United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability Subtitle A: Group Market Rules Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Health Insurance Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Subtitle A: Group Market Rules - Prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage to a group purchaser. Allows plans to establish eligibility, continuation, enrollment, or premium requirements, provided the requirements are not based on health status, medical condition, or similar factors. (Sec. 102) Mandates plan renewability, except for premium nonpayment, material misrepresentation, plan termination, or other specified reasons. (Sec. 103) Regulates the circumstances in which a plan may impose a benefit limitation or exclusion because of a preexisting condition. Allows State laws (unless preempted by specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)) that: (1) limit preexisting conditions to shorter periods than the provisions of this paragraph; or (2) recognize previous qualifying coverage with a lapse period longer than provided for by the provisions of this paragraph. (Sec. 104) Mandates special enrollment periods for individuals who have certain types of changes in family composition or employment status. (Sec. 105) Regulates disclosures an insurer must make to a small employer (as defined in State law or, if not defined in State law, employers with not more than 50 employees). Amends ERISA to modify requirements regarding disclosures to plan participants and beneficiaries. Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules - Prohibits an insurer (for an individual in a period of previous qualifying coverage) from declining to offer coverage or denying enrollment based on health status, medical condition, or similar factors. (Sec. 111) Mandates renewability of coverage for individuals, except for nonpayment of premiums, material misrepresentation, or plan termination. (Sec. 112) Requires that State law in effect on, or enacted after, enactment of this Act apply in lieu of the standards above in this subtitle unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the State law does not achieve access goals described in this subtitle. Allows States to meet those goals by using a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model adopted using a consultation process the Secretary approves. Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to modify continuation coverage requirements. Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Requires a State to certify health plan purchasing cooperatives (HPPCs) meeting the requirements of this paragraph. Provides for Federal certification if a State fails to do so. Regulates HPPC organization, duties, and activities. Preempts, for a HPPC meeting these requirements, State fictitious group laws. Preempts State premium rating requirement laws in certain circumstances. Requires compliance with State mandated benefit laws. Applies to HPPCs, for enforcement purposes only, the requirements of ERISA provisions relating to fiduciary responsibility and administration and enforcement. Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards - Deems a requirement or standard under this Act imposed on a plan to be imposed on the issuer. (Sec. 202) Requires each State to mandate that each plan in the State meet the standards under this Act pursuant to an enforcement plan filed by the State with the Secretary of Labor, with employee plans enforced in the same manner as under specified ERISA provisions. Provides for Federal enforcement if a State fails to do so. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health maintenance organization, if notified by a member that a medical savings account has been established for the member and if the member requests, to reduce the basic health services payment by requiring the payment of a deductible for basic health services. Mandates a study and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) mechanisms to ensure the availability of reasonably priced health coverage to employers purchasing group and individuals purchasing non-group coverage; and (2) whether standards limiting premium variation will further the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1996
Taxpayers' Cancer Research Funding Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to designate that five dollars (ten dollars in the case of joint returns) be paid over to the Breast and Prostate Cancer Research Fund. Establishes a trust fund to be known as the Breast and Prostate Cancer Research Fund into which such designated amounts shall be deposited.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow authorizations for the incidental taking of marine mammals during commercial yellowfin tuna fishing. Removes provisions requiring that, for purse seine yellowfin fishing, the goal of reducing incidental kill or serious injury to insignificant levels approaching zero be satisfied by the best safety techniques and equipment economically and technologically practicable. Modifies requirements regarding export by another nation to the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested with purse seine nets in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Exempts a U.S. citizen from the Act in specified circumstances. Changes requirements regarding the issuance of general permits for the taking of marine mammals. Amends the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act regarding the circumstances in which tuna products may be labeled "Dolphin Safe," including allowing such labeling if (among other qualifying circumstances): (1) with regard to harvesting in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the vessel's captain and a Program-approved observer state that no dolphins were killed during the sets in which that tuna was caught; and (2) with regard to harvesting outside the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the vessel's captain (or in certain circumstances the captain and an observer) state that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or to encircle dolphins during the voyage. Mandates implementing regulations, including regulations addressing the use of weight calculation and well location. (Sec. 5) Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to declare that it is U.S. policy to support the International Dolphin Conservation Program and to ensure that the U.S. market does not act as an incentive to tuna harvesting that is not in compliance with the Program. Mandates regulations to authorize and govern the incidental taking of marine mammals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, including any species designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 but not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Authorizes emergency regulations in certain circumstances. Requires undertaking or supporting scientific research to further the Program's goals. Repeals existing research program provisions. Repeals provisions relating to bans on imports from countries failing to implement a moratorium on purse seine harvesting of tuna. Replaces provisions concerning permits for taking dolphins with provisions mandating issuance of a permit to a U.S. vessel authorizing participation in the Program. Prohibits U.S. vessels from operating in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean yellowfin tuna fishery without such a permit. Authorizes permit sanctions for violations of prohibited acts provisions of the Act. Modifies the list of prohibited acts. (Sec. 6) Amends the Tuna Conventions Act to modify the composition of the U.S. representation on the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Modifies requirements regarding a related advisory committee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Sound Science for the Environment Act - Establishes as an independent agency the National Institute for the Environment to: (1) initiate, facilitate, and perform comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge of environmental issues and their implications; (2) establish a Center for Environmental Assessment; (3) award competitively grants and contracts for extramural scientific research; (4) establish a Directorate of Research and a universally accessible National Library for the Environment; and (5) sponsor education and training of environmental scientists and professionals and improve public environmental literacy. Establishes a Board of Governors for the Institute. Provides for interagency acquisition of information and establishes an Interagency Advisory Committee to ensure that the environmental efforts of the Institute and other Federal agencies are complementary. Makes scientists, engineers, and other researchers eligible to receive funding from the Institute. Requires the President to submit to the Congress recommendations regarding existing non-regulatory Federal programs that are appropriate for transfer to the Institute, together with legislation to effect such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should suspend the proposed sale of the Army Tactical Missile System to the Government of Turkey until: (1) such Government improves its human rights record and terminates its embargo of Armenia; and (2) progress is made to resolve the conflict on Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1995
