Bill· HRH.R. 4299 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
Social Security On-Line Privacy Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits an interactive computer service providing computer access to multiple users via modem or other means of telecommunication to the Internet or any other on-line network from disclosing to a third party an individual's social security account number or related personally identifiable information without the individual's prior informed written consent. Requires such service to permit an individual to revoke any consent at any time, upon which revocation such service shall cease disclosing such number or information to a third party. Gives the Federal Trade Commission enforcement authority under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4313 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
Small Business Opportunity Preservation Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to state as a policy under such Act that each Federal agency: (1) foster the participation of small businesses as prime contractors; (2) structure its contracting requirements to facilitate competition by and among small businesses; (3) avoid contract bundling (the practice of consolidating two or more procurement requirements into a single contract likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business); and (4) comply with requirements intended to foster the participation of small businesses as subcontractors. (Sec. 4) Requires procurement strategies used by Federal agencies to facilitate the maximum participation of small businesses as prime contractors. Requires specific information to be included in any proposed procurement strategy that reflects a bundling of contract requirements, including impediments caused to small businesses as prime contractors. Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to review proposed contract solicitations for compliance with such requirements and to act within 15 days toward the modification of procurement strategies to increase the probability of participation by small businesses as prime contractors. Requires a determination not to modify a procurement strategy to be supported by specified findings and an assessment which addresses matters concerning contract bundling and its impacts on small businesses. (Sec. 5) Authorizes a small business intending to submit an offer for an anticipated bundled contract to propose to the SBA for approval a team of small business subcontractors (or a team of small businesses and other businesses whose participation may not represent more than 25 percent of the contract value) to perform the contract. (Sec. 6) Requires the Federal Procurement Data System to be modified to collect data regarding contract bundling. (Sec. 7) Requires, in a solicitation for the award of construction contracts of $1 million or other types of contracts for $500,000, the inclusion of provisions which specify minimum percentages of participation by various types of small businesses in subcontracting under such contracts. Requires the successful offeror for such a contract to negotiate with the contracting officer in order to meet specified goals for subcontract participation by small businesses. (Sec. 8) Authorizes notice of subcontracting opportunities to be submitted for publication in the Commerce Business Daily by the appropriate prime contractors. (Sec. 9) Provides deadlines for the publication of proposed amendments made to the Federal Acquisition Regulation or to SBA regulations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4285 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law Subtitle B: Line Item Reduction Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited Subtitle D: "Pay-as-You-Go" Requirement for New Spending Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. Repeals authority for consideration of spending bills prior to adoption of the budget resolution. (Sec. 203) Prohibits baseline budgeting. Requires objective year- to-year comparisons under budget law, with the starting point for both Presidential and congressional budgets the levels of budget outlays for the current fiscal year. (Sec. 204) Amends the CBA to establish a rainy day fund for natural disasters. Requires budget law to include a major functional category for natural disasters, under specified conditions. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal law relating to the contents of the President's annual budget submission to the Congress to require the President to submit: (1) a budget of the U.S. Government for the following fiscal period on a single page, which sets forth specific budget ceilings in each major functional category, by the first Monday in February of each year before that in which a fiscal period commences; and (2) a detailed budget for that fiscal period, on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget for the following budget period is enacted. Title III: Enforcement of Budget Discipline - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Amends CBA to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of each spending bill before being voted on by the Senate or the House. (Sec. 301) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. (Sec. 302) Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to exercise line-item reduction authority if the Congress exceeds the budget ceilings in the binding budget law or an automatic continuing resolution for a fiscal period. Declares that such authority shall permit the reduction of over-budget spending in a major functional category to the level established in the binding budget law or automatic continuing resolution. Sets forth procedures for congressional introductions of line-item bills after the President transmits a special message to rescind an item of budget authority. Prohibits amendments to such bills. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." (Sec. 306) Amends CBA to require fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except Social Security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. (Sec. 307) Requires Executive agencies to adjust expenditures, including program eligibility requirements and benefit levels, to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 308) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Amends CBA to prohibit the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the House or in the Senate to waive such prohibition. Sets forth special rules in the case of legislation that exceeds a budget ceiling for the natural disaster functional category. Repeals a CBA provision for an exemption in the House from pay-as- you-go rules. Subtitle E: "Lock-Box" for Savings From Spending Reductions - Amends CBA to: (1) establish "lock-box" procedures to ensure budget savings from House and Senate amendments to appropriations bills result in actual spending cuts; (2) require Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports on such procedures; and (3) mandate reduction of spending allocations to House and Senate committees and subcommittees to meet "lock-box" levels. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 402) Provides for contingency regulations for automatic continuing resolutions. Grants each State the option of receiving an aggregate amount for the fiscal period for social safety net programs equal to the allocation to the State for such programs in the preceding fiscal period. (Sec. 403) Restricts consideration of legislation providing budget or spending authority to only that reported by the Committees on Appropriations. Makes such restriction inapplicable in the case of Social Security benefits. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or permit reductions in otherwise payable Social Security benefits. (Sec. 502) Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Technical Amendments to Federal Law to Carry Out This Act - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Changes the definition of budget authority to exclude offsetting receipts.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 216 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1996
