United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Life Imprisonment for Egregious Recidivists Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require the court, in the case of a conviction for a Federal violent felony, to sentence the defendant to life imprisonment if the defendant has previously been convicted of two other violent felonies. Specifies that this provision shall not be construed to prevent the imposition of the death penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle A--Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits Subtitle B--Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, and Matching Funds for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates Subtitle C--General Provisions Title II: Independent Expenditures Title III: Expenditures Subtitle A--Personal Loans; Credit Subtitle B--Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties Title IV: Contributions Title V: Reporting Requirements Title VI: Federal Election Commission Title VII: Ballot Initiative Committees Title VIII: Miscellaneous Title IX: Effective Dates; Authorizations Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending - Subtitle A: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - (Sec. 101) Makes Senate candidates eligible to receive benefits under this title if they meet certain contribution and expenditure limits. Limits Senate primary expenditures for a candidate (or his or her authorized committees) to: (1) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit; or (2) $2.75 million. Limits runoff expenditures. Sets a threshold contribution amount which triggers application of such primary and runoff limits. Limits the use by a Senate candidate (or authorized committees), during an entire election cycle, of the candidate's personal (or family) funds (including debt). Limits aggregate general election expenditures by an eligible Senate candidate (or authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) $5,500,000; or (2) the greater of $950,000, or $400,000 plus 30 cents times the voting age population up to 4,000,000 and 25 cents times the voting age population over 4,000,000. Exempts from the general election expenditure limit qualified legal and accounting expenditures from a legal and accounting compliance fund meeting certain requirements. Entitles eligible Senate candidates to certain broadcast media rates, mailing rates, voter communication vouchers (up to a certain amount), and in certain circumstances, payments compensating for independent expenditures and excess expenditures (if any) on behalf of the candidate's opponent. Requires the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify an eligible Senate candidate within 48 hours after his or her application to the Secretary of the Senate. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of ten percent of all Senate candidates, and the campaign accounts of all opponents of such candidates as well. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments, expenditures, or voter communication vouchers. Sets civil penalties for excess expenditures and contributions. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the Senate. Denies any payments to any eligible Senate candidate unless he or she certifies that all his or her television commercials permit closed captioning. (Sec.102) Reduces from $5,000 to $2,500 the maximum aggregate contributions of any multicandidate political committee to a Senate candidate (or authorized committees). Makes it unlawful for aggregate multicandidate political committees to contribute to any Senate candidate (or authorized committees) more than the lesser of: (1) $825,000; or (2) the greater of $375,000, or 20 percent of the sum of the general election spending limit plus the primary election spending limit (without regard to the candidate's eligibility for FECA benefits). Requires annual adjustments of such dollar amounts according to a specified price index. (Sec. 103) Sets forth reporting requirements for Senate candidates not eligible for FECA benefits. Requires reports to the Secretary within 24 hours of any contributions raised and expenditures made in excess of FECA limits. Allows the Commission to make its own determination of whether an ineligible candidate exceeds FECA limits. Requires any candidate for the Senate who, during the election cycle, exceeds limits on the use of personal and immediate family funds, and on personal loans incurred by the candidate and the candidate's immediate family, to report to the Secretary of the Senate within 24 hours after such expenditures have been made or loans incurred. Requires certain expenditure reports from any Senate candidate who held Federal, State, or local office during the same election cycle, and made any expenditures, before becoming a Senate candidate, which would have been treated as Senate candidate expenditures. Requires Senate candidates ineligible for FECA benefits to place on every paid or authorized political commercial or communication the declaration: "This candidate has not agreed to voluntary campaign spending limits." Subtitle B: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, and Matching Funds for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - (Sec. 121) Limits an eligible House of Representatives (House) candidate, in an election cycle, to aggregate expenditures of $600,000, of which not more than $500,000 may be expended in the general election period. Limits run-off election and special election expenditures for such a candidate, with additional allowances for closely contested primaries. Requires annual adjustment of such limits according to a specified price index, using calendar 1993 as the base year. Waives expenditure limitations for an eligible House candidate if any opponent is not eligible for FECA benefits and spends in excess of 80 percent of the general election period limit. Requires any noneligible House candidate who receives contributions exceeding 50 percent of the general election period limit, or makes expenditures exceeding 80 percent of such limit, to report to the Clerk of the House of Representatives within 48 hours. Excludes from the computation of expenditures subject to limits under this title: (1) any payments for legal and accounting compliance and Federal, State, or local taxes with respect to a candidate's authorized committees; and (2) certain fundraising costs, including salaries and overhead. Sets forth graduated civil penalties for low, medium, and large amounts of excess expenditures. Limits the aggregate contributions an eligible House candidate may accept with respect to any election cycle to $600,000. Waives contribution limitations for an eligible House candidate if any opponent is not eligible for FECA benefits and spends in excess of 50 percent of the general election period limit. Limits to $50,000 in any election cycle the personal contributions of an eligible House candidate from his or her own funds. Waives this limitation if any other House candidate in the same election is ineligible for FECA benefits and receives contributions exceeding 50 percent of the general election period limitation. Sets forth graduated civil penalties for low, medium, and large amounts of excess contributions. Excludes from the computation of contributions subject to limits under this title any used for legal and accounting compliance costs and Federal, State, or local taxes with respect to a candidate's authorized committees. Requires annual adjustment of contribution limitations according to a specified price index, using calendar 1993 as the base year. Entitles an eligible House candidate to receive, for a general election, an amount from the Commission matching up to $200,000 of contributions from individuals (but not to the extent that contributions from any individual during the election cycle exceed $250 in the aggregate). Entitles an eligible candidate to additional matching payments if independent expenditures totaling a certain amount are made against him or her or in favor of another candidate. Prohibits conversion of any matching funds to personal use other than for reimbursement of verifiable prior campaign expenditures. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of ten percent of the eligible House candidates, and the campaign accounts of all opponents of such candidates as well. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the House of Representatives. Denies any payments to any eligible House candidate unless he or she certifies that all his or her television commercials permit closed captioning. (Sec. 122) Limits to $200,000 the maximum aggregate contributions of political committees to a House candidate, and to the same amount the maximum aggregate contributions of persons other than political committees whose contributions run over $250 (large donors). Subtitle C: General Provisions - (Sec. 131) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary and the last 45 (currently 60) days before a general election, at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Allows Senate candidates to purchase broadcast time at 50 percent of the lowest unit rate for the 45 days before a general election. Prohibits broadcasters from preempting advertisements sold to political candidates at the lowest unit rate, unless the preemption is beyond the broadcaster's control. (Sec. 132) Amends Federal law to permit eligible House and Senate candidates to mail up to one piece per eligible voter (voting age population) at the lowest third-class non-profit postage rate, during a general election period only. (Sec. 134) Requires a clear statement of responsibility in advertisements with: (1) a clearly readable type and color contrasts for print advertisements; (2) clearly readable type, color contrasts, the candidate's image, and for a duration of at least four seconds, for television advertisements; and (3) a clearly spoken message by the candidate for both television and radio advertisements. (Sec. 136) Amends Federal law to prohibit a Senator who is a candidate for election to any public office from making a mass mailing under the frank during the calendar year of any primary or general election for such office. Restricts mass mailings of a Member of the House to the Member's district. Title II: Independent Expenditures - (Sec. 201) Amends FECA to define "independent expenditure" as an expenditure for an advertisement or other communication that: (1) contains express advocacy; and (2) is made without the participation or cooperation of a candidate or a candidate's representative. Excludes from the meaning of "independent expenditure" any expenditure by: (1) a political committee of a political party; (2) persons who communicate or receive information about activities that have a purpose of influencing a candidate's election; and (3) persons with other specified relationships with a candidate or candidate's agents in the same election cycle. Defines "express advocacy" as any communication that when taken as a whole: (1) expresses support for or opposition to a specific candidate, a specific group of candidates, or candidates of a particular political party; or (2) suggests taking action with respect to an election, such as voting for or against, contributing to, or participating in campaign activity. Title III: Expenditures - Subtitle A: Personal Loans; Credit - (Sec. 301) Amends FECA to prohibit the use of contributions after the date of a general election to repay loans to a candidate (or authorized committee) by the candidate himself or herself or by members of the candidate's family. (Sec. 302) Treats as a contribution any extension of credit of more than $1,000 for more than 60 days to Senate and House candidates (or authorized committees) by vendors of advertising and mass mailing services. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - (Sec. 311) Amends FECA to limit to an aggregate $10,000 in any calendar year: (1) an individual's contributions to political committees established by a State committee of a political party; and (2) a multicandidate political committee's contributions to State party committees. Increases the $25,000 per year limit on an individual's contributions to a candidate by the amount of contributions (up to $5,000) made to State party committees. (Sec. 312) Prohibits a State party committee (including any subordinate committees) from making expenditures in connection with the general election presidential campaign of the party nominee which, in the aggregate, exceed a certain indexed amount. Subjects to certain limitations, prohibitions and reporting requirements any amount ("soft money") solicited, received, or expended directly or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) with respect to an activity (such as voter registration and get-out-the vote activities, among others) which, in whole or in part, is in connection with an election to Federal office. Prohibits a national political party committee from soliciting or accepting contributions not subject to FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements. Cites conditions under which any amount received by the national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) from a State or local candidate committee shall be treated as meeting the soft money requirements of this title. (Sec. 313) Places limitations on fundraising by Federal candidates and officeholders and certain political committees for State and local elections. Prohibits Federal candidates or officeholders from soliciting contributions to, or on behalf of, any tax-exempt organization if a significant portion of the organization's activities include voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns. (Sec. 314) Requires the national committee of a political party and any congressional campaign committee (and any subordinate committee) to report all receipts and disbursements during the reporting period, regardless of whether or not in connection with a Federal election. Title IV: Contributions - (Sec. 401) Specifies circumstances in which contributions made or arranged to be made directly or indirectly by a person to or on behalf of a particular candidate through an intermediary or conduit shall be treated as contributions from such intermediary or conduit to the candidate (thus subjecting them to the FECA limitations otherwise applicable to that intermediary or conduit). (Sec. 402) Treats contributions by a dependent not of voting age as having been made by the individual on whom that dependent is a dependent. (Sec. 403) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting, with respect to any election, any contribution from a State or local political party committee (or subordinate committee) if such contribution, when added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such committees of that political party, exceeds the relevant contribution limitation. (Sec. 404) Excludes from the meaning of "contribution" any campaign expense voluntarily paid for by a campaign worker as an advance to the campaign, provided the amount does not exceed $500 and is reimbursed by the committee within ten days. Title V: Reporting Requirements - (Sec. 501) Requires all Federal candidates and authorized committees to aggregate information on their financial activity reports on an election cycle basis (instead of a calendar year basis, as at present). (Sec. 502) Requires candidates to report any expenditure in excess of the reporting threshold made to a person who provides services or materials for the candidate, whether the payment was made directly or indirectly under subcontract to another person providing personal or consulting services. (Sec. 503) Reduces from $200 to $50 the threshold for reporting certain information by persons other than political committees. (Sec. 504) Requires the Commission to maintain computerized indices of all contributions of at least $50 (currently $200). Title VI: Federal Election Commission - (Sec. 601) Prohibits a political committee that is not an authorized committee from using a candidate's name in a way to suggest that the candidate has authorized such committee. (Sec. 603) Provides for filling any vacancy in the office of general counsel, and revises the general counsel's rate of pay. (Sec. 604) Revises the basis for an enforcement proceeding from "reason to believe that a person has committed or is about to commit a violation of FECA" to "facts have been alleged or ascertained that, if true, give reason to believe that a person may have committed, or may be about to commit" such a violation. Authorizes the Commission to initiate a civil action for a temporary restraining order or a temporary injunction at any time during an enforcement proceeding that it believes there is substantial likelihood a FECA violation is occurring or about to occur, and the need for expeditious action meets certain criteria. (Sec. 606) Authorizes the Commission to conduct random audits of political committees. (Sec. 607) Prohibits contribution solicitation by false representation as a candidate or a representative of a candidate, a political committee, or a political party. (Sec. 608) Directs the Commission to promulgate rules to prohibit devices or arrangements which have the purpose or effect of undermining or evading provisions of FECA restricting the use of non-Federal money to affect Federal elections. Title VII: Ballot Initiative Committees - (Sec. 701) Defines a ballot initiative political committee as any committee, club, association or other group of persons which makes ballot initiative expenditures or receives ballot initiative contributions exceeding $1,000 during a calendar year in order to influence the outcome of any ballot initiative involving specified Federal issues voted on at the State, commonwealth, territory, or District of Columbia level. (Secs. 702 and 703) Excludes ballot initiative contributions and expenditures from the usual meaning of contributions and expenditures under FECA. (Secs. 704, 705, and 706) Makes the political committee organizational and reporting requirements (and attendant civil penalties) under FECA applicable to ballot initiative committees. (Sec. 707) Applies to ballot initiative contributions the current prohibition against: (1) making a contribution in the name of another person or knowingly permitting one's name to be used to effect such a contribution; and (2) knowingly accepting a contribution made by one person in the name of another person. (Sec. 708) Limits ballot initiative contributions of currency to an aggregate of $100 per person. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 801) Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee (such as a "leadership committee") other than a principal campaign committee of the candidate, authorized committee, party committee, or other political committee designated as an authorized committee. (Sec. 802) Requires that contributions of polling data to Federal candidates be valued at fair market value on the date of the poll's completion, depreciated at a specified rate (Sec. 803) Denies FECA payments to any general election candidates of a political party for President or Vice President unless both candidates for such office agree in writing to at least four debates for the office of President, or at least one debate for the office of Vice President, sponsored by a nonpartisan or bipartisan organization, with all other candidates for the office eligible for FECA benefits. (Sec. 804) Prohibits foreign nationals from directly or indirectly directing, controlling, influencing or participating in any person's election-related activities, with respect to any local, State, or Federal office. (Sec. 805) Permits union and corporate expenditures for candidates appearances, debates and voter guides in Federal elections if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 806) Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing telephonic voting for persons with disabilities. (Sec. 807) Prohibits the use of any aircraft owned or operated by the Federal Government in connection with a Federal election, except for travel of the President or Vice President as long as the portion of the cost of any such travel allocable to election activities is paid by the President's authorized committee. (Sec. 808) Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Congress should consider legislation providing a Constitutional amendment to set reasonable limits on campaign expenditures in Federal elections. Title IX: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth the general effective date of this Act. Provides for: (1) budget neutrality of this Act; and (2) direct, expedited appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from any court rulings on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or amendment made by it.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits the use of official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right to vote or not to vote for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee, official, or contractor. Prohibits an employee from getting involved with political contributions with any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to prohibit permanent replacement of strikers. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to promise, threaten, or take other action to hire a permanent replacement for an employee who: (1) at the beginning of a labor dispute was in a bargaining unit in which a labor organization either was the certified or recognized exclusive representative or had filed, at least 30 days before such dispute began, a petition for a representational election on the basis of written authorizations by a majority of unit employees and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has not completed the representation proceeding; and (2) in connection with that dispute has engaged in concerted activities for collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection through that labor organization. Makes it an unfair labor practice for an employer to withhold or deny any other employment right or privilege to such an employee as described above who is working for or has unconditionally offered to return to work for the employer, out of preference for any other individual based on that individual's performing, having performed, or having indicated a willingness to perform bargaining unit work for the employer during the dispute. Amends the Railway Labor Act to prohibit any carrier or its officer or agent from offering or granting: (1) permanent replacement employee status in a craft or class during a labor dispute; or (2) any employment preference to an individual who worked or indicated a willingness to work in a craft or class during a labor dispute over an employee who exercised specified rights during such dispute and who is working for, or has unconditionally offered to return to work for, the carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Definitions Title II: Compliance and Increased Participation Title III: Ratings and Incentives for Community Floodplain Management Programs Title IV: Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Risks Title V: Flood Insurance Task Force Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions National Flood Insurance, Compliance, Mitigation, and Erosion Management Act of 1993 - Title I: Definitions - Defines specified terms under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Title II: Compliance and Increased Participation - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to expand flood insurance purchase requirements. Requires residential real estate lenders to establish flood insurance premium escrow accounts. Imposes a fine for lenders failing to require flood insurance. Requires the seller-transferor of a residential-secured loan in a flood hazard area to so notify the purchaser-transferee unless a flood hazard determination has been made within the previous five years. Revises flood insurance notice requirements. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the development of a standard hazard determination form. Title III: Ratings and Incentives for Community Floodplain Management Programs - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide for a community rating system and incentives for community floodplain management. Provides program funding. Title IV: Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Risks - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to repeal (subject to specified transition periods): (1) the flooded property purchase and loan program; and (2) the erosion-threatened structures program. Establishes a program of flood and erosion damage mitigation insurance. Prohibits flood insurance from being made available for new or substantially improved construction within the ten-year erosion setback. Modifies the floodplain management requirement for participation for areas not adopting erosion management measures. Requires a riverine erosion study. Title V: Flood Insurance Task Force - Establishes a two-year interagency Flood Insurance Task Force which shall: (1) develop standardized flood insurance enforcement procedures and guidelines; and (2) study the extent to which the secondary mortgage market can assist enforcement. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to: (1) increase flood insurance coverage amounts for nonresidential, single family, and multifamily structures; (2) permit flood insurance private sector participation; and (3) require at least every five years an assessment (and revision if necessary) of flood insurance maps.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Systematic Application of Value Engineering Act of 1993 - Requires Federal agencies to apply value engineering, at a minimum, to identify and implement opportunities to reduce capital and operation costs and improve and maintain optimum quality of construction, administrative, program, acquisition, and grant projects. Requires Inspector General audits of reported agency savings attributable to such value engineering.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to direct the Administrator of General Services to prescribe regulations to ensure the participation (except in specified circumstances) of at least five historically Black colleges and universities and nonprofit organizations owned and controlled by Black Americans in research and development (R&D) activities conducted with Federal funds by executive agencies. Outlines the requirements to be imposed on executive agencies through such regulations, including the requirement that each such agency reserve a specified percentage of its FY 1994 through 1997 appropriations for R&D activities to be conducted by the Black colleges it must designate under this Act as federally funded R&D centers. Increases such set-aside on a graduated basis for such fiscal years. Requires each recipient of such set-aside to pay a specified percentage of it to the Parren J. Mitchell Institute for Business Education for entrepreneurial and capital formation programs. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress annually on the activities of executive agencies in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supervisory Reforms Title II: Nonsupervisory Reforms Subtitle A: Expedited Funds Availability and Electronic Transfers Subtitle B: Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act Subtitle C: Homeownership Amendments Depository Institution Burden Relief Act of 1993 - Title I: Supervisory Reforms - (Secs. 101-105) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to modify the guidelines governing: (1) the coordination of Federal and State examinations and reporting requirements for insured depository institutions; (2) the consolidation of requisite reports by a depository institution holding company for its capital-efficient insured depository institution subsidiaries; (3) the non-applicability to capital-efficient depository institutions of certain financial status reports for the early identification of needed improvements; and (4) the submission of duplicative information to Federal banking supervisory agencies. (Sec. 106) Prohibits a Federal banking agency from requiring an insured depository institution to submit information unrelated to either its safety or soundness, its insured deposits, or its reserve requirements. (Sec. 107) Limits the information that a capital-efficient insured depository institution must include in its federally required financial status report. (Secs. 108-109) Exempts from certain regulatory standards capital-efficient insured depository institutions and insured depository institutions which received an "outstanding rating for meeting community credit needs". (Sec. 110) Sets forth guidelines for each Federal banking agency to review and report to the Congress on needless burdens imposed by the Federal banking regulatory scheme. (Sec. 111) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal the statutory scheme with respect to interbank liabilities. (Sec. 112) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to set forth expedited approval procedures under which capital-efficient State banks may engage in specified activities. (Sec. 113) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to set forth self-certification procedures for certain regulated financial institutions in good standing. Permits Federal financial supervisory agencies to accept in satisfaction of CRA requirements State examinations conducted pursuant to comparable community reinvestment laws. Declares that a comprehensive examination of performance shall only be conducted if a Federal regulatory agency is not satisfied that credit is being extended throughout the community in a nondiscriminatory manner. (Sec. 114) Exempts specified banks from the purview of the CRA. (Sec. 115) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to modify the assessment base guidelines for deposit insurance premiums. (Sec. 116) Mandates that certain Federal banking regulations be accompanied with a detailed statement about their economic impact upon small banks and savings associations. (Sec. 117) Mandates that each Federal banking regulatory agency establish a separate Office of Regulatory Quality to monitor its examination activities. (Sec. 118) Limits the frequency of routine examinations of insured depository institutions except those for safety and soundness. (Secs. 119-121) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to modify the guidelines for: (1) certain reorganizations of banks into holding companies; and (2) certain bank holding companies seeking approval to engage in specified nonbanking activities. (Sec. 122) Amends Federal law regarding monetary instruments transactions to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) review annually all regulations pertaining to monetary instruments transaction requirements seeking public comment; and (2) publish all written rulings interpreting such law, as well as staff commentaries. (Sec. 123) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to modify the aggregate limits on insider lending for specified small banks. Title II: Nonsupervisory Reforms - Subtitle A: Expedited Funds Availability and Electronic Transfers - (Sec. 201) Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to: (1) modify the availability schedules for both depository institution accounts and new accounts; and (2) authorize the Board to establish rules for losses and liability among the States and their political subdivisions in connection with any aspect of the payment system. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act - (Sec. 211) Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt from its purview credit transactions involving consumers whose income or net worth exceeds specified thresholds; and (2) modify its information disclosure guidelines. Subtitle C: Homeownership Amendments - (Sec. 221) Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to modify the total assets criterion used to exempt depository institutions from its purview. (Sec. 222) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to repeal its homeownership debt counseling notification requirements. (Sec. 223) Forbids a Federal banking agency from requiring any institution under its purview to engage in data collection practices pursuant to the requirements of the Fair Housing Act other than data required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act of 1993 - Designates specified lands in Alaska as the Arctic Coastal Plain Wilderness and a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred to pay the educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. Allows such deduction only for the first 48 months of loan repayment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a four-year term of office for Members of the House of Representatives to coincide with the President's term of office. Requires any Representative who officially declares the candidacy for election to the Senate to resign his or her seat at the time of the declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993
Declares that the Congress opposes any attempt to lower the estate tax exemption or raise the effective rate of taxes on estates because such measures contradict the fundamental goal of the United States Government of encouraging long-term private saving through which productive investment that promotes economic growth can be realized.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1992
Prohibits the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of 72 F-15XP jet aircraft and related defense and construction services described in the certification submitted to the Congress on September 14, 1992 (transmittal number 92-42).
