United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protection of Consumer Choice Title II: Certification of Managed Care Plans and Utilization Review Programs Title III: Choice of Health Plans for Enrollment Patient Protection Act of 1994 - Title I: Protection of Consumer Choice - Declares that this Act shall not be construed as prohibiting either: (1) an individual from purchasing health care services with his own funds, whether such services are covered within any benefits package otherwise available; or (2) an employer from providing benefit coverage in addition to any benefits package otherwise available. Title II: Certification of Managed Care Plans and Utilization Review Programs - Sets forth a certification scheme for managed care plans and for qualified utilization review programs. Title III: Choice of Health Plans for Enrollment - Requires each health benefit plan sponsor, including a self-insured sponsor, to provide a choice among the health plans offered. Sets forth choice and payment disclosure requirements for point of service plans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1994
World War II Peace Accords Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 50th anniversary of the signing of the World War II peace accords on the U.S.S. Missouri should not go unrecognized at the national level; and (2) the United States should recognize such anniversary by minting and issuing a commemorative coin. Sets forth specifications for half dollar clad coins. Mandates that the surcharges received from the sale of such coins be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation for the purpose of preserving the Pacific War heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1994
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the denial or abridgement by the United States or by any State of the right of U.S. citizens to the free exercise of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Subtitle D: Expansion of Abstinence Education Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Subtitle D: Expansion of Abstinence Education - Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to States and public and private entities to establish educational programs beginning in the sixth grade or later that emphasize the social, psychological, and health gains to be derived from abstaining from sexual activity while unmarried. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (which requires Federal contractors and subcontractors to pay prevailing wages). (Sec. 406) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 407) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 408) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 409) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 410) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Wilderness Area Designations Title II: Multiple-Use Resource Recovery Land Designations Title III: Special Management Areas Title IV: Water Rights Title V: Protection of Private Property Title VI: Badger-Two Medicine Area Montana Jobs Security and Land Protection Act of 1994 - Title I: Wilderness Area Designations - Designates certain national forest and other lands in Montana as wilderness areas. Title II: Multiple-Use Resource Recovery Land Designations - Designates all Federal lands in Montana as multiple-use resource recovery lands to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Excludes from such designation: (1) wilderness areas; (2) lands that are components of the national wild and scenic rivers or the national trails systems; (3) land withdrawn from mineral entry or timber production by Federal law or executive order; and (4) lands not reviewed for suitability as wilderness during the Second Roadless Area Review and Evaluation Program conducted by the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Secretary to: (1) emphasize the uses that are not allowed on lands designated as wilderness areas or other withdrawn lands; and (2) certify to specified congressional committees that the land and resource management plans for such lands do not preclude the achievement of output targets. Title III: Special Management Areas - Designates certain Federal lands in Montana as special management areas. Describes activities authorized on such lands, including the removal of minerals, the use of motorized equipment, if compatible with designated land uses, and livestock grazing. Title IV: Water Rights - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire such water rights as appropriate to carry out the administrative responsibilities on lands designated under this Act. Provides that this Act may not be construed to affect specified existing water rights of the State of Montana and the utilization of certain water diversion structures. Title V: Protection of Private Property - Directs the Secretary to: (1) comply with applicable State laws, including those relating to private property rights and privacy; and (2) administer this Act in a manner consistent with the constitutional and other legal rights of private property owners. Title VI: Badger-Two Medicine Area - Directs the Secretary to administer certain lands known as the Badger-Two Medicine Area in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana, for nonwilderness, multiple-use purposes. Excludes from such designation lands in such area designated by the Blackfeet Tribal Council as having specific cultural or religious significance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1994
Public Braodcasting Act of 1994 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through FY 1999 the authorization of appropriations for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Equitable Communication Site Fee Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to establish and collect annual fees for the use of radio, television, and commercial mobile radio communications sites located on public lands. Sets forth fee schedules, with required annual fee review by the National Forest Service (Service) and the Bureau of Land Management (Bureau), and provides for annual fee adjustments, with limitations. Requires additional fees for additional site users. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and collect an annual fee for the use of television translator stations and FM translator stations located on public lands. Directs the: (1) Secretaries to establish an advisory group for each of the television, radio, and commercial mobile radio industries to determine the fair market value for the use of communications sites on public lands; and (2) Chief Forester of the Service and the Bureau Director to jointly establish an advisory committee to determine fair market values and next best alternative uses for private radio communications site users from public and private communications sites. Requires reports from each of the advisory committees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1994
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the President, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the heads of other Federal agencies, in issuing or enforcing any regulation or interpretation or guideline relating to a fat, oil, or grease under any Federal law, to differentiate between: (1) animal fats and oils and greases and fish and marine mammal oils or oils of vegetable origin; and (2) other oils and greases, including petroleum. Requires the President, the Administrator, and the heads of Federal agencies, in differentiating between such classes, to consider differences in the physical, chemical, biological, and other properties and in the environmental effects of the classes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1994
Lost Creek Land Exchange Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire certain lands owned by the Brand S Corporation and located in the Lost Creek area of the Deerlodge National Forest and within the Gallatin National Forest (to be added to and administered as part of such National Forests) in exchange for certain lands within such National Forests and specified timber rights on Deerlodge National Forest lands. Directs the Secretary to secure legal public road access to Gallatin National Forest System lands in the Eightmile Creek area and the Miller Gulch-Fridley Creek-Dry Creek area. Releases the United States from any liability under Federal, State, or local law solely as a result of acquiring an interest in the Lost Creek Tract or due to circumstances or events occurring before acquisition, including any release or threat of release of hazardous substances.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1994
Small Business Investment and Growth Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a maximum small business tax rate on taxable small business income for individuals, partnerships, or certain S corporations. Describes such income as the least of: (1) income from the active conduct of a trade or business in which the taxpayer is a material participant; (2) net earnings from self-employment; or (3) the taxpayer's share of additions to a qualified retained earnings account of such trade or business. Allows distributions from such account to pay ordinary and necessary business expenses or to pay the tax imposed by this Act. Excludes from employment taxes the portion of taxable small business income in excess of $135,000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1994
Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to prohibit any tuition or charge for room or board from being imposed in connection with attendance at the Merchant Marine Academy (other than for items or services for which charges are already imposed). Expresses the sense of the Senate that no charges or fees should be imposed for attendance at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1994
