United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Medicaid Mammography Coverage Act of 1995 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage of screening mammographies for women aged 35 and older. Varies the permissible frequency of such covered tests on the basis of a woman's age and her risk of developing breast cancer. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to periodically review and revise permissible frequencies of such tests. Makes such coverage mandatory. Prohibits imposition of charges against beneficiaries for such services. Provides for a 100 percent Federal match for such screening mammography services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Equal Access to Annual Screening Mammography Act of 1995 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the breast cancer screening benefit to cover on an annual basis (currently, biennial) routine breast cancer screening for women aged 65 and older (thus covering them on the same basis as those aged 49 through 64).
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) trafficking in persons violates human dignity and forced prostitution involving physical coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of forced labor and a slavery-like practice; (2) the U.S. State Department should continue to press the Government of Thailand to strictly enforce all laws that can lead to the prosecution of those involved in trafficking and forced prostitution, ensure that Thai police participants in U.S. Government-sponsored police training programs are systematically vetted to exclude those implicated in such activities, urge the Thai Government to protect the rights and safety of Burmese women and girls in Thailand who are freed from brothels or arrested as illegal immigrants because their status as trafficking victims is unclear, and report to the Congress; (3) the executive branch should take steps to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of those forces who might be involved in trafficking, forced prostitution, or abuse of women who are apprehended; and (4) the Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese women in the Thai sex industry.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Open Market Committee and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System should defer any further increase in the Federal funds rate and the discount rate until at least September 1995 in order to assess the impact of past increases on the soundness of the American economy and the economic security of the American worker and his or her family.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
A to Z Spending Cuts Plan - Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 1995 in amounts equal to rescissions under this Act. Declares that reductions in outlays shall not be taken into account for sequestration purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 1995 through 1998 by the amount of rescissions and additional savings under this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each reduction in the discretionary spending caps caused by the spending cuts of this Act shall result in reduction in future spending for that particular program only.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1995
Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Housing Act to revise the definition of housing for older persons (thus modifying the exemption from certain familial status discrimination prohibitions). Makes a good faith attempt at compliance a defense against civil money damages.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to charge fees for expenses to the Federal Government for triploid grass carp certification inspections requested by a person owning or operating an aquaculture facility.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
Women's Right To Know Act of 1995 - Amends title XI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit a governmental authority, in or through any program or activity that provides health care services or information, from limiting the right of any person to provide or to receive nonfraudulent information about the availability of reproductive health care services, including family planning, prenatal care, adoption, and abortion services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Fairness in Medicaid Funding Act of 1995 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the State percentage factor and related factors in the Federal medical assistance percentage used under the Medicaid program. Bases payments to the States for administration costs on the Federal medical assistance percentage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and other Federal law to make any managed health care plan established by the Secretary of Defense in the Military Health Services System eligible for payments by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on behalf of any plan enrollees entitled to Medicare benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Social Security Notch Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act with respect to the benefit computation formula for individuals who reached age 65 in or after 1982 and to whom applies the 15-year period of transition to the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 70 percent to ten percent keyed to the year an individual became eligible for such benefits between 1979 and 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends rule XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise provisions regarding the acceptance of gifts. Prohibits any Member, officer, or employee of the House from knowingly accepting a gift from a paid lobbyist, lobbying firm, or an agent of a foreign principal. Includes within the gift restriction: (1) anything provided to a Member, officer, or employee by lobbyists or foreign agents which is believed to be paid for or reimbursed by a client or firm of the lobbyist or foreign agent; (2) charitable contributions made by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents on the basis of a recommendation or specification of a Member, officer, or employee or charitable contributions made by such individuals in lieu of honoraria; (3) contributions and other payments