United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1993 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to revise those relating to the employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government should be a model employer in carrying out the employment and reemployment practices enumerated in this Act. Prohibits an employer from denying employment, reemployment, retention, promotion, or any benefit of employment to a person on the basis of membership, service, or a service obligation in a uniformed service. Entitles any person absent from employment (other than temporary employment) by reason of the performance of military service to the employment and reemployment rights of this Act if such person gives the employer proper notification of such service. Entitles a person to reemployment in either the same position or one as closely related as possible. Continues (as if no service has occurred) the seniority and other rights and benefits that would have normally accrued to such person without such service. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist any person entitled to employment and reemployment rights and benefits under this Act in the pursuit of employment, whether in the Federal Government or otherwise. Allows Federal employees who are separated from Federal service in order to perform military service and who subsequently return to the same or a similar position to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, as long as appropriate employee contributions are made during their absence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Minor Crop Pesticides Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or a commercial agricultural crop or site or for the protection of public health where: (1) the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support registration; and (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not determined that the use presents an unreasonable adverse environmental effect. Prohibits data that relates solely to a minor use, without the permission of the original data submitter, from being considered by the Administrator to support a minor use application by another person for ten years following the submission of the data. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use pesticide up to two years subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if such use does not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within six months of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Requires the Administrator to conditionally amend a registration to permit additional minor uses even if data is insufficient if the applicant has submitted satisfactory data pertaining to the proposed minor use and amending such registration would not increase environmental risks. Authorizes the Administrator to conditionally register or amend the registration of a pesticide for a minor use if: (1) the active ingredient is being supported for reregistration; (2) the minor use was a registered use of a product that has been canceled, proposed for cancellation, or deleted as a use after December 24, 1988; and (3) the use requires only residue chemistry data for reregistration. Outlines additional requirements for conditional registrations. Directs EPA to assure coordination of minor use issues through the establishment of a minor use program. Establishes and authorizes funding for a Department of Agriculture minor use matching fund program. Requires the program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Fair Credit Reporting Act Title II: Credit Repair Organizations Title I: Amendments to Fair Credit Reporting Act - Consumer Reporting Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the Act) to specify that the term "credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer" does not include use of a consumer report (CR) by a person with which the consumer has an account for purposes of reviewing or collecting the account. Allows the furnishing of a CR for: (1) a legitimate business need in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer; and (2) employment purposes only if certain disclosures are made, the consumer consents, and the information will not be used in violation of any Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or regulation. Prohibits: (1) using or obtaining information from a CR unless it is obtained for an authorized purpose and the purpose is certified under certain provisions of the Act; (2) a consumer reporting agency (CRA) from prohibiting a CR user from disclosing the CR to the consumer if adverse action against the consumer is contemplated; and (3) the furnishing of a CR for use in direct marketing not initiated by the consumer. Requires CRAs to maintain a notification system, including a toll-free telephone number, which permits any consumer to elect to be excluded from lists provided in connection with solicitations of credit not initiated by the consumer. Removes exceptions to prohibitions on reporting obsolete information. (Current law prohibits reporting information which is over a specified number of years old, except for credit transactions, life insurance, or employment involving amounts over specified limits.) Regulates the beginning of the seven-year reporting period for certain types of information. Requires CRAs to: (1) include information received that an account was closed by a consumer in good standing when when closed by the consumer with no outstanding balance; and (2) notify regular information suppliers of the suppliers' responsibilities under the Act. Prohibits a person who procures a CR from reselling the information unless the identity of the end user and the purpose is disclosed to the CRA. Requires a CRA to: (1) disclose to a consumer all information in the consumer's file, certain information about the recipients of a CR, the permissible purpose for which each recipient procured a CR, a record of inquiries in the last six months that identified the consumer in connection with a credit transaction which was not initiated by the consumer, and, with any such disclosures, a summary of the consumer's rights under the Act; and (2) unless the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant to reinvestigate disputed information free of charge or delete the item from the file, to notify the information furnisher, to delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information, and to notify the consumer of the results of the reinvestigation. Regulates charges by CRAs for certain disclosures. Requires any person who takes an adverse action with respect to a consumer in connection with a transaction initiated by the