United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to allow as grounds for nonrenewal of a franchise relationship the failure of the parties to agree to changes to the franchise provisions as long as such failure is not the result of the franchisor's insistence for the purpose of converting a franchisee operation into one operated by the franchisor's employees or agents (that is, turning the franchise into a company-owned station). Prohibits a State or any political subdivision from implementing any law or regulation which requires payment for a franchisee's goodwill upon either termination or nonrenewal of a franchise. Permits State law to specify the terms and conditions under which a franchise or franchise relationship may be transferred to a franchisee's designated successor upon the franchisee's death. Requires a franchisor that does not wish to exercise its underlying lease options to lease or purchase the marketing premises, to offer to assign them to the franchisee as a prerequisite to termination or nonrenewal of the franchise relationship. Bars a franchisor from requiring, as a condition of the franchise relationship, that the franchisee waive or release its rights under Federal or State law. Declares invalid and unenforceable any franchise provision which specifies that franchise interpretation or enforcement shall be governed by the law of any State other than the one in which the franchisee has its principal place of business.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Federal Facilities Toxics Release Act - Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act to require Federal facilities that are subject to safety or chemical inventory reporting requirements under such Act or that manufacture or use a toxic chemical listed under such Act in excess of threshold amounts to comply with all Federal, State, and local requirements respecting emergency planning, notification, and reporting on substances covered by such Act. Waives sovereign immunity and the immunity of Federal employees for purposes of enforcement and injunctive relief. Authorizes the President to exempt a facility from requirements for one year if it is in the U.S. interest. Prohibits such an exemption due to lack of appropriations unless the President has specifically requested the appropriation as part of the budgetary process and the Congress failed to make it available. Authorizes additional exemptions for periods of up to one year. Permits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to commence administrative enforcement actions against Federal agencies pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on making chemicals used by Federal facilities subject to toxic chemical release form requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Small Business Incentive Act of 1992 - Title I: Amendment to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to increase from $5 million to $10 million of small business offerings that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act (thus removing some regulatory constraints in order to facilitate capital-raising by small businesses). Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act) to exclude from the definition of investment company any issuer all of whose securities are held by certain investors whom the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined by rule or regulation possess such financial sophistication, net worth, and other specified factors as not to need the protections of the Act (thus exempting such companies from some of the Act's regulatory constraints). Empowers the SEC to define, by rule, such "qualified purchasers." Sets forth conditions under which certain business and industrial development companies that are already subject to regulation by the State in which they are organized are exempt from the regulatory constraints of the Act. Increases from $100,000 to $10 million the maximum aggregate amount of proceeds that certain interstate closed-end investment companies may receive from the sale of their outstanding securities and still retain their exempt status under the Act. Expands the definition of eligible portfolio company to include any company which does not have total assets in excess of $4 million and capital and surplus in excess of $2 million (thus increasing the flow of capital by permitting business development companies to invest in more small businesses). Declares that a business development company is not required to make available significant managerial assistance with respect to any eligible portfolio company (as defined by this Act), or any other company that meets certain SEC criteria (thus encouraging the flow of capital to very small businesses).
