United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Designates September 17, 1993, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 31, 1993 (Memorial Day), September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1993 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service Commission (sic) on September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses if a portion of a dwelling unit is used as the sole fixed location of business for a taxpayer who has no other fixed location of business, regardless of: (1) the amount of time or type of work performed in such location; or (2) the proportion of the total income from the business attributable to such location.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, Etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Putting Jobs and the American Family First Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recoverry - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Repeals the special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollidngs Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees to be closed to the public only if disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security or would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. Repeals provisions making the coverage of committee hearings and meetings by television broadcast, radio broadcast, or still photography a privilege made available by the House. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such method of coverage. Prohibits a committee or subcommittee chairman from limiting the number of television or still cameras below two representatives from each medium.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
Small Business 503 Loan Refinancing Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit a qualified State or local development company that issues a debenture purchased by the Federal Financing Bank (Bank) and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), at the election of the small business borrower whose loan secures such debenture, to: (1) continue to make payments under the original debenture terms; (2) make payments at an adjusted interest rate; or (3) prepay the debenture to the Bank by paying the unpaid principal balance and the amount of the repurchase premium (determined under this Act). Prohibits any fees or penalties other than those specified in this Act from being imposed against the issuer, borrower, or the SBA as a condition for adjusting the interest rate or prepayment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Authorizes the President to present to Red Skelton, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal in recognition of his performance as an entertainer and humanitarian. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems and to strike and sell bronze duplicates of it. Declares such medals national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Provides that the effective date for discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation and veterans' pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies (currently the last day of the month preceding death) in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse. Requires payments of such compensation to be made to the surviving spouse. Provides that the effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation for which application is received within one year from the date of the veteran's death shall be the day following the date of death in the case of a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 to make State workers' compensation laws the exclusive remedy for agricultural worker injuries under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act for all cases in which a final judgment has not been entered before October 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Calls for the U.S. Trade Representative to insist that any trade agreement negotiated pursuant to the Uruguay Round must provide U.S. copyright-based industries with: (1) fair and equal access to the markets of the nations that are party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; (2) equal opportunities to obtain government funding; (3) adequate and effective copyright protection, including full national treatment and recognition of contractual rights; and (4) a mechanism to resolve expeditiously disputes concerning market access, national treatment, and copyright protection.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service to recommend to the Postmaster General that a postage stamp be issued honoring Americans held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Fairness in Product Liability Act of 1993 - Declares that this Act governs any product liability action brought in any State or Federal court against a manufacturer or product seller for harm caused by a product, but supersedes State law only to the extent that State law applies to an issue covered by this Act. Lists specific laws not superseded, including provisions regarding vaccine injury. Makes a product seller liable to a claimant for harm only if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of was sold by the product seller who failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product and such failure was a proximate cause of the claimant's harm; (2) the product seller made an express warranty applicable to the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and such failure caused the claimant's harm; or (3) the seller engaged in international wrongdoing which was a proximate cause of the harm complained of by the claimant. Makes it a complete defense to a product liability action that the claimant was intoxicated or was under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any drug and, as a result of such intoxication or influence, was more than 50 percent responsible for causing the accident or event which resulted in such claimant's harm. Directs that the damages for which a manufacturer or product seller is otherwise liable under State law be reduced by the percentage of responsibility for the claimant's harm attributable to misuse or alteration of a product if such percentage was proximately caused by a use or alteration of a product: (1) in violation of, or contrary to, the manufacturer's or product seller's express warnings or instructions if the warnings or instructions are adequate under State law; or (2) involving a risk of harm which was, or should have been, known by the ordinary person who uses the product, with an exception for workplace injuries. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) limitations on punitive damages; (2) several liability for noneconomic damages; (3) statutes of limitation; (4) workers' compensation offsets; and (5) lack of Federal jurisdiction over civil actions arising under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reducing the Cost of Capital By Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title II: Adjusting Depreciation Rates to Reflect Inflation Title III: Expansion of Individual Retirement Accounts Title IV: Two Percent Cap on Increases in All Federal Spending Through 1998 Title V: Reduction in Unnecessary and Burdensome Regulations Private Sector Job Creation and Economic Growth Act - Title I: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title II: Adjusting Depreciation Rates to Reflect Inflation - Provides a depreciation deduction adjustment for tangible property (other than residential rental property and nonresidential real property) placed in service after 1993. Allows phase-in deductions for such property placed in service after 1999. Title III: Expansion of Individual Retirement Accounts - Removes limitations on the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement plans (IRAs) by active participants in employer-maintained plans, thereby restoring the IRA deduction. Increases the maximum IRA deduction and provides an inflation adjustment. Provides exemptions from the ten-percent penalty on early withdrawals from individual retirement plans for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (3) financially devastating medical expenses. Title IV: Two Percent Cap on Increases in All Federal Spending Through 1998 - Establishes the budget for FY 1994 and sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1995 through 1998. Sets forth recommended budgetary levels of Federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, and credit activity, including funding for each major functional category. Requires the House Budget Committee to report a reconciliation bill or resolution or both carrying out all recommendations of House committees concerning changes in laws to provide spending sufficient to reduce outlays and reduce the deficit. Title V: Reduction in Unnecessary and Burdensome Regulations - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should extend for one year the 90-day moratorium on new unnecessary Federal regulations ordered in the President's Memorandum on Reducing the Burden of Government Regulations, dated January 28, 1992. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to include an estimate of the economic costs to the Government and private sector within analyses of public bills and resolutions. Amends the Government Organization and Employees Act to require the preparation of an economic impact statement in conjunction with the general notice of any proposed rulemaking or where a proposed rule is likely to have exceptional fiscal consequences for a particular region or level of government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the Committee on Appropriations from reporting any general appropriation bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs that makes appropriations for any other Federal department or agency.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1993
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Lou Rawls in recognition of his work on behalf of educational opportunities for African Americans. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) define the term "dietary supplement"; and (2) exclude a dietary supplement from the definition of "food additive." Deems a dietary supplement adulterated if it: (1) contains an unsafe dietary ingredient which presents a substantial and unreasonable risk of illness or injury; or (2) contains a dietary ingredient that has not been adequately substantiated for safety. Prohibits the establishment of maximum limits on the potency of any dietary supplement, except in the case of a supplement represented to be for the use of individuals with specific diseases or disorders. Allows a dietary supplement's label to characterize the relationship between the supplement and a disease under specified conditions. Deems food misbranded unless the label lists the daily value of specified nutrients which shall reflect the daily intake of each nutrient that will promote optimal health. Prohibits such value from being less than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance. Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Cancellation and Suspension Title II: Data Collection Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Food Quality Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Cancellation and Suspension - Amends provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) relating to cancellations, changes in classifications, or other terms of registration with respect to the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires that a rulemaking under such provisions be based on a validated test or other significant evidence raising prudent concerns of unreasonable adverse effects to man or to the environment. Denies registration applications that are not in compliance with this Act. Title II: Data Collection - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to collect pesticide use data of statewide or regional significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance. Mandates research, development, and dissemination of integrated pest management techniques and other pest control methods that enable producers to reduce or eliminate application of pesticides which pose a greater than negligible dietary risk to humans. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to define, subject to exception, "pesticide chemical" as it is defined in FIFRA. Deems a food adulterated if it bears or contains: (1) a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe; or (2) a new animal drug or conversion product that is unsafe. Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance higher than a level the Administrator determines is adequate to protect the public health. Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food, and the adverse effects from the reduction would outweigh the risk posed by the residue. Allows the Administrator to issue an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance only if a tolerance is not needed to protect the public health, in view of the levels of dietary exposure that could reasonably be expected to occur. Prohibits a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, if the Administrator takes certain actions with respect to the registration of a pesticide, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of the chemical or chemical residue. Requires the suspension of any tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of an associated registered pesticide. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of application. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State from enforcing a residue limit which was lawful at the time of application. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement to permit the Caring Place at Loyola, Inc., an Illinois nonprofit organization, to establish on the grounds of the Edward Hines, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Hines, Illinois, a facility for providing temporary accommodations for family members of severely ill children being treated at the Loyola University of Chicago Medical Center and other hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Mandates that surcharges from the sale of such coins be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to help raise an endowment to be a permanent source of support for the Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Line-Item Veto Title II: Capital Gains Title III: Social Security Earnings Test Title IV: Urban Tax Enterprise Zones and Rural Development Investment Zones Subtitle A: Designation and Tax Incentives Subtitle B: Redevelopment Bonds for Tax Enterprise Zones Subtitle C: Credit for Contributions to Certain Community Development Corporations Subtitle D: Indian Employment and Investment Subtitle E: Study Title V: Workfare Title I: Line Item Veto - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to grant the President legislative line item veto rescission authority. Authorizes the President to rescind all or part of any budget authority if the President determines that such rescission: (1) would help balance the Federal budget, reduce the Federal budget deficit, or reduce the public debt; (2) will not impair any essential Government functions; and (3) will not harm the national interest. Requires the President to notify the Congress of such a rescission by special message. Makes such a rescission effective unless the Congress, during a review period of 20 calendar days, enacts a rescission disapproval bill. Describes: (1) information to be included in the President's message; and (2) procedures to govern consideration of rescission disapproval legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Title II: Capital Gains - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a formula for the determination of a deduction for gain on investments in new small business stock (seed capital) held for at least five years. Establishes special rules for such investments. Provides for determining the maximum capital gains rate for small business net capital gain or seed capital gain. Treats capital gains on the sale of such stock as a preference item for purposes of the minimum tax. Title III: Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the retirement test exempt amount and lower the reduction factor with respect to certain earnings. Title IV: Urban Tax Enterprise Zones and Rural Development Investment Zones - Declares it to be the purpose of this title to establish a demonstration program of providing incentives for the creation of tax enterprise zones in order to: (1) revitalize economically and physically distressed areas; (2) promote meaningful employment for zone residents; and (3) encourage individuals to reside in the zones in which they are employed. Subtitle A: Designation and Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of tax enterprise zones during calendar years after 1992 and before 1998: (1) by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in the case of an urban tax enterprise zone; and (2) by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, in the case of a rural development investment zone. Sets forth the eligibility criteria for such designation for urban tax enterprise zones and for rural development investment zones. Allows an enterprise zone employment credit to small employers as a general business credit of 15 percent of the qualified zone wages. Allows a deduction for the purchase of enterprise zone stock paid in cash. Excludes from gross income 50 percent of qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a new qualified zone asset held for more than five years. Subtitle B: Redevelopment Bonds for Tax Enterprise Zones - Sets forth special rules for tax-exempt redevelopment bonds which provide financing for tax enterprise zones for the first 60-month period after a zone is so designated. Subtitle C: Credit for Contributions to Certain Community Development Corporations - Allows a general business tax credit for contributions to selected community development corporations to provide employment of, and business opportunities for, low-income individuals who are residents of the operational areas of the community. Subtitle D: Indian Employment and Investment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an Indian reservation credit as a tax credit for investment in qualified Indian reservation property. Allows businesses an employment credit of ten percent (30 percent in the case of an employer with at least 85 percent Indian employees) of the sum of the qualified wages and qualified employee health insurance costs paid or incurred during a taxable year. Subtitle E: Study - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the appropriate Secretary, to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on the effectiveness of the incentives provided by this subtitle in achieving its purposes. Title V: Workfare - Requires the Secretary of Labor to report to the Congress on a comprehensive legislative proposal which would require adults receiving aid to families with dependent children under the Social Security Act to enter the workforce within two years of receiving such aid.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Entitles to military retired pay certain persons who were members of the U.S. merchant marine during and immediately after World War II. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to make lump-sum payments of such accrued pay to such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
Repeals the Helium Act (an Act concerned mainly with the extraction and recovery of helium for national defense purposes). Directs the Secretary of the Interior to sell or otherwise dispose of: (1) all facilities, equipment, and real or personal property held for activities under such Act; and (2) all helium reserves held by the United States other than those required for specific immediate needs. Requires sale proceeds to be used solely to reduce outstanding Federal debt.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Calls for Arlington National Cemetery to be placed permanently off-limits for political demonstrations and displays and for the Cemetery grounds to be closed for use as a backdrop for protest.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Development of a Comprehensive Plan for the Future of the National Park System Title II: New Area Establishment Title III: Enhanced National Park Service Technical Assistance Program for Protection and Management of Natural, Cultural, and Recreation Sites National Park System Reformation Act - Title I: Development of a Comprehensive Plan for the Future of the National Park System - Establishes the National Park System Strategic Planning Commission to develop a long-term plan for the direction of the National Park System. Requires the plan to guide the System for the next ten to 20 years and to address criteria for determining inclusion or exclusion of a site within the System. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to terminate National Park Service management at all park areas as recommended by the Commission. Applies the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to all actions of the Secretary during the termination process. Directs the Administrator of General Services to delegate to the Secretary, with respect to excess and surplus real property and facilities located at such park areas, the authority to: (1) dispose of surplus property; and (2) grant certain approvals under the Surplus Property Act of 1944. Directs the Secretary, as part of each annual budget request, to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a schedule of actions to be carried out under this title and an estimate of the total expenditures required and cost savings to be achieved by each closure, along with environmental assessments of such actions. Prohibits the Secretary from establishing new units of the System until the Commission transmits a report to the Congress. Title II: New Area Establishment - Directs the Secretary to submit reports of new area studies to the appropriate congressional committees for purposes of determining the suitability of adding such areas to the System. Requires the National Park Service to maintain a list of units in order of their numerical priority for potential addition to the System. Repeals provisions of existing law concerning inclusion of additional areas to the System. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Enhanced National Park Service Technical Assistance Program for Protection and Management of Natural, Cultural, and Recreation Sites - Establishes the American Heritage System to better protect natural, cultural, and recreational resources which do not belong in the System. Provides for administration of such sites by State and local governments and private entities with Federal technical assistance. Requires the National Park Service to establish a grant program to conduct studies for potential designations of American Heritage sites. Provides for Federal technical and financial assistance for designated sites for periods of up to ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
Urges the Board for International Broadcasting to: (1) authorize RFE/RL, Incorporated to commence broadcast activity of Radio Free Europe to the successor states of Yugoslavia; and (2) ensure that such broadcast activity provides to the people of the region objective, balanced reporting of developments in the former Yugoslav states and international reaction to the situation in the former Yugoslavia, and that such new broadcasting service is adequately staffed with professional journalists constituting a fair representation of the major ethnic groups of the region.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the energy excise tax proposed by the President will seriously harm middle income citizens, rural residents, and the economy and should not be approved.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any legislation enacted to reform the health care delivery system of the United States should: (1) ensure that the unique needs of rural residents are addressed and solved, that people who live in rural areas receive the same quality health care as others, and that rural health care services are coordinated effectively with existing systems and programs of medical, income, residential, and social support at the Federal, State, and local levels; (2) increase funding for programs that train health care professionals for rural practice and provide incentives for them to practice in rural areas, increase coordination among transportation programs, and increase funding to rural transit programs and to emergency medical services; and (3) encourage telecommunications consortia and other measures to ensure rural access to emerging medical technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
Calls upon: (1) the Government of Romania to allow the approximately 190 children and youths at the Romanian Institution for the Unsalvageables at Sighetu Marmatiei to come to the United States for humanitarian assistance, including proper medical attention and treatment; and (2) the Secretary of State to grant these persons expedited entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Rescinds all available funds, at the close of March 31, 1993, appropriated in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 for salaries and expenses for the Select Committee on Aging, the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, the Select Committee on Hunger, and the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the extra-label use of drugs in animals if such use is upon the order of licensed veterinarian, is in compliance with appropriate regulations, and is in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Prohibits such use if it results in unacceptable residues of a drug in food.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1993
Amends rule XXVII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Clerk to make the signatures on a motion to discharge a matter of public record once it has been filed in the House.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture Appropriations Title II: Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subtitle A: Department of Commerce Subtitle B: Related Agencies Subtitle C: Department of State Title III: Defense Appropriations Subtitle A: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Subtitle B: Other Department of Defense Programs Subtitle C: Operations and Maintenance Title IV: Energy and Water Appropriations Subtitle A: Corps of Engineers Subtitle B: Department of Energy Title V: Interior Appropriations Title VI: Transportation Appropriations Title VII: Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Title VIII: Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Subtitle A: Department of Veterans Affairs Subtitle B: Independent Agencies Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title IX: Blue Smoke and Mirrors Spending Priority Reform Act of 1993 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any money returned to the Treasury as a result of this Act should be deposited in the General Fund to be applied against the Federal budget deficit. Title I: Agriculture Appropriations - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for certain special research grants and for the construction of buildings and facilities of the Cooperative State Research Service which were not authorized, not awarded on a competitive basis, or not subjected to congressional hearings ("unauthorized"). Title II: Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations - Subtitle A: Department of Commerce - Rescinds FY 1993 specified appropriations to: (1) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (2) the International Trade