consumer or an employment determination to notify the consumer, disclose the identity of the CRA furnishing the report, advise the consumer of certain rights, and give certain information on any credit scoring system or other predictor of credit wothiness used. Subjects any person (currently, any CRA or user of information) to civil liability for willful or negligent noncompliance with the Act. Sets forth: (1) duties of furnishers of information to CRAs, including a prohibition on furnishing information which the furnisher has reasonable cause to believe is incomplete or inaccurate; and (2) provisions regarding investigative consumer reports. Increases criminal penalties for obtaining information under false pretenses. Authorizes State civil actions to enforce the Act, subject to a specified limitation. Requires each CRA which compiles and maintains consumer reports nationwide to maintain a toll-free telephone number. Title II: Credit Repair Organizations - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to provide that specified provisions of that Act may be cited as the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Prohibits: (1) advising any consumer to make an untrue or misleading statement, or to alter the consumer's identification to prevent the display of the consumer's credit record; (2) other fraud or deception; and (3) a credit repair organization (CRO) from charging or receiving valuable consideration for any service before such service is fully performed. Specifies a statement which a CRO must provide to consumers before an agreement is executed regarding the consumer, the CRO, and related rights, powers, and obligations. Requires written, signed contracts covering specified matters in order for a CRO to provide services. Allows a consumer to cancel a contract with a CRO within three business days of making the contract. Declares void any consumer waiver of any protection under this title. Makes an attempt to obtain a waiver a violation of this title. Voids any contract not in compliance with this title. Provides for civil liability for failing to comply with this title, including allowing punitive damages and class actions. Requires enforcement of this title under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Makes: (1) a violation of this title an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of specified provisions of the FTCA; and (2) all functions and powers of the FTC available for enforcement of this title. Allows State enforcement through Federal or State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Regulatory Impact on Credit Availability Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Impact of Accounting and Capital Issues on Credit Availability Subtitle C: Disincentives to Risk-Taking Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Credit Availability Provisions Title II: Regulatory Micromanagement Title III: Unnecessary Cost, Paperwork and Regulation Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Holding Company Efficiencies Title IV: Consumer Inconvenience, Paperwork, and Cost; Other Non-Supervisory Reforms Subtitle A: Consumer Benefits and Lending Process Improvements Subtitle B: Other Non-Supervisory Reforms Title V: Community Investment Economic Growth and Financial Institutions Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1993 - Title I: Regulatory Impact on Credit Availability - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to direct the appropriate Federal banking agencies to minimize the negative impact upon credit availability for small business, residential, and agricultural purposes and on low-and moderate-income communities when prescribing real estate lending standards. (Sec. 102) Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to direct the Appraisal Subcommittee to encourage the States to develop reciprocity agreements among themselves so as to readily authorize licensed appraisers in good standing to perform appraisals in sister States. Subtitle B: Impact of Accounting and Capital Issues on Credit Availability - (Secs. 111-113) Amends the FDIA to amend the regulatory scheme with respect to: (1) audits of insured depository institutions; (2) recourse agreements; and (3) market value accounting. (Sec. 114) Requires the Department of the Treasury to report to certain congressional committees on the effect on the national economy resulting from implementation of risk based capital standards (including the Basle international capital standards). Subtitle C: Disincentives to Risk Taking - (Sec. 121) Amends the FDIA and the Federal Credit Union Act with respect to the due process protections accorded the attachment of assets, and the statutory authority to require a depository institution to prohibit a person from alienating property under certain circumstances. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Credit Availability Provisions - (Sec. 131) Mandates the establishment of a regulatory appeals process within each appropriate Federal banking agency and the National Credit Union Administration. (Secs. 132 and 133) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to modify the aggregate limits on insider lending for specified small banks. Mandates that certain agencies study and report to the Congress on the advisability and budgetary impact of requiring insured depository institutions to maintain sterile reserves. (Sec. 134) Amends the FDIA to prescribe guidelines under which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) may, with respect to an undercapitalized insured depository institution, waive its right to repudiate an agreement to sell credit card accounts receivable. (Sec. 135) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to permit FHLBA banks to: (1) make secured advances upon obtaining a security interest in certain nonresidential real estate-related collateral; and (2) invest surplus funds to purchase participation interests in residential construction loans originated by member institutions. Title II: Regulatory Micromanagement - (Secs. 201-204) Amends the FDIA to modify the regulatory scheme with respect to: (1) safety and soundness standards; (2) paperwork reduction; (3) rules on deposit taking; and (4) a transition period for new regulations. Title III: Unnecessary Cost, Paperwork and Regulation -Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Secs. 301-303) Amends the FDIA with respect to: (1) bank examinations; (2) coordination of State and Federal examinations; and (3) the use of accounting principles. (Secs. 304-306) Prescribes guidelines for the reduction of call report requirements and capital compliance requirements. Excludes automated