United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Religious Freedom Act of 1991 - Declares that the purposes of this Act include codifying the compelling interest test as set forth in Sherbert v. Verner and Wisconsin v. Yoder. Prohibits the Government from burdening the practice of religion by any person, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the burden is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means. Amends Federal law to allow the awarding of attorney's fees and other fees and expenses in actions under this Act. Applies this Act to all Federal and State law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to review and modify regulations on measuring noise in areas surrounding airports.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Government Securities Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to extend Federal securities rulemaking authority. Amends provisions with respect to: (1) market surveillance; (2) large trader reporting; (3) exempted securities regulation; (4) broker-dealer supervision; (5) sales practices; and (6) market information. Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the regulatory effectiveness of government securities brokers and dealers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Adopted Children Health Insurance Fairness Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the deduction for expenses paid by an employer for a group health plan if the plan discriminates against adopted children.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Calls upon the President, as part of the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) talks, to initiate negotiations to make GATT compatible with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other U.S. health, safety, labor, and environmental laws, including laws to protect the environment outside of the United States. Declares that the Congress will not approve legislation to implement any trade agreement (including the Uruguay Round of the GATT and the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement) that jeopardizes such laws, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to set increased monthly limits on the amount OASDI beneficiaries who have attained retirement age and other OASDI beneficiaries may earn in a taxable year ending after 1991 and before 1993 before incurring a benefit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1991 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to phase out, by 1996, the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Calls upon the President not to proceed toward the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam until the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs has reported its findings on the accounting of missing American servicemen in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Television and Radio Broadcast Bulk Time Sale Act of 1991 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission to commence a proceeding to prescribe rules that govern bulk time sale agreements (BTSAs). Specifies that such rules shall: (1) prescribe definitions distinguishing BTSAs from agreements between independently operated affiliates of network organizations; (2) require that all BTSAs be filed with the FCC, be available for public inspection and stipulate that the licensee has the right and obligation to preempt programming provided under such agreement when in the public interest; (3) authorize a licensee to terminate a BTSA whenever the licensee concludes that such agreement is no longer consistent with its responsibilities as an FCC licensee; (4) prohibit a licensee from entering into, and require a licensee to terminate, a BTSA with any person who is not qualified to be licensed by the FCC to operate that station; (5) establish a maximum amount of time that can be transferred by a licensee (up to 25 percent of the amount of time that a station operates) by means of BTSAs; (6) establish a maximum amount of time that can be transferred to any programmer or group of programmers (up to ten percent of operating time) by means of BTSAs; (7) prohibit a licensee from entering into, and require a licensee to terminate, any BTSA with a programmer that has an attributable interest in an application to transfer control of the station pending with the FCC; (8) establish procedures for the effective continued oversight and enforcement of FCC rules governing BTSAs; (9) provide for the expeditious handling of complaints or allegations of violations of FCC rules; and (10) establish procedures whereby licensees can petition the FCC for temporary permission to exceed the maximum time amounts subject to specified requirements (such as giving interested parties an opportunity to comment on the effect that such permission could have on diversity and competition within the local market and providing for periodic review of the decision permitting the licensee to exceed the established limitations). Makes this Act applicable to BTSAs entered into before or after its enactment. Makes provisions with respect to the prohibition or termination of BTSAs with unqualified individuals and the establishment of maximum time amounts that can be transferred by licensees inapplicable with respect to any radio station that enters into BTSAs with programmers that are not related, that provide diverse sources of programming material, and that add significantly to the ethnic and other diversity that is available in that radio market.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1991
Office of Noise Abatement and Control Establishment Act of 1991 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Noise Abatement and Control within EPA. Repeals current provisions of the Clean Air Act that provide for the establishment of such office. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Aviation Noise Abatement Policy Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Secretary of Transportation to consider as being in the public interest the reduction of aircraft noise in communities near an airport or under an aircraft flight path associated with an airport. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an environmental impact statement before implementing a change in an air route affecting the operation of certain aircraft for any reason other than safety.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1991