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1992
Farmer Owned Reserve Improvements Act of 1992 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 with regard to the farmer owned reserve program to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide original price support loans for wheat and feed grains; (2) announce program conditions at any time; and (3) permit program entry as unforeseen market conditions warrant. Authorizes discretionary program exit for producers with original loans.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
States that the criminal act of stalking other persons is of deep concern. Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Justice, to: (1) evaluate anti-stalking legislation and proposed legislation in the States; (2) develop model anti-stalking legislation that is constitutional and enforceable; (3) prepare and disseminate to State authorities the findings made as a result of the evaluation; and (4) report to the Congress on the need for further Federal action.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry for maintaining information concerning the health status of veterans who served in the Persian Gulf area during the Persian Gulf War (War). Describes information to be included in the Registry, including the circumstances of each veteran's service during the War. Directs the Secretary, in establishing such Registry, to: (1) provide each War veteran with a complete mental and physical examination, as well as a follow-up consultation to explain examination results; and (2) obtain from the Secretary of Defense any information relevant to such service. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake outreach efforts to further Registry purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1992
Public School Redefinition Act of 1992 - Establishes a demonstration program to provide Federal assistance to encourage States to assist teachers, parents, and local communities to establish and develop outcome-based public schools. Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to conduct such outcome-based public school programs (or, if a State elects not to participate, to award such a grant directly to an outcome-based public school). Limits such grants to three years and requires the school to provide matching funds (ten percent in the first year and 25 percent in the second and third years). Prohibits grant funds from being used for construction or major renovation or repair of facilities, but allows their use for planning, equipment purchases and other start-up costs, including minor renovation of facilities to meet applicable health and safety requirements. Sets forth application requirements for SEAs and eligible partnerships and for outcomes agreements between the school and the sponsor participating in the eligible partnership. Provides that each outcome-based public school receiving a grant under this Act shall be eligible to receive Federal, State, and local education revenue, grants, and other aid as though such school were a local educational agency. Directs the Secretary or the SEA receiving such a grant to terminate grant payments to an outcome-based public school upon determination that it is not making acceptable progress toward meeting outcomes described in its agreement. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1992
Condemns the killing and destruction by the political factions in Somalia. Urges such factions to abide by the United Nations (UN) ceasefire and to allow the deployment of security forces to protect humanitarian relief deliveries and workers. Commends the efforts of UN Secretary-General Boutrous Ghali and his Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Sahnoun. Pays tribute to the actions of relief agencies working in Somalia. Recognizes the July 27, 1992, statement of the President urging the UN to deploy a sufficient number of security forces to permit relief supplies to move into and within Somalia, and committing funds for such an effort. Calls upon: (1) the international community to immediately expand its relief efforts in Somalia; and (2) the President to work with the UN Security Council to deploy security forces immediately to assure that humanitarian relief gets to those most in need.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1992
USDA National Appeals Division Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish and maintain an independent National Appeals Division within the Office of the Secretary to hear appeals of adverse decisions made by certain agencies within the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Secretary to develop a subject-matter index of all significant final determinations and make such index available to the public. Requires the Secretary to provide an appellant with notice and opportunity for hearing. Sets forth administrative appeal provisions regarding: (1) informal hearings and appealable decisions; (2) access to materials; (3) hearings; (4) administrative appeal review; (5) judicial review; (6) implementation of final determinations; (7) employee evaluation; and (8) prohibition of adverse action during a pending appeal. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to increase the Federal assistance ceiling for State agricultural loan mediation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Balanced Budget Enforcement Act of 1992 - Title I: Balancing the Budget - Part A: Purposes - Repeals provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) with respect to: (1) emergency powers to eliminate deficits in excess of the maximum deficit amount; (2) budgetary treatment of social security trust funds; and (3) miscellaneous and related provisions. Declares the purpose of this Act to balance the budget by FY 1998 and each year thereafter. Part B: The Deficit Elimination Act of 1992 - The Deficit Elimination Act of 1992 - Establishes deficit reduction targets for direct spending and receipts legislation for FY 1993 through 1998. Establishes discretionary funding limits in terms of new budget authority for FY 1994 through 1998. Requires, whenever appropriate, that adjustments to such limits be made to reflect: (1) changes in budget accounting concepts; (2) changes in inflation for each year and outyear (any of the four fiscal years that follow the budget year); (3) renewal/replacement multiyear subsidized housing contracts; (4) emergency requirements; (5) new limits for 1998 and thereafter; and (6) any law that raises excise taxes dedicated to a transportation trust fund. Provides that if at the start of the 1998 budget-year session the baseline assuming deficit reduction projects a deficit (or surplus) for that year, then the direct spending and receipts deficit reduction requirement for that year and the discretionary funding limit for that year shall each be changed by amounts that, when debt service effects are added, will produce a balanced budget. Requires these changes to be made through enactment of a spin-off law or, if a spin-off law is not enacted, an adjustment to the direct spending and receipts deficit reduction requirement by two-thirds of the required change (excluding debt service effects) and a one-third adjustment of the required change (excluding debt service effects) to the discretionary funding limit. Provides for preventing deficits starting with FY 1999. Provides for the enactment of a spin-off law through congressional budget procedures or other means to balance the budget in 1998 or prevent deficits after 1998. Establishes a scorecard for the recording of the estimated increase or decrease in deficit reduction for the current year, the budget year, and each fiscal year through 1998 due to enactment (after August 15, 1992) of any law, or the imposition of any sequestration, or the change in the baseline which relates to certain expiring provisions of law and to veterans' compensation, affecting the level of direct spending or the level of receipts. Requires the creation of a new scorecard for FY 1999 and thereafter for the estimated increase or decrease in the deficit or surplus for the budget year. Sets forth deficit reduction requirements for the scorecard. Provides for scoring any law that affects current-year direct spending or receipts. Divides the scorecard between changes in outlays for direct spending and changes in receipts. Excludes certain emergency legislation from the scorecard. Includes certain receipts resulting from an increase in an excise tax dedicated to a transportation fund. Establishes a scorecard for each fiscal year starting with 1994 for discretionary appropriations amounts due to: (1) the enactment of any law in the budget-year session; (2) the enactent of any law in any previous session of Congress; or (3) the imposition of any across-the-board reduction of discretionary programs. Sets forth the method of enforcing deficit reduction targets in direct spending programs through a targeted sequestration procedure. Requires enactment of a spin-off law to initiate such procedure. Establishes a comprehensive sequestration procedure if such spin-off bill is not enacted. Requires under such procedure a freeze of entitlement spending and some revenue provisions in the amount needed to meet deficit targets. Sets forth the method of sequestering discretionary programs through uniform across-the-board reductions, unless the excess of new budget authority is less than $250 million. Lists the budget accounts or activities exempted from sequestration. Authorizes the President to exempt some or all of the budgetary resources of any military personnel account from sequestration, pending notification of the Congress. Subjects Federal administrative expenses to sequestration orders, with specified exceptions. Provides for the permanent sequestration of direct spending and receipts and for determining applicable uniform percentages for reductions. Sets forth the method of making reductions for: (1) the non-JOBS and JOBS portion of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (AFDC) under the Social Security Act; (2) the child support enforcement program; (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation; (4) the conservation reserve program; (5) extended unemployment compensation; (6) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Fund; (7) the Federal Housing Finance Board; (8) Federal pay; (9) the guaranteed student loan program; (10) Federal insurance program; (11) the Medicaid program; (12) the Medicare program; (13) the Postal Service Fund; (14) the Department of Energy power marketing administration funds or the Tennessee Valley Authority fund; (15) the uranium enrichment program; and (16) veterans' housing loans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the method of sequestration through tax changes. Requires an increase in the top marginal rates and modifies the indexing provision under a sequestration order. Imposes a tax surcharge on individuals and corporations. Sets forth the timetable for estimating assumptions and filing reports and orders by the President, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Board of Estimates (established by this Act). Requires the making of sequestration reports, sequestration preview reports, and low-growth reports by CBO and OMB. Establishes the administrative procedures relative to such reports. Sets forth assumptions to be used in calculating the baseline for the budget year and each outyear with respect to direct spending and receipts and discretionary programs. Declares that a baseline assuming deficit reduction refers to a projection of current policy baseline surpluses or deficits into the budget year and the outlays that is adjusted in aggregate by: (1) assuming compliance with basic deficit reduction targets; (2) assuming compliance with the discretionary funding limits; and (3) excluding amounts resulting from legislation designated as an emergency requirement. Establishes as a deposit fund in the Treasury a Stabilization Reserve Fund to accumulate balances during years of comparative prosperity, which may later be used to cover the loss of receipts and the increase in outlays that occur during comparative economic distress. Requires annual surpluses to be paid into the Fund. Requires starting with FY 1999 that an additional $10 billion be paid to the Fund. Requires in each year starting with 2000 that an additional $20 billion be paid to such Fund. Prohibits Fund balances from receiving interest. Requires the enactment of a law to transfer balances to the General Fund of the Treasury. Establishes congressional procedures in the event of a low-growth report or a declaration of war. Establishes a Board of Estimates to choose the applicable sequestration report from OMB or CBO to submit to the President. Provides judicial review procedures for provisions of this title. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Standing Rules of Senate, and specified other laws. Establishes the public debt limit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1992
