United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Designates July 25 through 31, 1993, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes the President to urge U.S. departments and agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the American flag at half-staff on July 27, 1993, in honor of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1993
Social Security Tax Fairness Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable credit for a portion of an individual's employee OASDI taxes. Requires payment for the costs of such credit to the general fund of the Treasury from amounts in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Railroad Retirement Account. Repeals the dollar limitation on the amount of wages subject to employee OASDI taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Free Trade With Cuba Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the embargo on trade with Cuba. Prohibits the exercise by the President with respect to Cuba of certain authorities conferred by the Trading With the Enemy Act and exercised on July 1, 1977, as a result of a specified national emergency. Declares that any prohibition on exports to Cuba under the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall cease to be effective. Authorizes the President to impose export controls with respect to Cuba and exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act only on account of an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security that did not exist before enactment of this Act. Repeals the Cuban Democracy Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the denial of the foreign tax credit with respect to Cuba. Authorizes common carriers to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications equipment and facilities in Cuba, and otherwise provide telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. Prohibits regulation or banning of travel to and from Cuba by U.S. citizens or residents, or of any transactions incident to travel. Directs the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. Urges the President to take all necessary steps to conduct negotiations with the Government of Cuba to: (1) settle claims of U.S. nationals against Cuba for the taking of property; and (2) secure protection of internationally recognized human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Giant Sequoia Preservation Act of 1993 - Designate certain federally owned lands within the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests, California, as the Giant Sequoia National Forest Preserve. Prohibits activities within the Preserve that are inconsistent with the following: (1) resource protection and restoration; (2) protection of the Giant Sequoia groves and contiguous forests and restoration of the forest ecosystem to a natural state; (3) providing the optimum habitat for all naturally occurring species; (4) providing opportunities for recreation, interpretation, and scientific study; and (5) providing optimum water, air, and scenic quality. Establishes the Giant Sequoia Scientific Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) administer the Preserve as a separate unit within the National Forest System; (2) make yearly recommendations on other areas to be designated National Forest Preserves; and (3) publish a comprehensive management plan for the Preserve. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) recreation and interpretation; (2) regeneration of cut-over giant Sequoia Groves; (3) scientific study and research; (4) fire management; (5) hunting and fishing; (6) timber cutting; (7) mineral and geothermal leasing; (8) water rights; (9) grazing rights; and (10) public safety. Directs the Secretary to make annual payments in lieu of taxes to the local government of each political subdivision within the boundaries of which are lands indicated under this Act for inclusion in the Preserve. Requires the Secretary to establish a community assistance task force. Permits any local community in the region that is affected by loss of Federal timber sales and any worker who is displaced from a job in the timber industry as a result of this Act to request assistance from the task force. Directs the task force to encourage and develop employment opportunities in forest ecosystem restoration, recreation, and other forms of employment compatible with the purposes and provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a credit card issuer from limiting the ability of governmental agencies to collect from a credit card user a fee for honoring the credit card.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
Amends the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 to remove the requirement that funds used for programs under such Act be expressly provided in an appropriation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Identification of Environmental High Impact Areas Title II: Enforcement Initiatives Title III: Community Participation Title IV: Identification and Prevention of Health Impacts Environmental Justice Act of 1992 - Title I: Identification of Environmental High Impact Areas - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a list, in rank order, of the total weight of toxic chemicals present in each county or other geographic unit in the most recent five-year period for which data are available. Designates the 100 counties with the highest total weight as Environmental High Impact Areas. Title II: Enforcement Initiatives - Directs the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct compliance inspections or reviews of all toxic chemical facilities in such Areas at least every two years. Title III: Community Participation - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to individuals who may be affected by a release from any toxic chemical facility in such an Area to: (1) facilitate access to the public participation provisions of this and other Acts; and (2) obtain technical assistance relating to inspections, reviews, and studies. Directs the Administrator to impose user fees or assessments on toxic chemical facilities in such Areas to substitute for appropriations as the funding mechanism for the grant program. Title IV: Identification and Prevention of Health Impacts - Requires the Secretary to issue a report identifying the extent of acute and chronic health impacts in such Areas as compared to other counties. Requires the President, if the report identifies significant adverse impacts, to report proposed legislation to the Congress to remedy and prevent such impacts. Includes within such legislation: (1) expansion of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to include additional facilities or chemicals or reduced quantities of chemicals triggering reporting obligations; (2) a means to redress regulatory loopholes (such as wastes exempt from or subject to lessened regulatory requirements); and (3) taxes on emissions or restrictions on releases within such Areas to induce source reduction. Establishes a moratorium, with exceptions, on the siting or permitting of any toxic chemical facility in such Areas that may emit toxic chemicals in quantities that cause adverse health impacts if the report identifies adverse health impacts of environmental pollution. Continues the moratorium until certain health-based levels have been attained.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
