Deregulation - Terminates the following housing programs: (1) public housing under title I or III of the United States Housing Act of 1937; (2) urban revitalization program; (3) public housing childhood development; (4) perinatal services demonstration; (5) youth sports demonstration; and (6) public and assisted housing drug elimination. (Sec. 322) Provides for the deregulation of public housing authorities (PHAs). Requires PHAs to develop a strategic plan as a condition of assistance eligibility. (Sec. 325) Establishes the Public Housing Block Grant Fund for grants to PHAs for public housing management and operations. Sets forth program provisions, including lead-based paint requirements. States that participation in the Family Self-Sufficiency program shall not be mandatory. (Sec. 330) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Defines specified terms. Title IV: Block Grants for Housing and Community Development Opportunities - Subtitle A: Block Grants Program - Requires the Director of the Housing and Community Opportunities Agency to make an housing assistance block grant to eligible States, entitlement areas, and Indian tribes. Sets forth program provisions, including at least 90 percent low-income use and one percent set-asides for Indian tribes. Subtitle B: Block Grants for Housing for Special Populations and Indian Housing - Obligates specified block grant funds for State housing programs for low-income special populations (elderly families, disabled families, or persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and their families). (Sec. 422) Obligates specified block grant funds for Indian housing authorities. Subtitle C: General Provisions Relating to Block Grants - Authorizes block grant appropriations. Repeals specified housing and related programs. Subtitle D: Housing and Community Opportunities Agency - Establishes the Housing and Community Opportunities Agency as an independent Executive agency. Subtitle E: Effective Date - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this title. Title V: Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance - Subtitle A: Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Program - Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund (Fund). States that Fund amounts shall be for: (1) payment of losses to qualified mortgage insurers; (2) payment of certain claim notes; (3) investment; and (4) certain annual assessments. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Fund Administrator to enter into risk-sharing agreements with qualified mortgage insurers for single family home mortgage insurance coverage. Sets forth program provisions. Subtitle B: Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund Administration - Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund Administration which shall administer the Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund. Subtitle C: Transition Provisions - Prohibits new Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan or mortgage activities. Repeals specified FHA insurance authorities. Provides for the sale of FHA mortgage insurance interests and transfer of remaining authority to the Federal Home Mortgage Insurance Fund. Subtitle D: General and Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth miscellaneous and administrative provisions. Title VI: Office of Federalism in Office of Management and Budget - Establishes in the Office of Management and Budget the Office of Federalism whose duties shall include: (1) review of policy and legislation's effect on the Federal-State relationship; and (2) federalism issues liaison services. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Continues existing average fuel economy standards for passenger and non-passenger automobiles until such standards are specifically amended or changed by law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Choice in Welfare Tax Credit Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax credit of up to $100 ($200 for a joint return) of the value of certain charitable contributions to any tax-exempt, U.S. organization that spends at least 70 percent of aggregate expenditures assisting the poor. Requires that: (1) taxpayers identify each such contribution and the recipient on the individual's tax return; and (2) such charities provide copies of their annual return to such individuals upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
Repeals specified Federal law which granted a Federal charter to the National Education Association (a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia).
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
Family Business Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate, for estate tax purposes, specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1995
Megan's Law - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require (current law authorizes) the designated State law enforcement agency and any authorized local law enforcement agency to release relevant information that is necessary to protect the public concerning a specific person required to register under the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1995
George Washington Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Requires the Secretary of Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins emblematic of George Washington. Mandates that the design for the coins be: (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. Provides for the distribution of coin sale surcharges to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
Changes the initial month for which cost-of-living increases in military retired pay become payable to March of the following year for those increases which became effective on December 1 of 1993, 1994, or 1995. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any future changes concerning the determination of cost-of-living adjustments should be identical for Federal civilian and military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
Independent Contractor Tax Simplification Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of determining the employment status of individuals as employees, a service provider shall not be treated as an employee, a service recipient shall not be treated as an employer, and a payor shall not be treated as an employer if: (1) a service provider has a significant investment in assets and training, incurs significant unreimbursed expenses, agrees to perform the service for a specified amount of time or to complete a specific result and is responsible for damages for early termination without cause, receives payment primarily on a commission basis, or has purchased resale products; (2) the service provider has a principal place of business, does not primarily provide service in the service recipient's place of business, or pays a fair market rent for use of the recipient's place of business or does not have to perform service only for the service recipient and, in the current year or in the proceeding or subsequent years, has performed or has offered to perform a significant amount of service for other persons; and (3) the services by an individual are performed according to a written contract between the service recipient or payor which provides that the individual will not be treated as an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Postmark Prompt Payment Act of 1995 - Deems any payment delivered by the Postal Service to be received by the payee on the date of the U.S. postmark stamped on the envelope or other cover in which such payment is mailed. Exempts any payment: (1) other than a payment on a bill, invoice, or statement of account due; (2) which is required by law, regulation, or contract to be delivered by any method other than by mail; or (3) which is subject to any other provision of Federal law specifying how a postmark date shall be used in determining the date on which such payment shall be deemed to have been delivered or made. Applies the provisions of this Act only if: (1) the postmark date falls on or before the prescribed date for making the payment; and (2) the payment was, on or before such date, deposited in the mail in the United States in an envelope or under other appropriate cover, postage prepaid, and properly addressed to the payee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1995
