United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Older Americans Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to expand the preventive health services program to include disease prevention and health promotion services and information provided at congregate meal sites and through home-delivered meals programs, as well as senior centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1995 for the preventive health services program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover colon cancer preventive screening examinations and an annual physical examination performed by a physician or nurse practitioner if a demonstration project to be conducted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services proves such examinations to be cost-effective or of moderate cost but measurably health-enhancing.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1991
Toy Safety and Child Protection Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a regulation requiring cautionary labeling warning of any dangers to children of specific ages for any children's toy which: (1) is manufactured for sale, offered for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States; and (2) includes a small part, as defined by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
Omnibus Insular Areas Act of 1991 - Title I: Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery Act of 1991 - Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the construction of facilities to protect public health and safety and to enhance the survivability of essential infrastructure in the event of disasters in insular areas. Requires the President to provide technical assistance to insular areas which lack specific capabilities in responding to disasters. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of recovery efforts in insular areas declared to be disasters by the President. Title II: Insular Areas Water, Sewerage, and Power Needs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to study how the long-term water, sewerage, and power needs of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands can be resolved. Authorizes appropriations for grants to insular areas governments to carry out projects to evaluate the feasibility of, develop options for, and encourage the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures which reduce the dependency of such areas on imported fuels, and improve the quality of life in the area. Establishes guidelines to determine the amount to be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to maintain for FY 1992 the current Federal-State funding ratio (75 percent Federal, 25 percent State) for the Bureau of Justice Assistance's block grant program (assistance to local law enforcement agencies).
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1991
First-Time Home Buyer's Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to spread over a ten-year period the taxation of up to $5,000 of individual retirement plan distributions used by a first-time homebuyer within 90 days to purchase, construct, or reconstruct a dwelling that will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence for at least three years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
861-R&D Permanent Resolution Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the rules on the allocation of research and experimental expenditures. (Currently, such rules expire on August 1, 1991.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1991
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should coordinate Federal, State, and private efforts to secure a moratorium on large-scale driftnet fishing, as called for in a specified United Nations (U.N.) resolution, and work to achieve a U.S. policy of a permanent ban on such fishing; and (2) the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce should submit recommendations to the Congress on U.S. steps to implement the U.N. resolution and to secure a ban on large-scale pelagic driftnets.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Authorizes the Thomas Paine National Historical Association U.S.A. Memorial Foundation to construct in the District of Columbia or its environs an appropriate monument honoring the American patriot, Thomas Paine. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for the establishment of the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Black Lung Benefits Restoration Act of 1991 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide that, when black lung benefits are paid for at least two years after an initial determination of eligibility, repayment of such benefits will not be required even upon a final determination of ineligibility. Prohibits a party adverse to the black lung benefits claimant from submitting more than one: (1) opinion from an examining or consulting physician; and (2) X-ray reading to supplement such an opinion. Requires that reasonable weight be given to the evidence submitted by the physician who treated the person with respect to whom the claim is made. Requires award of black lung benefits to survivors or dependents of a deceased miner if any of the following conditions are met: (1) the miner worked 25 years or more in one or more coal mines; (2) the death as due in whole or part to pneumoconiosis; (3) the miner was receiving benefits for pneumoconiosis at the time of death; or (4) the miner had a pending claim at the time of death in which existing or additional medical evidence submitted by survivors or dependents, or lay evidence, qualifies under specified new eligibility standards. Requires, in administration of the Act, that a widow of a miner shall: (1) not be disqualified to receive benefits upon remarriage; and (2) be entitled to receive benefits without regard to the length of time of marriage to the miner. Provides for a rebuttable presumption of disability or death due to pneumoconiosis with respect to certain coal miners whose claims were filed during a specified period under the Black Lung Benefits Program. Establishes such presumption if a single piece of qualifying evidence is presented. Provides that other relevant medical evidence shall be considered only in connection with rebuttal of the presumption. Requires such presumption to be rebutted if the evidence establishes that: (1) the individual is doing, or is able to do, his or her usual coal mine work or comparable and gainful work; (2) the individual's total disability or death did not arise in whole or in part out of coal mine activity; or (3) the individual does not have, or did not have, pneumoconiosis. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to review any pending or denied black lung benefits claim filed under the Act either with the Department of Labor before April 1, 1980, or with the Social Security Administration at any time. Requires such review to follow certain guidelines established before and by the enactment of the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, and to disregard amendments made after such enactment. Requires immediate payment of claims approved under such review. Requires, in the case of claims rejected under such review, the claimant to be given an opportunity to present additional medical or other evidence. Requires benefits granted under such review to be assessed against the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Permits claimants who have had more than one black lung claim denied to have their last claim considered de novo on the merits. Establishes under the Act a contingency fee arrangement system under which an attorney may be paid up to 25 percent of the black lung benefits paid to the claimant during specified periods of representation by such attorney. Provides that all benefits payable under any claim under the Black Lung Benefits Program shall be paid from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which is financed by the coal industry (thus eliminating coal operators as defendants with legal counsel in black lung disability cases).