United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1996
Competitive Livestock Markets Act of 1996 - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to consider as an unlawful practice any anticompetitive practice relating to livestock and meat price and sale terms. Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to set forth reporting requirements (and noncompliance penalties) for certain persons in the livestock slaughtering business. Sets forth reporting requirements for certain exporters of meat and meat products.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1996
Defense of Marriage Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that no State, territory, or possession of the United States or Indian tribe shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other such jurisdiction or to any right or claim arising from such relationship. Establishes a Federal definition of: (1) "marriage" as only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife; and (2) "spouse" as only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (4) State and local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Makes inapplicable to owner or operator recipients of Trust Fund amounts under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund should submit to the Congress without further delay its annual report due on April 1, 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to modify the maximum hour (overtime) exemption for employees of irrigation districts which handle water exclusively for agricultural purposes by specifying that at least 75 percent of such water is to be ultimately delivered for agricultural purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Flood Map Correction Act - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit an area from being considered to be located within an area identified by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an area having special flood hazards if the Director receives from the owner or lessee of the area at issue a written notice that includes: (1) information identifying such area; and (2) a certification by a licensed and bonded surveyor or by the Army Corps of Engineers that the elevation of the area is higher than the elevation required for inclusion in an area having special flood hazards.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that three years after ratification of this amendment: (1) the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution is repealed; and (2) the Congress shall have no power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, except in time of war declared by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to apply the same employer requirements to all persons. Eliminates a marriage penalty for two spouses who work for the same employer by applying the same 12-week limitation to siblings and to both married and unmarried parents (such limitation applies when leave is available for the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a parent).
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified real property within the Carlsbad Project in New Mexico to Carlsbad Irrigation District. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide a written identification of all oil and gas leases on such lands; and (2) notify all such leaseholders of the changes required by this Act. Entitles the District to assume the management of, and to receive any revenues from, such leases. Requires revenues collected from such lands before the date of enactment of this Act which have been paid into the reclamation fund on behalf of the Project to be immediately available to the District for Project purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1996 - Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement - Requires the Inspectors General of specified Federal agencies to conduct audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations regarding the prevention, detection, and control of health care fraud and abuse. Requires the Inspector General and the Attorney General to establish a health care fraud and abuse program that takes into account the activities of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, Federal and State health care provider licensing and certification agencies, and certain State agencies. (Sec. 102) Mandates State designation of State agencies that conduct, supervise, and coordinate such audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations. Allows State designation of a State agency to act as a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit for purposes of this title. Sets forth Unit requirements. Requires annual payments to States. (Sec. 104) Establishes in the Treasury the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account containing: (1) fines, penalties, damages, and the proceeds of seizures and forfeitures relating to the provision of health care items and services; and (2) gifts, bequests, and devises. Makes amounts available to the Inspector General and the Attorney General for expenses under specified provisions of this Act and reimbursements to other Inspectors General and Federal, State, and local agencies. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the acceptance, use, and disposal of gifts, bequests, or devises. (Sec. 106) Requires reimbursement: (1) to Federal agencies for the expenses of carrying out provisions of this title; and (2) subject to availability of funds, to State or local law enforcement agencies that participated directly in any activity that led to Account deposits. (Sec. 107) Establishes the Account Payments Advisory Board to make recommendations regarding the equitable allocation of amounts from the Account. (Sec. 108) Mandates establishment of a data base for the reporting of final adverse actions taken by a Government agency against health care providers, suppliers, practitioners, or benefit programs. Requires each Government agency to report such actions. Makes the information in the data base available to the public, Federal and State agencies, and benefit programs. Allows disclosure fees. Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "Federal health care offense" to include violation of, or conspiracy or attempt to violate, specified provisions of: (1) that code; (2) the Social Security Act (SSA); (3) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; or (4) the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986. (Sec. 202) Mandates fines or imprisonment for (in connection with a health care benefit program) defrauding or attempting to defraud, theft or embezzlement, knowing and willful false statements, bribery, certain remunerations (including kickbacks and rebates), and obstruction of a criminal investigation of a health care offense. Authorizes civil actions, civil penalties, and injunctive relief (including the freezing of assets) for health care offenses. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue summonses. (Sec. 211) Authorizes disclosure of grand jury information for use in a civil investigation or proceeding related to a health care offense. (Sec. 212) Includes Federal health care offenses in: (1) the definition of "specified unlawful activity" for provisions relating to money laundering; and (2) provisions allowing additional penalties for telemarketing that victimizes or targets persons over the age of 55. Authorizes the interception of wire or oral communications in cases where the interception may provide evidence of health care bribery, illegal remunerations, or fraud. Adds references to health care bribery, theft, embezzlement, and fraud to the definition of "racketeering activity" for provisions relating to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO). Mandates forfeiture of any property constituting or derived from a Federal health care offense. Allows a reward for information on a Federal health care offense. Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid - Amends the SSA to allow exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the SSA) of an individual who has an ownership or control interest in, or who is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee of, an entity: (1) convicted of any offense under specified SSA mandatory or permissive exclusion provisions; (2) against which a civil penalty has been assessed under specified SSA provisions; or (3) that has been excluded from Medicare or Medicaid. Imposes civil fines on a person for presenting a claim for an item or service provided by the person's excluded employee or agent. Requires funds received as civil fines and assessments under certain SSA provisions and remaining after other dispositions (required by current law) to be deposited in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account established under this Act (currently, to be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury). (Sec. 302) Provides for the modification of existing and the establishment of new safe harbors. Makes an exception to anti-kickback prohibitions for certain discounting and managed care arrangements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expedite implementation of certain payment adjustments based upon inherent reasonableness. (Sec. 303) Requires implementation of an initiative of December 1994 to expedite Medicare payment inherent reasonableness adjustments. (Sec. 304) Requires inclusion of information on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare information distributed under specified provisions. (Sec. 305) Mandates a system providing for a unique identifier for each individual or entity (currently, for each physician) who furnishes items or services for which Medicare payment may be made. Prohibits the Secretary from providing a unique identifier under such system unless the individual or entity submits such documentation relating to financial solvency and fiscal integrity as the Secretary may require to ensure that such issuance will not expose the program to waste, fraud, and abuse, except that the Secretary may waive the application of this section in the case of a provider of services or an individual eligible to receive payment for items or services furnished on the basis of licensure or authorization under State law. (Sec. 306) Requires reimbursement from agencies or organizations that facilitate payment to Medicare providers, and from carriers used for the administration of Medicare benefits, for any amounts paid for a service while the provider is excluded from Medicare participation. Replaces provisions allowing payment to individuals eligible for benefits for services provided by excluded individuals or entities in certain circumstances with provisions prohibiting providers from billing or collecting for items or services provided while the provider is excluded. Makes the recipient not liable for payment of any bill submitted in violation and allows certain sanctions. (Sec. 307) Requires fiscal intermediaries and carriers to use automated data processing equipment comparable to equipment used in private insurance. (Sec. 308) Provides for nondischargeability under the Bankruptcy Code of amounts owed for Medicare overpayments.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1996
