United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Municipal Solid Waste Flow Control Act of 1994 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize States and political subdivisions to require the movement of municipal solid waste generated, and recyclable material voluntarily relinquished by its owner, within their jurisdictions to waste management or recycling facilities if such requirement: (1) is imposed pursuant to a law, ordinance, or other official act of the State or political subdivision in effect on January 1, 1994; and (2) has been implemented by designating before such date the particular management facilities in operation as of such date to which the municipal solid waste and recyclables must be moved. Makes such authority effective for the remaining life of a contract between the State or political subdivision and any other person regarding the movement or delivery of such waste or recyclable materials as in effect on January 1, 1994, or until completion of the schedule for payment of capital costs of the facility concerned, as in effect on such date, whichever is longer.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State, or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption - Prohibits any agency or entity involved in adoption or foster care placements and receiving Federal assistance from: (1) categorically denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of such person or of the child involved; or (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminate in making a placement decision, on such basis with respect to the adoptive or foster parent or child. Permits an agency to consider the race, color, or national origin of a child as a factor in making a placement decision if such factor is relevant to the child's best interests and is considered in conjuction with other factors. Grants any aggrieved individual the right to seek relief in the U.S. district court. Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 406) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 407) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 408) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 409) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. Repeals any entitlement to benefits established under such programs. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1994
Grants congressional consent to the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact entered into among the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to assure the viability of dairy farming in the northeast and to assure consumers of an adequate, local supply of milk.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that for purposes of issuing final guidelines under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 relating to unlawful harassment in employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should exclude harassment based on religion.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1994
Instructs the House Committees on Agriculture; Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Government Operations; the Judiciary; and Small Business to commence hearings on issues within their jurisdiction relating to Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan Association, Whitewater Development Corporation, Capital Management Services Inc., Ray E. Friedman and Company, Lasater and Company, and such appropriate related issues by August 15, 1994, and to submit written findings concerning such matter to the House by the sine die adjournment of the Congress. Directs the respective committees to work to accommodate the work of Special Counsel Robert B. Fiske, Jr., and to not grant immunity, under specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, over the objection of the Special Counsel to any witness called to testify at these hearings. Instructs the Speaker and the majority and minority leaders to meet to determine the appropriate timetable, procedures, and other relevant issues relating to congressional oversight.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State, or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption - Prohibits any agency or entity involved in adoption or foster care placements and receiving Federal assistance from: (1) categorically denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of such person or of the child involved; or (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminate in making a placement decision, on such basis with respect to the adoptive or foster parent or child. Permits an agency to consider the race, color, or national origin of a child as a factor in making a placement decision if such factor is relevant to the child's best interests and is considered in conjuction with other factors. Grants any aggrieved individual the right to seek relief in the U.S. district court. Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 406) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 407) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 408) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 409) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1994
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3266 (providing for automatic downward adjustments in the discretionary spending limits for FY 1994 equal to specified rescissions).
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
Voter Turnout Enhancement Study Commission Act - Establishes the Voter Turnout Enhancement Study Commission to examine the possibility of changing the filing date of Federal income tax returns to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (election day). Terminates the Commission upon submission of a required report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1994
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 3266 (providing for automatic downward adjustments in the discretionary spending limits for FY 1994 equal to specified rescissions).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the reduction of any tax credit or refund to pay past-due, legally enforceable State tax obligations. Provides for the disclosure of information to States requesting such a reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
National Park Scenic Overflight Concessions Act of 1994 - Amends the National Park Service Concessions Policy Act to prohibit a person from flying an individual for compensation over a National Park System (NPS) unit to view any portion of the unit unless the person has in effect a valid commercial air tour permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Secretary to publish guidelines applicable to commercial air tour flights over NPS units providing for such flights where appropriate and restricting or prohibiting such flights where necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to amend the general management plan for any NPS unit to establish air concessions requirements applicable to flights subject to the permit requirements of this Act that: (1) document the degree to which commercial scenic overflights may affect the natural resources of the park unit concerned and the effects of such overflights on the park visitor's experience; and (2) propose measures necessary to protect park resources and the visitor's experience from the adverse effects of commercial scenic overflights. Imposes a fine and up to five years' imprisonment on any person who knowingly or willfully violates any requirement, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the Secretary, to develop: (1) standardized reporting systems for the documentation of low flying aircraft incidents in airspace over NPS units; and (2) training programs and instructional materials for National Park Service personnel to enable them to recognize and report such incidents. Requires the Administrator to amend the FAA regulations to treat aircraft noise abatement at NPS units as in the public interest. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary to report jointly to the Congress on the progress made under this Act and other authority of law in mitigating the adverse effects of commercial scenic overflights at NPS units.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Liability Title II: State Implementation Title III: Remedy Selection Title IV: Funding Comprehensive Superfund Improvement Act - Title I: Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to limit liability under such Act to actions involving hazardous substance releases occurring after December 11, 1980 (thus, eliminating retroactive liability), 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 Retroactive Liability Fund as provided by this Act. (Sec. 102) Sets forth retroactive liability provisions for actions which occurred before December 11, 1980. Bars reimbursement from the Retroactive Liability Fund to potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for construction costs if construction of the response action has been completed by January 1, 1994. Requires the President, if a PRP is conducting operation and maintenance (O&M) related to the action as of January 1, 1994, to assume the future costs of O&M and reimburse the party for costs incurred. Provides for reimbursement of construction costs for response actions not completed by such date, but only after the construction is completed. Directs the President to use the Retroactive Liability Fund to pay for all response action costs for sites discovered after such date. Establishes provisions for actions for which liability occurred before and after December 11, 1980. Permits PRPs conducting O&M related to the response action as of January 1, 1994, to petition the President for an allocation of O&M costs. Provides for reimbursement from the Retroactive Liability Fund of O&M costs attributable to actions occurring before December 11, 1980. Permits PRPs to petition for allocations of construction and O&M costs where actions have not been completed by January 1, 1994. Provides for reimbursement of O&M and construction costs attributable to actions occurring before December 11, 1980. Directs the President to use the Retroactive Liability Fund to pay for all costs attributable to actions occurring before December 11, 1980, for sites discovered after January 1, 1994. (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 to be 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 Hazardous Substance Superfund (Fund) or the Retroactive Liability 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 Superfund 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 title V of 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 that BARs shall not address or affect liability concerning damages to natural resources. 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). Bases the assigned share of liability on specified allocation factors, including the ability to pay. 