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and encourage the donation of private funds for construction and maintenance; (2) assist and cooperate with the Commission in the selection of the site and design for the memorial; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for: (1) site preparation, design, planning, and associated administrative costs for establishment of the memorial; and (2) construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes the transfer of Federal property to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial. Urges the Government to encourage 50th anniversary commemorations of the U.S. role in World War II. Urges the Smithsonian Institution and other Federal museums to develop commemorative exhibitions to be shared with academic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue and mint such coins in five dollar, one dollar, and half dollar denominations. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Microenterprise Development Act of 1991 - Authorizes the President, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID), to provide assistance for microenterprises in developing countries. Directs AID to establish specified criteria for determining the financial intermediaries that will receive such assistance. Requires a significant portion of such assistance to be used to support direct credit assistance by, and the institutional development of, financial intermediaries with a primary emphasis on assisting people living in absolute poverty, especially women. Outlines funding sources for such assistance. Permits the President, in order to generate local currencies for providing such assistance, to use development and economic support fund assistance to provide assistance to developing countries on a loan basis repayable in local currencies. Sets forth minimum levels of assistance to be provided under this Act. Requires the Administrator to develop a monitoring system to evaluate AID's microenterprise development activities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
World Summit for Children Implementation Act of 1991 - Provides for assistance in implementing the plan of action adopted by the World Summit for Children. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. Government should commit to increasing participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under the Child Nutrition Act (the WIC program) by 20 percent per year in FY 1992 through 1996, to reach full participation by the end of FY 1996; and (2) specified minimum amounts should be appropriated for the WIC program in FY 1992 and 1993 to reach such full participation goal. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the commitment to provide full funding for the Head Start Program, contained in the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1990, should be implemented in order that the goal of full participation of all eligible three- and four-year-old children can be reached by FY 1994. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to undertake a Children's Vaccine Initiative. Requires that the Director of the National Vaccine Program: (1) plan and coordinate the Initiative; and (2) ensure that the Public Health Service conducts vaccine research, production, and delivery activities under the Initiative in collaboration with non-governmental institutions and with other Federal agencies to ensure the full use of U.S. scientific and industrial capacity to prevent infectious disease. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for contributions to the United Nations Children's Fund for activities to promote child health and other assistance programs for children (to carry out specified provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for special health needs of children and mothers under the Child Survival Fund. Requires that specified minimum amounts of funds under various provisions for FY 1992 and 1993 be reserved only for such specified child survival activities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that authorization, in such amounts as may be required, should be granted to the President to exercise the (Public Law 480) debt authority with respect to least developed countries that are pursuing reforms to promote long-term economic development (as provided in specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990). Amends the Act to establish a Vitamin A Deficiency Program. Reserves for such Program specified amounts in FY 1992 and 1993 from funds for development assistance for agriculture, rural development, and nutrition. Amends the Act to direct the President, in carrying out provisions for development assistance for health-related activities, to promote, encourage, and undertake activities relating to research on, and treatment and control of, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in developing countries. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993, for such purpose, to the International AIDS Prevention and Control Fund. Provides that such amounts shall be in addition to other amounts available for such purpose. Amends the Act to reserve specified amounts in FY 1992 and 1993, from funds for development assistance for education and under other provisions of the Act, for international basic education, including early childhood education, primary education, teacher training, other support activities, and adult literacy training. Expresses the sense of the Congress that at least specified minimum amounts should be appropriated for the Migration and Refugee Assistance account, and that at least specified minimum portions of such funds should be reserved for programs of refugee assistance overseas (in addition to amounts available for programs for Soviet, Eastern European, and other refugees resettling in Israel). Amends the Act to replace provisions for certain disadvantaged children in Asia with provisions for assistance to children in exceptionally difficult circumstances. Includes among such children street children, AIDS orphans, other orphaned and abandoned children, and children displaced by armed conflict, poverty, famine, or other disasters. Reserves specified minimum portions of certain funds under the Act in FY 1992 and 1993 for assistance for such children. Requires that such assistance be made available in accordance with policies and general authorities under certain disaster assistance provisions. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on U.S. contributions to the achievement of the goals of the World Summit for Children, including U.S. efforts to achieve such goals in the United States and in other countries, with an analysis of past, current, and planned funding levels.