The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Sharp, Philip R. [D-IN-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000294_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
1,180 records where Rep. Sharp, Philip R. [D-IN-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Designates the week of October 6 through 12, 1991, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1991
Grants honorary U.S. citizenship to Christopher Columbus.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1991
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a silver commemorative medal for members of the U.S. armed forces who serve in a combat zone in connection with the Persian Gulf conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1991
Vehicular Natural Gas Jurisdiction Act of 1991 - Declares that for purposes of the Natural Gas Act: (1) natural gas for ultimate use in a motor vehicle fuel (VNG) shall be deemed to be "ultimately consumed" within the State in which physical delivery of such VNG occurs, whether or not physical combustion occurs in another State; (2) a certification from a State commission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that it has regulatory jurisdiction over the rates, services and facilities of a person (who receives natural gas from another person within or at the boundary of a State which is ultimately consumed within such State) and is exercising such jurisdiction shall constitute conclusive evidence of such jurisdiction; (3) in the case of a sale for resale of VNG by the holder of a service area determination such holder shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State commission in the State which physical delivery of VNG occurs; (4) in the case of VNG transportation by such holder, the VNG shall be deemed to be "consumed" within the State in which physical delivery occurs; and (5) in the case of both sale for resale of VNG, or VNG transportation, by a holder of a service area determination, such holder shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the State commission of the State in which such sale for resale or transportation occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1991
Defense Production Act Extension and Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to extend its expiration date to October 20, 1991. Authorizes appropriations and sets spending limits under such Act through FY 1991. Repeals provisions of such Act granting immunity from civil and criminal suits and a defense to antitrust actions for persons engaging in voluntary agreements for defense preparedness programs and expansion of production capacity and supply. Authorizes the President, with respect to certain Defense Production Act activities, to exempt persons participating in a voluntary agreement or plan of action on behalf of the United States from Federal antitrust laws or any similar State law for activities engaged in as part of such voluntary agreement or plan. Requires an individual designated by the President to administer such an agreement or plan to provide prior written notice of the time, place, and nature of any meeting to carry out such agreement or plan to the Attorney General, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Congress. Outlines requirements for, and limitations to, the antitrust defense for participants in such agreements or plans. Exempts any activity or provision of such agreements or plans from the Federal Advisory Committee Act and other Federal law relating to advisory committees. Authorizes the President to order a priority in the allocation of materials, facilities, and services (currently, only materials and facilities) when requirements of national defense cannot otherwise be met. Requires the President to reach certain determinations concerning the critical shortages of such materials, facilities, and services before exercising such authority. Makes this Act effective (retroactively) on October 20, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any subsidy provided by an electric utility to a customer for the purchase or installation of energy conservation measures.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1991
Designates the weeks of April 14 through 21, 1991, and May 3 through 10, 1992, as Jewish Heritage Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1991
Designates January 1 as National Ellis Island Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1991
Social Security Notch Adjustment Act of 1991 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to establish a new formula for computing the primary insurance amount of individuals who attain age 65 in or after 1982 and would otherwise be subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Extends the application of such transitional benefit computation rules to those who become eligible for benefits before 1989. (Currently those who become eligible after 1983 are subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1991
Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Technical Amendments Act of 1991 - Makes technical amendments to the Federal Power Act and the Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Act of 1990 to remove the size limitations placed upon solar, wind, and geothermal facilities of 80 megawatts or less to make them eligible for regulatory benefits under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1991
Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the President, the Vice President, certain high-level Federal officials and employees, certain high-ranking active-duty members of the uniformed services, and Members of Congress from representing or advising foreign principals on matters of direct and substantial U.S. interest during the four-year period after cessation of Federal employment. Requires the Attorney General to grant a waiver to such prohibition unless the proposed conduct could harm the national interests or create an undue appearance of conflict of interest. Authorizes the Attorney General, upon reason to believe that a person is engaging in conduct in violation of this Act, to petition the appropriate U.S. district court for an order prohibiting such conduct. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
National Energy Efficiency Act of 1991 - Title I: Buildings - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (the Act) to require the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a program to provide technical assistance to States and localities to update energy efficiency codes and standards for residential and commercial buildings. Requires each State to certify to the Secretary that: (1) it has reviewed and updated its residential and commercial building codes affecting energy efficiency, including a demonstration that such codes meet or exceed the requirements of the Council of American Building Officials' Model Energy Code and the Department of Energy's Commercial Building Standards; and (2) at least 75 percent of the new residential and commercial buildings constructed in such State meet the updated code requirements. Requires the Secretary to establish a task force of representatives from the building construction industry and financial community to advise in the development of the program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate procedures to be used by States, local governments, and others to assign energy efficiency ratings to residential buildings. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to any such entities using the energy efficiency rating systems. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on such procedures and technical assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Federal Energy Management - Declares it is the purpose of the Act to promote the conservation and efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources by the Federal Government. Requires, to the maximum extent practicable, the installation of energy conservation measures with payback periods of less than ten years (currently, 25 years) in all Federal buildings no later than January 1, 2000. Sets forth specified Federal agency requirements with respect to such measures. Requires each agency to submit to the Secretary a plan describing how it intends to meet such requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal Energy Efficiency Fund to provide grants to agencies to enable them to meet the energy efficiency requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and encourages agencies to participate in programs for energy conservation or the management of electricity demand conducted by gas or electric utilities and available to customers of such utilities. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program to reward outstanding facility energy managers in such agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to study the monetary value of the environmental benefits resulting from energy efficiency improvements in Federal buildings. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to install in Federal buildings commercial energy efficiency technologies developed by entities receiving Federal financial assistance for research and development. Requires the Secretary to prepare and disseminate an evaluation of each energy efficiency technology included in such program, outlining its technical and economic effectiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to conduct a detailed analysis of the energy consuming and conserving products in the Federal Supply Schedule and devise a method to highlight those products that are preferred energy efficient models. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue guidelines to users of the Schedule to encourage the purchase of such models; and (2) identify manufacturers of energy efficient products not listed on the Schedule and provide such manufacturers with assistance to encourage the inclusion of their products on the Schedule. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the President to promulgate rules prohibiting agencies from acquiring automobiles with fuel economies that are not greater than the average fuel economy for the previous year. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to require each agency head to adopt, no later than two years after enactment of this Act, procedures to assure that the construction of new Federal buildings meet or exceed certain energy conservation performance standards. Title III: Electricity and Utilities - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require rates charged by State-regulated electric utilities be such that prudent investments in conservation and energy efficiency resources are at least as profitable as investments in new generation facilities. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress: (1) a survey of State laws and policies under which State regulatory authorities require electric utilities to compare energy efficiency and generation investment opportunities to minimize life-cycle costs of electric services to electric customers (least-cost planning); (2) an evaluation of whether such least-cost planning will result in higher or lower electricity costs, enhanced or reduced reliability of electric service, and increased or decreased dependence on particular energy resources; and (3) an evaluation of whether ratemaking methodologies implementing such planning take into account the impact of such measures on electric utilities' costs, operations, and rate of return on investment. Requires unregulated electric utilities to use least-cost planning. Requires each unregulated utility to initiate or expand efforts to ensure that cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy resources are acquired by customer utilities. Title IV: Standards and Information - Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to support a voluntary, national window rating program to develop window energy ratings and labels. Mandates that such program be administered by the National Fenestration Rating Council which shall report periodically to the Congress and the Secretary regarding the program's status. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to develop a voluntary national program to devise standards for the proper levels of industrial insulation. Requires the Secretary to: (1) review the status of industrial energy auditing procedures; (2) conduct an educational and technical assistance program concerning the standards and auditing procedures; and (3) report to the Congress regarding such standards, auditing procedures, and educational and technical assistance, including the responsiveness of the industrial sector to the standards. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to determine the feasibility of establishing energy conservation standards for the commercial application of lamps, appliance motors, and small package air conditioners. Provides for enforcement of any standards adopted. Title V: International - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the purposes of the interagency working group to require them to: (1) promote the export of renewable energy and energy technologies produced in the United States; (2) inform other countries of the benefits of such technologies; and (3) foster rural and urban economic development and energy self-sufficiency through their use. Requires such group to: (1) develop a data base and information dissemination system that will provide information on the energy technology needs of lesser-developed countries, the technical and economic competitiveness of various renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies, and the status of ongoing technology assistance programs; (2) make such information available to industry, Federal and multilateral lending agencies, nongovernmental organizations, host-country and donor-agency officials, and others; and (3) report to the Congress biennially on the full range of energy and environmental technologies necessary to meet the energy needs of developing countries while reducing the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Authorizes the interagency working group to establish renewable energy and energy efficiency industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Authorizes the group to sponsor trade missions to help market renewable energy and energy efficient products in other countries. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to require the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to collect annually, on a State-by-State basis, information on renewable energy utilized within such States. Repeals the National Energy Extension Service Act (thus abolishing the Energy Extension Service).
