United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Social Security Reorganization Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish the Social Security Administration as an independent executive agency to be governed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Board to administer the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income program under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Transfers to the Board all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pertaining to such programs. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions And Conforming Amendments - Sets forth a contributor and beneficiary bill of rights. Makes conforming amendments to titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on its administration under the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Sets forth rules of construction. Title III: Effective Dates and Transitional Rules - Sets forth effective dates and transitional rules.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Requires, with specified exceptions, all motor vehicle leasing for the House of Representatives to be conducted through an agreement with the Administrator of General Services which shall include competitive bidding and, where appropriate, use of the least expensive motor vehicle.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing, Restructuring, and Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to provide additional interim funding for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) until April 1, 1992. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to modify the terms under which the RTC shall be appointed receiver of a failed depository institution by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to extend the receivership duties of the RTC. Title II: Restructuring and Improvement of the Resolution Trust Corporation - Modifies the guidelines for staffing the RTC. Establishes the office of chief executive officer of the RTC to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Oversight Board to review overall strategies, policies, and goals established by the RTC for its activities. (Currently the Oversight Board establishes such strategies and goals.) Declares that the RTC shall be managed by its Board of Directors. Outlines the powers of the chief executive officer of the RTC. Title III: Minorities, Women, and Small Business Provisions - Sets forth guidelines for increased participation of minorities and women in the contracting process applied by the RTC. Authorizes the RTC to make available to any minority or women's depository institution the operation of a failed savings institution located in a predominantly minority neighborhood. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act to extend community investment credit to any depository institution which makes one of its branches in a predominantly minority neighborhood available to a minority or women's depository institution under certain circumstances. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize the RTC, under certain circumstances, to provide assistance for minority-owned depository institutions and minority investors for the acquisition of any savings association for which it has been appointed conservator or receiver. Declares that a certain minority interim capital assistance program established by the Oversight Board is hereby established by law. Directs the RTC to provide assistance under such program for minority-owned depository institutions and minority investors for the acquisition of any savings association for which the RTC has been appointed conservator or receiver, and which before such appointment was not a minority-owned association. Extends the period for repayment of capital assistance under such program. Mandates an annual goal for the RTC that presents the maximum practicable opportunity for small business concerns (and those operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals) to participate in the performance of RTC contract awards. Title IV: Miscellaneous Housing Provisions - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to empower the RTC to develop risk sharing structures and other credit enhancements with respect to eligible residential properties in order to assist in the provision of property ownership, rental, and cooperative housing opportunities for lower- and moderate-income families. Requires the RTC to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility and efficacy of providing credit enhancements with respect to tax-exempt bonds issued on behalf of nonprofit organizations with respect to the disposition of eligible residential properties. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to consider and accept a specified final statement of community development objectives and projected use of funds which the city of Petersburg, Virginia, is authorized to submit in connection with a grant under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Title V: Resolution Trust Corporation Affordable Housing Program - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to prescribe guidelines for the disposition of eligible residential property (including condominiums) acquired by the RTC in its capacity as conservator or receiver and earmarked for lower-income occupancy. Authorizes the RTC to transfer such properties to qualifying households and for-profit entities for lower-income use, as well as to certain nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Requires the RTC to report semiannually to the Congress regarding the disposition of such properties. Sets forth a risk-weighted classification scheme for single family and multi-family housing loans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Commends: (1) the people of Guam for their patriotism, bravery, loyalty to the United States, and many sacrifices during World War II, particularly during the invasion and occupation of the Guam territory; (2) the members of the Navy Insular Force and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for the efforts and sacrifices they made in defense of the U.S.; (3) the Hawaiians for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and (4) the Hawaii Territorial Guard members, Varsity Victory Volunteers, the civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and other Hawaiian military installations, 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during such attack.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Title I: Additional Safeguards to Protect Taxpayers' Rights - Subtitle A: Taxpayers' Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayers' Advocate, headed by the Taxpayers' Advocate, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Office to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Taxpayers' Advocate to annually report to specified congressional committees on Office activities. