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United States · Official source
622 records where Rep. Torkildsen, Peter G. [R-MA-6] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits Congress from passing a law with retroactive taxes or fees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Designates December 1993 as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) obstetrician-gynecologists should be designated as primary care providers for women in Federal laws relating to the provision of health care; and (2) legislative proposals that define primary care should include services performed by obstetrician-gynecologists in such definition.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1993
Directs the President to: (1) investigate and report to the Congress on the whereabouts of U.S. citizens and others who have been missing from Cyprus since 1974; and (2) do everything possible to return such persons (including remains of those no longer alive) to their families.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1993
Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1993 to allow commercial fishing operations the incidental lethal taking of small numbers of marine mammals listed as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if it is determined that the total of such taking will not exceed the potential biological removal level established for that stock or species. Prohibits the issuance of permits for such taking. Requires that conservation plans be prepared within six months after determination of critical status for any species or stock determined to be a critical stock. Establishes a Scientific Working Group to advise the Secretary of Commerce regarding population trends and necessary studies and research for marine mammal stocks incidentally taken. Requires the publication of updated stock assessments annually for stocks considered critical and every three years for all other marine mammal stocks. Describes regulations to accompany the general authorization for the incidental taking of marine mammals. Authorizes the charging of a fee for such authorization. Requires the establishment of regional conservation teams to advise the Secretary on methods of reducing lethal incidental takes of marine mammals below the potential biological removal levels and on methods of reducing incidental lethal takes to insignificant levels approaching zero within ten years. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to monitor incidental lethal takes during the course of commercial fishing operations which includes observers on certain vessels. Establishes a Pinniped Interaction Task Force to advise the Secretary on management practices regarding pinnipeds interacting in a dangerous or damaging manner with salmonid fishery resources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1994 through 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1993
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating September 1993 as Classical Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1993
Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to set 55 years as the maximum hiring or minimum retirement age which States and localities may require for fire fighters and law enforcement officers unless there is an age of hiring and retirement in effect under applicable State or local law on March 3, 1983. Provides that elected State or local judges shall not be required to retire before the expiration of the term of office in which they attain the compulsory retirement age. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986 to repeal a provision which would have terminated an exemption for hiring and retirement plans applicable to State and local fire fighters and law enforcement officers. (This Act thereby preserves such exemption beyond 1993.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1993
Authorizes the National Captive Nations Committee, Inc., to construct in the District of Columbia an appropriate international memorial to honor victims of Communism. Makes the Corporation solely responsible for expenses for the construction of the memorial. Requires excess funds for the memorial to be remitted to the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1993
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) reduce loan subsidies available from the Rural Electrification Administration (REA); and (2) eliminate the REA. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize loans to electric generation and transmission cooperatives unable to otherwise obtain credit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1993
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act to include as a purpose of the Foundation the encouragement, acceptance, and administration of private gifts of property for the benefit of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Increases the membership of the Board of Directors of the Foundation and revises certain administrative functions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1994 through 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Federal Benefit Integrity Act - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) reduce the amount of AFDC currently being paid to families which do not include a U.S. citizen or national; and (2) prohibit AFDC from being paid to any family applying for AFDC which does not include such an individual. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplementary Security Income), the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make similar amendments with respect to the receipt of Federal benefits by illegal aliens, and, in certain cases, phase-out such benefits entirely.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1993
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should use its influence as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to support the efforts of Greece, in its negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, to find a solution which promotes a cooperative relationship between the two countries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1993
Designates February 14 through 20, 1994, as Children of Alcoholics Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1993