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Superfund Liability Clarification Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exclude from the definition of "owner or operator," for purposes of limiting liability for releases of hazardous substances, a person who, without participating in the management of a vessel or facility, holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest in such vessel or facility. Defines "indicia of ownership" as evidence of interests in real or personal property held as security for a loan or other obligation. Applies such exclusion to mortgage lenders, insured depository institutions, or Federal lending institutions (lenders) that acquire such vessels or facilities through foreclosure or that conduct a restructuring of a loan or other extension of credit in compliance with specified guidelines. Specifies that "participation in the management of a vessel or facility" (by the lender) for purposes of such Act (in which case such exemption would not apply) does not include: (1) the sale of collateral; (2) actions taken by a lender to comply with such procedures or guidelines, including the conduct of a Phase I Environmental Audit of the vessel or facility; (3) actions taken by a lender to responsibly manage the vessel or facility upon learning of any contamination so as not to cause a release of a hazardous substance from or at the vessel or facility, or to harm the public health and safety or the environment, during any period while the lender is acting to administer or wind down the affairs of the owner or while diligently proceeding to pass title of the vessel or facility; (4) the status of having the capacity to affect hazardous waste disposal management decisions of the vessel or facility; or (5) engaging in so-called "work-out" activities to protect a security interest. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assure that depository and lending institutions develop and implement adequate procedures to evaluate potential environmental risks that may arise from or at vessels or facilities subject to their lending activities. States that the exclusion under such Act shall not affect the liability of a person who, by any act or omission, causes or contributes to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance from or at a vessel or facility. Specifies that a defendant who has acquired real property establishes a rebuttable presumption that he has made "all appropriate inquiry" within the meaning of such Act if he establishes that, immediately prior to or at the time of acquisition, he obtained or conducted a Phase I Environmental Audit of the real property which meets the requirements of such Act. Defines "Phase I Environmental Audit" as an investigation of the real property, conducted by a certified environmental professional, to determine or discover any indicators of the presence or likely presence of a release or threatened release of hazardous substances on the property and which consists of a review of: (1) the recorded chain of title documents; (2) aerial photographs, maps, and other appropriate historical information which may reflect prior uses of the property and which are reasonably obtainable through State or local government agencies; (3) recorded environmental cleanup liens against the property; (4) reasonably obtainable Federal, State, and local government records of sites or facilities where there has been a release of hazardous substances and which are likely to cause or contribute to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances on the property, and other specified environmental records; (5) a visual site inspection of the property and all facilities and improvements on the property; and (6) a visual site inspection of adjacent property, to the extent permitted by the owners or operators of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit, except under specified circumstances, the Export-Import Bank from using any of its funds or borrowing authority to extend credit for the sale of defense articles and services to any country. (Currently, only to economically less developed countries.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend for five years, through 1996, the investment tax credit in connection with depreciable solar energy property and geothermal property; and (2) permit this credit against the taxpayer's entire regular tax liability and minimum tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Declares that Antarctica is a global ecological commons and should be subject to a new agreement to supplement the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 to: (1) establish Antarctica (for at least 99 years) as a region closed to commercial minerals development and related activities unless a consensus of the parties to the agreement opens it for such purposes; (2) provide for comprehensive environmental protection of Antarctica; and (3) grant Antarctica protective status as a world park. States that the United States should support efforts to achieve such agreement at the April 1991 meeting of the Antarctic Treaty parties in Madrid, Spain.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Federal Alternative Fuel Fleet Act - Requires a certain percentage of motor vehicles acquired by the Federal Government for use in a metropolitan or consolidated metropolitan statistical area with a 1990 population of more than 250,000 to be alternative fuel vehicles by specified dates. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from considering the fuel economy of such alternative fuel vehicles with respect to the enforcement of fuel economy standards under such Act. Prescribes circumstances under which alternative fuels shall be offered for sale to the public. Mandates that the incremental costs of alternative fuel vehicles shall not be applied to any calculation with respect to a limitation under law on the maximum cost of individual vehicles which may be acquired by the United States. Requires the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of increasing the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the Department of Defense's motor vehicle fleet. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Purchase Incentive Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish carbon dioxide emissions standards for each motor vehicle model year after 1993. Sets carbon dioxide emissions standards for model year 1993 vehicles. Requires the Administrator, in connection with standards established after model year 1993, to: (1) analyze sales trends, fuel efficiency, and emissions data annually; and (2) increase such standards so that the objective of reduced emissions is achieved while revenue neutrality is maintained. Directs the Administrator to establish a fee and rebate program. Requires, beginning with model year 1993: (1) the assessment of fees on buyers of new vehicles with carbon dioxide emissions exceeding the standard for their size class; and (2) the granting of rebates to buyers of new vehicles with carbon dioxide emissions below the standard for their size class. Bases the amount of the fee or rebate on the amount by which emissions are above or below the standard. Directs the Administrator to adjust fees and rebates, based on the annual analysis of sales trends and emissions data. Requires each new vehicle, commencing with model year 1993, to have displayed on the dealer sticker: (1) the carbon dioxide emissions standard for the size class of the vehicle; (2) the average carbon dioxide emissions of the vehicle; and (3) the rebate or fee which the consumer will receive or pay in connection with the purchase of the vehicle. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Ancient Forest Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to designate lands for a Pacific Northwest Ancient Forest Reserve System, consisting of Federal and public lands in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. Includes within the criteria for the System the need for lands for the viability and recovery of the northern spotted owl population. Requires the Ancient Forest Reserves to include at least 50 percent of old growth forest ecosystems found in the Douglas-fir Region that are outside of congressionally designated areas (wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers in which commercial timber sales are prohibited). Prohibits vegetation removal on lands designated as Ancient Forest Reserves except for public safety, recreation, and administration. Requires that any timber harvest in the old growth forest ecosystems outside of Ancient Forest Reserves but within the Douglas-fir Region be managed using specified techniques under New Forestry Principles. Requires the Secretaries to establish an Ancient Forest Research Program on old growth forest ecosystems. Directs the President to establish a permanent Ancient Forest Scientific Committee to report to the Secretaries and certain congressional committees on specified aspects of programs and activities established under this Act. Mandates for FY 1992 through 1994 the minimum board feet per year the Secretaries must offer for sale from national forest lands within the Douglas-fir Region and other lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management within such Region according to certain guidelines on tree diameter and canopy closure. Prohibits the sale of timber in certain areas. Requires that sales of timber be first offered from those lands likely to suffer the least ecological impacts. Increases from 25 to 50 percent for a five-year period the amounts paid by the Secretary of Agriculture to States for their counties under Federal law with respect to national forests in the Douglas-fir Region. Sets forth for a five-year period the method by which Oregon and California land-grant funds paid by the Secretary of the Interior shall be distributed to such counties. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service's State and private forestry programs, to establish a special initiative to improve the productivity on State, county, and private lands in counties that include lands within the Douglas-fir Region. Requires the Secretaries to establish a national community assistance task force to oversee assistance to rural communities in those counties included within the Douglas-fir Region and to establish local task forces to assist communities and help displaced workers. Requires the Secretaries to establish a program to improve the condition of Federal forest lands in the Douglas-fir Region, with hiring preference given to local workers. Directs the President to appoint a Forest Community Assistance Coordinator to coordinate Federal assistance to affected communities and displaced workers. Establishes a special fund in the Treasury to consist of a certain percentage of the Federal Government's share of all timber receipts to fund the Timber Worker Adjustment Program established by this Act under the Job Training Partnership Act to help displaced timber workers find new jobs. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on consolidation of the Bureau of Land Management's Oregon and California lands through exchange, purchase, or donation. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 with respect to old growth forest ecosystems. Directs the Secretaries to prepare and submit to the Congress a nationwide inventory of old growth forest ecosystems on national forests and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that it shall not be in order for either House of Congress to consider any legislation which would impose any requirement on State or local governments which is likely to result in an annual cost to such governments of $50,000,000 or more for any particular program, project, or activity, except for legislation which complies with any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the report of the Committee on the Budget of each House accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget to identify changes in Federal aid programs for State and local governments on a program-by-program basis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Intergovernmental Mandate Relief Act of 1991 - Prohibits a Federal agency or court from requiring compliance in any fiscal year by State or local governments with any intergovernmental regulation unless provisions of law have been enacted which compensate such governments for additional direct costs incurred by such compliance. Declares that the compensation requirement may be waived by the enactment of a joint resolution of the Congress. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to estimate such additional direct costs and include such estimates in annual reports to the President and the Congress. Requires congressional committees to propose amendments to significant laws for which regulations will be promulgated containing provisions to compensate State and local governments for additional direct costs of complying with any intergovernmental regulation which takes effect on or after enactment of this Act. Establishes procedures for Federal agencies to reimburse State governments for additional direct costs and for State governments to reimburse local governments for such costs. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require CBO to prepare cost estimates for bills or resolutions which are likely to cost State and local governments $100,000,000 (currently, $200,000,000) or more annually.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Educational Equity Act of 1991 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise the formula for determining the amount of grants to States under the chapter 1 title I program for educationally disadvantaged children. Replaces the State per pupil expenditure with the national per pupil expenditure, in such formula.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove charitable contributions of appreciated capital gain property as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Taxpayer Regulatory Relief Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe the extent to which rules and regulations may be applied without retroactive effect (or with it). Requires all final, temporary, or proposed regulations and rulings issued by the Secretary to apply prospectively from the date of publication in the Federal Register, unless the Congress supersedes such treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) promote the maximum conservation and protection of whale, dolphin, and porpoise populations; (2) work to strengthen and maintain the current International Whaling Commission moratorium on the commercial killing of whales; (3) work to strengthen the Commission by reaffirming its competence to regulate whaling on all species of cetaceans and take actions to assure global protection for small cetaceans; and (4) in promoting protection, make use of diplomatic channels, domestic and international law, and all other means.