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United States · Official source
3,803 records where Rep. Olver, John W. [D-MA-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Designates April 9, 1993, and April 9, 1994, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1992
Amends specified Federal law (known as the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, which amended the Age Discrimination in Employment Act) to prohibit State and local governments from lowering the current applicable mandatory retirement age for law enforcement officers because of reorganization or consolidation of law enforcement agencies. Repeals such prohibition on December 31, 1997. Repeals provisions which allow States, local governments, or interstate agencies, under specified conditions, to use age as a reason not to hire or to discharge an individual as a firefighter or law enforcement officer.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Consumer Hospital Price Awareness Act of 1992 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require as a condition of participation in the Medicare program that hospitals disclose to patients upon their request an estimate of the costs to be incurred or a statement of the costs already incurred by the hospital in providing services to the patient.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie in recognition of his accomplishments as a musician. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates May 2 through 8, 1993, as National Walking Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Designates the week beginning November 8, 1992, as Hire a Veteran Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1992
Designates December 1, 1992, as World AIDS Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1992
Local Partnership Act of 1992 - Establishes a revenue sharing program of payments to local governments. Sets forth the general framework for the use and timing of payments and for adjustments. Establishes in the Treasury a Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund (trust fund), with the Secretary of the Treasury as the personal trustee, and authorizes appropriations to finance it. Describes qualifying criteria for and conditions to be met by local governments seeking payments under the program. Requires payments withheld in cases of noncompliance. Requires the Secretary, in accordance with specified formulae, to determine the amount from the trust fund to be allocated to each State for further allocation to county, municipal, and township local governments as well as to Indian tribes and Alaskan native villages. Sets forth special rules governing allocations to territorial governments. Permits State variation of certain local government allocations. Sets forth special rules governing adjustments in local government allocations, including a limit on allocations to local government units based on a specified formula. Specifies the information to be used in making allocations under the program. Requires public hearings on proposed uses of program payments in relation to the local government's budget. Requires public disclosure of information on proposed payment uses and proposed budgets of local governments both prior to the hearing and after adoption of the budget. Prohibits discrimination under a local government program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex if such program or activity is paid for with funds provided under this Act. Lists additional prohibitions applicable to such programs or activities. Prescribes procedures for: (1) instituting administrative proceedings for violations of such prohibitions; (2) suspending and terminating payments; and (3) judicial review of such sanctions. Sets forth provisions providing for: (1) enforcement by the Attorney General of such prohibitions; (2) civil actions by persons adversely affected by prohibited practices; (3) independent audits of local government finances; (4) investigations by the Secretary of possible violations of this Act; (5) reviews by the Comptroller General of activities of the Secretary, State governments, and local government units to determine compliance with this Act; (6) annual reports by the Secretary to the Congress on both the trust fund and the administration of the payment program; and (7) annual reports by local govermental units to the Secretary on program payments.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1992
Health Choices Freedom Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define "dietary supplement." Declares that a supplement is not: (1) a drug solely because of its potency or because its labeling or advertising contains certain material; or (2) a food additive if certain requirements are met. Regulates supplement labeling and advertising.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1992
School-to-Work Transition and Skill Standards Development Act of 1992 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and the purposes of this Act. Title II: National Commission on a High Skills Workforce - Establishes the National Commission on a High Skills Workforce (the Commission). Directs the Commission to: (1) make grants to develop voluntary national industry and occupational skill standards and to improve school-to-work transition services; (2) develop a national school-to-work transition system based on such standards and services; (3) disseminate certified standards to all of various entities operating within or providing services to the appropriate industry or occupation; and (4) ensure that participants in any program conducted under this Act are afforded adequate supervision and protection by fully-skilled adult workers, and are provided with adequate and safe equipment and a safe and healthful workplace in conformity with Federal and State standards. Requires the Commission to submit to the Congress, within one year after its initial meeting, a report containing an initial outline of the national school-to-work transition system to be developed by the Commission. Terminates the Commission on January 1, 1998. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Grants to Develop Voluntary National Industry and Occupation Skill Standards - Directs the Commission to make grants to eligible entities to develop voluntary national industry and occupational skill standards. Limits the period of any such grant to at most three fiscal years, subject to annual Commission approval and availability of appropriations. Sets forth application requirements, including grantee reports. Authorizes grants use only for: (1) identification of world-class standards; (2) development of voluntary national industry and occupational standards that are linked to existing rates of pay and pay increases, promote reduction and removal of bias and discrimination, and promote entry of women into nontraditional occupations or fields; (3) development of curricula and training materials that are usable by a wide variety of providers, including structured work experiences and related study programs leading to certificates or associate degrees, and provide for training of instructors; (4) assessment and certification that are based on existing world-class standards, use a variety of testing methods, establish multiple levels of mastery or certification, and provide for continuing education; (5) development of evaluation component; and (6) dissemination. Sets forth selection requirements, including priorities and limitations. Sets forth allocation requirements. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress in each fiscal year in which it makes such grant payments. Directs the Commission to: (1) hold public hearings to solicit public review and comment on the voluntary national industry and occupation skills standards contained in grantee reports; and (2) certify skill standards appropriate for the industry or occupation. Defines eligible entity as a consortium consisting of representatives from a business or industry association, a labor organization or worker representative group, and an educational institution or training organization. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Grants to States to Improve School-to-Work Transition Services - Directs the Commission to make grants to leadership States (which have existing school-to-work transition infrastructures) to improve and expand their existing school-to-work transition services. Limits the period of such a grant to at most three years, subject to annual Commission approval and availability of appropriations. Sets forth application, fund use, program, and allocation requirements. Requires a Commission report to the Congress, in each fiscal year when such grant payments are made. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Directs the Commission to make initial planning grants to developmental States (which lack existing school-to-work infrastructures) to establish State plans to develop school-to-work transition services. Sets forth application, fund use, program, and allocation requirements. Requires establishment of workforce quality councils to provide or assist in provision of services. Sets forth additional requirements for: (1) integration of existing apprenticeship programs; (2) flexibility in allowing participant transfers among transition programs in different fields and from and to transition programs and conventional academic programs and traditional apprenticeship programs; and (3) implementation of certified standards. Requires coordination with existing programs. Requires designation of a liaison between the provider and the clearinghouse under title VI of this Act. Sets forth grantee selection requirements, including priority for development States that: (1) have a large number or percentage of individuals who have not completed secondary or postsecondary education; (2) target urban and rural areas with high poverty and unemployment rates for transition program assistance; and (3) have policies promoting entry of women into nontraditional occupations and of minorities into the workplace. Authorizes appropriations for initial planning grants. Directs the Commission to make implementation grants to developmental States that have successfully complied with certain requirements (under the planning grant program) to carry out the school-to-work transition program they have established. Limits the period of such an implementation grant to at most three fiscal years, subject to annual Commission approval and availability of appropriations. Sets forth application, fund use, program, and allocation requirements. Sets forth grantee selection requirements, including priority for States that: (1) have developed or will develop programs which encourage secondary students to enroll in traditional apprenticeships (with the operators' consent); (2) provide staff or teacher training in work-based learning techniques; (3) have developed alternative learning, flexible school hours and attendance policies, postsecondary options and flexibility in graduation requirements while maintaining high academic standards; and (4) have assessed the future workforce needs for the State over a three-to-five-year period based on available labor data, and have provided projections on how the State will meet such needs. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress, in each fiscal year in which such a grant is made. Authorizes appropriations for implementation grants. Title V: Grants to Local Consortia to Improve School-to-Work Transitional Services - Directs the Commission to make grants to eligible entities to develop school-to-work transition programs which provide students with increased options for career and educational opportunities at the local level. Limits the period of such a grant to at most three fiscal years, subject to annual Commission approval and availability of appropriations. Sets forth application requirements. Sets forth mandatory and discretionary uses of funds. Sets forth grantee selection requirements, including geographic diversity and priority for entities that: (1) have labor, business, and educational organizations represented; and (2) are located in areas with high rates of poverty or unemployment. Sets forth allocation requirements. Requires grantees to submit reports to the Commission in each fiscal year in which they receive grant funds. Defines an eligible entity as a consortium that: (1) must include representatives of a business or industry association, a labor organization or worker representative group, and an educational institution or training organization; and (2) may include representatives from a community-based organization, a private industry council or other similar organization, and institution of higher education, a public vocational or technical school (or technical college), and a unit of general local government. Authorize appropriations for such grants. Title VI: National Information Clearinghouse on a High Skills Workforce - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish within the Department of Labor a National Information Clearinghouse on a High Skills Workforce (the Clearinghouse). Requires the Clearinghouse to: (1) gather and compile information on different school-to-work transition programs in the United States; (2) establish and operate a national database to provide general public access to such information; (3) serve as an information source on new developments and different transition programs; (4) provide technical and policy assistance to States and eligible local consortia to improve or establish transition programs and access to them; (5) provide training and technical assistance to transition instructors, and promote diffusion of state-of-the-art teaching and training methods and technologies for such programs; (6) encourage innovation and experimentation in transition programs at State and local levels, by providing current information on national activities; (7) create an Industry Worker Training Databank within the Clearinghouse; (8) categorize Databank information in specified ways; and (9) gather and compile information on laws relating to school-to-work transition. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report annually to the Congress, including a compilation of information received by the Clearinghouse and an evaluation of Clearinghouse effectiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Nonduplication, Nondisplacement, Nondiscrimination, and Other Requirements - Sets forth prohibitions against use of assistance under this Act for programs that: (1) duplicate other programs; (2) displace employees or positions; (3) discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, handicap, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status; (4) are used by States to attract or induce existing businesses or their subsidiary units to relocate from one State to another, or engage in bidding for proposed businesses or their subsidiary units; or (5) impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements (without written concurrence of the labor organization and employer).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1992
Designates October 1992 as Polish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1992
Designates October 30, 1992, as Refugee Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1992
Health Freedom Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define "dietary supplement" as an article that: (1) includes, and is intended to supplement the diet with, a vitamin, mineral, herb, or another similar nutritional substance; or (2) is intended for ingestion in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, or another similar form. Provides that a dietary supplement shall not be considered to be a drug solely because: (1) of the potency of a substance in such supplement; and (2) the labeling or advertising for the supplement contains a claim, or provides information, concerning the potency of a substance in the supplement, or contains a health claim of the type permitted under this Act. Specifies that: (1) a substance in a dietary supplement is not a food additive if the substance is identified in the labeling of the dietary supplement as a substance provided by the product to supplement the diet; and (2) an article that is a dietary supplement may be described as a dietary supplement in labeling or advertising. Permits labeling or advertising for such a supplement to include a claim or other information that characterizes the relationship of the supplement, or the presence or absence of one or more of the substances provided by the supplement, to a disease or health-related condition, if: (1) such claim or other information is truthful and not misleading; and (2) there is scientific evidence, whether published or unpublished, that provides a reasonable basis for such claim or other information. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from establishing any requirement that such a claim or other information that meets the requirements of this Act be approved by or conform to a regulation issued by the Secretary before the claim or information may be used. Provides that, if the Secretary asserts that labeling or advertising for a dietary supplement includes a claim or other information that fails to comply with the Act, the manufacturer (or other specified parties) may bring an action to secure a declaratory judgment regarding the validity of the assertion and obtain any other means of judicial relief authorized by law.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164) to increase the number of weeks for which emergency unemployment compensation is payable. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce a tax deduction for certain expenses for meals and entertainment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Directs the Committee on House Administration (Committee) to issue a formal apology to Representative Olver to be personally signed by all Members of the Task Force to Investigate the Operation and Management of the Office of the Postmaster. Ceases all printing, distribution, or other dissemination of the Republican Members Report until such time as the text of the Report is corrected to accurately reflect that Representative Olver did not have a post office box retained on his behalf. Directs the Chairman of the Committee to determine: (1) the cause of the incorrect attribution of a post office box retained on behalf of a Member of the Republican Party to a Member of the Democratic Party in the Report; (2) who was responsible for the publication and dissemination of this false information; and (3) whether the publication and dissemination of this falsehood constitute the violation of any Rule of the House or applicable legal standard.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Supports the planting of 500 redwood trees from California on the northwest coast of Spain in commemoration of the quincentenary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. Designates such trees as a gift to the people of Spain made in the name of the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1992
Authorizes and directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop and submit to the President and the Congress a plan to reduce Federal overhead costs by ten percent of FY 1992 levels.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
New England Groundfish Restoration Act - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to establish a New England Groundfish Restoration Program. Requires the New England Fishery Management Council to submit to the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) an amendment to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (the Plan) that establishes conservation and management measures for New England groundfish designed to reduce fishing mortality to the extent necessary to eliminate overfishing and achieve optimum yield of cod and yellowtail flounder stocks not later than seven years after the effective date of the amendment, and of haddock stocks not later than ten years after that effective date. Requires the Council to recommend to the Secretary a schedule of civil penalties, including fishing permit sanctions. Requires the Secretary, if the Council does not submit an amendment to the Plan within a reasonable period of time, to prepare such an amendment and issue regulations as necessary for its implementation. Requires such amendment to provide for the immediate suspension of fishing, within five days after receipt of a request from the Council, in areas where New England groundfish are spawning and areas where there are high concentrations of undersized New England groundfish. Sets forth notification requirements for affected fishermen if the amendment establishes a moratorium on the issuance of new permits authorizing participation in the New England groundfish fishery. Directs the Secretary, simultaneously with the issuance of regulations implementing a Plan amendment, to issue a schedule of civil penalties for violations of this Act relating to the New England groundfish fishery. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a statement explaining why any part of the Council recommendation is not included in such schedule. Requires the Secretary, not later than one year after the effective date of the regulations implementing any Plan amendment, to review the actions taken by each State represented on the Council to implement the Plan amendment. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate fishing within State boundaries only if the Secretary complies with required exceptions to State jurisdiction. Requires all amounts appropriated for FY 1993 through 1997 for use by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information collection and analysis regarding New England stock depletion to be used to carry out the restoration program and certain fisheries research. Requires all amounts appropriated for FY 1993 through 1997 for use by NOAA for National Marine Fisheries Service conservation and management operations regarding fisheries management programs, management of Georges Bank, to be used to carry out the amendments made by this Act. Declares that: (1) the Council shall not be required to approve under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act a rebuilding program for New England groundfish; (2) the Secretary of Commerce shall not be required to take any action under such Act to prepare a program for the rebuilding of cod, yellowtail flounder, and haddock stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean; and (3) the Council and the Secretary of Commerce shall not be required to perform any other act pursuant to their functions under such Act, based upon any failure, before the enactment of this Act, of them to perform their functions under that Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, if requested by the Governor of a State represented on the Council, to enter into an agreement that authorizes the marine law enforcement of such State to perform duties of the Secretary relating to enforcement of the Plan. Requires such an agreement to provide, subject to appropriations, for reimbursement of the State for expenses incurred in detection and prosecution of violations of any fishery management plan and for sharing in the disposition of fines, penalties, seizures, and forfeitures. Directs the Commander of the First Coast Guard District to establish an informal fisheries enforcement working group to improve the overall compliance with and effectiveness of the regulations issued under the Plan. Requires the Secretary to use amounts under