Administration. Subtitle B: Related Agencies - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Small Business Administration for unauthorized grants for specified miscellaneous projects. Subtitle C: Department of State - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Department of State for an unauthorized grant for the North/South Center at the University of Miami, Miami, Florida, and certain educational and cultural exchange programs. Title III: Defense Appropriations - Subtitle A: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation - Rescinds unauthorized FY 1993 appropriations made to the Department of Defense for: (1) university grants; (2) electrical vehicle demonstration projects; (3) Army industrial preparedness and manufacturing technology development programs; (4) medical research; (5) naval research, development, testing, and evaluation; and (5) the Space Surveillance Network Improvement Program. Subtitle B: Other Department of Defense Programs - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations for efforts to prevent brown tree snakes from entering Hawaii from Guam. Subtitle C: Operations and Maintenance - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations for the following projects: (1) self-powered locks; (2) grants for World University and 1996 Summer Olympics games and World Cup 1994; (3) Army procurement of extended cold weather clothing systems; (4) study of nuclear disposal by the former Soviet Union and for Project Peace; and (5) the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Title IV: Energy and Water Appropriations - Subtitle A: Corps of Engineers - Rescinds unauthorized FY 1993 appropriations for funding of surveys and planning activities and construction of water resource projects. Subtitle B: Department of Energy - Rescinds unauthorized FY 1993 appropriations made under the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1993, for funding certain energy supply, research, and development activities. Title V: Interior Appropriations - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations for unauthorized funding of: (1) certain National Park System projects; (2) certain construction projects of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and (3) certain National Forest Service projects. Title VI: Transportation Appropriations - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Department of Transportation for unauthorized funding of: (1) certain airway science programs; (2) a certain highway research, development, and technology project; (3) certain construction and maintenance projects; (4) certain Federal Highway Administration demonstration projects; and (5) transit planning and research. Title VII: Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the General Services Administration for certain unauthorized grants for projects funded through the Federal Buildings Fund. Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Office of Personnel Management for the establishment of health promotion and disease prevention programs. Title VIII: Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations - Subtitle A: Department of Veterans Affairs - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to be Department of Veterans Affairs for unauthorized construction projects. Subtitle B: Independent Agencies - Rescinds 1993 appropriations to: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency for certain unauthorized projects; (2) the Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network; and (3) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for certain unauthorized research and development projects and construction projects. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Rescinds FY 1993 appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for unauthorized funding of certain housing projects and assistance programs. Title IX: Blue Smoke and Mirrors - Expresses the sense of the Congress that, with regard to the appropriations process, "forward funding" tactics should no longer be utilized and Congress should operate within the funding limits prescribed for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Authorization for Use of United States Armed Forces in Somalia Resolution - Authorizes the President to deploy U.S. armed forces to participate in UNOSOM II (the international United Nations peacekeeping force in Somalia). Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should ensure that the transition from UNITAF (the Unified Task Force established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 794 which authorized humanitarian relief in Somalia) to UNOSOM II occurs no later than May 1, 1993; (2) the United Nations should foster the establishment of competent local authorities in Somalia and the size of UNOSOM II should be reduced as quickly as the situation will permit; and (3) costs incurred by the United States in connection with UNITAF and UNISOM II are reimbursed to the maximum extent possible by the United Nations and the international community. Declares that all U.S. armed forces should be withdrawn from Somalia within six months of the date of enactment of this resolution. Directs the President to report to the Congress at least once every two months until two months after all U.S. armed forces have been withdrawn from Somalia on developments related to Somalia.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit, unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of the Army: (1) the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters; or (2) the draining, channelization, or excavation of wetlands. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving permit applications, to: (1) classify as Type A wetlands wetlands that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of an ecosystem; (2) classify as Type B wetlands wetlands that provide habitat for a significant population of wildlife or provide other significant wetlands functions; and (3) classify as Type C wetlands wetlands that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation of activities is not necessary to conserve wetlands values and functions, or are lands that do not serve significant wetlands functions. Permits owners of interests in Type A wetlands to seek compensation for the fair market value of such lands. Provides that title for such lands shall pass to the United States upon acceptance of an offer for compensation. Requires the Secretary to deny a permit authorizing activities in Type A wetlands unless: (1) such activities can be undertaken with minimal alteration or disturbance; (2) there are public interest concerns that require use of the lands for purposes other than conservation; or (3) the proposed use of the land will result in overall environmental benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit for activities in Type B wetlands subject to conditions that ensure that the wetland ecosystem does not suffer loss or degradation. Imposes requirements for mitigation when such activities result in permanent wetland loss or degradation. Directs the Secretary to establish a mitigation banking program in each State to ensure compensation for loss and degradation of wetlands. Requires the primary objective of such programs to be to provide for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of ecologically significant wetlands on an ecosystem basis. Exempts specified activities from this Act's requirements. Prohibits more than 20 percent of any county, parish, or borough from being classified as Type A wetlands. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake a project to identify and classify U.S. wetlands. Authorizes civil actions and prescribes penalties for permit violations. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for activities covered by this Act, subject to the Secretary's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Legislative Reform Title II: Federal Intergovernmental Relations Fiscal Accountability and Intergovernmental Reform Act (FAIR Act) - Title I: Legislative Reform - Provides that, with certain exceptions, whenever a committee of either House reports a bill or resolution of a public character to its House mandating unfunded requirements upon State or local governments or the private sector, the report accompanying that bill or resolution shall analyze the effect of the new requirements on: (1) State and local government expenditures necessary to comply with Federal mandates; (2) private businesses; and (3) economic growth and competitiveness. Title II: Federal Intergovernmental Relations - Requires, to the fullest extent practicable, that: (1) the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with this Act; (2) all Federal agencies, consistent with attainment of the requirements of Federal law, minimize the adverse effects of rules affecting the economy; and (3) Federal agencies take certain actions in promulgating new rules, reviewing existing rules, developing legislative proposals, or initiating any other major Federal action affecting the economy whenever an agency identifies two or more alternatives which will satisfy the agency's statutory obligations. Provides that, whenever an agency publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking, promulgates a final rule, or before initiating or implementing any other major Federal action affecting the economy, the agency shall prepare and make available for public comment an Intergovernmental and Economic Impact Assessment. Specifies the contents of such an assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Welfare and Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Act - Amends title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to replace the program of aid to families with dependent children under SSA title IV part A (AFDC) with a program of block grants to States for families with dependent children whose natural parents have attained age 18. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on actions required under this Act to reduce AFDC administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to reduce the Official Mail Allowance for each Member of the House of Representatives by 20 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1993
Condemns the release by the Government of Malta of convicted terrorist Mohammed Ali Rezaq. Urges all governments to: (1) cooperate in extraditing Rezaq to the United States or to another concerned country to face criminal charges for involvement in the Egypt Air hijacking of November 1985 and the murder of civilians; and (2) not provide safe haven to terrorists. Urges the President to review the U.S. relationship with Malta.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends rule XLV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to authorize a Member of the House to accept the services of any number of volunteers to perform official ministerial duties assigned by such Member, provided any such volunteer is not receiving compensation for such services from any other source.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the portion of employer social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1993
Small Business Loan Securitization and Secondary Market Enhancement Act of 1993 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define a "small business related security" (SBRS) as generally a high rated security that represents and is secured by promissory notes evidencing, and that provides for payments of principal in relation to payments on the notes. Provides that SBRSs shall be exempt from: (1) certain restrictions in the margin and securities delivery rules; (2) certain restrictions on borrowing on securities by and lending among, brokers, dealers, and other members of national securities exchanges; and (3) certain prohibitions on the extension of credit by members of exchanges, brokers, and dealers against a security which was part of a new issue. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act, the Federal Credit Union Act, and related statutes to allow banks, credit unions, and other depository institutions to invest in SBRSs. Amends the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 to: (1) authorize any U.S. person or entity to invest in SBRS, to the same extent such person is authorized to invest in U.S. obligations issued; and (2) exempt SBRSs from any State law's security registration and qualification to the same extent that U.S. securities are so exempt. Provides for States to enact provisions prescribing specific requirement for SBRSs. Requires the accounting principles applicable to the transfer of a small business loan with recourse contained in reports or statements required by appropriate Federal banking agencies to be uniform and consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. Prohibits the amount of capital required to be maintained by a depository institution with respect to the sale of a small business loan with recourse from exceeding an amount sufficient to meet the institution's reasonable estimated liability under the recourse arrangement. Requires an SBRS to be treated as a mortgage-backed security under the risk-based capital requirements applicable to insured depository institutions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to exclude transactions involving SBRSs from certain restrictions and taxes imposed on "prohibited transactions" Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (thereby allowing pension fund managers to participate in the pooling and packaging of small business loans for sale as securities). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations providing for the taxation of a small business loan investment conduit and the holder of an interest therein similar to the taxation of a real estate mortgage investment conduit and the holder of an interest therein under the Internal Revenue Code.