United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1996 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a consensus committee for maintenance and revision of Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards. Repeals: (1) provisions establishing the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council; and (2) certain reporting requirements. Includes expenses incurred in connection with and related to such committee within existing inspection fee authority.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund should submit to the Congress without further delay its annual report due on April 1, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to exclude: (1) bacteria from the definition of "fungus"; and (2) liquid chemical sterilant products for use on a critical or semi-critical medical or dental device from the definition of "pesticide." Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) coordinate data requirements, test protocols, timetables, and standards of review and reduce burdens and redundancy caused to the registrant, whenever data in support of a pesticide registration is requested by one or more State or Federal agencies; and (2) develop a process to identify and assist in alleviating future disparities between Federal and State data requirements. Provides, with respect to the labeling of an antimicrobial pesticide product, that: (1) a registrant may modify the labeling to include relevant information on the product's efficacy, composition, or container or other characteristics unrelated to a pesticidal claim or activity; (2) such labeling shall not be false or misleading or in conflict with statements required as a condition of registration and be substantiated upon request; (3) modifications shall be subject to a notification and approval process; and (4) different cautionary statements for use dilutions may be included in the labeling upon approval of the Administrator. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent practicable, to identify and evaluate changes to the process for registration of antimicrobial pesticides that will reduce current time periods for review. Details rulemaking requirements regarding the review of such pesticides. Requires an annual report to the Congress on measures taken to effect such changes. Exempts from applicability of certain FIFRA storage, disposal, transportation, and container requirements household, industrial, or institutional antimicrobial products that are not subject to regulation under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, unless the Administrator determines that their application is necessary to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Science Foundation Subtitle A: National Science Foundation Authorization Subtitle B: General Provisions Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle C: International Space Station Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title III: United States Fire Administration Title IV: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subtitle A: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs Subtitle B: Marine Research Subtitle C: Program Support Subtitle D: Streamlining of Operations Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Title V: Environmental Protectional Agency Title VI: National Institute of Standards and Technology Title VII: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Title VIII: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Title IX: Miscellaneous Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act of 1996 - Title I: National Science Foundation - National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: National Science Foundation Authorization - Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY 1997. (Sec. 114) Provides for reprogramming of appropriations. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to direct NSF to include in its annual report to the President a strategic plan defining its goals, criteria, and procedures. (Sec. 122) Requires NSF to submit to the Congress an annual upgrade and maintenance plan for national research facilities. (Sec. 123) Amends the Academic Research Facilities Modernization Act of 1988 to give research facility grant priority to institutions or consortia that have not received such funds in the preceding five years. (Sec. 124) Makes administrative amendments to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1976, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, and the Education for Economic Security Act. (Sec. 126) Subjects NSF temporary employees to the same financial disclosure requirements as apply to permanent employees. (Sec. 127) Requires an institution of higher education receiving NSF funds to grant a military-educational leave of absence to a student on active military duty (other than training). (Sec. 128) Renames the Critical Technologies Institute as the Science Studies Institute. (Sec. 129) Requires NSF to consider the impact of a grant on undergraduate and graduate education before its award. (Sec. 130) Authorizes the Director of NSF to appoint up to six Assistant Directors. (Sec. 131) Renames: (1) the National Science Foundation as the National Science and Engineering Foundation; and (2) the National Science Board as the National Science and Engineering Board. Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Subtitle A: General Provisions - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1997 - Makes various findings regarding the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sets forth definitions for purposes of this title. Subtitle B: Authorization of Appropriations - Chapter 1: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for (NASA) for: (1) human space flight; (2) science, aeronautics, and technology, including facilities construction and research and early detection systems for breast and ovarian cancer and other women's health issues; (3) mission support; and (4) the Inspector General. (Sec. 215) Limits the total NASA FY 1997 authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 216) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Commercial and Space Transportation for FY 1997. (Sec. 217) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Space Commerce for FY 1997. Chapter 2: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Requires that the: (1) Administrator of NASA transmit to the Congress by July 31, 1996, a report on restructuring activities; and (2) President propose, no later than September 30, 1996, all enabling legislation required to carry out the actions described by the Administrator's report. Chapter 3: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth funds uses, limitations, and special authorities. Subtitle C: International Space Station - Requires the Administrator to deliver to the Congress a market study that examines the role of commercial ventures which could supply, use, service, or augment the International Space Station. (Sec. 244) Authorizes the Administrator: (1) to submit annually to the Congress a Space Station Accounting Report containing a complete accounting of all costs of the space station, including cash and other payments to Russia; and (2) to obtain quarterly reports from the Russian Space Agency which fully account for the disposition of funds paid or transferred by NASA to Russia. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends Federal law to include reentry vehicles and related launch operations within the scope of commercial space launch activities. Mandates an annual report. (Sec. 252) Requires an independent cost analysis of a specified NASA project that is projected exceed a cost of $75 million before any funds may be obligated for Phase C of such project. (Sec. 253) Establishes the Office of Space Commerce within the Department of Commerce. (Sec. 254) Requires the Administrator to delay, on the request of a private sector entity for a period from one day up to five years, unrestricted public disclosure of technical data developed by research funded jointly by NASA and that entity under specified conditions. Requires the Administrator to annually report to the Congress on all determinations made respecting such public disclosure of technical data. (Sec. 255) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish within the Office of Space Access and Technology a procurement demonstration program; and (2) coordinate a technology procurement initiative. (Sec. 256) Requires the Administrator to determine, prior to new facility construction or lease, that no existing NASA or other Federal facility is appropriate for the intended use. (Sec. 257) Directs NASA to maximum extent possible, to purchase space science data from the private sector. (Sec. 258) Directs the Administrator to: (1) transmit to the Congress a report on Mission to Planet Earth; (2) acquire space-based and airborne Earth remote sensing data provided by the private sector; (3) conduct a study to determine the extent to which baseline scientific requirements of Mission to Planet Earth can be met by the private sector; (4) prepare for transition from the Federal operation, or Federal management of contracted operation, of space transportation systems to the Federal purchase of commercial space transportation services for all nonemergency launch requirements; and (5) conduct a study of the feasibility of implementing the recommendation of the Independent Shuttle Management Review Team that NASA transition toward privatization of the Space Shuttle and submit a report on the study to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 261) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 to make the launch voucher demonstration program permanent. (Sec. 262) Directs the Administrator to provide for the privatization of NASA microgravity parabolic flight operations. (Sec. 263) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic activities. (Sec. 264) Requires the Administrator, whenever feasible, to meet NASA facilities needs by selecting abandoned and underused buildings, grounds, and facilities in depressed communities. (Sec. 266) Requires the Administrator to establish the position of Procurement Ombudsman for NASA to be responsible for: (1) reviewing proposed new missions to determine if such missions can be fulfilled by U.S. commercial providers; and (2) serve as a point of contact for procurement contractors and U.S. commercial providers. Title III: United States Fire Administration - Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for FY 1997. (Sec. 303) Prohibits Federal funds for Department of the Army housing unless it is protected by hard-wired smoke detectors by the earlier of the date of occupancy by the first Federal employees who were not occupants as of October 25, 1992, or October 25, 1998. (Sec. 304) Permits successor fire safety standards to be used as guidelines in addition to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 74, NFPA Standard 13 or 13-R, or NFPA Standard 101 (Life Safety Code) for installation of hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors or automatic sprinkler systems in: (1) places of public accommodation affecting commerce; and (2) federally-assisted buildings. (Sec. 305) Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration to report to the Congress: (1) at least 60 days in advance of the termination or transfer to a private sector entity of any significant function of the Administration; and (2) on the manner in which the Administration intends to implement the budgetary reduction represented by the difference between the amount appropriated to it for FY 1997 and the amount requested in the President's FY 1997 budget request. Title IV: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs - Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) National Weather Service (NWS) operations and research and public warning and forecast; (2) construction, repair, and modification regarding new and existing weather forecast offices; (3) climate and air quality research; (4) atmospheric research; (5) satellite observing systems; and (6) environmental data and information services. Authorizes appropriations to complete the acquisition and deployment of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System and NOAA Port (AWIPS) for all fiscal years beginning with FY 1997. Prohibits funding for any fiscal year, unless certain certifications are made to the Congress. Amends the Weather Service Modernization Act to repeal provisions providing for: (1) restructuring field offices of the National Weather Service; and (2) the Modernization Transition Committee. Subtitle B: Marine Research - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) mapping and charting; (2) geodesy; (3) observation and prediction; (4) ocean and earth science; (5) estuarine and coastal assessment; (6) the National Status and Trends Program, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response Program; (7) the Damage Assessment Program; and (8) the Coastal Ocean Program. (Sec. 422) Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for marine prediction research. Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to: (1) program or project grants and contracts; (2) fellowships; and (3) administration of the National Sea Grant College Program. Revises the definition of "field related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources." Subtitle C: Program Support - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) central administrative support; and (3) retired pay. Mandates contracts (including multiyear contracts) for the use of vessels to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research, monitoring, enforcement, and management, and to acquire other data necessary to carry out NOAA missions. Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) marine services; (2) aircraft services; and (3) facilities repairs and renovations. Subtitle D: Streamlining of Operations - Prohibits appropriating funds for specified programs, centers, and activities. Repeals provisions of: (1) the National Sea Grant College Program Act relating to marine policy fellowships; and (2) the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 relating to the sea grant international program. Repeals the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act. (Sec. 442) Limits the total dollar amounts: (1) authorized to be appropriated for FY 1997 by this or any other Act for NOAA for all activities associated with operations, research, and facilities; and (2) authorized to be used for NOAA travel and related expenses. (Sec. 443) Terminates the NOAA Corps of commissioned officers after FY 1996. Authorizes related separations, making separated officers eligible only for severance (not separation) pay. Authorizes: (1) with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, the transfer of separated officers to the armed services; (2) with the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, transfer of separated officers to the U.S. Coast Guard; and (3) with the approval of NOAA's Administrator, NOAA employment of separated officers as civil service members. Repeals related specified provisions of Federal law. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous - Makes it unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, move, damage, or interfere with any National Data Buoy Center weather data buoy. Provides for civil monetary penalties and rewards. (Sec. 452) Makes the Secretary of Commerce, through the NWS, responsible for: (1) forecasts, serving as the sole official source of weather warnings; (2) issuance of storm warnings; (3) collection, exchange, and distribution of meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceanographic data and information; and (4) preparation of hydrometeorological guidance and core forecast information. Prohibits the NWS from competing (or assisting other entities in competing) with the private sector when a service is or can be provided by commercial enterprise unless the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide the service and the service provides vital weather warnings and forecasts for the protection of lives and property of the general public. Removes existing provisions relating to the duties of the Secretary regarding weather forecasting. Modifies provisions relating to NWS appropriations and estimates. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees detailing all NWS activities not conforming to this paragraph and outlining a timetable for their termination. (Sec. 453) Establishes the National Oceanographic Partnership Program and sets forth the purposes of the program. Establishes the: (1) National Ocean Research Leadership Council; (2) Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group; and (3) Ocean Research Advisory Panel under the program. Sets forth the composition of membership and specified duties of each. Mandates certain annual reports. Prohibits the authorization of appropriations for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program for FY 1997. Title V: Environmental Protection Agency - Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1996 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1997 for : (1) science and technology activities, including program management and support, for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities; (2) oil pollution research; and (3) research related to leaking underground storage tanks. Specifies that no funds are authorized to be appropriated for: (1) the Environmental Technology Initiative; (2) the Climate Change Action Plan; (3) indoor air pollution research; (4) the North Dakota Center for Air Toxic Metals research; (5) drinking water research conducted by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation; (6) the Water Environmental Research Foundation; (7) the National Urban Air Toxics Research Center; (8) the Gulf Coast Hazardous Substances Research Center; (9) urban waste management research at the University of New Orleans; (10) the Resources and Agricultural Policy Systems Program; or (11) the Oil Spill Remediation Research Center. (Sec. 504) Directs the Administrator to assign to the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development the duties of: (1) developing a strategic plan for scientific and technical research activities throughout EPA; (2) integrating that strategic plan into ongoing EPA planning activities; and (3) reviewing all EPA research to ensure the research is of high quality and does not duplicate any other research being conducted by EPA. Directs the Assistant Administrator to report annually to the Administrator and specified congressional committees on EPA research that is duplicative or not of sufficiently high quality. (Sec. 505) Requires the Administrator to ensure that any graduate fellowship award to a student selected after the enactment of this Act is used only to support research that would further missions of the Office of Research and Development in fields in which there exists or is projected to exist a shortage in the number of scientists. (Sec. 506) Mandates that the Science Advisory Board submit to the Congress and the Administrator an annual report that contains the views of the Board on proposed research programs as described in the President's budget for research, development, and demonstration activities at the EPA and conditions that such report be submitted to the Congress after the submission of the President's budget to the Congress. Requires the Science Advisory Board to conduct evaluations of the current and planned research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Authorizes the Board to annually review research activities of the EPA and include the results of such review in the annual report. Requires the Administrator to submit to the Congress, no later than 60 days after its receipt, any report required by law to be submitted to the Administrator by the Science Advisory Board. Title VI: National Institute of Standards and Technology - Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for: (1) Scientific and Technical Research and Services; and (2) Construction of Research Facilities. Title VII: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development - FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Management Reform Act of 1996 - Mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) develop, implement, and maintain a disciplined acquisition management system that is based on and incorporates specified management principles. (Sec. 705) Allows the FAA to implement a proposed acquisition management system as a suitable compliance. (Sec. 706) Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for: (1) specified research, engineering, and development activities and (2) such sums as may be necessary for other research, engineering, and development activities described in the President's FY 1997 budget request to the Congress. (Sec. 708) Creates a budget designation for all research and development activities carried out by the Federal Aviation Administration. Requires that the President's annual budget request for the FAA include all research and development activities within a single budget category. (Sec. 710) Revises certain requirements of the National Aviation Research Plan. Title VIII: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to authorize FY 1997 appropriations for the activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (2) the U.S. Geological Survey; (3) the National Science Foundation for engineering research and geosciences research; and (4) the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this title from being used for any lobbying activity. (Sec. 902) Sets forth limitations on appropriations for FY 1997 and for subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the head of each Federal agency for which funds are authorized under this Act to exclude, for a period of five years, any individual who received funds from any Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process after FY 1996, from consideration for financial assistance awards made by that agency after FY 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Flood Map Correction Act - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit an area from being considered to be located within an area identified by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an area having special flood hazards if the Director receives from the owner or lessee of the area at issue a written notice that includes: (1) information identifying such area; and (2) a certification by a licensed and bonded surveyor or by the Army Corps of Engineers that the elevation of the area is higher than the elevation required for inclusion in an area having special flood hazards.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that three years after ratification of this amendment: (1) the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution is repealed; and (2) the Congress shall have no power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, except in time of war declared by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
