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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 · 10 June 1993
Congratulates the Anti-Defamation League as it celebrates its 80th anniversary in 1993 and commends it for effectively pursuing the goal of promoting greater tolerance among people throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1993
Designates September 9, 1993, and April 21, 1994, as National DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1993
National Environmental Trade Development Act of 1993 - Directs the President to coordinate Federal export promotion programs to ensure implementation of the national strategy to increase environmental exports developed under this Act by the Environmental Trade Promotion Council (the Council). Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to: (1) ensure that Department of Commerce programs and policies implement such strategy; (2) establish an environmental technology export promotion one-stop shop at the Trade Information Center; and (3) ensure that Federal offices, including those of the Foreign Commercial Service, which function as one-stop shops for U.S. exporters, also function as environmental technology export promotion one-stop shops. Directs the President to establish an Environmental Trade Promotion Council to develop a national strategy and implementation plan to increase exports of environmental technology, goods, and services (especially in source reduction and energy efficiency). Prescribes guidelines for the establishment of Regional Environmental Business and Technology Cooperation Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to make matching grants to the Centers. Amends the Peace Corps Act to establish the Senior Environmental Service Corps to provide to requesting countries volunteers skilled in environmental management and technology (especially source reduction and energy efficiency), sustainable development, and coastal zone management. Authorizes the Secretary to establish American Business Centers, including Environmental Business Centers, in countries that offer new market possibilities for the export of U.S. environmental technology, goods, and services (especially in source reduction and energy efficiency). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1993
Qualified Football Coaches Plan Technical Corrections Act of 1993 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to make technical revisions which again allow a qualified football coaches plan to be treated as a multiemployer plan for pension plan purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1993
Every Fifth Child Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that funding should be provided to: (1) begin a phase-in toward full funding of the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) and of Head Start programs; and (2) expand the Job Corps program. Suggests specified amounts that should be made available for such programs in certain fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protection of Sacred Sites Title II: Traditional Use of Peyote Title III: Prisoners' Rights Title IV: Religious Use of Eagles and Other Animals and Plants Title V: Jurisdiction and Remedies Title VI: Miscellaneous Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993 - Title I: Protection of Sacred Sites - Requires Federal agencies to plan and manage their lands in ways that are consistent with Native American religious sites. Grants access to religious sites on Federal lands to Native American practitioners at all times, unless the President determines that national security interests are directly affected. Provides for the temporary closing of such areas to general public use in order to protect the privacy of religious or cultural activities. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to identify lands with which an Indian tribe has historic or religious ties. Requires a Federal agency, before undertaking any activities on such land, to notify the Secretary and the affected tribe and refrain from such activities until the matter is resolved. (Sets forth a special rule for the Indian pueblos of New Mexico.) Provides for tribal authority over Native American religious sites on Indian lands. Establishes criminal sanctions for damaging Native American religious sites on Federal land. Title II: Traditional Use of Peyote - States that: (1) the use, possession, or transportation by an Indian of peyote for bona fide ceremonial use in a Native American religious activity is lawful and shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government or any State; (2) such activity may be reasonably regulated; and (3) specified provisions of Texas law shall remain applicable to such activity. Title III: Prisoners' Rights - Grants Native American prisoners access to traditional religious leaders, ceremonial materials, and religious facilities. Directs the Attorney General to establish the Commission on the Religious Freedom of Native American Prisoners. Title IV: Religious Use of Eagles and Other Animals and Plants - Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) develop a plan for access to eagles and other animals and plants for use in Native American religious activities; and (2) consult with Regional Advisory Councils (established by this Act) in such matters. Title V: Jurisdiction and Remedies - Grants jurisdiction to U.S. district courts for actions to enforce the provisions of this Act. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Sets forth miscellaneous provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1993
Small Manufacturers' Renewal and Training Act of 1993 - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out the Small Manufacturers Renewal and Training Program for awarding grants to manufacturing outreach centers to give undergraduate engineering students the opportunity to work as interns with small manufacturing companies. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) eligible entities; (2) grant duration and renewal; (3) grant priorities; and (4) funding limitations. Requires the: (1) Director to solicit and evaluate grant proposals from such centers, collect information regarding program performance, and coordinate Program activities with other Federal programs for manufacturing and technology extension; and (2) Secretary of Commerce to establish criteria for evaluating grant proposals. Sets forth provisions regarding the respective roles of manufacturing outreach centers, host companies, and interns in the Program. Requires the Director to solicit qualified engineering students from underrepresented groups for participation in the Program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1993
Biological Survey Act of 1993 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to survey the Nation's biological resources.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1993