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: State Implementation - Authorizes States to apply to the Administrator to carry out response actions and enforcement activities at all facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL. Grants a State such authority if it possesses the legal authority, technical capability, and resources necessary to conduct response actions in a manner consistent with this Act. Makes such States eligible for response action financing from the Fund and the Retroactive Liability Fund. Requires States to pay ten percent of the costs of all response actions for which the State receives funds from the Fund. Makes such cost-sharing requirement inapplicable to States that receive funds from the Retroactive Liability Fund. (Sec. 201) Authorizes a State to select a response action that achieves a level of cleanup that is more stringent than required if it agrees to pay for the incremental increase in response cost attributable to achieving the more stringent level. (Sec. 203) Directs the President to: (1) maintain records of the costs incurred in connection with any oversight contract or arrangement for remedial investigations or feasibility studies; and (2) establish an administrative procedure under which a party that conducts a response action may contest the costs incurred in such oversight. Requires oversight costs exceeding 50 percent of the response costs incurred by the responsible party to be paid by the Fund. Title III: Remedy Selection - Authorizes the President or an authorized State to take immediate risk reduction measures whenever a release poses an imminent and substantial danger to public health. Prohibits the President or a State from instituting long-term remediation measures. Authorizes the use of the Fund for such measures, but permits the President to recover costs from liable parties as well. (Sec. 302) Applies the hazard ranking system to a site or facility only after the site or facility has undergone immediate risk reduction measures. Applies such requirement to sites and facilities to be newly listed on the NPL and to any sites already listed for which remedial investigation and feasibility studies have not been conducted. (Sec. 303) Directs the President or a State, as appropriate, to prepare a long-term response plan for an affected facility. Authorizes PRPs to prepare and carry out certain elements of such plan. Requires such plans to address: (1) site characterization; (2) risk assessment; (3) recommendations made by community advisory councils; and (4) response option identification. Requires plans for: (1) facilities to be newly listed on the NPL after this Act's enactment date; (2) facilities or sites listed on the NPL for which remedial investigations and feasibility studies have not been conducted; and (3) facilities or sites on the NPL for which such investigations and studies have been conducted but for which contracts have not been executed for remedial design and action. Directs persons carrying out remedial investigations to assess risks to human health and the environment, separately evaluating current and likely future risks. Directs the Administrator to create a Community Advisory Council for each facility listed on the NPL to provide information to PRPs, the Administrator, and the State regarding the future use of the facility and affected off-site areas and resources. Requires response option identifications under long-term remediation plans to provide for cost-benefit analyses on containment, remediation, monitoring, delisting, and institutional controls. Directs the President to promulgate and include in the national contingency plan guidelines for conducting cost/benefit analyses of response actions conducted under CERCLA. (Sec. 304) Revises provisions regarding selection of remedial actions to require the President or a State, after completion of a long-term response plan, to select the response that best achieves an acceptable level of residual risk reduction at the facility or site. Sets forth factors to be considered in selecting such actions, including site-specific impacts, economic impacts on PRPs, and costs and benefits of options. Provides preferences for actions that significantly reduce the volume, toxicity, or mobility of the hazardous substances or the exposure to such substances. Extends site or facility boundaries to include areas subject to easements or other institutional controls with respect to response actions. Makes selections subject to judicial review. Requires implementation of an action within 60 days after the selection has been made and: (1) an appeal has been filed and a court has acted on the appeal; or (2) the time for filing an appeal has expired and no appeal has been filed. Repeals certain cleanup standards. (Sec. 305) Requires the review of selected response actions at least once every five years to assure that human health and the environment are being protected. (Currently, such review is required for actions that result in hazardous substances remaining at the site.) (Sec. 306) Provides for delisting of sites or facilities from the NPL after an action achieves the cleanup goal. Title IV: Funding - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend environmental tax and certain Superfund provisions for a period of five years. Increases the aggregate tax which may be collected and credited to the Fund. Extends the deadline for repayment of advances made to the Fund from December 31, 1995, to December 31, 2000. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Fund through FY 2000. (Sec. 402) Increases the environmental income tax. Provides that only 50 percent of such taxes received in the Treasury shall be deposited into the Fund in tax years between December 31, 1994, and January 1, 2000. (Sec. 404) Establishes the Retroactive Liability Fund. Appropriates 50 percent of revenues from the environmental tax to such fund in addition to certain environmental fees and assessments on insurance companies.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1994
Limits to no more than two vessels (designated SSN-21 and SSN-22) the number that may be constructed under the Seawolf attack submarine program. Limits the cost of procurement for such vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Golden Gate National Area Title II: Presidio Public Benefit Corporation Title I: Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Includes certain areas in Mateo County, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) utilize the resources of the Presidio unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California, to provide for and support programs and activities that foster research, education, and demonstration projects concerning the environment, international affairs, cultural understanding, health, and science; (2) negotiate and enter into leases, as appropriate, with any private or government entity for the use of any property within the Presidio, except such properties which the Secretary of Defense determines are essential for the continued use of the Presidio by the sixth Army in accordance with the Area's General Management Plan or the Act establishing the Area; (3) negotiate and enter into leases or other appropriate agreements with any Federal agency or organization to house that agency's or organization's employees who are engaged in activities or programs at the Presidio; and (4) enter into interagency permitting agreements or other appropriate agreements with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and leases with the Red Cross to house their activities and employees at the Presidio. Requires the Secretary to establish competitive bidding procedures to be used for the issuance of such leases. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and permits for purposes of such Area. Title II: Presido Public Benefit Corporation - Authorizes the President to establish the Presidio Public Corporation only after San Francisco makes specified zoning decisions. Requires the Secretary to transfer all lands, facilities, and interest in certain Presidio properties to the Corporation. Transfers the Public Health Service Hospital and surrounding 36 acres to the administrative jurisdiciton of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to sell: (1) the Public Health Service Hospital and adjacent golf course and allows it to use the proceeds of the sale for any function authorized by this Act; and (2) at fair market value, the Letterman Army Institute of Research, Letterman Army Medical Center, and such other buildings and lands in the Letterman complex necessary to conduct scientific research or education programs pertaining to human health to the University of California and authorizes it to use the proceeds from the sale for the same purposes. Allows the Secretary or other Cabinet officers to provide Federal personnel, facilities, and services to the Corporation on a reimbursement basis. Declares that the Corporation is devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose. Exempts it from all Federal taxes and special assessments. Applies all general penal statutes relating to the larceny, embezzlement, or conversion of public moneys or U.S. property to the moneys and property of the Corporation. Subjects the Corporation to provisions of Federal laws relating to administrative procedures and freedom of information.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
Deficit Reduction Lock Box Act of 1994 - Establishes the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund consisting of amounts contained in deficit reduction lock box provisions of appropriations Acts. Reduces discretionary spending limits by amounts transferred to the Fund. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that amounts resulting from reduced spending under general appropriations bills be placed in the Fund. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to score all general appropriations measures as passed by the House and Senate and to publish such scorecard in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation Subtitle A: Number of Shareholders Subtitle B: Persons Allowed as Shareholders Subtitle C: Other Provisions Title II: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporations Subtitle A: One Class of Stock Subtitle B: Elections and Terminations Subtitle C: Other Provisions Title III: Taxation of S Corpporation Shareholders Title IV: Effective Date S Corporation Reform Act of 1993 - Title I: Eligible Shareholders of S Corporation - Subtitle A: Number of Shareholders - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 35 to 50 the maximum number of shareholders of an S corporation (small business corporation). Allows members of a family to be treated as one shareholder. Subtitle B: Persons Allowed as Shareholders - Allows the following entities to be shareholders of S corporations: (1) certain tax-exempt organizations; (2) financial institutions that do not use the reserve method of accounting for bad debts; (3) nonresident aliens; and (4) certain small business trusts. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Extends the post-death qualification for certain trusts to be permitted as shareholders from 60 days to two years. Title II: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements for S Corporation - Subtitle A: One Class of Stock - Allows an S corporation to issue qualified preferred stock. Permits financial institutions to hold safe harbor debt. Subtitle B: Elections and Terminations - Revises the rules on inadvertent terminations by certain trusts of the election to be an S corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to treat certain late elections as timely and to provide an automatic waiver procedure for certain inadvertent terminations. Expands the post-termination transition period until 120 days after a determination is made that the election had terminated in a prior year. Repeals excessive passive investment income as a termination event. Increases the tax imposed on such excessive income. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Permits an S corporation to own more than 80 percent of another corporation's stock. Repeals the requirement that partnership rules apply for fringe benefit purposes (making C corporation rules applicable). Provides for the treatment of distributions during loss years. Provides a consent dividend for S corporation elections to by-pass amounts in the accumulated adjustments account when making distributions. Eliminates the need to keep records of certain generally small amounts of earnings arising before 1983. Allows S corporations to make charitable contributions of inventory and scientific property. Title III: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders - Treats losses on liquidations of S corporations as ordinary to the extent the loss created by ordinary income pass-through triggered the liquidation. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective after December 31, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1994
Hate Group Public Funding Exclusion Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make an organization controlled by an individual or individuals who promotes bias ineligible for HUD assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1994
Prohibits the use of funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State to pay any expense associated with the establishment of diplomatic relations (including the establishment, upgrading, or expansion of any consulate, embassy, mission, or other post of such Department and any increase in the number or level of positions at any such post) between the United States and the territory of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia under any official designation of such territory which includes the term "Macedonia."