Venture Capital Marketing Association Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) to establish the Venture Capital Marketing Association (VCMA) as a private, tax-exempt corporation in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Requires a permanent VCMA Board of Directors of 15 members. Outlines administrative provisions with respect to VCMA, including provisions regarding an interim Board, member terms, and general powers. Requires VCMA to have and issue voting and nonvoting common stock, as well as nonvoting preferred stock. Directs VCMA to require each small business investment company (SBIC) to make payments to VCMA of a specified percentage of its nonrefundable capital contributions, so that VCMA may accumulate funds for its capital surplus account (account). Requires VCMA to issue voting common stock to such SBICs in an amount equal to their contributions. Authorizes VCMA, in order to accumulate additional funds in the account, to issue voting common stock to private investors other than SBICs. Outlines rights of holders of nonvoting common and preferred stock. Authorizes depository institutions to make payments of capital contributions to VCMA and to receive VCMA stock. Authorizes VCMA to issue and have outstanding obligations having such maturities and bearing such rates of interest as may be determined by a Board majority. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase and sell any obligation issued by VCMA, but limits to $1 billion the total outstanding VCMA obligations authorized to be held by the Secretary. Treats all obligations issued and guaranteed by VCMA as lawful investments and exempt securities as defined under the Federal Reserve Act and public finance law. Authorizes VCMA, after its permanent Board is elected, to purchase, sell, and otherwise deal in small business investment securities (securities). Provides for perfection of interests in such securities under the Uniform Commercial Code. Authorizes and directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enter into a contract with VCMA under which VCMA manages and services all securities and commitments outstanding, and all assets held by SBA in default or liquidation status, as the result of liquidation or default proceedings by SBICs. Provides contract terms and conditions. Requires a VCMA report to the Senate and House Small Business Committees (small business committees) describing the activities of SBA and VCMA under such contract. Directs VCMA to: (1) establish appropriate criteria for the qualification of SBICs to conduct business with VCMA; and (2) redetermine such qualifications upon a change of control due to a transfer of ownership. Requires each SBIC authorized to operate with VCMA to have private capital of no less than $5 million, with an exception for licensees in good standing at the time SBA receives notice that VCMA is ready to do business with a permanent Board. Makes national banks of the Federal Reserve System and nonmember insured banks as permitted under State law eligible to purchase ownership interests in SBICs. Authorizes each SBIC to purchase VCMA stock and to borrow money and issue debentures and other obligations or securities, subject to VCMA rules. Makes certain provisions of the Act inapplicable to SBICs. Directs VCMA to contract with qualified SBICs to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes or directs qualified SBICs to: (1) provide equity capital and loans to small business concerns; (2) follow VCMA conflict-of-interest rules, as well as rules restricting SBIC control of small businesses that have borrowed from such SBIC; (3) invest only in small business concerns which are independently owned and operated, are not dominant in their field of operations, and maintain specified limits on net worth and income; and (4) provide financings of small businesses for a minimum of five years, with a limitation on the amount of obligations and securities invested in a single enterprise. Prohibits SBICs from financing a small business for purposes of relending, foreign or passive investments, or the acquisition of real estate. Directs the Board to require each SBIC to adopt rules for the determination of the value of investments made by such company. Requires the Board to adopt rules to minimize the risk of loss to VCMA on the total amount of securities issued by any individual SBIC or by SBICs under common control. Requires each SBIC to undergo financial audits at least annually, and compliance audits at least every two years. Directs VCMA to adopt appropriate measures to ensure compliance by SBICs with the requirements of this section. Provides penalties for SBIC noncompliance. Preempts State law with respect to any business loan made by an SBIC under this Act. Limits the total amount of leverage that may be provided by VCMA to an SBIC to 300 percent of such company's private capital, as determined under a specified leveraging formula. Requires VCMA accounts to be audited annually, and a report on such audit results to be made by the Office of Investment Oversight to the President and the small business committees. Establishes in SBA an Office of Investment Oversight (Office), headed by a Director, to review and report on the regulatory and financial performance of VCMA. Requires the Director to establish a risk-based capital test to determine the amount of regulatory capital sufficient for VCMA to maintain positive capital during a ten-year period in which specified circumstances occur. Provides considerations for establishing such test and requires the Director to examine and revise such test six years after the enactment of this Act. Provides, for purposes of such test, the amount of: (1) risk- based capital level; (2) minimum capital level; (3) critical capital level; and (4) VCMA enforcement levels (requiring such enforcement level to be determined no less than semiannually). Requires notification to the Congress when VCMA reaches levels II or III (poorer levels as to minimum capital and critical capital levels). Requires specified mandatory VCMA actions when its enforcement levels fall to II or III, including submission to the Director for approval of a capital restoration plan. Provides mandatory and discretionary Director supervisory actions applicable to a VCMA that reaches a level III enforcement level. Provides access by the small business committees of VCMA books and records and subjects such records to examination by the General Accounting Office (GAO). Authorizes the Office to review the VCMA's criteria for the qualification of SBICs to conduct business with VCMA, as well as VCMA's rules governing SBIC operations. Requires an annual VCMA report to the President, SBA, and the small business committees on its operations and activities during the previous fiscal year. Requires a GAO report to the small business committees on the impact of VCMA. Directs SBA to furnish to VCMA all necessary books and records to carry out their purposes under this Act. Allows licensees (SBICs currently in good standing with the SBA under loan agreements) three months to qualify for loans and guarantees from VCMA.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 1995
Savings in Construction Act of 1995 - Amends the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to define specified terms, including "hard-metric conversion" and "soft-metric conversion." Prohibits Federal agencies from: (1) using construction or procurement guidelines that require the use of hard-metric products if a majority of the related contracts would be likely to result in a certification under this Act; and (2) establishing bidding requirements or preferences for federally-assisted construction contracts that specify the use of hard-metric products if soft-metric production is feasible, and, as certified by an industry representative, hard-metric alternatives are not readily available, would exceed specified capital costs, and would result in negligible benefits, or would reduce competition or create special hardships.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income military compensation received by enlisted personnel and commissioned officers of the armed forces for active service in a contingency operation zone in the same manner as if such service was performed in a combat zone. Increases the income exclusion limit to $2,400 for military compensation received by a commissioned officer for active service in a combat zone or a contingency operation zone.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1995