this Act attributable to fines and penalties for violations of the Plan to enforce that Plan. Authorizes the Secretary to establish the Sea Sampler Program, for stationing individuals on fishing vessels engaged in the fishery for New England groundfish to collect for the Secretary and the Council statistically reliable information necessary for the conservation and management of fisheries managed under the Plan. Makes such program voluntary. Prohibits the use of information collected from being used for enforcement of the Magnuson Act. Treats individuals stationed on vessels as observers for purposes of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Authorizes the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, to enter into an international fishery agreement with Canada for the conservation and management of fisheries of mutual concern in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, with particular emphasis on transboundary stocks of groundfish and ensuring the success of New England groundfish restoration efforts. Sets forth required contents of such an agreement. Requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, to establish a consultative committee to assist in the development and implementation of a fishery agreement. Subjects such an agreement to congressional oversight of governing international fishery agreements. Requires the Secretary of State to annually report to the Congress describing the activities of the Secretary with respect to such agreement. Directs the Secretary, not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to establish a program for: (1) promoting development of commercial fisheries and markets for underutilized species of the northwest Atlantic Ocean; (2) developing alternative fishing opportunities for participants in the New England groundfish fishery; and (3) providing technical support and assistance to U.S. fishermen and fish processors to make participation in fisheries for such underutilized species economically viable. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts, grants, and other financial assistance for activities under the program. Requires owners or operators of fishing vessels permitted to participate in the New England groundfish fishery to temporarily surrender that permit during the duration of the assistance. Provides for funding such program. Directs the Council, in consultation with other appropriate Councils, to develop fishery management plans as soon as possible for any underutilized species of the northwest Atlantic Ocean that is not covered under such a plan, in order to prevent overfishing of that species. Requires the Secretary to include the restoration of New England groundfish stock in developing a strategic plan for fisheries research. Amends the Fishery Conservation Amendments of 1990 (commonly referred to as the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act) to require the Secretary to give priority to projects and activities that promote development of: (1) commercial fisheries for underutilized species; and (2) markets for any species of fish that can promote full utilization of those species. Requires the Secretary to establish a research program at the Northeast Fisheries and Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Requires the program to include research into conservation gear engineering and technology, groundfish hatcheries and shore-based fish production facilities, and other appropriate activities. Requires the Secretary, acting through the General Counsel of NOAA, to provide a detailed response to any written request from a Council for legal advice regarding whether a management measure or other regulation is consistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Designates October 8, 1992, as National Firefighters Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the General Accounting Office should study and report to the Congress on the economic impacts Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 636 on the various classes and regions of natural gas end-users; and (2) FERC should refrain from processing restructuring proceedings pursuant to such Order until a certain period after such report is due.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1992
Health Care Fraud Prosecution Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties for fraud by health care providers in connection with the provision of, or payments or reimbursement for, health care services or suuplies, when: (1) the loss caused by the fraudulent conduct exceeds $10,000; or (2) the offender has previously been convicted of fraud in Federal or State court. Limits such penalties to ten years' imprisonment, unless the offense caused serious physical injury to, or endangered the life of, a patient (up to 20 years' imprisonment) or caused the death of a patient (up to life imprisonment). Specifies that the sentencing court: (1) shall order the offender to pay restitution to the patient and to the United States as payor for losses sustained as a result of the offender's fraudulent activity; and (2) may order the offender to pay restitution to others who sustained losses as a result of such activity. Provides for civil and criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of health care fraud. Authorizes the Attorney General to make payments of up to $10,000 to persons who furnish information unknown to the Government relating to a possible prosecution for health care fraud, with exceptions. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorneys, and the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to hire, equip, and train personnel in connection with the investigation and prosecution of health-care fraud cases. Includes within the scope of the mail fraud statute cases involving matter to be sent or delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Small Community Environmental Infrastructure Grants Act of 1992 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to States for the establishment of small community environmental infrastructure funds. Makes such funds available to small communities for the construction of wastewater treatment works, public water systems, and solid waste management facilities and for assuring that underground storage tanks are in compliance with the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets forth provisions concerning grant payment schedules and allotment and reallotment requirements. Requires States to establish funds to receive such grants. Sets forth specific requirements for the use of such funds and for the grants to be provided to small communities. Permits States to provide assistance only to community wastewater treatment and solid waste management facilities and public water systems that are in compliance with plans under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as appropriate. Requires States to submit plans to the Administrator that identify the intended use of the funds. Directs States to reserve the greater of one percent of fund sums or $100,000 to carry out planning. Provides for the withholding of grant payments if a State is not in compliance with this Act's requirements. Requires the Administrator to establish an Office of Small Community Environmental Infrastructure Assistance to: (1) oversee and manage the grants and funds made under this Act; and (2) provide specified environmental and financial information to small communities. Authorizes the Office to provide grants to States, Indian tribes, and not-for-profit organizations to assist small communities in assessing issues related to the financing of environmental facilities, compliance with environmental laws, and the construction, operation, and rehabilitation of environmental infrastructure facilities. Requires such grants to be matched by non-Federal funds. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a program and plan to provide financial assistance to Indian tribes for carrying out the same environmental infrastructure projects on Federal Indian reservations; and (2) administer an environmental infrastructure fund for providing such assistance. Sets forth a matching requirement for such assistance. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
National Environmental Technologies Agency Act - Establishes the National Environmental Technologies Agency to: (1) coordinate Federal environmental restoration and protection planning; (2) identify areas that need technical solutions to maintain environmental security, are not receiving product-oriented research necessary to meet those needs, and exhibit the greatest promise for the development of solutions; (3) support the development of technology having future application in environmental restoration and protection; (4) coordinate the exchange of technological information relating to environmental restoration and protection between Federal agencies and the private sector; (5) support continuing research and development of advanced technologies; (6) monitor research and development being conducted on advanced technologies by private industry; and (7) promote continuing development of a technological industrial base in the United States. Establishes an interagency advisory committee to provide information to the Agency with respect to the needs and concerns of specified agencies in the field of environmental technologies. Establishes the Industry and Academia Advisory Council to make recommendations regarding general policy for the Agency. Permits the Agency Administrator to transfer to the domestic private sector technology developed with the support of the Agency if the technology may have potential application in private activities relating to environmental restoration and protection. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to carry out Agency functions, subject to certain conditions. Provides for dissemination of the results of Agency research. Prohibits the making of a contract or award until the research project in question has passed a merit review. Directs the Administrator, in determining whether to make an award to a joint venture, to consider whether the joint venture has provided for appropriate participation of U.S. small businesses. Exempts from Federal disclosure requirements information obtained on a confidential basis in connection with business operations or trade secrets of a joint venture. Prohibits the disclosure by a Federal employee of intellectual property owned by a joint venture that receives funding under this Act, except in accordance with an agreement between the owner and the Administrator. Entitles the United States to a share of licensing fees and royalty payments made to a joint venture in an amount proportionate to the Federal share of costs incurred. Provides for the return of unspent Federal funds to the Agency if it appears that the recipient is not making satisfactory progress toward successful completion of the project. Entitles the United States, upon dissolution of a joint venture that receives funding under this Act, to a share of the residual assets proportionate to the Federal share of costs. Establishes the Environmental Advanced Research Projects Revolving Fund. Authorizes the Administrator to use the Fund to provide financial assistance to industrial and nonprofit research centers, universities, and other entities that serve long-term environmental security needs. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on: (1) activities of the Agency; (2) the extent to which technologies developed with Agency assistance have been used; and (3) the extent to which those technologies have been transferred overseas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1992