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayers' Advocate. Authorizes the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking such actions). Subtitle B: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for installment agreements. Suspends the failure to pay penalty during any period an installment agreement is in effect. Subtitle C: Interest - Extends from ten days to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Provides for the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the error or delay of an IRS managerial act. Increases the interest rate for overpayment of tax from two percent to three percent (making such rate equal to the interest rate for underpayment of tax). Waives interest on all overpayments refunded within 45 days after a return is filed. Subtitle D: Joint Returns - Requires separate deficiency notices in the case of a joint income tax return if the most recent data available to the IRS shows that such spouses did not file a joint return with each other. Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Subtitle E: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the United States, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. Subtitle E (sic): Erroneous and Fraudulent Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. Requires the Secretary to take reasonable steps to corroborate the accuracy of an information return when making a determination of a deficiency by a third party, when such return is disputed by the taxpayer. Subtitle F: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner, or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; and (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure. Requires the Secretary to disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty. Subtitle G: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Repeals the "substantially justified" test for determining whether a taxpayer may recover costs and fees incurred as part of an administrative or court proceeding. Provides for the awarding of reasonable litigation or administrative costs to a prevailing party who represents himself in an administrative or court proceeding. Makes IRS employees personally liable in certain cases. Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Subtitle H: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. Provides for the treatment of returns prepared for or executed by the Secretary for purposes of certain tax penalties. Provides protection for taxpayers who rely on certain guidance published by the IRS. Title II: Form Modifications, Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that taxpayers are aware of permission to pay tax in installments, extensions of time for payment of tax, and compromises of tax liability; (2) improve procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; (3) include in a specified publication a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals; (4) ensure that employees are aware of their responsibilities under the Federal tax system and that the public is aware of penalties for failure to collect and pay over tax; and (5) notify taxpayers any payments that cannot be associated with any outstanding tax liability. Subtitle B: Studies - Requires the Secretary to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a pilot program for appeals of certain enforcement actions (including lien, levy, and seizure actions; (2) a study on ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with IRS laws; (3) the scope and content of the IRS taxpayer-rights education program for its officers and employees; and (4) cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees and the disposition of such complaints. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the tax-writing committees on: (1) a study of notices of deficiency; (2) the accuracy and clarity of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications; and (3) a study of IRS employee-suggestion programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government Act - Establishes the Second National Blue Ribbon Commission to Eliminate Waste in Government to: (1) conduct a private sector survey on management and cost control in the Federal Government; (2) review executive agency operations and existing General Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Inspector General Reports, and other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations for reducing waste; and (3) submit to the President and the Congress a list of those recommendations with estimated savings that the Commission determines are most significant and recommendations for improving the budget process, management, and reducing waste and costs in the Government. Requires the Commission to identify, address, and to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs in the Government that can be realized by executive action or legislation; (2) areas in the Government where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved; (3) specific Federal programs that have accomplished their objectives and ought to be terminated; (4) specific Federal program services that could be provided at a lower cost by the private sector; (5) specific reforms of the budget process that would yield savings, increase accountability and efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the budget process; (6) specific areas in the Government where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (7) specific recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Requires the Commission to be funded, staffed, and equipped, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, by the private sector without cost to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Divides the Central Judicial District of California into three divisions: (1) the Eastern Division comprising the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, the court for which shall be held in the city of Riverside, the city of San Bernardino, or within five miles from the boundary of either city; (2) the Western Division comprising the counties of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, the court for which shall be held at Los Angeles; and (3) the Southern District comprising Orange County, the court for which shall be held at Santa Ana.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Amends the Federal judicial code to provide for the establishment of an additional place of holding court in the Central Judicial District of California within five miles of either Riverside or San Bernadino, California.