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to: (1) restore the Portrait Monument (a statue of Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony) and place it in the Rotunda of the Capitol for one year at which time it, along with an appropriate educational display, shall be moved to a permanent site and an alternative statue shall be placed in the Rotunda; and (2) make all necessary arrangements for a rededication ceremony of the Monument in the Rotunda in conjunction with the Woman Suffrage Statue Campaign. Establishes a commission to: (1) select the permanent site; (2) plan and develop the educational display that described some of the most dramatic events of the suffragettes' lives; and (3) select the alternative statue to commemorate the struggle of women in America for equal rights. Prohibits use of Federal funds to pay any expense of the educational display or of restoring, moving, or relocating the Monument.
Bill· HRH.R. 4098 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1996
Haskell Indian Nations University Administrative Systems Act of 1996 - Provides that certain civil service laws relating to personnel management shall not apply to applicants for employment with, employees of, or positions in or under the Haskell Indian Nations University. Directs the university president to prescribe by regulation alternative personnel management provisions. Disallows covering current university employees except pursuant to a voluntary election. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to delegate to the university president procurement authority with respect to the conduct of the administrative functions of the university. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4035 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1996
Rescinds congressional consent to the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Makes a conforming amendment to the Agricultural Market Transition Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4000 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Restores Federal armed forces provisions relating to the status of missing persons as in effect before amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 3994 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Entrepreneur Development Program Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Entrepreneur Development Program to provide comprehensive and structured business development assistance to foster the entrepreneurial development of emerging small businesses owned and controlled by individuals certified as eligible by the SBA. States that a business meets eligibility requirements if its management and daily operations are controlled by one or more eligible individuals, an Indian tribe, or native Hawaiian organization. Makes eligible for such assistance individuals whose net worth is no more than $250,000, excluding the value of such individual's investment in the emerging business. Directs the SBA to develop and administer an outreach program to inform and recruit eligible businesses to apply for the Program. Outlines provisions concerning individual eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Limits the term of participation to five years from the date of certification as an eligible Program participant. Requires each business and participant to submit to the SBA a business plan for such emerging business, with specified contents, and to annually review and update such plan. Requires each participant to annually: (1) certify its continued eligibility; and (2) submit a financial statement. Requires prompt SBA notification of a change in business ownership. Provides a special rule for transfers to small business investment companies. Provides for: (1) eligibility status reviews; and (2) Program participation termination (including graduation from the Program after successful completion of Program goals). Directs the SBA Administrator to develop and implement a process for the systematic collection of data on Program operations, monitoring regularly the effectiveness of the assistance being provided to Program participants. Requires an annual report from the Administrator to the Congress on such effectiveness. Provides conflict-of-interest restrictions between SBA employees and Program participants, with penalties for prohibited actions. (Sec. 3) Amends the Act to repeal provisions relating to procurement contracts, subcontracts to disadvantaged small business concerns, performance bonds, contract negotiations, publication, recruitment, construction subcontracts, and annual estimates. Defines "Indian tribe" and "native Hawaiian organization" for purposes of the Act. Outlines procedures to be followed in the case of a protest against the representation by a business as a small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including a hearing by the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals. Provides for the determination of the size of a business concern owned by an Indian tribe. Prohibits any SBA employee from taking, directing others to take, recommending, or approving any action with respect to any SBA program or activity on the basis of the political activity or affiliation of any party. Provides penalties for such action. (Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System contract actions with an aggregate value in excess of $50 million in FY 1995 or thereafter to prepare a forecast of expected contract opportunities or classes of opportunities for the next and succeeding fiscal years that small business concerns, including those owned and controlled by women or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, are capable of performing. Requires the periodic revision of such forecast. (Sec. 5) Prohibits a small business concern meeting specified requirements (including that it is a regular dealer primarily engaged in the wholesale or retail trade that will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor) from being denied the opportunity to submit and have considered its offer for any Federal procurement contract for the supply of a product.