National Oceanographic Partnership Act - Establishes the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. Sets forth the purposes of the program. Establishes the: (1) National Ocean Research Leadership Council; (2) Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group; and (3) Ocean Research Advisory Panel under the program. Sets forth the composition of membership and specified duties of each. Mandates certain annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program for FY 1997 and requires that a certain amount be available for the operations of the partnership program office for such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Regulatory Accountability Act of 1996 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 with regard to Federal mandates to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any new or reauthorized measure (controlled private regulatory legislation) imposing costs on the private sector of $100 million or more (controlled Federal private sector mandate) unless it specifies a regulatory cost authorization for each such mandate of the dollar amount of private sector costs authorized to result from implementing or enforcing regulations. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the costs of mandate compliance for each measure reported by an authorization committee. Prohibits the total amount of private sector compliance costs from exceeding the regulatory cost authorization for a covered law. Prohibits a proposed covered regulation from taking effect unless the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has certified in the Federal Register that its implementation will not violate the first prohibition. Exempts from such prohibitions any regulation which the President finds is necessary because of an emergency. Requires such estimates to be publicly available for each covered law.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Congratulates the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone for holding their first democratic multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in nearly 30 years. Encourages them to continue to negotiate an end to the civil war and to work together. Reaffirms the commitment of the United States to helping nations move toward freedom and democracy and to encouraging peace, democracy, and economic development on the African continent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Medical Device Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mission. (Sec. 3) Allows device approval applicants to declare a review impasse and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 4) Revises requirements regarding: (1) investigational devise exemptions; (2) premarket approval requirements (mandating a device review priority); (3) humanitarian device exceptions; (4) safety and effectiveness performance standards (allowing consensus standards recognition); (5) effectiveness determinations (as used in classifying devices); (6) premarket notification; (7) classification panels; and (8) premarket approval application review (allowing review by accredited persons). (Sec. 12) Mandates procedures for accrediting parties that review premarket approval applications and conduct good manufacturing practice inspections. (Sec. 13) Mandates reclassification of certain devices. (Sec. 14) Modifies requirements regarding: (1) device tracking; (2) postmarket surveillance; and (3) good manufacturing practice regulations (including foreign harmonization) and inspections (including adding references to accredited entities and post-inspection procedural requirements). (Sec. 18) Regulates the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, displays at trade shows, and other material. (Sec. 19) Removes distributors from record keeping and reporting requirements. Declares that the failure of a device to perform as labeled or in an acceptable manner does not constitute a malfunction when caused by improper servicing. Repeals user reporting requirements. (Sec. 20) Prohibits subjecting a person to penalties if the person acted in good faith and had no reason to believe the acts violated the law. (Sec. 21) Allows using monetary penalties for violation correction. Entitles violators to reasonable discovery. (Sec. 22) Mandates an information system to track the status of each submission requesting FDA action. (Sec. 23) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the FDCA from requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement or assessment. (Sec. 24) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on any statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 25) Mandates training programs for FDA employees regarding FDCA regulations and policies. Allows the FDA to conduct or contract for scientific research only if directly related to FDCA implementation. (Sec. 26) Regulates communications to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of related investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Drug and Biological Products Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to set forth the mission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and mandate an annual report to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 3) Modifies new drug requirements regarding: (1) clinical investigation commencement; (2) application contents and review; (3) effectiveness determinations; (4) the use of scientific advisory panels; and (5) marketing approval application review by accredited persons. (Sec. 8) Provides for the accreditation of persons to: (1) review applications for new drugs or for certification of insulin-containing drugs; and (2) conduct good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections. (Sec. 9) Allows applicants to declare an impasse in a review or a submission for an investigational use exemption and mandates use of a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 10) Adds references to accredited persons to provisions relating to GMP inspections. Imposes post-inspection requirements. Deems certain chemistry, manufacturing, and controls to comply with current GMP and prohibits actions to delay or prevent the manufacture or marketing of a drug for failure to conform to GMP, subject to exception. (Sec. 12) Allows a new drug manufactured in a small facility to be used to show safety and effectiveness. (Sec. 13) Regulates changes in the manufacture of a new drug, biological product, new animal drug, blood, or blood component. (Sec. 14) Repeals provisions relating to the certification of drugs containing insulin or antibiotics. (Sec. 15) Requires that applications or petitions requesting conversion from prescription to nonprescription status and all matters relating to nonprescription drugs be reviewed by a single office in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Allows a single scientific advisory panel to provide recommendations. (Sec. 16) Mandates an applicant-accessible information system to track applications and submissions to the FDA. (Sec. 17) Prohibits actions by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from requiring an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. (Sec. 18) Regulates drugs compounded by a licensed pharmacist on the order of a licensed physician. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to meet with foreign countries to discuss harmonization of regulatory requirements. (Sec. 20) Controls the effect of the dissemination of medical texts, peer-reviewed scientific publications, and other material. (Sec. 21) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements not promulgated in accordance with rulemaking requirements to require any action under the FDCA. (Sec. 22) Mandates training for FDA employees on regulations and policies under the FDCA. (Sec. 23) Regulates: (1) the delegation of authority under the FDCA; (2) judicial review of decisions regarding investigational new drugs and new drugs; and (3) communication to non-FDA persons regarding certain matters before completion of an investigation. (Sec. 26) Defines "biological product" and "human tissue." Declares that blood, a blood component, an organ, milk, or human tissue is not a drug. Prohibits subjecting computer software developed or modified by, or used in, a human tissue establishment to any premarket clearance requirement. Requires such software to be validated to demonstrate that it achieves its intended purpose before use and subjects it to the GMP requirements of the FDCA. Requires licenses to introduce biological products, blood, and blood components into interstate commerce. Regulates licensing. Allows regulation of human tissue only if the Secretary demonstrates that voluntary regulation is inadequate to protect the public health. Provides for such regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Food Amendments Title II: Animal Drugs Food Amendments and the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 - Title I: Food Amendments - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to state the mission of the Food and Drug Administration. (Sec. 102) Modifies requirements regarding label claims of a relationship between a nutritional ingredient and a health-related condition. (Sec. 104) Prohibits construing FDCA provisions relating to misbranding or food additives to require a separate disclosure of a method of production or an ingredient other than in the statement of ingredients, unless necessary to protect the public health. (Sec. 105) Allows certain labeling and additive (including color additive) petitions to be submitted to an accredited person and deems the person's recommendation to be a decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services unless the Secretary makes certain findings. Provides for accreditation. (Sec. 107) Allows an additive in feed for food-producing animals, and allows approval of a new animal drug, if the additive or drug presents a small risk (currently, if the additive will not adversely affect the animals and if no residue will be found in food from the animal). (Sec. 108) Prohibits States and subdivisions from having any requirement for a human food, a drug or biological product, or a cosmetic of the type authorized or required under the adulteration, misbranding, or new drug provisions of the FDCA, subject to exception and waiver. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to regularly meet with other countries regarding reducing regulation and seeking reciprocal arrangements. (Sec. 110) Prohibits the Secretary from relying on statements that have not been promulgated in accordance with Federal rulemaking requirements to require any action to be taken to satisfy an FDCA requirement. (Sec. 111) Amends the FDCA and the Federal Trade Commission Act to remove or repeal provisions regulating the sale, public eating place serving, and advertising of colored oleomargarine or colored margarine. Repeals related definitions. Title II: Animal Drugs - Amends the FDCA to revise the definition (for new animal drug provisions) of "substantial evidence." Modifies requirements regarding approval of supplemental applications. Exempts use in a minor species and the minor use of a drug from provisions prohibiting approval if there is a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have its purported effect. Revises requirements regarding combination drugs. (Sec. 202) Reduces the period for approval of new animal drug applications. (Sec. 203) Empowers applicants to declare that a review impasse exists. Sets forth a dispute resolution process. (Sec. 204) Revises requirements regarding drug residues and tolerances. (Sec. 205) Regulates animal feed drugs that are limited by approved applications to use under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (veterinary feed directive drugs) (VFDDs). Deems animal feed with a new animal drug unsafe unless its labeling, distribution, holding, and use (currently, its labeling and use) conform to specified FDCA requirements. Allows withdrawal of approval for certain VFDD recordkeeping violations. Adds to the prohibited acts list the refusal to permit record access as required by VFDD provisions and the failure to maintain records or make reports as required by VFDD provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the situation in Kosova must be resolved before the outer wall of sanctions against Serbia is lifted and Serbia is able to return to the international community; and (2) the human rights of the people of Kosova must be restored to levels guaranteed by international law. Calls for: (1) the United States to support the legitimate claims of the Kosovan people to determine their political future; (2) the return of international observers to Kosova as soon as possible; (3) the elected Government of Kosova to be permitted to meet and exercise its legitimate mandate as elected representatives of the Kosovan people; and (4) the reinstatement of all individuals whose employment was terminated on the basis of their ethnicity. Declares that the Kosovan education system should be reopened to all residents of Kosova regardless of ethnicity and the majority ethnic Albanian population should be allowed to educate its youth in its native tongue. Commends progress toward the establishment of a United States Information Agency cultural center in Prishtina, Kosova. Urges the Secretary of State to redouble efforts to open the center as soon as possible. Calls for the President to appoint a special envoy to aid in negotiating a resolution to the crisis in Kosova.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1996