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Divides the Central Judicial District of California into three divisions: (1) the Eastern Division comprising the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, the court for which shall be held in the city of Riverside, the city of San Bernardino, or within five miles from the boundary of either city; (2) the Western Division comprising the counties of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, the court for which shall be held at Los Angeles; and (3) the Southern District comprising Orange County, the court for which shall be held at Santa Ana.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Congressional Accountability Act - Makes applicable to the Congress the following Federal laws, to the extent that they relate to the terms and conditions of employment, the health and safety of employees, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees: (1) Social Security Act; (2) National Labor Relations Act; (3) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (4) Civil Rights Act of 1964; (5) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (6) Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (7) title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (8) Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (9) Privacy Act of 1974; (10) Age Discrimination Act of 1975; (11) Ethics in Government Act of 1978; and (12) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Makes applicable also to the Congress specified provisions of Federal law: (1) commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) relating to independent counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting the payment of any disability compensation to an incompetent veteran having neither spouse, child, nor dependent parent until the value of such veteran's estate is reduced to less than $10,000. Presumes a veteran to be permanently and totally disabled if such person is 65 years of age or older or becomes unemployable after age 65. Restores the full permitted monthly pension (currently limited to $90) for veterans having neither spouse nor child and receiving Medicaid-covered nursing home care. Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran shall not eliminate the right of such former spouse to survivors' benefits if the remarriage is terminated or dissolved by a divorce court unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion by the surviving spouse. Provides the same restoration of survivors' benefits eligibility for a veteran's child who marries when such marriage is later terminated or properly dissolved without fraud or collusion. Repeals a Federal provision requiring a minimum copayment for medication received for a non-service-connected disability by a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at less than 50 percent. Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent that resources and facilities are available, to furnish hospital and nursing home care needed by a veteran for a non-service-connected disability if the veteran's income falls below a prescribed level. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish such care for a non-service-connected disability to a veteran who is not otherwise eligible for such care if the veteran agrees to pay a minimum amount for such care. Provides that a veteran may not be required to make a payment for outpatient services furnished during any 90-day period to the extent that such payment would cause the total amount paid by the veteran for outpatient medical services to exceed the amount of the inpatient Medicare deductible in effect on the first day of such 90-day period. Revises the income thresholds used to determine whether a veteran is required to make payments for services when such veteran is not otherwise eligible for such services. Entitles all veterans with a service-connected disability (currently, only those veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 20 percent or more) to the basic veterans' educational assistance entitlement. Repeals a Federal provision requiring a specified percentage increase in the veterans' housing loan fee for loans closed between November 1, 1990, and September 30, 1991. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or grave marker, to reimburse a person for the cost of acquiring a non-Government headstone or marker for placement in any cemetery other than a national cemetery in connection with the burial of a deceased veteran. Restores the plot allowance for veterans buried in a cemetery other than a national cemetery. (Currently, veterans whose eligibility for benefits is based on being a veteran of any war may not receive such plot allowance if they choose not to be buried in a national cemetery.) Authorizes the Secretary to pay up to $400 (currently $300) for burial and funeral expenses for a veteran who dies of a service-connected disability. Repeals provisions requiring: (1) payment of such benefit for any veteran who was in receipt of pension; and (2) that, before such payment is made, the Secretary determines that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran and that there are insufficient resources from the veteran's estate to cover such expenses. Increases from $150 to $300 the plot allowance authorized to be paid by the Department for veterans who die in a Department facility.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Calls upon the President not to proceed toward the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam until the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs has reported its findings on the accounting of missing American servicemen in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award the Presidential Unit Citation to the U.S.S. Nevada's crew for their heroism and gallantry during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Amends Federal law to prohibit officers and employees of the Congress as well as Members of Congress from disclosing information maintained by an agency relating to an individual, except in specified circumstances. (Current law prohibits agencies from disclosing such information.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States Trade Representative should take action under the Trade Act of 1974 to compensate for any trade losses caused by the European Community's (EC) failure to adopt by October 31, 1991, a new oilseeds regime that conforms with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) panel oilseed ruling; and (2) such actions should remain in effect until the EC's oilseed regime conforms with its GATT obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit citizenship at birth to persons born in the United States to a mother who is a U.S. legal resident.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1991