Excludes certain New Jersey property tax rebates from consideration as income for specified housing programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937 and the Housing Act of 1959.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1991
Federal Enterprise Oversight Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishment of the Federal Enterprise Oversight Board - Establishes the Federal Enterprise Oversight Board to oversee the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Federal Housing Finance Board, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, and specified agricultural credit institutions. Title II: Supervision and Regulation - Directs the Board to establish operating standards for each enterprise, including: (1) management and internal controls; (2) assets and earnings; (3) minimum and insufficient capital; and (4) compensation and benefits. Requires each enterprise to report quarterly and annually to the Federal Enterprise Regulatory Board. Directs the Board to appoint examiners to examine the enterprises. Title III: Miscellaneous Provision - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1991
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), acting through the Office of Research and Development, to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the environmental research basis for wetlands delineation. Requires the Academy to report the findings of the study to the Congress, along with recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the EPA should not adopt proposed revisions to the Federal Manual for Delineating Wetlands until six months after the Academy submits such report.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1991
Declares that Members of Congress are no longer exempted from Federal laws, including the: (1) Americans with Disabilities Act; (2) title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; (3) Equal Opportunity Act; (4) Occupational Safety and Health Act; (5) Fair Labor Standards Act; and (6) Freedom of Information Act. Makes it illegal to furnish any Member of the Congress, at the expenses of the Federal Government, free or at reduced costs: (1) medicine; (2) hospital care; (3) ambulance services; (4) meals; (5) flowers or plants; (6) pictures or picture frames; (7) haircuts; or (8) other items, services, or privileges, except official office expenses such as supplies and stationery.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act - Title I: Audiotext Industry Obligations and Consumer Rights - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within 270 days, to complete a rulemaking proceeding to establish a system for the oversight and regulation of audiotext services. Requires the FCC's final rules to: (1) include measures that provide a consumer of audiotext services with adequate and clear descriptions of the rights of the caller; (2) define the obligations of common carriers with respect to the provision of such services; (3) include requirements on such carriers to protect against abusive practices by providers of such services; (4) prohibit customers from being disconnected from local exchange services for refusal to pay for such services; and (5) identify procedures by which common carriers and providers of such services may take affirmative steps to protect against nonpayment of legitimate charges. Specifies that such regulations shall prohibit any common carrier from offering audiotext services of any provider of such services who fails to: (1) include in each audiotext message an introductory disclosure message that describes the service being provided, specifies clearly and at a reasonably understandable volume the total cost or cost per minute and any other fees for such service and for any other audiotext service to which the caller may be transferred, informs the caller of the option to hang up at the end of the introductory message without incurring any charge, and informs the caller that parental consent is required for calls made by children; (2) disable any bypass mechanism which allows frequent callers to avoid listening to the disclosure message after the institution of any price increase and for a period of time sufficient to give frequent callers sufficient notice of the price change; (3) stop the assessment of time-based charges immediately upon disconnection by the caller; (4) include an appropriate and clear signal at intervals determined by the FCC, where technically feasible, during live interactive group programs, to alert callers to the passage of time, and explain such signal in the disclosure required for such program, except with respect to programs for which the caller is required to preregister or presubscribe; and (5) comply with such additional standards as the FCC may prescribe to prevent abusive practices. Directs that such regulations require that any common carriers offering audiotext services: (1) require, pursuant to contract or tariff, that a provider of audiotext services comply with regulations issued pursuant to such Act and terminate the offering of an audiotext service of a provider if such service is not provided in compliance with such regulations; (2) ensure that a caller is not billed with respect to services provided in violation of such regulations or under such other circumstances as the FCC determines necessary to protect callers from abusive practices; (3) establish a local or toll-free telephone number to answer questions and provide information on callers' rights and obligations with regard to their use of audiotext services offered by the common carrier; (4) within 60 days after the issuance of final regulations, provide to all of such common carrier's telephone subscribers a disclosure statement that clearly sets forth all rights and obligations held by the subscriber and the carrier with