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![Official portrait of Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000401_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,808 records where Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992
Appropriations Category Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the discretionary spending limit for FY 1993 by merging the defense and domestic categories into a national category. Makes conforming changes to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1992
Declares a named individual to have satisfied certain requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to eligibility for naturalization.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should build upon the success of the Cartagena Summit and use the upcoming San Antonio Summit to: (1) reaffirm the mutual commitment of the participating countries to halting the international cocaine trade; (2) continue assisting the Andean Strategy nations in their efforts to curtail cocaine production; (3) encourage cooperation among the participating countries in dismantling drug trafficking cartels and arresting and incarcerating major traffickers; (4) strengthen the legitimate economies of the Andean Strategy nations through trade incentives and other assistance; and (5) motivate the participating countries to reduce consumption of illicit drugs within their borders.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1992
Commends the New York Stock Exchange on the occasion of its bicentennial.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1992
Requires a one-year delay in the implementation of final regulations prohibiting pension plan benefits from discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees. Grants a two-year delay in the case of plans maintained by governments and tax-exemption organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1992
Designates April 19 through 25, 1992, as National Credit Education Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1992
Designates May 1992 as National Huntington's Disease Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1992
Designates June 11, 1992, as National Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Day.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1992
Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164) to add 13 weeks to the number of weeks of benefits payable under the emergency unemployment compensation program. Provides for a total number of weeks of such emergency benefits as follows: (1) 33 weeks (currently 20) in higher unemployment States (with a total unemployment rate of nine percent or higher or an adjusted insured unemployment rate of five percent or higher, for specified periods); and (2) 26 weeks (currently 13) for all other States. Extends to July 4, 1992, the expiration date of the emergency unemployment program (currently June 13, 1992). Provides that those who qualify for emergency benefits before the July 4, 1992, expiration date shall receive the full number of weeks to which they are entitled (but makes the increased-by-13-maximum number of weeks applicable only to those eligible by June 13, 1992, and the current maximums applicable to those who first become eligible after June 13). Amends Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions to provide for a temporary increase in the amount of certain corporate estimated tax payments, by setting the applicable percentage for such annualized payments at 95 percent of the tax liability for each of 1993 through 1996 (current law sets it at 94 percent for 1993 and 1994, and 95 percent in 1995 and 1996). Extends to June 30, 1992 (currently January 31, 1992) the deadline by which employers must pay certain additional taxes under Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) provisions of the IRC, if they are in a credit reduction State with an unemployment trust fund balance below a certain amount. Allows such employer taxpayers to elect to defer payment until such later date, but requires payment of interest after January 31, 1992 (but not penalties until after June 30, 1992). Extends to July 4, 1992, the program of temporary unemployment benefits for certain railroad workers (under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991). Increases the number of weeks of such benefits for those that are eligible by June 13, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1992
Designates April 15, 1992, as National Recycling Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1992
Designates March 25, 1992, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1992
Congratulates the Governments and people of Croatia and Slovenia on the occasion of the recognition of their independence by 38 countries. Urges the President to immediately extend diplomatic recognition to, and establish mutually beneficial relations with, Croatia and Slovenia.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 1991
Tax Extension Act of 1991 - Title I: 6-Month Extension of Certain Expiring Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for six months the following expiring provisions: (1) the rules on allocating research and experimental expenditures in determining income from sources within or without the United States; (2) the credit for increasing research activities; (3) the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance; (4) the tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal services plans; (5) the targeted jobs credit; (6) the energy investment credit for solar and geothermal property; (7) the low-income housing credit; (8) the authority to issue mortgage revenue bonds and mortgage credit certificates; (9) the authority to issue qualified small issue bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property; (10) the itemized deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (11) the credit for clinical testing expenses for certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions; and (12) the tax credit for charitable contributions of appreciated tangible property. Title II: Modification to Corporate Estimated Tax Provisions - Provides for a temporary increase (taxable years beginning after 1991 and before 1997) in the amount of installment payments in the case of corporations that underpay estimated taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish in the Department of Transportation a Civil Tiltrotor Development Advisory Committee to evaluate and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing civil tiltrotor aircraft and a national system of infrastructure to support the incorporation of tiltrotor aircraft technology into the national transportation system.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1991