National Environmental Trade Development Act of 1993 - Declares it is the policy of the United States: (1) to maintain its role as a leader in exporting environmental technology, including marine biotechnology, goods, and services to the global market for the benefit of the global environment; and (2) to increase private sector jobs in the environmental technology field, including marine biotechnology. Directs the President, through the Office of Environmental Policy and the National Economic Council, to coordinate Federal export promotion programs so they are consistent with the national strategy to increase environmental exports. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to review the applicable programs of the Department of Commerce, including the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and other components of the International Trade Administration, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to ensure that such programs are consistent with the national strategy to increase environmental exports. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding any Federal programs found to be inconsistent with the national strategy. Directs the Secretary to establish at the Department of Commerce and the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service one- stop shops to provide to U.S. businesses selling environmental technology (including marine biotechnology), goods, and services, information on technical and financial assistance programs, potential global market opportunities, including trade fairs, for those businesses, and on international environmental regulations. Directs the President to establish an Environmental Trade Promotion Council to develop the national strategy to increase U.S. exports of environmental technology, including marine biotechnology, goods, and services. Provides for the designation of Regional Environmental Business and Technology Cooperation Centers to supply assistance, education, and training for United States and foreign companies that provide and acquire such items. Provides for matching grants to up to six Centers for specified purposes. Establishes within the Peace Corps the Senior Environmental Service Corps which shall provide volunteers with experience in environmental management, environmental technology (including marine biotechnology), sustainable development, coastal zone management, or marine pollution and prevention, to countries requesting such help. Authorizes the Secretary to establish American Business Centers, including Environmental Business Centers, in countries that offer new market possibilities for the export of U.S. environmental technology, including marine biotechnology, goods, and services. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Act of 1993 - Declares that, in order to end nuclear proliferation and reduce current nuclear arsenals and supplies of weapons-usable nuclear materials, it shall be U.S. policy to pursue the following objectives: (1) encourage the Ukraine to ratify the START I treaty and Ukraine and Kazakhstan to vote to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as non-nuclear weapon states; (2) encourage Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan to remove all nuclear weapons from their territory, accept International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards over nuclear facilities, and implement effective controls on nuclear exports; (3) reach an agreement with the Russian Federation to deactivate weapons to be withdrawn under START I and II, place all fissile material from weapons under bilateral or international controls, and arrange for inspections and data exchanges; (4) prepare for the ratification of START II by seeking the exchange of information; (5) conclude a multilateral comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty by early 1995; (6) ratify START II in the United States and encourage the Russian Federation to do the same; (7) conclude multilateral agreements to reduce nuclear arsenals; (8) reach agreement with the Russian Federation to halt the production of fissile material for weapons purposes and other worldwide agreements respecting such materials and the placement of all nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards; (9) strengthen IAEA safeguards and nuclear export controls; (10) reduce incentives for countries to pursue the acquisition of nuclear weapons by seeking to reduce regional tensions; (11) support the extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the 1995 conference; (12) adopt a U.S. policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons, reach agreement with other nuclear weapon states to adopt such a policy, and assist any country which is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should weapons be initiated against such country; (13) conclude an agreement with the Russian Federation to dismantle all tactical nuclear weapons; and (14) sign the appropriate protocols to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Programs and Related Provisions Subtitle A: Programs Subtitle B: Related Provisions Title II: Organization Title III: Reauthorization Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments National Service Trust Act of 1993 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to reauthorize, revise, and reorganize national and community service and domestic volunteer programs, establish a Corporation for National Service and a National Service Trust program of Federal investment in support of national service, and provide expanded opportunities for national service and educational awards for participants. Title I: Programs and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (the Act) to establish the National Service Trust program, replacing the current American Conservation and Youth Service Corps. Authorizes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) to make matching grants to State and local governments, Indian tribes, public and private nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions for: (1) full- or part-time national service programs, including summer programs; and (2) subgrants for national service programs of other entities. Authorizes CNS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to support their national service programs. Directs CNS to approve national service educational awards for participants serving in CNS-assisted national service programs. Describes types of eligible national service programs addressing unmet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs, including community corps, youth corps, service-learning, special skills or specialized training, individualized placement, campus-based, preprofessional training, professional corps, disadvantaged youth community service, national service entrepreneur, intergenerational, or other programs. Directs CNS to establish qualification criteria. Authorizes CNS to provide the following types of program assistance: planning, operational, replication, subgrantee, training, technical, and other special assistance (including support for State commissions and challenge grants for national service programs). Requires CNS to ensure that participants in VISTA or the Civilian Community Corps receive national service educational awards, except in specified circumstances. Sets forth application and program requirements. Requires an assurance that the program assisted will not perform service that provides a direct benefit to any: (1) for-profit business; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; or (4) organization engaged in religious activities (unless such service does not involve use of assistance or participants to give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any form of proselytization). Sets a minimum age for national service participants of 17, except for certain youth programs where the beginning of service may be between age 16 and 25. Sets rules for selection of participants, including selection and training of a national leadership pool. Sets a term of service at a minimum of 1,700 hours during: (1) a full-time period of nine months to one year; or (2) a part-time period of one to two