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Provides that reductions in military retired pay for participation in the Supplemental Survivor Benefit Plan shall be computed under the same methodology that applies to reductions in such pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan for spouse coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Increases by ten percent: (1) the retired pay of a former member of the armed forces who retired before October 1, 1963; and (2) the survivor annuity of survivors of former members of the armed forces who retired before such date.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Requires a regular enlisted member of the armed forces who is selected for involuntary separation, or whose enlistment expires with denial of reenlistment, and who on the date of discharge is within two years of qualifying for retirement from the armed forces or transfer to the Reserve, to be retained on active duty until qualified for such retirement or transfer. Provides similar provisions requiring retention of enlisted members serving on active duty who have been credited with at least 18 but less than 20 years of service computed for retirement purposes, providing alternate periods of retention for such members in order for them to qualify for retirement under applicable Federal provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay a monthly annuity to the unremarried surviving spouse of each member of the armed forces who: (1) died before March 21, 1974; and (2) was entitled to retired or retainer pay on the date of death. Provides the annuity amount, with a reduction by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation to which the surviving spouse is entitled. Provides that such annuity is in addition to any pension to which the surviving spouse is entitled under Federal veterans' benefits provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a ten percent investment tax credit for productive equipment placed in service after the date of enactment of this Act and before January 1, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting the payment of any disability compensation to an incompetent veteran having neither spouse, child, nor dependent parent until the value of such veteran's estate is reduced to less than $10,000. Presumes a veteran to be permanently and totally disabled if such person is 65 years of age or older or becomes unemployable after age 65. Restores the full permitted monthly pension (currently limited to $90) for veterans having neither spouse nor child and receiving Medicaid-covered nursing home care. Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran shall not eliminate the right of such former spouse to survivors' benefits if the remarriage is terminated or dissolved by a divorce court unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion by the surviving spouse. Provides the same restoration of survivors' benefits eligibility for a veteran's child who marries when such marriage is later terminated or properly dissolved without fraud or collusion. Repeals a Federal provision requiring a minimum copayment for medication received for a non-service connected disability by a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at less than 50 percent. Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent that resources and facilities are available, to furnish hospital and nursing home care needed by a veteran for a non-service-connected disability if the veteran's income falls below a prescribed level. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish such care for a non-service connected disability to a veteran who is not otherwise eligible for such care if the veteran agrees to pay a minimum amount for such care. Provides that a veteran may not be required to make a payment for outpatient services furnished during any 90-day period to the extent that such payment would cause the total amount paid by the veteran for outpatient medical services to exceed the amount of the inpatient Medicare deductible in effect on the first day of such 90-day period. Revises the income thresholds used to determine whether a veteran is required to make payments for services when such veteran is not otherwise eligible for such services. Entitles all veterans with a service-connected disability (currently, only those veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 20 percent or more) to the basic veterans' educational assistance entitlement. Repeals a Federal provision requiring a specified percentage increase in the veterans' housing loan fee for loans closed between November 1, 1990, and September 30, 1991. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or grave marker, to reimburse a person for the cost of acquiring a non-Government headstone or marker for placement in any cemetery other than a national cemetery in connection with the burial of a deceased veteran. Restores the plot allowance for veterans buried in a cemetery other than a national cemetery. (Currently, veterans whose eligibility for benefits is based on being a veteran of any war may not receive such plot allowance if they choose not to be buried in a national cemetery.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that market demand "prorationing" policies being considered by several States are not in the best interests of the American people, and urges that such policies be abandoned before more stringent measures are adopted.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a first-time homebuyer who purchases a principal residence a tax credit of ten percent of the purchase price of such residence. Limits the credit to $5,000. Requires married individuals filing jointly to both be first-time homebuyers. Allows the use of 50 percent of the credit in the first taxable year in which the residence is purchased and the remaining 50 percent in the succeeding taxable year. Makes this credit applicable to residences acquired after February 1, 1992, and before January 1, 1993, or for which a binding contract is entered into during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1992
Designates October 24 through November 1, 1992, as National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug Free America. Recognize the hard work and dedication of those involved in combatting substance abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1992