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1994
Supplemental Appropriations Rescissions Act of 1994 - Rescinds FY 1994 funds made available to: (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the automation of fingerprint identification services; (2) the Federal Railroad Administration for the conversion of a post office to a train station and commercial center; and (3) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for assistance to sugarcane mills on the Hilo-Hamakua Coast of Hawaii. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to use specified funds to relocate, repair, and lay up the nuclear ship SAVANNAH.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1994
Condemns the Hebron massacre and all acts of terror intended to disrupt the peace process or for any other purposes. Commends the Government of Israel for its strong condemnation of the Hebron killings, for reaching out to the victims' families, for taking swift and appropriate action to respond to the threat posed by the extremists, and for pledging its commitment to proceed immediately with resuming the peace talks. Supports President Clinton's efforts to reinvigorate the peace process. Urges all parties and others involved in the Middle East peace talks to apply renewed energy to achieve their prompt and just conclusion within the framework of the September 13, 1993, Declaration of Principles.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Helium Act of 1994 - 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. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business Subtitle C: Preemption Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law Title III: Malpractice Reform Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADE) Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants Health Reform Consensus Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families - Requires each employer to make available to each eligible employee a group health plan under which: (1) coverage of each eligible individual with respect to such employee may be elected on an annual basis; (2) coverage is provided for at least the required coverage specified; and (3) employees may elect to have premiums collected through payroll deduction. Does not require employer contributions to the cost of coverage under such a plan. Provides for the exclusion of: (1) employers who have been employers for less than two years or who have no more than two eligible employees or no more than two eligible employees not covered under any group health plan; and (2) family members under specified circumstances. Specifies that a group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this Act solely because a period of service by an eligible employee of not more than 60 days is required for coverage. Specifies that the required coverage is standard coverage, except that in the case of a small employer that has not contributed during the previous plan year to the cost of coverage for any eligible employee under any group health plan, the required coverage for the plan year is coverage under a standard plan and a catastrophic plan. Provides for a five-year transition for existing group health plans. (Sec. 1002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compliance with applicable requirements through multiple employer health arrangements; and (2) coverage options under a State medical health allowance program. (Sec. 1011) Prohibits a group health plan from imposing (and an insurer from requiring an employer from imposing through a waiting period for coverage under a plan or similar requirement) a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to treatment of a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition relates to a condition that was not diagnosed or treated within three months before the date of coverage under the plan; or (2) the limitation or exclusion extends over more than six month after the date of coverage, applies to an individual who, as of the date of birth, was covered under the plan, or relates to pregnancy. Specifies that, in the case of an individual who is eligible for coverage under a plan but for a waiting period imposed by the employer, the individual shall be treated as having been covered under the plan as of the earliest date of the beginning of the waiting period. (Sec. 1012) Requires each group health plan to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition for similar benefits with respect to an individual to the extent that the individual, prior to enrollment in such plan, was covered for the condition under any other health plan. (Sec. 1013) Prohibits: (1) a multiemployer plan and an exempted multiple employer health plan from canceling or denying renewal of coverage under such a plan for an employer other than for nonpayment of contributions, fraud or other misrepresentation, noncompliance with plan provisions, failure to maintain minimum participation rates (in the case of a small employer) misuse of a provider network provision, or because the plan is ceasing to provide any coverage in a geographic area; (2) an insurer from canceling a health insurance plan or denying renewal of coverage other than as prescribed above; and (3) an insurer who terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area from offering such a plan to any employer in the area until five years after the date of the termination. (Sec. 1021) Makes provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 applicable with respect to enforcement of this Act (by the Department of Labor). Imposes a civil penalty ($100 per day for each individual involved, subject to specified limitations) on the failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements of sections 1011 through 1013, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) determines that the State has in effect a regulatory enforcement mechanism that provides adequate sanctions. Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make available to each small employer in the State a standard plan and a catastrophic plan, with exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and if a State provides for guaranteed availability (rather than guaranteed issue). Requires each insurer that offers a standard or catastrophic plan to a small employer in a State to accept: (1) every small employer in the State that applies for coverage; and (2) every eligible individual who applies for enrollment on a timely basis. Sets forth provision regarding: (1) special rules for HMOs; (2) timely enrollment requirements; and (3) enrollment of spouses and dependents. Makes such requirements inapplicable in a State that has provided (in accordance with specified standards) a mechanism under which each insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer in the State must participate in a program for assigning high-risk small employer groups (or individuals within such a group) among some or all such insurers, if the insurers comply. (Sec. 1102) Defines "health plan" as a health insurance plan that: (1) is designed to provide standard coverage with substantial cost-sharing or only catastrophic coverage; (2) meets applicable requirements relating to guaranteed issue; (3) meets specified consumer protection standards; and (4) meets any participation requirements with respect to an applicable reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. States that standard coverage includes: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physicians' services; (3) diagnostic tests; (4) specified preventive services; and (5) specified inpatient hospital care for mental disorders. Sets forth coverage scope, including that there be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of items number one, two, and three in the preceding sentence. Sets forth exceptions. Sets forth limitations on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Defines a catastrophic benefits package. Provides for the determination of target actuarial values for standard and catastrophic coverage. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to request NAIC to develop model regulations that specify standards with respect to requirements: (1) that insurers make available health plans; (2) of guaranteed availability of health plans to small employers; (3) relating to limits on premiums and certain consumer protections; (4) relating to limitation of annual premium increases; and (5) for standard and catastrophic coverage. Requires the Secretary to review such standards and, if NAIC fails to specify standards meeting such requirements, to promulgate standards. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the application of health plan standards and consumer protection standards by the States; (2) the Federal role; and (3) consumer protection standards. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding limits on premiums and annual premium increases; and (2) requiring an insurer, at the time of offering a health insurance plan to a small employer, to fully disclose rating practices for health insurance plans, including rating practices for different populations and benefit designs. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) request NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for health insurance plans made available to small employers for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models or specify models. Sets forth provisions regarding implementation of reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms by the States and the Federal role. (Sec. 1108) Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Health Care Coverage. Requires the Office Director to submit to the Congress annual reports evaluating health care coverage reform. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes the Director to conduct: (1) research on the impact of this subtitle on the availability of affordable health coverage for employees and dependents in the small employers group health care coverage market and other specified topics; and (2) demonstration projects relating to such topics. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods for measuring the relative health risks of eligible individuals in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under health insurance plans and, in particular, health plans; (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among insurers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Preemption - Prohibits: (1) State benefit mandates for group health plans; and (2) State or local law prohibitions against two or more employers obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1203) Preempts State restrictions concerning: (1) reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) differential financial incentives; and (3) utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a limited exemption under preemption rules for multiple employer plans providing health benefits subject to certain Federal standards. Relieves exempted multiple employer plans providing medical care benefits of certain restrictions on preemption of State law. Treats such plans as employee welfare benefit plans. Allows commencement of new arrangements only if such exemption is in effect or an application is pending and the Secretary of Labor determines that provisional protection is appropriate. Sets forth exemption procedures, eligibility requirements, and additional requirements applicable to exempted arrangements. Requires certain disclosures to participating employers, maintenance of reserves, and corrective actions. Provides for expiration, suspension, and revocation of exemptions, and for review of actions by the Secretary. (Sec. 1213) Revises provisions relating to scope of preemption rules, and to treatment of single employer arrangements and of certain collectively bargained arrangements. (Sec. 1215) Establishes special rules for employee leasing healthcare arrangements. Treats such arrangements as multiple employer welfare arrangements except when they are multiple employer health plans. (Sec. 1216) Sets forth enforcement provisions relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements and employee leasing health care arrangements. (Sec. 1217) Sets forth filing requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1218) Provides for cooperation between Federal and State authorities in enforcing ERISA requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements with the limited exemption. (Sec. 1221) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the commonality of interest or geographic location requirement for tax exempt trust status for multiple employer health plans and insured multiple employer health plans if they meet certain requirements under ERISA and this Act. (Sec. 1231) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method providing for a single annual report with respect to all employers who are covered under the same insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1241) Provides for compliance with applicable coverage requirements through multiemployer plans and other multiple employer health arrangements. Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a permanent extension and increase in the health insurance tax deduction for self-employed individuals. Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse - Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control health care fraud and abuse; (2) conduct investigations, audits, and inspections relating to the delivery of payment for health care; and (3) facilitate enforcement of provisions of the Social Security and other Acts applicable to health care fraud and abuse. Authorizes additional appropriations as necessary. (Sec. 2003) Establishes the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Excludes from participation in Medicare and State health care programs any individual or entity convicted of: (1) fraud in connection the delivery of a health care item or service; or (2) a felony related to a controlled substance. (Sec. 2103) Subjects to a civil monetary penalty any individual or entity offering inducements to individuals to receive any service or supply from a particular provider. (Sec. 2104) Permits the imposition of intermediate sanctions in addition to the current option of termination, for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Requires each government agency and health care plan to report to the Secretary any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner. Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law - Establishes a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment for knowingly: (1) defrauding any health care plan; or (2) fraudulently obtaining money or property in connection with the delivery of health care items, benefits, or services. Permits a payment of up to $10,000 to any person furnishing information relating to any such crime. Title III: Malpractice Reform - Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions - Sets forth, for this title, findings, purposes, and definitions. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims - Makes this subtitle applicable to any medical malpractice liability action brought in a Federal or State court and to any medical malpractice claim subject to an alternative dispute resolution system. (Sec. 3102) Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice liability action in either a State or Federal court unless there has been an initial resolution of the action under an alternative dispute resolution system. Directs the Attorney General to establish an alternative dispute resolution process for medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States. (Sec. 3104) Sets limits on both noneconomic damages and punitive damages. (Sec. 3105) Provides for the periodic payment of future losses. (Sec. 3106) Limits attorney's fees. (Sec. 3108) Sets forth special provisions for certain obstetric services. Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution System (ADR) -Requires a State's alternative dispute resolution system, among other things to: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims within the jurisdiction of the State's courts; (2) issue a written opinion resolving the dispute within six months of a defendant receiving notice; (3) qualify individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system; and (4) notify the appropriate State agency if there is a finding of malpractice, unless the provider contests the ADR decision. (Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board in order to advise the Secretary regarding the establishment of State and Federal ADR systems. Provides for the certification of State ADR systems by the Board. Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification - Preempts State quill pen laws. (Sec. 4102) Provides for the confidentiality of electronic health care information. (Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary to establish national goals for the health care industry concerning: (1) standardization for the electronic receipt and transmission of health plan information; (2) use of uniform health claims forms and identification numbers; (3) priority of insurers when benefits are payable under two or more health plans; and (4) availability of information among health plans when benefits are payable under two more plans. Requires the Secretary to promulgate requirements if the industry does not meet the goals. Provides for monetary penalties on any health plan that does not meet the Secretary's requirements. Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care - Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to operate a program under which States establish projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of various innovative health care delivery approaches through the operation of community health authorities. Requires a community health authority to be a nonprofit entity that: (1) serves a geographic area that includes those designated by the Public Health Service Act as medically underserved or as being in a health professions shortage area; (2) enrolls the Medicaid eligible; and (3) provides for the provision of at least preventive services, primary care services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and other services. (Sec. 5002) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to migrant and community health centers for the development of health service networks to serve high impact areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1999. Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health - Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for the following: (1) immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis; (3) lead poisoning prevention; (4) preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers; (5) the Office of Minority Health Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and (6) the Office of Minority Health; and (7) the preventive health and health services block grant. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the development and publication of explicit guidelines on the application of antitrust laws to the activities of health plans; and (2) establish a review process under which the administrator or sponsor of a health plan may submit a request to the Attorney General to obtain a prompt opinion from the Department of Justice on the plan's conformity with Federal antitrust laws. (Sec. 6002) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of public advantage by the Attorney General to each eligible health care collaborative activity if there is a finding that the benefits that are likely to result from carrying out the activity outweigh any reduction in competition that is likely to result and such reduction is reasonably necessary. Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants - Requires certain executive branch agencies to prefund government health benefits contributors for their annuitants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Committee on Agriculture Subtitle A: Administration Subtitle B: Commodity programs Subtitle C: Crop Insurance and Disaster Relief Subtitle D: Food Stamps Subtitle E: Agricultural Trade Subtitle F: Conservation Title II: Committee on Armed Services Subtitle A: General Program Reductions Subtitle B: National Defense Stockpile Title III: Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Title IV: Committee on Education and Labor Title V: Committee on Energy and Commerce Title VI: Committee on Foreign Affairs Title VII: Committee on Government Operations Title VIII: Committee on the Judiciary Title IX: Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries Title X: Committee on Natural Resources Title XI: Committee on Post Office and Civil Service Title XII: Committee on Public Works and Transportation Title XIII: Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Title XIV: Committee on Small Business Title XV: Committee on Veterans' Affairs Title XVI: Committee on Way and Means Title XVII: Multiple Committee Jurisdiction Subtitle A: Benefits for Illegal Aliens Subtitle B: Economic Development Administration Sunset Subtitle C: Reductions in Spending Under Medicare Subtitle D: Economic Development and Disaster Assistance Subtitle E: International Trade Administration Assistance Subtitle F: Agricultural Export Bonus Program Title XVIII: Unfunded mandates Subtitle A: General Limitations Subtitle B: Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates Subtitle C: State Mandate Estimates Title XIX: Legislative Branch Provisions Title XX: Enforcement Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1994 - Title I: Committee on Agriculture - Subtitle A: Administration - Consolidates the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research Service, and the Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture. (Sec. 102) Reduces the number of specified farm agencies field offices. Subtitle B: Commodity Programs - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to repeal nonrecourse loan authority for rice, cotton, feed grains, wheat, oilseeds, sugar, and other nonbasic commodities. (Sec. 112) Reduces target prices for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice (basic commodities). (Sec. 113) Eliminates the 0/85 and 50/85 conservation use programs. (Sec. 114) Reduces basic commodities payment acres. (Sec. 115) Eliminates the tobacco price support and marketing quota programs. (Sec. 116) Eliminates the peanut price support program. (Sec. 117) Eliminates the cotton price support and related programs. (Sec. 118) Eliminates the price support and related programs. Subtitle C: Crop Insurance and Disaster Relief - Repeals the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement an annual emergency crop loss assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Food Stamps - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to reduce State administrative reimbursement amounts. Subtitle E: Agricultural Trade - Discontinues the Foreign Agricultural Service's cooperator market development program. (Sec. 142) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to eliminate the export enhancement program. (Sec. 143) Reduces funding levels for short-term export credit guarantees. (Sec. 144) Eliminates the market promotion program. Subtitle F: Conservation - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to eliminate the conservation reserve program. Title II: Committee on Armed Services - Subtitle A: General Program Reductions - Directs the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the obligation of funds appropriated for a fiscal year after FY 1994 for procurement of the Trident II missile, except for necessary contract termination costs. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of the Navy, by the end of FY 1995, to end the use of double crews on ballistic missile submarines and to reduce the operating tempo of such submarines so that only about one-third are at sea at any one time, with an exception for national security reasons. (Sec. 203) Requires: (1) an FY 1995 five percent reduction in the amount spent by the Government on intelligence activities; (2) cancellation of the Air Force Follow-on Early Warning System; (3) by the end of FY 1997 a reduction to no more than 100 cruisers, destroyers, and frigates in the active forces of the Navy; (4) a reduction in the rate of procurement of DDG-51 destroyers; (5) cancellation of construction of any new TAGOS-23 vessels and MHC mine-hunting vessels; (6) by the end of FY 1998 the elimination of four Army light divisions; (7) the cancellation of the Army tank upgrade program; (8) procurement of no more than 60 C-17 aircraft; (9) during FY 1995 a ten percent reduction in the amounts spent by the Department of Defense (DOD) for independent research and development; (10) the cancellation of the National Aerospace Plane program; (11) the termination of funding for SEMATECH; (12) the Secretaries of the military departments to utilize temporary early retirement authority for personnel within their departments; (13) by the end of FY 1998 a reduction in the number of officer personnel; (14) a reduction in drills for noncombat reserve units; and (15) a denial of unemployment benefits to individuals who voluntarily leave military service. (Sec. 219) Directs the Secretary to: (1) reduce the DOD civilian work force to 813,000 by the end of FY 1997; (2) downsize the amount expended on recruiting by 13 percent by the end of FY 1995; (3) reduce the number of DOD civilian personnel performing support functions at military installations; and (4) implement a one-year tour of duty for personnel assigned to duty in Europe (with exceptions) by the end of FY 1996. (Sec. 223) Directs the President to negotiate with Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea toward a greater assumption of (not less than 75 percent of annual costs) of the costs of stationing U.S. troops there. (Sec. 224) Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell the naval petroleum reserves. Subtitle B: National Defense Stockpile - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to require (current law authorizes) the disposal of obsolete and excess materials in the National Defense Stockpile (NDS). Requires all proceeds from the sale of NDS materials to be placed in the Treasury and used to reduce the Federal deficit. Title III: Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to eliminate the community development block grant program. (Sec. 302) Amends specified housing Acts to increase family rental contributions. (Sec. 303) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to freeze public housing and section 8 Federal rental assistance levels at FY 1994 levels. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from entering into new assistance agreements for construction of (non-Indian) public housing, housing for the elderly, and housing for persons with disabilities. Increases voucher authority and set-asides for housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities. (Sec. 305) Prohibits the Secretary from making special purpose grants. (Sec. 308) Amends the National Housing Act to terminate the Government National Mortgage Association. (Sec. 313) Repeals the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990. (Sec. 315) Prohibits the Secretary from making or insuring any new rural rental housing loans under the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 316) Limits annual rural housing loan or loan guarantee amounts under such Act. (Sec. 317) Prohibits U.S. assistance to the International Development Association through FY 1999. (Sec. 318) Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to authorize specified appropriations through FY 1999 for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Title IV: Committee on Education and Labor - Repeals special programs for State assistance for vocational education support programs by community-based organizations and for consumer and homemaking education under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act. (Sec. 402) Repeals the program of grants to States for public library construction and technology enhancement under the Library Services and Construction Act. Repeals the Follow Through Act and its Follow Through program. Repeals the law-related education program under the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA). Repeals the law school clinical experience program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). (Sec. 403) Repeals the State student incentive grant program under HEA. (Sec. 404) Repeals certain ESEA mathematics and science education programs (also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education Act). (Sec. 405) Repeals the following campus-based student financial assistance programs under HEA: (1) supplemental educational opportunity grants; (2) work-study; and (3) Perkins direct loans. (Declares that the purpose is to permit one-half of the savings from terminating such programs to increase the amount available for the Pell grant program.) (Sec. 406) Repeals the Older Americans Community Service Employment Program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 407) Amends the National School Lunch Act to prohibit cash and commodity assistance for paid lunches for children in high income families. Increases assistance for reduced price lunches for children in lower-middle income families. Decreases assistance for meals or supplements for children in middle and high income families under the family or group day care home meal program. (Sec. 408) Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (an Act which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works). (Sec. 409) Repeals the Service Contract Act of 1965. (Sec. 410) Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to modify certain limitations on the use of Federal funds. Extends (sometimes in decreased amounts) the authorizations of appropriations for: (1) program grants by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH); (2) funds to match non-Federal funds received by NEA and NEH; and (3) administration of NEA and NEH programs. Limits total appropriations authorized under such Act. Directs the Chairperson of the NEA to investigate and report to specified congressional officials on State compliance with the requirement that grants to States under such Act not be used to supplant non-Federal funds. Title V: Committee on Energy and Commerce - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reduce to 45 percent the matching rate for administrative costs under the Medicaid program. (Sec. 502) Provides for the general termination of the Clean Coal Technology program. (Sec. 503) Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to: (1) provide for a reduced research budget for the National Institutes of Health; and (2) establish an authorization at unspecified levels through FY 1997 for programs for minority and disadvantaged students as exclusive PHSA title VII programs. (Sec. 504) Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to abolish the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration. (Sec. 505) Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize reduced appropriations for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Title VI: Committee on Foreign Affairs - Prohibits the aggregate amount of U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies for calendar years after 1986 from exceeding an amount which bears the same ratio to the total budget of the United Nations as the total U.S. population bears to the total population of United Nations members. (Sec. 602) Repeals title I (trade and development assistance) and III (food for development program) of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 603) Reduces outlays for the following programs incrementally for FY 1995 through 1999 such that FY 1999 outlays for: (1) the foreign military financing program are at least 20 percent less than those for FY 1994; and (2) the Economic Support Fund are 50 percent less than those for FY 1994. (Sec. 605) Requires the President, at the beginning of each fiscal year, to deobligate and return to the Treasury any foreign economic assistance funds that, as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, have been obligated for more than three years but have not been expended. Makes exceptions for funds for winding up program expenses. Waives such requirement in any case that the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the funds: (1) are being used for a construction project that requires more than three years to complete; or (2) have not been expended because of unforeseen circumstances. Title VII: Committee on Government Operations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter contracts to procure services for locating Federal amounts in dormant accounts in financial institutions. (Sec. 702) Limits the amount of Federal grant or contract funds for research and development (R and D) which an institution of higher education may use toward the indirect costs incurred. (Sec. 703) Provides for the sale of surplus Government-owned aircraft and motor vehicles. Places restrictions on the acquisition of aircraft and motor vehicles by the heads of covered Federal agencies. (Sec. 704) Limits the amounts that may be expended for specified overhead expenses by entities of the executive and judicial branches (except the Department of Defense and the U.S. Postal Service) through FY 1999. Title VIII: Committee on the Judiciary - Prohibits authorization of appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation. (Sec. 802) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to lower the Federal share of funds for grants to States for criminal child support enforcement. Title IX: Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to dispose of all ownership interest of the United States in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fleet, not acquire any new ownership interests, and obtain any new vessels for NOAA only through private sources. Terminates authority to make any new grants or contracts under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and National Sea Grant College Program Act. Title X: Committee on Natural Resources - Places a five year moratorium on the use of appropriated funds for new land acquisition by or for the Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or Bureau of Land Management, except acquisitions determined by the President to be vital to national security interests. (Sec. 1002) Repeals the Helium Act and provides for the sale of Federal property held in connection with that Act which is not required for other Federal purposes, as well as the sale of unneeded helium reserves held by the United States, with all funds received to be used to reduce the Federal debt. Title XI: Committee on Post Office and Civil Service - Amends Federal law to: (1) repeal provisions allowing the unlimited accumulation of annual leave by members of the Senior Executive Service; and (2) eliminate administratively uncontrollable overtime for supervisory law enforcement officers. (Sec. 1103) Requires the General Accounting Office to study and report to the Congress and the President on how increased agency flexibility in the appointment and separation of employees can be expected to result in higher levels of efficiency and productivity. Provides for limits on personnel costs in annual executive agency budgets over a six-year period. (Sec. 1104) Revises Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement System provisions relating to the: (1) maximum annuity allowable pursuant to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs); and (2) accrual rate applicable for purposes of computing an annuity. (Sec. 1105) Sets limitations on COLA increases under Government retirement systems for FY 1995 through 1999. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 and armed forces provisions to eliminate the delay in COLAs for Federal civilian and military retirees. Title XII: Committee on Public Works and Transportation - Prohibits the expenditure of Federal funds to construct, erect, or modify highway signs using metric system measurements (except in Puerto Rico) unless the Congress specifically authorizes such expenditure. (Sec. 1202) Amends the Federal Transit Act to decrease to or set at 50 percent the Federal share of costs for: (1) specified mass transit projects; (2) training of personnel in the transportation field; (3) establishment of university transportation centers and university research institutes; (4) acquisition of transportation equipment required by the Clean Air Act or the American with Disabilities Act of 1990; (5) nonurban transportation projects; (6) management oversight of transportation construction projects; (7) bicycle facilities; (8) a suspended light rail sytsem technology pilot project; and (9) establishment of a national transit institute. Eliminates grants for operating assistance for certain urban mass transit projects. Repeals Federal transportation assistance for: (1) mass transit projects to meet the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities; and (2) emergency operating expenses of the Consolidates Rail Corporation (CONRAIL), the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), and other railroads. Eliminates Federal assistance for: (1) local transportation service in nonurban areas; and (2) user-side subsidies for intercity bus transportation. Eliminates the Federal share and the system vendor's share of operating costs for any deficit in the suspended light rail system technology pilot project. (Sec. 1203) Renders ineffective after FY 1994 the application to motor carriers of certain Federal transportation law and regulations. (Sec. 1204) Amends Federal law to terminate, as of October 1, 1995, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) as an independent executive agency of the U.S. Government. Transfers, according to a plan developed by the Secretary of Transportation and submitted to the Congress, all duties and functions of the ICC to other Federal agencies. (Sec. 1205) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to repeal the authorization of appropriations for FY 1995 through 1997 for: (1) certain highway demonstration projects; and (2) high cost of bridge projects. (Sec. 1206) Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to eliminate authorization of appropriations for FY 1995 through 1998 for the essential air service program. (Sec. 1207) Prohibits the Administrator of General Services through FY 1998 from obligating funds for construction or acquisition of new Federal buildings. (Sec. 1208) Directs the President to develop, and submit to the Congress, a plan for transferring all real property, facilities, and equipment of the Tennessee Valley Authority to appropriate public and private entities. (Sec. 1209) Repeals the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Terminates the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Sec. 1210) Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to limit the total amount appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY 1995 through 1999 for grants for airport development and planning to no more than 75 of the amount appropriated for such grants from such fund for FY 1994. Title XIII: Committee on Science, Space, and Technology - Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with respect to its FY 1996 budget request to the Congress, to cancel one of the following programs: (1) the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility; (2) the Cassini mission; or (3) the Earth Observation System. (Sec. 1302) Prohibits the Administrator of NASA from entering into any contract in furtherance of a space station program. (Sec. 1303) Makes ineligible to receive a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) any individual with a taxable income over $120,000, and any corporation with a gross income in a taxable year of over $5 million. Title XIV: Committee on Small Business - Sets forth specified limits on FY 1995 through 1998 appropriations for direct and deferred participation loans under the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Terminates such credit programs as of October 1, 1998. Title XV: Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Entitles the United States to recover from a third party the reasonable cost of medical care and services provided (currently, provided before October 1, 1998) to a veteran for a non-service-connected disability for which the veteran would otherwise have been entitled to receive payment from the third party. Repeals the September 30, 1997, termination date before which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to receive certain veteran's income verification from the Secretaries of the Treasury and Health and Human Services. (Sec. 1502) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce the number of surgical and other acute care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs that have low rates of use or occupancy so that there are four percent fewer Department hospital beds at the end of FY 1999 as compared to the end of FY 1994. (Sec. 1503) Directs the Secretary to manage the Department's medical care system so as to achieve savings of $2.25 billion by the end of FY 1999 as compared to the end of FY 1994. Requires the Secretary to establish a prospective payment system in order to achieve such savings. (Sec. 1504) Authorizes the Secretary, during FY 1995 through 1998, to carry out a major construction project (MCP) only