years. Establishes requirements for participant living allowances. Limits the Federal share to not more than 85 percent of the VISTA volunteer allowance. Makes those who serve in approved national service positions eligible for national service educational awards. (Sec. 102) Establishes the National Service Trust in the Treasury to provide for the payment of national service educational awards. Sets forth eligibility standards for national service educational awards. Bases such awards on only the first and second terms of service. Requires that the award be used within five years after completion of the term of service. Sets the award's value at $5,000 for each term of service (up to two terms). Allows the use of such awards to: (1) repay outstanding student loans; (2) pay current educational expenses; (3) enable participation in approved school-to-work programs; and (4) pay interest during forbearance on loan repayment. Provides that awards shall not be considered: (1) in a means-test for Federal or federally-assisted benefits; or (2) as taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes conforming amendments to student loan provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Makes Stafford loan forgiveness available. (Sec. 103) Establishes School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs to replace current Programs for Students and Out-of-School Youth. Revises the Serve-America program (currently named Service-America) to include: (1) school-based programs for students; (2) community-based service programs for school-age youth; and (3) a service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes CNS to make planning grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) with respect to service-learning coordinators participating in an assisted national service program or receive a national service educational award. Authorizes grants for school-based service-learning programs and community-based service programs. Directs CNS to provide financial assistance to eligible public and private nonprofit organizations to establish a service-learning clearinghouse. Adds priority criteria for the making of grants for Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service. (Sec. 104) Establishes an Investment for Quality and Innovation program to carry out specified innovation and quality improvement activities. Directs CNS to provide assistance to appropriate entities to establish one or more clearinghouses, including the service-learning clearinghouse. Authorizes the President, acting through CNS, to make Presidential awards for service to individuals providing significant service, and to outstanding service programs. Provides that Civilian Community Corps members may receive educational awards (or suitable alternative benefits if ineligible for such awards). Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend the authority to conduct the Civilian Community Corps Demonstration Program. Subtitle B: Related Provisions - (Sec. 111-121) Makes conforming amendments and repealers to specified Federal law. Title II: Organization - (Sec. 201) Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to require the establishment of State commissions on national service as a condition for receiving certain grants or allotments or a distribution of approved national service positions. Sets commission membership standards, and duties, including planning. (Sec. 202) Establishes the Corporation for National Service (CNS) as a Government corporation to administer programs under the Act. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency to report directly to the CNS Chairperson (under interim authorities). Directs the Chairperson to establish (or request the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to provide) job search and related assistance to employees of the ACTION Agency who are not transferred to CNS. (Sec. 202 & 203) Transfers to CNS functions of: (1) the Commission on National and Community Service (under interim authorities); and (2) the ACTION Agency (under final authorities). Title III: Reauthorization - Subtitle A: National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Subtitle B: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1978 (DVSA) to reauthorize, reorganize, and revise its programs. Chapter I: VISTA and Other Anti-Poverty Programs - (Sec. 321) Adds to VISTA program objectives generating private sector resource commitment, encouraging local level volunteer service, and strengthening local agencies and organizations to carry out the program. (Sec. 322) Revises procedures and other requirements for selection and assignment of VISTA volunteers. Allows a sponsoring organization to recruit VISTA volunteers, subject to final approval of the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director). (Sec. 323) Revises provisions for terms and periods of service. Authorizes a VISTA summer associates program. (Sec. 324) Revises postservice stipends. (Sec. 325) Requires encouragement of participation of both younger (18 through 27) and older (55 and older) VISTA volunteers. (Sec. 328) Repeals authority for student community service programs grants and contracts. (Sec. 329) Renames the University Year for ACTION the University Year for VISTA program. Shortens the minimum period of participation to an academic semester or equivalent. Allows volunteers to receive a living allowance or such other support the Director deems appropriate. (Sec. 330) Revises authority to establish and operate special volunteer and demonstration programs. Requires a competitive process for any grant or contract exceeding $100,000. (Sec. 331) Permits the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to employers and other private organizations that use or desire to use volunteers. (Sec. 332) Repeals a separate authority for drug abuse education and prevention programs under special volunteer programs. Chapter 2: National Senior Volunteer Corps - (Sec. 342) Renames the retired senior volunteer program the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). (Sec. 343) Expands RSVP eligibility to include older working persons and those over 55 (currently 60). (Sec. 345) Requires certain adjustments and minimums for stipends for low-income volunteers. (Sec. 346) Allows non-low-income persons to participate in the Foster Grandparent and the Senior Companion programs, without any financial support except reimbursement for related expenses. (Sec. 347) Repeals certain conditions for grants and contracts under those two programs, including a requirement that volunteers no longer be in the regular work force. (Sec. 348) Eliminates one type of evaluation of the Senior Companion Program. (Sec. 349) Encourages agreements with other Federal agencies involving retired, senior, intergenerational, and conservation volunteer programs. (Sec. 352) Authorizes grants and contracts for demonstration programs of innovative activities involving older volunteers. Prohibits reducing other older volunteer programs to support such demonstrations. Chapter 3: Administration - (Sec. 365) Bases disability or death benefits for VISTA volunteers on a grade GS-5 (rather than GS-7) Federal employee entrance salary. (Sec. 370) Grants copyright protection for the programs of the ACTION Agency. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Director to establish a Center for Research and Training on Volunteerism. (Sec. 372) Amends Federal law relating to Federal employees to make retirement credit for time served as a VISTA volunteer available to all who become Federal employees subsequent to such volunteer service, upon their paying a deposit based on their post-service stipend. Chapter 4: Authorization of Appropriations and Other Amendments - (Sec. 381-383) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 385) Repeals Youthbuild Projects authority. Chapter 5: General Provisions - (Sec. 391) Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Title IV: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 401-405) Sets forth various changes of definitions and references in specified Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish an independent peer review process with respect to listing and delisting of endangered and threatened species (species). Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in cooperation with the affected State to develop species recovery plans. Gives priority to multispecies plans and sets forth plan deadlines. Requires each Federal land management agency to identify species and appropriate conservation measures on lands under its jurisdiction. Authorizes agency contracts with the Secretary for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish a Habitat Conservation Planning Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or interest-free advances from the Fund to State and local governments for conservation plan development. Provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners for species conservation measures. Provides for increased international cooperation and enforcement under the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Authorizes the President to present to Red Skelton, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal in recognition of his performance as an entertainer and humanitarian. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems and to strike and sell bronze duplicates of it. Declares such medals national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to continue to remove its troops from the independent Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through a firm, expeditious, and conscientiously observed schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Qualified Football Coaches Plan Technical Corrections Act of 1993 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to make technical revisions which restore treatment of a qualified football coaches plan as a multiemployer plan for pension plan purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 to make State workers' compensation laws the exclusive remedy for agricultural worker injuries under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act for all cases in which a final judgment has not been entered before October 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Calls upon the President to issue a proclamation honoring the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on its 50th anniversary, and reaffirming the United States' commitment to end hunger and malnutrition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Sewer and Water Fee Deductibility Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for amounts imposed by a State or local government as fees for water or sewer services.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the $15 million limitation on the amount of private activity tax-exempt bonds that may be issued to provide an output facility.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Marine Biotechnology Investment Act of 1993 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to establish within the Program a program to further research, development, education, and technology transfer in marine biotechnology. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of grants and contracts; and (2) funding. Provides for the establishment of a Marine Biotechnology Review Panel. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless the President reports to the Congress that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; and (3) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant process in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet (including ceasing to threaten the survival of the Tibetan culture) and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (3) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (4) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls, and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (5) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (6) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (7) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (8) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), most-favored-nation treatment shall not automatically be conferred on Chinese products unless China satisfies the above-mentioned conditions. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Privacy for Consumers and Workers Act - Establishes certain privacy protections for employees and customers with respect to electronic monitoring in the workplace by employers. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enforce such protections. Provides for coverage of employees of the House of Representatives and the Senate under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Health Coverage for Adopted Children Act of 1993 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require group health plan coverage of dependent children in adoption cases regardless of: (1) whether the adoption has taken effect; and (2) any preexisting conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Education Goals Title II: National Education Reform Leadership, Standards, and Assessments Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement Title IV: National Skill Standards Board Title V: Miscellaneous Goals 2000: Educate America Act - Title I: National Education Goals - (Sec. 102) Sets forth national goals for education, to be achieved by the year 2000, in the following categories: (1) school readiness; (2) school completion; (3) student achievement and citizenship; (4) mathematics and science; (5) adult literacy and lifelong learning; and (6) safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Sets forth specific objectives for each goal. Title II: National Education Reform Leadership Standards, and Assessments - Part A: National Education Goals Panel - (Sec. 202) Establishes the National Education Goals Panel in the executive branch. (Sec. 203) Requires the Panel to issue an annual national report card on progress toward achieving the national education goals and on actions that Federal, State, and local governments should take to enhance such progress. Part B: National Education Standards and Improvement Council - (Sec. 212) Establishes the National Education Standards and Improvement Council in the executive branch. (Sec. 213) Requires the Council to develop and certify (subject to Panel review and approval) voluntary national standards for content areas, student performance, and fair opportunity-to-learn. Authorizes the Council to certify any such standards presented by a State, if these are consistent with the national standards. Directs the Council to certify a system of assessments voluntarily presented by a State if such system meets certain criteria, including coverage of all students, especially those with disabilities or limited English proficiency. Prohibits such a system from being used to make decisions regarding graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make a competitive grant to a consortium of various individuals and organizations to develop voluntary national opportunity-to-learn standards. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to applicant States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help defray costs of developing, field testing, and evaluating systems of assessments aligned to Council-certified State content standards. Part C: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 221) Authorizes appropriations for the Panel, the Council, the opportunity-to-learn development grant, and the assessment development and evaluation grants. Title III: State and Local Education Systemic Improvement - Establishes a five-year grant program for State and local education systemic improvement. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Sets forth requirements for State improvement plans, including strategies for: (1) improving teaching and learning (including standards for content, student performance, and opportunity-to-learn); (2) system governance and management; (3) parental and community support and involvement; (4) State system-wide improvement; and (5) promoting bottom-up reform. (Sec. 309) Requires State education agencies (SEAs) to make competitive subgrants for: (1) local reform, to LEAs; and (2) preservice teacher education and professional development activities, to consortia of LEAs, higher education institutions, private nonprofit organizations, or combinations of these, through a peer-review process. Requires that at least 50 percent of local reform subgrants be awarded to LEAs with a greater percentage or number of disadvantaged children than the statewide average. (Sec. 310) Authorizes the Secretary to waive requirements and related regulations of specified Federal laws relating to education upon request of SEAs, LEAs, and schools if such requirements impede their ability to carry out the State or local education improvement plans, and if other conditions are met. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary to provide for national leadership activities, including technical assistance, data-gathering, research, evaluation, and information-dissemination. Reserves funds for grants to urban and rural LEAs with large numbers of concentrations of students economically disadvantaged or with limited English proficiency, to assist in school improvement plans development and implementation. (Sec. 313) Provides for assistance under this title for outlying areas, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and Department of Defense schools. Title IV: National Skill Standards Board - (Sec. 402) Establishes a National Skill Standards Board. (Sec. 40) Directs the Board to identify broad clusters of major occupations (except certain construction industry occupations or trades with recognized labor-management-developed apprenticeship standards) that involve one or more industries in the United States and, with respect to each cluster, promote and assist in voluntary development and adoption by specified representative groups of industries, employees, and educational institutions of: (1) skill standards; (2) assessment and certification systems; (3) evaluation systems; (4) information dissemination systems; and (5) revision and updating of systems. Provides for Board endorsement of standards. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants and contracts to carry out purposes of this title. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 502) Prohibits the use of funds under titles II or III of this Act to undertake assessments that will be used to make decisions regarding the graduation, grade promotion, or retention of students for five years from the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless the President reports to the Congress that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; and (3) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant process in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet (including ceasing to threaten the survival of the Tibetan culture) and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (3) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (4) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls, and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (5) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (6) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (7) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (8) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), most-favored-nation treatment shall not automatically be conferred on Chinese products unless China satisfies the above-mentioned conditions. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Tire Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to recycle an amount of scrap tires equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of tires produced or imported that year by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes compliance by: (1) recycling scrap tires through reintroducing the recovered rubber into a manufacturing process to produce new tires or retread old tire casings; or (2) purchasing recycling credits. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage and provides for annual increases in such percentage. Requires the Administrator to allow recyclers to create credits for tire recycling and tire producers or importers to purchase such credits. Directs the Attorney General to report to the Congress on the effects of the credit system on competition within the tire and scrap tire recycling industries. Considers a scrap tire recycling or disposal facility to be a solid waste disposal facility for purposes of Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning exempt facility bonds. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures to be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire collection facilities and for facility emergency plans. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance. Exempts specified persons from permitting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for Federal procurement of items that make use of scrap or used tires. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to publish standards for Federal departments to determine the life-cycle costs and benefits of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Lead Battery Recycling Incentives Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for persons who generate, transport, store, recycle, or dispose of spent lead-acid batteries. Sets forth required elements of such regulations, including specific requirements for battery storage and transfers and recordkeeping and management practices. Directs battery retailers to accept from customers spent lead-acid batteries of the same type and quantity as the batteries sold. Requires the Administrator to implement education activities to inform the public about the environmental and safety hazards associated with improper handling and disposal of spent lead-acid batteries. Authorizes appropriations. Applies such requirements to batteries which are transported to or managed by a lead-acid battery recycling facility, a secondary lead smelter, or any facility that prepares batteries for recycling. Requires producers or importers of lead-acid batteries to recycle, for the ten-year period beginning 24 months after this Act's enactment, an amount of spent lead equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of lead in the batteries produced or imported by such persons by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator. Authorizes compliance with such requirement by: (1) reclaiming lead and using it in the production of new batteries; (2) purchasing reclaimed lead from secondary lead smelters to produce new batteries or shielding; or (3) purchasing recycling credits. Sets the recycling percentage at 80 percent. Increases such percentage by two points annually. Authorizes the Administrator to reduce or waive the two percent increase if the rate exceeds 95 percent. Directs the Administrator to allow: (1) producers of lead-acid batteries to create credits for recycling an amount of batteries greater than required; and (2) producers of new batteries to purchase such credits for purposes of complying with this Act. Applies battery recycling requirements to persons who produce or import more than 10,000 pounds of new lead-acid batteries annually. Sets the recycling percentage at 90 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate recycling regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Requires distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers and retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements identical to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the ten-cent refund amount at ten-year intervals. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1993