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Authorizes the President to drawdown the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if it would assist in relieving severe economic problems related to a significant increase in the price of petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Natural Gas Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Natural Gas Act to extend the time within which the Federal Power Commission must take final action with respect to applications for rehearing of Commission orders. Permits applicants who are required to prepare environmental impact statements with respect to the construction or extension of facilities for the transportation of natural gas to elect a contractor, consultant, or other person designated by the Commission to prepare such statement at the applicant's expense. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Commission to utilize rulemaking procedures with respect to the establishment of rates and charges, or the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, including abandonment of natural gas facilities and services, and the establishment of physical connections under the Natural Gas Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to declare that the replacement or repair of natural gas facilities for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued shall not be considered the construction or extension of such facilities unless such replaced or repaired facility has substantially more or less delivery capacity than the original certificated facility, or such replacement or repair results in a reduction or abandonment of service provided by the original certificated facility. Requires the Commission to file notice in the Federal Register of proposed certificates of public convenience and necessity as soon as all required information has been received by it. Deems such certificates to have been issued if no protest or objection has been filed in response to such notice within 60 days after publication of such notice. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize the Commission to approve any intrastate pipeline to transport natural gas and to construct and operate natural gas facilities of any size or capacity to be used solely for the transportation of natural gas. Requires rates and charges of interstate natural gas pipelines to be just and reasonable. Amends the Natural Gas Act to authorize the President to designate as a priority project the construction or expansion of natural gas facilities over a specific route, or from a specific gas producing area, or into a specific gas consuming market if it is in the national interest. Requires the Commission to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction or expansion of such facilities if the President designates such facilities as a priority project. Declares that a certificate shall not be required for the construction or extension of natural gas facilities if such construction begins after enactment of this Act. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such construction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Enhancement Act of 1991 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to establish and implement during FY 1992 a minimum (Strategic Petroleum) Reserve fill rate of 200,000 barrels per day until the quantity of crude oil in storage in the Reserve is at least 1,500,000,000. Prescribes implementation guidelines. Requires the Secretary to assess and collect charges from each person who stores petroleum in the Reserve pursuant to such program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1991); and (2) phase in an increase in the allowable deduction, reaching 100 percent for taxable years beginning in 1994 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Tax Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for renewable electricity which is generated and sold by a qualified taxpayer within the United States using solar, wind, or geothermal energy and which is not used by the taxpayer or a related person. Allows the use of such credit for a ten-year period. Excludes from gross income employer-provided transportation using a commuter highway vehicle (van pooling) and mass transit between the employee's residence and place of employment. Limits such exclusion to $75 per month. Excludes from gross income the amount or value of any subsidy provided by a public utility to a customer in connection with the purchase, installation, use, or maintenance of any energy or water conservation measure or for energy savings delivered by such measures. Disallows any other deduction or credit for such subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1991
Designates March 26, 1991, the start of the 90th year of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, leader of the Lubavitch movement, as Education Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to enter into a contract with the National Writing Project (a nonprofit educational organization) to support costs of programs of teacher training and classroom research to improve the teaching of writing and the quality of student writing and learning. Directs the Project to establish a National Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, to make grants to individuals and higher education institutions for research on the teaching of writing. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Garnishment Equalization Act of 1991 - Provides for the treatment of Federal pay in the same manner as non-Federal pay with respect to garnishment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Defense Production Act Extension and Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to extend its expiration date to October 20, 1991. Authorizes appropriations and sets spending limits on such Act through FY 1991. Repeals a provision of such Act which grants immunity from civil and criminal suits and a defense to antitrust law actions for those persons engaging in voluntary agreements for defense preparedness programs and expansion of production capacity and supply. Authorizes the President, with respect to certain Defense Production Act activities, to exempt persons who are employed without compensation and participating in a voluntary agreement on behalf of the United States from Federal antitrust laws or any similar State law for activities engaged in as part of such voluntary agreement. Requires an individual designated by the President to administer such a voluntary agreement or plan of action to provide prior written notice of the time, place, and nature of any meeting to carry out such agreement or plan to the Attorney General, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Congress. Outlines requirements for, and limitations to, the antitrust defense for participants in such voluntary agreements or plans of action. Exempts any activity or provision of such agreements or plans from the Federal Advisory Committee Act and other Federal law relating to advisory committees. Authorizes the President to order a priority in the allocation of materials, facilities, and services (currently, only materials and facilities) when requirements of national defense cannot otherwise be met. Requires the President to reach certain determinations concerning the critical shortages of such materials, facilities, and services