United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Condemns the Sudanese Government for its human rights abuses and calls upon such government to improve human rights conditions. Calls on the Sudanese People's Liberation Army to cease hostilities and resolve differences through peaceful means. Encourages the military government of Sudan to hand over political power to an elected civilian government as soon as possible. Recognizes the right of the people of southern Sudan to self-determination. Calls upon the President to: (1) appoint a special representative for mediation, reconciliation, peace, and humanitarian affairs in Sudan; (2) increase the levels of humanitarian assistance provided through nongovernmental organizations; (3) place Sudan on the list of states that support international terrorism; (4) oppose specified international financial institution assistance for Sudan; (5) explore other means necessary to force the Sudanese Government to halt its war should humanitarian conditions further deteriorate and such government continues to impede relief efforts; and (6) urge the United Nations to take certain steps to end the conflict in Sudan and to protect war and famine victims.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1993
Directs the President to: (1) investigate and report to the Congress on the whereabouts of U.S. citizens and others who have been missing from Cyprus since 1974; and (2) do everything possible to return such persons (including remains of those no longer alive) to their families.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a three-fifths majority of the whole number of each House of the Congress before a bill increasing any revenue may pass. Provides that total revenue of the United States Government for each fiscal year shall not exceed 20 percent of the gross domestic product and that any revenue in excess of this limit shall be used to reduce the public debt. Authorizes a specific amount of additional revenue above such limit for the current or next fiscal year when a bill for this sole purpose is passed by a three-fifths majority of the whole number of each House of the Congress and becomes law. Authorizes the Congress, upon the President's request, to waive the provisions of this joint resolution by a roll call vote for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Requires any law that has the effect of increasing any revenue, if adopted when a waiver is in effect, to expire within two years after the law is adopted.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Space Launch and Launch Support Facilities Title II: Purchase of Space Transportation Services Title III: Intellectual Property Disposition Title IV: Tax Incentives for Commercial Space Activities Title V: Miscellaneous Omnibus Space Commercialization Act of 1993 - Title I: Space Launch and Launch Support Facilities - Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive inventory of all U.S. space launch and launch support facilities. Requires all facilities identified as surplus to be referred to the General Services Administration for disposition. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish criteria for and designate launch facilities as Commercial Space Centers. Exempts all Centers and associated property, services, and products from Federal corporate income and other taxes and excises, imports, duties, and all other Federal tariffs. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to make public land available for new space launch and launch support facilities. Title II: Purchase of Space Transportation Services - Space Transportation Services Purchase Act of 1993 - Amends the Launch Services Purchase Act of 1990 to require the Federal Government to purchase space transportation services from commercial providers, unless the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Secretary of Defense determines: (1) the payload requires the unique capabilities of the space shuttle; (2) commercial services are not available; or (3) the use of commercial services poses an unacceptable risk of loss of a unique scientific opportunity. Title III: Intellectual Property Disposition - Requires that a commercial provider making an invention under contract with the Government have the same rights as would a small business firm under specified provisions of Federal patent law. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to require (current law permits) each Federal agency to permit the director of any of its Government-operated Federal laboratories and, in certain circumstances, the director of any of its Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development agreements and to negotiate licensing agreements. Title IV: Tax Incentives for Commercial Space Activities - Space Business Incentives Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for the amount of the purchase of Commercial Space Center stock. Excludes from gross income gain on the sale or exchange of common stock of a corporation that is substantially engaged in space-related activities. Adds space launch and launch support facilities to the list of exempt facility bonds. Excludes from gross income: (1) income from the commercial sale of any product manufactured in space and returned to Earth; and (2) income from services performed in space in a commercial space activity. Excludes products manufactured in space and returned to Earth from all Federal excises, imposts, duties, and other Federal tariffs. Directs the President to encourage State and local governments to offer tax and other incentives for commercial space activities. Title V: Miscellaneous - Declares that, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Clayton Act and the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984, standing to conduct litigation arising from activities carried out under this Act is reserved to the Department of Justice. Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Office of Space Commerce. Requires NASA to purchase space science data from the private sector. Requires the Administrator to establish within the Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology a procurement demonstration program. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator to provide specified farmers with grants to purchase land remote sensing information.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1993
Authorizes the National Captive Nations Committee, Inc., to construct in the District of Columbia an appropriate international memorial to honor victims of Communism. Makes the Corporation solely responsible for expenses for the construction of the memorial. Requires excess funds for the memorial to be remitted to the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1993
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) urge such Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting such rights; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the human rights practices of such Government, particularly its treatment of the Baha'is and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; and (3) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Government of Iran and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt from specified groundwater monitoring requirements any facility: (1) at which fewer than 20 tons of municipal solid waste is disposed of daily; (2) at which there is no evidence of existing groundwater contamination; and (3) which serves a community that experiences an annual interruption of at least three consecutive months of surface transportation that prevents access to a regional waste management facility or that has no waste management alternative and is in an area that receives 25 inches or fewer of precipitation annually.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1993