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit contributions by foreign nationals in elections to any Federal, State, or local office (currently, to any political office). Prohibits such contributions in connection with any initiative, referendum, or recall election.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1991
Provides that the period for which expenses of the former Speakers of the House of Representatives may be paid shall end three years after the expiration date of such term of office, except that in the case of a former Speaker who is receiving such expenses on the date of the enactment of this Act, the period shall end three years after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1991
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment Improvement and Protection Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to include in the annual mailing to Medicare beneficiaries: (1) a clear and simple explanation of the availability of and the requirements to qualify for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) payment of their premiums, deductibles, and copayments under Medicare; (2) the toll-free telephone number to be established by the Secretary for information on such assistance; and (3) an initial application for such assistance. Directs the Secretary to develop a poster containing the information listed above and distribute it to service providers in order to publicize the availability of such assistance. Amends the Medicaid program to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish a process for using local Social Security Administration offices for the distribution and receipt of applications for such assistance; (2) transmit such applications to the appropriate State agency; (3) develop a form to be available at such offices which individuals may use to request additional information on or an application for such assistance; and (4) distribute such form to entities receiving grants for programs to provide services to older individuals. Requires States to provide for a process for receiving, distributing, and processing applications for such assistance and for responding to requests for information on or applications for such assistance. Allows individuals who qualified during a certain period for Medicaid payment of Medicare costs to temporarily apply for retroactive payment of any medical costs incurred but not paid under a State plan required to provide for making Medicaid payment of Medicare costs available to Medicare beneficiaries. Allows States, in determining the income level for individuals who seek to qualify for Medicaid payment of Medicare costs, to exclude expenses for medical care incurred by the individual that are not reimbursed under a public program of the State or political subdivision thereof, a health plan, or Medicare. Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program to provide outreach services to enable individuals who are entitled to receive Medicaid payment of Medicare costs to receive such assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Illegal Alien Transportation Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit transportation of illegal aliens for employment purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Immigration Document Fraud Prevention Act of 1991 - Provides for: (1) the replacement of current green cards with new counterfeit-resistant identification cards (which shall not be considered national identity cards) for all permanent resident aliens eligible to work in the United States; (2) a national program to educate employers about their responsibilities under the Immigration and Nationality Act and the uses of such cards; and (3) a demonstration program to determine the feasibility of a computerized telephone worker verification system for employers. Increases immigration fraud penalties. Authorizes FY 1993 and 1994 appropriations for activities under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Improved Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 1991 - Increases FY 1993 personnel levels and funding for the Border Patrol. Provides for inservice training to familiarize Border Patrol personnel with the rights and varied cultural backgrounds of aliens and citizens. Authorizes FY 1993 appropriations. Increases FY 1993 personnel levels in the Wage and Hour Division with the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor, and assigns such additional personnel to areas with high concentrations of undocumented aliens. Increases for FY 1993 the number of Assistant United States Attorney positions, and assigns such additional personnel to prosecute persons who harbor or bring into the United States illegal aliens. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for harboring or bringing into the United States aliens for profit. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Attorney General and the Secretary of State should initiate programs with Mexico and Canada to prevent and prosecute the smuggling of aliens into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Employer Sanctions Improvements Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the issuance of new counterfeit-resistant social security cards to employable aliens solely for the purpose of providing employment eligibility. Requires that cards issued to certain aliens specify the work authorization expiration date. Requires employers to: (1) maintain records of employee expiration dates; and (2) request expired-date employees to provide new cards. Directs the Administrator of Social Security to update the Social Security database with regard to such social security cards. States that such cards shall not be considered a national identity card. Authorizes FY 1993 and 1994 appropriations. Directs the Attorney General to conduct a related nationwide employer education program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1991
