United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Liability Title II: Funding Superfund Liability Equity and Acceleration Act - Title I: Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) with respect to public availability of information under response authority provisions of the Act and the disclosure of information concerning evidence that indicates the presence of each element of liability. (Sec. 102) Limits liability under such Act to actions involving hazardous substance releases occurring after December 31, 1986, subject to the conditions of this Act. Makes such limit inapplicable to actions occurring before such date which were contrary to law. Provides for reimbursement from the Hazardous Substance Revolving Fund (Revolving Fund) as provided by this Act. Sets forth retroactive liability provisions for actions which occurred before January 1, 1987. Bars reimbursement, with respect to a site or facility discovered before June 1, 1995, from the Revolving Fund to potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for construction or operation and maintenance (O&M) costs incurred before enactment of this Act. Provides directives for use by the President of amounts from the Revolving Fund to pay O&M, construction, or other response costs (including O&M and construction but excluding legal fees) incurred on or after enactment of this Act, determined according to whether construction at a site was completed or discovered by June 1, 1995. Sets forth rules for reimbursement of costs at a site or facility with respect to which actions occurred both before and after January 1, 1987 (a "straddle site"). Permits PRPs of straddle sites discovered before June 1, 1995, to petition the President for an allocation of O&M and construction costs attributable to pre-1987 actions. Permits PRPs to petition for allocations of construction and O&M costs where actions have not been completed by June 1, 1995. (Sec. 103) Provides that persons considered to be qualified organizations under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code governing charitable contributions who are grantees of conservation easements with respect to real property on which a facility is located shall not be considered as owners or operators, for purposes of determining liability for removal and response costs, unless they have caused or contributed to the release of hazardous substances. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who has acquired real property has made all appropriate inquiry into previous ownership and uses of the property if he establishes that, immediately prior to or at the time of acquisition, he obtained an environmental assessment of the property to determine the presence of hazardous substances, including a review of specified records of the previous ownership and use of such property. (Sec. 104) Absolves persons who have resolved liability to the United States or a State in an approved settlement proceeding of liability for cost recovery regarding matters addressed in the settlement. (Sec. 105) Provides that persons who own or operate real property that is contiguous to or otherwise situated with respect to real property on which there has been a release of a hazardous substance and that may be contaminated shall not be considered to be an owner or operator for purposes of determining liability. Authorizes the President to issue assurances of no enforcement action to such persons and grant protection against cost recovery and contribution actions. (Sec. 106) Requires the President to issue regulations to define certain terms as they apply to liability of lenders and financial service providers. Excludes from the definition of "owner or operator" (thus, protecting from individual liability) fiduciaries who hold legal title to, are the mortgagees or secured parties with respect to, control, or manage any facility or vessel at which a release occurred for purposes of administering an estate or trust of which such vessel or facility is a part. (Sec. 108) Makes liable parties who accept or successfully appeal the results of the allocation of responsibility under title V of this Act liable only for, with respect to National Priority List (NPL) sites, their assigned share of the costs of: (1) removal or remedial action incurred by the United States, a State, or an Indian tribe; (2) response incurred by any other person; and (3) any health assessment or health effects study. Requires the orphan share of an NPL site to be paid out of the Revolving Fund. (Sec. 109) Makes PRPs or liable parties who fail to perform response actions at NPL sites subject to specified civil action. Requires reimbursement by the Fund of PRPs who perform and pay for response actions at NPL sites. Authorizes liable parties who perform and pay for such actions to recover costs as creditor parties as provided under the binding allocation of responsibility provisions of CERCLA added by this Act. (Sec. 110) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appoint panels of administrative law judges to perform expedited administrative proceedings, to be known as "binding allocations of responsibility" (BARs), for purposes of determining the liability of PRPs at NPL sites. Provides for the initiation of a BAR by the filing of a petition with the EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges by the Administrator or a State where the site is located. Exempts de micromis parties (parties that a panel determines contributed only 100 pounds or liters of material containing hazardous substances at the facility or such amount as determined by the Administrator) from liability to the United States or to any other person for response actions or for past, present, or future costs incurred at the site. Requires final BARs to be issued within 18 months of the publication of a notice of petition (or 24 months for cases of exceptional complexity). Specifies allocation factors on which assigned shares of liability shall be based. Requires the Administrator to make firm offers of settlement to all de minimis parties (parties that contributed only one percent or less of the total quantity of hazardous substances present at the site). Makes a BAR decision binding as to all past, present, and future liability for response costs and for contributions in civil proceedings. Permits judicial review of final BAR decisions. Sets forth procedures for recovery by creditor parties. Provides for stays of certain pending enforcement actions and private party litigation until a BAR is issued. Authorizes any group of PRPs to submit a private allocation for the NPL site, to be known as a "voluntary binding allocation of responsibility," to the allocation panel. Provides that a BAR shall constitute a permanent determination of the assigned share of a liable party and of the orphan share and, except for specified additions to the orphan share and judicially mandated changes, shall not be subject to any change for at least five years after the date of final decision. Permits a new BAR only if the request demonstrates that due to new information not reasonably available during the first BAR, a 35 percent or greater increase in total waste-in volume has been discovered. (Sec. 111) Exempts qualified redevelopers from liability for costs or damages with respect to hazardous substance releases. (Sec. 112) Extends a current exemption from liability for response action contractors under Federal law to State and local law and expands the activities considered to be response actions. Excludes such contractors from the definition of "owner or operator" for purposes of limiting liability. Provides a limitation on actions against response action contractors. Title II: Funding - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Hazardous Substance Revolving Fund, consisting of amounts as may be appropriated, credited, or transferred to the Hazardous Substance Superfund and credited or transferred to the Revolving Fund. Provides that amounts in the Revolving Fund shall be available for specified costs of response, enforcement and abatement, property acquisition, local government reimbursement, occupational health and safety and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry activities, and the BAR process established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1995
Continues existing average fuel economy standards for passenger and non-passenger automobiles until such standards are specifically amended or changed by law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1995
Family Business Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross estate, for estate tax purposes, specified portions of the adjusted value of the qualified family-owned business interests of the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a three-fifths majority of the whole number of each House of the Congress to pass any bill to levy a new tax or increase the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive the requirement when a declaration of war is in effect and when the United States is engaged in military conflict that causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, that becomes law. Makes a bill passed under waiver effective for no longer than two years. Requires all votes under this amendment to be by roll call.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1995
Equal Opportunity Act of 1995 - Prohibits discrimination or preferences in Federal employment and contracting on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, or entering into a consent decree requiring, authorizing, or permitting any such discrimination or preference. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit or limit: (1) employment recruiting or encouraging contract bidding or requiring or encouraging Federal contractors to so recruit or encourage, if the recruiting or encouraging does not involve a numerical objective or otherwise granting a preference; (2) any act designed to benefit historically Black colleges or universities; (3) any action under a Federal law or treaty relating to the Indian tribes; or (4) classifications based on sex if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the Government, contractor, or subcontractor, the classification is designed to protect privacy, a U.S. national security interest is involved, or the classification is applied regarding an armed forces member on active duty in a theatre of combat operations. Allows as remedies only injunctive or equitable relief (including back pay), attorney's fees, and costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1995
State Credit Union Representation Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to require that one member of the National Credit Union Administration Board be a State credit union supervisor (or the functional equivalent), appointed for a single term of two years. Prohibits such member from serving as Chairman of the Board. Prohibits the President from appointing: (1) an individual to such seat more than once; or (2) an individual serving as State credit union supervisor (or the functional equivalent) of the same State as the most recently appointed State credit union supervisor member. States that such members shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
SSI Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1995 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require periodic reapplications with respect to continued receipt of SSI benefits by reason of disability; (2) strike certain restrictions regarding determination of SSI ineligibility; and (3) modify criteria regarding mental impairments.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1995
Independent Contractor Tax Simplification Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of determining the employment status of individuals as employees, a service provider shall not be treated as an employee, a service recipient shall not be treated as an employer, and a payor shall not be treated as an employer if: (1) a service provider has a significant investment in assets and training, incurs significant unreimbursed expenses, agrees to perform the service for a specified amount of time or to complete a specific result and is responsible for damages for early termination without cause, receives payment primarily on a commission basis, or has purchased resale products; (2) the service provider has a principal place of business, does not primarily provide service in the service recipient's place of business, or pays a fair market rent for use of the recipient's place of business or does not have to perform service only for the service recipient and, in the current year or in the proceeding or subsequent years, has performed or has offered to perform a significant amount of service for other persons; and (3) the services by an individual are performed according to a written contract between the service recipient or payor which provides that the individual will not be treated as an employee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Defense Subtitle A: Restore Defense Spending Subtitle B: Rescission of Funding for Programs Not Requested by the Department of Defense Subtitle C: Limitations on Funding for Certain Programs for Fiscal Year 1996 Subtitle D: Department of Defense Administrative Reforms Subtitle E: Department of Defense Program Reforms Title II: International Affairs Subtitle A: Reduce Multilateral Development Bank Credit Assistance Subtitle B: Reduce Foreign Aid Direct Assistance Subtitle C: Reduce Humanitarian Assistance Programs Subtitle D: Department Reforms Subtitle E: State Department Reforms Title III: Science, Space, and Technology Subtitle A: Administrative and Research Savings Subtitle B: Specific Program Reforms Title IV: Energy Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Energy Subtitle B: Reform Federal Petroleum Reserve Programs Subtitle C: Reform Fossil Fuel and Mineral Research Development Programs Subtitle D: Reform Energy Conservation Programs Title V: Environment Subtitle A: Public Land Use and Purchase Reforms Subtitle B: Environmental Conservation, Cleanup, and Research Reforms Subtitle C: Restructuring of Department of the Interior Subtitle D: Administrative Reform Subtitle E: National Marine Program Reforms Subtitle F: Corps of Engineers Reform Title VI: Agriculture Subtitle A: Agriculture Research and Extension Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade Subtitle C: Department of Agriculture Overhead Reduction Subtitle D: Loan Reform Subtitle F: Crop Commodity Reform Title VII: Commerce and Housing Credit Subtitle A: Small Business Administration Reform Subtitle B: Housing Credit Reform Subtitle C: Abolition of Department of Commerce and Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies Subtitle D: Banking and Insurance Reforms Subtitle E: Specific Commerce and Housing Program Reforms Title VIII: Transportation Subtitle A: Air Transportation Program Reform Subtitle B: Highway Transportation Program Reform Subtitle C: Rail Transportation Program Reform Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Transportation Program Reform Subtitle E: Administrative Reform Title IX: Community and Regional Development Subtitle A: Housing Program Reforms Subtitle B: Community and Regional Development Program Reforms Subtitle C: Administrative Reforms Title X: Education and Training Subtitle A: Job Training Reform Subtitle B: Department Reform Subtitle C: Elementary and Secondary Education Reforms Subtitle D: Community Program Reforms Subtitle E: Employment Program Reform Title XI: Health Subtitle A: Administrative Reform Subtitle B: University Research Regarding Health and Other Matters Subtitle C: Medicaid Reforms Subtitle D: Reforms in Health Care Block Grants Subtitle E: Health Care Program Reforms Subtitle F: Federal Employee Health Care Reform Title XII: Medicare Subtitle A: Copayment Reform Subtitle B: Part B Premium Subtitle C: Part A Deductible Subtitle D: Medicare Payments to Hospitals Subtitle E: Selected Presidential Medicare Reforms Title XIII: Income Security Subtitle A: Administrative Reform Subtitle B: Housing Program Reforms Subtitle C: Supplemental Security Income Reforms Subtitle D: Civil Service Reforms Subtitle E: Assistance Program Reforms Title XIV: Personal Responsibility and Family Preservation Subtitle A: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Subtitle B: Child Protection Block Grant Program Subtitle C: Block Grants for Child Care and for Nutrition Assistance Subtitle D: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle E: Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Subtitle F: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle G: Child Support Title XV: Veterans' Benefits and Services Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Veterans Programs Subtitle C: Home Loan Guarantee Program Reforms Subtitle D: Medical Program Reforms Subtitle E: Other Veterans Programs Reforms Title XVI: Administration of Justice Subtitle A: Administration of Appropriations Subtitle B: Prison Reforms Subtitle C: Justice Assistance Program Reforms Subtitle D: Federal Bureau of Investigation Reforms Subtitle E: Other Justice Program Reforms Title XVII: General Government Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms Subtitle B: Legislative Branch Reductions Subtitle C: Executive Branch Reductions Subtitle D: Specific Program Reforms Restructuring a Limited Government Act - Title I: National Defense - Subtitle A: Restore Defense Spending - States that it is Congress' intent that military readiness and other specified defense-related programs be increased over proposed levels through a specified combination of defense-related increases and reductions, including increases already budgeted by the President. Subtitle B: Rescission of Funding for Programs Not Requested by the Department of Defense - Rescinds unobligated funds for various specified defense-related programs not requested by the Department of Defense (DOD), including the general purpose bomb program, the C-12F aircraft program, and the P-3 upgrade program. Subtitle C: Limitations on Funding for Certain Programs for Fiscal Year 1996 - Sets limitations on funding for specified DOD environmental and cooperative threat reduction programs with states of the former Soviet Union for FY 1996. Subtitle D: Department of Defense Administrative Reforms - Amends Federal law with respect to military severance and aviation career incentive pay. (Sec. 1313) Directs the Secretary of Defense to cancel DOD's learning resource center program for Department personnel. Subtitle E: Department of Defense Program Reforms - Directs the President to reorganize the Intelligence Community to reduce redundancy and overlapping jurisdiction and centralize responsibility and authority for intelligence activities. Includes specified personnel reductions as part of such reorganization over a five year period. (Sec. 1412) Limits: (1) Navy Seawolf (SSN-21) attack submarine procurements to one such vessel; and (2) funds already appropriated for additional vessel procurements to use only in terminating vessel contracts. (Sec. 1413) Directs the President to dispose of certain obsolete and excess materials in the National Defense Stockpile over a ten-year period, in specified quantities, with certain exceptions and a special rule for silver. Requires all proceeds from the sale of materials required to be disposed of to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the budget deficit. Terminates various specified authorities currently in effect relating to stockpile material disposal. Title II: International Affairs - Subtitle A: Reduce Multilateral Development Bank Credit Assistance - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to limit the authorization of FY 1996 through 2000 appropriations in order to reduce credit assistance by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. (Sec. 2002) Terminates capital contributions to specified multilateral development institutions. (Sec. 2003) Directs the President at the beginning of each fiscal year to deobligate, and return to the Treasury, according to certain guidelines, any foreign economic assistance funds that, as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, have been obligated for a period of more than three years but have not been expended. (Sec. 2004) Provides for various specified reductions over a five year period in U.S. contributions to the International Development Association, and in Economic Support Fund and bilateral development assistance. (Sec. 2007) Limits U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) and its affiliated agencies after 1996 according to a specified formula. Subtitle B: Reduce Foreign Aid Direct Assistance - Outlines various specified reductions in, and restrictions on, foreign assistance, including assistance to Russia. Conditions such assistance, among other things, upon presidential certifications to the Congress of: (1) limited Russian intelligence activities in the United States; and (2) Russian withholding of military assistance to combatants in the Yugoslav conflict and of weapons to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and any other terrorist country. Requires certain annual reports by the President and Comptroller General to the Congress on foreign assistance to Russia. Subtitle C: Reduce Humanitarian Assistance Programs - Outlines various specified reductions in cultural exchange and humanitarian assistance programs, including the Peace Corps program. (Sec. 2203) Sets assistance for Israel and Egypt at specified minimum levels from amounts already made available under current law for foreign economic support and military financing. (Sec. 2204) Eliminates the congressional sales program and the food for development program under the Agricultural Trade Development Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 2205) Abolishes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission and transfers its functions to the Secretary of State. Subtitle D: Department Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Export-Import Bank. (Sec. 2302) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the repayment of amounts appropriated to the exchange stabilization fund, along with the net earnings of that fund. Subtitle D: State Department Reforms - Provides for comprehensive reorganization of the Department of State and Foreign Service, with changes eliminating the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, United States Information Agency, Agency for International Development (AID), International Development Cooperation Agency, and other specified Department components, as well as certain previously created Assistant Secretary positions. Revises various specified program authorities, consolidating administrative services, and transferring them to the Department under the Secretary of State. Sets funding levels for radio broadcasts to Cuba. Limits the term of the Inspector General, redesignated as the Inspector General for Foreign Affairs. Prescribes end strength personnel levels for the Department and Foreign Service. Requires a specified report to the Congress by the President and other officials on the unification of the Foreign Service with other foreign service components in the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture. Title III: Science, Space, and Technology - Subtitle A: Administrative and Research Savings - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Energy's nuclear energy research and development (R&D) activities. (Sec. 3002) Imposes a fee for National Science Foundation grant applications. (Sec. 3003) Limits total appropriations for activities under the high performance computing program. Subtitle B: Specific Program Reforms - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation. (Sec. 3012) Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from entering into any contract in furtherance of a space station program until FY 2000. (Sec. 3013) Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of NASA to cancel the National Aerospace Plane program. Title IV: Energy - Subtitle A: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Abolishes the Department of Energy (DOE) as such, but redesignates it as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency, an independent executive agency headed by an Administrator appointed by the President to wind-up the affairs of the former Department before its own termination three years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 4017) Requires a Comptroller General report to the Congress recommending the most efficient means for achieving the complete abolishment of the former Department and the termination or transfer of its functions. (Sec. 4021) Establishes an independent Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to make recommendations for reducing the number of energy laboratories and terminating laboratory programs through closure, privatization, and reconfiguration in order to eliminate duplication, reduce overhead, and achieve cost savings while preserving their role in national defense. Authorizes appropriations. Details specific procedures for making and implementing Commission recommendations, allowing for public comment in the process, unless such recommendations are disapproved by the Congress. Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account for use in conjunction with recommendations implemented above. Requires certain congressional reports on such implementations. (Sec. 4031) Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price and with appropriate private sector advice, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (FPMA) in accordance with a specified graduated deadline. Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate FPMA operations upon sales completion. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former FPMA personnel where possible. Mandates deposit of sales proceeds in the Treasury. Limits rate increases by facility purchasers to a maximum of ten percent above the baseline price annually. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable before the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the proscription on use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 4041) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all functions of DOE with respect to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, requiring disposal of certain Louisiana reserves and appointment of an advisory board to monitor the disposal process and recommend whether the entire reserve should be maintained or disposed of. Outlines requirements for the transfer of the naval petroleum reserves to the Department of the Interior for sale, subject to certain conditions, including a sales price not less than fair market value. Establishes in DOD the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency, headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs, to carry out various specified nuclear weapons-related functions of certain defense agencies as well as transferred DOE national security functions and certain nondefense-related functions as well at various specified Federal laboratories. Gives the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Secretaries of Defense and of the Navy the authority to wind-up any outstanding affairs associated with the respective functions transferred above. (Sec. 4059) Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to add a new title IV governing environmental restoration activities at defense nuclear facilities. (Sec. 4061) Provides for termination of specified miscellaneous DOE energy supply R&D programs and all clean coal technology, fossil energy, and energy conservation R&D activities. Transfers: (1) all functions of the Energy Information Administration to the Department of the Treasury; and (2) all international regulatory functions of the Energy Regulatory Administration (ERA) to the Secretary of Agriculture, and all ERA functions with respect to pending litigation to the Attorney General. (Sec. 4071) Terminates waste site work under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. (Sec. 4072) Abolishes the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfers its functions with respect to a radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel repository to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Sec. 4073) Directs the Corps of Engineers to design, construct, and operate a facility with sufficient capacity for interim storage of high-level nuclear waste from civilian power plants at a site chosen by the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board under the jurisdiction of DOE, until the Corps is able to transfer such waste and spent fuel. Requires the facility to be licensed in accordance with applicable regulations. Exempts Corps actions from judicial review (Sec. 41101) Mandates sale of the naval petroleum reserves at fair market value, with sales proceeds going toward Federal deficit reduction and Department environmental costs associated with the petroleum interests sold. (Sec. 4102) Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from obligating any funds for the acquisition of petroleum products for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Subtitle C: Reform Fossil Fuel and Mineral Research Development Programs - Provides for the privatization of the U.S. Enrichment Corporation, including establishment by the Corporation of a private corporation to which some or all of its assets and liabilities may be transferred. (Sec. 4202) Authorizes diminishing appropriations from FY 1996 through 2000 for fossil fuel, energy conservation, magnetic fusion, solar and renewable energy, and nuclear energy R&D. (Sec. 4203) Prohibits obligation of funds for the Clean Coal Technology program (except to a specified extent) as well as the atomic vapor laser isotope separation program. Subtitle D: Reform Energy Conservation Programs - Repeals weatherization, State energy conservation, and institutional conservation programs under the Energy Conservation and Production Act. Title V: Environment - Subtitle A: Public Land Use and Purchase Reforms - Places a five-year moratorium on certain land acquisitions by Federal agencies with respect to lands to be administered by the Forest Service and other Federal environmental agencies with certain exceptions pertaining to national security interests. Sets restrictions on land exchanges during such period. (Sec. 5002) Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to prohibit certain below-cost timber sale programs in units of the National Forest System. (Sec. 5003) Amends various specified Federal laws to set permanent limitations on amounts authorized to be appropriated each fiscal year for the National Forest System and related agriculture conservation and forestry programs. (Sec. 5004) Provides that in accordance with the discretionary authority provided under the Raker Act, certain annual amounts paid to the United States shall be increased to the amount determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be equal to the fair market value of the electric power generated within a described area. (Sec. 5005) Amends the Alaska National Interest Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against mineral leasing of lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Requires deposit of leasing revenues in the Treasury. (Sec. 5006) Requires the charging of admission and other specified user fees at National Park System units for crediting to various special funds for conservation- and park-related uses. Allows donations of money, property, and services for national park use. Subtitle B: Environmental Conservation, Cleanup, and Research Reforms - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to direct the President to give a preference to certain interim measures in Superfund response actions, and report to the Congress on their use. (Sec. 5101) Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize appropriations from the Superfund. (Sec. 5102) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to eliminate the conservation reserve program. (Sec. 5103) Eliminates Federal funding for State water pollution control revolving funds under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as well as for certain watershed and flood prevention operations. (Sec. 5105) Sets obligation limitations for certain flood control (particularly for the Mississippi River and tributaries) and coastal emergency operations by the Corps of Engineers. Subtitle C: Restructuring of Department of the Interior - Provides for a restructuring of the Department of the Interior, including changes: (1) establishing the Bureau of Land Management Sale and Acquisition (BLMSA) Fund; (2) prohibiting acquisition of lands for the Bureau of Land Management, except by exchange, donation, or with amounts from the BLMSA Fund; (3) abolishing the Bureau of Mines and all of its functions, positions, and offices; (4) mandating cessation of production, refining, and marketing of refined helium by the Department, and the sale of crude helium from helium reserves owned by the United States; (5) transferring to the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of all basic research and of all stream monitoring functions, respectively, of the U.S. Geological Survey, abolishing the Survey and all its other functions; (6) requiring transfer to a Department officer of the functions of certain Outer Continental Shelf Regional Offices of the Minerals Management Service, and termination of such regional offices; (7) setting reductions in appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation; (8) requiring consolidation of Bureau of Indian Affairs area service offices; and (9) abolishing the Office of Territorial and International Affairs and the National Biological Survey. Outlines hardrock mining royalty requirements pertaining to payments, recordkeeping, and other specified matters. Subtitle D: Administrative Reform - Provides for a reduction in EPA overhead expenses. Subtitle E: National Marine Program Reforms - Terminates National Coastal Zone Management Grants and National Sea Grant College Program Grants. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to dispose of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fleet. Rescinds specified FY 1995 funds for NOAA procurement, modernization, and construction. Subtitle F: Corps of Engineers Reform - Directs the Secretary of the Army to reorganize the Corps of Engineers. Imposes obligational limitations for various specified Corps activities, including general investigations. Title VI: Agriculture - Subtitle A: Agriculture Research and Extension - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) consolidate specified agricultural research agencies, with associated personnel reductions; (2) terminate certain cooperative agricultural extension work; and (3) impose specified agricultural- and extension-related program caps. Repeals rural technology grant authority. Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade - Makes various specified changes concerning agricultural trade. Mandates phase-out of the Foreign Agricultural Service's co-operator market development program. Eliminates export enhancement and market promotion programs. Reduces the loan guarantee program under the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. Subtitle C: Department of Agriculture Overhead Reduction - Provides for a Department overhead reduction. Subtitle D: Loan Reform - Terminates the grant program under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to assist State mediation programs. Subtitle F: Crop Commodity Reform - Eliminates various specified price support programs for agricultural commodities except for milk, emergency livestock feed assistance, and other specified program components and related marketing quotas. (Sec. 6402) Terminates Federal price supports for honey. Title VII: Commerce and Housing Credit - Subtitle A: Small Business Administration Reform - Eliminates the Small Business Administration (SBA), transferring to the OMB Director and other specified officials its respective functions, powers, and duties. Establishes in its place an Office of Small Business Advocacy, in the Executive Office of the President, to carry out functions formerly vested in the SBA Chief Counsel of Advocacy. Provides for winding-up the affairs of SBA, including the transfer of its previously owned financial obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury. (Sec. 7010) Repeals the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 while leaving in effect certain Small Business Act provisions relating to the definition of "small business concern", among other specified provisions that include those on penalties for prohibited acts. Subtitle B: Housing Credit Reform - Makes specified changes with regard to housing credit under the National Housing Act and the Housing Act of 1949, including increased fees for Farmers Home Administration (FMHA) single family housing loan guarantees, and delegation of single family mortgage insuring authority to mortgagees and secondary market entities. Subtitle C: Abolition of Department of Commerce and Disposition of Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies - Redesignates the Department of Commerce as an independent but temporary Commerce Programs Resolution Agency for winding-up outstanding Department affairs not included in the various specified former Department entities and functions either transferred to other specified departments, agencies, and entities of the Federal Government, or terminated in accordance with specified guidelines. Requires a report by the Comptroller General to the Congress recommending the most efficient means of achieving the complete abolishment of the former Department. (Sec. 7232) Transfers specified export control functions to the Secretary of State. Provides for the transfer to certain departments and agencies of: (1) the Secretary of Commerce's national security, international trade, and spectrum management functions; (2) the Patent and Trademark Office; (3) the Bureau of the Census; and (4) the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Terminates NOAA, the Minority Business Development Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Advanced Technology Program, and the Manufacturing Extension Programs. (Sec. 7244) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the head of each agency that performs a function vested in it by this title should, wherever feasible, explore and implement user fees for the provision of services in the performance of that function in order to offset operating costs. (Sec. 7260) Limits annual expenditures for continued former Department functions. Subtitle D: Banking and Insurance Reforms - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Reserve Act with respect to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Federal Reserve Board bank examination fees. (Sec. 7311) Establishes an independent Federal Banking Agency, governed by a board of directors, to receive the current regulatory authority of the Federal Reserve System Board of Governors and other specified banking agencies, including the FDIC, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision, which are abolished. (Sec. 7325) Amends the National Housing Act with respect to mortgage refinancing. (Sec. 7326) Prescribes a penalty for early redemption of savings bonds. (Sec. 7328) Terminates issuance of one dollar notes, providing instead for one dollar coins. Subtitle E: Specific Commerce and Housing Program Reforms - Limits FY 1996 obligations for the Minority Business Development Agency. Terminates the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration. Limits funds for carrying out the Export Administration Act of 1979. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal the public telecommunications facilities and telecommunications demonstration grant programs. (Sec. 7405) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to abolish the advanced technology program. (Sec. 7406) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to collect each fiscal year fees, calculated according to specified formulae, from each Government-sponsored enterprise, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae), and the College Construction Loan Insurance Association (Connie Lee). Amends the National Housing Act to increase from six basis points to ten basis points during FY 1997, and to 15 basis points for succeeding fiscal years, the guaranty fee the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) must charge. (Sec. 7407) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the spectrum auction authority of the Federal Communications Commission. (Sec. 7408) Limits amounts made available for salaries and expenses for the Bureau of the Census and the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. Title VIII: Transportation - Subtitle A: Air Transportation Program Reform - Air Traffic Control Service Privatization and Improvement Act of 1995 - Establishes a non-profit Airways Corporation to operate the civil air traffic control system without Federal funding after its transfer by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with specified guidelines. Provides for a reduction in tax on transportation of persons by air. (Sec. 8002) Makes various specified changes with regard to air transportation, imposing obligation limits for airport improvement program and Federal Aviation Administration operations, as well as termination of the essential air service program and funding for the airway science, collegiate training initiative, and air carrier maintenance technician training facility grant programs. (Sec. 8006) Mandates fees for use of slots at high density airports in an amount sufficient to collect $300 million per fiscal year. Subtitle B: Highway Transportation Program Reform - Terminates the Interstate Commerce Commission, transferring its functions to the Secretary of Transportation. (Sec. 8102) Increases customs tonnage fees. (Sec. 8103) Directs the Secretary to establish fees for operation of foreign repair stations. (Sec. 8104) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to eliminate funding for highway demonstration projects. Subtitle C: Rail Transportation Program Reform - Amends Federal law to set authorization levels for Amtrak for capital expenditures and other expenses through FY 2000. (Sec. 8202) Eliminates funding for magnetic levitation (Maglev) prototype development under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. (Sec. 8204) Makes various specified changes with regard to local rail freight assistance and State boating safety grants. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Transportation Program Reform - Amends Federal law to reduce the Federal Government's share of funding for mass transit and makes other miscellaneous modifications in transportation provisions, including those eliminating operating assistance. Subtitle E: Administrative Reform - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Transportation. Title IX: Community and Regional Development - Subtitle A: Housing Program Reforms - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to prohibit new rural rental housing program loans. Subtitle B: Community and Regional Development Program Reforms - Eliminates funding for environmental research programs of the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Sec. 9102) Eliminates the community development block grant (CDBG) program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. (Sec. 9103) Terminates the Economic Development Administration. Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976, continuing the Economic Development Revolving Fund established under the first named Act to finish up certain business under it. (Sec. 9104) Terminates the Appalachian Regional Commission and repeals the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 9105) Repeals the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and various rural development loan and grant programs under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, the Food Security Act of 1985, and other specified Federal agricultural law. Provides for sale of outstanding rural development loans. Subtitle C: Administrative Reforms - Sets specified limits on amounts made available for Indian program operations and Bureau of Indian Affairs construction. Title X: Education and Training - Subtitle A: Job Training Reform - Employment Enhancement Reform Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to provide block grants to States for employment assistance to eligible residents in accordance with specified guidelines to help prepare individuals for employment by increasing their occupational and educational skills, resulting in improved long-term employability, increased employment and earnings, and reduced welfare dependency. Outlines provisions for grants to Indian tribes and migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations under the program. Provides for a reduction or termination of payments to participating States unsuccessful in making employment placements under the program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10031) Provides for consolidation and repeal of various specified Federal employment assistance programs under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 10041) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal certain higher education programs for students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families. (Sec. 10042) Amends Federal law to eliminate various specified homeless and disabled veterans programs. (Sec. 10043) Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act to eliminate the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, as well as the Older American Community Service Employment Program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 10044) Repeals the Job Training Partnership Act, except certain provisions relating to the Job Corps, which is reauthorized at specified levels. (Sec. 10045) Discontinues certain vocational and other education facilities and operations programs under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 10046) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the targeted jobs credit. (Sec. 10047) Repeals the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, the National Literacy Act of 1991, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and portions of the Social Security Act (SSA) relating to Indian tribes and of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 authorizing the Literacy Corps. (Sec. 10054) Amends other specified Federal law to repeal various other specified programs. Subtitle B: Department Reform - Back to Basics Education Reform Act - Abolishes the Department of Education and redefines the Federal role in education. Establishes, in its place, (and sunsets) an Office of Economic Opportunities in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to which current Department of Education functions are transferred. (Sec. 10115) Authorizes the HHS Secretary, as is necessary or appropriate, to: (1) allocate or reallocate any function of the Office among its officers; and (2) consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Office any organizational entities that were entities of the Department of Education. Prohibits transfer of any function or personnel of the Office to any agency outside of the Office. (Sec. 10116) Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for winding-up the affairs of the Department of Education in accordance with this Act. (Sec. 10117) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a report with recommendations for the most efficient means of achieving, in accordance with this Act: (1) the complete abolition of the Department; and (2) the termination, transfer, or other continuation of Department functions. (Sec. 10120) Limits Federal expenditures in each fiscal year for the administration of a function transferred by this Act to not more than 70 percent of the total amount expended for the administration of that function during fiscal year 1995. (Sec. 10131) Authorizes the Director of the Office to provide an elementary and secondary education block grant to the Governor of each State that complies with specified requirements. (Sec. 10132) Authorizes such block grant program, and sets forth provisions for State eligibility, general State requirements, amount of State allotment, local fiscal accountability, and participation of children enrolled in private schools. (Sec. 10139) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10141) Repeals: (1) titles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, and parts B and C of title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); (2) the Goals 200: Educate America Act; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act; (4) specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act; and (5) the National Education Statistics Act of 1994. Amends ESEA provisions relating to impact aid. Requires that impact aid programs provided under title VIII of ESEA be administered by DOD through the Assistant Secretary for Force Management Policy. Provides that Indian education programs under part A of title IX of ESEA shall be administered by the Department of the Interior through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. (Sec. 10142) Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to transfer authority from the Department and Secretary of Education to the Department and HHS Secretary. (Sec. 10143) Amends IDEA definitions of excess costs and of native language. (Sec. 10144) Transfers IDEA administering authority to the Office. (Sec. 10145) Revises IDEA provisions on outreach services for certain institutions of higher education. (Sec. 10151) Repeals the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), with exceptions for its short title and provisions relating to Pell Grants, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, Perkins Loans, needs analysis, certain general provisions, definitions, and the program integrity triad. Provides that such repeal of HEA provisions shall not affect Federal authority to collect loans. Discontinues Federal contributions for FY 1997 or any succeeding year to student loan funds established under Perkins Loans provisions of HEA. Limits Federal funds for Howard University under specified Federal law and the Howard University Endowment Act to: (1) specified maximum amounts and uses in fiscal years through FY 2000; and (2) nothing after FY 2000. (Sec. 10152) Amends the Congressional Budget Act to revise the Federal Credit Reform Act with respect to defining the cost of a direct loan. (Sec. 10153) Amends HEA to provide for the sale of Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) loan portfolios. (Sec. 10154) Makes a statement of policy that the Federal student loan programs should be reviewed to evaluate whether reforms need to be made based on the principles of risk sharing, market-based orientation, privatization, and deregulation. (Sec. 10155) Eliminates in-school interest subsidies under HEA guaranteed loan programs. (Sec. 10161) Authorizes block grants to States to assist institutions of higher education to improve access to higher education and the quality of educational programs. (Sec. 10162) Sets forth such block grant program provisions for distribution of funds, State assurances, use of funds, and public disclosure. (Sec. 10167) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 10173) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for a consolidated application for elementary and secondary education block grants and higher education block grants. Requires that consolidated applications also be permitted at the local level. (Sec. 10174) Limits the amount that is authorized to be appropriated for specified programs to not more than the amount appropriated for such programs for FY 1995. Requires that such programs be authorized through FY 2000. (Sec. 10175) Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the applicability of civil rights laws relating to any program established, transferred, or consolidated under this Act. Sets forth education-related civil rights enforcement and reporting duties of the HHS Secretary, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights of HHS, and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. (Sec. 10181) Sets forth requirements relating to certain references, exercise of authorities, savings provisions, transfer of assets, delegation and assignment, authority of OMB with respect to functions transferred, and proposed changes in law. (Sec. 10191) Sets forth statements of policy regarding: (1) Federal education funding (review and evaluation as to the feasibility of further enhancing the ability of States and local communities to fund education by reducing the Federal tax burden and commensurately eliminating Federal Government involvement in providing grants for education programs); (2) job training programs (review and transfer all those under jurisdiction of the Department of Education to the Department of Labor and consolidate them into one or more block grants); and (3) Indian education (review programs transferred to the Department of the Interior to ensure that they benefit Native American children who live on reservations). Subtitle C: Elementary and Secondary Education Reforms - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to eliminate impact aid and the Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia program. (Sec. 10203) Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to limit the authorization of appropriations for individuals with disabilities to the same amount for the period between FY 1996 and 2000. (Sec. 10204) Sets a limit on the amount of funds which may be made available annually to carry out the Eisenhower Professional Development State Grant program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Outlines similar annual limitations with regard to other specified programs under such Act, such as the education infrastructure and magnet school assistance programs, as well as the Education Department's Christa McAuliffe Scholarship program. (Sec. 10212) Continues annual funding limitations under such Act for dropout demonstrations and other specified programs and activities, as well as with certain described programs and services under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and Civil Rights Act, respectively, while totally eliminating other specified programs under such Acts, including those involving immigrant education and education for Native Hawaiians. (Sec. 10224) Abolishes programs under the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 relating to public library construction and national assessment of educational progress. Subtitle D: Community Program Reforms - Repeals the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, the National and Community Service Act of 1990, the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, and related provisions. (Sec. 10303) Repeals the Museum Services Act. (Sec. 10304) Terminates funding for the Kennedy Center. (Sec. 10305) Repeals the Older Americans Community Service Employment Act. (Sec. 10306) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to consolidate services under various specified Federal Acts relating to community services, child care, and dependent care within the block grant program under SSA. (Sec. 10307) Makes numerous amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965, detailing various specified changes reauthorizing and extending various programs, activities, and services under it at lower levels of funding. (Sec. 10308) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to terminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Subtitle E: Employment Program Reform - Terminates general trade adjustment assistance extension under the Trade Act of 1974. (Sec. 10402) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to preempt State laws reducing periodic benefits by reason of entitlement to disability insurance benefits, thus extending to all States the rule providing for reduction of social security disability insurance benefits upon receipt of worker's compensation benefits. (Sec. 10403) Repeals the Service Contract Act of 1965. (Sec. 10404) Specifies a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Labor. Title XI: Health - Subtitle A: Administrative Reform - Specifies a reduction in overhead expenses of HHS. Subtitle B: University Research Regarding Health and Other Matters - Provides for a reduction in rates for the indirect costs of federally-supported university research. (Sec. 11102) Amends the Public Health Service Act to specify a reduction in budget of the National Institutes of Health and provide for a reduction in health professions budget, as well as authorize appropriations for programs for minority and economically disadvantaged students. (Sec. 11104) Provides for closure of the uniformed services University of the Health Sciences. Subtitle C: Medicaid Reforms - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for: (1) a reduction in Federal payments for disproportionate share hospitals; (2) imposition of State limits on approved nursing facility beds; and (3) a reduction to 50 percent in the matching rate for administrative costs under Medicaid. Subtitle D: Reforms in Health Care Block Grants - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a consolidation of specified health-related block grants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11302) Specifies a reduction in budget for immunization programs. Prohibits warehousing vaccines. Subtitle E: Health Care Program Reforms - Specifies reductions in agency and program budgets under the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 11403) Abolishes the Office of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service. Subtitle F: Federal Employee Health Care Reform - Amends Federal civil service law to change the Government contribution to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program from a percentage of the average subscription charge for a particular program to a uniform dollar amount (adjusted annually according to a specified price index) for all such programs. Title XII: Medicare - Subtitle A: Copayment Reform - Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to impose a 20 percent copayment for home health services and clinical laboratory services under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Subtitle B: Part B Premium - Provides for an increase in the Medicare part B premium for certain high-income individuals, and associated beneficiary reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request by the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, to make certain tax return-related disclosures to the Administrator for use in determining whether a beneficiary is subject to such a premium increase. (Sec. 12103) Sets the monthly part B premium at 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for the succeeding calendar year. Subtitle C: Part A Deductible - Provides for an increase in the Medicare Hospital Insurance deductible for certain high-income individuals. Subtitle D: Medicare Payments to Hospitals - Makes various specified changes with regard to Medicare payments to hospitals, including elimination of payments to hospitals for enrollees' bad debts and reduction in payments for indirect costs of medical education. Subtitle E: Selected Presidential Medicare Reforms - Requires the HHS Secretary to use a competitive process for contracting with centers of excellence for cataract surgery, coronary artery by-pass surgery, and other appropriate services. Sets payment for services subject to such contracts on the basis of specified negotiated or all- inclusive rates. Provides payment rebates of a portion of the resulting savings for individuals receiving services under such a demonstration project. (Sec. 12402) Provides for application of a competitive acquisition process for Medicare part B items and services as well as a reduction in payment amounts to the area involved if such acquisition fails to achieve a specified minimum reduction in payments. Provides for a similar application with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. (Sec. 12404) Makes various specified changes with regard to Medicare as secondary payer. (Sec. 12405) Provides under Medicare part B for limitations on payment for physicians' services furnished by high-cost hospital medical staffs. (Sec. 12406) Delineates various specified update reductions and expenditure goals with regard to inpatient hospital services and physician services, respectively. (Sec. 12408) Reduces from 112 percent to 100 percent (adjusted to preserve certain savings) the payment for the routine service costs of skilled nursing facilities. (Sec. 12409) Provides for a reduction in routine cost limits for home health services and elimination of formula-driven overpayments for certain outpatient hospital services. Title XIII: Income Security - Subtitle A: Administrative Reform - Repeals the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Amends the National Housing Act to terminate the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Makes various other specified administrative changes with regard to housing programs and the transfer of Department functions, including providing for their consolidation into a block grant program and privatization of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Subtitle B: Housing Programs Reforms - Eliminates operating subsidies for vacant public housing and provides for an increase of certain tenant contributions under the United States Housing Act of 1937, along with other specified changes under such Act. Subtitle C: Supplemental Security Income Reforms - Modifies the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program under SSA title XVI concerning: (1) reporting of admissions of SSI recipients to nursing homes; (2) limiting SSI benefits for recipients in nursing homes if Medicaid pays certain care costs; (3) unearned income exclusion under the program; and (4) recovery of SSI overpayments from social security benefits. Subtitle D: Civil Service Reforms - Increases the retirement age under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to 65 for certain post-1993 new employees and Members of Congress. (Sec. 13302) Defers until age 62 the cost-of-living adjustments for military retirees who first entered military service on or after January 1, 1996. (Sec. 13303) Amends Federal law to eliminate a portion of the Government contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal employees hired, or Members of Congress first elected, after December 31, 1994. Subtitle E: Assistance Program Reforms - Makes various specified changes with regard to low-income home energy assistance programs, setting annual authorization limits under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, and establishing additional requirements for unemployment benefits. (Sec. 13403) Denies unemployment benefits to individuals who voluntarily leave military service. (Sec. 13404) Provides for an increase in the variable rate premium charged by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to single-employer plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Title XIV: Personal Responsibility and Family Preservation - Personal Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Block Grants For Temporary Assistance For Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress with regard to: (1) the importance of marriage and negative consequences of out-of-wedlock births; and (2) the reduction of such births as an important government interest. (Sec. 14101) Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV to convert the current AFDC program into a block grant program with specified work, job search, and education and training requirements designed to increase State flexibility in providing time-limited assistance and support services (including birth control and child care services) to needy families in order to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient. Prohibits such assistance, generally, to: (1) certain aliens; (2) families without a minor child; (3) families not cooperating in paternity establishment or child support; (4) children born out-of-wedlock to a minor parent (or the parent until such parent turns age 18); (5) families not assigning support rights to the State; (6) minor children born to benefit recipients (except that vouchers in lieu of certain child care cash benefits shall not be denied); (7) a person convicted of fraudulently misrepresenting residence in order to receive welfare benefits; (8) fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; and (9) minor children absent from the home for specified periods of time. Requires the withholding of a portion of assistance from families which include a child whose paternity is not established. Provides that in order to be eligible for block grants under such program a State must submit to the HHS Secretary a plan that includes: (1) an outline of the assistance the State intends on providing to needy families with children; and (2) certifications that the State will operate revised SSA title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) and D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) programs in accordance with this Act. Allows States to use grants for: (1) providing low-income household heating and cooling assistance; (2) implementing an electronic benefit transfer system for providing assistance to needy families with children; and (3) carrying out a State program pursuant to specified provisions of Federal law, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Gives States the authority to treat families moving interstate under the former State program rules if they reside in their new State of residence for less than 12 months. Increases the amount of such grants for States which have reduced their out-of-wedlock births. Prescribes penalties for violations of grant uses and mandatory work requirements. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving loan fund known as the Federal Rainy Day Fund for making loans to, and receiving payments of principal and interest on such loans from, qualified States under the new State block grant program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that States: (1) should require noncustodial, nonsupporting parents who have not attained 18 years of age to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school; and (2) operating block grant programs are encouraged to assign the highest priority to requiring families that include older preschool or school-age children to be engaged in work activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) research the costs and benefits of State activities under this title; (2) evaluate innovative approaches to employing program recipients; (3) rank States in order of their success under the grant program; and (4) review the most and least successful State work programs. Sets forth requirements for: (1) State data collection and reporting; and (2) a Census Bureau study obtaining information for evaluating the impact of this title on a random national sample of recipients of assistance under State block grant programs. Appropriates funds for the latter. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on the effects, costs, and benefits of State block grant programs under this title; (2) assist States in development and evaluation of innovative approaches to employing welfare recipients; and (3) conduct studies of the caseloads of States operating programs under this title. Directs the Secretary to develop innovative methods of disseminating information on any research, evaluations, and studies conducted under this title. (Sec. 14102) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on automated data processing systems under State block grant programs and the modifications necessary for tracking public program participants and checking case records to prohibit participants from participating in public programs of two or more States. (Sec. 14106) Provides for the continued application of current AFDC standards under Medicaid. Subtitle B: Child Protection Block Grant Program - Revises SSA title IV part B's Child-Welfare Services program, converting it also into a program of block grants to the States, in this case, for the protection of children in accordance with specified standards. (Sec. 14201) Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) State eligibility plans with appropriate certifications; (2) grant uses; (3) penalties; (4) data collection and reporting; (5) research; (6) a national random sample study of at-risk children; and (7) continued application of current standards under Medicaid. Allows grant-receiving States to consider establishing kinship care foster care placement programs with a preferred placement option for adult relatives (who meet all relevant child protection standards) of children separated from their parents. Adds requirements for: (1) citizen review panels for examining specific cases to ensure that State and local agencies are doing their job properly to protect children; (2) a clearinghouse and telephone hotline on missing and runaway children; (3) decreasing the time children wait for adoption; and (4) preventing discrimination in multiethnic placements of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14205) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding timely adoption of children. Subtitle C: Block Grants for Child Care and for Nutrition Assistance - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to add the following as goals for such Act: (1) to allow each State maximum flexibility in developing child care programs and policies that best suit the needs of children and parents within such State; (2) to promote parental choice to empower working parents to make their own decisions on the child care that best suits their family's needs; (3) to encourage States to provide consumer education information to help parents make informed choices about child care; (4) to assist States to provide child care to parents trying to achieve independence from public assistance; and (5) to assist States in implementing the health, safety, licensing, and registration standards established in State regulations. (Sec. 14301) Reauthorizes and extends such Act through 2000. Makes various specified technical and other changes to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 with regard to lead State agency designation, State application and plan, and limitations on State allotments. Repeals earmarked required expenditures. Requires each State to report a plan for annual evaluations of the extent to which the State has achieved each goal established by this Act. Authorizes a State to transfer funds to carry out other State programs operated under specified provisions of Federal law, including AFDC and child-welfare programs. (Sec. 14302) Repeals certain child care assistance authorized by specified Acts other than SSA, including Native Hawaiian Family-Based Education Centers under the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Revises the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, among other changes, converting the current child nutrition program under it into a State family nutrition block grant program with goals that include the following: (1) to provide nutritional risk assessment, food assistance based on such risk assessment, and nutrition education and counseling to economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children at nutritional risk; and (2) to provide food assistance, including nutritious meal supplements, to such women in order to reduce incidences of low- birthweight babies and babies born with birth defects as a result of nutritional deficiencies. (Sec. 14321) Sets forth the formula for allotting appropriations among the States. Specifies the use of grant amounts, including specified additional requirements with respect to: (1) assistance for economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children; and (2) child care assistance on military installations. Establishes penalties for misuse of funds. Requires the appropriate State agency to determine that sufficient grant amounts will remain available during a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle before using any such amounts for the fiscal year. Sets out State reporting requirements. Directs the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to develop, and report to specified congressional committees, model nutrition standards for food assistance provided to economically disadvantaged pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14341) Amends the National School Lunch Act, among other changes, converting the current school lunch program into a program of school-based nutrition block grants to States to provide assistance to schools to establish and carry out nutritious food service programs that provide affordable meals and supplements to students. Requires the appropriate State agency to determine that sufficient grant amounts will remain available during a fiscal year to carry out this subtitle before using any such amounts for the fiscal year. Prohibits a State from requiring a school district, private nonprofit school, or DOD domestic dependents' school to accept commodities, except on request, for use in its food service program. Directs the States to ensure that schools provided State assistance in establishing and carrying out nutritious food service programs do not: (1) physically segregate children eligible to receive free or low cost meals or supplements on the basis of such eligibility; (2) provide for overt identification of such children by special means; or (3) otherwise discriminate against them. Provides that if, by reason of any other provision of law, a State is prohibited from providing assistance received from a grant under such Act to private nonprofit schools or DOD domestic dependents' schools, or if the State has substantially failed or is unwilling to provide such assistance, the Secretary of Agriculture shall arrange for its provision to such schools in accordance with the requirements of such Act. Directs the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to develop, and report to specified congressional committees, model nutrition standards for meals provided to students under such Act. Eliminates other current school lunch programs, including the summer food service programs for children in service institutions, the child and adult care food program, meal supplements for children in afterschool care, specified pilot projects, as well as the current publication entitled "Nutrition Guidance for Child Nutrition Programs." Retains the current program for nutritious food service programs in DOD overseas dependents' schools. (Sec. 14361) Repeals the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 and the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989. (Sec. 14371) Repeals the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988, with conforming amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. Repeals the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (with conforming amendments to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984), as well as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978. Makes technical amendments to the Temporary Child Care for Children with Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Act of 1986, eliminating the crisis nursery demonstration program, among other changes. Repeals: (1) the Missing Children's Assistance Act; (2) the family center support provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (3) certain investigatory and prosecutory provisions of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990; and (4) the family unification program provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 14381) Directs the Secretary to produce and publish data on the incidence of poverty for each State, county, and local government for which data have been compiled, as well as for each school district. Requires a report to the Congress, if such data cannot be produced, enumerating each government or school district excluded and giving the reasons for the exclusion. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14382) Requires the Secretary to produce data relating to participation in programs authorized by this Act by families and children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14400) Declares that: (1) it is a compelling government interest to enact new rules for eligibility and sponsorship agreements in order to assure that aliens be self-reliant in accordance with national immigration policy; and (2) it is a compelling government interest to remove the incentive for illegal immigration provided by the availability of public benefits. (Sec. 14401) Makes illegal and lawful nonimmigrant aliens ineligible for any Federal means-tested public benefits program, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 14403) Makes aliens lawfully present in the United States ineligible for SSI, block grant temporary and social services assistance, Medicaid, and consolidated food assistance. Exempts from such eligibility restrictions on lawful aliens: (1) refugees until five years after their arrival in the United States; (2) all eligible resident aliens until one year after enactment of this Act; (3) all lawful permanent residents over 75 years of age who have resided in the United States for at least five years; and (4) all lawful permanent residents unable because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment (including Alzheimer's disease) to comply with certain naturalization requirements. (Sec. 14411) Requires each Federal agency administering a program covered by this title to post information and provide general notification to the public and program recipients, either directly or through the States, of the requirements concerning alien eligibility for any such program pursuant to this title. (Sec. 14412) Makes illegal and nonimmigrant aliens ineligible for any State or local means-tested public benefits programs, with certain exceptions including those for non-cash, in-kind emergency services, aliens granted asylum, and temporary agricultural workers. (Sec. 14413) Authorizes States to determine eligibility requirements for aliens lawfully present in the United States (other than as nonimmigrants) for any State or local means-tested public assistance program except non-cash, in-kind emergency assistance. Exempts from such eligibility restrictions on lawful aliens: (1) refugees until five years after their arrival in the United States; (2) all eligible resident aliens until one year after enactment of this Act; and (3) all lawful permanent residents over 75 years of age who have resided in the United States for at least five years. (Sec. 14421) Provides that in determining the eligibility and the amount of benefits of any alien for any means-tested public benefits program (except those for certain housing-related assistance), the income and resources of the alien shall be deemed to include: (1) the income and resources of any person who executed an affidavit of support on the alien's behalf; and (2) the income and resources of the person's spouse (if any). Applies such requirement with respect to an alien until such time as the alien achieves U.S. citizenship through naturalization. (Sec. 14422) Sets forth requirements for sponsor's affidavit of support. (Sec. 14431) Sets forth definitions and provides for the determination of lawful presence. Subtitle E: Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution - Food Stamp Reform and Commodity Distribution Act - Commodity Distribution Act of 1995 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase and distribute food assistance commodities. (Sec. 14513) Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for supplemental State, local, and private commodity donations. (Sec. 14514) Requires a State seeking commodity assistance to submit an administrative plan every four years to the Secretary. (Sec. 14515) Establishes program allocation guidelines. Requires States to make emergency feeding organizations their first priority. (Sec. 14517) Authorizes the Secretary to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to pay initial commodity processing and packaging costs. (Sec. 14519) Authorizes program appropriations, including separate authorization of appropriations for administrative costs. (Sec. 14520) Obligates specified funds for a commodity supplemental food program for women, infants, and children or the elderly. Requires the CCC to donate specified amounts of cheese and nonfat dry milk to such program. (Sec. 14521) States that commodities received under this title shall not be considered income or resources for any Federal, State, or local means-tested program. (Sec. 14522) Provides that whenever a commodity is made available without charge or credit under this chapter by the Secretary for distribution within the States to eligible recipient agencies, the State may not charge recipient agencies any amount that is in excess of the State's direct costs of storing and transporting to recipient agencies the commodities, minus any amount the Secretary provides the State for the costs of storing and transporting such commodities. (Sec. 14528) Repeals specified food and commodity distribution programs. (Sec. 14541) Directs the Secretary to make grants in accordance with specified guidelines to States to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 14542) Directs the Secretary to issue, and make available for purchase by States, coupons for the retail purchase of food from retail food stores that are approved in accordance with specified criteria and are redeemable at face value by the Secretary through the facilities of the Treasury. (Sec. 14544) Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977. (Sec. 14592) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States that operate electronic benefit systems to transfer benefits provided under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 should operate electronic benefit systems that are compatible with each other. (Sec. 14593) Expresses the sense of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives that reductions in outlays resulting from subtitle B shall not be taken into account for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm- Rudman-Hollings). Subtitle F: Supplemental Security Income - Amends SSI to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics; (2) place restrictions on eligibility for cash benefits for disabled children; and (3) establish a program of block grants to States for children with disabilities. (Sec. 14601) Provides funding for the: (1) Federal Capacity Expansion Program for drug treatment; and (2) medication development project to improve drug abuse and treatment research. (Sec. 14603) Amends the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 to provide for the examination of certain mental disorder listings in determining the eligibility of children for SSI benefits by reason of disability. (Sec. 14604) Amends SSA title XI to limit the total amount payable under SSA titles I (Old Age Assistance), X (Aid to the Blind), XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), and XVI to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. (Sec. 14605) Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. (Sec. 14606) Provides for denial of SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. (Sec. 14607) Provides for denial of SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators. (Sec. 14608) Prescribes reapplication requirements for adults receiving SSI benefits by reason of disability. (Sec. 14609) Repeals certain restrictions regarding determination of ineligibility. (Sec. 14610) Requires the HHS Secretary to revise certain regulations in order to narrow SSI eligibility on the basis of mental impairment. Subtitle G: Child Support - Revises SSA title IV part D's child support and paternity establishment program to make various specified changes with regard to: (1) case registries; (2) State obligation to provide child support enforcement services; (3) distribution of child support collections; and (4) privacy safeguards. (Sec. 14711) Modifies such program further to make various additional specified changes with regard to: (1) automated State case registries and new hire directories for tracking cases, exchanging and comparing information, handling locate requests, and other specified matters; (2) collection and disbursement of support payments through State disbursement units; (3) income withholding; (4) locate information from interstate networks and the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS); (5) reimbursement for information from Federal agencies and for reports by State agencies; (6) an expanded FPLS containing the automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and the National Directory of New Hires; and (7) collection and use of social security numbers for use in child support enforcement. (Sec. 14721) Requires each State to have in effect the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992, and modified by this Act, and the procedures required to implement such Act. Requires such law to be applied to any case involving an order which is established or modified in a State and which is sought to be modified or enforced in another State. (Sec. 14722) Amends the Federal judicial code to modify provisions concerning the full faith and credit for child support orders. (Sec. 14723) Requires each State to have in effect laws: (1) requiring the use of procedures for administrative enforcement in interstate cases; and (2) providing expedited procedures for establishing paternity and for establishing, modifying, and enforcing support obligations using automated means. (Sec. 14731) Modifies State law procedures for paternity establishment, among other changes, providing for voluntary paternity acknowledgment. (Sec. 14732) Provides for outreach for voluntary paternity establishment. (Sec. 14733) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to provide for the cooperation by applicants for and recipients of temporary family assistance in establishing the paternity of, and in establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order for, any child of the individual. (Sec. 14741) Makes various specified changes to State payment provisions, including incentive payment requirements. Revises State plan and other provisions with respect to, among other items, Federal and State reviews and audits and State procedures for collecting and reporting information required by SSA title IV part D. (Sec. 14745) Revises automated data processing requirements. (Sec. 14746) Provides funding for technical assistance to States for improving their SSA title IV part D programs and for operating FPLS. (Sec. 14747) Makes changes with regard to annual congressional reports and data collection by the Secretary. (Sec. 14751) Modifies the process for the review and adjustment of child support orders. (Sec. 14761) Amends the Internal Revenue Code and SSA title IV part D with regard to enforcement of child support orders, among other changes: (1) providing for changed order of refund distribution; (2) eliminating the disparities in treatment of assigned and non-assigned arrearages; (3) consolidating and revising authorities for collecting support from Federal employees; (4) providing for laws voiding fraudulent transfers; (5) providing for procedures to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or have a plan for payment of such support; and (6) defining the term "support order." (Sec. 14763) Provides for enforcement of child support obligations of members of the armed forces. (Sec. 14765) Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should suspend any driver's, business, or occupational license issued to any person owing past-due child support. Requires States to have procedures under which: (1) liens arise by operation of law against real and personal property for over due support (and liens arising in other States are accorded full faith and credit); and (2) the State has authority to withhold, suspend, or restrict the use of driver's, professional and occupations, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue support or failing, after due notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings. (Sec. 14771) Amends ERISA to make a technical correction to its definition of medical child support order. (Sec. 14781) Amends SSA title IV part D to require the Administration for Children and Families to make grants to enable States to establish and administer programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access to and visitation of their children. Amends the Gramm-Rudman Hollings Act to provide for adjustments for discretionary programs resulting under this Act. (Sec. 14802) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to encourage electronic benefit transfer systems. Title XV: Veterans' Benefits and Services - Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Subtitle B: Extension of Certain Veterans Programs - Extends permanently various specified veterans programs, including those providing authority for medical care cost recovery. Subtitle C: Home Loan Guarantee Program Reforms - Makes various specified changes with regard to the home loan guarantee program. Subtitle D: Medical Program Reforms - Mandates certain Department medical care system savings through establishment of a Prospective Payment System for hospital care within it. Provides for specified expenditure reductions for major construction and closure of inefficient veterans' hospitals. Subtitle E: Other Veterans Programs Reforms - Delineates modifications in other veterans' programs as well, including elimination of certain sunset dates and third-party reimbursement changes. Title XVI: Administration of Justice - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Reauthorizes and extends various specified activities and entities of the Department of Justice through FY 2000, providing for a reduction in Department overhead expenses as well. (Sec. 16011) Authorizes appropriations for the