Military Separation Retirement Benefits Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rollovers into individual retirement accounts of military separation pay.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1993
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) require a candidate for Federal office who makes contributions or expenditures in excess of $1,000 to notify the Federal Election Commission and the other candidates; and (2) permit in such case contributions to those candidates in excess of specified limitations. Requires a person who makes an independent expenditure within 72 hours before an election to so notify each candidate.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Designates September 17, 1993, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 31, 1993 (Memorial Day), September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1993 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service Commission (sic) on September 17, 1993 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1993
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Bars the reestablishment of the Office of Selective Service Records. Requires: (1) the transfer to the Administrator of General Services of the assets, property, and records held by, and the unexpended balances of any appropriations available to, the Selective Service System (SSS); and (2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to assist SSS officers and employees in transferring to other positions in the executive branch. Amends the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Act to bar the use of LSC funds to provide legal assistance with respect to any proceeding or litigation arising out of desertion from the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses if a portion of a dwelling unit is used as the sole fixed location of business for a taxpayer who has no other fixed location of business, regardless of: (1) the amount of time or type of work performed in such location; or (2) the proportion of the total income from the business attributable to such location.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, Etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Putting Jobs and the American Family First Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recoverry - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Repeals the special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollidngs Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (an Act which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works).
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving certain highway-related projects in any State which has a maximum speed limit in excess of 65 miles per hour (mph) on any highway which is located outside an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more and is constructed to interstate standards. (Eliminates the further condition under existing law that the highway is connected to the Interstate System.) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the effects on highway safety of increasing (under this Act) the maximum speed limit above 55 mph on highways with four lanes or more open to traffic.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Bankruptcy Amendments of 1993 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to raise to $1 million the ceiling on debts for eligibility to file as a chapter 13 debtor (bankrupt consumer repayment of debt under court supervision). (Currently the ceiling is $100,000 for unsecured debts, or $350,000 for certain secured debts.) Modifies the guidelines for: (1) chapter 13 bankruptcies; (2) automatic stays; (3) exemptions; (4) discharges; and (5) preferences. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to compile and make available to the public statistical information regarding bankruptcy cases.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Workers' Political Rights Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit a labor organization to make political communications and establish and solicit contributions for a separate segregated political fund if it provides the employees it represents with written notification of specified information.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Title II: Advanced Space Technology Program Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Space Activities Title IV: Aeronautics Research and Technology National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Places an aggregate limit on FY 1994 authorization of appropriations under this subtitle, except for Space Station Freedom (appropriations authorized through FY 2000). Requires the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) to provide the Congress with a job loss transition plan as it restructures space station management. (Sec. 101 through 105) Authorizes NASA appropriations for: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control, and data communications; (3) construction of facilities research and program management; and (4) the Inspector General. Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth funds uses, limitations, and special authorities, including: (1) expenditure prerequisites with respect to management transfer of the External Tank Program from the Marshall Space Flight Center; (2) authorizations available for disaster relief; and (3) a facility plan and analysis for NASA facilities in Yellow Creek, Mississippi. Title II: Advanced Space Technology Program - Directs the Administrator of NASA to establish an advanced space technology investment program to: (1) advance U.S. industrial competitiveness; (2) encourage industry-led consortia to develop critical technologies; and (3) encourage industrial participation from entities not part of the traditional Federal contracting base. (Sec. 206) Directs the Administrator to coordinate a technology procurement initiative. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Space Activities - Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize FY 1994 appropriations to carry out such Act. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make space transportation infrastructure matching grants. Authorizes FY 1995 appropriations. (Sec. 304) States that the Office of Space Commerce of the Department of Commerce shall be responsible for the development and coordination of all commercial space policy recommendations and activities, except for functions and activities statutorily authorized to other agencies. Authorizes appropriations for the Office. (Sec. 305) Provides for domestic procurement by NASA. (Sec. 306) Requires independent cost analysis of specified NASA projects. (Sec. 307) Amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to require NASA to develop a Global Change Data and Information System to process, archive, and distribute data generated by the Global Change Research Program. (Sec. 308) Directs the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences to develop an access plan for data from classified archives and systems for global change research. (Sec. 309) Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a plan for control of orbital debris. (Sec. 310) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to state that NASA activities should include support of private sector space technologies development. (Sec. 311 and 312) Directs NASA to study: (1) the differences between U.S. and foreign expendable space launch systems; and (2) the feasibility and potential implementation of a University Innovative Research Program. (Sec. 314) Requires NASA cost-type research and development