Congratulates the people of Taiwan on holding the first democratic presidential election in Chinese history. Declares that the United States is committed to: (1) moving nations toward freedom and democracy; and (2) encouraging and protecting its democratic friends on Taiwan, within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1996
Amends Federal law to exempt from hazardous material transportation regulation certain vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that the hazardous material involved poses a significant risk to health and safety or property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1996
Wetland Creation and Improvement Act - Considers, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the cost of providing upland and confined aquatic dredged material disposal facilities associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of all Federal navigation projects for harbors and inland harbors to be a general navigation feature of the project and subjects it to cost sharing in accordance of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. Requires that the Federal share of the operation and maintenance of such disposal facilities be determined in accordance with that Act. Specifies included costs. Prohibits the expenditure of the Federal share until the Secretary of the Army determines that the funds are not otherwise required to cover other eligible operation and maintenance costs assigned to commercial navigation. Limits the total Federal share for each project.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1996
Fast and Efficient Tax Filing Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the use of any private designated delivery service under the timely-mailing-as-timely-filing rule.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1996
Ward Valley Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the California Department of Health Services specified lands in San Bernardino County, California, known as the Ward Valley Site, upon the tendering to: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury of $500,100 on behalf of California; and (2) the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of a written commitment by California to carry out environmental monitoring and protection measures, based on recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences, subject to Federal oversight by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 Title II: Amendments to Antarctic Protection Act of 1990 Title III: Amendments to the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships Antarctic Environmental Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 - Amends the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 to restate findings and purposes of the Act regarding the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Treaty and implementation of the Protocol. (Sec. 103) Revises provisions concerning prohibited acts by any person (currently, U.S. citizens) to modify the prohibitions, in accordance with the Protocol, and make unlawful the following activities in or respecting Antarctica: (1) introduction of any prohibited product onto land or ice shelves or into water; (2) disposal of any waste onto ice-free land areas or into fresh water systems or of any prohibited waste; (3) engaging in open burning of waste; (4) transporting passengers by any seagoing vessel not required to comply with the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, except by agreement under which the vessel owner or operator must comply with Annex IV; (5) failure of an organizer or operator to notify members of an expedition of the environmental protection obligations of this Act and means of compliance by participants; (6) damage to historic sites or monuments; (7) refusal of permission to any authorized U.S. officer or employee to board a U.S. vessel, vehicle, or aircraft for purposes of search or inspection in connection with enforcement of this Act and forcible assault of or other interference with an authorized U.S. officer or employee in the conduct of such activities; (8) resisting lawful arrest or detention for a prohibited act; (9) interference with the apprehension, arrest, or detention of another person, knowing that the other person has committed a prohibited act; (10) violation of any regulation, or a term or condition of a permit, issued pursuant to this Act; and (11) attempting to commit or cause to be committed any prohibited act. Prohibits specified other activities in Antarctica (including disposal of waste and introducing any member of a nonnative species) except as authorized by permit. Exempts from prohibitions these activities and certain of those enumerated above under defined emergency circumstances. (Sec. 104) Provides standards and procedures for the environmental impact assessment of Federal agency activities in Antarctica (which shall be the sole and exclusive obligations regarding such assessment) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, allowing an activity to proceed after an initial evaluation if it is determined that the activity is likely to have no more than a minor or transitory impact. Excepts from these procedures activities conducted jointly or in cooperation with foreign signatory governments where it is determined that the major part of the activity is being conducted by one or more other governments and another government is coordinating environmental assessment procedures. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations regarding environmental assessment of certain nongovernmental activities. Conditions decisions to proceed with a comprehensively evaluated activity upon consideration of the draft evaluation at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. Provides exceptions from this Act's environmental assessment requirements under emergency circumstances. (Sec. 105) Revises requirements for the issuance of permits authorizing takings and harmful interferences or entry into Specially Protected Areas. (Sec. 106) Revises requirements for the issuance of regulations by the Director of the National Science Foundation. Removes general consultation requirements. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue regulations to implement certain provisions of the Protocol and this Act regarding vessels. Title II: Amendments to Antarctic Protection Act of 1990 - Amends the Antarctic Protection Act of 1990 to revise its findings to state that the Protocol prohibits indefinitely Antarctic mineral resource activities and to state as its purpose to provide legislative authority to implement the Protocol. (Sec. 202) States the indefinite prohibition on Antarctic mineral resource activities, eliminating references to further agreements. Title III: Amendments to the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships - Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to apply the requirements of Annex IV to the Protocol, for purposes of such Act, to all vessels in Antarctica over which the United States has jurisdiction. Applies the Act to vessel activities regulated under the Protocol and provides authority to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to administer and enforce Annex IV to the Protocol (including the Protocol in provisions concerning violations, penalties, and the promulgation of regulations).
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the People's Republic of China should: (1) reaffirm its commitment to conduct relations with Taiwan by peaceful means; (2) engage in diplomatic negotiations to discuss any disagreement with Taiwan without any threat of military or economic coercion against Taiwan; and (3) immediately live up to its commitment to work for a peaceful resolution of any disagreements with Taiwan and desist from military actions designed to intimidate Taiwan. Calls on Taiwan to adhere to its commitment to negotiate its future relations with the mainland by mutual, not unilateral, decision. Calls for the United States: (1) to maintain its commitment to resist any resort to force or use other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan, consistent with its undertakings in the Taiwan Relations Act; (2) to maintain a naval presence sufficient to keep open the sea lanes in and near the Taiwan Straits; (3) in the face of the several overt military threats by the People's Republic of China against Taiwan, and consistent with the commitment of the United States under the Taiwan Relations Act, to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons systems; and (4) to assist in defending the people of Taiwan against invasion, missile attack, or blockade by the People's Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Victim Restitution Act of 1996 Title II: Violent Criminal Incarceration Act of 1996 Subtitle A: Truth in Sentencing Subtitle B: Stopping Abusive Prisoner Lawsuits Subtitle C: Stop Turning Out Prisoners Subtitle D: Enhancing Protection Against Incarcerated Criminals Subtitle E: Prison Conditions Subtitle F: Community Service Projects Subtitle G: Prison Commissary Administration Title III: Criminal Alien Deportation Improvements Act of 1996 Title IV: Local Government Law Enforcement Block Grants Act of 1996 Title V: Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 Subtitle A: Habeas Corpus Reform Subtitle B: Federal Death Penalty Procedures Reform Crime Prevention and Family Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Victim Restitution Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require (current law authorizes) the court to order restitution of the victim when a convicted defendant is being sentenced for specified offenses. Provides that such requirement does not affect the power of the court to impose any other penalty authorized by law. Permits the court, in the case of a misdemeanor, to impose restitution in lieu of any other penalty authorized by law. Authorizes a court to order restitution of any person who, as shown by a preponderance of the evidence, was harmed physically, emotionally, or pecuniarily by unlawful conduct of the defendant during the offense or during the course of a scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of unlawful activity related to the offense. Mandates that a restitution order require the defendant to reimburse the victim for necessary child care, transportation, and other expenses related to participation in the investigation or prosecution of the offense or attendance at proceedings related to the offense. Directs the court: (1) to order restitution in the full amount of the victim's losses without consideration of the economic circumstances of the offender or the fact that a victim is entitled to receive compensation from insurance or any other source; and (2) upon determination of the amount owed to each victim, to specify in the restitution order the manner of, and schedule for, restitution in consideration of the financial resources, other assets, projected earnings, other income, and financial obligations of the offender. Specifies that: (1) a restoration order may direct the offender to make a single, lump-sum payment, partial payments at specified intervals, or such in-kind payments as may be agreeable to the victim and the offender and shall direct the offender to give appropriate notice to multiple victims or other persons who may receive restitution where the identity of such victims and other persons can be reasonably determined; and (2) such in-kind payments may be in the form of the return or replacement of property or the provision of services. Provides that when the court finds that: (1) more than one offender has contributed to the loss of a victim, the court may make each offender liable for payment of the full amount or may apportion liability to reflect the level of contribution and economic circumstances of each offender; and (2) more than one victim has sustained a loss requiring restitution, the court shall order full restitution of each victim but provide for different payment schedules to reflect the economic circumstances of each victim. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compensation with respect to losses from insurance or other sources; (2) set-offs against amounts later recovered as compensatory damages by the victim in Federal and State civil proceedings; and (3) payment by the offender to an entity designated by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for accounting and payment in accordance with this Act. Specifies that a restitution order shall constitute a lien against all property of the offender. Makes compliance with a restitution order a condition of any probation, parole, or other form of release. Specifies actions the court may take, including revocation of probation or supervised release, if a defendant fails to comply. Provides for enforcement of restitution orders. Authorizes: (1) a victim or the offender to petition the court to modify a restitution order in view of a change in the economic circumstances of the offender; and (2) the court to refer any issue arising in connection with a proposed restitution order to a magistrate or special master for proposed findings of fact and recommendations as to disposition, subject to a de novo determination of the issue by the court. Title II: Violent Criminal Incarceration Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Truth in Sentencing - Revises the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to authorize the Attorney General to provide grants to eligible States (and to eligible States organized as a regional compact) to build, expand, and operate: (1) space in correctional facilities in order to increase prison bed capacity for persons convicted of a serious violent felony; and (2) temporary to permanent correctional facilities, including facilities on military bases and boot camp facilities, for the confinement of convicted nonviolent offenders and criminal aliens for the purpose of freeing suitable existing prison space for persons convicted of a serious violent felony. Permits such grants to be used to build, expand, and operate secure youth correctional facilities. Limits eligible States to receiving either a general grant or a truth-in-sentencing incentive grant. Requires a State, to be eligible to receive general grant funds, to submit to the Attorney General an application that provides assurances (general grant requirements) that since 1993 such State has increased: (1) the percentage of convicted violent offenders sentenced to prison; (2) the average prison time actually to be served by such offenders; and (3) the percentage of sentence actually to be served in prison by violent offenders. Requires a State, to be eligible to receive truth-in-sentencing incentive grants, to submit to the Attorney General an application that provides assurances that the State has enacted laws and regulations which include: (1) truth-in-sentencing laws which either currently require or, within three years, will require that persons convicted of a serious violent felony serve not less than 85 percent of the sentence imposed or 85 percent of the court-ordered maximum sentence for States that practice indeterminate sentencing; (2) laws requiring that the sentencing or releasing authorities notify and allow the victims of the defendant or the family of such victims the opportunity to be heard regarding the issue of sentencing and any post-conviction release; and (3) laws requiring that the releasing authority notify the victims of serious violent felons or the family of such victims and the convicting court regarding the release of a defendant. Requires a State, to be eligible to receive general grants or truth-in-sentencing grants under this Act, to provide an assurance to the Attorney General that: (1) inmate labor will be used to build and expand correctional facilities; (2) each State will involve counties and other local governments in the construction, development, expansion, modification, operation, or improvement of correctional facilities designed to ensure the incarceration of offenders and will share funds received under this subtitle with any county or other local government that is housing State prisoners, taking into account the burden placed on such local government in confining prisoners due to overcrowding in State prison facilities in furtherance of the purposes of VCCLEA; (3) the State has implemented or will implement (within 18 months) policies to determine the veteran status of inmates and to ensure that incarcerated veterans receive the veterans benefits to which they are entitled; and (4) the State has adopted procedures for the collection of reliable statistical data which compiles the rates of serious violent felonies before and after the receipt of general grant or truth-in-sentencing grant funds and will report such statistical data to the Attorney General if not already provided. Specifies that beginning in FY 1998, 15 percent of the funds that would otherwise be available to a State as general grants or truth-in-sentencing grants shall be withheld from any State which does not have an eligible system of consequential sanctions for juvenile offenders. Makes a State eligible for grants under this title notwithstanding the general grant requirements if the State practices indeterminant sentencing and the average times served in such State for murder, rape, robbery, and assault exceed the national average of times served for such offenses by ten percent or more. Allows a State to use up to 15 percent of the funds provided under this title for jail construction if the Attorney General determines that the State has enacted legislation that provides for pretrial release requirements at least as restrictive as those found in the Federal criminal code or legislation that prohibits an individual charged with an offense for which a sentence of more than one year may be imposed or involving violence against another person from being released before trial without a financial guarantee to ensure appearance before trial. Provides that the Governor of the State may allow for earlier release of a geriatric prisoner or a prisoner whose medical condition precludes the prisoner from posing a threat to the public after a public hearing in which representatives of the public and the prisoner's victims have an opportunity to be heard. Permits a State that otherwise meets the requirements of this title and that certifies to the Attorney General that exigent circumstances require that it expend funds to confine juvenile offenders, to use funds received under this title to build, expand, and operate juvenile correctional facilities or pretrial detention facilities for such offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the formula for determining the amount of funds that each State may receive; (2) accounting, audit, and reporting requirements (including a requirement that States receiving funds under this title require that the appropriate public authorities report to the Attorney General the death of each individual while in a municipal or county jail, State prison, or other similar place of confinement and that the Attorney General annually publish a report on such deaths); and (3) limitations on funds. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the transfer and use of unallocated funds; and (2) the reservation of funds for payments to States for the incarceration of criminal aliens. Directs the Attorney General to give preference for specified payments under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to States and political subdivisions which are ineligible for payments for incarceration of criminal aliens under this Act. Subtitle B: Stopping Abusive Prisoner Lawsuits - Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act to prohibit any civil action for deprivation of rights from being brought by an adult convicted of a crime and confined in any correctional facility until available plain, speedy, and effective administrative remedies are exhausted. (Sec. 212) Requires the court to dismiss any such action if satisfied that the action: (1) fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; or (2) is frivolous or malicious. (Sec. 213) Repeals a provision requiring that the minimum standards provide for an advisory role for employees and inmates in the formulation, implementation, and operation of the system. (Sec. 214) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the court to request an attorney to represent a person financially unable to employ counsel at any time. Requires (current law authorizes) the court to dismiss a proceeding in forma pauperis if the allegation of poverty is untrue or if satisfied that the action is frivolous or malicious. Requires: (1) a prisoner in a correctional institution who files an affidavit of indigence to include a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses; and (2) the court to make inquiry of the institution for information relating to the extent of the prisoner's assets and to require full or partial payment of filing fees according to the prisoner's ability to pay. Subtitle C: Stop Turning Out Prisoners - Revises provisions of VCCLEA regarding judicial remedies with respect to prison conditions. Specifies that prospective relief in a civil action with respect to prison conditions shall extend no further than necessary to remove the conditions that are causing the deprivation of the Federal rights of individual plaintiffs in that action. Prohibits the court from granting or approving any prospective relief unless it finds that the relief is narrowly drawn and the least intrusive means to remedy the violation of the Federal right. Directs the court, in determining the intrusiveness of the relief, to give substantial weight to any adverse impact on public safety or the operation of a criminal justice system caused by the relief. Prohibits the court, in any such action, from granting or approving any relief to reduce or limit the prison population unless the plaintiff proves that crowding is the primary cause of the deprivation of the Federal right and no other relief will remedy that deprivation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) termination of relief (including provision for the automatic termination of prospective relief after a two-year period); (2) procedure for motions affecting prospective relief; (3) standing (grants standing to specified Federal, State, or local officials to oppose the imposition or continuation in effect of relief to reduce or limit the prison population and to intervene in any proceeding relating to that relief); (4) special masters; and (5) attorney's fees. Subtitle D: Enhancing Protection Against Incarcerated Criminals - Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that: (1) prisoners under its jurisdiction do not engage in any physical activities designed to increase their fighting ability; and (2) all equipment designed for increasing the strength or fighting ability of prisoners promptly be removed from Federal correctional facilities and not be introduced into such facilities thereafter except as needed for a medically required program of physical rehabilitation approved by the Director of the Bureau (Director). Subtitle E: Prison Conditions - Directs the Attorney General to establish standards regarding conditions in the Federal prison system that provide prisoners the least amount of amenities and personal comforts consistent with constitutional requirements and good order and discipline in the Federal prison system. (Sec. 242) Requires the Director to report annually to the Congress on the amount spent at each Federal correctional facility under the Bureau's jurisdiction for: (1) the minimal requirements necessary to maintain custody and security of prisoners; (2) basic nutritional needs; (3) essential medical services; and (4) amenities and programs beyond the scope of such items. Subtitle F: Community Service Projects - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Chief Executive Officer of a Federal penal or correctional facility, as part of an inmate work program, to provide services to private, nonprofit organizations or to a component of any State government or political subdivision thereof which shall: (1) be used only for the benefit of the recipient entity; and (2) not displace an employee of the recipient or result in a reduction in hours, wages, or employment benefits of any employee of the recipient. Subtitle G: Prison Commissary Administration - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Director to establish, operate, and maintain commissaries in Federal penal or correctional facilities to provide or make available to inmates articles and services authorized by the Director. Establishes in the Treasury the Prison Commissary Fund. Requires revenues from commissary articles and services to be deposited in the Fund which shall be available for the payment of any expenses incurred by the Bureau in establishing, operating, and maintaining prison commissaries and the Fund. Authorizes the Director to use monies from the Fund for the general welfare of inmates. Title III: Criminal Alien Deportation Improvements Act of 1996 - Amends INA, as amended by the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994, to expand the definition of "aggravated felony" to include various offenses including: (1) commercial bribery, counterfeiting, forgery, or trafficking in vehicles the identification numbers of which have been altered for which a sentence of five or more years' imprisonment may be imposed; (2) perjury or subornation of perjury for which a sentence of five or more years' imprisonment may be imposed; and (3) failure to appear before a court pursuant to a court order to answer or dispose of a charge of a felony for which a sentence of two or more years' imprisonment may be imposed. (Sec. 302) Subjects a conditional permanent resident alien convicted of an aggravated felony to expedited deportation. (Sec. 303) Revises the seven-year residency defense against a deportation or exclusion order to permit deportation or exclusion of a permanent resident alien who has been sentenced (currently, imprisoned) to five or more years for an aggravated felony. (Sec. 304) Limits collateral attacks on deportation orders. (Sec. 305) Amends VCCLEA to: (1) rename the criminal alien tracking center as the criminal alien identification system; (2) specify that the system shall be used to identify and locate deportable aliens who have committed aggravated felonies; and (3) transfer the system from the Attorney General to the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. (Sec. 306) Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) bring certain alien smuggling-related crimes under the purview of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations provisions; and (2) authorize wiretaps for alien smuggling investigations. (Sec. 308) Revises criteria under INA for deportation for crimes of moral turpitude to cover certain aliens convicted of a crime for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed. (Sec. 309) Makes local governments eligible for specified alien incarceration reimbursement assistance under VCCLEA. (Sec. 310) Amends INA to permit the use of electronic and telephonic media in deportation hearings. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to report on the effectiveness of the Prisoners Transfer Treaty with Mexico. (Sec. 313) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Department of Justice office which shall provide States and local entities with technical and prosecutorial assistance with respect to aliens who flee prosecution for crimes committed in the United States. (Sec. 314) Advises the President to negotiate bilateral prisoner transfer treaties. Requires annual presidential certification that a treaty is effectively returning illegal aliens incarcerated in the United States to finish their prison term in their home country. (Sec. 315) Directs the Attorney General and the Commissioner to develop an interior (home country) repatriation program. (Sec. 316) Amends INA to authorize deportation of nonviolent offenders prior to Federal or State sentence completion. Title IV: Local Government Law Enforcement Block Grants Act of 1996 - Amends VCCLEA to replace provisions of title I setting forth the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 with a local law enforcement block grant program. Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to pay to qualifying local governments specified sums for reducing crime and improving public safety, including sums for: (1) hiring, training, and employing on a continuing basis new, additional law enforcement officers and support personnel; (2) paying overtime to increase the number of hours worked by presently employed officers and support personnel; (3) procuring equipment, technology, and other material directly related to basic law enforcement functions; (4) enhancing security measures in and around schools and any other facility or location which is considered by the unit of local government to have a special risk for incidents of crime; (5) establishing crime prevention programs that may involve, though not exclusively, law enforcement officials and that are intended to discourage, disrupt, or interfere with the commission of criminal activity; (6) establishing or supporting drug courts; (7) establishing early intervention and prevention programs for juveniles to reduce or eliminate crime; (8) enhancing the adjudication process of cases involving violent offenders, including the adjudication process of cases involving violent juvenile offenders; (9) enhancing programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) drug control and system improvement grant program; (10) establishing cooperative task forces between adjoining local governments to work cooperatively to prevent and combat criminal activity, particularly criminal activity that is exacerbated by drug- or gang-related involvement; and (11) establishing a multijurisdictional task force, particularly in rural areas, composed of local law enforcement officials, that works with Federal law enforcement officials to prevent and control crime. Prohibits a local government from expending any of the funds provided under this title to purchase, lease, rent, or otherwise acquire tanks or armored personnel carriers, fixed wing aircraft, limousines, real estate, yachts, consultants, or vehicles not primarily used for law enforcement unless the Attorney General certifies that extraordinary and exigent circumstances exist that make the use of funds for such purposes essential to the maintenance of public safety and good order. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the timing of payments; (2) payment adjustments; (3) reservation of sums for adjustments; (4) repayment of unexpended amounts; (5) requirements that such funds not be used to supplant State or local funds; (6) matching funds; (7) oversight accountability and administration; and (8) technology assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits a local government from expending any of the funds provided under this title to purchase, lease, rent, or otherwise acquire tanks or armored personnel carriers, fixed wing aircraft, limousines, real estate, yachts, consultants, or vehicles not primarily used for law enforcement unless the Attorney General certifies that extraordinary and exigent circumstances make the use of funds for such purposes essential to the maintenance of public safety and good order. Requires the Director to: (1) establish procedures under which a local government is required to provide notice to the Director regarding the proposed use of funds made available under this title; and (2) establish a process for the ongoing evaluation of projects developed with such funds. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) general qualification requirements; (2) sanctions for noncompliance; (3) maintenance of effort requirements; (4) the allocation and distribution of funds, including resolution of disparate allocations and unavailability and inaccuracy of information; (5) the use of funds to contract with private, nonprofit entities or community-based organizations; and (6) public participation. (Sec. 402) Repeals VCCLEA provisions regarding: (1) the Ounce of Prevention Council; (2) local crime prevention block grants; (3) model intensive block grants; (4) family and community endeavor schools grants; (5) assistance for delinquent and at-risk youth; (6) police retirement; (7) the Local Partnership Act; (8) the National Community Economic Partnership; (9) urban recreation and at-risk youth; (10) community-based justice grants for prosecutors; (11) the family unity demonstration project; and (12) gang resistance and education training. Title V: Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Habeas Corpus Reform - Chapter 1: Post Conviction Petitions: General Habeas Corpus Reform - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners, running from the latest of the time at which: (1) the judgment became final by the conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review; (2) the impediment to filing an application created by State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed where the applicant was prevented from filing by such State action; (3) the Federal right asserted was initially recognized by the Supreme Court where the right has been newly recognized by the Court and is retroactively applicable; and (4) the factual predicate of the claim or claims presented could have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence. Specifies that time that passes during the pendency of a properly filed application for State review with respect to the pertinent judgment or claim shall not be counted toward any period of limitation. (Sec. 502) Vests authority to issue certificates of probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits a certificate of probable cause to issue only if the petitioner has made a substantial showing of the denial of a Federal right. Specifies that such certificate must indicate which specific issue or issues satisfy this standard. (Sec. 504) Permits the denial of a habeas corpus petition on the merits, notwithstanding the failure of the applicant to exhaust State court remedies. Specifies that a State shall not be deemed to have waived the exhaustion requirement or estopped from reliance upon the requirement, unless, through its counsel, it expressly waives the requirement. Prohibits an application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court from being granted with respect to