Two Strikes Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment of persons convicted of a second or subsequent serious violent felony or serious drug offense.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Uniformed Services Medicare Subvention Demonstration Project Act - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly establish a demonstration project (project) to provide the Department of Defense (DOD) with reimbursement, under provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for health services provided through DOD to certain Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries. Requires the project to be conducted in one or more regions in which the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) has been implemented. Allows such project to be conducted for up to two years. Requires such Secretaries to jointly submit to the Congress a first annual report and a final report containing specified information concerning project participants and such project's effects on military medical care access, readiness, and training. Directs the HHS Secretary to make monthly payments to DOD from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (HHS trust funds) representing appropriate reimbursement amounts. Provides for the determination of such amounts. Directs such Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a base level of TRICARE coverage required in a geographic region for eligibility under the project; (2) determine baseline costs of such care and coverage; and (3) establish upper reimbursement limits. Directs the Secretary of Defense to waive the enrollment fee for individuals enrolled in a TRICARE program participating in the project. Establishes in the Treasury the Medicare Subvention Fund (Fund) for providing payments to the HHS Secretary for reimbursement of the HHS trust funds and for the payment of all expenses related to the participation of Medicare-eligible covered military beneficiaries in excess of the base level established under this Act, as well as administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 and 1998 for deposit into the Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1996
Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1996
United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act - Requires a referendum to be held by December 31, 1998, on Puerto Rico's path to self-government either through U.S. statehood or through sovereign independence or free association. Requires the President to submit to the Congress for approval legislation for: (1) a transition plan of at least ten years which leads to full self-government for Puerto Rico; and (2) a recommendation for the implementation of such self-government consistent with Puerto Rico's approval. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the referendum and congressional procedures for consideration of legislation. Makes funds available for the referendum.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
Patient Right to Know Act of 1996 - Prohibits an entity offering a health plan from: (1) providing, in any contract or agreement with a health care provider, any restriction on or interference with any medical communication; or (2) taking retaliatory action against a provider on the basis of a medical communication. Defines "medical communication" as being between a provider and: (1) a current, former, or prospective patient; (2) any employee or representative of the entity; or (3) any representative of any State or Federal authority with responsibility for licensing or oversight regarding the entity or plan. Mandates civil money penalties. Allows State requirements more protective of medical communications than the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1996
Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons Increased Punishment Act - Revises Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 provisions regarding sentencing guidelines for crimes against the elderly to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement of not less than five levels above the offense level otherwise provided for a crime of violence if such crime is against a child or elderly person.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Fossil Preservation Act of 1996 - Provides that all Federal lands shall be open to fossil collecting by reconnaissance (from the surface) without a permit, with specified exceptions, and open to fossil collecting by quarrying pursuant to permit. Requires Federal land managers to manage fossils separately from archaeological resources, cave resources, and cultural resources, but in conjunction with natural resources. Specifies the types of collecting and whether notice or permits are required. (Sec. 5) Sets forth permit terms and conditions. Allows for educational collecting permits, scientific collecting permits, and commercial collecting permits. (Sec. 6) Imposes fees and royalty payments (on the fair market value of fossils) for commercial collecting. (Sec. 7) Places ownership of collected fossils in the collector. Provides an exception for scientifically unique fossils collected commercially, making them the property of the United States. (Sec. 9) Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a National Fossil Council to provide guidance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a two-thirds vote of each House of the Congress in order to pass any bill levying a new tax or increasing the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive that requirement during war or certain military conflict. Requires all votes under this Amendment to be by yeas and nays and the names of persons voting for and against to be entered in the Journal of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
National Motor Vehicle Safety, Anti-Theft, Title Reform, and Consumer Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal transportation law to require States, in licensing a passenger motor vehicle whose ownership has been transferred, to disclose on the certificate of title whenever records indicate that such vehicle was previously issued a title that contained a word or symbol signifying that it was "salvage," "unrebuildable," "parts only," "scrap," "junk," "nonrepairable," "reconstructed," "rebuilt," or that it has been damaged by flood. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring each State in licensing such vehicles to apply uniform standards, procedures, and methods for the issuance and control of motor vehicle titles and for information to be contained on such titles. Authorizes States to use Federal highway safety funds to defray the costs of establishing new procedures to comply with such requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to: (1) make false statements on an application for a motor vehicle title; (2) fail to apply for a salvage title when such application is required; (3) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, a certificate verifying an anti-theft inspection or an anti-theft and safety inspection, or a required decal affixed to a passenger motor vehicle; (4) falsify the results of an inspection; (5) offer to sell any salvage vehicle or nonrepairable vehicle as a rebuilt salvage vehicle; or (6) conspire to commit any of the above acts. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit customs officers from allowing the export of self-propelled vehicles from the United States by transport (current law permits the export of used self-propelled vehicles provided ownership information is given), unless the exporter presents proof of ownership to such officer. Sets forth a civil penalty for violations of this requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Expresses the disapproval of the House of Representatives of the standards proposed by the National Center for History in the Schools for the teaching of U.S. and world history.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
Condemns the court-martial of Specialist Michael New of the United States Army in response to his refusal to accept United Nations (UN) commanders and wear the UN insignia on his military uniform. Calls on the President, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, to override New's conviction and restore his status with a place of honor in the Army.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Temporary Duty Suspension Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the administering authority to suspend for up to one year the imposition of antidumping or countervailing duties with respect to a product if such authority determines that prevailing market conditions relating to the availability of such product in the United States make the imposition of such duties inappropriate. Requires potentially affected parties to be given an opportunity to comment before a suspension takes effect. Authorizes the extension of such suspensions for additional periods of up to one year each. Allows the reinstatement of such duties upon a finding of an insufficient basis for continuance of their suspension.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
Child Protection and Ethics I Education Act of 1995 - Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study to determine whether programs, lectures, texts, or other pedagogical materials involving sexuality used by agencies, universities, or elementary and secondary schools (institutions) that receive Federal funds for educational purposes significantly or particularly rely on the scholarship of, directly or indirectly consisting of, or based on the studies entitled "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" and "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female" authored by Alfred Kinsey and his team of researchers, published in 1948 and 1953 (Kinsey reports). Authorizes the General Accounting Office to evaluate whether the contents of the Kinsey reports are erroneous, wrongfully obtained by reason of fraud or criminal wrongdoing (i.e., systematic sexual abuse of children), or both. Directs: (1) the Comptroller General to complete such study and report to the Congress by May 1, 1996; and (2) the Secretary of Education, if the Comptroller General's determination is in the affirmative, to ensure that for FY 1997 and subsequent fiscal years no Federal funds are provided to any persons or institutions for any educational purpose which instruct in Kinsey's work, derivative Kinseyan scholars, or scholarship without indicating the unethical and tainted nature of the Kinsey report. Directs the chief executive officer of the State involved to certify to the Secretary which such agencies or school programs cite such materials.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1995
Repeals a Federal provision limiting salary increases for Federal judges or Supreme Court Justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the Federal judicial code to make the cost of living adjustments in judicial salaries effective in the first pay period beginning on or after January 1 each year (currently, such adjustments are triggered by General Schedule adjustments).