Customs and Secret Service as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms through FY 2000. Authorizes appropriations for certain defender services. (Sec. 16021) Reorganizes the U.S. Marshals Service, among other specified changes, phasing out political appointees. Subtitle B: Prison Reforms - Provides for privatization of Federal correctional institutions, and for priority payments to public safety officers under the Victims of Crime Fund. Subtitle C: Justice Assistance Program Reforms - Repeals the Legal Services Corporation Act to abolish the Legal Services Corporation, and amends other specified Federal law to eliminate the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the State Justice Institute. Increases the surcharge on debts collected by the United States. Subtitle D: Federal Bureau of Investigation Reforms - Rescinds the unobligated balance of specified funds for the Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprinting laboratory in West Virginia. Subtitle E: Other Justice Program Reforms - Authorizes appropriations for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Sec. 16502) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to harbor maintenance fees. Title XVII: General Government - Subtitle A: Administrative Reforms - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of certain foreign operations activities, the Department of the Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management, and various independent agencies. Terminates the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, other specified miscellaneous advisory committees, and Federal Information Centers. Subtitle B: Legislative Branch Reductions - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Executive Office of the President (sic). (Sec. 17102) Alters the formula for determining official mail allowances under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991, and prohibits certain mail-related fund transfers under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993. (Sec. 17104) Provides for temporary suspension of automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Subtitle C: Executive Branch Reductions - Provides for a reduction in overhead expenses of the Executive Office of the President. (Sec. 17202) Repeals unlimited annual leave accumulation for the Senior Executive Service and limits the number of executive branch political appointees. Subtitle D: Specific Program Reforms - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a decrease in the presidential election campaign fund check-off. (Sec. 17302) Provides for a moratorium on construction and acquisition of new Federal buildings. (Sec. 17303) Terminates annual direct assistance to the Northern Mariana Islands. (Sec. 17304) Transfers the position of Public Printer and related functions to the legislative branch and likewise switches the position of Superintendent of Documents and related functions to the Library of Congress, to be carried out by such official under the Librarian of Congress' direction. Requires Government publications to be available throughout the Government. Sets forth requirements related to department and agency inventories of Government publications and the availability of such inventory available through a certain electronic directory. Adds additional specified responsibilities for the Public Printer and Superintendent of Documents. (Sec. 17305) Repeals transitional appropriations authorizations for the Post Office.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
Amends Federal transportation safety law to increase from 10,001 pounds to 26,001 pounds the minimum weight of commercial motor vehicles subject to safety and other specified regulation by the Secretary of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1995
Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to abolish the Consent Calendar and establish the Corrections Calendar. Sets forth procedures for consideration of bills on such Calendar on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Requires a three-fifths vote to pass any bill called from such Calendar. Prohibits the sustaining of any point of order against or the rejection of such bill from causing it to be removed from the Union or House Calendar to which it was originally referred.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act of 1995 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to: (1) require a State to pay or agree to pay at least five dollars per resident, as determined by the latest official census, before such State or local government receives Federal assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of public facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster in the State; and (2) revise the formula used to determine the Federal share of such assistance as well as the Federal share for debris and wreckage removal from publicly and privately owned lands resulting from such disaster. Allows an increase of such assistance only upon the enactment of a joint resolution not designated as an emergency under provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). (Sec. 5) Adds provisions concerning disaster mitigation. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish and carry out natural disaster hazard mitigation (mitigation) programs that support natural disaster research, technology, and education. Gives the effect of law to a specified executive order relating to earthquake design and construction standards for federally leased, assisted, or regulated buildings. Requires the Director to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing: (1) national minimum building construction standards for residential and commercial building construction; and (2) standards for the training and licensing of home inspectors and for using such inspections as a means of promoting mitigation for residential property. Requires the Director to define which States should be classified as natural disaster-prone for purposes of the Act. Requires each natural disaster-prone State to either: (1) adopt multihazard building and safety codes for all new and substantially modified building construction in that State; or (2) certify that the State's local communities have adopted and are enforcing building codes which meet the appropriate minimum mitigation requirements of that State. Requires each State designated as flood-prone to either adopt relevant flood protection standards or certify that its flood-prone local communities are in compliance with appropriate State flood protection standards. Requires each natural disaster-prone State to either develop a multihazard mitigation plan or designate an existing plan which includes specified compliance and response requirements. Outlines provisions concerning State compliance with the establishment, adoption, and implementation of appropriate mitigation plans. Provides penalties for noncompliance. Requires the Director, after crediting premiums from the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation (established under this Act), to allocate funds from a Mitigation Account (established under this Act) to States which comply with all mitigation requirements under this Act. Provides an allocation formula. Requires such funds to be used to support mitigation activities, especially those necessary to bring a State into compliance with building and safety code requirements enumerated under this Act. Requires audits of fund uses. Exempts a State, under specified conditions, from a particular mitigation requirement if it receives inadequate funds from the Account to cover the costs of complying with such requirement. Encourages each private insurer that participates in the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation to take mitigation measures into account in setting rates and deductibles for its property insurance. Establishes the Natural Disaster Insurance Corporation as a not-for-profit membership corporation to provide primary insurance coverages and reinsurance coverage for hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Requires the Corporation's Board of Directors (Board) to: (1) develop a plan of operation describing the Corporation's administration and the provision of the insurance coverages it provides; and (2) develop and adjust, when necessary, actuarially sound rates for such coverages. Establishes an independent Natural Disaster Insurance Board of Actuaries (Independent Board) to review and approve such plan and rates. Requires the Board to file with each State insurance regulator information copies of the initial material and future revisions to its insurance rates, terms, or conditions. Requires the Corporation to establish and maintain a: (1) primary insurance coverage trust account to pay qualifying claims and loss adjustments expenses to private insurers acting as service providers of the primary insurance coverages; and (2) reinsurance coverage trust account to pay qualifying claims to private insurers which purchased such coverage. Outlines provisions concerning the Corporation's use of funds from other accounts and funds to pay for losses in excess of trust account funds or funds raised by issuing obligations in the private market (requiring repayment of funds borrowed from such accounts or funds). Requires the trust accounts to be kept separate. Prohibits: (1) the borrowing of monies between such accounts; and (2) the authorization or appropriation of Federal funds for Corporation activities. Requires the Comptroller General to audit and report to the Congress on Corporation and Independent Board activities. Requires the Corporation to: (1) issue primary insurance coverages that insure against physical damages and losses to residential property, including debris removal, additional living expenses incurred as a result of direct damage to such property, and ordinance and law coverages, resulting from the natural disasters enumerated in this Act that meet specified terms and conditions; and (2) make, under certain conditions, excess reinsurance coverage available to private insurers and State insurance pools for residential losses (including quota-share amounts retained by the private insurers under this Act not already insured by the Corporation under the primary insurance coverage policies) and commercial losses that are proximately caused by specified natural disaster perils. Prohibits making or renewing any federally-related mortgage loan secured by residential property located in an earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami, or hurricane-prone State unless the property is covered by: (1) primary insurance coverages; or (2) coverage issued by a private insurer which has equivalent terms, conditions, and rates as such coverages for seismic perils and that meets such terms and conditions as those required for the hurricane peril. Provides an escrow requirement with respect to insurance premiums for such coverage. Outlines requirements that must be met by residential property owners in natural disaster-prone States before the owners can receive any financial assistance under the Act or any similar Federal disaster assistance. Requires the Director and the Corporation to jointly report to the Congress on any additional sanctions or other measures deemed necessary to assure that policyholders purchase Federal flood insurance pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Requires private insurers which exclude coverage for physical damage caused by flooding to include in the contract a specified warning statement to that effect (or an appropriate alternative warning statement). Establishes in the Treasury the Natural Disaster Protection Fund. Establishes within the Fund a separate Private Loss Account, Public Loss Account, and Mitigation Account. Requires the three accounts to be kept separate and prohibits the borrowing of monies between them. Requires the Private Loss Account to provide direct Federal loans to cover shortfalls in the Corporation's primary insurance and reinsurance accounts. Requires the Public Loss Account to: (1) retain reserve funds sufficient to cover the anticipated costs resulting from natural disasters up to the annual ten-year historical average of disaster relief provided by the Director; and (2) provide grants to States for the repair or restoration of critical facilities and lifelines, public facilities, and infrastructure damaged or destroyed by natural disasters and for pre-natural disaster mitigation. Allows the Federal share of such grants to be increased only upon the enactment of a joint resolution not designated as an emergency under provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Requires: (1) the Mitigation Account to provide funds to States for appropriate mitigation efforts described in this Act; and (2) the Corporation to pay a specified percentage of the annual net premiums collected for the primary insurance coverages and the reinsurance coverages for mitigation purposes. Provides for appropriate transfers and credits to the Public Loss Account and the Mitigation Account. Authorizes appropriations to such Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Safety and Health Improvement and Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to revise provisions for OSHA standards. Requires promulgation and modification of such standards to be based of certain analyses and criteria, including a specified type of regulatory impact analysis, as well as a risk assessment and a cost-benefit analysis which are industry-specific. (Sec. 2) Repeals provisions for separate rules for toxic materials or harmful physical agents. Deems a variance to have been issued as of the date the application for it was filed,if the Secretary has failed to approve or disapprove such application within 90 days of such filing (unless the Secretary of Labor and the applicant agree to a longer period). Sets forth requirements relating to such regulatory impact analyses (both a preliminary and a final one), risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses. Directs the Secretary, within seven years of the effective date of this Act, to review each OSHA standard in effect as of such effective date under specified criteria, and to modify or revoke such standards as appropriate. Allows each person affected by a promulgated OSHA standard to petition the Secretary to modify or revoke such standard pursuant to this review process. Sets forth substantive and procedural requirements relating to such provisions. Repeals the mandate that, in determining the priority for establishing OSHA standards, the Secretary give due regard to: (1) the urgency of the need for such standards for particular industries, trades, crafts, occupations, businesses, workplaces, or work environments; and (2) the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding such need. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that a rule should be promulgated or modified to serve OSHA objectives, to appoint an independent and external peer review panel to review the scientific and economic data which forms the basis for such standard and such data's relevance to industries and workers that would be affected by it. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions for notices of violations and citations. Directs the Secretary to give notices of violations, with specified periods for abatement (at least 30 days, except that a reasonable shorter period may be ordered if the condition constitutes a direct threat to employees). Authorizes the Secretary to issue citations after a follow-up inspection if the violation remains and the abatement period has expired. Provides that such notice of a violation before issuance of a citation shall not be required in cases of alleged violations causing death or serious injury, or constituting an imminent danger, to an employee. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish an office to promote, administer, and coordinate the following worksite-based incentives programs and activities. Exempts from general OSHA inspections workplaces which: (1) the employer certifies have been reviewed under a Federal-State consultation services program or a workplace review provided by a certified person; or (2) the Secretary chooses to certify as having significant involvement of their employees in their safety and health program. Directs the Secretary to establish programs to: (1) certify persons to conduct such reviews; (2) give special recognition (including exemption from random OSHA inspections) to worksites, companies, and other organizations which have implemented particularly effective programs addressing occupational safety and health in the workplace; and (3) provide education, training, and technical assistance to employers and employees in providing safe and healthful workplaces and complying with OSHA requirements. Reserves at least one-half of the annual appropriation under OSHA for such worksite-based incentives programs, effective in the first fiscal year beginning three years after the effective date of this Act. (Sec. 5) Makes certain restrictions under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act inapplicable to employee participation on certain committees, teams, or other arrangements dealing with employers concerning health and safety of working conditions or related matters. (Sec. 6) Revises provisions for inspections. Revises provisions relating to employee requests for inspections to: (1) eliminate such requests by employee representatives; and (2) make a special inspection discretionary rather than mandatory, while having the Secretary make an inquiry with the employer, upon determination that there are reasonable grounds that the alleged violation or danger exists and that the employer has failed to correct it. Requires that certain inspections be conducted by at least one individual who has technical expertise by training or experience in the industry or types of hazards being inspected. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with other Federal agencies and with States to train inspection personnel of agencies which inspect employers to inspect places of employment to determine if employee fire protection is adequate; and (2) establish a system for referral of fire hazards to the Secretary after notification to the employer, if the employer fails to take corrective actions. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting routine inspections of (or enforcing any OSHA standard, rule, regulation, or order with respect to): (1) any person engaged in a farming operation that does not maintain a temporary labor camp and is employing ten or fewer employees; and (2) any employer of not more than 50 employees that has an occupational injury or a lost work day rate less than the national average. Sets forth certain exceptions from such exemption. (Sec. 7) Adds employer defenses of employee misconduct, or alternative safe methods, or other inconsistent or conflicting requirements. (Sec. 8) Revises OSHA penalties. Eliminates provisions relating to willful and repeated violations. Directs the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to: (1) assess all civil penalties, giving due consideration to their appropriateness with respect to specified factors; and (2) not assess a penalty greater than that proposed by the Secretary. Allows reduction of a civil penalty by the cost to the employer of correcting the violation. Authorizes the Secretary to propose that a special assessment penalty of up to ten times greater be applied in the circumstances of employee fatalities, or an excessive history of serious injuries to employees, caused by violations of certain OSHA standards. Prohibits penalties where no standard or regulation exists. Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution under State and local criminal laws. (Sec. 9) Revises enforcement procedures with respect to Commission review of the Secretary's citations or proposed penalties for employers. Revises judicial review provisions to require upholding, if reasonable, of the Commission's conclusions of law with respect to the construction of OSHA, or regulations, rules, standards, or orders adopted under OSHA. Increases Commission membership from three to five, and quorums from two to three members. Requires at least one Commission member to have expertise or experience in mining. Revises provisions for Commission hearings and records to provide that, if the parties so agree, there shall not be required any formal proceedings, including requests for production of documents or requests for admissions, interrogatories, or depositions. (Sec. 10) Repeals OSHA provisions for: (1) the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), thus abolishing it; (2) NIOSH research and related activities; and (3) NIOSH training and employee education activities. (Sec. 11) Repeals OSHA provisions relating to the already terminated National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws. (Sec. 12) Revises OSHA conditions for approval of State plans. Makes certain conditions inapplicable if the State has adopted alternative performance measures to assure that its program is at least as effective as the Federal program in assuring safe and healthful employment and places of employment. (Sec. 13) Revises procedures for discrimination protection for whistle-blowers under OSHA. (Sec. 14) Provides for OSHA coverage of Federal agencies. (Sec. 15) Repeals provisions for separate occupational safety and health programs for Federal agencies. (Sec. 16) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs where there is a reasonable probability that any employee's safety or health could be endangered because of use of alcohol or a controlled substance in the workplace. Requires such programs to conform to specified Federal guidelines. Allows employer pre-employment testing for alcohol or substance abuse under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to test employees for use of alcohol or controlled substances during any investigation of a work-related fatality or serious injury. (Sec. 17) Repeals titles I, II, III, and V of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (FMSHA). Transfers the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of: (1) the Mine Safety and Health Administration to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health; and (2) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Deems FMSHA standards to have been promulgated under OSHA. Prohibits the Secretary from enforcing any other standards promulgated prior to the effective date of this Act, with respect to activities, conditions, or processes which were subject to FMSHA. Repeals specified parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Prohibits requirements of a specified part of CFR from being enforced with respect to any sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, or surface limestone mine. Establishes OSHA requirements for mine safety inspections, enforcement orders, and penalties. Requires the National Mine Health and Safety Academy to be: (1) maintained as an agency of the Department of Labor; and (2) responsible for training of mine safety and health inspectors and technical support personnel, and for any other training programs for mine inspectors, mining personnel, or other personnel designated by the Secretary. (Sec. 18) Revises specified OSHA provisions for recordkeeping, reporting, and statistics. (Sec. 19) Adds definitions of the terms "serious injury" and "industry." (Sec. 20) Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the Congress regarding activities under OSHA, including recommendations to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve coordination with other Federal laws; and (2) provide for a means for certification of equipment safety, to be conducted by nongovernmental agencies, unless such agencies with professional or technical personnel or materials and equipment are not available.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1995