by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents to a legal expense fund established for the benefit of a Member, officer, or employee; and (4) financial contributions or expenditures made by lobbyists, lobbying firms, or foreign agents relating to a conference or similar event affiliated with an official congressional organization for or on behalf of Members, officers, or employees. Lists items exempt from such restriction, including: (1) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (2) food or refreshments of nominal value; (3) benefits resulting from the business or outside activities of the spouse of the Member, officer, or employee if such benefits are customarily provided to others; (4) pension and other benefits resulting from continued participation in an employee welfare and benefits plan maintained by a former employer; and (5) specified informational materials. Makes the gift restriction inapplicable under circumstances which make it clear that the gift is given for a nonbusiness purpose and is motivated by a family or close personal relationship. Sets forth factors to be considered in determining if the giving of the item is so motivated. Prohibits any Member, officer, or employee from knowingly accepting a gift from any other person (currently, such individuals may accept gifts totalling up to $250 from any one person, except as permitted by specified waivers). Considers a gift to a spouse or dependent of a Member, officer, or employee to be a gift to the Member, officer, or employee if given with their knowledge and acquiescence and if there is reason to believe that the gift was given because of their official positions. Lists items exempt from the gift restriction, including: (1) anything provided on the basis of a personal or family relationship unless the Member, officer, or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of his or her official position; (2) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (3) food or refreshments believed to have a value of less than $20; (4) food, lodging, and other benefits resulting from the outside business or employment activities of a Member, officer, or employee or their spouses if such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the recipient's official position; (5) such benefits customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions or by a political organization in connection with a fundraising or campaign event; (6) certain awards or prizes given in contests open to the public; (7) certain honorary degrees and other awards; (8) donations of products from the Member's State that are intended for promotional purposes and are of minimal value; (9) food and entertainment provided to a Member or employee in the home State subject to reasonable limitations; (10) certain training; (11) bequests and inheritances; (12) anything paid for by the Government or by a State or local government or secured under a Government contract; (13) a gift of personal hospitality; (14) free attendance at an event, as permitted by this Act; and (15) certain other opportunities and benefits. Establishes conditions under which a Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer of free attendance at a convention, dinner, or similar event. Prohibits the acceptance of a gift exceeding $250 on the basis of the personal relationship or friendship exception unless the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct determines that such exception applies. Provides that certain reimbursements to a Member, officer, or employee for travel expenses to an event in connection with official duties shall not be considered as gifts if advance authorization to accept reimbursement is received and the reimbursement and authorization are disclosed within a specified time period. Amends rule XLVII to prohibit Members, officers, or employees, beginning in 1995, from receiving copyright royalties for any work: (1) unless the royalty is received from an established publisher pursuant to usual and customary contractual terms; (2) unless the total amount of royalties for the work does not exceed one-third of the individual's annual pay as a Member, officer, or employee for the year in which the contract is entered into; and (3) without the prior notification and approval of the contract by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Bars the receipt of advance payment for any such work. Makes such restriction applicable only to royalties received by such individuals after adoption of this resolution pursuant to any contract entered into while a Member, officer, or employee.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Criminal Alien Transfer and Border Enforcement Act of 1995 - Declares that the President should begin to negotiate and renegotiate bilateral prisoner transfer treaties. Requires the focus of such negotiations to be to: (1) expedite the transfer of aliens unlawfully in the United States who are incarcerated in U.S. prisons; (2) ensure that a transferred prisoner serves the balance of the sentence imposed by the U.S. courts; and (3) eliminate any requirement of prisoner consent to such a transfer. Directs the President to certify whether each prisoner transfer treaty is effective in returning aliens unlawfully in the United States who are incarcerated in the United States to their country of citizenship. Requires the President, subject to such a certification, to direct the Border Patrol and Customs Service Academies to enroll foreign law enforcement personnel for training to enhance the following U.S. law enforcement goals: (1) drug interdiction and cross-border criminal activity; (2) the prevention of illegal immigration; and (3) the prevention of illegal entry of goods into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1995
Veterans Bill of Rights Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take all necessary action to ensure that all rights and benefits provided under Federal law to qualified veterans are: (1) made available to veterans to the same extent in every State or geographic location; and (2) not denied on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, or geographic location.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make corrections to specified maps of the Coastal Barrier Resources System as necessary to ensure that: (1) those maps are consistent with other maps on file with the Secretary; and (2) the System does not include any area that, before enactment of this Act, was part of unit Q01 of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1995