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Due Process for FBI Agents Act - Amends specified Federal law relating to Federal employees to extend to employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation certain procedural and appeal rights with respect to certain adverse personnel actions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to their conscience, nothing in the Constitution shall prohibit acknowledgement of the religious heritage, beliefs, or traditions of the people or prohibit student-sponsored prayer in public schools; and (2) neither the United States nor any State shall compose any official prayer, compel joining in prayer, or discriminate against religious expression or belief.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to provide that: (1) the special rule concerning annual cost-of-living adjustments to retired military pay for individuals who first became members of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986, shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998); and (2) the initial month that such increase is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the year following the effective date of such increase.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Billy and Ruth Graham in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of Congress the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received by the Secretary to carry out this Act and any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates exceeds the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1995
Smithsonian Institution Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the scientific, educational, and cultural significance of the Smithsonian Institution. Mandates that: (1) all but a certain portion of surcharges received from coin sales be paid by the Secretary to the Smithsonian Institution for such purposes as its Board of Regents determines to be appropriate; and (2) a certain portion of such surcharges be dedicated to supporting the operation and activities of the National Numismatic Collection at the National Museum of American History.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1995
Commends community leaders of the Monterey Peninsula on the central California coast for promoting language resources and endorses the community's efforts to make these resources available throughout the United States. Applauds the goal of the community's public-private partnership which has launched the "Monterey Language Capital of the World" initiative. Encourages other communities to embrace and use their valuable language resources.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless funds for such deployment have been specifically appropriated by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Amends rule XIV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require expenses of any special-order speech to be paid from the Members Representational Allowance of the Member making such speech.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1995
Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1995 - Establishes the National Tourism Board to develop a national travel and tourism strategy for increasing U.S. travel and tourism. Establishes the National Tourism Organization as a non-Federal non-profit organization to implement the national travel and tourism strategy. Directs the Secretary of State and the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) to: (1) place priority on implementing recommendations by the National Tourism Board; and (2) cooperate with the National Tourism Organization. Authorizes the President to transfer up to 25 staff members of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration to the Foreign Service or the Commercial Service for two years to assist the Organization in its start-up activities. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's (TPCC) Federal trade promotion plan to reflect, among other things, recommendations by the National Tourism Board. Makes the President of the National Tourism Organization a member of the TPCC.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1995
State Water Sovereignty Protection Act - Directs the United States, whenever it seeks to appropriate water or acquire a water right within a State, to be subject to all procedural and substantive laws of that State relating to its water rights and uses. Gives consent to join the United States in any State proceeding relating to the allocation or use of a water right. Subjects management and control of water within a State to the laws of such State. Delegates to the respective States the authority to regulate water. Allows the United States to exercise management and control of water within a State only in compliance with that State's laws. Subjects the United States to the imposition of costs and fees in a proceeding to the same extent as a private party.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1995
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) in the negotiation of any peace agreement between the parties to the conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there should not be a presumption, and it should not be considered to be a prerequisite to the successful conclusion of such a negotiation, that enforcement of such agreement will involve deployment of U.S. armed forces on the ground in the territory of the Republic; and (2) no U.S. armed forces should be deployed on the ground in such territory to enforce a peace agreement until the Congress has approved the deployment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for the ground deployment of U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of any peacekeeping operation or implementation force, unless the deployment is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1995
Animal Drug Availability Act of 1995 - Amends Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provisions relating to new animal drugs to redefine "substantial evidence" to mean evidence from one or more scientifically sound studies including, as appropriate, in vitro studies, studies in laboratory animals, bioequivalence studies, and any studies voluntarily undertaken by or for the applicant that provide some assurance that the drug will have the intended effect. Excludes a claim for the use of a drug in a minor species or a minor use of a drug from disapproval, if there is an application filed for the drug which is approved prior to the submission of the claim. Allows consideration, when a new animal drug contains more than one active ingredient or its labeling suggests use of the drug in combination with another animal drug, only of whether any of the active ingredients or any of the drugs in the combination, at the longest withdrawal time of any of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination, exceeds its established tolerance or interferes with the methods of analysis for another of the active ingredients or drugs in the combination. Requires the Secretary to issue proposed regulations implementing the provisions of this section which: (1) further define "substantial evidence;" (2) take into account the proposals contained in the citizen petition submitted by the American Veterinary Association and the Animal Health Institute; and (3) provide for the opportunity for a conference to make a decision establishing a submission or an investigational requirement. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove the application within 90 (currently 180) days of receipt of the application. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) the Secretary to refer disputed issues received in writing from an applicant to an advisory committee or to a special Government employee; and (2) the committee or employee to submit a report containing recommendations regarding the matter. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to refuse approval of an application if information submitted with respect to the drug indicates that any use suggested in labeling proposed for that drug will result in a unsafe amount of residue. (Sec. 7) Permits the export of an unsafe (as defined in the Act) new animal drug, if it is not in conflict with the laws of the country to which it is exported. (Currently, such export is prohibited.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, notwithstanding provisions for the accelerated phase-out of class I substances (primarily chlorofluorocarbons and halons) or any other provision of law, to promulgate regulations allowing the production of chlorofluorocarbons and halons listed as class I substances to the extent that production does not exceed the limitations set forth in production phase-out schedules, thus superseding any previous regulation relating to the phase-out of the production or consumption of such substances. Permits any unused allowances of any producer or consumer to be equitably redistributed to other producers and consumers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the base tax amount, effective with calendar year 1996, used to calculate the amount of the excise tax on ozone-depleting chemicals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1995
Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation Incentive Act of 1995 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, within two years after the listing of an animal or plant as endangered under this Act, to develop a plan for the conservation or recovery of the endangered species, or upon finding that such a plan will not promote the conservation or recovery of such species, to develop a conservation or recovery statement. Requires the Secretary: (1) in developing and implementing the plans, to give priority to those endangered species that are most likely to benefit; and to those endangered species that are more genetically complex, taxonomically unique or ecologically, medicinally, or economically valuable; and (2) to give priority to the latter with respect to developing statements. Requires each such plan or statement to include: (1) site-specific conservation or recovery actions; (2) criteria for removal from the endangered species list; (3) time estimates for carrying out measures; (4) species population goals and current population estimates; (5) social and economic benefits of species conservation; and (6) a description and the status of animals of the same species or sub-genus. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures for making the draft of a plan or statement available for public comment; (2) approval of the plan or statement; (3) public notification of such approval; (4) amendment of the plan; (5) outside assistance for the development of a plan or statement; and (6) applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act to recovery teams. Allows the Secretary, upon determining that it will contribute to the conservation or recovery of an endangered species, to provide scientific, technical, administrative, or financial assistance to private, State, or lesser government entities to: (1) establish voluntary agreements with non-Federal land owners for up to 25 years to improve, maintain, or create habitat for endangered species; (2) promote conservation through commerce by providing assistance to, entering into agreements with, or otherwise encouraging for-profit and not-for-profit companies, organizations, and individuals involved in such activities; (3) acquire property from willing sellers; and (4) take other nonregulatory conservation or recovery measures. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a system of awards and rewards for participation in voluntary and cooperative programs that further the conservation or recovery of endangered species; and (2) maintain a public database of information valuable to the conservation of endangered species. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with any State that is designed to directly further the management of endangered species or their habitat and thereby promote the conservation or recovery of such endangered species through the provision of scientific, technical, or managerial assistance or through the provision of contracts. Allows the Secretary to provide scientific, technical, or administrative assistance to other Federal agencies to promote the conservation or recovery of endangered species. Requires the Secretary to: (1) assess whether major Federal projects will directly and significantly reduce the likelihood that an endangered species may be conserved or recovered; and (2) transmit such findings to the Federal agencies conducting the projects and to the Congress. Defines, for purposes of this Act, "major Federal project" to mean any individual Federal undertaking, permit, or license directly resulting in a Federal expenditure of more than $2 million. Authorizes the Secretary to bring an action to enjoin any activity which the Secretary can reasonably demonstrate to destroy an endangered species or its habitat and to bring one additional action to enjoin such activity if attempts, during the injunction, to negotiate a voluntary conservation agreement with the property owner are unsuccessful. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) limitations on such injunctions; (2) orders to enter a property to capture or collect and remove endangered species that otherwise face imminent damage or destruction; (3) U.S. liability for all damages and losses incurred by a property owner resulting from such entry; (4) acquisition of property pursuant to this Act; and (5) a requirement for the Secretary to monitor the success of voluntary agreements and other voluntary efforts under this Act in conserving and recovering endangered species. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to determine whether any animal or plant is endangered based on: (1) the present or imminent destruction, adverse modification, or curtailment of a significant portion of its habitat or range; (2) disease or predation; (3) an extremely limited range or population; (4) other adequate and verifiable scientifically valid data indicating natural or manmade factors adversely affecting the species' continued existence. Allows the Secretary of Commerce to recommend to the Secretary of the Interior that an animal or plant is endangered and that it should be enumerated in, or removed from, the list of endangered species published under this Act. Requires such action to be implemented if the Secretary of the Interior concurs. Prohibits inclusion of an animal or plant in such list or its removal from the list without a prior favorable determination made by the Secretary of Commerce. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the procedures and requirements for determining whether an animal or plant should be included in, or removed from, the list; (2) an emergency listing of animals or plants determined to be in danger of imminent extinction; (3) the effectiveness of such determination for up to one year; (4) a one time renewal of such emergency listing; (5) termination of the effectiveness of such emergency determination after the date of its publication in the Federal Register; and (6) the establishment of an emergency listing. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, within one year of determining that an animal or plant is endangered, to determine whether recovery is a feasible goal for the endangered species and to publish such determination and the basis for it in the Federal Register. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and make available to the public through electronic means a list of every animal and plant for which there is in effect a determination by the Secretary or the Secretary of Commerce that the animal or plant is endangered. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) petitions for judicial review by persons who may be directly and substantially affected by actions taken or determination or finding pursuant to this Act; (2) court standards in reviewing such petitions; and (3) the definition of "substantial evidence" when applicable to any act or determination under this Act which is reviewable under the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires the Secretary to implement a system, in cooperation with the States, to monitor effectively for at least five years the status of all animals and plants which: (1) have recovered to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to this Act are no longer necessary; and (2) have been removed from the list. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the President and to the Congress on efforts to conserve and recover endangered species. (Sec. 6) Sets forth civil or criminal penalties for: (1) directly and intentionally killing or physically injuring a member of any vertebrate species which is properly included in the list, except that uses of endangered species such as hunting, fishing, captive propagation, and harvesting that contribute to the endangered animal's survival or conservation shall be allowed; (2) knowingly and intentionally violating an injunction or order issued pursuant to this Act; (3) in knowing violation of this Act, maliciously and in the pursuit of personal gain as a direct result thereof, intentionally killing or directly and intentionally physically injuring a member of a vertebrate species which is properly included in the published list or a member of an endangered species while trespassing on private property or while in a National Park or National Wildlife Refuge. Sets forth civil penalties for intentionally capturing, collecting, or trapping, and for directly and intentionally killing or directly and intentionally physically insuring, any listed vertebrate animal or plant on any property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, while trespassing on private property, or while on federally owned lands within a National Park and National Wildlife Refuge. Sets forth provisions: (1) prohibiting penalties from being imposed upon a defendant, under certain conditions, who was acting to protect himself or herself or other individuals from bodily harm or to protect private property from significant damage; and (2) specifying as a defense against charges brought under this Act that the defendant had the owner's consent and the animal or plant was owned before the date of inclusion of its taxonomic unit on the list or that it was the progeny of such animal or plant or was otherwise lawfully acquired. Allows the Secretary to waive the violations in this Act to protect public health and safety or for national security or a national, regional, or local emergency. Directs the Secretary, under certain conditions, to permit persons or States to commit actions to contribute to furthering the conservation of an endangered species. (Sec. 7) Directs Federal departments and agencies to conserve or recover endangered species on Federal lands and, with the owner's consent, on State and private lands and to utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. Requires Federal agencies to cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert with conservation or recovery of endangered animals and plants in a manner consistent with, and governed by, State water law. Prohibits water rights protected under State law from being injured or adversely affected in carrying out this Act without just compensation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed so as to modify the allocation of water among or between States pursuant to either interstate compacts or decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Requires the Secretary to make the following information available by electronic means such as Internet and to seek to make access to such information available at minimal cost and inconvenience to those seeking the information: (1) notices issued by the Secretary under this Act that would appear in the Federal Register or other forums of public notice; (2) recovery or conservation plans and statements; (3) the list; (4) the biennial report to the President and to the Congress; and (5) other materials received regarding or produced in implementing this Act. (Sec. 8) Establishes the Endangered Species Recovery Fund in the Treasury to be made available to the Secretary to carry out this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary, except with respect to federally designated wilderness areas, to: (1) establish or impose any user or admission fees for lands for which such a fee is not in effect on this Act's enactment; (2) increase that portion of any user or admission fee which shall be directed to the Fund by more than one dollar; or (3) direct any more than that amount from such fee to the Fund. Requires the Secretary to establish and issue to individuals a Lifetime User Pass for a fee not to exceed $500 which shall permit such individual to enter National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Recreation Areas, National Seashores, National Lakeshores, or National Monuments. Allows the Secretary to accept donations from the public to carry out this Act, with the exception of donations from persons having business with, or matters pending before, the Secretary's department. (Sec. 9) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) a 100 percent property tax credit for private property or a portion thereof that is managed to promote the conservation or recovery of an endangered species by providing habitat which is used or occupied by an endangered species; and (2) a credit of up to 100 percent for expenditures for furthering the conservation or recovery of an endangered species pursuant to an agreement entered into with the Secretary under this Act. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Secretary to undertake activities to further the conservation or recovery of endangered species by the collection, storing, and use of: (1) genetic materials, eggs, sperm, or tissue of endangered animals; and (2) genetic material, seeds, or tissue of endangered plants. (Sec. 11) Amends the Endangered Species Act (the Act) to define "harm" for purposes of such Act to mean an intentional and direct action that injures or kills any member of an endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife other than as an unintended consequence of otherwise lawful activity. Prohibits an action permitting activity on private property from being subject to the requirements or procedures outlined in such Act. Prohibits the Secretary from taking actions under the Act to determine endangered and threatened species and to designate critical habitat. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) inclusion of, or removal from, the list of species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the Act; and (2) compensation to a owner of property whose use of any portion of that property has been limited by an action taken after this Act's enactment that diminishes the fair market value of such portion by 20 percent or more. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
