United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1995
Church Retirement Benefits Simplification Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to recodify and revise qualifications for church retirement and pension plans. Makes employee contributions to such plans nonforfeitable. Requires the plan to meet minimum vesting requirements. Recodifies the authority of a church or a convention or association of churches to be treated as an employer making contributions to retirement income accounts. Subjects church-related hospitals and universities to certain coverage and related rules in the case of a contract purchased by a church. Requires distributions from retirement income accounts provided by churches to be in accordance with distributions under cash or deferred arrangements. Provides for determining the beginning date for such distributions. Allows self-employed ministers and chaplains who work for non-church employers to participate in their church plans. Provides that certain rules aggregating employees do not apply to churches. Restores qualified voluntary employee contributions to church plans. Treats self-employed ministers as employees for purposes of certain welfare benefit plans and retirement income accounts. Allows a deduction for contributions to retirement income accounts by such ministers. Provides that a church plan maintained by more than one employer shall not be treated as a single plan. Provides that accounting methods of deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations do not apply to a church plan. Exempts a church plan from the requirement to maintain separate accounts for medical benefits for key employees. Provides that the special rules for computing employee contributions to pension plans do not apply to certain foreign missionaries. Repeals the elective deferral catch-up limitation for church retirement income accounts. Allows church plans to annuitize benefits and increase benefit payments. Provides that rules for self-insured medical reimbursement plans are not applicable to church plans. Provides that retirement benefits of ministers are not subject to the tax on net earnings from self-employment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
1995 Community Protection Initiative - Amends the Federal criminal code to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers carrying appropriate written identification of such status from State and local laws prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Provides that the effective date for discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation and veterans' pension paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall be the date on which the recipient dies (currently the last day of the month preceding death) in the case of a veteran with a surviving spouse. Requires payments of such compensation to be made to the surviving spouse. Provides that the effective date for the award of dependency and indemnity compensation for which application is received within one year from the date of the veteran's death shall be the day following the date of death in the case of a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Civil Justice Reform Title II: Reform of Private Securities Litigation Common Sense Legal Reforms Act of 1995 - Title I: Civil Justice Reform - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide for the award of attorney's fees to the prevailing party in Federal civil diversity litigation. Grants the district court discretion to reduce the amount of such award under special circumstances. (Sec. 102) Amends Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence to make inadmissible: (l) testimony by a witness in the form of an opinion that is based on scientific knowledge unless the court determines that such opinion is based on scientifically valid reasoning and is sufficiently reliable so that its probative value outweighs specified dangers; and (2) testimony by a witness who is qualified if such witness is entitled to receive any compensation contingent on the legal disposition of any claim with respect to which such testimony is offered. (Sec. 103) Sets forth rules governing any product liability action brought in State or Federal court against a manufacturer or seller of a product on any theory for harm caused by the product which shall supersede State law only to the extent that State law applies to an issue covered by this section. Specifies that any issue not covered by this section shall be governed by otherwise applicable State or Federal law. Makes a product seller liable to a claimant for harm only if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product which allegedly caused the harm complained of was sold by the product seller, the product seller failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product, and such failure to exercise reasonable care was a proximate cause of the claimant's harm; (2) the seller made an express warranty applicable to the product which allegedly caused such harm, independent of any express warranty made by the manufacturer as to the same product, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and the failure of the product to conform caused the claimant's harm; or (3) the seller engaged in intentional wrongdoing as determined under applicable State law and such intentional wrongdoing was a proximate cause of the harm. Makes an exception where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process under the laws of the State in which the claimant brings the action; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Permits the award of punitive damages against a manufacturer or product seller, to the extent permitted by applicable State law, if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting actual malice. Limits the amount of such damages to three times the amount awarded to the claimant for the economic injury on which such claim is based or $250,000, whichever is greater. Specifies that the liability of each manufacturer or seller of the product involved in the action shall be several only and not joint for non-economic damages. Makes the manufacturer or seller liable only for the amount of non-economic damages allocated in direct proportion to such manufacturer's or seller's percentage of responsibility as determined by the trier of fact. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should require each attorney admitted to practice law in such State to disclose in writing to any client with whom such attorney has entered into a contingency fee agreement: (1) the actual services performed for such client in connection with such agreement; and (2) the precise number of hours actually expended by such attorney in the performance of such services. Amends Rule 11(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require (currently, allow) the court to impose an appropriate sanction upon an attorney, law firm, or party that has made specified representations to the court (e.g., a representation intended to harass, cause unnecessary delay, increase the cost of litigation, or present frivolous arguments) to compensate the parties injured by the conduct. (Sec. 105) Amends the Federal judicial code to require a district court to dismiss a civil action, without prejudice, if: (1) not later than 60 days after such action is commenced, the defendant files a motion to dismiss on the basis that the plaintiff failed to transmit a written statement specifying the particular claims alleged and the amount of damages claimed to the defendant at least 30 days before commencing such action; and (2) the plaintiff fails to establish that before commencing such action the plaintiff complied with such requirement. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) exceptions (e.g., any civil action to seize or forfeit assets subject to forfeiture and actions where the defendant is likely to flee); and (2) the statute of limitations. (Sec. 106) Revises rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each committee report on a bill or joint resolution (bill) of a public character to include: (1) whether that bill preempts the law of any State; (2) the retroactive applicability, if any, of that bill; (3) whether that bill creates a private cause of action and, if so, a description of the relief and the terms and conditions for awarding any attorney fees; and (4) the applicability, if any, of that bill to the Federal Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. (Sec. 107) Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to prohibit any person from bringing an action under such Act for damages based on injury to that person's business or property if the racketeering activity involves conduct actionable as fraud in the purchase or sale of securities. Title II: Reform of Private Securities Litigation - Securities Litigation Reform Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to class actions, to require a court-appointed class action steering committee (composed of class members), or, in the absence of such a committee, a guardian ad litem, to direct counsel for the plaintiff class. (Sec. 202) Sets forth disclosure guidelines for any proposed settlement agreement that is disseminated to the plaintiff class, including: (1) a statement about agreement or disagreement on the amount of damages and the likelihood of the plaintiff's prevailing; (2) the amount of legal costs and fees sought as part of the settlement; and (3) the identification of lawyers' representatives who will be available to answer questions from class members. Prohibits the use of disgorgement funds resulting from actions brought by the Securities Exchange Commission (the Commission) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. (Sec. 203) Declares that the portion of any final judgment or settlement awarded to class plaintiffs serving as the representative parties shall be equal (on a per share basis) to the portion of the final judgment awarded to all other members of the class. Revises the guidelines for private class action suits to: (1) require named plaintiffs to own, in the aggregate, at least $10,000 (market value) in the class of securities concerned, or one percent of that class, whichever is lesser; (2) restrict to five the number of class actions filed by a named plaintiff during any three-year period; (3) subject a losing party litigant to liability for the prevailing party's legal fees; (4) require the court to make a conflict of interest determination with respect to a plaintiff's counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (5) discharge from all claims for contribution by nonsettling persons a defendant who settles before verdict or judgment; (6) provide for recovery of contribution by a person who becomes liable for damages from certain non-parties who would have been liable for the same damages, if joined in the original suit; and (7) grant defendants the right to special verdicts establishing scienter (state of mind). Prohibits brokers or dealers from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any private action. (Sec. 204) Delineates the requirements for securities fraud actions, including: (1) explicit pleading and proof of scienter; (2) plaintiff's reliance on a material misstatement or omission that proximately caused the plaintiff's loss; and (3) limitations on damages. (Sec. 205) Directs the Commission to: (1) re-examine the regulatory and judicial framework with respect to predictive statements concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities ("forward-looking statements"); (2) create clear and objective criteria ("safe harbor" rules), sufficient to protect investors, by which forward-looking statements will be deemed not to violate such Act; and (3) prescribe procedures for timely court dismissal of claims against securities issuers based on such statements. (Sec. 206) Prescribes procedural guidelines for alternative dispute resolution of private actions, especially class actions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
COLA Equity Act - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to: (1) provide that the initial month for which a cost of living increase in military retired pay that becomes effective on December 1 of 1993, 1994, or 1995 is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the following year for persons who first became a member of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986; and (2) provide that such special rule shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1995 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to such retirement pay is based solely on age, length of service, or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total. Declares that, once the Federal budget deficit has been reduced, the Congress should reexamine and eliminate any offset of retired pay by a veteran's disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1994
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to transfer certain real property at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (2) the city of San Antonio, Texas. Requires the: (1) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use such property as a national cemetery; and (2) city to use such property as a public park. Provides for property return or reversion if not used for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1994
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from determining a species as an endangered or threatened species, or from designating a critical habitat of a species, until such Act has been reauthorized.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1994