Title I: Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, and Certain Other Reforms - Subtitle A: Chief Financial Officer Amendments to the Rules of the House and Related Provisions - Amends rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives to eliminate the election of a Doorkeeper or Postmaster in the House. Requires the individual chosen for election as the Sergeant-at-Arms to be a nationally-respected law enforcement professional. Amends rules III and IV to revise the duties of the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-at-Arms. Amends rules V and VI to: (1) eliminate the positions of Doorkeeper and Postmaster; and (2) create a position of Chief Financial Officer. Sets forth qualifications for the elected Chief Financial Officer. Outlines his or her duties. Prohibits the Chief Financial Officer from disclosing the identity of a complaining employee without the employee's consent unless such disclosure is unavoidable. Makes any intimidation of, or reprisal against, an employee of the House by an employing authority because of a complaint made by the employee a violation of rule LI. Transfers the duties of the Postmaster of the House to the Chief Financial Officer. Amends rule XIV to eliminate the duties of the Doorkeeper with respect to decorum and debate in the House. Amends rule XI to require each committee, by March 1 of the first session of any Congress, to adopt an oversight plan for that Congress and to submit it to the Committee on House Administration. Prohibits the consideration in the House of a primary expense resolution for a committee unless and until such committee has adopted and submitted the plan. Requires the Committee on House Administration to report such plan to the House. Authorizes the Speaker to appoint ad hoc oversight committees for specific tasks from the membership of committees with shared legislative jurisdictions. Requires each committee to include an oversight section in its final activity report at the end of a Congress. Amends rule X to require one-half of the members of the Committee on House Administration to be from the majority party and one-half to be from the minority. Allows the chairman or ranking minority party member of the Committee on House Administration to authorize and issue subpoenas. Requires the membership of the Subcommittee on Legislative Appropriations of the Committee on Appropriations to be divided equally between the majority and minority parties. Divides the staff positions for the subcommittee in the same manner. Directs the Speaker to appoint a task force to: (1) recommend institutional reforms necessary to restore public confidence in the House; and (2) report on its recommendations to the House by the end of the 102d Congress. Requires the written approval of the Speaker and the minority leader of the House before funds may be reprogrammed or transferred between House appropriation accounts. Makes it out of order to consider any measure in the House, in the second session of the 102d Congress, containing an appropriation for any period after March 31, 1993. Directs the Speaker, upon the recommendation of the majority and minority leader, acting jointly, to appoint an Inspector General for the House. Subtitle B: Office of the General Counsel - Establishes the Office of the General Counsel (Office) in the House to: (1) be accountable to a specified Leadership Group; and (2) provide legal assistance to Members, officers, and employees of the House on matters directly related to their duties, with specified exceptions. Lists certain actions of the Office that must be approved either by a resolution of the House or the Leadership Group. Requires such Office, in the case of any matter that affects an area of responsibility committed to another office, officer, or employee under this Act, to consult the party involved and coordinate such action with them. Vests management, supervision, and administration of the Office in the General Counsel to be appointed by the Speaker, upon the recommendation of the majority and minority leaders of the House, acting jointly, without regard for political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position. Requires the General Counsel to serve at the pleasure of the Leadership Group. Authorizes the General Counsel to make appropriate expenditures for the functioning of the Office. Requires the attorneys and professional staff in the Office to maintain regular, written records of the time expended on legal matters, consistent with generally accepted practices in private law firms. Makes such time records reviewable by the Leadership Group. Prohibits public disclosure of them unless by direction of the Leadership Group or resolution of the House. Title II: Legislative Process Reforms - Amends rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Speaker to announce a specified legislative program at the beginning of each session of the Congress. Requires the Speaker to ensure that the minority leader is fully consulted in developing the legislative program for the House each week. Directs the Speaker to state the question on reconsideration of a bill, immediately after its return from the President, without an intervening motion. Requires the House to proceed to vote on the reconsideration of such measure. Amends rule X to require the Speaker to refer legislation initially to one committee as the committee of principal jurisdiction (currently, such legislation may initially be referred simultaneously to two or more committees for concurrent consideration). Requires a bill originating in the House to be presented to the President by the tenth calendar day after it has passed the House and the Senate in identical form. Requires the membership of each committee (except the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct), subcommittee, task force, or other subunit, to reflect the ratio of majority to minority party Members of the House at the beginning of the Congress. Exempts the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates to the House from the count in determining such party ratio. Requires the membership of each select committee, subcommittee, task force, subunit, or conference committee to reflect the ratio of the majority to minority party Members of the House at the time of its