respect to the use and payment for audiotext services, describes any nonpayment option prescribed by the FCC and the applicable blocking option, and provides an explanation of live interactive programming; (5) ensure that charges for audiotext services are stated separately on the bill from the sections relating to local and long distance telephone charges and that such statement includes the common carrier's toll-free telephone number; (6) notify in writing the State regulatory commission of any State within which the carrier intends to offer audiotext services of such intention, including a description of the service to be provided and a list of the carrier's policies and procedures; (7) make available to such State regulatory commission, upon request, a list of audiotext telephone numbers accessible by callers within that State through such carrier, including the name, business address, and business telephone number of the audiotext provider; and (8) obtain from any provider of audiotext services that solicits charitable contributions proof of tax exempt status. Specifies that such regulations shall require that any local exchange carrier carrying audiotext services must offer callers the option of blocking access to all audiotext services for their telephone, whenever technologically feasible. Allows such regulation to permit the costs of such blocking to be recovered by contract or tariff, but specifies that such costs may not be recovered from local or long distance ratepayers. Directs that such option be offered without charge to the caller for a reasonable period (established by FCC regulations) after the effective date of such regulation, an initial connection, or subscription for any new telephone line. Specifies that such regulations may exempt from introductory message requirements: (1) calls from frequent callers or regular subscribers using a bypass mechanism to avoid listening to the disclosure message required by such regulations; or (2) audiotext services provided at nominal charges. Directs: (1) that such regulations establish procedures, consistent with provisions of this Act, to ensure that carriers offering audiotext services and other parties provide appropriate refunds to callers who have been billed for audiotext services pursuant to programs found to have violated such Act, such regulations, or any other Federal, State, or local consumer protection law; and (2) the FCC, within one year, to submit to the Congress its recommendations with respect to the extension of such regulations to services that provide, for a per call charge, data services that are not audiotext services. Specifies that no cause of action may be brought in any court or administrative agency against a common carrier or its affiliates on account of any act of the carrier or affiliate and which the carrier or affiliate takes in good faith to terminate an audiotext service in order to comply with the regulations prescribed under such Act. Title II: Use of the 900 Telephone Number - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules for any advertisement for services or products procured through the use of a telephone number with a 900 or other access code under which liability for the service or product provided attaches to the telephone bill of the individual calling such number, which require that the person offering such services or products: (1) clearly disclose in any advertising the cost of the use of such number; (2) in the case of an advertisement which offers a prize or award, clearly disclose the odds of receiving such prize or award; (3) in the case of individuals under age 18 using such number, clearly state, where appropriate, that such individual must have the consent of such individual's parent or legal guardian for the use of such number; and (4) be prohibited from using ads that emit electronic tones which can automatically dial a pay-per-call number. Requires the FTC to require a common carrier that provides such services to make available to the FTC any records and financial information maintained by such carrier relating to the arrangements (other than for the provision of local exchange service) between such carrier and the vendor. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to FTC rulemaking and enforcement. Authorizes the States to bring civil actions to enjoin telemarketing, enforce compliance with FTC regulations, obtain damages on behalf of their residents, or obtain further appropriate relief whenever a State attorney general has reason to believe that the interests of State residents have been or are being threatened or adversely affected because a person has engaged in or is engaging in a pattern or practice which violates FTC rules promulgated pursuant to this Act, subject to notice provisions. Bars States from instituting such actions during the pendency of a civil action by the FTC for a violation of a rule, but does not bar actions by other State officials from proceeding in State court on the basis of an alleged violation of any State general civil or criminal statute. Provides for principal enforcement of this title by the FTC under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Title III: Telephone Services Billing and Collection - Authorizes a customer to initiate a billing review with respect to a telephone-billed purchase by sending, within 30 days after receipt of a billing statement from a billing carrier that contains a charge for such purchase, a written notice to such billing carrier in which the customer: (1) sets forth or otherwise enables such carrier to identify the name of the customer and the telephone number to which the charge was billed; (2) indicates the customer's belief that the statement contains a billing error that relates to a telephone-billed purchase and the amount of the error; and (3) sets forth the reasons for the belief that the statement contains a billing error. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) the response by a billing carrier and a providing carrier to such notice; (2) investigations concerning the delivery of telephone-billed purchases; (3) termination of providing carrier responsibility; (4) permitted actions by billing carriers; (5) collection actions; and (6) forfeiture of rights by a billing or providing carrier who fails to comply with provisions of this Act. Bars a vendor, billing carrier, providing carrier, or its agents (vendor), after receiving a notice contesting the charge, from threatening to report to any person adversely on the customer's credit rating or credit standing because of the customer's failure to pay the amount in dispute, to report such amount as delinquent to any third party until the billing or providing carrier has met the requirements of this title and has allowed the customer 20 days thereafter to make payment, or, upon receiving a further written notice from a customer that the amount is still in dispute, from reporting that the customer's account is in arrears because of failure to pay such amount without reporting that the amount is in dispute and notifying the customer of the name and address of each party to whom the vendor is reporting information concerning the arrearage. Requires such vendor to report any subsequent resolution of the matter to the parties to whom such matter was initially reported. Specifies that: (1) with respect to any telephone-billed purchase where the vendor is a person other than the billing carrier, and where the vendor accepts or allows a forgiveness of a debt for such purchase, the vendor shall promptly transmit to the billing carrier a credit statement and the billing carrier shall credit the customer's account for the purchase amount; and (2) a billing or providing carrier who seeks to collect charges for a telephone-billed purchase from a customer for a vendor shall be subject to all (except tort) claims and defenses arising out of any such purchase in which the customer's telephone billing account is used as a method for collection, if the customer has made a good faith attempt to obtain a satisfactory resolution of the dispute (but limits the billing carrier's liability to the amount billed to the customer for the purchase). Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) resolving inconsistencies between State laws with respect to telephone billing practices and this title; (2) regulatory exemptions from this title which may be granted by the FTC of transactions within a State offering substantially similar or greater protection to the consumer; and (3) enforcement of this title. Directs the FTC to conduct an ongoing study of the need to develop and implement additional provisions to prevent evasions of the requirements of this title. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Expanded East Coast Plan Rollback Act of 1991 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (Administrator) to modify the Expanded East Coast Plan by rerouting aircraft routes over the Atlantic Ocean and, when that is not practicable, rerouting such aircraft to air routes used before adoption of the Plan, as a means of reducing aviation noise in the States of New York and New Jersey. Requires the Administrator to issue a supplemental environmental impact statement to include the effects of such modifications. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress a description of such modifications.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Solid Waste Metals Reduction Act - Prohibits the intentional introduction of lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium into a package or packaging component during manufacturing or distribution. Sets forth the maximum allowable concentration level of the sum of such elements in packaging. Makes such regulations inapplicable (for a specified period) for packaging: (1) that was manufactured prior to this Act's effective date; (2) to which lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium have been added to comply with Federal health or safety requirements or, because it is essential for the protection, safe handling, or function of the contents of the package, provided that the manufacturer, supplier, or distributor petitions the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the exemption; or (3) that would not exceed the maximum concentration levels set forth in this Act but for the addition of post-consumer materials. Provides for the renewal of exemptions if the Administrator determines that a renewal is warranted. Requires packaging manufacturers or suppliers to furnish certificates of compliance (with respect to this Act's requirements) to distributors. Makes certificates of compliance, upon request, available to EPA and the public. Authorizes the assessment of civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an employee to enter into a new salary reduction agreement with an employer under an annuity plan purchased by a tax-exempt organization or public school due to the impairment or insolvency of the issuer of such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) recognize Ukraine's independence and take steps toward the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Ukraine should the December 1, 1991, referendum confirm the Ukrainian parliament's independence declaration; and (2) use U.S. assistance, trade, and other programs to support the Government of Ukraine and encourage the further development of democracy and a free-market.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1991
Medicare EKG Payment Restoration Act of 1991 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) reestablish separate payment for the interpretation of electrocardiograms (EKGs) that are ordered or performed during an office visit or consultation with a physician; and (2) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish separate fee schedule amounts for EKG interpretations and to adjust the relative values established for office visits to or consultations with a physician to reflect the establishment of such separate fee schedule amounts. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish practice guidelines for the use of EKGs for dissemination along with other educational information relating to the use of EKGs to physicians; (2) develop a profile of the use of EKGs by physicians; and (3) conduct a study and report to the Congress on the utilization and costs of EKGs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1991