Bill· HRH.R. 3975 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums to a named individual for services (while in a retired military status) as Program Manager of the Private Office Independent Outreach Program in Brussels, Belgium, during a specified period and for moving and interest expenses incurred in conjunction with holding such position. Extinguishes any liability of the individual to the United States for his children's school tuition during his performance of such service.
Bill· HRH.R. 4011 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1996
Congressional Pension Forfeiture Act of 1996 - Amends Federal law to provide that any service as a Member of Congress of an individual convicted of a felony committed while a Member during the 105th Congress or later shall not be taken into account as creditable service for purposes of annuity or retirement provisions. Entitles such individual (or his or her beneficiary or estate, if applicable) to be paid so much of such individual's lump-sum credit as is attributable to such service. Prohibits: (1) the individual, while serving as a Member after the date of the conviction, from being eligible to participate in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employee's Retirement System; and (2) interest from being computed on such lump-sum payment for the period after the conviction or commission of the violation, or after September 26, 1961, whichever is later.
Bill· HRH.R. 3759 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Overseas Private Investment Corporation Title II: Trade and Development Agency Title III: Export Promotion Programs within the International Trade Administration Title IV: Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Exports, Jobs, and Growth Act of 1996 - Title I: Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the maximum per capita income levels of less developed countries eligible for Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) economic investment projects. Increases the ceilings on the maximum contingent liabilities outstanding at any one time for investment insurance and for the financing of investment guarantees issued by OPIC as well as of direct U.S. investment. Extends OPIC's authority to issue such insurance and guarantees through FY 2000. Revises the congressional purpose of OPIC to include increasing U.S. exports to less developed countries and countries in transition from nonmarket to market economies. Revises the composition of the OPIC Board of Directors. Title II: Trade and Development Agency - Authorizes appropriations for the Trade and Development Agency for FY 1997 and 1998. Title III: Export Promotion Programs Within the International Trade Administration - Amends the Export Administration Amendments Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations for the Department of Commerce export promotion programs for FY 1997 and 1998. Title IV: Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee - Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to develop a Federal trade promotion plan that, among other things, identifies the means for providing more coordinated export promotion services to small and medium-sized businesses.
Bill· HRH.R. 3745 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Corrections Act of 1996 - Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding the purchase of prison-made products by Federal departments to require each Federal department and agency to offer to purchase prison-made products in accordance with this Act. Specifies that: (1) when a procurement activity of a Federal department or agency has a requirement for a specific product that is authorized to be offered for sale by Federal Prison Industries (FPI) and is listed in the FPI catalog of products, the procurement activity shall solicit an offer from FPI; and (2) a contract award shall be made using competitive procedures in accordance with the specifications and evaluation factors specified in the solicitation, and may be made to FPI if the contracting officer for the procurement activity determines that the prison-made product to be furnished will meet the requirements of the procurement activity, timely performance of the contract can be reasonably expected, and the contract price does not exceed a current market price as established by the competition. Establishes provisions regarding: (1) contract performance by FPI; (2) finality of the contracting officer's decision; (3) reporting of purchases by Federal departments or agencies from FPI to the Federal Procurement Data System; and (4) publication and maintenance by FPI of a catalog of products and services that it is authorized to offer for sale. Sets forth provisions regarding proposed revisions to the Government-wide Federal Acquisition Regulation, publication of final regulations, and public participation in the process.
Bill· HRH.R. 3736 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1996
Crime Does Not Pay Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to prohibit community development block grants to a State or locality that permits recovery of damages for an injury suffered by a person committing a felony.