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide protection against reductions in Medicare payment amounts to rural hospitals as a result of reductions in wage indices applicable to such hospitals because of census designations of formerly rural areas as urban.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Women's Educational Equity Title II: Gender Equity in Elementary and Secondary Education Title III: Gender Equity in Higher Education Gender Equity in Education Act of 1993 - Title I: Women's Educational Equity - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Women's Equity as an organizational entity in the Department of Education. Requires the Director of such Office to report annually on the programs and activities assisted under the Women's Educational Equity Act. Women's Educational Equity Act of 1993 - Amends the Women's Educational Equity Act (part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) to reauthorize and revise grant programs to encourage gender equity throughout the educational system, including grants for model equity programs, local implementation, and research and development. Gives the Director of the Office of Women's Equity specified responsibilities under such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations. Title II: Gender Equity in Elementary and Secondary Education - Subtitle A: Teacher Equity Training - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish gender equity requirements and training programs for teachers and other educational personnel (or parents) with respect to: (1) basic program requirements (under chapter 1 of title I for educationally disadvantaged children), innovative projects, schoolwide projects, parental involvement, and program improvement; (2) use of Even Start program funds; (3) secondary school programs (for basic skills improvement and dropout prevention and reentry); (4) local targeted assistance programs (under chapter 2 educational improvement partnership); (5) Eisenhower Mathematics and Science program school teacher training and national programs; (6) Women's Educational Equity personnel training and career education programs; (7) gifted and talented students personnel training; and (8) computer-based instruction personnel training under the Secretary's fund for innovation in education. Subtitle B: Gender Equity in Math and Science - Amends ESEA to revise the Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education program with respect to: (1) grants to higher education institutions for elementary and secondary mathematics and science programs of school teacher training in gender-equitable instruction, targeted intervention and followup to encourage historically underserved students, and community-based informal education for historically underserved and underrepresented students; and (2) national model program grant priority for gender equity in computer use and teaching practices. Subtitle C: Dropout Prevention for Pregnant and Parenting Teens - Amends ESEA with respect to pregnant teenagers, teenage parents, and the children of such teenagers under various programs, including: (1) Even Start programs; (2) secondary school programs for basic skills improvement and dropout prevention and reentry; (3) local targeted assistance programs; (4) State and local drug abuse education and prevention programs; (5) assistance to address school dropout problems; and (6) assistance to provide basic skills improvement. Subtitle D: Schools Free from Sexual Harassment and Abuse - Amends ESEA to make an environment free from sexual harassment and abuse a distinguishing feature of effective schools. Adds programs to address sexual harassment and violence as part of efforts to ensure that educational institutions are free from threats to student and employee safety (among programs which may be receive Women's Educational Equity assistance). Includes the areas of sexual harassment and assault among those for which grants for comprehensive school health education may be used. Subtitle E: Link-up for Learning - Establishes a program of three-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) in partnership with other eligible entities for up to 80 percent of the costs of coordinated educational and other student support services for at-risk youth. Makes eligible for such a grant: (1) an LEA that seeks to plan and implement a coordinated services program for at-risk students with at least one other cooperating public agency; and (2) a consortium, including at least one LEA and one cooperating public service agency, formed to coordinate support services for at-risk students. Allows nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and private enterprises with special experience or expertise to participate as cooperating agencies. Establishes a Federal Interagency Task Force to identify means to facilitate interagency collaboration at Federal, State, and local levels to improve support services for at-risk students. Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report to the Congress on regulatory and legislative obstacles to coordinated support services and innovative procedures and programs. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Education and Prevention - Amends ESEA to direct the Secretary of Education to use specified funds to carry out programs for child abuse education and prevention curriculum development and teacher training, including a demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Data Collection - Amends ESEA to revise various data collection provisions to require collection, cross-tabulation, and reporting by sex within race or ethnicity and socioeconomic status (with respect to schoolwide projects, program improvement, secondary school programs, National Diffusion Network, evaluations and reporting, Eisenhower Mathematics and Science programs, State reports, assistance to address school dropout problems, and evaluations by the Secretary). Title III: Gender Equity in Higher Education - Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose gender participation rates and program support expenditures in college athletic programs to prospective students and, upon request, to the public. Directs the Secretary of Education to compile and publish annual reports of such data submitted by the institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1993
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on potential means to preserve and interpret Revere Beach, Massachusetts, including recommendations on the feasibility of establishing it as a unit of the National Park System. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) define the term "dietary supplement"; and (2) exclude a dietary supplement from the definition of "food additive." Deems a dietary supplement adulterated if it: (1) contains an unsafe dietary ingredient which presents a substantial and unreasonable risk of illness or injury; or (2) contains a dietary ingredient that has not been adequately substantiated for safety. Prohibits the establishment of maximum limits on the potency of any dietary supplement, except in the case of a supplement represented to be for the use of individuals with specific diseases or disorders. Allows a dietary supplement's label to characterize the relationship between the supplement and a disease under specified conditions. Deems food misbranded unless the label lists the daily value of specified nutrients which shall reflect the daily intake of each nutrient that will promote optimal health. Prohibits such value from being less than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance. Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1993