teller machines and specified bank branches from FDIA branch closure notice requirements. (Sec. 307) Amends Federal law regarding monetary instruments transactions to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to annually: (1) review all regulations pertaining to monetary instruments transaction requirements, seeking public comment; and (2) publish all written rulings interpreting such law, as well as staff commentaries. (Sec. 309) Amends the FRA and the FDIA to cite conditions under which accounts of U.S. banks are shielded from liability to repay] deposits made at foreign branches. Subtitle B: Holding Company Efficiencies - (Secs. 321-325) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to modify the procedures under which bank holding companies: (1) are formed; and (2) acquire interests in nonbanking activities. Reduces the post-approval waiting period for bank holding company acquisition and bank mergers. Title IV: Consumer Inconvenience, Paperwork, and Cost; Other Non-Supervisory Reforms - Subtitle A: Consumer Benefits and Lending Process Improvements - (Sec. 401) Mandates a Federal Reserve study and report to the Congress on ways to streamline the credit-granting process. (Secs. 402-403) Amends the Truth in Lending Act regarding: (1) certain exemptions from credit cost disclosure requirements; (2) modification of waiver of the debtor's rescission rights; and (3) alternative disclosures for adjustable rate mortgages. (Sec. 405) Amends the Truth in Savings Act to exempt business accounts from its purview. Subtitle B: Other Non-Supervisory Reforms - (Secs. 411-413) Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act regarding: (1) the availability of Treasury checks and local checks; (2) new accounts; and (3) the allocation of risks of loss and liability to the States and political subdivisions. (Secs. 414 and 421) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer and the Truth in Lending Act to increase the consumer liability limit in specified circumstances of unauthorized electronic fund transfers and unauthorized use of credit cards where the cardholder has substantially contributed to the unauthorized transfer or use. (Sec. 432) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to reduce the homeownership debt counseling notification requirement to no more than once per year. (Sec. 433) Prohibits a Federal banking agency from imposing data collection requirements upon an institution under its jurisdiction other than the information required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. (Secs. 441 and 442) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to: (1) modify the disclosure guidelines for the servicing of mortgage loans; and (2) exempt certain credit transactions from its purview. Title V: Community Investment - (Sec. 501) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the Act) with respect to: (1) minimizing the regulatory paperwork costs and burdens associated with compliance; (2) conditions under which an application for a deposit facility shall not be denied on the basis of compliance; (3) granting credit to a financial institution for making investments and loans to either minority and women's depository institutions, or to entities providing benefits to distressed communities; (4) assessments of special purpose banks; and (5) the acceptability of State examinations in lieu of Federal examinations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide funding for offices of veterans affairs at institutions of higher education for educational assistance to veterans. Requires such institutions to apply for such payments and to agree to use the funds to enhance the functions of veterans education outreach programs during the proceeding academic year. Requires an office of veterans affairs to be maintained at each recipient institution to be responsible for veterans' certification, outreach, recruitment, and special education programs as well as other veterans services. Limits the per-veteran and per-institution payments for a fiscal year. Requires the coordination of such veterans' program with other Department programs. Earmarks funds for the program from amounts made available each year for the payment of veterans' readjustment benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire for inclusion in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge a parcel of land know as Fisherman's Cove in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and a parcel of land known as Gull Island in Ocean County, New Jersey.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the widespread rape and forced pregnancy of women and girls in the former Yugoslavia constitute war crimes; (2) the United Nations (UN) Security Council and UN Human Rights Commission should adopt resolutions explicitly recognizing that rape and forced pregnancy constitute war crimes; (3) such war crimes should be investigated by an international tribunal; (4) such tribunal may be convened by the UN at the highest level and should be provided with clear authority to investigate, prosecute, adjudicate, and punish those responsible for those and other crimes; (5) the UN should appoint a special rapporteur on sex discrimination and violence against women; and (6) the 1993 UN World Conference on Human Rights in June should consider violations of the human rights of women.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Medicare Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1993 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend the period during which Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals receive additional payments under Medicare for the operating costs of inpatient hospital services; (2) revise the criteria for determining whether hospitals are eligible for such additional payments; and (3) provide for additional payments under Medicare to other Medicare-dependent hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
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 · 17 February 1993