Prohibits a State court from modifying an out-of-State court order requiring child support payments unless the recipient of such payments resides in the State in which the modification is being sought, or consents to seeking the modification in the other State.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1992
Designates March 1993 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Designates July 2, 1992, as National Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to propose to the Congress a budget in which total expenditures do not exceed total receipts, unless that budget is accompanied by a Presidential Declaration of National Urgency. Prohibits the Congress from approving total expenditures in excess of total receipts unless it has approved by majority rollcall vote in each House a Presidential Declaration of National Urgency. Prohibits the Congress from approving a budget which is estimated to result in a higher amount of total expenditures than those recommended by the President. Declares that total expenditures do not include debt redemption and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or any successor funds. Declares that total receipts do not include net borrowing and receipts of such trust funds or successor funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Title I: General Provisions - National Competitiveness Act of 1992 - Sets forth the purposes and goals of this Act. Title II: Manufacturing - Manufacturing Technology and Extension Act of 1992 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to designate the Department of Commerce as the lead civilian Federal agency to work with U.S. industry, State and local governments, and private entities to enhance U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Establishes the Nationwide Network of Manufacturing Outreach Centers to assist U.S. manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized firms, to expand the use of technology and modern manufacturing processes. Provides for a related communications infrastructure and information clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Projects program to create technology development programs to create advanced computer-integrated, electronically-networked manufacturing technologies and associated applications. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish local manufacturing offices. Eliminates the requirement that a Manufacturing Technology Center be financially self-supporting after six years of operation. Authorizes appropriations for existing and new centers. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand the Engineering Research Centers program with emphasis on advanced manufacturing. Authorizes the establishment of up to five new Centers for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Critical Technologies - Subtitle A: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding any executive branch international trade negotiations which might affect Federal research and development programs. Subtitle B: Council on Technology and Competitiveness - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council on Technology and Competitiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Advanced Technology Program - Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress an expansion plan for the Advanced Technology program. Requires the establishment of at least two new critical technologies consortia. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Technology Commercialization Loans - Authorizes the Secretary to make technology commercialization loans. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Critical Technologies Development-Part I: General Provisions - Critical Technologies Development Act of 1992 - Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology (Under Secretary) to establish a critical technologies development advisory committee. Part II: Program Structure and Operation - Establishes a program of financing qualified business concerns through federally assisted licensees. Part III: Enforcement - Provides for license enforcement. Part IV: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Under Secretary to issue and guarantee trust certificates for licensee preferred securities. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: International Standardization - Amends the American Technology Preeminence Act of 1991 to expand the standards pilot program to promote the dissemination of U.S. technical standards abroad. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress with regard to the appropriate Federal role in developing and promulgating domestic and global product and quality standards. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary; (2) technology policy; (3) Japanese technical literature; (4) National Technical Information Service modernization, including a facilities study; and (5) specified activities within the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Prohibits the fraudulent use of "Made in America" labels. Provides for compliance with the Buy American Act. Prohibits the making of a Malcolm Baldrige Award within a category or subcategory if there are no qualifying enterprises in that category or subcategory. Title VI: Competitiveness Research, Data Collection, and Evaluation - Directs the Secretary to conduct a competitiveness research program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
American Technology and Competitiveness Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the purposes and goals of this Act. Title II: Manufacturing - Manufacturing Technology and Extension Act of 1992 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to designate the Department of Commerce as the lead civilian Federal agency to work with U.S. industry, State and local governments, and private entities to enhance U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Establishes the Nationwide Network of Manufacturing Outreach Centers to assist U.S. manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized firms, to expand the use of technology and modern manufacturing processes. Provides for a related communications infrastructure and information clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Projects program to create technology development programs to create advanced computer-integrated, electronically-networked manufacturing technologies and associated applications. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand the Engineering Research Centers program with emphasis on advanced manufacturing. Authorizes the establishment of up to five new Centers for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Critical Technologies - Subtitle A: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding any executive branch international trade negotiations which might affect Federal research and development programs. Subtitle B: Council on Technology and Competitiveness - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council on Technology and Competitiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Advanced Technology Program - Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress an expansion plan for the Advanced Technology program. Requires the establishment of at least two new critical technologies consortia. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Technology Commercialization Loans - Authorizes the Secretary to make technology commercialization loans. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Critical Technologies Development-Part I: General Provisions - Critical Technologies Development Act of 1992 - Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology (Under Secretary) to establish a critical technologies development advisory committee. Part II: Program Structure and Operation - Establishes a program of financing qualified business concerns through federally assisted licensees. Part III: Enforcement - Provides for licensee enforcement. Part IV: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Under Secretary to issue and guarantee trust certificates for licensee preferred securities. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: International Standardization - Amends the American Technology Preeminence Act of 1991 to expand the standards pilot program to promote the dissemination of U.S. technical standards abroad. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress with regard to the appropriate Federal role in developing and promulgating domestic and global product and quality standards. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary; (2) technology policy; (3) Japanese technical literature; (4) National Technical Information Service modernization, including a facilities study; and (5) specified activities within the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Prohibits the fraudulent use of "Made in America" labels. Provides for compliance with the Buy American Act. Prohibits the making of a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award within a category or subcategory if there are no qualifying enterprises in that category or subcategory. Title VI: Competitiveness Research, Data Collection, and Evaluation - Directs the Secretary to conduct a competitiveness research program. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Education and Workforce Training - Subtitle A: American Industrial Quality and Training - American Industrial Quality and Training Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for workforce quality training partnerships. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants for youth technical apprenticeship programs. Directs such Secretary to establish a program information clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants for statewide systems of technical training. Authorizes appropriations. Requires reports on U.S. industry worker training and on the applicability of total quality management to education. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Scientific and Technical Education - Scientific and Technical Education Act of 1992 - Requires NSF to: (1) carry out a program to assist associate-degree-granting colleges to provide education in advanced technology fields, with emphasis on the needs of nontraditional students; (2) establish up to ten scientific and technical education centers of excellence; (3) make grants to eligible college partnerships to assist associate students in mathematics, science, engineering, or technology make the transition to bachelor-degree-granting institutions; and (4) make grants to strengthen the relationships between associate-degree-colleges and secondary schools. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes NSF to make grants for technology education teacher training. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to require the Secretary to report to the Congress on establishment of a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for educational institutions. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Technology Administration the American Industrial Quality Foundation to further U.S. industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Academic Research Facilities Modernization Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for the Academic Research Facilities Modernization program. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Defense, and of Energy, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Director of the National Institutes of Aeronautics and Space Health to each establish academic research facilities awards programs. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes NASA, NSF, and the Department of Energy to establish a joint awards program in support of science and technology instructional equipment and facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to authorize NSF to foster the development of high performance computing. Amends the Excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for grants to educational agencies for systematic reform of mathematics and science education. Title VIII: Tax and Investment Incentives - Investment Incentives Act of 1992 - Subtitle A: Tax and Investment Incentives - Part I: Research and Experimentation Tax Credit Made Permanent - Amends the Internal Revenue Service Code to make the research tax credit permanent. Part II: Capital Gain Provisions - Provides for: (1) the indexing of certain assets acquired on or after February 1, 1992, for purposes of determining gain; and (2) a 50 percent exclusion for gain of individuals from certain small business stock. Part III: Temporary Investment Incentives - Provides for: (1) a temporary expensing increase for small businesses; and (2) a special depreciation allowance for certain equipment acquired in 1992. Subtitle B: Revenue Provisions - Makes the high-income personal exemption phaseout permanent. Disallows the deduction for: (1) certain employee remuneration in excess of $1 million; and (2) club membership dues. Requires specified identifying information with regard to certain seller-provided financing. Extends temporarily the overall limitation on high-income taxpayer itemized deductions. Sets forth a mark-to-market accounting method for securities dealers. Increases the base tax rate on ozone-depleting chemicals. Title IX: National Security Reinvestment - Subtitle A: Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Leasing Corporations - Provides for the establishment of a pilot Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Leasing Corporation which shall: (1) expand the commercial market for advanced manufacturing equipment produced by eligible Department of Defense (DOD) contractors; and (2) provide such equipment through lease or sale to small and medium commercial businesses at less than market rates. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Science and Mathematics Educational Reinstatement - Directs NSF to establish and administer a fellowship program for teaching certification in science and mathematics for qualifying displaced or retiring military and defense support personnel. Funds the program through DOD. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Security Retraining Fellowships - Directs NSF to establish and administer a fellowship program for retraining qualifying displaced or nonretiring military and defense support personnel with specialized defense-related expertise in science or engineering. Funds the program through DOD. Provides for the establishment of a related Engineer Reinvestment Panel. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Multiprogram Laboratory Conversion - Requires that within five years of enactment of this Act, ten percent of all Federal funding for research and development at (the Department of Energy) multiprogram laboratories shall be used for joint projects with private industry, including specified priority projects. Subtitle E: Research and Development Spending - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) any budget reductions in DOD research and development should be balanced by equal increases in civilian research and development spending; and (2) defense and civilian research and development spending should be made approximately equal as soon as practicable. Subtitle F: Manufacturing Extension and Critical Technologies - Authorizes DOD appropriations for: (1) manufacturing extension programs; and (2) critical technology application centers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Tax Extension Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from August 1, 1992, until August 1, 1993, the provisions governing the allocation of research and experimental expenditures for purposes of determining sources of income. Extends the following provisions from June 30, 1992, until December 31, 1993: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the targeted jobs credit; (3) the authority to issue qualified mortgage bonds and qualified mortgage credit certificates; (4) the authority to issue qualified small issue bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property; (5) employer-provided educational assistance; (6) the tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal services plans; (7) the energy investment credit for solar and geothermal property; (8) the credit for clinical testing expenses for certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions; and (9) health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Extends the low-income housing credit until December 31, 1993 with modifications. Expands the ten-year anti-churning rule waiver to certain projects substantially assisted, financed, or operated under the National Housing Act. Allows units occupied by certain full-time students to qualify for such credit. Authorizes the Treasury Department to waive penalties for certain de minimis errors and recertifications. Provides that certain community service facilities in projects in qualified census tracts are included in eligible basis as functionally related and subordinate facilities. Allows certain building owners to elect to use apartment size or family size in determining the credit's gross rent limitation. Provides for the tax treatment of resale price control and subsidy lien programs under mortgage revenue bond provisions. Repeals the tax preference for the appreciated property charitable deduction during 1992 and 1993. Requires a report by the Secretary of the Treasury to certain congressional committees on an advance valuation procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to create a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award category for educational institutions. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding award and application criteria for such category.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Prohibits a member of the armed forces or person seeking to become a member from being discriminated against by the armed forces on the basis of sexual orientation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Small Business Manufacturing Extension Act of 1992 - Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (the Director) to establish a Small Business Manufacturing Extension Service (the Service) to coordinate and improve efforts to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers to increase their competitiveness and efficiency through improved equipment, processes, and practices. States that eligible applicants for grants under this Act shall be regional groups including substantial participation by private manufacturing industries. Requires the Director to: (1) award two-year grants on a competitive basis to establish extension offices; and (2) submit a periodic evaluation report on the Service to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Trade Expansion Act of 1992 - Title I: Market Access Provisions - Subtitle A: Enforcement of United States Rights Under Trade Agreements and Response to Certain Foreign Trade Practices - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through calendar year 1997 the requirement that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) identify U.S. trade liberalization priorities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that foreign countries that have substantial trade surpluses with the United States, and maintain acts, policies, or practices that are major barriers to, or distortions of, potential U.S. export trade, should be identified (for purposes of "Super 301" under the Trade Act of 1974) as priority foreign countries, and such acts, policies, or practices identified as priority practices. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize any interested person to request the USTR to review to determine whether a foreign country is in material compliance with the terms of a trade agreement. Defines an "interested person" as any person with a significant economic interest that is being or has been adversely affected by a foreign country's failure to comply materially with terms of a trade agreement. Requires the USTR to determine what action to take if a foreign country is found not in material compliance with such agreement. Directs the USTR to initiate an investigation of all acts, policies, and practices of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan that affect the access of U.S. rice to their markets. Requires the USTR to negotiate the elimination of such acts, policies, and practices, and report to the Congress on the progress of such negotiations. Subtitle B: International Trade in Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts - Directs the USTR to initiate an investigation of all acts, policies, and practices of Japan that affect the access of U.S. motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts to its market, including but not limited to: (1) acts, policies, and practices utilized in the Japanese automotive distribution system; (2) toleration of anticompetitive activities by private Japanese firms (including "Keiretsu"); (3) exclusionary business practices; and (4) testing requirements and other government regulations. Requires the USTR to negotiate with Japan for a trade agreement that: (1) eliminates such acts, policies, and practices; (2) provides enforcement of Japan's commitments under the Structural Impediments Initiative, the Market -Oriented Sector Specific agreements, and the Action Plan announced at the Tokyo Summit in January 1992 with respect to trade in, and purchase of, motor vehicles and motor vehicles parts; (3) establishes long term goals for the purchase by Japanese motor vehicle manufacturers of high value-added motor vehicle parts and accessories; and (4) establishes procedures for the exchange of information between the United States and Japan that will permit the accurate assessment of the bilateral trade in motor vehicle parts. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress if such negotiations prove unsuccessful. Directs the President to negotiate with Japan for a voluntary restraint agreement that will provide for the imposition of limitations on the aggregate number of Japanese passenger automobiles and light trucks that may be exported to the United States between 1992 and 2000. Authorizes the President to enforce such agreements. Requires specified reports with respect to such negotiations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the USTR should refer to the U.S. Government all information pertaining to Japanese acts, policies, and practices that adversely affect access to the purchasing by Japanese motor vehicle manufacturers in the United States of U.S. motor vehicle parts by Japanese-owned or-controlled producers. Requires the Board established by the Foreign-Trade Zones Act to: (1) review the operations of U.S. and foreign motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts producers to determine any positive economic effect on the United States of such Act; and (2) take appropriate action, including revocation or modification of a foreign-trade zone or subzone grant, with respect to any producer whose operations in such zone are determined not to have a net positive effect on the U.S. economy. Title II: Customs Modernization - Customs Modernization and Informed Compliance Act - Subtitle A: Improvements in Customs Enforcement - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise customs procedures with respect to: (1) electronic transmission of forged, altered, or false data to the United States Customs Service with regard to the entry of imported merchandise; (2) penalties for failure to declare imported controlled substances; (3) examination and detention of imported merchandise; (4) certain recordkeeping requirements; (5) examination of books and witnesses; (6) review of protests by the Customs Service; (7) a repeal of a provision relating to the reliquidation on account of fraud; (8) penalties relating to manifests, false drawback or refund claims, and for fraud, gross negligence, and negligence; (9) unlawful unlading or transshipment; (10) public access to Customs Service interpretative rulings and decisions; and (11) seizure of imported merchandise. Subtitle B: National Customs Automation Program - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to establish the National Customs Automation Program which shall be an automated and electronic system for the processing of commercial imports. Provides for electronic data transmission relating to: (1) remote location filing; (2) effective date of rates of duty on imported merchandise; (3) merchandise manifests; (4) imported merchandise invoices; (5) entry and release of imported merchandise; (6) admissibility in administrative and judicial proceedings of electronically transmitted information; (7) appraisement and liquidations of imported merchandise; (8) the payment of duties; (9) abandonment and damage to imported merchandise; (10) protests of Customs Service decisions; (11) refunds and errors; (12) bonds and other security; and (13) customs house brokers. Requires a refund (drawback) of duties (less one per cent of such duties) on articles produced in the United States with imported merchandise that have been destroyed under Customs Service supervision, provided such articles have not been used prior to such destruction. Sets forth provisions with respect to customs officer's immunity in regard to the appraisement of or collection of duties on imported merchandise. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Amendments to the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary to disregard the difference, but not less than $20 (currently ten dollars), between the total estimated duties deposited with respect to imported merchandise and the total amount actually due on such merchandise. Authorizes the Secretary to admit duty-free: (1) gifts from persons in foreign countries to persons in the United States whose value does not exceed $100 (currently, $50), or $200 (currently, $100) in the case of gifts from persons in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; (2) articles accompanying persons for personal or household use whose value does not exceed $200 (currently, $25); or (3) articles whose value does not exceed $200 (currently, five dollars) in other cases. Authorizes the Secretary to waive collection of duties due on merchandise that are worth less than $20, or such greater amount as prescribed by him or her. Requires masters of vessels that have visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise while outside the U.S. territorial sea to report their arrival to the nearest customs facility. Provides for the electronic transmission of vessel documentation to the Customs Service. Requires the following vessels to report to the nearest Customs Service facility within 24 hours (or other period of time) as provided after arrival to a U.S. port: (1) vessels from a foreign port; (2) foreign vessels from a domestic port; (3) U.S. vessels having bonded or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or (4) vessels which visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the U.S. territorial sea. Authorizes the Secretary to permit masters of vessels to make preliminary entry of their vessel with the Customs Service in lieu of or before formal entry is made. Requires U.S. and foreign vessels to obtain clearance from the Customs Service before proceeding from a U.S. port for: (1) a foreign port; (2) another U.S. port (for foreign vessels only), or (for U.S. vessels only) another U.S. port if the vessel has bonded or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or (3) outside the U.S. territorial sea to visit a hovering vessel or to receive merchandise. Exempts from entry and clearance requirements certain passenger vessels on excursion from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands and returning, U.S. documented vessels with recreational endorsement, or (as under current law) undocumented U.S. pleasure vessels not engaged in trade, except such vessels must comply upon arrival with specified customs reporting requirements and navigation laws and must not have visited any hovering vessel. Prohibits merchandise, passengers, or baggage from being unladen from any vessel required to make entry or vehicle required to report its arrival until such entry or report of arrival is made and a permit for unlading has been issued by the Customs Service. Authorizes the issuance of such permits through electronic data transmission. Requires every importer of record of merchandise to make and file electronically or otherwise a declaration stating whether such merchandise is imported pursuant to a purchase or purchase agreement and that all other required documents are true and correct. Requires persons who gained any benefit from, or met any obligation to the United States as the result of the prior exportation of merchandise that has returned as undeliverable to inform the Customs Service of the return of such merchandise within a reasonable time. Provides for electronic data transmission of entry information to complete any incomplete entry of imported merchandise. Declares entered or unentered merchandise that remains in customs custody for six months, with an extension at the importer's request of up to a year (currently, for merchandise that remains in custody for one year), and in which duties, taxes, fees, storage, and other charges have not been paid, to be unclaimed merchandise which shall be appraised and sold by the Customs Service at public auction. Authorizes the sale of imported gunpowder and other explosive merchandise that if permitted to remain in a bonded warehouse for six months (currently, one year) would depreciate in value to the extent that its sale would be insufficient to pay such duties, taxes, fees, storage, and other charges. Authorizes the Customs Service, in lieu of sale, to provide notice to interested parties that, unless, within 30 days of such notice, the subject merchandise is entered or withdrawn for consumption and payment made of all duties, taxes, and fees, transfer and storage charges and other expenses that title to such merchandise shall be deemed to vest in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to pay to a party that has lost a substantial interest in merchandise by virtue of title vesting in the United States, and can establish that it did not receive a vesting notice, an amount from the Customs Forfeiture Fund equal to what such party would have received if such merchandise had been sold and a proper claim filed. Requires any surplus of the proceeds from the sale of such merchandise to be deposited into the Fund if a claim for such surplus is not filed with the Customs Service. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the declaration and entry of merchandise whose value does not exceed a certain amount, not more than $2,500 (currently not greater than $1,250), and/or when different commercial facilitation and risk considerations that may vary for different classes or kinds of merchandise or different classes of transactions may dictate. Requires the Secretary upon seizure and forfeiture of imported merchandise bearing a counterfeit mark to dispose of such merchandise more than 90 days (currently, one year) after such forfeiture. Authorizes withdrawal of imported merchandise from a warehouse for transfer to a foreign trade zone. Authorizes the Customs Service to order the destruction or other appropriate disposition of vessels, vehicles, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage that has been seized under the customs laws if it determines that the expense of keeping such items is disportionate to their value (currently applies only to items of less than $1,000 in value). Authorizes the use of funds from the Customs Forfeiture Fund for the payment of: (1) certain transfer and storage charges and expenses; and (2) claims against Customs Service employees. Requires actions for fraud, gross negligence, and negligence, false drawback or refund claims, and restoration of lawful duties with respect to imported merchandise to be instituted within five years after the alleged violation or discovery of such fraud. Requires the Customs Service to be reimbursed the administrative cost and expense incurred in collecting fees on behalf of other Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary to settle, for no more than $50,000 in each case, claims for personal injury, death, or damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer of the Customs Service. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with persons for collection services to recover indebtedness arising under the customs laws, provided the Customs Service has exhausted all administrative efforts to collect such indebtedness. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions and Consequential and Conforming Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to exempt from such Schedule articles which are returned within 45 days after being exported from the United States as undeliverable and which have not left the custody of the carrier or foreign customs service. Prohibits such exportations from satisfying any requirement for exportation in order to receive a benefit from, or meet an obligation, to the United States as a result of such exportation. Declares that certain railway locomotives and railway freight cars on which no duty is owed are not subject to the entry or release requirements for imported merchandise under the Tariff Act of 1930. Exempts instruments of international trade, such as containers, lift vans, rail cars and locomotives, truck cabs and trailers, etc., from formal entry procedures. Requires them to be accounted for however, when imported to and exported from the United States through the manifesting procedures required for international carriers by the U.S. Customs Service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code and other specified Federal law with respect to: (1) certain expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; and (2) coastwise trade vessels and U.S. vessels visiting foreign ports. Amends Federal law to grant the Court of International Trade exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action for review decisions of the Customs Service that deny, suspend, or revoke accreditation of private customs laboratories. Bars the commencement of such actions unless brought before such Court within 60 days of such decisions. Repeals specified provisions of Federal law. Requires the Commissioner of Customs to report to the Congress each fiscal year after FY 1992 on the collection of duties imposed under the antidumping and countervailing duty laws. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to authorize the Commissioner of Customs to obtain from the operators of centralized cargo examination stations information on fees paid for the provision of services at such stations. Requires the Commissioner to report to specified congressional committees on the payment of such fees. Amends the Customs and Trade Act of 1990 to require the Commissioner of Customs to: (1) devise a methodology for estimating the level of compliance with the U.S. customs laws; and (2) evaluate the extent to which such compliance was obtained during the 12-month period preceeding the 60th day before each fiscal year 1993 through 1995. Directs the Commissioner to initiate, and submit to the Congress, a compliance review of certain carrier services. Title III: Customs and Trade Agency Authorizations for Fiscal Years 1993 and 1994 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize appropriations to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) for FY 1993 and 1994. Earmarks a specified amount for reception and entertainment expenses. Prohibits use of such funds for any special study, investigation, or report requested by an agency of the executive branch unless such agency reimburses the ITC for its costs. Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations to the United States Customs Service for FY 1993 and 1994 for: (1) noncommercial operations; (2) commercial operations; and (3) the air interdiction program. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriaitons to the Office of the United States Trade Representative for FY 1993 and 1994. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize apropriations for FY 1993 and 1994 for certain expenditures from the Customs Forfeiture Fund relating to purchases by the Customs Service of evidence of smuggling of controlled substances. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to eliminate the East-West Trade Statistics Monitoring System. Title IV: Miscellaneous Trade Provisions - Subtitle A: Nontariff Provisions - Directs the President to negotiate trade agreements that eliminate the adverse effects of anticompetitive practices on international trade. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the status of such negotiations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, with respect to ensuring the effectiveness of the U.S. embargo of Cuba, should seek negotiations with countries that trade with Cuba to seek their agreement to restrict trade relations with it. Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce (currently, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury): (1) to take necessary action to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the machine tool decision of the President on May 20, 1986, and on December 27, 1991; and (2) to enforce any imported machine tool quantitative limitations, restrictions, or other terms contained in related bilateral arrangements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce the quantitative limitations and other provisions of bilateral arrangements negotiated with Taiwan on December 31, 1991, pursuant to the President's machine tool decision of May 20, 1986, until bilateral agreements are negotiated with such country pursuant to the President's December 27, 1991, decision. Directs the ITC to report to the Congress propsals for consolidating and simplifying U.S. international trade laws. Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service to make recommendations to the Congress about establishment of a special unit that would: (1) integrate the resources of the Service, the ITC, and other appropriate agencies; and (2) serve as a central and objective source of information for the Congress on data and trends in trade between the United States and foreign countries. Subtitle B: Foreign Subsidies and Countervailing and Antidumping Duty Amendments - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require completion of reviews by the administering authority of the amount of duty with respect to countervailing and antidumping duty orders by the 270th day after the day on which a request for review was received. (Currently, there is no such deadline for completion of such a review.) Requires the ITC to consider contracts with long lead time as a factor when making material injury determinations with respect to an affected domestic industry in countervailing and antidumping duty investigations. Declares that the presence or absence of any factor the ITC is required to consider shall not give decisive guidance with respect to any threat of material injury determinations. Provides that, with respect to the determination of foreign market value of imported merchandise under investigation, no allowance shall be made to account for differences in input costs that are based on whether the end product made from the input is sold in the home market or exported. Requires the United States Customs Service to report annually to the administering authority on the amount of duties collected during each year under each countervailing and antidumping duty order. Requires the administering authority to make such data available to interested parties. Requires the administering authority, when determining whether imported parts or components are circumventing an antidumping or countervailing duty order or finding, and whether to include such parts or components in such order or finding, to consider: (1) the pattern of trade; (2) the value and sources of supply of parts or components historically used in completion or assembly of the merchandise subject to such order; (3) whether the manufacturer or exporter of such parts or components is related to the person who assembles or completes the merchandise sold in the United States from the parts or components produced in the foreign country with respect to which the order or finding applies; and (4) whether imports into the United States of the parts or components produced in such foreign country have increased after the issuance of such order or finding. Authorizes the administering authority to include within the scope of such order or finding imported parts or components that are used in the completion or assembly of certain merchandise sold in the United States and subject to such order or finding, provided: (1) such merchandise is completed or assembled in the United States from parts or components supplied by the exporter or producer with respect to which such order or finding applies, from suppliers that have historically supplied the parts or components to that exporter or producer, or from any party in the exporting country supplying parts or components on behalf of such exporter or producer; (2) the value of such imported parts and components is significant in relation to the total value of all parts and components used in the assembly or completion operation, excluding packing, of the imported merchandise covered by such order or finding; or (3) consideration of specified factors establishes a pattern of circumvention of a countervailing and antidumping duty order or finding. Enables the administering authority to base such a decision on any of such factors by itself, rather than on all of them together. Sets forth similar provisions for merchandise completed or assembled in other foreign countries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the ITC to study and report to the Congress on modification of standards applicable to the initiation of countervailing and antidumping duty actions in order to make petitioning for such initiations less costly and more accessible for domestic petitioners. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress on the operation of the Agreement Concerning the Application of the GATT Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft between the United States and the European Community. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should not enter into any international trade agreement on antidumping requiring changes in U.S. antidumping laws that would reduce the effectiveness of such laws as a remedy against injurious dumped imports. Urges the President to review antidumping provisions contained in the Draft Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations dated December 21, 1991 and seek changes to strengthen the effectiveness of U.S. antidumping laws, including, but not limited to, changes in provisions dealing with cumulation of injury and dispute settlement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should not condone the use by foreign governments of trade distorting subsidies, including development subsidies, that cause material injury to U.S. industries. Subtitle C: Other Tariff Provisions - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to remove the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from the list of countries ineligible for designation as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to create a new tariff classification to cover imports of motor fuel blending stocks. Imposes a duty on such stocks. Revises the classification of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates and linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids. Revises a specified subheading relating to nonalloy iron and steel pipes and tubes to include non-galvanized forms of such products. Increases the duty on certain other iron and steel pipes and tubes. Imposes a duty on galvanized nonalloy iron and steel pipes and tubes having a specified thickness. Increases the duty on certain stainless steel pipes and tubes. Authorizes the USTR to negotiate compensation for claims made pursuant to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, as a result of the amendments made by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to producers of watches in the insular possessions of the United States who are wage certificate holders, to pay to such a holder, at the holder's election, the face value of such certificates less the value of: (1) any duty refunds claimed by the holder under the certificate; and (2) any duty refunds under such certificate that are sold by such holder. Grants duty-free treatment of articles (not over $600 in value) acquired in Bermuda. Grants duty-free treatment to sweaters in which the number of U.S. citizens, nationals, or resident aliens who perform the assembly operations (in Guam) comprise at least 50 percent of the total number of assembly production workers. Sets forth specified exceptions. Provides that stuffed dolls and doll skins that are imported into the United States on or after December 31, 1985, and before October 1, 1988, shall be liquidated as duty free as of October 1, 1988. Declares that a specified production incentive certificate shall be deemed to have been reissued on the 15th day after the enactment of this Act, and shall expire one year after such day. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt semiconductors from the country of origin marking requirements under such Act. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to extend until December 31, 1994, the exclusion of bicycle component parts from the exemption from customs laws provided by such Act. Treats certain entries of fabric wholly of polyamide as having been exported from the United States in accordance with and in satisfaction of the temporary importation bond and obligations of The Umbrellas: Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A. Corporation if specified conditions are met. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to authorize the extension of time (not to exceed five years) for the exportation of articles to be repaired, altered, or processed, including processes which result in articles manufactured or produced in the United States, that are imported duty-free under bond, provided that any extension beyond the third year must be accompanied by the importer's certification that such articles are to be incorporated into a communications satellite. Subjects to liquidated damages any such articles imported after January 1, 1983, and before the effective date of this Act, that are certified by the importer as having been dedicated for incorporation into a communications satellite, and as not having been exported within the time required because of launch schedule delays. Limits such liquidated damages to a maximum one percent of the liquidated damages established under the bond.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Designates November 13, 1992, as Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Designates October 4 through 10, 1992, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Manufacturing Extension and Critical Technologies Act of 1992 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Defense for FY 1993 for providing financial assistance to manufacturing extension programs and critical technology application centers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Designates the second Sunday in October 1992 as National Children's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates October 24 through November 1, 1992, as National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug Free America. Recognize the hard work and dedication of those involved in combatting substance abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1992