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to extend the authority of the President, for a specified period of time, to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries for the reduction or elimination of tariff or nontariff barriers if the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has not resulted in such trade agreements by May 31, 1993. Provides that implementing bills involving tariff and nontariff trade agreements shall be effective only if, among other things, the President, at least 120 calendar days (currently, 90 days) before he enters into such agreement, notifies the Congress of his intention to enter into it, and prohibits such intention in the Federal Register. Extends congressional "fast track procedures" to such implementing bills through April 16, 1994. Requires specified advisory committee reports regarding such agreements to be provided to the President, the Congress, and the United States Trade Representative no later than 30 days after the President notifies the Congress of his intention to enter into the agreement, but before January 15, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the discharge of indebtedness income from the prepayment of certain rural electrification loans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Environmental Technology Panel Title II: National Environmental Technologies Institute; Clearinghouse Subtitle A: National Environmental Technologies Institute Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Clearinghouse Title III: Environmental Innovation Research Program; Technology Testing Subtitle A: Environmental Innovation Research Program Subtitle B: Innovative Technology Testing Title IV: Additional Programs Subtitle A: Verification of Environmental Technologies Program Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Advisory Council Subtitle C: Coordination With National Institute of Standards and Technology National Environmental Technology Act of 1993 - Title I: National Environmental Technology Panel - Establishes a National Environmental Technology Panel within the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate Federal environmental technology programs and develop a national environmental technology strategy. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) consider all Federal agency requests for environmental technology research as one integrated multiagency request; and (2) review the Panel budget summary prior to submission of the President's annual budget request. Title II: National Environmental Technologies Institute; Clearinghouse - Subtitle A: National Environmental Technologies Institute - Establishes the National Environmental Technologies Institute within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) support products oriented research, development, and demonstration of environmental technology at the precommercial stage; (2) monitor and provide technical assistance to private research and development; (3) develop and transfer environmental technologies and mechanisms to address international environmental problems; (4) develop a clearinghouse on environmental technology; (5) advise Federal officials on programs for promoting the development and diffusion of environmental technology; (6) ensure the availability of an initial market for critical environmental technologies; and (7) make recommendations for changes in Federal procurement guidelines to ensure the availability of such market. Authorizes cooperative agreements and assistance to carry out such functions. Establishes the Environmental Advanced Research Projects Revolving Fund to assist entities that serve the U.S. environmental security needs in carrying out this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Institute Director to disseminate information for promoting the export of environmental technology through the clearinghouse established under this title. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Clearinghouse - Directs the EPA Administrator to establish an electronic database to serve as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of nonproprietary information on environmental technology. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Environmental Innovation Research Program; Technology Testing - Subtitle A: Environmental Innovation Research Program - Requires the heads of covered Federal agencies (agencies for which more than $50 million per fiscal year is made available for environmental cleanup) to establish research programs for the commercialization of environmental technology to further the process of cleanup or pollution prevention activities. Directs agencies to set aside funding for such programs. Sets forth program phases and authorizes agreements with private entities to carry out research. Subtitle B: Innovative Technology Testing - Directs the Administrator to establish a program for testing environmental technology at federally owned facilities and sites on the National Priorities List (under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980) and on the inventory of Federal agency hazardous waste facilities (under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976). Requires covered Federal agencies to incorporate demonstrated technologies in prevention or remediation of contamination at applicable sites. Title IV: Additional Programs - Subtitle A: Verification of Environmental Technologies - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to verify and disseminate performance and cost information on environmental technologies appropriate for compliance with regulations promulgated under Federal environmental laws. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Environmental Technology Advisory Council - Establishes the Environmental Technology Advisory Council. Subtitle C: Coordination with National Institute of Standards and Technology - Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Commerce to enter into agreements to permit EPA to provide technical assistance to the Manufacturing Technology Centers administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993
Makes a named individual eligible for public safety officers' disability benefits under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to compensate for injuries sustained while fighting the Pryor Gap fire.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1993
Designates October 1993 and October 1994 as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish an independent peer review process with respect to listing and delisting of endangered and threatened species (species). Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) in cooperation with the affected State to develop species recovery plans. Gives priority to multispecies plans and sets forth plan deadlines. Requires each Federal land management agency to identify species and appropriate conservation measures on lands under its jurisdiction. Authorizes agency contracts with the Secretary for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish a Habitat Conservation Planning Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or interest-free advances from the Fund to State and local governments for conservation plan development. Provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners for species conservation measures. Provides for increased international cooperation and enforcement under the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1993