before exercising such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Designates June 10 through 16, 1991, as Pediatric AIDS Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Line-Item Rescission Act of 1989 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to allow the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, one or more special messages proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted on the same calendar day the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by a draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal. Requires the item of budget authority proposed to be rescinded to be made available for obligation unless both Houses adopt the bill rescinding such item within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Designates the week of October 13 through 19, 1991, as National Radon Action Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Financial Incentives Going to Help Towns Fighting Drugs Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate that one dollar of their tax liability be paid to the Local Anti-Drug Program Trust Fund. Establishes such Fund for grants to counties for: (1) law enforcement activities regarding drug-related crimes; (2) education, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs regarding drug abuse; and (3) grants to units of general local government.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Title X Pregnancy Counseling Act of 1990 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from making a grant for the provision of family planning methods or services unless the applicant agrees to provide complete information and counseling regarding pregnancy, and for a pregnant woman who requests information on options for an unintended pregnancy, to provide: (1) nondirective counseling on prenatal care and delivery, infant care, foster care and adoption, and termination of pregnancy; and (2) referrals for the services that are appropriate to the decision of the woman.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Dolphin Protection and Fair Fishing Act of 1991 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit, with regard to fishing for yellowfin tuna, promulgation of regulations or issuance of permits allowing the intentional setting of purse seine nets on marine mammals. Revokes previously issued permits. Mandates observers on tuna fishing vessels in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean to ensure that the taking of any marine mammal is reported to the Secretary of the department in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrtion is operating. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) the level of incidental taking of marine mammals by countries exporting to the United States and by U.S. vessels; and (2) the total take of dolphins in specified years. Authorizes appropriations for research and development of alternative tuna fishing methods and technologies that do not involve intentional encirclement of dolphins or other intentional takings of marine mammals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives Act of 1991 - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to establish a demonstration program of providing incentives for the creation of tax enterprise zones in order to: (1) revitalize economically and physically distressed areas; (2) promote meaningful employment for zone residents; and (3) encourage individuals to reside in the zones in which they are employed. Title I: Designation and Tax Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of tax enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during calendar years 1992 through 1995. Sets forth eligibility criteria for rural areas. Sets forth the eligibility criteria for such designation, including: (1) a population of not less than 4,000; (2) pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress; (3) a high unemployment rate; and (4) a required course of action designed to reduce the various burdens borne by employers or employees in the area. Provides that a course of action under private entities may not be federally funded and may include: (1) a reduction of tax rates or fees; (2) an increase in public services; (3) a reduction in government paperwork requirements; (4) business community commitments to provide jobs and job training; (5) special preference to minority contractors; (6) gifts of land for the operation of neighborhood businesses; (7) pooled health insurance; (8) loans by local financial institutions for business start-ups; and (9) special preference to low-income housing projects and private activity bonds. Allows an enterprise zone employment credit to small employers as a general business credit of ten percent of the qualified zone wages paid plus qualified zone employee health insurance costs. Allows such credit for the first five years of the employee's employment. Makes the rehabilitation credit available for buildings in the tax enterprise zone that are at least 30 years old. Allows a 60-month amortization period (in lieu of depreciation) for child care facilities. Allows the deferral of capital gain for ten years if the gain is reinvested in tax enterprise zone property. Limits the dollar amount of deferred gain. Declares that loss on any qualified zone corporate investment shall be treated as an ordinary loss. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amounts of zone incentives to be allocated by the governmental official responsible for making such allocations in the tax enterprise zone. Allows for purposes of the low-income housing credit any parts of low-income rental buildings that are used for child care centers for children of zone residents to be included in the basis for such credit. Title II: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Tax Enterprise Zones - Requires enterprise zones to receive priority in the designation of foreign trade zones. Title III: Studies - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller General each to report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance on the effectiveness of the incentives provided by this Act in achieving its purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Civil Rights Act of 1991 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide for the burdens of proof which must be met by the various parties when an allegation of an unlawful employment practice is based on disparate impact. ( Wards Cove Packing Co. Inc. v. Atonio, 1989, held that, in cases brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the burden is on the plaintiff to prove an employer had no business necessity for a practice with discriminatory effects.) Allows a rule barring employment based on illegal discriminatory intent. Declares that, when an employment practice is alleged to have mixed motives, an unlawful employment practice is established when it is shown that a discriminatory basis was a contributing factor, even though other factors also contributed. Bars certain types of relief and limits damages to the injury that is attributable to the unlawful practice. Provides for the finality of litigated or consent judgments or orders resolving an employment discrimination claim, barring actions (challenging an employment practice that implements and is within the scope of a judgment or order) by persons who had certain types of notice and