Establishes: (1) the Boston Harbor Islands (BHI) National Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park System; (2) the BHI Partnership to coordinate the activities of Federal, State, and local authorities and the private sector in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for the Area; and (3) the BHI Advisory Council to represent various groups with interests in the Area and make recommendations to the Partnership on issues related to plan development and implementation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) administration of the Area; and (2) powers of the Partnership. Directs the Partnership to submit to the Secretary of the Interior a management plan for the Area to be developed and implemented by the Partnership that includes: (1) a program providing for coordinated administration of the Area with proposed assignment of responsibilities to the appropriate governmental unit at the Federal, State, and local levels and nonprofit organizations; (2) specified policies and programs for conserving, protecting, and maintaining the scenic, historical, cultural, natural, and scientific values of the islands and for identifying potential sources of revenue from programs or activities carried out within the Area; and (3) a policy statement that recognizes existing economic activities within the Area. Sets forth procedures regarding plan development, approval, and an interim program. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth matching requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1995
Senior Citizens' Access to Health Care Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require health maintenance organizations participating in the Medicare Program to offer coverage for out-of-network services to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled with such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act of 1995 - Prohibits insurance providers from: (1) denying or canceling health insurance coverage or varying the premiums, terms, or conditions of coverage on the basis of genetic information or on the basis that the individual or family involved has requested or received genetic services; (2) requesting or requiring insured individuals or applicants to disclose genetic information; or (3) disclosing genetic information without prior written authorization. Provides for enforcement by the Secretary of Labor regarding employee health benefit plans and by State insurance commissioners in other cases. Allows a private right of action. Allows a State to establish or enforce requirements only if they are more restrictive than this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1995
Restoration of Natural Resources Laws on the Public Lands Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law to repeal the emergency salvage timber sale program. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to suspend respective activities until they have determined that any such activity complies with applicable environmental and natural resource laws.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1995
Paperwork Elimination Act of 1995 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) provide direction and oversee the use of alternative information technologies to substitute for paper; (2) specifically promote the optional use of electronic information technology as such an alternative; and (3) provide within a required information resources strategic management plan a description of progress in providing for the use of electronic information as a substitute for paper. Requires each Federal agency to: (1) ensure that each information collection provides for the optional use of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information; (2) certify that each such collection uses alternative information technologies to reduce burden and improve data quality, agency efficiency, and responsiveness to the public; and (3) publish within a required public notice before collection of information a description of how respondents may electronically maintain the information to be collected. Requires the Director to include in a required report to the Congress on information collection the extent to which Federal agencies reduced the collection of information burden on small businesses and other persons through the use of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information as a substitute for paper maintenance, submission, or disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1995
Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide, through adjustments in the monthly exempt amount, for increases in the amounts of allowable earnings under the Social Security earnings limit for individuals who have attained retirement age. Retains the current limit on substantial gainful activity earnings applicable to individuals under age 65 who are eligible for disability benefits based on blindness. (Sec. 3) Establishes a Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account for OASDI disability benefits in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to estimate annually the present value of savings to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund which will accrue for all years as a result of cessation of benefit payments resulting from continuing disability reviews carried out pursuant to specified requirements during the fiscal year. Directs the Managing Trustee to: (1) transfer to the Account from amounts otherwise in the Trust Fund an amount equal to the estimated savings certified by the Chief Actuary; and (2) make available to the Commissioner of Social Security from funds in the Account an amount certified by the Chief Actuary as currently required to meet expenditures necessary to provide for required continuing disability reviews (including expenditures for the cost of staffing, training, purchase of medical and other evidence, and processing related to appeals and overpayments and related indirect costs). Includes under required information in a specified annual report a final accounting of amounts transferred to the Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the year, the amount made available from such Account during such year pursuant to certifications made by the Chief Actuary of the SSA and expenditures made by the Commissioner of Social Security for the specified purposes during the year, including a comparison of the number of continuing disability reviews conducted during the year with the estimated number of continuing disability reviews upon which the estimate of such expenditures was made. Terminates the Continuing Disability Review Administration Revolving Account at the end of FY 2002, and provides that any balance in such Account shall revert to funds otherwise available in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Provides for appointment by the Commissioner of a Chief Actuary in the SSA. (Sec. 4) Bases entitlement of stepchildren to child's insurance benefits solely on their actual dependency on stepparent support. Repeals the requirement that the stepchild actually be living with the stepparent. Requires termination of any child's insurance benefits based on the wages and self-employment income of the stepparent six months after the Commissioner is formally notified of the natural parent's divorce from the stepparent. (Sec. 5) Extends the length of time required for recomputation of benefits after normal retirement age. (Sec. 6) Eliminates the role of the SSA in processing attorney's fees. Prohibits any person, agent, or attorney from charging in excess of $4,000 (or, if the Commissioner approves, a higher fee) for services performed in connection with any claim before the Commissioner. Directs a court, in determining a reasonable fee, to take into consideration the amount of the fee, if any, that an attorney may charge the claimant for services (eliminating the current limitation of such fee to 25 percent of the total past-due benefits to which a judgment entitles the claimant). (Sec. 7) Provides that an individual shall not be considered to be disabled for OASDI purposes, or for supplemental security income (SSI) purposes under title XVI of the Act (thus denying them benefits), if alcoholism or drug addiction would be a contributing factor material to the determination of disability. (Continues disability benefits based on a separate disabling condition to individuals also disabled by drug addiction or alcoholism.) Requires the payment of OASDI or SSI benefits based on disability to a representative payee if such payment would serve the interest of an individual who also has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that prevents the individual from managing such benefits. Requires the Commissioner to refer such individual to the appropriate State agency administering the approved State plan for substance abuse treatment services. Appropriates additional specified amounts to supplement State and Tribal alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs funded under the Public Health Service Act. Requires State or Tribal governments receiving such an allotment to consider as priorities activities relating to the treatment of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. (Sec. 8) Permits members of the clergy to file to revoke their exemption from social security tax coverage under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1995
Senior Citizens' Right to Work Act of 1995 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide, through adjustments in the monthly exempt amount, for increases in the amounts of allowable earnings under the Social Security earnings limit for individuals who have attained retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act of 1995 - Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to award: (1) grants of up to $500,000 each for community response teams to help prevent domestic violence; and (2) award a contract to an eligible entity to serve as a technical assistance center. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations. Reduces appropriations authorized for the Energy Information Administration. Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to the Congress whether it would be practicable for the Administration to provide for some or all its funding by imposing a charge for services or materials that it provides to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1995