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit a public housing agency (including Indian housing) to limit assisted housing occupancy to only elderly, disabled, or handicapped families.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to publish and update clearly defined arrival and departure routes leading to and from airports located within and in close proximity to terminal control areas and airport radar service areas for the optional use of pilots operating under visual flight rules.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Intermodal Carriers Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Prohibits a State, political subdivision, or interstate agency of two or more States from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard relating to interstate or intrastate rates, routes, services, or terms of service of any national intermodal carrier with respect to the provision of surface transportation of property in the State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Retirement Annuity Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish standards for insurers from which irrevocable commitments may be purchased in order to terminate single-employer pension plans in standard terminations. Provides for review of such insurers by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Provides for: (1) notice to the PBGC regarding the insurer; (2) notice to participants and beneficiaries regarding the insurer; (3) disapproval of the insurer by the PBGC as a basis for a notice of noncompliance; and (4) prior certification of insurers. Directs the PBGC to exercise its continuing authority to cease the standard termination of a single-employer plan under specified ERISA provisions, or to restore a plan which is so terminated, in any case in which the final distribution of assets is being, or was, carried out in whole or in part by means of the purchase of irrevocable commitments from any insurer, if the PBGC determines that such distribution by such means is not, or was not, in the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Revenue Estimating Accuracy and Sunshine Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require reports accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget to include technical explanations setting forth the economic data, assumptions, and methodology in sufficient detail to permit replications of the results by nongovernmental analysts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Joint Tax Committee to follow such procedure in reports accompanying legislation considered or reported by the Committee on Finance or the Committee on Ways and Means. Requires the Joint Tax Committee, in determining the effect on revenues of any legislation, to use a dynamic, general equilibrium model. Requires the Committee, in formulating such model, to take into account: (1) economic effects such as production and employment changes resulting from tax changes; (2) reductions in Federal revenues from impacts on production and employment resulting from tax changes; (3) international consequences of tax changes; and (4) impacts on other Federal taxes. Directs the Joint Committee to also provide an estimate of the effects on State and local tax revenues as a result of the impacts on production and employment resulting from Federal tax changes. Provides that an appointment of the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee may only be made if approved by recorded vote, by at least two-thirds of the members of the Joint Committee. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any additional costs incurred to comply with this Act shall be financed in a deficit neutral manner through offsetting spending reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the exclusion from gross income for combat pay of commissioned officers (from $500 to $2,000 monthly). Requires the transfer from the Defense Cooperation Account to the general fund of the Treasury such amounts as determined necessary to offset the revenue loss caused by this amendment during the period of the Persian Gulf conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that at least three of the remaining 15 States should ratify the proposed second amendment to the Constitution which would delay the effect of any law which varies the compensation of Members of Congress until the next election of Representatives (these States are Alabama, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington).
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Tax Fairness and Accountability Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require any legislation that increases the tax rate, the tax base, or the amount of income subject to tax, or decreases a deduction, exclusion, or credit to be approved in the House of Representatives and the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its Members.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
All-Americans Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals a deduction for capital gains based on the period the asset is held (up to three years). Excludes collectibles from such assets. Makes such deduction an item of tax preferences. Excludes from gross income interest received during a taxable year up to $350 ($700 in the case of a joint return). Provides a phaseout of such exclusion for incomes over $50,000. Makes such exclusion applicable to distributions from regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts. Makes certain nonresident aliens ineligible for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Establishes a Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress to: (1) make a full and complete study of the organization and operation of the Congress; and (2) recommend improvements in such organization and operation with a view toward strengthening its effectiveness, simplifying its operations, improving its relationships with other branches of the Government, and improving the orderly consideration of legislation. Requires a report to the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than the adjournment sine die of the 102d Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
