United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1992
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) breast cancer should be declared a public health emergency under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act to accelerate investigation into the cause, treatment, and prevention of the cause; and (2) activities initiated under the emergency should not supplant major research projects on breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1992
Anti-Recession Infrastructure Jobs Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration, to make grants to State and local governments for infrastructure projects in distressed areas. Provides for direct grants for construction and improvement and for completion of planning. Provides for supplemental grants for other Federal grant programs and for State and local programs. Prohibits the use of grants to acquire real property or to cover maintenance costs. Requires assurance that on-site labor can begin within 90 days of project approval. Requires: (1) contracting out construction or improvement work on grant projects; (2) competitive bidding; (3) acceptance of the lowest responsive bid; (4) advertised specifications covering all requirements or obligations preceding contract award; (5) Buy American conditions; (6) minority participation; and (7) applicability of specified Federal laws regarding individuals with disabilities. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out this Act, to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures that assure adequate consideration is given to the relative needs of various sections of the country, including consideration of these factors in proposed project areas: (1) severity and duration of unemployment; (2) income levels and extent of underemployment; (3) extent of proposed project contribution to reducing unemployment; and (4) amount of unemployment or underemployment in the construction and construction-related industries. Requires a final determination on each grant application within 60 days after the Secretary receives it (or else the grant will be deemed approved). Sets forth formulas for allocation of funds. Sets aside two and one-half percent for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. Sets minimum and maximum allocation limits for any one State and for specified U.S. territories. Requires the Secretary, in making such grants, to give priority and preference to public works: (1) projects of local governments; (2) projects requested by a State or special purpose unit of local government and endorsed by a general purpose local government; and (3) projects requested by school districts. Requires the Secretary, if the average national unemployment rate is six percent or above for the most recent 12 consecutive months, to: (1) expedite and give priority to applications from State or local governments with rates for that period above the national rate; and (2) give priority thereafter to those from any State or local governments having rates for that period above six percent but below the national rate. Requires State and local prioritization of applications. Requires (if the applicant so requests) that the local government's unemployment rate be based on the rate of any community or neighborhood within such local government's jurisdiction. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1992
Restrictions on Azerbaijan Act - Requires the United States to continue to deny the following trade and economic benefits to the Republic of Azerbaijan: (1) most-favored-nation status (nondiscriminatory treatment); (2) loans, guarantees, or insurance with respect to U.S. exports to it; (3) beneficiary status under the Generalized System of Preferences; (4) treatment as a country subject to provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to market disruption; (5) treatment as a member of Country Group Y (countries with which the United States has diplomatic or trading relations); (6) any benefit bestowed under the Agreement on Trade Relations Between the United States and the Soviet Union, signed on June 1, 1990; and (7) U.S. assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Requires the United States to impose as a condition to making contributions to any international organizations providing activities in the former Soviet Union that none of the funds be available for such activities, except humanitarian assistance, in Azerbaijan. Authorizes the President to waive such restrictions. Terminates such restrictions if the President determines and reports to the Congress that Azerbaijan: (1) has ceased all blockades and uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; (2) improves the human rights of Armenians, Russians, Jews, and other minorities; and (3) has committed to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1992
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should closely examine the proposed sale of 40 percent of McDonnell Douglas' commercial aircraft division to the Taiwan Aerospace Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the strategic nuclear weapons targeting systems of the United States and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) should reflect the reduction of hostility between such nations and the United States; (2) mutually verifiable assurances that no government is targeting the territory of any other should be forthcoming; (3) prior to negotiations leading to the development of a system of mutual verification, such governments should share all available information pertaining to members of the U.S. armed forces unaccounted for in international military conflicts; (4) it should be U.S. policy in arms reduction negotiations to make the issue of changing strategic nuclear targeting a core part of all further agreements; (5) such assurances should be a condition for any U.S. foreign assistance to a member country of the CIS; and (6) the President should report semiannually to the Congress on compliance with revised targeting strategies and policies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1992
Small Business Credit Crunch Relief Act of 1992 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize deferred participation loans and other financings in FY 1992 through 1994, including general business loans, pollution control loan guarantees, and development company loans and debenture guarantees. Authorizes appropriations to the Small Business Administration for FY 1992 through 1994 for salaries and expenses to implement the debenture and loan guarantee programs authorized by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1992
Title I: Short Title, Findings, and Definitions - Trade Enhancement Act of 1992 - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes with respect to access to Japanese markets by U.S. manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Title II: Merchandise Trade Deficit Reduction - Sets forth annual merchandise trade deficit reduction targets with respect to Japan's trade deficit with the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to compute annually whether the target has been met for each year, and if it has not, to publish in the Federal Register the import and production restriction implementation period for such year. Authorizes the Secretary to impose temporary quantitative import restrictions on Japanese or Japanese-related motor vehicles (foreign motor vehicles) entered during the first three months of the calendar year following the year for which such computation is made. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that representatives of the United States and Japan should continue discussions regarding measures, to be selected by the Japanese Government, to achieve the merchandise trade deficit reduction targets. Urges the United States Trade Representative (USTR) during such discussions to address market access priorities for U.S. exports to Japan. Title III: Import and Production Restrictions to Be Implemented If Trade Deficit Reduction Target Not Met - Directs the Secretary to compute for calendar years 1993 through 1999 quantitative import restrictions on foreign motor vehicles and domestic motor vehicle production restrictions for transplanted Japanese-related auto manufacturers, except such computations are not required for calendar years 1997 through 1999 if trade deficit reduction targets for calendar years 1992 through 1996 are met. Sets forth civil penalties. Requires each person that has one or more motor vehicle or motor vehicle parts manufacturing facilities within the United States to certify to the Secretary whether it is a domestic vehicle or parts manufacturer or a transplanted Japanese-related vehicle manufacturer. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) the Secretary's authority to obtain information and data; and (2) enforcement of this Act. Sets forth civil penalties. Sets forth provisions with respect to the enforcement and judicial review of such penalties. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on implementation of this Act. Title IV: Negotiations and Other Actions - Requires the USTR to enter into negotiations with Japan to enter into a bilateral agreement that: (1) provides a phased-in increase in the use by transplanted motor vehicle manufacturers of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts to the point where such parts constitute 60 percent or more of the total parts used in the production of such vehicles; and (2) eliminate those aspects of the Japanese automotive distribution system that affect the access of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts to Japanese markets. Directs the USTR to enter into negotiations with representatives of the European Community, Japan, and the governments of other major vehicle-producing countries to enter into multilateral agreements that rationalize world-wide market access and production of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Considers acts, practices, and policies of Japan (including, but not limited to, acts, policies, and practices utilized in the Japanese automotive distribution system known as "Keiretsu") that affect the access of manufacturers of domestic motor vehicle parts to the Japanese market as being unjustifiable and burdensome or restrictive to U.S. commerce, according to the Trade Act of 1974. Adds to response authority under such Act authority to increase the percentage of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts used in the production of motor vehicles for purposes of the qualification of Japanese manufacturers as domestic vehicle manufacturers. Specifies certain objectives to be included in negotiations with Japan if the USTR decides to take action with respect to such practices. Requires the USTR to make certain estimates with respect to the percentage of the Japanese market that is accounted for by domestic motor vehicle parts manufacturers. Directs the Secretary to commence an antidumping duty investigation under the Tariff Act of 1930 to determine whether imports or sales (or the likelihood of sales) of Japanese motor vehicle parts to the United States warrant the imposition of antidumping duties. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the Congress on the extent to which: (1) "Keiretsu" operations in the United States are in compliance with the internal revenue laws, particularly those relating to transfer pricing; and (2) the Internal Revenue Service is auditing such operations. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to classify for the purposes of tariff treatment certain light trucks as motor vehicles for the transport of goods.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Amends the Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 to make permanent the transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account of income tax revenues attributable to the taxation of tier II railroad retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Emergency Community Development Act of 1991 - Title I: Temporary Assistance for Community Development Activities - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes for community development assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Housing Programs - Authorizes funds, in addition to other specified authorizations, for: (1) public housing vacancy reduction; (2) the National Homeownership Trust; and (3) the Flexible Subsidy Fund. Title III: Single Family Mortgage Insurance - Amends the National Housing Act with regard to single family mortgage insurance to prohibit a limitation on financed closing costs. Directs the Secretary to establish single premium payments for refinanced mortgages. Title IV: Rural Housing - Authorizes and increases funding for: (1) insured or guaranteed rural housing loans; (2) supplemental grants for remote rural housing; (3) housing improvement loans; (4) rural housing loans for elderly, handicapped, or low-income persons; (5) housing for rural homeless and migrant farmworkers; and (6) rental assistance payment contracts. Title V: Homeless Assistance - Authorizes and increases funding for: (1) Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency food and shelter grants; (2) emergency shelter grants; (3) the supportive housing demonstration program; (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless; and (5) section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Title VI: Department of Housing and Urban Development Administration - Exempts multifamily project assistance from certain certification of limitation provisions under specified circumstances. Authorizes appropriations for multifamily housing mortgage insurance regional, field, or zone staff. Title VII: Financial Institutions Housing Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Home Loan Banks' affordable housing program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Condemns the treatment of William F. Buckley, Colonel William Higgins, and Peter Kilburn by their captors in Lebanon and the disrespect shown to their remains. Urges the President to work with the nations of the Middle East to seek the extradition of the parties responsible for their torture and death and to bring such parties before an international tribunal for trial.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) place the highest priority on the success of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), particularly through the personal participation of the President of the United States; (2) negotiate international agreements that effectively reduce the threat of climate change and biological diversity loss; (3) propose an initiative on financing Agenda 21 (the plan of action to be approved by UNCED when it meets) and other global cooperation efforts that takes into account the concerns of developing countries regarding additional costs of international environmental protection and the basic development goals of those countries and that increases accountability for the use of funds provided for environmental purposes; (4) seek to advance the development of a stronger international legal framework, and the creation of appropriate institutional mechanisms, for protecting the global environment; (5) promote public participation in environmental and development decisions at all levels; (6) pursue with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean a cooperative strategy to address environmental concerns in the Western Hemisphere; and (7) evaluate U.S. assistance programs in Latin America and the Caribbean to determine if they address U.S. national security interests in the region by apportioning sufficient funding to environmental concerns. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should support: (1) international and national programs aimed at encouraging a global transition to environmentally sustainable energy systems; (2) new programs and institutions to help developing countries become more energy efficient and otherwise increase their capacity for acquiring and using technology to make their economies more environmentally sustainable; (3) global goals of slowing deforestation of primary forests, increasing worldwide forest cover, and preserving a specified amount of mature forests; (4) improved national forests strategies that integrate all policy issues related to the loss of forests and eliminate economic incentives for deforestation; (5) the development of a new international agreement to eliminate land-based sources of marine pollution and cooperative efforts to address these sources of pollution at the regional level; (6) a process of international consultations aimed at identifying ways that poverty can be alleviated and natural resources better conserved through reduction of developing country debt burdens; and (7) the development of a timetable for industrialized nations and the United Nations to adopt a reformed system of national accounting that would reflect full environmental and social costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) democratically-elected local government and civil administration in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Republic of Azerbaijan should be restored; (2) there should be free access to all prisoners by foreign government representatives and independent human rights organizations; (3) the United Nations (UN) Security Council should take up the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh to consider whether UN peacekeeping forces should be deployed to maintain order in the area; (4) foreign assistance extended to the former Soviet Union should be directed to the republics and, except for emergency and humanitarian assistance, conditioned on the establishment of democratically-elected governments and respect for human rights; (5) foreign assistance should be provided directly to Nagorno-Karabakh through impartial international organizations; (6) the human rights provisions of the September 23, 1991, communique negotiated at Zheleznovodsk under the auspices of the Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan should be fulfilled without delay by the parties; and (7) the U.S. Government should support and encourage the objectives of this resolution by all appropriate means.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require Federal agencies that plan to terminate operations on real property owned by the United States to identify property on which no hazardous substance was stored for one year or more, released, or disposed. Requires the identification to be based on an investigation of the property to determine the presence of hazardous substances. Sets forth minimum requirements for the identification. Requires identifications to be made: (1) at least six months before the termination of operations on the property; and (2) with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or, in the case of property that is not part of a facility on the National Priorities List, with the concurrence of the appropriate State official. Requires deeds entered into for the sale or transfer of an identified property by the United States to any other person to contain: (1) a covenant warranting that any response action found to be necessary after the date of such sale or transfer shall be conducted by the United States; and (2) a clause granting the United States access to the property in any case in which a response action is necessary at the property or on adjoining property. Declares that, in the case of a covenant required in deeds for the transfer of U.S. property on which a hazardous substance was stored or released, remedial action has been taken if the construction and installation of an approved remedial design has been completed and the remedy is operating properly. Requires such covenants to contain a clause granting the United States access to the property in any case in which remedial action is found to be necessary after the date of such transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
National Electromagnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Act - Establishes the Electromagnetic Fields Interagency Committee, designating the Department of Energy, through the Office of Health, as the Committee's lead agency. Establishes the National Electromagnetic Fields Advisory Committee. Establishes a program to conduct research on the possible human health effects of electromagnetic fields. Authorizes grants and contracts for the research. Establishes a program to collect, compile, publish, and disseminate to the public information on electromagnetic fields. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Medicaid Prostate Screening Act of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to mandate coverage of prostate cancer screening tests under State Medicaid plans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Medicare Prostate Screening Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of prostate cancer screening tests under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: Recovery Plans - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary (either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as program responsibilities are vested) to: (1) develop and implement recovery plans by December 31, 1996, for listed endangered and threatened species for which such plans have not been developed as of December 31, 1992; and (2) do the same for such non-listed species as of December 31, 1992, within two years after the species is listed. Title II: Penalties and Enforcement - Waives the 60-day notice requirement with respect to the filing of a civil suit by an individual in the case of an action against any person respecting an emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of any listed species of fish or wildlife. Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations to carry out the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the resolutions of its parties as well as to enforce this Act. Title III: Habitat Conservation Plans - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with any State, municipality, county, or local government to assist in the development of a plan for the conservation of any threatened or endangered species. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans, under specified conditions, to any such entities: (1) in the development of such plans; (2) to carry out biological and other studies in connection with it; and (3) related tasks. Establishes the Habitat Conservation Planning Fund for the deposit of all appropriated sums to assist in the development of conservation plans. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Oil Recycling and Safe Handling Act of 1991 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise provisions concerning the management of used oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to list as a hazardous waste any used oil and any product derived from such oil that fails to meet certain specifications for flashpoint, lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, halogens, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Prohibits compliance with such specifications by blending used oil with virgin oil or other materials. Permits fuel containing used oil that meets specifications without treatment to be marketed as containing ingredients that are not hazardous wastes if the oil and fuel are analyzed to demonstrate compliance. Exempts used oil generated by petroleum refining or production facilities which is to be refined along with normal process streams from requirements for hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act if it is inserted into the refining process or production pipeline. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the management of used oil classified as a hazardous waste. Exempts from such regulation generators of used oil which is household waste or State or local government curbside collection programs collecting such oil. Exempts certain used oil generators and collectors from hazardous waste regulations under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (other than those under this Act) if they have: (1) recycled or burned used oil at a permitted hazardous waste management facility or have arranged for the periodic transport of such oil by a licensed transporter to a permitted facility; (2) not disposed of such oil except as provided under this Act or mixed the oil with other hazardous wastes; and (3) maintained specified records with respect to the volume of such oil. Applies standards for hazardous waste transporters and facilities to hazardous used oil transporters and facilities. Permits the modification of transporter requirements for used oil that contains less than a specified concentration of halogens. Requires hazardous used oil facilities to obtain hazardous waste management permits. Directs the Administrator to require producers and importers of lubricating base stock to guarantee the reuse of an annually increasing percentage of used lubricating oil. Requires States to encourage used oil collection by providing incentives to retailers and others who accept and collect used oil. Imposes fees on lubricating base stock sold at retail and provides for the use of such fees for State and local used oil collection efforts. Requires agencies procuring recycled goods to report on the effectiveness of the re-refined oil procurement program. Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to prohibit any person from bringing an action against (currently, recovering response costs or damages from) service station dealers for response costs or damages resulting from releases of used (currently, recycled) oil, subject to certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle for America Act - Title I: State Recycling Requirements and Related Provisions - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations containing a standard methodology for States and municipalities to measure: (1) the composition of waste generated in their jurisdictions, by type and amount; and (2) the waste management capacity of landfills, recycling facilities, and incinerators. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for States, municipalities, and regional solid waste management authorities to identify the life-cycle costs of waste management or recycling options. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations containing a standard methodology to measure the amount of material annually diverted from a municipal solid waste stream and to calculate the diversion rates for materials. Requires a diversion rate for a particular material to be calculated by comparing the amount of the material generated within a municipality or regional authority with the annual amount of that material diverted from an incinerator or landfill for recycling purposes. Directs such municipalities or regional authorities to conduct waste composition analyses at least once every five years to indicate: (1) the percentage of solid waste managed in the jurisdiction that consists of materials required to be analyzed; and (2) the percentage of such waste that consists of noncombustible materials. Includes within the list of materials to be analyzed: (1) paper; (2) glass; (3) metal; (4) plastics; (5) food and yard waste; (6) wood; (7) construction and demolition debris; (8) household hazardous waste and lead-acid and household batteries; (9) medical waste; (10) incinerator ash; and (11) miscellaneous combustibles and noncombustibles. Prohibits States, municipalities, or other local solid waste management authorities from issuing permits for the construction, expansion, or operation of a landfill, incinerator, or composting unit unless a waste composition analysis has been conducted in the jurisdiction where the facility is or will be located. Requires States or regional authorities to carry out programs to divert annually from incineration and landfilling those materials that otherwise would be destined for disposal by such methods. Sets forth required diversion percentages for glass, paper, metals, plastics, and yard and food waste. Provides that the delivery of plastics, metals, or glass for composting purposes shall not be considered diversion. Requires the Administrator to increase diversion rates by July 1, 2002, to assure decreasing reliance on incineration and landfilling. Authorizes States to petition for alternative diversion rates if economic conditions preclude an entity from achieving such rates, subject to specified requirements. Directs entities to which diversion requirements apply to certify to the State that the applicable percentage of materials has been diverted from the waste stream. Prohibits the issuance of permits by States, municipalities, or other regional authorities for the construction, expansion, or operation of a landfill or incinerator unless the entity from which the facility plans to accept waste: (1) is achieving the required diversion rates; and (2) demonstrates that the facility will not interfere with maintaining such rates. Declares that States must demonstrate achievement of diversion rates in order to receive approval for solid waste management plans. Prohibits the incineration of the following materials in municipal incineration units: (1) glass; (2) ferrous and nonferrous metals; (3) lead-acid and household batteries; (4) recyclable plastics; (5) yard waste; and (6) other materials that are noncombustible or recyclable, as appropriate. Requires owners or operators of such units to inspect wastes to ensure that such materials are removed before incineration and to certify to the State that they are in compliance with such prohibition. Excludes from the inspection requirement waste delivered after prohibited materials have been: (1) removed at a materials recovery facility; or (2) collected pursuant to a curbside collection or deposit program under which material is diverted from solid waste at a rate of at least 90 percent. Prohibits the disposal of lead-acid and household batteries in municipal landfills. Makes such prohibition inapplicable under certain circumstances. Provides for the incorporation of requirements under this title into State solid waste management plans. Title II: Other Recycling Provisions - Requires manufacturers or importers of covered items to ensure that such items contain a minimum percentage of post-consumer materials. Defines a "covered item" as a product, packaging or a container for a product, or materials made of aluminum, glass, steel, plastic, or paper. Authorizes manufacturers or importers to comply with such requirements by: (1) recycling a covered item for purposes of producing such item; or (2) purchasing recycling credits under a system established by the Administrator. Sets forth minimum content standards and deadlines for compliance for aluminum, glass, steel, plastics, and paper. Provides for exemptions to such requirements in cases where meeting such requirements would result in a potential hazard to human health or the environment. Prescribes penalties for violations of such requirements. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for importers and manufacturers of covered items. Prohibits manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or importers from offering a consumer item for sale or promotional purposes if such item contains less than 90 percent product (by volume) or more than ten percent package and packing material (by volume). Exempts specified items from such requirement. Requires manufacturers or importers of products, packages, or packing material to furnish to the Administrator, a retailer, or a consumer, upon request, a certification of compliance with respect to such requirement. Prescribes penalties for violations of such requirement. Requires manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or importers of motorized vehicles (other than automobiles) or large appliances to: (1) accept any vehicle or appliance of the type sold by such persons from purchasers; or (2) assure the diversion of such items away from incinerators or landfills. Permits the disposal of household batteries only by delivery to retailers, wholesalers, or manufacturers of batteries of the same general type, regulated collection or recycling facilities, or governmental curbside collection programs. Sets forth disposal requirements for retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Prohibits battery retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers from refusing to accept batteries of the same type as the batteries sold. Requires wholesalers to remove used batteries from the place of business of the