Bill· HRH.R. 3719 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Small Business Act Title II: Amendments to Small Business Investment Act Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a loan risk management data base capable of providing timely and accurate information for identifying loan underwriting, collections, recovery, and liquidation problems. Outlines information to be maintained in such database. Provides deadlines for database operational capability. (Sec. 103) Allows the Administrator to designate as a certified lender only a lender who has made in each of the preceding two fiscal years: (1) eight or more loans to non-rural small businesses; and (2) four or more loans to rural small businesses. Provides for suspension and revocation of such designation. Allows such lenders to use uniform and simplified loan forms. Prohibits more than ten percent of the total small business loans guaranteed by the SBA in a fiscal year from being awarded as part of an SBA pilot program. States that the Administrator may not prohibit a lender from securitizing the non-guaranteed portion of any SBA loan. Limits the service fees to be paid to the lender in the event of SBA payment of a claim under an SBA-guaranteed loan. Provides for appropriate interest payments for banks or other institutions making a claim for payment on such a loan. Directs the Administrator to: (1) complete the transfer of SBA loan servicing functions from district offices to centralized loan servicing centers; and (2) implement the Preferred Lender standard review program. Requires the Administrator to conduct, through a private contractor, a comprehensive assessment of the performance of SBA small business loan programs, addressing specified matters, including default rates. Requires a report concerning such assessment: (1) from the contractor to the Administrator; and (2) from the Administrator to the small business committees. (Sec. 104) Amends the SBA disaster loan program to provide a revised interest rate for disasters commencing after October 1, 1996. Directs the Administrator to carry out, and report to the Congress on, a pilot program under which the servicing of not less than 20 percent of the total portfolio of such disaster loans will be carried out by one or more private entities under contract with the SBA. (Sec. 105) Revises the technical assistance grant and spending limitation requirements under the Microloan Demonstration Program (a program providing grants to women, low-income, and other underprivileged and minority businesses). (Sec. 106) Amends the Small Business Development Center Program to: (1) remove the requirement that such centers be located at institutions of higher education after a specified date; (2) allow such centers to charge fees of up to $15 per hour for their services; (3) provide that the Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers shall be responsible for the management and administration of such program and shall not be subject to the approval or concurrence of SBA officials; (4) replace references to the Deputy Associate Administrator of the Small Business Development Center program and the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management Assistance with references to the Associate Administrator; and (5) prohibit the SBA, after FY 2000, from renewing or extending any cooperative agreement with a center that has not been approved under a certification program. Provides for a waiver of such prohibition by the Associate Administrator when the center is making a good faith effort to obtain certification. (Sec. 107) Terminates after October 1, 1996 (currently, October 1, 1997) SBA authority to provide grants for demonstration projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Administrator to foreclose a mortgage upon a breach of a covenant or condition in a debt instrument or mortgage if such instrument or mortgage authorizes acceleration or foreclosure. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) designation of a foreclosure trustee (including the authority to designate multiple trustees and to remove any such trustee); (2) required legal notice of a foreclosure sale; (3) foreclosure sale cancellation; (4) stay (suspension) of foreclosure proceedings; (5) conduct of a foreclosure sale, including bidding requirements; (6) transfer of title and possession following a foreclosure sale; (7) a recital by the foreclosure trustee in the foreclosure purchaser's deed which records the date, time, place, and purchaser with respect to the foreclosure sale; (8) legal effects of such sale; (9) disposition of sale proceeds; and (10) deficiency judgment actions against a former debtor after a foreclosure sale if the sale price is insufficient for the unpaid balance of the secured debt. (Sec. 109) Repeals miscellaneous SBA authorities to provide loans and other financial assistance under the Act. (Sec. 110) Amends the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to: (1) extend such Program through FY 2000; (2) revise the establishment and termination dates of a simplified data collection system under such Program; (3) include surveying, mapping, and landscape architecture within the architectural and engineering services covered under the Program; (4) revise the enhanced goals for designated industry groups for architectural and engineering services; (5) reserve from publication a section concerning special assistance for emerging small businesses; and (6) extend reporting requirements under the Program to conform with the Program's extension. (Sec. 111) Repeals on September 29, 1996, a provision of the Small Business Guaranteed Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 which was to repeal, on September 30, 1996, provisions of such Act relating to the authority of the SBA to impose secondary marketing fees and to reduce loan guarantee percentages. Title II: Amendments to Small Business Investment Act - Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the development company debenture program be require that not less than 50 percent of the total cost of plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion projects under such program be derived from State or local