contracts to incorporate contractor performance provisions. (Sec. 315) Authorizes NASA to accept certain land conveyances from the cities of Cleveland and Brook Park, Ohio, in order to establish a Visitor Center for the Lewis Research Center. (Sec. 316) Directs the Administrator to establish within the Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology an expedited technology procurement demonstration program. Obligates specified funds for the program, which shall terminate ten years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 317) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator to: (1) provide farmers and other interested parties with agricultural information available through remote sensing; (2) evaluate the need for, and develop a proposal as necessary for, a radar imaging platform that could enhance agricultural resource remote sensing capability; and (3) develop a proposal to inform farmers and other users about remote sensing data. Terminates such provisions five years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 318) Directs NASA to establish new programs or functions in depressed communities. (Sec. 319) Prohibits NASA contracts with a foreign company unless such company's country offers comparable opportunities to U.S. companies, or unless comparable U.S. products or services are not reasonably available. (Sec. 320) Authorizes NASA to purchase helium from private sector sources. (Sec. 321) Requires NASA to comply with specified diversity procurement factors. Title IV: Aeronautics Research and Technology - Requires independent reviews of NASA aeronautics programs of: (1) research and development; and (2) private sector technology transfer. (Sec. 405) Directs the Administrator to study and report on Federal-private cost sharing provisions concerning wind tunnels and? related test facilities. (Sec. 406) Requires NASA and other appropriate Federal agencies to establish a joint aeronautical research and development program. (Sec. 407) Directs the Administrator to conduct an assessment of the hypersonic research plane.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Social Security Disability Benefits for the Blind Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to make blind persons eligible for disability benefits regardless of their ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees to be closed to the public only if disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security or would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. Repeals provisions making the coverage of committee hearings and meetings by television broadcast, radio broadcast, or still photography a privilege made available by the House. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such method of coverage. Prohibits a committee or subcommittee chairman from limiting the number of television or still cameras below two representatives from each medium.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
General Accounting Office Reform and Reorganization Act of 1993 - Amends Federal law to provide for the establishment of the General Accounting Office Oversight Board (Board) to review any congressional request for a General Accounting Office (GAO) report and approve a methodology for preparing it. Prohibits outside contact with GAO by the requesting Member of Congress and congressional staff regarding the report once the request for it has been approved. Requires the Comptroller General, upon receiving a request from a congressional committee for a GAO report, to notify the ranking minority member of such committee that the request has been received. Prohibits the Comptroller General from issuing any GAO report until such report has cleared the oversight process established by this Act. Allows Members to submit to the Board comments challenging a GAO report. Permits the Board to refer such comments to the Comptroller General or an outside entity for further consideration. Sets forth requirements for congressional committee hearings regarding GAO reports. Prohibits the Comptroller General from: (1) detailing or assigning a GAO officer or employee to a congressional committee more than twice in any Congress or for a period longer than three months; or (2) making any investigation or report pursuant to a request from a congressional committee if such officer or employee was detailed or assigned to the committee in the three month period ending on the date of the request's submission.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Includes chiropractic care as an authorized health care benefit provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to establish a chiropractic review board to provide assistance to such Secretaries in the administration of the chiropractic care program under CHAMPUS.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
ESOP Promotion and Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Permits ESOP participants whose compensation does not exceed a certain amount to contribute up to 50 percent of it to the plan. 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. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993
Rescinds amounts appropriated in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 for the following Select Committees: Aging; Children, Youth and Families; Hunger; and Narcotics Abuse and Control.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Calls for the U.S. Trade Representative to insist that any trade agreement negotiated pursuant to the Uruguay Round must provide U.S. copyright-based industries with: (1) fair and equal access to the markets of the nations that are party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; (2) equal opportunities to obtain government funding; (3) adequate and effective copyright protection, including full national treatment and recognition of contractual rights; and (4) a mechanism to resolve expeditiously disputes concerning market access, national treatment, and copyright protection.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Provides that any amount remaining in an official allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives at the end of the session of Congress or other period for which the allowance is made available shall be returned to the Treasury to be used for deficit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service to recommend to the Postmaster General that a postage stamp be issued honoring Americans held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the House of Representatives Title II: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the Senate Title III: Effective Date Title I: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the House of Representatives - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the standing committees of the House and their jurisdictions. Lists the standing committees as: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Education and Labor; (7) Energy and Natural Resources; (8) Environment and Public Works; (9) Foreign Affairs; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) House Administration; (12) Intelligence (currently, a permanent select committee); (13) Judiciary; (14) Rules; (15) Small Business; (16) Standards of Official Conduct; (17) Veterans' Affairs; and (18) Ways and Means. Abolishes the following standing committees of the House: (1) Appropriations; (2) District of Columbia; (3) Government Operations; (4) Interior and Insular Affairs; (5) Merchant Marine and Fisheries; (6) Post Office and Civil Service; (7) Public Works and Transportation; and (8) Science, Space, and Technology. Amends rule XXI to repeal the prohibitions against: (1) reporting or considering appropriations for