in a geographic area that does not contain underutilized non-Department facilities through which a contract could be entered. Requires the Secretary to revise projected expenditures for MCPs during such period in order to reduce such expenditures by ten percent. Title XVI: Committee on Ways and Means - Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for the consolidation of various specified social services programs, including the at-risk child care program under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV, into a single block grant program. (Sec. 1602) Amends SSA title IV part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) to limit the amount of Federal payments to States for child placement and administrative costs. (Sec. 1603) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to provide for an unearned income exclusion under the SSI program. (Sec. 1604) Provides for reduced Federal reimbursement to States for administrative costs of State AFDC plans. (Sec. 1605) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to eliminate entitlement to child's insurance benefits of children of individuals who retire before attaining retirement age. (Sec. 1606) Requires that veterans' disability benefits be taken into account when determining reductions in social security old-age and disability benefits. (Sec. 1607) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish additional requirements for the approval of State unemployment compensation laws by the Secretary of Labor. Includes among such requirements prohibitions on unemployment compensation payable to individuals with taxable incomes of over $120,000. (Sec. 1608) Terminates all general trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974 after FY 1994, except the NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance Program, which shall not terminate until the end of FY 1998 (as under current law). Title XVII: Multiple Committee Jurisdiction - Subtitle A: Benefits for Illegal Aliens - Prohibits, generally, the payment of direct Federal financial benefits, food stamps, and unemployment benefits to aliens who are not lawful permanent residents. Subtitle B: Economic Development Administration Sunset - Economic Development Administration Sunset Act - Abolishes the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Repeals the: (1) Public Works and Economic Development Act 1965; and (2) Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to take appropriate action to conclude EDA affairs. Allows for the expenditure of EDA funds received before its termination. Allows the continued use of the Economic Development Revolving Fund to finish EDA business, but requires Fund termination upon certification by the Secretary that business is concluded. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Reductions in Spending Under Medicare - Provides for reduced payments under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) to hospitals for the indirect costs of medical education. (Sec. 1742) Eliminates Medicare part A payments to hospitals for enrollees' bad debts attributable to deductibles and copayments. (Sec. 1745) Provides for co-payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. (Sec. 1746) Increases the Medicare part B monthly premium beginning after December 1994. (Sec. 1751) Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1994 through 1997 for peer review activities, enforcement of Medicare payment prohibitions, and other activities to reduce waste and fraud in the administration of Medicare. (Sec. 1752) Makes specified extensions with regard to Medicare as secondary payer. (Sec. 1753) Amends IRC and SSA to extend Medicare coverage of, and application of the hospital insurance tax to, all State and local government employees. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Economic Development and Disaster Assistance - Makes ineligible for specified Federal business development or disaster assistance: (1) individuals with taxable incomes over $120,000; and (2) corporations with taxable incomes over $5,000,000. Subtitle E: International Trade Administration Assistance - Make the same individuals and corporations described in Subtitle D ineligible for financial assistance from the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce. Subtitle F: Agricultural Export Bonus Program - Makes ineligible for agricultural commodities or cash payments under the export enhancement program of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 any individual with an annual taxable income exceeding $120,000 and any corporation with an annual gross income exceeding $5,000,000. Title XVIII: Unfunded Mandates - Subtitle A: General Limitations - Federal Mandate Relief Act of 1994 - Provides that any new requirement under a Federal statute or regulation that a State or local government conduct an activity shall apply to the government only if all funds necessary to pay the direct costs incurred in conducting the activity are provided by the Federal Government. Subtitle B: Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates - Establishes the Commission on Unfunded Federal Mandates to: (1) investigate and review the role of unfunded Federal manadates in relations among local, State, and Federal governments; and (2) study and make recommendations to the Congress regarding the termination or suspension of unfunded Federal mandates. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: State Mandate Estimates - Requires the Director of the congressional Budget Office (CBO) to submit to the House of Representatives or the Senate for each joint resolution and conference report an estimate of the costs of State and local government compliance with the legislation in question. (Makes generally conforming amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, which already requires, to the extent practicable, such estimates for every public bill and resolution, except those reported by the Committee on Appropriations of each House.) (Sec. 1822) Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add the same requirements under the Mandate Relief Act of 1993 with regard to committee report cost estimates and consideration of legislation for which a CBO estimate is required. Title XIX: Legislative Branch Provisions - Limits: (1) appropriations for official congressional mail costs for FY 1995 to 50 percent of the total appropriated for FY 1994; and (2) such appropriations beginning with FY 1996 to 103 percent of the total appropriated for the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 1902) Repeals provisions of: (1) Federal law establishing the Joint Committee on Printing: (2) the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 establishing the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library; and (3) the Employment Act of 1946 establishing the Joint Economic Committee. Transfers all functions of the Joint Economic Committee to the appropriate House or Senate Committee on the Budget. (Sec. 1903) Limits: (1) funding for congressional committee staff for FY 1995 to 75 percent of the total appropriated for FY 1994; and (2) such funding beginning with FY 1996 to 103 percent of the total appropriated for the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 1904) Repeals provisions of Federal law to eliminate payments of expenses for former Speakers of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1905) Prohibits a Member of the House from hiring more than 16 full-time employees under the clerk hire allowance. (Sec. 1906) Limits: (1) funding for congressional committee staff for FY 1995 to 75 percent of the total appropriated for FY 1994; and (2) such funding beginning with FY 1996 to 103 percent of the total appropriated for the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 1907) Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to establish the annual rates of pay of $100,000 for each Senator, Member of, and Delegate to, the House, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico $109,000 for the President pro tempore of the Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House, and $131,000 for the Speaker of the House, until adjusted by law. (Sec. 1908) Repeals provisions of the Technology Assessment Act of 1971 that established the Office of Technology Assessment. (Sec. 1909) Limits: (1) funding for the Congressional Budget Office and the Architect of the Capitol for FY 1995 to 90 percent of the total appropriated for each entity for FY 1994; and (2) such funding beginning with FY 1996 to 103 percent of the total appropriated for the preceding fiscal year. Title XX: Enforcement - Provides that none of the changes in direct spending and receipts resulting from this shall be reflected in Office of Management and Budget estimates of changes in outlays and receipts under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make specified downward adjustments in the discretionary spending limits (new budget authority and outlays), as adjusted, set forth in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for FY 1995 through 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Tax Fairness for Agriculture Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit agricultural or horticultural organizations from treating member dues (limited to a specified amount) as unrelated business taxable income.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Violence With Firearms Prevention Act of 1994 - Prohibits and sets penalties for transporting or receiving a firearm in interstate or foreign commerce with knowledge or intent that it will be used to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual. Increases penalties where personal injury results and in the case of a second, third, or subsequent conviction. Subjects violators to the death penalty where death results. Prohibits: (1) the court from imposing a probationary sentence upon, or suspending the sentence of, any person convicted of a violation of this Act; and (2) the term of imprisonment imposed under this Act from running concurrently with any other term of imprisonment, including that imposed for any offense in which the firearm was used.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1994
Repeals the substantiation requirement for the deduction of certain charitable contributions as added to the Internal Revenue Code by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993).