Western North Carolina Wilderness Protection Act of 1993 - Designates the Lost Cove Wilderness and the Harper Creek Wilderness in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Immunization Now Act of 1993 - Entitles each infant in the United States under two years old who does not have other health insurance and who meets other requirements to receive immunizations without charge. Requires any licensed health care professional to provide immunizations in exchange for vouchers issued through hospitals or community health centers or on direct application by the parent, with quarterly reimbursements to health care providers in amounts set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary to carry out activities to inform the public and health care providers regarding the program. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes a national immunization registry system to provide for national surveillance of childhood immunization status through age six. Mandates grants for research and demonstration projects to identify mechanisms and structures to develop the registry. Requires certain measures to expand the registry from the projects to cover the entire Nation. Requires full implementation of the registry by 1997. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing an air carrier to engage in air transportation to any applicant which is controlled by a person who has controlled one or more air carriers which have filed, in the aggregate, two or more petitions for bankruptcy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) continue to send immediate fuel and humanitarian assistance to help Armenia and its economy and continue to withhold all U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan lifts its blockade and other uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh; (2) promote a lasting and equitable resolution to the conflict within the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (3) promote the full participation of the representatives of Nagorno Karabagh in all negotiations concerning this conflict; (4) encourage Turkey to play a neutral role in helping to promote an equitable resolution to this crisis; and (5) condemn the continuing blockade of Armenia and Karabagh and demand the immediate lifting of the blockade and the opening of corridors to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian goods to Armenia.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Authorizes the Air Force Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Ban on Smoking in Federal Buildings Act - Prohibits smoking in Federal buildings and in any other space owned or leased for use by a Federal agency. Directs the Administrator of General Services (with respect to the executive branch), the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (with respect to the judicial branch), and the House Office Building Commission, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Architect of the Capitol (with respect to the legislative branch) to take such actions as necessary to institute and enforce such prohibition. Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees with information concerning the degree of compliance with this Act and an assessment of the legal status of smoking in public places. Specifies that nothing in this Act is intended to preempt any provision of State or local law that is more restrictive than a provision of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove charitable contributions of appreciated capital gain property as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Volunteer Protection Act of 1993 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions and conditions that a State may impose on the granting of such immunity. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that provisions under the Social Security Act (SSA) for cost-of-living adjustments under the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program under SSA title II are essential to the integrity of such program and must not be interrupted or restricted.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States considers the acts of the Castro government, including its violations of human rights, a threat to international peace; and (2) the President should instruct U.S. representatives to the United Nations Security council to seek an international embargo against the totalitarian government of Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Toxic Cleanup Equity and Acceleration Act of 1993 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to absolve municipalities or other persons of liability (other than to the President) for claims of contribution or other response costs for the generation, transportation, or arrangement for the transportation, treatment, or disposal of municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Authorizes eligible persons (defined as persons against whom administrative or judicial actions are brought, or to whom notice is given of potential liability, for activities involving municipal solid waste or sewage sludge) to settle their liability with the President. Requires final settlements to: (1) allocate to all activities for the management of municipal solid waste or sewage sludge a combined maximum of four percent of total response costs for the facility; (2) require eligible persons to pay only equitable shares of the maximum percentage; (3) limit payments based on inability to pay, litigative risks, and other equitable factors; (4) permit in-kind services with regard to response actions in lieu of cash contributions; (5) limit a publicly owned treatment works' payments if it has promoted the reuse of sewage sludge through land application; and (6) be reached even if a person is liable under other CERCLA provisions. Authorizes the President to provide a covenant not to sue to persons who have entered into settlements. Absolves such persons of liability for contributions or other response costs for matters addressed in settlements. Reduces others' potential liability by the amount of a settlement, but bars discharging potentially responsible parties unless the settlement so provides. Applies settlement provisions to municipalities or treatment works who engage in municipal solid waste or sewage sludge management activities occurring 36 months after this Act's enactment date only if the eligible person is a: (1) municipality and a qualified household hazardous waste collection program has been operating while such waste was collected and disposed; or (2) treatment works in compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Makes this Act retroactively effective to all actions commenced before this Act's effective date unless a final court judgment or approval of a settlement agreement has been granted.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Regulatory Flexibility Amendments Act of 1993 - Amends Federal law to eliminate provisions respecting judicial review of Federal agency compliance with regulatory flexibility analysis requirements. Requires an agency to consider the direct and indirect effects of a rule in determining whether or not it is likely to have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Sets forth guidelines governing agency transmittal of proposed rules to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Authorizes such official to transmit to the agency a statement of opposition to the proposed rule. Requires publication of such statement and the agency's response in the Federal Register. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such official should be permitted to appear as amicus curiae in any action or case brought in a U.S. court for the purpose of reviewing a rule.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1993 - Provides that not later than 30 days after a lobbyist first makes or agrees to make a lobbying contact with a covered legislative or executive branch official, such lobbyist, or as provided below, the organization employing such lobbyist, shall register with the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public Disclosure (OLRAPD). Provides that any person whose income or expenses in connection with lobbying activities on behalf of a particular client do not exceed, or are not expected to exceed, $1,000 in a semiannual period is not required to register for such client. Defines "lobbyist" as any individual who is employed or retained by another for financial or other compensation to perform services that include lobbying contacts, other than an individual whose lobbying activities are only incidental to, and not a significant part of, the services for which such individual is paid. Specifies the information that such registration shall contain. Provides that in the case of a registrant representing more than one client, a separate registration shall be filed for each client represented. Requires organizations whose employees are lobbyists to file a single registration. Requires registrants to file with OLRAPD a report on semiannual lobbying activities. Establishes within the Department of Justice OLRAPD the duties of which include: (1) prescribing rules for implementing this Act; (2) making registrations and reports public; and (3) transmitting annual reports to the Congress and President. Establishes procedures for: (1) informal resolution of alleged noncompliance; (2) determinations of noncompliance where information provided to OLRAPD indicates that noncompliance may exist; and (3) addressing late registrations and filings and failures to provide such information. Provides for judicial review of certain OLRAPD decisions. Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) revise the definition of "foreign principal"; (2) eliminate references to political propaganda and, in certain cases, replace such references with references to informational materials; and (3) modify the registration exemption for lawyers providing legal representation to disclosed foreign principals to apply such exemption to judicial proceedings and criminal or civil law enforcement inquiries, investigations, or proceedings. Revises limitations on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Repeals provisions under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act and Public Utility Holding Company Act relating to lobbyist activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove charitable contributions of appreciated capital gain property as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility which provides water or sewage disposal services that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction; (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as service charges for starting or stopping services. Determines the depreciation deduction for such property by using the straight line method and provides for a 25-year recovery period.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude shipboard supervisory personnel from selection as employer representatives, if such personnel are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and represented by a labor organization. Provides that picketing or other economic activity undertaken by a labor organization on behalf of such licensed shipboard supervisory personnel shall not be considered a prohibited restraint or coercion.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Prohibits the importation of Chinese products unless: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury determines that they are not manufactured with the use of forced labor; and (2) such determination is based on certain consultations with international organizations conducting inspections and a certification to the Secretary that a product was not manufactured with the use of forced labor. Requires the United States to use all diplomatic efforts to persuade China to permit representatives of certain international organizations to inspect all facilities holding detainees to assure that products for export are not being produced with the use of forced labor. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such prohibition and the making of a false certification.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect. Waives these provisions when the United States is engaged in a military conflict which poses a threat to national security as declared by a joint resolution adopted by a majority of each House.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Jefferson Commemorative Coin Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of Thomas Jefferson and his home, Monticello. Mandates that all surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid to the Jefferson Endowment Fund, and to the Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the coin program shall be self-sustaining and that its administration should result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Veterans' Compensation Rates Codification Act of 1993 - Increases the rates of: (1) veterans' disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for veterans' dependents; (3) the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans; (4) dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children; and (5) supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for disabled adult children.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit the late enrollment penalty to a ten percent increase in the monthly part B premium due over a period equal to twice the number of years that the part B beneficiary could have been but was not enrolled under part B.