National Historic Ball Park Act - Designates Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, and Yankee Stadium in New York, New York, as National Historic Ball Parks. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to seek to enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of any of the Parks for the protection and preservation of the Park. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept and expend donations of funds, property, or services to provide services and facilities consistent with this Act; (2) construct interpretive facilities on non-Federal property; and (3) maintain and operate appropriate programs in connection with such facilities. Requires an owner of a Park to notify the Secretary of an intent to transfer or otherwise dispose of the Park. Sets forth provisions relating to the exercise of the Secretary's right of first refusal to acquire such Park. Authorizes the Secretary, under specified conditions, to acquire land, interests in land, and improvements within the boundaries of a Park by donation or purchase with donated or appropriated funds. Requires such Park to be added to and administered as a unit of the National Park System. Establishes a National Historic Ball Park Acquisition Advisory Commission to make recommendations concerning methods of financing the acquisition of a Park. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1993
Domestic Spending Freeze Act of 1993 - Prohibits domestic spending limits for FY 1994 and 1995 from exceeding such limits for FY 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Shibuilding Initiative Title II: Guarantees of Obligations for Vessel Construction and United States Shipyard Modernization Title III: Series Construction Assistance Title IV: Double Hull Requirement for Tankers Chartered by Department of Defense National Shipbuilding and Conversion Act of 1993 - Title I: National Shipbuilding Initiative - Establishes a National Shipbuilding Initiative program to consist of: (1) a financial incentives program to provide loan guarantees to initiate commercial ship construction, encourage shipyard modernization, and support increased productivity; (2) a technology development program; and (3) enhanced support for specified Department of the Navy shipbuilding programs. Makes private U.S. shipyards eligible for program financial assistance or participation. Title II: Guarantees of Obligations for Vessel Construction and United States Shipyard Modernization - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to authorize guarantees of obligations for eligible export vessels (defined as vessels constructed, reconstructed, or reconditioned in the United States which will be placed under the laws of another country). Authorizes such guarantees only if the eligible export vessel: (1) will aid in the transition of U.S. shipyards to commercial activities or preserve shipbuilding assets essential in war or a national emergency; and (2) is not transferred to any country hostile to U.S. interests. Authorizes loan guarantees for advanced shipbuilding technology and modern shipbuilding technology of a general U.S. shipyard facility. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Series Construction Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to pay assistance to a U.S. shipyard owner for the construction of any commercial vessel that is one of a series of vessels for which payment of assistance is approved under this title. Establishes conditions for assistance for series construction, including size and marketability of vessels, shipyard construction capability, applicant ability, and requirements for contracts and purchasers. Title IV: Double Hull Requirement for Tankers Chartered by Department of Defense - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, after December 31, 1994, from entering into, renewing, or extending a contract for the charter of a tanker unless the tanker: (1) is built in a U.S. shipyard under a contract entered into after October 1, 1993; (2) is equipped with a double hull that satisfies specified tank vessel construction requirements; and (3) is chartered under the contract for at least ten years. Establishes further limitations on the entering into, renewal, or extension of contracts for charters of tankers that expire after December 31, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1993
POW/MIA Full Accounting Act of 1993 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should not normalize diplomatic relations with the Government of Vietnam until he certifies to the Congress that the U.S. Government has received the fullest possible accounting of American POW/MIAs from the Vietnam conflict. Provides for the following actions until the President certifies to the Congress that the U.S. Government has received such accounting: (1) a continuation of the trade embargo in effect as of June 1, 1993, against Vietnam; (2) an instruction to the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund to defer consideration of a resolution to allow Vietnam to pay off loans that are in arrears; and (3) an instruction to the U.S. executive directors of appropriate multilateral financial institutions to deny any new loans, grants, or credits to Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1993
Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available for military functions of the Department of Defense from being made available to any other Federal department or agency unless the Secretary certifies to the Congress at least 30 days in advance that such transfer is in the national security interest. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition during a period of national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses if a portion of a dwelling unit is used as the sole fixed location of business for a taxpayer who has no other fixed location of business, regardless of: (1) the amount of time or type of work performed in such location; or (2) the proportion of the total income from the business attributable to such location.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, Etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Putting Jobs and the American Family First Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recoverry - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Repeals the special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollidngs Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1993