retailer. Sets forth refund requirements with respect to such batteries. Requires notices to be posted in household battery retail establishments that: (1) state that is illegal to throw away such batteries and that Federal law requires acceptance of batteries for recycling and the return of batteries to authorized recyclers or collectors; and (2) encourage the recycling of used batteries. Prohibits the sale of household batteries unless such batteries bear a label that identifies the chemical in the battery and that states the refund value and requirements for recycling and acceptance. Requires the Administrator to promulgate labeling requirements for small, button-shaped batteries. Prohibits States or local governments from enforcing labeling requirements unless identical with this Act's requirements. Prohibits the sale of a rechargeable consumer product unless: (1) the battery can be easily removed by the consumer or is contained in a battery pack separate from the product and can be easily removed; and (2) the product and the battery are both labeled in a manner that is clearly visible, that indicates that the battery must be collected separately, and that identifies the electrode used in the battery. Revises provisions concerning Federal procurement of recycled goods. Applies procurement requirements to the purchase or acquisition of items during a fiscal year if, during any of the preceding five fiscal years, the price of such items exceeded $10,000 in the aggregate. Includes the Congress within the definition of "procuring agency." Requires procuring agencies to procure only items which are composed of the highest percentage of post-consumer materials (currently, recovered materials) practicable or, in the case of items for which minimum content standards have been set, which contain no less than the required minimum content. Revises conditions under which a procuring agency may determine not to procure such items. Directs the Administrator to: (1) revise existing standards for the procurement of paper containing post-consumer materials so that the standards are at least as stringent as the minimum content requirements of title II; (2) promulgate standards for the procurement and use of containers and packaging and other goods made from aluminum, ferrous, and plastic scrap and waste glass that are as stringent as such requirements; (3) promulgate standards for the procurement and use of waste glass in the construction of paved surfaces, rubber scrap in the construction of paved surfaces, roofing, and other nonroadway applications, and compost, fertilizers, and other soil amendments made from yard and food waste; and (4) promulgate standards for at least three additional categories of items and other items, as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Equal Remedies Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law relating to damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination to remove provisions limiting the dollar amount of damages awarded for pecuniary and nonpecuniary losses and punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Declares that the Fox Broadcasting Company should be commended for accepting paid advertising promoting the use of condoms as a method for preventing the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prepare and encourage other persons to prepare television broadcast public service announcements to educate the people of the United States about AIDS and ways to prevent infection by the virus that causes it, including prevention through the use of condoms. States that all U.S. commercial television networks and television stations should accept for broadcast during selected adult programming: (1) public service announcements about AIDS and ways to prevent infection by the virus that causes it (including prevention through the use of condoms); and (2) commercial advertisements concerning the use of condoms to prevent infection by the virus that causes AIDS.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should continue to support the full protection of the African elephant through the unqualified listing of all populations of the African elephant on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Declares the policy that Federal departments and agencies shall encourage the development and use of product testing procedures that accurately reflect the acute health effects on humans of certain products, including consumer products and products containing hazardous or toxic substances, but which do not rely upon animals. Directs each Federal department or agency head (head), within one year, to: (1) review and evaluate any regulation, guideline, or recommendation issued by such department or agency which requires, recommends, or encourages the use of the Draize or other animal acute toxicity test for the purpose of evaluation of the safety of a regulated product; (2) review and evaluate nonanimal alternatives with the potential for partial or full replacement of the products regulated; and (3) promulgate regulations, guidelines, or recommendations that specify that a nonanimal acute toxicity test or battery of tests (NATT) should be used instead of an animal acute toxicity test unless that head determines that the NATT is less likely to predict the acute health effects on humans of a product than the animal acute toxicity test. Requires the appropriate head, if a determination is made that no NATT is as likely to predict the human reaction to the regulated product as the Draize or other animal acute toxicity test, to publish in the Federal Register an explanation of all options considered and the justification for continuing the animal acute toxicity test, which shall be subject to public comment. Provides for periodic review of animal acute toxicity testing regulations. Makes this Act inapplicable to regulations, guidelines, or recommendations related to medical research.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
American Jobs Protection Act - Requires employers to provide specified notice and employee benefits (including severance pay, continuation of health care benefits, reimbursement for retraining, and accelerated eligibility for early retirement) to employees who are subject to a plant closing or mass layoff because their work is transferred to another country which has specified levels of lower wages or less effective employment standards for overtime compensation, child labor, and employee safety. Provides for enforcement of this Act by investigative and administrative actions by the Secretary of Labor, civil actions by employees and the Secretary, and actions for injunctions. Provides for application under this Act of definitions under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, with exceptions for the terms employer, plant closing, mass layoff, and employment loss.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Low-Income Housing Revitalization Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions relating to the low-income housing credit to increase the credit from four percent to nine percent with respect to new buildings that are federally subsidized. Extends the low-income housing credit permanently. Amends IRC accounting provisions to exempt low-income housing credit activities from limitations on passive losses. Revises the accelerated cost recovery system in connection with low-income residential rental property to reduce the applicable recovery period from 27.5 to 20 years. Disallows an income tax deduction for any expense relating to residential rental units unless such units are suitable for occupancy. Excludes deductions for business expenses, interest on indebtedness, and taxes from calculations to determine the passive loss limitation in connection with rental real estate activity relating to a qualified low-income housing project in which a noncorporate taxpayer actively or materially participates.