FEHBP-Medical Savings Account Promotion Act of 1995 - Amends Federal civil service law to permit Federal employees and annuitants enrolled in a catastrophic plan to elect to receive Government contributions into medical savings accounts provided for by this Act under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to cover qualified medical expenses: (1) to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise; or (2) for long-term care insurance for the individual, spouse, or dependent. Prohibits the use of account funds to pay for coverage under any kind of health plan except a catastrophic or long-term care insurance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1995
Natural Gas Competitiveness Act of 1995 - Permits independent natural gas producers to act together in associations to collectively produce, gather, transport, process, store, handle, and market natural gas in both domestic and foreign commerce. Requires the Attorney General to file an antitrust complaint against any such association which monopolizes or restrains trade to such an extent that the price of natural gas or natural gas liquid is unduly enhanced. Sets forth procedural guidelines for the filing of such a complaint. Provides for antitrust and market and price-discrimination actions against an association under the Sherman and the Clayton Acts, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1995 - Title I: Coordination of Federal Enforcement - Requires the Inspectors General of specified Federal agencies to conduct audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations regarding the prevention, detection, and control of health care fraud and abuse. Requires the Inspector General and the Attorney General to establish a health care fraud and abuse program that takes into account the activities of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, Federal and State health care provider licensing and certification agencies, and certain State agencies. (Sec. 102) Mandates State designation of State agencies that conduct, supervise, and coordinate such audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations. Allows State designation of a State agency to act as a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit for purposes of this title. Sets forth Unit requirements. Requires annual payments to States. (Sec. 104) Establishes in the Treasury the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account containing: (1) fines, penalties, damages, and the proceeds of seizures and forfeitures relating to the provision of health care items and services; and (2) gifts, bequests, and devises. Makes amounts available to the Inspector General and the Attorney General for expenses under specified provisions of this Act and reimbursements to other Inspectors General and Federal, State, and local agencies. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the acceptance, use, and disposal of gifts, bequests, or devises. (Sec. 106) Requires reimbursement: (1) to Federal agencies for the expenses of carrying out provisions of this title; and (2) subject to availability of funds, to State or local law enforcement agencies that participated directly in any activity that led to Account deposits. (Sec. 107) Establishes the Account Payments Advisory Board to make recommendations regarding the equitable allocation of amounts from the Account. (Sec. 108) Mandates establishment of a data base for the reporting of final adverse actions taken by a Government agency against health care providers, suppliers, practitioners, or benefit programs. Requires each Government agency to report such actions. Makes the information in the data base available to the public, Federal and State agencies, and benefit programs. Allows disclosure fees. Title II: Revisions to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "Federal health care offense" to include violation of, or conspiracy or attempt to violate, specified provisions of: (1) that code; (2) the Social Security Act; (3) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); (4) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); or (5) the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986. (Sec. 202) Mandates fines or imprisonment for (in connection with a health care benefit program) defrauding or attempting to defraud, theft or embezzlement, knowing and willful false statements, bribery, certain remunerations (including kickbacks and rebates), and obstruction of a criminal investigation of a health care offense. Authorizes civil actions, civil penalties, and injunctive relief for health care offenses. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue summonses. (Sec. 211) Authorizes disclosure of grand jury information for use in a civil investigation or proceeding related to a health care offense. (Sec. 212) Includes Federal health care offenses in: (1) the definition of "specified unlawful activity" for provisions relating to money laundering; and (2) provisions allowing additional penalties for telemarketing that victimizes or targets persons over the age of 55. Authorizes the interception of wire or oral communications in cases where the interception may provide evidence of health care bribery, illegal remunerations, or fraud. Adds references to health care bribery, theft, embezzlement, and fraud to the definition of "racketeering activity" for provisions relating to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO). Mandates forfeiture of any property constituting or derived from a Federal health care offense. Allows a reward for information on a Federal health care offense. Title III: Anti-Fraud Initiatives Under Medicare and Medicaid - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the SSA) of an individual who has an ownership or control interest in, or who is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee of, an entity: (1) convicted of any offense under specified SSA mandatory or permissive exclusion provisions; (2) against which a civil penalty has been assessed under specified SSA provisions; or (3) that has been excluded from Medicare or Medicaid. Imposes civil fines on a person for presenting a claim for an item or service provided by the person's excluded employee or agent. Requires funds received as civil fines and assessments under certain SSA provisions and remaining after other dispositions (required by current law) to be deposited in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account established under this Act (currently, to be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury). (Sec. 302) Provides for the modification of existing and the establishment of new safe harbors. (Sec. 303) Requires implementation of an initiative of December 1994 to expedite Medicare payment inherent reasonableness adjustments. (Sec. 304) Requires inclusion of information on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare information distributed under specified provisions. (Sec. 305) Mandates a system providing for a unique identifier for each individual or entity (currently, for each physician) who furnishes items or services for which Medicare payment may be made. (Sec. 306) Requires reimbursement from agencies or organizations that facilitate payment to Medicare providers, and from carriers used for the administration of Medicare benefits, for any amounts paid for a service while the provider is excluded from Medicare participation. Replaces provisions allowing payment to individuals eligible for benefits for services provided by excluded individuals or entities in certain circumstances with provisions prohibiting providers from billing or collecting for items or services provided while the provider is excluded. Makes the recipient not liable for payment of any bill submitted in violation and allows certain sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1995
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to provide for payments to State and local prisons for monthly reports on the identities of inmates ineligible for benefits, especially those erroneously paid such a benefit. Denies SSI benefits for ten years to a person found to have fraudulently obtained such benefits while in prison.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Property Rights and Voluntary Incentives for Private Property Owners Title II: Improving Ability to Comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 Title III: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures Title IV: Recognizing Other Federal Action, Laws, and Missions Title V: Better Management and Conservation of Listed Species Title VI: Habitat Protections Title VII: State Authority to Protect Endangered and Threatened Species Title VIII: Funding of Conservation Measures Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions Endangered Species Conservation and Management Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the Act) to revise: (1) the findings and purposes of the Act to include consideration of economic impacts and property owners' rights while encouraging practices that protect species; and (2) the policy of the Act to prohibit the Federal Government from using or limiting the use of privately owned property when such action diminishes the value of such property without payment of fair market value to the owner of private property. Title I: Private Property Rights and Voluntary Incentives for Private Property Owners - Amends the Act to prohibit the Government from taking an agency action affecting privately or non-federally owned property under the Act which results in diminishment of value of any portion of that property by 20 percent or more unless compensation is offered in accordance with this title. Requires the Federal agency that takes an action that exceeds that amount to compensate the private property owner for the otherwise lawful use or limitation on such use in the amount of the diminution in value of the portion of that property resulting from such use or limitation. Specifies that, if the diminution in value of a portion of that property is greater than 50 percent, at the option of the owner, the agency shall buy that portion and pay fair market value based on the value of the property before the use or limitation was imposed. Directs that compensation paid reflect the duration of the use or limitation necessary to achieve the purposes of the Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures for written requests for compensation by the owner; (2) agency negotiations with that owner to reach agreement; (3) choice of remedies; (4) arbitration; (5) civil actions (an owner who prevails in a civil action against the agency shall be entitled to the amount of compensation awarded plus reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs); (6) source of payments; (7) availability of appropriations (any U.S. obligation to make such a payment shall be subject to the availability of appropriations); and (8) duty of notice to owners of agency actions limiting the use of private property and of procedures for obtaining compensation. (Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), in carrying out the program authorized by the Act, to cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the States and other non-Federal persons, including consultation before acquiring any land or water, or interest therein, for the purpose of conserving any endangered or threatened species. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative management agreement with any State or local government or non-Federal person for the management of a species listed as endangered or threatened, to be listed, or which is a candidate for listing, or for the management or acquisition of an area which provides habitat for a species, subject to specified limitations. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) environmental assessments; (2) the effect of listing a species; and (3) violations of such agreements. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to certain non-Federal persons for the purpose of conserving, preserving, or improving habitat for any species that is determined to be an endangered or threatened species upon determining that: (1) the property for which the grant is provided contains habitat that significantly contributes to the protection of the population of the species and has been managed for species protection for a sufficient period of time to significantly contribute to the protection of the species population; and (2) the management of the habitat advances the interest of species protection. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to initiate a program to provide technical advice and assistance to non-Federal persons who wish to participate in achieving the conservation objective for a species for which a conservation goal has been adopted. (Sec. 105) Specifies that nothing in the Act shall be construed to supersede, abrogate, or otherwise impair any right or authority of a State to allocate or administer quantities of water. Title II: Improving Ability to Comply With the Endangered Species Act of 1973 - Amends the Act to provide that an activity of a non-Federal person is not a taking of a species if the activity: (1) is consistent with the provisions of a final conservation plan or conservation objective; (2) complies with the terms and conditions of an incidental take permit or a cooperative management agreement; (3) addresses a critical, imminent threat to public health or safety or a catastrophic natural event, or is mandated by any Federal, State, or local government agency for public health or safety purposes; or (4) is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity that occurs in an area of the territorial sea or exclusive economic zone that is not designated as critical habitat and the affected species is not a species of fish. Makes enforcement provisions and provisions regarding rewards and incidental expenses paid by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury applicable specifically to endangered or threatened species of fish and wildlife (current law doesn't specify endangered or threatened species). Specifies that no interpretation, policy, guideline, finding, or other informal determination may be relied upon by the Secretary in the implementation and enforcement of the Act unless such determination has been the subject of a proposed rule, subject to specified requirements. Places the burden on the Secretary to show that a specimen belongs to a species which is determined to be an endangered or threatened species. Authorizes civil suits by persons who have suffered or are threatened with economic or other injury resulting from actions by Federal officials with respect to enforcement of the Act under specified circumstances. (Sec. 202) Defines, for purposes of the Act: (1) "take" to mean to harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in that conduct; and (2) "harm" to mean to take a direct action against any member of an endangered species of fish or wildlife that actually injures or kills a member of the species. (Sec. 203) Authorizes non-Federal persons to initiate consultation with the Secretary on any prospective activity: (1) to determine if the activity is consistent with a conservation plan or objective; or (2) if the person determines that the activity is inconsistent, to determine whether the activity is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or to destroy or adversely modify the designated critical habitat of the species in a manner that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species. (Sec. 204) Sets forth or revises provisions regarding: (1) incidental take permit requirements; (2) general, research, and educational permits; (3) maintenance of aquatic habitats for listed species; (4) compliance with international requirements and treaties; and (5) incentives for protection of marine species. Title III: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures - Revises provisions of the Act regarding determinations that a species is endangered or threatened to direct the Secretary to make such determinations based on specified factors, including: (1) the present or threatened loss of its habitat; and (2) the inadequacy of existing Federal, State, and local government regulatory mechanisms. Requires the Secretary to make such determinations solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available after conducting a review of the status of the species and after soliciting and fully considering the best scientific and commercial data available concerning the status of a species from any affected State or any interested non-Federal person, taking into account other specified factors. Sets forth or revises provisions regarding: (1) consideration of State recommendations; (2) listing of foreign species; (3) soliciting scientific information; (4) emergency listings; (5) use of the best scientific and commercial data; (6) identifying data used for decisions; (7) judicial review; (8) peer review; (9) making data public; (10) improving the petition and designation processes; (11) greater State involvement; (12) monitoring the status of species; and (13) petitions to delist species. Title IV: Recognizing Other Federal Action, Laws, and Missions - Amends the Act to direct: (1) the Secretary to review other programs administered by the Secretary and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of the Act; and (2) each Federal agency to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or destroy or adversely modify any habitat that is designated by the Secretary as critical habitat of the species in a manner that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) involvement of applicants for Federal approvals; (2) conferring on candidate species; (3) limitations on modifications to land management; (4) resolving conflicts between Federal agencies; (5) procedures for consultation; and (6) activities prior to completion of consultation. (Sec. 402) Sets forth provisions regarding exemptions from consultation and conferencing requirements. Specifies that an agency action shall not constitute a taking of a species prohibited by the Act or any regulation thereunder if the action is consistent with those provided for in a final conservation plan or a conservation objective under this Act, or a cooperative management agreement or an incidental take permit. (Sec. 403) Eliminates the Endangered Species Committee and related provisions. Title V: Better Management and Conservation of Listed Species - Amends the Act to direct the Secretary to publish a conservation objective and a conservation plan for each species determined to be an endangered or threatened species. Requires the Secretary: (1) within 30 days after the listing determination, to appoint an assessment and planning team (which shall report to the Secretary within 180 days the assessment of specified biological, economic, and intergovernmental factors with respect to the listed species); and (2) within 210 days, to review the report to establish a conservation objective for the species and publish in the Federal Register the conservation objective, along with a statement of findings on which the objective was established. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary, in the development and implementation of a conservation plan, to accord specified priorities, including to: (1) the development of an integrated plan for two or more endangered or threatened species that are likely to benefit from an integrated conservation plan; and (2) nonregulatory, incentive-based conservation measures and commercial activities that provide a net benefit to the conservation of the species. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) publication of a draft plans; (2) contents of such plan; (3) plan preparation procedures; (4) publication of a final plan; (5) participation by other persons; (6) plan revision or amendment; and (7) lack of further procedures or requirements for actions consistent with the conservation plan. (Sec. 503) Delineates procedures regarding: (1) management prior to publication of a conservation plan; (2) emergency rulemaking protections; (3) suspension of conservation plans or objectives; (4) non-delegation of duties; and (5) review of conservation plans. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate critical habitat of a species determined to be an endangered or threatened species that meets specified requirements utilizing the National Biodiversity Reserve (see Title VI) as a first priority; and (2) revise a critical habitat designation on determining that such habitat does not meet such requirements. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) deadlines for designation; (2) basis for designation (directs the Secretary to exclude any area from critical habitat which does not meet the definition as set forth in this Act, which is not necessary to achieve the conservation objective for the affected species, for which the Secretary determines that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation (with exceptions), and in the case of property owned by a non-Federal person, where the owner has not given written consent to the designation or has not been compensated); (3) procedure for designation; and (4) judicial review of the critical habitat designation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the standard for judicial review of decisions regarding conservation objectives or plans; (2) conservation plans for foreign species; and (3) the definition of critical habitat. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) utilize captive propagation as a means of protecting or conserving an endangered or threatened species; and (2) provide annual grants to non-Federal persons to fund captive propagation programs if the Secretary determines that such a program contributes to enhancement of the population of such a species. (Sec. 506) Revises provisions regarding experimental populations to require the Secretary, before authorizing the release of a population of endangered or threatened species outside the current range of such species, to identify the precise boundaries of the geographic area for the release and determine whether the release is in the public interest. Provides that: (1) any member of an experimental population found outside the geographic area in which the population is released shall not be treated as a threatened species if the member poses a threat to the welfare of the public; and (2) critical habitat shall not be designated under the Act for any experimental population determined to be not essential to the continued existence of a species. Sets forth requirements for releases of such populations, including that the Secretary require that: (1) to the maximum extent practicable, the release occurs only in a unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System; (2) the regulations authorizing the release identify precisely the geographic area for the release; and (3) a release on non-Federal land occurs only with the written consent of the owner of the land. (Sec. 507) Revises provisions regarding regulations to protect threatened species to direct the Secretary to issue, concurrently with the regulation that provides for the listing of the species, such regulations as the Secretary deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of such species. Specifies that prohibitions applied to the threatened species shall address the specific circumstances of such species and may not be as restrictive as such prohibition for endangered species. Requires conservation guidelines to include a system for developing and implementing, on a priority basis, conservation objectives and conservation plans. Directs the Secretary to provide to the public notice of, and opportunity to submit written comments on, any guideline proposed to be established. Title VI: Habitat Protections - Establishes a National Biological Diversity Reserve, composed of units of Federal and State lands designated and managed in accordance with this title. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to designate to the Reserve by regulation those units of the national conservation systems which are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned and which the Secretary determines would contribute to the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of biological diversity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate to the Reserve a unit of State-owned lands if such unit is nominated for designation by the Governor of the State and is managed under State law in accordance with this title; (2) designate to the Reserve privately owned land that is nominated for designation by the owner of the land, and remove such land from the Reserve if the owner requests removal; (3) remove from the Reserve a unit designated which the Secretary finds is not managed under State law in accordance with this title; and (4) remove from the Reserve any State-owned lands at the request of the Governor of that State. Requires: (1) each unit of the Reserve to have as an objective for the management thereof the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of biological diversity; and (2) within one year of the designation of a unit to the Reserve, the manager of such unit to complete, and the Secretary concerned to make available to the public by notice in the Federal Register, an inventory of the species composing the biological diversity within such unit. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary, and the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the National Forest System, to establish and implement a program to conserve fish, wildlife, and plants, including those which are determined to be endangered or threatened species. Provides that, to carry out such program, the appropriate Secretary: (1) shall utilize the land acquisition and other authority under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, as appropriate; and (2) is authorized to acquire lands, waters, or interests therein (lands). (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage exchanges of lands within the jurisdiction of each Secretary (other than units of the National Park System and the National Wilderness Preservation System) for lands that are not in Federal ownership and that are affected by this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding the timing of exchanges, environmental assessment, expeditious exchange decisions, applicable law, and valuation of lands acquired. Title VII: State Authority to Protect Endangered and Threatened Species - Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to a State which establishes and maintains an adequate program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species the authority contained in this Act with respect to species of fish, wildlife, and plants that are residents in the State. Requires the Secretary, within 120 days after receiving a certified copy of a proposed State program, to determine whether such program will be adequate to provide protections to endangered and threatened species in such State, based on specified guidelines. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) Federal financial assistance to a State which has received such delegation; (2) contents of a delegation agreement; (3) State compliance with this Act; (4) review of State programs; and (5) conflicts between Federal and State laws. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary, in any instance in which a State has a program for management of a native species which is the subject of a request for an export permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to act in accordance with the recommendation of the State unless the Secretary makes a finding and publishes a notice in the Federal Register that scientific evidence justifies a conclusion contrary to the advice of the State. Authorizes the State which is subject to such a finding, or any person in that State directly affected because of inability to obtain a permit, to appeal the finding to an administrative law judge or a court. Places the burden on the Secretary to show that the evidence supports a finding contrary to the recommendation of the State. Title VIII: Funding of Conservation Measures - Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture through FY 2001 to carry out the Act, including for cooperative management agreements, Convention implementation, non-Federal conservation planning, and habitat conservation grants. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary, for any non-Federal person or Federal power marketing administration, to pay half of any direct costs that result from the compliance by the person or administration mandated by a conservation plan or measure that provides protection to a listed species under a plan developed under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act, including a plan that provides protection to a larger population unit of the same listed species. Sets forth provisions regarding consultation requirements, incidental take permits, cooperative management agreements, method of cost-sharing, existing cost-sharing agreements, and adjustments to the cost-sharing percentage. (Sec. 803) Establishes in the Treasury an Endangered Species and Threatened Species Conservation Trust Fund. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines or redefines the terms: (1) "non-Federal person"; and (2) "commercial activity." (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify those species which are listed under the Act as a result of being determined to be a population segment; and (2) review and determine whether or not it is in the national interest to continue to list each such segment. Requires those segments which the Secretary recommends for continued listing to be submitted to the Congress for approval, and that any segment not determined to be in the national interest to be delisted. (Sec. 903) Requires the Secretary to publish a list of all species that were determined to be endangered or threatened species for which no final recovery plans were issued, divided equally into three tiers of priority for preparation of conservation objectives and plans (with any species listed as an endangered or threatened species in more than one State being placed in the first tier of priority). Directs the Secretary to publish a conservation objective, draft conservation plan, and final conservation plan for each species within each tier of priority according to a specified timetable. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) priority for revision of existing plans (for listed species with recovery plans); (2) a schedule for revision of plans; (3) species for which no conservation plan is required; (4) a prohibition on additional requirements; and (5) existing biological opinions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1995
Federal Aviation Administration Revitalization Act of 1995 - Establishes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an independent Federal agency to succeed the FAA which is currently part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). (Sec. 3) Establishes a Federal Aviation Board (Board), which shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer. Directs the Board to develop, and submit to the Congress, a personnel management system for the Administration. Establishes the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Committee to provide advice and counsel to the Administration. Prohibits the FAA, without the prior approval of the Board, from issuing a proposed or final regulation, airworthiness directive, or advisory circular that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, or by the private sector, of $10 million or more in any one year. Provides an exception in cases of an emergency. Requires Department of Transportation (DOT) review of all proposed or final FAA regulations. Directs the Board to develop, and submit to the Congress, an acquisition management system for the FAA. Permits the judicial review of Administration actions. (Sec. 4) Revises Federal transportation law to require the Chief Executive Officer to prepare, subject to Board approval, an annual budget for the FAA. (Sec. 5) Requires the FAA to publish cost-benefit analyses of minimum aircraft safety regulations that result in annualized compliance costs in excess of $25 million. (Sec. 6) Declares that receipts and disbursements of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the President's or Congress' budget; (2) shall be exempt from any general budget limitations; and (3) shall be exempt from the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the FAA to make annual estimates of unfunded aviation authorizations and net aviation receipts at the close of the following fiscal year. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator of the current FAA to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking or a denial of the petition in Docket 27791 of the FAA relating to increasing the fee that airlines retain in collecting passenger facility charges. Makes such fee increase sought in such petition effective if the Administrator fails to respond to the petition. (Sec. 9) Requires the Board to establish a select panel to review and report to the Congress on innovative financing mechanisms for ensuring adequate funding for existing and future aviation infrastructure needs. (Sec. 13) Terminates the FAA of the DOT. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to terminate 200 employee positions in the Office of the Secretary to reflect reductions in the aviation responsibilities in such office. (Sec. 15) Amends Federal transportation law to make conforming amendments to reflect FAA changes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1995
