United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1993
1995 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative one-dollar silver coins bearing a likeness of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Requires the Secretary to distribute proceeds from surcharges ($10 per coin) in equal allocations to: (1) the National Park Foundation Restricted Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial; and (2) the National Park Service Restricted Construction Account for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1993
Veterans Adjudication Procedures Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide that, under the work rate standards that apply to Department of Veterans Affairs employees who adjudicate claims for benefits that have been submitted to the Secretary, such employees shall not receive credit for work on a claim until the claim decision becomes final. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress the status of claims for benefits before the Department during the preceding fiscal year, including the average length of time required for such adjudications. Requires a rating official to make the initial determination of the Secretary on all original and reopened claims filed with the Secretary. Allows a single member (currently three) of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to be assigned to and make a determination on a proceeding before such Board. Makes such decision final unless the Chairman of such Board orders reconsideration, in which case three other Board members must hear the proceeding. Subjects decisions made by the Secretary or the Board to revision or reversal on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Managed Competition in Employer-Based Health Plans: Incentives to Control Costs Subtitle A: Use of Tax Incentives to Purchase Cost-Effective Plans Subtitle B: Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives (HPPCs) Subtitle C: Accountable Health Plans (AHPs) Subtitle D: Health Care Standards Commission Subtitle E: Managed Competition in Rural and Urban Underserved Areas Subtitle F: Treatment of Chronically Underserved Areas Subtitle G: Repeal of COBRA Continuation Requirements Subtitle H: Definitions Title II: Low-Income Assistance for Health Coverage Subtitle A: Low-Income Assistance Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Phase-Down Assistance to States Subtitle C: Financing Subtitle D: Repeal of Medicaid Program Title III: Training and Education of Health Care Professionals Subtitle A: Reform of Federal Funding for Medical Residency Training Subtitle B: Other Medical Education Grants and Programs Title IV: Preventive Health and Individual Responsibility Subtitle A: Expansion of Public Health Programs Subtitle B: Medicare Title V: Malpractice Reform Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADR) Subtitle D: Grants to States for Development of Practice Guidelines Title VI: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification Title VII: Additional Benefits On a Pay-As-You-Go Basis Managed Competition Act of 1993 - Title I: Managed Competition in Employer-Based Health Plans: Incentives to Control Costs - Subtitle A: Use of Tax Incentives to Purchase Cost-Effective Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the excess health plan expenses of any employer which are health plan expenses exceeding specific limits under an accountable health plan for a defined geographical area. (Sec. 1002) Increases to 100 percent and makes permanent the deduction for health plan premium expenses of self-employed individuals. (Sec. 1003) Permits the deduction for medical, dental, etc. expenses without regard to the limitation on such deduction with respect to amounts paid for premiums under an accountable health plan. (Sec. 1004) Provides for the exclusion from gross income of contributions by a partnership or S corporation to a health plan covering partners or shareholders. (Sec. 1006) Eliminates the commonality of interest and geographic location requirements with respect to group purchasing by large tax-exempt organizations. Subtitle B: Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives (HPPCs) - Provides for the establishment of Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives (HPPCs). Considers each State to be a HPPC, except that a State may subdivide into HPPC areas, and that there may be interstate HPPCs, as specified. Requires HPPCs to enter into agreements with accountable health plans and small employers, offer enrollment in accountable health plans, and charge premiums. Subtitle C: Accountable Health Plans (AHPs) - Directs the Health Care Standards Commission to provide a process whereby a health plan may be registered with the Commission by its sponsor as an accountable health plan. Sets forth requirements for a plan to be registered, including: (1) coverage for a specified uniform set of benefits, including cost-sharing for low-income individuals; (2) standard premiums for the uniform benefits; (3) grievance procedures; (4) collecting and providing specified information; (5) prohibiting discrimination in enrollment or benefits; and (6) financial solvency. (Sec. 1208) Sets forth additional requirements for open AHPs, which is any plan which is not closed. Defines a closed plan as one limited by structure or law to one or more large employers. (Sec. 1211) Requires each AHP to provide for payment of one percent of gross premium receipts to the National Medical Education Fund. (Sec. 1221) Sets forth provisions concerning the preemption of State laws for AHPs. (Sec. 1231) Directs the President to provide for the development and publication of guidelines on the application of Federal antitrust laws to AHPs. (Sec. 1232) Provides for the issuance of certificates of public advantage by the Attorney General to eligible health care joint ventures which, if followed, exempt such ventures from antitrust liability. Subtitle D: Health Care Standards Commission - Establishes, as an independent agency in the Executive Branch, a Health Care Standards Commission. Requires the Commission to transmit annually to the Congress recommendations for the uniform set of effective benefits. States that such recommendations shall apply unless the Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval. (Sec. 1303) Directs the Commission to provide for the initial organization, as a nonprofit corporation, of the Benefits, Evaluations, and Data Standards