Private Property Rights Act of 1994 - States that the Congress declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government to use all practicable means and measures to minimize Federal takings of private property. Directs Federal agencies to certify to the Attorney General that a private property taking impact analysis has been completed before initiating any action which could result in a taking or diminution of use or value of private property. Requires that the policies, regulations, and public laws of the United States be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies under this Act. Specifies the content of such an analysis and requires a copy to be transmitted to the owner of the affected property, as well as made available to the public. Creates a rebuttable presumption that unmodified analyses five years or older are outdated for purposes of any agency action or administrative or judicial proceeding. Sets the statute of limitations for court actions for enforcing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Private Securities Litigation Title II: Financial Disclosure Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Private Securities Litigation - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit brokers or dealers from soliciting or accepting referral fees from an attorney for obtaining the representation of a customer in any implied private action. Prohibits the use of disgorgement funds resulting from actions brought by the Securities Exchange Commission (the Commission) to pay legal expenses incurred by private parties seeking distribution of such funds. Modifies the guidelines for class action litigation, including: (1) recovery by named plaintiffs in the same manner as all other members of the class; (2) court determination of conflicts of interest on the part of counsel with a beneficial interest in the securities that are the subject of the litigation; (3) restrictions on settlements under seal; (4) restrictions on payment of attorney's fees from settlement funds; (5) disclosure of settlement terms to class members; (6) special verdicts; and (7) the threshold enabling a plaintiff to obtain certification as representative for the class. Prescribes procedural guidelines for alternative dispute resolution. Establishes a limitations period for implied private rights of action. Provides for a court-appointed guardian ad litem or class action steering committee to oversee counsel and settlement offers for the plaintiff class. Delineates the requirements for securities fraud actions. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute to exclude from its purview an action involving fraud in the sale of securities. Title II: Financial Disclosure - Directs the Commission to re-examine the regulatory and judicial framework with respect to predictive statements ("forward-looking statements") concerning the future economic performance of an issuer of securities. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prescribe litigation procedures governing safe harbors for forward-looking statements. Modifies requirements for audits conducted by an independent public accountant of an issuer's financial statements to include procedures to: (1) detect illegal acts; (2) identify related party transactions material to financial statements; and (3) evaluate an issuer's ability to continue as a going concern. Sets forth notification and reporting guidelines for a public accountant who detects illegal activities during the course of an audit. Limits such auditor's liability for complying with such guidelines. Establishes civil penalties for an auditor's noncompliance with this Act. Modifies the allocation of damages scheme to distinguish between primary degrees of responsibility and the application of proportionate liability. Directs the Commission to establish a Public Auditing Self-Disciplinary Board (the Board). Prohibits a public accounting firm from furnishing an accountant's report on any document required to be filed with the Commission unless it has registered with the Board. Requires the Board to establish guidelines for: (1) investigations and disciplinary proceedings against public accounting firms; and (2) criteria for certification of public accountant peer review organizations. Grants the Commission responsibility for oversight of the Board. Includes within Board jurisdiction a foreign public accounting firm that furnishes accountant's reports on any document required to be filed with the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose Title II: Binding Budget Law Title III: Enforcement Mechanics Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism Title V: Protection of Social Security Title VI: Timetable Title VII: Conforming Amendments Title VIII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation Title IX: Effective Date Budget Process Reform Act - Title I: Statement of Congressional Purpose - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to facilitate rational, informed, and timely decisions by the Congress in the course of the Federal budget process. (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal budget process should focus the attention of policymakers and the public on the aggregate impact of Federal spending on the economy, and on the tradeoffs that must be made among priorities in order to control overall levels of spending. (Sec. 103) Declares that the budget process should contain safeguards against delay and inaction, so that temporary shut-downs of the Government may be avoided. Title II: Binding Budget Law - Requires the Congress to enact a binding budget law, in the form of a joint resolution, by April 15 of the calendar year before that in which the fiscal period commences. (Sec. 202) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives of the Senate to consider any spending bill affecting spending in a major functional category unless and until a joint resolution on the budget is enacted. (Sec. 203) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit baseline budgeting. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to submit to the Congress on or before the 15th day after a joint resolution on the budget is enacted a detailed budget for the fiscal period beginning on October 1 of the current calendar year. Title III: Enforcement Mechanics - Subtitle A: Supermajority Required to Break Budget Law - Requires a three-fifths majority vote in the House and the Senate to consider any spending bill prior to the enactment of the budget law. (Sec. 302) Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide to the Congress an estimate of the costs in each major functional category of certain spending bills as soon as practicable after its introduction. Requires a three-fifths affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to consider over-budget spending bills. Requires a three-fifths affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive any provision of this Act. Subtitle B: Limited Enhanced Rescission Authority - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to limit the President's rescission authority to spending that is above the limits of the budget law. Subtitle C: "Blank Check" Appropriations Prohibited - Declares the intent of the Congress to end open-ended, "blank check" appropriations which typically authorize spending "such sums as may be necessary." Requires fixed-dollar appropriations for every account except social security and interest on the debt. Prohibits open-ended appropriations. Requires Executive agencies to adjust benefit levels to ensure that appropriations for entitlement programs are not exceeded. (Sec. 309) Restricts budget authority and entitlement authority to one fiscal period. Subtitle D: "Pay As You Go" Requirement for New Spending - Prohibits the Congress from considering any legislation which exceeds the budget ceiling unless it offsets such increased spending with an equal amount of reductions. Requires a three-fifths affirmative vote in the House and the Senate to waive such prohibition. Title IV: Sustaining Mechanism - Makes appropriations to provide for an automatic continuing resolution if for any account an appropriation for a fiscal period does not become law before the beginning of such period. (Sec. 403) Restricts legislation providing funding to the Committees on Appropriations. Title V: Protection of Social Security - Provides that no reduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) shall be made as a consequence of this Act. Title VI: Timetable - Revises the timetable for the congressional budget process. Title VII: Conforming Amendments - Makes various technical and conforming amendments, including changing references to a concurrent resolution on the budget to references to a joint resolution on the budget. Title VIII: Definitions and Rules of Interpretation - Sets forth definitions for specified terms. Title IX: Effective Date - Declares the effective date of this Act to be January 1, 1995, applicable to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1994
