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United States · Official source
5,946 records where Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the credit for increasing research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Home Office Deduction Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a home office qualifies as the principal place of business if: (1) the office is the location where the taxpayer's essential administrative or management activities are conducted on a regular and systematic (and not incidental) basis by the taxpayer; and (2) the office is necessary because the taxpayer has no other location for the performance of the essential administrative or management activities of the business. Treats the storage of product samples as inventory for deduction purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Amends the Social Security Act to make social services block grants directly available to Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Obligates specified block grant amounts for such use.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Commemorates January 27, 1995, as the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp by Allied forces in the Second World War. Calls upon all Americans to remember the victims murdered at Auschwitz as part of the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Old Faithful Protection Act of 1995 - Declares that any use, production, exploration, or development of any new or existing geothermal well within the boundary of the Yellowstone Protection Area risks adverse effects upon the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park. (Sec. 104) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any geothermal lease for lands within the boundary of the Area. (Sec. 105) Places a moratorium upon the use, production, development or exploration of any new wells within the Area. Directs the Secretary to take the steps necessary to protect the Park's thermal systems and features. (Sec. 106) Directs the National Park Service to research, inventory, and report to the Congress at least every five years on the current and potential effects of hydrothermal or geothermal development upon protected systems and features. Mandates the exclusive use of nonintrusive methodologies. (Sec. 107) Prescribes guidelines under which the States of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho are encouraged to implement federally approved State management programs for regulated resources outside Yellowstone National Park. Prohibits any use (including research), production, exploration, or development of any regulated resources on non-Federal lands within the Area except as authorized by permit issued by a State agency implementing a federally approved State program. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho and with the Secretary of Agriculture to fulfill the purposes of this title. (Sec. 108) Declares that the water rights compact entered into by the United States and the State of Montana on January 31, 1994, shall be considered an approved State program for regulation of groundwater resources within Yellowstone Protection Area. (Sec. 109) Makes certain land restrictions, the moratorium on new well activity, and other requirements of this Act ineffective with respect to the Area within Idaho and Wyoming for two years if the Governor of the State notifies the Secretary that the State will prohibit any permit or other approval action involving regulated resources within the Area during such period. Authorizes either State to submit a State program during such period. Activates such restrictions and requirements and the moratorium at the end of the two-year period upon approval or disapproval of the respective State program. (Sec. 110) Provides for judicial review of administrative procedures relating to this Act. (Sec. 112) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 114) Prescribes guidelines for the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire by exchange certain lands and interests in lands owned by the Church Universal and Triumphant located in the Yellowstone Controlled Groundwater Area and Corwin Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area of the Gallatin National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Taxpayer Advocate Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions Title III: Interest Title IV: Joint Returns Title V: Collection Activities Title VI: Information Returns Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees Title IX: Other Provisions Title X: Form Modifications; Studies Subtitle A: Form Modifications Subtitle B: Studies Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 - Title I: Taxpayer Advocate - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the Office of Taxpayer Advocate, headed by the Taxpayer Advocate, to: (1) assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the IRS; (2) identify areas in which taxpayers have problems in dealings with the IRS; (3) propose changes in the administrative practices of the IRS to mitigate such problems; and (4) identify potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such problems. Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to the Commissioner by the Taxpayer Advocate. Replaces the Office of the Ombudsman with the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. (Sec. 102) Revises the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to: (1) allow the Order to require the Secretary of the Treasury to act within a specified time period; and (2) require the Secretary to take certain actions (currently, only to cease or refrain from taking certain actions). Title II: Modifications to Installment Agreement Provisions - Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for the payment of tax liability less than $10,000. (Sec. 202) Suspends any penalties during the period the installment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 203) Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. (Sec. 204) Provides for administrative review of denials of requests for, or termination of, installment agreements. Title III: Interest - Authorizes the abatement of interest in the case of an assessment due to the unreasonable error or delay of an IRS act. (Sec. 302) Extends from ten to 21 days the period for which interest will not be imposed after notice and demand for payment, if such payment is less than $100,000. Title IV: Joint Returns - Allows the disclosure of collection activities to an individual requesting such information in the case of a joint return where such individual is no longer married to or resides in the same household as the other joint filer. (Sec. 402) Removes limitations on filing a joint return after filing separate returns. Title V: Collection Activities - Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to: (1) withdraw a notice of a lien; (2) return property that has been levied upon; and (3) offer compromises in civil or criminal cases. Requires the Secretary to provide a copy of such notice of withdrawal to the taxpayer and, at the request of the taxpayer, to make reasonable efforts to notify credit reporting agencies and financial institutions of such withdrawal notice. (Sec. 503) Requires prior notification to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process, with exceptions. (Sec. 504) Increases the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. (Sec. 505) Revises provisions with respect to a designated summons concerning the standard of review and notice requirements for issuance. Title VI: Information Returns - Requires payee statements to provide the phone number of the person providing payment. (Sec. 602) Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. (Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary, in any court proceeding where a taxpayer asserts a reasonable dispute with respect to income reported on an information return filed by a third party and the taxpayer has fully cooperated with the Secretary, to present reasonable and probative information concerning such deficiency in addition to such return. Title VII: Modifications to Penalty for Failure to Collect and Pay Over Tax - Establishes preliminary notice requirements for failure to pay tax. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary to: (1) disclose certain information where more than one person is liable for a penalty; and (2) ensure that IRS employees are aware of their responsibilities under the tax depository system, the circumstances under which they may be liable for penalties, and reporting responsibilities. (Sec. 703) Exempts unpaid, volunteer board members of tax-exempt organizations who do not have actual knowledge of the failure on which such penalties are imposed from collection penalties. Title VIII: Awarding of Costs and Certain Fees - Authorizes a taxpayer who substantially prevails on a claim to file a motion for an order requiring the disclosure of all information and copies of relevant records in the possession of the IRS regarding such taxpayer's case and the substantial justification for the position taken by the IRS. (Sec. 802) Increases the limit on attorney fees. (Sec. 803) Provides that any failure to agree to an extension of time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account in determining whether a prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies. Title IX: Other Provisions - Revises provisions on the required content of tax due, deficiency, and other notices. (Sec. 902) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) treatment of substitute returns under section 6651 (relating to failure to file a tax return or to pay tax); (2) prospective application of Treasury Department regulations; and (3) required notice to the taxpayer of payments that the Secretary cannot associate with any outstanding tax liability of such taxpayer. (Sec. 905) Authorizes a taxpayer to bring a civil damage suit against the United States if any U.S. officer or employee intentionally compromises the determination or collection of any tax due from an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), or enrolled agent representing a taxpayer in exchange for information conveyed by the taxpayer for purposes of obtaining advice concerning tax liability, except where conveyed for the purpose of perpetrating a fraud or crime. Title X: Form Modifications; Studies - Subtitle A: Form Modifications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) take steps to ensure that taxpayers are aware of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code permitting payment of tax in installments, extensions, and compromises of tax liability; (2) provide improved procedures for taxpayers to notify the Secretary of changes in names and addresses; and (3) include in the IRS publication entitled "Your Rights As a Taxpayer" a section on the rights and responsibilities of divorced individuals. Subtitle B: Studies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a one-year pilot program for appeals of enforcement actions to the Appeals Division of the IRS; (2) study ways to assist the elderly, physically impaired, foreign-language speaking, and other taxpayers with special needs to comply with the internal revenue laws; and (3) report to the tax-writing committees on the IRS's taxpayer-rights education program and on all cases involving complaints about misconduct of IRS employees. (Sec. 1015) Requires the Comptroller General to conduct: (1) a study on IRS efforts to notify taxpayers of tax deficiencies; and (2) annual studies of the accuracy of 25 of the most commonly used IRS forms, notices, and publications.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Attorney General should fully enforce the law and protect persons seeking to provide or obtain, or assist in providing or obtaining, reproductive health services from violent attack. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Securities Litigation Title II: Financial Disclosure Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Private Securities Litigation - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit brokers or dealers from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any implied private action. Prohibits the use of disgorgement funds resulting from actions brought by the Securities Exchange Commission (the Commission) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. Modifies the guidelines for class action litigation, including: (1) recovery by named plaintiffs in the same manner as all other members of the class; (2) court determination of conflicts of interest on the part of counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (3) restrictions on settlements under seal; (4) restrictions on payment of attorney's fees from settlement funds; (5) disclosure of settlement terms to class members; (6) special verdicts; and (7) the threshold enabling a plaintiff to obtain certification as representative for the class. Prescribes procedural guidelines for alternative dispute resolution. Establishes a limitations period for implied private rights of action. Provides for a court-appointed guardian ad litem or class action steering committee to oversee counsel and settlement offers for the plaintiff class. Delineates the requirements for securities fraud actions. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute to exclude from its purview an action involving fraud in the sale of securities. Title II: Financial Disclosure - Directs the Commission to re-examine the regulatory and judicial framework with respect to predictive statements ("forward-looking statements") concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prescribe litigation procedures governing safe harbors for forward-looking statements. Modifies requirements for audits conducted by an independent public accountant of an issuer's financial statements to include procedures to: (1) detect illegal acts; (2) identify related party transactions material to financial statements; and (3) evaluate an issuer's ability to continue as a going concern. Sets forth notification and reporting guidelines for a public accountant who detects illegal activities during the course of an audit. Limits such auditor's liability for complying with such guidelines. Establishes civil penalties for an auditor's noncompliance with this Act. Modifies the allocation of damages scheme to distinguish between primary degrees of responsibility and the application of proportionate liability. Directs the Commission to establish a Public Auditing Self-Disciplinary Board (the Board). Prohibits a public accounting firm from furnishing an accountant's report on any document required to be filed with the Commission unless it has registered with the Board. Requires the Board to establish guidelines for: (1) investigations and disciplinary proceedings against public accounting firms; and (2) criteria for certification of public accountant peer review organizations. Grants the Commission responsibility for oversight of the Board. Includes within Board jurisdiction a foreign public accounting firm that furnishes accountant's reports on any document required to be filed with the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 - Provides an exclusive right (with specified limitations) to perform sound recordings publicly by means of digital transmissions. Requires the performance of a sound recording publicly by means of digital transmission, in the case of a subscription transmission, to be subject to statutory licensing if the transmission is not part of an interactive service and does not exceed the sound recording performance complement. Authorizes copyright owners of sound recordings and any entities performing such recordings to negotiate and agree upon the terms and rates of royalty payments and the division of fees among owners and to designate common agents to negotiate, agree to, pay, or receive such payments. Directs the Librarian of Congress to publish notice of the initiation of voluntary negotiation proceedings for purposes of determining reasonable terms and rates of royalty payments for activities involving subscription transmissions. Requires such terms and rates to distinguish among the different types of digital transmission services then in operation. Permits copyright owners of affected sound recordings or entities performing such recordings to submit licenses covering such activities to the Librarian. Requires the Librarian, in the absence of negotiated license agreements, to convene a copyright arbitration royalty panel to be binding on such owners and entities. Directs the Librarian to establish requirements by which such owners may receive notice of the use of their sound recordings and under which records of use shall be kept by entities performing such recordings. Requires voluntarily negotiated license agreements between such owners and entities to be given effect in lieu of any determination by the Librarian. Directs persons wishing to perform a sound recording publicly by means of a subscription transmission to do so without infringing exclusive rights by complying with notice requirements of the Register of Copyrights and paying royalty fees. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of proceeds from the licensing of such transmissions to recording artists. Sets forth authorities of copyright owners with respect to licensing to affiliates. Includes within the scope of a compulsory license to make and distribute phonorecords of nondramatic musical works the right of the phonorecord maker to distribute or authorize distribution of the sound recording by means of digital transmission which constitutes a digital phonorecord delivery. Grants copyright owners of such works the right to receive royalty payments at the rate prescribed when the digital transmission constitutes such a delivery. Makes such transmission actionable by the owner as an act of infringement unless authorized by the owner or a person who has obtained a compulsory license.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in promulgating any proposed or final major regulation relating to human health or the environment, to publish in the Federal Register, along with the regulation, a statement that: (1) describes and quantifies the risks to human health and the environment to be addressed by the regulation; (2) compares such risks to other risks chosen by the Administrator; (3) estimates the costs to the U.S. Government, State and local governments, and the private sector of implementing and complying with the regulation and the benefits of the regulation; and (4) contains a certification that analyses performed are based on the best obtainable scientific information, the regulation is likely to reduce the risks to be addressed, there is no regulatory alternative that would achieve an equivalent reduction in risk in a more cost-effective manner, and the regulation is likely to produce benefits to human health or the environment that will justify the costs of compliance. Defines a "major regulation" as one that may have an effect on the economy of $100 million or more in any one year. Authorizes the Administrator, if a final regulation is substantially similar to the proposed version, to publish a reference to the statement of the proposed regulation in lieu of publishing a new statement for the final regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Prohibits a member of the armed forces who is sentenced by a court-martial to a dishonorable discharge from entitlement to pay and allowances for any period during which such member is in confinement after the adjournment of the court-martial proceedings. Restores any such entitlement if the sentence is later disapproved, mitigated, or changed by an authorized official or otherwise set aside.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Attorney General should fully enforce the law and take any necessary measures to protect from violent attack persons seeking to provide or obtain reproductive health services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Lost Creek Land Exchange Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire certain lands owned by the Brand S Corporation and located in the Lost Creek area of the Deerlodge National Forest and within the Gallatin National Forest (to be added to and administered as part of such National Forests) in exchange for certain lands within such National Forests and specified timber rights on Deerlodge National Forest lands. Exempts the Wineglass Tract from such exchange unless measures are in place to protect the scenic, wildlife, and open space values of the Tract. Directs the Secretary to improve legal public road access to Gallatin National Forest System lands between West Pine Creek and Big Creek. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring lands under this Act if it is determined that such lands have become contaminated with hazardous substances. Releases the United States from any responsibility or liability with respect to hazardous wastes or other substances placed on any of the lands covered by this Act after their transfer to the ownership of another party. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed as either diminishing or increasing any U.S. responsibility or liability based on the condition of such lands on the date of such transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Lobbying Disclosure Title II: Congressional Gift Rules Title I: Lobbying Disclosure - Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 - Requires registration with the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public Disclosure (Office) established by this Act by any individual lobbyist (or the individual's employer, if it employs one or more lobbyists) within 30 days after the individual first makes, or is employed or retained to make, a lobbying contact with either the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, or any other specified Federal officer or employee. Defines a lobbyist as any individual employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include one or more lobbying contacts (but not an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than ten percent of the time engaged in the services provided to that client). Provides for: (1) special registration filing rules in cases involving multiple clients and contacts; and (2) registration termination in cases where a registrant is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct lobbying activities, and does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities for such client. (Sec. 104) Specifies the contents of such registration and reports. (Sec. 105) Requires registrants to file semiannual lobbying activity reports with the Office. Provides for: (1) exemptions from such registration and reporting requirements in cases involving lobbying income of $2,500 or less (for a particular client) or total expenses of $5,000 or less (for all lobbying activities) (adjusted periodically for inflation) for the semiannual period. (Sec. 106) Provides for special rules generally prohibiting registrants under this Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act from providing gifts (including meals, lodging, transportation, entertainment, reimbursements, loans, or forbearance) to any covered legislative branch official, or to the spouse, dependent, friend, or relative of such an official if it is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of such official and is given because of his or her position. Permits certain such items under prescribed circumstances, such as lawful political contributions and informational materials sent to the official's office, and gifts given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by family relationship or close personal friendship. (Sec. 107) Establishes the Office as an executive agency, and specifies its duties, including making public the semiannual lobbyist activity reports. (Sec. 108) Establishes procedures for: (1) determining and resolving alleged violations of this Act; and (2) judicial review of Office decisions. (Sec. 113) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) eliminate references to political propaganda and, in certain cases, replace them with references to informational materials; and (2) modify registration exemption provisions. (Sec. 114) Revises (Byrd Amendment) requirements for a declaration by persons requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement with respect to any payments made in connection with it which would be prohibited if made with appropriated funds. Requires, in lieu of information currently required, the: (1) name of any registrant under this Act who has made lobbying contacts on behalf of the person with respect to that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and (2) certification that the declarant has not made, and will not make, any prohibited payment. (Sec. 115) Repeals: (1) the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act; and (2) provisions on lobbyist activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act and the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 118) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 119) Sets forth special rules for the identification of: (1) foreign and other clients on whose behalf lobbying contacts are made with a covered legislative or executive branch official; and (2) such covered officials. (Sec. 121) Permits tax-exempt charitable organizations required to report lobbying expenses by the Internal Revenue Code to report, under this Act, only good faith estimates of such expenses in order to meet criteria for exemption from the reporting requirements of this Act. Permits trade or business entities that may take income tax deductions for certain lobbying expenses to make good faith estimates of any non-deductible lobbying expenses in order to meet criteria for exemption from the reporting requirements of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on differences in meaning between this Act and the Internal Revenue Code of "lobbying activities," "lobbying expenditures," "influencing legislation," and related terms. (Sec. 122) Requires the President to appoint an interim Director of the Office within 30 days after enactment of this Act. Title II: Congressional Gift Rules - Makes conforming amendments to the Standing Rules of the Senate and the Rules of the House of Representatives, as well as the Ethics in Government Act and the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, with regard to the restrictions of this Act on gifts by lobbyists and foreign agents to covered subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission Act - Establishes the WTO Dispute Settlement Review Commission to review reports of dispute settlement panels or the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in proceedings initiated by other WTO parties which are adverse to the United States and which are adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body. Requires the Commission to determine whether the panel or the Appellate Body: (1) exceeded its authority; (2) added to the obligations of or diminished the rights of the United States; (3) acted arbitrarily or capriciously, engaged in misconduct, or demonstrably departed from proper procedures; and (4) deviated, in its report, from the applicable standard of review. Requires the Commission, upon an affirmative determination on one or more of these questions, to further determine whether the action of the panel or the Appellate Body materially affected the outcome of its report. Requires the President, upon enactment of a joint resolution directing such action, to negotiate to amend or modify the rules and procedures of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes with respect to any affirmative determinations submitted to the Congress concerning the action of a panel or the Appellate Body. Provides for a joint resolution withdrawing congressional approval of the WTO agreement, ending U.S. participation in the WTO, if such negotiations do not result in a satisfactory solution. Sets forth provisions governing the participation in WTO panel proceedings of private U.S. persons supportive of the U.S. Government position at issue.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that cash rental of farmland to a member of the decedent's family for a qualified use will not cause recapture of the special estate tax valuation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation Part B: Public Services and Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Part D: Labor-Management Relations Part E: General Part F: Study Title III: Office of Compliance Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 - Title I: General - Applies provisions of the following laws to the legislative branch: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA); (2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA); (5) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA); (6) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA); (7) provisions regarding Federal labor-management relations; (8) the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA); (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN); (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Requires the Board of Directors (Board) of the Office of Compliance (established by this Act) to: (1) review provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, occupational health and safety, and family, medical, and other leave) of employees and access to public services and accommodations; and (2) report on December 31, 1996, and biennially thereafter, on whether or to what degree such provisions are applicable or inapplicable to the legislative branch and if inapplicable whether they should be made applicable. Requires each report of a congressional committee accompanying any bill or joint resolution relating to terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations to: (1) describe the manner in which the provisions of the bill or joint resolution apply to the legislative branch; or (2) if the provisions do not apply, include a statement of the reasons why. Makes it out of order, on the objection of any Member, for the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider such bill or joint resolution if the report of the committee on the measure does not comply with this Act. Allows such requirement to be waived in either House by a majority vote of that House. Title II: Extension of Rights and Protections - Part A: Employment Discrimination, Family and Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards, Employee Polygraph Protection, Worker Adjustment and Retraining, Employment and Reemployment of Veterans, and Intimidation - Requires all personnel actions affecting covered employees to be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Defines a "covered employee" as an employee of the House, the Senate, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office of Compliance, or the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). Makes available the remedies awarded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADEA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA, as appropriate, for discrimination violations affecting covered employees. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADEA to apply their protection and remedies to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the General Accounting Office (GAO). Extends coverage under the ADA to GPO and GAO. Makes specified remedies and procedures set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to any employee of an instrumentality of the Congress who alleges a violation of the rights and protections under the ADA, except that the authorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall be exercised by the chief official of the instrumentality of the Congress. (Sec. 202) Applies the rights, protections, and remedies of the FMLA, EPPA, WARN (with regard to closures or mass layoffs), and veterans' employment and reemployment rights to covered employees, GAO, and the Library of Congress. Applies the FLSA to covered employees and GPO. Prohibits covered employees from receiving compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude the Capitol Police from using lie detector tests in accordance with prescribed regulations under this Act. (Sec. 207) Makes it unlawful for an employing office to intimidate, take reprisal against, or otherwise discriminate against, any covered employee for opposing any practice made unlawful by this Act, or for initiating proceedings, making charges, or testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in a hearing or other proceeding under this Act. Provides that the remedy available for such violation shall be such legal or equitable remedy as would be appropriate. Part B: Public Services and Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Applies the rights and protections against discrimination in the provision of public services and accommodations under the ADA to the Senate, the House, congressional and joint committees, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, CBO, AOC, the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office, and OTA. Makes available specified remedies awarded under the ADA, as appropriate, except that with respect to any claim of employment discrimination asserted by any covered employee, the exclusive remedy under this title shall apply. Describes procedures to remedy other ADA violations, including filing a charge with the General Counsel of the Office, mediation, and judicial review. Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to disabled visitors, guests, or patrons of instrumentalities of the Congress (GAO, GPO, and the Library) who allege violations under ADA provisions described by this part. Part C: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 - Directs each employing office (including GAO and the Library) and covered employees to comply with OSHA. Requires the remedy for an OSHA violation to be an order to correct the violation. Establishes procedures for such remedies, including granting the General Counsel and the Board certain authorities exercised by the Secretary of Labor under OSHA. Part D: Labor-Management Relations - Applies Federal labor- management relations provisions to employing offices and covered employees. Grants the Board and the General Counsel specified authorities of the Federal Labor Relations Authority to enforce such provisions. Part E: General - Allows the hearing officer, Board, or court, as the case may be, to award attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs as would be appropriate under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to a covered employee with respect to a claim under this Act or a qualified person with a disability with respect to a claim under the ADA. Prohibits a civil penalty or punitive damages from being awarded with respect to any claim under this Act. Bars persons other than veterans from commencing an administrative or judicial proceeding to seek a remedy for the rights and protections afforded by this Act except as provided in this Act. Provides that only a covered employee who has undertaken and completed the employee counseling and mediation procedures described in this Act may be granted a remedy under Part A of this title. Part F: Study - Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study the application of the following laws to GAO, GPO, and the Library of Congress and the regulations and procedures used by such entities to apply and enforce such laws: (1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the ADEA; (3) the ADA; (4) the FMLA; (5) the FLSA; (6) OSHA; (7) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) Federal labor-management relations provisions; (9) the General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980; (10) the EPPA; (11) the WARN; and (12) provisions regarding veterans' employment and reemployment rights. Title III: Office of Compliance - Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance (Office) to carry out: (1) a program of education for Members of Congress and other employing authorities of the legislative branch respecting the laws made applicable to them; and (2) a program to inform individuals of their rights under such laws. Requires the Board Chair to appoint an Executive Director, a Deputy Executive Director for the Senate, and a Deputy Executive Director for the House of Representatives. (Sec. 304) Sets forth procedures for congressional approval of the Board's regulations required under title II to implement this Act, including regulations on the appropriate application of exemptions under the laws made applicable in such title. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures - Sets forth procedures for counseling, mediation, election of proceedings, hearings, judicial review of Board decisions and enforcement, civil actions, and judicial review of regulations issued by the Board with respect to consideration of alleged violations of Part A of title II. (Sec. 410) Prohibits judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, except as expressly authorized by this title. (Sec. 415) Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of an account in the Treasury for the Office for payment of awards and settlements under this Act. Prohibits funds in the account from being available for awards and settlements involving GAO, GPO, and the Library. Authorizes appropriations for funds for: (1) administrative, personnel, and similar expenses of employing offices which are needed to comply with this Act; and (2) the correction of OSHA and ADA accommodation and access violations. (Sec. 416) Makes all counseling, mediation, and hearings and deliberations of the Board confidential. Permits the records of hearing officers and the Board to be made public if required for judicial review. Authorizes the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to have access to hearing records and decisions after the issuance of a final decision on a complaint. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that it shall not be a violation of any provision of Section 201 to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility, with respect to employment decisions, of employees who are: (1) on the staff of the House or Senate leadership; (2) on the staff of congressional committees, joint committees, or subcommittees; (3) on the staff of Members of the House or Senators; (4) officers of the House or the Senate or elected or appointed congressional staff; or (5) applicants for any such positions. (Sec. 503) Provides that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct retain full power with respect to the discipline of Members, officers, and employees for violating rules of the Senate and House on nondiscrimination in employment. (Sec. 505) Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on the application to the judicial branch of: (1) the FLSA; (2) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (3) the ADA; (4) the ADEA; (5) the FMLA; (6) OSHA; (7) Federal labor- management relations provisions; (8) the EPPA; (9) the WARN; (10) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (11) veterans' employment and reemployment provisions. Requires the report to include any recommendations the Judicial Conference may have for legislation to provide judicial branch employees with the rights, protections, and procedures under such laws, including administrative and judicial relief, that are comparable to those available to legislative branch employees under titles I through IV of this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth transitional provisions with respect to certain existing claims.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the special treatment of livestock sold or involuntarily converted on account of drought conditions also to livestock sold or converted because of flood or other weather-related conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the tax-exempt status of a mutual or cooperative telephone company to provide that 50 percent of the income received from a nonmember telephone company for services by the cooperative shall be treated as collected from members of the cooperative for the sole purpose of meeting the losses and expenses of the cooperative. Excludes, in determining the income of a cooperative: (1) billing and collection services performed for a nonmember telephone company; and (2) certain reserve income that does not exceed 35 percent of the company's total income. Subjects a portion of such reserve income to unrelated business income tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer reporting on the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting to elect to include in income crop insurance proceeds and disaster payments in the year of the disaster or in the following year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a named individual in settlement of a claim for injuries sustained by such individual while fighting the Pryor Gap fire.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1994
Stormwater Control Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to apply permit requirements to stormwater discharges associated with commercial activity. Exempts, with exceptions, a discharge composed entirely of stormwater from a municipal storm sewer system serving a population of fewer than 100,000 individuals that is located in an urbanized area from permit requirements prior to October 1, 2001. Exempts sources of discharges composed entirely of stormwater from such sewer systems from permit requirements (currently, such exemption is only available prior to October 1, 1994). Provides that permits issued for discharges from municipal storm sewers composed entirely of stormwater shall not require compliance with numeric effluent limitations and water quality standards shall not be applied or enforced as effluent limitations. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a consolidated permit for discharges from a storm sewer system owned by a municipality and the stormwater discharges from industrial or commercial sources owned by the same municipality. Requires the Administrator to establish permit requirements for stormwater discharges from commercial and light industrial sources. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt certain commercial and light industrial stormwater discharges from permit requirements. Directs the Administrator to establish an initiative to fund State and local demonstration programs and research to test innovative approaches to address the impacts of hydrologic and hydraulic changes, source controls, and water quality management practices and controls for runoff from municipal storm sewers. Authorizes appropriations. Makes municipalities subject to stormwater discharge permit requirements eligible for grants to train citizens in watershed monitoring activities to support municipal stormwater management programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1994
Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a sheep and wool promotion, research, education, and information order. Includes in such order: (1) establishment of a National Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Board; and (2) assessment of fees. Provides for approval referenda among producers, feeders, and importers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1994
Designates March 1995 and March 1996 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special rule for persons with a deceased parent for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should issue an Executive order to promote and expand Federal assistance to Indian institutions of higher education and foster advancement of the National Education Goals in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act for Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Floodplain Management Title II: Environmental Protection and Recreation Floodplain Management, Environmental Restoration, and Recreation Act of 1994 - Title I: Floodplain Management - Amends the Water Resources Planning Act to include the Secretary of Energy and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as members of the Water Resources Council. Requires the Chairman of the Council to be designated by the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality. Adds as Council duties to: (1) serve as the primary center for assistance concerning the coordination and resolution of interstate and interagency water resources management issues; (2) seek to align Federal floodplain management with other broad national goals; (3) serve as an innovative planning and technology clearinghouse for floodplain management; (4) report to the Congress evaluating efforts by the Secretary of the Army (Secretary) to change the policies and practices of the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the use of structural solutions to water resources management problems; and (5) oversee the activities of the Upper Mississippi, Lower Mississippi, and Missouri River Flood Management Coordinating Committees. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to submit to the Congress a report that assesses the environmental sustainability of the Upper Mississippi River system. Directs the Secretary to establish the Upper Mississippi River Flood Management Coordinating Council to review and recommend approval or disapproval of a river basin management plan. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary, with respect to the Lower Mississippi River system, to carry out a: (1) program for the planning, construction, and evaluation of measures for fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement; and (2) long-term resource monitoring program. Directs the Secretary to establish the Lower Mississippi River Flood Management Coordinating Committee to review and recommend for approval or disapproval projects developed under the programs and the river basin development plan. Authorizes appropriations for the flood management and resource monitoring programs. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary, with respect to the Missouri River system, to carry out a program for: (1) planning, construction, and evaluation of fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement measures; (2) long-term resource monitoring; and (3) planning and construction of recreation projects. Directs the Secretary to establish the Missouri River Flood Management Coordinating Committee to review and recommend for approval or disapproval the projects developed under the above programs and the river basin management plan. Authorizes appropriations for each of the programs. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out a study required under the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1994, to: (1) survey the levees of the Upper Mississippi River Basin to make certain determinations with respect to their physical condition, economic benefit, environmental impact, and cost to bring such levees into compliance with certain Corps standards; (2) study the hydrology of such river basin to determine the systemic effects of structural flood control measures in existence; (3) study proper design of local drainage systems; and (4) study the entire Mississippi and Missouri River basins to determine the most frequently flooded areas with the greatest loss of human life and property. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a comprehensive river basin management plan that addresses the long-term ecological, economic, and flood control needs of the basin of the Upper Mississippi River system; and (2) prepare such river basin management plans for the Lower Mississippi and Missouri River systems. Provides for public participation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 107) Amends the Act to provide that, in considering the flood control benefits determined for a water resources project, such determinations shall not include the benefits derived from any use of the 100-year floodplain that involves, after commencement of the reconnaissance study for such project: (1) the construction of a new structure; (2) a substantial improvement to a structure; or (3) any other change that significantly increases the commercial or resale value of the property in the floodplain subject to damage from flooding. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Secretary to use emergency funds provided under current law to replace with a nonstructural measure any flood control measure damaged or destroyed by flood and to develop a mitigation plan which provides nonstructural measures to reduce damage in the event of future flooding. Provides minimum funding levels for such nonstructural measures, with a waiver in certain circumstances. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary to coordinate and carry out repair and rehabilitation of a levee damaged by a flood or other natural disaster, if the State or local interest with respect to the levee: (1) participates in the national flood insurance program; and (2) carries out routine operation and maintenance and levee upkeep as well as certain other actions with respect to levee environmental enhancements and engineering standards. Makes certain levees ineligible. Requires the preparation by the Corps of a manual describing required upkeep, operation, and maintenance for levees participating in the assistance program. Authorizes appropriations. Provides local cost-share credits for in-kind contributions. (Sec. 110) Directs the Secretary, in order to improve the riparian habitat of and reduce flood losses along the Missouri River, to pay the Federal share of purchasing land along the River Between Sioux City, Iowa, and St. Louis, Missouri from willing sellers. Limits to 80 percent the Federal share of such purchases. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary in each fiscal year to purchase land or easements and relocate willing sellers in floodprone areas or areas protected by flood control structures that repeatedly fail. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to collaborate with Federal, State, and local agencies during the planning, design, and construction of all flood control projects in order to adopt a watershed-wide approach to the reduction of flood losses. Title II: Environmental Protection and Recreation - Amends the Act to limit to 80 percent the non-Federal share of a water resources project which may be in-kind. Directs the Secretary to annually review at least five flood control projects and five navigation or other projects to determine the need for environmental restoration. Requires a report to the Congress. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects the primary purpose of which is to restore all or a portion of an aquatic ecosystem. Provides, with respect to such projects, for: (1) a Federal cost share of 75 percent (or 100 percent for a project deemed to be of critical national interest); (2) carrying out reconnaissance studies for projects of critical national interest, with an authorization of appropriations for such purpose; (3) a requirement of a favorable recommendation for such project from the Corps Chief and the Secretary of the Interior; (4) the receipt of funds from other agencies for such purpose; (5) appropriate environmental impact studies and mitigation measures; and (6) technical guidance by the Corps Chief. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to make certain revisions to the Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Resources Implementation Studies which establish economic and environmental benefits as equal objectives of water resources planning. Directs the Secretary to establish a Principles and Guidelines Advisory Council. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary in each fiscal year to provide for the construction of small recreation and environmental restoration projects. Provides for: (1) a $5 million limit for each project; and (2) an annual allotment of $40 million to carry out such projects. (Sec. 206) Increases from 50 to 75 percent the non-Federal share of recreation projects under the Act. (Sec. 207) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to provide local non-Federal interests with cost-share credits for in-kind contributions for environmental and recreation projects. Provides for the determination of the value of such contributions. Requires a minimum cash contribution of at least five percent of the total non-Federal share. (Sec. 208) Provides that if a recreational facility at a water resources project carried out or assisted by the Secretary becomes unusable or unsafe for more than 90 consecutive days due to a release of water or reservoir drawdown for any purpose, the Secretary may, at full Federal cost, restore the facility or build a new comparable facility at the lower reservoir level.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1994
Interstate Transportation of Municipal Solid Waste Act of 1994 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize State Governors, if requested by an affected local government, to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste in landfills or incinerators subject to their jurisdiction. Permits Governors to limit the quantity of out-of-State waste received at landfills and incinerators excepted from such prohibition to an annual amount equal to the quantity received during 1993. Authorizes Governors to prohibit the disposal of such waste at landfills or incinerators covered by such exception that is generated by any State determined to have exported more than the following amounts of waste to landfills or incinerators not covered by host community agreements: (1) 3.5 million tons in 1995; (2) 3 million tons in 1996 and 1997; (3) 2.5 million tons in 1998 and 1999; (4) 1.5 million tons in 2000 and 2001; and (5) 1 million tons in 2002 and thereafter. Establishes limitations on State exports of municipal solid waste to landfills or incinerators not covered by host community agreements. Prohibits Governors from exercising authorities under this Act: (1) if such action would result in the violation of a host community agreement or a permit issued from the State to receive out-of-State municipal solid waste; or (2) except as otherwise provided, in a manner that would require landfills or incinerators covered by the exception to reduce the amount of out-of-State municipal solid waste received from any State to an annual quantity less than that received during 1993. Makes the authority to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal solid waste inapplicable to landfills and incinerators that: (1) received documented shipments of such waste during 1993; (2) in the case of landfills, are in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations relating to operation, design and location, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and corrective action; or (3) in the case of incinerators, are in compliance with applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act and State laws and regulations relating to facility design and operations. Permits disposal of such waste at facilities that are not in compliance with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations unless disposal of waste that is generated within the State is also prohibited. Lists conditions under which host community agreements are prohibited.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1994
Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety Act of 1994 - Includes rail-highway crossing closures among the safety projects for which an increased Federal share of construction costs apply. Authorizes any State, after adopting a policy requiring the review of the need for all new public at-grade rail-highway crossings, to use certain authorized funds to provide an incentive payment to a local jurisdiction upon the permanent closing by the jurisdiction of a public at-grade crossing, provided that such payments may not exceed $7,500 and that the funds are matched by an equal payment from the railroad owning the tracks on which the crossing is located. Directs the local jurisdiction receiving funds to use the Federal funds portion of the incentive payment for transportation safety improvements only. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines to enable States to determine the public benefits and costs resulting from any new rail-highway grade crossings. Revises provisions regarding Operation Lifesaver to require the Secretary of Transportation to set aside $500,000 of funds authorized to be appropriated for the surface transportation program (STP) for a given fiscal year for carrying out a public information and education program to help prevent and reduce motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities, to improve driver performance at railway-highway crossings, and to help prevent trespassing on rail rights-of-way and resulting injuries and fatalities. Directs that expenditure of any funds in excess of $300,000 be contingent upon receipt of matching funds from nonpublic sources. Requires the Secretary to: (1) set aside $15 million of funds authorized to be appropriated for the STP for a given fiscal year to carry out a program to provide a financial incentive to States that review and implement grade crossing safety improvements on a corridor basis; and (2) issue investment criteria for approving projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Title II: Nuclear Power Plant Safety and Security Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Authorizes appropriations for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for FY 1994 and 1995 for salaries and expenses and for the Office of the Inspector General. Prescribes guidelines for allocation and transfer of funds. Title II: Nuclear Power Plant Safety and Security - Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to modify the notification requirements for NRC-regulated facilities that contain a defect or otherwise fail to comply with statutory safety requirements (including those leased by the United States Enrichment Corporation). Includes within such notification requirements Department of Energy (DOE) facilities regulated by the NRC and components supplied by DOE to licensees. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to: (1) modify the civil monetary penalties for violations of rules, regulations, orders, or licensing requirements; (2) revise from annual to biennial the dateline by which the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards must report to the Congress on reactor safety research; (3) permit NRC licensees and the employees of such licensees' contractors to carry firearms at NRC facilities; (4) authorize the NRC to promulgate regulations regarding the unauthorized introduction of dangerous weapons unto facilities within its licensing purview; (5) impose criminal penalties for the sabotage of NRC-licensed production, utilization, or waste storage facilities under construction; and (6) increase the base level penalty for certain violations of a medical therapy license. Directs the NRC to upgrade the professional requirements for persons licensed to possess nuclear byproduct materials for medical use.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1994
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, consistent with U.S. obligations to limit agricultural export subsidies under the Uruguay Round Agreement, to promote U.S. agricultural exports.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1994
Designates the month of November 1994 as National Native American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1994
Honors the 14 Federal fire fighters who died on July 6, 1994, for their heroic efforts to contain a fire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1994
Designates November 21, 1994, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1994
Commends the United States 1994 World Cup soccer team for its outstanding efforts in the 1994 World Cup soccer tournament.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain lands on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana, to the Lame Deer High School District No. 6, Rosebud County, Montana, for construction of a high school and related facilities. Stipulates that such lands shall revert to the Secretary (to held in trust for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe) if the high school is not operating within a specified time or ceases operations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1994
Amends Federal transportation law to provide that the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), in approving an application of a rail carrier for the construction and operation of railroad lines, shall require that a fair and equitable arrangement for the protection of the affected railroad employees' interests be no less protective of and beneficial to their interests than those established under other specified Federal provisions. Prohibits the ICC from approving the sale or the offer of financial assistance to a rail carrier to avoid the abandonment and discontinuance of railroad line transportation unless it certifies that such employees' interests will be protected.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Establishes a commission on the roles and capabilities of the United States intelligence community. Requires the Commission to: (1) review the efficacy and appropriateness of U.S. intelligence activities in the post-Cold War global environment; and (2) issue a report containing recommendations with respect to U.S. intelligence roles and capabilities for the foreseeable future.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1994
Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for grants to public works facilities through FY 1997. Repeals a limitation on financial assistance for sewer and other waste disposal facilities. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct projects to demonstrate methods of assisting isolated small businesses to access small business services provided by Federal, State, and local governments; and (2) establish three business outreach centers. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Strategic Economic Development Planning and Policy within the Economic Development Administration. Establishes a Federal Coordinating Council for Economic Development to develop a government wide strategic plan for economic development. Authorizes appropriations. Requires applicants for economic development assistance to certify that a redevelopment area meets at least one criterion regarding per capita income, unemployment rates, job losses, population growth, employment declines, concentrations of low-income individuals, or outmigration. Voids designations of redevelopment areas made before this Act's enactment. Revises annual review provisions to permit assistance to a project only if the applicant has submitted an overall economic development plan or investment strategy to the Secretary for approval. Provides for approval of existing economic development plans and programs to the maximum extent practicable. Directs the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development to publish guidelines to expedite the processing of applications for assistance under this Act. Requires the Secretary to develop a general, simplified application form for grant assistance under this Act that may be used by all Federal agencies that provide such assistance. Directs the Secretary to conduct biennial evaluations of university centers and economic development districts receiving grant assistance to assess performance and contribution toward job creation. Authorizes assistance to be available for projects on military installations to be closed or realigned or for communities adversely affected by such closure or realignment. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1994
Water Resources Development Act of 1994 - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to require a 25 percent non-Federal share of the cost of environmental protection and restoration activities under the Act. (Sec. 6) Requires amounts recovered by the Secretary of the Army for the cleanup of hazardous or toxic substances in support of the Army Civil Works program to be credited to the appropriate trust fund Account from which the cost of taking such action is paid. (Sec. 7) Amends the Act to provide for the temporary protection of technology developed as a result of research and development (R&D) activities conducted by the Corps of Engineers which is likely to be subject to a cooperative R&D agreement within two years of such development. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Dam Safety Act to authorize appropriations annually (currently through FY 1992) for continuously maintaining an updated inventory of all dams located in the United States. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary, in maintaining hydroelectric power generating facilities at projects under the jurisdiction of the Army, to increase the efficiency of energy production and the capacity of such facilities, if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Secretary to undertake surveys, plans, and studies and to prepare reports which may lead to work under existing civil works authorities or to recommendations for authorizations. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Secretary to make lump-sum payments to non-Federal sponsors for the Federal share of operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation costs of civil works projects after completion of construction of the project or a separation element thereof, with conditions. (Sec. 12) Requires recommendation to the Congress by the Secretary that a non-Federal sponsor bear 50 percent of the cost of any proposed modification of an existing authorized project by removal of a project feature which would significantly and adversely impact the project purpose or output. (Sec. 13) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 to terminate the technical advisory committee established to provide to the Secretary and the Corps recommendations on reservoir monitoring and research. (Sec. 15) Amends the: (1) Act to revise a reporting requirement and to defeat a project deauthorization if funds for planning or design (currently, only construction) have been obligated within a 30-month period; and (2) Water Resources Development Act of 1988 to repeal a five-year limitation on the period during which funds must be obligated to prevent project deauthorization. (Sec. 16) Directs the Secretary to establish a goal of awarding five percent of the total amount of civil works funds obligated for Army contracts and subcontracts for FY 1994 through 2000 to small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and to historically Black colleges and minority institutions. Outlines procurement procedures. (Sec. 17) Amends the Act to revise provisions concerning cost-sharing for dam safety work. (Sec. 18) Repeals a provision of the River and Harbor Act of 1950 providing for expenses of Corps representatives at international engineering or scientific conferences. (Sec. 19) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with non-Federal entities for R&D in support of Army civil works programs. (Sec. 20) Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities in interagency or international support of problems of national significance to the United States, with conditions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 21) Amends the Act to allow the Secretary to take appropriate measures if he determines that the operation of a water resource project has contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment. (Sec. 22) Establishes in the Treasury the Army Civil Works Regulatory Program Fund for deposit of fees collected for commercial permits, environmental impact statements, and wetlands delineations. Authorizes the appropriation of the funds collected to the Secretary for administrative costs related to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should actively seek: (1) an international agreement prohibiting the production, possession, transfer, and use of antipersonnel landmines; and (2) in the interim, international agreements to further limit the production, possession, transfer, and use of such landmines. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a U.S. moratorium on the purchase and production of such landmines would encourage other nations to adopt similar measures. Establishes such moratorium for a one-year period beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act. Calls for the President to urge other nations to adopt such a moratorium. Allows the moratorium to be extended. Earmarks funds authorized under the current Department of Defense Authorization Act for improving landmine detection and neutralization. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development and the Secretary of State to jointly submit to the Congress a report containing an analysis of the social, economic, and environmental costs and effects of the use of antipersonnel landmines. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the total number of U.S. military personnel killed or wounded by such landmines during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, and the Persian Gulf War.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1994
Amends the Revenue Act of 1987 to provide a permanent extension of the rule for the treatment of certain publicly traded partnerships as corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1994
Montana National Forest Management Act of 1994 - Designates certain national forest lands in Montana as wilderness areas. Retains existing water rights in such areas. Directs that, prior to the revision of Land and Resource Management Plans for national forest lands in Montana that were completed prior to this Act's enactment, decisions to allocate roadless areas to wilderness or nonwilderness categories and environmental analyses related to such allocations shall not be subject to judicial review. Provides that, except for decisions allocating lands to wilderness and nonwilderness categories, nothing in this Act shall preclude judicial review of: (1) Department of Agriculture decisions implementing such Plans or decisions made concerning the management of national forest lands subsequent to allocations to wilderness and nonwilderness categories; and (2) Forest Service regional guides and other departmental policies of general applicability. Deems certain reviews by the Department of Agriculture of national forest lands in Montana to be an adequate consideration of the suitability of such lands for inclusion in the national wilderness preservation system. Requires certain lands which were not designated as wilderness, special management, national recreation, or wilderness study areas by this Act to be managed for multiple use. Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from conducting any further statewide roadless area review and evaluation of national forest system lands in Montana for purposes of determining suitability for inclusion in the national wilderness preservation system. Designates specified national forest system lands in Montana as national education, recreation, scenic, wildlife, and wilderness study areas. Withdraws the Badger-Two Medicine Area from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under mining and public land laws and from disposition under geothermal and mineral leasing laws. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to manage such area as to protect its wilderness qualities. Provides that nothing shall preclude the gathering of timber by the Blackfeet Tribe in exercise of valid treaty rights. Requires the Secretary to review such area in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Provides that the Bitter Creek and Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Areas have been sufficiently studied for wilderness designations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Water Program Funding Title II: Toxic Pollution Prevention and Control Title III: Nonpoint Pollution Control and Watershed Planning Title IV: Municipal Pollution Control Title V: Permit Program and Enforcement Title VI: Program Management Title VII: Wetlands Title VIII: Coastal Protection Title IX: Innovative Technology Title X: Interstate Water Quality Programs Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Water Program Funding - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand the list of projects for which State water pollution control revolving fund monies are available. (Sec. 101) Authorizes States to: (1) reduce amounts required for matching contributions to capitalization grants for water pollution control revolving funds by an amount equal to the amount of technical assistance provided to publicly owned treatment works or subsurface sewage disposal systems that serve 10,000 or fewer individuals; and (2) forgive an amount of loan principal for disadvantaged communities with respect to loans for water pollution control activities. Revises the allotment formula for revolving funds and extends the authorization of appropriations for such funds through FY 2000. Increases amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY 1996 through 2000 subject to certain on-budget deficit estimates. Reserves funds for a grant to implement a plan for the elimination of discharges to Onondaga Lake, New York. (Sec. 102) Extends the authorization of appropriations for specified pollution control programs through FY 2000. Title II: Toxic Pollution Prevention and Control - Adds to the list of requirements for effluent limitation guidelines that the Administrator: (1) in determining the best practicable control technology and best measures available, give highest priority to source reduction measures; (2) identify control measures to limit the release of pollutants associated with wastewater to other environmental media; and (3) prohibit specific control measures that are likely to have a significant adverse effect on any environmental medium. (Sec. 201) Revises provisions concerning pretreatment standards to require the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for the introduction of pollutants (currently, pollutants which are not susceptible to treatment or would interfere with the operation of the treatment works) into publicly owned treatment works. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to publish a water quality criteria plan every five years. Requires the initial plan to contain at least eight sediment quality criteria. Directs the Administrator to: (1) require pesticide registrants to provide information sufficient to publish criteria unless the pesticide will not enter water in more than de minimis amounts; and (2) ensure that information necessary to publish criteria for chemical substances that are the subject of a premanufacture notice pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act is submitted unless certain conditions are met. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance concerning contaminant levels in finfish and shellfish for use by States in the issuance of finfish and shellfish consumption advisories to protect recreational and subsistence fishers. Prohibits sediment quality criteria published under this Act from being: (1) used as a standard for determining appropriate cleanup levels or for whether cleanup should be undertaken; or (2) deemed an applicable requirement for remediation unless the Administrator determines criteria appropriate for such use. Requires States to report triennially to the Administrator on the designated uses of waters. Deems all waters for which a use has not been designated to be designated as fishable and swimmable, unless a State establishes an alternative use. Directs States to adopt pollutant specific standards for any pollutant for which criteria are published if the discharge of such pollutant could interfere with designated water uses. Requires States to implement antidegradation policies. Directs States to implement programs to protect outstanding national resource waters. Requires permitting authorities to conduct antidegradation reviews for a water prior to issuing a permit to a point source authorizing any new or expanded discharge of a pollutant. (Sec. 203) Directs the Administrator to review and revise the list of toxic pollutants subject to this Act at least every five years. Authorizes persons to petition the Administrator to establish effluent standards. Requires the Administrator to offer to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to study the effects of pollution found in navigable waters on the development of aquatic life, wildlife, or humans. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish a list of substances anticipated to cause significant and widespread adverse effects on the development of aquatic life, wildlife, or humans; (2) publish a comprehensive strategy to control, prevent, and remediate water pollution or sediment contamination associated with listed substances; and (3) report to specified congressional committees on an estimate of the costs and benefits of each action proposed under the strategy. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Administrator to impose pretreatment requirements on industrial users that introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works. Prohibits the introduction of hazardous wastes into publicly owned treatment works unless certain conditions are met. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for: (1) toxic reduction action plans (one of the conditions to be met if introducing hazardous wastes) to be implemented by certain commercial users that are not subject to categorical pretreatment standards and that introduce toxic pollutants or hazardous wastes into treatment works; and (2) technical assistance to small communities to assist in minimizing the introduction of toxic pollutants and hazardous wastes from commercial sources into treatment works. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations revising the definition and applicability of certain local limits under Federal regulations as may be necessary to protect health and the environment with respect to hazardous wastes discharged to publicly owned treatment works. Requires revised limits to address all points from which hazardous wastes may be released from a treatment works to the environment. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on actual discharges of hazardous wastes to treatment works to determine quantities, the sources of the discharges, the releases from various release points, and resulting threats to health and the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes a publicly owned treatment works to apply to the Administrator for the designation of the treatment works as a publicly owned industrial treatment works. Provides for approval of the application if: (1) greater than 75 percent of the wastewater received is from one or more industrial sources; (2) the works was specifically designed to treat pollutants associated with such sources; (3) the works consistently complies with applicable effluent limitations that are as stringent as those that would apply if the works were an industrial facility; (4) sludge from the works meets requirements for beneficial reuse; and (5) the works has imposed controls on all pollutants received from such sources as necessary to protect health and the environment. (Sec. 205) Amends the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 to require facilities that are subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 and whose reports total releases and transfers of toxic chemicals in excess of 200,000 pounds annually to prepare pollution prevention plans. Deems small businesses to be in compliance with such requirement if they retain a pollution prevention opportunities assessment manual and checklist. Requires facilities to include pollution prevention progress reports with each annual filing of toxic chemical release reports. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish an integrated pollution prevention information network; (2) develop industry-specific pollution prevention opportunities assessment manuals and checklists for industrial categories with respect to which the lack of information is an impediment to pollution prevention by small businesses; and (3) establish a program to promote local voluntary programs to prevent pollution and promote energy conservation. (Sec. 206) Requires the Administrator to establish an integrated| permit pilot program at up to ten demonstration sites that: (1) combines all applicable Federal environmental requirements (with exceptions) into a single integrated permit; and (2) provides the sites the opportunity to demonstrate innovative and alternative methods of compliance with such requirements. Permits the Administrator, with the consent of the State in which a demonstration site is located, to temporarily waive Federal environmental statutory and regulatory requirements (with exceptions, including limitations of emissions) for such sites. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance grants to applicant organizations and local communities in the vicinity of demonstration sites. Requires demonstration projects to terminate within ten years of this Act's enactment. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Nonpoint Pollution Control and Watershed Planning - Requires States to conduct and report to the Administrator on programs to monitor the quality of navigable waters and aquatic sediment. (Sec. 301) Establishes the Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring Water Quality to coordinate Federal and State water and sediment quality monitoring programs. (Sec. 302) Revises provisions concerning State assessments of nonpoint source pollution. Requires States to submit to the Administrator every five years a list of navigable waters that cannot, without additional action to control nonpoint source pollution, be anticipated to attain or maintain: (1) water and sediment quality standards; and (2) in the case of a parameter with respect to which no water or sediment quality standard is in effect, water and sediment quality that supports the designated use. Authorizes States to include within such list other waters that are: (1) threatened with impairment; (2) outstanding national resource waters; or (3) groundwater threatened with nonpoint source pollution. Requires States to delineate land areas of the watersheds of listed waters. Revises requirements for State nonpoint source management programs. Requires such programs to be submitted for approval every five years. Authorizes States to select alternative management practices that are not identified in the national program guidance if such practices are as effective in controlling nonpoint source pollution. Permits alternative requirements with respect to specific sources with the Administrator's approval and subject to other conditions. Considers approved coastal nonpoint pollution control programs to meet the requirements for such programs. Requires the Administrator to implement programs for States that fail to do so. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for nonpoint source management programs, taking into account certain regional variations and land and water management practices. Authorizes the Administrator to list new sources in the guidance if they are likely to contribute to pollution preventing the attainment of water or sediment quality standards. Authorizes sources located in watershed areas of listed waters to implement site-specific water quality plans in lieu of management measures outlined in the national guidance. Provides that certain existing plans implemented under conservation compliance and agricultural water protection programs under the Food Security Act of 1985 satisfy site-specific plan requirements subject to certain conditions. Requires the Administrator to establish a formula for the allocation of sums based on certain factors related to nonpoint source pollution. Sets forth limitations on funding. Withholds up to 50 percent of funds from States that fail to implement nonpoint source programs. Authorizes (current law requires) the Administrator to make grants to States for groundwater protection activities that will advance nonpoint source pollution control. Extends the authorization to carry out nonpoint source programs through FY 2000. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants: (1) for certain education and outreach activities regarding nonpoint pollution source control; and (2) to the CleanMarina Program to support the reduction of pollution from marina facilities and recreational boating activities. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the implementation of nonpoint source water pollution control measures on Federal lands and for the prevention of water pollution resulting from highway construction. Directs the Administrator to review and approve each plan for the construction of an animal waste management facility. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance and education concerning the design of such facilities. Requires the Administrator to publish guidelines for the design, operation, and management of publicly owned subsurface sewage organizations. (Sec. 303) Authorizes State Governors to designate waters and associated land areas as watershed management units. Makes certain watershed planning activities eligible for assistance. Authorizes State Governors to submit watershed management plans to the Administrator for approval. Makes approved plan activities eligible for Federal assistance. Provides for extensions of discharge permits in watershed planning units, subject to certain conditions. Title IV: Municipal Pollution Control - Requires permits issued for discharges from combined storm and sanitary sewers to conform with combined sewer overflow control policy under Federal regulations published by the Administrator in January 1993. (Sec. 401) Authorizes the issuance of permits for compliance with a long-term control plan for a term of up to 15 years. (Sec. 402) Applies permit requirements to stormwater discharges associated with commercial activity. Exempts sources of discharges composed entirely of stormwater from municipal storm sewer systems, with certain exceptions, from permit requirements (currently, such exemption is only available prior to October 1, 1994). Provides that permits issued for discharges from municipal storm sewers composed entirely of stormwater shall not require compliance with numeric effluent limitations and water quality standards shall not be applied as effluent limitations. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a consolidated permit for discharges from a storm sewer system owned by a municipality and the stormwater discharges from industrial or commercial sources owned by the same municipality. Requires the Administrator to establish permit requirements for stormwater discharges from commercial and light industrial sources. Directs the Administrator to list each municipal storm sewer system the discharge from which is the sole or principal cause for the failure of receiving waters affected by the discharge to achieve a designated use or other water quality standard. Requires such systems to obtain discharge permits. Requires a revised list at least every five years. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt certain commercial and light industrial stormwater discharges from permit requirements. (Sec. 403) Requires EPA to be the primary coordinator for all Federal policies related to municipal, commercial, residential, and industrial water conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers, to provide technical assistance and take specified actions to encourage water conservation. Directs the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse on water conservation. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Permit Program and Enforcement - Requires fees for discharge permits to be used for point source elements of the water quality program and sewage sludge use and disposal and pretreatment programs. Establishes a Federal Water Pollution Control Permit Fund. (Sec. 502) Requires a permit applicant, in the case of a new discharge resulting from facility construction, to apply for a permit prior to the commencement of construction. Modifies permit application requirements. (Sec. 503) Revises enforcement and penalty provisions. Title VI: Program Management - Requires the Administrator to conduct research with respect to the harmful effects on the health and habitat of fish, shellfish, and wildlife caused by water pollutants. (Sec. 601) Authorizes appropriations for research programs. (Sec. 603) Establishes employee protection provisions to apply to cases where employees refuse to perform duties that would constitute violations of the Clean Water Act. (Sec. 606) Increases the amount required to be reserved for assistance to Indian tribes for the construction of treatment works and nonpoint source pollution control programs. Permits State revolving funds to be used for assistance to Indian tribes. Requires the Administrator to issue permits for discharges to navigable waters on Federal Indian reservations unless the Indian tribe has been delegated permit issuance authority. (Sec. 607) Requires the Administrator to establish a national water quality education program as well as specified volunteer awards programs related to water pollution control. (Sec. 608) Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) an Arid West Water Quality Research Project; and (2) an Arid West Water Quality Research Board. Requires the project to: (1) be located at the EPA monitoring laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada; (2) develop data for water quality criteria documents for species and environments appropriate for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams; and (3) conduct additional research. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to convene a working group to: (1) recommend revisions to methodology used to develop water quality criteria to include criteria appropriate for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams; and (2) make recommendations for additional scientific research and other information needed for the development of water quality criteria that can be adapted by States to reflect special regional and site-specific characteristics, especially with respect to the arid West. Direct the Administrator to: (1) revise such methodology in accordance with the recommendations; and (2) publish at least two criteria documents addressing such streams. Requires the Administrator to promote the environmentally beneficial use of reclaimed water and the development of appropriate water quality criteria and standards for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams: (1) that have a limited ability to maintain traditional water resources; and (2) with respect to which the discharge of reclaimed water to otherwise arid or semiarid environments can also support limited aquatic and riparian habitat that would otherwise not exist. Authorizes States to establish an alternative use for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams if such streams cannot attain current designated uses because of natural, ephemeral, intermittent, or low flow conditions or water levels. Permits revised or new interim water quality criteria for such streams. (Sec. 610) Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers, to establish a grant program to provide assistance to States and political subdivisions for the construction of environmental education facilities. Requires facilities to be used to enhance public awareness of the importance of aquatic, marine, and other natural resources and to serve as a clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 611) Requires certain water pollution control plans prepared by States, localities, and other nonfederal entities pursuant to the Clean Water Act to evaluate the acquisition of lands or interests as a means of meeting the goals of such plans. Permits the use of funding under the Clean Water Act for such acquisitions if: (1) the lands or interests are acquired from willing sellers and held in perpetuity in public ownership; and (2) the plan finds the acquisition to be effective and appropriate. Makes acquired lands available for public recreational purposes to the extent possible considering the environmental sensitivity and suitability of the lands. (Sec. 612) Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) an Environmental Financial Advisory Board to provide expert advice on issues affecting the costs and financing of environmental activities at the Federal, State, and local levels; and (2) Environmental Finance Centers in each of the ten Federal regions. Authorizes the Centers to: (1) provide training of State and local officials; (2) publish materials relating to financing of environmental infrastructure; (3) conduct conferences and advisory panels on specific environmental finance issues; (4) establish information services; (5) generate case studies and reports; (6) develop surveys of financial issues and needs of State and local governments; (7) identify financial programs and alternative financing mechanisms for training purposes; (8) hold public meetings; and (9) collaborate and exchange information. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 613) Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct a comprehensive research program concerning U.S. lakes; and (2) appoint a Lake Research Advisory Committee. Requires States to designate the use of each publicly-owned lake consistent with the following uses: (1) public drinking water supply; (2) swimming and related body contact recreation; and (3) resource protection. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) water quality criteria for freshwater lakes; and (2) guidance to assist States in the adoption of lake water quality standards for contaminants for which criteria documents have been published. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the clean lakes program through FY 2000. Revises requirements for lake water quality demonstration programs. Adds to the priority list for such programs China Lake, Maine, Flathead Lake, Montana, and Candlewood Lake, Connecticut. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on phosphates in detergent products. Directs the Administrator to implement a national education program on lake quality and protection. Provides for a Lake Watch Program and a Lake Watch Award. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to require the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to undertake a program to prevent the dissemination of Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum), a type of aquatic weed. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the importation of such species into the United States. (Sec. 614) Applies certain Federal wage standards to contract employees working on projects (currently, treatment works) financed under the Clean Water Act. (Sec. 615) Requires the Administrator to consult with any Federal agency having jurisdiction over food processing activities prior to the promulgation of any requirements for an effluent guideline, new source performance standard, pretreatment standard, process change, or use restriction which will affect food processing activities to ensure that the guideline, standard, change, or restriction will not adversely affect food safety or the integrity and wholesomeness of a food product. (Sec. 616) Revises provisions concerning training grants and contracts to require the Administrator to implement a national program to train individuals in the operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works and other water pollution control facilities. Provides for grants to institutions of higher education and State agencies to support such programs. Requires chief operators of publicly owned treatment works that have discharge permits and such additional personnel as may be designated by a State to be certified as proficient. Directs the Administrator to issue certification guidelines. Authorizes appropriations for training and scholarship programs. Title VII: Wetlands - Prohibits the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army from taking private property for public |use without just compensation. (Sec. 702) Prohibits the issuance of revisions to or clarifications of the guidelines for identifying and delineating wetlands under the Clean Water Act until the National Academy of Sciences has completed a specified wetlands study. Provides for the continued use of the 1987 Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual until such guidelines are issued. Requires wetlands located on agricultural and associated nonagricultural lands to be delineated by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with a specified January 1994 memorandum. Directs the Secretary to delineate wetlands on rangelands using the 1987 manual. Authorizes the Administrator to issue guidelines to identify and delineate wetlands. Earmarks funding for: (1) wetlands delineation training programs; and (2) assistance to private landowners who lack financial capacity to identify or delineate wetlands in order to apply for dredge or fill permits or avoid impacts to wetlands. Provides for a public information program on Federal regulations, permitting requirements, and wetlands delineation. (Sec. 704) Sets forth permit decision deadlines and administrative appeal procedures, including procedures for landowners to appeal regulatory jurisdiction determinations. (Sec. 705) Authorizes the issuance of general permits on a State, regional, or nationwide basis for any category of activities involving discharges of dredge or fill material if the activities are similar in nature and will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects when performed separately and cumulatively. (Sec. 706) Exempts prior converted croplands and certain waters and activities from regulation under dredged and fill permit provisions. (Sec. 707) Provides for the establishment of mitigation banks (wetlands restoration projects that provide compensation credits to offset foreseeable wetlands losses from future discharges of dredged or fill material into navigable waters if compensatory mitigation is not practicable). (Sec. 710) Authorizes funding to States for wetlands conservation and watershed management planning. Requires the Administrator to carry out a wetlands and watershed management research program. Establishes a committee to coordinate Federal, State, and local government wetlands policies. Provides for the development of a National Cooperative Wetlands Restoration Strategy. Requires the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator to establish a wetlands restoration pilot program. (Sec. 711) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to administer wetlands programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Coastal Protection - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the national estuary program through FY 2000. Revises requirements for estuary management conferences and conservation plans and provisions regarding research and grants. Adds Charlotte Harbor, Florida, to the list of estuaries to be given priority consideration. (Sec. 802) Directs the Administrator to revise water quality for pathogens. Requires the Administrator to revise the aquatic life criteria for each pollutant with respect to which such criteria for freshwater have been published and revise such criteria to address aquatic life in marine waters. Directs each State with coastal recreation waters to adopt water quality standards for pathogens. Requires the Administrator to establish numeric water quality standards for marine waters that: (1) are not located within the jurisdiction of a State; and (2) are located within 200 miles seaward of the landward boundary of the territorial seas. (Sec. 803) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a national program to provide information, education, and technical assistance to owners of land bordering marine water; (2) establish the Ocean Watch Program to encourage nonprofit citizens groups to engage in activities to assess and protect marine and ocean waters; and (3) provide an annual Ocean Watch Award. (Sec. 804) Make it unlawful to discharge sewage: (1) into certain designated waters; and (2) that has not been treated by a marine sanitation device. Makes the construction of marine pumpout stations provided for in plans approved under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 eligible for State revolving fund assistance. Makes it unlawful for the owner or operator of a marina that has a docking or mooring capacity for more than 500 vessels: (1) beginning on January 1, 2000, to fail to provide pumpout stations and waste reception facilities for marine sanitation devices unless a plan developed under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 expressly waives such requirement; and (2) to fail to comply with a plan pursuant to such Act. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to carry out an information and education program to encourage compliance with marine sanitation device requirements and foster understanding concerning water quality and pollution prevention. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 805) Revises provisions concerning the issuance of permits with respect to ocean discharges. Prohibits permits for such discharges if: (1) a discharge may cause or contribute to the violation of water and sediment quality standards; or (2) discharge alternatives were not adequately evaluated. Directs the Administrator to: (1) biennially list marine waters that do not and are not likely to support the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and allow for recreational activities in and on the waters; and (2) take actions to prevent the further degradation of water and sediment quality of a priority marine water. (Sec. 806) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to provide financial assistance to local governments for the construction of facilities for the control of overflows from combined storm and sanitary sewers to marine waters. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 807) Directs the Administrator to publish regulations specifying methods to be used by States to monitor coastal recreation waters, during periods of use by the public, for compliance with standards. Requires notification of local governments and the public of water quality standards violations. Directs the Administrator to: (1) issue guidance on uniform assessment and monitoring procedures for floatable materials in coastal recreation waters; and (2) specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable materials constitutes a threat to public health and safety. Authorizes grants to States for carrying out such requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for a research program to develop better indicators for detecting harmful bacteria and viruses in coastal recreation waters. Title IX: Innovative Technology - Requires the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate practices, methods, technologies, or processes that may be effective in the prevention and control of sources of water pollution or aquatic habitat degradation or loss. Authorizes grants for such projects. Permits the Administrator, as part of such program, to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements with State permitting authorities and the managers of Federal facilities for the demonstration of innovative and alternative approaches for the prevention and control of point and nonpoint sources of water pollution at properties owned by the Federal Government; and (2) select proposals for funding agreements for projects to demonstrate comprehensive and innovative technologies for the prevention, control, or remediation of acid, metal-contaminated, or other mine water pollution that results from active, inactive, or abandoned hard rock mining operations. (Sec. 901) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the Administrator, with State consent, to temporarily waive permit limitations for certain point sources for purposes of encouraging the development and testing of certain innovative production or pollution prevention processes, pollution control technologies, or recycling methods. Limits waivers to 90 days and provides for extensions. (Sec. 903) Provides for limited waivers from national categorical pretreatment standards under certain conditions for facilities that apply innovative production or pollution prevention processes, pollution control technologies, or recycling methods. Limits waivers to 90 days and provides for extensions. (Sec. 904) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to verify, evaluate, and disseminate: (1) performance and cost information on technologies, processes, techniques, and management measures appropriate for controlling water pollution; and (2) information on the properties and toxicity of substitute chemicals. Requires the Administrator to establish and update a list of technologies and alternative chemicals verified under the program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 905) Authorizes States to submit programs to assist small business sources of water pollution to the Administrator for approval. Requires the Administrator to establish a small business source assistance program within EPA. Title X: Interstate Water Quality Programs - Establishes a Gulf of Mexico Program to: (1) protect the coastal and marine waters and natural habitats of the Gulf; (2) protect human health and the food supply; and (3) ensure the recreational use of the Gulf in ways consistent with the economic well being of the region. (Sec. 1001) Establishes a Gulf of Mexico Commission to make recommendations to the President on Program goals. Provides for a Management and Restoration Plan for the Gulf. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress on the environmental quality of the Gulf and impact of Gulf environmental problems on economic conditions. Authorizes grants to Gulf States to further the implementation of the Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Administrator to develop a Great Lakes testing manual that implements the national guidance for the disposal of sediment material into U.S. waters. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the general condition of Confined Disposal Facilities (CDFs) located in the Great Lakes basin and to identify each facility that is causing or is at risk of causing an exceedance of water or sediment quality standards or interfering with protection of designated uses. Directs the Administrator to publish a ranking of at least 15 priority harbors within the Great Lakes system for development of long-term sediment management strategies for harbor maintenance. Makes it unlawful, with respect to such harbors, to discharge sediment dredged from the harbors at any location in the open waters of the Great Lakes or any CDF or to establish, expand, or modify any CDF that receives sediment from the harbors unless specified conditions are met. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army to jointly issue guidelines for the development of sediment management strategies for such harbors. Provides for sediment management working groups for each site subject to routine navigational dredging. Requires all dredging and disposal operations to be consistent with such strategies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop tributary sediment models for each major river system that deposits sediment into a Great Lakes federally authorized commercial harbor, channel harbor, channel maintenance project site, or area of concern; (2) develop an analytical method to project the effectiveness of sediment source reduction approaches; and (3) use such method to conduct sediment load reduction analyses to estimate the effectiveness of such approaches. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Great Lakes National Program Office to conduct demonstration projects of promising technologies to remedy contaminated sediments. Replaces provisions concerning the Great Lakes Research Office to establish a Great Lakes Research Council. Revises provisions regarding Lakewide Management Plans to require the Administrator to publish the final plans for: (1) Lake Michigan and Lake Superior by January 1, 1995; and (2) Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Ontario by January 1, 1998. Raises the ceiling on, and extends the authorization of, appropriations for a health research report regarding the Great Lakes. Directs the Administrator to seek the cooperation of Canada in developing a binational program to restore and protect water and sediment quality within the watershed area of Lake Superior. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Great Lakes program through FY 2000. (Sec. 1003) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue the Chesapeake Bay Program; and (2) maintain a Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Establishes a Chesapeake Bay Federal Agencies Committee to coordinate Federal activities relating to the restoration of the Bay. Requires Federal agencies to report to the President on activities planned and undertaken, and resources provided, to meet responsibilities under the Program. Directs Federal agencies that own or operate facilities within the Bay watershed to assess the facilities to ensure compliance with the Program and include a plan for addressing such impacts in the report to the President. Requires the Administrator to establish a habitat restoration program in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Authorizes technical and financial assistance to public and nonprofit agencies to carry out such program. Directs the Administrator to develop a basinwide toxic reduction strategy, as well as research and monitoring to improve understanding of intermedia transfers of toxic pollutants and the ultimate fate of the pollutants within the Bay ecosystem. Authorizes financial assistance for specified activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Program through FY 2000. (Sec. 1004) Requires the Administrator to continue the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed Program and to establish a Tri-State Implementation Council to implement the management plan developed for the Program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1005) Establishes a Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. Authorizes grants to the Council and to the St. Croix International Waterway Commission. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1006) Directs the Administrator to establish a Mississippi River Program within EPA to carry out specified activities to protect and restore the Mississippi River. Establishes the Mississippi River Program Office. Requires the Administrator and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to report on the environmental quality and and ecosystem health of the Mississippi River and the impact on economic viability, human health, and ecological health of plants and animals. Directs the Administrator to design a strategy for developing a monitoring program to assess the environmental quality of such ecosystem. Requires the Governors of the Mississippi River States, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator to form a Mississippi River States Council to: (1) assist in collecting assessment and monitoring data; (2) ratify a Management, Protection, and Restoration Plan and (3) facilitate coordination on issues related to restoration of environmental quality. Authorizes grants for the development and implementation of the Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1007) Extends the authorization for, and raises the ceiling on, appropriations to implement the Long Island Sound program. Designates the Connecticut River and the watershed of such river in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut as a multistate watershed. Requires the New England Interstate Water Pollution Commission to coordinate State and interstate management efforts. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1008) Directs the Administrator to make grants to maintain the Narragansett Bay Project and to implement a comprehensive conservation and management plan. Authorizes grants to carry out the Project. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1009) Requires the Administrator to establish an Executive Council of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary Restoration Program to coordinate the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1010) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Lake Champlain program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1994
Designates October 1994 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1994
Congressional Accountability Act - Makes specified Federal statutes (or provisions thereof) applicable to the offices and employees of the legislative branch of the Federal Government, including (with exceptions): (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA); (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA); (3) the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (6) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (7) the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (8) the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988; (9) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; (10) the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); (11) the Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act); and (12) provisions governing Federal labor-management relations. (Sec. 3) Establishes in the legislative branch an Office of Compliance. Provides for a Board of Directors: (1) to issue regulations that specify the manner in which provisions of this Act shall be implemented to ensure compliance; (2) when proposing regulations, to recommend to the Congress any needed changes in or repeals of existing law to accommodate the application of such provision to its employees and offices; and (3) to study provisions of Federal law relating to employment, personnel actions, or availability of information to the public that are similar to such provision and that do not apply to congressional offices or employees, and recommend to the Congress whether any of those provisions should be applied to congressional offices or employees. Sets forth congressional disapproval procedures with respect to the issuance of regulations of, and rulemaking by, the Office. Requires the Board to carry out a program to inform Members of Congress, congressional employees, and heads of congressional offices as to the provisions, including remedies, made applicable to the legislative branch. (Sec. 5) Sets forth procedures for consideration of alleged violations of civil rights and personnel requirements, including: (1) step I, counseling; (2) step II, mediation; and (3) at the election of the employee alleging the violation, step IIIA, formal complaint and hearing by a hearing board, and step IV, judicial review of a hearing board decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or step IIIB, a civil action in a U.S. district court. (Sec. 11) Sets forth procedures for consideration of alleged violations relating to: (1) information requirements; and (2) labor management and occupational health and safety requirements. (Sec. 13) Makes FOIA and the Privacy Act inapplicable to specified offices, including the personnel offices of Members of Congress, congressional committees, and the offices of any caucus or partisan organization related to the Congress. (Sec. 15) Treats intimidation of, or reprisal against, a congressional employee by any Member or officer of the Congress, any head of a congressional office, or any congressional employee, because of the exercise of a right under this Act, as an unlawful employment practice. (Sec. 16) Sets forth provisions regarding confidentiality with respect to counseling, mediation, hearings, release of records for judicial review, and access by congressional committees. (Sec. 17) Requires the Office, on a regular basis and at least once during each Congress, to request that the Secretary of Labor and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board detail to the Office such personnel as necessary to inspect the facilities of the legislative branch to ensure compliance with OSHA, FLSA, and ADA. (Sec. 18) Requires the executive director of the office (appointed by the chairperson of the Board) to: (1) collect information with respect to complaints filed under this Act; and (2) submit for publication in the Congressional Record a report containing such information, without identifying parties by name. (Sec. 19) Specifies that it shall not be a violation to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility with the employing office of an employee with respect to employment decisions issued under this Act. (Sec. 20) Prohibits a congressional employee from commencing a judicial proceeding to redress practices prohibited under this Act, except as provided in this Act. (Sec. 22) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