Administration of Veterans Education Benefits Technical Reorganization Act - Reorganizes and recodifies Federal provisions relating to veterans' educational benefits as currently provided under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program. Repeals Federal provisions made unnecessary by such recodification. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Children's Initiative - Family Preservation Act of 1992 - States that titles I through V of this Act may be cited as the Family Preservation Act of 1992 - Title I: Child Welfare Services - Amends part B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to create a capped entitlement program to provide child welfare services designed to strengthen and preserve families. Provides for allotments, reallotments, and payments to States of entitlement funds. Requires use of part of such funds to develop or expand specialized child welfare service programs for families in crisis due to substance abuse. Requires uses of remaining funds to develop or expand certain family and child service programs. Repeals provisions for incentive payments to States which maintain a foster care inventory, information system, and case review system; but requires States to provide such protections and other services designed to keep families together or reunify them, or to place children for adoption, with a legal guardian, or in some other planned, permanent living arrangement. Requires States to submit the following types of reports on child welfare services and expenditures: (1) pre-expenditure reports; (2) post-expenditure reports; and (3) comparative financial contributions reports. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit to specified congressional committees annual summaries of the information in such comparative financial contributions reports. Requires such information to be made available to the public. Reserves entitlement funds for grants to State court systems to assess and improve procedures in child welfare cases in carrying out parts B and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA title IV. Sets forth application requirements and formulas for determining the amount of such grants for FY 1994 through 1998. Directs the HHS Secretary to submit interim and final reports to the Congress on the information obtained from assessments conducted with such grants and the impact of such grant program on State court procedures and functions. Requires each State to compile periodically a detailed directory of programs designed to keep families together or reunify them or place children permanently, identifying which of such programs provides specialized child welfare services to families in crisis due to substance abuse. Requires States to report on measures taken to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Title II: Foster Care And Adoption Assistance - Amends SSA title IV to add a new part C, Comprehensive Service Projects to grant States flexibility and resources to develop comprehensive and coordinated services designed to: (1) preserve and strengthen families with children at risk of placement outside their homes; (2) reunite children with their families expeditiously if an out-of-home placement is found to be necessary; and (3) place children in adoptive homes or other permanent arrangements in a timely fashion if reunification with their families is not appropriate. Permits any State to apply to the HHS Secretary for permission to: (1) conduct a comprehensive service project in a selected area or areas; and (2) suspend certain child welfare services and foster care and adoption assistance requirements with respect to State activities in such area or areas during the project. Sets forth application requirements and administrative provisions for such projects. Prohibits the HHS Secretary from requiring as a condition of approval of a project application: (1) the State to select any area or areas in which to conduct the project; or (2) the project to comply with any requirements not specified in the project authorization. Sets forth those requirements with which such a project must comply. Provides for determining the expenses for which a State might properly seek reimbursement, for purposes of calculating such grant amount. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to increase such grant amount, to the extent appropriate, by taking specified factors into account. Sets forth requirements for notification to States of grant amounts, and for grant payments in equal quarterly installments. Prohibits a State from carrying out such a project in a manner that impairs the entitlement of any child to: (1) the foster care benefits he or she would have receive if the HHS Secretary had approved the State plan and had not authorized the State to conduct such a project; or (2) any other benefit to which the child is legally entitled. Deems a State to have in effect an approved foster care and adoption assistance plan during the period in which it conducts such a project for purposes of State plan requirements under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV. Requires States to report annually on project funds expended to the HHS Secretary and the Advisory Commission on Children and Families. Provides for administrative remedies for unsuccessful projects. Provides for project termination. Makes abandoned children entering foster care eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Makes the adoptive parents of any such child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments may be made eligible for adoption assistance payments. Makes technical revisions to the foster care maintenance payments program and the adoption assistance program to expand the removal from home requirement to include removal from legal custody. Provides for retroactive application of such new requirement under the adoption assistance program. Makes children whose adoption has been set aside by a court eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Makes the adoptive parents of any such child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments may be made eligible for adoption assistance payments. Establishes a respite care program for foster parents with children who have special needs. Limits the expenses eligible for reimbursement under such program. Expands the definition of children with special needs, for purposes of the adoption assistance program, to include: (1) those children for whom information is known and available about their genetic or social history indicating a high risk of medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps which makes it reasonable to conclude that they cannot be placed for adoption without providing part E adoption assistance or Medicaid (SSA title XIX) medical assistance; and (2) those children that have been adopted, that were under the care and responsibility of the State agency responsible for administering the State's part E programs immediately before adoption, and that have a mental, physical, or emotional handicap that either existed before the adoption but was not diagnosed until afterwards, or first manifests itself after the adoption but is congenital or was caused beforehand. Extends to relatives (as well as foster parents) who are prospective adoptive parents, and with whom the child has significant emotional ties while in their care, the exception to the requirement that an effort be made to place special needs children with appropriate adoptive parents without providing adoption or Medicaid assistance. Requires each State to submit to the HHS Secretary the factors and conditions it uses to identify children with special needs for purposes of the adoption assistance program, and any modifications to such factors and conditions. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Foster Care Placement to study and report to the Secretary and the Congress on the implementation of specified requirements, under State plans for foster care and adoption assistance, that reasonable efforts be made: (1) before placement of a child in a foster home, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home; and (2) to make it possible for the child to return to the child's home. Provides Federal coverage of 90 percent of State costs in developing and installing certain statewide mechanized data collection and information retrieval systems. Covers 50 percent of State costs for operation of such systems. Provides that all State expenditures for development, installation, and operation of such systems shall be treated as necessary for proper and efficient administration of the State plan, without regard to whether the systems may be used with respect to foster or adoptive children other than those on behalf of whom payments may be made for foster care maintenance or adoption assistance. Reduces, after three years, from 90 to 50 percent the Federal matching payment for development and installation of such systems. Defers a deadline for implementation of automated systems until one year after certain regulations are promulgated. Directs the Secretary to establish a work group to advise on planning and implementation of the system to be used for collection of data relating to adoption and foster care in the United States. Requires the State plan to provide for: (1) a triennial review of the amounts paid as foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance to assure their continuing appropriateness; and (2) a report to the HHS Secretary on the results. Sets forth requirements concerning dispositional hearings to determine the final status of a foster child. Revises the time frame for judicial determinations on voluntary placements. Sets forth case plan requirements for placement of children in out-of-State foster care. Requires annual review, with the child present, of the status of children in out-of-State foster care placements. Requires States to collect data on the numbers of children in out-of-State foster care placements. Requires a State, in order to receive payments for expenditures after FY 1994 for foster care maintenance payments made with respect to children placed in foster care outside the State, to conduct and submit a study to the HHS Secretary, by the end of such fiscal year, identifying the number and common characteristics of such children and the reasons why they were not placed in foster care in the State. Provides for the treatment of assets of youth participating in the independent living program. Eliminates the ceilings on Federal foster care payments to States and the State's authority to transfer unused foster care funds to child welfare services programs. Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) issue final regulations for training of staff of agencies responsible for administering foster care and adoption assistance programs, and for training of foster care and adoptive parents. Directs the Secretary annually to publish information, on a State-by-State basis, on expenditures for, and the operation of, the Child Welfare Services program, the Foster Care and Adoption Assistance program, and Comprehensive Service Projects. Amends SSA title IV to add a new part G, Child Welfare Review System. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish such system to: (1) review each State child welfare program to assess whether the requirements of the Act are being carried out; (2) impose financial penalties in cases of substantial failure to comply; and (3) provide technical assistance to any such program. Sets forth provisions relating to effects of noncompliance, suspension and rescission of financial penalties, and administrative and judicial review. Requires that all State child welfare programs be reviewed at least once by the end of FY 1997. Prohibits the Secretary from reducing or withholding any payment, or seeking any repayment from any State under part B or E, by reason of a determination made in connection with specified reviews or audits for certain periods. Prohibits suspension of payments with respect to any claim for reimbursement 30 days after the HHS Secretary receives the quarterly statement of expenditures that contains the report of the claim. Provides that within ten months after the Secretary takes any action to suspend payment with respect to such a claim, the Secretary shall: (1) determine the allowability of the claim; or (2) if unable to make such a determination, make payment with respect to the claim, subject to a later determination of allowability. Title III: Social Services Block Grant - Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to authorize increased appropriations for title XX programs. Provides for the allocation to tribal organizations of program funds otherwise allotted to the State in which the Indians represented by such an organization reside. Title IV: Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Activities - Amends part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to require the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) to establish an Advisory Commission on Children and Families. Requires the Commission to collect and assess specified types of information in order to identify cost-effective approaches to protect and enhance the physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being of children and their families. Directs OTA to report annually to the Congress on the Commission and its assessment. Requires the Commission to conduct, through contracts with independent research organizations, the following research and evaluation projects: (1) the evaluation of child welfare service programs, including intensive family preservation programs; (2) foster care evaluations; (3) longitudinal child welfare data bases, and studies of child welfare population dynamics; and (4) comprehensive service projects evaluations. Requires the Commission to study child separation guidelines. Directs the HHS Secretary to conduct the following research and evaluations: (1) a study (under contract with an independent research organization) to assess the prevalence and nature of risks to the safety of employees of child welfare systems; and (2) a three-year study (under contract with an organization with demonstrated appropriate experience) to examine methodologies for measuring the workloads of providers of child welfare services and community mental health services. Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to States or localities for child welfare demonstration projects concerning abandoned child permanent placement. Directs the HHS Secretary to authorize eligible institutions to conduct demonstration projects to train eligible individuals to deliver culturally sensitive and bilingual child welfare services in U.S. areas that border on Mexico. Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions to conduct projects to train eligible institutions to deliver culturally sensitive and bilingual welfare services in urban centers which have a high proportion of historically unserved or underserved populations. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to make grants to State or local government agencies to conduct demonstration projects designed to: (1) develop and implement innovative recruitment or retention strategies for trained staff in public and private nonprofit agencies working with children and adolescents at risk of being placed in foster care; and (2) test the effect of joint training programs for the staff of child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice agencies, and for judicial personnel and judges. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to conduct demonstration projects designed to test the feasibility of eliminating income and resource requirements respecting foster care and adoption assistance payments. Directs the HHS Secretary to provide technical assistance to States for: (1) interpreting and implementing parts B, C, and E; (2) disseminating information on innovative child welfare agencies; (3) correcting problems identified through Federal audits and reviews and carrying out corrective action plans under part E; (4) implementing the foster care and adoption data collection system; and (5) addressing other matters identified by the HHS Secretary. Title V: Miscellaneous Human Resources Amendments - Amends the AFDC program to give States the option of using retrospective budgeting without monthly reporting under AFDC. Increases the amount of stepparent income disregarded under AFDC. Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to extend demonstration projects for evaluating model procedures for reviewing child support awards. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make technical corrections relating to human resource and income security provisions. Title VI: Childhood Hunger Relief - Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act - Subtitle A: Ensuring Adequate Food Assistance - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the excess shelter deduction cap for purposes of food stamp program eligibility. (Sets forth transitional caps through 1996.) Eliminates food stamp reductions for households reapplying for program reinstatement within 30 days. Excludes 100 percent (currently only a specified portion) of third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless from consideration as program income. Increases funding for the nutrition assistance program in Puerto Rico. Excludes general assistance vendor payments from consideration as program income. Excludes the income of high school students from consideration as program income. (Current law excludes income until a student's eighteenth birthday.) Subtitle B: Promoting Self-Sufficiency - Excludes from consideration as program income: (1) the first $50 a month received as child support; and (2) child support payments to non-household members. Increases annually the fair market value limit of vehicles that program recipients may own. Subtitle C: Simplifying the Provision of Food Assistance - Permits related adults living in the same household to apply for separate program benefits under specified conditions. Repeals provisions authorizing benefit reductions due to insufficient funding. Subtitle D: Commodity Distribution to Needy Families - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide for increased allotments in FY 1993 for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program. Subtitle E: Implementation and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this title. Title VII: Funding - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a surtax on individuals with incomes over $1,000,000.
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
Credit Availability and Regulatory Relief Act of 1992 - Title I: Supervisory Reforms - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the appropriate Federal banking agency to exempt any insured depository institution owned or controlled by a depository institution holding company from statutory examination requirements if: (1) the agency is satisfied that adequate internal controls and examination procedures exist within the holding company structure; and (2) the institutions owned or controlled by the holding company having at least 80 percent of all insured depository institutions owned or controlled by such holding company have been subjected to onsite examinations. Modifies statutory auditing and reporting requirements in order to reduce the regulatory costs incurred by insured depository institutions. Requires the Small Business Administration together with specified financial institution regulatory agencies to conduct a joint study and report to the Congress on the appropriate methods to obtain the information needed to assess the availability of credit to small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses and small farms. Repeals the existing mandate for certain regulatory standards for safety and soundness. Requires the appropriate Federal banking agencies to review their regulations and adopt uniform regulations. Excludes from bank closure requirements specified branches and automated teller machines. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to modify the aggregate statutory limits on insider lending. Repeals the current statutory mandate with respect to the regulation of interbank risks. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to change the assessment base calculation for deposit insurance premiums (from the two most recent quarterly call reports of the institution to the next-to-last call report and the one immediately before it). Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to: (1) establish a threshold of $100,000 or less level below which State-certified or State-licensed appraisers are not required for certain Federal real estate-related transactions; and (2) prohibit the States from requiring State-certified or State-licensed appraisers for such transactions. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to set forth guidelines for self-certification of small rural regulated financial institutions that have complied with such Act. Requires the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency to investigate any allegation filed against a regulated financial institution regarding whether it is helping to meet the credit needs of its community, consistent with safe and sound operation of the institution. Modifies the regulatory the guidelines for such institutions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require: (1) the appropriate Federal banking agencies to jointly establish application requirements to reduce duplicative filings by depository institutions; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to minimize the regulatory burden imposed upon insured depository institutions. Removes certain interest rate restrictions placed upon depository institutions that are adequately capitalized. Repeals provisions relating to private deposit insurers and deposit institutions lacking Federal deposit insurance. Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from bringing an action or proceeding against a private deposit insurer for non-compliance with the requirement to complete a certain annual audit within a specified time period. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) those measures necessary to ensure adequate public disclosure of depository institutions that lack Federal deposit insurance; and (2) the appropriateness of imposing audit requirements on private deposit insurers. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to delay the effective dates for specified new requirements for insured financial institutions. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to accelerate the effective date by which savings associations may engage in certain affiliate transactions permitted for banks. Title II: Non-Supervisory Reforms - Subtitle A: Expedited Funds Availability and Electronic Transfers - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to eliminate next-day availability schedules for checks drawn on and deposited at an automated teller machine of the same depository institution. Makes the availability schedule for new accounts applicable during the 90-day (currently 30-day) period beginning on the date the account is established. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board) to establish rules imposing liability and allocating risk of loss among depository institutions and other entities participating in the payments system, including the States and political subdivisions on which checks are drawn. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) exempt from its purview credit transactions involving consumers whose income or net worth exceeds specified thresholds; and (2) prohibit the recovery of punitive damages. Subtitle C: Homeownership Amendments - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to exempt lenders who finance the purchase of residential real estate from requirements to provide certain information booklets to borrowers if the lender denies the loan application within three business days after it is received. Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to index the asset size of depository institutions exempt from the Act to increases in the Consumer Price Index. Amends the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 to apply the definition of "adjustable rate mortgage loan" with respect to the interest rate cap to consumer loans only. Prohibits an appropriate Federal banking agency from requiring any depository institution to engage in Fair Housing Act data collection activities if such activities are already required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Subtitle D: Amendments to the Truth in Savings Act - Amends the Truth in Savings Act to direct the Federal Reserve to exempt certain broadcast, electronic, or outdoor advertisements from interest-rate disclosure requirements, as well as (at the Board's discretion) interest rate notice boards on the premises of an institution. Authorizes the Board to exempt or modify certain disclosure requirements with respect to specified accounts and interest rates. Limits the civil liability of a depository institution to an accountholder to the actual damages sustained. Subtitle E: Expedited Procedures for Bank Holding Companies - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act to set forth expedited procedures by which banks may reorganize into bank holding companies. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to: (1) reflect such expedited procedures; and (2) prescribe expedited procedures for bank holding companies to seek approval to engage in nonbanking activities. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, the reduction to five days of the post-approval waiting period for bank holding company acquisitions and bank mergers.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Fiscal Accountability and Impact Reform Act (FAIR Act) - States that one purpose of this Act is to assist the Congress in consideration of proposed legislation establishing or revising Federal programs to assure that, to the maximum extent practicable, legislation enacted will: (1) minimize the burden of such legislation on expenditure of scarce local public resources by State and local governments; (2) minimize inefficient allocation of economic resources; and (3) reduce the adverse effect of such legislation on the ability of State and local governments to use local public resources to meet local needs, and on allocation of economic resources, full employment, and international competitiveness. States that a second purpose of this Act is to require Federal agencies to exercise discretionary authority and implement statutory requirements in a manner which, consistent with agency mission and Federal law, minimizes the impact of regulations and other major Federal actions affecting the economy on: (1) the ability of State and local governments to use local public resources to meet local needs; and (2) the allocation of economic resources, full employment, and international competitiveness of American goods and services. Title I: Legislative Reform - Provides that whenever a committee of either House reports a bill to its House which mandates unfunded requirements upon State and local governments or the private sector, the report accompanying that bill shall analyze the effect of the new requirements on: (1) State and local government expenditures necessary to comply with Federal mandates; (2) private businesses; and (3) economic growth and competitiveness. Title II: Agency Impact Analysis - Requires, to the fullest extent practicable, that: (1) the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with the purposes of this Act; (2) all Federal agencies, consistent with attainment of the requirements of Federal law, minimize the adverse effects of rules affecting the economy; and (3) Federal agencies take certain actions in promulgating new rules, reviewing existing rules, developing legislative proposals, or initiating any other major Federal action affecting the economy whenever an agency identifies two or more alternatives which will satisfy the agency's statutory obligations. Provides that, whenever an agency publishes a general notice of proposed rulemaking, promulgates a final rule, or before initiating or implementing any other major Federal action affecting the economy, the agency shall prepare and make available for public comment an Economic Impact Assessment. Specifies the contents of such an assessment. Provides for judicial review of final agency actions for compliance with this title.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Constitutional Amendment - Grants a citizen of the United States who is 16 years of age or older the right to vote. Repeals the 16th Amendment to the Constitution requiring a citizen to be at least 18 years of age to vote.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1992