Semiconductor Investment Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify the depreciable life for semiconductor manufacturing equipment as three-year property.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that export property eligible for certain tax incentives does not include any unprocessed softwood timber for purposes of: (1) taxation of foreign sales corporations (FSCs); and (2) taxation of domestic international sales corporations (DISCs). Requires any income from the sale of such unprocessed timber which was cut from an area in the United States to be sourced in the United States. Excludes such income from rules under which: (1) gains, profits, and income involving inventory property purchased in the United States but sold or exchanged elsewhere may be sourced foreign; and (2) income derived from the manufacture of products in the United States and their sale elsewhere may be treated as having a divided source. Repeals the deferral for income of the controlled foreign corporation from sales or milling (outside the United States) of unprocessed softwood timber to the extent that any controlled foreign corporation is owned by ten percent or more U.S. shareholders.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1993
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Expansion Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. Allows the rehabilitation investment credit to offset a portion of tentative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 1993 - Reauthorizes and revises Federal law relating to financial assistance for local educational agencies in areas affected by Federal activity (impact aid). Extends the authorization of appropriations and authorizes additional appropriations for deposit in a contingency fund. Requires certain reservations of funds for: (1) impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property; (2) the contingency fund; and (3) heavily impacted need areas. Requires forward funding. Adds a hold harmless provision under impact aid relating to Federal acquisition of real property, whereby no eligible local educational agency (LEA) shall receive less than 90 percent of the preceding year's amount in payment for any fiscal year. Revises impact aid relating to federally connected children with respect to computation of payments, giving various weights in the formula to different categories of such children (with more emphasis given to children living on Indian lands and children in special education programs). Revises provisions for sudden and substantial changes in attendance to include increases resulting from base closure or military realignment activities. Directs the Secretary of Education to report certain expenditures within 30 days and include certain costs in annual budget submissions. Authorizes appropriations. Revises the method of making Federal impact aid payments. Includes a learning opportunity threshold to allow eligible LEAs to provide all their children a basic opportunity to learn. Requires States to meet an adequacy threshold before they can apply for equalization of State aid payments to all LEAs. Establishes a National Advisory Panel on School Finance and Impact Aid Equalization. Directs the Secretary of Defense to reserve certain amounts to provide supplemental impact aid to LEAs in cases of high need related to military changes. Establishes the Department of Education Contingency Fund for special impact aid under certain conditions. Requires negotiated rulemaking under certain conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1993
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise the program for instruction on the history and principles of democracy in the United States. Requires the program to foster civic responsibility and continue and expand the educational activities of the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution program. Allows the use of funds for advanced training of teachers in civics and government, after the education program has been implemented. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1993
Withdraws all federally-owned lands within the Badger-Two Medicine Area in Montana from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the mining and public land laws and from disposal under geothermal and mineral leasing laws. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to manage the Area to protect its currently existing wilderness qualities. Allows the Blackfeet Tribe to gather timber within the Area in exercise of valid treaty rights. Prohibits any surface disturbance from being permitted with respect to oil and gas leases on Federal lands within the Area until Congress determines otherwise. Extends the term of any oil and gas lease, subject to the limitations imposed by this Act, for a period of time equal to the terms that such limitation remains in effect. Requires the Secretary to review this Area in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964 and report to the Congress and to give special consideration to the religious, wilderness, and wildlife uses of the Area taking into account any U.S. treaties entered into with the Blackfeet Nation. Requires the Secretary to establish a process to provide information to the Tribe and interested public about options for future designation of the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Physician Assistant Incentive Act of 1993 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide increased Medicare reimbursement for physician assistants at 97 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for services performed, regardless of the location or practice setting. Provides for bonus payments for services provided by physician assistants in health professional shortage areas. Removes restrictions on the employment relationship required for reimbursement of physician assistants and nurse practitioners to allow for independent contractor relationships.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Primary Care Health Practitioner Incentive Act of 1991 (sic) - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide increased Medicare reimbursement for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives (practitioners) for services performed without regard to location or practice setting. Provides for bonus payments for services provided by such practitioners in health professional shortage areas. Defines "clinical nurse specialist" as an individual who is a registered nurse, is licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the clinical nurse specialist services are performed, and holds a master's degree in a defined clinical area of nursing from an accredited educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1993
Authorizes the President to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at Hot Springs, Virginia; and (2) reaffirm the commitment of the American people to end hunger and malnutrition, both at home and abroad, and to foster the growth of agriculture in every quarter of the globe.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1993