Sewer and Water Fee Deductibility Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for fees imposed by a State or local government for water or sewer services in the same manner as local real property taxes. Limits such deduction to the extent that such fees exceed one percent of adjusted gross income. Disallows any corporate deduction for payments to the government under environmental settlement agreements or for compensatory damages relating to violations of environmental laws. Prohibits the net operating loss deduction from reducing taxable income to an amount less than such disallowed amount.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a certificate of documentation for a named vessel.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide hospital care, and authorize such Secretary to provide nursing home care, to veterans exposed to environmental hazards during their military service; (2) make eligible for hospital and nursing home care for any disability of a Persian Gulf War veteran who was exposed to environmental hazards; (3) extend the authority for all such care through FY 2003; and (4) provide priority outpatient care for any disability of a Persian Gulf War veteran exposed during such service to environmental hazards.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special rules for gifts or qualified appreciated stock to certain tax-exempt private foundations for purposes of the itemized deduction of charitable contributions. Includes grants to certain foreign organizations as qualified distributions by private foundations for purposes of the tax on failure to distribute income.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to exclude from the customs and tax exemption under tort claims procedures any claim based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods or merchandise (including real property) while in the possession of any customs or other law enforcement officer. Extends the period for filing claims in certain in rem proceedings. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that: (1) in all suits or actions brought for the forfeiture of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under the provisions of any law relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, with exceptions, and for the recovery of the value of any forfeited property because of violation of any such law, the burden of proof is on the Government to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the property was subject to forfeiture; (2) any person claiming such property may at any time within 60 days from the date of the first publication of the notice of seizure file a claim with the appropriate customs officer, who shall transmit such claim to the U.S. attorney for the district in which seizure was made; and (3) if the person filing such claim (or a claim regarding seized property under any other provision of law that incorporates by reference the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation procedures of the customs laws) is financially unable to obtain representation, the court may appoint counsel, subject to specified requirements. Specifies that a claimant is entitled to immediate release of seized property if continued possession by the Government would cause the claimant substantial hardship. Sets forth procedures regarding the request for release, return of property, and time for decision by the court on a complaint for such return. Makes sums in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund available for the payment of court-awarded compensation for representation of claimants under the Tariff Act, with respect to seizure claims by individuals financially unable to obtain representation of counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1993
Amends the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act to extend through: (1) not earlier than January 1, 1995, nor later than April 1, 1995 (currently one year earlier in each instance) the authorized period for conducting a national conference on small business; and (2) December 1, 1993 (currently one year earlier) the authorized period for conducting State conferences on such subject.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Child Support Enforcement Improvements Act of 1993 - Makes depository institutions not liable under any Federal or State law to any person for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency attempting to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation of such individual. Prohibits such an agency from disclosing such a record for any other purpose and provides for civil damages for unauthorized disclosures. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to permit credit reporting agencies to grant access to certain consumer reports to a State child support enforcement agency that is seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a child support obligation against the consumer. Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) require State laws to provide for the use of procedures requiring child support orders to provide for coverage of the health care costs of the child in accordance with State guidelines; (2) include under the incentive payments program any dependent medical insurance coverage which is provided due to the successful application of such procedures; (3) direct HHS' Office of Child Support Enforcement to report to the Congress annually on State compliance with specified standards establishing time limits for State response to certain child support assistance requests; (4) require States to assess a penalty against any employer who fails to make timely payment of withheld wages to pay child support obligations of an employee; and (5) direct the Office to develop a national parent locator network which would build on comprehensive statewide child support enforcement systems to allow States to carry out specified parent locator activities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report to specified congressional committees on how the successful efforts of States in enforcing obligations of absent parents to pay (and obtain medical insurance coverage with respect to) the health and dental expenses of their children should be rewarded through an incentive payments program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving certain highway-related projects in any State which has a maximum speed limit in excess of 65 miles per hour (mph) on any highway which is located outside an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more and is constructed to interstate standards. (Eliminates the further condition under existing law that the highway is connected to the Interstate System.) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the effects on highway safety of increasing (under this Act) the maximum speed limit above 55 mph on highways with four lanes or more open to traffic.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Designates the week beginning November 7, 1993, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1993