governments, banks or other financial institutions, foundations or other nonprofit institutions, or the small business concern receiving assistance through a body authorized under the program. Provides specified requirements with respect to the funding derived from a participating small business concern. Increases the loan guarantee fee authorized to be collected by the SBA for development company debentures. Authorizes the SBA to: (1) impose a one-time participation fee on all participating institutions named above other than a small business concern; and (2) collect annually from each development company a specified percentage of the outstanding balance of any debenture guaranteed by the SBA. (Sec. 203) Provides required actions upon default of a debenture guaranteed by the SBA, including purchase or acceleration of the debenture and prepayment penalties. (Sec. 204) Directs the Administrator to carry out a loan liquidation pilot program with respect to no more than 35 and no less than 15 development companies authorized to make loans and issue debentures under the Act. Authorizes participating development companies, as part of the pilot program, to perform all liquidation and foreclosure functions with respect to loans guaranteed by the SBA. Outlines SBA authority under the pilot program. Requires a report from the Administrator to the small business committees on the pilot program. (Sec. 205) Amends a provision of the Act relating to the registration of certificates representing ownership of a portion of one or more SBA-guaranteed small business loans to state that nothing shall prohibit the utilization of a book entry or other electronic form of registration for such certificates. Authorizes the Administrator to use the book-entry system of the Federal Reserve System. Provides identical book-entry authority (without reference to the use of the Federal Reserve System) for certificates sold under the small business investment company program and the development company program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3720 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1996
Small Business Investment Company Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to revise and add definitions. (Sec. 3) Includes as a small business investment company (SBIC) a limited liability company organized and operated in accordance with a State statute approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires each SBIC license applicant to apply to the SBA Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide a status report to such applicant within 90 days and to act on such application within a reasonable time. Specifies matters to be considered. Provides application approval procedures for certain applicants with private capital of not less than $3 million. Repeals a provision authorizing the organization and chartering of SBICs formed to provide financing to socially or economically disadvantaged persons. (Sec. 4) Increases the private capital requirement of SBICs to: (1) $5 million; or (2) $10 million, for applicants seeking authority to issue participating securities to be purchased or guaranteed by the SBA (with an exception in special circumstances and for good cause). Requires the Administrator to determine the adequacy of the private capital of each licensee. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt from the private capital requirements licensees: (1) with private capital of not less than $2.5 million; (2) that certify that at least 50 percent of financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (3) that have a record of profitable operations and that have not committed any serious or continuing violations of Federal or State law, and that such action would not create an unreasonable risk of default or loss for the U.S. Government. Prohibits any licensee with less than $2.5 million in private capital from receiving additional leverage from the SBA. Directs the Administrator to ensure that the management of each SBIC licensee is sufficiently diversified from and unaffiliated with licensee ownership. (Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to: (1) prohibit a licensee having outstanding leverage (debentures or securities guaranteed by the SBA) from incurring third party debt that creates or contributes to an unreasonable risk of default or loss for the Government; and (2) permit such licensees to incur third party debt only on established terms and conditions. Directs the Administrator: (1) to require each licensee, as a condition of approval of an application for leverage, to certify that not less than 20 percent of its financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (2) before approving such applications, to determine to what extent the applicant's private capital has been impaired. Provides, with respect to SBIC debentures or securities purchased and guaranteed by the SBA, for: (1) a revised equity investment requirement; (2) a leverage fee; and (3) calculation of the appropriate subsidy rate. (Sec. 7) Allows qualified private sector entities to assist the Investment Division of the SBA in the examination of SBICs. Requires each SBIC licensee to submit semiannual valuations of its loans and investments, except that licensees with no outstanding leverage shall submit such valuations annually. Requires a licensee to notify the Administrator quarterly of material adverse changes in its loans, investments, or operations. Provides independent certification and audit requirements for SBICs. Requires valuation criteria to be established or approved by the Administrator. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator to submit to the congressional small business committees a detailed plan to expedite the orderly liquidation of all licensee assets in liquidation, including those held in receivership or trust by the SBA. Requires the Comptroller General to report to such committees on the activities and expenditures of the receiver's agents employed by or under contract with the Investment Division of the SBA. (Sec. 9) Repeals a provision authorizing the issuer of preferred stock purchased by the SBA to redeem or repurchase such stock for an amount less than the stock's par value.