Designates June 1 through 7, 1993, as a Week for the National Observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary of World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1993
Voluntary Environmental Cleanup and Economic Redevelopment Act of 1993 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to: (1) States that establish voluntary environmental cleanup programs meeting specified requirements; and (2) local governments to conduct site characterizations for affected sites at which voluntary cleanups are being conducted or are proposed under State voluntary cleanup programs. Directs the Administrator to provide loans for the cleanup of affected sites to owners or prospective purchasers of affected sites at which voluntary cleanups are being conducted or are proposed. Sets forth loan application and approval procedures, as well as maximum loan amounts and loan agreement requirements. Grants the United States a lien on contaminated property subject to a loan until the loan agreement has been satisfied. Establishes the Economic Redevelopment Revolving Fund. Transfers loan repayments to the Fund and makes the Fund available for the loan program. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of grants or loans that may be used for administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Simplified Distribution Rules Title II: Increased Access to Pension Plans Title III: Nondiscrimination Provisions Title IV: Miscellaneous Simplification Pension Simplification Act of 1993 - Title I: Simplified Distribution Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the $5,000 limitation on the exclusion of employees' death benefits; and (2) the five-year forward income averaging for lump-sum distributions. Establishes a method of taxing annuity payments by taking into account the investment in the contract and the number of anticipated payments. Title II: Increased Access to Pension Plans - Modifies certain simplified employee pensions with respect to allowable participants and participation requirements. Allows local governments and tax-exempt organizations to participate in cash or deferred arrangements. Authorizes the Secretary, as a condition of sponsorship, to prescribe rules defining the duties and responsibilities of certain master and prototype retirement plans. Title III: Nondiscrimination Provisions - Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, stock bonus plan, etc. purposes. Makes such an employee one who is a five-percent owner or who has compensation from the employer in excess of $50,000. Provides a special rule where no employees are treated as highly compensated. Provides alternative methods of satisfying the special nondiscrimination requirements applicable to elective deferrals and employer matching contributions. Modifies the two-part nondiscrimination test for elective contributions under cash or deferred arrangements by permitting the use of the average deferral percentage for nonhighly compensated employees for the preceding year to be used in determining the permitted average deferral percentage for highly compensated employees for the current year. Title IV: Miscellaneous Simplification - Revises the definition of a leased employee to mean one whose services are performed under the control of a service recipient, instead of one whose services are historically performed by employees. Provides that the cost-of-living adjustment with respect to any calendar year is based on the increase in the applicable index as of the close of the calendar quarter ending September of the preceding calendar year. Requires the rounding of such amounts. Establishes a contribution limit for owner-employees of retirement plans. Eliminates the special vesting rule for multiemployer plans. Permits certain employers to elect an alternative full funding limitation with respect to any defined benefit plan based solely on the accrued liability under such plan. Requires the Secretary to adjust the 150-percent current liability full funding limit for other plans if there is a revenue shortfall. Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants after attainment of age 59 1/2. Modifies the treatment of governmental plans with respect to limits on contributions and benefits. Makes the social security retirement age the uniform retirement age for purposes of discrimination testing. Makes uniform the penalty provisions applicable to certain pension reporting requirements. Defines affiliated employers for Treasury regulation purposes with respect to tax-exemption. Treats certain nonunion air pilots as a separate class of employees for nondiscrimination testing purposes. Provides special rules for distributions of deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Provides that, for purposes of the excise tax, an employer reversion does not include certain amounts paid to the Federal Government by reason of certain government contracting regulations. Requires continuation of health coverage for employees, including retired employees of failed financial institutions. Declares that the health care continuation plan maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on June 25, 1992, and any other substantially similar plan maintained by such Corporation, satisfies continuation coverage requirements. Establishes the National Commission on Private Pension Plans to report to the President and congressional leaders on a review of existing Federal incentives and programs that encourage and protect private retirement savings. Requires the report to make recommendations for increasing the level and security of private retirement savings.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1993
Designates June 19, 1993, as National Baseball Day.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Aid for Trade Act of 1993 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to earmark foreign assistance funds for Trade and Development Agency projects in developing and middle-income countries. Limits the percentage of Economic Support Fund assistance to be used for cash transfers in FY 1994 through 1998. Declares that it is U.S. policy to give preference to the procurement of U.S. commodities and services in foreign assistance programs. Expands, and revises the authority to make, exceptions to a prohibition on the use of foreign assistance funds to procure motor vehicles that are not manufactured in the United States. (Currently, the President is authorized to waive the prohibition in special circumstances.) Bars the use of foreign assistance funds made available under cash transfers to finance commodity import transactions unless such transactions meet agency requirements for U.S. source, origin, and nationality (or unless such use is officially approved). Designates a Buy-America Advocate within the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress on the agreement of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development to restrict tied aid practices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