Board in order to make recommendations to the Commission concerning the uniform set of effective benefits and matters related to the evaluation of health care services. (Sec. 1304) Directs the Commission to provide for the initial organization, as a nonprofit organization of the Health Plan Standards Board in order to make recommendations to the Commission concerning the standards for AHPs and concerning its assessment of risk-adjustment factors. (Sec. 1305) Sets forth provisions concerning the registration of AHPs. (Sec. 1306) Directs the Commission to establish rules for the process of risk-adjustment of premiums among AHPs by HPPCs. (Sec. 1307) Directs the Commission to publish information concerning procedures, their prices, and their quality. (Sec. 1309) Establishes, within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Agency for Clinical Evaluations which shall assume the responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Medical Applications of Research at the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Office of Research and Demonstrations of the Health Care Financing Administration (insofar as such responsibilities relate to clinical evaluations), the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research under title IX of the Public Health Service Act, as well as other specified responsibilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1311) Prohibits the Commission from establishing or enforcing any controls on health care spending. (Sec. 1313) Authorizes appropriations for the Commission through FY 2000. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 1999. Subtitle E: Managed Competition in Rural and Urban Underserved Areas - Authorizes the Governor of any State to designate rural and urban areas of a State as underserved areas. Permits a HPPC serving such an area to require AHPs offered by the HPPC and with a service area adjoining such area to include the area as part of their service area. (Sec. 1411) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) technical assistance for entities seeking to establish a network plan in an underserved area; (2) financial assistance to eligible entities in order to provide for the development and implementation of AHPs in rural areas; and (3) under the Public Health Service Act, migrant health centers and community health centers. (Sec. 1422) Provides coverage under part B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for rural emergency access care hospital services. (Sec. 1431) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments for transitional assistance to eligible hospitals. Requires any hospital accepting such assistance to provide a significant volume of services to persons unable to pay for services. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Treatment of Chronically Underserved Areas - Directs the Health Care Standards Commission to develop standards for the identification of chronically underserved areas. Makes provisions for addressing health care delivery in such areas. Subtitle G: Repeal of COBRA Continuation Requirements - Repeals the COBRA continuation requirements for group health plans and title XXII of the Public Health Service Act. Subtitle H: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for this title and title II. Title II: Low-Income Assistance for Health Coverage - Subtitle A: Low-Income Assistance - Provides premium assistance for very-low income individuals and moderately low-income individuals. Provides for nominal cost-sharing for such individuals and special assistance for certain items and services. Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Phase-Down Assistance to States - Provides for long-term care phase-down assistance to eligible States for each calendar quarter in 1995 through 1998. Subtitle C: Financing - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to achieve savings under such program by: (1) reducing the update for inpatient hospital services; (2) reducing the conversion factor for the physician fee schedule for non-primary care services; and (3) reducing hospital outpatient services through establishing a prospective payment system. (Sec. 2204) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a Medicare part B premium tax on higher-income individuals. (Sec. 2205) Achieves additional Medicare savings through the: (1) phased-in elimination of Medicare disproportionate share adjustment payments; (2) reduction of routine cost limits for home health services; (3) reduction in routine cost limits for extended care services; and (4) reductions in payments for hospice services. Subtitle D: Repeal of Medicaid Program - Repeals title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Title III: Training and Education of Health Care Professionals - Subtitle A: Reform of Federal Funding for Medical Residency Training - Directs the Health Care Standards Commission to approve a resident training position in medical residency program for purposes of funding approved medical residency training programs under this title. Provides funding, in addition, for physician retraining. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the allocation of entry positions among programs; and (2) the general distribution of positions among specialties. (Sec. 3004) Requires payment by AHPs of one percent of gross premium receipts to the National Medical Education Fund. Requires payments from the Medicare trust funds to the National Medical Education Fund. (Sec. 3005) Establishes the National Medical Education Fund. Subtitle B: Other Medical Education Grants and Programs - Authorizes appropriations under the Public Health Service Act for medical education programs, including: (1) the scholarship and loan repayment programs of the National Health Service Corps; (2) area education centers; (3) public health and preventive medicine; (4) family medicine; (5) general internal medicine and pediatrics; (6) physician assistants; (7) allied health projects grants and contracts; and (8) nurse practitioner and nurse midwife programs. Title IV: Preventive Health and Individual Responsibility - Subtitle A: Expansion of Public Health Programs - Authorizes appropriations under the Public Health Service Act for the following public health programs: (1) immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis; (3) lead poisoning prevention; (4) preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers; (5) the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; (6) the Office of Minority Health; (7) preventive health and health services block grant; (8) categorical grants for early intervention regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and (9) programs of the Centers for Disease Control regarding the smoking of tobacco products. Directs the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to promote individual responsibility in personal health care and in the use of valuable health care resources. Subtitle B: Medicare - Provides Medicare coverage for: (1) screening fecal-occult blood tests and screening flexible sigmoidoscopies for the purpose of the early detection of cancer; (2) tetanus-diphtheria boosters; (3) well-child services; and (4) an annual screening mammography for women over age 64. Title V: Malpractice Reform - Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions - Sets forth the findings, purpose, and definitions for this title. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims - Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice liability action in a State court unless there has been an initial resolution under an alternative dispute resolution system. Limits the total noneconomic damages in such actions to $250,000. Sets limits on attorney's fees. Makes special provision for obstetric services. Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADR) - Establishes requirements for State alternative dispute resolution systems. Provides for grants to States to assist in implementation of such systems. Subtitle D: Grants to States for Development of Practice Guidelines - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for the development of medical practice guidelines for health care professionals that may be applied to resolve medical malpractice liability claims. Title VI: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification - Preempts State quill pen laws. Ensures the confidential treatment of electronic health care information. Sets forth provisions which provide for: (1) the standardization of electronic health information; (2) uniform claims forms; (3) the liability of insurers when benefits are payable under two or more plans; and (4) the uniformity of the availability of information among health plans when benefits are payable under two or more plans. (Sec. 6007) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on a health plan not in compliance with specified requirements of this title. Title VII: Additional Benefits On a Pay-As-You-Go Basis - Expresses the sense of the Congress that additional benefits should be provided by the Federal Government to the extent that additional financing is made available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1993
Federal Court Settlements Sunshine Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal judicial code to require public disclosure of settlements of civil actions to which the United States is a party, with exceptions. Prohibits such civil actions from being dismissed except by order of court and requires public disclosure of any settlement made after such dismissal.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1993
Abolishes the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice. Repeals specified Federal provisions which provided for the promotion by the Department of Defense of certain civilian marksmanship activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1993
Urges any health care reform legislation that is enacted to require a Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress and any individual holding a position in levels I through III of the Executive Schedule to enroll in a health plan offering the standard benefit package and to publicly disclose, on an annual basis, the health plan in which they are enrolled.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Smokeless Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Education Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on snuff and chewing tobacco equivalent to that on small cigarettes. Establishes in the Treasury the Smokeless Tobacco Education and Prevention Trust Fund. Requires ten percent of the net increase in revenues received by reason of this Act to be transferred to such Fund. Makes the Fund available for programs of public education regarding the risks of smokeless tobacco and other programs to reduce the consumption of smokeless tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1993
Smokeless Tobacco Distribution Control Act of 1993 - Prohibits the distribution of free samples of smokeless tobacco products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to monitor compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1993
Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that any television with a screen of at least 13 inches which is manufactured, or imported for use, in the United States be equipped with circuitry designed to enable viewers to block the display of channels, programs, time slots, and all programs with a common rating. Prohibits shipping in interstate commerce, manufacturing, assembling, or importing any such television except pursuant to rules prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Requires such rules to provide performance and display standards for such blocking technology. Directs the FCC, as new video technology is developed, to ensure that blocking service continues to be available to consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1993
Directs the President to: (1) investigate and report to the Congress on the whereabouts of U.S. citizens and others who have been missing from Cyprus since 1974; and (2) do everything possible to return such persons (including remains of those no longer alive) to their families.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1993
Amends the Tea Importation Act to prohibit the examination of tea for importation into the United States, or its release by the Collector of Customs, unless the importer or consignee has paid a fee of ten cents for each hundred weight or fraction thereof of such tea.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1993