Approves the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored nation treatment) to the products of the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania transmitted to the Congress by the President on August 2, 1991. Approves the extension of most-favored-nation treatment to the products of Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia (a.k.a. Belarus), Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan (a.k.a. Tajikistan) and Kirgizia (a.k.a. Kirghizia) upon such republics becoming independent and bilateral trade agreements being reached with them.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary of the Army should investigate whether James L. Cadigan should be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat during World War II; and (2) if the Secretary recommends making such award, the Congress should consider appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
1992 White House Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one dollar silver coins emblematic of the White House. Mandates that the total surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be promptly paid to the White House Endowment Fund to assist its efforts to raise an endowment as a permanent source of support for the White House Collection of fine art and historic furnishings, and for the maintenance of the historic public rooms of the White House.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Radon Awareness and Disclosure Act of 1991 - Title I: Three-Year Extension of Indoor Radon Abatement Provisions of Toxic Substances Control Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for: (1) grants and technical assistance to States for radon programs; (2) an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication entitled "A Citizen's Guide to Radon"; (3) model construction standards and techniques for controlling radon levels in new buildings; and (4) regional radon training centers. Title II: Radon Testing - Directs the EPA Administrator to establish a program that requires: (1) products offered for sale or devices used in connection with public services for radon measurement to meet minimum performance criteria; and (2) operators of devices or persons employing techniques used in connection with public services for radon measurement to meet a minimum level of proficiency. Requires a list of devices meeting such criteria and a summary of current radon measurement technology to be made available to the public. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this title. Directs the Administrator to establish a fee schedule for persons manufacturing or operating such devices or employing such techniques. Provides for a waiver or reduction of fees for persons who agree to test for radon in public and nonprofit child care facilities, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or other care facilities. Provides for the deposit of fees in a Radon Service Account. Requires the Administrator to: (1) implement an outreach program to provide information about radon to the medical community; (2) develop and distribute informational material concerning radon tailored to doctors in general practice and in specialties related to lung cancer; (3) evaluate current efforts to promote radon testing and ways to increase testing during real estate transactions; and (4) report to the Congress on alternative strategies for promoting such testing. Title III: Radon In Schools - Directs the Administrator, by September 30, 1992, to designate areas with radon levels exceeding the national average for radon as priority radon areas. Requires local educational agencies to test each school building under their authority for radon. Establishes a schedule for such testing. Makes test results available for public review. Requires individuals carrying out radon testing and testing and mitigation devices and methods to be approved pursuant to proficiency programs. Establishes within EPA a Radon Testing and Mitigation Assistance Program to provide assistance for testing and mitigation devices and methods. Requires State Governors to establish priority lists of assistance applicants, based on the nature and magnitude of potential exposure to radon. Authorizes the provision to approved applicants of loans of up to 100 percent, and grants of up to 50 percent, of the total cost of a testing program. Imposes civil penalties upon local educational agencies violating this title's requirements. Authorizes citizen complaints with respect to radon in school buildings. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: President's Commission on Radon Awareness - Establishes the President's Commission on Radon Awareness to: (1) examine existing public awareness programs concerning radon; (2) act as a coordinating body for the donation of resources to assist in programs and strategies to raise awareness of the health threats of radon; (3) encourage media outlets to increase radon awareness; and (4) evaluate the effectiveness and assist in the update of such programs and strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Intermodal Carriers Competitiveness Act of 1991 - Prohibits a State, political subdivision, or interstate agency of two or more States from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, regulation, or standard relating to interstate or intrastate rates, routes, services, or terms of service of any national intermodal carrier with respect to the provision of surface transportation of property in the State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Retirement Annuity Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish standards for insurers from which irrevocable commitments may be purchased in order to terminate single-employer pension plans in standard terminations. Provides for review of such insurers by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Provides for: (1) notice to the PBGC