expenditures not previously authorized; and (2) receiving or considering an appropriation bill or amendment containing a provision reappropriating unexpended balances. Title II: Jurisdictions of Standing Committees of the Senate - Amends rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to repeal provisions establishing the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Makes conforming amendments to the Standing Rules of the Senate (language to be supplied at a later date). Title III: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective at noon on January 3, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Fairness in Product Liability Act of 1993 - Declares that this Act governs any product liability action brought in any State or Federal court against a manufacturer or product seller for harm caused by a product, but supersedes State law only to the extent that State law applies to an issue covered by this Act. Lists specific laws not superseded, including provisions regarding vaccine injury. Makes a product seller liable to a claimant for harm only if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of was sold by the product seller who failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product and such failure was a proximate cause of the claimant's harm; (2) the product seller made an express warranty applicable to the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and such failure caused the claimant's harm; or (3) the seller engaged in international wrongdoing which was a proximate cause of the harm complained of by the claimant. Makes it a complete defense to a product liability action that the claimant was intoxicated or was under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any drug and, as a result of such intoxication or influence, was more than 50 percent responsible for causing the accident or event which resulted in such claimant's harm. Directs that the damages for which a manufacturer or product seller is otherwise liable under State law be reduced by the percentage of responsibility for the claimant's harm attributable to misuse or alteration of a product if such percentage was proximately caused by a use or alteration of a product: (1) in violation of, or contrary to, the manufacturer's or product seller's express warnings or instructions if the warnings or instructions are adequate under State law; or (2) involving a risk of harm which was, or should have been, known by the ordinary person who uses the product, with an exception for workplace injuries. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) limitations on punitive damages; (2) several liability for noneconomic damages; (3) statutes of limitation; (4) workers' compensation offsets; and (5) lack of Federal jurisdiction over civil actions arising under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
United States-China Act of 1993 - Prohibits the President from recommending for a 12-month period in 1994 continuation of a waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for China under the Trade Act of 1974 unless the President reports to the Congress that China has: (1) taken steps to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China and Tibet and allowed the unrestricted emigration of Chinese citizens who desire to leave for reasons of political or religious persecution; (2) accounted for and released prisoners who dissented in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and other citizens detained for the nonviolent expression of their political beliefs or the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights of freedom of speech, association, and assembly; and (3) prevented the export to the United States of products manufactured by convict or forced labor. Requires such report to state whether China has made significant process in: (1) ceasing religious persecution in China and Tibet (including ceasing to threaten the survival of the Tibetan culture) and releasing religious leaders incarcerated as a result of the expression of their religious beliefs; (2) ceasing unfair trade practices which restrict American business; (3) providing U.S. exporters fair access to Chinese markets, including lowering tariffs, removing nontariff barriers, and increasing the purchase of U.S. goods and services; (4) adhering to the Missile Control Technology Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group controls, and the Australian Group on Chemical and Biological Arms controls; (5) adhering to the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; (6) accounting for U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action with respect to the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; (7) ceasing the jamming of Voice of America broadcasts; and (8) providing humanitarian groups access to prisoners and places of detention. Requires the President, if he recommends such extension, to report on the extent of China's compliance with the above-mentioned objectives. Grants nondiscriminatory treatment to products produced by nonstate-owned enterprises in China. Declares that despite China's entry into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), most-favored-nation treatment shall not automatically be conferred on Chinese products unless China satisfies the above-mentioned conditions. Requires the President, if he decides not to seek such extension, to ensure that members of the GATT take similar action with respect to China.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1993
Family Education Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child or certain other relatives at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for each account. Disallows the deduction for contributions to an account maintained for any individual aged 19 or older. Requires any account balance to be distributed after the beneficiary attains age 30. Permits an exclusion from the gross income of the contributor or the beneficiary of account distributions used to pay educational expenses of the latter. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless a contributor or the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions in connection with it. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions not used for educational purposes. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary concerning the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to report. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions to deduct for contributions to an education savings account. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1993
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) define the term "dietary supplement"; and (2) exclude a dietary supplement from the definition of "food additive." Deems a dietary supplement adulterated if it: (1) contains an unsafe dietary ingredient which presents a substantial and unreasonable risk of illness or injury; or (2) contains a dietary ingredient that has not been adequately substantiated for safety. Prohibits the establishment of maximum limits on the potency of any dietary supplement, except in the case of a supplement represented to be for the use of individuals with specific diseases or disorders. Allows a dietary supplement's label to characterize the relationship between the supplement and a disease under specified conditions. Deems food misbranded unless the label lists the daily value of specified nutrients which shall reflect the daily intake of each nutrient that will promote optimal health. Prohibits such value from being less than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance. Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.
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