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to provide that: (1) the special rule concerning annual cost-of-living adjustments to retired military pay for individuals who first became members of a uniformed service before August 1, 1986, shall apply only through FY 1996 (currently, FY 1998); and (2) the initial month that such increase is payable shall be March (currently, September) of the year following the effective date of such increase.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1995
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Billy and Ruth Graham in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Directs the Secretary to transfer from the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to the Library of Congress the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received by the Secretary to carry out this Act and any proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates exceeds the total amount of the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1995
Repeals a Federal law authorizing the Secretary of the Army to operate the military education and training facility known as the U.S. Army School of the Americas. Authorizes the Secretary to operate the United States Academy for Democracy and Civil-Military Relations (Academy). Requires instruction at the Academy to be provided to civilian and military personnel of Latin American and Caribbean countries through seminars, roundtable discussions, conferences, and a guest instructor program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a thorough screening of potential instructors and students at the Academy for commitment to and respect for democracy and human rights. Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to provide advice on establishing and operating the Academy, as well as the content of its curriculum. Provides Academy funding. States that this Act does not affect the authority to conduct countermine programs at Fort Benning, Georgia, at the School of the Americas in response to a request from the Organization of American States. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on Academy achievements after two years of operation. Expresses the sense of the Congress that resources made available to operate the Academy should be commensurate with the total resources that were dedicated to the School of the Americas in FY 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1995
Citizen Congress Act - Makes Members of Congress (Members) ineligible to participate in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) except as otherwise provided under this Act. Allows Members to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan. Permits refunds to be made in accordance with otherwise applicable law on account of an individual becoming ineligible to participate in CSRS or FERS as a result of this Act's enactment (provides that, for purposes of any such refund, a Member who becomes ineligible to participate in either of the retirement systems shall be treated as if separated from service). Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) annuities; and (2) preservation of rights based on prior service. (Sec. 3) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1965 to provide for the disclosure of information necessary to enable the public to accurately compute the Federal retirement benefits of each Member based on various assumptions of years of service and age of separation from service by reason of retirement. (Sec. 4) Eliminates for Members automatic: (1) annuity cost-of-living adjustments; and (2) pay adjustments under the legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. (Sec. 6) Requires a roll call vote for any matter relating to congressional pay. (Sec. 7) Permits any travel award that accrues by reason of official travel of a House Member, officer, or employee to be used only for official travel. (Sec. 8) Expresses the intent of the Congress that a Member or Member-elect may not mail any mass mailing as franked mail. (Sec. 9) Prohibits a Member from receiving transportation in an aircraft of the Military Air Command unless: (1) the transportation is provided on a space-available basis as part of the aircraft's scheduled operations; (2) the use of the aircraft is necessary because the Member's destination or an airfield located within reasonable distance thereof is inaccessible by regularly scheduled flights of commercial aircraft; or (3) such use is the least expensive method for the Member to reach the destination by aircraft. (Sec. 10) Bars a Member from receiving medical or dental care in a facility of any uniformed service unless: (1) such Member is eligible or entitled to such care as a member or former member of a uniformed service or as a covered beneficiary; or (2) such care is provided on an emergency basis unrelated to the person's status as a Member. (Sec. 11) Prohibits the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from providing reserved parking areas free of charge to Members, other Government officials, or diplomats at Washington National Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport. Directs such Authority to establish a parking policy for such airports that provides equal access to the public and does not provide preferential parking privileges to such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1995
War Crimes Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that anyone, whether inside or outside the United States, who commits a grave breach of the Geneva conventions against a member of the U.S. armed forces or a U.S. citizen, shall be fined or imprisoned for life or any term of years, or both, or, if a death is involved, be subject to the death penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1995
Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1995 - Establishes the National Tourism Board to develop a national travel and tourism strategy for increasing U.S. travel and tourism. Establishes the National Tourism Organization as a non-Federal non-profit organization to implement the national travel and tourism strategy. Directs the Secretary of State and the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) to: (1) place priority on implementing recommendations by the National Tourism Board; and (2) cooperate with the National Tourism Organization. Authorizes the President to transfer up to 25 staff members of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration to the Foreign Service or the Commercial Service for two years to assist the Organization in its start-up activities. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's (TPCC) Federal trade promotion plan to reflect, among other things, recommendations by the National Tourism Board. Makes the President of the National Tourism Organization a member of the TPCC.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: House of Representatives Election Spending Limits and Benefits Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees From Federal Election Activities Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Additional Prohibitions on Contributions Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Bipartisan Clean Congress Act of 1995 - Title I: House of Representatives Election Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make candidates for election to the House of Representatives eligible to receive benefits under this Act if they declare that they will not exceed expenditure or contribution limits. Sets forth expenditure limits of $600,000 by a candidate and authorized committees, allowing additional expenditures for runoffs and contested primaries. Provides for complying candidates running against noncomplying candidates. Entitles eligible candidates to receive certain broadcast media rates and reduced postage rates. Provides for Federal Election Commission certification of whether a candidate is eligible. Mandates repayment of benefits not used as required and civil penalties for excessive expenditures. (Sec. 102) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) modify broadcast media candidate rate requirements; and (2) regulate rates for eligible House candidates. Regulates preemption. Changes the circumstances in which a station license may be revoked for failure to allow candidate access. Conditions new licenses and renewal on agreement to abide by these provisions. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal law to require postal rates for third class mail sent by eligible House candidates to be the same as for qualified nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 104) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set contribution limits for eligible House candidates. (Sec. 105) Sets forth expenditure reporting requirements. Title II: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees From Federal Election Activities - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit, notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, any person other than an individual or a political committee from making contributions, soliciting or receiving contributions, or making expenditures to influence a Federal office election. Defines "political committee" to mean: (1) a candidate's principal campaign committee; (2) any national, State, or district political party committee; (3) certain local political party committees; and (4) combinations of a candidate's and a party's committees. Removes provisions that currently include in the definition of "contribution or expenditure" the establishment, administration, and solicitation of contributions to a separate political fund by a corporation, labor organization, membership organization, cooperative, or corporation without capital stock. Modifies the circumstances in which a political committee that has supported more than one candidate may be designated as an authorized committee. Restricts the political committees that may be financed or controlled by any Federal office holder or candidate. Repeals provisions limiting multicandidate political committee contributions to candidates and their authorized political committees. (Sec. 202) Limits the aggregate amount of large contributions to congressional campaigns. (Sec. 203) Limits to $100 the aggregate contributions by a lobbyist with respect to any Federal office election. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Prohibits political party national committees and any entity established, financed, or controlled by them from soliciting or receiving contributions or spending funds not subject to this Act. Requires amounts spent by a political party committee that might affect a Federal election (including voter registration, get-out-the- vote activity, generic campaign activity, and communications that identify a Federal candidate) to be made from funds subject to this Act. Prohibits political party committees from soliciting funds for or making donations to any organization that is tax exempt under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Prohibits any Federal office holder or candidate and their agents from soliciting or receiving funds: (1) in connection with a Federal election unless the funds are subject to this Act; or (2) to be spent in connection with a non-Federal election unless the funds are not in excess of amounts permitted to Federal candidates and committees under provisions of this Act and are not from sources prohibited by this Act for Federal elections. Prohibits Federal office holders or candidates from having certain relationships with or taking certain actions regarding any organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 212) Imposes or modifies political committee reporting requirements. (Sec. 213) Removes the exclusion of office facility construction or purchase contributions from the definition of "contribution." Subtitle C: Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties - Imposes reporting requirements on disbursements over $2,000 by a person other than a political party committee or a candidate. Subtitle D: Contributions - Revises requirements regarding contributions made through an intermediary or conduit. Subtitle E: Additional Prohibitions on Contributions - Requires that 60 percent of contributions to a congressional campaign from individuals come from individuals legally residing in the candidate's State. Subtitle F: Independent Expenditures - Revises the definition of "independent expenditure." Declares that any expenditure that contains express advocacy and does not qualify as an independent expenditure is a contribution. (Sec. 252) Imposes reporting requirements relating to independent expenditures. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Modifies or creates requirements regarding: (1) the use of contributions for campaign vs. personal expenses; (2) campaign advertising disclosures regarding who paid for and authorized the advertising; (3) the filing of designations, statements, and reports in electronic form and by facsimile machine; (4) random audits and investigations; (5) the filing of certain reports for the election cycle rather than for the calendar year; (6) reporting and recordkeeping regarding personal or consulting service expenditures; (7) the use of candidates' names by authorized, unauthorized, and party committees; (8) the monthly filing of certain reports, "best efforts" by a treasurer to comply with requirements, and Commission waiver of requirements; (9) filing of statements of organization; (10) the Commission's authority to appear in actions related to its duties or powers; (11) exclusive Commission action on committee insolvency; (12) promulgation of regulations to prohibit devices or arrangements to undermine or evade certain provisions of the Act; (13) limiting Commission members to one term; (14) the authority of the Commission to seek injunctions; and (15) administrative and judicial procedures. (Sec. 316) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to replace House of Representatives mass mailings provisions with provisions establishing an Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Members of the House of Representatives. Modifies Member mail allowance requirements and prohibits certain transfers from other Member accounts. (Sec. 318) Declares that it is the intent of the Congress that any funds realized by provisions of this Act establishing the Mass Mailing Allowance shall be designated to pay for benefits provided by provisions of this Act relating to postal rates for third class mail sent by eligible House candidates. (Sec. 320) Provides for expedited and mandatory Supreme Court review of any appeal of any interlocutory order or final court action on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1995
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) in the negotiation of any peace agreement between the parties to the conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there should not be a presumption, and it should not be considered to be a prerequisite to the successful conclusion of such a negotiation, that enforcement of such agreement will involve deployment of U.S. armed forces on the ground in the territory of the Republic; and (2) no U.S. armed forces should be deployed on the ground in such territory to enforce a peace agreement until the Congress has approved the deployment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual to designate a specified portion (but not less than $1) of any income tax overpayment and any cash contributions to be used for the benefit of units of the National Park System. Establishes a National Parks Trust Fund into which appropriated or credited amounts are received. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay, not less often than quarterly, specified expenditures from the Trust Fund to the Director of the National Park Service. Requires that expenditures from such Fund be used only for operations, maintenance, and construction within the units of the National Park System. Prohibits the use of such expenditures for the purposes of land acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1995
Disapproves Amendment number 8 of the "Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary," submitted by the United States Sentencing Commission to the Congress on May 1, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1995
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of certain additional oral anticancer drugs prescribed for use in an anticancer nonsteroidal antiestrogen and aromastase inhibitor regimen.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1995
Davis-Bacon Act Reform Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) to provide for wage determinations based on the locality where the work is performed. Requires contractors and subcontractors covered by DBA to pay laborers and mechanics: (1) unconditionally; (2) at least weekly; and (3) without subsequent deduction or rebate. Applies DBA requirements to laborers and mechanics employed by the contractor or subcontractor to: (1) work directly upon the site of the work, including work at fabrication plants, batch plants, tool yards, or similar facilities not on the project site but dedicated exclusively, or nearly so, to project construction (except previously established facilities whose location and continuance in operation are determined wholly without regard to the contract work); or (2) transport materials, supplies, and equipment to or from the worksite. Increases the minimum threshold (currently $2,000) for DBA coverage of contracts for public buildings and works to: (1) $100,000 for new construction, complete rehabilitation, or reconstruction; and (2) $25,000 for repairs or alterations. Sets conditions for coverage of leased property. Provides for periodic adjustments of such thresholds. Prohibits splitting contracts. Sets forth wage requirements in cases of contract option provisions. Sets preemption conditions. Sets forth provisions relating to apprentices, trainees, and helpers. Sets forth requirements relating to wages. Revises DBA enforcement provisions, including: (1) administrative procedures, including the Secretary of Labor's authority with respect to payment of workers, debarment of contractors, and coordination of enforcement; (2) review procedures, including court review of coverage determinations; and (3) creation of an administrative petition procedure for workers for wages, benefits, and damages. (Sec. 3) Amends the Copeland Act to: (1) eliminate weekly payroll data submission for contracts of $100,000 or less; and (2) change such weekly requirement to a monthly one for contracts of more than $100,000, with provisions for waivers for contractors or subcontractors who have demonstrated compliance with DBA and other labor standards. Revises enforcement provisions to: (1) require contractors and subcontractors to maintain payroll and related records for three years after completion of contract work and make them available upon request of the contracting officer or the Secretary; (2) grant the Secretary subpoena and debarment authority with respect to records; and (3) establish penalties for false records. Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act to provide that: (1) the Secretary, rather than the Comptroller General, shall initiate debarment action for violations; and (2) the General Services Administration (GSA) shall include the names of those debarred on a government-wide list.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1995
Prisoner Lawsuit Efficiency Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any action from being brought by a prisoner in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons concerning any aspect of such prisoner's incarceration until any administrative remedy procedures available are exhausted, regardless of the nominal party defendant. Specifies that the fact that the administrative remedies do not include all the possible procedures and forms of recovery that are available in the civil action does not render such remedies inadequate or excuse the failure to exhaust them.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1995
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the contribution that a multicandidate political committee may make to a congressional candidate. Prohibits: (1) a congressional candidate from accepting contributions from out-of-State persons that, in total, equal or exceed contributions from in-State residents; (2) cash contributions in Federal elections; (3) independent expenditures within seven days before a congressional election; (4) contributions between multicandidate political committees; and (5) bundling of funds. Requires: (1) a multicandidate political committee affiliated with another organization to include such organization's entire name in its own name; and (2) a lobbyist who makes a contribution to disclose his or her lobbyist status. Sets forth reporting requirements for: (1) contributing lobbyists; and (2) out-of-State contributions in House of Representatives elections. Bans soft money in Federal elections.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prohibit applying certain provisions concerning the maximum amount which may be deferred under deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations to any qualified excess benefit arrangement of a qualified medical entity; and (2) exclude benefits provided under such an arrangement from being used to determine whether any other plan is an eligible deferred compensation plan and the amount which may be deferred under such other plan. Exempts plans maintained by tax-exempt qualified medical entities from the reduction of the limit under such provisions for other elective deferrals. Limits the maximum amount of compensation of any one participant which may be deferred under a qualified excess benefit arrangement to an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (1) $25,000; or (2) 33 and one-third percent of the participant's includible compensation. Defines "qualified excess benefit arrangement."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1995
Endangered Species Habitat Conservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act (the Act) to extend through FY 2000 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture in carrying out provisions of the Act; (2) the Endangered Species Committee and related activities with respect to exemptions from the regulatory provisions of the Act; and (3) implementation of the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere. Outlines required contents of petitions filed by interested persons to have a species either added to or removed from an endangered or threatened species list. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, once such information is provided, to: (1) notify and request comments from affected States; (2) promptly commence a review of any new information provided by the petition; and (3) publish in the Federal Register each finding made. Directs the Secretary, on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available, to develop overall standards for the development and implementation of a plan for the conservation and recovery of each species listed as endangered or threatened (recovery plan), as well as the habitats upon which such species depend. Outlines administrative provisions concerning such recovery plans, including: (1) plan development time limits; (2) the delegation of recovery plan development authority to appropriate State agencies and oversight by the Secretary after such delegation; (3) the development of recovery plans by joint Federal-State panels in lieu of development by a State agency (providing membership and other requirements of such panels); (4) priorities required of the Secretary in developing and implementing such plans; (5) recovery plan contents; (6) recovery plan implementation agreements between appropriate Federal and State agencies; (7) review by the Secretary, at least every three years, of approved State recovery plans; (8) public outreach requirements; (9) the coordination of recovery plan requirements with related Federal laws and regulations; and (10) the continued effectiveness of existing recovery plans, requiring the Secretary to revise such plans to comply with requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary, if requested by an interested person during the public comment period prior to making a determination for a species, to request the views of three referees, chosen for their scientific or educational background. Requires such views to be received within 30 days after such request and requires the Secretary to make a summary of such views available to each affected State and interested person. Directs the Secretary to base a species determination on such views and the preponderance of scientific data.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1995
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit nonparty multicandidate political committees from making contributions to congressional candidates.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the burden of proof on the taxpayer in the case of any administrative proceeding and on the Secretary in the case of any court proceeding. Requires a 30-day notice before lien. Prohibits the Secretary from collecting any tax (or other sum) by levy without judicial consent. Requires a 30-day notice before seizure. Increases the limit on the recovery of civil damages for certain unauthorized collection actions to $1 million and excludes such damages from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1995
Northern Forest Stewardship Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide technical assistance to Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont for forest products marketing cooperatives, for implementing principles of sustainability, and for land conservation; (2) prepare a related study of the Northern Forest region; and (3) cooperate in Northern Forest research. Provides for interstate coordination strategy. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance to forest-based industry for labor safety and training activities. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) land conservation; and (2) other activities under this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) that States should provide landowners with liability exemptions for permitting free public use of their land; and (2) in favor of a funding mechanism to support conservation of nongame fish and wildlife on public and private land.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1995