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1994
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider any measure appropriating amounts for salaries and expenses of the House unless such measure: (1) prohibits availability of any such amount for obligation for that purpose after the end of the fiscal year for which the amount is appropriated; and (2) requires that any such amount not so obligated be used for open-market purchase of outstanding interest-bearing obligations of the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1994
Calls upon the Government of France to stop immediately its embargo and harassment of imports of seafood from the United States. Demands that the Government of France compensate U.S. companies that have had seafood products damaged by its actions. Calls upon the President to identify areas in which appropriate forms of retaliation could be taken against the Government of France for its violation of international trade agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Amends Federal monetary law concerning civil qui tam actions for false claims brought by a private party to limit to $1 million the amount such private party may be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Title I: Immigration Moratorium - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict U.S. immigration levels to specified numbers of family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, and refugees. Title II: Prohibition of Federal Benefits for Certain Aliens - Prohibits direct Federal financial assistance and unemployment benefits to aliens who are not lawful permanent residents. Title III: Asylum Reform - Amends the Act to revise and expedite asylum procedures. Title IV: Citizenship - Restricts the basis for automatic U.S. citizenship for certain persons born in the United States to a mother who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident. Title V: Border Security - Increases the number of Border Patrol personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Requests the President to provide to the House of Representatives specified information concerning: (1) any communications between the White House and the Small Business Administration regarding Capital Management Services, Inc., or a Mr. David Hale; (2) a claim of executive privilege that blocked the search of Mr. Vincent Foster's offices on or after July 20, 1993; (3) the job title, duties, and national security assignments of Mr. Foster; (4) the reasons for Mr. Foster having in his office any of the President's personnel or business records not related to Mr. Foster's official duties; (5) the person in charge of Mr. Foster's office at the time White House officials were informed of his death; (6) the individuals who entered Mr. Foster's office within 48 hours after his death; and (7) any records removed from Mr. Foster's office.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should be a high priority; (2) all FY 1995 appropriations made for LIHEAP should be expended; and (3) LIHEAP expenditures for FY 1996 should ensure the provision of services at or above the level provided in FY 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service or the Attorney General from fining or otherwise penalizing any person who transmits by private express or other unlawful means, delivers to any agent thereof, or deposits at any appointed place any letter or packet. Amends the Federal criminal code to conform with this Act. Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from authorizing any officer or employee to make searches of mail matter transported in violation of law in any store or office of a customer of a common carrier or transportation company.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to revise the formula for the official mail allowance (thus, reducing the amount allowed) for Members of the House of Representatives. Prohibits the transfer of funds appropriated for official mail costs of the House. Prohibits any: (1) Member of Congress from sending any unsolicited franked mail (currently, franked mass mailings) postmarked fewer than 60 days immediately before any primary or general election in which such Member is a candidate; and (2) Representative who is a candidate for any other public office from sending unsolicited franked mail outside his or her congressional district. Repeals Federal law that makes frankable mail matter which consists of voter registration, election information, or assistance prepared and mailed in a nonpartisan manner. Requires any amount remaining in an official allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives at the end of the session of the Congress or other period for which the allowance is made available to be returned to the Treasury for deficit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Small Business Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual retirement account to be pledged as security for a qualified business loan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Education Bureaucracy Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Education, for FY 1995 and 1996, to reduce personnel costs of the Department of Education by ten percent. Requires savings from such reduction to be used as follows: (1) 90 percent transferred to local educational agencies according to State distribution formulas; and (2) ten percent to reduce the Federal budget deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Establishes a special ad hoc Committee on Welfare Reform to conduct a thorough review of the current welfare system that provides assistance to individuals with limited incomes and to report to the House of Representatives on such review by September 30, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Commercial Mortgage Capital Availability Act of 1993 - Sets forth a regulatory scheme under which qualified insured depository institutions meeting prescribed reserve and capital requirements may execute mortgage loan transfers with a recourse arrangement. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to modify the definition of "mortgage related security" to include notes directly secured by a first lien on real estate with commercial structures located upon it (thus bringing such securities within the purview of the Act). Directs the Secretary of Labor to exempt commercial mortgage related securities transactions from: (1) certain restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and (2) certain taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Mandates that securities relying on the provisions of this Act comply with all Federal securities laws relating to disclosure to investors, registrations, reporting and anti-fraud provisions. Requires insured depository institutions to maintain the minimum adequate capital prescribed by regulatory banking agencies when executing mortgage backed securities transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize prosecution as an adult of a juvenile who was 13 years old or older and in possession of a firearm at the time he or she committed one of the following offenses: (1) assault with intent to commit murder, to commit any felony except murder, or to do bodily harm without just cause or excuse; (2) murder, an attempt to commit murder, or manslaughter; (3) taking from the person or presence of another anything of value by force, violence, or intimidation; (4) bank robbery and certain incidental crimes; or (5) an aggravated sexual abuse by force or threat or by other specified means. Prohibits the juvenile from being incarcerated in an adult prison. Entitles the juvenile to petition for resentencing when he or she reaches 16. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend existing guidelines, if necessary, to permit sentencing adjustments that provide for supervised releases for defendants who have clearly demonstrated an exceptional degree of responsibility for the offense and a willingness and ability to refrain from future criminal conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Anti-Economic Discrimination Act of 1993 - Prohibits the sale or lease of defense articles or services by the U.S. Government to any country or international organization that is known to have sent letters to U.S. firms requesting compliance with, or soliciting information regarding compliance with, the secondary or tertiary Arab boycott unless the President certifies to the relevant congressional committees that the country or organization does not currently send such letters. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition for a period of one year if the waiver is: (1) in the national interest and will promote objectives to eliminate the Arab boycott; or (2) in the national security interest. Provides for extensions of waivers upon notification of the relevant congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Truth in Voting Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for downward adjustments in Appropriations Committees allocations and suballocations when bills are passed that reduce appropriations and require rescissions. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide scorecards for such measures. Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Establishes conditions under which meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees may be closed to the public. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television or radio broadcast and still photography. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress as such Act applies to executive agencies. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule for the consideration of a measure commonly known as a "king of the hill" rule. Repeals rule XLIX (statutory limit on the public debt). Amends rule XXVIII to prohibit conference committee reports from funding any program or activity at a level higher than that contained in the bill or resolution as passed by the House or Senate or from funding any program not contained in such versions. Requires the President's annual budget to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report reported by a committee or considered on the floor. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that is not accompanied by such statement unless the point of order is waived by a two-thirds vote. Requires regulations and proposed regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to be accompanied by such statements as well.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1993
Prohibits the payment of: (1) direct Federal financial or social insurance benefits to illegal aliens; or (2) unemployment benefits to aliens without employment authorization. Requires the head of each Federal agency which provides such benefits to: (1) use immigration status verification systems; and (2) notify the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding applications for such benefits by illegal aliens.
![Official portrait of Rep. Zeliff, William H., Jr. [R-NH-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/z000004_200.jpg)