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1994 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in the case of specified contaminants listed in the Federal Register for which national primary drinking water regulations have not been issued, to: (1) publish maximum contaminant level (MCL) goals and issue such regulations for those contaminants that occur in drinking water at a level of public health concern; and (2) eliminate monitoring, compliance, and enforcement requirements for those contaminants that do not occur in drinking water at levels of public health concern. (Current law requires the promulgation of such goals and regulations for specified numbers of such contaminants by certain dates.) (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator to promulgate such goals and regulations for new contaminants every five years. Requires the Administrator to identify best technology treatment techniques that may be used to meet MCLs for public water systems serving fewer than 1,000, between 1,000 and 10,000, and more than 10,000 people. Directs the Administrator to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for radionuclides, disinfection and corrosion byproducts, and sulfate. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions concerning variances from such regulations to permit the issuance of a variance by a State only if the water system cannot afford to install the best available technology to meet the MCL and it is not feasible for the system to connect with another source of water that will meet the standards. Requires variances to be reviewed by the State at least every three years. (Sec. 8) Repeals provisions that authorize States to exempt public water systems from requirements respecting MCLs or treatment techniques. (Sec. 9) Prohibits treated drinking water from being removed from a public water system or routed through any device or pipes outside the system and returned to the system. Includes such action in the definition of "tampering," a violation for which criminal penalties are imposed. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to pipes and devices totally within the control of one or more public water systems or to connections between water mains. (Sec. 11) Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator to conduct research relating to diseases and other impairments resulting from contaminants in drinking water or to the provision of a safe supply of drinking water. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for State public water system supervision programs. (Sec. 13) Requires the Administrator to promulgate revised regulations every five years that list up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. Directs the Administrator to assemble a national drinking water occurrence data base to include information on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated contaminants. (Sec. 16) Requires the Administrator to make capitalization grants to States to establish State drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. Reserves the following amounts from such grants: (1) one percent for financial assistance to Indian tribes for the improvement of public water systems; and (2) .5 percent to respond to public health emergencies. Sets aside specified dollar amounts for rural small drinking water systems technical assistance programs and drinking water health effects research. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for public water system improvement to the District of Columbia and specified U.S. territories. Requires 15 percent of amounts in a State loan fund to be available solely for assistance to public water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 individuals. Directs States to prepare intended use plans prior to receiving grants. Requires priority for the use of funds to be given to systems that are in violation of a national primary drinking water regulation. Requires the Administrator to submit quadrennially to the Congress a survey of the needs of facilities eligible for State loan fund assistance. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 17) Permits the Administrator to provide financial assistance to minority communities with economic hardship for eligible wastewater treatment projects. (Sec. 18) Authorizes the Administrator to transfer funds to another Federal agency or award grants to any appropriate entity or border State (Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas) to provide assistance to low-income communities (colonias) in such areas that lack basic sanitation facilities for: (1) the conservation, development, use, and control of water; and (2) the construction or improvement of sewers, wastewater treatment works, and essential community facilities. Requires such funds to be used in communities subject to a significant health risk attributable to lack of access to a water supply system or wastewater treatment works. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Fort Peck Indian Tribes-Montana Compact Act of 1994 - Ratifies the Fort Peck Indian Tribes-Montana Compact. Authorizes the Tribes (the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation) to enter into a Water Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
National Highway System Designation Act of 1994 - Designates the most recent National Highway System as submitted by the Secretary of Transportation to be the National Highway System (NHS). Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a State, to add a new route segment to the NHS (including a new intermodal connection) or delete an existing route segment if the total mileage of the NHS, including any route segment or connection proposed to be added, does not exceed 165,000 miles. Requires each State making a request for a change in the NHS to establish that each change has been identified by the State, in cooperation with local officials, pursuant to applicable transportation planning activities for metropolitan areas and statewide planning processes. Authorizes the Secretary to approve such a request upon determining that the change meets the criteria established for, and enhances the national transportation characteristics of, the NHS.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Alien Smuggling Control Title II: Port of Entry Inspections Title III: Penalties for Document Fraud and Misrepresentation Title IV: Asylum Reform Title V: Illegal Immigration and Border Security Title VI: Border Crossing User Fee Title VII: Detention of Illegal Aliens Title VIII: Public Benefits Abuse Title IX: Work Authorization Verification Title X: Numerical Limitations on Admission of Aliens into the United States Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions Comprehensive Immigration and Asylum Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Alien Smuggling Control - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) increase the penalty for alien smuggling; (2) provide an additional penalty for a smuggler who subjects an alien to a substantial risk of death or bodily harm; and (3) subject any smuggler to the death penalty for causing the death of an alien. (Sec. 103) Makes it a crime to smuggle aliens for the purpose of committing crimes in the United States. (Sec. 104) Adds smuggling to RICO. (Sec. 105) Expands Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) seizure authority to permit the seizure of any property used for smuggling or harboring aliens. (Sec. 106) Grants the INS wiretap authority for alien smuggling investigations. (Sec. 111) Expands the definition of aggravated felony for purposes of the immigration laws to include firearms violations, child pornography, RICO violations, and specified other crimes. (Sec. 112) Presumes deportable any alien convicted of an aggravated felony. Provides for the elimination of an administrative hearing for an alien convicted of an aggravated felony who is not lawfully admitted for permanent resident or is a conditional permanent residence. Eliminates other specified deportation procedures for such aliens. (Sec. 113) Permits a U.S. district court to enter a judicial order of deportation at the time of sentencing an alien. (Sec. 114) Restricts certain defenses to deportation available for certain criminal aliens. (Sec. 115) Increases criminal and civil penalties for failing to depart. Title II: Port of Entry Inspections - Makes excludable any alien who presents forged, stolen, altered, or counterfeit documents. Excepts those with a credible fear of persecution or of return to persecution who used such documents. Defines credible fear of persecution or of return to persecution. (Sec. 203) Restricts judicial review to limited habeas corpus proceedings. Title III: Penalties for Document Fraud and Misrepresentation - Increases penalties for fraud and misuse of immigration documents and government issued identification documents. (Sec. 302) Establishes civil and criminal penalties for the preparers of false documents. (Sec. 303) Makes it unlawful to present fraudulent documents before boarding a common carrier or upon arrival. Title IV: Asylum and Reform - Places limits on an asylum applicant's authority to work. (Sec. 403) Grants the Attorney General authority for two years for a program to address the asylum backlog. (Sec. 405) Precludes counting any time in deportation proceedings towards the seven consecutive years defense. Title V: Illegal Immigration and Border Security - Provides for the hiring of 125 additional INS investigators and support staff. Provides additional funding for deportation costs. Title VI: Border Crossing User Fee - Providers for the imposition of fees at ports of entry sufficient to cover the INS's costs of maintaining and operating port of entry facilities. Requires fees to be deposited in the Land Border User Fee Account. Provides for the funding of 100 additional Border Patrol agents and support personnel from the Account. Title VII: Detention of Illegal Aliens - Provides for a two year pilot program of using closed military bases for the detention of illegal aliens. Title VIII: Public Benefits Abuse - Prohibits any unlawful alien from receiving any financial benefits under any Federal program except for specified emergency health care or child nutrition programs. (Sec. 802) Attributes sponsor income to family preference aliens. Title IX: Work Authorization Verification - Provides for the development and implementation of a counterfeit-resistant system to verify work eligibility and Federally-funded public assistance benefits eligibility for all individuals within the United States. Prohibits any document which may be issued under such program from being used as a national identification card. Title X: Numerical Limitations on Admission of Aliens into the United States - Reduces worldwide immigration during FY 1995 through 1999. Limits numerically the number of refugees that may be admitted in any year, unless the Congress enacts an exception. Title XI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the availability of information for use in criminal prosecutions. Provides for communications between Federal agencies and the INS.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Role of National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Technology Investment Title II: National Aeronautics Facilities National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technology Investment Act of 1994 - Title I: Role of National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Technology Development - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a technology investment program with industry that will advance both U.S. industrial competitiveness and aeronautical and space technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Aeronautics Facilities - States that it is U.S. policy that: (1) Federal investment in domestic aerospace technologies shall be a priority, including the maintenance of superior aeronautics facilities; and (2) NASA shall work with industry to identify and address aeronautics technology and facility issues. Directs the President to: (1) conduct a worldwide facilities assessment; and (2) develop and implement with domestic industries an aeronautics facilities strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1994