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Commends: (1) the people of Guam for their patriotism, bravery, loyalty to the United States, and many sacrifices during World War II, particularly during the invasion and occupation of the Guam territory; (2) the members of the Navy Insular Force and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for the efforts and sacrifices they made in defense of the U.S.; (3) the Hawaiians for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and (4) the Hawaii Territorial Guard members, Varsity Victory Volunteers, the civilian workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and other Hawaiian military installations, 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. war effort during such attack.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Credit and Charge Card Disclosure and Interest Rate Amendments Act of 1991 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) credit card annual charges should be reduced; and (2) a cap on such charges should be imposed if the credit card market remains uncompetitive. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth additional disclosure requirements relating to credit card accounts, including advertising related to such accounts. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to establish and publicize a toll-free telephone line for consumers to call for free information on the availability of low-rate credit cards. Requires as a prerequisite to any increase in credit card fees and rates consumer notification and accompanying opportunity to rescind further use of a credit card account. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress the results of a mandated study regarding the competitiveness of the credit card market. Authorizes the President to establish by Executive Order the maximum annual percentage rate applicable to open end consumer credit plans. Sets forth the conditions for congressional consideration of a joint resolution to repeal the cap on credit card interest rates.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1991
Calls upon the President, as part of the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) talks, to initiate negotiations to make GATT compatible with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other U.S. health, safety, labor, and environmental laws, including laws to protect the environment outside of the United States. Declares that the Congress will not approve legislation to implement any trade agreement (including the Uruguay Round of the GATT and the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement) that jeopardizes such laws, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Medicare Cancer Coverage Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover: (1) any use of a drug in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if such use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, published in peer-review medical literature, or included in one or more of three specified medical compendia; and (2) an oral form of a drug prescribed for such a use in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if the drug contains the same active ingredients as a drug that would be covered if administered as incident to a physician's service. Requires a study and report to specified congressional committees on Medicare coverage of patient care costs associated with clinical trials of new cancer therapies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Medicare Outpatient Diabetes Education Coverage Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of outpatient education services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Act - Establishes the National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation. Declares that the Foundation is: (1) a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be organized under the laws of the State of Maryland; and (2) not an agency or establishment of the United States. Provides that the Foundation is to: (1) primarily encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial and its annual memorial service; (2) provide financial assistance to the families of firefighers who die in the line of duty; and (3) assist in the recognition of such firefighters. Sets forth provisions for establishment and membership of a Board of Directors of the Foundation. Makes the Administator of the U.S. Fire Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board, who shall appoint Directors of the Board. Sets forth rights and obligations of the Foundation, including having its principal offices in the State of Maryland. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide, and accept reimbursements for, personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the Foundation; and (2) accept the services of the Foundation, the Board, and the Board's officers and employees as volunteers in performing functions authorized under this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to audits and annual reports. Provides for relief for certain Foundation acts or failures to act. Provides that the United States is not liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1991
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exempt certain employees of community colleges from overtime pay provisions of such Act under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Justice for Wards Cove Workers Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1991 to remove a provision excluding from application of the Act any disparate impact case filed before March 1, 1975, and decided after October 30, 1983. (Wards Cove Packing Co. Inc. v. Atonio, 1989, held that, in cases brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the burden is on the plaintiff to prove an employer had no business necessity for a practice with discriminatory effects.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Budget Process Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to: (1) eliminate the division of discretionary appropriations into three categories (defense, international, and domestic) for purposes of discretionary spending limits for FY 1993; and (2) consolidate them into a single limit for budget authority and outlay. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to recalculate any adjustments made to such spending limits before enactment of this Act under the sequestration provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the President to report revised discretionary spending limits for FY 1993 to the Congress by the fifth day after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Repeals a Federal provision requiring a two-dollar copayment for each 30-day supply of medication furnished to a veteran on an outpatient basis by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the treatment of a non-service-connected disability or condition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Congratulates Levon Ter-Petrosian for becoming the first democratically elected President of the Republic of Armenia. Commends the Armenian people for successfully executing Armenia's first free, fair, and democratic presidential election. Urges the President to recognize Armenia's declaration of independence, extend full diplomatic recognition, and support Armenia's application to join international organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelorussia (a.k.a. Belarus), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (a.k.a. Kirghizia) Moldavia (a.k.a. Moldova), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan should accept and implement all commitments on human rights, fundamental freedoms, and humanitarian cooperation contained in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, or any other document of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (2) the President should convey to the leaders of these republics that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a vital element in achieving genuine security and cooperation in Europe and should keep the Congress informed of the status of human rights and fundamental freedoms in each of these republics.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
Makes the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even numbered year a legal public holiday known as Democracy Day (exept for purposes of statutes relating to pay and leave of Federal employees).