opportunity. Modifies the time limitations within which certain actions must be taken in alleged employment discrimination cases. (In Lorance v. AT&T Technologies, the Supreme Court held that seniority plans cannot be challenged as discriminatory unless complaints are filed soon after the plans are adopted.) Declares the application of a seniority system, if the system was included in a collective bargaining agreement with discriminatory intent, an unlawful employment practice. Allows punitive damages, certain types of compensatory damages, and jury trials only in connection with certain claims of intentional discrimination under the Act or under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Allows any party, if compensatory or punitive damages are sought, to demand a jury trial. Includes expert fees and other litigation expenses in attorney's fees which may be awarded in certain circumstances. Prohibits consent orders or judgments settling a claim, or stipulations of dismissal, unless the parties or their counsel attest that a waiver of all or substantially all attorney's fees was not compelled as a condition of the settlement.( Independent Federation of Flight Attendants v. Zipes held that attorneys' fees can be recovered under Title VII against losing intervenors only if the intervenor's action is frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.) Allows the court, in its discretion to promote fairness, in a proceeding in which a judgment or order granting relief under employment discrimination provisions is challenged, to allow the prevailing party in the original action to recover attorney's fees and costs incurred in defending the judgment or order. Extends the time limit for filing against the Government a civil action involving employment discrimination. Requires, except for prejudgment interest on compensatory damages, the same interest payment by the Government as in cases involving non-public parties. Requires all Federal civil rights laws to be interpreted broadly to provide equal opportunity and provide effective remedies. Prohibits, except as expressly provided, interpreting any Federal civil rights law to repeal or amend by implication any other such law. Prohibits using this Act as a basis for limiting civil rights laws not expressly amended by this Act. Amends Federal law to declare that: (1) for purposes of provisions relating to equal rights under the law, the right to make and enforce contracts includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contract; and (2) the rights protected by the amended provisions are protected against impairment by non-governmental discrimination as well as against impairment under color of State law. (In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled, in Patterson v. McLean Credit Union, that an 1866 law forbidding discrimination in contracts applies only to hiring agreements, not on-the-job bias.) Prohibits construing the amendments made by this Act to: (1) require or encourage an employer to adopt hiring or promotion quotas; or (2) affect court-ordered remedies, affirmative action, or conciliation agreements that are otherwise in accordance with the law. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to apply equal employment opportunities provisions to the Congress, with enforcement as determined by each House of the Congress. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to modify requirements, including time limitations, regarding filing of a civil action. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to notify the person aggrieved if an age discrimination charge is dismissed by the Commission. Allows a civil suit to be brought within a specified time limit after the dismissal. Encourages the use of alternative means of dispute resolution to resolve disputes arising under the Acts amended by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to offer or grant: (1) permanent replacement employee status during a labor dispute; or (2) any employment preference to an individual who worked or indicated a willingness to work during a labor dispute over an employee who exercised specified rights during such dispute and who is working for, or has unconditionally offered to return to work for, the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Veterans' Compensation Amendments of 1991 - Increases the rates of: (1) veterans' disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for veterans' dependents; (3) the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans; (4) dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children; and (5) supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for disabled adult children. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the weeks beginning on November 24, 1991, and November 22, 1992, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should declare November 2, 1990, a national day of prayer for: (1) members of American military forces and American citizens stationed or held hostage in the Middle East, and for their families; and (2) American and Iraqi authorities to bring about a just resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1990
Salutes and congratulates the people of Poland as they commemorate the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1991. Directs the Library of Congress to commemorate the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1990
Designates November 16, 1990, as National Federation of the Blind Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1990
Designates the third week of February 1991 as National Parents and Teachers Association Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1990
Sets forth ways to modify the budget summit agreement of 1990, as incorporated in H. Con. Res. 310.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1990
National Energy Efficiency Act of 1990 - Establishes as a national goal the identification of policies that have the potential of stabilizing and reducing the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the United States. Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to mandate that the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress (and each subsequent Plan) include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Prescribes strategy guidelines. Amends the Energy Security Act to repeal energy target provisions. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection within the Department of Energy to participate in: (1) global climate change policy considerations; and (2) least-cost energy strategy considerations. Title II: Energy Efficiency Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to submit periodic evaluations to the Congress regarding energy efficiency policy options necessary to produce certain percentage decreases in U.S. energy use. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to set a deadline by which each Federal agency must: (1) install energy conservation measures in its Federal buildings with specified payback periods; (2) submit a list of projects to the Secretary which meet such payback criterion and indicate total energy and cost savings involved; and (3) have substantially completed at least 25 percent of such projects, or those projects that would account for 25 percent of total energy savings. Directs the Secretary to develop guidelines with respect to the selection of energy service contractors. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report on the monetary value of the environmental benefits resulting from energy efficiency improvements in Federal buildings. Amends the NECPA to repeal the prohibition against the supply and installation of residential energy conservation measures by utilities. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to support a voluntary, national window rating program to develop window energy ratings and labels. Mandates that such program be administered by the National Fenestration Rating Council which shall report periodically to the Congress and the Secretary regarding the program's status. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to support a voluntary, national program to devise guidelines for industrial insulation that reflect the benefits that can be achieved by appropriate insulation levels. Mandates that such guidelines be issued by a nonprofit organization by a specified deadline. Requires the Secretary to review the status of industrial energy auditing procedures; (2) conduct an educational and technical assistance program concerning the guidelines and auditing procedures; and (3) report to the Congress regarding such program and the guidelines, including the responsiveness of the industrial sector to the guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to report to the Congress regarding the acquisition of energy efficiency information. Requires the Secretary to submit a feasibility report to the Congress regarding the mandatory use in Federal facilities of compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps. Amends the NECPA to direct the Secretary to: (1) promulgate procedural guidelines enabling the States to assign energy efficiency ratings to residential buildings; and (2) establish a technical assistance program for State and local governments adopting energy efficiency rating systems or building codes. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to mandate that State regulatory commissions consider a least-cost ratemaking standard under which utility investments in demand-side measures shall be as profitable as investments in new generation facilities (thus creating an economic incentive for utilities to promote residential energy conservation measures). Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress an evaluation of: (1) the results of least-cost planning methodologies implemented by electric utilities; and (2) the extent to which ratemaking methodologies implementing least-cost planning take into account the impact of such measures on electric utilities' profitability. Removes the size limitations placed upon solar, wind, and geothermal electric energy facilities eligible for PURPA regulatory benefits. Amends the Federal Power Act to make conforming amendments and to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue regulations reflecting such amendments. Title III: Energy Supply Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the results of an assessment of the statutory, economic, and regulatory barriers to expanded hydroelectric capacity development at existing dams. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth the purposes of the interagency working group with respect to the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies. Directs such group to develop and disseminate a comprehensive data base and information dissemination system on: (1) specific energy technology needs of lesser-developed countries; (2) the competitiveness of various renewable energy and energy efficiency resource technologies; and (3) the status of ongoing technology assistance programs. Requires the group to report biennially to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the full range of energy and environmental technologies necessary to meet the energy needs of developing countries while reducing the greenhouse gas generation. Authorizes the group to establish renewable energy industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and the Caribbean Basin. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress the results of a comparative fuel cycle cost analysis with respect to the United States, Europe, and Asia. Amends the NECPA to require the Secretary to: (1) conduct a fuel cell systems demonstration program in Federal buildings; and (2) report to the Congress on the program's implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements or joint ventures with certain urban area transit authorities to demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gas or other alternative mass transit fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to implement and finance a fleet vehicle program for the commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1990
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to increase from 5,000,000 to 15,000,000 barrels the amount of crude oil which may be sold from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1990
Iraqi Anti-Aggression and Windfall Confiscation Act of 1990 - Authorizes and directs the President to take the following actions with respect to the property and interests in property of the Iraqi Government blocked pursuant to a specified executive order: (1) make all dividends and interest which accrue to such blocked property the property of the United States and transfer such property to the Treasury; and (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to determine if any account has realized any windfall gain as a result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and to transfer such amounts to the Treasury. Directs the President to determine whether the property and interest in the property of the Kuwaiti Government and Kuwaiti nationals that was confiscated by the Iraqi Government has been relinquished and returned to the legitimate owners or full restitution has been made. Authorizes the President, if determined that the Iraqi Government has failed to return or make full restitution for such property, to confiscate all property and interest in the blocked property of the Iraqi Government. Makes such confiscated property U.S. property. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the President to waive any of this Act's requirements if it is essential to the U.S. national interests.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Octane Display and Disclosure Act of 1990 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to require certification and posting for all liquid automotive fuels (currently, automotive gasolines). Authorizes States or local governments to provide for any investigative or enforcement action, remedy, or penalty permitted under such Act. Revises Federal Trade Commission enforcement provisions regarding acts or practices constituting violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Changes the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to conduct field testing of the octane rating of automotive fuels from mandatory to discretionary. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a study to determine whether, and if so, how, the anti-knock characteristics of nonliquid fuels usable as motor vehicle fuels can be determined. Directs the Secretary of Energy to study the feasibility and desirability of using dye to: (1) differentiate automotive fuels with different fuel ratings so that the rating can be determined by its color; and (2) identify transportation fuels required by law for clean air or other environmental benefits. Directs the Secretary of Energy to study the use of automotive fuels with octane ratings in excess of that necessary for the operation of an automobile. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the need for, and the desirability of, having a uniform national label on devices used to dispense automotive fuel to consumers that would consolidate information required to be posted on such devices. Requires reports to the Congress on the studies carried out under this Act within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