regarding the insurer; (2) notice to participants and beneficiaries regarding the insurer; (3) disapproval of the insurer by the PBGC as a basis for a notice of noncompliance; and (4) prior certification of insurers. Directs the PBGC to exercise its continuing authority to cease the standard termination of a single-employer plan under specified ERISA provisions, or to restore a plan which is so terminated, in any case in which the final distribution of assets is being, or was, carried out in whole or in part by means of the purchase of irrevocable commitments from any insurer, if the PBGC determines that such distribution by such means is not, or was not, in the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for an inflation adjustment to the inclusion in gross income of old-age, survivors and disability insurance and certain railroad retirement benefits when there is an increase in such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Semiconductor Investment Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify the depreciable life for semiconductor manufacturing equipment as three-year property.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Audio Home Recording Act of 1991 - Amends Federal copyright law to: (1) set forth definitions relating to digital audio recording devices and media; and (2) prohibit certain copyright infringement actions based on the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a digital or analog audio recording device or medium, or the use of such device or medium for making phonorecords, except when done for commercial advantage. Sets forth a mandatory recordation and filing procedure for the importation, manufacture, or distribution in the United States of digital audio recording devices or media. Requires importers and manufacturers to file quarterly and annual statements of account with the Register of Copyrights (the Register). Mandates Register verification of such statements. Sets forth verification guidelines. States that verification audit costs shall be borne by interested copyright parties. Sets forth confidentiality guidelines with respect to such mandatory statements of accounts. Prescribes royalty payment guidelines for digital audio recording devices and media imported, manufactured, or distributed in the United States. Requires that royalty payments be deposited into the Treasury. Identifies interested copyright parties entitled to royalty payments. Prescribes royalty payment allocation and distribution procedures. Permits alternative royalty collection and distribution arrangements to be negotiated among interested copyright and manufacturing parties. Maintains the Copyright Tribunal jurisdiction over such negotiated arrangements insofar as nonparticipant interests are affected. Prohibits: (1) the importation, manufacture, and distribution of any digital audio recording device or audio interface device that does not conform to certain standards and specifications to implement the Serial Copy Management System; and (2) the circumvention of such System. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to publish in the Federal Register a certain Technical Reference Document which sets forth the standards and specifications pertinent to the Serial Copy Management System. Authorizes the Secretary to implement such System according to the prescribed guidelines. Sets forth civil remedies for violations of this Act, including impoundment, remedial modification and destruction of non-complying devices, and binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1991 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on: (1) age; (2) length of service; or (3) both. Reduces the amount of retirement pay, in the case of individuals receiving both types of pay, by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, once the Federal budget deficit has been reduced, the Congress should reexamine and eliminate any offset of retired pay by a veteran's disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Police Corps and Law Enforcement Training and Education Act - Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) an Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education to be headed by a Director. Requires a State that desires to participate in the Police Corps program to designate a lead agency and submit a State plan containing assurances with respect to: (1) lead agency cooperation with other State and local agencies; (2) the State advertising of the assistance available; (3) State screening and selection of law enforcement personnel for participation in the program; and (4) compliance with other specified requirements. Authorizes the Director to award college scholarships (including direct payments to institutions and reimbursement of educational costs) to participants who agree to work for four years in a State or local police force after completion of a baccalaureate program and police corps training, subject to specified conditions. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) scholarship assistance for dependent children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; (2) the selection of participants; (3) minority recruitment; and (4) leaves of absence. Requires the Director to establish programs to provide basic law enforcement training to State Police Corps program participants. Authorizes such programs to be carried out: (1) at up to three training centers established and administered by the Director; or (2) by contracting with existing State training facilities. Requires participants to attend two eight-week training sessions at such training centers and to meet certain performance standards in order to remain in the Police Corps program. Requires the Director to pay participants a weekly stipend during training. Provides for the swearing in of participants as members of the police force to which they are assigned after completing Federal training and meeting the requirements of that police force. Authorizes the Director, upon a showing of good cause, to permit a participant to complete the service obligation in an equivalent alternative law