United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1991
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to change from April 1, 1991, to the later of such date or the date of the termination of combat activities in the Persian Gulf, the effective date for scheduled increases in the annual deductible required of coverage beneficiaries of military personnel under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS).
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1991
Repeals provisions of the Rural Development, Agriculture, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 to prohibit a specified rural development grant for the restoration of the birthplace of Lawrence Welk.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1991
Drug Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for Prisons Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new part, to be cited as the Drug Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for Prisons Act, directing the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to establish a comprehensive drug treatment program in Federal prisons. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States to establish drug treatment programs in State prisons and for juvenile criminal offenders. Requires a State, as a part of its application for such a grant, to submit plans for establishing such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to enable plan preparation. Allows the Director to award a grant under these provisions to a State without an application and plan if the State has begun implementing a plan for demonstration prison or juvenile criminal offenders drug treatment programs under specified provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the Attorney General and the appropriate State law enforcement official from permitting the early release of inmates convicted of drug offenses unless the inmates have successfully completed a program of treatment or after care under this Act. Sets forth early release requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1991
Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Leasing Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain Study Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for such promulgation and that no further studies or assessments shall be required. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1991
Kangaroo Protection Act - Provides that any administrative exception made under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 permitting the importation of kangaroos, their parts, and products shall not apply to kangaroos removed from the wild in accordance with an Australian management plan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1991
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide reduced rates of interest under the Guaranteed Student Loan (Stafford Loan) program to individuals who enter the teaching profession.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise from $5,000,000 to $25,000,000 the threshold amount of tax-exempt bonds that a small governmental unit may issue and still remain within the exception from arbitrage rebate requirements. Makes the exception from such rebate for construction bonds effective as if included under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Permits elections concerning such bonds to be made until 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. States that any rebates paid shall not be refunded. Increases from $10,000,000 to $25,000,000 the amount of tax-exempt obligations excepted from the pro rata allocation of interest expense of financial institutions to tax-exempt interest for qualified small issuers. Repeals the five percent unrelated and disproportionate private use rules for private activity bonds. Provides that a bond shall not be treated as an arbitrage bond by reason of any failure to meet any requirements of temporary period investments if all earnings which would cause such bond to be an arbitrage bond are paid to the United States by the issuer by the required due dates. Reduces from 100 percent to 90 percent the amount of arbitrage to be rebated to the United States if certain State and local bonds are not to be treated as arbitrage bonds. Provides that an advance refunding bond will not be tax-exempt if it results in amounts becoming available which are invested in substantially guaranteed higher yielding investments pursuant to a contract entered during a certain period before or after issuance of the bond.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1991
National Energy Strategy Act of 1991 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, as an economic and national security imperative, should: (1) formulate and implement a national energy policy based on achieving a domestic core supply of energy; and (2) work with the Congress in implementing such policy. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on the first sale within the United States of imports of: (1) crude oil; (2) refined petroleum products; and (3) petrochemical feedstocks or petrochemical derivatives. Sets the rate of the tax as the difference between $22 per barrel ($24.50 for petroleum and petrochemical products) and the most recently published average price of a barrel of internationally traded oil, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with a specified formula. Treats certain geological and geophysical costs and surface casing costs as intangible drilling and development costs that a taxpayer may elect to capitalize or to deduct for income tax purposes. Exempts oil and gas wells from the application of the net income limitation on percentage depletion. Revises the percentage depletion allowance applicable to oil and gas wells, retaining a 15 percent minimum, but increasing the percentage incrementally (to a maximum of 30 percent) as the average annual removal price falls below $20. Repeals provisions that tax as ordinary income any gains from dispositions of oil, gas, or geothermal wells. Establishes a marginal production income tax credit for producers who maintain economically unproductive oil wells. Applies the credit to domestic crude that is: (1) from stripper well property; (2) heavy oil; or (3) oil recovered through a tertiary recovery method. Fixes the credit at ten percent of the qualified cost (determined in accordance with a formula set forth in this Act) of each barrel produced by the producer during the tax year. Establishes a crude oil and natural gas exploration and development tax credit. Allows a ten percent credit for qualified investments exceeding $1,000,000, 20 percent for those of $1,000,000 or less. Permits the credit as an offset against both minimum tax liability and regular liability. Repeals provisions that identify intangible drilling costs as a tax preference item for purposes of determining alternative minimum tax liability and corporate preference reductions. Allows 50 percent of the marginal production depletion preference (currently the alternative tax energy preference deduction) as a deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Increases from 65 to 100 percent the taxable income limitation on the percentage depletion deduction for oil and gas property. Permits a taxpayer to elect to carry forward to the next succeeding taxable year any portion of excess depletion allowances. Permits an income tax credit for investments in qualified clean-burning (natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or alcohol) motor vehicle fuel property. Permits a 20 percent credit from 1992 through 2001, phasing out the credit in five percent increments annually thereafter to reach zero percent at the end of 2004. Applies the credit to depreciable property that is: (1) equipment designed either to modify a motor vehicle so that it will be propelled only be a clean-burning fuel or to assist in delivering such fuel into such vehicles; or (2) a motor vehicle propelled by clean-burning fuel. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make credit-equivalent payments to States and to local governments in connection with qualified property.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1991
Directs the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that: (1) any changes in the nature of postal service implemented on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis, beginning after July 27, 1990, and before the enactment of this Act, are rescinded; and (2) any practices, standards, or other related matters (including standards as to the maximum length of time for the delivery of classes or types of mail) which were modified or replaced as a result of those changes are restored.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1991
Increases to $80 monthly the special foreign duty pay authorized for military personnel performing duty in designated foreign areas. Expands the eligibility for such special pay to include all personnel (currenty, enlisted personnel only).
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Terrorist Death Penalty Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the imposition of the death penalty for any individual who kills a U.S. national while such national is outside the United States, if the killing is a first degree murder. Increases penalties for killings other than first degree murders. Sets forth procedures for the imposition of the death penalty. Requires that a defendant be sentenced to death for a death-eligible offense if, after consideration of specified mitigating and aggravating factors, the defendant is found beyond a reasonable doubt, at a special hearing, to have: (1) intentionally killed the victim; (2) intentionally participated in an act, contemplating that the life of a person would be taken or intending that lethal force would be used in connection with a person, other than one of the participants in the offense, and the victim died as a result of the act; or (3) acting with reckless disregard for human life, engaged or substantially participated in conduct which the defendant knew would create a grave risk of death to another person or persons and death resulted from such conduct. Sets forth provisions with respect to notice by the Government that it intends to seek the death penalty if the defendant is convicted, the conduct of a special hearing to determine whether a sentence of death is justified, mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered, proof of such factors, the return of findings, and procedures for appeal and review of a sentence of death. Requires the court, in a hearing held before a jury, to instruct the jury that, in considering whether a death sentence is justified, it shall not consider the race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, or sex of the defendant or any victim. Authorizes the use of State or local facilities and employees to carry out the death penalty. Prohibits requiring any employee of a State department of corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or an employee providing services to such department or bureau under contract, as a condition of such employment or contractual obligation, to be in attendance at or to participate in any execution carried out under this title if such participation is contrary to the employee's moral or religious convictions. Specifies that where a sentence of death is not imposed, the court may impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release or furlough. Prohibits carrying out a death sentence upon a person who: (1) was under age 18 at the time the crime was committed; (2) is mentally retarded; (3) as a result of mental disability, cannot understand the nature of the pending proceedings, what such person was tried for, or the reason for or nature of the punishment; or who lacks the capacity to recognize or understand facts which would make the punishment unjust or unlawful, or lacks the ability to convey such information to counsel or to the court; or (4) is a pregnant woman. Sets forth provisions with respect to the appointment of counsel for indigent defendants in Federal capital cases. Establishes standards for the competence of counsel. Specifies that the ineffectiveness or incompetence of counsel during habeas corpus proceedings in a capital case shall not be a ground for relief from the judgment or sentence in any proceeding (but does not preclude the appointment of different counsel at any stage of the proceedings). Sets forth additional provisions with respect to: (1) the appointment of counsel in State capital cases; (2) time limits for a collateral attack on a judgment imposing a sentence of death; and (3) stays of execution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require a 20 percent reduction in certain assistance under such Act for any law enforcement agency which fails to have in effect a law enforcement officer's bill of rights. Sets forth certain rights of State and local law enforcement officers with regard to: (1) engaging in political activity; (2) investigations for alleged malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of official duty; (3) the representation of law enforcement officers on police complaint review boards; (4) legal assistance and the recovery of damages for civil suits brought for violations of these rights; (5) the disclosure of personal finances; and (6) notice of disciplinary actions to be taken against such officers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1991