Parental Rights and Responsibilities Act of 1995 - Prohibits any Federal, State, or local government or any official of such a government from interfering with or usurping the right of a parent to govern the upbringing of a child of the parent. Disallows any exception to this Act unless the government or official is able to demonstrate, by appropriate evidence, that such interference or usurpation is valid to accomplish a compelling government interest, in which case only the least amount of interference may be used.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions Title II: General Provisions Title III: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Additional Disaster Assistance, for Anti-terrorism Initiatives, for Assistance in the Recovery from the Tragedy that Occurred at Oklahoma City, and Rescissions Act, 1995 - Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions - Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the Commodity Credit Corporation. Allocates Food and Nutrition Service funding. Transfers funds to the Agricultural Research Service. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Agriculture for the Office of the Secretary, alternative agricultural research and commercialization, the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Rural Development Administration and Farmers Home Administration, the Alcohol Fuels Credit Guarantee Program, the Rural Electrification Administration, the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Foreign Agricultural Service. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the National Bankruptcy Review Commission (transfer of funds); and (2) the Board for International Broadcasting. Rescinds appropriations to: (1) the Department of Justice for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Office of Justice Programs, general administration, legal activities, and the Federal Prison System; (2) the Department of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the GOES Satellite Contingency Fund, technology administration, the National Technical Information Service, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Economic Development Administration; (3) the Judiciary for the United States Court of International Trade and for defender services and the fees of jurors and commissioners; (4) the Small Business Administration; (5) the Department of State; (6) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; (7) the Board for International Broadcasting; and (8) the United States Information Agency. Delineates reductions to the Legal Services Corporation included in a prior rescission of funds. Rescinds appropriations made to: (1) the Corps of Engineers- Civil; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior; (3) the Department of Energy; (4) the Appalachian Regional Commission; and (5) the Tennessee Valley Authority. Rescinds funds appropriated to the President for economic, military, and export assistance. Rescinds appropriations made to: (1) the Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Biological Survey, the National Park Service, the Minerals Management Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and territorial and international affairs; (2) the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; (3) the Department of Energy for fossil energy research and development and energy conservation; and (4) the Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Rescinds appropriations made to the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Sec. 501) Prohibits funds being used by the Department of the Interior to search for the Alabama sturgeon. (Sec. 502) Prohibits the Forest Service from using funds to implement Habitat Conservation areas in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, for species not declared threatened or endangered, except for goshawks, as specified. (Sec. 503) Provides that, for specified timber, an environmental impact statement or a subsistence evaluation for a timber sale or offering to one party shall be deemed sufficient if the Forest Service sells to an alternate buyer. (Sec. 504) Requires each National Forest System unit to establish and adhere to a schedule for the completion of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 analysis and decisions on all allotments within the unit for which analysis is needed. Provides for the renewal of grazing permits on lands in the National Forest System, as specified. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the Health Care Financing Administration, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration on Aging, and the Office of the Secretary. Rescinds appropriations made to specified Department of Education programs, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Railroad Retirement Board. (Sec. 601) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to decrease the appropriated funds for FY 1995 for the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. (Sec. 602) Prohibits 1995 funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from being used to promulgate or issue any proposed or final standard or guideline regarding ergonomic protection. Rescinds funds made available to the Legislative Branch for: (1) the payments to widows and heirs of decreased Members of Congress; (2) the Joint Economic Committee and the Joint Committee on Printing; (3) the Office of Technology Assessment for salaries and expenses; (4) the Congressional Budget Office for salaries and expenses; (5) the Architect of the Capitol for Capitol buildings and grounds; (6) the Government Printing Office for congressional printing and binding and salaries and expenses; (7) the Botanic Garden for salaries and expenses; (8) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses; and (9) the General Accounting Office for salaries and expenses. Authorizes GAO to make payments to employees voluntarily retiring or resigning. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Coast Guard; (3) the Federal Aviation Administration; (4) the Federal Highway Administration; (5) the Federal Railroad Administration; and (6) the Federal Transit Administration. Reduces certain obligation limitations for DOT. Makes additional supplemental appropriations for the liquidation of mass transit capital programs. (Sec. 801) Rescinds funds from the DOT working capital fund. (Sec. 802) Cancels a specified amount for DOT civilian and military compensation and benefits permanently. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of the Treasury for departmental offices, the Financial Management Service, the United States Mint, the Bureau of the Public Debt, and the Internal Revenue Service. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Rescinds funds made available to the Executive Office of the President for the White House Office and Federal drug control programs. Rescinds funds made available to the General Services Administration for specified projects of the Federal Buildings Fund, salaries and expenses of the Federal Election Commission, and salaries and expenses of the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 901) Amends Federal law concerning availability pay for criminal investigators in certain Offices of Inspectors General and for U.S. Customs Service pilots. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations: (1) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief; and (2) to the National Flood Insurance Fund (transfer of funds). Rescinds funds made available to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care and major projects construction; and (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing programs. (Sec. 1001) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) permit a public housing agency to use modernization assistance for any eligible activity, including demolition, replacement housing, and temporary relocation assistance, authorized by this or other applicable appropriations Acts; (2) permit replacement units to be built on the site of the original demolished public housing unit only if the number of replacement units is significantly less than the number of units demolished; (3) repeal provisions prohibiting public housing projects from transferring title unless there is Federal funding assistance providing for a unit for unit replacement for each transfer; and (4) permit the reuse of any budget authority that is recaptured on account of termination of a housing assistance payments contract only for one or more the following, tenant-based assistance or project-based assistance. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Treasury for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. Rescinds funds made available to the: (1) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (2) Community Development Financial Institutions Fund; (3) Corporation for National and Community Service; (4) Environmental Protection Agency; (5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (6) National Science Foundation; and (7) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (Sec. 1004) Prohibits FY 1995 funds appropriated to EPA from being used to: (1) require any State to comply with specified Clean Act requirements concerning vehicle inspection and maintenance; (2) require any State to implement trip reduction measures to reduce vehicular emissions; (3) list any additional facilities on the National Priorities List under CERCLA, subject to stated exceptions; or (4) disapprove a State Implementation Plan revision solely on the basis of EPA's regulatory 50 percent discount for alternative test- and-repair inspection and maintenance programs. (Sec. 1008) Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to acquire a certain parcel of land located on the property referred to as the Clear Lake Development Facility, Clear Lake, Texas. Directs the Administrator to convey, without reimbursement to the State of Mississippi, the Yellow Creek Facility near Iuka, Mississippi. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) prepare, offer, and award contracts for salvage timber sales from Federal lands; and (2) perform reforestation operations in the salvage area. Subjects such sales to judicial review only in the U.S. district court for the district in which the affected Federal lands are located. Permits such an action only if made within 15 days after the initial advertisement of the challenged timber sale. (Sec. 2002) Prohibits any part of any appropriation in this Act from being used beyond the current fiscal year, unless expressly authorized. (Sec. 2003) Provides for downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits. (Sec. 2004) Prohibits reductions in spending resulting from this Act from being used to offset deficit increases resulting from spending or receipts legislation. (Sec. 2005) Designates July 27 of each year until the year 2003 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. (Sec. 2006) Denies the use of funds made available in this Act from being used to benefit individuals not lawfully in the United States, when such benefit is for other than specified emergency services. (Sec. 2007) Rescinds funds made available to the agencies of the Federal Government, other than the Department of Defense-Military, provided that such rescissions shall be taken only from administrative and travel expenses. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of Defense-Military, provided that such rescissions shall be taken only from administrative and travel accounts. Title III: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Establishes the Counterterrorism Fund. Appropriates a specified sum to the Fund to reimburse any Department of Justice organization for: (1) the costs in reestablishing the operational capability of any office or facility damaged as a result of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City; or (2) other activities related to countering domestic or international terrorism. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of Justice for expenses related to the bombing of such building, including the establishment of a Domestic Counter-terrorism Center. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Judiciary for court security; and (2) the Department of the Treasury for emergency expenses resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing. Increases the aggregate limitation on Federal Buildings Fund obligations to be expended in connection with expenses related to the Oklahoma City bombing. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for emergency expenses resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for expenses related to increasing the preparedness for and mitigating the consequences of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions Title II: General Provisions Title III: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Additional Disaster Assistance, for Anti-terrorism Initiatives, for Assistance in the Recovery from the Tragedy that Occurred at Oklahoma City, and Rescissions Act, 1995 - Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions - Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the Commodity Credit Corporation. Allocates Food and Nutrition Service funding. Transfers funds to the Agricultural Research Service. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Agriculture for the Office of the Secretary, alternative agricultural research and commercialization, the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Rural Development Administration and Farmers Home Administration, the Alcohol Fuels Credit Guarantee Program, the Rural Electrification Administration, the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Foreign Agricultural Service. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the National Bankruptcy Review Commission (transfer of funds); and (2) the Board for International Broadcasting. Rescinds appropriations to the: (1) Department of Justice for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Office of Justice Programs, general administration, legal activities, and the Federal Prison System; (2) the Department of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the GOES Satellite Contingency Fund, technology administration, the National Technical Information Service, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Economic Development Administration; (3) the Judiciary for the United States Court of International Trade and for defender services and the fees of jurors and commissioners; (4) the Small Business Administration; (5) the Department of State; (6) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; (7) the Board for International Broadcasting; and (8) the United States Information Agency. Delineates reductions to the Legal Services Corporation included in a prior rescission of funds. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) Corps of Engineers- Civil; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior; (3) the Department of Energy; (4) the Appalachian Regional Commission; and (5) the Tennessee Valley Authority Fund. Rescinds funds appropriated to the President for economic, military, and export assistance. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Biological Survey, the National Park Service, the Minerals Management Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and territorial and international affairs; (2) the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; (3) the Department of Energy for fossil energy research and development and energy conservation; and (4) the Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Rescinds appropriations made to the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Sec. 501) Prohibits funds being used by the Department of the Interior to search for the Alabama sturgeon. (Sec. 502) Prohibits the Forest Service from using funds to implement Habitat Conservation areas in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, for species not declared threatened or endangered, except for goshawks, as specified. (Sec. 503) Provides that, for specified timber, an environmental impact statement or a subsistence evaluation for a timber sale or offering to one party shall be deemed sufficient if the Forest Service sells to an alternate buyer. (Sec. 504) Requires each National Forest System unit to establish and adhere to a schedule for the completion of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 analysis and decisions on all allotments within the unit for which analysis is needed. Provides for the renewal of grazing permits on lands in the National Forest System, as specified. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the Health Care Financing Administration, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration on Aging, and the Office of the Secretary. Rescinds appropriations made to specified Department of Education programs, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Railroad Retirement Board. (Sec. 601) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to decrease the appropriated funds for FY 1995 for the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. (Sec. 602) Prohibits 1995 funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from being used to promulgate or issue any proposed or final standard or guideline regarding ergonomic protection. Rescinds funds made available to the Legislative Branch for: (1) the payments to widows and heirs of deceased Members of Congress; (2) the Joint Economic Committee and the Joint Committee on Printing; (3) the Office of Technology Assessment for salaries and expenses; (4) the Congressional Budget Office for salaries and expenses; (5) the Architect of the Capitol for Capitol buildings and grounds; (6) the Government Printing Office for congressional printing and binding and salaries and expenses; (7) the Botanic Garden for salaries and expenses; (8) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses; and (9) the General Accounting Office for salaries and expenses. Authorizes GAO to make payments to employees voluntarily retiring or resigning. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Coast Guard; (3) the Federal Aviation Administration; (4) the Federal Highway Administration; (5) the Federal Railroad Administration; and (6) the Federal Transit Administration. Reduces certain obligation limitations for DOT. Makes additional supplemental appropriations for the liquidation of mass transit capital programs. (Sec. 801) Rescinds funds from the DOT working capital fund. (Sec. 802) Cancels a specified amount for DOT civilian and military compensation and benefits permanently. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of the Treasury for departmental offices, the Financial Management Service, the United States Mint, the Bureau of the Public Debt, and the Internal Revenue Service. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Rescinds funds made available to the Executive Office of the President for the White House Office and Federal drug control programs. Rescinds funds made available to the General Services Administration for specified projects of the Federal Buildings Fund, salaries and expenses of the Federal Election Commission, and salaries and expenses of the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 901) Amends Federal law concerning availability pay for criminal investigators in certain Offices of Inspectors General and for U.S. Customs Service pilots. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations: (1) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief; and (2) to the National Flood Insurance Fund (transfer of funds). Rescinds funds made available to: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care and major projects construction; and (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing programs. (Sec. 1001) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) permit a public housing agency to use modernization assistance for any eligible activity, including demolition, replacement housing, and temporary relocation assistance, authorized by this or other applicable appropriations Acts; (2) permit replacement units to be built on the site of the original demolished public housing unit only if the number of replacement units is significantly less than the number of units demolished; (3) repeal provisions prohibiting public housing projects from transferring title unless there is Federal funding assistance providing for a unit for unit replacement for each transfer; and (4) permit the reuse of any budget authority that is recaptured on account of termination of a housing assistance payments contract only for one or more the following, tenant-based assistance or project-based assistance. Makes FY 1995 additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of the Treasury for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. Rescinds funds made available to the: (1) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (2) Community Development Financial Institutions Fund; (3) Corporation for National and Community Service; (4) Environmental Protection Agency; (5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (6) National Science Foundation; and (7) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (Sec. 1004) Prohibits FY 1995 funds appropriated to EPA from being used to: (1) require any State to comply with specified Clean Act requirements concerning vehicle inspection and maintenance; (2) require any State to implement trip reduction measures to reduce vehicular emissions; (3) list any additional facilities on the National Priorities List under CERCLA, subject to stated exceptions; or (4) disapprove a State Implementation Plan revision solely on the basis of EPA's regulatory 50 percent discount for alternative test-and-repair inspection and maintenance programs. (Sec. 1008) Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to acquire a certain parcel of land located on the property referred to as the Clear Lake Development Facility, Clear Lake, Texas. Directs the Administrator to convey, without reimbursement to the State of Mississippi, the Yellow Creek Facility near Iuka, Mississippi. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) prepare, offer, and award contracts for salvage timber sales from Federal lands; and (2) perform reforestation operations in the salvage area. Subjects such sales to judicial review only in the United States district court for the district in which the affected Federal lands are located. Permits such an action only if made within 15 days after the initial advertisement of the challenged timber sale. (Sec. 2002) Prohibits any part of any appropriation in this Act from being used beyond the current fiscal year, unless expressly authorized. (Sec. 2003) Provides for downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits. (Sec. 2004) Prohibits reductions in spending resulting from this Act from being used to offset deficit increases resulting from spending or receipts legislation. (Sec. 2005) Designates July 27 of each year until the year 2003 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. (Sec. 2006) Denies the use of funds made available in this Act from being used to benefit individuals not lawfully in the United States, when such benefit is for other than specified emergency services. (Sec. 2007) Rescinds funds made available to the agencies of the Federal Government, other than the Department of Defense-Military, provided that such rescissions shall be taken only from administrative and travel expenses. Rescinds funds made available to the Department of Defense-Military, provided that such rescissions shall be taken only from administrative and travel accounts. Title III: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Establishes the Counterterrorism Fund. Appropriates a specified sum to the Fund to reimburse any Department of Justice organization for: (1) the costs in reestablishing the operational capability of any office or facility damaged as a result of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City; or (2) other activities related to countering domestic or international terrorism. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to the Department of Justice for expenses related to the bombing of such building, including the establishment of a Domestic Counter-terrorism Center. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Judiciary for court security; and (2) the Department of the Treasury for emergency expenses resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing. Increases the aggregate limitation on Federal Buildings Fund obligations to be expended in connection with expenses related to the Oklahoma City bombing. Makes additional supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for emergency expenses resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for expenses related to increasing the preparedness for and mitigating the consequences of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement and Pilot Programs Subtitle A: Improved Enforcement at Border Subtitle B: Pilot Programs Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States Subtitle D: Additional Provisions Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits Subtitle B: Changes in Family-Sponsored and Employment- Based Preference System Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions Subtitle D: Effective Dates; Transition Provisions Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Illegal Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affadavits of Support Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry Title VIII: Miscellaneous Immigration in the National Interest Act of 1995 - Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement and Pilot Programs - Subtitle A: Improved Enforcement at Border - Increases: (1) the Border Patrol; and (2) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) border enforcement and related personnel. (Sec. 102) Provides for improved border crossing cards, equipment, and crossing barriers, including authorization of appropriations for fencing and road improvements in the border area near San Diego, California. (Sec. 105) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to establish civil penalties for illegal U.S. entry. Subtitle B: Pilot Programs - Establishes pilot programs for: (1) interior repatriation of inadmissible or deportable aliens; (2) use of closed military bases to detain inadmissible or deportable aliens; and (3) collection of alien departure records. Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud - Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling - Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) authorize wiretaps in alien smuggling investigations; and (2) include alien smuggling offenses under the purview of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions. (Sec. 203) Amends the Act to: (1) expand INS forfeiture authority for smuggling or harboring illegal aliens; and (2) increase criminal penalties for alien smuggling. (Sec. 205) Increases the number of Assistant United States Attorneys and provides for their assignment to criminal matters involving illegal aliens. Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud - Amends Federal criminal law and the Act to increase and establish criminal and civil penalties for specified immigration related document fraud offenses. Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses - Amends Federal criminal law to provide for asset forfeiture for passport and visa offenses. Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens - Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens - Amends the Act to revise alien removal provisions. Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists - Part 1: Removal Procedures for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to establish a special removal procedure for terrorists, including the designation by the Chief Justice of the United States of a special removal court. Part 2: Exclusion and Denial of Asylum for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to make membership in a terrorist organization a ground for U.S. exclusion. (Sec. 332) Denies asylum, status adjustment, and deportation relief to alien terrorists. Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States - Amends the Act with regard to vessel and aircraft transportation of illegal aliens into the United States. Subtitle D: Additional Provisions - Amends the Act to impose civil penalties upon an alien subject to an order of removal who fails to depart. (Sec. 358) Authorizes additional appropriations for removal of illegal aliens. (Sec. 359) Establishes in the Treasury an Immigration Enforcement Account. Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment - Increases full-time employee positions in: (1) the Investigations Division of INS; and (2) the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor. (Sec. 403) Amends the Act to revise the employer sanctions program. Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System - Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits - Amends the Act to revise legal immigration categories and numerical limitations. (Sec. 504) Requires periodic congressional review and reauthorization of worldwide immigration levels. Subtitle B: Changes in Preference System - Amends the Act to revise the immigration preference system. Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions - Amends the Act to revise annual refugee admissions and asylee adjustment provisions. (Sec. 523) Authorizes the temporary employment of certain retirees to help reduce asylum application backlogs. (Sec. 524) Limits parole entry to a case-by-case basis for humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons. Subtitle D: General Effective Date; Transition Provisions - Sets forth transition provisions for specified classification status petitions. Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Illegal Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits - Part 1: Public Benefits Generally - Makes illegal aliens ineligible (with specified exceptions) for public assistance, contracts, and licenses. (Sec. 602) Makes unauthorized aliens ineligible for unemployment benefits. Part 2: Earned Income Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to individuals not authorized to work in the United States. Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge - Amends the Act to revise public charge grounds for inadmissibility and deportability. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Attributes a sponsor's income and resources to a family-sponsored immigrant for purposes of eligibility for Federal means-tested public benefits programs. (Sec. 632) Amends the Act to set forth sponsor affidavit of support requirements. Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry - Provides for: (1) increased numbers of land border inspectors; and (2) border infrastructure improvements. (Sec. 703) Amends the Act to provide for: (1) preinspection at specified foreign airports; and (2) training of airline personnel in fraudulent document detection. Establishes a carrier consultant program. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Act, as amended by the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to revise the definition of "aggravated felony." Amends the Act with regard to: (1) definitions of "child" and "parent"; (2) visa processing procedure; (3) waiver authority concerning notice of visa application denial; (4) Canadian landed immigrants; (5) H-1B nonimmigrants; (6) visa extensions; (7) status adjustment; (8) access to certain confidential INS files; (9) nonimmigrant status for spouses and children of members of the armed forces; (10) fraudulent birth certificates; and (11) specified miscellaneous and technical provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolition of Department of Education Title II: Education Program Subtitle A: Elementary and Secondary Education Subtitle B: Conforming Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Subtitle C: Higher Education Programs Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title III: General Provisions Title IV: Statements of Policy Back to Basics Education Reform Act - Eliminates the Department of Education and redefines the Federal role in education. Title I: Abolition of Department of Education - Abolishes the Department of Education. (Sec. 102) Establishes (and sunsets) an Office of Economic Opportunities in the Department of Health and Human Services. Provides that the Office shall be: (1) headed by a Director for Economic Opportunities, who shall be appointed by the President and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; and (2) administered under the supervision and direction of the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Families and Children. Transfers Department of Education functions to the Office. Abolishes the Office and all of its functions upon the expiration of the authorization for the programs under its jurisdiction. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint as principal officers of the Office: (1) an Assistant Director of Childhood Schooling; and (2) an Assistant Director of Advanced Schooling. (Sec. 104) Allows the Secretary of Education to serve as Director of the Office until an individual is appointed to such position or until the end of a 120-day period, whichever is earlier. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as is necessary or appropriate, to: (1) allocate or reallocate any function of the Office among its officers; and (2) consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Office any organizational entities that were entities of the Department of Education. Prohibits transfer of any function or personnel of the Office to any agency outside of the Office. (Sec. 106) Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for winding up the affairs of the Department of Education in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 107) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a report with recommendations for the most efficient means of achieving, in accordance with this Act: (1) the complete abolition of the Department of Education; and (2) the termination, transfer, or other continuation of functions of the Department of Education. (Sec. 110) Limits Federal expenditures in each fiscal year for the administration of a function transferred by this Act to not more than 70 percent of the total amount expended for the administration of that function during fiscal year 1995. Title II: Education Programs - Subtitle A: Elementary and Secondary Education - Chapter 1: Elementary and Secondary Education Block Grant - Authorizes the Director of the Office to provide an elementary and secondary education block grant to the Governor of each State that complies with specified requirements. (Sec. 202) Authorizes such block grant program, and sets forth provisions for State eligibility, general State requirements, amount of State allotment, local fiscal accountability, and participation of children enrolled in private schools. (Sec. 209) Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Other Elementary and Secondary Education Programs - Repeals: (1) titles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and parts B and C of title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); (2) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act; (4) specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act; and (5) the National Education Statistics Act of 1994. Amends ESEA provisions relating to impact aid. Requires that impact aid programs provided under title VIII of ESEA be administered by the Department of Defense through the Assistant Secretary for Force Management Policy. Provides that Indian education programs under part A of title IX of ESEA shall be administered by the Department of the Interior through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Subtitle B: Conforming Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to transfer authority from the Department and Secretary of Education to the Department and Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Sec. 212) Amends IDEA definitions of excess costs and of native language. (Sec. 213) Transfers of IDEA administering authority to the Office. (Sec. 214) Revises IDEA provisions relating to outreach services for certain institutions of higher education. Subtitle C: Higher Education Programs - Chapter 1: Elimination and Reduction of Programs - Repeals the Higher Education Act of 1965, with exceptions for its short title and provisions relating to Pell Grants, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, Perkins Loans, needs analysis, certain general provisions, definitions, and the program integrity triad. (Sec. 221) Provides that such repeal of HEA provisions shall not affect Federal authority to collect loans. Discontinues Federal contributions for FY 1997 or any succeeding year to student loan funds established under Perkins Loans provisions of HEA. Limits Federal funds for Howard University under specified Federal law and the Howard University Endowment Act to: (1) specified maximum amounts and uses in fiscal years through FY 2000; and (2) nothing for FY 2001 and thereafter. (Sec. 222) Amends the Congressional Budget Act to revise the Federal Credit Reform Act with respect to defining the cost of a direct loan. (Sec. 223) Amends HEA to provide for the sale of Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) loan portfolios. (Sec. 224) Makes a statement of policy that the Federal student loan programs should be reviewed to evaluate whether reforms need to be made based on the principles of risk sharing, market-based orientation, privatization, and deregulation. (Sec. 225) Eliminates in-school interest subsidies under HEA guaranteed loan programs. Chapter 2: Higher Education Block Grant - Authorizes block grants to States to assist institutions of higher education to improve access to higher education and the quality of educational programs. (Sec. 232) Sets forth such block grant program provisions for distribution of funds, State assurances, use of funds, and public disclosure. (Sec. 236) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect continued funding for Gallaudet University, the American Printing House for the Blind, or the National Institute for the Deaf at FY 1995 levels through FY 2000. (Sec. 242) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) consult with the Congress before issuing regulations regarding the grants under chapter 1 of subtitle A and chapter 2 of subtitle C of this title; and (2) issue only regulations necessary for the timely distribution of such funds to the States. (Sec. 243) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a consolidated application for grants under chapter 1 of subtitle A and chapter 2 of subtitle C of this title. Requires that consolidated applications also be permitted at the local level. (Sec. 244) Limits the amount that is authorized to be appropriated for programs under chapter 2 of subtitle A, subtitle B, and chapter 1 of subtitle C to not more than the amount appropriated for such programs for FY 1995. Requires that such programs be authorized through FY 2000. (Sec. 245) Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the applicability of civil rights laws relating to any program established, transferred, or consolidated under this Act. Sets forth education-related civil rights enforcement and reporting duties of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements relating to certain references, exercise of authorities, savings provisions, transfer of assets, delegation and assignment, authority of the Office of Management and Budget with respect to functions transferred, and proposed changes in law. Title IV: Statements of Policy - Sets forth statements of policy regarding: (1) Federal education funding (review and evaluation as to the feasibility of further enhancing the ability of States and local communities to fund education by reducing the Federal tax burden and commensurately eliminating Federal Government involvement in providing grants for education programs); (2) job training programs (review and transfer all those under jurisdiction of the Department of Education to the Department of Labor and consolidate them into one or more block grants); and (3) Indian education (review programs transferred to the Department of the Interior to ensure that they benefit Native American children who live on reservations).