enforcement service, if the police force of which the participant is a member subjects the participant to discipline which would preclude completion of four years of service on that force. Requires a State, in order to participate in the Police Corps program, to submit a plan for implementing such program to the Director for approval. Requires such plan to: (1) include assurances that participants will receive effective training and leadership; (2) provide that program participants shall be assigned to community and preventive patrol in geographic areas with the greatest need for additional law enforcement personnel; and (3) prohibit participant assignment to any local police force whose size has declined by a specified portion or which has members who have been laid off but not retired. Requires the Director to report annually on the Police Corps program to the Attorney General, the President, and specified congressional officials. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Insurance Fraud Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for persons engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect commerce, who: (1) knowingly make a materially false statement or report or willfully overvalue land, property, or security in connection with reports or documents presented to an insurance regulatory official or agency, or to any agent or examiner (official) appointed to examine the affairs of such person for the purpose of influencing in any way the actions of such official; (2) embezzle or willfully misappropriate funds or property while acting as an officer, director, agent, or employee (officer) of such person; (3) knowingly make a false entry of material fact in any book, report, or statement of such person with intent to deceive any person about the financial condition or solvency of such business, or to deceive any officer of such person or any insurance regulatory official; and (4) by threats or force, corruptly influences, obstructs, or endeavers corruptly to influence or obstruct the proper administration of the law under which a proceeding (involving the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce) is pending before an insurance regulatory official to examine the affairs of such person. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek civil penalties and injunctions for violations of this Act. Sets penalties for obstructing criminal investigations with respect to the prosecution of cases of insurance fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Economic Growth Act of 1991 - Title I: Investment and Job Creation Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for individuals for assets held from one to three years. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interest in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Inflation Adjustment for Investments - Requires indexing, based on the consumer price index, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business after April 15, 1991) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for the inflation adjustment treatment of: (1) short sales; (2) regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; and (3) partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds. Prohibits gain from the sale or other disposition of an indexed asset from being taken into account under the limitation on investment interest. Subtitle C: Enterprise Zones - Part I: Designation - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Subtitle D: Research and Experimentation Credit Made Permanent - Makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities and the tax credit for clinical testing expenses. Title II: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Allows existing individual retirement accounts (IRA) to be rolled over into individual retirement plus accounts with payment of tax on the amount rolled over for which a deduction was once allowable, but no tax when withdrawn. Title III: Homeownership Incentives - Subtitle A: First-Time Homebuyers - Allows a tax credit for the first-time purchase of a principal residence by individuals with incomes of $31,000 or less (phased-out to incomes of up to $41,000). Limits such credit to $1,000. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free IRA Plus Withdrawal for Home Purchase, Higher Education, and Health Costs - Allows penalty-free distributions from IRA Plus accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for: (1) first-time homebuyers; (2) medical expenses; and (3) higher education expenses. Title IV: Work Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Social Security Penalty on Working Elderly - Amends title II of the Social Security Act (Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) to raise the earnings limit for retirees. Appropriates to each payor fund amounts equivalent to the aggregate increase in social security benefits payable from such fund which is attributable to such amendment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study during 1997 whether further amendments relating to deductions on account of work and the exempt amount under the earnings limit are necessary or appropriate. Subtitle B: Economic Growth Dividend - Requires any economic growth dividend (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) to be used to increase the personal exemption amount. Requires, after 1995, all revenues resulting from real growth in the gross national product greater than three percent to fund an increased personal exemption. Requires, for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1992, and before October 1, 1995, that 50 percent of such dividend be used to increase the personal exemption amount and the other 50 percent be used to make a downward adjustment in the maximum deficit amount.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