Judicial Taxation Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny to inferior Federal courts jurisdiction to issue any remedy, order, writ, or other judicial decree requiring the Federal Government or any State or local government to impose any new tax or to increase any existing tax or tax rate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Niobrara Scenic River Designation Act of 1991 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Niobrara River, Nebraska, and the Missouri River, Nebraska and South Dakota, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Designates a certain segment of the Niobrara River, Nebraska, for study as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Provides that such segment shall be designated as a component of the system if funds are not authorized and appropriated, within five years after enactment of this Act, for the construction of a water resources project on it. Sets forth specified limitations on acquisition of land by the Secretary of the Interior within the segment, unless State or local government are not adequately protecting the segments wild and scenic values. Establishes the Niobrara Scenic River Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the development of a management plan for, and operation matters of, the designated segment of the Niobrara River. Terminates such Commission ten years after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a recreational river advisory group to advise on matters relating to the operation and management of the designated segment of the Missouri River. Requires the Secretary to permit, subject to certain conditions, the use of erosion control techniques for streambank stabilization within the segment. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to conduct a feasibility study about the potential designation of certain lands adjacent to the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers and the Lewis and Clark Reservoir as a national recreation area. Requires the results of such study to be transmitted to certain specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to study the feasibility of establishing the Niobrara-Buffalo Prairie National Park, Nebraska. Requires the results of such study to be submitted to the same congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Includes as creditable service for purposes of the Retirement Annuity Plan of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service a person's employment with the Exchange Service prior to becoming a U.S. citizen. Outlines conditions on receiving such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require indexing, based on the Consumer Price Index, of the adjusted basis of capital assets that have been held for more than one year, for the purpose of determining capital gain or loss at the time of transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Makes it unlawful to ship or transport any solid waste generated in a State into another State for treatment or disposal if such shipment or transportation is in violation of the laws of the recipient State. Authorizes States to enact and enforce laws regulating the treatment and disposition of solid waste, including laws regulating the importation of such wastes and laws imposing fees on the disposition of such out-of-State solid wastes. Prescribes penalties for violations of this Act, including up to ten years' imprisonment for subsequent violations. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, by regulation, to require persons transporting or shipping more than 100 pounds of solid waste in interstate commerce to submit annual registration statements. Directs the Administrator, upon request, to make such statements available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the act of desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1991
Rape and Incest Victims' Choice Resolution - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) funding should be available for the abortion of pregnancies resulting from rape or incest if such acts, considering the physical and mental state of the women involved, are reported promptly.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1991
Amends Federal law to declare that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if the three-year basis recovery rule applicable to government employees' annuities had not been repealed.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs credit permanently. Increases the maximum age requirement for economically disadvantaged youth from 23 to 25.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the act of physical desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1991
Cable Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize States, when cable companies have no effective competition and upon certification by the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) in areas not subject to State regulation, to ensure that rates for all cable services (including all fees, charges, and deposits) are reasonable. Defines "effective competition" to mean that: (1) fewer than 30 percent of the households in the cable community subscribe to the cable service of such cable system; or (2) the cable community is served by at least two unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributors each of which makes available comparable video programming to at least 80 percent of the households in such community, and the number of households subscribing to programming services offered by multichannel video programming distributors other than the largest multichannel video programming distributor exceeds 30 percent of such households. Sets forth criteria for the FCC or a State to consider in determining whether the rate for a cable service offered by a cable operator is reasonable, such as the number of signals included, direct costs paid by the cable operator to provide such signals, revenues received by the cable operator from a supplier of programming or advertising carried as a part of the service, the profitability of the cable service, whether the cable operator has substantially complied with the terms of the franchise agreement, the rates charged by the cable operator for other cable services in the franchise area, and local conditions that may affect the reasonableness of a rate. Sets forth procedures under which a cable operator or other interested party may file a petition challenging the regulation of cable service rates by a State. Prohibits any cable operator from unreasonably discriminating among subscribers or potential subscribers of cable service in connection with the services offered or the rates charged for such services. Requires the FCC to: (1) require cable operators to file, at least annually, such financial information as may be needed to administer and enforce this Act; and (2) establish minimum technical standards relating to cable systems' technical operation and signal quality, including testing procedures and protocols used to measure compliance with such standards. Authorizes States and franchising authorities to impose higher standards than the Federal Government for customer service. Directs the FCC to establish (and regularly review) customer service standards that ensure that all subscribers are fairly served, including: (1) requirements governing