Women in Military Service for America Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins symbolic of women's service in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Rural School Improvement Title II: School Building Repair and Renovation Title III: Evaluation of Results Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary Subtitle B: Rural School Research and Evaluation Title IV: General Provisions Rural Schools of America (RSA) Act of 1993 - Title I: Rural School Improvement - (Sec. 101) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a rural school improvement (RSI) grants program to help meet national educational goals. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Education, under such program, to: (1) reserve specified funds for competitive grant awards to exemplary school programs; and (2) make allotments to State educational agencies (SEAs), for suballotment to local educational agencies (LEAs), based on relative Chapter 1 funding (for educationally disadvantaged students under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Requires recipient LEAs to make subgrants to community-based organizations or nonprofit partnerships between the LEA, local colleges or universities, or area-wide collaboratives of private sector businesses. (Secs. 103-106, 109, and 110) Sets forth: (1) requirements for applications, local planning, uses of funds, accountability, and local advisory groups; and (2) special rules for ranking schools within an LEA by need, flexibility, and coordination with Chapter 1 planning. (Sec. 107) Authorizes incentive awards to individual schools that demonstrate exemplary progress. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to report on the impact of Federal regulations, guidelines, and policies on rural public schools. Title II: School Building Repair and Renovation - (Sec. 201) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a program of assistance for rural school building repair and renovation. (Sec. 202) Allots program funds to SEAs based on relative Chapter 1 funding, with suballotments to LEAs based on number of: (1) children from families below the poverty line; (2) school buildings used for instructional purposes; and (3) school buildings more than 25 years old used for instructional purposes. (Secs. 204-207) Requires eligible LEAs to use half of their suballotment for programs for school building repair and renovation, and half for programs for school environmental concerns and safety improvements. Authorizes SEA waivers of such requirement. Applies Davis-Bacon Act requirements to such programs. Title III: Evaluation of Results - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Assistant Secretary for Rural Education in the Department of Education. Subtitle B: Rural School Research and Evaluation - (Sec. 311) Establishes, and authorizes appropriations for, a program of rural school research and evaluation. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary to establish for each region a National Rural Regional Education Research Center, to be operated by the appropriate regional educational laboratory. (Sec. 313) Requires each Center to make direct grants to rural LEAs in its region participating in a program assisted under title I of this Act, to conduct local schoool district research and evaluation of efforts toward meeting the national education goals. Title IV: General Provisions - (Sec. 401) Establishes the Interagency Council on Rural Schools. (Sec. 402) Directs the President to conduct a White House Conference on Rural Education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires eligible LEAs to use Federal funds received under this Act only to supplement but not supplant non-Federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Mandates that surcharges from the sale of such coins be paid to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to help raise an endowment to be a permanent source of support for the Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Public Rangeland Grazing Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest lands in the 16 contiguous Western States, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public domain lands, where domestic livestock grazing is permitted under applicable law, to establish and implement an annual domestic livestock grazing fee equal to fair market value, based on a specified formula. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) alternative fees; (2) abolition of grazing advisory boards; and (3) the U.S. share of receipts. Amends the Taylor Grazing Act to revise provisions concerning the use of moneys received from grazing activities to provide for specified payments to local governments and to limit the uses of such moneys. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the term of grazing permits; and (2) non-grazing uses. Prohibits subleasing (i.e., the grazing, on public lands or on National Forest lands covered by a grazing permit, of domestic livestock which is not both owned and controlled by the holder of of the grazing permit).
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Prohibits after August 1, 1993, the expenditure of funds by any Federal department or agency for: (1) the production of tritium, plutonium, or highly enriched uranium for weapons; or (2) the procurement or construction of equipment or facilities for such production, other than for research.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1993
Directs the Secretary of Defense to terminate the Ground-Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) program. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for the GWEN program, except for program termination purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Extends coverage under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to certain foreign vessels which: (1) regularly engage in transporting passengers from and to a place in the United States, with or without intervening stops at foreign ports, including a vessel regularly engaged in transporting passengers only from or to a place in the United States if such transport is so arranged for the purposes of avoiding certain consequences that would otherwise result; (2) (if nonliners) regularly engage in transporting cargo in the foreign trade of the United States; and (3) produce or process goods or services for sale or distribution in the United States, and a vessel that engages in transporting cargo between vessels in international waters and a vessel, port, or place in the United States regardless of the vessel's ownership or control. Excludes any such vessel that can demonstrate that citizens of the country of registry: (1) compose at least one-half of the crew; and (2) hold legal title and beneficial ownership and control.