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to abolish the Consent Calendar and establish the Corrections Calendar. Sets forth procedures for consideration of bills on such Calendar on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Requires a three-fifths vote to pass any bill called from such Calendar. Prohibits the sustaining of any point of order against or the rejection of such bill from causing it to be removed from the Union or House Calendar to which it was originally referred.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act of 1995 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to: (1) require a State to pay or agree to pay at least five dollars per resident, as determined by the latest official census, before such State or local government receives Federal assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of public facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster in the State; and (2) revise the formula used to determine the Federal share of such assistance as well as the Federal share for debris and wreckage removal from publicly and privately owned lands resulting from such disaster. Allows an increase of such assistance only upon the enactment of a joint resolution not designated as an emergency under provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). (Sec. 5) Adds provisions concerning disaster mitigation. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish and carry out natural disaster hazard mitigation (mitigation) programs that support natural disaster research, technology, and education. Gives the effect of law to a specified executive order relating to earthquake design and construction standards for federally leased, assisted, or regulated buildings. Requires the Director to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing: (1) national minimum building construction standards for residential and commercial building construction; and (2) standards for the training and licensing of home inspectors and for using such inspections as a means of promoting mitigation for residential property. Requires the Director to define which States should be classified as natural disaster-prone for purposes of the Act. Requires each natural disaster-prone State to either: (1) adopt multihazard building and safety codes for all new and substantially modified building construction in that State; or (2) certify that the State's local communities have adopted and are enforcing building codes which meet the appropriate minimum mitigation requirements of that State. Requires each State designated as flood-prone to either adopt relevant flood protection standards or certify that its flood-prone local communities are in compliance with appropriate State flood protection standards. Requires each natural disaster-prone State to either develop a multihazard mitigation plan or designate an existing plan which includes specified compliance and response requirements. Outlines provisions concerning State compliance with the establishment, adoption, and implementation of appropriate mitigation plans. Provides penalties for noncompliance. Requires the Director, after crediting premiums from the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation (established under this Act), to allocate funds from a Mitigation Account (established under this Act) to States which comply with all mitigation requirements under this Act. Provides an allocation formula. Requires such funds to be used to support mitigation activities, especially those necessary to bring a State into compliance with building and safety code requirements enumerated under this Act. Requires audits of fund uses. Exempts a State, under specified conditions, from a particular mitigation requirement if it receives inadequate funds from the Account to cover the costs of complying with such requirement. Encourages each private insurer that participates in the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation to take mitigation measures into account in setting rates and deductibles for its property insurance. Establishes the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation as a not-for-profit membership corporation to provide primary insurance coverages and reinsurance coverage for hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Requires the Corporation's Board of Directors (Board) to: (1) develop a plan of operation describing the Corporation's administration and the provision of the insurance coverages it provides; and (2) develop and adjust, when necessary, actuarially sound rates for such coverages. Establishes an independent Natural Disaster Insurance Board of Actuaries (Independent Board) to review and approve such plan and rates. Requires the Board to file with each State insurance regulator information copies of the initial material and future revisions to its insurance rates, terms, or conditions. Requires the Corporation to establish and maintain a: (1) primary insurance coverage trust account to pay qualifying claims and loss adjustments expenses to private insurers acting as service providers of the primary insurance coverages; and (2) reinsurance coverage trust account to pay qualifying claims to private insurers which purchased such coverage. Outlines provisions concerning the Corporation's use of funds from other accounts and funds to pay for losses in excess of trust account funds or funds raised by issuing obligations in the private market (requiring repayment of funds borrowed from such accounts or funds). Requires the trust accounts to be kept separate. Prohibits: (1) the borrowing of monies between such accounts; and (2) the authorization or appropriation of Federal funds for Corporation activities. Requires the Comptroller General to audit and report to the Congress on Corporation and Independent Board activities. Requires the Corporation to: (1) issue primary insurance coverages that insure against physical damages and losses to residential property, including debris removal, additional living expenses incurred as a result of direct damage to such property, and ordinance and law coverages, resulting from the natural disasters enumerated in this Act that meet specified terms and conditions; and (2) make, under certain conditions, excess reinsurance coverage available to private insurers and State insurance pools for residential losses (including quota-share amounts retained by the private insurers under this Act not already insured by the Corporation under the primary insurance coverage policies) and commercial losses that are proximately caused by specified natural disaster perils. Prohibits making or renewing any federally-related mortgage loan secured by residential property located in an earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami, or hurricane-prone State unless the property is covered by: (1) primary insurance coverages; or (2) coverage issued by a private insurer which has equivalent terms, conditions, and rates as such coverages for seismic perils and that meets such terms and conditions as those required for the hurricane peril. Provides an escrow requirement with respect to insurance premiums for such coverage. Outlines requirements that must be met by residential property owners in natural disaster-prone States before the owners can receive any financial assistance under the Act or any similar Federal disaster assistance. Requires the Director and the Corporation to jointly report to the Congress on any additional sanctions or other measures deemed necessary to assure that policyholders purchase Federal flood insurance pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Requires private insurers which exclude coverage for physical damage caused by flooding to include in the contract a specified warning statement to that effect (or an appropriate alternative warning statement). Establishes in the Treasury the Natural Disaster Protection Fund. Establishes within the Fund a separate Private Loss Account, Public Loss Account, and Mitigation Account. Requires the three accounts to be kept separate and prohibits the borrowing of monies between them. Requires the Private Loss Account to provide direct Federal loans to cover shortfalls in the Corporation's primary insurance and reinsurance accounts. Requires the Public Loss Account to: (1) retain reserve funds sufficient to cover the anticipated costs resulting from natural disasters up to the annual ten-year historical average of disaster relief provided by the Director; and (2) provide grants to States for the repair or restoration of critical facilities and lifelines, public facilities, and infrastructure damaged or destroyed by natural disasters and for pre-natural disaster mitigation. Allows the Federal share of such grants to be increased only upon the enactment of a joint resolution not designated as an emergency under provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Requires: (1) the Mitigation Account to provide funds to States for appropriate mitigation efforts described in this Act; and (2) the Corporation to pay a specified percentage of the annual net premiums collected for the primary insurance coverages and the reinsurance coverages for mitigation purposes. Provides for appropriate transfers