National Health Safety Net Infrastructure Act - Title I: Capital Financing Assistance for Safety Net Health Care Facilities Providing Indigent Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments for capital financing assistance to eligible health care facilities. Sets forth general eligibility requirements. Imposes certain public service responsibilities on health care facilities accepting capital financing assistance. Creates in the Treasury the Health Safety Net Infrastructure Trust Fund (Fund). Authorizes appropriations. Establishes a loan guarantee program under which the Trust Fund will provide a Federal guarantee of loan repayment to non-Federal lenders making loans to qualified health care facilities for health care facility replacement, modernization and renovation projects, and capital equipment acquisition. Establishes an interest rate subsidy program that provides a partial Federal subsidy of debt service payment where State or local entities demonstrate a significant commitment to financing health care facility replacement, modernization, and renovation projects by undertaking the issuance of bonds. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide direct matching loans to eligible health care facilities unable otherwise to obtain essential financing; and (2) make direct grants to eligible health care facilities with urgent capital needs. Makes direct grants available for three types of projects: (1) emergency certification and licensure grants to facilities threatened with closure or loss of accreditation or certification of a facility or of essential services as a result of life or safety code violations or similar facility or equipment failures; (2) emergency grants for capital renovation, expansion, or replacement necessary to the maintenance or expansion of essential safety and health services; and (3) planning grants to facilities which require pre-approval assistance to meet regulatory requirements related to management and finance in order to apply for loans, loan guarantees, and interest subsidies under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to give tax-exempt status to bonds guaranteed by the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1993
Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, to conduct a study concerning traumatic brain injury. Requires the study to seek to: (1) identify common therapeutic interventions which are used for the rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and (2) develop practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct studies concerning traumatic brain injury and establish a uniform reporting system. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with, and provide assistance to, public and private nonprofit entities to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury through the establishment and effectuation of prevention projects. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to State and local entities, and to public or nonprofit private entities, to support: (1) special prevention and public awareness initiative projects; (2) model traumatic brain injury prevention, research, and support programs; (3) projects that study the service needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury; and (4) projects involving grants for services coordination. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to provide assistance to public and private nonprofit entities to support the conduct of basic and applied research concerning traumatic brain injury, especially with respect to the biomechanics of brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States for the establishment of programs related to traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations. Designates October 1993 as National Head Injury Month.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1993
Designates January 2 through 8, 1994, as National Law Enforcement Training Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1993
Authorizes the use of the atrium of the Senate Hart Office Building, on one day during the spring and one day during the winter of each session of the 103d Congress, for a concert of American music by the Congressional Chorus.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1993
Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend permanently (currently, terminated on June 30, 1992) the research credit. Allows such credit to offset 50 percent of the tentative minimum tax of a taxpayer. Revises the definition of the fixed-base percentage of research expenses in various taxable years for purposes of computing the amount of the research credit. Provides a flat research credit for eligible small businesses (those having gross receipts no greater than $100 million) of ten percent of the qualified research expenses for the taxable year. Provides special rules for the defense and aerospace industries with respect to such credit determination. Allows a research credit of 20 percent of qualified cooperative research expenditures, with limitations on the amount of contributions to cooperative research consortia and on private source funding of such research. Provides special tax rules with respect to such consortia and requires each such consortium to provide specified information with respect to its research expenditures (and their funding) to the Secretary of the Treasury. Includes university affiliated hospitals among those qualified organizations to which a research credit will be allowed for contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1993
Designates July 5 through 12, 1993, as National Awareness Week for Life-Saving Techniques.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1993
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1993 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to subject to criminal penalties and a civil remedy persons who intentionally: (1) by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because that person is or has been obtaining abortion services or lawfully aiding another to obtain such services; or (2) damage or destroy the property of a medical facility because such facility provides abortion services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study concerning the effect of such prohibited conduct on the delivery of reproductive health services for women and on the health and welfare of women throughout the United States. Requires the Secretary to conduct an investigation to determine whether any person has violated or is violating this Act. Permits the Secretary to obtain the assistance of the Attorney General or a State or local government agency in conducting such investigations. Directs the Secretary to immediately refer a violation to the Attorney General for appropriate action. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) civil remedies (including compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and costs); and (2) action by the Attorney General (who may commence a civil action in any appropriate U.S. district court).