Employment Discrimination Evidentiary Amendment of 1993 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide that an unlawful employment practice based on disparate treatment is established if: (1) the complaining party proves by a preponderance of the evidence a prima facie case that the respondent engaged in such practice; and (2) either the respondent cannot rebut such case, or the respondent produces evidence of one or more nondiscriminatory reasons for the conduct alleged to be unlawful and the complaining party demonstrates that each of such reasons is not true, but a pretext for discrimination that is the unlawful employment practice.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Reorganization of the Federal Administrative Judiciary Act - Establishes an administrative Law Judge Corps to be comprised of all current administrative law judges. States that the chief administrative law judge shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes the chief judge responsible for developing programs and practices which foster economy and efficiency in the processing of cases heard by administrative law judges. Establishes eight divisions within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Identifies the divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. Specifies qualifications required for division chief judges. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to: (1) assign judges to divisions and to transfer or reassign judges from one division to another; (2) appoint persons as administrative law judges; (3) file charges against an administrative law judge; (4) prescribe certain rules of practice and procedure for proceedings before the Corps; (5) issue rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the Corps; and (6) perform other administrative functions. Directs the Council to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Directs the Council to issue regulations for assigning such cases. Authorizes agencies and courts to refer cases to the Corps, subject to specified requirements. Requires guidelines for the removal and discipline of administrative law judges. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Details the membership of such Board and the procedures to be followed. Declares Board proceedings and the contents of complaints to be privileged and confidential. Exempts: (1) documents and reports considered by the Board from the disclosure and publication requirements of the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) the Board from compliance with the public meeting requirements of specified Federal law. Directs the Corps' chief judge to study the various types of agency review to which decisions of administrative law judges are subject. Sets guidelines for such studies and directs the Council to report the findings of such studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt services performed by full-time students for organized seasonal children's camps from social security taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to: (1) repeal the notice and hearing requirements formerly applicable to unlisted trading privileges for corporate securities; and (2) prescribe guidelines under which a national securities exchange may extend unlisted trading privileges to a security listed and registered on any national securities exchange.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1993
World Summit for Children Implementation Act of 1993 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified amounts should be appropriated for FY 1994 and 1995 to achieve full participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under the Child Nutrition Act (WIC program) and the Head Start program. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1994 and 1995 for contributions to the United Nation's Children's Fund and for the Child Survival Fund. Expresses the sense of the Congress that authority should be granted to the President to exercise specified debt forgiveness for least developed countries that are pursuing economic policy reforms to promote long-term development. Earmarks development assistance funds for FY 1994 and 1995 for the Vitamin A Deficiency Program. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1994 and 1995 for: (1) iodine and iron fortification programs; and (2) prevention, care, and control programs related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in developing countries. Earmarks development and economic assistance funds for FY 1994 and 1995 for programs in support of basic education. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1994 and 1995 for population assistance activities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that specified amounts should be appropriated for FY 1994 and 1995 for migration and refugee assistance. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the World Bank to: (1) ensure that poverty reduction and support of basic human needs become a higher priority within the Bank; (2) ensure that the majority of water and sanitation projects fall within targeted interventions against poverty; and (3) increase the proportion of total Bank lending which supports primary health care and basic education, with a minimum of five percent of total lending devoted to each area. Requires the President to call upon other governments to provide their share of resources required to achieve the World Summit for Children goals by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Congressional Campaign and Election Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce maximum contribution amounts to candidates for Federal office from: (1) multicandidate political committees (PACs); and (2) persons other than PACs. (Sec. 4) Delineates circumstances in which a person's contribution shall be considered as being made through an intermediary or a conduit (and therefore treated as contributions from such person). (Sec. 5) Treats contributions by dependents not of voting age as contributions of the person or persons upon whom they are dependent. (Sec. 6) Aggregates, for contribution limit purposes, contributions from State and local party committees with all contributions from such political party. (Sec. 7) Makes it unlawful to secure or to use contributions secured by physical force or other intimidation. (Sec. 8) Prohibits a candidate from accepting cash contributions aggregating more than $100 from any one person. (Sec. 9) Defines "generic campaign activity" and "State Party Grassroots Fund." (Sec. 10) Establishes individual and PAC contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and other State party committees. Allows individuals to contribute up to a specified amount of funds annually to State party committees in addition to