International Woman and Child Health Act of 1992 - Requires U.S. contributions to international organizations and nongovernmental organizations for programs to immunize people in high-mortality countries for diseases such as measles or polio to be at least $100,000,000 greater in each of FY 1993 through 1995 than the amount of such contributions for FY 1992. Provides additional funding for vitamin A supplementation and fortification programs and iodine and iron supplementation and fortification programs for pregnant women. Directs the Agency for International Development, during FY 1993 through 1995, to ensure that a specified amount in local currencies made available under foreign assistance programs is used to provide training, compensation, and other support for maternal and child health workers in developing countries. Authorizes appropriations. Reduces funding for military assistance programs during such fiscal years in order to provide funding for this Act without increasing the foreign assistance budget.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Foreign Language Economic Enhancement Act - Title I: Foreign Language Teacher Recruitment - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a program of grants to State education agencies (SEAs) to recruit and train qualified individuals as elementary and secondary school foreign language teachers. Allots such funds to applicant States on the basis of periodic assessments of need for foreign language teachers in each State. Sets minimum and maximum grant limits. Sets forth application requirements. Requires SEAs, in selecting qualified individuals for such program from among those with competence in a foreign language consistent with certain standards, to include: (1) retired or returning Government employees who served abroad; (2) retired or returning business persons or professionals who served abroad; (3) foreign-born nationals with a degree from a domestic or overseas institution of higher education; and (4) individuals with a baccalaureate degree whose major or minor was in a foreign language or international studies. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Grants to Institutions of Higher Education for Translators and Interpreters - Requires the Department of State to establish a Translation and Interpretation Needs Assessment Council, to be composed of the following (or their designated representatives): (1) the Secretaries of State, of Education, of Defense, and of Commerce; (2) the Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Information Agency, and National Security Council; and (3) six Presidentially-appointed experts in the fields of translation and interpretation, language and linguistics, international studies, business, and area studies education. Directs the Council to award institutional grants and individual fellowships for higher education degree or certificate programs in translation and interpretation. Requires determination of institutional and individual qualifications and selection for such awards after the Council has determined the translation and interpretation needs of the Government for purposes of economic competitiveness and cooperation, diplomacy, and national security. Requires higher education institutions or consortia (in conjunction with nonprofit or Federal agencies) to show they are developing such a program, in order to receive such a grant. Requires individual fellowship recipients to be enrolled in such a program and agree to enter government or public service for two years for each year of the fellowship. Sets forth authorized uses of such grants for institutional support and such fellowships. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Lesser Known and Studied Languages - Amends the Soviet-Eastern European Research and Training Act of 1983 to direct the Secretary of State to award institutional grants and individual fellowships for degree or certificate programs for teaching and study of lesser known and studied languages. Requires the Secretary to develop a list of such languages. Sets forth requirements for program development grants to higher education institutions or consortia (in conjunction with nonprofit or Federal agencies), and for individual fellowships for study in such programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Export Education - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to States to provide education and support services to domestic businesses to increase their basic knowledge of world markets, foreign cultures, and languages, or order to develop and expand into international export markets. Requires States to submit proposals indicating the qualifications of an appropriate State-based entity to carry out authorized activities under this title. Requires each State receiving such a grant to determine the eligibility of such an entity according to the needs of the State's primary trade and economic development agency and model programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Rescinds amounts set aside or otherwise made available for the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
Cash Management Improvement Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990 (the Act) to remove the two-year deadline for the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the timely disbursement of Federal funds. Extends the deadline for the Secretary to enter into agreements with States for intergovernmental financing and to prescribe regulations for such financing from October 24, 1992, until July 1, 1993, or by the first day of a fiscal year of the State which begins in 1993, whichever is later. Makes the Act effective on such date. Extends for one year the report to the Congress by the Comptroller General on the implementation of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
Community Bank Burden Reduction Act of 1992 - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to set forth conditions under which a regulated financial institution shall not be subject to its examination requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
International Refugee Protection Act of 1992 - States that: (1) the Congress affirms that U.S. obligations under certain international refugee agreements have applied to U.S. actions with respect to persons outside U.S. territorial boundaries; and (2) the United States shall refrain from the involuntary return of refugees to their home country from boundaries outside the United States or from the territorial waters of such home country, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
All-Soy Ink Printing Act of 1992 - Requires that all federally performed or procured printing be done with all-soy inks and pigment vehicles as soon as commercially cost competitive. Requires that all solicitations for printing and binding services made by the Government Printing Office encourage the use of ink with soy-based pigment vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Dollars for Scholars Community Scholarship Foundation Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make an endowment grant to an eligible organization to support the establishment of 25 regional centers to foster development of locally based, volunteer organizations to improve high school graduation rates and postsecondary attendance through providing academic support services and financial assistance for postsecondary education. Sets forth requirements for the eligible organization, the regional centers, and the local affiliates of the eligible organization. Sets forth conditions for the endowment grant. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow, on order of a veterinarian: (1) a new animal drug approved for one use to be used for a different purpose, provided the use does not result in residues in food in violation of established safe levels for the drug; and (2) a new drug approved for human use to be used in non-food producing animals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Prohibits, unless a certification under this Act is in effect: (1) U.S. economic assistance to the Government of Russia; and (2) the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from consenting to an increase in the U.S. quota in the IMF. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, unless such certification is in effect, to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of the IMF and other international financial institution to oppose any loan to the Government of Russia. Describes such certification as a certification by the President to the Congress that: (1) progress has been achieved toward removal of Russian armed forces from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) additional Russian armed forces have not been brought into such countries for any purpose without their permission; (3) artillery exercises or training operations are not being conducted by Russian armed forces on the territory of such countries without their permission; (4) Russian military installations in such countries are open to inspection by the governments of such countries; (5) Russian air and naval forces are not interfering with traffic in the air space or territorial waters of such countries; and (6) the Russian Government is keeping such governments informed regarding the number and location of Russian armed forces in such countries. Makes such certifications effective for six months and authorizes the President to make recertifications for additional six-month periods. Terminates the restrictions under this Act if the President certifies that all Russian armed forces have been withdrawn from such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Used Oil Recycling Act of 1992 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the listing or identification of used oil destined for recycling, used oil to be burned for energy recovery, recycled oil, or affiliated material as hazardous wastes. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate regulations for the management of used oil and to encourage recycling of such oil; and (2) take into account the effect of such regulatons on small businesses. Exempts from such regulations used oil generated, collected, or stored by an individual who removes oil from the engine of a motor vehicle, aircraft, household appliance, or item of domestic equipment if owned by such individual and used only for personal purposes. Sets forth regulation requirements for used oil generators, including to: (1) prohibit the storage of used oil in an underground tank unless it meets specified requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) prohibit the storage of used oil for more than 12 months; (3) make used oil in above ground tanks subject to the Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Control Plan requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (4) require owners or operators of such tanks or other used oil containers to notify the Administrator of releases of used oil in excess of 25 gallons and to clean up such releases and comply with closure or disposal requirements. Authorizes the transfer of used oil by generators only to: (1) a permitted used oil recycling facility or a burner of used oil for energy recovery that complies with specifed regulations; (2) a permitted hazardous waste management facility; or (3) a used oil transporter obligated by contract to deliver used oil to another such transporter or to one of the aforementioned facilities. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for generators, transporters, and recyclers and requires records to be maintained for at least three years. Applies used oil storage and transfer requirements for generators to transporters, except permits transporters to store such oil for only 60 days before transferring it to another transporter or authorized facility. Requires transporters to: (1) comply with all requirements of the Secretary of Transportation for the shipping of used oil; (2) comply with financial responsibility requirements of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; and (3) have identification numbers provided by the Administrator. Sets forth regulation requirements for recyclers of used oil. Exempts from regulations used oil generated by: (1) petroleum refining or exploration, production or transportation facilities, or bulk terminals which is to be refined or processed along with normal process streams at a refining facility; and (2) a manufacturer or processor or by an electric or gas utility that is processed, reclaimed, or refined by such generator or its parent, subsidiary, or corporate affiliate, provided that the oil is reused by such entities and such activities meet certain storage, shipping, financial responsibility, contingency, and release detection requirements under this Act. Applies storage requirements similar to those for generators and transporters to recyclers, as well as requiring: (1) aboveground storage tanks and containers of used oil recyclers to comply with hazardous waste storage standards; (2) recyclers to maintain contingency plans to minimize unanticipated damage from used oil; (3) recyclers to comply with requirements for maintenance and operation of used oil recycling facilities and training of personnel; (4) detection of releases of used oil at recycling facilities and cleanup; (5) testing by recyclers, prior to processing, of all used oil received for levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, halogens, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other materials, as appropriate, and for the testing of fuel for such materials before it leaves the facility; (6) the separate storage of used oil contaminated with any hazardous waste for a specified time period; (7) financial responsibility equivalent to that required for hazardous waste facilities; and (8) class permits for recycling facilities. Requires the Administrator to conduct annual inspections of used oil recycling facilities to determine compliance with permit requirements. Makes a facility ineligible to apply for a permit if: (1) the facility has utilized any pit, pond, lagoon, or other surface impoundment for containing used oil; and (2) there has been a release from such impoundments which requires corrective action or is otherwise subject to post closure care requirements. Permits States to be authorized by the Administrator to carry out permit programs. Prohibits: (1) the placement of used oil in such impoundments or in any uncovered tank; (2) the mixing of used oil with a hazardous waste unless the mixture is managed as a hazardous waste; and (3) the use of used oil as a dust suppressant. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the closure of such impoundments and tanks containing used oil, to include requirements for: (1) corrective action or postclosure care; (2) allowable fuel specification levels for lead and halogens for the burning of used oil for energy recovery; and (3) lead levels for the burning of industrial specification used oil. Requires oil fuels failing to meet lead limitations to be burned in specified facilities. Directs the Administrator to implement education activities to inform the public about the hazards associated with the improper handling and disposal of used oil and the benefits derived from legitimate used oil recycling. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to publish guidelines to assist State and local governments and other public service organizations in the development of used oil collection programs. Makes used oil generators who comply with this Act eligible for an exclusion from cost recovery authorities of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Directs the Administrator to propose regulations establishing guidelines for the procurement of used oil by Federal agencies and other governmental entities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1992