Requires a constitutional authority clause to follow the enacting clause of any Act of Congress or the resolving clause of any joint resolution. Requires a similar clause before each title, section, subsection, or paragraph which relies on a different constitutional provision.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Congress should adopt a Peace Through Strength Strategy for the post-Cold War era, based on the following general principles and goals: (1) the United States must accept and maintain global leadership through a clear and consistent articulation of vital U.S. national interests and goals; (2) the United States must maintain highly trained, well-equipped, combat-ready military forces and the national will to prevail in any conflict; (3) U.S. interests are promoted through participation in global and regional political, military, and economic organizations, treaties, and alliances, but the United States must retain its sovereignty and reserve the right to act unilaterally; (4) national wealth and economic strength are the foundation of all forms of power; (5) the economic vitality of the United States rests not only on free market competitiveness but also on responsible financial management; (6) the United States must expand effective human and technical intelligence capabilities to anticipate, detect, and respond to emerging threats; (7) the United States will act to lessen, prevent, and eliminate security threats, including those posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of high technology conventional arms, terrorism, drug trafficking, and disruption of access to vital resources; (8) national security policy must be explained to the public in the clear context of national interests and a realistic strategy for protecting those interests; (9) the United States must maintain a strong technological and industrial base with a skilled workforce to support superior U.S. global economic competitiveness and military preparedness; and (10) the United States must systematically and sharply reduce its dependence on imported oil.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement, Pilot Programs, and Interior Enforcement Subtitle A: Improved Enforcement at Border Subtitle B: Pilot Programs Subtitle C: Interior Enforcement Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States Subtitle D: Additional Provisions Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits Subtitle B: Changes in Preference System Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions Subtitle D: General Effective Date; Transition Provisions Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Immigration in the National Interest Act of 1995 - Title I: Deterrence of Illegal Immigration Through Improved Border Enforcement, Pilot Programs, and Interior Enforcement - Subtitle A: Improved Border Enforcement - Increases: (1) the Border Patrol; and (2) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) border enforcement and related personnel. (Sec. 102) Provides for barrier and road improvements at U.S. border areas of high illegal entry, including San Diego, California. Authorizes appropriations for San Diego area improvements. (Sec. 103) Provides for improved border equipment and technology. (Sec. 104) Provides for biometric identifiers to be included in border crossing identification cards. (Sec. 105) Establishes civil penalties for illegal U.S. entry. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations for detention and prosecution of aliens who have unlawfully entered the United States at least twice. (Sec. 107) Provides for inservice Border Patrol training. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Pilot Programs - Establishes pilot programs for: (1) deterrence of multiple unauthorized U.S. entries, which may include interior or third party repatriation; (2) use of closed military bases as INS detention centers; and (3) collection of alien departure records. Subtitle C: Interior Enforcement - Provides for increased INS interior investigative and enforcement personnel. Title II: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling; Document Fraud - Subtitle A: Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties Against Alien Smuggling - Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) authorize wiretaps in alien smuggling investigations; and (2) include alien smuggling within racketeering offenses. (Sec. 203) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to revise and increase criminal penalties for alien smuggling. (Sec. 204) Increases the number of Assistant United States Attorneys and provides for their assignment to criminal matters involving illegal aliens. (Sec. 205) Authorizes and provides for INS undercover investigations. Subtitle B: Deterrence of Document Fraud - Amends Federal criminal law and the Act to increase and establish criminal and civil penalties for specified immigration related document fraud offenses, including false citizenship claims. Subtitle C: Asset Forfeiture for Passport and Visa Offenses - Amends Federal criminal law to provide for asset forfeiture for passport and visa offenses. Title III: Inspection, Apprehension, Detention, Adjudication, and Removal of Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens - Subtitle A: Revision of Procedures for Removal of Aliens - Amends the Act to revise alien removal and penalty provisions. (Sec. 309) Sets forth transition provisions with respect to: (1) the Attorney General's option to apply current or revised procedures; (2) judicial review; (3) suspension of deportation; and (4) certain family unity aliens. Subtitle B: Removal of Alien Terrorists - Part 1: Removal Procedures for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to establish a special removal procedure for alien terrorists, including establishment of a special removal court and a panel of special attorneys with access to classified information. (Sec. 322) Authorizes additional appropriations for INS detention and removal of alien terrorists. Part 2: Inadmissibility and Denial of Relief for Alien Terrorists - Amends the Act to make membership in a terrorist organization grounds for U.S. exclusion. (Sec. 332) Denies alien terrorists status adjustment and deportation relief. Subtitle C: Deterring Transportation of Unlawful Aliens to the United States - Amends the Act with regard to vessel and aircraft transportation of illegal aliens into the United States. Subtitle D: Additional Provisions - Authorizes Federal retirees to be used in the Institutional Hearing Program. (Sec. 358) Authorizes additional appropriations to the Attorney General for removing inadmissible or deportable aliens. (Sec. 359) Establishes in the Treasury an Immigration Enforcement Account. (Sec. 360) Declares that Congress advises the President to negotiate prisoner transfer treaties, which may include compensation provisions. (Sec. 361) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct INS to operate a criminal alien identification system. (Sec 363) Authorizes special registration of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Title IV: Enforcement of Restrictions Against Employment - Increases full-time employee positions in: (1) the Investigations Division of INS; and (2) the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor. (Sec. 403) Amends the Act to revise the employer sanctions program. Provides for an employment eligibility confirmation mechanism. Title V: Reform of Legal Immigration System - Amends the Act to restructure current legal immigration categories and levels into the following: (1) family-sponsored immigrants; (2) employment-based immigrants; and (3) humanitarian immigrants. Subtitle A: Worldwide Numerical Limits - Amends the Act to establish fiscal year worldwide limits for such immigrant categories. (Sec. 504) Requires periodic congressional review and reauthorization of worldwide immigration levels. Subtitle B: Changes in Preference System - Amends the Act to limit immediate relatives to spouses and children of U.S. citizens. (Sec. 512) Limits preference allocation for family-sponsored immigrants to: (1) spouses and children of lawful permanent resident aliens; and (2) qualifying parents of U.S. citizens. Requires parents to have adequate health coverage. (Sec. 513) Revises preference allocations for employment-based immigrants. Establishes: (1) a pilot program for smaller alien job creation investors; and (2) conditional permanent resident status for certain foreign language teachers. (Sec. 515) Revises special immigrant status provisions, including: (1) inclusion of certain NATO civilian employees; and (2) extension of status for religious workers. (Sec. 517) Makes specified family and employment-based amendments. Subtitle C: Refugees, Asylees, Parole, and Humanitarian Admissions - Amends the Act to limit annual refugee admissions to 75,000 in FY 1997 or 50,000 in succeeding years unless the Congress provides for additional entries. (Sec. 523) Authorizes the temporary employment of certain retirees to help reduce asylum application backlogs. (Sec. 524) Limits parole entry to a case-by-case basis for humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons. (Sec. 525) Provides for the admission of humanitarian immigrants. (Sec. 526) Revises asylum provisions. Subtitle D: General Effective Date; Transition Provisions - Sets forth transition provisions for specified classification status petitions. Title VI: Restrictions on Benefits for Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility of Illegal Aliens for Public Benefits - Part 1: Public Benefits Generally - Makes illegal aliens ineligible for unemployment benefits and Federal and State assistance, contracts, and licenses, with exceptions for emergency medical services, public health immunizations, and short-term emergency disaster relief. Requires proof of identify for Federal contracts, grants, loans, licenses, and specified public assistance programs. Authorizes States to establish similar requirements. (Sec. 605) Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report on the disqualification of illegal aliens from housing assistance programs. Part 2: Earned Income Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to individuals not authorized to work in the United States. Subtitle B: Expansion of Disqualification from Immigration Benefits on the Basis of Public Charge - Amends the Act to revise public charge grounds for inadmissibility and deportability. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Attributes a sponsor's income and resources to a family-sponsored immigrant for purposes of eligibility for Federal means-tested public benefits programs. (Sec. 632) Amends the Act to set forth sponsor affidavit of support requirements. Title VII: Facilitation of Legal Entry - Provides for: (1) increased numbers of land border inspectors; and (2) border infrastructure improvements. (Sec. 703) Amends the Act to provide for: (1) preinspection at specified foreign airports; and (2) training of airline personnel in fraudulent document detection. Establishes a carrier consultant program. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Act, as amended by the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to revise the definition of "aggravated felony." Amends the Act with regard to: (1) definitions of "child" and "parent"; (2) visa processing procedure; (3) waiver authority concerning notice of visa application denial; (4) Canadian landed immigrants; (5) H-1B nonimmigrants; (6) visa extensions; (7) status adjustment; (8) access to certain confidential INS files; (9) nonimmigrant status for spouses and children of members of the armed forces; (10) fraudulent birth certificates; (11) visa "shopping"; and (12) specified miscellaneous and technical provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Continues existing average fuel economy standards for passenger and non-passenger automobiles until such standards are specifically amended or changed by law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Skeen, Joe [R-NM-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000463_200.jpg)