current amounts contributed annually to all candidates and their authorized committees. Replaces the current individual contribution limits for any calendar year with aggregate contribution limits for an election cycle. Revises presidential campaign expenditure limits. (Sec. 11) Prohibits, with exceptions, a national committee and a congressional campaign committee from soliciting or accepting contributions not subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements. Subjects to such requirements any amount ("soft money") solicited, received, or expended by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party with respect to certain activities such as voter registration or get-out-the vote efforts. (Sec. 12) Sets forth fundraising limitations for Federal candidates and office holders and certain political committees. (Sec. 13 and 14) Sets forth reporting requirements for: (1) political committees; (2) exempt contributions; (3) State committees; and (4) certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 15) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a licensee to provide equal broadcast time to qualified candidates for public office. (Sec. 16) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit Federal candidates from establishing leadership committees. Restricts contributions between principal campaign committees. (Sec. 17) Prohibits fund transfers among noncandidate, nonparty political committees. (Sec. 18) Restricts certain connected political action committee activities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Women and AIDS Research Initiative Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to conduct or support biomedical and behavioral research on cases of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in women. Regulates HIV clinical trials with women subjects. Mandates the conduct or support of: (1) clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of standard gynecological treatments in treating conditions arising from HIV infection; (2) clinical trials regarding whether the treatment protocols approved for men with HIV infection are effective for women with HIV infection; (3) research on barrier methods for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases that women can use without their sexual partner's cooperation or knowledge; and (4) epidemiological research to determine HIV risk factors particular to women. Mandates support services for women in the clinical trials. Regulates the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Women and HIV Outreach and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants, with regard to women (and their partners) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), for preventive health services, referrals, follow-ups, outreach, and training on the effective provision of such services. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to educate women on the prevention of infection with, and the transmission of, the etiologic agent for AIDS. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide: (1) substance abuse treatment to women; (2) counseling to women who engage in substance abuse on the prevention of infection with, and the transmission of, the etiologic agent for AIDS; and (3) such counseling to women who are the partners of individuals who abuse substances. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants under existing provisions to provide early intervention services for women and related technical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Microenterprise Opportunity Expansion Act - Amends the Social Security Act to exclude, for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance benefits, any resources and income used primarily for a small-sized business (microenterprise) owned by an individual otherwise eligible for such assistance. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe guidelines under which individuals starting microenterprises are entitled to unemployment compensation. Permits the use of funds in a State unemployment fund to assist eligible individuals in starting microenterprises. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to treat grants and loans made to certain microenterprises by a regulated financial institution as community reinvestments. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to treat as a qualified thrift investment the aggregate amount of microenterprise loans held by a savings association. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to permit the use of Federal community development funds for the administrative and operating costs of entities providing support for microenterprises. Requires each Federal banking agency to establish a division to promote microenterprises to be known as the Microenterprise Technical and Operations Office. Directs the Financial Institutions Examination Council to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the administration of the microenterprise loan provisions of this Act; and (2) the credit needs of certain small businesses ineligible for microenterprise loans.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Bankruptcy Amendments of 1993 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to raise to $1 million the ceiling on debts for eligibility to file as a chapter 13 debtor (bankrupt consumer repayment of debt under court supervision). (Currently the ceiling is $100,000 for unsecured debts, or $350,000 for certain secured debts.) Modifies the guidelines for: (1) chapter 13 bankruptcies; (2) automatic stays; (3) exemptions; (4) discharges; and (5) preferences. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to compile and make available to the public statistical information regarding bankruptcy cases.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Executive Composting Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Governor of each State should consider: (1) carrying out on-site composting of organic materials generated at their residences and grounds; and (2) distributing the resulting compost to visitors and local residents for use in gardens and for other appropriate purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Designates July 25 through 31, 1993, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes the President to urge U.S. departments and agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the American flag at half-staff on July 27, 1993, in honor of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster. Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service. Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles, and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Part-Time and Temporary Workers Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for approval of State unemployment compensation laws to provide for the eligibility for unemployment compensation of certain individuals seeking part-time employment. Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to conduct an annual survey identifying characteristics of temporary workers and their relationships with their employers. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for protection and treatment of part-time and temporary workers under: (1) participation, vesting, and accrual rules governing pension plans; and (2) group health plans. Expands the definition of employee to include certain individuals whose services are leased or contracted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
Fairness in Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations governing the manufacture, distribution, sale, labeling, and advertising and promotion (manufacture) of tobacco products which are consistent with regulations governing other products which are ingested, but bars the Secretary from outlawing the sale and distribution of a tobacco product solely because tobacco causes disease. Sets minimum requirements pursuant to such regulations, including a prohibition on the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors. Establishes in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Tobacco and Nicotine Products Advisory Committee which shall review: (1) the available scientific evidence on the effects of tobacco products on human health, including the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on nonsmokers; (2) the manufacturing process of tobacco products; (3) the role of nicotine as part of the smoking habit; (4) the marketing and promotional techniques used by tobacco manufacturers; and (5) current Federal, State, and local laws governing the manufacture of tobacco products. Requires each tobacco product manufacturer to: (1) register with the Secretary; and (2) pay an annual fee determined by the Secretary based upon the total market share for each brand of tobacco product. Credits fees collected for a fiscal year to the appropriation account for salaries and expenses of the FDA. Amends: (1) the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (FCLAA) and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 (CSTHEA) to modify warning labels to emphasize the addictive nature of smoking; and (2) the FFDCA to include tobacco products within recordkeeping requirements applicable to the interstate shipment and factory inspection of food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) modify the warning labels required by the FCLAA and CSTHEA if the modification in the content of the label does not weaken the health message and is in the best interests of the public health; and (2) increase the size and placement of such required labels.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
Native American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act of 1993 - Authorizes the National Museum of the American Indian to design, construct, and maintain a National Native American Veterans' Memorial. Locates the Memorial on the same site as the National Museum of the American Indian. Provides for funding of the Memorial through private donations. States that the United States shall not pay any of the Memorial's establishment expenses, other than providing the location. Defines "Native American" as an Indian, a Native Hawaiian, and an Alaska Native.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
Requests the President to issue a proclamation honoring the accomplishments and memory of Thurgood Marshall and designating July 2, 1993, Thurgood Marshall's birthday, as Thurgood Marshall Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Many Neighbors, One Earth Resolution - Urges the President to develop and implement a coordinated economic and development policy and program of action designed to promote broadbased, sustainable development that will reduce global hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways. Specifies that such policy and program should have as its principal objectives: (1) expanding economic opportunities; (2) meeting basic human needs; (3) promoting environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources; and (4) promoting pluralism, democratic participation, and human rights. Specifies that such policy and program should involve all relevant international activities of the U.S. Government. Urges the President to take specific actions, including: (1) proposing the enactment of legislation providing for a post-Cold War foreign assistance program to promote sustainable development, especially the reduction of hunger and poverty in environmentally sound ways; (2) developing and implementing development cooperation programs and projects in pursuit of such objectives; (3) ensuring that development cooperation programs take into account relevant local perspectives of the rural and urban poor during the design, planning, and implementation process for project and program assistance; and (4) encouraging and supporting the efforts of countries to reduce their level of military spending when such spending is disproportionate to security needs and to spending on health, education, and environmental protection.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1993
Terminates the Space Station Freedom and Advanced Solid Rocket Motor programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that at least 50 percent of the amounts so saved should be used for: (1) Federal deficit reduction; and (2) civil aviation and other programs of space science, research, and education.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to require that cigarette packages and cigarette advertising bear a label stating that nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive drug.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Tobacco Advertising Reform and Revenue Enhancement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow any deduction for tobacco product sale promotion expenses.
![Official portrait of Rep. Synar, Mike [D-OK-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001139_200.jpg)