Balanced Budget Enforcement Act of 1992 - Title I: Balancing the Budget - Part A: Purpose - Repeals provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) with respect to: (1) emergency powers to eliminate deficits in excess of the maximum deficit amount; (2) budgetary treatment of social security trust funds; and (3) miscellaneous and related provisions. Declares the purpose of this Act to balance the budget by FY 1997 and each year thereafter. Part B: The Deficit Elimination Act of 1992 - Deficit Elimination Act of 1992 - Establishes the amounts by which the deficits in the deficit reduction base shall be reduced by changes in law for FY 1993 through 1997. Declares that changes in law do not include the resulting debt service changes or any incidental changes in intragovernmental receipts of Federal trust funds. Increases the basic deficit reduction requirements for FY 1996 and 1997 if the baseline assuming deficit reduction projects a deficit for either fiscal year. Provides for preventing deficits starting with FY 1998, if the current policy baseline projects a deficit for the budget year after excluding any amounts resulting from the prior enactment of specific excesses. Declares the shortfall in deficit reduction to be the amount by which the deficit reduction required for that year exceeds the deficit reduction achieved for that year. States that the amount to be sequestered for any budget year is the amount of the shortfall in deficit reduction for that year (general sequestration). Requires: (1) one-half of the amount to be sequestered to be derived by the imposition of a surtax; (2) one-quarter to be derived from reductions in direct spending programs; and (3) one-quarter to be derived from reductions in discretionary programs. Requires additional sequestration based on outyear shortfall (any of the four fiscal years that follow the budget year). Allows the enactment of a spin-off law, through the congressional budget process or any other means, for any budget year that separately specifies the proportions of deficit reduction required for that year (categorical sequestration) that is to be achieved from: (1) changes in direct spending law; (2) changes in receipts law; and (3) changes in outlays for discretionary programs. Requires such law to specify a cap on the amount of discretionary new budget authority that may be appropriated for the budget year. Sets forth formulae for determining amounts of sequestration in each category. Requires additional sequestration based on outyear shortfall. Sets forth the method of sequestering direct spending programs. Provides that such sequestration will occur only if direct spending in the current policy baseline exceeds $250 million. Provides for sequestration of revenues through a tax surcharge to reduce the deficit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose such tax surcharge on individuals and corporations. Sets forth the method of sequestering discretionary programs. Provides that such sequestration will occur only if discretionary new budget authority in the current policy baseline exceeds $250 million. Requires within-session sequestration if any law is enacted containing provisions that would: (1) cause there to be a greater amount of direct spending or lower total receipts that allowed in the spin-off law, or a breach in the cap on discretionary new budget authority under the spin-off law; or (2) cause a shortfall in deficit reduction if no spin-off law has been enacted. Lists the budget accounts or activities exempted from sequestration. Subjects Federal administrative expenses to sequestration orders, with specified exceptions. Grants the President the option to exempt military and civilian personnel. Declares that automatic spending increases are increases in outlays due to changes in indexes in the National Wool Act and the special milk program. Exempts all amounts under such programs from any sequestration order other than the automatic spending increases. Sets forth the method of making reductions for: (1) the guaranteed student loan program; (2) foster care and adoption assistance programs; (3) low-income entitlements; (4) Federal retirement and veteran programs; (5) the Medicare program; (6) Federal pay; (7) the child support enforcement program; (8) extended unemployment compensation; (9) the Commodity Credit Corporation; (10) the JOBS portion of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (AFDC) under the Social Security Act; and (11) the Postal Service Fund. Requires budgetary resources sequestered from any account other than an entitlement trust, special, or revolving fund account to revert to the Treasury and be permanently canceled. Requires the same percentage sequestration to apply to all programs, projects, and activities within a budget account. Requires administrative regulations or similar actions implementing a sequestration to be made within 120 days of the order. Requires that obligations in sequestered direct spending accounts be reduced in the fiscal year in which a sequestration occurs and in all succeeding fiscal years. Provides that if an automatic spending increase is sequestered, the increase that was disregarded shall not be taken into account in any subsequent fiscal year. Requires sequestration in accounts for which obligations are indefinite to be taken in a manner to ensure that obligations in the fiscal year of a sequestration and succeeding fiscal years are reduced from the level that would actually have occurred, by the applicable sequestration percentage. Establishes a scorecard for the recording of the estimated increase or decrease in deficit reduction for the current year, the budget year, and each fiscal year through 1997 due to enactment (after May 15, 1992) of any law, or the imposition of any sequestration, affecting the level of direct spending or the level of receipts. Treats deficit reduction as a positive and deficit increase as a negative on such scorecard. Divides the scorecard between changes in outlays for direct spending and changes in receipts. Provides for scoring deficit reduction achieved in prior sessions. Provides for determining deficit reduction achieved in the current session and for calculating savings in discretionary programs. Sets forth assumptions to be used in calculating the baseline for the budget year and each outyear with respect to direct spending and receipts and discretionary programs. Requires the deficit reduction base to be a current policy baseline for FY 1992 through 1997. Provides for determining direct spending and receipts for such base and sets forth the level of outlays for discretionary appropriations. Requires adjustments to the discretionary deficit reduction base for each budget year and each outyear through 1997 to reflect changes in budget accounting concepts, changes in inflation, and specific excesses. Declares that a baseline assuming deficit reduction shall be a projection of current policy baseline deficits that is adjusted in aggregate by assuming compliance with basic deficit reduction requirements and excluding amounts designated as specific excess. Sets forth the timetable for estimating assumptions and filing reports and orders by the President, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Board of Estimates (established by this Act). Requires the making of sequestration preview reports, sequestration update reports, within-session sequestration reports, and low-growth reports by CBO and OMB. Establishes the administrative procedures relative to such reports. Establishes a Board of Estimates to choose the applicable report from OMB or CBO to submit to the President. Establishes a deposit fund in the Treasury a Stabilization Reserve Fund to accumulate balances during years of comparative prosperity, which may later be used to cover the loss of receipts and the increase in outlays that occur during comparative economic distress. Requires annual surpluses to be paid into the Fund. Requires starting with FY 1997 that an additional $2 bilion be paid to the Fund. Prohibits Fund balances from receiving interest. Requires the enactment of a law to transfer balances to the General Fund of the Treasury. Establishes congressional procedures in the event of a low-growth report or a declaration of war. Provides judicial review procedures for provisions of this title. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Standing Rules of the Senate, and specified other laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Rural Electrification Administration Improvement Act of 1992 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide that if a borrower of a loan made or guaranteed by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) applies for an electric or telephone service loan from a private lender, REA shall grant the private lender a lien accommodation on the total assets securing the unpaid balance on an equal and pro rata basis with the Government lien, except if such private loan will adversely affect the borrower's ability to repay the Government. Subordinates the REA lien to a lien made by a private lender on a non-electric or non-telephone rural development loan if the borrower's revenues will be sufficient to meet all loan obligations. Revises discounted loan prepayment provisions to permit prepayment or sale of a loan that was advanced before a certain date or has been fully advanced for not less than two years. Limits future loan eligibility for prepaying borrowers. Repeals provisions regarding: (1) borrower net worth; and (2) the prepayment privatization demonstration program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Withdraws most favored nation status from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Authorizes the President to restore such status after he certifies to the Congress that: (1) such treatment would promote compliance with the provisions of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (2) Yugoslavia has ceased its armed conflict with the other ethnic peoples of the region, and has agreed to respect the borders of the six republics, that formerly comprised the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Adds a new chapter to Federal veterans' benefits provisions entitled "Veterans' Job Training." Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) and, to the extent specifically provided, the Secretary of Labor to carry out a program to assist eligible veterans in obtaining employment through participation in programs of significant training for employment in stable and permanent positions. Requires the program to be carried out through payments to employers who employ and train eligible veterans in such positions. Uses such payments to assist such employers in defraying the costs of necessary training. Authorizes the Secretary to contract or make agreements with State approving agencies (SAAs) to carry out the duties of the Secretary under this chapter, and to pay appropriate expenses. Directs each SAA to report to the Secretary a certification as to the expenses incurred. Requires the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to assist the Secretary of Labor in carrying out this chapter. Makes eligible for such job training programs veterans who: (1) are unemployed at the time of application; (2) have been so unemployed for at least ten of the 15 weeks prior to such application; (3) submit an application for such program within four years after discharge or release or four years after enactment of this Act, whichever is later; (4) were discharged on or after August 2, 1990; (5) served on active duty for more than 90 days; (6) are entitled to disability compensation (or who, but for the receipt of military retired pay, would be so entitled) for a disability rated at 30 percent or more; and (7) were discharged or released from active duty due to a service-connected disability. Outlines application requirements for a veteran who wishes to participate in such a program. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold approval of such applications when determined necessary due to limited funds available for the program. Directs the Secretary to furnish to veterans approved for the program a certificate of eligibility for presentation to an employer within 180 days. Limits to 15 months the maximum period of training for which assistance may be provided on behalf of a veteran under this chapter. Requires an employer, in order to be approved under the job training program, to provide training for no less than 12 months in an occupation in a growth industry or in an occupation requiring the use of new technological skills. Allows for a training program of at least six months when the purpose of this chapter would be met by such program. Provides for the approval of appropriate employer job training programs. Prohibits the approval by the Secretary of job training programs for employment: (1) consisting of seasonal, intermittent, or temporary jobs; (2) under which commissions are the primary income source; (3) which involves political or religious activities; (4) with any Federal department or agency; or (5) outside of the State. Outlines application requirements for the approval of job training programs of an employer under this chapter. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold the approval of an employer's proposed program pending the outcome of an investigation as to whether all application requirements have been met. Provides for payments to employers for approved job training programs provided to qualifying veterans under this chapter. Places certain per-veteran limits on the amount of such payments. Requires pro rata repayment by an employer for unfulfilled periods of job training or employment under the program. Requires an employer to certify to the Secretary the appropriate training and employment of a veteran before receiving such payments. Requires all requests for such payments to be made within two years from the date on which the job training ends. Outlines conditions of employer noncompliance under a job training program under which payments made shall be considered an overpayment due to the United States. Requires an employer to notify the Secretary of its intention to employ such veteran, and allows the veteran to begin such program within two weeks after such notification unless approval is withheld or denied by the Secretary. Authorizes an employer to enter into an agreement with an educational institution that has been approved for the enrollment of veterans under which the institution provides the program of job training to eligible veterans. Requires an employer's application to state such intention. Authorizes the Secretary to immediately disapprove further participation by veterans in a program when the Secretary finds that such previously-approved program fails to meet any of the requirements under this chapter. Requires the Secretary to notify the employer and veteran so affected, and to provide the opportunity for a hearing on such disapproval. Directs the Secretary to disapprove future participation by veterans in a program under which the Secretary determines that the rate of veterans' successful completion of an employer's programs is disproportionately low due to deficiencies in the quality of the programs. Requires the Secretary to take into account certain data in making such determination. Requires employer notification and opportunity for a hearing in such cases. Requires to be available the records and accounts of employers pertaining to veterans' job training programs approved under this chapter. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) monitor employers and veterans participating in such programs to determine compliance; (2) investigate any matter necessary to determine compliance with program requirements; and (3) administer such monitoring and investigative functions via an agreement between the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor for the performance of such functions by the Department of Labor. Prohibits an employer from being paid training assistance on behalf of a veteran under this chapter during any period of time in which the employer receives any other form of assistance on account of the training or employment of the veteran, including assistance under the Job Training Partnership Act, or when the employer receives a tax credit for the employment of certain new employees. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor, upon request, to provide employment counseling services to eligible veterans in order to assist such veterans in selecting a suitable job training program under the chapter. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide a program under which: (1) a disabled veteran's outreach program specialist is assigned as a case manager for each veteran participating in a job training program; (2) the veteran has an interview with the case manager within 60 days after entering into a program; and (3) periodic (at least monthly) contact is maintained with each veteran in order to aid such veteran in successfully completing his or her program. Outlines situations in which the assignment of a case manager may be waived. Directs the Secretaries to jointly provide a program of counseling designed to resolve difficulties encountered by veterans during their training. Directs the Secretaries to jointly provide for an outreach and public information program to inform: (1) veterans of available employment and job training opportunities; and (2) private industry and business concerns, public agencies and organizations, educational institutions, trade associations, and labor unions about available job training opportunities. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promote the development of employment and job training opportunities for veterans by: (1) encouraging potential employers to make job training programs available to veterans; (2) advising other appropriate Federal departments and agencies of the program established under this chapter; and (3) advising employers of applicable responsibilities with respect to veterans. Requires coordination of the outreach and public information program with similar Federal programs and programs of public agencies and organizations. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in carrying out his responsibilities under this chapter, to utilize the services of various directors, assistant directors, specialists, and local employees employed in areas related to veterans' employment and training. Directs the Secretary of Labor to request and obtain from the Administrator of the Small Business Administration a list of small business concerns, and to update such list. Directs each Secretary to assist veterans and employers in making and completing applications and certifications required under this chapter. Directs the Secretary of Labor, at least quarterly, to collect and compile from employment services and directors of veterans' employment and training information concerning the number of veterans who receive employment and training counseling, who are referred to employers, who participate in job training, and who complete programs, or the reasons for noncompletion. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for making payments to employers under this chapter. Limits to 2.5 percent of such authorized appropriations the amount to be used for administration. Prohibits assistance from being paid to an employer under this chapter: (1) on behalf of a veteran who initially applies for a job training program after September 30, 1995; or (2) for any program which begins after March 31, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) suspend all assistance and cooperative programs with Serbia and Montenegro and prevent them from gaining access to benefits and assets available to the other newly independent states of the former Yugoslavia (independent states); (2) urge the European Community (EC), other members of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), and the United Nations to take immediate action to impose more comprehensive sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro, such as an oil embargo; (3) urge international financial institutions to cease negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro, and urge the EC, CSCE, and other members of the United Nations to freeze credit lines to Serbia and Montenegro; (4) take no action to recognize Serbia and Montenegro until they meet EC criteria for recognition and until Serbia ceases aggression against Bosnia-Hercegovina, withdraws military forces from Bosnia, and agrees to respect the territorial integrity of all the newly independent states; (5) press for full suspension of the Yugoslav seat from the CSCE and other international bodies; (6) promote efforts to establish a security zone around Sarajevo to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance; (7) insist that Serbia restore the autonomy of Kosovo and Vojvodina; and (8) encourage each of the newly independent states to respect the CSCE principles guiding relations between states.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Octane Replacement Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to issue regulations establishing a program to require that, on a schedule of increments from one-half to two between 1994 and 2006, specified octane numbers of the octane ratings of domestically sold gasoline be derived from domestically produced, renewable nonpetroleum sources. Authorizes the Secretary to waive application of such requirements for any ozone nonattainment area during the high ozone season upon a determination by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that compliance would prevent or interfere with the attainment by the area of a national primary ambient air quality standard. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations establishing a system for the use of marketable octane credits for domestically sold gasoline under which credits due to gasoline with a higher octane number than is statutorily required, derived from domestically produced, renewable, nonpetroleum sources, may be used to offset gasoline sales with a lower octane number than is required. Permits the transfer of such credits between companies or within one company.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1992
Amends rule XIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the Speaker of the House from recognizing Members to make special-order speeches. Amends rule XXXIV to prohibit extensions of remarks by Members from being inserted in the Congressional Record, except as they pertain to legislative matters before the House, its committees or subcommittees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Earth Summit Leadership Act of 1992 - Title I: Foundation for Sustainable Development - Establishes the Foundation for Sustainable Development to: (1) encourage the growth of development institutions indigenous to developing countries which respond to the needs of the poor and promote environmental protection and conservation of natural resources; (2) support efforts to increase the productivity of the poor; (3) support self-help activities at the local level to enlarge opportunities for community development; (4) support efforts at community-based, environmentally sustainable management of natural resources; (5) stimulate and assist the process of people participating in the processes that affect their lives; (6) replicate successful projects promoting sustainable and equitable development funded by specified foundations; and (7) disseminate insights gained in the Foundation's work to the American public and citizens in developing countries. Authorizes the Foundation to provide grant assistance to indigenous organizations in developing countries or entities working in partnership with such organizations to carry out it purposes. Limits the total amount of assistance for a single project. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Regional Development Foundations - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to increase the authorization amount for the Inter-American Foundation for FY 1993 and to authorize appropriations for FY 1994. Amends the African Development Foundation Act to authorize appropriations for the African Development Foundation for FY 1993 and 1994. Makes available an additional amount of economic support fund assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for Appropriate Technology International to enable it to emphasize large-scale replication of successful projects and partnerships with major development and financial institutions. Title III: Reduction in International Security Assistance - Places a ceiling on the total amount of international security assistance provided by the United States for FY 1993 and 1994. Expresses the sense of the Congress that international security assistance for FY 1995 and 1996 should be further reduced to promote global demilitarization and make available additional resources for sustainable development programs. Title IV: Multilateral Organizations - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified multilateral development banks to promote the following actions: (1) to make available to the public information on physical, institutional, and economic details and the environmental, public health, and sociocultural impacts of proposed bank operations; (2) to ensure that poverty reduction becomes a higher priority, including increases for lending for health care and basic education to at least five percent of the bank's lending; (3) to ensure that all structural adjustment loans after July 1993 are presented with documentation on how such loans will affect incomes of the poor, the diversification of industrial and agricultural production, the delivery to low-income people of essential social and technical services, and the integrity of the natural resource base; (4) to ensure the development of sustainable energy systems by ensuring that all energy sector loans are based on end-use efficiency and renewable energy applications; (5) to establish a comprehensive water resource policy that will require a least-cost approach to planning for and investing in water resource development projects; and (6) to purchase commercial debt obligations of developing countries on the secondary market and forgive those debts in return for adoption of sustainable development policies. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should follow up U.S. participation in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) by taking an active role during the General Assembly session to ensure full implementation of UNCED recommendations on institutional reform issues. Title V: Domestic Environmental Policies - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all budgetary subsidies and tax advantages for unsustainable exploitation of natural resources should be eliminated as long as adequate provision is made to retrain displaced individuals and to assist poor people who are least able to bear the cost implied by such eliminations; (2) the director of the Office of Management and Budget should identify all current budgetary subsidies and tax advantages for the exploitation of nonrenewable energy, forest, and water resources and should estimate their cost to taxpayers as the basis for future congressional action to eliminate them; and (3) each Federal agency should conduct a survey of cost-effective renewable energy technologies which it could adopt for the conduct of its work and should begin conversion to those technologies as soon as possible. Directs the President to: (1) design a plan for reducing, by 2005, U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide to a level no greater than 80 percent of the 1990 level; and (2) formulate a national strategy for sustainable development.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1992
Declares the 27th article of amendment to the Constitution, providing that no law varying the compensation for the services of Members of Congress shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened, to be part of the Constitution.
![Official portrait of Rep. Penny, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000215_200.jpg)