Lost Creek Land Exchange Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire certain lands owned by the Brand S Corporation and located in the Lost Creek area of the Deerlodge National Forest and within the Gallatin National Forest (to be added to and administered as part of such National Forests) in exchange for certain lands within such National Forests and specified timber rights on Deerlodge National Forest lands. Directs the Secretary to secure legal public road access to Gallatin National Forest System lands in the Eightmile Creek area and the Miller Gulch-Fridley Creek-Dry Creek area. Releases the United States from any liability under Federal, State, or local law solely as a result of acquiring an interest in the Lost Creek Tract or due to circumstances or events occurring before acquisition, including any release or threat of release of hazardous substances.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1994
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1994 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make capitalization grants to States to establish State drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. (Sec. 3) Authorizes State Governors to transfer amounts between such funds and water pollution control revolving funds established under the Clean Water Act. Requires the Administrator to reserve one and a half percent of drinking water funds for capitalization grants to Indian tribes for the improvement of public water systems. Authorizes the Administrator to make such grants to the District of Columbia and specified U.S. territories. Authorizes States to reserve a certain amount of such grants for technical assistance for small public water systems. Requires the Administrator, beginning in FY 1998, to withhold 50 percent of each capitalization grant made to a State if the Administrator has not approved a State viability program. Directs States to prepare annual intended use plans for funds. Requires priority for the use of funds to be given to projects that address the most serious risk to human health and that assist systems most in need on a household basis according to State affordability criteria. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator, no later than May 31, 1994, to propose maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) or maximum residual disinfectant level goals and a national primary drinking water regulation for disinfectants and disinfectant byproducts. Directs the Administrator to propose an interim enhanced surface water treatment rule for systems serving a population of over 10,000 that includes an MCLG for cryptosporidium. Requires publication of such goals, regulation, and rule (for microbial contaminants including cryptosporidium) by December 31, 1996. Directs the Administrator to: (1) promulgate an information collection rule to obtain information that will facilitate further revisions to the national primary drinking water regulation for disinfectants and disinfection byproducts by July 29, 1994; (2) promulgate a final long-term enhanced surface water treatment rule for all public water systems serving over 10,000 by December 31, 1998; and (3) promulgate a revised national primary drinking water regulation for disinfectants and disinfection byproducts incorporating collected information by June 30, 2000. Requires the Administrator to propose a regulation that describes treatment techniques that meet requirements for filtration and are feasible for community water systems serving 3,300 people or fewer and noncommunity water systems. Directs the Administrator to publish an MCLG and promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for any contaminant that may have adverse health effects and is known or anticipated to occur in public water systems with a frequency and at levels of public health concern. (Current law requires MCLGs and regulations for those that may have adverse health effects and are known or anticipated to occur in such systems.) Requires the Administrator to publish a list of at least 15 contaminants that present the greatest public health concern, with additional lists of at least seven contaminants every five years. Establishes deadlines for the promulgation of regulations and MCLGs for such contaminants. Directs the Administrator to assemble a national drinking water occurrence data base to include information on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated contaminants. Prohibits the Administrator, for any contaminant that is regulated on the basis of its carcinogenic effects, from establishing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) that is more stringent than the level necessary to ensure that lifetime cancer risks resulting from concentrations of the contaminant in drinking water will not exceed one in 1,000,000 considering sensitive subpopulations that can be identified and characterized. Authorizes the Administrator to establish an MCL for such a contaminant that is less stringent than is feasible if such level will: (1) result in compliance costs that are substantially less than costs that would be experienced by public water systems to comply with the more stringent level; and (2) ensure that lifetime cancer risks resulting from concentrations of the contaminant in drinking water are essentially equivalent to the risks that would occur at the feasible level. Permits the Administrator to establish an MCL for a contaminant at a level that is less stringent than is feasible if the feasible level would result in an increase in the overall health risk from drinking water by: (1) increasing the concentration of other contaminants; or (2) interfering with the efficacy of treatment techniques that are used to comply with other national primary drinking water regulations. Requires such MCL to minimize the overall health risks. Makes this authority inapplicable with respect to regulations promulgated for disinfectants and disinfection byproducts. Revises provisions concerning the monitoring of unregulated contaminants. Requires the Administrator to establish criteria for a monitoring program for such contaminants. Directs the Administrator, within three years of this Act's enactment and every five years thereafter, to issue a list of up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. Requires systems that serve over 10,000 people to monitor for all listed contaminants. Directs each State to develop a representative monitoring plan to assess the occurrence of such contaminants in systems that serve fewer than 10,000. Provides that such plans shall require monitoring for systems representative of different sizes, types, and geographic locations within a State. Authorizes the Administrator to waive monitoring requirements if a State demonstrates that the criteria for listing a contaminant do not apply in the State. Authorizes appropriations. Requires drinking water regulations to be reviewed at least once every six (currently, three) years. Makes national primary drinking water regulations effective three years after the date of promulgation (currently, 18 months) unless the Administrator determines that an earlier date is practicable. Permits up to two additional years to comply with an MCL or treatment technique if additional time is necessary for capital improvements. Authorizes exemptions from MCL or treatment technique requirements to allow a public water system to develop an alternative source of water supply or to restructure or consolidate the system. Permits the renewal of an exemption for one additional two-year period (currently, one or more two-year periods) for a system that serves no more than 3,300 people (currently, that serves no more than 500 service connections) and needs financial assistance for necessary improvements. Prohibits exemptions for small systems that receive variances under this Act. Requires the Administrator to review monitoring requirements for at least 12 contaminants and propose any necessary modifications. Authorizes States to submit alternative monitoring requirements for any national primary drinking water regulation to the Administrator for approval. Permits the Administrator or a State with primary enforcement responsibility (primacy), with respect to monitoring requirements for contaminants regulated on the basis of carcinogenic effects, to exempt public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people from conducting additional quarterly monitoring during any three-year period if monitoring conducted at the beginning of the period fails to detect the presence of the contaminant and it is unlikely to be detected by further monitoring. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Administrator or a State with primacy to grant variances for compliance with an MCL or treatment techniques to public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people. Permits such variances if a system installs and operates treatment technology that is feasible for small systems as determined by the Administrator and: (1) the State cannot afford to comply with a national primary drinking water regulation; and (2) the variance ensures adequate health protection. Establishes application deadlines for variances. Requires variances to be granted or denied within one year of the deadline. Establishes a moratorium on penalties for violations of MCLs or treatment techniques for systems that submit timely applications. Makes variances unavailable for: (1) an MCL or treatment technique for contaminants with respect to which a national primary drinking water regulation was promulgated prior to January 1, 1986; or (2) a regulation for a microbial contaminant or an indicator or treatment technique for such contaminant. Requires the Administrator to issue guidance or regulations describing treatment techniques for public water systems serving fewer than 3,300 people. Directs States with primacy to implement State Drinking Water System Viability Programs that ensure the capability of systems to comply with requirements. Provides that a public water system in violation of a requirement specifying an MCL or treatment technique that seeks assistance from a State for restructuring shall not be subject to a penalty for three years if the system is meeting the conditions of a State restructuring order. Makes such extensions unavailable for systems that apply for assistance four years after this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to make grants to institutions of higher education to establish at least five small public water system technology assistance centers in the United States. (Sec. 6) Revises enforcement authorities. Exempts systems that submit approved consolidation plans from enforcement actions for a certain time period. Requires States to report annually to the Administrator on public water system compliance. Directs the Administrator to summarize such reports for the Congress and make recommendations on resources needed to ensure compliance. (Sec. 7) Makes it unlawful for any person to: (1) introduce into commerce any pipe or pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture that is not lead free; (2) sell solder or flux that is not lead free while engaged in the business of selling plumbing supplies; or (3) introduce into commerce any solder or flux that is not lead free unless it bears a label stating that it is illegal to use such solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing water for human consumption. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide technical information and assistance to qualified third-party certifiers in the development of voluntary standards and testing protocols for the leaching of lead from new plumbing fittings and fixtures that are intended to dispense water for human ingestion; and (2) promulgate regulations setting a health-effects-based performance standard establishing maximum leaching levels from such fittings and fixtures if a voluntary standard is not established within one year of this Act's enactment. Prohibits, if such standards are not promulgated within five years of this Act's enactment, the importation, manufacturing, processing, or distribution in commerce of fittings or fixtures that contain more than four percent lead by dry weight. Prohibits any person from removing water from a public water system through a pipe or device outside such system and returning water to the system unless the pipe or device is totally within the control of one or more systems. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations and an MCL for radon. Permits alternative contaminant levels if a system is: (1) located in a State that is implementing a program to reduce radon in indoor air or is receiving State grant assistance for the program; or (2) implementing an approved service area alternative compliance program. (Sec. 9) Requires State Governors to submit source water protection programs to the Administrator for approval. Authorizes community water systems, State or local government agencies, or planning entities, after such programs are approved, to submit source water protection, sole source aquifer, or wellhead protection plans to a State for approval. Withholds 50 percent of each capitalization grant to a State, beginning in FY 1998, if the Administrator has not approved a State source water protection program. Makes projects under approved programs eligible for assistance under the Clean Water Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for sole source aquifer protection and wellhead protection programs. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations for drinking water research, investigations, and demonstrations. Requires the principal operator of a public water system and additional personnel, as designated by the Administrator, to be certified for proficiency. Extends the authorization of appropriations for technical assistance to small water systems. Establishes additional research authorities, including requirements for studies of risk assessment and the occurrences of chemicals in drinking water. Sets priorities for research. Directs the Administrator to develop an integrated risk characterization strategy for drinking water quality. Adds to the list of requirements that a State must meet to retain primacy for drinking water programs that the State has adopted requirements for the certification of operators of public water systems and laboratories conducting tests. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations for public water system supervision programs and grants to States for groundwater protection. (Sec. 14) Waives the sovereign immunity of the United States with respect to any requirement, administrative authority, process, or sanction imposed concerning the provision of safe drinking water. (Sec. 15) Directs the Administrator to: (1) rank sources of pollution with respect to the relative degree of risk of adverse effects on human health, the environment, and public welfare; (2) evaluate costs and benefits associated with compliance with regulations and Federal actions with health and environmental impacts; and (3) identify reasonable opportunities to achieve significant risk reduction through modifications in environmental regulations and programs and other Federal programs with health and environmental impacts. (Sec. 16) Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the seriousness of contamination of private sources of drinking water that are not regulated by this Act. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers to borrow from the Federal Financing Bank to finance capital improvements at the Washington Aqueduct.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1994
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the reformulated gasoline rule should stand as previously promulgated; (2) the United States Trade Representative should defend such rule under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and (3) if the United States reopens such rule, the new proposed rule to permit foreign refineries to use their own 1990 baselines should be subject to extensive public notice and comment to ensure that it does not result in increased levels of ozone and in discrimination against domestic refiners of reformulated gasoline.