Requires the head of any Federal agency to differentiate between fats, oils, and greases of animal, marine, or vegetable origin, and other oils and greases in issuing certain regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1995
Regulatory Transition Act of 1995 - Establishes a moratorium on Federal regulatory rulemaking actions from November 9, 1994, through June 30, 1995, with certain emergency exceptions for presidentially designated imminent threats to health or safety, or actions necessary for enforcement of criminal laws. Suspends until July 1, 1995, starting 30 days after enactment of this Act, the effectiveness of any such action taken or made effective after November 9, 1994, but before enactment of this Act. Extends for five months or until July 1, 1995, whichever is later, any statutory, regulatory, or judicial deadline for, relating to, or involving any action dependent upon, any regulatory rulemaking actions authorized or required to be taken before the end of the moratorium period. Requires the President to inventory and publish in the Federal Register a list of all covered regulatory rulemaking actions taken or made effective during the moratorium period but before the date of enactment of this Act. Excludes from the meaning of rule: (1) the approval or prescription, on a case-by-case or consolidated basis, for the future of rates, wages, corporation, or financial structures or reorganizations thereof, prices, facilities, appliances, services or allowances therefor, or of valuations costs, or accounting, or practices bearing on any of the foregoing; and (2) the granting of an application for a license, registration, or similar authority, the granting or recognition of an exception, the granting of a variance or petition for relief from a regulatory requirement, or other action relieving a restriction, or any action necessary to permit new or improved applications of technology. Authorizes civil actions by anyone adversely affected by any conduct of a Federal agency in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1995
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 · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the retirement income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the burden of proof with respect to all issues, in the case of any court proceeding, is on the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to identify in writing the specific kind or type of tax, and its specific implementing regulations, within 14 days upon the written request from any person made liable for such tax. Increases the limitation on the amount of recovery for civil damages for unauthorized collection actions by the Internal Revenue Service. Excludes such damages from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, during each fiscal year, to make up to 10,000 Department of Defense personnel available to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service in preventing the entry into the United States of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Alien Smuggling Prosecution Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include peonage and slavery offenses as predicates to a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
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
Amends Federal law to exclude the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the Federal and congressional budgets, and exempt it from any general budget limitation imposed by statute on U.S. budget outlays and from certain orders issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from permitting oil and gas development activities in specified parts of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, and the South Atlantic Planning Area, unless: (1) certain environmental studies and assessments have been completed; and (2) the Secretary has certified to the Congress that specified environmental information has been obtained which adequately enables the Secretary to implement his or her Federal stewardship of the environment with a minimal level of uncertainty. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any: (1) oil or gas development activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in a specified part of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area; or (2) preleasing activity or lease sale in the three above-mentioned Planning Areas for a specified period. Mandates specified assessments and studies of the Areas addressed by this Act. Establishes the Joint Federal-State Outer Continental Shelf Task Force to request additional studies and surveys as needed to minimize the uncertainty about the effects of preleasing, leasing, and exploration activities. Subjects the first exploration plan submitted after the date of enactment of this Act to the requirements of detailed environmental impact statements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Criminal Aliens Federal Responsibility Act of 1995 - Requires the Federal Government to incarcerate or to reimburse State and local governments for the cost of incarcerating specified criminal aliens. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for: (1) expedited deportation and exclusion of criminal aliens; and (2) detention of aliens subject to deportation on criminal or security grounds pending deportation proceedings. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) report on ways to expand bilateral prisoner transfer treaties, including related assistance to Mexico; and (2) implement an interior repatriation program in cooperation with Mexico. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to develop an information clearinghouse regarding incarcerated criminal aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Provides that any amount remaining in an official allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives at the end of the session of Congress or other period for which the allowance is made available shall be returned to the Treasury to be used for deficit reduction.