Nuclear Testing Moratorium Act - Prohibits any funds made available under any law from being used to conduct any explosive nuclear weapons test during the one-year period following the enactment of this Act unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union or a successor state has conducted such a test during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Social Security Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Benefits and Coverage - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the amount of outside income individuals aged 65 to 69 may earn without incurring a reduction in OASDI benefits through 1996; (2) modify the rate of OASDI benefit reduction for outside income above the exempt amount for such individuals to provide for a lower benefit reduction rate for the first $5,000 of outside income above the exempt amount; (3) provide for the indexing of the substantial gainful activity amount for the non-blind by the annual increase in average wages; (4) provide for the indexing of the trial work period services amount by the annual increase in the average wages; (5) repeal the rule providing for termination of a disabled adult child's benefits upon marriage; (6) set new minimum monthly benefits for widows, widowers, and disabled adult children who are the survivors of a deceased wage earner; (7) increase monthly benefits for widows and widowers aged 85 and older who retired early; (8) provide that if the deceased spouse of such a widow or widower received a reduced retirement benefit because he or she retired before age 65, such widow or widower cannot receive a benefit that exceeds the higher of the spouse's reduced benefit or 90 percent of the benefit the spouse would have received had he or she retired at age 65; (9) exclude from coverage under OASDI and the Hospital Insurance program (part A of title XVII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act) State and local election officials and workers who are paid less than $1,000 per year; and (10) increase the OASDI contribution and benefit base by phasing-in incremental increases for 1992 through 1996. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to make conforming changes with respect to the monthly earnings amount required for the non-blind disabled for substantial gainful activity. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming changes with respect to the exclusion from coverage under OASDI and the Hospital Insurance program of State and local election officials and workers. Title II: Social Security Administration - Subtitle A: Establishment - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish the Social Security Administration as an independent executive agency responsible for administering the OASDI and SSI programs. Transfers to the Administration all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pertaining to such programs. Sets forth transitional rules. Subtitle B: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the OASDI and SSI programs. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on the administration of functions under the Social Security Act. Sets forth rules of construction and effective dates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Tax Extension Act of 1991 - Title I: 6-Month Extension of Certain Expiring Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for six months the following expiring provisions: (1) the rules on allocating research and experimental expenditures in determining income from sources within or without the United States; (2) the credit for increasing research activities; (3) the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance; (4) the tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal services plans; (5) the targeted jobs credit; (6) the energy investment credit for solar and geothermal property; (7) the low-income housing credit; (8) the authority to issue mortgage revenue bonds and mortgage credit certificates; (9) the authority to issue qualified small issue bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property; (10) the itemized deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (11) the credit for clinical testing expenses for certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions; and (12) the tax credit for charitable contributions of appreciated tangible property. Title II: Modification to Corporate Estimated Tax Provisions - Provides for a temporary increase (taxable years beginning after 1991 and before 1997) in the amount of installment payments in the case of corporations that underpay estimated taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Medicaid Voluntary Contribution and Provider-Specific Tax Amendments of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide that, for purposes of determining Federal payments for State Medicaid expenses, the total amount expended under a State plan during a fiscal year as: (1) medical assistance shall be reduced by the sum of any revenues received by the State during the fiscal year from provider-related donations, other than bona fide provider-related donations and certain other donations, health care related taxes, other than broad-based health care related taxes, a broad-based health care related tax, if there is in effect a hold harmless provision with respect to the tax, or broad-based health care related taxes to the extent the amount of such taxes collected exceeds the greater of 25 percent or the State base percentage of the non-Federal share of the total amount expended under the State plan during the State fiscal year; and (2) administrative expenditures shall be reduced by the sum of any revenues received by the State during a fiscal quarter from such other donations, to the extent the amount of such donations exceeds ten percent of the amount expended under the State plan during the fiscal year for authorized administrative purposes. Repeals the prohibition against limiting Federal payments under Medicaid to disproportionate share hospitals. Limits aggregate payment adjustments for disproportionate share hospitals to 12 percent of the total Medicaid expenditures for a fiscal year. Prohibits the use of disproportionate share payment adjustments to hold health care providers harmless for taxes. Limits the authority to restrict disproportionate share hospital designations. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1991
Establishes a Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States' Democratic Party to coordinate ceremonial events and related activities during 1992. Requires the Commission to submit periodic reports and a final one to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro tempore of the Senate on its activities. Terminates the Commission on February 13, 1993, unless otherwise provided by law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Designates the week beginning April 12, 1992, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Designates the month of May 1992 as National Foster Care Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Designates May 1992 as National Trauma Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 - Title I: Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program - Establishes an emergency unemployment compensation program. Allows any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) under which the State agency which administers the State unemployment compensation law will make payments of emergency unemployment compensation: (1) to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under State law, have no rights to such regular compensation or any additional State or Federal compensation, and are not receiving Canadian compensation; and (2) for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual's eligibility period. Sets forth provisions relating to exhaustion of regular benefits and weekly amount of emergency benefits equal to regular benefits. Authorizes a State Governor, in a period of a seven or eight percent total unemployment rate in that State (as defined under this Act), to elect to trigger an extended compensation period to provide emergency unemployment compensation to individuals who have exhausted their rights to regular compensation under State law. Requires a State, under such an agreement, to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to the benefit year of each eligible individual who files an application. Limits benefit payments to not more than the amount in the individual's account. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount in such account. Provides that the applicable limit in such account shall be equal to: (1) 20 for an eight-percent period, i.e. one triggered by a total unemployment rate (TUR) of eight percent or more in the State, seasonally adjusted, for the most recent six calendar months with available data; (2) 13 for a seven-percent period; and (3) seven for a six-percent period or for any other period. Sets forth special rules relating to such applicable limits. Requires reduction in such account by the amount of extended benefits received by the individual relating to the same benefit year under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Sets the weekly benefit amount at the amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable under the State law to the individual for such week for total unemployment. Provides for determination of periods and applicable triggers. Provides for a minimum period of at least 13 weeks. Provides, in general, that no emergency unemployment compensation shall be payable to any individual under this Act for any week beginning: (1) before the later of November 17, 1991, or the first week following the week in which an agreement under this Act is entered into; or (2) after August 1, 1992. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions for the eligibility of certain individuals for such benefits, as exceptions to such general rule. Provides for payments to States having such agreements for emergency unemployment compensation. Sets forth financing provisions. Requires that funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund be used to make payments to States having agreements under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to fraud and overpayments. Defines the eligible period under this Act. Provides that in no event shall an individual's period of eligibility include any weeks after the 39th week after the end of the benefit year for which the individual exhausted rights to regular compensation or extended compensation. Title II: Demonstration Program to Provide Job Search Assistance - Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program to determine the feasibility of implementing job search assistance programs. Requires selection of three States to participate in such program, based on specified criteria. Requires that at least one of these States will replicate a prior successful demonstration project for job search assistance. Sets forth requirements for the program agreement with these States. Requires a job search assistance program, for purposes of this title, to: (1) require certain unemployment compensation recipients to participate in a qualified intensive job search program (the program) after receiving such compensation for at least six but not more than ten weeks during any benefit year; (2) entitle such individuals to an intensive job search program voucher; and (3) disqualify those who do not satisfactorily participate in such program from receiving such compensation for a specified period of not more than ten weeks. Makes such program requirements applicable to such recipients if, during a specified three-year period, they had at least 126 weeks of employment at wages of $30 or more a week with their last employer (or an equivalent amount computed under prescribed regulations). Sets forth exceptions to such program requirements and program qualifications. Provides that such vouchers entitle the organization (including the State employment service) providing the program to a payment from the State agency equal to the lesser of: (1) the reasonable costs of providing the program; or (2) the average weekly benefit amount in the State. Requires Federal payments from the extended unemployment compensation account to each participating State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund in an amount equal to the payments made by the State agency for such program vouchers. Provides for payments on a calendar month basis, and for certification by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to submit two interim reports and a final report to the Congress on the demonstration program under this title. Title III: Other Provisions - Amends specified Federal law to repeal certain limitations on payment of unemployment compensation to former members of the armed forces. Reduces the length of required active duty by reserves for purposes of such payment. Amends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to allow optional unemployment benefits for certain school employees, by making denial of such benefits discretionary rather than mandatory. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to provide temporary extended railroad unemployment insurance benefits, to railroad employees who have less than ten years of service, for certain periods of high national unemployment. Provides for such extended benefits for up to 13 weeks (65 days of unemployment), through July 4, 1992. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions. Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation. Directs the Secretary to establish such a council by February 1, 1992, and every fourth year thereafter. Requires each such council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program. Sets forth membership and staff provisions. Requires each council to report to the President and the Congress by February 1 of the second year following the year in which it is required to be established. Requires the first Council report to include findings and recommendations on determining eligibility for extended unemployment benefits on the basis of unemployment statistics for regions, States, or subdivisions of States. Directs the Secretary, within 12 months, to report to the Congress a proposal for revising the method of allocating grants among the States for administration of the unemployment insurance program. Prohibits the Secretary from revising such method until 12 months after such report is submitted to the Congress. Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to providing services to dislocated workers in the Washington and Oregon timber industries in determining specified programs and activities to be funded under the Job Training Partnership Act in FY 1991 and 1992. Title IV: Budgetary Provisions - Subtitle A: Emergency Treatment - Provides that the following emergency designation provisions shall take effect only if, on or before the enactment date of this Act, the President: (1) has not submitted to the Congress either of the two written declarations described under specified effectiveness provisions of subtitles B and C; or (2) has submitted to the Congress both of such declarations. Provides that all direct spending amounts provided, and all appropriations authorized, by this Act shall be treated as emergency requirements designated by the President and the Congress under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Subtitle B: Reductions in Foreign Aid and Other Spending - Provides that this subtitle shall take effect only if the President: (1) submits to the Congress, not later than the enactment date of this Act, a written declaration of need for reductions in foreign aid and other spending; and (2) has not submitted, on or before such date, the written declaration described in subtitle C. Part I: Foreign Aid Reductions - Provides for reductions in foreign aid. Decreases certain discretionary spending limits in new budget authority, and outlays (under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985) for specified international categories and discretionary categories. Prohibits any such reductions from being achieved through reduction of: (1) domestic discretionary spending; or (2) assistance to the Camp David countries. Part II: Collection of Nontax Debts - Amends the Deficit Reduction Act to 1984 to provide for permanent extension of provisions relating to collection of nontax debts owed to Federal agencies. Part III: Guaranteed Student Loans - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education of 1965 (HEA) to revise provisions relating to the Stafford student loan program (including guaranteed student loans and federally-insured student loans). Requires, in the case of such student loan applicants over age 21, that the lender: (1) obtain a credit report; and (2) require a cosigner for such applicants who have adverse credit histories. Allows the lender to charge such applicants for the actual cost of such credit reports, up to $25. Requires the lender to obtain the borrower's driver's license number, if any, at the time of application for such a student loan. Directs eligible institutions to require borrowers of any student loan under HEA to supply the following exit interview information: (1) their expected permanent address after leaving the institution; (2) the name and address of their expected employer; and (3) the name and address of their next of kin. Requires student loan interest-subsidy insurance program agreements to require the lender to obtain the borrower's authorization for entry of judgment against the borrower in the event of default. Provides for wage garnishment for student loan collection. Authorizes a guaranty agency, or the Secretary where appropriate, to garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect the amount owed or the required repayment, subject to certain conditions. Provides for data matching. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to obtain from Federal agencies specified information relating to an individual for student loan collection purposes. Amends the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 (P.L. 102-26) to revise provisions relating to limitation of actions for collection of student loan repayments and grant overpayments. Subtitle C: Alternative Financing Provisions - Provides that this subtitle and parts II and III of subtitle B shall take effect only if the President: (1) submits to the Congress, not later than the enactment date of this Act, a written declaration of the need for the financing provisions under this subtitle; and (2) has not submitted, on or before such date, the written declaration described in subtitle B. Amends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to extend the surtax imposed on employers through 1996. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the use of the preceding year's tax for purposes of determining individual estimated tax payments. Subtitle D: General Budgetary Provisions - Exempts payments (including budget authority and outlays for administrative expenses incurred in connection with this Act) relating to emergency unemployment compensation under titles I, II, and III of this Act from any order issued under specified sequestration provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Provides that all receipts and direct spending amounts provided, and all appropriations authorized, by this Act shall be counted as zero for all purposes under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and for purposes of all points of order under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, with specified exceptions for considering such amounts for: (1) construction of the baseline for the President's budget and the congressional budget; and (2) adjustment of the maximum deficit amount to reflect up-to-date reestimates of the effects of this Act on the deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Tax Fairness and Savings Incentive Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Credit for Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of $300 per qualifying child. Title II: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Retirement Savings Incentives - Removes the limitations on deductions for individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and provides a cost of living adjustment for deductible amounts. Establishes special individual retirement accounts that are nondeductible. Makes such accounts nontaxable if earnings on contributions are held for at least five years. Applies the early withdrawal penalty to distributions made before the end of the five year-period. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free Distributions - Provides exemptions from the ten-percent penalty on early withdrawals from individual retirement plans for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (2) financially devastating medical expenses. Requires contributions to be held in certain IRAs (other than special IRAs) for at least five years prior to distributions. Title III: Reduction in Defense Spending - Sets forth limits on budget outlays and authority for defense spending for FY 1993 through 1997. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the Congress from exceeding such limits. Provides for reducing maximum deficit amounts. Prohibits sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1991
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the President from designating as the chairman of the International Trade Commission (ITC) for any term any commissioner who is a member of the political party of which such chairman of the ITC for the immediately preceding term is a member.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Better Access to Affordable Health Care Act of 1991 - Title I: Improvements in Health Insurance Affordability for Small Employers - Amends the Internal Revenue code to raise from 25 to 100 percent the deduction for self-employed individuals for health insurance premiums and makes the deduction permanent. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make grants to up to 15 States for the establishment and operation of small employer health insurance purchasing programs. Permits grant funds to be used to finance administrative costs associated with developing and operating a group purchasing program for small employers. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a report to the Congress from the Secretary concerning the feasibility of establishing a requirement that health insurers must make available plans providing that payments to providers be made using Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) payment rules. Title II: Improvements in Health Insurance for Small Employers - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI: Standards for Small Employer Health Insurance and Certification of Managed Care Plans. Directs the Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop model standards and regulations concerning requirements for health insurance plans for small employers. Requires such plans to provide for: (1) guaranteed eligibility; (2) guaranteed availability; and (3) guaranteed renewability. Prohibits: (1) an insurer from refusing to renew or terminate a plan, except for nonpayment of premiums, fraud, or failure to maintain minimum participation rates; and (2) for certain services, discrimination based on health status. Sets limits controlling the variation of premium charges permitted among all small employers insured by an insurer. Requires the full disclosure of an insurer's rating practices. Requires a health insurance plan for small employers to offer: (1) both a standard and basic benefit package; and (2) a managed care option, if the insurer also offers such an option to other employers. Provides, under both the standard and basic package, for coverage of: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physician services; (3) diagnostic tests; and (4) preventive services. Provides, in addition, under the standard plan: (1) for the coverage of certain mental health care; (2) that, except as specified, there will be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of benefits, and (3) for specified limits on deductibles, copayment, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Provides under the basic plan that: (1) premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing may be imposed, but does not specify in what amounts; and (2) there shall be an out-of-pocket limit, but does not specify such limit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of 25 percent of gross premiums on the issuer of any health insurance plan to a small employer, if the plan does not meet the requirements of title XXI. Sets forth study and reporting requirements. Title III: Improvements in Portability of Private Health Insurance - Imposes an excise tax of $100 per day, with respect to a covered individual, on a group health plan for its failure to provide coverage for a preexisting condition, subject to stated exceptions. Title IV: Health Care Cost Containment - Establishes a Health Care Cost Commission which shall report annually to the President and the Congress on national health care costs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under title XXI of the Social Security Act, to establish a process for the certification of managed care plans and utilization review programs. Sets forth requirements for certification. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to develop outcomes research and practice parameters for mental health services, including at least the diagnosis and treatment of childhood attention deficit syndrome disorders and manic depression. Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for research outcomes of health care services and procedures. Title V: Medicare Prevention Benefits - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish frequency and payment limits for screening for fecal-occult blood tests and screening flexible sigmoidoscopies. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous Provisions) to provide coverage for tetanus-diphtheria boosters and their administration. Provides Medicare coverage for well-child services, which include routine office visits, immunizations, laboratory tests, and preventive dental care. Expands the coverage of a screening mammography to provide for one such screening annually for all covered women over age 49. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide for a series of ongoing demonstration projects which provide coverage for specified preventive services, including: (1) glaucoma screening; (2) cholesterol screening; (3) osteoporosis screening and treatment; (4) screening services for pregnant women; (5) assessments for individuals beginning at age 65 or 75; and (5) other appropriate services. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Designates 1992 as The Year of the American Indian.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
White House Commemorative Coin Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue up to 500,000 silver one-dollar coins to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the White House; and (2) obtain silver for such coins from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Mineral Stock Piling Act. Specifies that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the Secretary shall pay amounts from a ten-dollar surcharge per coin into the White House Endowment Fund. Directs the Secretary to take such actions as necessary to ensure that the minting and issuance of such coins do not result in any net cost to the Government. Bars the issuance of such coins unless the Secretary has received full payment or adequate security for payment. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
Designates May 16 through 22, 1992, as National Awareness Week for Life-Saving Techniques.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1991
Designates March 12, 1992, as Girl Scouts of the United States of America 80th Anniversary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Breast Cancer Screening Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certification in order for a facility to perform or interpret mammograms, inspect equipment, perform needle localizations or other procedures using mammography equipment, or conduct quality assurance oversight related to mammography. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and renew certificates for up to two years. Allows the Secretary to approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body which meets certain requirements, including inspecting facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish standards for facilities to assure the safety and accuracy of mammography; (2) specify organizations eligible to certify individuals to perform radiological procedures; (3) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to interpret screening mammograms; (4) establish standards regarding the qualifications for individuals to interpret screening mammograms; and (5) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to inspect screening mammography equipment and oversee quality assurance practices. Directs the Secretary to conduct annual announced and unannounced inspections of certified facilities. Provides for: (1) intermediate sanctions for certain violations; (2) suspension, revocation, and limitation of certificates; and (3) injunctions. Requires fees for certificate issuance and renewal, and for inspections, sufficient to cover costs. Requires annual publication of a list of facilities convicted of fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks, facilities that have had certificates revoked, suspended, or limited, and facilities that have been the subject of a sanction or other similar matters. Allows the Secretary to exempt facilities in a State or locality with more stringent requirements from compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants for research on new methods of establishing a Mammography Registry; and (2) based on the research, establish the Registry. Authorizes grants to enhance the capacity of health personnel in the area of breast cancer mortality prevention. Allows grant funds to be used to establish a breast cancer mortality prevention regional training center and develop a training curriculum. Authorizes appropriations. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that screening mammographies paid for under Medicare be performed by a facility: (1) certified under this Act; and (2) in compliance with specified provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