Bill· HRH.R. 3715 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1996
LAM Disease Research Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that the National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Blood Resources Program conduct or support research on lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3700 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
Internet Election Information Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to exempt: (1) donated interactive computer services from coverage; and (2) direct costs incurred by a donated interactive computer services from treatment as an expenditure if the service permits its facilities to be used for such purposes for all other candidates in the election for the same office.
Bill· HRH.R. 3696 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1996
AFDC and Medicaid Waiver Fairness Act of 1996 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for establishment of a deadline for approval or denial of an application for a waiver for certain Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) and Medicaid demonstration projects under, respectively, SSA titles IV part A and XIX.
Bill· HRH.R. 3645 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1996
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require development of curricula, materials, and training programs supported by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education to be balanced and scientifically sound. Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. Reduces the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Eliminates provisions for environmental internships and fellowships. Eliminates all environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Revises requirements for membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education to require that it be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Eliminates specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the Foundation for Environmental Education. Increases the size of the Board of the Directors. Removes the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Authorizes appropriations. Revises funding limitations. Limits amounts available for administrative costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3571 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1996
Religious Communication Sanctity Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties upon persons who, under color of governmental authority, surreptitiously listen to or record any communication that is privileged because of its religious character. Authorizes any person aggrieved by a violation consisting of the recording of a communication to obtain, in a civil action, the prompt destruction of that recording and any copies or transcripts made from such recording.
Bill· HRH.R. 3508 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1996
Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit specified activities relating to personal information about a child (defined as a person under age 16), including knowingly: (1) selling such information (by a list broker) without the written consent of a parent of that child; (2) using prison inmate labor for data processing of personal information about children; and (3) distributing or receiving any such information, knowing or having reason to believe that the information will be used to abuse or physically harm the child. Authorizes civil actions by children with respect to whom a violation of this Act occurs. Directs the court to award a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as a part of the costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3465 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Title II: Locate and Case Tracking Title III: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Title IV: Paternity Establishment Title V: Program Administration and Funding Title VI: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Title VII: Enforcement of Support Orders Title VIII: Medical Support Title IX: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non- Residential Parents Title X: Effective Dates and Conforming Amendments Child Support Improvement Act of 1996 - Title I: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 102) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 103) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification to services applicants or recipients of all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. Title II: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 202) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 203) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 204) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 205) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 206) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. Requires the Secretaries of Labor and of HHS to jointly develop cost-effective methods of accessing information in the various State directories of new hires and the National Directory of New Hires, taking into account impact and cost to the States, and the need to insure authorized use of wage record information. (Sec. 207) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased persons (on death records). Title III: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 303) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Title IV: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 403) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Title V: Program Administration and Funding - Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 502) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 504) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 505) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Title VI: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 602) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 603) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for knowing or negligent violation of such prohibition. Title VII: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 702) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the armed forces. (Sec. 704) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 705) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures to: (1) ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of an absent parent; and (4) implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 710) Requires the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport upon certification of nonpayment of child support. (Sec. 711) Authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate reciprocal agreements with foreign nations: (1) regarding international enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) designating the Department of Health and Human Services as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 712) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each absent parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 713) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 714) Amends Federal bankruptcy law and the Social Security Act to declare a debt for child support nondischargeable in bankruptcy. Title VIII: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 802) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Title IX: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate absent parents' access to their children. Title X: Effective Dates and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth effective dates and conforming amendments.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 177 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1996
Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) the people of the Nation should support individuals with breast cancer and their family members and other loved ones; and (2) the family members and other loved ones should support each other as well as such individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 3398 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 1996 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act regarding permissible sources of research facility dogs and cats. Establishes monetary penalties for related violations.
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