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Modification of Passive Loss Rules Title II: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investments By Pension Funds Title III: Discharge of Indebtedness Real Estate Stability and Recovery Amendments Act of 1993 - Title I: Modification of Passive Loss Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude certain rental real estate development activities from treatment as a passive activity for purposes of determining passive activity losses and credits. Title II: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investments by Pension Funds - Modifies exceptions to the exclusion of real property acquired by a qualified organization from the meaning of acquisition indebtedness. Makes certain exceptions inapplicable to sales out of foreclosure by a financial institution. Applies the meaning of acquisition indebtedness to investments in certain large partnerships where the principal purpose of partnership allocation is not tax avoidance. Repeals the special rule for publicly traded partnerships with respect to the treatment of unrelated business taxable income. Permits a tax-exempt title-holding company to receive unrelated business taxable income of up to ten percent of its gross income, if the income is incidentally derived from the holding of real property. Excludes from unrelated business taxable income: (1) gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of real property acquired from financial institutions that are in conservatorship or receivership; (2) amounts received or accrued as consideration for entering into agreements to make loans; and (3) all gains on the lapse or termination of options, written by an organization in connection with its investment activities, to buy or sell real property. Provides for the tax treatment of pension fund investments in real estate investment trusts. Title III: Discharge of Indebtedness - Excludes from gross income, the income from the discharge of qualified real property business indebtedness. Applies the excluded amount to reduce the basis of the depreciable real property. Limits such amount to the amount of outstanding indebtedness over the fair market value of the property, reduced by any other qualified real estate business indebtedness. Excludes qualified farm indebtedness from the definition of "qualified real property business indebtedness."
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the term "qualified military benefit," for purposes of the exclusion from gross income, includes any allowance or benefit administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Makes such exclusion effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Drug Free Truck Stop Act of 1993 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose mandatory minimum criminal penalties for the unlawful distribution or possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a truck stop or safety rest area. Prohibits the suspension of a sentence, granting of probation, or eligibility for parole until the individual has served the minimum required sentence under the Federal criminal code for any person who violates this Act after a prior conviction under this Act has become final. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate specified sentencing guidelines for violations of this Act. Bars multiple enhancements.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1993
Uniform Child Support Enforcement Act of 1993 - Amends the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to replace the current system for the collection and distribution of child support and enforcement of child support orders by the States with a new Federal system under which States are required to transmit copies of such orders to the Internal Revenue Service for it to collect the support through wage withholding and other means, distribute it to the individual entitled, and enforce support orders in a manner similar to that used for tax evasion.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Title II: Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Commission Title III: Authorization Of Appropriations Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Partnership Act of 1993 - Title I: Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields - Establishes the Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields as a unit of the National Park Service (NPS). Sets forth the areas and battlefields included within the Battlefields. Directs the Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Commission (established in title II) to identify lands in the historic core and the contributing battlefield area in the vicinity that shall comprise the Battlefields. Requires the Secretary and the Commission to: (1) encourage heritage preservation within the regional area of the Battlefields by landowners, local governments, organizations, and businesses; and (2) cooperate to promote heritage tourism in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia that is compatible with resource protection. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) restoration of property within the Battlefields; (2) grant awards to property owners and governmental entities and provision of technical assistance to promote and maintain the historic character of the Battlefields; (3) reimbursement of planning costs; and (4) implementation grants to government entities and the private sector. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands and interests in lands within the historic core by donation. Directs the Commission to submit to the Congress a Shenandoah Valley Civil War Sites Heritage Plan that describes the appropriate protection, management, uses, and development of the Battlefields consistent with the purposes of this Act. Title II: Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Commission - Establishes the Shenandoah Valley National Battlefields Commission to: (1) advise and actively participate with the NPS in developing a Heritage Plan; (2) assist in the implementation, coordination, protection, promotion, and management of Battlefield resources; and (3) administer donated funds. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1993