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the targeted jobs credit permanent. Increases the maximum age requirement for an economically disadvantaged youth from 23 years to 25 years. Establishes economically disadvantaged veterans as members of targeted groups for purposes of the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Mike Mansfield Fellowship Act - Establishes the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program. Requires the Director of the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to make grants to the Mansfield Center for Pacific Affairs to award two-year fellowships to eligible Federal employees. Requires Mansfield Fellows to: (1) study the Japanese language and political economy; and (2) serve in an agency of the Government of Japan, or, subject to Center approval, a nongovernmental Japanese institution associated with the interests. Requires the Center to comply with specified program requirements in order to be eligible for such grants. Authorizes the Director to enter into an arrangement with the Government of Japan to place Fellows. Authorizes the Foreign Service Institute to assist in carrying out Japanese language training by the Center. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that the Federal employees eligible for such fellowships have: (1) at least two years' experience in any branch of the U.S. Government; and (2) a strong career interest in U.S.-Japan relations and a commitment to further Federal service. Requires at least ten fellowships to be awarded annually. Prohibits Mansfield Fellows from engaging in any intelligence-related activity on behalf of the U.S. Government. Allows Federal agencies to separate Fellows from service for a specified period but provides for reemployment rights and the continuation of certain employee benefits. Establishes the Mansfield Fellowship Review Board.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1993
Designates the weeks beginning April 18, 1993, and April 17, 1994, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the portion of employer social security taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to include gains or losses from the sale or other disposition of assets in net earnings from business done with or for patrons if the assets were used to facilitate the conduct of business.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: Severability; Effective Date; Application of Amendments Bankruptcy Amendments Act of 1993 - Title I: Improved Bankruptcy Administration - Amends Federal bankruptcy law with respect to expedited hearings on a motion to lift an automatic stay; (2) the expedited filing of plans under chapters 11 and 12; and (3) expedited procedure for reaffirmation of debts. (Sec. 105) Permits bankruptcy court judges to hold status conferences, and to issue case limitations and conditions at such conferences. Amends the Federal judicial code to mandate that the judicial council of a circuit establish a bankruptcy appellate panel service composed of district bankruptcy judges in the circuit, subject to the consent of all parties. Sets forth appeals guidelines. (Sec. 106) Permits bankruptcy administrators (in a State in which the bankruptcy system is administered by a Bankruptcy Administrator instead of a U.S. Trustee) to preside at meetings of creditors and equity security holders, and to examine the debtor at creditors' meetings. (Sec. 107) Amends the Bankruptcy Code to include within the definition of "person" pension benefit guarantors and legal or beneficial owners of an asset of an eligible deferred compensation plan or of a governmental employee pension benefit plan (thus enabling such persons, State pension funds, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to serve on creditors' committees). (Sec. 108) Revises current guidelines to permit increases in the incentive compensation for bankruptcy trustees. (Sec. 109) Increases the dollar limitations and debt limits applicable to specified bankruptcy procedures (thus enlarging the range of debtors eligible to repay debts over a period from regular income Chapter 13 debtors, and accounting for inflation since 1978). (Sec. 110) Conforms the premerger notification provisions of the Bankruptcy Code to the requirements for antitrust review of transactions under the Clayton Act. (Sec. 111) Entitles members of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization committees to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses. (Sec. 112) Continues through FY 1998 Chapter 12 bankruptcy provisions concerning family farmers. (Sec. 113) Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Congress on efforts to automate and computerize the bankruptcy courts and provide necessary information about the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 115) Treats as an administrative expense of an estate in bankruptcy minimum funding contributions to an employee pension benefit plan for which the debtor is liable which accrue on or after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 116) Requires the U.S. trustee, at the conclusion of any meeting of creditors or equity security holders, to examine the debtor orally and record his or her knowledge of the consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Title II: Commercial Issues in Bankruptcy - Establishes the legal parameters under which a business debtor (or a party in interest) may elect to convert the case to expedited bankruptcy proceedings customized to small businesses. (Sec. 202) Sets forth automatic stay guidelines regarding proceedings against a debtor's single asset real estate. (Sec. 203) States that the right of a party with a security interest in certain aircraft equipment, maritime vessels, or railroad rolling stock equipment to take possession of such equipment or vessels in compliance with an equipment security agreement is not affected by the automatic stay or property use or sale provisions of the bankruptcy code or by any injunctive power of the bankruptcy court, except in specific circumstances. (Sec. 204) Requires a trustee, under Chapter 11, to