appointment. Prohibits any standing committee of the House (except the Committee on Appropriations) from establishing more than six subcommittees. Prevents any member from serving on more than four House subcommittees at any one time. Amends rule XI to repeal the general permission, subject to certain conditions, for proxy voting by a member of any committee or subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter. Allows committees and subcommittees to close their meetings in circumstances where disclosure of matters to be considered would: (1) endanger national security; (2) tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; (3) violate any law or rule of the House; or (4) involve committee personnel matters. Provides that a majority of the members of each committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, including the markup of legislation (currently, all committees but the Committees on Appropriations, Budget, and Ways and Means are permitted to fix the number establishing quorum). Requires the names of those Members voting for and against any motion to report a public bill or resolution to be included in the committee report of such measure (currently, only the number of votes cast for or against reporting such measure is included). Requires the names of those members of the committees actually present at the time the bill or resolution is ordered reported to be included in the committee report relating to each nonrecord vote on a motion to report such public bill or resolution. Requires that a committee or subcommittee print, document, or other material, except under certain circumstances, prepared for public distribution, shall either: (1) be approved by the committee or subcommittee prior to such public distribution, with opportunity afforded for the inclusion of supplemental, minority, or additional views; or (2) contain a specified disclaimer on its cover. Prohibits any such print, document, or other material not approved by the committee or subcommittee from including the names of its members, other than the name of the chairman releasing such document. Lists material excepted from such requirements. Prohibits a measure reported from the Committee on Rules from being considered on the same calendar day it is presented to the House, nor on the subsequent calendar day of the same legislative day, except in certain circumstances. (Currently it can not be considered on the same day.) Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule or order that would prevent a motion to recommit that has amendatory instructions (except in the case of a Senate measure for which the language of a House passed measure has been substituted). Prohibits the consideration of any rule providing for the consideration of a bill or resolution otherwise subject to amendment under House rules if such resolution limits the right of Members to offer germane amendments to such measure, unless the chairman of the Rules Committee has announced, within a specified period of time, that less than an open amendment process might be recommended by the Committee for the consideration of such measure. Makes it out of order to consider any order of business resolution which provides that, upon adoption, the House shall be considered to have automatically adopted a motion, amendment, or resolution, or to have passed a bill, joint resolution, or conference report, unless consideration of such resolution is agreed to by at least two-thirds of the Members voting. Requires any report accompanying a resolution for consideration of a budget waiver measure to include: (1) an explanation and justification for the waiver; (2) an estimated cost of the provisions to which the waiver applies; and (3) a summary or text of any written comments on the waiver received by the committee from the Committee on the Budget. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of such resolution. Prohibits the consideration of a resolution that waives all House rules, except by a two-thirds vote of the Members voting. Makes it out of order to consider any primary expense resolution unless the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing an overall ceiling for House committee staff personnel for that year. Makes such a resolution privileged. Establishes guidelines for developing and considering primary and supplemental expense resolutions. Provides that the overall ceiling for committee staff in a resolution reported by the committee or contained in any amendment for the 103d Congress shall not exceed 50 percent of the total committee staff personnel employed at the end of the 102d Congress. Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Commemorative Calendar comprised of unreported bills and resolutions respecting commemorative holidays and celebrations that have been: (1) referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service; and (2) requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of such committee to be placed on such calendar. Outlines procedures for the consideration of such measures. Amends rules XV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide for an automatic roll call vote when the Speaker puts the question upon final passage of: (1) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report making general appropriations, providing revenue, or adjusting the statutory congressional pay rate; or (2) any budgetary concurrent resolution or conference report that provides an increase in the statutory debt limit. Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to repeal the declaration that no amendment shall be in order during consideration of a general appropriation bill if it proposes a limitation not specifically contained or authorized in existing law for the period of such limitations. Defines a "general appropriation bill" to include any bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations in a fiscal year for a period in excess of 30 days. Describes the contents of such bill. Reserves all points of order against any general appropriation bill at the time it is reported. Prohibits the consideration of any bill or joint resolution making appropriations for a period of 30 days or less unless it only provides appropriations in the lesser amount and under the more restrictive authority of each pertinent appropriations measure: (1) as passed by the House; (2) as passed by the Senate; (3) as agreed to by a committee of conference; or (4) as enacted for the preceding fiscal year. Requires a report from the Committee on Appropriations accompanying any appropriation bill to list all appropriations contained in the bill for any expenditure not previously authorized by law. Requires a three-fifths vote of the Members of the whole House to consider any rule or order from the Rules Committee that waives certain rules governing consideration of any short- or long-term continuing appropriations measures. Amends rule XXI to establish certain guidelines for reporting and considering reconciliation measures in the House. Exempts Senate amendments and conference reports from such guidelines. Reserves all points of order against a reconciliation bill at the time it is reported. Prohibits the consideration in the House of any bill or joint resolution which directly or indirectly authorizes enactment of new budget authority for a fiscal year unless such measure is reported in the House on or before May 15 preceding the beginning of such fiscal year. Amends rule XXIV of the rules of the House of Representatives to revise the daily order of business for the House to include the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Amends rule XXVII to establish additional criteria for entertaining motions to suspend the rules and pass a measure in the House. Requires the Clerk of the House, after 100 Members have signed a motion to discharge a committee from the consideration of a measure, to: (1) cause the name of each Member who has signed or withdrawn a signature to such motion to be printed in the Congressional Record; and (2) publish an updated list in the Record at the end of each succeeding week the House is in session. Amends rule XXVIII to require inclusion of supplemental, minority, or additional views of a House conferee in the same published volume of the conference committee's report, if specified conditions are met. Amends rule XLVIII to require a specified oath to be administered to: (1) a newly appointed Member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (2) each committee's employee; and (3) any person engaged by contract or to perform services for or at the request of the committee who is required to subscribe to the agreement in writing. Requires the Clerk of the House to provide for the printing of such oaths for: (1) filing in the records of the House; and (2) recording in the House Journal and in the Congressional Record. Directs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to investigate and report to the House on any violation of such oath. Authorizes the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to refer cases of unauthorized disclosure and violations of the required oaths to such committee for investigation. Authorizes the committee by a majority vote to deny a member access to classified information if he or she is subject to a pending investigation. Directs the House Committees on Rules and on Government Operations by a certain date to report legislation granting the President enhanced rescission authority with respect to any budget authority not authorized by law. Sets forth procedures for considering such legislation if it is not reported out of such committees by the stated deadline. Directs the Committee on Rules to study and report to the House on the feasibility of converting to a biennial budget-appropriations process and corresponding multiyear authorizations. Declares that it is the policy of the House of Representatives that the following Federal laws should be amended to apply them to the House in the same or similar manner as they apply to the Executive Branch: (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (3) the Equal Pay Act of 1963; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) the Freedom of Information Act; (6) the Privacy Act of 1974; (7) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and (8) specified provisions of the Federal judicial code relating to an independent counsel. Directs the standing committees of the House with subject jurisdiction over such Federal laws to report legislation to the House to implement such policy. Provides for consideration of such legislation. Requires the ratio of majority party to minority party staff positions, consultants, details, and funding for House committees to be the same ratio as that of Members of the House. Eliminates the following Select Committees in the House: (1) Aging; (2) Hunger; (3) Children, Youth, and Families; and (4) Narcotics Abuse and Control. Transfers the records, files, and materials of such select committees to the Clerk of the House. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress. Exempts information related to casework or constituent correspondence from such Act with respect to Members of the Congress. Provides that the period for which expenses of the former Speakers of the House may be paid shall end three years after the expiration date of such term of office, except that in the case of a former Speaker who is receiving such expenses on the date of the enactment of this Act, the period shall end three years after such date. Amends Federal law to prohibit a Member of the House from sending any franked mass mailing outside the Member's congressional district. Authorizes a Member of Congress to mail franked mail with a simplified form of address for delivery within his or her congressional district or State only. (Current law permits such mailings in areas proposed to become a part of such Member's congressional district by legislative or judicial proceedings but not in effect.) Prohibits the Committee on House Administration from approving any payment for, and a Member from making any expenditure from, any allowance of the House or any other official funds if any portion is for any cost related to a mass mailing by a Member of the House outside his or her congressional district. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to make it out of order to consider any bill or resolution that would adjust, or have the effect of adjusting, the salaries of Members of Congress if such measure contains any item which does not relate to adjusting Members' salaries. Prohibits consideration of any measure in the House appropriating amounts for the legislative branch of the Government if it permits such amount to remain available for obligation beyond the end of the fiscal year for which the amount is appropriated. Requires at least one attorney in the Office of the Parliamentarian in the House to be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader. Permits the chairman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to serve for the first session of a Congress only. Requires the House to elect a member of such committee to serve as chairman from nominations submitted by the minority party caucus or conference, at the beginning of a second session of a Congress. Provides that in adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives in the 103d Congress and any subsequent Congress, each rule shall be agreed to by separate resolution of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1992