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 · 4 January 1995
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from conducting lease sales, or permitting exploration, production, or drilling activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in a certain area in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. Cancels all leases under such Act in such area. Prescribes Federal compensation guidelines for holders of such cancelled leases. Declares that the State of Florida shall not be required to provide any compensation for cancelled leases.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Social Security Earnings Test Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities Senior Citizens' Equity Act - Title I: Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the monthly exempt amount, under the earnings test, for individuals who have attained retirement age. Sets forth a schedule of monthly adjustments increasing from $1,250 for taxable year 1996 to $2,500 for taxable year 2000 (amounting, by the year 2000, to an annual exempt amount of $30,000 such individuals may earn before being subject to benefit reductions). Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to schedule from 1996 through 2000 a reduction from 85 percent to 50 percent the amount of Social Security benefits on which beneficiaries earning more than $34,000 annually ($44,000 for couples) are liable for income tax. Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a long-term care insurance contract as an accident or health insurance contract. (Sec. 301) Restricts the meaning of long-term care insurance contract to a guaranteed renewable contract without cash surrender value: (1) covering only qualified long-term care services and benefits incidental to such coverage; (2) excluding expenses for services or items reimbursable under Medicare (except where Medicare is a secondary payor); and (3) applying all premium refunds and all policyholder dividends or similar amounts to reduce future premiums or increase future benefits. Limits qualified long-term care services to necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, as well as maintenance or personal care services prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner for a chronically ill individual in a qualified facility who is unable to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least two activities of daily living (including walking or wheeling, dressing, toileting and bathing, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and eating). Makes an individual's home a qualified facility if a licensed health care practitioner certifies that without home care the individual would have to be cared for in a State-licensed or Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing, rehabilitative, hospice, or adult day care facility. Treats as a separate contract subject to this Act, unless the Secretary provides otherwise in regulations, any rider on a life insurance contract that covers long-term care insurance. Includes in gross income the aggregate amount of benefits received under a long-term care insurance contract that exceeds $200 for any day (adjusted for inflation). Prescribes a one-year full preliminary term method as the method, in the case of any long-term care insurance contract, for computing reserves for the purposes of determining the taxable income of life insurance companies. Declares that a health care plan shall not be subjected to an excise tax for failure to satisfy continuation coverage requirements solely by reason of failing to provide coverage under any long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 302) Excludes from gross income any benefits (not in excess of $200 per day) received under a long-term care insurance contract, including employer-provided coverage under such a contract. (Sec. 303) Allows an income tax deduction for qualified long-term care services, subject to specified limits. (Sec. 304) Treats as a nontaxable exchange the exchange of a contract of life insurance or an endowment or annuity contract for a long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 305) Reduces any amounts includible in gross income by reason of distributions from individual retirement plans or 401(k) plans by the aggregate premiums paid by an individual for any long- term care insurance contract for the benefit of such individual or his or her spouse. (Sec. 306) Excludes from gross income accelerated death benefits paid from life insurance policies for individuals who are terminally ill or permanently confined to a nursing home. (Sec. 307) Provides for: (1) continuation of long-term care insurance policies existing before January 1, 1996, which meet State insurance requirements; and (2) nonrecognition of gain or loss in the exchange, before January 1, 1996, of existing policies for policies under this Act, except to the extent of any money or property received in addition to a long-term care insurance contract. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress on the Department of the Treasury's interpretation of the tax treatment of contracts which provide long-term care services but which are not long-term care insurance contracts under this Act. Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities - Amends the Fair Housing Act with respect to the exemption for housing for older persons from the prohibition against discrimination based on familial status. Revises the definition of housing for older persons to repeal the requirement that such housing possess significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons. (Sec. 402) Declares that an individual who engages in conduct with a reasonable good faith reliance on the existence of such exemption is not personally liable for money damages for a violation of such Act that the exemption would have vitiated. Presumes such good faith reliance of a person engaged in the business of residential real estate transactions if: (1) he or she has no actual knowledge that the facility or community is or will be ineligible for such exemption; and (2) the facility or community gives him or her a written certification stating its compliance with the requirements for such exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 - Applies, by a specified conditional date, provisions of the following laws to the legislative branch: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (2) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) titles I and V of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA); (7) provisions relating to Federal labor management relations; (8) with the exception of the U.S. Capitol Police, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988; (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; and (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requires that an action to abate a violation of OSHA