California Public Lands Wilderness Act - Designates as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System certain public lands located in California within the Bakersfield District, the Susanville District, the Ukiah District, the California Desert District, the Yuma, Arizona District, and the Carson City, Nevada District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Incorporates certain public lands in the California Desert District into the Death Valley National Monument and the Joshua Tree National Monument and makes such lands part of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to prepare plans to manage designated wilderness areas. Withdraws such areas from exploitation under the public lands laws. Provides for the continuation of demilitarization activities and the overflight of military aircraft in such areas. Directs the Secretary to assure access to such areas for traditional Indian cultural and religious purposes. Permits the Secretary, upon the request of an Indian tribe or religious community, to temporarily close an area to protect the privacy of religious or cultural activities. States that lands administered by the BLM in California that have not been designated as wilderness areas have been adequately studied for wilderness designation and releases them from certain requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the transition rules for phasing in the resource-based relative value scale (RB RVS) method of payment for physician services to prohibit adjustments for asymmetry in the transition and for behavioral responses. Declares spending under this Act to be an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and exempt from sequestration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) delete the $250 cap on the maximum fine for the unauthorized wearing, manufacturing, or selling of military decorations or medals; and (2) include trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value as sales.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Divides the Central Judicial District of California into two divisions: (1) the Eastern Division comprising the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, the court for which shall be held in the city of Riverside, the city of San Bernardino, or within five miles from the boundary of either city; and (2) the Western Division comprising the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, the court for which shall be held at Los Angeles and Santa Ana.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Comprehensive Border Control Act of 1991 - Directs the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to make specified improvements in border enforcement and security (such as border barriers and lights and sensors). Authorizes appropriations to increase border patrol personnel to specified levels. Provides for a specified assignment of personnel to the San Diego sector by the end of FY 1993. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to develop social security cards resistant to tampering or counterfeiting. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, effective on October 1, 1993, to reduce the number of required work documents. Directs the Attorney General to make a study of birth certificate improvements. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of using a telephone system to verify alien employment eligibility. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) develop a plan to establish or improve ports of entry, including an additional port of entry at San Diego, California; and (2) study the use of nongovernmental entities in border facility construction and management. Directs the Secretary to study and develop a test program to allow expanded use of State legalization assistance grants (SLAG) by alien-impacted communities. Directs the Comptroller General to study health care costs for undocumented aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Social Security Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exclude the appropriations for the administration of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund from Federal budget deficit calculations and to exempt such appropriations from sequestration under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1991
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from making any payment for covered drugs and biologicals unless the price charged by the manufacturer is determined in accordance with an agreement between the Secretary and the manufacturer pursuant to the Social Security Act, under which the price charged cannot exceed the price charged as of September 1, 1990, increased by the sum of the covered drug updates. States that such pricing agreement shall apply to any drug or biological product procured by the Department of Veterans Affairs that is: (1) purchased under a depot contracting system; or (2) listed under the Federal Supply Schedule of the General Services Administration on or after January 1, 1990. Amends the Social Security Act to exclude the prices for prescription drugs procured by the Federal Government from the calculation of best price procurement for purposes of application of Medicaid rebate agreements. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of, and report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Commitees on, the costs and availability of drugs and biological products for programs of the Department as they relate to exemptions and limitations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Congressional Budget Office Neutrality Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act to provide that appointment of the Director of the Congressional Budget Office be made after consideration of recommendations of the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Budget Committees. (Current law specifies only the recommendations of such Committees). Requires the Director to carry out duties in an objective and nonpartisan manner. Prohibits the Office from altering information compiled at the request of a Member or committee of the Congress, unless such Member or Committee agrees to the change. Requires the Director to notify the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or the Senate Select Committee on Ethics of any attempt by any Member or congressional employee to unduly influence the Office with respect to the contents of its response to any request for information or any report. Requires cost analysis estimates of congressional legislation to include direct and indirect costs. Establishes a Congressional Budget Office Board to: (1) provide general oversight of Office operations; (2) approve in advance the undertaking of any studies and reports in addition to those required by law; and (3) provide general guidance to the Director in the formulation and implementation of procedures and policies. Directs the Office to establish an Economic Advisory Council to: (1) review and make recommendations to the Board on Office activities; (2) evaluate the quality and objectivity of Office research and reports; and (3) undertake additional tasks as the Board may direct. Subjects the appointment of the Director to approval by concurrent resolution of the Senate and of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account, and the tax checkoff for such Fund. Provides for the remaining balances in such Fund and Account to be deposited into the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the operation of and complaints regarding, the U.S. Postal Service.
![Official portrait of Rep. McCandless, Alfred A. (Al) [R-CA-44]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000306_200.jpg)