and credits to the Public Loss Account and the Mitigation Account. Authorizes appropriations to such Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Safety and Health Improvement and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to revise provisions for OSHA standards. Requires promulgation and modification of such standards to be based of certain analyses and criteria, including a specified type of regulatory impact analysis, as well as a risk assessment and a cost-benefit analysis which are industry-specific. (Sec. 2) Repeals provisions for separate rules for toxic materials or harmful physical agents. Deems a variance to have been issued as of the date the application for it was filed,if the Secretary has failed to approve or disapprove such application within 90 days of such filing (unless the Secretary of Labor and the applicant agree to a longer period). Sets forth requirements relating to such regulatory impact analyses (both a preliminary and a final one), risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses. Directs the Secretary, within seven years of the effective date of this Act, to review each OSHA standard in effect as of such effective date under specified criteria, and to modify or revoke such standards as appropriate. Allows each person affected by a promulgated OSHA standard to petition the Secretary to modify or revoke such standard pursuant to this review process. Sets forth substantive and procedural requirements relating to such provisions. Repeals the mandate that, in determining the priority for establishing OSHA standards, the Secretary give due regard to: (1) the urgency of the need for such standards for particular industries, trades, crafts, occupations, businesses, workplaces, or work environments; and (2) the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding such need. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that a rule should be promulgated or modified to serve OSHA objectives, to appoint an independent and external peer review panel to review the scientific and economic data which forms the basis for such standard and such data's relevance to industries and workers that would be affected by it. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions for notices of violations and citations. Directs the Secretary to give notices of violations, with specified periods for abatement (at least 30 days, except that a reasonable shorter period may be ordered if the condition constitutes a direct threat to employees). Authorizes the Secretary to issue citations after a follow-up inspection if the violation remains and the abatement period has expired. Provides that such notice of a violation before issuance of a citation shall not be required in cases of alleged violations causing death or serious injury, or constituting an imminent danger, to an employee. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish an office to promote, administer, and coordinate the following worksite-based incentives programs and activities. Exempts from general OSHA inspections workplaces which: (1) the employer certifies have been reviewed under a Federal-State consultation services program or a workplace review provided by a certified person; or (2) the Secretary chooses to certify as having significant involvement of their employees in their safety and health program. Directs the Secretary to establish programs to: (1) certify persons to conduct such reviews; (2) give special recognition (including exemption from random OSHA inspections) to worksites, companies, and other organizations which have implemented particularly effective programs addressing occupational safety and health in the workplace; and (3) provide education, training, and technical assistance to employers and employees in providing safe and healthful workplaces and complying with OSHA requirements. Reserves at least one-half of the annual appropriation under OSHA for such worksite-based incentives programs, effective in the first fiscal year beginning three years after the effective date of this Act. (Sec. 5) Makes certain restrictions under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act inapplicable to employee participation on certain committees, teams, or other arrangements dealing with employers concerning health and safety of working conditions or related matters. (Sec. 6) Revises provisions for inspections. Revises provisions relating to employee requests for inspections to: (1) eliminate such requests by employee representatives; and (2) make a special inspection discretionary rather than mandatory, while having the Secretary make an inquiry with the employer, upon determination that there are reasonable grounds that the alleged violation or danger exists and that the employer has failed to correct it. Requires that certain inspections be conducted by at least one individual who has technical expertise by training or experience in the industry or types of hazards being inspected. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with other Federal agencies and with States to train inspection personnel of agencies which inspect employers to inspect places of employment to determine if employee fire protection is adequate; and (2) establish a system for referral of fire hazards to the Secretary after notification to the employer, if the employer fails to take corrective actions. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting routine inspections of (or enforcing any OSHA standard, rule, regulation, or order with respect to): (1) any person engaged in a farming operation that does not maintain a temporary labor camp and is employing ten or fewer employees; and (2) any employer of not more than 50 employees that has an occupational injury or a lost work day rate less than the national average. Sets forth certain exceptions from such exemption. (Sec. 7) Adds employer defenses of employee misconduct, or alternative safe methods, or other inconsistent or conflicting requirements. (Sec. 8) Revises OSHA penalties. Eliminates provisions relating to willful and repeated violations. Directs the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to: (1) assess all civil penalties, giving due consideration to their appropriateness with respect to specified factors; and (2) not assess a penalty greater than that proposed by the Secretary. Allows reduction of a civil penalty by the cost to the employer of correcting the violation. Authorizes the Secretary to propose that a special assessment penalty of up to ten times greater be applied in the circumstances of employee fatalities, or an excessive history of serious injuries to employees, caused by violations of certain OSHA standards. Prohibits penalties where no standard or regulation exists. Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution under State and local criminal laws. (Sec. 9) Revises enforcement procedures with respect to Commission review of the Secretary's citations or proposed penalties for employers. Revises judicial review provisions to require upholding, if reasonable, of the Commission's conclusions of law with respect to the construction of OSHA, or regulations, rules, standards, or orders adopted under OSHA. Increases Commission membership from three to five, and quorums from two to three members. Requires at least one Commission member to have expertise or experience in mining. Revises provisions for Commission hearings and records to provide that, if the parties so agree, there shall not be required any formal proceedings, including requests for production of documents or requests for admissions, interrogatories, or depositions. (Sec. 10) Repeals OSHA provisions for: (1) the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), thus abolishing it; (2) NIOSH research and related activities; and (3) NIOSH training and employee education activities. (Sec. 11) Repeals OSHA provisions relating to the already terminated National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws. (Sec. 12) Revises OSHA conditions for approval of State plans. Makes certain conditions inapplicable if the State has adopted alternative performance measures to assure that its program is at least as effective as the Federal program in assuring safe and healthful employment and places of employment. (Sec. 13) Revises procedures for discrimination protection for whistle-blowers under OSHA. (Sec. 14) Provides for OSHA coverage of Federal agencies. (Sec. 15) Repeals provisions for separate occupational safety and health programs for Federal agencies. (Sec. 16) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs where there is a reasonable probability that any employee's safety or health could be endangered because of use of alcohol or a controlled substance in the workplace. Requires such programs to conform to specified Federal guidelines. Allows employer pre-employment testing for alcohol or substance abuse under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to test employees for use of alcohol or controlled substances during any investigation of a work-related fatality or serious injury. (Sec. 17) Repeals titles I, II, III, and V of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (FMSHA). Transfers the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of: (1) the Mine Safety and Health Administration to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health; and (2) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Deems FMSHA standards to have been promulgated under OSHA. Prohibits the Secretary from enforcing any other standards promulgated prior to the effective date of this Act, with respect to activities, conditions, or processes which were subject to FMSHA. Repeals specified parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Prohibits requirements of a specified part of CFR from being enforced with respect to any sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, or surface limestone mine. Establishes OSHA requirements for mine safety inspections, enforcement orders, and penalties. Requires the National Mine Health and Safety Academy to be: (1) maintained as an agency of the Department of Labor; and (2) responsible for training of mine safety and health inspectors and technical support personnel, and for any other training programs for mine inspectors, mining personnel, or other personnel designated by the Secretary. (Sec. 18) Revises specified OSHA provisions for recordkeeping, reporting, and statistics. (Sec. 19) Adds definitions of the terms "serious injury" and "industry." (Sec. 20) Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress regarding activities under OSHA, including recommendations to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve coordination with other Federal laws; and (2) provide for a means for certification of equipment safety, to be conducted by nongovernmental agencies, unless such agencies with professional or technical personnel or materials and equipment are not available.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1995
Family Medical Savings and Investment Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual covered under a catastrophic coverage health plan a tax deduction for contributions to a medical savings account. Defines an eligible individual as one who is covered under a catastrophic health plan at any time during such month and is not covered by any other health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add use in diesel-powered boats to the list of nontaxable uses for diesel fuel, effective on the enactment of this Act. Prohibits imposing a penalty on a person who sells or holds for sale dyed fuel for use in, or uses dyed fuel in, any diesel-powered boat and pays the tax imposed on such sale or use, effective on the date of the enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Commerce Dismantling Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Commerce - Replaces the Department of Commerce (DOC) with the Commerce Programs Resolution Agency (CPRA), which is limited to three years to wind up and terminate the functions and obligations of the DOC before the CPRA itself is abolished. Directs the Comptroller General to report on the most efficient means of abolishing the DOC, and transferring or terminating its functions. Title II: Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department of Commerce - Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and transfers all financial obligations, liabilities, and related rights owned by DOC under such Act to the Department of the Treasury. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of all DOC grants made under such Act in FY 1995. (Sec. 202) Transfers all export control functions of the DOC under the Export Administration Act of 1979 to the Secretary of State, the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General. Authorizes transfer of a limited number of specified DOC special agents to the Customs Service. Abolishes the Office of Foreign Availability and the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and provides for the appointment of an Industries Board to advise the Secretary of State. (Sec. 203) Transfers specified national security functions: (1) granted by the Trade Expansion Act to the International Trade Commission (ITC); and (2) granted by the Defense Production Act to the Secretaries of Defense and of the Treasury. Directs the President to appoint committees of industry representatives to advise the National Security Council. (Sec. 204) Transfers to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the functions of the DOC's International Trade Administration, and powers granted by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to make the Secretary of the Treasury chairman and executive officer of the Foreign Trade Zones Board. Renames the United States and Foreign Commercial Service the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (Commercial Service), abolishes specified functions, and transfers it to the USTR. Conveys all export promotion functions of the DOC to the USTR, authorizing the USTR to require private entities to pay for promotion services. Transfers the authority to collect and evaluate information on international investment and trade services to the Secretary of the Treasury. Abolishes the international economic policy analysis functions of the DOC. Terminates the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), and divides CITA's tasks among the USTR, the ITC, the Commercial Service, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Transfers all DOC functions under the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to the ITC. Requires the appointment of industry boards to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the USTR regarding their new powers. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal authorities for trade adjustment assistance to firms injured by import competition. (Sec. 205) Transfers the Patent and Trademark Office to the Department of Justice, and requires that the activities of that Office be funded solely by fees. (Sec. 206) Terminates the Technology Administration and the Office of Technology Policy. Transfers the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the National Science Foundation, and transfers its laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. Eliminates funding for, and requires the sale of assets of, the National Technical Information Service. (Sec. 207) Transfers the Bureau of the Census to the Department of the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such Bureau should: (1) implement the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 in a timely fashion; and (2) streamline census questionnaires to promote savings in the collection and tabulation of data. (Sec. 208) Transfers the Bureau of Economic Analysis to the Federal Reserve System, requiring the director of that Bureau to report to the Congress on: (1) the availability of private resources capable of handling a portion or all of the Bureau's assigned tasks; and (2) the feasibility of a fee system to defray costs. (Sec. 209) Terminates assistance to: (1) public telecommunications; (2) educational television programs; and (3) telecommunications demonstrations. Repeals establishment of the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (thus abolishing it). (Sec. 210) Transfers specified functions under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 211) Terminates: (1) funding of specified fishery assistance programs; (2) the fisheries trade promotion program; (3) the authority to guarantee obligations for fishing vessels and facilities; (4) future compensation for damage, loss, or destruction of fishing vessels or fishing gear; and (5) funding of specified Federal fishery research projects. Eliminates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and conveys specified functions of both to the National Weather Service. Transfers the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System Data Centers in part to the CPRA to be sold, and in part to the National Weather Service. Terminates certain functions of the National Weather Service, and transfers it to the Department of the Interior. Reallocates specified functions of the National Marine Fisheries Services to the Secretary of Transportation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Conveys specified functions of the National Ocean Service to the United States Geological Survey and the Secretary of the Interior. Transfers certain NOAA environmental research laboratories to the CPRA to be sold. (Sec. 212) Abolishes the following DOC agencies and programs: (1) Economic Development Administration; (2) Minority Business Development Administration; (3) United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (4) National Telecommunications and Information Administration; (5) Advanced Technology Program; and (6) Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 214) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency performing a function vested by this Act should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for services provided in the performance of such function, to offset operating costs. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Limits annual expenditures for any function not terminated by this Act to 75 percent of FY 1994 expenditures for the performance of such function.
![Official portrait of Rep. Livingston, Bob [R-LA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000371_200.jpg)