for which a citation is received take place as soon as possible, but no later than the fiscal year after the citation is issued. (Sec. 4) Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the application of such laws to the legislative branch; (2) an examination of the procedures used by the instrumentalities to enforce the application of such laws; and (3) a determination as to whether to direct an instrumentality to make improvements in its regulations and procedures so as to assure that they are as effective as those specified in this Act. Authorizes the Office's Board of Directors to direct an instrumentality that has no such procedures to adopt the requisite procedures. Requires the Board to issue regulations governing such applicability which shall be subject to congressional approval. Makes applicable to the legislative branch any provision of Federal law to the extent that it relates to terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, health and safety of employees, and family and medical leave). Directs the Office, on an ongoing basis, to: (1) determine which of such laws should apply to the legislative branch; (2) study the application to the legislative branch of laws enacted after enactment of this Act; and (3) issue regulations to apply such laws to the legislative branch subject to congressional approval. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for concurrent resolutions to disapprove such regulations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Office to: (1) carry out an education program for Members of Congress and other employing authorities of the legislative branch respecting the laws made applicable to them and a program to inform individuals of their rights under such laws and this Act; (2) publish statistics on the use of the Office by congressional employees; and (3) develop a system for the collection of demographic data on the composition of the congressional employees. Requires the Board to submit to the Congress annual reports on the information collected under such system. (Sec. 7) Sets forth procedure for consideration of alleged violations of the laws made applicable to the legislative branch consisting of the following steps: (1) counseling through the Office; (2) mediation with the Office; (3) a formal complaint and hearing by a board; (4) judicial review if a congressional employee is aggrieved by a dismissal, final decision, or an order by the hearing board or if a head of an employing office is aggrieved by a final decision or would be subject to an order issued by such board; and (5) as an alternative to steps 3 and 4, a civil action in a U.S. district court. (Sec. 14) Declares that any intimidation of, or reprisal against, any employee because of the exercise of a right under this Act constitutes an unlawful employment practice that may be remedied in the same manner as a violation of law made applicable to the legislative branch under this Act. (Sec. 15) Requires all counseling, mediation, and hearings and deliberations of a hearing board to be confidential. Permits the records of hearing boards to be made public if required for judicial review. Authorizes the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to have access to the hearing of the hearing board only after the board has made a decision with respect to the matter. (Sec. 17) Provides that this Act shall not be construed to authorize enforcement by the executive branch of any of the laws made applicable to congressional employees under this Act. Limits a congressional employee to the judicial proceeding provided by this Act to redress prohibited practices. (Sec. 18) Requires the Office to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the ways that public access to information held by the Congress may be improved, streamlined, and made consistent between the House and the Senate; and (2) the application of the Freedom of Information Act and the Right to Privacy Act to the legislative branch.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Recognizes the sacrifice of Army Chief Warrant Officer David Hilemon to his country and expresses gratitude for his selflessness and regret for his loss to his family. Recognizes the service of Army Chief Warrant Officer Bobby W. Hall II to his country and expresses commendation for his courage.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1994
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the special rules for the deduction of health insurance costs of self-employed individuals from December 31, 1993, until December 31, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1994
Federal Integrated Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Management Act of 1994 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy to begin taking possession and providing for the removal from existing storage facilities of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel by a specified deadline. Transfers title to such waste or spent fuel to the Secretary at the time of its Federal removal or possession. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Federal Integrated Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Management Program to implement such directive; and (2) submit annual status reports to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1994
Family Business Preservation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of estate tax on certain family-owned businesses. Provides for a recapture of tax benefits if the business is not held for at least ten years by the heirs or the heirs do not materially participate during such ten years. Provides that the limitation on the four percent rate of interest on estate tax extended for estates consisting largely of a closely held business is not applicable to estate tax attributable to qualified family-owned business interests. Extends the alternate valuation date from six months to 40 months for estates consisting largely of qualified family-owned business interests. Increases the tax exclusion for gifts to ancestors or descendants. Increases the unified estate and gift tax credits.
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 · 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 · 29 July 1994
Foreign Tax Compliance Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in the taxation of controlled foreign corporations income attributable to imported property. Requires the separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income. Expresses the sense of the Congress that deficit reduction should be achieved in part by eliminating enforcement breakdowns that enable foreign-controlled corporations operating in the United States, and foreign persons investing in the United States, to pay no taxes.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Thurman, Karen L. [D-FL-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000253_200.jpg)