National Energy Policy Act of 1990 - Establishes as national goals: (1) the identification of an appropriate mix of policies with the potential to stabilize and reduce the generation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the United States; and (2) the evaluation of the implications of such policies to enable the United States to comply with any obligations under an international framework convention on global climate change. Title I: Energy Policy Initiatives - Mandates that the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress (and each subsequent Plan) include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Prescribes strategy guidelines. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection within the Department of Energy to participate in: (1) global climate change policy considerations; and (2) least-cost energy strategy formulation. Requires the Director to contract with the National Research Council for the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering (the Academies) to review and report to the Congress on greenhouse gases and global climate change. Requires the President to transmit to the Congress his assessment of such report. Title II: Energy Efficiency Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit to the Congress periodic evaluations of energy efficiency policy options necessary to produce certain percentage decreases in U.S. energy use; (2) pursue a research and development program to improve energy efficiency and productivity in energy-intensive industries and industrial processes; (3) undertake joint ventures to encourage commercialization of technologies developed in such program; and (4) conduct competitive solicitation for joint venture proposals and provide financial assistance to such joint ventures. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to set a deadline by which each Federal agency must: (1) install energy conservation measures in Federal buildings with specified payback periods; (2) submit to the Secretary a list of projects which meet such payback criterion and indicate total energy and cost savings involved; and (3) have substantially completed at least 25 percent of such projects as would account for 25 percent of total energy savings. Directs the Secretary to develop guidelines for the selection of energy service contractors. Sets forth a deadline by which: (1) each Federal agency must consider the energy efficiency of all potential building space at the time of renewing or entering into a new lease; and (2) all federally owned and leased space under construction must meet model Federal building standards for energy efficiency. Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 to direct the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for joint ventures in fuel cell technology to demonstrate critical enabling technologies to accelerate commercialization of electric energy providing fuel cells. Authorizes appropriations. Amends NECPA to repeal the prohibition against the supply and installation of residential energy conservation measures by utilities. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to support a voluntary national program to develop window energy ratings and labels. Mandates that such program be administered by the National Fenestration Rating Council, which shall report periodically to the Congress and the Secretary. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to report to the Congress on the acquisition of energy efficiency information. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a feasibility report to the Congress regarding the mandatory use of compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps in Federal facilities; and (2) submit a plan to the Congress for the demonstration in Federal facilities of energy efficiency technologies ready for commercial demonstration but not widely available. Amends NECPA to direct the Secretary to: (1) promulgate procedural guidelines enabling the States to assign energy efficiency ratings to residential buildings; and (2) establish a technical assistance program for State and local governments adopting energy efficiency rating systems or building codes. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to mandate that State regulatory commissions consider a least-cost ratemaking standard under which utility investments in new generation facilities (thus creating an economic incentive for utilities to promote residential energy conservation measures). Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on an evaluation of: (1) the results of least-cost planning methodologies implemented by electric utilities; and (2) the extent to which ratemaking methodologies implementing least-cost planning take into account the impact of such measures on electric utilities' profitability. Title III: Energy Research and Development Initiatives - Requires the Secretary to: (1) consider specified criteria when establishing research and development priorities; (2) biennially submit to the Congress a management plan for research, development and commercialization of energy technologies; (3) implement an engine and vehicle fuel research and demonstration program on systems that offer a potential reduction in the generation of greenhouse gases and improve transportation energy efficiency; and (4) emphasize advanced gas turbine cycles and their incorporation of energy efficient materials when implementing a high efficiency heat engine research and demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a natural gas cofiring research, development, and demonstration program with respect to electric utility units and large industrial boilers. Authorizes appropriations. Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research and Development Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year management plan for a research and development program designed to permit the development of a domestic hydrogen fuel production capability within the shortest time practicable. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prepare a comprehensive large-scale hydrogen demonstration plan; (2) conduct a domestic hydrogen fuel production capability research and development program; (3) initiate or accelerate research in critical technical issues that will contribute to the development of more economic hydrogen production; (4) conduct demonstrations of critical technologies and small-scale hydrogen technology at self-contained sites; and (5) transfer critical technologies to the private sector in order to accelerate increased use of practicable hydrogen technologies. Establishes the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel to advise the Secretary on the hydrogen research and development program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a demonstration program regarding: (1) magnetic and inertial confinement fusion for the production of electricity; and (2) coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements or joint ventures with certain urban area transit authorities to demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gas or other alternative mass transit fuels for passenger transit vehicles. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to implement and finance a fleet vehicle program for the commercialization of natural gas and other alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to conduct or expand the following demonstration programs: (1) specified aspects of improved natural gas and alternative fueled vehicle technology; (2) increased availability of natural gas from specified sources; (3) natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings; and (4) electric vehicle and battery technology. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress an assessment of the statutory, economic, and regulatory barriers to expanded hydroelectric capacity development at existing dams. Electric Vehicle Technology Development and Demonstration Act of 1990 - Requires the Secretary to: (1) identify within a specified deadline the nonattainment areas in which conventionally fueled vehicles contribute significantly to that nonattainment and in which the use of electric vehicles could contribute to attainment of National Air Quality Standards; (2) designate nonattainment areas eligible to participate in a specified electric vehicle research and demonstration program; (3) report to the Congress on the program's status; (4) report to the Congress on the extent to which nuclear fission generated energy can safely and reliably supply electricity and reduce greenhouse gases; and (5) establish within the Department of Energy a program to develop technologies to a point where private industry will undertake further commercial development. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) specified aspects of methane generation; (2) measures that could reduce atmospheric methane concentrations from sources within the United States; and (3) methane emissions from countries other than the United States. Directs the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade to: (1) expand the transfer of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies to lesser-developed countries; (2) promote the development of such technologies in those countries; and (3) develop a comprehensive energy technology data base and information dissemination system. Authorizes the Committee to establish renewable energy industry information outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the range of environmental and energy technologies necessary to meet the energy needs of developing countries while reducing the generation of greenhouse gases. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on comparative fuel cycle cost analysis with respect to the United States, Europe, and Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Productive Investment Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business expense deduction for up to $250,000 (currently, $10,000) of depreciable business assets if property is used as an integral part of manufacturing, production, or extraction. Reduces such allowance by the amount by which the cost of such property exceeds $1,000,000 (currently, $200,000) for a taxable year. Excludes such depreciation deduction from the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Designates the week of September 23, 1990, as Religious Freedom Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to include farm property sold during the same taxable year as a principal residence in the one-time exclusion of gain from sale of a principal residence by an individual who has attained age 55. Sets forth a formula limiting the extent of such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1990
Provides that the rate of pay of Members of Congress, judicial officers, and Executive Schedule positions shall be that in effect as of November 1, 1989. Repeals provisions of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 which provided for a 25 percent salary increase beginning in 1991 for legislative, judicial, and Executive Schedule positions. States that nothing in this Act shall have the effect of reducing the pay of any individual whose compensation may not, under certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution, be diminished during such individual's continuance in office. Continues the current adjustment method.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1990
State Thrift Deposit Insurance Premium Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to determine and apportion among the States the cumulative cost of Federal assistance provided to State-chartered savings associations for case resolutions. Declares as "high risk" any State whose share of State resolution costs exceeds twice its share of 1980 State deposits. Mandates that each high risk State pay to the Savings Association Insurance Fund prescribed premiums reflecting such risk. Sets forth insurance termination procedures if a State fails to pay the required premium. Requires depositor notification of such insurance termination.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1990
Designates August 6, 1990, as Voting Rights Celebration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1990
Women's Health Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health the Office of Women's Health to coordinate all activities and research of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to disease, disorders, or other health conditions that are unique to, more prevalent in, or more serious for women, or for which risk factors or interventions are different for women. Establishes within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the National Center for Women's Health Research and Development to provide funding, from amounts appropriated under specified existing provisions and with regard to women's health research, for research conducted or supported by the NIH or the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA). Requires the Center Director to: (1) investigate the inclusion of women as subjects in clinical research conducted or supported by the NIH and ADAMHA; and (2) prepare and annually review a plan for establishing a program for clinical research in obstetrics and gynecology to be conducted by the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD). Requires the NICHHD Director to conduct the program in accordance with the plan. Requires the Center Director to establish: (1) the National Women's Health Data Bank to collect, store, analyze, retrieve, and disseminate data regarding women's health conditions; and (2) the National Women's Health Clearinghouse to disseminate information to health professionals, patients, and the public on women's health conditions. Requires the Center Director to establish within the Center the National Women's Health Clinical Research Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary to establish the Interagency Council on Women's Health Research and Development. Authorizes appropriations.