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend, through December 31, 1994, the suspension of duty on corned beef in airtight containers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992
Third World Development and Threat Reduction Act of 1992 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to declare that it is U.S. policy to promote policies within the international financial institutions to encourage developing countries to: (1) reduce military expenditures and dedicate greater resources to health, education, and productive enterprises; and (2) dedicate an equitable allocation of health and education resources to meet the needs of their populations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to oppose loans, credits, or guarantees to any developing country whose military expenditures as a percentage of its gross national product are greater than its expenditures on health and education. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the President reports to the Congress that such prohibition would: (1) result in harm to U.S. national security; or (2) endanger a democratically elected government facing armed aggression from a hostile neighboring country or from a local insurgency that presents an immediate danger to the government's survivability or is guilty of human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Federal Travel Discosure Act of 1992 - Prohibits: (1) the obligation or expenditure of Federal funds for Government travel other than from amounts specifically appropriated by law for such purpose; and (2) any Federal entity from expending funds for the travel expenses of any individual employed by another Federal entity without being reimbursed by the individual or the travel account of the individual's employer. Directs the head of each executive department to designate a travel supervisor. Specifies the travel supervisors for the legislative and judicial branches. Requires all Government travel to be: (1) approved in advance by the appropriate travel supervisor; (2) accomplished by the most economical means conveniently possible; and (3) accomplished by U.S. commercial carrier wherever possible, unless the travel supervisor determines that an alternative means is more economical or necessary to achieve the goal of the mission. Requires all legislative branch foreign travel to be approved in advance by recorded vote of the committee (in the case of travel by a committee member or committee staff) or by the appropriate travel supervisor. Provides that advance approval shall not be required for travel which either does not require an individual to spend the night away from his or her principal residence or place of employment or which is undertaken under emergency circumstances as defined in written guidelines established by the appropriate travel supervisor. Requires each travel supervisor to establish written guidelines for Government travel and to submit quarterly reports with respect to such travel to the Administrator of General Services (for executive branch or independent agency travel), the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate (for legislative branch travel), and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (for judicial branch travel). Requires that such reports be made available for public inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1992
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that any legislation passed by the Congress to address American health care needs must include coverage for mental disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1992
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal the provision taxing scholarships and fellowships, and to exclude them from gross income, beginning with the 1987 tax year. Waives the statute of limitations for related refund or credit claims filed within one year of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1992
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to: (1) repeal the current licensing requirements for exports of dual use items to countries whose governments support international terrorism; and (2) prohibit such exports outright. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if: (1) the export transaction is determined essential to U.S. national security interests; and (2) the President consults with specified congressional committees about the proposed transaction and submits the reason for such waiver to the Congress in writing. Requires denial of a license to export any chemical or biological weapons if the ultimate consignee is a country whose government has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on all visits to the United States by any official of any such government.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Amtrak Capital Acquisition and Technology Development Act - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to require the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to develop a plan for the elimination by December 31, 1997, of all highway at-grade crossings along the main line of the Northeast Corridor between Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York. Requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to pay 20 percent of the cost of the elimination of each crossing. Directs Amtrak to develop and report to the Congress on a plan for the demonstration of new technologies in rail passenger equipment. Requires the Secretary to develop and submit to the Congress a program master plan that will permit the establishment of regularly scheduled, safe, and dependable rail passenger service between Boston and New York City, including appropriate intermediate stops, in three hours or less. Declares that no amendment of the articles of incorporation of Amtrak shall be required for the issuance of preferred stock. Declares that Amtrak's railroad subsidiaries, lessors, and lessees shall not be required to pay any additional taxes as a consequence of their expenditure of funds to acquire or improve real property, equipment, facilities, or right-of-way materials or structures used in the provision of rail passenger service. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) capital acquisition and Northeast Corridor development; (2) new corridor development, especially between densely populated cities and over long distances; (3) Amtrak operating expenses; and (4) certain mandatory payments. Repeals: (1) the Secretary's authority to guarantee loans to finance upgrading of roadbeds and the purchase or lease of rolling stock, certain systems, equipment and facilities for the improvement of rail passenger service; and (2) the prohibition on the use of intercity rail passenger service funds for the operation of Amtrak Commuter service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) consideration of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should be a high priority; (2) LIHEAP funding for FY 1993 should be increased to a level greater than or equal to funding for FY 1992; and (3) the President should accept the LIHEAP funding level for FY 1993 as recommended by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1992
Designates April 14, 1992, as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., the birthday and the start of the 91st year of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Declares it is the policy of the United States to provide incentives to States which require and encourage utilities to provide process-oriented energy efficiency technology assistance to certain industries. Directs the Secretary of Energy to make grants to States which: (1) require utilities to provide energy efficiency financial and technical assistance to covered industries; and (2) offer incentives to utilities for providing such assistance. Sets forth grant parameters. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) model guidelines for conducting process-oriented industrial assessments on an industry-by-industry basis; (2) a nationwide directory of organizations experienced in emerging energy efficiency and waste reduction technologies on an industry-by-industry basis; and (3) an annual award program to recognize utilities operating outstanding or innovative industrial energy efficiency technology assistance programs. Requires the Secretary to convene annual strategy-development meetings with respect to such process-oriented energy efficiency technology assistance programs. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Anti-Recession Infrastructure Jobs Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, to make grants to State and local governments for infrastructure projects in distressed areas. Provides for direct grants for construction and improvement and for completion of planning. Provides for supplemental grants for other Federal grant programs and for State and local programs. Prohibits the use of grants to acquire real property or to cover maintenance costs. Requires assurance that on-site labor can begin within 90 days of project approval. Requires: (1) contracting out construction or improvement work on grant projects; (2) competitive bidding; (3) acceptance of the lowest responsive bid; (4) advertised specifications covering all requirements or obligations preceding contract award; (5) Buy American conditions; (6) minority participation; and (7) applicability of specified Federal laws regarding individuals with disabilities. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out this Act, to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures that assure adequate consideration is given to the relative needs of various sections of the country, including consideration of these factors in proposed project areas: (1) severity and duration of unemployment; (2) income levels and extent of underemployment; (3) extent of proposed project contribution to reducing unemployment; and (4) amount of unemployment or underemployment in the construction and construction-related industries. Requires a final determination on each grant application within 60 days after the Secretary receives it (or else the grant will be deemed approved). Sets forth formulas for allocation of funds. Sets aside two and one-half percent for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. Sets minimum and maximum allocation limits for any one State and for specified U.S. territories. Requires the Secretary, in making such grants, to give priority and preference to public works: (1) projects of local governments; (2) projects requested by a State or special purpose unit of local government and endorsed by a general purpose local government; and (3) projects requested by school districts. Requires the Secretary, if the average national unemployment rate is six percent or above for the most recent 12 consecutive months, to: (1) expedite and give priority to applications from State or local governments with rates for that period above the national rate; and (2) give priority thereafter to those from any State or local governments having rates for that period above six percent but below the national rate. Requires State and local prioritization of applications. Requires (if the applicant so requests) that the local government's unemployment rate be based on the rate of any community or neighborhood within such local government's jurisdiction. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1992