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1991
Directs the President to transfer to the Demobilization and Transition Fund for El Salvador (established pursuant to the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991) a specified amount of funds allocated for foreign military financing for El Salvador for FY 1992 under any joint resolution making continuing appropriations. Requires the transfer to the Fund of 50 percent of funds for such financing for El Salvador provided under such a joint resolution or the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1992 (excluding the funds released by the President) if a pardon (other than a pardon pursuant to an agreement between the parties to the conflict in El Salvador) is granted to any of the army officers convicted of the November 1989 murders at the University of Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Health Insurance Reform and Cost Control Act of 1991 - Title I: Increase in Deduction for Health Insurance For Self-Employed Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the current 25 percent tax deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals through 1992, and to increase the deduction to 50 percent in 1993, 75 percent in 1994, and 100 percent in 1995 and thereafter. Title II: Improvements In Health Insurance For Small Employers - Subtitle A: Standards And Requirements of Small Employer Health Insurance Reform - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI (Health Insurance Standards) under part A (Small Employer Health Insurance Standards) of which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to develop specific standards to implement the requirements outlined in the three successive paragraphs below and in part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services) of such new title as added below which health insurance plans provided by entities employing from two to 50 employees (small employer plans) must be certified as meeting in order to be issued. Requires each insurer to register with the Secretary and any applicable regulatory authority for each State in which it issues or offers a small employer plan. Specifies that no issuer may exclude from coverage any eligible employee or such employee's spouse or any dependent child to whom coverage is made available by a small employer. Requires, with respect to small employer plans, that insurers offering such plans guarantee that: (1) the same plans are available throughout the insurer's service area on a continuous, year-round basis; and (2) such plans are renewable, with specified exceptions. Requires a notice prior to expiration of the terms for renewal of the plan. Provides that except with respect to rates and administrative changes, such terms (including benefits) shall be the same as the terms of issuance. Requires that the period of renewal of each small employer plan be for a period of not less than 12 months. Details requirements with respect to the treatment of health maintenance organizations. Provides that an insurer may not offer to, or issue with respect to, a small employer a small employer plan with a term of less than 12 months. Provides that the premium index rate for any block of business of an insurer may not exceed the index rate for any other block of business by more than 20 percent, with specified exceptions. Requires small employer plan premiums within a block of business to be community-rated for a given geographical area, with limited adjustments for age and sex permitted under specified guidelines. Specifies that, in defining communities for rating purposes, no insurer may use a geographic area that is smaller than a metropolitan statistical area. Requires small employer plans to permit enrollment of (and compute premiums separately for) individuals based on specified beneficiary classes. Places restrictions on transfers of small employers among blocks of business. Requires that any variation in annual small employer plan premium increases be limited to five percent. Requires full disclosure of rating practices and other premium rate information when a small employer plan is offered to the employer. Requires annual actuarial certification of an insurer's compliance with the premium rate requirements of this paragraph for filing with the Secretary and any applicable regulatory authority. Requires small employer plans offered to contain a benefit package similar to the benefit package under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), plus unlimited inpatient hospital services for children and specified pregnancy-related services, as well as the new preventive benefits added to the Medicare program by title V of this Act. Sets a single annual deductible of $250 per individual and $500 per family, indexed to annual increases in the contribution and benefit base. Makes deductibles inapplicable for preventive services provided consistent with any applicable periodicity schedules. Makes co-payments inapplicable for: (1) preventive services provided consistent with any applicable periodicity schedules; and (2) inpatient hospital services furnished to children. Sets an overall annual limit on deductibles and co-payments of $2,500 per individual and $3,000 per family, indexed in the manner described above. Preempts State mandates prohibiting the offering of the benefit package required to be contained in small employer plans. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a toll-free telephone information and complaint system which provides for: (1) a system for the receipt and disposition of consumer complaints or inquiries regarding compliance of small employer plans with the requirements outlined above; and (2) information to small employers about insurers in the local area that offer those plans that meet such requirements. Subtitle B: Tax Penalty on Noncomplying Insurers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on: (1) insurers which issue small employer plans that do not comply with the requirements outlined above; and (2) small employers who self-insure for employee health benefits. Sets the amount of such excise tax for: (1) insurers at 25 percent of the gross premiums received from small employers in a year; and (2) small employers at 25 percent of the expenditures made for employee health benefits in a year. Subtitle C: Studies and Reports - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to the Congress on the impact of the rating requirements for small employer plans outlined above on the availability and price of insurance offered to small employers along with recommendations for adjusting such requirements to eliminate variation in premiums associated with demographic factors. Title III: Improvements In Portability Of Private Health Insurance - Amends new title XXI (Health Insurance Standards) of the Social Security Act to add a part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services) under which all employer health plans (including self-insured plans) are barred from denying, limiting, or conditioning the coverage under (or benefits of) the plan with respect to standard health services based on the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, or lack of evidence of insurability, of an individual. Provides that group health plan exclusions for pre-existing conditions shall be limited to six months, except with respect to newborns. Reduces such six-month period by up to three months of a period of continuous coverage of an individual for services with respect to a pre-existing condition. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose the same excise tax as imposed above on insurers who violate a requirement of part A (Small Employer Health Insurance Standards) on insurers who violate a requirement of part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services). Title IV: Health Care Cost Containment - Establishes in HHS the National Health Care Cost Containment Commission to: (1) review and make recommendations to the Secretary on the optional payments required below; and (2) report annually to the President and the Congress on increases in health care costs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish maximum payment rates based upon existing Medicare payment methodologies, including the extra billing limits for physician services, that purchasers may elect to pay for health care services. Requires service providers to accept the rates as payment in full, subject to civil monetary penalty. Directs the Secretary to develop uniform claims forms for use by beneficiaries and providers and uniform reporting standards to be employed by providers. Title V: Medicare Prevention Benefits - Amends the Medicare program to add annual screenings for colon cancer for individuals over age 50 and for breast cancer for women over age 64, vaccinations for influenza and tetanus-diphtheria, and well-child care services as program benefits. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide for ongoing demonstration projects providing for the coverage of other specified preventive services under Medicare to determine whether to include the coverage of such services for all individuals enrolled under Mediare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires reports to specified congressional committees describing the findings made under such demonstration projects and the Secretary's plans for future such demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Requires an Office of Technology Assessment study to develop a process for the regular review of Medicare coverage of preventive services. Requires a report to the Congress on such study.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Unremunerated Work Act of 1991 - Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to: (1) conduct time use surveys of unremunerated work performed in the United States (including household, agricultural, and volunteer work and work related to child care and other care services, food production, and family businesses); and (2) calculate the monetary value of such unremunerated work, separately for men and women, and include such value in statistics used to determine the gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Nuclear Testing Moratorium Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from conducting any explosive nuclear weapons test during the one-year period following the enactment of this Act unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union has conducted such a test during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1991
Commends: (1) the participants in the Middle East Peace Conference scheduled to convene in Madrid on October 30, 1991; (2) Secretary of State Baker for bringing the parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict to the negotiating table; (3) President Bush for his support of the peace process; and (4) Israel and the Soviet Union for resuming diplomatic relations. Encourages: (1) the participants to continue to overcome their distrust and enmity in the pursuit of peace and security; and (2) Secretary Baker to continue his active role to facilitate the parties in their direct negotiations. Restates the Congress's unequivocal support of, and commitment to, the peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to place additional restrictions on the permissible purposes of consumer reports. Allows a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to furnish a consumer report, and a person to use such a report, for employment purposes, if the employment requires a security clearance, a fidelity bond, or other fiduciary reason. Requires the person who obtains such report to certify to the CRA that disclosures regarding it have been made to the affected prospective or existing employee, except in the case of wrongful activity. Allows a CRA to furnish a consumer report in connection with any credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer only if: (1) the consumer authorizes the CRA to provide such report; or (2) the consumer has received a certain notice that information from the consumer's file may be used and the consumer has had the opportunity to notify the agency of non-consent on the use of such information. Requires CRAs which furnish such reports to maintain a notification system which permits the consumer to elect to have his name and address removed from any list of names and addresses provided by such agency with respect to such reports. Requires CRAs which compile and maintain reports on a nationwide basis to establish a nationwide notification system. Allows CRAs to establish joint nationwide notification systems. Repeals exemptions to obsolete information reporting prohibitions relating to credit, life insurance, or employment involving amounts over specified sums. Requires, in a bankruptcy case, that a description of the chapter under which such case arises be included in a consumer report. Provides, with respect to the ban on reporting certain information on delinquent accounts more than seven years old, that such seven-year period commence not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date the account becomes past due. Prohibits the disclosure of personal credit information which antedates the credit report by more than ten years or which cannot be included because of provisions regarding reporting obsolete information. Prohibits a CRA from prohibiting any report user from disclosing the contents of a report to the consumer. Requires a CRA to notify users and providers of information of their responsibilities. Requires a CRA to maintain certain records regarding: (1) the identity of users; and (2) the certified purpose for which any information relating to any consumer is requested by any person. Requires the disclosure of all information in the consumer's file at the time of the consumer's request, including any credit score and any medical information. Allows the provision of information in such file in a form other than in writing at the request of the consumer. Requires that: (1) certain disclosures by a CRA to a consumer required by current law be in writing; (2) certain information be disclosed to the consumer regarding identification of any person who had access to any information in the consumer's file; and (3) any disclosure by a CRA to any consumer under specified provisions include a summary of all the consumer's rights and remedies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires that such a summary be included in disclosures relating to: (1) investigative consumer reports; and (2) reports focusing on public record information for employment purposes. Requires reinvestigations in case of disputed accuracy to be completed within 30 days. (Current law requires completion within a reasonable time.) Requires prompt notice (within 5 days) of the dispute to the provider of the information. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) notice upon a determination that a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant; (2) deletion of inaccurate or unverifiable information; and (3) notice of the results of a reinvestigation. Sets a dollar limit on charges which may be imposed by a CRA for certain disclosures and requires such disclosures to be made within 60 days (currently, 30 days). Revises the duties of users of consumer reports, including requiring the user to provide: (1) written notice of any adverse action; (2) the written summary of the consumer's rights and remedies prepared under specified provisions; and (3) a toll-free telephone number of the CRA. Sets forth duties of users who make solicitations on the basis of information contained in consumer files. Makes any person who furnishes information to any CRA (as well as CRAs and users of reports) civilly liable for willful noncompliance and for negligent noncompliance with the Act. Sets forth factors to be taken into account by the court in considering punitive damages. Sets forth procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of information furnished to CRAs. Requires furnishers of information to provide complete and accurate information. Sets forth the duties of furnishers of information upon notice of a dispute on such completeness and accuracy. Requires any person who regularly furnishes information to a CRA to give notice of such fact in writing to the consumer before providing information about the consumer to the CRA. Increases criminal penalties for any person who obtains information from a CRA under false pretenses. Makes all functions and powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) available to the FTC to enforce compliance. (Current law links enforcement to specified provisions of the FTCA.)
![Official portrait of Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000316_200.jpg)