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Rural Community Environmental Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds through FY 2000. Requires each State to establish a rural community environmental assistance account in such fund to be used only for the construction of wastewater treatment works and public water systems in economically distressed rural communities, subject to certain loan and grant conditions. Requires States to establish grant eligibility criteria. Permits assistance to be provided only if: (1) the wastewater treatment works is consistent with planning requirements under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (2) the public water system is approved by the State agency with primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Requires States, in providing such assistance, to give priority to an economically distressed rural community in which: (1) there is a need for collector sewers and interceptors to improve access to wastewater treatment facilities; (2) residents rely on inadequate wastewater treatment facilities or drinking water systems that are determined by public health officials to be a hazard; or (3) residents rely on public water systems which do not meet requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Requires States to submit plans for the intended uses of amounts in rural community environmental assistance accounts to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for approval. Permits the submission of a plan only if it has been approved by a State Rural Environmental Infrastructure Advisory Panel. Withholds payments from States that fail to comply with requirements for rural community environmental assistance accounts. Directs the Administrator to: (1) make grants to regional, State, and local agencies and not-for-profit organizations to assist economically distressed rural communities by providing technical assistance for the financing, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment works and public water systems; and (2) set aside appropriations for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a common carrier to provide video programming directly to subscribers in its telephone service area through its own facilities or an affiliate. Authorizes the common carrier to provide channels of communications, pole line conduit space, or other rental arrangements to any entity which is directly or indirectly owned, operated, or controlled by it if such facilities or arrangements are to be used for, or in connection with, the provision of video programming directly to subscribers in the telephone service area of the common carrier. Prohibits a common carrier from providing video programming directly to subscribers in its telephone service area unless the programming is provided through a separate video programming affiliate. Requires business arrangements and transactions between a common carrier and its video programming affiliate to be pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission and to be without cost to the telephone service ratepayers of the carrier. Requires any common carrier which provides video programming directly to subscribers through an affiliate in its telephone service area to establish a basic video dial tone platform. Requires such common carrier to make a maximum of 75 percent of the equipped capacity of its basic video dial tone platform available to unaffiliated video program providers. States that the carriage of local broadcast signals shall not constitute the provisions of affiliated video programming under this Act. Sets forth prohibitions on: (1) cross-subsidization between telephone service and video programming by common carriers; and (2) common carrier buyouts of cable systems located in the carrier's telephone service area. Requires the Commission to convene a Federal-State Joint Board to establish practices, classifications, and regulations necessary to ensure proper jurisdictional separation and allocation of the costs of providing broadband services, including affiliated video programming. Makes provisions of this Act inapplicable to video programming provided in a rural area by a common carrier that provides telephone exchange service in such area.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
Declares that effective follow-up to achieve the goals of the agreements reached at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) will depend on the following actions by the President and Congress: (1) adoption of a national strategy for environmentally sustainable development; (2) facilitation of a means for adopting individual Agenda 21 plans of action; (3) the establishment of an effective mechanism to plan, initiate, and coordinate U.S. policy for implementing Agenda 21; and (4) the formulation of policies to help developing countries implement Agenda 21. Supports: (1) pursuing the research and policy initiatives urged in Agenda 21; (2) the Congress adopting a system to reallocate an appropriate amount of savings from reduced defense spending to achieve its goals of global environmental protection and sustainable development over the next decade; (3) the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development; and (4) rules of procedure for the Commission which ensure the participation of nongovernmental organizations. Calls on the President to: (1) actively participate in multilateral efforts aimed at creating a more favorable international economic climate for developing countries to practice sustainable development; (2) affirm strong U.S. commitment to the Commission by appointing a high-level representative to the Commission and by supporting the Under Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development in coordinating the implementation of Agenda 21 in the United Nations system and heading the secretariat support structure for the Commission; (3) submit a national report to the Commission on activities the United States has undertaken to implement Agenda 21 both domestically and internationally, on progress made toward fulfilling other commitments undertaken at UNCED, and on other environmental and developmental activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1993
National Park Service Concessions Policy Reform Act of 1993 - Repeals the Concessions Policy Act of 1965. Provides that such repeal shall not affect the validity of any contract entered into under such Act. Applies the provisions of this Act to such contract to the extent such provisions are inconsistent with the express terms and conditions of it. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to authorize, under specified conditions, private persons, corporations, or other entities to provide and operate such facilities and services in the National Park System. Requires a concessions contract to be awarded only through competitive bid procedures. Allows waiver of such procedures and award of a temporary contract to avoid interruption of services. Prohibits the Secretary from granting a preferential right to a concessioner to: (1) renew concessions contracts under this Act, with exceptions or; (2) provide new or additional services at a park. Sets forth a formula for determining franchise fees. Establishes a maximum: (1) ten-year duration for a concessions contract; and (2) two-year duration for a temporary one. Requires the approval of the Secretary before a concessions contract can be transferred, assigned, sold, or conveyed. Protects certain possessory interest of concessioners who have commenced acquisition or construction of any structure on Federal land within a park before the enactment of this Act. Requires all concessions contracts to make concessioners responsible for utility costs. Amends Federal law that authorizes the Secretary to provide utility services to concessioners on a reimbursement of appropriation basis. Places limitations on a concessioner's rates and charges to the public. Exempts contracts awarded by the Secretary under this Act from certain provisions of Federal law with respect to leasing of U.S. buildings and properties. Amends the Historical Sites, Buildings and Antiquities Act to repeal provisions authorizing the Secretary to grant concessioner contracts, leases, or permits without advertising and securing competitive bids.
![Official portrait of Rep. Olver, John W. [D-MA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000085_200.jpg)