Urges the President to recognize the influential role rail, bus, air passenger service, highway, and byway investments and other transportation initiatives have in the development of tourism opportunities in the United States by convening a White House Conference on Tourism to address critical issues which highlight the interdependence of transportation and tourism. Declares that transportation infrastructure and the Scenic Byways Program are key components of economic development and should be addressed by the Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an environmental remediation credit program that allows businesses a credit for 25 percent of the costs incurred for: (1) environmental remediation with respect to any qualified contaminated site; and (2) an approved environmental remediation plan. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate eligible jurisdictions that may participate in such credit program. Establishes the overall credit limitation and provides for its allocation among eligible cities and States. Allows the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for qualified contaminated site remediation, with limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Amends the Social Security Act to require States to provide information on overdue child support obligations of absent parents to consumer reporting agencies. (Currently, States must meet such requirement only upon the request of such agencies.) Eliminates the authority of the States to impose a fee for furnishing such information.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Designates June 12 through 19, 1994, as National Men's Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Congratulates the Anti-Defamation League on its 80th anniversary and commends it for effectively pursuing the goal of promoting greater tolerance throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Redesignates the Waltham Federal Center at 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts, as the Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Reauthorization Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the term of loans made from State water pollution control revolving funds to up to 30 years or the life of the project, whichever is greater (currently, not to exceed 20 years). Permits the extension of existing loan terms by agreement of the loan parties. Authorizes revolving funds to be used to make grants to municipal and intermunicipal agencies, subject to consideration of specified factors. Revises State allotment provisions, requiring the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an allotment formula that considers: (1) the needs of each State for assistance; (2) the projected percentage increases in residential and commercial sewer and water bills in the State; and (3) the extent to which local economies can contribute financially to water pollution control projects. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the revolving fund program through FY 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require all Federal agencies to use printing and writing paper containing at least ten percent postconsumer material. Authorizes Federal agencies that are in compliance with such requirement to use any monies received from the sale of materials collected for recycling for activities within their legal authority.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit contributions by nonparty multicandidate political committees (PACs) to a candidate in a Federal election.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1993
Designates October 1993 and October 1994 as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction for home office expenses where the taxpayer's sole fixed location of business is in the home of the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1993
Designates July 25 through 31, 1993, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes the President to urge U.S. departments and agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the American flag at half-staff on July 27, 1993, in honor of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds Title II: Excise Taxes on Substances Contributing to Water Pollution, Etc. Polluter Pays Clean Water Funding Act - Title I: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to add to the list of projects eligible for State water pollution control revolving fund assistance: (1) coastal nonpoint pollution control programs; (2) wetlands protection, remediation, and restoration; (3) watershed planning and management; (4) public water conservation and reuse; and (5) low-income water and sewer assurance programs. Establishes conditions on a State's authority to make grants from such funds. Makes eligible for grant assistance projects: (1) to be carried out in political subdivisions with 5,000 people or fewer or in communities where water and sewer bills exceed a specified percent of median family income; (2) for control of nonpoint source pollution; and (3) to establish a low-income water and sewer assurance program. Revises allotment provisions concerning State revolving funds to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish an allotment formula based on State populations. Directs the Administrator to establish minimum standards for low-income water and sewer assurance programs eligible for assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Excise Taxes on Substances Contributing to Water Pollution, Etc. - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the discharge of any taxable chemical pollutant to water or any publicly owned treatment works. Exempts from such tax discharges of chemical pollutants used exclusively for any residential or farming use or any use by any Federal, State, or local agency. Imposes a tax on any fertilizer, pesticide, or animal feed which is: (1) manufactured or produced in the United States or entered into the United States for consumption use or warehousing; and (2) sold or used by the manufacturer, producer, or importer. Exempts articles which are to be exported or sold for export from such tax. Imposes a tax of 1.95 cents on each thousand gallons of water sold for use or used by the ultimate consumer in a taxable use. Makes persons using the water liable for the tax. Establishes the Clean Water Trust Fund to make expenditures to carry out State water pollution control revolving fund activities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for imposition of the death penalty for the murder of Federal law enforcement officials. Sets forth procedures for determining whether a death sentence is justified. Lists mitigating factors (which include impaired capacity, duress, minor participation, and lack of foreseeability) and aggravating factors (which include death during commission of another crime, involvement of a firearm or previous conviction of violent felony involving a firearm, previous conviction of specified serious offenses, and continuing criminal enterprise involving drug sales to minors). Provides for the conduct of a special hearing. Directs the court to instruct the jury that it shall not consider the race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, or sex of the defendant or any victim in making its determination. Sets forth provisions regarding review and implementation (including the use of State facilities) of a death sentence. Prohibits such sentence from being carried out upon a pregnant woman or a person who is mentally retarded or lacks the mental capacity to understand the death penalty and why it was imposed. Prohibits any employee of a State department of corrections, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or the U.S. Marshals Service from being required to attend or participate in any prosecution or execution if it is contrary to the employee's moral or religious convictions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Maritime Security and Competitiveness Act of 1993 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to modify the Act's purposes, including ensuring the existence of a U.S.