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from three years to five years the period during which Medicare select policies may be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Urges the President to issue an Executive order: (1) fostering the advancement of the National Education Goals for American Indians; (2) promoting Federal assistance for tribally controlled and operated post-secondary institutions; and (3) establishing an advisory commission on tribally controlled institutions of higher learning.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' Title VI: Truth-In-Sentencing Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished Title VIII: Improving Border Controls Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies Back-To-Basics Crime Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Grants for Correctional Facilities - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States to construct, expand, and improve prisons and jails. Authorizes specified sums to each State without conditions imposed by the Federal Government, except requirements to comply with this title and to use such funds exclusively for the construction of prisons and jails. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth formulas for the distribution of funds in FY 1995 and in FY 1996 through 1999 based on violent crimes reported by the States to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that 25 percent of total funds appropriated under this title shall be allocated to each eligible State according to a formula which takes into account the percentage change in the time to be served by persons convicted of violent crimes. Directs that States which have achieved a truth in sentencing standard of violent criminals serving 85 percent of prison time assessed receive the incentive funds, subject to specified requirements. Title II: State and Local Law Enforcement Grants - Requires the Attorney General to make grants to States to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service. Authorizes specified funds, without conditions imposed by the Federal Government (except that the funds be used exclusively to increase the number of law enforcement officers in service). Requires States to allocate 80 percent of their grants to local government for use by local law enforcement, as nearly as possible in proportion to the populations served by such local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Title III: Protection Against Sexually Violent Predators - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish guidelines for State programs to require a sexually violent predator to register a current address with a designated State LEA upon being released from prison or being placed on parole or supervised release; and (2) approve each State program that complies with the guidelines. Makes States that do not implement and maintain such programs ineligible to receive ten percent of the funds that would otherwise be allocated to the State in drug control and system improvement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Requires: (1) the determination that a person is, or is no longer, a sexually violent predator to be made by the sentencing court after receiving a report by a board of experts on sexual offenses; and (2) each State to establish a board composed of experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification regarding the duty of an offender to register and to provide any new address to a designated State LEA and of a State prison official to obtain specified information; (2) the transfer of information to the State LEA and to the FBI; (3) quarterly verification of the released offender's address; (4) penalties for failing to register and keep the registration current; (5) termination of the obligation to register; (6) community notification concerning a predator required to register; and (7) immunity for good faith conduct by LEAs, their employees, and State officials. Title IV: Eliminating Excessive and Redundant Appeals - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for Federal prisoners filing for collateral relief. (Sec. 406) Sets forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases brought by prisoners in State custody who are subject to a capital sentence. Makes such procedures contingent upon: (1) a State establishing by rule of its court of last resort or by statute a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of competent counsel in State post convictions and sentences have been upheld on direct appeal to such court or have otherwise become final; and (2) such rule or statute providing standards of competency for the appointment of counsel. Provides for a mandatory stay of execution during the post-conviction review initiated pursuant to this title. Details conditions which will cause such stay to expire. Prohibits a Federal court from entering a stay of execution or granting relief in a capital case unless specified conditions are met. Sets forth lime limits for determining petitions. Authorizes the State or Government to enforce such time limits by applying to the court of appeals or the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus. Title V: Reform of 'Exclusionary Rule' - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure, in a proceeding in a court of the United States, on the grounds that the search or seizure was in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution if it was carried out in circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with such amendment. Makes the fact that evidence was obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant prima facie evidence of the existence of such circumstances. Prohibits the exclusion of evidence, in a proceeding in a U.S. court, on the ground that it was obtained in violation of a statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure unless exclusion is expressly authorized by statute or by a rule prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Title VI: Truth in Sentencing - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit the Bureau of Prisons to add, in its discretion, additional time to a prisoner's sentence of up to 15 percent of the prisoner's term for unsatisfactory behavior. Prohibits a sentence from being reduced for satisfactory behavior to a term less than the original sentence nominally imposed. Title VII: Prison Work Required; Luxuries Abolished - Directs the Attorney General to implement and enforce regulations which: (1) mandate prison work for all able-bodied inmates in Federal penal and correctional institutions; and (2) prohibit the Government provision in inmates' cells of television, radio, telephone, stereo, or similar amenities. (Sec. 702) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit awards of Pell grants to prisoners in Federal or State penal institutions. Title VIII: Improving Border Controls - Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to use such funds to permit the commander of the Border Patrol to increase by at least 6,000 the number of border patrol agent positions above the number of such positions as July 1, 1994. (Sec. 802) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited deportation and exclusion of criminal aliens. Prohibits reentry of an alien into the United States during the minimum period of confinement to which the alien was sentenced. Authorizes the Attorney General to prescribe special regulations for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens on criminal probation or parole. Expands the definitions of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 805) Sets forth deportation procedures for certain criminal aliens who are not permanent residents. Grants a U.S. district court jurisdiction to enter a judicial order of deportation at the time of sentencing against an alien whose criminal conviction causes such alien to be deportable under provisions relating to conviction of an aggravated felony if requested prior to sentencing by the U.S. Attorney. (Sec. 807) Restricts defenses to deportation for certain criminal aliens. Enhances penalties for failing to depart or reentering after a final order of deportation. (Sec. 810) Authorizes appropriations for a criminal alien information system. Title IX: Enhanced Gun Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to enhance penalties imposed upon persons convicted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to the commission of a felony. (Sec. 902) Sets a mandatory minimum sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fugitive from justice, addict or unlawful user of a controlled substance, or transferor or receiver of a stolen firearm. (Sec. 903) Increases the general penalty for violation of Federal firearms laws. Title X: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Establishes a Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund as a separate account in the Treasury into which shall be transferred savings realized from implementation of provisions of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) transfers into, and appropriations from, the Fund; (2) annual reporting requirements on the status of the Fund; and (3) allocation of sums in the Fund. Extends authorizations of appropriations for fiscal years for which the full amount authorized is not appropriated. Title XI: Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Persons Convicted of Certain Felonies - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted in Federal court of a serious violent felony if: (1) the person has been convicted (and the conviction has become final) on separate prior occasions in a Federal or State court of two or more serious violent felonies, or one or more serious violent felonies and one or more serious drug offenses; and (2) each serious violent felony or serious drug offense used as a basis for sentencing under this title, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony or serious drug offense. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government; and (2) resentencing upon the overturning of a prior conviction. (Sec. 1102) Prohibits the court from reducing the sentence of a defendant unless specified conditions are met, including that defendant is at least age 70, has served at least 30 years in prison for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is currently imprisoned, and a determination has been made by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons that the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any other person or the community.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative stamp should be issued in honor of Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, educator, civil and human rights nonviolent leader, and public theologian.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should award Benjamin Elijah Mays the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in honor of his distinguished career as an educator, civil and human rights nonviolent leader, and public theologian and his many contributions to the improvement of American society and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1994
Commends the U.S. rice industry for its decision to establish an industry organization. Recognizes the success such decision will have in promoting the interests of the rice industry and the rice-consuming public.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1994
Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to direct the President (currently, the Attorney General) to appoint a U.S. marshal for the Virgin Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Waives certain time limitations with respect to the posthumous award of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for acts of heroism while serving in the Navy during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1994
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) one of the principal purposes of health care reform should be to ensure that medically underserved populations are provided adequate access to health services; (2) the reform should require that each health plan make provider agreements with specified types of individuals, institutions, and entities; and (3) the reform should require that those individuals, institutions, and entities provide services in the most appropriate language and cultural context.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1994
Includes within the definition of "educational institution" for purposes of the provision of educational assistance to veterans, until September 30, 1996, entities that provide training required for the completion of any State-approved alternative teacher certification program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) June 21, 1994, is designated as Freedom Summer Remembrance Day; and (2) it reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1994
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, to the Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a gold medal in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity. States that no appropriations are authorized to implement this Act. Declares that the medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Designates September 16, 1994, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at: (1) all national cemeteries and the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 30, 1994 (Memorial Day), September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day), and November 11, 1994 (Veterans Day); and (2) the White House and the buildings containing the primary offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Selective Service System on September 16, 1994 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day).