National Security Budgeting and Deficit Control Act of 1994 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to extend the caps on defense and nondefense discretionary spending through FY 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Social Security Disability and Rehabilitation Act of 1994 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require individuals on drugs or alcohol to: (1) undergo, or be scheduled for, appropriate treatment for substance abuse if it is reasonably available; (2) comply with the terms of such treatment; and (3) have a qualified governmental representative payee in order to receive disability benefits under the social security disability insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs. Sets up a monitoring and testing program under each such title for ensuring such compliance, with benefits terminated or suspended in cases of noncompliance, and with all disability benefits related to substance abuse terminated after three years. Requires the proceeds derived from criminal activities to support substance abuse to be considered substantial gainful activity. Revises penalty provisions, with changes providing for the exclusion of SSDI and SSI program defrauders from such programs and other Federal health and social services programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assure that every individual on drugs or alcohol who is receiving SSDI or SSI disability benefits be given high priority for treatment through entities supported by State substance abuse block grants; and (2) provide for the establishment of referral and monitoring agencies for each State for carrying out treatment requirements under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
1995 Special Olympics World Games Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. Mandates that the surcharges collected from the sale of such coins be paid to the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1994
Delays the effective date for imposition of penalties upon States that do not have in effect safety belt and motorcycle helmet traffic safety programs. Exempts a State from certain penalties for failing to meet requirements relating to motorcycle helmet laws if the State has in effect a motorcycle safety program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1994
Directs the President to award a medal of honor to a named individual for outstanding service to the Nation during World War II, notwithstanding time limitations otherwise applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1994
United States-Canada Grain Trade Settlement Act of 1994 - Directs the President, by six months after enactment of this Act, to notify the Government of Canada of U.S. intent to terminate the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), unless the President certifies to the Congress that Canada has agreed to: (1) establish a method for determining the sale price of Canadian grain exports to the United States and the Canadian Wheat Board's acquisition price for such grain; (2) establish procedures for obtaining the data necessary to implement such method; (3) eliminate all transportation subsidies on agricultural goods originating in Canada and shipped for consumption to the United States; and (4) clarify the CFTA meaning of acquisition price so that the term includes the value of any transportation subsidy applied to grain entering the United States, all direct payments to producers by the Canadian Wheat Board or any government agency for such grain, and any other payments or subsidy incurred by the Board, any government agency, or any private interest in the acquisition, handling, storage, and transportation of the grain. Directs the President immediately to pursue negotiations to reach such an agreement. Requires the President immediately to impose a 50 percent tariff on all imports from Canada of wheat, durum, and barley. Authorizes the President to terminate such tariff and take action to reinstate the CFTA and the NAFTA with respect to Canada whenever Canada has entered such an agreement. Declares that such agreement shall supersede the corresponding provisions of the CFTA and the NAFTA, and shall be incorporated in and become part of them as reinstated.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protection and Advancement of Universal Service Title II: Telecommunications Investment Title III: Regulatory Reform Title IV: Authorized Activities of Bell Operating Companies Title V: Regulatory Parity Between Telephone and Cable Companies Title VI: Customer Control Over Information Title VII: Media Diversity Communications Act of 1994 - Title I: Protection and Advancement of Universal Service - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to provide as U.S. national and international communications policy goals: (1) equal access to basic telecommunications services at reasonable rates; (2) the development and availability of new technologies; (3) equal access to diverse sources of information; and (4) the use of telecommunications services and technology to promote the exchange of ideas, economic welfare and quality of life, and the protection of control over an individual's use of such services. (Sec. 102) Requires every common carrier engaged in interstate, intrastate, or foreign communication by wire or radio to preserve and advance universal telecommunications service. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set forth (and periodically revise) guidelines for the definition of universal service, delegating to each State the primary responsibilities of defining such term and ensuring that universal service goals are met. Allows direct assistance to telecommunications carriers to be considered by the States as a means of providing universal service. Requires each State to act within two years or the FCC would assume such responsibility. (Sec. 103) Requires all telecommunications carriers that use public rights of way to permit the following entities to obtain access to intrastate and interstate services provided by such carriers at preferential rates: educational and health care institutions, State and local governments, public broadcast stations, libraries and other public entities, community newspapers, and broadcasters in the smallest markets. Provides related FCC rulemaking responsibilities. Title II: Telecommunications Investment - Amends the Act to require the FCC to take appropriate action to ensure that State regulatory authorities achieve the goal of ensuring that telecommunications carriers provide consumers in rural and noncompetitive markets with access to high quality, interoperable telecommunications network facilities and capabilities at reasonable, nondiscriminatory rates. Provides FCC preemptive authority over conflicting State or local statutes or regulations in such regard. Encourages States to implement regulatory incentives for the development of high quality telecommunications network facilities and capabilities. Encourages telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers to develop standards which ensure the interconnection and interoperability of such networks. Allows the FCC to develop such standards when industry participants fail to do so. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations: (1) that permit joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all telecommunications carriers in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; and (2) that require a local exchange carrier to share public switched network infrastructure and functions with requesting carriers which lack the economies of scale or scope for the required function. Requires the FCC and the States to ensure that advances in network capabilities and telecommunications services deployed by carriers are designed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires the FCC to: (1) publish annually a survey of the deployment of technologies on a State-by-State basis; and (2) develop regulations to allocate a local exchange carrier's costs of deploying broadband telecommunications facilities between local exchange service and competitive services. Title III: Regulatory Reform - Prohibits, after a specified conditional date, a State or local statute, regulation, or requirement from having the effect of prohibiting the ability of an entity to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunications services, or discriminating among telecommunications carriers. Allows an electric, gas, water, or steam utility to provide telecommunications services. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations that require each telecommunications carrier to provide upon request to any telecommunications equipment manufacturer or entity certain interconnection services and nondiscriminatory access to facilities, as well as information necessary for interoperability. Requires consumers to be informed of telecommunications alternatives among competing service providers. Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations ensuring telecommunications number portability (the ability of telecommunications service users to retain existing numbers without adverse effects when switching from one telecommunications carrier to another). Allows the FCC to provide regulatory flexibility to ensure that carriers with small market power can effectively compete for the provision of telecommunications services with larger entities. Directs the FCC, and encourages the States, to permit carriers pricing flexibility in competitive service or geographic markets. Requires FCC implementing regulations. Title IV: Authorizes Activities of Bell Operating Companies - Subtitle A: Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition - Telecommunications Equipment Research and Manufacturing Competition Act of 1994 - Amends the Act to authorize a Bell operating company (BOC), through an affiliate, to manufacture and provide telecommunications equipment and to manufacture customer premises equipment, except that no BOC may engage in such manufacturing with an unaffiliated BOC or affiliates thereof. (Sec. 403) Allows such manufacturing or provision to be conducted only through an affiliate that is separate from any BOC. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations ensuring the separability of such an affiliate. Requires the affiliate to conduct all of its manufacturing, and have all of its customer premises equipment manufactured, within the United States, with an exception after a good faith effort to do so. Requires each such affiliate to make available to all regulated local telephone exchange carriers, without discrimination or preference, any telecommunications equipment (including upgrades) manufactured by such affiliate for use with the public telecommunications network, so long as each purchaser does not manufacture such equipment or agrees to make available to the BOC or any of its affiliates any telecommunications equipment manufactured by such purchaser or any of its affiliates. Directs the FCC to require that each BOC maintain and file with the FCC complete information with respect to the protocols and technical requirements for connection with and use of its telephone exchange service facilities. Prohibits a BOC from disclosing any such information to its affiliates unless such information is immediately so filed. Directs the FCC to prescribe appropriate regulations ensuring open and equal competition between a BOC that has a manufacturing affiliate and other manufacturers of telecommunications and customer premises equipment. Allows a BOC and its affiliate to engage in close collaboration with any such manufacturer during the design and development of hardware and software relating to such equipment. Provides FCC administration and enforcement authority with respect to this subtitle. Requires annual audits of BOCs with manufacturing affiliates, with audit review by the FCC. (Sec. 404) Amends the Act to increase from $6,000 to $10,000 the daily fine for failure to keep or submit any required telecommunications carrier records. Subtitle B: Regulation of Alarm Services and Electronic Publishing by Bell Operating Companies - Amends the Act to prohibit a BOC or its affiliates from providing alarm monitoring services for the protection of life, safety, or property. Allows a BOC to transport alarm monitoring service signals, but on a common carrier basis only. Allows a BOC or its affiliate, after five and one half years after the enactment of this Act, to petition the FCC for permission to provide alarm monitoring services. Authorizes the FCC to grant such permission beginning six years from the enactment of this Act, after certain findings by the FCC and the Department of Justice. Requires FCC regulation of such services. Provides expedited consideration of complaints arising from a BOC's provision of such services, and remedies. (Sec. 452) Prohibits a BOC or its affiliate from providing electronic publishing that is disseminated by means of the basic telephone service of the BOC or affiliate. Allows a separated affiliate or joint venture to engage in electronic publishing if certain requirements are met concerning the separate business aspect of the separated affiliate or joint venture. Outlines specified requirements of a BOC under common ownership or control with a separated affiliate or joint venture which ensure that any transactions between the BOC and the separated affiliate or joint venture involving the provision of personnel, facilities, or services to aid in electronic publishing are offered on an equal basis to all unaffiliated entities. Requires annual compliance reviews. Prohibits a BOC or its affiliate from providing to any electronic publisher, including separated affiliates or joint ventures, customer proprietary network information for electronic publishing use that is disseminated by the basic telephone service of the BOC or its affiliate unless such information is made equally available to all electronic publishers. Outlines permissible joint activities between a BOC and its separated affiliate, joint venture, or affiliate, including joint telemarketing, nondiscriminatory teaming or business arrangements, and electronic publishing joint ventures. (Sec. 453) Requires a written contract, recorded in the books and auditable, for transactions related to the provision of electronic publishing between: (1) a BOC and any affiliate; and (2) a BOC affiliate and a separated affiliate. Prohibits a BOC from having officers, employees, property, or facilities in common with any entity whose principal business is electronic publishing. Requires a BOC to provide equally to all entities any facilities, services, or telephone information disseminated through the BOC's basic telephone service which is provided to an entity that engages in electronic publishing. Provides a private right of action for violations of such electronic publishing requirements. Subtitle C: Information Services - Requires BOCs or affiliates to make any gateway service available to all subscribers under nondiscriminatory rates and terms and to offer such services to all information services on a nondiscriminatory basis as well. Defines a "gateway service" as an information service that, at the request of the provider of an electronic publishing or other information service, provides a subscriber with access to such service, utilizing the following functions: data transmission, address translation, billing information, protocol conversion, and introductory information content. Directs the FCC to prescribe cost allocation regulations to prevent any BOC or affiliate that offers services that have market power from using revenues from such services to subsidize competitive information services. Restricts State regulation of information services, except as provided in title VI. Subtitle D: InterLATA Telecommunications Services - Authorizes a BOC to engage in the provision of inter local access and transport area (LATA) (as defined in United States v. Western Electric Company ) telecommunications services subject to specified requirements. Requires the company, as part of such requirements, to demonstrate that there is no possibility of using market power in a telephone exchange and exchange access service market to impede competition. Authorizes Bell companies or affiliates to: (1) own and operate receive-only antennas, satellite master antenna television facilities, satellite earth stations, and interLATA distribution facilities solely for purposes of providing cable service; and (2) engage in interLATA telecommunications service for purposes of one-way transmission of video and audio programming solely for cable service. Permits such companies or their cellular affiliates to provide: (1) authorized interLATA service for cellular mobile radio services; (2) intersystem handoff across LATA boundaries of cellular mobile radio transmissions between adjacent cellular systems; and (3) the routing of cellular transmissions between their cellular systems and a cellular system located in another LATA for purposes of completing a call to one of its out-of-region cellular customers. Requires the FCC to prescribe uniform equal access and long distance presubscription requirements for providers of all cellular and two-way wireless services. Title V: Regulatory Parity Between Telephone and Cable Companies - Revises provisions concerning ownership restrictions to prohibit local exchange carriers subject to title II of the Act from: (1) acquiring more than a five percent interest in any cable system that is providing service within the carrier's telephone exchange service area and is owned by an unaffiliated person; or (2) entering into a joint venture or partnership with a cable operator to provide video programming to subscribers within the telephone exchange service area. Prohibits such carriers from providing video programming (cable) directly to subscribers in its telephone exchange service area unless: (1) such programming is provided through a separate subsidiary; and (2) the FCC finds that the carrier's service is in compliance with specified regulations governing telecommunications competition under this Act. Bars such carriers from engaging in activities that subsidize its video programming operations. Exempts a carrier from such prohibitions if the carrier has no market power in its telephone service area. Establishes similar conditions for cable operators with respect to the