perform the debtor's obligations which arise pursuant to an order for relief under an unexpired lease of personal property until the lease is assumed or rejected. (Sec. 205) Sets forth guidelines for: (1) the protection of assignees of executory contracts and unexpired leases approved by court order in cases reversed on appeal; (2) the protection of security interests in post-petition rents; (3) the withholding of post-petition debtor's income for certain retirement plan loan repayments; (4) indenture trustee compensation; (5) return of goods; (6) a debtor's interests in the proceeds of money order agreements; (7) liability limitations with respect to noninsider transferees for avoided transfers; (8) executory contracts for airport gate leases and (9) injunctions requiring Chapter 11 debtors to pay insurance benefits to retired employees and (10) the nondischargeability of credit loans to pay nondischargeable taxes. Title III: Consumer Bankruptcy Issues - Permits a Chapter 13 debtor to cure a home mortgage default on its principal residence before its foreclosure sale. (Sec. 302) Declares certain criminal fines nondischargeable under a Chapter 13 proceeding. (Sec. 303) Provides that a petition in bankruptcy does not operate as an automatic stay with respect to an action or proceeding for: (1) the establishment of paternity; or (2) the establishment or modification of an order for child or spousal maintenance or support. Includes within the priority list of expenses and claims that are to be paid by the bankrupt estate any claims for child or spousal support pursuant to a court order. Declares that a debtor in bankruptcy may not avoid a judicial lien that secures a debt for child and spousal support or maintenance. Prohibits a bankruptcy trustee from avoiding a transfer that was a bona fide payment of a debt for child or spousal support or maintenance pursuant to a court order. Permits child support creditors to appear and intervene without charge, and without meeting any special local court requirement for attorney appearances, in any bankruptcy proceeding in any bankruptcy or district court upon filing a court form detailing the status of the child support debt. (Sec. 304) Sets forth civil penalties for the negligent or fraudulent preparation of bankruptcy petitions by bankruptcy petition preparers for compensation. (Sec. 306) Declares that a trustee's plan may not modify the claim of a person holding a primary or a junior security interest in real property or a manufactured home that is the debtor's principal residence, except a junior security interest claim where the interest was undersecured at the time it attached (to the extent that it remains undersecured). (Sec. 307) Sets forth additional conditions on the ability of a creditor to seek satisfaction of a debt from a codebtor or a debt stayed under Chapter 13. (Sec. 309) Authorizes a bankruptcy court to award professional fees according to prescribed guidelines for specified bankruptcy-related services. Title IV: Bankruptcy Review Commission - National Bankruptcy Review Commission Act - Establishes the National Bankruptcy Review Commission to investigate and report to the Congress, the Chief Justice, and the President on issues relating to business bankruptcies. (Sec. 410) Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Technical Corrections - Makes technical and conforming corrections to the Bankruptcy Code. Title VI: Effective Date; Application of Amendments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Makes it inapplicable to bankruptcy cases commenced before its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1993
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. 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. Requires prior notification to taxpayers under an installment agreement to pay tax liability before altering, modifying, or terminating such an agreement. 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. 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. 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. Requires prior notification to the taxpayer that the taxpayer is under examination and an explanation of the process, with exceptions. Increases the dollar limit on the recovery of civil damages for unauthorized collection actions. 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. Establishes civil damages for the fraudulent filing of information returns. 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. Declares that a person shall not be liable for any penalty for failure to collect and pay over tax if such person: (1) is not a significant owner or highly compensated employee of the trade or business; (2) notifies the Secretary within ten days after such failure; (3) such notification was before any notice by the Secretary with respect to such failure; and (4) such failure is not a part of a plan to defraud the Government. 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. 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. Increases the limit on attorney fees. 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. 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. 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. 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 · 9 March 1993
Lincoln County, Montana, Public Lands Transfer Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer specified U.S. Forest lands in Lincoln County, Montana, to such County.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1993