any claim that was decided on the merits in State proceedings, unless the adjudication of the claim resulted in a decision that was based on an arbitrary or unreasonable: (1) interpretation of clearly established Federal law as articulated in U.S. Supreme Court decisions; (2) application to the facts of clearly established Federal law as articulated in such decisions; or (3) determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State proceeding. (Sec. 505) Imposes a two-year period of limitation for filing for collateral relief by Federal prisoners, running from the latest of the time at which: (1) the judgment of conviction becomes final; (2) the impediment to making a motion created by governmental action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States is removed where the movant was prevented from making a motion by such governmental action; (3) the right asserted was initially recognized by the Supreme Court where the right has been newly recognized by the Court and is retroactively applicable; and (4) the factual predicate of the claim presented could have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence. Chapter 2: Special Procedures for Collateral Proceedings in Capital Cases - Amends the Federal judicial code to set forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases, including provisions regarding: (1) the appointment of counsel; (2) stays of execution, limits on stays, and successive petitions; and (3) time requirements and tolling rules. Directs the district court, whenever a State prisoner under capital sentence files a petition for habeas corpus relief to which this subtitle applies, to consider only claims that have been raised and decided on the merits in the State courts, unless the failure to raise the claim properly is: (1) the result of State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States; (2) the result of the Supreme Court recognition of a new Federal right that is retroactively applicable; or (3) based on a factual predicate that could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence in time to present the claim for State or Federal post-conviction review. Prohibits an appeal from being taken to the court of appeals from the final order of a district court denying relief in a habeas corpus proceeding that is subject to this subtitle unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of probable cause. Specifies that such a certificate may only be issued if the petitioner has made a substantial showing of the denial of a Federal right and must indicate which specific issue or issues satisfy this standard. Sets forth provisions regarding limitation periods for determining petitions. Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually to the Congress on court compliance with the time limits established by this title. Chapter 3: Funding for Litigation of Federal Habeas Corpus Petitions in Capital Cases - Amends the Omnibus Act to require the Director of BJA to provide grants to the States to support litigation pertaining to Federal habeas corpus petitions in capital cases. Subtitle B: Federal Death Penalty Procedures Reform - Revises VCCLEA provisions regarding the conduct of a special hearing to determine whether a death sentence is justified, to require the jury (or if there is no jury, the court) to consider whether the aggravating factors found to exist outweigh any mitigating factors and to recommend such sentence if it unanimously finds at least one aggravating factor and no mitigating factor, or one or more aggravating factors which outweigh any mitigating factors. Directs that the jury be instructed that: (1) it must avoid any influence of sympathy, sentiment, passion, prejudice, or other arbitrary factors in its decision and should make such a recommendation as the information warrants; and (2) its recommendation is to be based on the aggravating factors and any mitigating factors which have been found, but that the final decision concerning the balance of aggravating and mitigating factors is a matter for the jury's judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Amends the Fair Housing Act to state that nothing in title VIII of such Act shall be construed to invalidate or limit any reasonable State or local law or regulation governing residential care facilities for disabled persons.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a two-thirds vote of each House of the Congress in order to pass any bill levying a new tax or increasing the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive that requirement during war or certain military conflict. Requires all votes under this Amendment to be by yeas and nays and the names of persons voting for and against to be entered in the Journal of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1996
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) any attempt by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to threaten the peace and stability of the Republic of China (ROC) is a threat to peace and security in the Pacific and a matter of grave concern to the United States; and (2) the President should take specified steps, including embracing the full accession to democratic status by the people of the ROC upon the successful completion of their presidential election, undertaking intensified diplomatic initiatives to insist that the PRC reduce tensions with the ROC, joining the Congress in condemning the use by the PRC of military intimidation and implicit threats of missile attacks against Taiwan, reviewing the defense needs of the ROC, and reporting to the Congress on such initiatives, on how to accommodate Taiwan's aspiration for participation in international organizations, and on options available to provide the people of Taiwan and U.S. forces in the east Asian region adequate warning and defense capabilities against ballistic missiles of, and naval blockades and other forms of military aggression by, the PRC.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-Theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a word or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Authorizes States to use Federal highway safety funds to defray the costs of establishing new procedures to comply with such requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of the above acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit customs officers from allowing the export of self-propelled vehicles from the United States by transport (current law permits the export of used self-propelled vehicles provided ownership information is given), unless the exporter presents proof of ownership to such officer. Sets forth a civil penalty for violations of this requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Burma Freedom and Democracy Act of 1995 - Declares U.S. policy: (1) supporting the prompt transition from a military dictatorship to a democratic government in Burma; and (2) limiting cooperation with Burma in counternarcotics activities to Rangoon international airport and coastal port facilities, and to activities that do not contribute to violations of internationally recognized human rights. Establishes certain political and economic sanctions for Burma, both mandatory (including denial of unilateral assistance, action against multilateral assistance, and exclusion of certain Burmese nationals from admission into the United States) and discretionary (including travel to and tourism in Burma, restrictions on diplomatic representation from Burma, and withholding of certain funds from international financial institutions that fund activities in Burma), until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that an elected government of Burma has been allowed to take power as result of the 1990 election or by new free and fair elections. Requires the Secretary of Labor to report to the appropriate congressional committees on Burma's unfair labor practices. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) Burma's exploitation of resources and degradation of its environment; and (2) a strategy to restore democracy to Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Urges the Secretary of State to make human rights concerns among the primary objectives in bilateral relations with Cambodia, to closely monitor preparations for upcoming Cambodian elections in 1996 and 1998 and attempt to secure Cambodian Government agreement to full and unhindered participation of international observers for such elections, and to support the continuation of human rights monitoring in Cambodia by the United Nations. Calls for the United States to raise human rights concerns at the June 1996 meeting of the Donor's Consultative Meeting for Cambodia and during consideration of projects in Cambodia to be financed by international financial institutions. Supports efforts by the United States to provide assistance to Cambodia to broaden democratic civil society, strengthen the rule of law, and ensure that future elections in Cambodia are free and fair.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Expresses the disapproval of the House of Representatives of the standards proposed by the National Center for History in the Schools for the teaching of U.S. and world history.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1996
Prohibition on United Nations Taxation Act of 1996 - Prohibits the U.S. from paying any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) or any of its agencies if the U.N.: (1) attempts to impose a tax on any U.S. person; or (2) borrow funds from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), International Monetary Fund, or any other similar or regional international financial institution. Prohibits the U.S. from paying any voluntary or assessed contributions to the U.N. or any of its agencies, including the U.N. Development Program, unless the President certifies to the Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the U.N. or such agency is not engaged in any effort to develop or promote any taxation proposals in order to raise revenue for the U.N. or any such agency.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1995
Urges the Department of State to make the release of Chinese imprisoned or detained on religious grounds a major objective of U.S. foreign policy with China. Prohibits the Department of State, the U.S. Information Agency, the Agency for International Development, or any other Federal agency or entity from obligating or expending funds for the participation of certain Chinese individuals and organizations in any conference, exchange program, or activity relating to education, culture, training, or any other purpose, until the President certifies to the Congress that specified imprisoned or detained Chinese citizens have been unconditionally released by the Chinese Government.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1995
Savings in Construction Act of 1995 - Amends the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to define specified terms, including "hard-metric conversion" and "soft-metric conversion." Prohibits Federal agencies from: (1) using construction or procurement guidelines that require the use of hard-metric products if a majority of the related contracts would be likely to result in a certification under this Act; and (2) establishing bidding requirements or preferences for federally-assisted construction contracts that specify the use of hard-metric products if soft-metric production is feasible, and, as certified by an industry representative, hard-metric alternatives are not readily available, would exceed specified capital costs, and would result in negligible benefits, or would reduce competition or create special hardships.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1995