Endangered Natural Legacy Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the Act) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a voluntary conservation agreement for up to five years with any State, Indian tribe, or local government, upon request, to prevent endangerment and to promote the conservation of: (1) an endangered or threatened species (candidate species); (2) other declining species which are dependent on the same ecosystem or located within the same habitat as a candidate species; or (3) other species, rare habitats, or regional biological diversity, as appropriate. Authorizes: (1) consideration of a conservation agreement to be initiated by the Secretary or a State, Indian tribe, or local government; and (2) the Secretary to provide technical or other appropriate assistance for the development of such an agreement. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) contents of such agreements; (2) determinations whether the agreement will achieve the required goals; (3) return of proposed agreements for modification; (4) amendments to conservation agreements; and (5) annual reports and review. Directs the Secretary to establish a Conservation Planning Fund from which the Secretary may make interest-free advances to States, Indian tribes, or local governments to assist in the development of plans. (Sec. 6) Amends the Act to require the Secretary, upon receipt of a petition or specified information, to promptly determine whether any species is no longer endangered or threatened due to: (1) a significant change in the factor or factors upon which the original determination was based; (2) the identification of new scientific information regarding population size or other relevant data; (3) the achievement of certain criteria as identified in the recovery plan for that species; or (4) a change in the appendix of the Convention under which that species is listed. Requires the Secretary: (1) concurrently with making a determination that a species is endangered or threatened, to publish in the Federal Register and local newspapers a list of those specific acts which are prohibited and to hold at least one public hearing in each State affected by such prohibitions; and (2) as part of the recovery plan for a threatened or endangered species, to designate critical habitat for that species, if appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to make available any additional information through the Community Assistance Program. Revises or sets forth provisions regarding: (1) State, tribal, and foreign government participation; (2) peer review; (3) listing priorities; and (4) petitions to list, delist, or downlist. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions of the Act to require the Secretary, on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available, to develop and implement recovery plans for the timely conservation of endangered and threatened species. Specifies that the goals of a recovery plan shall be to eliminate or reduce the factors that resulted in a determination that the species is threatened or endangered and to achieve recovery for that species. Directs the Secretary: (1) and each affected State to jointly appoint a Recovery Team to develop the recovery plan; (2) to seek to minimize adverse social and economic consequences that may result from implementation of recovery plans; and (3) to give priority to the development and implementation of recovery plans which are integrated, multispecies recovery plans, which would preserve regional or local biodiversity, or which are for those species that are most likely to benefit from recovery plans. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the contents of recovery plans; (2) recovery plan consistency with the goals of the Act; (3) public review, comment, and reporting requirements; (4) monitoring the status of species; and (5) existing recovery plans. (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to seek to work cooperatively with private landowners in the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to minimize adverse social and economic consequences that may result from efforts to conserve such species. Sets forth priorities in developing recovery plans. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a Community Assistance Program; (2) a private landowner cooperative agreement program; and (3) voluntary incentive programs for conserving species on private lands. (Sec. 9) Requires the Secretary to develop and propose regulations that will ensure timely conclusion of consultations under the Act regarding interagency cooperation. (Sec. 10) Authorizes: (1) habitat conservation plans to cover multiple species or habitats; (2) any State, Indian tribe, local government, or other person to develop and submit to the Secretary a habitat conservation plan to conserve and manage multiple species or habitats. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue standards and guidelines for the development and approval of habitat conservation plans; and (2) approve a permit application for a multiple species conservation plan if specified conditions are met. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Congress should adopt a Peace Through Strength Strategy for the post-Cold War era, based on the following general principles and goals: (1) the United States must accept and maintain global leadership through a clear and consistent articulation of vital U.S. national interests and goals; (2) the United States must maintain highly trained, well-equipped, combat-ready military forces and the national will to prevail in any conflict; (3) U.S. interests are promoted through participation in global and regional political, military, and economic organizations, treaties, and alliances, but the United States must retain its sovereignty and reserve the right to act unilaterally; (4) national wealth and economic strength are the foundation of all forms of power; (5) the economic vitality of the United States rests not only on free market competitiveness but also on responsible financial management; (6) the United States must expand effective human and technical intelligence capabilities to anticipate, detect, and respond to emerging threats; (7) the United States will act to lessen, prevent, and eliminate security threats, including those posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of high technology conventional arms, terrorism, drug trafficking, and disruption of access to vital resources; (8) national security policy must be explained to the public in the clear context of national interests and a realistic strategy for protecting those interests; (9) the United States must maintain a strong technological and industrial base with a skilled workforce to support superior U.S. global economic competitiveness and military preparedness; and (10) the United States must systematically and sharply reduce its dependence on imported oil.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dieticians and nutrition professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Military Survivors Equity Act of 1995 - Repeals the social security offset applicable to certain annuities paid to surviving spouses under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for retired members of the armed forces, to the extent that such offset is due to integration with social security benefits when the surviving spouse reaches 62 years of age. Directs the Secretary of Defense to recompute the existing annuities of certain individuals under the SBP to reflect the changes made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Essex National Heritage Area Title II: Essex National Heritage Area Commission Title I: Essex National Heritage Area - Establishes the Essex National Heritage Area for the purpose of preserving and interpreting the contributions to our national heritage of certain historic and cultural lands, natural waterways, and structures within Essex County in Massachusetts. Title II: Essex National Heritage Area Commission - Establishes the Essex National Heritage Area Commission in the Department of the Interior to: (1) coordinate activities of government and private entities to further historic preservation, cultural conservation, natural area protection, and compatible revitalization for the Area; (2) establish standards for projects and prepare programs for preservation of historic properties; (3) make loans and grants for conserving and protecting sites, buildings, resources, and objects which are included on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places; and (4) implement the study report by the Essex Heritage Ad-Hoc Commission. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assist the Commission in preparing studies and plans and in implementing the recommendations contained in such report. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Commission or with any property owner within the Area to facilitate public use and enjoyment of such resources or to otherwise further the Commission's objectives. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to the Commission, upon request, and authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to property owners, Massachusetts, the city of Salem and other participating municipalities, Federal or State entities, institutions, or persons to carry out this Act. Directs the Commission to assist in the establishment of a nonprofit management entity to continue the Commission's functions after it expires in ten years. Prohibits privately owned property from being included within the Area's boundaries unless the government of the county, city, or town in which the property is located agrees and notifies the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