All-Americans Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals a deduction for capital gains based on the period the asset is held (up to three years). Excludes collectibles from such assets. Makes such deduction an item of tax preferences. Excludes from gross income interest received during a taxable year up to $350 ($700 in the case of a joint return). Provides a phaseout of such exclusion for incomes over $50,000. Makes such exclusion applicable to distributions from regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts. Makes certain nonresident aliens ineligible for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the transition rules for phasing in the resource-based relative value scale (RB RVS) method of payment for physician services to prohibit adjustments for asymmetry in the transition and for behavioral responses. Declares spending under this Act to be an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and exempt from sequestration.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize members of national securities exchanges to effect certain transactions with respect to accounts for which such members exercise investment discretion (managed accounts).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991
NTIA Organization and Authorization Act - Provides statutory authorization for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Authorizes appropriations for the administration of NTIA for FY 1992 and 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1991
Tire Recycling and Recovery Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require States to submit scrap tire management plans to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sets forth plan approval procedures. Requires the Administrator to: (1) convene a forum of Federal, State, and local authorities and experts in the field of scrap tire management to discuss the requirements of this Act; (2) distribute guidelines and a model plan to States; (3) review approved plans and audit plans periodically; and (4) promulgate plans for States that fail to do so. Sets forth plan requirements and declares that plans must: (1) address the reduction and elimination of existing scrap tire piles that contain more than 3,000 scrap tires; (2) address current and future disposal, recycling, recovery, and reuse of scrap tires; and (3) provide for the issuance of permits to owners or operators of scrap tire collection sites and others who handle scrap tires. Authorizes the Administrator to provide financial assistance to States for purposes of conducting surveys of scrap tire piles and for developing and implementing tire plans. Grants a preference for assistance to applicants who have shown progress in eliminating such piles. Sets forth assistance application procedures. Permits States to apply for assistance in conjunction with neighboring States. Prohibits: (1) the disposal of scrap tires in a landfill, monocell, or monofill; (2) the operation of collection sites, except in compliance with specified regulations; (3) the storage of more than 3,000 scrap tires for more than 60 days at collection sites, unless necessary for further reuse, recovery, or recycling; (4) the commingling of new scrap tires with existing scrap tire piles; (5) the transfer of control over scrap tires for transportation to a collection site to a transporter without a permit; and (6) the operation and maintenance of a pile or collection site, or the delivery or receipt of scrap tires for storage or disposal at a collection site, except in compliance with a permit. Exempts specified persons from such prohibitions if no threat of an adverse effect on human health or the environment will result from the exemption. Authorizes the Administrator to impose alternative requirements as a condition for an exemption. Authorizes civil penalties or civil actions for violations of this Act. Prescribes criminal penalties for knowing violations. Directs the Administrator to prepare guidelines for the Federal procurement of items that make use of rubber from scrap or used tires. Requires the Administrator, together with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, to: (1) determine the extent of scrap tire piles on Federal property; and (2) implement a plan for, and report to the Congress on, the abatement of such piles. Repeals a provision concerning grants for discarded tire disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Presidential Insurance Commission Act of 1991 - Establishes the Presidential Commission on Insurance to: (1) assess the condition of the insurance and reinsurance industries; and (2) recommend legislative or regulatory changes with respect to the industry's financial health. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the President and the Congress, after which it shall terminate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Alternative Juvenile Incarceration Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to States to carry out projects to demonstrate whether confining juvenile offenders in boot camp prisons rehabilitates, and reduces the recidivism of, such offenders. Directs the Administrator to give priority to States that demonstrate that the capacity of their correctional facilities is inadequate to accommodate the number of individuals convicted of offenses punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of group-term life insurance which may be provided by an employer and excluded from the gross income of an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1991
Public Telecommunications Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for the public telecommunications facilities program for FY 1992 through 1994 and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for FY 1994 through 1996. Reduces from ten to nine the number of CPB board members, lengthens the term of each member from five to six years, and staggers the terms of the members. Requires CPB, in recognition of the importance of educational programs and services and the expansion of public radio services to unserved and underserved audiences, to prepare and submit to the Congress an annual report for FY 1994 through 1996 on its activities and expenditures relating to those programs and services.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rinaldo, Matthew J. [R-NJ-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000262_200.jpg)