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Veterans' Persian Gulf War Benefits Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) develop and expeditiously implement a uniform case assessment protocol that will ensure thorough assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from illnesses attributed to service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; (2) expedite efforts to develop case definitions or diagnoses for illnesses associated with such service; and (3) develop and implement a comprehensive outreach program to inform such veterans and their families of health-care services, including comprehensive medical evaluations, that may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Directs the Secretary to pay compensation to Persian Gulf War veterans suffering from a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness that became manifest to a degree of ten percent or more within one year after completion of active duty in the Gulf War, with exceptions. Terminates compensation payments three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) FY 1995 through 1997 for conducting research of the health risk and effects of service during the Gulf War and the treatment of such effects; and (2) FY 1995 for a survey of Persian Gulf veterans as to the incidence and nature of health problems occurring in such veterans and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
National Security Budgeting and Deficit Control Act of 1994 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings) to extend the caps on defense and nondefense discretionary spending through FY 1998. Requires the special budget authority adjustment required in the final sequestration report for FY 1995 under such Act to be equally divided between the defense and nondefense categories for each applicable fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1994
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer on a nonreimbursable basis any excess industrial property to any nonprofit educational institution or training school when such entity's proposed use of such property will contribute materially to the national defense.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
Low-Income Housing Incentive Act - Requires a General Accounting Office study regarding public housing demolition and disposition and the need for larger public housing dwelling units. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a five-year demonstration assistance program to State housing agencies for development of affordable rental housing. Requires participating housing agencies to carry out qualifying affordable housing incentive loan programs. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) merge the section 8 certificate and voucher programs into a new low-income housing program; and (2) temporarily exclude from eligibility determinations income increases resulting from employment of previously unemployed family members.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1994
Elderly Housing Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit for an individual who maintains a household which includes a qualified elderly relative.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
Agricultural Mediation Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to expand the types of agricultural issues covered by State mediation programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the United States Botanic Garden; and (2) pay all surcharges received from such coin sales to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1994
Civilian Ex-Prisoner of War Health and Disability Benefits Act of 1994 - Entitles a former civilian prisoner of war (POW) to receive necessary medical care and disability benefits for any injury or disability resulting from the period of internment or hiding. Requires any presumptive medical and dental condition related to a period of internment provided for former military POWs to be extended to former civilian POWs and requires that it be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by the period of internment or hiding regardless of the absence of any record of the injury. Establishes the Former Civilian Prisoner of War Committee. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1994
Prohibits any person from taking (or threatening to take) an unfavorable personnel action or withholding (or threatening to withhold) a favorable personnel action as a reprisal against a member of the armed forces for making or preparing a communication alleging sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination against such member. Requires the Inspector General of either the Department of Defense or the Department of Transportation (for Coast Guard members when such service is not operating as a service in the Navy) to expeditiously investigate such allegations and report results to the Secretary of Defense or Transportation, as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any national health care reform legislation should cover syringes for those individuals with diabetes who require the administration of insulin by syringe.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1994
Urban Recreation and At-Risk Youth Act of 1994 - Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide, through the urban park and recreation recovery program, at-risk youth recreation grants in neighborhoods and communities with a high prevalence of crime, particularly violent crime or crime committed by youth, for purposes including the provision of lighting, emergency phones, or other capital improvements for the security of urban parks. Directs the Secretary to give grant priority to local government programs meeting specified criteria, including: (1) targeting youth at the greatest risk of becoming involved in violence and crime; (2) teaching important values and life skills; (3) offering education and counseling in addition to recreation opportunities; and (4) showing the greatest potential of being continued with non-Federal funds or serving as models. Requires local governments, to be eligible for such grants, to include strategies to reduce crime and juvenile delinquency in their five-year action programs for park and recreation recovery. Requires no more than 25 percent of Federal grant funds made available under such Act to be used for program support. Repeals provisions limiting the duration of the urban park and recreation recovery program to five years.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to extend the compliance date for certain provisions of the worker protection standard relating to pesticide safety requirements to October 23, 1995. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) develop and distribute pesticide safety training materials that convey, at a minimum, specified information set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations; and (2) assist the appropriate State, Federal, and tribal agencies in implementing pesticide safety training programs. Extends the compliance date for meeting a requirement for worker protection labeling statements on certain pesticide products from April 21, 1994, to October 23, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Designates March 23, 1994, the 92d birthday of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement), as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Honors James Norman Hall for his outstanding contributions to the United States, France, Tahiti, and the South Pacific. Requests the President to provide for the presentation of a copy of this concurrent resolution to the President of Tahiti Nui (French Polynesia) to be publicly displayed at the James Norman Hall Museum in Tahiti.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
![Official portrait of Rep. Tejeda, Frank [D-TX-28]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/3b5e848d77fa05b8bff278f8436abb0a_200.jpg)