National Air and Space Museum Expansion Site Selection Act of 1991 - Establishes the National Air and Space Museum Expansion Site Advisory Panel to conduct a national competition for the evaluation of possible expansion sites for the National Air and Space Museum. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to select the site after considering the recommendation of the Panel. Terminates the Panel 30 days after such selection. Requires the General Accounting Office to review and evaluate the selection by the Board of Regents and report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Designates December 1 through 7, 1991, and November 29 through December 5, 1992, as National Adoption Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1991
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a silver commemorative medal for members of the U.S. armed forces who serve in a combat zone in connection with the Persian Gulf conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1991
Designates December 4, 1991, as Hawaii Remembrance Day, to recognize contributions provided by Federal civilian employees during the attack on Pearl Harbor and during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1991
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 - Establishes an emergency unemployment compensation program. Allows any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) under which the State agency which administers the State unemployment compensation law will make payments of emergency unemployment compensation: (1) to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under State law, have no rights to such regular compensation or any additional State or Federal compensation, and are not receiving Canadian compensation; and (2) for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual's eligibility period. Sets forth provisions relating to exhaustion of regular benefits and weekly amount of emergency benefits equal to regular benefits. Authorizes a State Governor, in a period of a seven or eight percent total unemployment rate in that State (as defined under this Act), to elect to trigger off an extended compensation period to provide emergency unemployment compensation to individuals who have exhausted their rights to regular compensation under State law. Requires a State, under such an agreement, to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to the benefit year of each eligible individual who files an application. Limits benefit payments to not more than the amount in the individual's account. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount in such account. Provides that the applicable limit in such account shall be equal to: (1) 20 for an eight-percent period, i.e. one triggered by a total unemployment rate (TUR) of eight percent or more in the State, seasonally adjusted, for the most recent six calendar months with available data; (2) 13 for a seven-percent period; (3) seven for a six-percent period; and (4) four for any other period. Sets forth special rules relating to such applicable limits. Requires reduction in such account by the amount of extended benefits received by the individual relating to the same benefit year under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Sets the weekly benefit amount at the amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable under the State law to the individual for such week for total unemployment. Provides for determination of periods and applicable triggers. Provides for a minimum period of at least 13 weeks. Provides, in general, that no emergency unemployment compensation shall be payable to any individual under this Act for any week beginning: (1) before the later of October 6, 1991, or the first week following the week in which an agreement under this Act is entered into; or (2) after July 4, 1992. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions for the eligibility of certain individuals for such benefits, as exceptions to such general rule. Provides for payments to States having such agreements for emergency unemployment compensation. Sets forth financing provisions. Requires that funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund be used to make payments to States having agreements under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to fraud and overpayments. Defines the eligible period under this Act. Provides that in no event shall an individual's period of eligibility include any weeks after the 39th week after the end of the benefit year for which the individual exhausted rights to regular compensation or extended compensation. Amends specified Federal law to repeal certain limitations on payment of unemployment compensation to former members of the armed forces. Reduces the length of required active duty by reserves for purposes of such payment. Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation. Directs the Secretary to establish such a council by February 1, 1992, and every fourth year thereafter. Requires each such council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program. Sets forth membership and staff provisions. Requires each council to report to the President and the Congress by Feburuary 1 of the second year following the year in which it is required to be established. Requires the first Council report to include findings and recommendations on determining eligibility for extended unemployment benefits on the basis of unemployment statistics for regions, States, or subdivisions of States. Designates as emergency requirements, pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), all direct spending amounts provided, and all appropriations authorized by this Act (for all fiscal years). Provides that this Act shall not take effect unless, by its enactment date, the President submits to the Congress a written designation of all such direct spending amounts and authorized appropriations as such emergency requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