Family Medical Savings and Investment Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual covered under a catastrophic coverage health plan a tax deduction for contributions to a medical savings account. Defines an eligible individual as one who is covered under a catastrophic health plan at any time during such month and is not covered by any other health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank Title II: Administrative Simplification Title III: Effective Dates Health Information Modernization and Security Act - Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) and other specified law to repeal the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank and associated provisions on the identification of Medicare secondary payer situations when the Secretary of Health and Human Services notifies the Congress that the Bank is no longer necessary because of the operation of the health information network established pursuant to title II of this Act. Title II: Administrative Simplification - Amends SSA title XI to add a new part C (Administrative Simplification) for development of an electronic network for: (1) processing health care information consistent with the goal of improving the operation of the overall health care system; and (2) reducing related administrative costs through the Secretary's adoption of certain standards for information transactions (including enrollment, disenrollment, claims attachments, and coordination of benefits) and data elements as well as standards relating to security and privacy, and performance of tasks pursuant to specified requirements, assisted by a new Health Information Advisory Committee established by this Act. Provides penalties for violations of standards or requirements under this Act, including those involving information transactions and security and privacy. Directs the Secretary to recommend to the Congress a plan for developing and implementing uniform data standards for patient medical record information and its electronic exchange. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects to promote the development and use of electronically integrated clinical information systems and computerized patient medical records. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Effective Date s - Specifies the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to abolish the Consent Calendar and establish the Corrections Calendar. Authorizes the Speaker of the House, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, to direct the Clerk to call the bills in numerical order which have been on the Correction Calendar for three legislative days. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such bills. Requires a three-fifths vote to pass any bill called from the Corrections Calendar. Prohibits the rejection of such bill or the sustaining of any point of order against it or its consideration from causing it to be removed from the Calendar to which it was originally referred.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
James Madison Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue commemorative one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Madison and the life and achievements of the fourth President of the United States. Requires the Secretary to turn over proceeds from surcharges to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to be used to: (1) establish an endowment as a permanent source for Montpelier (home of James Madison and a museum); and (2) fund capital restoration projects at Montpelier.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate sugarcane and sugar beet price support, marketing quota, and acreage allotment programs. Makes related amendments to the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and the Food Security Act of 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Competition Title II: Commercial Items Title III: Additional Reform Provisions Title IV: Streamlining of Dispute Resolution Title V: Effective Dates and Implementation Federal Acquisition Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Competition - Amends Federal law to require Federal agency heads to obtain a maximum practicable number of competitors when procuring property and services for the armed forces or an executive agency. Revises requirements for the use of other than competitive procedures to allow them only when use of competitive procedures is not feasible or appropriate. (Sec. 101) Mandates the creation of simplified procedures for procurements valued below a certain amount ("simplified acquisition threshold"). Amends OFPPA to revise public notice requirements for all Government contracts valued between $10,000 and $25,000. (Sec. 104) Entitles an excluded offeror, who has submitted a competitive proposal, to request in writing and receive a debriefing about such proposal's merits from the contracting officer prior to award, unless it is not in the Government's best interests to conduct a debriefing at that time. (Sec. 105) Repeals the small business set-aside requirements with respect to the award of architectural and engineering contracts for military construction, family housing project, or other Department of Defense or military department purposes. Subjects such awards to the Brooks Architect-Engineers Act. (Sec. 106) Requires the creation of a contractor verification system of competitive procedures to verify the eligibility of an executive agency's repetitive contractors. Title II: Commercial Items - Amends Federal law with respect to exceptions to the requirement that certain offerors, contractors, and subcontractors submit cost or pricing data. Specifies that such submissions shall not be required for the acquisition of a commercial item (currently, any contract for which the price agreed upon is based on established catalog or market prices of commercial items sold in substantial quantities to the general public). (Sec. 201) Limits the collection of information used to determine the fairness of a price by eliminating the Government's authority to: (1) audit books and records related to cost and pricing; and (2) demand data other than certified cost or pricing data. Repeals the requirement that cost and pricing data be sought from the offeror, contractor, or other sources when competition is not practicable. (Sec. 202) Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide for special simplified procedures for the purchase of commercial items. (Sec. 204) Repeals the requirement that mandatory cost accounting methods be used in Federal acquisition of commercial goods. Title III: Additional Reform Provisions - Eliminates certain certification requirements for Government suppliers and prohibits future creation of such certification requirements unless: (1) specifically imposed by statute; or (2) approved by the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy. (Sec. 303) Permits Federal agency testing of alternative and innovative procurement policies for five years. (Sec. 304) Repeals mandatory charges for research, development, and production costs of U.S. defense products in sales abroad. (Sec. 305) Establishes civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosures or acquisitions of bid, proposal, or source selection information regarding a government procurement. Eliminates: (1) anti-bribery provisions; (2) requirements for reports by defense contractors; (3) restrictions on private employment of former Federal employees by private entities to assist in obtaining Government contracts; and (4) criminal penalties for retired military officers who within two years after release from active duty receive compensation for representation in the sale of anything to the United States through the military department in which the officer is retired. (Sec. 306) Eliminates the requirement that the Office of Federal Procurement Policy report to the Congress annually and before the effective date of any policy or regulation. Title IV: Streamlining of Dispute Resolution - Replaces the various executive agency boards of contract appeals with a single United States Board of Contract Appeals ("Board"). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 421) Requires the Board to provide voluntary alternative dispute resolution services upon request of all parties in conflict over specific granted or prospective Government contracts for the procurement of commercial and non-commercial property and services. (Sec. 424) Requires the Board, upon the request of an interested party, to review: (1) a decision of an executive agency head that allegedly violates a statute or regulation; and (2) the consistency of such a regulation with applicable statutes. Requires that, unless a contract significantly affects the interests of the United States, the Board suspend an executive agency's authority to award it, or to fulfill a contract already awarded, when the related procurement is to be reviewed by the Board. Limits the parties' discovery and creates a time-frame for certain specified Board procedures. Requires that specified simplified procedures be followed in disputes over contracts valued below $1 million. Requires the dismissal of frivolous protests and, in specified circumstances, the payment of costs by a protesting party. Permits the Board to implement specified corrective actions deemed necessary and appropriate to arrest the violation of a regulation or statute. Permits: (1) the granting of relief authorized by regulation or statute in addition to those specified; (2) the filing of a protest or an action in a specified alternative forum; and (3) appeal of the Board's judgement according to specified procedures. (Sec. 425) Limits the authority of the Boards to contracts for the procurement of commercial items. (Sec. 443) Amends the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 and other Federal law to conform to this Act. Title V: Effective Dates and Implementation - Establishes the effective date of this Act and a schedule for implementing regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1995
Small Business Tax Flexibility Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow partnerships or S corporations (electing small business corporations) to elect to have a taxable year other than the required taxable year, in which case the entity shall pay estimated tax in quarterly installments (determined under one of three methods) at the applicable rate on behalf of the owners (partners or shareholders). Exempts entities with an aggregate liability of less than $5,000 from such estimated payment requirements. Imposes a penalty for underpayment of any required quarterly installment. Allows a tax credit for an owner's allocable share of estimated tax payments made by an entity. Prohibits elections of a different taxable year under existing provisions by entities whose first taxable year under such election would begin after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1995
Sets forth the congressional budget for FY 1996, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1997 through 2002. Sets forth recommended budgetary levels for Federal revenues, total new budget authority, total budget outlays, budget deficits, public debt, and Federal credit activity. (Sec. 3) Sets forth for each major functional category the appropriate levels of new budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, new primary loan guarantee commitments, and new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1996 through 2002. (Sec. 4) Requires House committees to submit their recommendations on the budget to the House Budget Committee which shall then report a reconciliation measure to the House of Representatives which shall carry out such recommendations without substantive revisions. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that legislation should be enacted that: (1) prohibits surplus social security payroll taxes from being used to balance the budget or reduce the deficit; (2) sets aside such surplus funds to protect and preserve the social security system; (3) establishes a bipartisan commission to oversee the protection of these funds; and (4) provides that social security funds that are now part of the public debt be repaid. (Sec. 6) Declares that Congress should enact a plan that balances the budget and pays off the public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1995
Expresses the sense of the Congress that economically targeted investments violate specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) relating to a fiduciary's responsibility to serve the interests of employee benefit plan participants and beneficiaries exclusively. Requires that the application of such ERISA provisions to employee benefit plan asset investments be determined without regard to a specified Department of Labor (DOL) interpretive bulletin or any other similar directive regarding economically targeted investments. Prohibits DOL officers or employees from traveling, lecturing, or otherwise expending DOL resources to promote, directly or indirectly, economically targeted investments. Amends ERISA to prohibit Federal agencies or instrumentalities from establishing or maintaining any clearinghouse or other database relating to economically targeted investments for employee benefit plans. Directs Federal agencies and instrumentalities to immediately terminate contracts or other arrangements which violate this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1995
Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to establish a National Forest System ski area permit fee formula. Withdraws ski areas from the operation of mining and mineral leasing laws.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1995
Condemns the bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sends condolences to the families. Commends rescue and volunteer workers, law enforcement officials, and the President. Urges the President to use all necessary means to find and punish the perpetrators. Supports the President's and Attorney General's position that Federal prosecutors will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law, including the death penalty, for those responsible. Declares that the House of Representatives will expeditiously approve legislation to strengthen the authority and resources of all Federal agencies involved in combating such acts of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1995
Propane Education and Research Act of 1995 - Authorizes the qualified industry organizations (the National Propane Gas Association, the Gas Processors Association, or successor organizations, or a group of retail marketers or producers who collectively represent at least 25 percent of the volume of propane sold or produced in the United States) to conduct, at their own expense, a referendum among producers and retail marketers for the creation of a Propane Education and Research Council. Directs the Council, if established, to develop programs (including programs to enhance consumer and employee safety and training) and enter into contracts for: (1) propane research and development; (2) consumer education; and (3) payment for program costs with funds collected under this Act. Requires the Council to reimburse the Secretary of Energy annually for any costs incurred by the United States, but not to exceed the average annual salary of Department of Energy employees. Prescribes guidelines under which the Council shall set annual assessments on odorized propane to cover program costs. Directs the Council to establish a program to coordinate its operations with any State propane education and research council. Prohibits Council funds from being used for lobbying activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to annually prepare and make available to the Council, the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), and the public, an analysis of changes in propane prices relative to other energy resources. Requires the Council to restrict its activities to research and development, training, and safety whenever in any year the five-year average rolling price index of consumer grade propane exceeds by more than 10.1 percent the five-year rolling average price composite index of residential electricity, residential natural gas, and refiner price to end users of Number 2 fuel oil. Requires the price of propane to be determined by market forces in all cases. Prohibits the Council from taking action to pass the cost of the annual assessments to consumers. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report biennially to the Congress and the Secretary on: (1) whether operation of the Council, in conjunction with the cumulative effects of market changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on propane consumers, including residential, agriculture, process, and nonfuel users; and (2) whether there have been long-term and short-term effects on propane prices as a result of Council activities and Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1995
Citizens' Protection From Violent Crime Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set mandatory prison terms for possessing, brandishing, or discharging a firearm or destructive device during a Federal or State crime that is a serious violent felony or serious drug offense, with exceptions involving defense of person or property during the course of a crime committed by another person. Sets forth penalties for second or subsequent convictions. Bars the court from imposing probation or a concurrent term of imprisonment for offenses under this Act. Prohibits releasing any such individual for any reason during a term of imprisonment imposed under this Act. Requires the court to sentence a person convicted of transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to not less than five years in prison if the person has a prior conviction for a serious violent felony and not less than ten years in prison if the person has two such prior convictions. Makes certain serious juvenile drug offenses predicate offenses under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Includes within the definition of "crime of violence" specified offenses relating to the possession of explosives and firearms by convicted felons. Directs the Attorney General to establish an armed violent criminal apprehension program. Declares that a person not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm shall have the right to use firearms within a home in defense of self or other persons against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury. Authorizes a person whose right is violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against a person or government. Sets forth provisions regarding attorney's fees and the statute of limitations. Repeals the ban on semiautomatic firearms and on large capacity ammunition feeding devices under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to modify the list of unlawful and criminal acts (concerning stealing, removing, damaging, and tampering with fishing gear and fish in that gear), adding references to attempting to commit certain of such acts and references to aquaculture operations in the exclusive economic zone.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1995
Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to require that determinations of status as: (1) an Indian child be prospective from date of birth; and (2) a member of an Indian tribe be prospective from tribal membership. States that for the purposes of any child custody proceeding involving an Indian child, retroactive effect of tribal membership shall not be permitted.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1995
George C. Marshall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar silver coins and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan and George C. Marshall, its author. Directs the Secretary to pay surcharges received from coin sales to: (1) the George C. Marshall Foundation to be used to support its educational and outreach programs; and (2) the Friends of George C. Marshall to be used solely for the construction of the George C. Marshall Memorial and Vistor Center in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1995
Family Privacy Protection Act of 1995 - Declares that, in conducting a program or activity funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government, a person may not, without parental or guardian consent (or, if the minor is emancipated, without the minor's own prior consent), require or otherwise seek the response of the minor to a survey or questionnaire intended to elicit information concerning: (1) parental political affiliations or beliefs; (2) mental or psychological problems; (3) sexual behavior or attitudes; (4) illegal, anti-social, or self-incriminating behavior; (5) appraisals of other individuals with whom the minor has a familial relationship; (6) relationships legally recognized as privileged, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and clergy; or (7) religious beliefs. Exempts from this prohibition: (1) the seeking of information for the purpose of a criminal investigation or adjudication; (2) any inquiry made pursuant to a good faith concern for the health, safety, or welfare of an individual minor; (3) administration of the immigration, internal revenue, or customs laws of the United States; or (4) the seeking of any information required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance. Provides that any restriction under any provision of Federal law on the seeking of information from minors through surveys, questionnaires, analyses, or evaluations shall not apply to any test intended to measure academic performance. Prescribes agency notice and compliance requirements. Provides for judicial review in certain cases. States that this Act does not apply to any program or activity which is subject to the General Education Provisions Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1995