cable system office hours and customer service representative availability; (2) installations, outages, service calls, and response time; (3) billing and collection practices; (4) disclosure of all available services, tiers, prices, rates, and rights available to customers; and (5) subscriber complaint resolution procedures. Prohibits a video programmer in which a cable operator has an attributable interest and who licenses video programming for distribution from: (1) unreasonably refusing to deal with any multichannel video programming distributor; or (2) discriminating in the price, terms, and conditions in the sale of the video programmer's programming among cable systems, cable operators, or other multichannel video programming distributors if such action would have the effect of impeding retail competition. Limits the liability of a franchising authority to injunctive and declaratory relief, with exceptions. Sets forth provisions with respect to franchise renewal and grounds for denial of the renewal of a franchise. Establishes "must-carry" requirements under which a cable operator would be required to carry small, local independent and public stations as a condition of keeping its broadcast television programming license under the Federal Copyright Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1991
Christopher Columbus Coin and Fellowship Act - Title I: Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins - Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the quincentenary of the discovery of America. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of such coins after June 30, 1993. Requires the Secretary to deposit surcharges from the sale of such coins in the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund for use by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Declares that no law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to the procurement of goods and services necessary for carrying out this Act, except that this provision shall not relieve any person from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity. Mandates that all amounts received from coin sales be deposited in the coinage profit fund. Title II: Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation - Christopher Columbus Fellowship Act - Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation to award fellowships to outstanding individuals to encourage new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind. Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund. Directs the Foundation to report to the President and to the Congress annually on its operations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1991
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require television advertisements authorized by candidates for Federal office that solicit contributions for, or advocate the election or defeat of, a clearly identified candidate to contain a readily identifiable image of the candidate who authorized such advertisement. Requires the image to appear for at least four seconds on at least one-third of the television screen accompanied by statements identifying the political committee or the other person paying for the advertisement and the candidate responsible for its content. Requires television advertisements that have not been authorized by a candidate to present statements: (1) naming the person paying for the advertisement and any connected organization; and (2) indicating that the advertisement has not been authorized by any candidate. Requires authorized and unauthorized radio advertisements to contain such appropriate statements. Prescribes color contrast and character height standards for statements in advertisements in publications disclosing who authorized and paid for the advertisement. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a licensee from using a broadcasting station for a communication not in compliance with the guidelines established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1991
Youthbuild Act of 1990 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants for Youthbuild projects which shall employ economically and educationally disadvantaged youth to help construct or rehabilitate rental and transitional housing for homeless persons and low-income families. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change from mandatory to discretionary the authority to deny unemployment benefits between academic terms to employees serving educational institutions in nonprofessional positions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to impose imprisonment, a fine, or both on anyone who intentionally obstructs the operation of, or harasses any activity permitted under, a grazing permit or lease issued under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Rules of the House of Representatives to modify the ban on honoraria to allow Federal officers and employees to receive payments for any appearance, speech, or article unrelated to that individual's official duties or status.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs. (Under current law the exclusion expires for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1991.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1991
Extends the time for performing certain tax-related acts postponed by reason of service in a combat zone to individuals in the Armed Forces serving in the Persian Gulf region as part of Operation Desert Shield.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 1991
Allows payments under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for certain health care expenses incurred by members and former members of the uniformed services (and their dependents) who are entitled to retired or retainer pay and who are otherwise ineligible for such payments by reason of their entitlement to benefits under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act because of a disability.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Veterans Compensation Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Compensation Rate Increases - Increases the rates of: (1) veterans' disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for veterans' dependents; (3) the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans; (4) dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children; and (5) supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for disabled adult children. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death. Title II: Future Cost-Of-Living Adjustments - Requires the Secretary to increase such rates at the same time and by the same percentage as any increase in social security benefit amounts paid under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Prohibits certain practices regarding enclosure space and diet in the raising of calves for veal. Subjects violators to specified civil and criminal remedies. Authorizes inspections by the Secretary of Agriculture or any designated representative.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1991