-documented fleet of the best-equipped, safest, and most modern vessels (currently, the best-equipped, safest, and most suitable type of vessels, constructed in the United States). Establishes the Maritime Security Fleet of active commercial vessels to enhance sea lift capabilities and maintain a presence in international commercial shipping of U.S.-documented vessels. Conditions Fleet enrollment on the vessel owner or operator having an operating agreement with the Secretary of Transportation. Regulates agreements with regard to vessels covered by an operating differential subsidy (ODS) contract. Regulates terms, including requiring annual payments by the Secretary to each contractor and that the vessel be made available in time of war or national emergency or as needed for national security, to be compensated at commercial rates. Restricts noncontiguous trade. Authorizes appropriations. Makes amounts available but unneeded for ODSs available for operating agreement payments. Prohibits new ODS contracts. Exempts bulk cargo vessels for which construction-differential subsidies (CDSs) have been paid from certain CDS operating restrictions when ODS contracts terminate. Relieves a contractor, under specified circumstances, from the application of provisions relating to: (1) ODS operating restrictions; (2) operation of competing foreign-flag vessels; (3) practices regarding coastwise service, salaries, officers, and employees; and (4) ODS essential service requirements. Prohibits formal orders continuing ODS payments for vessels over 25 years old. Revises definitions of: (1) "foreign commerce," "foreign trade," and "citizen of the United States" as they apply to the Act; and (2) "privately owned United States-flag commercial vessel" as it applies to provisions regarding transportation in American vessels of Government personnel and certain cargoes. Removes restrictions regarding: (1) mortgagees from provisions setting forth requirements for a vessel mortgage to qualify as a preferred mortgage; and (2) parties serving as trustees of mortgaged vessel interests. Amends the Shipping Act, 1916 to remove restrictions on mortgaging of a documented vessel to a non-U.S. citizen. Requires allowing a documented vessel to be placed under foreign registry if its owner documents at least one replacement vessel. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to declare that the collective bargaining representative for officers or crew is an interested party in, and has standing to challenge, any proposed or final order, action, or rule of the Secretary under the Act. Mandates a study on the international competitiveness of U.S.-documented vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees to be closed to the public only if disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security or would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. Repeals provisions making the coverage of committee hearings and meetings by television broadcast, radio broadcast, or still photography a privilege made available by the House. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such method of coverage. Prohibits a committee or subcommittee chairman from limiting the number of television or still cameras below two representatives from each medium.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
Designates the weeks beginning November 14, 1993, and November 13, 1994, as Geography Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1993
Native American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act of 1993 - Authorizes the National Museum of the American Indian to design, construct, and maintain a National Native American Veterans' Memorial. Locates the Memorial on the same site as the National Museum of the American Indian. Provides for funding of the Memorial through private donations. States that the United States shall not pay any of the Memorial's establishment expenses, other than providing the location. Defines "Native American" as an Indian, a Native Hawaiian, and an Alaska Native.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1993
Negotiated Rates Act of 1993 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than a household goods carrier), or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder, to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act. Requires that the claimant have been offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), have tendered freight in reasonable reliance upon the offered rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file a tariff for the rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier or freight forwarder for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by any person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications. Prohibits a tariff filed with the ICC from being held invalid solely on the basis that it uses a numerical or alpha account code to designate customers or describe the applicability of rates. Requires a motor contract carrier to enter into a written agreement (separate from a bill of lading or receipt) for the provision of transportation services. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Requires the ICC to issue regulations prohibiting any motor carrier from reducing a rate set forth in its tariff or contract for any person but the one paying for the transportation service. Sets forth civil penalties. Grants the ICC jurisdiction to resolve disputes arising with respect to certain motor carriers as to whether transportation is provided as a motor common carrier or as a motor contract carrier. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the Transportation Research Board to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the public benefits of tariff rate filings by motor carriers of property with the ICC; (2) the extent to which such filing system is used by shippers; (3) the difficulty and cost of determining rates for transportation services under such system; and (4) the number of actions brought before the ICC with respect to such rates.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1993
Includes chiropractic care as an authorized health care benefit provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to establish a chiropractic review board to provide assistance to such Secretaries in the administration of the chiropractic care program under CHAMPUS.