Preventing Our Kids From Inhaling Deadly Smoke (PRO-KIDS) Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidelines for enforcing a nonsmoking policy at each Federal agency that prohibits, at a minimum, smoking in each portion of a Federal building that is not ventilated separately. Directs the heads of Federal agencies, the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and specified entities of the legislative branch to adopt nonsmoking policies that meet the guideline requirements. Authorizes Federal agencies to petition for a waiver from the general requirements if extenuating circumstances prevent enforcement and such agencies make a good-faith effort to enforce an alternative policy. Requires Federal agencies in which a labor organization is recognized as a bargaining unit to ensure implementation of the requirements that affect work areas predominantly occupied by employees represented by such organization. Exempts such work areas from the policy if a collective bargaining agreement exists that includes provisions relating to smoking privileges that are in violation of this Act. Terminates such exemption on the earlier of the first expiration date of the agreement or one year after the issuance of the guidelines. Requires the Administrator to establish an outreach program on the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Tobacco Smoke Advisory Office. Requires each person who uses Federal funds to provide children's services to establish and enforce a nonsmoking policy that: (1) prohibits smoking in each portion of the facility used in connection with children's services; and (2) provides for the posting of signs stating that smoking is not permitted. Authorizes persons who make a good-faith effort to enforce a policy that meets such requirements to petition their funding agency for a waiver from the general requirements. Sets forth conditions for granting waivers. Provides for special waivers for persons who provide children's services pursuant to certain collective bargaining agreements. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Exempts specified individuals from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that war. Establishes the World War II Memorial Advisory Board to promote the establishment of the memorial, encourage the donation of private contributions for it, and advise the Commission on the site and design for the memorial. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission for the expenses of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for the deduction of a child's contribution from the amount of income applied towards the cost of care for institutionalized Medicaid beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Northern Ireland Fair Employment Practices Act - Prohibits an article from being imported into the United States from Northern Ireland unless documentation is presented at the time of entry indicating that the enterprise which manufactured or assembled such article complied at the time of manufacture with certain fair employment principles (such as freedom from religious discrimination). Bases such principles on the MacBride Principles, a nine point set of guidelines for fair employment in Northern Ireland. Requires any U.S. person who has a branch or office in Northern Ireland or who controls an enterprise in Northern Ireland in which more than 20 people are employed to insure implementation of such employment principles and compliance with this Act. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the interest of national security.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Sexual Violence Subtitle A: Penalties and Remedies Subtitle B: Rules of Evidence, Practice, and Procedure Subtitle C: Safe Campuses Subtitle D: Assistance to States and Localities Title II: Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Offenses Against the Family Title III: National Task Force on Violence Against Women Sexual Assault Prevention Act of 1993 - Title I: Sexual Violence - Subtitle A: Penalties and Remedies - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for: (1) pretrial detention in sex offense cases; and (2) the death penalty for murders committed by sex offenders. Increases penalties for: (1) recidivist sex offenders; and (2) sex offenses against victims under age 16. Amends: (1) the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 to require a governmental department or agency to pay for up to two tests for a sexual assault victim in the 12 months following the assault and a counseling session; (2) the Controlled Substances Act to provide for increased penalties for distribution of a controlled substance to a woman while she is pregnant; and (3) the Federal criminal code to authorize the restitution of victims of sex offenses. Establishes a civil remedy for victims of sexual violence. Subtitle B: Rules of Evidence, Practice, and Procedure - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to allow evidence of similar offenses in criminal or civil sexual assault and child molestation cases. Revises Federal Rule of Evidence 412 (rape victim shield law). Adds a Federal Rule of Evidence that, in a criminal case in which a person is accused of a sex offense, evidence is not admissible to show that the alleged victim invited or provoked the commission of the offense. Enacts rules to be known as the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers in Federal Practice. Subtitle C: Safe Campuses - Requires the Attorney General to provide for a national baseline study on campus sexual assault. Subtitle D: Assistance to States and Localities - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to support projects and programs relating to sexual violence. Title II: Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Offenses Against the Family - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for interstate travel to commit spouse abuse or to violate a protective order. Establishes penalties (including restitution) for noncompliance with child support obligations in interstate cases. Provides for full faith and credit of protective orders among the States. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) prepare a report on the status of battered women's syndrome as a medical and psychological condition and on its effect in criminal trials; (2) conduct a study of the means by which abusive spouses may obtain information concerning the addresses or locations of estranged or former spouses; and (3) complete a study of problems of recordkeeping of criminal complaints involving domestic violence. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to support projects and programs relating to domestic violence and other criminal and unlawful acts that particularly affect women. Title III: National Task Force on Violence Against Women - Establishes the National Task Force on Violence Against Women to develop a uniform Federal, State, and local law enforcement strategy aimed at protecting women against violent crimes, punishing persons who commit such crimes, and enhancing the rights of the victims.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1993
Requires all executive orders, Department of Defense directives, and regulations of the military departments concerning the appointment, enlistment, induction, and retention of homosexuals in the armed forces, as in effect on January 1, 1993, to remain in effect unless specifically changed by law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000522_200.jpg)