Wetlands Protection and Regulatory Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require guidelines concerning permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters to accord different levels of protection to wetlands based on acreage, function, and value. Repeals a provision that authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to deny or restrict the use of areas as disposal sites. Sets forth provisions concerning permit applications. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to issue general permits within a State for categories of wetlands or navigable waters if the State has an approved wetlands conservation plan. Requires the Secretary to monitor the progress in achieving the goal of no net loss of wetlands in relation to such permits. Limits permit terms to five-year periods. Authorizes the revocation or modification of a permit if the activities authorized by such permit have adverse environmental impacts or are more appropriately authorized by individual permits. Exempts the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters from the following activities from regulation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act: (1) aquaculture; and (2) the construction or maintenance of an abandoned mine reclamation project which is approved by State agencies and receives funds pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Authorizes the Governors of States desiring to administer their own permit programs for the discharge of dredged or fill material and other alterations of navigable waters to submit State wetlands conservation plans to the Administrator. Requires the Secretary to establish standards to govern the delineation of lands as wetlands. Authorizes State Governors to submit State wetlands conservation plans. Sets forth plan approval procedures. Permits the Administrator, upon the request of a State, to provide technical assistance in developing such plans. Requires the Administrator, upon application of a State with an approved plan, to make grants to such State for implementing the plan. Limits the Federal share of such grants to 60 percent of the total cost of implementation. Prohibits more than 15 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out such plans from being used for grants to States. Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified amount of funds for wetlands conservation planning. Increases the amounts required to be reserved by States for water quality and wetlands conservation planning. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a national wetlands program to promote understanding and dissemination of information on the functioning of wetlands ecosystems; (2) a national wetlands restoration and creation program; and (3) a wetlands restoration clearinghouse. Permits the Administrator to impose cost-sharing requirements on non-Federal sponsors of such activities. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to establish a program to evaluate and demonstrate: (1) the use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment; and (2) methods by which such projects restore and maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of U.S. waters and attain the goals of the Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct research and pilot projects utilizing constructed wetlands with a total treatment capacity of up to 200,000,000 gallons per day to determine the economic and technical feasibility of using such wetlands to treat wastewater from point and nonpoint sources. Requires priority to be given to siting projects in small and rural communities lacking wastewater treatment facilities or with substandard facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Corps of Engineers an interagency working group on wetlands for wastewater treatment to coordinate and oversee such wetlands program. Directs the interagency group to report to the Congress on the use of constructed wetlands for treating sources of wastewater, together with recommendations on methods by which such wetlands might be utilized to improve local water quality. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program to determine the feasibility of utilizing mitigation banks to satisfy wetlands mitigation requirements and the goals of this Act. Defines a "mitigation bank" as a system or process of accounting under which an applicant may deposit or withdraw units measuring wetlands restoration, enhancement, and creation efforts to satisfy mitigation or compensation requirements. Requires the Administrator to amend guidelines under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require consideration of property ownership and other matters in the public interest in reviewing individual and general permit applications and renewals. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to report to the Congress on efforts to implement a specified Executive Order relating to governmental actions and interference with constitutionally protected property rights. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the need and feasibility of expanding the situations requiring the preparation of a takings analysis pursuant to such Order. Directs the Administrator to continue to provide advanced identifications of wetlands subject to regulation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires the Secretary or the Administrator to provide public notice of any identification or delineation of wetlands subject to regulation under such Act. Directs the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Tennessee Valley Authority to develop programs to achieve no net loss of wetlands. Requires specified Federal officials to organize public and private entities in undertaking a cooperative wetlands restoration initiative. Provides that such initiative shall focus on restoring wetlands: (1) on publicly owned lands; (2) in areas where wetlands were previously converted as a result of facilities that the Federal Government constructed, sponsored, or licensed; and (3) in association with the construction of new facilities which the Federal Government constructs, sponsors, or licenses. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to study and report to the Congress on: (1) incentives under Federal and State law for private individuals and entities to protect and manage wetlands; (2) modifications which may be made to Federal laws to create such incentives and increase the permanence of such protection; and (3) ways in which the Federal Government may encourage State and local governments to create additional incentives for such individuals. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on certain fees collected for permit processing pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wilson, Charles [D-TX-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000570_200.jpg)