Economic Revitalization and Federal Excess and Surplus Property Utilization Improvement Act of 1992 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Sets forth the purposes of this Act involving the utilization of excess and surplus Government heavy equipment and construction materials infrastructure and development. Title II: Definitions - Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Title III: Disposal of Defense Articles - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Defense to: (1) evaluate inventories of heavy equipment and construction materials and ensure that those items which are not needed for an identifiable military mission will be classified as excess and disposed of; (2) declare as excess those inventory items which cost over a certain amount to store, maintain, and repair; (3) develop a cost-effective plan for returning excess items to the United States for disposal; (4) report to specified congressional committees on the status of, and disposal plans for, such inventory items; and (5) annually review and evaluate the utilization by recipients of excess nonlethal supplies and excess defense articles pursuant to programs administered by the Department of Defense in order to ensure that such items are being utilized accordingly. Requires the heads of Federal agencies overseeing Federal laboratories to evaluate their inventories of scientific equipment. Requires all such equipment not needed for current or anticipated Federal purposes to be disposed of. Requires appropriate reports to specified congressional committees. Directs the Administrator (Administrator) of the General Services Administration (GSA) to make available excess heavy equipment and construction materials to a Federal agency based on the agency's ability to use such items for official business. Prohibits Federal agencies receiving excess heavy equipment and construction materials from transferring such equipment to other Federal or non-Federal agencies or organizations. Requires excess heavy equipment and construction materials received by a Federal agency to be returned to GSA if the Administrator determines that the equipment is not being efficiently used or if the official business of the agency for which the equipment is being used has been completed. Excludes heavy equipment and construction materials from the definition of "nonlethal excess supplies" used under armed forces provisions, and from the definition of various terms used for excess property in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Title IV: Distribution Of Excess And Surplus Heavy Equipment And Construction Materials - Gives the Administrator authority over the disposal of all excess and surplus heavy equipment and construction materials. Requires such disposal to be done pursuant to this Act. Requires the Administrator to make all excess and surplus heavy equipment and construction materials available to the States after such items have been disposed of to Federal agencies. Requires the Administrator, after providing actual notice to the States of the availability of excess heavy equipment and construction materials, to deliver such items requested by the States on a fair and equitable basis according to public need and efficiency of utilization. Requires the Administrator to make the equipment and materials available without cost, except that if transportation is requested by the State, the Administrator may assess fees for transportation costs. States that for no less than 12 months after original delivery, the Administrator shall retain all right, title, and interest in heavy equipment and construction materials which have an acquisition cost greater than $10,000. Provides that if a State can show that the equipment or materials were well maintained and were efficiently used in the furtherance of public purposes and that the equipment can reasonably be expected to be maintained and used in the furtherance of public purposes, the Administrator shall transfer to the State all right, title, and interest in the equipment or materials. Requires States, within 12 months after regulations to implement this paragraph have been issued, to establish a program under which equipment and construction materials are allocated to eligible users in order to continue to be eligible to receive excess heavy equipment and construction materials. Allows such a program to be operated by the State or by State-Certified Equipment Centers. Requires the Administrator to offer grants for the establishment of such Centers. Sets forth provisions providing for disposals under specified conditions of urgency, such as when the President certifies that a foreign nation has dire need for particular pieces of heavy equipment and construction materials. States that Indian tribes and historically black colleges shall have equal standing with the States in acquiring excess heavy equipment and construction materials. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the use of community development block grant funds to establish such Centers and to establish State infrastructure and economic development plans. Authorizes appropriations for GSA grants to establish such Centers. Title V: State And Community Infrastructure And Economic Development - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to establish a computerized database and standardized forms which States shall use to develop infrastructure and economic development plans utilizing priority lists of anticipated needs submitted to the States by counties and other units of local government, and which also utilize State-Certified Equipment Centers and advanced planning techniques. Requires the Secretary to make grants to States that want to establish such a plan, with priority to States with high long-term unemployment rates and pressing infrastructure needs. Requires the Secretary to establish a national infrastructure and economic development strategy to help States implement their plans to encourage cooperation among the States, and to coordinate Federal infrastructure and economic development programs and resources. Requires the Secretary to update such strategy every two years and to transmit a document containing such strategy to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States that want to establish such a plan. Title VI: Effective Date And Applicability - Specifies the effective dates of this Act and requirements for the promulgation of regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 to make permanent the transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account of income tax revenues attributable to the taxation of tier II railroad retirement benefits.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rinaldo, Matthew J. [R-NJ-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000262_200.jpg)