provision of telecommunications services. (Sec. 503) Requires subsidiaries to maintain separation from local exchange carriers in terms of operation, commercial activities, and recordkeeping. Requires carriers to establish cost allocation systems that prohibit the costs of providing competitive services from being subsidized by revenue from telephone exchange services. Directs the FCC to ensure that the economic risks associated with the provision of competitive services by a carrier are not borne by the customers of telephone exchange services in the event of a business loss or failure. Title VI: Customer Control Over Information - Prohibits a local exchange carrier, except upon the customer's request, from: (1) using customer proprietary network information in the provision of any service other than telephone exchange or toll service, in the identification or solicitation of potential customers for any service other than the service from which such information is derived, or in the provision of customer premises equipment; or (2) disclosing such information to any affiliate of, or any other person that is not an employee of, such common carrier. Requires the common carrier to: (1) disclose such information to any customer designee at the customer's request; (2) notify the FCC of the availability of aggregate customer proprietary information it provides to an affiliate or to its personnel that are engaged in providing any service that is not necessary to the provision of telephone exchange service or customer premises equipment or to any other person who is not an employee or affiliate; and (3) provide such aggregate information on reasonable terms and conditions to any other service or equipment provider, upon reasonable request. Prohibits the common carrier from discriminating between affiliated and unaffiliated service or equipment providers in providing individual and aggregate or compiled information. States that this Act shall not be construed to prohibit the disclosure of proprietary information as necessary to render, bill, and collect for telephone exchange or toll service or for any other telecommunications service that the customer has requested. Requires a carrier that provides subscriber list information to any affiliated or unaffiliated service provider or person to provide such list on a timely and unbundled basis, under nondiscriminatory and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions, upon reasonable request. Requires any common carrier or affiliate providing automatic number identification (ANI) services to any person to provide such services under a contract or tariff containing telephone subscriber information requirements that: (1) permit such person to use the information provided for billing and collection, completion of the customer's call or transaction, or for services directly related to the customer's call or transaction; (2) prohibit such person from reusing or selling the information provided without the customer's consent; and (3) prohibit such person from disclosing, without the customer's consent, any information derived from such service for any purpose other than performing the services or transactions that are the subject of the customer's call ensuring network performance, security, and the effectiveness of call delivery, compiling, using, and disclosing aggregate information, and complying with applicable law or legal process. Directs the FCC to commence a proceeding to: (1) examine the impact on the privacy rights and remedies of consumers of the integration into interconnected communications networks of wireless telephone, cable, satellite, and other technologies; (2) examine the impact that the globalization of integrated communications networks has on the international dissemination of consumer information and the privacy rights and remedies to protect consumers; (3) propose changes in the FCC's regulations to ensure that consumer privacy rights are protected in new telecommunications services; and (4) prepare recommendations to the Congress for any legislative changes required to correct defects in privacy rights and remedies. Title VII: Media Diversity - Requires the FCC to modify or remove national and local ownership rules on radio and television broadcast stations as necessary to ensure that broadcasters are able to compete fairly with other media providers and that the public receives information from a diversity of media sources. (Sec. 702) Directs the FCC to review a certain ownership restriction with respect to cable operators and report to the Congress on whether such restriction serves the public interest. (Sec. 703) Requires the FCC to complete a notice and comment proceeding to consider the applicability of the FCC's rules regarding network non-duplication protection and syndicated exclusivity protection to other multichannel video programming providers. (Sec. 704) Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations to permit broadcasters to make use of the broadcast spectrum that they are licensed to use for services related to the programming services which they are authorized to provide. Authorizes the FCC, to the extent that the broadcast licensee provides commercial services using broadcast spectrum, to collect a fee from the licensee.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Prohibits the Department of Transportation or any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from requiring any State or political subdivision thereof to convert highway signs to metric units.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Increased Use of Existing Prison Space Title II: Construction of Regional Prisons for Violent Criminals Title III: Effective Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences Title IV: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Predator Criminal Imprisonment Act - Title I: Increased Use of Existing Prison Space - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a Federal court from: (1) holding prison or jail crowding unconstitutional under the eighth amendment except to the extent that an individual plaintiff inmate proves that the crowding causes the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment of that inmate; and (2) placing a ceiling on the inmate population of any Federal, State, or local detention facility as an equitable remedial measure for conditions that violate the eighth amendment unless crowding is inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on particular identified prisoners. Directs that each Federal court order or consent decree seeking to remedy an eighth amendment violation be reopened at the behest of a defendant for recommended modification at a minimum of two-year intervals. Title II: Construction of Regional Prisons for Violent Criminals - Directs the Attorney General: (1) to construct and operate a minimum of ten regional prisons, situated throughout the United States, each containing space for at least 2,500 inmates; and (2) in determining the location of such prisons, to consider the feasibility of converting Federal correctional complexes currently in the planning or construction phase. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) consideration of cost-effective alternatives and State and local re-use plans; and (2) acceptance of qualifying prisoners. Prohibits the Attorney General from certifying a State as a qualifying State unless the State is providing: (1) "truth in sentencing" with respect to specified felony crimes of violence which provides that defendants will serve at least 85 percent of the sentence ordered and which limits the sentencing judges' discretion; (2) pretrial detention similar to that provided in the Federal system; (3) sentences at least as long as those imposed under Federal law for murderers, firearm offenders where death or serious bodily injury results, sex offenders, and child abuse offenders; and (4) suitable recognition for victims' rights, including consideration of the victim's perspective at all appropriate stages of criminal proceedings. Title III: Effective Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences - Amends the Federal criminal code to set mandatory prison terms for: (1) using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; and (2) distributing illegal drugs to minors or using minors in drug trafficking activities. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide for mandatory life imprisonment without release for drug felons and violent criminals convicted a third time. Title IV: Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Directs: (1) the President, through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to ensure that the number of full-time equivalent positions in all executive agencies (excluding the General Accounting Office) does not exceed specified levels for FY 1994-1998; and (2) OMB to continuously monitor all agencies for compliance and to notify the President and the Congress of any failure to comply. Establishes as a separate account in the Treasury the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund, which: (1) may be appropriated exclusively for the purposes authorized in this Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993; and (2) shall be excluded from, and not taken into account for purposes of, any budget enforcement procedures under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Requires: (1) the President to report annually on the status of the Fund; and (2) the Director of OMB to reduce discretionary spending limits for FY 1994-1998 as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Applicant Job Search, Voucher Program, Transition and Work Program, Etc. Title II: Provisions Relating to Paternity Establishment Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States Title V: Expedited State Waiver Authority Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens Title VII: Miscellaneous Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Applicant Job Search, Voucher Program, Transition and Work Program, Etc. - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require State AFDC plans to require AFDC applicants to search for a job while their application for AFDC is being processed; (2) make reimbursable job search expenses for transportation and child care; and (3) require the State to have in effect an employment voucher program under which eligible individuals receiving AFDC or food stamps shall receive vouchers in lieu of such benefits after they have obtained employment with a qualified employer. (Sec. 103) Amends SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) to require State JOBS programs to include specified transition and work supplementation components. Amends the community work experience and work supplementation programs. (Sec. 104) Revises State AFDC plan requirements for: (1) sanctions for an individual's failure to participate in the JOBS program; and (2) exemptions from JOBS program participation requirements. (Sec. 106) Increases State JOBS program and work program participation rates with regard to AFDC-eligible individuals and unemployed parents, respectively. Extends to all States the option to limit AFDC-UP (AFDC for Unemployed Parents). (Sec. 107) Provides for additional payments to States for JOBS programs. Title II: Provisions Relating to Paternity Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part A to provide for reduction of AFDC for the parents or guardians of children whose paternity is not established. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to require each State to have in effect laws requiring outreach to pregnant, unmarried women regarding paternity establishment and eligibility for benefits under Federal and State programs, including assistance under AFDC. (Sec. 203) Increases the paternity establishment percentage. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Makes various specified changes with regard to State child support order registries, the Parent Locator Service, regulations for sharing child support information, income withholding orders, and noncustodial parents with child support arrearages who are applying for, or are already on, AFDC. Title IV: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States - Amends SSA title IV part A to give States the option to: (1) disallow the increases or decreases in AFDC payments that are mandated by this Act on the basis of childhood preventive health care examinations and immunizations; (2) increase or decrease AFDC payments on the basis of attendance at educational or vocational training institutions; (3) deny AFDC for additional children; (4) provide for a married couple transitional benefit in cases where an AFDC recipient marries an individual who is not a parent of the recipient's child and the resulting family would become ineligible for AFDC by reason of the marriage; (5) treat families moving interstate who apply for AFDC in their new State of residence, where they have resided for less than one year, under the AFDC rules of their former State of residence; (6) condition the receipt of AFDC on the recipient's attendance at appropriate parenting and money management classes; (7) deny AFDC to unmarried individuals under 18 who are pregnant or have a dependent child (if the State does not opt to deny AFDC eligibility in such case, then it must require that the individuals live at home to be AFDC-eligible); and (8) disregard certain savings of a family on AFDC designated for education in determining eligibility for AFDC. (Sec. 401) Requires States to conduct appropriate education and outreach activities designed to increase public awareness of the importance of preventive health care and immunizations for pre-school children. Requires the Surgeon General to issue, and periodically revise, recommendations for the immunization of children under six. Title V: Expedited State Waiver Authority - Establishes an Interagency Waiver Request Board to provide a focal point within the Federal Government for the development and coordination of waiver requests designed to improve opportunities for low-income individuals and families. (Sec. 502) Prescribes contents of applications to implement Federal assistance plans, as well as the review, approval, implementation, and evaluation processes. (Sec. 505) Requires any entity applying for plan approval to establish a Public-Private Partnership Committee to advise it on plan development and implementation. Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens - Prohibits, generally, the payment of direct Federal financial benefits, food stamps, and unemployment benefits to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or refugees. (Sec. 601) Requires any lawful alien receiving any such benefits for over one year to be reported to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and be treated as a public charge for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act with regard to deportation for failing to notify the Attorney General of a current address. Deems the income and resources of any person who agrees to sponsor and provide support to a lawful alien as unearned income and resources of such alien until the alien is naturalized as an U.S. citizen. (Sec. 602) Amends SSA title IV part A to require State AFDC agencies to provide INS with information on illegal aliens. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to prohibit the payment of OASDI benefits to individuals confined by court order to public institutions pursuant to verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity (or other similar finding) or guilty, but insane. (Sec. 702) Amends SSA title IV part A to require AFDC applicants and recipients to undergo any necessary substance abuse treatment and submit to unannounced drug tests afterwards as a condition of receiving AFDC. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct research projects to evaluate education and training programs with respect to participation in the AFDC program; (2) conduct demonstration projects and report to the Congress on whether providing benefits based on need through the use of electronic cards and automatic teller machines would reduce administrative costs and fraud; and (3) establish a commission to determine the cost and feasibility of creating an interstate system to compare the social security numbers of all AFDC recipients in order to identify those recipients receiving AFDC from multiple States. (Sec. 705) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to make: (1) ineligible for SSI benefits individuals receiving SSI on the basis of a disability caused by illegal drugs who are on illegal drugs or refuse to be tested for such; and (2) changes with regard to government agencies as paid representative payees (RPs) and RP fees. (Sec. 706) Amends SSA title IV part A to: (1) make State AFDC fraud control programs mandatory; and (2) permanently bar individuals found guilty of fraud in connection with the AFDC program from being considered in determining their families' eligibility for AFDC.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax and Insurance Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Health Care Expenses Subtitle B: Insurance Provisions Subtitle C: Employer Provisions Subtitle D: Federal Preemption Subtitle E: Report Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Reforms Subtitle A: Medicare Subtitle B: Medicaid Title III: Health Care Liability Reform Title IV: Administrative Cost Savings Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws Title V: Anti-Fraud Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Long-Term Care Consumer Choice Health Security Act of 1994 - Title I: Tax and Insurance Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Health Care Expenses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for health care expenses based upon percentages of qualified health insurance premiums and adjusted gross income. Provides advance payments of such credit by employers. (Sec. 102) Allows individuals a tax credit for a percentage of contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Exempts such accounts from taxation. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. (Sec. 103) Terminates the medical expense deduction and the exclusion for employer-provided health insurance. Subtitle B: Insurance Provisions - Part I: Federally Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Sets forth requirements for federally qualified health insurance plans, including coverage for acute medical care, cost-sharing, premium rating practices, and guaranteed issuance and renewability. Part II: Certification of Federally Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Requires States to meet standards for regulatory programs for the certification of federally qualified health insurance plans. Subtitle C: Employer Provisions - Requires employers to: (1) withhold health insurance premiums from employee wages and remit such premiums to the employee's chosen insurer; and (2) notify employees of their right to claim an advance refundable tax credit for such premiums. (Sec. 122) Provides for the conversion and continuation of existing insurance plans to required coverage under this Act. (Sec. 125) Establishes the Benefits Cash Out Commission to propose a procedure under which individuals may cash out Federal health benefits. Provides for congressional consideration of such proposal prior to its implementation. (Sec. 126) Imposes excise taxes on employers and health insurance carriers for noncompliance with this Act. Subtitle D: Federal Preemption - Preempts specified State laws concerning health insurance. Subtitle E: Report - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress five years after the enactment of this Act on certain aspects of health insurance coverage. Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Reforms - Subtitle A: Medicare - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the feasibility of allowing future Medicare beneficiaries to elect to receive certificates with which to purchase private health insurance coverage instead of receiving Medicare benefits. (Sec. 202) Eliminates disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicare. (Sec. 203) Provides for a reduction in the adjustment for indirect medical education costs under Medicare. (Sec. 204) Imposes copayments for laboratory services, certain home health visits, and skilled nursing facility services provided under Medicare. (Sec. 207) Moves payment updates to January for all payment rates under Medicare's hospital insurance program. (Sec. 208) Accelerates the transition to prospective rates for facility costs in hospital outpatient departments. Subtitle B: Medicaid - Places a cap on Federal payments for acute medical services furnished under a State's Medicaid program. (Sec. 212) Provides for waivers from Medicaid requirements in order to establish acute medical services programs. (Sec. 213) Terminates disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to States for programs to provide health insurance coverage, acute medical services, preventive care, and disease prevention services to low-income individuals. Title III: Health Care Liability Reform - Health Care Liability Reform Act of 1994 - Limits payments, damages, and attorney's fees in health care malpractice actions and claims. (Sec. 304) Declares that a manufacturer or seller of a health care product shall not be strictly liable for injury from: (1) a defect in the design of the product; or (2) a failure to warn or instruct regarding a risk posed by the product that was not known or reasonably knowable. (Sec. 305) Limits the amount of noneconomic damages that may be awarded in a health care malpractice claim or a health care product liability claim. Allows several liability for noneconomic loss and for punitive damages. (Sec. 306) Allows punitive damages to be awarded only if the claimant establishes that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to the health of those harmed by the product. Disallows punitive damages against a product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Title IV: Administrative Cost Savings - Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to: (1) data elements for use in paper and electronic claims processing under health benefit plans and in utilization review and management of care; (2) uniform claims forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary, two years after standards are adopted for classes of services upon determining that a significant number of claims for benefits for such services under health benefit plans are not being submitted in accordance with such standards, to require that all providers of such services submit claims to health benefit plans in accordance with such standards. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the ongoing receipt and review of comments and suggestions for changes in the standards adopted and promulgated; (2) establish a schedule for the periodic review of such standards; and (3) revise such standards. Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards - Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data, including standards for transmission of such data and confidentiality of patient-specific information. Authorizes the Secretary to periodically revise such standards. (Sec. 412) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the sharing of hospital information under Medicare; (2) waiver of such requirements; and (3) application of such requirements to hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Sec. 413) Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to require a provider to present and transmit a required data element electronically in accordance with applicable presentation or transmission standards. (Sec. 414) Sets forth limitations on data requirements where standards with respect to data elements are in effect. (Sec. 415) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission on the standards established under this part and operational concerns about the implementation of such standards. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Directs the Secretary to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program that meets specified criteria and a specified schedule. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to enable each State to plan development and initiate implementation of its health care value information program; and (2) recover the amount of such a grant by offset against any other amount payable to the State under the Social Security Act under specified circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 422) Directs the Secretary to take actions necessary to implement a comparable program in a State that fails to develop or implement a health care value information program in accordance with such criteria and schedule. Authorizes the Secretary to charge fees for the information materials provided pursuant to such a program. (Sec. 423) Directs the head of each Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to individuals to develop health care value information relating to each program that such head administers and covering the same types of data that a State program meeting such criteria would provide. Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws - Specifies that, effective January 1, 1996, no effect shall be given to any provision of State law that requires medical or health insurance records (including billing information) to be maintained in written, rather than electronic, form. Title V: Anti-Fraud - Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties upon a health care provider that knowingly engages in any scheme or artifice to defraud a person in connection with the provision of health care. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward of up to $10,000 to a person who furnishes information unknown to the Government relating to a possible prosecution for health care fraud, with exceptions. Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities - Amends the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) the application of Federal health anti-fraud and abuse sanctions to all fraud and abuse against any health insurance plan; and (2) treble damages for making or causing to be made false statements or representatives involving Medicare or State health care programs, for illegal remuneration, and for false statements or representatives with respect to the condition or operation of health care institutions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with State and local health care officials, to: (1) identify opportunities for the satisfaction of community service obligations that a court may impose upon the conviction of a criminal offense involving Medicare or State health care programs; and (2) make information concerning such opportunities available to Federal and State law enforcement officers and State and local health care officials. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities related to the provision of health care services. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney's fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 602) Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. (Sec. 603) Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors and to review and report to the Congress on proposed safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 604) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth provisions regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 605) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 606) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review the safe harbors and certificates of review periodically and (2) promulgate such rules, regulations, and guidelines as necessary to carry out provisions of this title. Title VII: Long-Term Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income certain amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums. (Sec. 702) Provides for the nonrecognition of gain or loss on the exchange of any life insurance contract or an endowment or annuity contract for a long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 703) Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid or advanced to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill or chronically and has been permanently confined to ill and qualified facility.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Rural Community Bank Paperwork Relief Act of 1993 - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to exempt certain small-sized rural financial institutions from its evaluation and examination requirements. Directs Federal financial supervisory agencies to give appropriate weight and consideration to certain small-sized institutions that have made investments and loans to projects providing benefits to distressed communities within relevant service areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Persons With Disabilities Trusts Tax Rate Restoration Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 1993 rate increase in the rate of income tax as applied to trusts established for: (1) individuals who are disabled; (2) support and maintenance of individuals under age 21 whose parents are deceased; and (3) higher education costs of the grantor's children or grandchildren.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1993
Equitable Escheatment Act of 1993 - Amends specified Federal law to prescribe guidelines under which unclaimed distributions of security interests shall be subject to the custodial taking (escheatment) by the State which contains the principal executive offices of either the issuer or the holder of those securities.
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