United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into 30-year agreements with private contractors for the construction, ownership, and operation of specified waste cleanup and modernization facilities if the facilities: (1) are provided at the contractors' expense; (2) are near a Federal site under the Secretary's jurisdiction; and (3) support defense waste cleanup, research, or modernization efforts. Prescribes agreement guidelines. Precludes the Secretary from entering into an agreement without prior submission to the Congress of a needs justification with respect to the engagement of a private contractor, and a demonstration that the proposed agreement is in the best economic interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the benefits of the agreements entered into, and recommendations for possible extension of the agreement authority.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Operation Desert Storm Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one dollar and ten dollar coins emblematic of the United States military's participation in Operation Desert Storm. Prescribes guidelines for the sale of such coins, including the solicitation by the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the United Service Organizations of bids for proposals from marketing organizations to implement a coin marketing agreement. Mandates that such agreement not indicate in any manner that any portion of the sales price to the public constitutes a tax deductible contribution. Sets forth a surcharge distribution scheme. Mandates that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of such coins be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the minting and issuing of such coins not result in any net cost to the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Prohibits Federal funds from being made available to any agency, institution, organization, or entity (agency) that denies the Secretary of Defense, for military recruitment purposes: (1) entry to campuses or access to students on campuses; or (2) access to directory information pertaining to students unless an objection has been raised to the release of such information pursuant to this Act. Requires any educational agency that releases directory information to: (1) give public notice of the categories of such information to be released; and (2) allow a reasonable period of time after such notice has been given for a student or a parent (in the case of an individual younger than 18 years of age) to inform the agency that any or all of such information should not be released without obtaining prior consent from such student or parent. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require students to attend recruitment events.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1991
Agricultural Extended Retirement Credit Act of 1991 - Extends creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System for periods of service in certain Federal-State cooperative programs which had agricultural or related purposes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer to the Department of Agriculture's Surplus Fund the savings resulting from the expedited retirement of those employees of the Department who have been extended such credit. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any budget authority or outlays saved in any fiscal year by reason of implementation of this Act. Requires the surplus budget authority and outlays transferred to the fund to be: (1) deposited by the Secretary in the Treasury to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement Fund, as a Government contribution; and (2) credited against pay and other personnel costs required to be sequestered under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the Comptroller General to notify the Congress of each instance of noncompliance with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Private Property Rights Act of 1991 - Prohibits any regulation issued by an executive agency from becoming effective until that agency is certified by the Attorney General as being in compliance with Executive Order 12630 or similar procedures to assess the potential for, and minimize, the taking of private property by regulatory activity. Limits judicial review of an action taken pursuant to this Act to the question of certification. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) study the effect this Act will have on the farm economy and agricultural production; and (2) report to specified congressional comittees on necessary actions to limit that effect and on Department of Agriculture procedures to minimize the taking of private property in regulatory procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Amends Federal law to increase the Federal payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government for entitlement land. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to adjust such payments by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1991
Declares that the Congress: (1) recognizes and commends the "Bill of Responsibilities" of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; and (2) urges citizens to accept the responsibilities as members of a free society.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Disclaims all Federal right, title, and interest in specified base lands over which the United States holds record title. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture must prepare interim lists of such lands and identify those listed lands which are located wholly or partially within any conservation system unit (and all other listed lands which the Congress has designated for specific management or which the Secretary concerned finds should be retained for specific needs), which shall be excluded from the final list of disclaimed lands. Prescribes guidelines for the preparation of final land lists. Establishes a deadline by which the appropriate Secretary must issue quitclaim deeds for the disclaimed lands. Authorizes claimants to make land claims against the United States in the U.S. Claims Court. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any Bell Telephone Company (BTC), through an affiliate of such company, to manufacture and provide telecommunications equipment, except that no BTC may engage in such manufacturing with an unaffiliated BTC or affiliates thereof. Allows such manufacturing or provision to be conducted only through an affiliate that is separate from any BTC. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to ensure that: (1) such manufacturing affiliate maintains separate accounts and records from its affiliated BTC which identify all financial transactions with the BTC; (2) neither a BTC nor any of its non-manufacturing affiliates carry out sales, advertising, installation, production, or maintenance operations for a manufacturing affiliate, except under specified conditions, such manufacturing affiliate conducts all of its manufacturing activity within the United States and uses component parts manufactured in the United States unless specified requirements regarding good faith efforts to obtain such component parts in the United States and domestic content are met; (3) such affiliate incurs debt entirely separate from and without recourse against the affiliated BTC; (4) such affiliate shall not be required to operate separately from any other affiliates of its BTC; (5) if an affiliate of a BTC becomes affiliated with a manufacturing entity, it shall be treated as a manufacturing affiliate of the BTC; (6) such affiliate shall make available any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such affiliate to any purchasing carrier, so long as each such purchaser does not manufacture such equipment or agrees to make available to the BTC or any of its affiliates any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such purchasing carrier or any of its affiliates for use with the public telecommunications network by such carrier or any of its affiliates; and (7) such affiliate shall not discontinue or restrict sales to other local exchange telephone companies of any telecommunications equipment until arrangements are made to provide to them the specifications, plans, and tools to allow them to arrange for the manufacture of such equipment by another entity. Directs the FCC to require that each BTC maintain and file with the FCC complete information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connections with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities. Prohibits a BTC from disclosing any such information to its affiliates unless such information is immediately so filed. Requires any two or more carriers providing regulated telephone exchange service in the same area to notify each other of the deployment of telecommunications equipment. Requires the FCC to ensure that manufacturers in competition with a BTC's manufacturing affiliate have access to information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connection with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities required for such competition that such BTC makes available to its affiliate. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations to require any BTC which has a manufacturing affiliate to: (1) provide to other manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment that is functionally equivalent to equipment manufactured by BTC affiliates opportunities to sell such equipment to such BTC which are comparable to opportunities the BTC provides to its affiliates; (2) not subsidize its manufacturing affiliate with revenues from its regulated telecommunications service; and (3) only acquire equipment from its manufacturing affiliate at the open market price. Allows a BTC and its affiliates to engage in close collaboration with any manufacturer of customer premises or telecommunications equipment during the design and development of hardware and software relating to such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Fairness for Adopting Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax deduction for qualified adoption expenses. Includes as deductible reasonable and necessary expenses that are directly related to a legal adoption of any child if the adoption has been arranged by a State, local, or other nonprofit agency, or through a private placement. Excludes from an employee's gross income any amounts paid on behalf of the employee by an employer pursuant to a qualified adoption assistance program. Limits both the deduction and the exclusion to $5,000 ($7,000 in the case of an international adoption). Reduces the amount when the taxpayer's income exceeds $60,000. Permits an employer to treat an adoption assistance program as a statutory employee benefit plan, thus making the employer's contributions to such a program tax deductible as business expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Authorizes the States to waive application of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to vehicles used either for transporting farm supplies from retail dealers to or from a farm, for custom harvesting, or in commercial feed yard operations, regardless of whether or not they are controlled or operated by a farmer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify displaced homemakers for the targeted jobs income tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as an individual who: (1) has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but has, during those years, worked in the home providing unpaid services for family members; and (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income or is receiving public assistance on account of dependent children in the home.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Amends Federal law to increase the Federal payments in lieu of taxes to units of local government for entitlement land. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to adjust such payments by the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1991
Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting the payment of veterans' disability compensation to an incompetent veteran having no spouse, child, or dependent when such veteran's estate value exceeds $25,000, until such estate value is reduced to less than $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1991
Intangibles Amortization Clarification Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the amortization of customer based, market share and similar intangible items for purposes of the depreciation deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1991
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to exclude from the definition of "owner or operator," for purposes of limiting liability for releases of hazardous substances, a person who, without participating in the management of a vessel or facility, holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest in such vessel or facility. Defines "indicia of ownership" as an interest in a vessel or facility acquired either for: (1) securing payment of a loan or indebtedness or the performance of an obligation; or (2) protecting a security interest. Makes liable for any release or threatened release of a hazardous substance attributable to their activities: (1) any person who causes the transfer of a vessel or facility subject to a security interest; or (2) a fiduciary or trustee who acquires ownership or control of a vessel or facility. Makes conforming amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Requires the Federal Government, before acquiring 100 or more acres of land in a State in which it already owns at least 25 percent of the land, to dispose of land in that State of value equal to the land to be acquired. Exempts from the applicability of this Act certain land held in trust or held or acquired by the Government for debt collection purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, New Mexico, and El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, Texas, title to certain rights-of-way acquired by the United States on behalf of the Rio Grande project that are used solely for serving the lands of the respective District and that the Secretary determines are necessary to enable the Districts to carry out operation and maintenance with respect to the portion of the project to be transferred. Authorizes the transfer to the Districts of the title to such rights-of-way located in New Mexico that are used for jointly serving them upon agreement by the Secretary and both Districts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Felon Handgun Purchase Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer from transferring a handgun from business inventory to any other person unless: (1) before the completion of the transfer the licensee contacts the hotline established under this Act; and (2) the hotline notifies the licensee that the information available does not demonstrate that the receipt of a handgun by such other person would violate provisions of the Federal criminal code (Federal provisions), or that the hotline will not be able to respond to the licensee before the end of the next business day; or (3) at least 24 hours have elapsed since the licensee first contacted the hotline with respect to the transfer and the hotline has not notified the licensee that the information available to the hotline demonstrates that the receipt of a handgun by such other person would violate such provisions. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to a handgun transfer between a licensee and another person if: (1) such other person presents to the licensee a valid permit or license, issued by the State or political subdivision in which the transfer is to occur, that authorizes such other person to purchase, possess, or carry a firearm; (2) the Secretary has approved the transfer under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; (3) telephone service is not provided to the premises where the licensee conducts business subject to such license and is not generally available to the public in the area in which such premises are located; (4) the ability of the licensee to exchange information with the hotline is impaired due to circumstances beyond the control of the licensee; or (5) the licensee, pursuant to State law, notifies State law enforcement authorities of the proposed transfer and such authorities approve the transfer or determine that receipt of a handgun by such other person would not violate State law. Requires the licensee to include in the record of transfer the identification number provided by the hotline with respect to the transfer where the hotline notifies the licensee that the information available to the hotline does not demonstrate that the receipt of a handgun by such other person would violate Federal provisions. Establishes penalties against the licensee for knowingly failing to comply with provisions of this Act. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish such hotline; (2) arrange for a toll-free telephone number; (3) ensure that the hotline operates continuously; (4) ensure that not more than two percent of the initial telephone responses of the hotline contain erroneous determinations; and (5) notify each licensee of the existence, purpose, and toll-free number of the hotline. Specifies that the hotline shall not provide information to any caller with respect to another person unless: (1) the hotline verifies that the caller is a licensee; and (2) the caller states that such other person seeks to obtain a handgun and the caller provides the name and social security number (or other identifying information for a person with no number) of such other person. Directs that, if such requirements are met, the hotline: (1) inform the caller whether the information available to the hotline demonstrates that the receipt of a handgun by the person would violate Federal provisions; and (2) if such receipt would not violate such provisions, assign a unique identification number to the transfer, provide the caller with the number, and destroy all records of the hotline with respect to the call (other than the identifying number and the date the call was received) and all records of the hotline relating to the person. Requires the hotline: (1) to make every effort to provide the caller with the information required immediately or by return telephone call without delay; and (2) if it is unable to comply with such requirement due to circumstances beyond the hotline's control, to advise the caller that the response of the hotline will be delayed and the reasons for, and probable length of, the delay, and make every effort to provide the information required within 24 hours of the initial call. Authorizes the Attorney General to secure directly from any U.S. department or agency such information as necessary to enable the hotline to operate in accordance with this Act. Directs the head of such department or agency, on request of the Attorney General, to furnish such information to the hotline. Requires the Attorney General to develop such computer software, design and obtain such telecommunications and computer hardware, and employ such personnel as necessary to establish and operate the hotline. Sets forth procedures for the correction of erroneous hotline information. Creates a private cause of action where a person is denied a handgun based on erroneous information provided by the hotline. Bars any U.S. department, agency, officer, or employee from: (1) requiring that any record or portion thereof maintained by the hotline be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or political subdivision; or (2) using the hotline to establish any system for the registration of handguns, handgun owners, or handgun transactions or dispositions, except with respect to persons prohibited by Federal provisions from receiving a handgun. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) increase the percentage of funds (from five to ten percent) to be allocated by each State for the improvement of criminal justice records; and (2) include in such improvement the sharing of such records with the Attorney General for use by the hotline established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1991
Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1991 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitations on deductions for individual retirement plans and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for deductible amounts. Establishes special individual retirement accounts that are nondeductible. Makes such accounts nontaxable if earnings on contributions are held for at least five years. Applies the early withdrawal penalty to distributions made before the end of the five year-period. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Provides exemptions from the ten-percent penalty on early withdrawals from individual retirement plans for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (2) financially devastating medical expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1991
Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to revise provisions concerning permits for dredged or fill material. Prohibits, unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of the Army: (1) the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters; or (2) the draining, channelization, or excavation of wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for such activities. Sets forth permit application procedures. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving applications, to: (1) classify as Type A wetlands wetlands that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of the ecosystem of which they are a part and which meet specified requirements; (2) classify as Type B wetlands wetlands that provide habitat for a significant population of avian, aquatic, or wetland dependent wildlife or provide other significant wetlands functions; and (3) classify as Type C wetlands wetlands that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation of activities is not necessary to conserve wetlands values and functions, or are prior converted cropland, fastlands, or wetlands within intensely developed areas that do not serve significant wetlands functions. Directs the Secretary to notify a permit applicant of the classification. Permits owners of interests in Type A wetlands to seek compensation for the fair market value of such lands. Provides that title for such lands shall pass to the United States upon acceptance of an offer for compensation. Deems such takings to be takings of surface interests in lands only or water rights