Designates 1992 as the Year of the Gulf of Mexico. Expresses the sense of the Congress that governmental entities that have responsibilities relating to the Gulf should work to increase public awareness concerning the immeasurable value of the Gulf's resources and conditions that threaten its aesthetic and economic value.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Private Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual itemized deduction for qualified long-term care services. Defines such services as necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, and maintenance and personal care services which: (1) are required by a chronically ill individual; (2) have as their primary purpose the provision of needed assistance with daily living activities which the individual is certified as being unable to perform; and (3) are provided pursuant to a continuing plan of care prescribed by a licensed health practitioner. Provides for: (1) long-term care insurance contracts to be treated as accident or health insurance contracts; (2) amounts received under such contracts with respect to qualified long-term care services to be treated as amounts received for personal injuries or sickness; (3) employer plans providing such services to be treated as an accident or health plan; and (4) per diem and other periodic payments to be treated as payments made with respect to qualified long-term care services, with specified limitations. Declares that a qualified long-term care insurance contract is one in which the only insurance protection provided is coverage of qualified long-term care services. Prohibits borrowing under such contract and its assignment or pledging as collateral for a loan. Prohibits such contract from covering expenses to the extent that such expenses are reimbursable under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides for the tax treatment of policyholders based on dollar limitations on per diem and other periodic payments. Makes the continuation coverage excise tax inapplicable to qualified long-term care insurance contracts or plans of employers that provide such coverage. Subtitle B: Consumer Protection Provisions - Sets forth specified consumer protection provisions to be satisifed by qualified long-term Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Imposes an excise tax of $5,000 on any person who fails to meet specified requirements for such contracts with respect to: (1) regulation of sales practices; (2) model Act provisions; and (3) disclosure. Requires NAIC to promulgate standards for the use of uniform language and definitions in long-term care insurance policies by January 1, 1993. Title II: Treatment of Accelerated Death Benefits - Provides for the treatment of amounts paid to a terminally ill individual as death benefits. Allows insurance companies to issue such accelerated death benefit riders on life insurance contracts. Requires spousal consent for such treatment and riders. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit applicants or recipients under public assistance programs from being required to make an election respecting accelerated death benefits under life insurance policies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
James Madison - Bill of Rights Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue: (1) five-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the Bill of Rights; and (2) one-dollar silver coins emblematic of James Madison. Sets forth guidelines for their sale and issuance, and for financial assurances. Mandates that the surcharges received by the Secretary be transmitted to the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. Authorizes audits by the Comptroller General. Provides a general waiver of procurement regulations when implementing this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit monthly financial status reports to certain congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Area Health Education Centers Reauthorization Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to specify a term of six years for agreements establishing area health education centers (AHECs). Modifies the purposes of AHECs, including serving high-impact areas and States as well as border areas close to Mexico. Mandates, if available in the area, participation of a school of public health. Authorizes agreements for the planning, development, and operation of State-supported AHECs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Designates November 1991 as National Red Ribbon Month.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Designates October 1991 as Country Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1991
Audio Home Recording Act of 1991 - Amends Federal copyright law to: (1) set forth definitions relating to digital audio recording devices and media; and (2) prohibit certain copyright infringement actions based on the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a digital or analog audio recording device or medium, or the use of such device or medium for making phonorecords, except when done for commercial advantage. Sets forth a mandatory recordation and filing procedure for the importation, manufacture, or distribution in the United States of digital audio recording devices or media. Requires importers and manufacturers to file quarterly and annual statements of account with the Register of Copyrights (the Register). Mandates Register verification of such statements. Sets forth verification guidelines. States that verification audit costs shall be borne by interested copyright parties. Sets forth confidentiality guidelines with respect to such mandatory statements of accounts. Prescribes royalty payment guidelines for digital audio recording devices and media imported, manufactured, or distributed in the United States. Requires that royalty payments be deposited into the Treasury. Identifies interested copyright parties entitled to royalty payments. Prescribes royalty payment allocation and distribution procedures. Permits alternative royalty collection and distribution arrangements to be negotiated among interested copyright and manufacturing parties. Maintains the Copyright Tribunal jurisdiction over such negotiated arrangements insofar as nonparticipant interests are affected. Prohibits: (1) the importation, manufacture, and distribution of any digital audio recording device or audio interface device that does not conform to certain standards and specifications to implement the Serial Copy Management System; and (2) the circumvention of such System. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to publish in the Federal Register a certain Technical Reference Document which sets forth the standards and specifications pertinent to the Serial Copy Management System. Authorizes the Secretary to implement such System according to the prescribed guidelines. Sets forth civil remedies for violations of this Act, including impoundment, remedial modification and destruction of non-complying devices, and binding arbitration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1991
Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 1991 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to allow each Federal agency to: (1) secure copyright on behalf of the United States in any computer software prepared in whole or in part by U.S. employees under a cooperative research and development agreement or other authority, notwithstanding provisions of Federal copyright law; and (2) grant in advance to a collaborating party licenses or assignments for the copyrights, or options thereto, retaining specified rights. Adds references to software and its author to provisions governing the distribution of royalties received by Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1991