Family Business Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate, for estate tax purposes, specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a three-fifths majority of the whole number of each House of the Congress to pass any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive the requirement when a declaration of war is in effect and when the United States is engaged in military conflict that causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, that becomes law. Makes a bill passed under waiver effective for no longer than two years. Requires all votes under this amendment to be by roll call.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1995
George Washington Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Requires the Secretary of Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins emblematic of George Washington. Mandates that the design for the coins be: (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. Provides for the distribution of coin sale surcharges to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Redesignates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency (the Agency), headed by an Administrator to perform the previous functions of the Department of Energy. Provides for the continuation of service of the Secretary of Energy as the interim Administrator. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Administrator to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Energy Programs Resolution Agency any organizational entities that were entities of DOE. Sunsets the Agency three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the most efficient way to accomplish the complete abolishment of DOE and the transfer or termination of its functions. Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities - Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to privatize and reduce energy laboratories and programs. Prescribes procedural guidelines. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account to fund implementation of such guidelines. Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations - Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (except the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)). Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal Power Marketing Administration operations (except those of the BPA) upon completion of the sales. Directs the Secretary to retain a private sector firm through a competitive bidding process to serve as financial advisor with respect to such sales. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former Federal Power Marketing Administration personnel. Mandates that sale proceeds be deposited into the Treasury. Sets forth a sales completion deadline for each Power Marketing Administration concerned. (Sec. 305) Mandates that the pertinent sales agreements require each purchaser providing electric power to customers within any region to insure that the price of electric power does not increase above the baseline price at a rate greater than ten percent annually. (Sec. 306) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable prior to the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. (Sec. 307) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the proscription against the use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 308) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all DOE functions affecting the BPA. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective option of disposing of the BPA. Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves - Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all former DOE functions affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) sell the reserves held at Weeks Island, Louisiana; (2) appoint an advisory board to monitor the sale of such reserves and report to the Congress on whether the United States should maintain or dispose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) transfer jurisdiction and control over naval petroleum reserves to the Department of the Interior; and (2) sell all Federal right, title, and interest in the Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (Elk Hills). (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective options for other Federal interests in naval petroleum reserves. Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs - Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency - Establishes the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency (the Agency) in the Department of Defense (DOD), headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs (the Under Secretary) with primary responsibility for defense nuclear programs. (Sec. 504) Transfers to the Under Secretary all supervisory functions previously performed by: (1) DOE over Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; (2) Defense Nuclear Agency of DOD relating to nuclear weapons systems; and (3) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer other nuclear weapons-related functions to the Under Secretary. (Sec. 505) Places restrictions upon the transfer of funds by the Agency. Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the Under Secretary to review ongoing and planned remediation activities consistent with this Act. (Sec. 521) Sets forth guidelines for site-specific risk assessment before the selection of a remedial action at a defense nuclear facility which include an analysis of risk reduction benefits and costs. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Under Secretary to renegotiate the terms of any compliance agreement entered into with the Secretary of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the relevant State in order to have it reflect this Act. Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department - Limits authorizations for enumerated energy research and development programs through FY 2000. (Sec. 601) Directs the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to identify for the Congress all DOE research and development activities carried out at energy laboratories or institutions of higher education that perform a critical research function important to the long-term economic well-being of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate all DOE clean coal technology research and development activities. Authorizes appropriations for DOE fossil energy and energy conservation research and development activities. Terminates such activities at the end of FY 1998. Transfers from DOE to DOD specified: (1) weapons activities; and (2) materials support and other defense programs. (Sec. 602) Transfers to the Department of the Treasury all functions performed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Authorizes appropriations for the EIA. Transfers to the Attorney General all functions performed by the Energy Regulatory Administration. Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to terminate the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfer its authority and assets to the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). Provides that the Corps shall assume all obligations of the Office affecting the Yucca Mountain site, and that Nevada State permits shall be reissued for the Corps. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corps preparation and implementation of a Yucca Mountain site characterization plan. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth miscellaneous implementing provisions, conferring upon the Office of Management and Budget the authority to make any determination regarding functions transferred under this Act and incidental transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Coastal Zone Management Reauthorization Act of 1995 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize annual grants to States to develop coastal zone management programs. Limits each State to four (currently, two) grants. Authorizes grants to States to implement program changes. Allows financial assistance under existing provisions for research and monitoring in a national estuarine reserve to be used for research outside such a reserve if the activities support research inside the reserve. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) such development grants; (2) administering State management programs; (3) resource management improvement grants; (4) coastal zone enhancement grants; (5) grants under the National Estuarine Research Reserve System; (6) technical assistance; and (7) expenses incidental to the administration of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1995
Postnatal Protection Act of 1995 - Requires a health plan to provide maternity benefits, including benefits for child birth, for in-patient care following delivery of a newborn in a health care facility. Provides an exception for home births. Prohibits a health plan from modifying the terms and conditions of coverage when an enrollee requests less than the minimum coverage. Requires a health plan to provide written notice, prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence, to each enrollee regarding the coverage required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1995
Calls on France to abide by the international moratorium on nuclear testing, refrain from conducting its announced testing, and prepare to close its underground nuclear testing sites at the Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls.
![Official portrait of Rep. Torkildsen, Peter G. [R-MA-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000314_200.jpg)