allocated under State law unless the Secretary determines that the exploration for, or development of, oil and gas or mineral interests is not compatible with conservation of the surface interests in lands that have been classified as Type A wetlands. Authorizes the Secretary to classify such interests as Type A wetlands and to notify the owner that he may receive compensation. Sets forth provisions concerning court jurisdiction and remedies for taking of interests. Requires the Secretary to deny a permit authorizing activities in Type A wetlands unless: (1) such activities can be undertaken with minimal alteration or surface disturbance; (2) there are overriding public interest concerns that require use of the lands for purposes other than conservation; or (3) the proposed use of the land will result in overall environmental benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit for activities in Type B wetlands subject to conditions that ensure that the watershed or aquatic ecosystem of which such wetlands are a part does not suffer loss or degradation of wetlands values or functions. Imposes requirements for mitigation when such activities result in the permanent loss or degradation of Type B wetlands where such loss or degradation is not a temporary or incidental impact. Directs the Secretary to establish a mitigation banking program in each State to ensure compensation for loss and degradation of wetlands. Requires the primary objective of such programs to be to provide for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of ecologically significant wetlands on an ecosystem basis. Sets forth requirements of such programs. Permits activities in Type C wetlands to be undertaken without specified authorization. Authorizes the Secretary to issue general permits on a State, regional, or nationwide basis for activities in wetlands if such activities are similar in nature and will not result in the significant loss of ecologically significant wetlands values and functions. Exempts specified activities from this Act's requirements. Permits States or political subdivisions to submit land management plans for identified wetlands for the Secretary's approval. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to establish standards that govern the delineation of lands as wetlands. Prohibits more than 20 percent of any county, parish, or borough from being classified as Type A wetlands. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake a project to identify and classify U.S. wetlands. Provides for public participation in such project and makes information concerning identification and classification available to the public. Authorizes the Secretary to commence civil actions for permit violations. Prescribes civil penalties for such violations. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for activities covered by this Act, subject to the Secretary's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Sets forth a formula, beginning with the 1991 grazing year, for determining fees for domestic livestock grazing on public rangelands. Bases the formula on the base established by the 1966 Western Livestock Grazing Survey, the Forage Value Index, and the adjusted Beef Cattle Price Index. Prohibits annual fee adjustments greater or less than 25 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage of screening mammographies for women age 35 and older. Varies the permissible frequency of such covered tests on the basis of a woman's age and her risk of developing breast cancer. Directs the Secretary to periodically review and revise permissible frequencies of such tests.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the breast cancer screening benefit provided under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to cover on an annual basis (currently, biennial) routine breast cancer screening for women over age 64.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal to General H. Norman Schwarzkopf in recognition of his exemplary performance in coordinating the planning, strategy, and execution of U.S. combat action and his invaluable contributions to the United States and to the liberation of Kuwait. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the age (55 or older) and dollar ($125,000) restrictions with respect to the one-time income tax exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1991
Requests the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to publish, within one year, proposed amended regulations that specify the components of an adequate operator training program and certification system for operators of powered industrial trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise its application. Revises minimum wage and maximum hours provisions (as well as provisions for special industry committees for American Samoa) to apply such requirements specifically to employers of employees who in any workweek are engaged in industrial homework and who are either engaged in commerce or in the production of goods in commerce (in addition to any other employees so employed). Revises the scope of the application of requirements relating to: (1) wage rate orders for employers in American Samoa; (2) prohibition of sex discrimination in wage rates; and (3) handicapped workers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the personal exemption for a dependent child who has not attained age 18 from $2,000 to $3,500. Provides for rounding inflation adjustments to tax tables to the nearest multiple of $10 (currently rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50).
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the luxury excise tax parts for accessories installed for use of passenger vehicles by disabled individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Endorses a National Victory Parade in Washington, D.C., and regional victory parades throughout the United States to honor servicemen and women who participated in Operation Desert Storm. Encourages Federal, State, and local governments and private industry to get involved in supporting such parades.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1991
Calls for States to develop procedures that require medical examiners and coroners to make reasonable, good faith efforts to locate and notify the next of kin of deceased persons where the identity of the deceased or the next of kin is unknown.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1991
Establishes the grade of General of the Army, appointments to which shall be made by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Defines the rank and compensation of such grade. Authorizes the President to appoint Generals Colin L. Powell and H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., to that grade.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1991
Confers jurisdiction upon the United States Claims Court to hear and render judgment on land claims by the Pueblo of Isleta Indian Tribe of New Mexico against the United States. Authorizes such Court to award: (1) interest accrued from the date such lands were acquired by the United States; and (2) cost of suit and reasonable attorney's fees to any prevailing party, other than the United States. Specifies that any award made to other Indian tribes with respect to lands subject to such claims shall not be considered a defense, estoppel, or set-off to such claim or otherwise affect relief with respect to such claim.
![Official portrait of Rep. Skeen, Joe [R-NM-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000463_200.jpg)