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 - Establishes an emergency unemployment compensation program. Allows any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) under which the State agency which administers the State unemployment compensation law will make payments of emergency unemployment compensation: (1) to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under State law, have no rights to such regular compensation or any additional State or Federal compensation, and are not receving Canadian compensation; and (2) for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual's eligibility period. Sets forth provisions relating to exhaustion of regular benefits and weekly amount of emergency benefits equal to regular benefits. Requires a State, under such an agreement, to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to the benefit year of each eligible individual who files an application. Limits benefit payments to not more than the amount in the individual's account. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount in such account. Provides that such amount shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) 100 percent of the total amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable to the individual with respect to the most recent regular benefit year; or (2) the applicable limit times the average weekly benefit amount for the benefit year. Sets the applicable limit at: (1) 20 for an eight-percent period, i.e. one triggered by a total unemployment rate (TUR) of eight percent or more in the State, seasonally adjusted, for the most recent six calendar months with available data; (2) 13 for a seven-percent period; (3) seven for a six-percent period; and (4) four for any other period. Sets forth special rules relating to such applicable limits. Requires reduction in such account by the amount of extended benefits received by the individual relating to the same benefit year under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Sets the weekly benefit amount at the amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable under the State law to the individual for such week for total unemployment. Provides for determination of periods and applicable triggers. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions for the eligibility of certain individuals for such benefits. Provides for payments to States having such agreements for emergency unemployment compensation. Sets forth financing provisions. Requires that funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund be used to make payments to States having agreements under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to fraud and overpayments. Amends specified Federal law to repeal certain limitations on payment of unemployment compensation to former members of the armed forces. Reduces the length of required active duty by reserves for purposes of such payment. Sets forth reachback provisions. Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish such a council by February 1, 1992, and every fourth year thereafter. Requires each such council to evaluate the unemployment compensation program. Sets forth membership and staff provisions. Requires each council to report to the President and the Congress by January 1 of the second year following the year in which it is required to be established. Designates as emergency requirements, pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, all direct spending amounts provided, and all appropriations authorized, by this Act (for all fiscal years). Provides that this Act shall not take effect unless, by its enactment date, the President submits to the Congress a written designation of all such direct spending amounts and authorized appropriations as such emergency requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1991
Medicare and Medicaid Chronic Care Amendments Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the requirement that the coinsurance rate for Medicare post-hospital extended care services equal 1/8th of the inpatient hospital deductible; (2) set the Medicare coinsurance amount for such services at $65.00 a day beginning in calendar year 1992; and (3) maintain such amount until the coinsurance rate equals 20 percent of the national average per diem cost recognized under Medicare for such services. Covers up to 42 consecutive days of nursing and home health aide services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the impact of eliminating the three-day prior hospitalization requirement for Medicare coverage of post-hospital extended care services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with at least three peer review organizations to review the prior hospital stay requirement; and (2) report to the Congress on review results. Authorizes five five-year demonstration projects under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to provide for the operation of adult day care centers located in elderly housing facilities financed under the Housing Act of 1959 in order to reduce the risk of institutionalization and provide respite to families who care for the elderly at home. Outlines project requirements, project application contents, individual eligibility criteria, financing and other provisions concerning such projects. Requires the Secretary to evaluate the effectiveness of each demonstration project and submit a report summarizing the evaluation to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1991
Public Telecommunications Act of 1991 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for the public telecommunications facilities program for FY 1992 through 1994 and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for FY 1994 through 1996. Reduces from ten to nine the number of Corporation board members, lengthens the term of each member from five to six years, and staggers the terms of the members.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1991
Recognizes and grants a Federal charter to the Shepherd's Centers of America, Incorporated, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Missouri.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1991
Automated Telephone Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any person within the United States from: (1) making a call using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS), telephone facsimile machine (FAX), or artificial or prerecorded voice (APV) to any emergency line of a hospital, medical physician or service office, health care facility, or fire protection or law enforcement agency, or to any telephone number assigned to paging or cellular telephone service; (2) initiating a call to any residence using an APV to deliver a message without the prior, express, written consent of the called party, unless the call is initiated by a public school or other governmental entity; (3) sending an unsolicited advertisement by a FAX; (4) initiating any communication using a FAX, making any telephone call using an ATDS, or using any FAX or ATDS to make a telephone solicitation in a manner that does not comply with the technical and procedural standards prescribed under this Act; or (5) using a computer or other electronic device to send an unsolicited advertisement via a FAX unless each transmitted page indicates the date and time it is sent, the business sending the advertisement, and the telephone number of the sending machine or business. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to: (1) revise the regulations setting technical and procedural standards for FAXs; and (2) prescribe technical and procedural standards with respect to systems used to transmit APV messages via telephone, including the requirement that any such system automatically release the called party's line within five seconds of the time the system receives notification that the called party has hung up.