Provides that any individual who performs Operation Joint Endeavor services (United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina) shall be entitled to the same tax benefits under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are provided to U.S. military personnel who perform service in an area designated by the President as a combat zone. Makes this Act effective for periods beginning on or after December 4, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
ESOP Promotion Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Allows ESOP closely-held corporate sponsors to pay estate tax if an estate transferred the stock of the corporation to an ESOP. Allows the deductibility of ESOP dividends in computing alternative minimum tax if such dividends were paid on employee securities held by an ESOP established or authorized to be established before March 15, 1991. Excludes from gross income transfers of qualified securities in connection with the performance of services if such securities are sold to an ESOP within 60 days of the taxable event. Revises the voting rights requirement for an ESOP under the exclusion for interest on certain loans used to acquire employer securities by requiring that: (1) the employer of the plan has a registration-type class of securities; or (2) the plan allows each participant one vote. Allows for a qualified gratuitous transfer of remainder interest in qualified employer securities to an ESOP following the termination of payments to a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust. Provides that securities acquired by an ESOP in a qualified gratuitous transfer allocated to any person who is related to the decedent or to any person who is a five percent shareholder be treated as having been distributed.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1995
Work and Family Integration Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the 40-hour maximum workweek provision to allow employees to work flexible work schedules of 160 hours in any combination over a four-week period before employers would have to pay overtime compensation. Allows employees to request, and employers to provide, compensatory time-and-a-half off in lieu of compensatory overtime pay. Requires that any flexible work arrangement be agreed upon by both the employee and the employer, without coercion. Provides that collective bargaining agreements would remain unaffected. Allows former employees a priority in rehiring if they take time off for up to five years in order to take care of their children or parents. Provides that such an employee's priority treatment may not be used as a basis for an action against the employer for violation of Federal equal protection laws. Revises the salaried employee overtime exemption to allow flexible work schedules under such exemption. Amends Federal civil service law to revise the definition of compressed schedule to conform with that under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1995
Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose the creation of any financing mechanism (international bailout fund) designed to prevent or resolve the insolvency of sovereign nations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1995
Urges: (1) the immediate and unconditional release of Wei Jingsheng and the dismissal of all charges against him; and (2) if he is not immediately released, that he be afforded all internationally recognized human rights and that his trial be open to the domestic and foreign press, diplomatic observers, and international human rights monitors; and (3) the State Department to make his release and the protection of his rights among its primary objectives in relations with the Government of China and to raise these issues in every available bilateral and multilateral forum. Recommends that Wei Jingsheng once again be nominated and carefully considered for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to their conscience, nothing in the Constitution shall prohibit acknowledgement of the religious heritage, beliefs, or traditions of the people or prohibit student-sponsored prayer in public schools; and (2) neither the United States nor any State shall compose any official prayer, compel joining in prayer, or discriminate against religious expression or belief.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1995
Religious Symbols Fairness Act of 1995 - Declares that a private person shall have the right to place symbols (including religious symbols) meaningful to that person on public space, including government buildings, to the extent that the authority controlling the space allows all private persons the same right.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to provide that: (1) the special rule concerning annual cost-of-living adjustments to retired military pay for individuals who first became members of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986, shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998); and (2) the initial month that such increase is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the year following the effective date of such increase.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Billy and Ruth Graham in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of Congress the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received by the Secretary to carry out this Act and any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates exceeds the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1995
Amends rule XLIV (financial disclosure) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each report filed with the Clerk of the House under title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 for calendar year 1996 or any subsequent calendar year to disclose any gift (including a meal) with a fair market value in excess of $50 (other than personal hospitality of an individual or any gift received from a relative) as adjusted under such Act. Amends rule XLIII (Code of Official Conduct) to allow a House Member, officer, or employee to accept: (1) a gift with a fair market value of $50 (currently, $100) or less; and (2) an offer of free attendance for such individual and his or her spouse or dependent at a widely attended convention, conference, symposium, forum, panel discussion, dinner, viewing, reception, or similar event provided by the sponsor of the event if the individual participates in the event as a speaker or a panel participant by presenting information related to the Congress or matters before the Congress or by performing a ceremonial function appropriate to his or her official position, or if attendance at the event is appropriate to the performance of the official duties or representative function of the individual. Includes within the definition of "free attendance" waiver of all or part of a conference or other fee, the provision of lodging or transportation or the provision of food, refreshments, entertainment, and instructional materials furnished to all attendees as an integral part of the event. Excludes entertainment collateral to the event and food or refreshments taken other than in a group setting with substantially all other attendees. Permits such an individual, spouse, or dependent to accept a sponsor's unsolicited offer of free attendance at a charity event if: (1) the event is sponsored by a tax-exempt organization; (2) all expenses are paid by the sponsoring organization and not by another corporation or individual; (3) the proceeds to charity from the event exceed the costs of the event; and (4) the participation contributes in a tangible way to the success of the event.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless funds for such deployment have been specifically appropriated by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1995
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) in the negotiation of any peace agreement between the parties to the conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there should not be a presumption, and it should not be considered to be a prerequisite to the successful conclusion of such a negotiation, that enforcement of such agreement will involve deployment of U.S. armed forces on the ground in the territory of the Republic; and (2) no U.S. armed forces should be deployed on the ground in such territory to enforce a peace agreement until the Congress has approved the deployment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Prohibits any member of the armed forces from being required to wear any uniform item or insignia which indicates an allegiance to or affiliation with the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless the deployment is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1995
Fairness in Agriculture Act - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to repeal price support authority. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to eliminate Commodity Credit Corporation price support authority. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1995
Animal Drug Availability Act of 1995 - Amends Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provisions relating to new animal drugs to redefine "substantial evidence" to mean evidence from one or more scientifically sound studies including, as appropriate, in vitro studies, studies in laboratory animals, bioequivalence studies, and any studies voluntarily undertaken by or for the applicant that provide some assurance that the drug will have the intended effect. Excludes a claim for the use of a drug in a minor species or a minor use of a drug from disapproval, if there is an application filed for the drug which is approved prior to the submission of the claim. Allows consideration, when a new animal drug contains more than one active ingredient or its labeling suggests use of the drug in combination with another animal drug, only of whether any of the active ingredients or any of the drugs in the combination, at the longest withdrawal time of any of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination, exceeds its established tolerance or interferes with the methods of analysis for another of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination. Requires the Secretary to issue proposed regulations implementing the provisions of this section which: (1) further define "substantial evidence;" (2) take into account the proposals contained in the citizen petition submitted by the American Veterinary Association and the Animal Health Institute; and (3) provide for the opportunity for a conference to make a decision establishing a submission or an investigational requirement. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove the application within 90 (currently 180) days of receipt of the application. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) the Secretary to refer disputed issues received in writing from an applicant to an advisory committee or to a special Government employee; and (2) the committee or employee to submit a report containing recommendations regarding the matter. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to refuse approval of an application if information submitted with respect to the drug indicates that any use suggested in labeling proposed for that drug will result in a unsafe amount of residue. (Sec. 7) Permits the export of an unsafe (as defined in the Act) new animal drug, if it is not in conflict with the laws of the country to which it is exported. (Currently, such export is prohibited.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1995
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that an employer is not required to allow access to its business property to employees or nonemployees for purposes of union organizing, solicitation, distribution, picketing, or other union advocacy or activities, even if the employer allows such access to organizations for charitable, civic, or religious purposes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000409_200.jpg)