Long-Term Care Insurance Consumer Protection Act of 1993 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to afford Federal consumer protection to purchasers of long-term care insurance policies by requiring that before such policies may be issued or sold they must have been either certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as meeting the minimum Federal standards and requirements established by this Act or approved under a State regulatory program. Requires the Secretary to promulgate such standards incorporating the requirements of this Act, unless the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) does so first. Outlines requirements for State regulatory programs. Provides for regulation of the marketing of long-term care insurance policies by establishing prohibitions on certain sales practices, such as high pressure tactics, and on sales to Medicaid beneficiaries and sales of duplicate service benefit policies. Outlines general requirements for long-term care insurance policies. Imposes requirements on issuers of long-term care insurance policies with respect to: (1) policy mailing after approval; (2) information for policyholders and the Secretary and appropriate State officials on denied claims; and (3) medical assessments for elderly applicants with policies whose issue is not guaranteed. Sets forth civil penalties for violations involving unapproved or uncertified policies and prohibited sales practices. Requires reports by the Secretary to the Congress on functional ability assessment tools and solvency protections for issuers. Requires a study by the Secretary to develop a standard measure of value for long-term care insurance policies. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to increase funding for long-term care insurance information, counseling, and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Gallatin Range Consolidation and Protection Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire, by exchange and cash equalization, specified lands and interests along the Gallatin Range north of Yellowstone National Park, including lands: (1) in and adjacent to the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area, the Scapegoat Wilderness Area, and other land in the Gallatin National Forest from the Plum Creek Timber Company; and (2) in the Porcupine Area, the Taylor Fork Area, and other land within the Gallatin Range from Big Sky Lumber Company. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, pursuant to an agreement with Burlington Resources, Incorporated, to acquire mineral interests owned by Burlington underlying surface lands owned by the United States and located within the Gallatin Area. Requires such acquisition to be made through exchange to Burlington of other federally owned mining interests that the parties may agree to. Requires consultation with the Secretary of the Interior prior to such exchange.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the low-income housing credit permanent. Modifies provisions concerning unused housing credit carryovers by States to allow States to carry over more unused credits from year to year. Provides that a unit shall not fail to be treated as low-income because it is occupied by students or persons enrolled in job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive: (1) any recapture of credit (required to be included in tax) in the case of any de minimis error in complying with tests for qualified low-income housing projects; or (2) any annual recertification of tenant income if the entire building is occupied by low-income tenants. Determines the adjusted basis of any building (for purposes of the low-income housing credit) by taking into account the adjusted basis of the property used in community activity facilities if: (1) such facilities are designed to serve individuals meeting income requirements for the housing project; and (2) not more than 20 percent of the aggregate eligible basis of all buildings in the project is attributable to the aggregate basis of such facilities. Applies at-risk rules to low-income housing credit property that also qualifies for the historic site rehabilitation credit and to qualified lenders. Adds conditions prohibiting discrimination against Section 8 tenants for purposes of meeting extended low-income housing commitments required to receive credits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties with respect to a person who: (1) in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in the course of interstate travel, or by the use of an instrument of interstate or foreign commerce, harasses or makes a credible threat against another person; (2) under a protection order engages in such conduct; and (3) with a prior stalking conviction engages in such conduct. Prohibits an offense within the jurisdiction of a State from being prosecuted by the United States under such provisions unless the Attorney General (or the highest ranking subordinate of the Attorney General with responsibility for criminal prosecutions) makes a written determination that the offender will not be expeditiously or effectively prosecuted under State law. Requires as a condition of probation granted to an offender under such provisions that the offender participate in counseling, unless the court finds that counseling is not necessary. Requires a court to consider issuing an order enjoining an offender from any contact with the victim for a period of up to ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Prisoner-of-War Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of one-dollar coins emblematic of the experience of American prisoners of war. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $5 per coin. Requires specified proceeds from such surcharges to be paid to the: (1) Secretary of the Interior for construction of the Andersonville Prisoner-of-War Museum in Andersonville, Georgia; (2) endowment fund established by this Act for the maintenance of such Museum; and (3) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Coin Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue silver coins emblematic of the Vietnam Women's Memorial sculpture. Requires all surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be used for: (1) an endowment for the Memorial; (2) education and research concerning veterans and their families; and (3) the identification and documentation of women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this coin program shall be self-sustaining and administered to result in no net cost to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1993
Designates April 9, 1993, and April 9, 1994, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.