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to apply an overtime exemption to employees of any establishment (currently, any retail or service establishment) whose regular rate of pay exceeds one and one-half times the minimum wage and more than half of whose compensation represents commissions on goods or services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Nullifies any executive order or other rule or order that prohibits Federal contracts with, requires the debarment of, or imposes other sanction on a contractor on the basis that such contractor or an organizational unit thereof has permanently replaced lawfully striking workers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Medical Procedures Innovation and Affordability Act - Prohibits the issuance of a patent for any invention or discovery of a technique, method, or process for performing a surgical or medical procedure, administering a surgical or medical therapy, or making a medical diagnosis. Provides that if a technique, method, or process is performed by or as a necessary component of a machine, manufacture, or composition of matter or improvement which is itself patentable subject matter, the patent on such machine, manufacture, or composition may claim the technique, method, or process.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Provides that, in the administration of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, minors under age 18 shall be permitted to load materials into balers or compactors that meet specified safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to Oklahoma, with the consent of its Governor, the management of lands and waters within the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma for administration by the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Requires such lands and waters to continue as a national wildlife refuge. Authorizes appropriations for annual grants from the Secretary to Oklahoma for such management.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs Subtitle A: Block Grants to States Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs Subtitle C: Effective Dates Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit Title III: Repeal of Temporary Futa Surtax Employment Enhancement Reform Act - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Block Grants to States - Establishes a block grant program to prepare individuals for employment by increasing their occupational and educational skills. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make such grants, for up to five-year periods subject to annual approval and availability of appropriations, to States to provide employment assistance to eligible individuals. Reserves funds for grants to Indian tribes and migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations. (Sec. 103) Allocates such grants to States on the basis of relative numbers of: (1) unemployed in areas of substantial unemployment; (2) excess unemployed; and (3) economically disadvantaged adults. (Sec. 104) Sets forth requirements for applications, use of grants, and conduct of State programs. Requires State programs to provide employment assistance to the following types of eligible individuals: (1) economically disadvantaged and 14 years or older; (2) certain types of dislocated workers; (3) individuals with disabilities; (4) Armed Forces members being separated under other than adverse conditions; (5) unemployed veterans; and (6) displaced homemakers. Requires States to: (1) profile and evaluate individuals to determine the employment assistance services to be provided; (2) notify individuals of other sources of supportive services; (3) provide appropriate employment assistance, within specified limits; (4) monitor rates of individuals successfully obtaining employment after separation from the program, according to specified criteria; and (5) establish one-stop-shop centers throughout the State for program information and profiling and evaluation. Authorizes certain discretionary activities under State programs. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to make biennial determinations of State success in placing individuals in employment. Authorizes reduction or termination of payments when a State has not been successful, and reinstatement or increase of payments when a State implements appropriate modifications of its program. (Sec. 110) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Chapter 1: Consolidation of Programs - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to eliminate community mental health services demonstration projects for homeless individuals who are chronically mentally ill. (Sec. 112) Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to add requirements for State collaborative programs of supported employment services for individuals with the most severe disabilities, special recreation activities and services, and projects with industry. Repeals other provisions for special project grants for supported employment programs, special recreational programs, projects with industry, and supported employment services for individuals with severe disabilities. Chapter 2: Repeal of Programs - Repeals Higher Education Act of 1965 provisions for special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farm work. (Sec. 122) Repeals: (1) the disabled veterans outreach program and the local veterans employment representative program under Federal law relating to veterans; and (2) the homeless veterans reintegration project under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 123) Repeals: (1) the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act; (2) employment and training program provisions under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (but allowing college students who are parents responsible for care of a dependent child under age six to be eligible for the food stamp program); and (3) the older American community service employment program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 124) Repeals the Job Training Partnership Act, except those provisions relating to the Job Corps. Authorizes appropriations for the Job Corps. (Sec. 125) Repeals the Appalachian vocational and other educational facilities and operations program under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 126) Repeals certain provisions relating to rules for computing the targeted jobs credit under the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 127) Repeals the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills training) program provisions for recipients of AFDC (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 128) Repeals: (1) the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992; (2) the Adult Education Act; (3) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act; (4) the National Literacy Act of 1991; and (5) the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. (Sec. 133) Repeals special programs relating to adult education for Indians, under the Indian Education Act of 1988. (Sec. 134) Repeals special Social Security Act provisions relating to Indian tribes and JOBS training programs. (Sec. 135) Repeals provisions for the VISTA Literacy Corps under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 136) Repeals: (1) the Wagner-Peyser Act (employment agencies); (2) the adult education for the homeless grants program and the job training for the homeless demonstration grants program under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (3) the trade adjustment assistance for workers program under the Trade Act of 1974; (4) FY 1993 and 1994 authorizations of appropriations for certain grants, as well as certain technical assistance conditions, under the Homeownership and Opportunity through HOPE Act; and (5) the State legalization impact-assistance grants program under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Subtitle C: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates. Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit - Amends the Social Security Act and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require that notice of availability of the earned income tax credit be provided to applicants for and former recipients of AFDC, Medicaid, or food stamps. (Sec. 202) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to require printing of a notice of the availability of the earned income tax credit and the dependent care tax credit on W-4 forms for employee withholding exemptions. Title III: Repeal of Temporary FUTA Surtax - Repeals the temporary FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax Act) surtax under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Repeals provisions regarding the Joint Committee on Printing. Transfers responsibilities of the Committee to the Public Printer. Directs the Public Printer to: (1) remedy neglect, delay, duplication, and waste in public printing and binding and the production of Government publications; (2) prescribe quality standards; (3) utilize requests for proposals and similar authorized purchasing methods where total or partial migration to new technologies is appropriate or when requested by the user; (4) prescribe Government specifications for printing paper and writing paper; (5) assist with the acquisition and transfer of equipment requisitioned by facilities previously authorized and with the disposal of such equipment; and (6) establish policy for the acquisition of printing and Government publications, formulated to maximize competitive procurement from the private sector (but which may provide for use of Government in-house printing and duplicating operations if they provide printing and duplicating at the lowest cost to the Government). Requires the Public Printer to promulgate rules and regulations for the procurement of printing and Government publications by the Government Printing Office (GPO) not inconsistent with this Act. Mandates that the annual report to the Congress include a report on: (1) the printing costs of each branch of Government; and (2) a cost comparison of printing and publications as procured through GPO, produced by each Federal agency, produced by commercial sources that are not Federal entities under contract with a Federal agency (other than GPO), and produced by commercial sources that are not Federal entities under contract with GPO. Directs the Public Printer to establish and maintain the following separate GPO accounts: (1) Superintendent of Documents; (2) Executive and Judicial Print Procurement; and (3) Congressional Services. Requires that all printing and Government publications for the Congress, the executive office, the judiciary (other than the Supreme Court), and every executive department, agency, independent office and establishment or Government entity be procured from private sector commercial entities by GPO, with exceptions. Revises provisions regarding: (1) competitive procurement; (2) limits on Government printing production; (3) the use of illustrations; (4) the form and style of work for departments. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) departmental distribution of publications; (2) availability, inventory, dissemination, and re-publication of Government publications; (3) projections and reporting on costs for printing by Federal agencies; (4) scoring of sales of assets; (5) "Buy American" requirements; and (6) cost ceilings for certain congressional documents.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1995
Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise and rename it the Integrated Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Act of 1995. (Sec. 1) Instructs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by not later than January 31, 1998. Entitles contract holders to specified remedies for the Secretary's failure to meet service contract obligations, or to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste as mandated under this Act. States that the Nuclear Waste Fund shall fund the execution of service contract and implementation of the Secretary's responsibilities, including the acceptance of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at contract holder sites and transporting such fuel or waste to a private storage facility. Establishes an integrated spent nuclear fuel management system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, including its storage, transportation, and disposal. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the use of: (1) railroads; (2) transportation planning and requirements; (3) multi-purpose canister systems; (4) interim storage facilities; (5) permanent disposal; (6) land withdrawal; and (7) private storage facilities. Prescribes consultation and assistance guidelines between the Secretary and the State of Nevada. Prescribes budget priorities for purposes of annual requests for appropriations from the Waste Fund. Prescribes a fee schedule for electricity and nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian nuclear power reactor. Sets forth advance contract prerequisites for utilization or production facility license renewals. Reestablishes the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish by rule the appropriate portion of the costs of managing high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Subjects the Secretary to all Federal, State, and local environmental or land use laws and regulations, with specified exceptions. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Provides that upon a contract holder's request, the Secretary shall take title to or possession of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste without removing it from the contract holder's designated storage site if the Secretary cannot accept such items within the contract's acceptance schedule. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Reestablishes the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take action as necessary to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. States that the program is not subject to civil service regulations. Abolishes the Interim Storage Fund, the Monitored Retrievable Storage Commission, the Office of Subseabed Disposal Research, and the Office of Nuclear Waste Negotiator. Repeals all references to the Yucca Mountain site. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress whether particular milestones have been reached with respect to: (1) multi-purpose canister systems; (2) land withdrawals; (3) interim storage facilities; and (4) acceptance of spent nuclear fuel from contract holders. Directs the Secretary to: (1) create a value engineering function within the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and (2) employ on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization. (Sec. 2) Sets forth transition provisions for the continuation of: (1) contracts; (2) Nuclear Waste Fund; (3) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; and (4) Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. (Sec. 3) Mandates that amounts in the Nuclear Waste Fund be appropriated exclusively for certain authorized purposes cited in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Precludes such appropriations from being taken into account for any budget enforcement procedures under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Amends such Act to provide that appropriations to the Nuclear Waste Fund are not subject to its discretionary spending limits or to a certain allocation of the Energy and Waster Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. Reduces specified discretionary spending limits under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1995
Regulatory Sunset and Review Act of 1995 - Provides that the effectiveness of a regulation issued by a Federal agency shall terminate on the applicable termination date (specified in this Act) unless the head of the agency: (1) reviews the regulation; (2) submits to the Congress and publishes in the Federal Register a preliminary report on findings and proposed recommendations; (3) reviews and considers comments regarding the preliminary report that are transmitted to the agency by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget and by appropriate congressional committees; and (4) submits to the Congress and publishes a final report on the review and a notice extending the effectiveness of the regulation, with or without modifications, within a specified time frame. Sets forth termination dates of regulations (seven years after this Act's enactment for existing regulations, three years after the regulation takes effect for new regulations, and seven years after publication of a notice for an extension for a regulation that is extended under this Act). Provides for temporary extensions. Requires the head of each agency to: (1) conduct thorough and systematic reviews of all regulations issued by the agency to determine if those regulations are obsolete, inconsistent, or duplicative or impede competition; (2) issue reports on the findings of those reviews, with recommendations for terminating, extending, modifying, or consolidating regulations; and (3) solicit comments from the public (including the private sector) before making determinations and sending a report regarding a regulation. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) criteria for review; (2) preliminary and final reports on reviews of regulations; (3) reports on the schedule for reviewing existing regulations; (4) functions of the Administrator; (5) designation of agency Regulatory Review Officers; and (6) judicial review. Prohibits an agency from modifying, terminating, or extending a regulation unless the agency head, within specified time frames: (1) submits to the Congress notice of the proposal and notice of the final determination to take that action; and (2) reviews and considers comments submitted to the agency by appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Research and Related Programs Title II: Construction Grants Title III: Standards and Enforcement Title IV: Permits and Licenses Title V: General Provisions Title VI: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VIII: Wetlands Conservation and Management Clean Water Amendments of 1995 - Title I: Research and Related Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Clean Water Act or CWA) to add national goal and policy provisions with respect to water quality programs. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and document alternative regulatory approaches for protecting water quality and to develop regulations and guidance based upon the best obtainable information, including risk reduction benefits achievable by alternatives. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2000 for grants to States and interstate agencies for assistance in administering pollution control programs. Title II: Construction Grants - Removes limitations on the use of grants for the construction of publicly owned treatment works and authorizes the use of such grants for purposes for which grants may be made under nonpoint source management and groundwater quality programs. (Sec. 201) Requires grant applicants to demonstrate, along with other existing requirements, that wastewater reduction and other water use efficiency options have been studied and evaluated and, if cost-effective, implemented. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Administrator to negotiate an annual budget with a State for purposes of administering a closeout of the State's construction grants program. (Sec. 205) Requires value engineering reviews to be conducted for any treatment works construction projected in excess of $25 million (currently, $10 million). Title III: Standards and Enforcement - Revises provisions concerning the use of innovative technology to comply with effluent reduction requirements to authorize the Administrator, if a facility achieves reductions with an innovative system that has the potential for reducing the release of pollutants to other media, to extend the date of compliance for such facility for up to three (currently, two) years if the system has industry-wide application potential. (Sec. 301) Prohibits discharges from, or affected by, remining operations from exceeding State water quality standards except where monitoring demonstrates that the receiving waters do not meet such standards prior to commencement of remining and where the water quality of the receiving stream is projected to be improved by remining. (Current law provides no exception.) (Sec. 302) Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for States on the development and adoption of water quality standards applicable to navigable waters that contain little or no water during low flow periods. Allows city, county, or local government employees or officials to be members of boards that approve discharge permit applications notwithstanding a prohibition on membership for persons who have received a significant portion of income from permit holders or applicants. (Sec. 303) Directs the Administrator or the Secretary responsible for a regulatory requirement, in developing standards, effluent limitations, or other regulatory requirements (other than permit or procedural requirements), to perform risk assessments consistent with guidelines issued by the Administrator. Requires such assessments to be performed in conjunction with any proposed regulation. Prohibits the issuance of any regulatory requirement or guidance where the social, environmental, and economic benefits are not reasonably related to anticipated costs. Provides that such guidelines shall require: (1) use of all relevant and available scientific data and information; (2) identification and discussion of assumptions and models used in the risk assessment as well as alternatives and sensitivity of results to such assumptions and models; (3) a quantitative estimate of the uncertainty inherent in the risk assessment; (4) a comparison of the risk with other risks to human health or the environment; (5) an estimate of the incremental risk avoided by the standard, effluent limitation, or requirement and the anticipated social, environmental, and economic benefits; and (6) an estimate of the social, environmental, and economic costs of complying with the standard, limitation, or requirement. Exempts standards, effluent limitations, or other regulatory requirements that are issued in final form within one year of this Act's enactment date from risk assessment requirements. (Sec. 304) Requires effluent standards for toxic pollutants to take into account the bioaccumulation potential of, and magnitude and risk of exposure to, a pollutant. Directs State Governors or water pollution control agencies to hold public hearings for purposes of reviewing, modifying, or adopting water quality standards at least once every five (currently, three years). Authorizes the Administrator to develop and issue guidance that States may use in: (1) issuing fish consumption advisories and scientific protocols for testing contamination levels of fish; (2) developing a monitoring program for contaminants in fish and shellfish; and (3) monitoring water quality at beaches and issuing health advisories with respect to beaches. (Sec. 305) Permits (currently, requires) a State to be joined as a party to a civil action brought by the United States under the CWA against a municipality located in such State. (Sec. 306) Revises provisions regarding water pollution control at Federal facilities to waive the sovereign immunity of the United States with respect to any requirement, administrative authority, or sanctions that may be imposed for violations. Provides that Federal employees may be subject to criminal sanctions, but exempts Federal agencies from such sanctions. Authorizes the Administrator to commence administrative enforcement actions against Federal agencies under this Act. Includes Federal agencies in the definition of "person." (Sec. 307) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 2000 for the clean lakes program. (Sec. 308) Revises the required elements of nonpoint source management programs and includes within such programs: (1) a schedule containing interim goals and milestones for making reasonable progress toward the attainment of standards; (2) a description of monitoring or assessment of program effectiveness; and (3) an identification of activities on Federal lands that are inconsistent with such programs. Grants States six (currently, three) months to submit revised programs in cases where modifications are required for approval. Requires the Administrator to prepare nonpoint source management programs for States that fail to do so or whose plans are not approved. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Administrator to make grants to States for preparing and implementing such management programs and preparing assessment reports. Increases the maximum Federal share of the cost of such programs to 75 (currently, 60) percent of the cost incurred by a State in preparing and implementing such reports and programs. Directs the Administrator to establish maximum and minimum grants for any fiscal year to promote equity between States and effective nonpoint source management. Sets forth limitations on the use of such grants. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on whether the allocation of funds for such grants reflects the costs of nonpoint source control measures for different nonpoint source categories and on options for better reflecting such costs in the allotment of funds. Increases the maximum amount of Federal assistance for grants to States for groundwater quality protection. Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for assessment reports, nonpoint source management programs, and groundwater protection programs through FY 2000. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance to identify model management practices and measures which may be undertaken under such management programs. Requires compliance deadlines for nonpoint source management requirements to be postponed for one year for each fiscal year for which amounts appropriated to carry out grant programs for nonpoint source pollution and groundwater quality are less than the total amounts authorized to be appropriated. (Sec. 310) Authorizes States to submit watershed management programs to the Administrator for approval. Sets forth minimum requirements for such programs and lists activities that are eligible for assistance under the CWA. Permits States to adopt watershed management plans to be effective for up to ten years and to include planning and implementation schedules with milestones. Authorizes the issuance of pollutant discharge permits with limitations that do not meet applicable water quality standards if: (1) the receiving water is in a watershed with an approved plan; (2) the plan includes enforceable requirements under a State or local law for nonpoint source pollutant load reductions that will meet applicable water quality standards before the plan's expiration date; and (3) the point source does not have a history of significant noncompliance with its effluent limitations under a permit. Sets forth provisions regarding permit terms. Provides that if a State with an approved watershed management program makes a showing satisfactory to the Administrator that the State watershed and nonpoint source management programs will provide for the protection of coastal waters generally and contain other specified elements, such watershed program shall be deemed to be in compliance with the CWA and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990. Authorizes the Administrator to provide multipurpose grants to States with approved watershed management programs. Permits point source dischargers, as part of an approved watershed management program, to offset the impact of a pollutant discharge by entering into arrangements, including the payment of funds, for the implementation of source controls by another discharger through a pollution reduction credits trading program so long as safeguards are included to ensure compliance with technology based controls and to protect the quality of receiving waters. Directs the Administrator to allocate sums to carry out pollution reduction credits trading programs in selected areas of the country. Title IV: Permits and Licenses - Provides that, for purposes of provisions regarding pollutant discharge permits, waste treatment systems, including retention ponds or lagoons used to meet CWA requirements for concentrated animal feeding operations, are not waters of the United States. Authorizes an existing concentrated animal feeding operation that uses a natural topographic impoundment or structure, which is not hydrologically connected to any other U.S. waters, to continue to use the natural topographic feature for waste storage regardless of its size, capacity, or previous use. (Sec. 402) Revises stormwater discharge permitting provisions. Lists discharges composed entirely of stormwater for which permits are required under this section. Makes other such discharges subject to requirements for nonpoint source management programs. Establishes additional requirements for permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems, including that they: (1) require reasonable progress toward attainment of water quality standards; and (2) have additional requirements for the implementation of cost-effective controls for the control of discharges to attain or maintain such standards if they are renewed after this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to issue a consolidated permit for discharges from a storm sewer system owned by a municipality and the stormwater discharges from industrial sources owned by the same municipality. Authorizes the issuance of general or group permits for any discharges, other than those from municipal separate storm sewer systems, if the discharges are similar in nature and application of similar management measures will reduce pollution occurring from such discharges or if the Administrator finds that the issuance of general permits is appropriate. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring, as a permit condition for a discharge from a municipal separate storm sewer system, compliance with a numeric effluent limitation or an applicable water quality standard before December 31, 2009, except to implement management measures under regulations for municipal separate storm sewer systems. Sets forth requirements for regulations regarding permit application requirements for industrial and specified municipal stormwater discharges. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to operators of municipal storm sewer systems for which permits are required for projects for the assessment of cost-effective controls. Extends compliance deadlines with respect to numeric effluent limitations or water quality standards required for specified municipal separate storm sewer systems if such grants total less than $20 million in any fiscal year. (Sec. 403) Requires each permit issued for a discharge from a combined storm and sanitary sewer to conform with the combined sewer overflow control policy signed by the Administrator on April 11, 1994. Authorizes the Administrator, notwithstanding specified compliance schedules and permit limitations, to issue a permit for discharges from such sewers that includes a schedule for compliance with a long-term control plan for a term of up to 15 years. Provides for extensions of such term, as appropriate. Modifies any consent decree or court order issued before this Act's enactment date by a district court that establishes any deadlines or timetables for the construction of treatment works for control of discharges from a municipal combined sewer system to make deadlines or timetables conform with this section's requirements. (Sec. 404) Requires the discharge permit program to provide that an owner or operator of a point source subject to a permit will not be required to remove or reduce the level of pollutants in a discharge if such pollutants are present in or caused by the intake waters for such source. (Sec. 405) Requires the Administrator to issue guidance on the beneficial use of sewage sludge. Title V: General Provisions - Directs the Administrator to involve State, tribal, and local governments in EPA decisionmaking, priority setting, policy and guidance development, and implementation under the CWA. (Sec. 502) Requires the President or head of any agency, in promulgating rules or establishing interpretations, guidelines, standards, or criteria for oil and grease under the CWA or the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to: (1) differentiate animal fats and vegetable oils from other oils, including petroleum-based oils; and (2) consider differences in the physical, chemical, biological, or other properties and environmental effects of animal fats and vegetable oils from those other oils. (Sec. 503) Requires a CWA cost and needs estimate to be submitted quadrennially (currently, biennially) to the Congress. (Sec. 504) Reauthorizes the CWA through FY 2000. (Sec. 505) Directs the Administrator, prior to issuing any proposed or final regulation or other requirement pursuant to the CWA, to conduct: (1) an analysis of the direct and indirect costs for State and local governments to comply with the requirement in the five-year period following implementation; (2) an estimate of the amounts that will be authorized for providing Federal financial assistance for implementation of and compliance with the requirement for such period; (3) an estimate of the amounts that will be appropriated for such assistance for such period based on funding levels adopted as part of a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget; (4) an assessment of the availability of other sources of funding for State and local governments to comply with such requirement; (5) an estimate of the amounts that will be authorized and appropriated for providing Federal assistance for the requirement for the fiscal year during which the requirement is to be implemented and the two preceding fiscal years; and (6) a certification that the amounts that will be appropriated exceed 90 percent of the costs for State and local governments to comply with the requirement. Requires the Administrator, if such certification is not made, to transmit to specified congressional committees a report explaining the reasons for not making such certification and the likely impacts of not adequately funding State and local governmental efforts to comply with the requirement. Title VI: State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds - Authorizes State revolving funds (SRFs) to be used for water use efficiency measures whose principal purpose is improving or protecting water quality. (Sec. 602) Requires the Administrator to establish simplified procedures for small systems to obtain assistance from SRFs. (Sec. 603) Provides for an extended repayment period for loans made from SRFs to disadvantaged communities. Authorizes negative interest rates for such loans. Permits SRFs to be used to provide technical, planning, and other specified assistance to small systems. (Sec. 604) Authorizes and allocates appropriations for the SRF program through FY 2000. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on future funding options for financing infrastructure projects under the CWA. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Wetlands Conservation and Management - Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act of 1995 - Prohibits, unless such activity is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the Secretary of the Army: (1) the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. waters; or (2) the draining, channelization, or excavation of wetlands. (Sec. 803) Requires the Secretary, upon receiving permit applications, to: (1) classify as Type A wetlands wetlands that are of critical significance to the long-term conservation of an ecosystem; (2) classify as Type B wetlands wetlands that provide habitat for a significant population of wildlife or provide other significant wetlands functions; and (3) classify as Type C wetlands wetlands that serve marginal functions but exist in such abundance that regulation of activities is not necessary to conserve wetlands values and functions, or are lands that do not serve significant wetlands functions. Permits owners of interests in Type A wetlands to seek compensation for the fair market value of such lands. Provides that title for such lands shall pass to the United States upon acceptance of an offer for compensation. Requires the Secretary to deny a permit authorizing activities in Type A wetlands unless: (1) such activities can be undertaken with minimal alteration or disturbance; (2) there are public interest concerns that require use of the lands for purposes other than conservation; or (3) the proposed use of the land will result in overall environmental benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit for activities in Type B wetlands subject to conditions that ensure that the wetland ecosystem does not suffer loss or degradation. Imposes requirements for mitigation when such activities result in permanent wetland loss or degradation. Directs the Secretary to establish a mitigation banking program in each State to ensure compensation for loss and degradation of wetlands. Requires the primary objective of such programs to be to provide for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of ecologically significant wetlands on an ecosystem basis. Exempts specified activities from this Act's requirements. Prohibits more than 20 percent of any county, parish, or borough from being classified as Type A wetlands. Requires wetlands located on agricultural and associated nonagricultural lands to be delineated by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the Food Security Act of 1985. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake a project to identify and classify U.S. wetlands. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures pursuant to which: (1) landowners may appeal determinations of regulatory jurisdiction over a parcel of property, wetlands classifications with respect to property, or determinations that an activity is not regulated under a general permit; (2) any person may appeal a determination that a proposed activity is not exempt (non-exempt activities require permits); (3) permit applicants may appeal determinations to deny issuance of a permit or to impose a requirement under the permit; and (4) landowners or others required to restore or alter property may appeal an order to do so. Provides that persons who have filed appeals shall not be required to pay penalties or perform mitigation or restoration until the appeal has been decided. Authorizes civil actions and prescribes penalties for permit violations. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for activities covered by this Act, subject to the Secretary's approval. Directs the Secretary, in implementing responsibilities under the regulatory program, to balance the objective of conserving functioning wetlands with the objectives of ensuring continued economic growth, providing essential infrastructure, maintaining strong State and local tax bases, and protecting against the diminishment and value of private property. Requires the Secretary and the heads of Federal agencies to seek to minimize the effects of the regulatory program on the use and value of private property.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1995
Volunteer Protection Act of 1995 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions and conditions that a State may impose on the granting of such immunity. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1995
Helium Privatization Act of 1995 - Amends the Helium Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) enter into agreements with private parties for the recovery and disposal of helium on Federal lands; (2) grant leasehold rights to such helium; (3) store and transport crude helium; and (4) maintain and operate existing crude helium storage at the Bureau of Mines Cliffside Field. Directs the Secretary to: (1) cease producing, refining, and marketing refined helium; and (2) dispose of all facilities, equipment, and Federal property interests relating to refined helium activities. Requires the Secretary to impose fees for helium storage, withdrawal, or transportation services. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the purchase of helium by Federal agencies from certain private persons; and (2) the sale of crude helium by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from making crude helium sales in amounts that will disrupt the crude helium market price. Mandates that proceeds from helium sales be paid to the Treasury. Instructs the Secretary to eliminate helium stockpiles by a prescribed deadline. Repeals the Secretary's authority to borrow under the Helium Act. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to prepare certain annual financial statements for the Helium Operations of the Bureau of Mines.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Firefighters Pay Fairness Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law to provide that, for Federal fire fighters, the annual rate of basic pay shall be calculated on the basis of 26 administrative biweekly work periods of up to 106 hours each. Prescribes a formula for computing the basic biweekly pay of Federal employees who are not fire fighters but perform fire fighting duties. Extends existing biweekly pay period and pay computation requirements to Federal fire fighters and employees in and under the judicial branch. Removes employees of the District of Columbia government from coverage by such requirements. Repeals the current exception from such requirements for employees on the Isthmus of Panama in the service of the Panama Canal Commission. Requires compensation at time-and-a-half per hour for any hours worked in excess of 106 during a biweekly pay period by fire fighters subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Prescribes basic rates of pay for fire fighters: (1) promoted to a supervisory position; and (2) selected and assigned for training. Adds certain pay retention rights for Federal firefighters subject to a reduction or termination of a rate of pay established under this Act. Authorizes a Federal agency to pay cash awards of up to five percent of basic pay to fire fighters or other employees performing fire fighting duties who make substantial use of: (1) special skills, such as handling hazardous materials; or (2) a certification or license, such as certification as an emergency medical technician. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress with respect to transition and funding increase plans and regulatory or legislative modifications necessary to prevent diminution in retirement benefits under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1995
Office of Surgeon General Termination Act - Transfers all authorities and personnel of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. Rescinds all unobligated portions of budget authority allocated for the Office. Terminates the Office and the position of such Surgeon General.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1995
Truth in Budgeting Act - Prohibits the receipts and disbursements of the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund from being included in either the Federal budget as submitted by the President or in the congressional budget. Exempts such trust funds from any general statutory budget limitation. (Sec. 3) Amends Federal transportation law to require the Secretary of Transportation to estimate annually what, but for this Act, would be at the close of the next fiscal year: (1) the amount of unfunded aviation authorizations; and (2) the net aviation receipts. Requires the Secretary to: (1) determine the amount by which unfunded aviation authorizations does or does not exceed net aviation receipts; and (2) make appropriate adjustments to amounts authorized to be appropriated and the amounts available for obligation from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund based on the difference. (Sec. 4) Sets forth similar provisions with respect to the Inland Waterways and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Funds.
![Official portrait of Rep. Zeliff, William H., Jr. [R-NH-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/z000004_200.jpg)