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Violence Against Women Act of 1991 - Title I: Safe Streets for Women - Safe Streets for Women Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Mandatory Restitution, Treatment, and Rehabilitation for Sex Offenses - Requires that a court order restitution, treatment, and rehabilitation for violations of Federal sexual abuse laws, including participation in a psychotherapeutic treatment program by a licensed therapist for specified persons who committed sexual or sexual-related offenses. Specifies that: (1) the treatment program shall be designed to rehabilitate the affected person and to deter such person from committing a sexual offense after being released from the institution; and (2) treatment for a substance abuse-related condition shall be made available to such person in addition to, but not as a substitute for, counseling under such program. Sets forth provisions with respect to the period of treatment, the requirement of a complete forensic psychological assessment prior to the commencement of the treatment program, termination of treatment, supplemental chemical treatment (but the affected person may refuse to participate, or continue to participate, in supplementary chemical treatment), and the responsibilities of the Attorney General (such as contracting for treatment and documenting subsequent criminal sexual abuse). Directs the Attorney General to establish an advisory committee on therapeutic treatment for sex offenders. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crime Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to areas of high intensity crime against women. Requires that the grants be used for personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States, for use by States and their subdivisions, to be used for the same purposes as the high intensity area grants and to reduce the rate of violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make general grants to: (1) States to reduce violent crimes against women; and (2) Indian tribes to reduce violent crimes against women in Indian country. Authorizes the Director, in addition to the grants under this subtitle, to direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to use its authorities and resources in support of State and local assistance efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Bars any State or other grantee (recipient) from receiving funds under this title unless such recipient incurs the full cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual assault when such exams are required under this title. Specifies that a recipient does not incur the full medical cost of such exams if it chooses to reimburse the victim after the fact unless the reimbursement program waives any minimum loss or deductible requirement, provides victim reimbursement within a reasonable time (90 days), permits applications for reimbursement within one year from the date of the exam, and provides information to all subjects of such exams about how to obtain reimbursement. Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, from funds authorized under existing provisions, to make capital grants for the prevention of crime and to increase security in existing and future public transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to States and local public bodies to increase the safety of public transportation through lighting, camera surveillance, security phones, or other projects. Sets the Federal share of each project at 90 percent of the net cost. Directs the Secretary to provide grants and loans to study ways to reduce violent crimes against women in public transit through better design or operation of public transit systems. Amends the National Park System Improvements in Administration Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance to reduce violent crime in the National Park System (NPS). Provides for the compilation of a list of areas within the NPS with the highest rates of violent crime. Allows funds to be used, around public parks and recreation areas, for increasing lighting, providing emergency phone lines, increasing security or law enforcement personnel, and any other project to increase security and safety. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants for capital improvements and other measures to increase safety in public parks and recreation areas. Subtitle D: National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women - Establishes the National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women to promote a national policy on violent crime against women and to make recommendations on reducing such crime. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report, subject to extension by the President for up to one more year. Subtitle E: New Evidentiary Rules - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to exclude, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in criminal cases other than a sex offense case, reputation or opinion evidence of the past sexual behavior of a victim from admission into evidence. Allows other types of evidence of a victim's past sexual behavior in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Makes reputation or opinion evidence of the plaintiff's past sexual behavior, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, inadmissible in a civil action involving allegations of actionable sexual misconduct. Makes other types of evidence of a plaintiff's past sexual behavior admissible in accordance with specified procedures if its probative value outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice. Defines actionable sexual misconduct to include sex harassment or discrimination claims under title VII (Equal Employment Opportunity) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and gender bias claims under title III of this Act. Makes evidentiary rulings made under specified Federal Rules of Evidence relating to sex offense cases and the relevance of a victim's past behavior subject to interlocutory appeal by the Government or by the alleged victim. Allows the alleged victim to waive those rules if the prosecution seeks to offer evidence of prior sexual history. Makes evidence of an alleged victim's clothing, notwithstanding any other provision of law and in a criminal case under Federal laws relating to sexual abuse, inadmissible to show the victim incited or invited the offense. Subtitle F: Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to allow States to use amounts transferred by the State under block grant provisions for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers or similar nongovernmental nonprofit entities. Authorizes appropriations. Removes a requirement that a minimum amount from the block grants under the PHSA be allotted to States on the basis of population. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to make grants for research and service demonstration projects to develop and evaluate techniques for lowering the overall incidence of rape by 20 percent by the year 2000 and for reducing the trauma and long-term impact of rape. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Safe Homes for Women - Safe Homes for Women Act - Subtitle A: Interstate Enforcement - Provides for a Federal term of imprisonment or fine, in addition to any State penalties, for any person who travels or causes another (including the intended victim) to travel across State lines or in interstate commerce with intent to injure a spouse or intimate partner and who, during the travel or thereafter, injures his or her spouse or intimate partner in violation of a criminal law of the State where the injury occurs, or in violation of a State protection order. Provides for temporary protection orders while a case under these provisions is pending. Mandates that a court order restitution to the victim of an offense under this Act. Requires, provided certain conditions are met, that a protection order issued by the court of one State be accorded full faith and credit by the court of another State. Makes a protection order issued against a person who filed a written pleading for protection not entitled to full faith and credit if no cross or counter petition, complaint, or other written pleading was filed seeking such a protection order or, if a cross or counter petition was filed, the court did not specifically find each party entitled to such an order. Subtitle B: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize the Secretary to make grants, with regard to spousal abuse, to: (1) implement pro-arrest programs and policies in police departments and improve case tracking; (2) centralize and coordinate police enforcement, prosecution, or judicial responsibility for cases in one group of officers, prosecutors, or judges; and (3) educate judges to improve judicial handling of cases. Directs the Secretary to delegate to the Attorney General responsibility to carry out these provisions. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Funding for Shelters - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations to carry out that Act, earmarking at least 85 percent of funds appropriated for States, and at least ten percent for Indian tribes and tribal organizations, for grants (under current law, demonstration grants) to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance. Limits the percentage which may be used to provide training and technical assistance to State, Indian tribal, and local domestic violence programs and to other professionals who provide services to victims of domestic violence. Subtitle D: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Amendments - Amends the FVPSA to: (1) specify that the purpose of such Act is to increase public awareness of, as well as to prevent, family violence, and to provide for training to the courts, and legal, social service, and health professionals (current law specifies only local public agencies, nonprofit private organizations, and others seeking such assistance); and (2) grant preference in the distribution of funds to States that give special emphasis to projects including counseling and self-help services to victims and their children (current law covers counseling, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and self-help services to abusers and victims.) Directs the Secretary to provide for the funding of domestic violence coalitions that shall further the purposes of domestic violence intervention and prevention through activities such as: (1) working with judicial and law enforcement agencies to encourage appropriate response to domestic violence cases and specified issues, such as the use of mandatory arrest of accused offenders and the use of interstate extradition in cases of domestic violence crimes; (2) working with family law judges, Child Protective Services agencies, and children's advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues in domestic violence cases, and where domestic violence and child abuse are both present; and (3) conducting public education campaigns regarding domestic violence through the use of public service announcements and informative materials designed for print and electronic broadcast media, billboards, and public transit advertising. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth provisions with respect to the allotment of funds. Requires: (1) that any State domestic violence coalition have standing to challenge whether a grantee is in compliance with the eligibility requirements, or to seek enforcement, of provisions of the FVPSA; and (2) that each such coalition submit a report to the Secretary detailing the coordination, training, technical assistance, and public education services performed, and evaluating the effectiveness of such services. Raises the limit on funding of grants in any fiscal year to any single entity (other than to a State) to $75,000 (currently, $50,000, and a $150,000 limit on the total amount of such grants to any such single entity). Modifies provisions with respect to grants to entities other than States to require that the local share as a proportion of the total amount of funds provided under such Act to the project involved be 35 percent for new programs for the first year of the program and 20 percent for each year therafter for existing programs. (Current law specifies 35 percent in the first year such project receives a grant under such Act, 55 percent in the second such year, and 65 percent in the third such year.) Repeals a provision requiring that a specified portion of State demonstration grant funds for preventing, and assisting victims of, family violence be distributed to provide shelter for victims. Includes shelter as "related assistance" that may be funded under grants for such purposes, as well as medical services, legal assistance, technical assistance with respect to obtaining financial assistance under Federal and State programs, employment training, and educational and preventive health services. Increases the minimum allotment to States for grants under the FVPSA. Requires the General Accounting Office, within 120 days, to complete a study of, and submit to the Congress a report and recommendations on, problems of recordkeeping of criminal complaints involving domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to: (1) award to not less than ten States model State leadership grants for domestic violence intervention; and (2) provide grants or contracts with public or private nonprofit organizations for the establishment and maintenance of a national resource center and six specialty resource centers focusing on one or more specified issues of concern to domestic violence victims. Sets forth eligibility requirements, funding provisions, and, with respect to the latter, reporting requirements. Subtitle E: Confidentiality for Abused Persons - Requires the Postmaster General to promulgate regulations to secure the confidentiality of abused persons' addresses. Title III: Civil Rights - Declares that all persons within the United States shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities in every State as are enjoyed by all other persons to be free from crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender (defined as any crime of violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, or any other crime of violence committed because of or on the basis of gender). Makes any person, including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State, who deprives another of the rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws as enumerated by this Act liable to the injured party in an action for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, or other relief as the court deems appropriate. Amends the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 to allow the awarding of attorney's fees in actions to enforce this title. Title IV: Safe Campuses for Women - Safe Campuses for Women Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to make, on a competitive basis, grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education for rape education and prevention programs. Requires that the grants be used to educate and provide support services to student victims of rape or sexual assault, with 25 percent of the funds available for model demonstration programs for rape prevention and education curricula and for local programs to provide services to student rape victims. Authorizes appropriations to carry out title X (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) of the Act. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to add sexual assault to the list of criminal offenses about which statistics must be disclosed by institutions participating in certain programs. Title V: Equal Justice for Women in the Courts - Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act - Subtitle A: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in State Courts - Authorizes the State Justice Institute to make grants for model programs to be used by States in training judges and court personnel in State laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the State Justice Institute to expend at least: (1) 40 percent of appropriated funds on programs regarding domestic violence; and (2) 40 percent on programs regarding rape and assault. Subtitle B: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel in Federal Courts - Directs the Federal Judicial Center to study and report on the nature and extent of gender bias in the Federal courts. Requires the Center to develop and disseminate model programs to be used in training Federal judges and court personnel in the laws on rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender. Authorizes appropriations. Requires between 25 and 40 percent of such funds to be used for the study required by this subtitle.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Amends the General Education Provisions Act to deny funds to educational programs of entities that have policies allowing an individual to inflict corporal punishment or bodily pain upon a child as a form of punishment. (Makes exceptions for reasonable and necessary uses of physical restraint to: (1) protect self, a child, or others from physical injury; (2) obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object; or (3) protect property from serious damage.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any Bell Telephone Company (BTC), through an affiliate of such company, to manufacture and provide telecommunications equipment, except that no BTC may engage in such manufacturing with an unaffiliated BTC or affiliates thereof. Allows such manufacturing or provision to be conducted only through an affiliate that is separate from any BTC. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to ensure that: (1) such manufacturing affiliate maintains separate accounts and records from its affiliated BTC which identify all financial transactions with the BTC; (2) neither a BTC nor any of its non-manufacturing affiliates carry out sales, advertising, installation, production, or maintenance operations for a manufacturing affiliate, except under specified conditions, such manufacturing affiliate conducts all of its manufacturing activity within the United States and uses component parts manufactured in the United States unless specified requirements regarding good faith efforts to obtain such component parts in the United States and domestic content are met; (3) such affiliate incurs debt entirely separate from and without recourse against the affiliated BTC; (4) such affiliate shall not be required to operate separately from any other affiliates of its BTC; (5) if an affiliate of a BTC becomes affiliated with a manufacturing entity, it shall be treated as a manufacturing affiliate of the BTC; (6) such affiliate shall make available any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such affiliate to any purchasing carrier, so long as each such purchaser does not manufacture such equipment or agrees to make available to the BTC or any of its affiliates any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such purchasing carrier or any of its affiliates for use with the public telecommunications network by such carrier or any of its affiliates; and (7) such affiliate shall not discontinue or restrict sales to other local exchange telephone companies of any telecommunications equipment until arrangements are made to provide to them the specifications, plans, and tools to allow them to arrange for the manufacture of such equipment by another entity. Directs the FCC to require that each BTC maintain and file with the FCC complete information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connections with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities. Prohibits a BTC from disclosing any such information to its affiliates unless such information is immediately so filed. Requires any two or more carriers providing regulated telephone exchange service in the same area to notify each other of the deployment of telecommunications equipment. Requires the FCC to ensure that manufacturers in competition with a BTC's manufacturing affiliate have access to information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connection with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities required for such competition that such BTC makes available to its affiliate. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations to require any BTC which has a manufacturing affiliate to: (1) provide to other manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment that is functionally equivalent to equipment manufactured by BTC affiliates opportunities to sell such equipment to such BTC which are comparable to opportunities the BTC provides to its affiliates; (2) not subsidize its manufacturing affiliate with revenues from its regulated telecommunications service; and (3) only acquire equipment from its manufacturing affiliate at the open market price. Allows a BTC and its affiliates to engage in close collaboration with any manufacturer of customer premises or telecommunications equipment during the design and development of hardware and software relating to such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
National Electric Vehicle Act of 1991 - Title I: Electric Vehicle and Battery Research and Development Program - Defines "advanced battery technology" to mean electro-chemical storage devices, including fuel cells, and associated technology to charge such devices, for use as a power source in electric vehicles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a cooperative program with the electric utility industry, the automobile industry, and such other persons or industries to conduct joint cooperative research and development projects in areas of: (1) high efficiency electric power trains; (2) light-weight body structures; (3) advanced battery technology for electric vehicles; (4) primary batteries and fuel cells for hybrid vehicles; and (5) photovoltaics for electric vehicles. Authorizes the Secretary to include in such program any projects that were entered into under the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 or the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. Requires the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive multi-year program plan for implementation of this title. Requires the Secretary to conduct a program designed to accelerate wider application of advanced electric vehicle technology, including advanced battery technologies. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Electric Vehicle Commercial Demonstration Program - Subtitle A: Electric Vehicle Cost-Share Commercial Demonstrations - Requires the Secretary to request proposals to demonstrate electric vehicles and associated equipment in one or more eligible metropolitan areas. Sets forth specified information to be included in such proposal. Authorizes the Secretary to select one or more proposals (not to exceed ten) to receive financial assistance under this section. Sets forth criteria to be used by the Secretary in selecting a proposal. Requires the Secretary to provide a discount payment reimbursing a proposer for a discount provided to users of electric vehicles if the proposer makes a specified certification to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the progress of demonstration projects to accelerate the development and use of electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Data Acquisition Program - Directs the Secretary to establish a data collection program to be conducted in at least five geographically and climatically diverse regions in the United States which would be useful to persons seeking to manufacture, sell, own, or operate electric vehicles or other clean alternative fuel vehicles. Subtitle C: Federal Fleet Demonstration Program - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary to ensure that the maximum number of passenger automobiles and light duty trucks acquired for use by the Federal Government be alcohol powered vehicles, dual energy vehicles, natural gas powered vehicles, natural gas dual energy vehicles, or electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development Program - Subtitle A: Infrastructure Joint Venture Program - Directs the Secretary to enter into joint ventures with one or more non-Federal persons for cost-shared research, development, or demonstration of an infrastructure program or system designed to support the use of electric vehicles. Requires the Secretary to solicit no more than five different proposals for such joint ventures. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: State and Local Incentives Programs - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing guidelines for comprehensive State electric vehicle and other clean alternative fuel vehicle incentives and implementation plans designed to accelerate the use of such vehicles. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such State plans. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Federal assistance to such States. Requires the Secretary to undertake a study to determine the means by which electric utilities may invest in, own, sell, lease, or service batteries used to power electric vehicles. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Fairness for Adopting Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax deduction for qualified adoption expenses. Includes as deductible reasonable and necessary expenses that are directly related to a legal adoption of any child if the adoption has been arranged by a State, local, or other nonprofit agency, or through a private placement. Excludes from an employee's gross income any amounts paid on behalf of the employee by an employer pursuant to a qualified adoption assistance program. Limits both the deduction and the exclusion to $5,000 ($7,000 in the case of an international adoption). Reduces the amount when the taxpayer's income exceeds $60,000. Permits an employer to treat an adoption assistance program as a statutory employee benefit plan, thus making the employer's contributions to such a program tax deductible as business expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Pension Tax Equity Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to prohibit a State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of an individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of such State.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Requires a National Conference on Aging to be conducted by a joint commission appointed by the Congress to bring together representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, individuals involved in the field of aging, and representatives of the general public to: (1) identify the problems of older individuals; (2) develop recommendations for the coordination of Federal policy with State and local needs; and (3) develop specific and comprehensive recommendations for maintaining and improving the well-being of older individuals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Battery Recycling and Research Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the disposal of used lead-acid batteries except through recycling as specified under this Act. Requires any individual, retail or wholesale seller, or manufacturer of such batteries to dispose of them only by delivery to an authorized secondary lead smelter, an authorized collection or recycling facility, or other specified entities. Sets penalties for violations of this Act. Establishes additional battery collection requirements, including requirements that: (1) retailers give written notice to customers about the illegality of improperly discarding used motor vehicle, and other types of, lead-acid batteries; and (2) retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers accept such batteries for recycling without charge. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) prescribe regulations, including a model notice for use by retailers; and (2) inspect any establishment subject to this Act and issue warnings and citations to individuals for failures to comply. Prohibits the sale of any lead-acid battery not bearing a permanent label containing information about the illegality of improper disposal and the requirement that retailers must accept used lead-acid batteries for recycling in exchange for new batteries purchased. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the disposal and potential recyclability of household dry-cell batteries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Tire Recycling Promotion Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a Director of Recycling Research and Information. Requires the Director to: (1) make grants to support research and development and studies related to innovative recycling technology, waste tire management, and manufacturing strategies to facilitate tire recycling; and (2) collect and disseminate information on tire reclamation technologies and markets for used tires. Directs the Secretary to work to increase economic opportunities for tire recycling. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Utah BLM Wilderness Act of 1991 - Title I: Designation of Wilderness - Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin wilderness areas; (2) Zion and Mojave Desert wilderness areas; (3) the Grand Staircase Wilderness and the Kaiparowits Plateau Wilderness; (4) Escalante Canyon wilderness areas; (5) the Henry Mountains Wilderness; (6) the Dirty Devil River Wilderness; (7) Cedar Mesa wilderness areas; (8) Canyonlands wilderness areas; (9) San Rafael Swell wilderness areas; and (10) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin wilderness areas. Title II: Administrative Provisions - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer the wilderness areas designated under this Act. Reserves the Federal Government's rights to a quantity of water sufficient for each wilderness area designated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the standard mileage rate deduction for charitable use of a passenger automobile. Provides an inflation adjustment for such rate.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify displaced homemakers for the targeted jobs income tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as an individual who: (1) has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but has, during those years, worked in the home providing unpaid services for family members; and (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income or is receiving public assistance on account of dependent children in the home.
![Official portrait of Rep. Owens, Wayne [D-UT-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000156_200.jpg)