Designates the week beginning March 21, 1993, as National Endometriosis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Global Climate Protection Act - Directs the President to promulgate final regulations that will achieve stabilization of carbon dioxide emissions by January 1, 2000. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate and report biennially to the Congress on the progress made pursuant to such regulations. Directs the President to promulgate additional regulations to achieve stabilization if the Administrator finds that the regulations will not achieve stabilization. Permits citizen suits against officers of the United States for failures to perform duties in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) to extend the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program. Changes the EUC program termination date (currently July 4, 1992) to the earliest of: (1) April 1, 1993; (2) the first day of the third month after the first month (after June 1992) for which the applicable unemployment rate is less than six and one-half percent; or (3) the first day of the first month (after June 1992) for which the applicable unemployment rate is less than six percent. Makes the applicable unemployment rate for any month, for such purposes, the average rate (seasonally adjusted) of total unemployment in all States for the most recent three calendar months for which data are published before the beginning of such month. Provides for reduction of benefits during periods after December 31, 1992. Modifies EUC eligibility requirements to: (1) make a 20-week work requirement inapplicable; (2) provide that an individual is not ineligible by reason of subsequent entitlement to regular benefits; and (3) provide certain transition rules, including a waiver of recovery of certain overpayments and an option to defer rights to certain regular benefits. Title II: Modifications to Extended Benefits Program - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to modify trigger provisions for the extended benefits (EB) program. Provides for an EB State "on" indicator for a month if the average rate of total unemployment (seasonally adjusted) for the most recent three months for which data are published before the close of such month is: (1) six percent or more; and (2) 110 percent or more of such average rate for either (or both) of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years. (Current law uses the State insured unemployment rate, rather than the State total unemployment rate, in the trigger formula.) Provides for additional weeks of EB program benefits during high unemployment periods (when the trigger period average rate of total unemployment is eight percent or more). Repeals certain special eligibility requirements under the EB program. Increases the amount of Federal reimbursement under the EB program. Makes these amendments to the EB program effective on October 1, 1993, with certain exceptions. Title III: Modifications to Federal Unemployment Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the Federal unemployment tax rate. Allows elective withholding of Federal, State, or local income taxes from unemployment compensation (under the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act). Title IV: Reemployment Assistance Programs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional credit against the Federal unemployment tax for taxpayers in States with reemployment assistance programs. Title V: Modification to Regular State Unemployment Compensation Programs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the base period under regular State unemployment compensation programs. Provides for treatment of short-time compensation programs which provide partial unemployment benefits to individuals whose workweeks have been reduced by at least ten percent. Allows State laws to provide for unemployment compensation funds to be withdrawn for the payment of such short-time compensation under a plan approved by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist States in establishing and implementing short-time compensation programs by: (1) developing model legislative language and proposing appropriate revisions; and (2) providing technical assistance and guidance. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on implementation of these short-time compensation program provisions. Prohibits State laws from denying unemployment compensation to any individual by reason of the circumstances under which such individual separated from employment by any employer unless it was the individual's most recent separation from employment. Requires each employer covered under a State unemployment compensation law to: (1) post statements (prescribed by the State agency) regarding benefit rights and other matters in places readily accessible to employees; and (2) furnish to each terminated employee written statements (provided by the State agency) regarding claims for compensation. Title VI: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend by two years, through December 31, 1997, the following income tax provisions affecting high income taxpayers: (1) an overall limitation on itemized deductions; and (2) a phaseout of personal exemptions. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for transfer of revenues from income taxes on unemployment benefits to the Unemployment Trust Fund. Bases such transfers on estimates of benefit payments. Sets forth a transition rule requiring the Secretary of the Treasury, by the end of FY 1992, to transfer from the general fund of the Treasury to the Unemployment Trust Fund, for credit to the extended unemployment compensation account, an amount equal to that which would have been appropriated to the Unemployment Trust Fund for months beginning on or before enactment of this Act if such transfer amendments had been in effect for all months after December 31, 1990. Revises provisions for Federal unemployment accounts. Modifies provisions for the extended unemployment compensation account with respect to transfers, and increases the ceiling on such account. Reduces the ceiling on the Federal unemployment account. Provides for borrowing among the employment security administration account, the Federal unemployment account, and the extended unemployment compensation account. Amends specified Federal law relating to civil service employment to provide that if any Federal agency does not deposit a required amount in the Federal Employees Compensation Account for unemployment benefits within 30 days after notification by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of such failure and that Secretary shall transfer such amount to such Account from amounts otherwise appropriated to such Federal agency. Title VII: Budgetary Treatment - Amends the Social Security Act to exclude the Unemployment Trust Fund (the Fund) from the unified budget, thus giving the Fund "off-budget" status (except amounts required to be deposited in the Federal Employees Compensation Account). Reduces certain discretionary spending limits for FY 1993 through 1995. Modifies certain maximum deficit amounts to provide for a decrease in FY 1993 and an increase in FY 1994 and 1995. Makes conforming amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA) (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides that any amount of new budget authority, outlays, or receipts resulting from this Act shall not be considered for any purpose under BBEDCA.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Designates the week beginning July 26, 1992, as Lyme Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1992
Prohibits a Government motor vehicle or driver from being assigned to a Member of the House because he or she is a political party whip.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Amends specified Federal law to permit individuals to waive their rights to unemployment compensation based on military service in order to qualify for other unemployment benefits, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of Labor may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Designates the week beginning October 25, 1992, as World Population Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Designates August 15, 1992, as 82d Airborne Division 50th Anniversary Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule LII to prohibit the use of appropriated funds by Members of the House for such items as meals, banking services, medicine, ambulance service, haircuts, stationery supplies, athletic facilities, recording services, photographic services, and printing services at costs lower than those charged to the public. Requires such items to be provided through private sector contracts that take into account such expenses as rent, utilities, insurance, and supplies. Amends rule XI to prohibit the expenditure of appropriated funds to defray expenses of committee members or employees incurred while traveling outside of the United States or its territories or possessions, unless a committee resolution has been approved that authorizes such travel and sets forth certain requirements. Adds rule LIII to limit to $200 the Official Expenses Allowance for the purchase of postage stamps by a Member of the House in each congressional session.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Federal Travel Discosure Act of 1992 - Prohibits: (1) the obligation or expenditure of Federal funds for Government travel other than from amounts specifically appropriated by law for such purpose; and (2) any Federal entity from expending funds for the travel expenses of any individual employed by another Federal entity without being reimbursed by the individual or the travel account of the individual's employer. Directs the head of each executive department to designate a travel supervisor. Specifies the travel supervisors for the legislative and judicial branches. Requires all Government travel to be: (1) approved in advance by the appropriate travel supervisor; (2) accomplished by the most economical means conveniently possible; and (3) accomplished by U.S. commercial carrier wherever possible, unless the travel supervisor determines that an alternative means is more economical or necessary to achieve the goal of the mission. Requires all legislative branch foreign travel to be approved in advance by recorded vote of the committee (in the case of travel by a committee member or committee staff) or by the appropriate travel supervisor. Provides that advance approval shall not be required for travel which either does not require an individual to spend the night away from his or her principal residence or place of employment or which is undertaken under emergency circumstances as defined in written guidelines established by the appropriate travel supervisor. Requires each travel supervisor to establish written guidelines for Government travel and to submit quarterly reports with respect to such travel to the Administrator of General Services (for executive branch or independent agency travel), the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate (for legislative branch travel), and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (for judicial branch travel). Requires that such reports be made available for public inspection.